Everything is quite clear.

In fact, the condition given by Jiang Qingcang had one meaning: to truly make Li An, an outsider, become a part of the Jiang Clan.

Not to kill Li An, but to assimilate him!

After all, Li An's cultivation is now extraordinary, at the level of a True Core Master, plus he controls a Golden Core Divine Bird... enough to gain the attention of the Jiang Clan.

Of course, what they value most is the Divine Bird.

Li An pondered for a long time.

He actually had no choice.

This was a gesture of goodwill from the Jiang family, and also Li An's only option; refuse?

That would be the death of the fish without breaking the net.

"I agree, but I also have a request—"

Li An slowly spoke.

"Speak."

Li An said, "The marriage between Jiang Ruoli and Jiang Ruoxu should end here, and I shall continue to take her as my disciple—along with Er Niu."

"If I can cure her, she can become the young master of the Jiang Clan—this is what she deserves!"

Jiang Rilan's descendants are newly deceased, and Li An's unreasonable demand immediately angered him—Even if Jiang Ruoxu is dead, his lineage can still find someone to take the position of young master, but Li An's request seems to be an attempt to meddle in the Jiang family's power feast?

But Jiang Qingcang nodded slightly, "Alright, Rilan, you've heard Protector Wu's request, it's up to you to handle it."

Jiang Rilan's face turned a bit ugly, "Yes, Ancestor."

"Then so be it. Protector Wu, in your opinion, when would it be more suitable for the Divine Bird to breed?" Jiang Qingcang glanced at Li An.

Li An mused, "The Divine Bird has just formed its core, its cultivation is unstable. I think... when its cultivation is equivalent to the mid-to-late Core Formation stage, it would be most secure?"

"Alright, then it's settled."

Jiang Qingcang said, "I still need to enter seclusion. The remaining matters will be handled by Protector Wu and Rilan."

After speaking, he got up and left.

Li An and Jiang Rilan both got up to see him off respectfully.

"Congratulations to Protector Wu for becoming the first outsider to be a Guardian Elder in our Jiang Clan's history..."

Jiang Rilan showed a false smile and congratulated Li An.

"The Patriarch is too kind... please pay attention to matters regarding Ruo Li and Er Niu."

"Of course, by the way, all our clan's Guardian Elders have their own mountain peak for cultivation. How about Protector Wu moving to South Spirit Peak?"

South Spirit Peak is one of the core areas of the Jiang Clan, previously owned by Elder Jiang Ribai.

"Good!"

Li An agreed.

He knew that the Jiang Clan arranging him at South Spirit Peak was definitely for constant surveillance, but it didn't matter.

As long as he stabilized the current situation, he could take a slow and steady approach to find an opportunity to leave, no rush.

...

Jiang Rilan gave the order, and South Spirit Peak was quickly prepared for Li An to reside in.

At the same time, a decree was issued to the Jiang Clan, announcing Li An's status.

This caused a stir throughout the Jiang family; an outsider becoming a Guardian Elder was a first, and there were many grumbles within the Jiang Clan, but when they learned this was decreed by Elder Jiang Qingcang personally coming out of seclusion, no one dared to comment further.

...

Several days later.

"Ancestor, everything has been taken care of."

The Patriarch, Jiang Rilan, came to report to Ancestor Jiang Qingcang at his secluded cultivation place.

"Hmm."

Jiang Qingcang was very calm.

"Ancestor, Wu Qin is a deep-minded person with ambitions, and after becoming a Protector, he even dares to interfere in the grooming of our clan's future Patriarch. We should not indulge him..."

Jiang Rilan reported cautiously.

In fact, he didn't care about Li An's other requests.

But Li An proposed to cure Jiang Ruoli and make her the future Patriarch... this touched on his core interests.

Even though Jiang Ruoxu is dead, his lineage can still find someone to be the young master.

But Jiang Qingcang promised Li An...

"One must have a sense of the bigger picture," Jiang Qingcang said, "The more he meddles in the core power of the Jiang Clan, the better..."

"Because that way, he will gradually truly become one of us in the Jiang Clan."

Jiang Rilan was puzzled.

"If Jiang Ruoli really becomes the future Patriarch, perhaps he could truly be used by the Jiang family, don't you think?"

In Jiang Qingcang's view, it doesn't matter to him who becomes the Patriarch.

The request made by Li An actually perfectly fitted his intention.

If Li An had no desires, that would truly warrant caution, but since he wants to participate in the Jiang Clan's power struggle, it is precisely an opportunity to gradually guide him into the Jiang family system.

"I am aware of your little thoughts,"

Jiang Qingcang gave Jiang Rilan a cold glance, "However, I will allow you to privately groom someone from your lineage as a candidate for the young master."

Jiang Rilan was a bit confused.

"I agreed to Wu Qin letting him groom Jiang Ruoli merely to give him something to aim for, so he doesn't easily nurture other thoughts..."

"But outsiders will always be outsiders, once the Divine Bird successfully breeds, it will be time to execute him..."

Jiang Qingcang's words were cold.

Jiang Rilan suddenly realized!

He was immediately delighted, this meant that the day the Divine Bird successfully breeds, would also be the day Li An meets his end!

After all, how could the Jiang family property be easily accessed by an outsider?

And with the Divine Bird's growth speed, successful breeding would only take a few decades... totally bearable.

"Ancestor is wise!"

He said respectfully, then retreated.

...

In the blink of an eye, Li An had been at South Spirit Peak for ten days.

During this period, he could be described as having unmatched glory.

The Jiang Clan executed everything well, as Jiang Qingcang said, all treatment was the same as any other True Core Master, and even slightly higher.

South Spirit Peak had a Rank Three spirit vein for cultivation, with no fewer than three hundred maids and servants to specially attend to this "Peak Master."

The monthly supply of pills, spirit stones, and resources was also very generous.

Generally speaking, the daily cultivation of a True Core cultivator requires around three hundred low-grade spirit stones.

Li An is a Golden Core cultivator, and his Golden Core is stronger than ordinary ones, so his daily consumption can reach up to one thousand low-grade spirit stones!

This amount is tremendous.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator with skills would find it good to earn a thousand low-grade spirit stones in a month.

The daily consumption of a True Core cultivator would take a Foundation Establishment cultivator an entire month of hard work to accumulate.

Moreover, this is just normal, daily consumption.

If the cultivated technique is somewhat special, like the Golden Treasure Skill Li An is practicing... it would cost even more.

In a month, without thirty to fifty thousand low-grade spirit stones, it wouldn't be manageable!

Not to mention, the spirit medicines and materials needed by Masters are incredibly expensive.

This is also why Masters generally establish their own forces or sects after reaching the True Core stage.

To sustain their own cultivation.

Even a Loose Cultivator like the White Tiger Master established White Tiger City to exploit lower-level cultivators to gain cultivation resources.

Master level Loose Cultivators are very rare!

Staying at the Jiang Clan, for now, seems to be the right decision; at least I can use the Jiang Clan's resources to first consolidate my cultivation...

"Reporting to Peak Master, Miss Ruo Li and Young Master Er Niu are here to visit!"

A beautiful maid came to report.

...

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