I Outworked the Entire Cultivation World

Chapter 253: Chapter 222: Exchange? A Bet!

Following Lii Jiuchuan into the hall, Jiang Yuebai sneaked a peek, seeing a middle-aged man in white, dignified and composed, sitting at the head, exuding an air of stern righteousness.

Without a word, he seemed somewhat aloof, and he must be Kong Huaizheng, the current head of the Kong Family.

On the left was another middle-aged man, bearing some resemblance to the Kong Clan Leader but more gentle and kind, with a smile in his eyes that made him approachable. He should be Elder Huaide, the Kong Family’s Great Elder and the clan leader’s older brother.

The Great Elder Kong Huaide possessed Late-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivation, while the clan leader Kong Huaizheng was at the Mid-Stage. They also had an elder brother Kong Huaichun, whose heart for the Dao was as his name suggested, the most gifted among the three, now reaching the Peak Nascent Soul stage, planning for Divinity Transformation.

”Jiuchuan, accompanied by my disciple Yuebai, pays respects to the Kong Clan Leader and Elder Huaide.”

Lii Jiuchuan first performed the ritual greeting, and Jiang Yuebai hurriedly stepped forward half a step, bowing properly and respectfully.

”Junior Jiang Yuebai greets the two seniors.”

The clan leader Kong Huaizheng remained seated, ”True Monarch Jiuchuan, no need for such formality, please take a seat.”

Great Elder Huaide, however, stood up and offered an assisting hand to Lii Jiuchuan.

”I’ve long heard of True Monarch Jiuchuan’s famed reputation, and indeed, you are the esteemed gentleman I expected, akin to the style of our Kong Family. Is this your disciple, rumored to be the reincarnation of the Nine Heavens Profound Bird, who made a name in the Land of Azure Flame?”

Jiang Yuebai was about to faint. How did such an absurd rumor even reach the ears of the Kong Family’s Great Elder? Facing Huaide’s scrutiny, she could only smile awkwardly.

”The senior overpraises me. I merely did what I was supposed to do back then and am unworthy of such widespread acclaim.”

Kong Huaide nodded slowly, ”Quite the humble child, reaching the Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment at such a young age shows remarkable determination, unlike the brats of our Kong Family, who need constant supervision in both their studies and cultivation.”

Though Huaide spoke thus, Jiang Yuebai saw no recognition in his eyes, only praises for her master.

Jiang Yuebai sneaked a glance at her master, thinking how seniors always belittle their own kids to praise others, sigh...

Lii Jiuchuan looked at Jiang Yuebai warmly and said with a smile, ”My disciple’s perseverance in cultivation is indeed unmatched, often leaving me feeling inadequate. Smart and eager to learn, regarded as a model in our Heavenly Interence Sect, even our Supreme Elder couldn’t stop praising, saying she embodies the demeanor of our founding ancestor.”

Jiang Yuebai couldn’t help but smile broadly, her eyes filled with lively joy, straightening her back to show her spirit.

In her heart, she thought, Master, you’re so good at speaking, do tell more, I love to hear it!

Kong Huaide gave a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, gesturing for Lii Jiuchuan to take a seat.

Jiang Yuebai stood obediently behind Lii Jiuchuan. With everyone’s seniority and cultivation level so high, there was no place for her to sit.

Lii Jiuchuan got straight to the point, ”The purpose of my visit has been clearly stated in the visiting card. I wonder if the Clan Leader and the Great Elder would consider an exchange with me.”

Exchange?

Jiang Yuebai’s ears perked up, exchanging what? Master didn’t tell her about this!

The clan leader Kong Huaizheng and Kong Huaide exchanged glances. Kong Huaizheng asked, ”Could True Monarch Jiuchuan let us see the ’Chaos Erosion Spiritual Fruit’ first?”

Chaos Erosion Spiritual Fruit?!

Jiang Yuebai nearly exclaimed aloud. She had read about it in books before; this thing was almost legendary by now.

It’s a mythical item aiding Divinity Transformation, helping Peak Nascent Soul cultivators cross the most difficult Spirit Fusion threshold.

