Longevity Begins With Zongmen Handyman

Chapter 187: Zhou Libai's Recruitment (Long Chapter)

Just as Li An had speculated, it was very quiet on the side of Longyu Gorge, and there were no enemies coming to attack.

His grand formation was still active.

Following the river, Li An stealthily returned to the stone cave, collected the puppets, and then walked out.

"The battle should be over, right?"

He asked proactively.

"It should be soon. We are safe here... It's a pity that we didn't participate in this battle, so the contribution points we can get are very low."

The other two cultivators sighed. They guarded this place but could only obtain very few contribution points.

...

After the battle ended, Li An and the others did not disperse immediately.

It seemed like Jiexi Mountain Lord had gone crazy, constantly attacking Baishan Mountain Lord's territory. There were many battles at the Mountain Lord level.

Li An heard that Jiexi Mountain Lord suffered a big loss this time!

His attack failed, and he suffered heavy casualties. The Tai Lizard Demon successfully transformed into a demon.

In addition, Baishan Mountain Lord sent another group of people to attack Jiexi Mountain Lord's old nest. It was said that Jiexi Mountain Lord's premium blood demon liquid was looted.

Furthermore, his beloved adopted son, the Earth Spirit Leopard, also died.

But strangely, Baishan Mountain Lord did not admit to any of this. He claimed that he did not obtain the premium blood demon liquid and did not kill the Earth Spirit Leopard.

Other Mountain Lords intervened to mediate, and for a while, there was a dispute over the whereabouts of the premium blood demon liquid and the Earth Spirit Leopard, becoming a mystery.

The situation remained very tense, and a new war could break out between the two Mountain Lords at any time.

...

Safely returning to Lingsha Peak, Li An was excited and began to inventory his spoils.

A Nascent Soul demon, a late-stage Foundation Establishment expert. Therefore, his gains this time were enormous!

Most of the items in the Nascent Soul demon's storage ring were used by demons.

There were two four-grade Blood Flower, which could purify the bloodline of spiritual beasts and demons, making them extremely precious to demons.

There were two pieces of demon bones, seemingly excavated from ancient ruins, recording two ground-level spells of demons.

There was a four-grade Soul Refining Flower for tempering the soul.

In addition, there was a pile of demon pills equivalent to third-grade elixirs, crystal cores, and so on.

There were only a little over a hundred spirit stones, but they were all top-grade spirit stones!

One top-grade spirit stone was equivalent to a hundred middle-grade spirit stones.

It could be said that they were all strategic resources, and if many of these things were sold, it could possibly trigger a large-scale war.

"These are all yours."

Li An directly handed the Blood Flower, demon bones, demon pills, and other items to Xiaoqing.

Xiaoqing immediately became excited and chirped, rubbing against Li An affectionately, then quickly started devouring the Blood Flower.

It was currently only in the mid-stage of Gold Core, so these things were particularly useful to it.

Li An carefully put away the four-grade Soul Refining Flower from the demon's body.

This was the third four-grade spiritual medicine he had in his possession.

Then, he opened the storage ring of the late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The resources were also very abundant.

First, there was a fourth-grade magic weapon. It was a delicate crossbow, only the size of a palm, with only three arrows left, and a range of only one li!

Judging from the range alone, it did not match the level of a fourth-grade magic weapon. However, its special feature was that the arrows could completely evade the perception of divine sense.

This meant that this thing was a complete assassination weapon!

Even if it was only a Foundation Establishment cultivator, if they didn't have a particularly powerful protective treasure, they would definitely be killed without knowing it.

It could be said that if Li An hadn't acted extremely quickly and cautiously, if he had given the old man even the slightest opportunity to lock onto him, he would have been doomed!

Li An couldn't put down this crossbow.

In addition, there were five or six third-grade magic weapons that could be used to cultivate Li An's Heavenly Demon Armor.

There were also six or seven third-grade elixirs.

There were over seventy thousand middle-grade spirit stones and over twenty thousand low-grade spirit stones.

...

With these things, Li An could continue to survive.

Most importantly, he now had three four-grade spiritual medicines, which meant that he was far ahead of others in preparing to break through to Nascent Soul.

