Under the care of the maidservants, Li An changed into fresh clothing and consumed a medicinal meal, slightly regaining his spirits. Cao Jiang and Yan Lei came to report the events of the past year to Li An in detail.

In the span of a year and two months, the tumult caused by Zhang Deyi's self-detonation has completely subsided.

The primary reasons being Xu Qiuhui's failure to advance and White Tiger Master's successful Golden Core of Full Prosperity, both events overshadowing Zhang Deyi's self-detonation.

"Pavilion Master, we went to White Tiger Mountain three times to inquire so that Zhang Deyi's refined pills wouldn't be taken by White Tiger Mountain, but we were never granted an audience."

Cao Jiang's face showed some indignation: "Moreover, half a year ago, Xu Qiuhui failed in Core Formation. She obviously acquired the Primordial Spirit Pill, which was your share. It's uncertain whether it can be retrieved..."

Upon hearing this, Li An sighed deeply and said, "Surviving is already fated."

"As for the Primordial Spirit Pill, first send a letter to White Tiger Mountain on my behalf, stating that I will visit in ten days."

In truth, all of this was within his expectations.

A normal Primordial Spirit Pill, an inferior pill, held in Xu Qiuhui's hands—what she would do was self-evident.

Rely on promises, on contractual integrity and morality?

That would be wishful thinking.

But the stance Li An needed to show, he still had to show.

To fight!

Not fighting would be abnormal.

"Additionally, spread some rumors that White Tiger Mountain ignored agreements and privately seized the pills..."

He shared the selection order for the pills agreed upon with Zhang Deyi and the others with Cao Jiang and Yan Lei.

Both understood that Li An intended to stir public opinion.

As leverage to demand the pills from White Tiger Mountain.

...

In the following days, Li An closed his doors to visitors, refusing to see anyone.

He focused on recuperating.

The damaged residence had long been rebuilt, everything was back to normal.

Late at night, he repeatedly pondered over the events of the past year.

Here in White Tiger City, the top-grade Primordial Spirit Pill... should have been covered up.

After all, he hid the top-grade Primordial Spirit Pill so well and had Zhang Deyi put on a performance; everything was reasonable and without anomaly.

But for safety, he wouldn't retrieve the top-grade Primordial Spirit Pill for decades!

Acting as if the top-grade Primordial Spirit Pill never existed.

Once he advanced to Late-Stage Foundation Establishment and achieved Perfection, he would then slowly retrieve it...

By that time, everyone should have forgotten about it...

Next, it's repetitive negotiation with White Tiger Mountain.

At most, White Tiger Mountain would give him one inferior Primordial Spirit Pill!

Therefore, to appease Li An's anger, they would certainly offer other compensation.

...

He then picked up a letter sent from the main pavilion:

"At the main pavilion, Zhou Ying died suddenly ten years ago, and Guo Ling was promoted to the position of the second Artifact Evaluator..."

"A year ago, Mo Rong was caught embezzling magical artifacts and was expelled from the Treasure Pavilion..."

"This year, the elderly and frequently ill chief Artifact Evaluator Xu Changkong is finally leaving the Treasure Pavilion."

The main pavilion invited Li An to return, as the chief Artifact Evaluator position was to be decided between him and Guo Ling.

However, Li An only slightly sneered.

Qin Xuan's tactics were truly ruthless.

It now seems that all the schemes planned to kill him in the past had come to light.

Although it wasn't clear who Guo Ling was to Qin Xuan, or their relationship, it was obvious Qin Xuan aimed to elevate Guo Ling!

First kill Li An, then cause Zhou Ying's sudden death, and finally expose Mo Rong's misconduct, leading to Mo Rong's downfall.

Guo Ling became the sole candidate for chief Artifact Evaluator.

Except, unexpectedly, Li An survived against the odds, now hiding in White Tiger City, beyond their reach.

When the letter arrived a year ago, Li An was in a coma.

Without hesitation, he replied to the main pavilion, stating he was unwilling to return and preferred to relieve the main pavilion's burdens from the White Tiger City branch.

He believed this was also what Qin Xuan wanted. They had reached a mutual understanding back then.

Li An wouldn't fight for power and profit; she wouldn't come looking for trouble for Li An.

"White Tiger Master has emerged, attaining Golden Core of Full Prosperity, and the Demon Slaying Array is about to be closed..."

Li An couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret.

With the Demon Slaying Array's closure, the Third Princess might send people over.

The carefree days without surveillance in these past decades were truly comfortable.

"Preparation for opposing the Yin Yang Demon Sect must also be made..."

He felt a heavy pressure.

