This reciprocal interaction greatly deepened the bond between them.
Of course, for now, the relationship between Li Shiming and Master Jiang Hong was primarily driven by Master Jiang Hong, unless one day Li Shiming could advance to the Nascent Soul Stage, gaining an equal standing.
"Master Li, let me tell you about the internal situation of the Ten Thousand Beast Sect, to facilitate your future social engagements!" Master Jiang Hong sensed the timing was right, put down his teacup, and said in a deep voice.
Li Shiming also put down his teacup, ready to listen carefully to his words.
He had a certain understanding of sect affairs, as he was part of one faction in the Shushan Sect.
However, due to his special status at that time, none of the factions within the sect would target him.
But the Ten Thousand Beast Sect was different. As far as he knew, there were several Alchemy Masters within the sect who could craft Fourth-grade Spirit Pills, and the top three in alchemy proficiency were all Nascent Soul Stage Alchemy Masters.
If he didn’t want to expose his full alchemy abilities, he needed to consider the influence of the factions.
Given his own situation, it was natural for him to align with Master Jiang Hong’s faction.
"The Ten Thousand Beast Sect has over ten factions, among which only two are the strongest: one is the Dragon faction, and the other is the Phoenix faction.
The Dragon faction is named after its Dragon Vein Spiritual Pets, while the Phoenix faction is named after its Phoenix Vein Spiritual Pets," continued Master Jiang Hong.
Although Li Shiming was not very knowledgeable about Spiritual Pets, he understood the significance of their bloodline.
For ordinary Spiritual Pets, upon becoming Third Grade Demons, they would adopt two forms—one in human form for better cultivation, the other in their true form for better combat.
However, those with Dragon lineage were different, as these Spiritual Pets’ cultivation path was about constantly evolving towards their dragon form, with the closer they came to it, the stronger they became.
He wasn’t very familiar with the Phoenix lineage, but guessed it was similar to the Dragon lineage.
"Which faction are we in?" Li Shiming asked, noticing Master Jiang Hong drinking his tea unhurriedly.
Master Jiang Hong smiled, pleased by Li Shiming’s use of "we."
"We belong to the Phoenix faction. When seeking a Spiritual Pet, try to find one with a Phoenix lineage inside the Ten Thousand Beasts Cave Heaven. Our faction has a greater legacy of Phoenix lineage Spiritual Pets, allowing them to grow faster," he replied.
Li Shiming couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed hearing this, as his Illusion Spirit Jiao had a Dragon bloodline. Especially after acquiring the Dragon Vein Source Crystal, although the Illusion Spirit Jiao was still asleep, its Dragon bloodline was continuously strengthening and merging.
"What if I had a Spiritual Pet with a Dragon bloodline? Would that affect anything?" Li Shiming pondered and asked.
"If you have a Phoenix lineage Spiritual Pet, you might enter the Phoenix faction’s core, gaining more attention and resources. But with a Dragon lineage Spiritual Pet, it’s nearly impossible to enter the Phoenix faction’s core.
If you have no interest in power, it doesn’t matter much, but if you desire power in the Ten Thousand Beast Sect, be mindful when choosing a Spiritual Pet!" Master Jiang Hong explained to him.
Li Shiming felt a bit helpless, unsure of the faction’s origins in the Ten Thousand Beast Sect, but knowing he needed to be cautious not to expose the Illusion Spirit Jiao.
Though uninterested in power, he had a significant demand for resources.
"Don’t concern yourself with these issues now. You are already at the Great Elder Realm, and your main focus should be preparing to advance to the Nascent Soul Stage. It’s best to complete sect alchemy tasks in your free time. Achieving a certain level of sect contributions not only allows for resource exchange but also grants access to important texts, aiding your advancement!" advised Master Jiang Hong with a smile when he noticed Li Shiming deep in thought.
Li Shiming hadn’t paid attention to sect tasks. In the Shushan Sect, after being able to make Fourth-grade Spirit Pills, he no longer took on sect tasks.
Because the rewards for sect tasks didn’t compare to the fees for alchemy he received from cultivators, plus, sect tasks didn’t involve crafting Fourth-grade Spirit Pills.
