Nine Evolutions of the True Spirit
chapter-221

Lu Ping now realized that the Li Clan was not what it had portrayed itself as—there was in fact, a mysterious force behind it, and this mysterious force was definitely not on good terms with either the Northern League or Crystal Palace!

Come to think of it, the Li Clan was the biggest beneficiary from the underground trade fair ambush.

First of all, the Wang Clan's wild ambition had been on the rise ever since it gained the Crystal Palace's support, but such wild ambition was suppressed after the ambush. This eased the Li Clan's awkward situation as the weakest clan on the island, giving itself more time.

Secondly, the biggest outcome of the ambush was the calculation on the Crystal Palace and Northern League, which caused the two East Ocean giant forces to clash face to face.

Perhaps, the Crystal Palace was the root cause—Lu Ping was suddenly struck by a possibility!

From what he knew, before the Crystal Palace cultivators had shown up, the Wang Clan and Li Clan had always worked together against the Zhang Clan to balance the power on the island.

However, after Li Xiu-Zhu took out the Crystal Palace's secret outpost on Ma Clan Island, it had dispatched a team to Three Clans Island to investigate the matter.

Then, after the Wang Clan formed ties with the Crystal Palace, the ambush in the underground trade fair broke out. This was followed by the rumors, and the ambush against the Wang Clan and Crystal Palace cultivators.

The cultivators soon suspected the Crystal Palace to be the mastermind and they were expelled from the city, ultimately curbing Wang Clan's wild ambition.

Throughout this series of events, Lu Ping finally perceived a clue about the mysterious force behind the Li Clan, which was scheming against the Crystal Palace.

The Northern League's involvement, the suppression of the Wang Clan's ambition, and the improvement of the Li Clan's position—all were incidental to the series of schemes planned against the Crystal Palace.

But Lu Ping knew himself better than anyone else; the power struggles between the major forces were far beyond what someone of his level could get involved in!

Hence, his only thought now was to concoct the Seven Step Striped Pellets and remove himself from the situation!

The East Ocean was far more affluent and vaster than the North Ocean, and since he was here already, he naturally wanted to survey the area.

Lu Ping had concocted the half-step Core Forging Realm medicinal pellets several times. So, despite the difficulty level, he was confident that he could concoct at least one pellet per cauldron of spirit herbs.

And Li Mao-Lin had stated that Lu Ping only needed to concoct one pellet out of the two cauldrons of spirit herbs.

However, Li Mao-Lin only said this out of suspicion of Lu Ping's alchemy, and so he pretended to be generous as he didn't have high hopes in the latter’s ability.

But his statement now made it possible for Lu Ping to keep the extra Seven Step Striped Pellets he had concocted.

Lu Ping's divine sense was strengthened after cultivating the [Divine Expansion Technique] with the Divine Expansion Pellets. This would also bring an improvement to his alchemy.

Furthermore, Lu Ping had a secret treasure that he had never used—the Amethyst Bee Royal Jelly given to him by Ai Shu-Tao while in the Heaven of Seven Stars.

The Amethyst Bee Royal Jelly was a precious treasure to the alchemists, considered as a prized ingredient to concoct pellets.

While in the hands of Master Alchemists, it could also be used to increase the success rate of Core Forging Realm medicinal pellets.

Legend has it that the bee jelly was used to concoct Avatar Realm medicinal pellets, which made it a treasure coveted by not just Master Alchemists but also Grandmaster Alchemists.

Lu Ping was the only one inside the Li Clan's alchemy room, and he recalled the process of concocting Seven Step Striped Pellets in his mind.

Then, with a wave of his hand, he placed a formation chassis and a dozen formation flags in the room. A few moments later, Lu Ping had disappeared in an impenetrable white fog that filled the room.

Compared to the complex and huge protective array formation the Li Clan had set to protect their residence and the rooms within, Lu Ping believed more in the simpler Illusionary Cloud Formation made by Hu Lili.

At this moment, in the Li Clan's meeting chamber, Li Mao-Lin laughed helplessly and said, "He seems to be really cautious. This small Illusionary Cloud Formation is not difficult to break, but once broken, he will be alerted immediately."

Li Xiu-Zhu remarked, "He’s certainly vigilant. Even though father gave him his word, he’s obviously still guarded against us. Does this mean he has something to hide?”