The talismans and arrays he had prepared in former years were mostly depleted in the battle against Zhang Deyi.

Though acquiring a top-grade Primordial Spirit Pill in exchange was certainly not a loss, it left scant resources for dealing with the Demon Sect.

"If only I could cultivate peacefully in White Tiger City for several more decades, advancing to Late-Stage Foundation Establishment, then the mysterious demonic qi within me could be entirely refined, and I could abscond far away with the top-grade Primordial Spirit Pill..."

This was the ideal scenario!

...

Ten days later.

Li An finally arrived at the front of White Tiger Mountain.

Though he had returned to White Tiger City twice in the past, this was his first time stepping onto the path leading into White Tiger Mountain.

Spiritual Qi was abundant on White Tiger Mountain, considered the strongest Rank Three Spirit Vein, and arrays were visible everywhere. White Tiger Master had evidently fortified White Tiger Mountain into an impenetrable stronghold.

Entering the grand hall on White Tiger Mountain, Li An was quite surprised to see the White Tiger Master personally appearing to receive him.

"Master Zuo's visit brings radiance to my humble abode."

The White Tiger Master sat at the head seat, as beautiful as ever, with an air even more elegant than before. Her temperament was grand and confident, with a faint regal aura; even across two lifetimes, Li An secretly admired her grace.

In the brutal cultivation realm, cultivation was truly the best adornment a woman could have!

Beside her, the frail young girl remained, very calm, seemingly unperturbed by anything.

Li An said, "Greetings, Master. I've come this time because of a dispute with one of your disciples."

He got straight to the point.

The White Tiger Master replied faintly, "I am already aware of this matter. Someone, call Xu Qiuhui up here."

In a short while, Xu Qiuhui ascended the grand hall.

Compared to a year ago, she was hardly the same person, with white hair streaking her temples, wrinkles marring her face, and a blank, numb look in her eyes.

She looked as if she had aged many years!

Failing the Core Formation attempt had depleted much of her blood vitality, evidently affecting her lifespan and physical condition, and even her cultivation had fallen from Late-Stage Foundation Establishment to Mid Stage!

"Qiu Hui, explain yourself to Master Zuo—"

The White Tiger Master instructed.

Xu Qiuhui looked at Li An, smiling tragically, "Master Zuo, Qiu Hui was blinded by greed. While you were unconscious, I took your pills. Now, only an inferior pill remains... Qiu Hui has wronged you!"

Li An, hearing this, was shocked, racked with anger as he gritted his teeth and said furiously, "What, you, you..."

He pointed at Xu Qiuhui, momentarily so incensed his face turned pale.

"An apology should be sincere,"

The White Tiger Master casually waved her hand, and Xu Qiuhui's knees audibly cracked as they broke, forcing her to kneel before Li An, her knees bloodied!

Xu Qiuhui writhed in agony but dared not utter a word.

Failing in Core Formation led to her loss of value in White Tiger Mountain...

Li An still angrily slammed his hand on the armrest, saying, "How could it be like this, how could it be like this..."

"Master, I... this matter cannot just be overlooked! That was supposed to be my Primordial Spirit Pill!"

His fury bordered on desperation.

After all, the value of a Primordial Spirit Pill was immense...

The White Tiger Master gave a slight smile, "Naturally, rest assured, Master Zuo, our White Tiger Mountain will not disappoint you."

Li An asked, "So, Master, will you be giving me a Primordial Spirit Pill?"

His eyes glimmered with hope.

"No,"

The White Tiger Master shook her head, "White Tiger Mountain currently has no Primordial Spirit Pill, and it's difficult to gather the necessary ingredients for refining at the moment."

Li An frowned, "Then what does Master mean?"

The White Tiger Master did not answer directly but instead said, "Master Zuo, given your talent, even with a Primordial Spirit Pill, forming a Core in this life might be difficult..."

Li An's expression darkened.

"However, I do know of a miraculous technique that can improve your aptitude. Mastering it would render forming a Core not impossible..."

On hearing this, Li An became instantly wary, but still expressed interest, "What miraculous technique?"

The White Tiger Master waved her hand, sending a jade slip flying toward Li An.

Li An caught it and looked at it carefully.

"This technique is called the Joyful Union Heavenly Dao Skill. It can improve one's Spirit Root, transforming the cultivator..."

The White Tiger Master stated leisurely.

Li An scrutinized it thoroughly, but inwardly he was shocked.

What nonsense of a Joyful Union Heavenly Dao Skill... this was clearly the Yin Yang Demon Furnace Skill.

It had merely been altered, so it no longer appeared as a Demon Skill!

...

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