Nascent Soul was the shackle that Li An had failed to break through in his previous life.

Once he reached the Nascent Soul stage, his lifespan would greatly increase, and his comprehension of the laws of heaven and earth would reach a higher level. Some geniuses could even comprehend certain truths and gain Divine Abilities during their breakthrough to Nascent Soul.

Nascent Soul was an overwhelmingly dominant existence compared to Foundation Establishment. It could be said that if Li An hadn't been lucky enough to encounter dying demons, even if he had reached the Gold Core stage, he would have almost no chance.

...

After organizing the resources, Li An began to contemplate.

The situation this time was different from what he had predicted.

In his opinion, with the presence of a mole on Jiexi Mountain Lord's side, Baishan Mountain Lord should have a greater chance of losing.

But Jiexi Mountain Lord was completely defeated.

Could it be that the mole didn't play a role? Or perhaps the mole had already been eliminated by Baishan Mountain Lord in these past few years?

Li An felt that there was most likely still a mole.

In the last plan of Jiang Ribai, besides the subordinates under Baishan Zhu who had been transformed into monsters, very few people were qualified to know the whole story.

But among those people, besides Jiang Ribai, there was no news of anyone dying.

The mole was still there, but it didn't provide accurate information to Jieshan Zhu... Why was that?

Unless the failure of Jieshan Zhu was beneficial to the mole!

What could be the benefit? Like Li An, to rob the other party?

Rob the other party...

Li An suddenly thought of something. Jieshan Zhu's lair was attacked, and the so-called top-grade blood demon fluid was lost!

Could it be related to this?!

Moreover, the demonic transformation flower prepared by Baishan Zhu for Tai Lizard last time was lost, and Jieshan Zhu claimed not to have obtained it.

This time, the top-grade blood demon fluid was lost, and Baishan Zhu also said he didn't take it.

Could it be that...

The mole took it??

This is not impossible!

Someone used the fight between Baishan Zhu and Jieshan Zhu to their advantage.

If that's the case, then the mole must have known about Jiang Ribai's plan last time and participated in the raid on Jieshan Zhu's lair this time!

Li An carefully thought about the personnel who went to raid Jieshan Zhu's side this time...

A faint figure appeared in his mind.

Madam She.

Could it be her?

A thought flashed through Li An's mind.

But he didn't continue to think about it. It was enough to be vigilant in the future.

For him, as long as it didn't affect him, it didn't matter!

Even if the mole killed Baishan Zhu and took his place, it would be the same for Li An.

Whether the emperor changes or not, does it affect the common people's monthly salary of three thousand? If the mountain lord is replaced by someone else, can the rent of Li An's spiritual vein be reduced every month?

...

Li An didn't ask about external matters and began to seclude himself.

His cultivation had already reached the mid-stage of the Gold Core realm, one step closer to the Nascent Soul realm.

But his Purple Mansion cultivation was still far behind!

The Purple Mansion is the foundation for the birth of the Nascent Soul. Even if a cultivator reaches the late stage of the Foundation Establishment realm, if the Purple Mansion is not formed, they still cannot qualify to impact the Nascent Soul realm.

And the Purple Mansion requires daily accumulation and continuous absorption of Yin Qi.

Obtaining it from the spiritual veins is difficult and time-consuming.

Fortunately, Li An was not in a hurry. He just needed to endure it slowly.

"I can try to break through to become a third-grade alchemist..."

He was quite excited.

Alchemy had always been the most sought-after among the various professions in cultivation. In his previous life, Li An was frustrated by his aptitude and didn't even have the qualifications to learn.

In this life, it wasn't until he reached the Foundation Establishment realm that his aptitude and spiritual roots were finally changed by the "Nourishing Life and Forging Immortal Technique," giving him the opportunity to enter the field.

Moreover, in a sense, he lacked nothing now. Famous teachers, inheritances, talent!

So his progress was very fast.

...

In the blink of an eye, another year had passed.

"There are changes in the Tiansha Mountain Range. The disputes between the major mountain lords have temporarily ceased. It seems that all the major mountain lords are undergoing reforms!"

