UGB Chapter 167: Gift
Chapter 167: Gift
Villa No. 9, Dizi.
Yang Jiuli welcomed Qin Zhixue into the cave.
Lu Wenqing was outside the cave.
The cave dwelling was equipped with soundproofing to prevent others from spying on it.
The two sat side by side on jade chairs, with a table between them.
Yang Jiuli brewed a pot of wine for Qin Zhixue and poured it for her.
Qin Zhixue took the spirit wine, took a sip, then gently smoothed a strand of hair from her forehead with her jade-like hand and looked around.
"Ninth Brother, are you getting used to staying here?" Qin Zhixue asked.
This place is filled with malevolent energy, which is not friendly to cultivators.
It was also because Yang Jiuli had the Three Lives Stone in his body, which could refine the Black Wind Evil Qi; otherwise, it would have damaged his meridians to some extent over time.
Therefore, after glancing at it, Qin Zhixue asked a question, clearly showing some concern.
"Although this place is harsh, it is peaceful and comfortable, allowing you to focus on your cultivation!" Yang Jiuli said with a smile, raising his cup and taking a sip.
Upon hearing this, Qin Zhixue understood, knowing that Ninth Brother had already made his plans.
"If you encounter any difficulties, or if you wish to change your training ground in the future... you can tell me!" Qin Zhixue said.
"Of course!" Yang Jiuli laughed. "Now that you have achieved success in your cultivation, if the time is right, I would also like to share in your glory."
He spoke casually and without restraint, just like two childhood friends meeting and talking freely.
"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Ninth Brother!" Qin Zhixue chuckled lightly, then said solemnly, "Thanks to Ninth Brother's guidance, I have achieved what I have today. However, in recent years, I have not been able to help you in the slightest. On the contrary, this time I have caused you trouble and almost ruined your reputation. It is all my fault!"
"Here, Zhixue toasts Ninth Brother!" As she spoke, she stood up, raised her glass, and drank it all in one gulp, appearing poised and elegant.
And it was extremely sincere.
"We're all family, you don't need to be like this!" Yang Jiuli waved his hand, gesturing for Qin Zhixue to sit down.
Qin Zhixue sat down.
"This Sun Bufan is just a noble family under the rule of Ice River Valley, how dare he provoke you?" Yang Jiuli said with a raised eyebrow. "Could it be that something happened to you in Ice River Valley?" He guessed that Sun Bufan's framing of him was mostly because of Qin Zhixue.
Otherwise, if the two had no grudges, why would Sun Bufan go to such lengths to harm him?
Based on what Qin Zhixue had said earlier, Yang Jiuli already had a general idea in mind.
That means someone inside the Glacier Valley was behind it.
This matter was of great importance, so Yang Jiuli did not pursue it further to avoid getting himself into trouble.
After all, at this point, he was only a Qi Refining cultivator on the surface, and was not strong enough to contend with a third-tier immortal sect.
His decision to settle the matter peacefully is the behavior of a normal person.
If you persist in pursuing the matter relentlessly, it will only arouse suspicion.
Furthermore, if this leads to trouble and exposes one's identity, it would be a loss that outweighs the gains!
As for hatred...
When the elixir is formed in the future, looking back...
The Sun family of Xihe...
You ants!
"I did have an accident in the Ice Valley!" Qin Zhixue took a sip of wine after seeing Yang Jiuli ask, and then looked at the former and said.
There was a hint of sadness in her eyes.
"What is it?" Yang Jiuli asked, looking calmly at Qin Zhixue.
"Four years ago... Su Beichuan, the Supreme Elder of Ice River Valley and a Core Formation True Person..." Qin Zhixue put down her wine cup and slowly began to speak.
"A Core Formation cultivator...possessing another's body..." Upon hearing this, Yang Jiuli's eyelids twitched.
"If it weren't for the ancient treasure that Zhixue obtained in the 'Black Abyss'... which destroyed the Ice Silkworm and injured Su Beichuan's soul, I would have perished..." Qin Zhixue said calmly, but in the end, a bit of bitterness welled up in her heart.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
She was, after all, just a woman.
Even those who are usually strong have a vulnerable side, they just don't show it to outsiders.
Now that she has seen Yang Jiuli, she couldn't help but let her emotions flow freely.
It's also because I'm getting older and have become more reserved.
In the past, she would have thrown herself into the arms of the man before her and cried her heart out.
