Junior Leopard was just a nobody and was now focused on refining the Congenital Clear Spiritual Magic Talisman. The white-robed woman who could not help bursting into his Yin and Yang Dust Formation at the beginning had been controlled by him now. Though she was a strong expert at Level Five, she was unable to defeat his Yin and Yang Dust Formation.
Refining the Congenital Clear Spiritual Magic Talisman was difficult. Unlike the Innate Green Lotus Flame, which would be absorbed by the Golden Flame Mirror once it entered it and whose refining process would be completely controlled by the Pure Yang Celestial Device, this talisman needed to be refined by him. It took him four days to get it to take shape. Though it was tiresome, it was quite rewarding. Not only had he barely made it, but his skill in making talismans greatly improved. The Congenital Clear Spiritual Magic Talisman was top-notch. During its refining process, various methods had to be adopted. It could be said that Junior Leopard had tried all the methods he had learned from Green Spirit within these four days. His comprehension of the spell and talisman deepened.
"The so-called talisman is a structure and a method of constructing energy. It's essentially used as a refining process for External Elixir. It's a pity that I didn't major in mathematics during my previous life. Otherwise, all I need to do is to build several models and my mastery of talismans will get a qualitative improvement," thought Junior Leopard while holding the almost-completed Congenital Clear Spiritual Magic Talisman. However, it was just a daydream. To a student of liberal arts, building an arithmetic model was extremely abstruse, just like creating an atomic bomb, which could never be figured out by him.
"It's been almost four days. I believe that Yu Qing must be impatient after waiting outside for so long. I wonder what price she will offer me this time. After all, the Innate Green Lotus Seed is a rare treasure."
"Are you afraid that she'll kill you at once and rob you of your treasures? Don't ever forget that this is her place. There are obstacles everywhere in the Jade Pool. If she wants to kill someone, no one can stop her and nothing will leak out!"
"Haha! It's not worth it for her to do that in order to get an Innate Green Lotus seed. Making a deal with me and doing the Immortal Palace a special favor is far more valuable than that!" Junior Leopard chuckled and then added, "If Yu Qing was only a Level Nine expert but an expert who has reached the Mysterious Realm, I might be in danger. However, she's now stepped into the Metaphysic Realm. A lotus seed only makes her a little bit more powerful. Its value decreases a lot."
"But it's still valuable to the people of the Jade Pool!"
"She represents the Jade Pool and also controls the people of the Jade Pool. The Green Lotus Seed has less value to her, so does the Jade Pool. Do you know what that is? It's called 'one's position determines his thought'. As a representative of the Jade Pool, she must take the interest of the Jade Pool into consideration!" Junior Leopard scorned and said, "Her value equals that of the Jade Pool, so I think that she won't harm me."
"How old are you? Do you think that you understand human nature? Brat, this world is very complicated!"
"Yeah, I know it is. I also know that human nature is complex. But in the final analysis, this matter cannot be hidden from the Jade Pool. Furthermore, I can't get out. Therefore, the only thing that I can do is brace myself and pretend to be natural, unfathomable, and calm. In this way, I can earn myself some initiative. It's not about human nature but just an unwilling yielding due to the current situation!"
"That's the truth!" Green Spirit laughed.
Junior Leopard raised his hand and withdrew his Yin and Yang Dust Formation by waving his sleeves. After releasing the woman in white from the formation, he smiled and stood up.
Two women stood quietly outside the door. They were shocked to see that Junior Leopard's door was open. One of them left there quickly while the other supported the weak woman in white, who walked out with Junior Leopard, with one of her hands.
"The leader shall arrive immediately. Your Excellency, please wait a moment."
"Thank you!" Junior Leopard smiled naturally as he walked out of the room. He leaned against the balustrade outside the room and began to enjoy the scenery of the Jade Pool.
"You're in a good mood!"
Several minutes later, Yu Qing arrived there. She was followed by the woman who had just sent her the message.
"You're so quick!" Junior Leopard looked back and smiled. He continued, "I feel extremely flattered but frightened as well!"
"You're so bold. Who can frighten you?" Yu Qing asked. She sneered, and a sharp light flashed through her eyes.
"Don't scare me. I'm too timid." Junior Leopard smiled. He added, "Let's talk about business. I'm convinced that we'll get what we want this time."