"By the way, this is the Phoenix faction’s alchemical heritage. Even though you don’t necessarily need it to craft Fourth-grade Spirit Pills, I hope it will still be of some assistance to you!" Master Jiang Hong said, handing over a Jade Scroll.
After confirming Li Shiming’s recognition of his status in the Phoenix faction, Master Jiang Hong presented this alchemical heritage.
Currently, the only alchemy master the Phoenix faction could show was himself, and adding Li Shiming, he hoped Li Shiming’s alchemy skills would soar.
Li Shiming took the Jade Scroll and projected his Divine Thought into it.
This was an extremely comprehensive inheritance, containing not only a complete set of alchemy knowledge but also the insights and experiences of over a hundred Alchemy Masters.
He was utterly astonished; the insights of over a hundred Alchemy Masters made the heritage extremely valuable.
Once the insights of over a hundred Alchemy Masters were thoroughly studied, one’s alchemy proficiency would naturally far exceed those of Alchemy Masters without such heritage.
No wonder sect alchemists looked down on independent cultivation alchemists; it’s not without reason. Sect alchemists have a solid foundation, while independent alchemists rely entirely on their own exploration in alchemy, which created a significant gap between them.
Although Li Shiming could achieve perfect alchemy with the help of the 10-nanometer control ability in the lab space and his natal artifact IBMz15, with the knowledge and experience from this heritage, he could perform alchemy with greater ease.
Most importantly, with a solid knowledge base, he could also achieve perfect alchemy outside the lab space.
This was the analysis concluded by his natal artifact IBMz15, after recording all the content in the Jade Scroll.
"You must study this alchemical heritage within the sect, and you have three months to comprehend it. After three months, the Jade Scroll will be taken back!" Master Jiang Hong reminded Li Shiming. He thought for a moment and added, "Since you just joined the sect, after advancing to the Nascent Soul Stage, you can elevate your sect privileges, and won’t have to do this anymore!"
"I understand!" Li Shiming was aware that it was standard practice for such important texts to remain within the sect.
After Master Jiang Hong left, he went first to the Fourth-grade Spiritual Plant Space to plant the fourth-grade spiritual tea tree.
When he removed a few sealing talismans from the fourth-grade spiritual tea tree, it instantly revived. The environment in the Fourth-grade Spiritual Plant Space was perfect for its growth.
He also poured some Fourth Grade Spirit Spring Water over the fourth-grade spiritual tea tree, sensing its vitality stabilizing.
A single fourth-grade spiritual tea tree only yields about twenty tea leaves a year, but that’s twice the amount given by the sect, which awards Nascent Soul Early Stage practitioners only thirty fourth-grade spirit tea leaves over three years.
It was clear that Master Jiang Hong’s gift was substantial, but once Li Shiming began alchemy formally, he would soon become quite prosperous himself.
A few days later, Junior Master Song arrived, and they met at the pavilion.
Junior Master Song was very cautious, bringing only a Fourth Grade Spiritual Medicine as well as a reward, which included a portion of ’Ten-thousand-year-old Thunderstruck Wood Juice.’
Li Shiming knew of the ’Ten-thousand-year-old Thunderstruck Wood Juice’ — had his avatar Li Yuanba not been forced to leave the Senluo Sect, he might have procured some from there.
Unfortunately, Elder Sword’s early departure deprived Li Yuanba of his support, and subsequently the opportunity to obtain resources for advancing to Nascent Soul.
The ’Ten-thousand-year-old Thunderstruck Wood Juice’ was known to him; it could mitigate the damage from Heavenly Thunder during the tribulation.
Although a practitioner can only use one portion of ’Ten-thousand-year-old Thunderstruck Wood Juice’ while undergoing the Nascent Soul Thunder Tribulation, as more would not enhance the effect.
Yet, Li Shiming had more than just himself; his avatar Li Yuanba needed ’Ten-thousand-year-old Thunderstruck Wood Juice,’ and the Silver Corpse also needed to undergo the fourth-grade Heavenly Tribulation. He could use as much ’Ten-thousand-year-old Thunderstruck Wood Juice’ as he could obtain.
"""