“Rewards are not based on cultivation levels, I only care about results. Anyone who makes a contribution will receive the corresponding reward, regardless of who they are.” Li Qianren said coldly.
Gu Qingfeng couldn't help but look at Li Qianren with a bit more respect. The guy might be a bit of a stoic, but he seemed to have principles, at least when it came to rewards and punishments.
“Alright, all of you may leave now. Gu Qingfeng, you stay.”
Me? Stay?
Gu Qingfeng was a bit puzzled. He had no idea what Li Qianren was up to.
Soon, everyone else left, and a kind Earth Realm Exorcist even dragged Wang Fatty and Xu Daizi away.
By now, the grand hall was left with only Li Qianren and Gu Qingfeng.
Li Qianren remained silent for a moment before speaking to Gu Qingfeng, “Gu Qingfeng, do you know that after today, you will become famous throughout the entire Great Yan Dynasty?”
Gu Qingfeng nodded, “Killing one of the Seven Demon Generals at the Qi Gathering Realm Fourth Layer is indeed enough to cause a stir.”
“Fame often brings trouble, especially when you're only at the Qi Gathering Realm Fourth Layer. People will envy you, be jealous of you, but they will never respect you.”
Gu Qingfeng grinned, “A true genius is one who is envied by others.”
Li Qianren gave Gu Qingfeng a slightly surprised look, then continued, “You may have exceptional physical and spiritual talents, but your cultivation talent is too poor. Do you know what that means?”
“It means... an uncertain future?”
Li Qianren nodded, “Physical training won't make you a grandmaster. Even at its peak, it can't compare to the Tough Qi Realm's Qi protection. Your spiritual power is on par with a grandmaster, but spiritual power is not primarily used for combat. With your cultivation talent, even with ample medicinal pills, you might never break through to the True Qi Realm in your lifetime. Do you understand?”
“Oh? So my talent is that bad?” Gu Qingfeng was initially surprised, then laughed.
He knew his talent was poor, but he didn't expect it to be so bad that he couldn't even reach the True Qi Realm.
He didn't doubt the judgment of a grandmaster, but he trusted the power of the system even more. Once he reached the Internal Qi Realm and could increase his cultivation by being attacked by demons, reaching the True Qi Realm, or even becoming a grandmaster, would be a piece of cake.
Seeing Gu Qingfeng's carefree laughter, Li Qianren couldn't help but admire his mental fortitude.
Such a mindset was truly rare.
“Yes, it's very poor. However, this world isn't just about martial cultivation. There are also the Dao of Alchemy, the Dao of Talismans, the Dao of Formation Arrays, and more. All these paths require strong spiritual power to excel in. At your young age, you already possess spiritual power comparable to a grandmaster, which makes you a potential genius in these other paths. I asked you to stay behind to ask if you'd be willing to pursue these paths.”
Gu Qingfeng understood now. This was trying to make him a support role!
However, he didn't rush to refuse, as he felt there was more to Li Qianren's intentions. There had to be more to it than just showing concern for talent.
“Then, what path does Lord Li think I should choose?”
“The Dao of Alchemy.” Li Qianren answered without hesitation.
“May I ask why?”
“Among these paths, only the Dao of Alchemy is the most sought after. However, I'm not suggesting you choose it for that reason.”
“Then why?”
“A mission.”
“A mission?”
“Yes, a mission that could make you rise to great heights. If you complete this mission, even if you never become a grandmaster, you could gain status and wealth far beyond that of a grandmaster!”
What the heck? What kind of mission is that?
“Please, enlighten me, Lord.” Gu Qingfeng was getting curious.
Li Qianren didn't immediately answer but instead asked, “Do you know who the top alchemist in the Great Yan Dynasty is?”
Gu Qingfeng's expression changed, and without hesitation, he answered, “That would be the Alchemy King, Qiu Yulong.”
Although Gu Qingfeng didn't know how to refine pills, he had heard of this household name.
“Correct, it's Qiu Yulong. The acknowledged top alchemist in the history of the Great Yan Dynasty. Do you know why he is considered the best?”
“Why? Isn't it obvious? He's the best at refining pills.”
Li Qianren shook his head, “Throughout history, there is no 'first' in alchemy, just as there is no 'second' in martial arts. Martial artists can determine the best through duels, but alchemy cannot. Every alchemy master has their specialty. For example, one might excel at refining detoxification pills, while another specializes in pills that boost power. The value of different pills is hard to judge, and for someone trying to break through, a power-boosting pill is the best, but for someone poisoned, a detoxification pill is the most important. Therefore, there is no 'first' in alchemy.”
Gu Qingfeng was getting even more curious, “Then why is Qiu Yulong called the Alchemy King?”
“Because he refined a pill that everyone needs.”
“Everyone needs? What kind of pill is that?”
“The Ageless Pill.”
“The Ageless Pill!? Does it grant immortality?” Gu Qingfeng exclaimed in surprise.
“It doesn't grant immortality. Immortality is beyond the realm of humans; it's a domain of the gods. However, the Ageless Pill can reverse the natural order and extend life, allowing one to regain youth! A person's lifespan is determined by the heavens. Unless one breaks through to a higher realm, one cannot increase their lifespan. But what about the innate realm? At most, it grants two hundred years of life. After that, it's just a handful of dust.”
But the Ageless Pill allows you to defy the heavens and change your fate. As long as you're alive, you have a chance. Perhaps you might even touch the realm beyond grandmasters!”
