Because Li Shiming disappeared for several decades, the value of Fourth Grade Spirit Tea of this top quality on the Central State Continent was inflated to sky-high levels, becoming increasingly precious as it grew scarce.
Most critically, this Fourth Grade Spirit Tea has an effect on the cultivation of Great Cultivators, almost becoming a kind of resource for them.
When the news of Li Shimingâs betrayal at the Central State Commerce headquarters reached Liu Ziyunâs ears years ago, Liu Ziyun furiously criticized the headquarters for their shortsightedness.
Not to mention Li Shimingâs level in alchemy, even his skill in brewing Spirit Tea is enough to gain the attention of any power.
And then for the sake of benefits among superpowers, they sold out someone like Li Shiming who could generate resources for Great Cultivatorsâa definite blunder.
"Itâs been a long time since I last tasted this Spirit Tea!" Liu Ziyun opened the jade box, took a whiff of the Fourth Grade Spirit Tea, and expressed in a delighted manner.
He quickly shut the jade box, fearing that prolonged exposure might affect the quality of the Fourth Grade Spirit Tea.
"Huh, the quality of this Spirit Tea seems to have improved?" Suddenly, he widened his eyes and asked uncertainly.
As the superintendent of the Dongqi Continent Commerce, he was extremely sensitive to the quality of various Spiritual Objects.
Due to his good relations with Li Shiming, he had obtained quite a bit of Fourth Grade Spirit Tea hand-brewed by Li Shiming. Now, even after just taking a whiff, he sensed something different.
"This was made after I advanced to the Great Cultivator Realm!" Li Shiming explained with a smile.
"I thought the previous Spirit Tea was already the pinnacle, never expected there was room for improvement!" Liu Ziyun shook his head with a sigh.
He carefully put away the jade box, having no intention whatsoever to trade the Fourth Grade Spirit Tea in his possession, despite his strong pursuit of profit.
He deeply understood one thing: Spirit Tea brewed personally by Li Shiming would be far more precious than before, and its production would undoubtedly be extremely low.
Previously, Li Shiming had the mandate of the Central State Commerce to brew Spirit Tea, compelling him to complete certain tasks.
But now, not to mention that Li Shiming has hostility with the Central State Commerce, even without that hostility, given Li Shimingâs Great Cultivator Realm, he could no longer be forced to complete any tasks.
Henceforth, unless Li Shiming willingly chooses to do so, regular production of Spirit Tea is no longer possible.
The meeting between the two Great Cultivators was unknown to other cultivators, and probably no cultivator would think that Li Shiming and Liu Ziyun, presumably opposing Great Cultivators, would sit down and converse.
Upon returning to the Ten Thousand Beast Sect, Li Shimingâs first action was to obtain intelligence regarding the Yuqing Sect and the White Emperor Sect.
From the intelligence, it was clear that the Yuqing Sect and the White Emperor Sect were cooperating, led by the White Emperor Sect since it deployed three Great Cultivators, while the Yuqing Sect only had one Great Cultivator involved.
He did not see the names of Master Wang He and Yan Gao Great Cultivator, two Peak Great Cultivators; among the three Great Cultivators from the White Emperor Sect, he only recognized one name, whose strength was considered above average among superpower Great Cultivators.
Although this strength is considered superior among Great Cultivators from superpowers, on the Dongqi Continent, itâs top-tier.
The Dongqi Continent severely lacks resources for Great Cultivators, making it nearly impossible for every Great Cultivator to advance their cultivation, leading most Great Cultivators on the Dongqi Continent to remain at the entry level of the Great Cultivator Realm.
"Shizhen, are you planning some action?" Just as Li Shiming had retrieved intelligence on the two superpowers, Grandmaster Hu approached Li Shiming and asked.
After this period of recovery, with Spirit Pills provided by Li Shiming, Grandmaster Huâs movements showed no signs of discomfort in his left leg, and his aura had significantly strengthened.
Although thereâs still a ways to go until peak condition, recovering from a severely injured state to this level in such a short time is remarkably difficult.
