"I understand."
Ding Chunqiu responded respectfully, his heart growing heavy.
Li Daoqiang was truly difficult to deal with.
The others shared the same thought.
As they gazed at that figure, many couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.
No wonder he had not only reached the level of a peerless expert at such a young age but also built the Black Dragon Stronghold from scratch to its current state.
Setting everything else aside, just the principle of "following the rules" alone was something the vast majority of people could never match.
Looking across the world.
No matter who or what, nothing could truly escape these three words.
And when they thought carefully about all of Li Daoqiang's actions, they couldn't help but marvel.
He had likely taken these three words to their absolute limit.
Seeming reckless and unrestrained, he had always operated within the bounds of the rules.
There was no arrogance whatsoever.
He saw things clearly.
A man like this, combined with his unfathomable strength, could only be described as terrifying.
Having realized this, they couldn't help but reflect on themselves.
Various thoughts arose, and even Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling found themselves feeling a newfound sense of认同 and anticipation toward the Black Dragon Stronghold.
It was simple.
They themselves lacked sufficient strength and backing.
If they wanted others to follow the rules for them, to gain more privileges and reduce the constraints binding them, then the Black Dragon Stronghold—Li Daoqiang—was the best path.
Ou Jinghao couldn't help but recall what Li Daoqiang had said to him yesterday.
Worry crept in.
The rules Li Daoqiang adhered to clearly didn't include him.
So why hadn't he forced Ou Jinghao to join the Black Dragon Stronghold?
Was it because he wasn't worth it, not valued enough, so Li Daoqiang wouldn't break his own rules for him?
Inside the carriage, Li Qingluo's eyes unconsciously shimmered with a strange brilliance.
Jiumozhi sat in silent contemplation, feeling somewhat relieved. Li Daoqiang's meaning was clear—he wouldn't force him.
But on the other hand, his heart grew heavier.
Li Daoqiang's words echoed in his mind.
Had he truly strayed from the right path?
If he hadn't, would he have reached the level of a peerless expert by now?
The atmosphere in the group grew oddly quiet again.
Li Daoqiang paid it no mind, content to let these people think more, think deeper.
He liked clever people who could think and weigh pros and cons.
Such people were easier to control.
He didn't like dealing with those who had no regard for life or death—too troublesome.
As for those words?
They were deliberately spoken for them to hear.
Consider it a warning.
Those who don't follow the rules will never come to a good end.
He hadn't known this before either.
But as he experienced more, it naturally took root in his mind.
A truly mature person would understand this truth.
And they would understand even more clearly what happens when you break the rules.
He stopped thinking about it and shifted his focus to cultivation.
The essence of the Descending Dragon.
Under deliberate control, there was no disturbance.
The journey back was swift.
After more than ten days, they returned to the Black Dragon Stronghold.
The people from the Three Jue Palace had already arrived. They paid the money and took Ou Jinghao away.
Li Daoqiang didn't stop them in the slightest, letting him go without hesitation.
No one thought much of it.
Although Li Daoqiang had once shown regard for Ou Jinghao, he was just a young man who hadn't even reached the Grandmaster realm.
It was only natural that Li Daoqiang didn't value him enough to break the Black Dragon Stronghold's rules.
Only Ou Jinghao himself was unsettled.
Because as he left, Li Daoqiang gave him a parting message:
"When you feel there's no way forward, the Black Dragon Stronghold will always welcome you."
Those words made him feel valued, even flattered.
After all, at this moment, the gap between him and Li Daoqiang was immense.
A mere Xiantian-level youth, yet he had earned Li Daoqiang's regard.
If word got out, his reputation would soar instantly.
He was a little excited, but also burdened.
If Li Daoqiang said that, did it mean he would truly face a dead end in the future?
He had great confidence in himself.
But facing Li Daoqiang, he couldn't help but feel a trace of unease and anxiety.
Li Daoqiang, however, didn't dwell on it much.
He had high hopes for Ou Jinghao, but that was all.
For now, Ou Jinghao was still just a Xiantian. To truly grow, he would need plenty of trials and opportunities.
That's why he hadn't forced him to join the Black Dragon Stronghold.
In the stronghold, Ou Jinghao certainly wouldn't encounter such vast opportunities.
Li Daoqiang was just planting a seed.
Who knew? It might yield unexpected surprises later.
For now, he was more focused on cultivating Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling.
Similarly, these two young men wouldn't achieve what they did in the original story without ample trials and opportunities.
So he considered letting them go out and explore.
After all, they had already joined the Black Dragon Stronghold.
As long as he remained strong, once a member of the Black Dragon Stronghold, always a member.
He wasn't worried about them losing control or leaving.
Of course, even if he planned to let them venture out, there was no rush.
At the very least, he'd wait until they had truly integrated into the stronghold.
Ou Jinghao was a minor matter. The bigger issue was still Jiumozhi.
By now, news of Jiumozhi's capture by Li Daoqiang had spread.