After Li Qianren finished, he noticed Gu Qingfeng looking at him with a strange expression, not saying a word.
Li Qianren frowned slightly, “What is it?”
“Lord Li, are you dying?”
Those words almost made even the composed Li Qianren lose his cool.
“I'm not dying!” Li Qianren retorted irritably.
“Then why are you talking about the Ageless Pill? Could it be... the mission is related to the Ageless Pill? But the Alchemy King Qiu Yulong died over a hundred years ago. Where would we find it? Unless...”
Gu Qingfeng suddenly thought of a possibility and stared in disbelief, “Lord Li, do you have the recipe for the Ageless Pill and want me to refine it? You must have too high an opinion of me. I haven't even started studying the Dao of Alchemy...”
“Stop speculating and listen to me!” Li Qianren cut him off coldly.
“Fine, fine. You're the boss; I'll listen to you.” Gu Qingfeng pouted.
Li Qianren's sword-like eyebrows furrowed slightly. Was it because he had been too approachable? Why did this guy seem a bit disrespectful?
ing gift was a patch of barren land, and disciples were all picked up along the way. He spent fifty years diligently building three "ramshackle little sects," thinking he could finally live a carefree life relying on his disciples. But right at the fifty-year mark, he was suddenly swept away by a spatial rift and exiled to the Chaos Desolation, the Disorderly Ruins. There was no spiritual energy there, only slaughter. Relying on the cultivation feedback from his disciples, Gu Changyuan hacked his way through a sea of blood for eleven hundred years. When the system finally fished him back out, he discovered the ramshackle little sects he'd built back then had developed a rather... unusual style. Hold on... I vanished for a thousand years, so how did my ramshackle little sects become holy lands?!
young master of the Shen family—a figure of immense power and wealth beyond measure—and awakened the "Destined Ultimate Villain System"! His starting scenario? Running into his icy fiancée who shows up with a mountain-descending divine doctor to break off their engagement. The divine doctor arrogantly taunts: "What does your Shen family have besides a bit of stinking money? You're not even worthy of tying Qingxue's shoelaces!" Shen Fei just smiled. He completely defied the usual script: "Fine, I agree to break off the engagement. Also, notify the finance department to withdraw all investments from the Su family." Minutes later, with its capital chain severed, the Su Group teetered on the brink of bankruptcy! The once aloof and proud ice queen CEO was thrown into utter panic. That very night, she went to Shen Fei's villa, casting aside all dignity to beg and plead desperately... From then on, in this world teeming with Sons of Destiny, Shen Fei embarked on a path of extreme dimensional suppression! A mountain-descending divine doctor? Peerless medical skills? Shen Fei: "Reporting you for practicing medicine without a license! I'll gladly take your ancient medicinal cauldron and twin sister assassins." The Crooked-Smiling Dragon King? Commanding a hundred thousand soldiers with a single order? Shen Fei: "Illegal assembly and suspected treason! Let a fleet of attack helicopters sanitize the area and teach you what the state apparatus really means!" A reborn tycoon? Knows all the golden opportunities of the next decade? Shen Fei: "A trillion in capital to reverse and pump the stock market, making you blow your margin and jump on the very first day of your rebirth!" What Chosen Ones? What bearers of Heavenly Fortune? In Shen Fei's eyes, they're all just chives (i.e., suckers/marks) waiting to be harvested! Shen Fei: "Sorry, but as the Destined Ultimate Villain, I don't play by the rules of honor. I only play the game of dimensional suppression."
rowess are unmatched, commanding a million-strong army! Yet, the Emperor wants to depose him for the sake of a false prince? Hold on, are you throwing me into some female-oriented romance plot? How can I tolerate this? With a grand wave of his hand—the Nine Clan Extraction Technique! Slander the Emperor? Very well, all of you shall die! ... The False Prince: "Although I am not the biological son, Father and Mother love me more. The throne should be mine!" The Female Lead: "Qin Xiao, you are the Emperor, and I am a commoner. If you wish to marry me, you must abdicate. Otherwise, you will never have me!" The Empress: "After we divorce, you must give me half the empire!" The Transmigrator Consort: "You worthless Emperor, why should I kneel to you? All men are equal—I advise you to be kind!" The Great General: "The enemy general is my childhood sweetheart. For her sake, I willingly abandon the frontier defenses!" The Retired Emperor: "Although Yu'er was adopted, I prefer him. Qin Xiao, you should abdicate and let him become Emperor!" ... Very well! So this is how you want to play? Facing this twisted world of female-oriented tropes, Qin Xiao grins and raises his hand to unleash—the Nine Clan Extraction Technique! I am the Emperor. Why would I bother reasoning with you? Seal the gates! Leave none alive!
or! A blessing for those who struggle with love, a guidebook for dating novices. Quickly match with your dream goddess! Complete walkthroughs earn rewards, and perfect walkthroughs unlock limited achievements!】 Shen Yi, an ordinary office worker, accidentally downloads a mini-game called Dating Simulator. The mini-game is simple: randomly search for dating targets, simulate dates, and receive rewards upon successful confession. Rewards include but are not limited to money, attributes, and skills. The higher the evaluation, the better the rewards, with perfect ratings unlocking mysterious achievements. Shen Yi plans to use this mysterious mini-game to continuously pursue targets and improve himself, making his life better and better. ...... However, after several successful walkthroughs, Shen Yi suddenly notices something strange - the targets he previously simulated dating seem to be searching for him in real life?
