Chapter 423 Spiritual Power Pill! The Frustrated Compensation of Liu Lie and His Three Friends

"Apologize... We apologize! The treasures, we are willing to give them too! We beg Grand Tutor Dongxuan to stop!"

Liu Lie's voice echoed over the plaza.

It was hoarse, carrying a sense of desperate resignation.

Jiang Yun's footsteps finally came to a halt.

Beneath the silver-white mask, he quietly let out a sigh of relief.

To tell the truth, he had been gambling just now.

He was gambling that Liu Lie and the other three could not withstand the pressure from the entire Liu Family, and that they would choose to yield to keep their positions as Grand Elders.

If Liu Lie had truly been determined to drag him down with them and refused to apologize or pay up, he really would have been out of options.

He couldn't just walk away, could he?

The soul crystal main body had not yet been appraised, the three treasures in the Liu Family treasury had not been obtained, and the clue to the Dragon bone had not been found.

If he left just like that, this trip to the Liu Family would be a huge loss.

But looking at it now, he had won the gamble.

Liu Lie and the other three, in the end, could not withstand the pressure of the entire clan and chose to bow their heads.

Jiang Yun slowly turned around.

The silver-white mask reflected a cold luster in the sunlight.

His posture was composed and unhurried, as if the figure who had just resolutely walked away was not him.

The members of the Liu Family in the plaza all breathed a sigh of relief in unison.

"Phew... Elder Liu Lie has finally relented."

A young disciple of the Liu Family patted his chest and exhaled a long breath.

"You scared me to death. I thought Grand Tutor Dongxuan was really going to leave. If he left, our Liu Family's soul crystal main body would have absolutely no hope."

"Yeah, yeah, it's a good thing Elder Liu Lie figured it out at the critical moment." Another young man quickly agreed.

"Although a Eclipsing Moon Rank treasure is indeed precious, compared to the future of our Liu Family, Elder Liu Lie can still distinguish which is more important."

"Exactly, exactly. After all, Elder Liu Lie is a Grand Elder of our Liu Family. Although he was a bit stubborn just now, at the critical moment, he still cares about the Liu Family. This sense of the big picture is worthy of affirmation."

"That's right. Being able to give up his own treasure for the future of the Liu Family, Elder Liu Lie's breadth of mind is admirable."

Others shook their heads and sighed: "Sigh, actually, it hasn't been easy for Elder Liu Lie and the others. A Eclipsing Moon Rank treasure, that's their lifeline. Being able to take it out really required great determination."

The discussions of the clansmen rose and fell. Although they were praising Liu Lie and the others for being sensible and prioritizing the big picture, every word that fell into the ears of Liu Lie and his group felt like a whip dipped in salt, lashing at their already bleeding hearts.

Caring about the Liu Family? Prioritizing the big picture? They were forced! Forced by Liu Qingyun! Forced by Elder Liu Lan! Forced by those three Old Fellows, Supreme Elder Liu Yunshan! Forced by the saliva of hundreds of people in the entire clan! Forced by that masked brat!

But they couldn't say a single word of these things. They could only break their teeth and swallow them into their stomachs.

A gratified smile appeared on Liu Qingyun's face. He stepped forward, his voice loud and sincere.

"Elder Lie, three Elders, I am deeply gratified that you could make this decision. For the sake of the Liu Family's future, you are willing to give up your own treasures. This breadth of mind, this sense of responsibility, is worthy of respect from the entire Liu Family!"

As he spoke, he nodded deeply to Liu Lie and the others, his eyes full of sincere approval.

But Liu Lie saw it clearly. Deep in Liu Qingyun's eyes, there was clearly a trace of schadenfreude hidden.

Behind Liu Qingyun, Supreme Elder Liu Yunshan stroked his snow-white long beard and said with a smile.

"Elder Lie, it is good that you have figured it out. Although Eclipsing Moon Rank treasures are precious, they are external possessions after all. The future of the Liu Family is what we should value most. Your contribution today will be remembered by the entire Liu Family."

Another Grand Elder nodded in agreement.

"Not bad. The four Elders are willing to take out their own treasures to settle this matter for the sake of the Liu Family. This righteousness, this old man admires."

The third Grand Elder was even more direct, smiling and patting Liu Lie on the shoulder.

