41: Chapter 41 Jiang Liyuan Joins the Army

The main ingredients for the Zhao Family's foundation establishment pill were split among three people, and Zhao Xiaoyun was one of them.

It was not that Li Haiyuan regretted letting Li Daoxuan leave; it was just that he felt a little distressed over the main ingredients for the foundation establishment pill.

Besides, the other party had saved his life; compared to the main ingredients for the foundation establishment pill, his life was more important.

"Sigh, forget it. The other members of the Zhao Family also have the main ingredients for the foundation establishment pill. I must get my hands on them."

...

After Li Haiyuan left, Li Daoxuan returned to the spot and walked into the hidden Formation.

Zhou Qing couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "Fellow Daoist Li's Flying Sword technique is truly impressive."

Jiang Liyuan also nodded and said, "Indeed. I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Li to be so powerful. I fear that even if the three of us combined, we would not be a match for you."

The three he referred to were not Ouyang Longfei, but rather the two of them plus Ming Ya.

It was no exaggeration to say that three Cultivators at the Ninth Level of Qi Refining might not be a match for Li Daoxuan.

After all, they had all seen Li Daoxuan's Flying Sword technique—three Flying Swords! That required an immense amount of mana.

Li Daoxuan waved his hand and said, "Not at all, not at all. It consumes a great deal of mana. In truth, I cannot compare to the three of you joining forces."

Jiang Liyuan suddenly said, "Fellow Daoist Li, I wonder if I might follow you?"

Li Daoxuan was taken aback and asked, "What do you mean?"

Jiang Liyuan suddenly raised one hand and swore, "I, Jiang Liyuan, hereby take an Inner Demon Vow to follow Fellow Daoist Li Daoxuan from this day forward. If I violate this vow, may I be plagued by Heart Demons and suffer eternal damnation."

After making the Inner Demon Vow, Jiang Liyuan smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Li, I wonder if you would accept my service?"

Li Daoxuan was stunned, as were The Zhou couple, not expecting Jiang Liyuan to make such a decision.

To make an Inner Demon Vow to follow someone was to gamble one's life for a lifetime; yet, he had not hesitated in the slightest.

Since Jiang Liyuan had already taken the Inner Demon Vow, Li Daoxuan would naturally accept it. He hurriedly said, "Fellow Daoist Jiang, you didn't need to make such a vow. As long as you are willing to follow me, I guarantee I will keep you safe."

He also guessed why the other party had suddenly made an Inner Demon Vow: they were about to leave the Secret Realm, and they all possessed main ingredients for the foundation establishment pill.

If they were discovered by those Family Cultivators and a Cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Stage pursued them, they might not necessarily be able to escape, even with Speed Talismans.

Ouyang Longfei suddenly said, "Boss, are you willing to take me in too?"

Li Daoxuan laughed and said, "A Formation Master like you? I would be delighted to have you, hahaha."

Ouyang Longfei nodded and said, "I, Ouyang Longfei, also take a vow: I will follow Boss for the rest of my life and never betray you. If I violate this vow, may I be plagued by Heart Demons and suffer eternal damnation."

Li Daoxuan wanted to stop him but couldn't, nor did he intend to, because after taking such a vow, he could rest assured in using them.

"Hey, Brother Ouyang, there was no need to take a vow. And you too, Fellow Daoist Jiang. From now on, we are all our own people."

Zhou Qing was very tempted, but in the end, he held back. He had to go back and discuss it with Ming Ya; this was not something he could decide on his own.

Jiang Liyuan smiled and said, "Sir, from now on, this old Daoist will follow you."

Li Daoxuan shook his head and said, "Why call me 'Sir'? Just like Ouyang, just call me 'Boss'. Old Jiang, don't be so formal."

He could now completely trust Jiang Liyuan and Ouyang Longfei; after all, the Inner Demon Vow in this world was no laughing matter.

Since they had taken the vow, Li Daoxuan would absolutely not treat them poorly.

He had originally thought about adopting some talented children to cultivate his own force, but now he suddenly felt that this was not bad either.

His mindset from his previous life had made him forget that this was a world of cultivation, where vows taken could actually come true.