After all, he was the national preceptor of Tubo, a man of considerable strength and status.
It had drawn quite a bit of attention.
Within the Black Dragon Stronghold, vigilance had increased, given that they were dealing with an entire nation.
But Jiumozhi himself seemed to have calmed down.
His expression grew more peaceful by the day.
Li Daoqiang found it somewhat surprising and thoughtful.
Perhaps he had actually helped this martial arts fanatic.
But he didn't dwell on it.
On the fifth day back at the Black Dragon Stronghold, after handling the accumulated affairs of the past month, he met with Jiumozhi again.
He studied him for a few moments, then laughed heartily. "I must congratulate you, Master."
"Amitabha."
Jiumozhi bowed solemnly to Li Daoqiang and smiled. "The Stronghold Leader has keen insight. I must thank you.
If not for you, my path ahead would have been hopeless."
"Haha, that's also due to your profound Buddhist teachings."
Li Daoqiang seemed unconcerned that his efforts had yielded no immediate results. His tone grew more serious. "Master, now that I've sealed your cultivation, your Buddhist nature has suppressed everything else.
But the issue with your inner energy remains unresolved.
This is no small matter. You must not take it lightly."
He hadn't expected that what truly awakened Jiumozhi wasn't his words, but the sealing of his cultivation.
If it had been his words, Jiumozhi wouldn't be so calm now.
It was somewhat similar to how Duan Yu had absorbed Jiumozhi's cultivation in the original story.
Of course, his words might have played some role.
Jiumozhi looked at Li Daoqiang with a complex expression.
For a moment, he couldn't tell if Li Daoqiang's words were a warning—that only by joining the Black Dragon Stronghold could he solve his problems—or genuine advice.
Still, he felt grateful and bowed again. "Thank you for the reminder, Stronghold Leader."
"It's nothing. I've always been generous with talent.
As I said before, if you want to solve your problems, advance further in the martial path, or even go farther, the Black Dragon Stronghold will always welcome you." Li Daoqiang smiled warmly.
Jiumozhi's expression was solemn. He said nothing, only bowed a third time in silence.
"Master, you're too polite. Come, let's talk about the ransom.
Since we're friends now, I'll give you a ten percent discount—forty-five million taels.
That's my final offer." Li Daoqiang shifted the topic, smiling earnestly.
Jiumozhi's face stiffened.
He said helplessly, "Stronghold Leader, Tubo is small and weak. It truly cannot afford forty-five million taels of silver."
"Oh, Master, I already consider you a friend, which is why I gave you the discount. Don't push me." Li Daoqiang sighed, equally helpless.
Jiumozhi was speechless.
After a moment of silence, he said seriously, "Stronghold Leader, forty-five million taels is indeed too much. Tubo cannot bear it.
How about a trade?"
Li Daoqiang didn't speak, only gestured for him to continue.
"Fifteen million taels of silver, plus five Grandmaster-level martial arts techniques." Jiumozhi said solemnly.
Li Daoqiang's eyes showed extreme dissatisfaction.
Jiumozhi sighed inwardly and continued, "If the Stronghold Leader ever needs it in the future, as long as it doesn't harm Tubo, I am willing to act once for you.
And..."
He paused, a flicker of hesitation in his brow, then closed his eyes and sighed softly. "If I ever decide to join a faction in the future, as long as you are still here, I will choose the Black Dragon Stronghold first."
Li Daoqiang raised an eyebrow and laughed. "Master, that's just empty talk."
Jiumozhi shook his head and said nothing.
"Fine, I agree. I'll take this loss for you." Li Daoqiang suddenly agreed.
Jiumozhi's brow twitched, but he said nothing.
The man's audacity was thicker than he had imagined.
With the deal struck, Li Daoqiang's attitude improved significantly. He hosted a banquet for Jiumozhi, inviting Ding Dian and others to keep him company, treating him like a friend.
Though the silver was far less, Li Daoqiang wasn't disappointed.
He had never expected Tubo to actually pay fifty million taels.
Fifteen million taels, plus Jiumozhi's other promises, was already good.
And he genuinely looked forward to Jiumozhi joining the Black Dragon Stronghold.
Though it seemed like empty talk, he knew that when Jiumozhi said those words, it meant he was already wavering, already tempted.
Soon after returning to the stronghold, Li Daoqiang didn't stay long.
He handed Jiumozhi over to Ding Dian, unconcerned about any trouble, and headed west with Ding Chunqiu and Duan Yanqing.
The Life-Death Talisman and other things—he had been eyeing them for a long time.
The time had come.
They traveled swiftly, covering thousands of miles in just a few days.
One day.
On a peak shrouded in mist.
A sturdy figure stood in the void, eyes lightly closed, as if deep in thought.
After a moment, Li Daoqiang opened his eyes, frowning slightly.
The Spirit Vulture Palace lay just below him, but he sensed no Grandmaster-level aura.
(Chapter 2.) ......