"Yes, Jinshan Zhu has already divided his disciples, more than seventy of them, into three teams and appointed three captains. According to some internal information, Jinshan Zhu and his disciples may be incorporated by the demons!"

"Yes, I've heard that there is a large army of demons about to arrive in the deepest part of the Tiansha Mountain Range!"

During the trading fair, various news spread rapidly among the true alchemy cultivators, causing a stir.

Mainly because the cultivators in the Tiansha Mountain Range, in essence, were just tenants!

They paid rent to the mountain lords and worked for them, but strictly speaking, there was no hierarchical relationship between them.

For example, Li An, as long as he found a good place to go, he could leave at any time.

And now, the changes in the Tiansha Mountain Range meant that all human cultivators had to make a choice.

If they stayed, they would have to accept the reforms of the various mountain lords and might become part of the demons in the future, but their future was uncertain.

If they left, where would they go? After all, those who could come to the Tiansha Mountain Range to cultivate actually had some troubles in the outside world. Moreover, it was rumored that the outside world was in turmoil and full of war, so leaving was not a good choice either.

Li An was also contemplating, but in the end, he decided to stay for now.

According to his recent information, the Great Li Dynasty outside was becoming more and more ferocious, constantly attacking and seizing territories. The outside world was dangerous, and besides, it would be difficult for him to find such a comfortable place to cultivate outside the Tiansha Mountain Range.

He could use the spiritual veins as he pleased!

In other places, he didn't know how much he would have to pay.

At worst, if there really was any danger in the future, he could escape then.

Li An's principle had always been that he could sell himself, but not his life!

On this day, Li An was in seclusion, cultivating to break through to become a third-grade alchemist, when suddenly a voice came from outside Lingsha Peak:

"Is Fellow Daoist Lin here?"

Li An was quite surprised because the voice was... Zhou Libai.

He disguised himself as if he had a sinister aura, walked out, opened the formation, and invited Zhou Libai inside.

Zhou Libai gracefully descended and walked into his cave, feeling the surrounding sinister aura. She slightly frowned, then sighed deeply and said, "Fellow Daoist Lin resides here... you must have suffered."

Li An said, "It's not too bad, I'm used to it. Please have a seat, Fellow Daoist Zhou."

The two of them sat down.

Now, Zhou Libai, compared to when she was on Lingyun Mountain in the past, had a more composed and elegant demeanor. Moreover, since replacing Jiang Ribai, she had never had a partner and kept her distance from romantic relationships.

Li An could understand. In the past, she suffered from raising the Hehuan Butterfly and had to prioritize her future. Now that her status had changed, it was natural for her to be more self-respecting.

"Since we parted ways, this is our first meeting," Zhou Libai said. "We were originally old acquaintances. Now that I see Brother Lin living here, I am truly worried. How about moving to the third-grade spiritual vein?"

She got straight to the point.

Li An's heart slightly trembled. Zhou Libai actually came to make amends? Abnormal behavior often indicates a hidden motive.

"I don't deserve any reward for my limited contributions to the mountain lord," Li An replied. "I understand your intentions, Fellow Daoist Zhou."

"Now that Brother Lin is already a second-grade alchemist, it won't be long before you can advance to a third-grade alchemist. It will be a natural choice to go to the third-grade spiritual vein at that time. There's no need to be modest," she smiled faintly, then said seriously, "Brother Lin, I won't beat around the bush. Mountain Lord Bai is about to reform the disciples under her sect and form two teams, with Xiaoli and Taixi, two demon beasts, serving as left and right lieutenants."

"You should have heard about this matter, so I came to ask Brother Lin whether you will stay or leave. If you stay, what will be your choice?"

As expected.

Li An had already anticipated this.

Xiaoli and Taixi were the two strongest demon-transformed spirit beasts under Mountain Lord Bai's command.

Dividing into two teams meant that all the disciples under Mountain Lord Bai's sect would have to choose sides.

It didn't matter to others, but in the Tiansha Mountain Range, alchemists were strategic talents. The choice of alchemists would have an impact on others' decisions.

Zhou Libai was the fosterer of Taixi, which was why she was advocating for Taixi.