"Why are you so convinced that I'll negotiate with you instead of killing you?"
"Killing me can truly provide you with some benefits, but the seed of the Innate Green Lotus isn't important compared to what you can get from our deal. Don't you think so?" Junior Leopard laughed. He added, "I just look calm and confident, I'm actually very nervous deep inside."
"Good! Very good! It seems like that the old man has found me the right person. Water Leopard of Winnowing Basket, you're not bad. I'll get straight to the point. Your seed of the Innate Green Lotus is truly precious, but it's not the only one in the world. There are many treasures that have the same value as it in the Jade Pool. Some are even more valuable than it. But I won't exchange my treasures with you. Do you get it?"
"Of course, it's reasonable for you to offer me something that isn't as valuable. Well, is it okay for you to give me a Pure Yang Celestial Device in exchange for my lotus seed?"
"You're asking an exorbitant price!"
"You want to lower the price, so of course, I'll raise it. Isn't that fair?"
"Nothing is totally fair in this world. Don't forget, you have to look to me for help!"
"Therefore, I don't ask for a totally fair price!" Junior Leopard kept smiling. "You're the leader of a sect and are very knowledgeable. I believe you'll give me a satisfying price!"
Yu Qing nodded and said, "Fine! I have a Pure Yang Celestial Device, but there's no chance for you to get it. You can only have a Mysterious Level Weapon."
"I'm not interested in Celestial Devices!" Junior Leopard shook his head. He continued, "You might have seen that I'm a sword practitioner who pursues the supreme phase of the Supreme Swordplay. Getting a Celestial Device will only harm my practice!"
"Your words sound good. But I've never seen a sword practitioner who is as philistine as you. Let's make it clear. What exactly do you want?"
"I want materials to refine formations. I believe those things are abundant in the Jade Pool."
"Formations?" Yu Qing was surprised. She thought about the thick mist that filled Junior Leopard's room and said, "I forgot that you know something about that. Okay, just tell me what kind of materials you need and I'll see whether I have them or not. If those materials are here, I'll try my best to get them for you."
"In fact, it doesn't need to be any good material," said Junior Leopard. Then, he listed a series of materials.
"You want quite a lot of things! But it's not too excessive, except for...!"
"Leader, the price that I'm offering you is quite fair. They're not first-class materials except for some key materials. They can't be compared to the Innate Green Lotus Seed!"
"But you can't collect all these materials in one time anywhere else!" Yu Qing, the leader, smiled. She said, "Fine, I don't want to get you in a pickle. I have every material that you want. They will be sent to you soon. However, there's a condition!"
"Leader, tell me please!"
"Yeyue is my disciple who you've met before. She has a good cultivation, which has already reached Level Seven. She's able to finish her apprenticeship now. I plan to let her gain some experience outside of the mountain. As you can see, though she's somewhat powerful, she's only a girl with insufficient experience in Jianghu. She will inevitably encounter some troubles while walking in Jianghu. I'm not asking for anything excessive. I just want you to help her at a time when she meets with some big trouble."
"Of course I will!" Junior Leopard nodded his head as if it was obligatory for him to take care of the girl. He continued, "Please rest assured. No matter who pisses off Lady Ji, I, Water Leopard of Winnowing Basket, will not let him go!"
"That's fine. I planned to ask Yeyue to join the Immortal Palace, but now it seems that there's no need to bother!" Yu Qing smiled and said. Then she added, "In case that old man thinks that I'm begging him, this time, he's the one who is going to beg me!"
Junior Leopard's mouth twitched. He wanted to say something but he silenced himself.
Junior Leopard had to say that the Jade Pool was very efficient. He had listed dozens of materials, and the next day he was informed to fetch them as they were already prepared in a storehouse.
Junior Leopard could only wear a bitter smile as he looked at the big pile of materials. He took out the Innate Green Lotus Seed and gave it to Yu Qing. Then, he requested to stay there for a couple of days. Yu Qing agreed because she knew what would he do next.
"You'd better be fast. I already sent information to the Immortal Palace. I guess that they'll come to fetch you in three to five days."
"Thank you for reminding me!" Junior Leopard said, then added, "But it's alright to let them wait for me for some time!"
