Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and Wang Xun handed the Green Ruler Sword back to the members of the Li family, only saying:

"Better than I expected, it only lost ten percent of its Sword Intent, thank you all."

Then, like fleeing, he rode the wind away, daring not to say another word. The two brothers exchanged glances; it seemed that this man truly did not wish to entangle himself in worldly affairs, speaking more only when he had sought help earlier.

The two of them returned to the small courtyard on the mountain in the rain, one holding the sword and the other holding a green jade box, where a crowd of the Li family was already waiting.

The rain on the mountain tapped continuously, and the courtyard was silent. On the flat and smooth table lay a pile of jade bottles, large and small, green and white, exuding Spiritual Energy. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

At the other end of the table were five or six jade bottles, placed there in isolation.

"It's mostly like this..."

After explaining the entire cause and effect, Li Yuanjiao said in a low voice:

"Currently, among the many elixirs in the market, seventy percent of them are from the Green Pond Sect, with only two to three layers coming from the Xiao and Yuan Families. Take a look and see how to deal with this."

All the direct lineage cultivators of the Li family were present. Li Qinghong, holding her spear and standing to the side, did not utter a word, while Li Yuanping looked down, deep in thought. Members of the younger generation were sitting on their knees at the end, with various expressions.

Seeing that Li Yuanping and Li Qinghong remained silent, Li Yuanjiao turned his gaze toward Li Xihong, the eldest at the lower seats, signaling him to speak.

Li Xihong, who had been dazedly lost in thought, quickly straightened up upon realizing this. After pondering for a moment, he replied:

"In my view, although these medicines are precious, they are refined using human lives. Our family has always upheld strict family discipline, prioritized the well-being of the people, and passed down the orthodox way. It is best to discard these elixirs..."

Li Xihong had made progress while managing affairs in Shanyue; he spoke much more smoothly, and between the lines, he meant that the medicine should not be used anymore. Li Yuanjiao simply nodded his head and looked toward Li Xijun.

Li Xijun was dressed in a white robe with silver borders, appearing even more handsome. With rosy lips and white teeth, he respectfully said:

"In my opinion, since our family will not use these medicines, we should send all of them to the market shops, exchange them for spirit stones at a slightly lower price, and quickly replenish the family's treasury while earning some reputation."

"Then send someone to open up connections with the Xiao and Yuan Families, and, relying on these relationships, we will only procure medicines from them in the future instead of from the open market. This will settle the matter."

"Good!"

It took Li Xijun only a few dozen breaths to come up with a complete strategy which brightened up Li Yuanjiao's expression; then he saw Li Ximing also softly saying:

"I haven't yet broken through to Yujing, and can't start practicing alchemy. This matter will still need to rely on the Xiao and Yuan Families for a few years. My younger brother's method is complete and comprehensive. I only have one doubt about this pill."

Li Ximing paused, thought for a moment, and raised his head:

"Using blood and Qi to refine elixirs – it is said to be the way of 'different mansions sharing the same furnace,' resulting in a higher number and quality of the pills. Could there really only be benefits without any hidden dangers? I'm afraid the harm might be far greater than we know."

As soon as he said this, the three at the higher seats all slightly raised their eyebrows; after all, Li Ximing had read the Pill Scripture and understood alchemy better than the others, and he continued:

"What I mean is, even if... even if this pill has nothing to do with human lives, we still shouldn't take it... Who knows what risks or traps there might be? The elixirs flowing out from the Noble Families are not as sought after as those from the Green Pond Sect; it's easy to exchange for them, so why not do it?"

"Indeed."

The three at the higher seats looked at each other with a glance, and Li Yuanping smiled and said:

"You may step down now."

The three complied and left; the door of the courtyard creaked shut, and the formation that isolated the inside from the outside started to operate. Li Yuanping then smiled and said:

"The younger generation has made progress."

Li Yuanjiao nodded slightly and said:

"Xihong might talk without substance, but he's no longer as dull as he used to be. It's always good to be willing to learn and make progress... As for Xijun, he's a doer."

The completeness of Li Xijun's strategy truly pleased the three, and Li Qinghong, holding the Du Ruo Spear, looked much more relaxed and softly said:

"Ximing is good at planning, Xijun is good at strategy—it's thanks to Yuanping's good teaching."

Li Yuanjiao immediately took away all the medicines on the table, thinking about how to gain proper access to the Xiao Family without owing any favors. However, his face remained smiling as he said:

"Generations of our family have taught by example and through history, upholding strict family traditions, and that's how we have such descendants."

After being bolstered by the Dharma Mirror Mysterious Light and being energized by the children from Ximing's generation, the mood of the three had become much lighter. Li Yuanjiao let out a breath, picked up the jade box on the table, and, with a bit more ease in his voice, said:

"This Spirit Root, the Wanling Flower, is finally at the Foundation Establishment level, but it still needs to be watered with a Spiritual Spring. There is a Spiritual Spring on Huaqian Mountain, which can be used for planting."

The history of the Spiritual Spring on Huaqian Mountain is ancient. As early as the era of the Wan Family's Formation Path genius, Wan Huaqian, the spring was used to construct formations. Now in the hands of the Li family, the spring was mostly used to water Spiritual Objects, hoping to save three to four years of growth each time, to supplement the family's annual deficit.

"According to Wang Xun, the Wanling Flower cannot be held in gold or jade. When it blooms, take the flowers with wooden tongs and store them in a bamboo case."

Li Yuanjiao reminded them, adding:

"This flower cannot withstand the sight of someone crying; it will wither upon hearing weeping, so be mindful of that."

Li Qinghong nodded and took over with solemnity:

"I will go to Huaqian Mountain to guard it from now on, watching over this Spirit Root."

"What about the two matters we discussed last time?"

Upon being asked by his older brother, Li Yuanping quickly replied:

"The situation in Shanyue is becoming more certain. The Tian Family is cooperating well. Judging by the days, it's about time. All these plump and pompous Shanyue nobles were just lambs waiting for slaughter. They chose to join our Li Family at the right time, so we won't bother them."