However, Li An frowned slightly. As a second-grade alchemist, he actually had no status in his daily life. After all, second-grade pills had little effect on Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Why would Zhou Libai personally come to invite him?

Unless she was in great need!

That meant... Lady She had chosen Xiaoli's side?

After all, Lady She was the only third-grade alchemist under Mountain Lord Bai.

That was the only possibility.

Realizing this, Li An immediately said, "Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist Zhou. I need to think carefully, if you don't mind."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Libai's eyebrows furrowed, and her expression turned somewhat cold.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, you better think it through."

"The Little Fox Girl's awakened demonic blood level is only Royal Grade, while the Tai Lizard is Profound Grade!"

"Furthermore, I can also tell you that the rumors about the arrival of the Demon Clan's army from the outside world are indeed true. At that time, demon children like you will all be highly valued. The stronger your innate bloodline talent, the more stable your position will be within the demon clan."

"Moreover, if you go to the Little Fox's side, with your alchemy skills, you won't be highly valued. On the contrary, if you follow the Tai Lizard, you will definitely be given special attention and training!"

"Some opportunities only come once, and if you miss them, they're gone forever."

She felt that Lin An really didn't know how to appreciate her.

With her status, she had come down to him with great honor, yet Lin An dared to refuse.

Lin An smiled bitterly and said, "I really can't make a decision right now. Please understand, Fellow Daoist Zhou."

Zhou Libai's face turned ugly. She gritted her teeth and said, "Lin, this is the second time you've refused me. Have you thought about the consequences?!"

There was a hint of threat in her words.

She had not forgotten the rejection and humiliation she had received from Lin An in the past.

Lin An sighed, "I'm sorry."

Zhou Libai stood up and said, "Alright, I initially wanted to give Fellow Daoist Lin a chance out of old feelings. Since Fellow Daoist Lin doesn't cherish it, then forget it."

She said meaningfully, "I hope you won't regret it after you go to the Little Fox's side."

Of course, after saying that, she left in a huff.

...

After she left.

Lin An breathed a sigh of relief and decided to visit Madam She immediately.

The reason he didn't choose Zhou Libai was simple.

Firstly, Zhou Libai already had old grievances.

Secondly, if he went to Zhou Libai's side, as the only alchemist, he would indeed be given special attention and training, as Zhou Libai had said. But that also meant he would be closely watched.

Lin An wanted to be an outsider for now. If he went to the Little Fox's side, with Madam She taking care of the alchemy matters, he wouldn't be disturbed by anyone.

Thirdly, and most importantly, after the two major battles led by Jie Shan and Bai Shan, Lin An had always suspected that Madam She was the so-called spy.

This person was unfathomable!

If he sided with the Tai Lizard, it would mean he would have to face Madam She, a ruthless person, in the future. The risk was too great.

Lin An didn't believe that Zhou Libai would be a match for Madam She.

Of course, Lin An also thought that if he took the initiative to find Madam She, it might arouse her suspicion... but it didn't matter. She would only pay attention to him for a short period of time, and he would make her lose patience slowly.

Lin An was not afraid of anyone.

...

Shortly after, Lin An arrived at "Qinglan Peak," where Madam She lived.

"It turns out to be Fellow Daoist Lin. Please come in quickly," Mrs. She smiled and invited Li An inside.

With just one glance, Li An keenly sensed that there seemed to be some subtle changes in Mrs. She's life force.

"Yao Qi..." He was slightly surprised.

How could Mrs. She have Yao Qi? Could it be that she had become a demon?

She concealed it very well. Even if it was an ordinary cultivator, it would probably be difficult to detect, let alone a demon.

But Li An's cultivation technique, the Life-Nurturing Immortal Forging Art, was too sensitive to life force, and others couldn't hide it at all.

"As expected..." Li An almost instantly confirmed his speculation.

The Demonic Flower lost by Jiang Ribai, the top-grade Blood Demon Liquid stolen from Jie Shan, they should all have been obtained by her, and she didn't use them on spirit beasts, but... on herself!

This person... is very ruthless!

