NOVPUB
Chapter 624: Chapter 630: Disappearance
"Prepare the Spirit Stones you can use; we’ll need them soon," Li Zhirui said after a moment of silence.
Sensing that things might be going differently than he had expected, Li Darong carefully asked, "Has something happened to Ancestor Zhiyue?"
"Yes, Zhiyue was injured during her training outside and accidentally had her lower leg severed. I plan to borrow the clan’s Spirit Stones first to buy Spiritual Objects to heal her, and repay the debt later by any means necessary."
Such a big incident could not be hidden, especially from Li Darong, the Clan Leader in charge of finances.
Without asking further, Li Darong reassured, "Ancestor, be at ease, I will gather as many Spirit Stones as possible."
"Thank you for your hard work."
Patting his shoulder in gratitude, Li Zhirui said, "I’ll head back now. When you have time, mention this matter to the Elders."
In truth, his actions were a breach of the family rules. Decisions like the use of a large amount of Spirit Stones should be voted on by the Elders, but he had skipped this step entirely, instructing Li Darong directly to gather Spirit Stones.
That very night, Jiang Fengwu found out about Li Zhirui’s actions and let out a helpless sigh, "You have always followed the rules, is today the first time you are violating them? Is it really worth it?"
Even when Li Chengsheng and Li Chengshuo had wanted to contract a Spirit Beast, Li Zhirui hadn’t allowed the family to spend Spirit Stones on a third-order Spirit Beast, but instead, searched on his own.
The matter would inevitably cause some unpleasant voices within the family, and irrespective of the outcome, it would tarnish his reputation.
"Millions of Spirit Stones for a Nascent Soul, how is that not worth it?" Li Zhirui said calmly.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Fengwu sighed again. Was this what she had asked?
But since he was unwilling to talk about it, she let it be.
The next morning, Li Zhirui left Wanxian Island early, heading straight for the Southern Edge Commerce Association.
After he departed, Jiang Fengwu went to find Li Zhiyue.
"Aunt Fengwu, do you need something?"
Looking at the withered and aged Li Zhiyue, Jiang Fengwu found the words she wanted to say stuck in her throat. All she could utter was, "Zhirui has been running around for you, even willing to break family rules. I hope you can rally and not let his efforts be in vain."
Through Jiang Fengwu, Li Zhiyue learned of the lengths Li Zhirui went for her, filling her heart with immense gratitude. Her heart, which had already stopped beating, began to flutter once more.
She knew that if she continued this way, everyone’s efforts would be wasted, so she must muster the will to recover, even if just for their sake!
"Aunt Fengwu, don’t worry, I won’t let everyone down."
Jiang Fengwu nodded; this was all she could do.
——
The Store Manager was still in his slumber when he was urgently woken by his subordinates. Hearing that Li Zhirui had personally come, he was shocked and quickly dressed and performed a cursory clean-up with a Spell before going out to greet the guest.
"I wasn’t aware of the elder’s visit and apologize for not greeting you from afar. I hope the elder will forgive my oversight."
Li Zhirui shook his head, not bothering with pleasantries, and immediately stated his reason for the visit, "Does your association have any Spiritual Objects that can mend white bones?"
The Store Manager’s mind raced. Which important member of the Li family had an accident that they needed such an expensive and rare Spiritual Object? He responded while thinking, "Could the elder perhaps provide a more detailed description?"
Such items were not too numerous, yet not scarce either; finding the right one for the job was crucial.
"The lower leg is severed, and the stump has been damaged."
Such a severe injury? The Store Manager’s brow twitched. After thinking it through, he said, "The last merchant ship brought a Jade Slip with a Spiritual Object that should meet the elder’s requirements. It’s called Flesh Ganoderma, but it’s quite expensive."
"How much?"
"Fifteen million spirit stones," the store manager quickly added, "but as you know, Elder, trade ships come only once a year, and the Flesh Ganoderma might have already been sold."
Even though Li Zhirui had braced himself, he still flinched when he heard the price, which was more than some sixth-order spiritual objects!
But upon reflection, there was reason behind the exorbitant price, as only those cultivators with physical deformities and severed cultivation paths like Li Zhiyue were in need of Flesh Ganoderma. It gave them hope to step back on the road to cultivation.
But the Li family simply couldn’t afford fifteen million spirit stones!
Unless they dug up the few million spirit stones buried in the Spirit Vein, reallocated some of the emergency reserve spirit stones, or collected loans from kin.
Doing so, however, would first damage the Spirit Vein, preventing any advancement in its grade for the next decade and harming the family’s interests.
And reallocating the emergency spirit stones would be indefensible if the family faced any unexpected crisis – Li Zhirui would be unable to shirk responsibility!
Gathering five or six million spirit stones was also difficult; after all, it was unlikely anyone would contribute to another’s cause at the expense of their own interests.
"Is there another spiritual object that’s cheaper? As long as it can restore the meridians and allow one to cultivate normally," Li Zhirui asked, suppressing his embarrassment.
"I’m afraid I have to disappoint you, Elder," the store manager replied.
"Thank you for your time." With that, Li Zhirui turned and left.
He then sought out the Xuanfa Pavilion, which indeed had several types of spiritual objects, but their prices were prohibitively expensive, far beyond the means of the Li family.
Li Zhirui returned to Wanxian Island looking utterly dejected. He sat on a desolate mountain for a long time before knocking on Li Zhiyue’s door.
"Zhiyue, I’m sorry, the family is powerless in this matter."
Having anticipated this outcome, Li Zhiyue wasn’t much saddened, instead offering a comforting smile, "Thank you, Jiu, for your concerns. I’ve been well, wandering outside all these years without doing much for the family. Now’s a good time."
"I know you’re planning to stay with the family and give back with your final hundred years," Li Zhirui said with eyes full of apology.
"But you owe the family nothing. Use this last century to seek your fortunes outside," he insisted.
Perhaps she’d be lucky enough to find a Flesh Ganoderma or something similar.
Li Zhiyue fell silent for a long time before suddenly beaming, "You’re right, Jiu! I should do everything possible to survive! That’s how I can repay the family best."
"Then stay with the family a few more days. I’ll prepare some spirit pills for you," he offered.
"Alright."
Li Zhirui got up and hurriedly left.
Meanwhile, Li Zhiyue remained sitting, not getting up for a long time.
The truth was, she agreed not for the reasons she had stated, but because if she stayed with the family, Li Zhirui would surely be distracted with her welfare. 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓹𝓾𝓫.𝒸ℴ𝓶
Li Zhiyue didn’t want to hinder Li Zhirui’s cultivation because of her, so she decided to leave his sight altogether.
But she didn’t obey; that very night, she quietly left the family without leaving anything behind.
A few days later, when Li Zhirui arrived with the concocted spirit pills and the formation Jiang Fengwu had crafted, he found the house unlocked upon knocking.
Gently pushing the wooden gate, the courtyard was desolate, the person long gone.