Chu Ting kept her composure, as if she had already expected Lu Ping to do so. "Alchemists have always attached great importance to their alchemy techniques. If I was concocting pellets for someone I wasn’t familiar with, my protection measures would be even more stringent than this."

Li Xiu-Zhu said, "Then let’s break in when he’s concocting the pellets to see if he’s using the same fire as the one Senior Sister Chu saw on Participant 57. That way, we’ll know if they’re the same person or not."

Chu Ting gave her a slight glance without saying anything, whereas Li Mao-Lin lectured her in a low voice, "Never mention this again! If we really did that, the Li Clan would have a deadly feud with an alchemist! The island’s cultivators already know Lu Jiu is an alchemist, and many of them are paying close attention to him.

"Right now, the Li Clan's situation has just been eased, but the other two clans will soon be aware of the truth behind the underground trade fair. You have to break through to the Core Forging Realm now—you’re the key that will change our clan’s unfavorable position. Nothing is more important than that."

Chu Ting thought about it and agreed. "Uncle Li is right, at this time the Li Clan should stay away from the public eye and not draw too much attention. How about this, I will concoct the Seven Step Striped Pellets for Junior Sister Li first, I think I can produce at least two pellets.

"Then, if Lu Jiu succeeds in making one more pellet, I’ll use it to break through. Once I succeed, Li Clan will have two more Core Forging Realm Enlightened Masters, and this should be enough to deter any prying eyes from the forces on Three Clans Island."

Li Mao-Lin and Li Xiu-Zhu rejoiced at this plan, but Li Mao-Lin still asked cautiously, "Ting'Er, are you ready for the next step? Condensing the Golden Core is no trivial matter, it will define your future cultivation path. If your teacher knows that you rushed your core condensation, I won't be able to justify your actions."

Chu Ting smiled appeasingly. "Don't worry, Uncle. I've long been ready, but I chose to suppress my breakthrough. Teacher has repeatedly stressed that I should consolidate my foundation first.

"But now, I've successfully cultivated the secret technique and transcended my divine sense to the divine revelation. My foundation is sufficiently consolidated, and I can break through at any time. When I'm in the Core Forging Realm, my divine revelation will surely undergo another level of rapid growth."

Li Mao-Lin's concern was answered, and he hurriedly readied an alchemy room for Chu Ting to concoct the Seven Step Striped Pellets.

…

Two days later, a wave of fragrance emitted out from Chu Ting's alchemy room.

Li Mao-Lin and Li Xiu-Zhu were accompanying a hale and hearty old man, who was looking in the direction of her alchemy room.

Li Mao-Lin spoke respectfully to the old man, "Father, it seems that Ting'Er is an unparalleled alchemical talent. The Seven Step Striped Pellets are almost as difficult to concoct as Core Forging Realm medicinal pellets, so I didn't expect Ting'Er to succeed in her first try. Junior Sister Chu is truly blessed to have such a daughter…"

The old man suddenly interrupted, "Hmph. What about the other alchemist? Is there no movement yet?"

Li Mao-Lin knew he’d said the wrong thing, and Li Xiu-Zhu quickly replied, "Even if he is an alchemist, his alchemy is not comparable to that of Senior Sister Chu! He entered the alchemy room half a day earlier than Senior Sister Chu, but nothing has happened yet. It's possible that he’s already wasted both cauldrons of precious spirit herbs!"

The old man looked kindly at his granddaughter, then turned to say to Li Mao-Lin, "Whether he is able to concoct the Seven Step Striped Pellets or not, the Li Clan must treat him with courtesy and must not neglect him."

Li Mao-Lin responded respectfully, and the old man turned to walk away.

Li Xiu-Zhu rolled her eyes playfully, and she hurried to catch up with him. She said something to the old man, and the duo laughed happily together as they strolled deeper into the Li Clan's residence.

Four days later, Chu Ting's alchemy room once again emitted the pellets' fragrance. Li Mao-Lin and Li Xiu-Zhu once again stood in front of the alchemy rooms, quietly waiting for Chu Ting and Lu Ping to come out.

The protective array formation on Chu Ting's alchemy room lit up and the doors swung open.

Li Xiu-Zhu quickly stepped forward and quietly asked after Chu Ting, and the two ladies laughed and chattered together as they walked towards Li Mao-Lin.

Meanwhile, the alchemy room on the other side slowly opened.

Lu Ping, dressed in a green shirt, walked out calmly.

He gently brushed his hand over his shirt, as if sweeping away all the dust that had accumulated over time.