"Elder Lie, stop with that mournful face. If the treasure is gone, you can find another, but if the Liu Family's Legacy is broken, then everything is gone. Your choice today is correct."

The corners of Liu Lie's mouth twitched violently.

Correct? Correct my ass!

You three Old Fellows are standing there talking without back pain! It's not your treasure. Of course, you say it lightly!

His heart was roaring, but on his face, he could only squeeze out a smile that was uglier than crying.

"Elder Yunshan is right... is right..."

Every word was squeezed out from between his teeth.

The three Grand Elders behind him had expressions even more spectacular than his.

The thin and tall Grand Elder's mouth twitched; he wanted to laugh but couldn't, and he wanted to cry but didn't dare.

The slightly plump Grand Elder's forehead was covered in increasingly dense sweat, which kept streaming down his cheeks.

The fourth Grand Elder lowered his head directly, not daring to let anyone see his expression.

Liu Qingyun took in the reactions of the four men. His joy was even greater.

These four Old Fellows usually opposed him at every turn, relying on their status as Grand Elders to point fingers at his decisions as the Patriarch.

When he advocated inviting an Appraiser to identify the soul crystal, they jumped out to obstruct him in every way.

He had managed to invite Grand Tutor Dongxuan with great difficulty, and they questioned him in public, wanting to take the opportunity to weaken his authority.

Now it was good. Kicked an iron plate, right?

Counter-attacked by someone, not only having to apologize in public, but also having to take out a Eclipsing Moon Rank treasure each as compensation.

Thinking of this, Liu Qingyun felt like his heart was blossoming with joy, but his face became increasingly sincere.

He turned to Jiang Yun, cupped his hands, and spoke with sincerity.

"Grand Tutor Dongxuan, since the four Elders have agreed to your conditions and are willing to apologize and compensate with treasures, I believe you have seen their sincerity."

He paused, his tone more earnest.

"After all, the four Elders are Grand Elders of our Liu Family; they are advanced in age and hold revered seniority. Their questioning of you just now was indeed inappropriate, but their starting point was for the interests of the Liu Family, not out of malicious intent. I hope that, in view of their intentions, you can forgive them this time and help our Liu Family identify the soul crystal main body."

These words were watertight.

On the surface, he was pleading for Liu Lie and the others, asking Jiang Yun for mercy, and placing himself in the position of a peacemaker.

But if you think about it carefully, every word was telling Jiang Yun: These four Old Fellows have already admitted defeat. The conditions have been agreed upon, you can close the net.

Liu Lie and the others heard this and felt their hearts bleeding.

Their original plan was to strike at Liu Qingyun's authority by questioning Jiang Yun.

As long as Jiang Yun failed the appraisal, they could make a fuss, saying that Liu Qingyun was poor at judging people and was grabbing at straws, and even use this as an excuse to force Liu Qingyun to abdicate.

But what was the result?

Jiang Yun not only succeeded in the appraisal but appraised it better than all the Appraisers of the Liu Family in history.

Their questioning did not hit Liu Qingyun but instead allowed Liu Qingyun to take the opportunity to show his Wisdom Eye.

Their obstruction did not weaken the Patriarch's authority but allowed Liu Qingyun to suppress them.

The test they proposed did not embarrass Jiang Yun but instead became a stage for Jiang Yun to display his Heaven-Defying abilities.

Stealing a chicken only to lose the rice.

Losing the wife and the army.

Now, not only did they not get any benefits, but they also offended this Grand Elder of the Appraisers Guild and were forced by the entire clan to apologize and pay compensation.

And what about Liu Qingyun?

Not only did he take the opportunity to suppress them, but he also established an image of prioritizing the big picture in front of the entire clan, and even won Jiang Yun's favor.

The stage they had worked so hard to build was all played by Liu Qingyun.

The trap they had painstakingly set was all for Liu Qingyun's benefit.

Thinking of this, Liu Lie and the others wished they could slap themselves a few times.

But they had bitterness they could not speak of, and anger they could not vent.

They could only suppress it in their hearts, letting that depression and grievance surge and clash in their chests.

Jiang Yun took in the expressions of Liu Lie and the others, the corners of his mouth under the silver-white mask rising slightly.

How could he not see that Liu Qingyun was using this to get off the hook?