"That's just how the world is. You're already blessed to be alive. Look forward." Yang Jiuli waved his hand, and a brocade handkerchief appeared in his palm. He stood up, bent down, and wiped away the glistening tears on the woman's cheeks.
Smelling that familiar scent, Qin Zhixue felt a warmth in her heart.
I couldn't help but recall the scene when I was young, being attacked by snow wolves at the foot of Piaoxue Mountain.
The man before them was also so gentle and refined, taking care of them.
"Mmm!" After the tears were wiped away and the handkerchief was removed from her cheek, Qin Zhixue lowered her head slightly and responded.
Her ears were slightly red.
My emotions were fluctuating.
But now that she's older, there are many things she doesn't know how to say, so she can only respond like this.
"If such a major event happens in the future, you must inform me immediately," Yang Jiuli said earnestly after taking his seat.
"Because this matter is of great importance, and Zhixue knows that she cannot do much about it, she dares not let Ninth Brother worry and thus interfere with your cultivation." Qin Zhixue pursed her lips, then blinked her clear, autumn-water-like eyes and looked at Yang Jiuli.
"In the cultivation world, Qi Refining cultivators are indeed like ants. Even if they reach the Foundation Establishment stage, they are only barely entering the realm. Only by reaching the Core Formation stage can they have a place. Now that you have successfully reached the Foundation Establishment stage, you should also prepare well for the Core Formation stage. If you can form a Golden Core, you will have a chance to reach the Nascent Soul stage."
Yang Jiuli reminded him.
"Otherwise... I'm afraid it will be difficult to reach the Great Dao."
"I will always remember Ninth Brother's teachings!" Qin Zhixue said sincerely, deeply moved.
In this world, only the man before her asks for nothing in return and treats her with genuine sincerity.
Even her master had ulterior motives, which is heartbreaking.
Therefore, spending time with Yang Jiuli this time felt like returning to her youth, and many emotions welled up in her heart.
"Has anyone outside of your knowledge of obtaining the ancient treasure in the 'Black Abyss'?" Yang Jiuli nodded slightly and then asked.
"Aside from Su Beichuan's suspicions, no one else knew anything about it," Qin Zhixue said. "Even my master didn't ask any further questions."
In fact, even Yang Jiuli only vaguely mentioned the ancient treasure and did not reveal the fourteen-character mantra.
And the fairy who traversed the void, seemingly transcending time and space, strolled towards her, and bestowed upon her a celestial destiny.
This is Qin Zhixue's biggest secret. If it were to be revealed, it would cause a huge uproar, and all those who know this secret would be implicated.
Qin Zhixue's ability to so smoothly forge a quasi-fourth-order immortal foundation is also closely related to this.
"Very good. In the cultivation world, even a single breakthrough pill can cause brothers to turn against each other, let alone other opportunities!" Yang Jiuli nodded with satisfaction and said, "From now on, you must be more careful and not easily reveal any clues."
He didn't ask Qin Zhixue any further questions about what ancient treasure she had obtained.
Everyone has their own destiny.
Yang Jiuli also had one.
For example, the "Three Lives Stone" and the "Azure Emperor's Longevity Formula".
This time, he only needs to follow his own destiny and proceed step by step to surpass his previous life.
He didn't concern himself with Qin Zhixue's fate, lest he become greedy and fall into a "delusion".
"I understand, Zhixue!" Hearing Yang Jiuli's concerned words, Qin Zhixue felt quite warm and blinked her beautiful eyes as she replied.
"This time, Sun Bufan must have been instructed by Su Beichuan to investigate your past," Yang Jiuli said, twirling his wine cup.
"Yifan was also implicated, but it was Zhixue who dragged you all down with her!" Qin Zhixue nodded, saying with a hint of guilt.
"We are of the same blood, so there's no question of being implicated or not. Just be more careful from now on," Yang Jiuli said.
"Su Beichuan is already seriously injured, so he's not a threat," Qin Zhixue said, her spiritual sense greatly enhanced now that she had entered the Foundation Establishment realm.
If the fourteen-character mantra were activated again, it would not be as difficult as before.
Seeing Qin Zhixue's confidence, Yang Jiuli was slightly moved, knowing that this girl must have gained considerable fortune in the 'Black Abyss'.
"But I'm afraid the major immortal sects will make a move after the trip to the 'Mysterious Netherworld' in 16 years!" There was a hint of worry in her beautiful eyes.
She possesses the beauty of a true elixir.
The Ice Valley has attracted the covetous eyes of three Nascent Soul cultivators.
If he were outside, the major immortal sects would definitely seek an opportunity to eliminate him.
