Chapter 50: Returning to Yellow Jade Island

When Li Qing mentioned encountering trouble, Meng Kan's expression momentarily froze.

"Fellow Daoist, you should think carefully. The assignment at White Jade Island lasts for at least two years," Meng Kan continued with a solemn expression.

"I have already made up my mind. I plan to cultivate in seclusion to enhance my strength before making further plans, staying far away from the internal turmoil of the sect!"

Seeing Li Qing's resolute manner, Meng Kan couldn't help but shake his head inwardly.

In truth, he did not hold much hope for this choice.

The more mediocre one's talent, the more one requires the assistance of fortuitous opportunities to achieve anything.

The opportunities within the sect were certainly incomparable to those on White Jade Island.

"Fellow Daoist Li, it is actually quite simple to apply to the sect to be stationed at White Jade Island."

"You only need to report your request to Yellow Jade Island, and they will naturally report the news to the sect."

"Besides, guarding a spirit mine is a grueling task by nature, so naturally, no one fights over it!" Meng Kan said straightforwardly.

Seeing Li Qing's determination to stay on White Jade Island, Meng Kan's relationship with him had unconsciously grown closer.

Through their interactions, he had discovered that Li Qing was a low-profile and easy-going person.

"How many years has Fellow Daoist Meng been stationed here on White Jade Island?"

Upon hearing Li Qing's question, Meng Kan's face immediately filled with emotion.

"Ever since I realized I had no chance of Foundation Establishment, I have stayed here on White Jade Island. It has now been a full six years," Meng Kan lamented.

"I am currently a cultivator with no future; I have already abandoned my path. Staying here is also to repay the cultivation provided by my clan..."

"I wonder what business your clan manages? If there is an opportunity, I might be able to facilitate things," Li Qing asked.

After Li Qing spoke, a trace of embarrassment appeared on Meng Kan's face.

However, thinking that the other party would also be stationed on White Jade Island for the next two years and would eventually learn of his affairs, he no longer hesitated.

"My family mainly manages spirit ores!"

Li Qing froze for a moment after hearing this, and then his face twitched.

It was a textbook case of an insider stealing from the vault.

"I will have to trouble Fellow Daoist Meng to put more effort into the auction matters."

Li Qing immediately changed the subject from his own proactive question.

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Li. I have already contacted my family, and the auction tokens will be sent here shortly."

Seeing that the other three had finished collecting the warm jade, the two of them spoke no more.

"Fellow Daoist Li, please count the warm jade!"

"This year, White Jade Island has mined a total of over eight thousand nine hundred catties of warm jade..."

After consolidating all the warm jade, Meng Kan placed it into two storage bags and handed them to Li Qing respectively.

Li Qing took them with one hand, checked the amount, and nodded slightly after confirming there were no errors.

"Since the sect has issued the order, we shall depart immediately."

After saying this, Li Qing glanced at the two men who had returned with him.

"I wonder if you two fellows have any remaining matters to attend to?"

"My affairs are already handled; I can depart at any time," the two said in unison.

Excitement shone in their eyes.

Compared to guarding this place, the interior of the sect felt much more suitable to them.

Although the profits they could make here exceeded their sect stipends, they had long grown tired of this place.

Their own strength was only at the middle stage of Qi Refinement, and they rarely went out alone.

A two-year assignment was enough to make them feel restless.

Furthermore, there was another benefit within the sect—the Dharma Lectures.

To help outer sect disciples deepen their cultivation, the sect frequently arranged for inner disciples to hold lectures. The understanding of spells and realms possessed by Foundation Establishment cultivators was extremely important to Qi Refinement cultivators.

This was a type of benefit within large sects.

It was said that inner disciples could even listen to the lectures of Golden Core True Persons.

A moment later.

Li Qing's group of three arrived at the White Jade Island pier.

The previous battle had not affected the flow of spirit boat passengers here in the slightest.

Spirit boats continued to stream in and out near the pier.

The three of them boarded a random spirit boat and began heading toward Yellow Jade Island.

For someone like Li Qing, who was going to collect items from the lower spirit mines, strict sect regulations actually required traveling via one's own magical power.

This was to prevent greedy individuals from causing losses to the sect's resources.

However, the warm jade Li Qing was transporting was not of high value, so for people like him traveling to small lower spirit mines, the sect regulations were basically ignored.

After boarding the spirit boat, Li Qing found a secluded spot to sit down.

The two traveling with him also sat near Li Qing.

Once seated, Li Qing quietly closed his eyes.

However, he did not immerse himself in his own world; instead, he listened intently to the surrounding sounds.

He was still completely in the dark regarding the situation on Yellow Jade Island.

Right now seemed like a good opportunity.

He could use this to listen to the discussions of the people around him.

Compared to him, these people traveling between the various islands were quite well-informed.

"Brother Wang, have you heard? The things happening on Yellow Jade Island these past few days are quite significant."

"Hehe, I have heard as well!"

"It is said that the casualties among the disciples of that great sect were not few this time. Who could have imagined that a power as renowned throughout the entire Haoyuan Sea region as the Thousand Water Spirit Control Sect would also suffer an attack..."

A third-layer Qi Refinement cultivator let out a cold sneer after speaking.

As a low-level cultivator like him, he was an exploited bottom-dweller no matter where he was.

Naturally, he harbored resentment toward the high and mighty Thousand Water Spirit Control Sect.

"Fellow Daoist, watch your words!"

The owner of the spirit boat nearby gave a gentle warning.

"Hehe."

The blue-robed cultivator became even more disdainful upon seeing this.

Just as he was about to continue speaking with grand claims, he suddenly saw the boat owner casting him warning glances.

The blue-robed cultivator followed his gaze and happened to see Li Qing's group, dressed in the robes of outer sect disciples of the Thousand Water Spirit Control Sect, sitting quietly in a nearby corner.

Seeing this, the blue-robed cultivator broke into a cold sweat.

He, a mere low-level cultivator in the early stage of Qi Refinement, had almost spoken insolently right in front of disciples of the Thousand Water Spirit Control Sect.

Beside him, Li Qing's gaze swept over the blue-robed man before he stopped paying him attention.

A third-layer Qi Refinement cultivator was not enough to pique his current interest.

If the man had truly spoken insolently, the three of them really would have had to step in and teach him a lesson.

After all, one could not lose face for the sect while out in the world.

However, the man's words had piqued his interest.

"Fellow Daoist, why not finish what you were saying?"

Li Qing's calm voice reached the blue-robed cultivator's ears.

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare!"

Seeing this, the blue-robed cultivator felt even more panicked and hurriedly explained.

"I happen to be interested in what happened on Yellow Jade Island. I think it would be better if you told me everything!"

Li Qing stood up and looked at the man, his words carrying a hint of severity.

Seeing that Li Qing did not intend to pursue the previous matter, combined with his cold gaze and the aura of killing intent in his speech, the blue-robed cultivator had no choice but to recount everything he knew with a troubled expression.

The two companions traveling with Li Qing were also very interested.

They were also extremely curious about what had happened on Yellow Jade Island.