This creature was actually a Demon Spirit refined using the "Mountain Spirit".

No wonder it emanates an ambiance here so akin to Wuyou Spirit City, without my possession of the "Nine Songs Mountain Ghost", I might not have detected this situation.

Exactly how many things has my sect buried in various places?

Why does it feel like Bitter Journey Academy is becoming thoroughly infiltrated by my sect...

He wasn't sure whether to sigh or joke about it, but in any case, he quickly reached the sixth layer of the Boyue Tea House, where the decor was even more lavish and refined, exuding an air of understated luxury and opulence.

And the sound of a zither gently emerged from all around, not feeling out of place, but instead, it seeped into the heart like the sound of a flowing stream.

"Taoist Friend Li, Taoist Friend Su, please have a seat."

Lv Qingge swiftly arranged for Li Ye and Su Ya to sit at a window-side seat behind a screen before hastily departing.

It was only then that Su Ya, who had been silent, finally spoke:

"Are you really confident, junior brother?"

"Indeed it is as Taoist Friend Lv mentioned, this matter is significant. If you aren't fully confident, let's push the responsibility onto me later, and I'll refuse for us.

In any case, I'm on the path of Alchemy, and as long as you supply the materials, I won't have any dealings with the academy in this lifetime."

His expression was very serious, and his tone carried concern.

Because he understood that a contract of this level, once signed between the sects, left no room to regret, much like the binding orders in the mundane world.

He wouldn't rebut or express doubt in front of others earlier, but this was the time to discuss things.

"What's there to fear." Li Ye picked up the jade porcelain teapot, leisurely poured Su Ya a cup of aromatic tea, and spoke calmly:

"If I wasn't confident, I wouldn't have dared to speak of it. But Brother, I intend to let you get involved too, to earn some merit."

"What do you think?"

Su Ya nodded immediately: "Certainly, it's good. It seems Brother Li indeed has full confidence, so I'll tag along for some merits.

Up till today, I owe much fortune to you."

To this, Li Ye only shook his head.

"For this matter, Brother Su might need to stay here for a while, while I will return to the sect once some issues are resolved. The mundane tasks will require your attention."

"Once this merit is granted, Senior Su Huan may finally leave the Grotto Heaven too."

"I have some puzzles I wanted to consult with the elder..."

As he was speaking, a woman in a ruqun came up with several trays, respectfully bowed, and said:

"Honorable seniors."

"These Spirit Plants are instructed by Mr. Lv for me to deliver."

On the trays were indeed Spirit Plants, and the trays were evidently Magical Treasures, shrinking those Spirit Plants to a tiny size.

Nonetheless, they were genuine Spirit Plants.

In a gentle voice, the ruqun woman introduced: "These four types of Spirit Plants are the most common Four Treasures of the Study in our academy.

They are the Jingmo Moss for grinding and cultivating one's own Literary Qi ink, Soft Willow Paper inspired by Literary Qi, the Ten Thousand Sinking Bamboo for making brushes, and the Flowing Ink Brush Washer."

These items are quite renowned.

First, the Jingmo Moss; originally said to grow on inkstones, when accidentally ground with ink, it eventually produces its own ink.

And depending on its owner's Literary Qi, it could alter the Spiritual Power of the ink. Despite its unassuming appearance, it is almost essential for every Confucian Scholar to acquire.

Similarly, the Jingliu Paper.

These willow trees generally grow in the courtyards of Confucian Scholars, long nourished by the Literary Qi, paper made from its branches, like the ink, become a "personal" item.

As for the Ten Thousand Sinking Bamboo, it's even more unique.

Since the Bitter Journey Academy requires every Confucian Scholar's first brush to be made from the Ten Thousand Sinking Bamboo they cultivate from entry.

Because of its nature to incorporate all kinds of Spiritual Materials, even at Golden Core or Nascent Soul levels, many cultivators still use brushes made from Ten Thousand Sinking Bamboo.

The last one, Flowing Ink Brush Washer, serves as an ordinary yet indispensable treasure. The ink it settles becomes special Literary Qi Treasure Ink, which certain Golden Core or Nascent Soul practitioners sell at high prices, each piece fetching millions of Spirit Stones.

Be aware that this is the refined essence distilled day and night from countless inks.

