I Outworked the Entire Cultivation World

Chapter 75: Chapter 64: When Enemies Meet

”What is she here for?!” Lin Suwan exclaimed in surprise.

Jia Xiuchun’s instincts flared up, ”Elder, be cautious of deception.”

Lin Xiangtian’s eyes flickered slightly, ”Let her in.”

”Yes.”

Lin Suwan anxiously looked at Jia Xiuchun, who shook her head slightly, ”I will stay here with the Elder, Wanwan, you should leave first.”

Lin Suwan bit her lip and withdrew, leaving through a small side door.

Soon after, Qii Ming brought Jiang Yuebai over.

Standing outside the door, Jiang Yuebai saw Jia Xiuchun for the first time.

Jia Xiuchun appeared haughty, and even at this moment as she served Lin Xiangtian like a maid, she still carried the air of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Her almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly, looking disdainfully at Jiang Yuebai.

Lin Xiangtian’s gaze fell on the white jade Inner Sect Disciple token at Jiang Yuebai’s waist, made of the same material as his own. He recalled the little girl at the mountain gate who he could easily have crushed with a mere gesture, and found it incredible she had grown to this point.

Jiang Yuebai glanced at the two of them, her demeanor relaxed as she crossed the threshold and stepped inside without the slightest fear.

This day, she had spent five whole years thinking about!

”Jiang Yuebai greets Elder Lin.”

An Inner Sect Disciple does not need to kneel to anyone, so Jiang Yuebai only slightly bowed.

She ignored Jia Xiuchun, causing a subtle displeasure to appear on Jia Xiuchun’s face, though she couldn’t lash out in front of Lin Xiangtian.

Lin Xiangtian remained silent, releasing the pressure of a Golden Core Master, slowly picking up a teacup and taking a sip.

After setting the teacup down, he spoke, ”What brings you to see this elder? Aren’t you here seeking vengeance now that you’re an Inner Sect Disciple?”

Jiang Yuebai stood firm against the pressure of the Golden Core Master, her expression remaining as relaxed as ever.

”Of course not, I am here today for three reasons: to express gratitude, to apologize, and to discuss collaboration.”

”Oh?” Lin Xiangtian raised an eyebrow, while Jia Xiuchun remained on guard.

Jiang Yuebai continued unhurriedly, ”I wish to thank Elder Lin for the rebuke at the mountain gate all those years ago, which made me understand that there’s always someone better out there. Since then, I have been cautious and diligent, which allowed me to survive and achieve what I have today.”

Lin Xiangtian’s demeanor softened, ”Do you truly believe that and aren’t simply mocking this old man with irony?”

Jiang Yuebai’s attitude was sincere, her gaze clear, ”Indeed, without Elder Lin’s admonishment, my youthful arrogance would have led to an early death hundreds of times over.”

”You are indeed sensible.”

Jia Xiuchun’s brow furrowed more tightly, an alarm ringing in her heart. It was rare for someone with such a deep grudge to bear it so well, and her calmness indicated that her ambitions were significant enough to even forsake her pride.

Such individuals are often the most fearsome!

Jiang Yuebai raised her eyes suddenly to look at Jia Xiuchun, a sharp glint flashing that made Jia Xiuchun’s heart skip, yet the next moment, Jiang Yuebai’s face held only a sincere, gentle smile, as if that sharpness had been mere illusion.

”Junior Master Jia, in my young and ignorant years, I must have offended you multiple times. I ask for your forgiveness on behalf of Elder Lin.”

Jia Xiuchun’s brows knitted tighter, a growing sense of threat.

”Actually, there is no personal vendetta between us, everything stems from Tao Fengnian. Over these years at the Yin Mountain Mine, I have lived in constant fear, fully aware that I cannot contend against Elder Lin’s power. Today, I came specially to apologize, hoping to turn hostility into cooperation, so unrelated people don’t affect my collaboration with Elder Lin.”

”How are they unrelated? That was my brother, my only remaining family!” Jia Xiuchun glared in anger.

Lin Xiangtian raised his hand, and Jia Xiuchun held back her fury.

