Recruit black physique to start practice in wasteland

Chapter 2504 Han Li's Revenge

After Zhu Zhenzun took over the wooden block, he spent as much as a month and a half just observing it.

Qu Jianlei even suspected that this person might be trying to absorb the aura of creation by taking advantage of the opportunity to sense things.

A month and a half later, Zhu Zhenzun took action and completed the carving of the wooden block in just three days.

The carved tortoise shells are not particularly regular, and they cannot even be completely symmetrical.

However, even the Chaos Wood Spirit's true form does not have a smooth growth process, and the texture of its material is not always consistent.

In short, he preserved the integrity of the texture to the greatest extent possible, while also locking in a considerable amount of artistic charm so that it would not be easily lost.

Zhu Zhenzun spent another two days refining it, but it wasn't very detailed—this was no longer his job.

Nine pieces are much simpler; after all, it's too easy to make nine pieces from such a large piece of material.

Even so, the nine pieces are all very regular in shape, but the different pieces are all different in size.

When Zhu Zhenzun finally handed the items to Qu Jianlei, he expressed that he was not very satisfied.

In his view, this artifact could only be considered "acceptable," meeting the passing standard but far from perfect.

However, if he were to make another piece like this, he was 70% confident that he could craft it to near perfection.

His final advice was that if there were another piece, Qu Zhenzun, you wouldn't need to nurture and refine this set of utensils too much.

Because the next set will be better, and the longer the divination tools used by the True Venerable are nurtured, the better their effects will be.

Upon hearing this, Wenxian offered to design a formation for you and have it engraved on to enhance the smooth flow of celestial secrets.

Engraving array patterns on tortoise shells is actually superfluous, as it would damage the naturalness and integrity of the design.

However, this is not a real tortoise shell. If this tool is not used for long, the array's blessing will be beneficial to divination.

Next, he drew the array, which only contained the array patterns and did not involve any extra materials.

Zhu Zhenzun, being an expert, couldn't help but nod in praise, "It's almost like a talisman, the skill is close to the Dao, you're just like Fellow Daoist Wenxian!"

Then he stepped in to help with the carving, and finally Wenxian perfected it.

It took another five days from designing the formation to completion.

In less than two months, a complete set of divination tools of the highest rank was finished, and it didn't feel like it took much effort at all.

However, Qu Jianlei didn't see it that way. He knew very well that when a top master made a move, it was absolutely different.

That feeling... is hard to describe. Leaving aside the techniques used, just the concept itself is ingenious.

However, this is not surprising. For a dignified True Venerable to spend a month and a half just observing is enough to prove his dedication.

Moreover, Wenxian can design formations so easily; could someone else do it?

It doesn't take long, but even setting aside the materials, just the cost of making this set of tools is too high for most people!
After receiving the tortoise shell, Qu Jianlei thought for a moment and then took out three more tree roots, which were much larger than the first one.

"Let's make three more sets. If they're perfect, two sets will do too. How much material we can save for you two depends on your skills!"

Wenxian replied without hesitation, "Don't worry, Qu Zhenzun, I'll keep a close eye on him and make sure he doesn't cut corners!"

Qu Jianlei returned to the star cluster and took out the tools for the heroic spirits to comment on.

The general consensus was that the performance was just average.

Speaking of which, these heroic spirits are all True Venerables, and their own skills in weapon crafting are not bad.

Unfortunately, they couldn't offer any help, so all they could do was offer their opinions.

Two months later, Wenxian brought two sets of equipment, one of which... could be considered perfect, and even the heroic spirits couldn't say anything more about it.

There were a great many chess pieces prepared, a full 180, after all, they were three tree roots.

Qu Jianlei gave it a quick check, then put it away. He then looked at Han Li, who had followed him, and asked, "You're back?"

Han Li looked at him helplessly, "You're quite the hoarder, aren't you? Give me two pieces, I need to reforge the counting rods!"

“We couldn’t bring it out at the time,” Qu Jianlei chuckled dryly. “Six True Venerables really weren’t enough to go around.”

"Hmph, back then, nobody held it against you for keeping the compass, yet you still kept it a secret," Han Li muttered, but didn't pursue the matter further.

At that time, he felt that the compass might not contain any fortune, but was just helping Qu Zhenzun cover up his misfortune.

Now it seems that it was clearly a compass of destiny; this guy's luck... is truly extraordinary.

Han Li could understand why Qu Jianlei wanted to hide the core of the tree root, because simply concealing the aura of the compass was not enough.

Once it's recognized as a compass containing the true meaning of creation, it will bring a lot of trouble.

The value of this treasure, even if it is not as high as that Primordial Purple Qi, is almost the same.

But let's not talk about that now. As long as he can get a few tree roots, that's fine. What does it have to do with the other four people?

As for whether Wenxian would hear this? It really doesn't matter. This guy has collected quite a few odd and ends of tree roots and has also benefited from it.

After putting away the two large pieces of tree roots, Han Li said, "Houde has reached an agreement with the outside world and will soon agree to let them develop together."

"Develop together?" Wenxian was taken aback upon hearing this. "Is Baiqiao really that soft-hearted?"