The closed storehouse was finally opened 10 days later. Feeling refreshed, Junior Leopard walked out. He bumped into Jin Yuquan before he could inform others of the news that he had finished his work.
"Elder Qing's estimation is correct. You'll come out in one or two days." Jin Yuquan laughed as he saw Junior Leopard.
"Golden Rooster, why are you here?"
"I came here with Elder Qing." Jin Yuquan looked refreshed and said, "Boy, you're in the limelight this time! You've driven that Happy Monk mad. These days, he has been searching for information about you all over the world!"
"Happy Monk!" While being reminded of that baldhead, from whom he had obtained the Green Lotus Seed, Junior Leopard sneered. He added, "The treasures of heaven and earth can only be gained by those virtuous people. They are born and raised by nature and, thus, belong to anyone who takes them. Was the Innate Green Lotus planted by his grandpa?"
"You're right. That's also our answer to the Bigwheel Temple." Golden Rooster laughed and said, "These treasures are raised by heaven and earth. There's no such rule stipulating that they belong to the Snow Mountain Great Wheel Temple. Well, let's go. I think Elder Qing must be very anxious because he has been waiting for us for so long."
Junior Leopard followed Jin Yuquan and quickly arrived at the main hall of the Jade Pool. He again appreciated the fairyland on his way to the main hall. However, he felt that the place was somewhat fake no matter how wonderful it was.
Yu Qing and Elder Qing were having some tea in the main hall. They had made a deal during Junior Leopard's closed-door training. Upon seeing him arrive, Elder Qing was not willing to stay there anymore and directly got up to leave.
Junior Leopard, Elder Qing, and Golden Rooster were standing on a Celestial Device that was shaped like a boat and flew above the clouds a half an hour later.
"The Jade Pool is really secluded! Not only does it have so many obstacles but it's also located in such a remote place."
"The Jade Pool is located in the far west. It has been detached from worldly affairs for many years and it's one of the greatest sects nowadays. Therefore, it's remained unknown to people." Standing at the prow of the boat, Elder Qing sighed and said, "Ordinary martial art practitioners in the world have no chance to hear of the Jade Pool during their lifetime, even if they are Level Seven or Eight experts. But you're lucky enough to make yourself an acquaintance with the people of the Jade Pool."
"But I almost offended them!"
"Haha, stop talking about things that will make others envy you. You're someone with great fate. Let's get to the point. Where's the 10th entrance of the Azure Secret Area?"
"It's on my fief!" Junior Leopard chuckled. He could not help laughing every time he thought about it.
Even to a huge sect like the Immortal Palace, the 10th entrance of the Azure Secret Area was of great value and required their attention. Coincidentally, the entrance was on his fief. Because he was a member of the Immortal Palace, it was much more convenient for people from the Immortal Palace to use the entrance freely. However, relatively, in order to keep this entrance a secret, they would do lots of things such as sending experts to guard the entrance. According to the manner of the people from the Immortal Palace, it was impossible for them to expose him to the martial arts world for just an entrance. They would not occupy his fief and act as a lord as Tian Long Taoism had done. All concealed actions should be handled by him because it was his territory. It was reasonable and natural for him to do so.
In this way, he successfully bound his territory and the Immortal Palace together. The palace would try their best to protect his fief and the entrance of the Azure Secret Area for their interest. They would not let other influences take a share of his territory, which was an extremely favorable thing for him.
"It's on your fief?" Elder Qing surprisingly raised his eyebrows. He grinned while pointing to Junior Leopard and said, "Hey, you're really a great lucky star!"
"I'm not a lucky star. I'm just fortunate once in a while," Junior Leopard said. He happily told Elder Qing the details of finding the entrance to the Azure Secret Area. Obviously, he did not reveal anything related to Green Spirit.
"You're really lucky. The entrance to the Azure Secret Area is under a refined iron mine where poisonous monsters existed and freezing Qi permeated everywhere. Not bad." Elder Qing stopped and glanced at Junior Leopard, then asked, "Do you know why you can enter it but can't find a way out?"
"Don't you know?"
"It's because at least a Pure Yang Celestial Device is required to support the entrance." While saying this, Elder Qing looked helpless. "The reason why the Jade Pool can move the entrance into their sect is that they have a fairy weapon. Although the Immortal Palace does also have a fairy weapon, it can't be used in that way. We can only support the entrance with a Pure Yang Celestial Device. In this way, the entrance will become unmovable." He looked at Junior Leopard and said, "It seems that we need your help."
