Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

Chapter 668: Chapter 355: Liuli’s Provocation, Arrogance Curbed, Solo Cauldron Raising, Meticulous Planning

So it goes.

[Broken Demon Spear]

[Skill Level: 16123/35000 Perfection]

[Five Viscera Avoiding Dross and Gathering Yang Scripture · Five Viscera Chapter]

[Skill Level: 21699/24000 Great Success]

[Only I have a Heart Skill]

[Skill Level: 1239/2000 Mastery]

[Golden Light Technique]

[Skill Level: 12/100]

Advancing side by side, the momentum is steady yet fierce. Nangong Liuli often sparred with him, though she was eventually defeated, barely able to protect herself, and ambushed by younger talents, her progress was noticeable.

On the eighth of March, spring was warming the earth, and the winter snow had fully melted. The island was covered in countless flowers, dazzling in a riot of colors.

On this day, Li Xian and Nangong Liuli discussed planning for the Treasure Tripod. The essence in Li Xian’s body was fully digested, requiring "Essence Food" to replenish. Although Nangong Liuli’s martial arts had progressed, her cultivation had been stagnant for some time. Both were inexperienced, exchanging helpless glances as they struggled to advance the matter. Li Xian, born a Hunter, had practiced martial arts till now, benefiting from Mrs.’s Essence Treasure and occasionally acquiring Human Yellow Essence Treasure, but had never independently prepared a Tripod. Nangong Liuli, being quite knowledgeable, had family protection, and thus never had to labor over such tasks.

Nangong Liuli calculated the accounts; they had a total of "seven hundred and ninety-four taels" of silver. Including "Golden Embryo Jade Liquid" totalling ninety-four jugs, which were greatly valuable, each jug worth two hundred taels. They possessed more than twenty thousand taels in silver.

Preparing the Tripod requires purchasing Essence Meat, charcoal, dew, renting the Treasure Tripod, arranging banquets, recruiting disciples... numerous tasks which come with a huge financial cost. Li Xian had learned the basics from Han Zishi about preparing the Tripod, knowing a rough strategy. Yet Han Zishi was quite shrewd, spending wisely and understanding the methods clearly and thoroughly, only spending a little over three thousand seven hundred taels. Li Xian found it difficult to imitate, likely spending much more.

The funds were sufficient, but the "Golden Embryo Jade Liquid" had to be sold. Nangong Liuli said, "Golden Embryo Jade Liquid is considered a luxury, though common counties and towns have families entrenched there, able to produce several thousand taels, even tens of thousands. But dealing with them, sure to face price suppression. Besides, we are quite young, despite your cleverness, the myriad tactics of Jianghu are difficult to completely avoid. Inevitably, we might fall into traps, and if these items attract coveting eyes, it would add further trouble. We find it difficult to manage."

"Hence, all luxurious items are mostly sold in Jade City. Jade City is the richest city in the world; I’ve heard of this long ago. But the journey to Jade City is a long distant road. By the time you gather enough silver, it’s a long, long time... I... I can’t bear for you to go."

Nangong Liuli was unwilling to separate. Li Xian joked, "Sister Liuli can’t bear for me to leave, so you can bully me every day?" Nangong Liuli’s eyes reddened, saying, "You’re joking, you’re really annoying."

Li Xian said, "I also can’t bear to leave Sister Liuli. Rarely do I return, I only want to stay with you for a while longer." Nangong Liuli said, "Then what to do? Though I hope you stay with me, but... Martial Arts should progress forward. If you stall for me, I would not wish for that. You... should go to Jade City."

Li Xian said, "What’s the rush for this matter, furthermore, I don’t have a flower boat, how can I just leave? Should I carry this batch of Golden Embryo Jade Liquid by myself? Ultimately need the elders’ transportation, to ride on a favorable wind ship."

Nangong Liuli imagined the scene, chuckled aloud, bouncing joyfully, knowing Li Xian wouldn’t leave in such a brief time. Asked, "Then what shall we do? Slow and steady, gathering enough silver before preparing the Tripod?"

Li Xian pondered for a moment, said, "Certainly not. That would take too long, months might not be enough. In today’s plan, we may have to borrow money to prepare the Tripod, with over seven hundred and ninety taels, borrowing three thousand taels is sufficient."

Nangong Liuli said, "Perhaps not enough, borrowing four thousand taels would be safer." Li Xian sighed, "Unexpectedly carrying such a huge debt, truly poignant."

Nangong Liuli laughed, "No matter the debt is large, we can repay it together."

Li Xian paced back and forth, discussing Tripod preparation details. How to save money. Nangong Liuli took notes, occasionally offering opinions.

Vaguely outlined a small booklet for Tripod preparation. From evening to late night, from late night to dawn.

The moonlight was bright, and in that stone pavilion. The candlelight flickered softly, illuminating the duo.

Meticulously calculating, one stroke at a time, together. The resourceful youth from a poor background, continuously offering clever strategies, though not necessarily feasible. The young girl who never worried about money, skilled in managing the household, kept the accounts, rejecting firmly when needed, without a hint of leniency. Feeling heartache when spending more, if finding a way to cleverly avoid certain expenses, felt delighted as if discovering a great treasure.

Though worried and troubled over finances, they also put forth efforts in unity.

(ps: Approaching the solo Tripod preparation, a little spoiler, next a mysterious character will make an appearance; feel free to guess who it might be.)