Only in this way can the structure of the immortal sects be stabilized.
Otherwise, if a Golden Core cultivator were to emerge from the Ice River Valley, the entire cultivation world of the Chu Kingdom would be disrupted.
This is clearly an outcome that the major immortal sects do not want to see.
However, they couldn't openly make a move against Qin Zhixue.
But once they go to the 'Mysterious Netherworld,' they will have no scruples whatsoever!
After all, treasure hunting in secret realms inevitably involves conflict, and life and death are left to fate; one cannot blame others.
Therefore, Qin Zhixue was very worried about this and wanted to find a foolproof solution.
"You really should prepare for this!" Yang Jiuli nodded.
"My master will bestow upon me a third-tier talisman... but I feel it's not enough to guarantee its safety!" Qin Zhixue said, looking at Yang Jiuli. "I wonder if Brother Jiuli has any secret techniques for defeating enemies of higher levels... I'm willing to exchange them with you!" Her eyes were clear and sincere.
She knew that Yang Jiuli was extraordinary.
Therefore, this proposal was made.
"Defeating an enemy of a higher level is not easy!" Yang Jiuli said. "The secret techniques I used to master are not applicable to you."
He couldn't openly discuss the matter of the Three Lives Stone.
Qin Zhixue looked at Yang Jiuli and saw that the latter's gaze was sincere, so he was obviously not lying.
"Does Ninth Brother have any other secret techniques?" Qin Zhixue blinked her beautiful eyes, asking with a hint of anticipation.
She had previously written to Yang Jiuli.
In the letter, Yang Jiuli mentioned that she could come here to meet him, which was obviously an implication.
That's why Qin Zhixue asked again this time.
"I do indeed have a secret technique..." Yang Jiuli said frankly.
Qin Zhixue's eyes lit up.
"Since you were able to withstand Su Beichuan's attack with the help of the ancient treasure, your spiritual sense is clearly far beyond that of ordinary people!" Yang Jiuli said.
"To be honest, Ninth Brother, Zhixue's spiritual sense is indeed far beyond that of ordinary people, and it is now comparable to the Great Perfection of the Foundation Establishment stage," Qin Zhixue said.
"Comparable to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage... If another 16 years pass, your divine sense will likely be comparable to that of a late-Foundation Establishment cultivator!" Yang Jiuli said. "In that case, combined with this secret technique of mine, you could release a divine sense comparable to that of a Void Core True Person in a short period of time."
"Comparable to a Void Core cultivator!" Upon hearing this, Qin Zhixue's eyes lit up.
Yang Jiuli nodded, then made a hand seal. A talisman flashed between his brows, transforming into a secret technique that flew towards Qin Zhixue.
With a thought, Qin Zhixue discerned some of the characters within the talismanic light and immediately opened her mind to receive the scriptures.
The secret technique lies hidden in her soul.
Qin Zhixue closed her eyes and read silently.
After a few breaths, she opened her eyes, her gaze bright and her face full of gratitude. She immediately bowed and said softly, "With Ninth Brother's secret technique, Zhixue will have a trump card to save her life during her trip to the 'Mysterious Netherworld' in 16 years!" What she had obtained this time was the 'Soul Burning Technique'.
"This secret technique is good, but it cannot be used repeatedly in a short period of time. Afterwards, you should immediately take second-tier spiritual pills such as the Soul-Replenishing Pill and the Soul-Stabilizing Pill. Otherwise, if you deplete too much of your spiritual power and are then ambushed, it will be disastrous," Yang Jiuli said. "Furthermore, if this secret technique is used twice within three months, it will not only affect your lifespan but also damage your spiritual power and impair your immortal foundation. Therefore, you should make more preparations."
The "Soul Burning Technique" can temporarily enhance one's spiritual power, but it is a technique that causes harm to both parties.
It is also a way to save one's life.
It is also inconvenient to use when there are multiple enemies nearby.
Because once the power of the soul is exhausted, even a first-tier magic weapon cannot be activated, and one will become easy prey for others.
"Don't worry, Ninth Brother. In recent years, Zhixue has not only focused on cultivation, but also devoted herself to the study of array formations. Now she is a mid-grade second-tier array master." Qin Zhixue blinked her beautiful eyes and smiled at Yang Jiuli, as if she were a girl next door telling her confidant about her achievements.
"A mid-grade second-tier array master..." Yang Jiuli said with approval in his eyes upon hearing this.
"Very well, you may come to see me again before you depart in 16 years!"