Another month later...

  Xia Residence, bedroom.

  Xia Li was flipping through a rare book that Myriad Treasures Pavilion had procured for him, his brow furrowing.

  "This 'Comperta of Spirit Treasures: Qi Refining Volume' records a full eighteen hundred types of spirit treasures, and this is just for Qi Refining..."

  "Yet most cultivators can only refine at most three spirit treasures per major realm."

  This book had arrived a bit late, as Xia Li had already refined four spirit treasures.

  Though this wasn't his limit, Xia Li still felt he'd lost out somewhat.

  Besides the three the Liu family had collected last month, he had also refined a spirit treasure called Dantian Fruit, which could strengthen the dantian's qi sea.

  Looking through the book, the four he'd refined were all ranked in the top hundred.

  The lower-ranked treasures either had excessive side effects, required combination with other treasures, or demanded specific constitutions from the cultivator—and their effects after refinement were often mediocre.

  It seemed those major sects weren't worried about finding buyers when they sold these. They were all top-ranked, universally applicable spirit treasures.

  "Looks like the Liu family's attitude in handling matters is quite good. They didn't give me anything subpar."

  Xia Li now had a better impression of the Liu family. Among the three powers, the Liu family was closest to him, mainly because they didn't have their own alchemist.

  The other two powers hadn't made any moves yet, simply doing their jobs properly.

  But this attitude already showed they were the type to share in good fortune but definitely not share in hardship.

  "I just hope the crisis comes later rather than sooner..."

  Xia Li understood his current danger—major powers might shamelessly come to forcibly take over. In his view, it was only a matter of time.

  He had to assume the worst about human nature, defaulting to malicious intent. Only then could he prepare for the future.

  The marketplace was a rogue cultivator alliance's territory, and Myriad Treasures Pavilion was also a major power.

  These two probably couldn't wait for him to encounter unsolvable trouble so he'd have to beg them and join them.

  With this thought...

  Xia Li decided to raise the stakes and bet more on the Liu family.

  Taking out his transmission jade slip, Xia Li directly messaged Third Uncle Liu:

  "Uncle Liu, the Dantian Fruit you brought last time was very useful to me. To thank your Liu family, I've already spoken with my master. He agrees to let me teach you alchemy."

  "As for how much you can learn, that depends on the talent of whoever you send."

  "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Xia! I'll immediately have the clan convene a family meeting to decide the candidate!"

  Xia Li mentioned the Dantian Fruit being useful, but Third Uncle Liu was no fool. He knew it couldn't be just about one fruit—it was because over these two months, Xia Li had seen their sincerity.

  "By the way, Fellow Daoist Xia, who do you think has more talent? Actually, the candidate will most likely be either Liu Yun or Liu Ruyan. You've met them both."

  Third Uncle Liu still called Liu Xiaoxiao by Liu Ruyan, but that was their family matter and Xia Li didn't bother commenting.

  "That's up to you. I'm confident I can teach anyone well, even you. So the candidate doesn't have to be from the younger generation. Your Liu family should seize this opportunity well."

  "I understand!"

  Third Uncle Liu ended the communication.

  On the other side.

  The Liu family was destined for a sleepless night. Xia Li's message made them sense an opportunity for the family's rise.

  The Liu family head was now grateful that he'd acted decisively enough two months ago. He'd bet correctly!

  Without killing Liu Fu's family, how could Xia Li have forgiven them so easily and chosen them?

  Thus, a meeting concerning the family's fate was convened overnight.

  Early the next morning, someone came knocking on Xia Li's bedroom door.

  "Come in."

  Xia Li allowed the knocker to enter. When the door opened, a cute young woman appeared—Liu Xiaoxiao. The Liu family had ultimately chosen her.

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  "Oh? It's you. I thought it would be Liu Yun or some elder."

  Xia Li truly hadn't expected the Liu family to give the opportunity to Liu Xiaoxiao. She was only the fifth young miss, far below Liu Yun the eldest young master in succession.

  "Who told me to have the best talent in the Liu family? If I weren't female, even Brother Yun would have to obediently be my subordinate."

  Liu Xiaoxiao was quite proud, and happy that her family had made the right choice—selecting based on talent rather than status.

  "Alright, then I'll first transmit the cultivation method to you. This is a technique beneficial for alchemy, artifact crafting, and talisman making."

  Xia Li tossed a jade slip to Liu Xiaoxiao. It contained the Thousand Refinements Art, modified through his Heaven Chip and re-recorded.

  The original technique was from Hidden Wing's internal network—not meant for external transmission. Without a Hidden Wing Heaven Chip implanted, it couldn't be cultivated. To share it externally, certain parts had to be removed.

  But those parts didn't matter anyway.

  They were features for enhancing the Spirit Core and improving its performance. Cultivators in this world didn't have Spirit Cores in their bodies.

  Liu Xiaoxiao received the jade slip and immediately pressed it to her forehead.

  The Thousand Refinements Art's cultivation method flooded into her mind. After completing this transmission, the jade slip shattered.

  "May I ask, Big Brother Xia, is this Thousand Refinements Art perhaps a Yellow-grade technique?"

  Liu Xiaoxiao's eyes went wide. The Liu family's best technique was only Human-grade upper tier.

  Cultivation methods and techniques were ranked in six grades: Heaven, Earth, Profound, Yellow, Human, and Mortal.

  Each grade was a world apart. The higher the grade, the more miraculous the technique.

  Mortal-grade could barely touch the Dao. Human-grade was passable. Yellow-grade entered the gates of the Dao.

  In other words, Yellow-grade techniques were the true path of cultivation. After all, Human and Mortal grades spelled out "mortal" when reversed.

  It was the difference between immortal and mortal!

  "Yes."

  Xia Li didn't know how this world rated techniques, but Earth's cultivation tradition started at what they called "Yellow-grade" at minimum.

  The two grades above weren't even allowed on the public network—the Heavenly Dao Computer would flag them as garbage.

  Earth's rating system was simpler and more direct, no nonsense.

  Just five levels.

  Supreme, Extreme, Excellent, Superior, Functional.

  Functional meant usable. Superior meant decent. Excellent was excellent. Extreme was very good. Supreme was the best.

  The Thousand Refinements Art was only Functional-grade, entry-level on Earth. That it made it onto Hidden Wing's internal network meant it was probably among the better Functional-grade techniques.

  "Though this technique has no preface, I can feel it's Yellow-grade upper tier. If word got out, some minor sects would stop at nothing to seize it!"

  Liu Xiaoxiao now understood the feeling of "innocence invites guilt when holding treasure." The technique was good, but if leaked, it would bring disaster upon the Liu family!

  "Then be careful. This technique cannot be transmitted until you've fully comprehended it. You understand my meaning."

  "I understand... Only after comprehending it will I have enough strength to protect the family. Only then can it be transmitted. Thank you for your consideration, Big Brother Xia!"

  "Mm."

  Xia Li nodded. His main purpose was to avoid being implicated by the Liu family's foolishness.

  Liu Xiaoxiao was smart. She shouldn't do anything reckless.

  "Go back and convert your cultivation method first. Come find me after you've finished converting your spiritual energy, and I'll teach you alchemy. I may disappear for a while, but not too long."

  "I won't disappoint you, Big Brother Xia!"

  Liu Xiaoxiao now wished she could formally become his disciple, but she knew very well that Xia Li didn't think highly enough of her. So she didn't overstep.

  If it were that fool Liu Yun, he'd probably already be kowtowing. That would only make things awkward for Xia Li.