I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

Tangneng First-class and the quality shop primarily operated in the Northern Region, and the cultivators of Central Province hadn’t yet experienced their allure, so such an extreme reaction was also within reason.

After all, an Enlightenment Tea Leaf that could enable both Transcendance Tribulation Stage and Great Crossing Realm Cultivators to comprehend the Dao was invaluable.

However, Li Xiaobai had no immediate plans to open a shop in Central Province. There were too many formidable figures here, and if they harbored ill intentions like those in Zhenyuan Country, he was not confident he could protect his shop.

“Young Master Li, do you have any thoughts of cooperating with our Elixir Sect? We have resources and connections. If you hand over the method of producing the Enlightenment Tea Leaves to us, from then on you can just sit back and collect money, how about that?”

Elder Sun’s eyes flashed with a strange light as he emerged from his initial shock.

Anyone who had lived to such an age was cunning, instantly assessing the hidden value within the Enlightenment Tea Leaves. If the Elixir Sect could obtain the method of crafting these, they would undoubtedly dominate in the future and could even become one of the top powers on the Immortal Spirit Continent.

“The elders should announce the results of the competition first.”

Li Xiaobai said with a smile, shaking his hand. How could he possibly share this, the foundation of his future business, with others?

“Very well, Li Xiaobai, the Elixir Sect competition first!”

Elder Sun swung his arm grandly, and the rankings on the Elixir Sect competition token collectively dropped by one.

First place: Begging for Death, Li Xiaobai, Grade: Immeasurable!

“I do not accept this!”

“You impertinent child! These Enlightenment Tea Leaves were made carelessly, without effort. How could they possibly possess miraculous effects? Elders, are you not showing favoritism to this youngster? Although he has the backing of Elder Tianwu, does he deserve such special treatment?”

Elder Yao, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly burst out. The sight of Li Xiaobai having a pleasant conversation with several elders from the Elixir Sect was almost enough to make him faint from anger.

What happened to suppressing this kid as soon as the incense candle burned out?

What is this harmonious atmosphere about?

Can people not maintain the most basic trust in one another anymore?

“Stop the noise. Are you teaching me how to do my job?”

“Elder Yao, although you’re a member of the Medicine King Hall, I hope you can mind your attitude. The competition of the Three Sects has always been authoritative, with no backdoor deals. Since Li Xiaobai has won first place, there must be solid reasons.”

“This Enlightenment Tea Leaf is crafted through ancient alchemy, and its efficacy is indescribably wonderful. Not to speak of the Tribulation Crossing Stage, but even Great Crossing Realm Cultivators might feel its effects after use. How can your mere Fifth Grade elixir compare to it?”

“The fact that external factors caused the quality of your elixirs to decrease merely shows that your skills in alchemy are not yet proficient. If you vent your anger on others because of this, it’s an unsightly display!”

Elder Sun huffed coldly, extremely dissatisfied with Elder Yao’s remarks.

Elder Yao was stunned. He was completely dumbfounded by this barrage of words. The Elixir Sect elder’s change of face was quicker than flipping a book. What was this maneuver?

Is this how people play the game now?

The other cultivators were also puzzled, not understanding what exactly had happened. How did the attitude of the Elixir Sect elder make such a drastic turnaround?

“But Elder Sun, you just now praised my elixir for having good effects…”

Elder Yao said, bewildered.

“What had been said has been said; the present is the present. Compared to Young Master Li’s Enlightenment Tea Leaf, your Heavenly Spirit Pill is too crudely made.”

Elder Sun casually threw an elixir into his mouth and chewed, frowning slightly: “What on earth is this thing crafted from?”

After smoking the Huazi, he felt as if he could no longer stomach any other elixirs. Compared to the sensation of having his organs cleansed and his Spiritual Platform clear, ordinary elixirs tasted utterly bland and failed to spark any interest.

“Elder Sun, you!”

Elder Yao was livid. He hadn’t expected an elder from the Elixir Sect to show such disrespect.

“Elder Yao, if you want to smoke the Huazi, just say so. There’s no need for such a fuss,” Elder Sun retorted coldly.

Li Xiaobai flicked his wrist and threw out another Huazi, a product of the System.

Elder Yao caught it and examined it carefully, confirming that it was the same kind that Li Xiaobai had just made. Although the craftsmanship of this one was more elaborate and refined, essentially, it was just a thin paper rolled around some crumbled Enlightenment Tea Leaves.

Seeing this, Elder Sun’s eyes flashed with a strange gleam. Li Xiaobai could indeed mass-produce Huazi. Today’s grand competition in the Elixir Sect had indeed made the right decision attracting such talent. This high-end technology had to be controlled by their hands.

The urgent matter now was to secure Li Xiaobai. They couldn’t let this walking treasury slip away. The best outcome would be to reach a cooperation. If cooperation was impossible, they might have to resort to force.

He gave a covert look to an elder standing nearby, who understood the hint. The elder discreetly stepped back a few paces and vanished into the shadows.

“I’d like to see what you, young man, can come up with,” said Elder Yao, imitating the action.

Elder Yao lit the Huazi with a flicker of flame at his fingertips, took a deep drag, and his eyes immediately bulged.

Thick smoke burst forth from both ears.

“How is this possible?”

Elder Yao kept puffing, constantly exhaling and inhaling clouds of smoke that drifted away. The other cultivators also caught the scent and were struck dumb in an instant.

Although this second-hand smoke was not as good as the original flavor, the effect was still extraordinary. Just by taking a whiff, they felt their Primordial Spirits about to soar, their Spiritual Platforms were clear, and their minds were enlightened as if they had attained a great realization.

“This Huazi can lead to enlightenment!”

“How on earth was this made? How can it possess such miraculous effects?”

All those present were veteran alchemists who had lived for half a lifetime and had never seen such elixirs. Its effect was similar to that of the Heavenly Spirit Pill, which could enhance one’s comprehension, but the difference was like heaven and earth. The Heavenly Spirit Pill couldn’t even compare.

What was most crucial was that there were plenty of cultivators at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage among them. Even the Great Crossing Realm Cultivators found the Huazi very useful, which spoke volumes about its value.

Moreover, seeing how Li Xiaobai’s production process was not complicated, if they could mass-produce it, it would only take a few decades to cultivate a super sect.

The stakes involved far exceeded the imagination of ordinary people.

“What do you think? Is my ancient alchemy to your taste?” asked Li Xiaobai with a grin.

“I am thoroughly convinced, Young Master Li. You deserve to win first place in the competition,” Elder Yao said with a chuckle, as if he had truly let go, but the fleeting harshness in his eyes betrayed his true feelings.

Li Xiaobai knew that the old guy wouldn’t let him go easily and was certainly harboring malicious intentions, but he wasn’t scared. In fact, he even wished the storm would come more furiously so he could accumulate more Attribute Points.

“Actually, I think the elixirs produced by this lady here are also exceptional. In this competition of the Elixir Sect, she probably comes second only to me,” said Li Xiaobai, pointing at Liu Feii. With a flip of the wrist, he threw a packet of Huazi straight at Elder Sun.

Elder Sun reached out to grab the elixirs made by Liu Feii. Without looking, he declared, “Not bad at all, the pinnacle of what’s possible with elixirs. Even better than Medicine King Hall’s Yao Chenzi. A well-deserved second place!”