And how could he not see the grievance and unwillingness of Liu Lie and the others at this moment?

However, these things were not important.

What was important was that his goal had been achieved.

Four Eclipsing Moon Rank treasures were about to be in his hands.

Since Liu Qingyun took the initiative to offer a step down, he naturally had to go down with the flow.

Jiang Yun nodded slightly and spoke.

His tone remained flat, without any joy or anger.

"Patriarch Liu is too serious. As I, this Junior, said just now, I am not targeting the four Elders, and even less am I coveting the four Elders' treasures."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the increasingly ugly faces of Liu Lie and the others.

"It is just that, as a Grand Elder of the Appraisers Guild, I represent the face of the Appraisers Guild. The four Elders questioned me in public, saying I was a pretentious swindler and an unidentified spy. If these words were to spread, my damaged dignity would be a small matter, but the damage to the reputation of the Appraisers Guild would be a big matter."

His voice suddenly became solemn.

"If President Yun Xi asked, and I had been treated like this in the Liu Family, how should I answer? If President Yun Xi developed any opinions about the Liu Family because of this, then I would not have the heart to see it."

He brought up President Yun Xi again.

These four words seemed to have some magic for the Liu Family.

Every time they appeared, they made the faces of Liu Lie and the others turn a shade paler.

Jiang Yun changed the topic, his tone becoming gentle.

"Therefore, I asked the four Elders to apologize and pay compensation, not for my own sake. It is to let the four Elders remember this lesson so that in the future, when treating foreign Appraisers, they can have more respect and less suspicion. This is also for the good of the Liu Family."

"After all, I also do not wish for President Yun Xi to have any bad impressions of the Liu Family because of this matter. Four Elders, don't you agree?"

These words were said in a high-sounding and righteous manner.

It was clearly him forcing them to apologize and pay compensation, but coming from his mouth, it turned into him doing it for the sake of the Liu Family, for the good of Liu Lie and the others.

It was as if him taking their treasures was a favor to them.

After hearing this, Liu Lie and the others felt a surge of blood in their chests, almost coughing up a mouthful of old blood.

For our good?

You forced us to apologize in public, forced us to take out Eclipsing Moon Rank treasures, and still say it's for our good?

What kind of logic is this!

Their hearts were roaring, but on their faces, they dared not show the slightest bit.

Because Jiang Yun had brought up President Yun Xi again.

Those four words were like a massive mountain pressing down upon their heads, making them afraid to even breathe loudly.

Moreover, although Jiang Yun's words sounded irritating, they were logically unassailable.

They had indeed questioned Jiang Yun.

Jiang Yun was indeed a Grand Elder of the Appraisers Guild.

If this matter were to reach President Yun Xi's ears, the Liu Family would indeed be in trouble.

Therefore, Jiang Yun claiming it was for the good of the Liu Family was truly irrefutable.

This stifling feeling of being robbed yet having to thank the robber made Liu Lie and the other three nearly lose their minds.

The surrounding members of the Liu Family, upon hearing these words from Jiang Yun, nodded and praised him one after another.

"Grand Tutor Dongxuan is right! He is asking the four Elders to apologize and pay with treasures not for his own sake, but to uphold the dignity of the Appraisers Guild!"

"Indeed! And Grand Tutor Dongxuan is considering our Liu Family in every way, fearing that President Yun Xi might have a poor impression of our Liu Family. Such magnanimity and bearing are truly rare!"

"Look at Grand Tutor Dongxuan; even after being given such a hard time, he can still consider our Liu Family in return. This is what a true big shot looks like!"

"The four Elders should also learn their lesson. In the future, they must not look at distinguished guests from outside through colored glasses."

"Exactly, exactly. Grand Tutor Dongxuan is teaching them a lesson."

These discussions reached the ears of Liu Lie and the other three, making their expressions even uglier.

The corners of their mouths twitched, their eyes jumped, and the veins on their foreheads throbbed.

They were clearly being forced to apologize and pay with treasures, yet the entire Family was praising the other party for his magnanimity.

This feeling... was more uncomfortable than being slapped across the face.

Jiang Yun heard these discussions, and the smile beneath his mask deepened.

He did not continue to make things difficult for Liu Lie and the other three, deciding to stop while ahead.

