The Third Elder was also puzzled, observing Jiang Xiaobai from all angles, and finally came to a conclusion.
This guy really had guided the Qi into his body.
"Elder, I really guided the Qi into my body and became a Qi Refiner, you're not tricking me right?" Jiang Xiaobai stared, full of excitement.
If there was a knowledgeable person standing by, they would definitely be shocked by his acting skills.
"It's strange, how did you cultivate? The most talented person I know needs several months to guide Qi into their body. Even Princess Ao Yan took three months to do it, and you just took... less than half a month?" The Third Elder frowned.
It looked like he still hadn't fully recovered from the shock.
If Jiang Xiaobai had been trying this from the start, entering Qi refining wouldn't be so surprising. But the point was, he was a mortal through and through!
The Third Elder had sensed it the first time they met.
Having ruled out that Jiang Xiaobai was hiding anything, there was only one possibility left.
This guy was born to cultivate.
He was more monstrous than the most monstrous monsters!
"Strictly speaking, you're not really in the Qi Refining phase. You've just reached the initial stage of guiding Qi into your body. But once you can guide Qi into your body, your cultivation will speed up a lot..."
At this moment, the Third Elder looked at Jiang Xiaobai. His disdainful gaze still remained, but it was slightly dimmer.
Jiang Xiaobai felt that the Third Elder's attitude towards him had changed a bit.
It seemed that this old guy was quite fond of talent.
"Since you want to come down the mountain with me, it doesn't matter. Come to me tomorrow morning."
The Third Elder casually said, maintaining his usual disdainful demeanor: "Don't think you're so great with your cultivation talent. I've seen so many geniuses, and you're barely above average."
"After coming back from the outside, you need to focus on cultivation and try to solidify your status in the Qi refining stage, do you understand?"
Jiang Xiaobai nodded vigorously. He only heard the part where the Third Elder agreed to take him down the mountain, and disregarded the rest.
This wily old man was quite sly, he thought he was ignorant because he hadn't read many books, didn't he?
After bidding farewell to the Third Elder, Jiang Xiaobai excitedly left, already imagining the scenes for tomorrow's outing.
Though he had guided the Qi into his body, he was still not in the Qi Refining phase yet. To go exact revenge on Ao Tianheng at this point wouldn't work, he'd have to wait until he got back.
That night, Jiang Xiaobai deliberately hid his presence so Ao Yan wouldn't sense his state. He wanted to give everyone a 'surprise' when he came back!
"Ao Tianheng, do you really think I'll let you push me around without fighting back? Be prepared in a couple of days."
In the early morning, it was rare for Jiang Xiaobai to wake up and see Ao Yan.
Ao Yan was unusually sitting in front of her dressing table, absorbed in something. Judging by her actions, it was clearly not makeup.
He got up, got ready, and without saying a word, left right away.
Ao Yan seemed a little absent-minded, and it wasn't until Jiang Xiaobai had already reached the foothills that she realised in shock he was gone.
"Whatever, I'll deal with this trouble first."
Ao Yan sighed, then looked at the vanity, her eyes squinting slightly, and her expression gradually turned cold...
As per yesterday's agreement, as soon as Jiang Xiaobai arrived at the red building, the Third Elder set off without delay.
This time, the Third Elder was going to Tianyuan City to participate in an auction; there was something in it important to him. Along the way, he would also buy some clothes for LingEr and the like.
Following the Third Elder out of the Dragon Valley, Jiang Xiaobai began memorizing the road. It took the Third Elder more than an hour to fly before a huge city appeared in front of them.
This was Tianyuan City, the largest city nearest the Dragon Valley!
This kind of city belongs to cultivators, where ordinary people and cultivators live together.
Upon reaching the city gate, the Third Elder released a wave of spiritual power and the three of them slowly landed and walked into the city.
Not only cultivators live in Tianyuan City; flying is prohibited for all. Not even Dragon Valley dares to break this rule, which made Jiang Xiaobai realise, Dragon Valley was not as invincible as he thought.
"Kid, I'm giving you one day to roam the city. We must meet at the city gate at noon tomorrow."
"If not, I won't wait for you. Find your own way back."
Jiang Xiaobai couldn't wait for the Third Elder to leave him alone, so he quickly nodded his agreement.
One day was enough for him to get enough stuff done.
They soon split up and Jiang Xiaobai headed straight for the city center.
From an earlier chat with Ao Cheng, Jiang Xiaobai had learnt that the biggest business in Tianyuan City was the Golden Pavilion.
And that is where Jiang Xiaobai was heading this time.
Within fifteen minutes, Jiang Xiaobai found the place. It goes without saying, as Tianyuan City's leading business, the Golden Pavilion was quite prestigious.
"The building's frame is made of Huan Jade Wood and the Burn Forever Ling Grass is used for the potted plants...wow, just these materials alone cost a fortune," Jiang Xiaobai, as an alchemist, admired the materials and plants scattered around here.
Random items in the lobby of the trade union could be considered treasures.
Even the smallest piece could incite intense competition and ruthless bidding.
This suggested the terrifying strength of the Golden Pavilion.
Jiang Xiaobai looked around and then asked a server to bring more than a thousand top-grade spirit stones' worth of spiritual herbs, before quickly leaving.
In just one hour, Jiang Xiaobai had refined all these spiritual herbs into elixirs.
Twenty-five Foundation Establishment Pills and five Qi Cleansing Pills, all top-grade elixirs.
The various types of elixirs were divided into three grades: high-grade, mid-grade, and low-grade, followed by god-grade, fairy-grade, and ultimate-grade!
Jiang Xiaobai carried thirty elixirs and was ready to enter the Golden Pavilion.
This time, Jiang Xiaobai had two objectives for visiting the Golden Pavilion. The first one was to use the elixirs in exchange for money. Only with money could he gradually start preparing for many things.
The second objective was quite profound. If all goes well with the Golden Pavilion, he planned to establish a cooperative relationship with them for future arrangements.
If the ancient clans attacked Dragon Valley and he couldn't fight back, then he could flee from Dragon Valley. By then, there would be the Golden Pavilion to provide him protection.
Worst comes to worst, they could at least give him some assistance!
Jiang Xiaobai wore a black robe and a black mask that had been altered with Alchemy. Anyone below the Great Ascension stage would not be able to see through it.
As soon as he entered the Golden Pavilion, Jiang Xiaobai's unusual attire attracted attention.
A servant approached him.
"Sir, may I help you with something?"
Jiang Xiaobai looked around before speaking in a calm and husky voice.
"Do you buy elixirs?"
"Of course, sir. We, the Golden Pavilion, are willing to buy any valuable item you have!"
The server smiled: "Please come this way, sir."