”When have we ever collaborated?” Lin Xiangtian inquired.

”We haven’t yet, but we will. Elder Lin should know that I have obtained the Spiritual Cultivation Master Token. The Spiritual Medicines needed by the Alchemy Elder all require a Spiritual Cultivation Master to grow them. The quality of the medicines affects the results of the alchemist’s elixirs, so Elder Lin will definitely require a good Spiritual Cultivation Master.”

Lin Xiangtian was indifferent, chuckling lightly, ”There’s only about twenty Alchemy Elders in the Heavenly Interence Sect, but over thirty Spiritual Cultivation Masters. Do you think this old man would have trouble finding one for growing medicines?”

Jia Xiuchun wore an expression of pride, having secured Xiao Ankuo from Purple Cloud Valley, who had cultivated all four magical techniques to the fourth layer, for Lin Xiangtian three years ago.

Among all the Spiritual Cultivation Masters, he was currently the strongest. Why would Jiang Yuebai, a novice who had just passed the exam, presume to seek collaboration with such immodesty?

Jiang Yuebai met Jia Xiuchun’s disdainful gaze directly, taking out her Spiritual Cultivation Master’s token.

On one side of the black iron token was an engraving of grains, the other side bore the levels of the magical techniques tested during the examination.

Jiang Yuebai turned the token to show the side carved with the technique levels to Lin Xiangtian.

”Elder Lin, with three five-layer Spiritual Cultivation Magical Techniques at your disposal for growing medicines, do I meet your standards?”

”Five layers? That’s impossible!”

Jia Xiuchun was dumbfounded, Lin Xiangtian sat up abruptly, raising his hand to capture the token into his grasp.

After examining it closely and confirming the token wasn’t forged, Lin Xiangtian’s eyes filled with fervor.

Jiang Yuebai wasn’t wrong; the quality of spiritual medicine affects the quality of elixirs, and in turn, the quality of elixirs directly influences the status of the Alchemy Elder in the Elixir Hall and even the entire Heavenly Interference Sect.

The difference between Five-Layer and Four-Layer Magical Techniques is vast; the spiritual medicine cultivated is unmatched in growth speed and medicinal properties by those using Four-Layer Techniques.

Due to injuries to his Golden Core, Lin Xiangtian’s alchemy skills were always on the decline within the Heavenly Interference Sect, looked down upon by other alchemists, and his days weren’t easy.

Previously, he dared not think or strive for more, but with Jiang Yuebai’s assistance using Five-Layer Spiritual Cultivation Techniques, the position of Great Elder in the Elixir Hall might not be impossible to contest.

”Elder, you must not fall for her trick!”

Jia Xiuchun was anxious at heart, instinctively feeling that this sly girl spoke half-truths, with ill intentions!

Jiang Yuebai did not shy away from the scrutinizing and hostile gazes; that was exactly the effect she wanted.

To have Jia Xiuchun and Lin Xiangtian jump into the pit knowing full well.

Jiang Yuebai knew Lin Xiangtian would surely be moved, otherwise why would the other Alchemy Elders of the Elixir Hall offer her such generous conditions?

A Spiritual Cultivation Master with Five-Layer Spiritual Cultivation Magical Technique is a fatal attraction to Alchemy Elders.

And her refusal to accept a friendly offering forces Lin Xiangtian to oppose her, thus making enemies for him invisibly.

”Elder Lin, after all, I was once part of the Lin Mansion, although I had some grievances with Junior Sister Suiwan, it was just youthful ignorance, petty squabbles. The Lin Mansion once graciously provided me a meal, I ought to repay that kindness. Now I have worked hard to obtain the status of Inner Sect Disciple, the time for soaring high is now.”

”Open attacks are easy to dodge, but hidden ones are hard to guard against. I don’t want to live every day in fear and anxiety, disrupting my cultivation. Whether I plant medicine for any Elder, I’ll still have to plant it. Why not use this to turn hostility into friendship, dispel worries, and cooperate for mutual benefit? Why would you not?”

Lin Xiangtian tossed the token back to Jiang Yuebai, ”You are indeed perceptive.”