"Since the four Elders have realized their mistakes and are willing to offer treasures as compensation, then this Junior cannot refuse, and will accept this kind gesture from the four Elders."

His tone was flat, as if accepting four Eclipsing Moon Rank treasures was merely a trivial matter.

"Then I will accept it"—these three words were said so lightly, as if he were not accepting four Eclipsing Moon Rank treasures, but merely a few heads of cabbage.

When Liu Lie and the other three heard this, the corners of their mouths twitched even more violently.

What did he mean by "Then I will accept it"? What did he mean by "this kind gesture"? Was that something they gave willingly? It was forced by you, kid! Forced!

They were roaring in their hearts, but they didn't dare to show it on their faces.

Things had reached this point; they had no retreat.

The entire Family was watching them.

The Patriarch and Elder Supreme Elder Liu Yunshan and the others were staring at them.

If they went back on their word now, they would truly become the eternal sinners of the Liu Family.

Liu Lie took a deep breath and was the first to step forward.

His footsteps were as heavy as if filled with lead, and every step was extremely difficult. His old face, covered with wrinkles, was full of displeasure and unwillingness, yet it also carried a hint of helpless submission.

He walked up to Jiang Yun and stopped.

Jiang Yun looked at him calmly; beneath the silver-white mask, his eyes betrayed no emotion.

Liu Lie's lips moved, and the muscles on his face twitched violently.

Then, he took a deep breath and bowed.

"Grand Tutor Dongxuan."

His voice was hoarse and low, carrying a hint of suppressed unwillingness, but it was far more sincere than his perfunctory apology from moments ago.

At least, this time he had truly bowed.

"Regarding the matter just now, I was blind. I should not have questioned the Grand Tutor's ability, and I should not have spoken those offensive words to the Grand Tutor. I... apologize to you."

Every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.

After speaking, he straightened up and reached into his sleeve.

When he extended his hand again, there was an extra palm-sized jade box in his palm.

The jade box was carved from a type of pale green spirit jade. The jade was warm and delicate, with spiritual light faintly flowing across its surface.

At the seam of the jade box was a golden Seal, covered in dense runes—clearly a Seal designed to prevent the loss of medicinal potency.

Liu Lie looked at the jade box in his hand. A trace of heartache flashed in his eyes.

His fingers trembled slightly, and he hesitated for several breaths before gritting his teeth and handing the jade box to Jiang Yun.

"This... This is the treasure I am using to compensate the Grand Tutor."

His voice was shaking.

"A Moon-Erosion Low Grade... Mental Energy Medicinal Pill."

As soon as he said this, the surrounding Liu Family members let out an exclamation.

"What?! A Mental Energy Medicinal Pill?!"

"Oh my god! It is actually a pill that improves Mental Energy! Such a pill is rare and hard to find! Elder Liu Lie is actually willing to give it up?"

"A Mental Energy Medicinal Pill is one of the rarest and most precious types of all Medicinal Pills! The value of a Mental Energy Medicinal Pill is at least three to five times higher than other pills of the same Rank!"

"A Moon-Erosion Low Grade Mental Energy Medicinal Pill... Its value is likely higher than a Common Moon-Erosion Medium Grade offensive treasure, right?"

"Elder Liu Lie has truly spent a fortune this time..."

The Liu Family members whispered to each other, their eyes full of shock and envy.

For a Beast Tamer, although Mental Energy does not directly determine combat power like the Beast Taming Realm, the strength of one's Mental Energy is related to the depth of the contract with their Beast, the ability to command multiple Beasts simultaneously, and the ability to resist mental attacks.

A Beast Tamer with powerful Mental Energy can contract more Beasts simultaneously, command their Beasts with greater precision during combat, and trigger stronger contract resonance at critical moments.

More importantly, increasing Mental Energy is far more difficult than increasing Beast Taming cultivation.

Beast Taming cultivation can be rapidly increased by absorbing spirit crystals and consuming Heaven And Earth Treasure.

But increasing Mental Energy requires improvements in one's Realm, long-term tempering, or relying on extremely rare Mental Energy Medicinal Pills.

Furthermore, the difficulty of refining Mental Energy Medicinal Pills is extremely high, and the required medicinal materials are also extremely rare.

