"Go see Ling Yongyi and ask him to help me collect some spiritual items to aid in refining the essence of innate Gui water."
Upon returning to Qianji City, Li Ming immediately went to prepare to see Ling Yongyi.
The Undying Golden Body of Chaos is an unparalleled divine power in the Chaos Heavenly Scripture. It only records the most basic cultivation methods and requires personal compatibility. It is best to cultivate it in a way that is consistent with one's own cultivation method.
Even with the same constitution, everyone's situation is naturally different.
He was not a novice martial artist; he had an incredibly precise understanding and expectation of cultivation and himself.
It's impossible to collect the five kinds of innate essence in a short time. It's best to refine the innate Gui water essence first and make more preparations.
In fact, Li Ming had considered using the system to cultivate this technique.
However, when he glanced at the required life energy, he realized that without any preparation, it would take a full 100 million life energy to cultivate to the first level.
He immediately dismissed the idea.
What a joke! He only gets a million life energy from killing a Dao Enlightened Martial Saint.
With that kind of luck, he would definitely prioritize upgrading the attributes...
Inside his cave, Li Ming easily spotted Ling Yongyi.
Upon seeing Li Ming return, Ling Yong asked:
"Brother Li, did nothing go wrong on this trip?"
Li Ming shook his head, somewhat helplessly:
"Some unexpected things happened, it didn't go very smoothly..."
What he said was true, after all, he hadn't expected to clash with the local overlord, the Wanling Pavilion.
Ling Yongyi wasn't surprised at all; instead, he comforted Li Ming:
"This competition for innate essence has unexpectedly attracted someone like 'Huang' to appear. It's normal that we can't get it."
"Have you witnessed the brilliance of the fifth-ranked person on the gold list?"
Li Ming chuckled lightly:
"Of course I have seen him. This person has an unparalleled appearance and his swordsmanship is unmatched among his peers. With his enlightened state, he easily defeated a Celestial."
"It's a pity I've only heard rumors about it and haven't been able to see it for myself..."
Ling Yongyi sighed.
Although he knew that those who could make it onto the Martial Saint Golden List must be top-tier prodigies.
But I never expected that the gap between geniuses could be so large.
The disciples who can become true disciples of the Myriad Spirits Pavilion are all geniuses, one in a billion, with abundant resources and guidance from renowned masters...
But he was still defeated by someone of a higher level.
Li Ming then mentioned the materials he needed, all of which were quite precious in the Great Xuan.
However, in resource-rich overseas regions, there are quite a few channels for obtaining them.
Ling Yongyi thought for a moment and then agreed.
Then, composing himself, Ling Yongyi seemed to have thought of something, and his tone became somewhat serious:
"I have some information about the Black Lotus Cult that you asked me to investigate before, but it's uncertain."
"Tell me about it first."
Li Ming didn't pay too much attention to it.
To his shame, he had almost forgotten about it.
No one was supervising Da Xuan, and it seemed that they trusted him to handle things.
Ling Yongyi didn't hesitate and immediately said:
"Speaking of which, it was your little brother who provided the clue... He seemed to feel that he had received too much favor from you, so he took it upon himself to spend time going out to investigate."
"You know what, we actually found some clues for him."
"These Black Lotus Cult members seem to be using the alias 'Dragon Transformation Cult,' ostensibly spreading their faith on the surrounding islands, and claiming to have the island lord's permission..."
"But when Brother Lin Fan went to investigate, he discovered that these people were secretly capturing countless people, seemingly practicing evil magic and doing inhuman things."
Upon hearing this, Li Ming frowned slightly, feeling as if something unexpected had happened.
The lord of Thousand Machines Island, Li Canghai, is naturally the most famous person on the island.
Speaking of which, this person was once a true disciple of the Myriad Spirits Pavilion. He came from this island when he was young. He was exceptionally talented and joined the Myriad Spirits Pavilion, where he was ranked among the true disciples.
Unfortunately, after achieving the status of a celestial being, he injured his primordial spirit during a training trip, severely damaging his foundation. He had to recuperate for many years and was subsequently removed from the ranks of true disciples.
However, he was once a true disciple and possessed the Heavenly Realm, so he was sent to Thousand Machine Island to become its lord. In his early years, he worked diligently and governed the island very well.
However, Wanling Pavilion did not value these dispatched disciples, nor did it care whether they were well managed.
As long as there are no major upheavals, it should be fine.
After all, in their eyes, disciples like these have almost no hope of attaining enlightenment.
Whether there is one more celestial being or one less celestial being, it doesn't really matter.