"I wonder if Fellow Daoist Lin has any important matters to attend to?" Mrs. She asked with a smile.

"I heard that Bai Shan Zhu is about to start his reforms, and at that time, Miss Xiaoli will be the Left Lieutenant and the Lizard Demon will be the Right Lieutenant... Therefore, I came for this matter," Li An calmly said, "I am willing to follow Fellow Daoist She..."

To make a statement!

Mrs. She was quite surprised as she looked at Li An.

After all, most people's choice would be the Lizard Demon!

Although Mrs. She was an alchemist, in the long run, the Lizard Demon's status in the demon clan would definitely be higher.

Therefore, only a small number of old friends chose to follow her and choose Xiaoli.

It was unexpected for Lin An to take the initiative to come.

"In fact, Fellow Daoist Lin's choice of the Lizard Demon side would be better," she smiled slightly.

Li An said, "To be honest, I have some grievances with Zhou Libai..."

He laughed and immediately mentioned the matter of refusing Zhou Libai after her husband's death.

"Therefore, I have a grudge with her. In addition, when I entered Bai Shan Zhu's sect, it was Fellow Daoist She who took care of me. I dare not forget this kindness, so I came to your mansion."

Mrs. She couldn't help but smile when she heard this.

"Good, then in a few days, we will go together to meet the Left Lieutenant."

Only then did Li An leave.

After he left for a long time.

"Sister, is this the person you mentioned, the one that Little Ying liked?" Another woman walked out of the cave. She looked younger than Mrs. She and had a similar appearance.

She was Mrs. She's younger sister, She Anqi!

Mrs. She curiously asked, "What did you notice about him?"

She Anqi said, "His soul power fluctuates very calmly, especially calm. It's the calmest I've ever seen!"

"Ordinary people will naturally show their desires through their soul power, but this person... seems to have no desires or demands. He is really strange!"

Mrs. She pondered and said, "Is it that he has no desires or demands, or is it that what he seeks is unimaginable?"

She Anqi said, "It's also possible that he is too focused and has a single goal, so everything else cannot stir up his inner emotions... But I have never seen such a person before."

Mrs. She said, "This person should not be underestimated."

"When he entered Bai Shan Zhu's sect, he brought a spirit bird with him. I thought it was a coincidence, but later, when Bai Jiang targeted him, he didn't die. I heard that he even picked up a lot of things."

"He never participated in the tasks issued by Bai Shan Zhu, but when he was about to be expelled, he showed the level of a second-grade alchemist."

"Now you have also noticed his extraordinary soul power. It seems that a barking dog does bite..."

She sighed slightly and continued, "Anqi, try to get in touch with him in the future. If there is a chance, enter his dream and investigate."

However, She Anqi laughed and said, "Sister, although I also find him a bit strange, aren't you too sensitive? Even if everything you said is true, at most, he is just lucky and cautious..."

But Mrs. She shook her head.

"No."

"Bai Jiang died on the side of Lingyun Mountain. It was said that it was caused by the eruption of the demonic veins of Baihua Valley, but I am very familiar with that place. If the demonic veins of Baihua Valley were not stimulated by external forces, it would never have been like that."

"At that time, there were only two people on Lingyun Mountain, Zhou Libai and Lin An."

She Anqi said, "Sister, didn't you investigate it? Besides, even if Bai Jiang's death is really related to someone else, it would be related to Zhou Libai... Why do you suspect Lin An?"

Mrs. She nodded, but still smiled, "Maybe it's just intuition. I always feel that I can't see through Lin An..."

"Tsk, sister, are there still people in this world that you can't see through? Alright, in a few days, I will go to live on a mountain peak with him and help you see through him, see through him thoroughly!"

She Anqi laughed.

Mrs. She, on the other hand, seemed to be lost in thought and said, "Hmm, remember to take a look at his bird. That bird, you must see through it!"

She Anqi suddenly said, "Sister, you're really dirty..."

...

As for Li An, he had just left Mrs. She's place.

In his spiritual platform, the voice of Shangguan Xiaoxiao suddenly came.

"You almost exposed yourself just now."

Li An: "???"

...

(End of this chapter)