In the room of the Qinghe Sect, the young girl Jiao Jiao said to Long Ren and Tian Zhen with a smug look:
"Sect Master, Senior Brother, rest assured, during this ti, I can be absolutely certain that Ding Fan hasn't had any ti to cultivate. Trying to heal the Lake Master's girlfriend is absolutely impossible. During this period..."
The young girl Jiao Jiao recounted what she did at Ding Fan's place one by one, her face full of confidence. She was very certain that she had accomplished her task excellently and that Ding Fan's attempt to heal the Lake Master Long Ren's girlfriend's illness was simply out of the question.
Tian Zhen and Leng Jian listened to the girl's report, and both of them couldn't help but show a sly smile on their faces, clearly satisfied with how smoothly their plan seed to be going. At this mont, Tian Zhen said to the girl with satisfaction:
"You did well. You can go down and receive your reward later."
"Thank you, Sect Master. It's my honor to contribute my small strength to the Sect." The girl said respectfully.
"Mm, very good."
Tian Zhen said with a sly smile on his face. He was very satisfied with this female disciple's performance, as she had been nurtured with great difficulty and now it counted as her achieving rit for him, justifying the effort he put into her training.
Then the girl withdrew. At this ti, Tian Zhen sat in a chair and motioned for Leng Jian to sit down. He was in a good mood, since Ding Fan had been idling this period, his plan could proceed smoothly. Then Tian Zhen said to Leng Jian with a slightly sinister expression:
"It's ti to pressure the Lake Master."
"Master, I'll go right away." Leng Jian quickly understood Tian Zhen's words, steeled his heart, and resolved that, for the Sect and for the Spirit Vein, even if he would offend the Lake Master, it didn't matter.
"No, I must go with you." Tian Zhen pondered for a mont, then said to Leng Jian with a few shadows on his face.
Tian Zhen naturally understood that although Long Ren was a bit young, he was still the Lake Master of the thirty-six caverns. Tian Zhen couldn't take hard asures against him. Tian Zhen understood that if he were to pressure the other party, he must go himself; sending a disciple was indeed inappropriate.
Moreover, Tian Zhen knew clearly that even if he were to pressure the other party, he had to use tactful ans and absolutely couldn't be forceful, otherwise, it would not end well. But Tian Zhen knew in his heart that no matter how tactful he was, if he pressured the other party, he wouldn't leave a good impression.
However, for Tian Zhen, regardless of how his image would turn out in front of Long Ren, everything was worth it for the Spirit Vein.
...
"Lake Master, Sect Master Tian and Leng Jian wish to see you." A maid entered Long Ren's study and said respectfully to Long Ren, who was writing on the desk.
Long Ren put down his pen and calculated the ti in his mind. It was ti for his elder brother Ding Fan's scheduled visit, but it was already past noon and he hadn't seen his elder brother yet; instead, Sect Master Tian and Leng Jian were seeking an audience. Long Ren had a bad premonition but ultimately said:
"Tell them to wait for in the council hall."
"Yes." The maid replied and withdrew from the study.
Long Ren knew that a week had passed and though it was only a week, it felt like years to him as he waited for Shan Shan to awaken, unsure of how many years he had been waiting for this day. His elder brother said Shan Shan could be awakened, how could he not be anxious?
But now, the day had co, yet his elder brother hadn't appeared to find him. Could there be difficulties on his elder brother's end? The most important thing was that Shan Shan's ti was running out, and the True Qi within her was growing more and more potent, beyond his ability to resolve.
Long Ren knew that during this secret realm journey, Leng Jian luckily obtained Liuli Grass, providing a thod to save San San, but the conditions the opponent put forth were exorbitant, yet he had no choice but to pay whatever price to save Shan Shan.
"Sect Master Tian, what brings you here?"
Long Ren walked into the council hall and directly asked Tian Zhen and Leng Jian.
Tian Zhen heard Long Ren's question and put on a stiff smile, then seed to struggle a bit as he said to Long Ren with several degrees of respect:
"It's like this, Lake Master. My disciple just told that a very close friend of his needs the Liuli Grass too. My unreliable disciple wishes to give the Liuli Grass to his friend, claiming that his friend's situation is urgent and that if they don't get the Liuli Grass soon, they might perish. My disciple is at a loss over what to do and ca to ask right away."
"Yes, indeed..." At this mont, Leng Jian appeared very troubled as he echoed to Long Ren.
Long Ren beca furious upon hearing their words, angrily reproaching them with a face full of anger:
"Didn't I already instruct you earlier? Make sure to keep that Liuli Grass safe! If there's any mishap, I'll hold you accountable!"
Tian Zhen heard Long Ren's words and quickly stepped beside him, smiling apologetically:
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"Lake Master, please calm your anger. I have already given that kid a lesson. But he's a loyal fellow, he says that his friend is his best friend. If you don't want the Liuli Grass now, he's going to sell it to his friend..."
