Zheng Qiu looked at Duan Ling Tian emotionally and sighed. "Duan Ling Tian, I really didn't expect you to grow so strong in just two short years. You've become even stronger than me!"
"I am where I am today thanks to Elder Zheng Qiu for bringing me to the County Governor's estate. Without the superior cultivation environment in the County Governor's estate, I wouldn't have been able to grow so strong," Duan Ling Tian said modestly.
Zheng Qiu shook his head and laughed. "You're too humble. You were chosen by the City Governor of Bloody Specter City. Even if I didn't go, another person would still be sent there to escort you here." After a brief pause, he narrowed his eyes and asked, "Are you here to say goodbye?"
Duan Ling Tian was slightly taken aback. "Elder Zheng Qiu, how do you know that I'm leaving?"
"Lord County Governor has told me it's too dangerous for you to stay here now that your strength has been revealed. The 15 counties would definitely seek to get rid of you, they might even join hands to do that. After all, with you participating in the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties, they have no hope of taking the first place. You're an obstacle to them obtaining the three mediocre Celestial Pills, the Great Overarching Pills," Zheng Qiu replied.
Duan Ling Tian shrugged. "Well, it doesn't matter. I can seize this opportunity to travel."
"You're truly kind to remember an old man like me before you leave..." Zheng Qiu said with a smile as he looked at Duan Ling Tian. Then, he took out an exquisite little box and handed it over to Duan Ling Tian before saying, "I'm sure you're not lacking in Celestial Stones so I decided to give this pill to you."
"Pill?" Duan Ling Tian's eyes brightened when he heard the box contained a pill. He could not help but ask, "May I know what pill is it?" Since the pill was kept in an exquisite box and it belonged to an inner-estate elder of the County Governor's estate, he was sure the pill was not just an ordinary pill. Otherwise, Zheng Qiu would have stored it in an ordinary pill bottle.
Zheng Qiu replied without beating around the bush, "It's a Gilded Golden Pill."
The Gilded Golden Pill was only a primitive Celestial Pill, but it was the rarest and most precious among primitive Celestial Pills. Those who were Violet Sun Golden Celestials or below could instantly raise their cultivation base by a level after consuming the Gilded Golden Pill. Moreover, there were no side effects at all. However, one could only take the Gilded Golden Pill once in their entire lives. For Violet Sun Golden Celestials, they could improve their cultivation after taking the pill, but they would not be able to become a Great Overarching Golden Celestial. To become a Great Overarching Golden Celestial, one would have to take the Great Overarching Pill instead. Apart from not being effective for Great Overarching Golden Celestials, these pills were not suitable for Heavenly Celestials as well since their bodies would not be able to withstand the medicinal efficacy of the pill and would cause their bodies to implode. These pills were only suitable for Golden Celestials.
Zheng Qiu smiled when he saw the excitement in Duan Ling Tian's eyes. "Yes. Since you haven't become a Great Overarching Golden Celestial yet, you can use it to further improve your strength. Although its effect might not be obvious, it'll take you one step closer to becoming a Great Overarching Golden Celestial level." He was under the impression that Duan Ling Tian was already a Violet Sun Golden Celestial. It was only natural he would think that way since Duan Ling Tian was stronger than Pang Bing, the inner-estate elder in the County Governor's estate.
Duan Ling Tian took a deep breath to calm down before he asked, "Elder Zheng Qiu, why don't you keep the pill for yourself?" After all, he knew Zheng Qiu was a Violet Sun Golden Celestial. If Zheng Qiu took the pill, he would be able to get closer to becoming a Great Overarching Golden Celestial.
"I've already taken it once so it won't have any effect on me if I take it again." Zheng Qiu shook his head. Then, he added, "At that time, I obtained three Gilded Golden Pills by chance. I took one and gave one to my son who's currently the Clan Leader of the Zheng clan. This is the last Gilded Golden Pill I have. I know you'll be compensated with 300,000 prominent Celestial Stones from the Liu and Pang clans, therefore, I thought this pill is the most appropriate farewell gift for you."
"Thank you, Elder Zheng Qiu," Duan Ling Tian said appreciatively. He did not decline Zheng Qiu's goodwill, after all, the lure of the Gilded Golden Pill was too big. He was only a Yellow Sun Golden Celestial now. After taking the pill, he would instantly become a Green Sun Golden Celestial. This would save him a lot of time. He would always remember this favor in his heart.
Zheng Qiu was relieved that Duan Ling Tian did not refuse the gift. He said hesitantly, "Duan Ling Tian..."
"Elder Zheng Qiu, please don't hesitate… Please speak your mind." Duan Ling Tian smiled.
Zheng Qiu took a deep breath and said, "Duan Ling Tian, I'm sure you're aware the County Governor's estate will be rewarded with three Great Overarching Pills once you win the competition. Lord County Governor has been a profound Great Overarching Golden Celestial for a long time now without any signs of improvements since his cultivation base has stagnated. Taking two of the pills will probably help him break through to the next stage. During the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties, I hope you can suggest to Lord County Governor to bestow the remaining pill to me instead of bestowing it to Elder Pang Bing. Anyway, I don't ask that you do anything more than suggesting it to him. Regardless of who he decides to bestow the pill to, in the end, I'll still be indebted to you."
"Don't worry, Elder Zheng Qiu. I speak to the County Governor about this during the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties. If he's unwilling, I'll deliberately lose and let someone else win. I'm sure he'll know what to do at that time." Duan Ling Tian promised.
"Thank you," Zheng Qiu said. Although this might anger the County Governor since it was no different from a threat, he did not object to Duan Ling Tian's words. After all, with this, he knew he had a higher chance of obtaining the Great Overarching Pill.
Duan Ling Tian shook his head and said with a smile, "There's no need to thank me… Just treat this as an exchange for the Gilded Golden Pill." After that, he bade Zheng Qiu farewell and left.
After that, Duan Ling Tian went to bid farewell to Tian Ji Yu.
...
When Duan Ling Tian was outside the estate, he turned to look at the estate and murmured, "I won't be coming back here…" He took a longer look, committing this place to mind. After all, he had stayed in this place the longest after he had ascended to the Spirit Overarching Heaven.
Then, Duan Ling Tian went to the Liu and Pang clans to collect the 300,000 prominent Celestial Stones. He thought to himself, 'The Liu clan is, indeed, very wealthy!' Just as expected, the Pang clan could not afford to pay 200,000 prominent Celestial Stones so the Liu clan had to pay half of it. He did not encounter any difficulties when collecting the Celestial Stones since he had Tian Ji Yu's support. Otherwise, the Liu and Pang clans might not be so cooperative. He did not waste any time and left as soon as he collected the prominent Celestial Stones.
...
Three days after Duan Ling Tian had left…
Swoosh!
A white figure entered the County City of Nine Specters County and infiltrated the County Governor's estate at an extremely fast speed. Upon closer inspection, one would see the white figure hovering in the air belonged to an old lady.