This Sword Cultivator is Somewhat Dependable

"Chi Li sought me out?" Lu Qingshan's eyes flickered slightly, not sure of Chi Li's purpose in visiting at this time.

Good intentions?

Impossible.

At least Lu Qingshan didn't believe it.

From the moment he delivered that piece of information to Ying Mingyue, while Ying Mingyue didn't think much of it, Lu Qingshan instantly recognized Chi Li's ill intentions.

"Then let's meet and see what he's scheming." Lu Qingshan murmured to himself.

...

The council hall.

"Lord Chi Li." Lu Qingshan entered with a smile, saluting.

Chi Li was savoring his tea leisurely. Seeing Lu Qingshan enter, he nodded slightly in return.

"For what matter does Lord Chi Li visit today?" Lu Qingshan sat down and asked.

"I heard that Ying Jie sought you to demand those two human race girl children." Chi Li stated directly.

"Obviously, the demand for the human race girl children is a pretense. His real aim is to trouble you."

Lu Qingshan remained silent.

"Ying Jie's claim that he had pre-arranged for those two human race girl children is pure nonsense. It never happened; it's a lie he made up."

Chi Li unhurriedly sipped his tea and continued, "He only presumed his current status is extraordinary and I wouldn't expose his lie, thus daring to act so brazenly."

Lu Qingshan was well aware of this, however...

"Is Your Lordship intending to stand up for me?" he asked with a frown.

Chi Li specifically visiting could not have been merely to say these inconsequential words.

And the hint of standing up for him was evident in his speech.

But there's no free lunch in this world; Lu Qingshan didn't think Chi Li would be so kind.

Chi Li wasn't embarrassed. He nodded slightly and chuckled, "Standing up for you is not impossible, but I need something in return."

"What does Your Lordship mean by this?" Lu Qingshan's eyes flickered.

"I see great potential in you and believe in your future inheritance of the Sen Luo King Realm," Chi Li said with a smile, "I am willing to help you through your current difficulties and resolve the problem of mixed blood."

"However, I won't make such a significant contribution without expecting something in return."

"If in the future I can control the Sen Luo King Realm, the resources Your Lordship has invested will be repaid tenfold.

Moreover, if Your Lordship needs anything, I assure you that I will assist without considering gains or losses." Lu Qingshan replied.

In the future? Let's be realistic, by then, not even the Sen Luo King Realm will exist, not to mention people.

So he made promises casually, without any pressure.

"Treacheries after crossing the bridge are commonplace," Chi Li calmly shook his head and smiled, "It's not that I don't trust you, but for such a major matter, a verbal promise is too hasty."

"If I invest significantly to support you against Ying Jie with full force to help you ascend to the position of Domain Lord, and you go back on your word, wouldn't I end up with nothing?"

"What does Your Lordship want?" Lu Qingshan roughly guessed Chi Li's intention.

A Jade Box appeared in Chi Li's hand.

He opened the Jade Box, revealing a blood-red, gem-like worm before Lu Qingshan's eyes.

"This is... a Blood Erosion Worm?" Having rudimentary knowledge of the Demon Race, Lu Qingshan recognized it at a glance.

Chi Li nodded, "The Blood Erosion Worm contains a peculiar toxin that only the Blood Sunflower can neutralize.

Once this toxin seeps into your body, your blood will be contaminated, and since our Demon Race's cultivation system is based on blood.

If infected with the worm's toxin, you can at most advance to the Eighth Grade, and your cultivation will stagnate unless I give you the Blood Sunflower, without which you'll be unable to progress further."

"You just need to drop your defenses and let me place this Blood Erosion Worm into your body, and I will unconditionally help you." Chi Li said calmly.

Lu Qingshan's expression turned grim, "Is Your Lordship intending to obstruct my cultivation path?"

Chi Li shook his head, "That's not the case.

First, the Blood Erosion Worm's toxin only takes effect when you reach the Eighth Grade.

Which means, I will provide the resources to help you advance to the Eighth Grade, or else the worm's toxin would be meaningless.

This demonstrates my sincerity as well.

Helping a mixed blood reach the Eighth Grade requires an immense amount of resources, a fact you must be well aware of.

Besides, with Ying Jie targeting you now, helping you will cost me even more.

Moreover, an Eighth Grade Realm is sufficient for you to contend for the position of Domain Lord heir.

You needn't worry too much. Once your position as heir to the Domain Lord is confirmed, and I ascertain you won't betray me, I will immediately give you the Blood Sunflower to detoxify you.

In short, the Blood Erosion Worm is merely a security measure for myself.

As long as you don't have intentions of treachery, there's nothing to fear."

Chi Li stared at Lu Qingshan's face and asked, "What do you think?"

Heh, as if I could trust you.

Lu Qingshan sneered internally.

Noble words, but when the time comes, wouldn't "Qing Ge," whose weakness lies in Chi Li's hands, be at his mercy?

Chi Li's terms were excessively severe and absurd.

Under normal circumstances, he would never agree to such terms.

But now, Chi Li is exploiting the intensifying conflict between Ying Jie and "Qing Ge," who's in a precarious, isolated situation.

Chi Li seeks to force him to accept these harsh conditions while "Qing Ge" is hard-pressed by Ying Jie.