Other vows might not matter, but an Inner Demon Vow must be upheld, otherwise, one would truly be plagued by Heart Demons.

Thinking of this, Li Daoxuan took two High Grade Magical Artifacts from his Storage Pouch and handed them to Jiang Liyuan and Ouyang Longfei, saying, "Since you are following me, consider these as gifts. I will not treat my own people poorly."

Since he had accepted Jiang Liyuan, his previous plans would have to change.

Li Daoxuan's original plan was to let these people attract the attention of the cultivation families for him, and he had also tampered with the Speed Talismans.

As soon as these people used the Speed Talismans, a mark would be left on them. Li Daoxuan had tracking talismans in his hand, so he could know their whereabouts.

Even if they escaped from the cultivation families, they would end up becoming resources for Li Daoxuan.

Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators were not common, and those who had just achieved Foundation Establishment were the easiest to deal with.

As long as he absorbed the mana of these three people, Li Daoxuan's cultivation, which had just achieved a Breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage, would stabilize, and it was not impossible to advance even further.

Therefore, Jiang Liyuan, Zhou Qing, and Ming Ya were human resources prepared by Li Daoxuan for himself.

No matter how many foundation establishment pills he had, they were of little use to him, but after Foundation Establishment, absorbing the mana of those in the Qi Refining Stage was like a drop in the bucket.

Many Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators were very powerful, and he was not their match, so he could only cultivate his own.

However, since Jiang Liyuan had become his subordinate, he could not treat him like that, and the remaining Zhou Qing also seemed very tempted.

Li Daoxuan was a bit bewildered. What was going on? Everyone was thinking of submitting to him—was his personal charisma that great?

This was fine too. He had originally planned to establish his own force, and now it was good: Jiang Liyuan, Ouyang Longfei, and perhaps even The Zhou couple.

That was already four people; in the future, whatever he wanted to do would be much more convenient.

In particular, the three of them—Jiang Liyuan and the others—were very likely to achieve a Breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage, and Ouyang Longfei was the same.

He believed that as long as he provided the resources, Ouyang Longfei's achievements would not be too low.

Thinking of this, Li Daoxuan smiled and said, "We should head back. Old Zhou, don't let your wife wait too anxiously."

When Zhou Qing heard the words "Old Zhou," his heart couldn't help but stir. Li Daoxuan had started calling Jiang Liyuan "Old Jiang," and now he was "Old Zhou," which meant...

However, he dared not agree to anything, as he still had to get past Ming Ya.

"Mm, let's go back."

The four of them steered their flying Magical Artifacts and flew towards the valley, arriving there before long.

The valley remained very quiet. Ming Ya had an Immortal Cave to herself, while the others lived in another large Immortal Cave.

Li Daoxuan suddenly said, "Ouyang, Old Jiang, come with me."

Jiang Liyuan nodded, naturally understanding Li Daoxuan's intention. He couldn't help but pat Zhou Qing on the shoulder before following Li Daoxuan away.

Zhou Qing hesitated for a moment before walking into the Immortal Cave. Seeing his wife healing her injuries, he didn't know how to bring it up.

Feeling someone enter, Ming Ya couldn't help but open her eyes. Seeing that it was Zhou Qing, a smile appeared on her face.

"Husband, you're back? Did it go smoothly this time?"

Zhou Qing nodded slightly and said, "Wife, the trip was very smooth, but..."

Ming Ya asked in confusion, "Husband, if there is something on your mind, just say it."

Only then did Zhou Qing speak, "It's like this. When we went out this time, Jiang Liyuan and Ouyang Longfei were with us, but on the way back, they both took vows to follow Li Daoxuan."

Ming Ya couldn't help but frown and asked, "Could it be that Li Daoxuan wants to force us to submit to him?"

Zhou Qing shook his head and said, "That is not the case. It is just that after witnessing Li Daoxuan's true combat strength, I discovered that he is not that simple. I fear he might be a powerful Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator who has suppressed his cultivation."

Ming Ya was taken aback and asked, "Is what you say true? Then what is his purpose in coming here?"

Zhou Qing shook his head and said, "I don't know either, but trying to escape after going out this time will likely be very difficult."