Jia Xiuchun was beside herself with worry, yet helpless.

”Those who know to adapt are the wise; I understand. Tao Fengnian indeed treated me well, but he was not my true grandfather, merely using me to pursue the Spiritual Cultivation Master title and demand the Lifespan Extension Pill from the sect, how much sincerity can there be? In the end, I ended up having to flee to the Yin Mountain Mine because of it.”

”The deceased are not worthy of me compromising my cultivation further; immediate opportunities are what matter. If Elder Lin ever needs any spiritual medicine planted, feel free to send someone with the list to Huaxi Valley to seek me. I will put in my utmost effort.”

”Additionally, I accidentally acquired a stock of Earth Flame Dragon Gall Grass at the Yin Mountain Mine; after years of careful cultivation, it has reached Seventh Grade. I do not understand alchemy, so it is useless for me to hold onto it, thus, I gift it to Elder Lin.”

Jiang Yuebai took out a jade box containing the preserved spiritual medicine and offered it with both hands.

Lin Xiangtian’s eyes flashed slightly, he absorbed the box into his hand and opened it, revealing indeed a Seventh Grade Earth Flame Dragon Gall Grass.

This plant is a rare variety found only in the wild underground; it can be refined into the ’Yin Yang Red Blood Elixir,’ which is very effective in resolving the cold poison in his Golden Core, although this elixir is notoriously difficult to refine.

Lin Xiangtian casually tossed the box to Jia Xiuchun, indifferent, ”What you said today, I need to contemplate, take your leave for now.”

”Yes, Yuebai takes her leave.”

Jiang Yuebai cupped her hands in salute, glanced one last time at the seething Jia Xiuchun, smirked, and turned to leave.

As soon as Jiang Yuebai left, Jia Xiuchun immediately spoke.

”Elder, you must not trust her, she harbors malicious intent, plotting something I cannot discern!”

Lin Xiangtian’s eyebrows knitted with slight displeasure, ”I am naturally aware that she has schemes, no need for you to remind me. She thinks to outsmart me? She’s far too inexperienced.”

Jia Xiuchun trembled, ”Elder, forgive my overreach, Xiuchun was presumptuous.”

”No need to say any more of this, I have my considerations. She’s just a child acting on impulse, presuming to leverage her Inner Sect Disciple status to control me, naive! There are thousands of disciples in the Inner Sect; if the Sect Master happens to favor her now, she might well be forgotten by tomorrow, not worth fearing.”

”But she does indeed have some skills and can be utilized for the time being; when of no further use, she can be terminated. She’s a Little Qi Cultivation Cultivator, even given the latitude to cultivate for ten or twenty years, what harm does that bring? Set aside your grievances with her for now; the cold poison afflicting me and the contention for the Great Elder position of the Elixir Hall are paramount, you must prioritize accordingly, understand?”

Jia Xiuchun clamped her lips, filled with anxiety, felt Jiang Yuebai was purposely sowing discord between her and Lin Xiangtian. Yet, at this moment, she could not convince Lin Xiangtian, and could only comply.

As Lin Xiangtian reached for the jade box, Jia Xiuchun summoned her courage to caution again, ”Elder, that girl harbors ill intent, it’s best you don’t use this plant.”

Lin Xiangtian’s gaze flickered, ”Quite right, this Earth Flame Dragon Gall Grass should remain with you for now. Ensure its medicinal properties remain intact by daily infusing Fire Spiritual Energy to nurture it, and let me contemplate further.”

Lin Xiangtian departed, Jia Xiuchun breathed a sigh of relief, hurriedly stashing the box, thoughts racing.

Revenge for her brother could be postponed, but she would not allow that haughty girl to harm Elder Lin one bit!

Even if Elder Lin were to blame her in the future, she must find a way to eliminate this threat, once was enough for a tiger’s trouble.

Thinking she could lure Elder Lin into a pit by planting spiritual medicine?

She’d make sure that girl couldn’t recruit even a single Spiritual Cultivator, see how she plans to plant anything alone!

”Qii Ming, summon Xiao Ankuo from Purple Cloud Valley to come see me immediately!”