Chapter 231: Jade Talisman, Friendship and Trust

“Relationship?”

Zhao Zuo mulled over those two familiar words. His mind instantly flashed through the plots of countless web novels. ‘Could this Li Ge be one of Chen Xiaorong’s suitors?’

‘This trope is from web novels written years ago…’ Zhao Zuo thought.

“I have no relationship with Chief Venerate Chen, but she did save my life once. I just want to do what I can to repay her,” Zhao Zuo said with utmost sincerity.

“Oh, so that’s how it is. Alright.” Li Ge smiled, looking honest and cheerful. It was a highly deceptive smile, making it impossible to discern his true thoughts, like an abyss without a single ripple.

The answer made Zhao Zuo sigh in relief. At least there wasn’t any melodramatic plot twist where love turns to hate, leading to a vicious murder. This meant the most dangerous situation…had yet to arrive.

“Seeing that you’re practicing the Golden Fire Refining World Scripture, I discussed it with Senior Han. We decided to gift you insights into the Scripture’s Nourishing Body Realm and Foundation Establishment as a token of thanks.” Li Ge took a blue-green Jade Talisman from his Storage Bag.

“With this, you can go to the sixth floor of the Scripture Pavilion and exchange it for one Cultivation Technique, free of charge.”

“This…” Zhao Zuo looked at the Jade Talisman, extremely hesitant. He had gotten involved to repay Chen Xiaorong for saving his life. If he accepted this Jade Talisman, it would turn his actions into a transaction, not an act of gratitude.

“You don’t want to accept… this Jade Talisman?” Seeing that Zhao Zuo hadn’t reached out, Li Ge waved it in front of him again before putting it back into his Storage Bag.

“That’s right,” Zhao Zuo said. “I did this to repay a debt, not for personal gain.”

“Your choice is somewhat surprising, but you only get one chance.”

Zhao Zuo nodded at his words, feeling no regret.

“Normally, everyone only gets one chance. But I’m rather impressed with you, so… you have a chance to reconsider. Well then… Junior Brother Zhao, are you sure you don’t want to accept that Jade Talisman?”

“You might not know this, but only the top ten disciples of the Inner Sect are qualified to exchange for the Nourishing Body stage of the Golden Fire Refining World Scripture and walk the path of Perfect Foundation Establishment,” Li Ge asked earnestly.

“I still don’t want the Jade Talisman.” Zhao Zuo shook his head. From the very beginning, his actions were not motivated by gain. Accepting the talisman would ruin that purity of purpose.

“Alright.” Li Ge gazed into Zhao Zuo’s clear, honest eyes. This wasn’t the answer he had expected to see, and he had to admit that Chen Xiaorong’s judgment of character was superior to his own.

“Junior Sister Chen believed you wouldn’t take the Jade Talisman. I thought you would,” Li Ge said with a touch of emotion, though thankfully, a slight smile remained on his face.

“…” Upon hearing this, Zhao Zuo was at a loss for how to respond without making Li Ge lose face.

“It’s nothing, really. I lose bets to her all the time.” Seeing Zhao Zuo’s silence, Li Ge smiled and changed the subject.

“By the way, how is that Giant Sword I sold you?”

Hearing this, Zhao Zuo’s heart tightened. Logically, he shouldn’t have mastered the Melt Casting Technique yet, which meant he wouldn’t have the ability to upgrade a Lower Grade Magical Artifact to a Middle Grade one. ‘If Li Ge presses for details… it would be a hole in his story he couldn’t talk his way out of.’

“I modified it a bit.”

“Ah, that’s reasonable enough.” Li Ge didn’t dwell on the minor detail.

“Keep up your Cultivation. I’m sure you’ll be able to reach Foundation Establishment.” Li Ge offered a word of encouragement, and he meant it. He saw in Zhao Zuo a kind of purity and conviction similar to Chen Xiaorong’s. For people like that, reaching Foundation Establishment wasn’t difficult as long as they stayed true to their beliefs.

“I will, Senior Brother Li,” Zhao Zuo said, his tone still respectful and proper.

“If you have any questions about Artifact Refining, you can use this Communication Jade to find me.” Li Ge took a Communication Jade from his Storage Bag, handed it to Zhao Zuo, and then continued.

“Junior Sister Chen asked that you contact her with your Communication Jade once you’re back in the sect. She has something to return to you…”

After saying this, Li Ge departed on his sword. He was incredibly fast, disappearing among the mountain ranges in less than ten seconds.

Zhao Zuo watched Li Ge’s departing figure, a thoughtful look in his eyes. ‘Did Li Ge come all this way just to offer me that Jade Talisman? Or perhaps it was to observe me.’ Judging from his behavior, he didn’t seem to be an enemy of Chen Xiaorong, so there was no need to be overly concerned.

In truth, his real worry was whether Li Ge was one of Chen Xiaorong’s suitors, and if so, whether he had misunderstood the relationship between him and Chen Xiaorong.

“I knew full well that the prettier the girl, the more trouble they are, yet I still waded right in.”

Shaking off his thoughts, Zhao Zuo walked up the steps, soon passing the central platform. He used his Identity Token to enter the Inner Sect’s territory and returned to his Cave Mansion.

By now, Liu Heng had already dug out a cave nearby, its entrance blocked by two heavy stone doors. An orange-yellow glow was faintly visible through the crack between the doors. Clearly… he was home at the moment and had already adapted to his new life.

On the platform at the cave’s entrance sat several pots of flowers of various colors. Under meticulous care, the flowers were all flourishing, with verdant green leaves and vibrant blossoms.

A faint floral fragrance filled the air, so light that only the powerful sense of smell of a Cultivator could detect it. Zhao Zuo never would have expected that Liu Heng, who looked so big and brawny, would have a hobby like growing flowers.

Zhao Zuo used his Token to deactivate the Array around his Cave Mansion, then opened the main gate with a mechanism. He stepped inside, closed the gate behind him, and thanks to the Purification Array, the air inside the cave was still fresh, with almost no trace of dust in the environment.