"Since it concerns the island lord, the Ling family dares not investigate too openly."
Ling Yongyi said apologetically.
"I will send someone to deliver the intelligence we have gathered so far later."
"I will fetch some of the spiritual items you need from the spiritual family's treasury. If you are still missing three or five, I will definitely gather them for you within a month."
"Thank you for your trouble, Brother Ling."
Li Ming nodded, indicating that he understood.
After all, if the Black Lotus Sect had the Thousand Machine Island Master as its backer, the Ling family's investigation would undoubtedly have angered Li Canghai.
It should be noted that Li Canghai was originally a Celestial Realm expert. Although he suffered a major injury in his early years, which affected his lifespan, his strength was unfathomable.
He is the lord of Thousand Machine City and also the lord of Thousand Machine Island.
The Ling family has many martial saint-level experts under their command, including some celestial beings, and with the Myriad Spirits Pavilion as their backing, they are indeed not to be trifled with.
Over the years, this island owner has lived a secluded life, but that doesn't mean he has a good temper...
However, the Ling family is not to be trifled with, nor is Li Ming, as the chief constable of the Great Xuan, one can afford to offend either.
This does not mean that "Huang," who ranked fifth on the list, is someone you cannot afford to offend.
"However... I wonder what Lin Fan is up to. He hasn't been back for ten days."
Li Ming pondered this in secret.
Could this kid be causing trouble outside because of some "protagonist halo"?
...
Qianji City, the city lord’s mansion.
Li Canghai sat in his mansion, savoring the fresh spiritual tea picked from the tea island.
This product is called "Wuzhen Tea," meaning it can help people understand the truth and achieve enlightenment.
It is an extremely fine spiritual tea.
That entire tea island has only nine tea trees producing tea.
Every year, 80% of the tribute items would be sent to his residence.
They lived like local tyrants.
In fact, the owner of this large island is not much different from the monarch of a country.
He not only controlled the entire island.
Even the surrounding small islands are under the jurisdiction of Qianji Island.
The island lords of the surrounding islands are also appointed by the island lord of Qianji Island.
Since Li Canghai realized that the sect had abandoned him, he has gone from a 'wise ruler' to a 'foolish ruler'.
Anyone who comes into contact with this island owner knows that he is extremely fond of pleasure and refined tastes.
He is usually moody and extremely difficult to get along with.
"This tea is indeed excellent; it seems the island owner has truly put a lot of effort into cultivating it."
Li Canghai took a small sip and seemed quite delighted.
"What you say is true, sir. The essence of this tea is so rich that it forms a mist, and its fragrance can be smelled for miles. Its luster is so exquisite that it is clearly a top-grade tea."
The person sharing tea with Li Canghai was a middle-aged man.
This person is from the Wang family in the city.
"No one visits the temple without a reason. Brother, please speak frankly."
"Since you have offered up the essence of the innate Jia wood, you must have something to ask of me."
Li Canghai smiled faintly.
That day, he sent people to search for the essence of the innate Gui water, but unexpectedly a 'wilderness' appeared.
This caused his men to only dare to observe from afar, completely ignoring their attempts to seize the opportunity.
This annoyed him somewhat.
They even wanted to send someone to gather intelligence and negotiate with that "wilderness".
Unexpectedly, the Wang family was quite savvy, somehow obtaining the essence of the innate Jia wood.
His mood instantly improved; as long as the Wang family didn't go too far, he was willing to satisfy them.
“I naturally have a request, but of course… I would not harm Lord Li.”
The middle-aged man from the Wang family put down his teacup and said seriously:
"Qianji City was built a thousand years ago by the five major families in conjunction with the Wanling Pavilion. Now, is it time for a reshuffle?"
"The Ling family has declined so much that they are no longer worthy of the title of one of the five great families... Why not let my Wang family take their place?"
Since a thousand years ago, the five major families and the city lord have been a community of shared interests.
If Li Canghai had heard these words before, he would have naturally reprimanded the Wang family and notified the five major families to punish them.
But for him now, it doesn't matter who's in charge.
"You can make your own plans. The City Lord's Mansion will not send anyone to interfere. If the other four major families object, you can just mention my name."
Li Canghai remained expressionless, as if he were recounting some trivial matter.
"Thank you, Lord Li."
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man in the Wang family felt that it was already a done deal.
After bowing, he tactfully left the city lord's mansion, intending to inform the Wang family elders as soon as possible.
Li Canghai remained calm until he returned to his room. Then, unable to contain his joy any longer, he burst into laughter:
"Hahaha……"
"Heaven is helping me!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com