In other words, it could merge a Nascent Soul cultivator’s Five Elements into one and induce the Yin Yang Gods with a thread of Chaos Qi, akin to the effect of a Top-Grade Foundation Establishment Elixir for Foundation Establishment.

Ingesting it guarantees success in Divinity Transformation unless one is utterly inept.

Moreover, if one could fully comprehend and refine that thread of Chaos Qi before it dissipates, it would lay the foundational thread of the Chaos Dao, greatly enhancing the chances of reaching the pinnacle of the Great Dao.

The rarity of this fruit goes without saying, enough to drive Nascent Soul cultivators mad. It hasn’t appeared for tens of thousands of years.

Jiang Yuebai’s mind was in turmoil. She thought this trip was a good-natured ’borrowing.’ After passing the Core Formation threshold and gaining enough lifespan, she’d find something of equal value to ’return.’

Unexpectedly, her master intended to make a losing trade!

Jiang Yuebai was about to reach out to stop her master, as such an exchange was clearly to their disadvantage and shouldn’t be made!

Lii Jiuchuan glanced at Jiang Yuebai with the corner of his eye, secretly transmitting a message.

”I know if I told you in advance, you’d refuse to come no matter what. That’s why I kept it from you. Don’t worry about this, since now I’m at Early Stage Nascent Soul, reaching the Peak Nascent Soul will take at least four to five hundred years. With your current progress in cultivation, you’ll reach Peak Foundation Establishment in at most twenty years.”

”The sooner we get the remaining two Spiritual Objects, the better. I’ve marked the Chaos Erosion Spiritual Fruit Tree, and in another three hundred years or so, the next fruit will mature. I can wait; you can’t. No need for a debate on this; just stay quiet.”

Jiang Yuebai felt a pang at her nose, wanting to speak but was silenced by her master’s stern gaze, forcing her to swallow her words.

Lii Jiuchuan did not directly bring out the Chaos Erosion Spiritual Fruit but produced a Jade Plate, activating it.

A perfectly round fruit, as if ink spread in water, appeared above the Jade Plate. Even though it was an image, it was vividly detailed, exuding a faint fragrance identical to the real fruit.

”This fruit is precious, kept in a secure place. If the Clan Leader agrees, we can find a witness and proceed with the exchange immediately.”

The clan leader Kong Huaizheng said, ”True Monarch Jiuchuan, being straightforward, I won’t beat around the bush. My elder brother indeed needs this fruit to attempt Divinity Transformation. If what you possess is real, our Kong Family can...”

”Hold on!”

Kong Huaide interrupted Kong Huaizheng, who looked slightly displeased but, out of respect for his brother, allowed him to speak first.

Kong Huaide’s eyes flickered, ”The string of Green Cicada Flying Coins is a relic from our Kong Family’s ancestors, of significant importance to us, such an exchange seems inappropriate. Why not, True Monarch Jiuchuan, engage in a wager with our family?”

”A wager?” Lii Jiuchuan expressed confusion.

Kong Huaizheng frowned impatiently but Kong Huaide gave him a calming look.

The Great Elder Kong Huaide continued, ”Since True Monarch Jiuchuan intends to exchange for our family’s string of Green Cicada Flying Coins for your disciple, it stands that she should earn it herself. With the Wind and Cloud Meeting approaching, both of us need disciples to compete for the top spot on the leaderboard.”

”Why don’t we wager on this: If your disciple wins the top spot, our Kong Family will offer the Green Cicada Flying Coins without requiring the Chaos Erosion Spiritual Fruit from True Monarch Jiuchuan, but if our family wins the top spot, then...”

As he finished, Jiang Yuebai gritted her teeth, silently cursing the shameless old fox.

This was clearly an attempt to freeload her master’s Chaos Erosion Spiritual Fruit and an underestimation of her!

Lii Jiuchuan turned to look at Jiang Yuebai, whose eyes were blazing with determination, her raised brow indicated her intent.

Take the gamble!

She’s the Shipwreck Wanderer, not just a name to be thrown around!