"What did you say!"
Long Ren heard what the other person said, and with an angry expression, he directly interrupted and asked.
Tian Zhen heard Long Ren's words and looked at his expression. His confidence grew, but his face still showed a very anxious look, as if he were in a dilemma.
At this mont, Long Ren glared angrily at Leng Jian, and Leng Jian, sensing Long Ren's powerful aura, also began to tremble inside. However, he still forced a tough appearance, as if he had already made up his mind and wouldn't listen to anyone.
Tian Zhen hurriedly said:
"Lake Master, calm your anger, calm your anger... I have already severely punished this kid, but our Thirty-Six Caves have always acted with righteousness. I feel that this kid hasn't done anything wrong. Moreover, his friend is a human life. If the Lake Master truly doesn't need this Liuli Grass, we cannot just watch soone die because of us... So, I'm here to ask how much Liuli Grass you need, and if you could give so to save that person's life if the Lake Master doesn't need it temporarily?"
"You..."
Long Ren, upon hearing these words, found himself too angry to speak. He understood in his heart that what was said was nonsense. This Liuli Grass, although nearly extinct in the Cultivation World, is of limited use to most cultivators. Only very special cases, like San San's, would require this material.
Long Ren knew that the other party was saying this just to force him to exchange for the Spirit Vein, but the Spirit Vein was extrely important to the Thirty-Six Caves. How could he casually give it away? But Ding Fan also knew that since the other party dared to threaten him so boldly, they wouldn't easily give up.
If he were to use a tough stance to suppress the other party, it might not have the desired effect. For a mont, Long Ren didn't know what to do. He knew that his need for the Liuli Grass depended on whether his big brother could awaken San San. If his brother failed, he would definitely need the Liuli Grass, regardless of the cost.
At this mont, Tian Zhen, seeing Long Ren's anger, felt uneasy inside but still appeared to be in a dilemma. However, he had already resolved to obtain the Spirit Vein today, no matter the cost.
Tian Zhen was prepared to risk everything. Although he appeared to be in a difficult position, his resolve was firm.
Leng Jian, on the other hand, was not so composed. Faced with such a threat to the Lake Master, he was sowhat spooked due to inexperience, but he knew that with his master present, he didn't need to do much but leave everything to his master.
Long Ren was furious and speechless, and at this mont, Tian Zhen took the initiative to say to Long Ren:
"Lake Master, you need to make a decision quickly. After all, a human life is at stake..."
"You!"
Long Ren beca even more furious, but also more worried. The other party's attitude was clearly firm, and if the Liuli Grass was really gone, San San might never wake up in this lifeti, which he absolutely didn't want to see.
Long Ren stared coldly at Leng Jian for a while, then said:
"Let think it over."
"Lake Master, don't think too long. San San's condition can't wait that long. Besides, are you waiting for Mr. Ding? As far as I know, Mr. Ding might not have any solution for Miss San San's condition."
Tian Zhen pushed again.
Hearing this, Long Ren was montarily stunned, sensing inferred aning in the words. Could the other party be hindering his big brother? But upon consideration, it seed impossible. After all, this was his territory, and his big brother's power was not sothing easily obstructed.
Even so, Long Ren was perplexed as to why his big brother hadn't arrived yet, as it was already the agreed upon ti. He started to feel uneasy. At this mont, the Great Elder arrived and overheard the conversation between Tian Zhen and Long Ren.
The Great Elder said directly:
"Sect Master Tian, why the rush? Can't you give the Lake Master a little more ti?"
Seeing the Great Elder, Long Ren felt a bit calr, but Tian Zhen sensed an unfavorable turn. The Great Elder's presence was a threat to his plan. Thus, Tian Zhen steeled himself and pressed on:
"I'm not really in a rush, but my foolish disciple has already sent soone to deliver the Liuli Grass to his friend. Those people are probably on their way by now. I'm just worried that if the Lake Master doesn't decide soon, there really won't be any more Liuli Grass."
Long Ren, upon hearing this, took a quick step forward toward Tian Zhen's spiritual field. Long Ren was taller than Tian Zhen and glared angrily at him, filled with rage, but couldn't refute, as the reasoning seed sound. He was even more anxious.
The Great Elder, hearing Tian Zhen's words, looked disdainfully at Tian Zhen and Leng Jian, and then said calmly:
"That's not right, Sect Master Tian! Compared to the Lake Master and Leng Jian's friend, the Lake Master cos first, and the Lake Master hasn't refused yet. How did it get delivered to others? Isn't that against the agreent with the Lake Master? But never mind, I'll send soone to intercept them at the foot of the mountain, and also suggest the Lake Master, a eting with all sect masters and elders would be wise to discuss the Spirit Vein, as it's no small matter."
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