The main reason is that his backing has been too formidable these past few years!

Ever since Jiang Ribai brought Ruo Li back to acknowledge her ancestry, he became the most dominant among the four True Core Elders.

Ruo Li lived up to her talent, advancing swiftly in her Beast Taming Skill, and though she started late, she's already recognized as a genius in the Jiang family. In five years, she reached the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, nearly advancing a minor level each year.

She and Er Niu visited Li An once.

Li An used to be the master of both, but now their statuses are worlds apart. When they met, Li An could only address her as Miss, greeting her with respect.

However, she still addressed Li An as Master, and even reciprocated with the courtesy expected of a disciple, gifting him some presents.

This made Li An quite emotional. Nowadays, with Ruo Li being the center of attention in the Jiang family, it is rare to find someone maintaining such genuine simplicity and sincerity.

After all, he had seen too many who, after rising from poverty to wealth, became arrogant with success, the kindness and simplicity that once accompanied their weakness disappearing utterly.

For these reasons, Li An lived peacefully.

This year, there was even news in the family that the patriarch's cultivation might be having some issues, possibly necessitating closed-door training. When that happens, Jiang Ribai would become the foremost figure presiding over family affairs, making things even smoother for Li An.

It can be said that now Li An already has the environment necessary for Core Formation!

But he cannot proceed with Core Formation just yet.

For one, his cultivation level when he entered the Jiang family was merely at the Mid Stage Foundation Establishment. Suddenly advancing to Core Formation would arouse suspicion, and he needed time to rationalize this progression.

For another, he still needed a publicly acknowledged "Primordial Spirit Pill."

He certainly cannot let anyone know that he possesses a Top Grade Primordial Spirit Pill, hence he must conceal it!

Fortunately, the Jiang family is enormous and wealthy. Though the Primordial Spirit Pill is a core strategic resource, inferior pills are accessible!

Li An plans to accumulate resources over the years and then purchase an "inferior Primordial Spirit Pill" from the Jiang family for Core Formation. This would also make the Jiang family more reassured about him.

In secret, he would use the Top Grade Primordial Spirit Pill for Core Formation, and once he forms his core, it would be a fait accompli, leaving nothing for others to exploit.

"Sir, aren't you going to enter closed-door training yet?"

In the morning, Sun Jinxue woke up with Li An and noticed that his cultivation was ready to impact the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment.

Moreover, Li An already had the Spirit Awakening Pill to aid him.

"You're right, I'll enter closed-door training tomorrow."

Li An smiled slightly.

Pretend to breakthrough to Late-Stage Foundation Establishment, and after success, spend twenty to thirty years laying groundwork, pretending to cultivate to Foundation Establishment Great Perfection. By then, it should also be possible to purchase an inferior Primordial Spirit Pill from the Jiang family.

The grand plan is achievable!

The next day, Li An began closed-door training.

Three months later.

Li An officially exited seclusion, and his strength on the surface advanced to Late-Stage Foundation Establishment.

"This is the task released by the family this month—"

Not long after coming out, the family steward arrived, bringing him this month's task list.

The family directly engaged with the magistrate to assign tasks, leaving internal arrangements to Magistrate Li An himself.

Li An took the letter, frowned, and asked, "Brother Xinda, why has the quantity of talismans, magical artifacts, and pills increased so much this month? It's four times the usual amount!"

The steward, named Jiang Xinda, often interacted with Li An. They built a camaraderie and referred to each other as brothers.

Jiang Xinda chuckled and said, "Brother Wu, don't blame me. It's not just Black Tortoise Hall; White Tiger and Cyan Dragon halls are the same."

He said leisurely, "For the sake of our friendship, Brother Wu, I'll give you a hint. The amount is likely going to be as much as this… or even more."

Li An's heart stirred.

Even though he is a magistrate, his status is different, and he doesn't have access to certain family secrets.

In contrast, Jiang Xinda, as a family core steward, likely knows more than Li An.

The sudden increase in the Jiang family's demand for resources, and a continuous increase at that, signifies frantic preparation.

Usually, only one possibility prompts such preparation!

War!

Because, in war, the consumption of various resources is enormous!

The more prepared in advance, the more abundant during the war.

Yet throughout Yan Country, the Jiang family has no enemies, and within Qing Province, the Jiang family is a dominant force, unchallenged by anyone.

Unless…

Could it be that a war is going to occur between the Yan Country and the Great Li Dynasty?

This thought flashed abruptly in Li An's mind!

...

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