Jiang Xiaobai could only frown, wondering why every person who knew about his decision to pursue the path of Immortality had the same reaction.
Who were they looking down on?
Ao Cheng stood with one hand on his hip and the other scratching his chin.
"And besides, even if you do want to cultivate, there're many others in Dragon Valley who can guide you. If all else fails, I could teach you myself. But you sought out Elder Three."
"What's wrong with him?" Jiang Xiaobai inquired.
"Nothing much, after all you did help me once. I won't be stingy, let's go and see for yourself."
Ao Cheng said, smirking deeply before leading the way, pushing open the grand doors with ease.
LingEr instantly appeared, "Brother Ao Cheng, why did you take so long, LingEr was getting so bored waiting."
"Here, LingEr, this is a gift from your big brother."
As he spoke, Ao Cheng pulled out a candied haw and handed it over. Upon seeing the delicacy, LingEr's face lit up, and she grasped onto it tight.
It could be deduced from this alone that Ao Cheng and Elder Three were undoubtedly close.
Upon entering the building, there was dim lighting, revealing Elder Three's dislike for bright lamplight.
In the faint light, Jiang Xiaobai saw an elderly man seated in a rocking chair, resting with his eyes closed.
The aura that he exuded was something akin to Ao Yuanwu's!
"Ao Cheng, you insolent brat, not being disciplined for a couple of days and you just dare to bring anyone to my place?"
Elder Three muttered coldly with his eyes still closed, his attitude was extremely rude.
But Ao Cheng ignored him completely, promptly taking a seat on a nearby chair.
"Even though this guy is just a mortal, he did help me with some things. I'm not one to ignore a favour owed."
Elder Three suddenly opened his eyes, giving Jiang Xiaobai and Ao Cheng a glance. His corners of mouth twitched, revealing his yellow teeth.
"Heh, a favour that you would remember isn't trivial."
"What do you think, thirty-thousand top-tier Spirit Stones."
Then, Elder Three shifted his gaze to Jiang Xiaobai, clearly to give face to Ao Cheng.
"Kid, I don't know who bewitched you to come find me, but since Ao Cheng here spoke up for you, I'll give him face."
"Come here, let me check your aptitude."
Jiang Xiaobai immediately stepped forward and after Elder Three examined his aptitude, he nodded slightly.
"Superior Spirit Root, not a bad aptitude, but there's no way I'm taking a disciple. You'll just stay here and do odd jobs."
Elder Three continued to rest on his chair, "Your level of accomplishment depends on your own destiny."
"Take this and study it on your own."
As he finished speaking, a worn-out book was tossed to Jiang Xiaobai. Opening it, it turned out to be a mandatory introductory item for cultivation—Qi Induction Decision.
On the other side, Ao Cheng swayed on his chair and said, "Mortal, this is a great opportunity for you, cherish it."
"Speaking of it, how did you get acquainted with a mortal, on top of that why is this mortal in Dragon Valley?" Elder Three raised an eyebrow.
Ao Cheng sighed, "Long story short, this is all because of my worthless sister..."
While he was venting to Elder Three, Jiang Xiaobai was startled.
That nerve!
He dares to claim that Ao Yan is worthless?
Does Ao Yan know about this?
After knowing the full story, Elder Three only chuckled and didn't say much, but his gaze towards Jiang Xiaobai subtly changed.
However, nobody seemed to notice.
Ao Cheng chatted a bit with Elder Three, left behind two bottles of wine and departed, their relationship having a friendly and casual dynamic of two friends of different generations.
Meanwhile, Jiang Xiaobai still stood there, seeming to be engrossed in reading Qi Induction Decision.
In actuality, he was mentally analyzing a certain matter.
A recluse with significant strength, living alone with a good relationship with Ao Cheng.
Huh, it seems like something odd has been mixed into this analysis.
"Mortal, do you have a name?"
"I am Jiang Xiaobai."
Elder Three nodded, "Alright, scram. From now on, report here every afternoon for cleaning."
On his way back, Jiang Xiaobai felt much calmer.
However, Elder Three certainly has a quirky temper. He can have a friendly relationship with a spoilt young master like Ao Cheng, but his attitude towards me is extremely harsh, simply like an irritable old man on the verge of exploding.
As it stands, establishing connections with Ao Cheng and Elder Three puts a positive spin on his status within Dragon Valley. As long as he plays his cards right, his plans could soon accelerate.
Subsequently, Jiang Xiaobai started contemplating the world outside Dragon Valley.
Ever since his transmigration, he had stayed within Dragon Valley.
Not only did he want to look around in the outside world, he also wished to kill two birds with one stone!
The relationships within Dragon Valley are external matters after all, self-reliance is the most reliable.
Being in possession of Lord Jun's Elixir Manual, not to mention anything else, as long as Jiang Xiaobai starts producing the Cleansing Pill, a storm would surely be initiated.
But how to get out there?
Deep in thought, Jiang Xiaobai found himself back at the courtyard.
Inside, Ao Yan was sipping tea beside a stone table. She looked cold and distant. Her simple action of lifting the teacup seemed to exude an ethereal and untouchable beauty.
"Come, sit down."
Contradicting her cold demeanor, her attitude was somewhat domineering.
"Are you really confident?" Jiang Xiaobai barely seated himself when Ao Yan coldly asked.
"Did you visit Elder Three today? How did it go, did you get snubbed or what?"
Ao Yan squinted, smiling.
Jiang Xiaobai looked at Ao Yan's current demeanor, slightly stunned.
He recalled Ao Yan being a fierce tigress, why doesn't she seem like one now? Jiang Xiaobai forced a smile, and relayed his encounter with Ao Cheng, expressing that it was Ao Cheng who had helped him.
Upon hearing that, Ao Yan sneered, "That brat, always goofing around. I can't believe you hang out with him."
Just then, a maid brought their tea.
"Son-in-law, please have some tea."
Jiang Xiaobai nodded, lifting the teacup to his lips when he suddenly paused and stared at the cup.
"What's the matter, why are you putting on a scared face?"
Ao Yan raised an eyebrow.
Jiang Xiaobai paid no attention to Ao Yan's question, but just stared at the teacup, then he squinted his eyes at the maid.
There's poison in the tea.
Frankly, when he discovered this, he felt his heart skip a beat, consumed by an indescribable fear.
But this lasted just a moment. He had never faced such a thrilling situation in his past life, let alone now.
This also made Jiang Xiaobai realize, his current situation was treacherous.
Someone had already tried to have him killed.
Since he owns Lord Jun's Elixir Manual and is in the Intermediate-stage Yuan Infant, it was natural for him to detect the problem with the tea.
"Did you brew this tea?"
Jiang Xiaobai unflappably turned to the maid.
"Ye—Yes, Sir, is there a problem?"
The maid looked shocked.
Jiang Xiaobai nodded nonchalantly, placing the cup back on the table without drinking.
At the same time, he was thinking fast.
Who wanted to harm him?