For Medicinal Pills of the same Rank, the rarity of Mental Energy Medicinal Pills is at least five times that of ordinary Medicinal Pills.

The pill Liu Lie produced, although Moon-Erosion Low Grade, was a Mental Energy Medicinal Pill; its actual value was likely no less than a Moon-Erosion Medium Grade treasure!

Liu Qingyun saw the jade box. A trace of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He had not expected that Liu Lie would actually take out a Mental Energy Medicinal Pill.

It seemed this Old Fellow had truly been forced to the brink of desperation, even bringing out his most prized treasure.

Supreme Elder Liu Yunshan stroked his beard and nodded slightly.

"Elder Lie has indeed shown sincerity this time. This Mental Energy Medicinal Pill is truly valuable."

Liu Lan stood to the side. A trace of surprise flashed in her water-blue eyes.

A Mental Energy Medicinal Pill. Even she, an Elder of the Liu Family, did not possess one.

This Old Fellow Liu Lie certainly had a solid Family fortune.

However, when Jiang Yun saw the jade box, his expression beneath the mask remained unchanged.

He didn't even spare the jade box a second glance, simply reaching out his hand casually and taking it from Liu Lie's grasp.

The action was crisp and neat, without a hint of politeness, as if the jade box had been his all along.

Liu Lie's hand stiffened in mid-air, his fingers still maintaining the gesture of handing it over, but his palm was already empty.

He was stunned, and then a surge of anger rushed to his head.

This was his most prized treasure! He had taken it so casually! Not even a word of courtesy?

But Jiang Yun did not look at him at all.

The moment he took the jade box, Jiang Yun probed his Divine Sense into it.

And the very moment his Divine Sense touched the pill, a long-sealed Legacy memory in the depths of his Sea of Consciousness was suddenly activated.

It was the Pill Dao Legacy of the Medicine God.

Countless pieces of information about Medicinal Pills flooded into his mind like a tide.

Everything about this pill—its grade, efficacy, refining method, ingredients, instructions for consumption, and taboos—was fully understood by him in an instant.

[Pill Name]: Nine-Turn Focusing Pill

[Grade]: Moon-Erosion Low Grade (Mental Energy Medicinal Pill)

[Main Ingredients]: Ten-Thousand-Year Focusing Grass, Nine-Leaf Soul Lotus, Heavenly Spirit Marrow, Moon-Essence Crystal

[Core Efficacy]: After consumption, it can increase a Beast Tamer's Mental Energy by three to five times from its original base. The specific effect varies from person to person and is related to the user's own Mental Energy talent.

[Additional Effect]: After consumption, it increases the range and accuracy of Divine Sense perception.

[Taking Conditions]: The Beast Tamer's Divine Sense Rank must reach Diamond Rank or above; otherwise, they cannot withstand the impact of the medicinal power.

Jiang Yun's pupils shrank slightly.

Three to five times! His Divine Sense had already reached Diamond Rank. If he increased it by three to five times on this basis, his Divine Sense strength would reach a terrifying level.

It might even be possible to directly touch the threshold of Eclipsing Moon Rank Divine Sense!

Yet he was currently only an Amethyst-rank Beast Tamer!

Furthermore, it could also improve the range and accuracy of Divine Sense perception.

For a Beast Tamer, what did powerful Divine Sense mean?

It meant more precise identification ability, the ability to see through higher-grade treasures, and the ability to perceive danger earlier in battle.

The value of this pill to him was far higher than a Common Eclipsing Moon Rank treasure.

However, his face remained as calm as water, without any fluctuation.

He put the jade box into his storage space, his actions so casual that it was as if he had just put away some trivial little thing.

Then, he raised his head, looked at Liu Lie, and spoke lightly.

"Elder Liu Lie, you have a heart. This Junior will accept this pill."

His tone was flat, betraying no joy or anger.

Liu Lie watched his most prized treasure being taken away by Jiang Yun so lightly, and his heart was bleeding.

His lips trembled violently; he wanted to say something, but in the end, he could not utter a word.

He snorted heavily.

He flicked his sleeves and strode to the side.

His back was full of anger and unwillingness, but it also revealed a sense of helpless desolation.

Jiang Yun was indifferent.

He looked at the other three Grand Elders.

He was looking forward to what treasures the three of them could produce.