Grandmaster Hu had rejuvenated his spirit, consistently focusing on Li Shiming, and as soon as Li Shiming investigated intelligence on the two superpowers, he became aware.
He didnât want Li Shiming to act alone, finding it excessively dangerous for Li Shiming to confront Great Cultivators from the Yuqing Sect and the White Emperor Sect.
"I have a little grudge with the Central State Commerce, and while returning through the ocean of the Dongqi Continent, I slew two Great Cultivators from the Central State Commerce. According to news from there, the headquarters will come looking for me shortly, so Iâm thinking of clearing out the power left by the Yuqing Sect and the White Emperor Sect on the Dongqi Continent in advance, reducing some trouble!" Li Shiming revealed without any concealment.
"The Central State Commerce shamelessly tries to dictate rules, but out on the ocean, itâs all about whose fist is stronger. Theyâve robbed cargo from many powersâdid they ever talk about rules then?" Grandmaster Hu, protective as always, exclaimed immediately.
Li Shiming looked at Grandmaster Hu with a smile, finding him particularly endearing at the moment.
"Stay within the sect gates, the Central State Commerce wouldnât dare interfere in a power war; any participation would break business rules, destroying their business!" Grandmaster Hu feared Li Shimingâs impulsiveness and advised further.
"I can manage the Central State Commerce problem; I do have some combat capability!" Seeing Grandmaster Huâs concern, Li Shiming thought and decided to reveal some of his strength.
With a wave of his hand, eleven âSilver Winged Spirit Gu Insectsâ flew out, hovering around his body.
"Are these âSilver Winged Spirit Gu Insectsâ?" Grandmaster Hu could instantly recognize them, but he couldnât believe it.
The âSilver Winged Spirit Gu Insectsâ are formidable in close combat and defense; itâs incredibly hard for Great Cultivators to kill them, and getting close to them invites huge trouble.
The only viable strategy is using spells to keep the âSilver Winged Spirit Gu Insectsâ at a distance while targeting their master.
Grandmaster Hu was reminded of when he and Master Ding battled Great Cultivator Zhao Qingfeng, who commanded twelve âSilver Winged Spirit Gu Insectsâ against them.
"Are these eleven âSilver Winged Spirit Gu Insectsâ the same ones Zhao Qingfeng had before?" Grandmaster Hu asked further.
He sensed that these eleven âSilver Winged Spirit Gu Insectsâ had a stronger aura than the twelve âSilver Winged Spirit Gu Insectsâ commanded by Great Cultivator Zhao Qingfeng back then, and the reason why Zhao Qingfeng was restrained by them wasnât because of insufficient strength but due to his inability to fully control them.
Whenever Great Cultivator Zhao Qingfeng tried to command all twelve âSilver Winged Spirit Gu Insectsâ, it was only for short periods and lacked precision, often causing backlash.
But as Li Shiming stood surrounded by the eleven obedient âSilver Winged Spirit Gu Insectsâ, they seemed far from the rumored behavior.
âSilver Winged Spirit Gu Insectsâ needed a cultivatorâs blood essence for forced restraint, and too long a battle or too many insects would trigger a backlash on the master.
Yet Li Shimingâs eleven âSilver Winged Spirit Gu Insectsâ seemed to possess an extra touch of spirituality unlike any seen before.
"Back then, I discovered the injured Zhao Qingfeng and slew him, obtaining his âGu Wind Bagâ; thatâs when I got the âSilver Winged Spirit Gu Insectsâ!" Li Shiming explained without reservation.
"I always wondered why the Gu Feng Sect suddenly declined; back then Zhao Qingfeng, although severely wounded, wasnât near deathâs door. So it was youâyou were bold!" Grandmaster Hu, even knowing Li Shiming was fine and now a Great Cultivator, couldnât help but shake his head.
At that time, the gap between Li Shiming and Great Cultivator Zhao Qingfeng was immense; even in a heavily injured state, Zhao Qingfeng could easily have eliminated Li Shiming.
"Iâve mastered the corresponding rules of the Sword Cultivation and Thunder Cultivation paths!" Li Shiming, deciding to reveal his capabilities, continued.