After the ruqun woman respectfully left upon completing her introduction, Su Ya said to Li Ye: "If you can improve these items, it might be even more vital than the Wenxing Bamboo.

After all, these objects are required by every Confucian Scholar.

Even those temporarily struggling outside will buy them, just imagine how large this market could be."

Li Ye was certainly aware of this situation.

The Four Treasures of the Study, the most basic objects for Confucian Scholars.

He cast a look around these Spirit Plants, eventually fixing his gaze on the still bud-like, verdant porcelain-appearing Ten Thousand Sinking Bamboo, and the inconspicuous black moss nestled in the corner of the inkstone.

Both require binding.

They could be negotiated later.

For now though.

He gazed into the empty space nearby and spoke up: "Since the Senior is already here, why stay hidden? How about showing yourself?"

"Friend, your Divine Sense is indeed sharp."

A male voice responded.

Following this, the space unfolded like a painting.

A man clad in a brocade robe emerged, holding a fan, with a handsome and elegant demeanor, reminiscent of a genteel scholar traveling and composing poetry.

"Taoist Friend Li, your reputation precedes you."

"I am Zhuge Ce."

He cupped his hands towards Li Ye and then found a seat for himself:

"We are both Golden Core cultivators, I am only a few years older than you. Let us call each other Taoist Friends; addressing me as senior feels somewhat uncomfortable."

"Very well." Li Ye knew his current status indeed wasn't suited to call a Golden Core 'senior', his prior courtesy was out of politeness.

Since the other party stated this, he played along: "Taoist Friend Zhuge, Taoist Friend Lv should have conveyed my intentions to you.

I have a token of the Four Seasons Sect here."

Zhuge Ce was prepared, bringing out an ancient carving knife—or precisely, the Spring Autumn Brush, initially meant for inscribing on bamboo slips.

This item exuded a reserved yet profoundly deep Spiritual Light.

It felt like facing a vast, boundless ocean.

"Let's sign the contract."

"I've drafted it."

He presented a yellowed paper with a pre-drafted contract, very concise—Bitter Journey Academy provides sufficient Wenxing Bamboo and reasonable support needed by Li Ye, while Li Ye takes responsibility for cultivating and improving the lethal flaws of the Wenxing Bamboo.

Upon completion, Bitter Journey Academy will engage in deeper collaboration with the Four Seasons Sect and open up some unmentioned Grotto Heavens and treasures for joint exploration with the Four Seasons Sect.

This contract held no traps or intricate details because if something went wrong with sect-to-sect contracts... even if they suffered a loss in this aspect, there would always be opportunities to make up for it.

Hence, it was as simple as possible.

Nevertheless, Li Ye cautiously swept it with his Divine Sense, confirmed it, and only then did he produce a Jade Talisman given by the Sect Leader, leaving an imprint on the contract.

Thus, it concluded.

This yellowed contract existed in three copies, two of which traversed space on their own, flying towards the Four Seasons Sect and Bitter Journey Academy respectively, with the last copy spontaneously combusting, with its smoke ascending to the Celestial Dao.

—This was the most solemn contract.

"What does the friend require?"

Once confirming the contract completion, Zhuge Ce directly asked: "The Head Director instructed me, whatever you need, just speak up."

Li Ye wasn't reserved: "I need one thousand seven-starred Wenxing Bamboo, and additionally, seven Literary Qi Dragon Turtles!"

"Furthermore, these Spirit Plants—ten thousand of each kind!"

He pointed at the table's "pen, ink, paper, and inkstone" four Spirit Plants.

Since the contract was signed, he aimed to ask for as much as he could, to create the illusion of leaving the other party unsure of his precise method.

If it weren't for the Literary Qi Dragon Turtle being a nearly Fifth-Tier high-tier Spirit Beast, he would've made a large ask for several dozens of them.

"Okay."

Zhuge Ce nodded without thinking twice; he even thought Li Ye asked for too little, for the Head Director previously instructed that if necessary, Nascent Soul-level treasures could be mobilized.

Only this little asked?

For the wealthy Bitter Journey Academy, this was trivial.

"Anything else you require?"

"Prepare me a garden courtyard, I'll stay here for a while."

Li Ye at this moment did not dare return to the sect.

He acted first and reported later; who knows what Master and the Sect Leader True Man would think seeing that contract soaring through the air?

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