"Sure, no problem. Although it's located in a refined iron mine, it's no big deal!" Junior Leopard blurted out.
"You don't need to remind me about your losses." Elder Qing waved his hand and said, "It's good for both you and the Immortal Palace. What we're going to do is maximize the interest and keep it a secret. Therefore, you don't need to worry about it, we'll make it up to you."
"Of course. As a member of the Immortal Palace, it's my honor to make some contributions," Junior Leopard said. The two cunning foxes smiled at each other.
"There's one more thing. I believe that this matter can be hidden from others, but not from Wang She and Prince Xiaoming." Junior Leopard suddenly thought about that.
"There's no need to hide it from them. They will not divulge it because the Azure Secret Area is beneficial for their cultivation. They're not that stupid to tell others."
"I see!" Junior Leopard nodded and added, "Then, I'll start to set it up as soon as possible. Elder Qing, could you give me some advice about how to do it specifically?"
"Even though it's a refined iron vein, you can't exploit it anymore because the entrance to the Azure Secret Area is located there. I heard that your territory is quite poor and lacks buildings. It's better for you to build a mansion there to camouflage the entrance."
"That's a good idea. I'll build a villa once I get back and proclaim that there's a suitable Earth Vein Evil Qi for my practice. No one will doubt that."
"Yes, giving up a refined iron mine for practice isn't a big deal for us practitioners." Elder Qing agreed and said, "You are the most familiar with Yuquan among all the people in the Immortal Palace. I'll just let him help you. After my return, I'll send people there to open the entrance as soon as possible. Take it easy. Our purpose is the entrance and has nothing to do with your territory."
"Elder Qing, you're being over-courteous. I hope that you can send more people to help me. Although it's my fief, it's too vast for me to control. Besides, there are other people who covet it, so the more people you send there, the happier I'll be."
"You don't need to talk to me so cautiously. Since there's an entrance to the Azure Secret Area on your fief, we will surely not let others target it. But you must know that we will not support you publicly. Meanwhile, unless it's necessary, our people will not show up either. However, we will support you in other aspects, such as capital and information. I promise you that your fief will always be impregnable."
"Elder Qing, you've really taken great pains to do so many things for me."
The speed of the boat-shaped Celestial Device was extremely fast. It was like a golden light shuttling in the clouds. However, the Jade Pool was very far away from the Central Plains. It still took two days to arrive at Junior Leopard's territory.
"Well, Yuquan, these days, you'll need to stay at Junior Leopard's side and watch out for him. If there is an accident, tell me promptly, OK?"
Jin Yuquan lowered his head and said, "Yes!"
"Uh, wait!" Junior Leopard's expression changed slightly as he heard that Jin Yuquan would be staying with him.
"What's the matter? Don't you want to stay with Golden Rooster?"
"Of course that's not the case! I just want to ask if he'll stay here forever. If he will, I need to arrange a fake identity for him to avoid others' suspicions. You know that many people still pay attention to me all the time even though I'm huddled up in the northwest. If a Level Eight expert suddenly appears beside me, they will notice him. Moreover, every time Golden Rooster takes action, he never wears a mask, therefore, many people recognize him. Hence, it would be easy to arise suspicion if someone with ulterior motives were to see him."
"What do you mean?" Golden Rooster, who was beside him, became dissatisfied.
"I mean that you'd better put on some makeup or wear a skin mask in order to keep others from recognizing you at once. What's more, you need to hide your true strength. Don't behave like an expert every time you show up. I think it's better to take one step at a time."
"Then, what should I do?"
"Recently, there have been many refugees on my fief. They are sold by human traffickers and they're strangers to each other in the beginning. You can sneak into their group and show your skill when it's appropriate in order to draw others' attention. Since I'm the landlord of a poor fief, it's reasonable for me to recruit talents. In this way, I can hire you and no one will suspect you. Of course, you just need to act like a Level One or Two expert, that will be enough."
"That's a good idea. Yuquan, it seems that you'll suffer from injustice for a while!" After hearing Junior Leopard's words, Elder Qing nodded and apologized to Golden Rooster.