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

Chapter 280: 281: The Sudden Appearance of Ergouzi

In the Elixir Sect’s grand hall where matters were deliberated, over sixty percent of the sect elders had gathered, barring those who were responsible for overseeing the alchemy competition. Nearly all the remaining elders were present.

Each person’s face was tinged with a hint of anticipation; they were all eager to learn the ancient alchemy techniques. Under the Sect Master’s implication, Elder Sun had reluctantly shared the pack of Enlightenment Tea Leaves that Li Xiaobai had given him with the other elders.

The Enlightenment Tea Leaves were refreshing to the heart and soul, purified the viscera, and cleared the mind’s platform. The doubts and confusions they had about alchemy were resolved in this moment, and the faces of the elders showed varying degrees of enlightenment.

Unable to resist, they took a couple more draws until the packet of tea leaves ran out and they burned their hands on the stubs. Only then did they snap back to reality.

Everyone unanimously concluded that this was an opportunity for the Elixir Sect; they must seize it well.

Zhong Daoquan led Li Xiaobai into the hall at a leisurely pace.

“Young Master Li, what do you think of this place? If you need anything prepared, just say the word!”

Zhong Daoquan was very polite, but Li Xiaobai knew that this was all because of the tea leaves. Once he had imparted the entire method of making the product, who knew if these old fellows would turn on him on the spot?

“It’s almost good enough, just a few leaves of Enlightenment Tea will do.”

Li Xiaobai casually lit a cigarette and said indifferently.

This action caused the assembled elders great heartache—that was Enlightenment Tea, an existence that could lead to enlightenment! How could he just casually light it up and smoke it?

Even more infuriating was that the plump fat chicken also copied him, lighting up a cigarette and puffing away.

“Cluck cluck, lately I can only smoke Enlightenment Tea Leaves, anything else irritates the throat, it’s a bit uncomfortable!”

Ji Wuqing took a small puff and exhaled smoke rings, saying lightly.

This provoked the elders to envy; that damn chicken was too detestable. They seemed to be living worse than a chicken, and it made them want to slaughter it and make soup.

Seemingly sensing the murderous intent, Ji Wuqing shivered, dropped the cigarette from its beak, and darted into Liu Fei’s arms to hide.

Seeing the wasted half-smoked cigarette on the ground, the elders had complex expressions. They really wanted to pick it up and continue smoking, but with so many people watching, they couldn’t embarrass themselves like that.

“Alright, Young Master Li, here is half a pound of Enlightenment Tea Leaves, all of top quality. You just go ahead and demonstrate. If you need more, just say the word, and I as Sect Master will send someone to fetch more.”

Zhong Daoquan took out a small bag, which was brimming with Enlightenment Tea Leaves.

Li Xiaobai was somewhat surprised. Enlightenment Tea Leaves were not a common treasure; they only possessed their effect when picked from the Enlightenment Tea Tree, and the tree only produced leaves for one month in a year.

The Elixir Sect was really willing to spend resources lavishly, it seemed; they were determined to learn ancient alchemy, sparing no expense.

“No problem, no problem, that should be just about enough.”

Li Xiaobai flicked his hand, pulling a large bag of Enlightenment Tea towards him and said cheerfully.

The onlookers were left thirsty with envy. Li Xiaobai had thick skin indeed; the Sect Master had brought out the Enlightenment Tea Leaves to earn his favor, and he had unhesitatingly taken all of them. While everyone else was just putting on a show, why was he the only one to act so simply?

But, displeased as they were, they still recognized that more pressing matters were at hand.

Zhong Daoquan did not say much else and gestured for Li Xiaobai to start.

“All the elders, pay attention. The first step is to grind the Enlightenment Tea Leaves into powder, for the core ingredient in our cigarettes is indeed this powdered Enlightenment Tea Leaves,” Li Xiaobai spoke as he reached into the bag, taking out a few leaves of Enlightenment Tea and placing them on the ground. The elders nodded in agreement; to their knowledge, the core of the cigarette was that powdery substance.

However, at that moment, a sudden gust of wind roared through the hall. Li Xiaobai only felt an immense force pulling at him, as the bag filled with Enlightenment Tea Leaves shot towards a direction in the hall.

“Who’s pulling these sneaky tricks, actually stealing my Enlightenment Tea Leaves, with such thick skin!”

Li Xiaobai was furious. The Enlightenment Tea Leaves he had gone to so much trouble to swindle had been snatched away before they even had the chance to get warm.

The cultivators’ faces darkened. What do you mean, ‘your Enlightenment Tea Leaves’? And who are you calling thick-skinned? Among the cultivators present, you’re the one with the thickest face.

But indeed, daring to steal things in the Elixir Sect was too presumptuous, clearly showing no regard for them, the Sect Elders.

Zhong Daoquan’s expression suddenly turned grim: “Who is it? Wouldn’t you like to come out and have a chat?”

“Woof! What the hell is this thing? It’s so dry it could break my teeth. Xiaojing, find the master who made this thing and butcher them!”

An extremely arrogant voice came from outside the door.

“The Saint Heir ate Enlightenment Tea Leaves just now.”

An old man’s voice came through.

“Woof! Who made these Enlightenment Tea Leaves? Bring them out and butcher them!”

“Saint Heir, the tea leaves come from a tea tree, not from someone’s hand.”

“Then chop down the tea tree. Do I, Lord Ergouzi, need to teach you such a simple thing?”

The arrogant voice sounded very angry.

“Saint Heir, you are now the Fire Qilin Saint Child; please refrain from calling yourself Ergouzi anymore. Such crude language should never come from someone of the Qilin bloodline.”

The aged voice rose again.

“Woof! Lord Ergouzi is a peerless being. That wretched Kylin will one day be trampled under your Lord Ergouzi’s feet!”

“If the Saint Heir possesses such lofty aspirations and ambition, why worry about not achieving great things!”

Listening to the two voices outside, one talking and the other responding, Li Xiaobai and Ji Wuqing exchanged glances, both wearing odd expressions on their faces. That annoying tone and arrogant attitude, didn’t it sound very much like Ergouzi?

And he actually referred to himself as the Saint Heir. Listening to what the cultivators outside Tianfeng City had said before, a Fire Qilin Saint Child had come for the competition among the Three Sects. Li guessed that it might be Ergouzi, and now it seemed to be about ninety percent certain.

Having not seen him for a long time, it looked like the fellow was doing quite well.

“Is the Fire Qilin Saint Child outside the hall? Since you are here, why not come in and catch up?”

After hearing the conversation outside, Zhong Daoquan’s anger also dissipated. In this area, the only one who could be called the Saint Heir was the one from Fire Qilin Cave.

This was the most promising Saint Heir of Fire Qilin Cave. Thanks to his revealed potential and bloodline, the cave even allowed him to appear in the world ahead of time. Such an individual’s future achievements were bound to be immeasurable; they could only be befriended, not antagonized.

“That’s right, it’s your Lord Fire Qilin. Xiaojing, get up and see who is calling for the Fire Qilin lord.”

Two figures entered from outside the door; specifically, an old man with white hair, carrying a throne on one hand, walked in, and on the throne was sprawled a… husky.

Using the terms of this world, on the throne lay a Qilin Divine Beast, the long-lost Ergouzi.

Ergouzi’s eyes were without spirit, his nostrils flaring, paying no heed to anyone there, his demeanor arrogant to the extreme.

Ji Wuqing couldn’t contain his irritation: “Damn it, to think I was actually worried about that damn dog. The moment he comes into his own, he doesn’t spare a thought for us at all, just enjoying his own blessed life!”

This is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢

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