Qian Ronghe snapped his head around.
Two sharp glints flashed in his turbid, yellowish eyes, and his tone turned sharp. "Do you know what you are saying? I took you for a clever sort, yet you turn out to be a fool. Qi Mobai is fairly well-known in the city, so of course I know he is an herbalist. But he possesses only a wood-attribute spirit root—he could never become an esteemed alchemist in his entire lifetime! Are you... having a laugh at my expense?"
Hearing this, Li Guanqi spoke calmly, "Has Elder Qian ever examined the medicinal pellets Qi Mobai crafts?"
Qian Ronghe frowned slightly, his patience wearing thin. He had thought Li Guanqi was a prodigy of the heavens and had considered making an investment in him. To think he was no different from those foolish lower-realm cultivators—though his knack for indulging in delusions was certainly formidable.
Li Guanqi wasted no words and tossed one of the pellets Qi Mobai had made directly to Qian Ronghe. Frowning, Qian Ronghe caught it and inspected it closely.
With that single glance, however, shock seized him. Without hesitation, he popped the pellet into his mouth and closed his eyes to perceive its effects.
The surging medicinal potency and remarkably intricate pharmacodynamics within left him stunned beyond measure, especially Qi Mobai's unique concoction technique. The strength of this medicinal pellet was not in the least inferior to a low-tier rank-one pill! Though low in grade, its efficacy was barely shy of a true spirit pill!
Seeing his reaction, Li Guanqi seized the opening to say, "Qi Mobai has indisputable talent when it comes to the path of alchemy."
Qian Ronghe was also awed by Qi Mobai's talent. He let out a sigh. "Yet lacking a fire spirit root, he is destined never to become an alchemist."
The corners of Li Guanqi's mouth curved slightly upward, an inexplicable smile touching his face as he looked at the old man. "What if... I can make him a dual wood-and-fire spirit root cultivator?"
Qian Ronghe's brows knitted. Altering one's spirit root was no trivial matter. Yet... in the Immortal Realm, such a thing was not impossible; many powerful figures were capable of doing so.
He mulled it over for a long while. Just as Qian Ronghe was about to refuse, he heard Li Guanqi speak again.
"Zhao He was killed by me, yet Qi Mobai was able to rely on a mere first-order Mystic Immortal cultivation to locate the soul seal hidden within my body. His control over his divine sense has already reached the subtle realm! To Zhao Chengyong, Qi Mobai is merely a negligible nobody. To Castellan Lin, spending a sliver of face in exchange for an alchemist with boundless potential—that is a bargain."
With that, Li Guanqi released a wisp of his Devouring Void Sacred Flame!
The terrifying flame raged within his palm. The temperature in the room soared madly, and space began to warp slightly. The look in the old man's eyes shifted repeatedly, a tumult of emotions surging within his heart.
In the end, he looked at Li Guanqi and asked out of curiosity, "You would take such a huge risk just to save someone inconsequential?"
Li Guanqi smiled, stood up, and shook his head. Looking at the old man, he said softly, "In anyone's eyes, Qi Mobai can die unjustly so long as I preserve myself." He tapped his chest. "Yet... my conscience cannot abide it."
Qian Ronghe's eyes brightened, a trace of dazed wonder flickering in his complex gaze. Snapping back to himself, the old man nodded gently and turned around.
"I shall go speak with my master. As for the outcome, I can make no guarantees. After all... this affair is far too much of a gamble!"
Li Guanqi nodded slightly, then departed Linlang Emporium and found an ordinary tavern-inn in the city to lodge in.
Inside the room, Li Guanqi sat cross-legged on the bed with his eyes closed in cultivation. Several immortal crystals were laid out beside him. Inside his body, his immortal primal energy roared, refining at exceptional speed. Spiritual energy transformed into two streams of white rainbow, darting into his mouth and nostrils. Immortal spirit surged around him, and a ribbon of immortal charm coiled about his neck and drifted at his side.
He was not worried that they would fail to find him. Most likely, the city's tavern-inns and similar establishments were largely properties of the Castellan Manor.