“It’s not Lingyun, it’s Houde…and there’s also the involvement of other forces,” Han Li said, glancing at Qu Jianlei.

"It's all thanks to the deterrent power of Master Qu, otherwise things wouldn't have gone so smoothly!"

"Smoothly...?" Qu Jianlei was taken aback. You call this smooth?
“True Venerables from beyond the realm are not allowed to participate,” Han Li stated calmly. “Those below the Nascent Soul stage are welcome to try their luck!”

It is said that the success of this negotiation also involved the will of the two kings.

News of the other world has already reached several cultivation worlds. If Houde continues to press on, cultivators from outside might come uninvited.

Even without the intervention of a True Lord, cultivators from beyond the realm have purchased numerous items from other worlds. If they wish to determine the exact location, the intervention of a True Venerable would suffice.

The only thing to consider is that it will take some time, and at most, there will be some trial and error costs.

It's impossible to stop them from coming. If Houde insists, the probability of a boundary conflict will increase rapidly.

Ultimately, both parties agreed that Houde would allow a group of cultivators from outside the region to come and jointly develop the other world, but Zhenzun would not be allowed to go.

The resources of these two other worlds are truly too numerous to be plundered in a hundred or two hundred years.

However, by now, there are far fewer opportunities worth the True Venerable's intervention, making it feel somewhat like a useless opportunity.

Since True Venerables cannot compete with Lesser Cultivators for resources, Houde can accept it as long as it is not a True Venerable from beyond the realm seeking opportunities.

As a result, it is inevitable that cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage will suffer some losses.

However, these losses were insignificant to the True Venerables, since they couldn't easily rob them anyway.

Most importantly, it prohibits the participation of True Venerables from outside the realm—you want to develop together, we agree, all cultivators under heaven are one family.

If any true master tries to force their way in, then don't blame Houde for being impolite when he leaves his body!

The current outcome is equivalent to both sides making concessions, thus avoiding further territorial disputes to the greatest extent possible.

Moreover, these external cultivators also have to pay a management fee when they leave after they have gained something.

This also ensured that the profits of the Five True Ones were not greatly affected.

The true venerable beings from beyond the realm were very dissatisfied, feeling that the targeting was too strong—does being out of the body mean one is not entitled to resources?

But Houde isn't backing down this time: Your Out-of-Body wants resources, but my Out-of-Body is even tighter on funds, there's no room for negotiation.

Anyway, you can decide for yourselves. If you agree, we'll do it; if you don't, we'll just wait it out.

I never expected that begging would be done with such righteous indignation. At worst... let's have a dimensional war!
Houde Realm stood firm, while the opposing camp, though having many True Venerables, still had a much smaller absolute number.

In particular, no one is willing to truly defy public opinion and start a real war between realms.

The two sides then began back-and-forth negotiations and eventually settled on a general strategy.

“That’s really something,” Qu Jianlei shook his head speechlessly, “In the end, they still had to give up some benefits.”

"Stopping the True Venerable from beyond the realm is the real priority," Han Li said solemnly. "It's not just Baiqiao who's saying this; it's all thanks to your intervention earlier."

"Come on," Qu Jianlei said calmly. "I don't believe you haven't made a move these past few years."

"Of course I can't let you have all the glory!" Han Li replied casually. "That swordsman who provoked you was injured by me."

Qu Jianlei thought for a moment and then spoke, "The one... who uses 'Blind Eyes'?"

“Hmm,” Han Li nodded, “That weak sword intent is only good for bullying you; it can’t compare to mine.”

"You injured him..." Qu Jianlei could only smile wryly upon hearing this.

That guy is really tough to deal with. Even if he launches a sneak attack, he's not confident he can hurt him.

While blindness may not defy the passage of time, it can certainly hold out for a while.

Without a doubt, Han Li injured his opponent in a very short time.

Qu Jianlei was well aware of the current state of affairs within Houdejie—it was truly a tense and volatile environment.

Once Han Li returns, she will undoubtedly become the focus of attention for both sides, just like she did back then.

That sword cultivator couldn't possibly be acting alone; it wouldn't be long after the attack that a True Venerable from another region would arrive to provide support.

If it takes a little longer, someone from Houde will arrive and handle the matter.

"I didn't kill him," Han Li emphasized, "Otherwise, he would have had a hard time escaping!"

"You're truly amazing!" Qu Jianlei gave a thumbs up. "Then who will restrain these cultivators from other regions?"

There are a series of problems here. In addition to management issues, it is also necessary to avoid disputes with virtuous practitioners.

The Five True Venerables have been coordinating this matter every day; who could be unaware of the difficulties involved?

Moreover, information from outside the domain has always been strictly controlled by the forces related to Houde, so how can it be controlled any further?
“They will have True Venerables following them,” Han Li’s answer sounded somewhat contradictory.

But in fact, he also explained, "These True Venerables do not compete for opportunities; they are only responsible for management and coordination."

Do you believe that? Qu Jianlei sighed. "Isn't there some kind of check and balance?"

(Updated to: Double monthly votes available.)