Knock, knock, knock!
A knock came at the door; a waiter stood outside.
Creak.
Catching sight of Li Guanqi in his black robes, the waiter showed not the slightest surprise. Without saying a word, he merely smiled and led Li Guanqi toward the kitchen. Past the kitchen, behind a concealed secret door, there was actually a small teleportation array.
"Honored guest, this is as far as I can take you."
Li Guanqi nodded, took a deep breath, and stepped onto the array.
Back in the room, beneath a blue floorbrick in an inconspicuous corner, an inscribed talisman shimmered with silver light. Not just the tavern; there were several inscribed talismans inside Qi Mobai's shop as well. Ever since arriving in the Immortal Realm, like a cunning hare digging three burrows, Li Guanqi had left inscribed talismans everywhere just in case.
Hum!
A faint spatial tremor enveloped him. A brief dizziness washed over him, and his figure vanished from the spot in an instant.
On the top floor of Linlang Emporium!
Buzz!
Thump!
Li Guanqi stumbled, nearly tumbling to the floor! The entire room was suffused with an immensely terrifying pressure!
To the side, the white-browed elder stood stooped in deference. The room was antique and bright with light. A man in a dark-gold python robe sat behind a desk. His features were resolute and sharply defined, with sword-like brows and starry eyes. The light stubble across his jaw paired with his deep, penetrating gaze gave him an indefinable aura of intimidation.
The man seemed to be attending to business; he looked up and cast his eyes upon Li Guanqi. Under that sweeping gaze from those fathomless eyes, Li Guanqi felt the uncanny sensation that every single one of his secrets had been laid bare.
Li Guanqi bowed in greeting and took the initiative to say in a quiet voice, "Li Congxin greets Castellan Lin."
Setting down the jade slip in his hand, Lin Chuanqing looked at Li Guanqi and said softly, "An ordinary Qi Mobai and an Alchemist Qi Mobai carry very different weight. You wish to use my hand to snatch someone back from Zhao Chengyong. A fine notion."
As he spoke, Lin Chuanqing held a medicinal pellet he had obtained from who-knew-where. His gaze flickered, and he turned to Li Guanqi. "Yet... how can you ensure Qi Mobai is worth my intervention? He is nothing more than an herbalist. What makes you so certain he can become an alchemist? Although I can't stand Zhao Chengyong, offending him for the sake of a mere herbalist is hardly worth it."
Li Guanqi's heart tightened. It was evident the man before him would not loose his hawk until he saw the hare. He gave a wry inward smile. Aside from the immortal crystals in his possession, he had nothing that could entice an expert of the Heavenly Immortal realm. And even when it came to immortal crystals, Lin Chuanqing, who held sway over a vast city, would certainly look down upon whatever sum he had.
This... appeared to be a stalemate.
Lin Chuanqing chuckled and shook his head, waving his hand. "Be on your way."
Qian Ronghe came up beside Li Guanqi and said softly, "Young friend, this way."
Li Guanqi did not move. He looked at Lin Chuanqing and said in a heavy voice, "Why not take a gamble? To Zhao Chengyong, Qi Mobai is a dispensable nobody. Lord Lin needs only to say the word; he would have no reason to cling to him. Moreover... if you win the wager, Yuxu City gains an alchemist loyal to you, Lord Lin. Why not seize the opportunity?"
Lin Chuanqing glanced at Li Guanqi and idly swirled the teacup in his hand. "And what if Qi Mobai cannot become an alchemist? Then I will have spent face, gained nothing, and offended Zhao Chengyong into the bargain."
Li Guanqi's throat bobbed slightly. "If he cannot, I am still here. You may hand me over, Lord Lin. I am sure Zhao Chengyong would be more than delighted."
The man laughed.
Lin Chuanqing rose slowly. His tall frame stood half a head taller than Li Guanqi. He scrutinized Li Guanqi with intrigued eyes. "Interesting... Do you truly do this merely to set your conscience at ease?"
Li Guanqi gave a slight nod. "I could easily walk away, but my heart would know no peace."
Chapter 1579