Investment Returns: Starting with funding the enemy, that's my master's wife.

Chapter 10: Winning Over Ning Hanruo – Taking the Initiative!

Li Chang'an wasn't really sure either, but the die was cast, and he had no choice but to go ahead. Either way, he was going to die anyway.

Immediately, he exhaled foul air from his nostrils and waved his hand.

"How's it going in a week?"

"A week?"

Su Moxue was clearly not satisfied with Li Chang'an's answer. Although cultivators have a lifespan of hundreds or thousands of years, things can still change within a week.

Su Moxue held up three fingers.

"Three days! My master's wife will be going to the Cangyun Sect in three days. I hope Chang'an can make the necessary preparations."

As soon as the voice faded, Su Muxue's figure disappeared.

Watching Su Moxue's disappearing figure, Li Chang'an frowned and muttered to himself.

"There are only three days left, and we must win over the Grand Elder during this time."

But things have come to this point, and if he doesn't immediately win Ning Hanruo over to his side, Li Chang'an's situation will be in grave danger once Niu Le and Wang Chengye tell Ning Hanruo about his conspiracy with the Hehuan Sect.

"If that doesn't work, we'll have to deal with Ning Hanruo to prevent any unforeseen complications!"

A light drizzle began to fall outside the window, and the wooden windows of the sect leader's mansion creaked softly in the gentle breeze.

Li Chang'an looked out the window and pondered for a moment.

Right now, Li Chang'an wants to deal with Long Ning Hanruo swiftly and decisively, but he is not confident in his ability to do so.

Moreover, this would force Li Chang'an to fight a Golden Core Peak cultivator all by himself.

Even with the fourth-tier longsword Desert, he might not be able to hold out for long with the support of a fifth-grade golden core.

The more Li Chang'an thought about it, the more agitated he became, while the drizzle outside the window gradually intensified.

"We must go to the Grand Elder's residence for a discussion!"

Li Chang'an looked at his palm, clenched his fist, and the door was blown open by a strong gust of wind.

With a snap.

"If Ning Han can join me in attacking the Qinglan Sect, then everything will be much easier."

"If not..."

The sound disappeared there, and a strong, blood-red killing intent appeared in Li Chang'an's eyes.

The elders' residences were deserted, raindrops dripped from the eaves, making the blue bricks damp, and the sounds of rain and wind could be heard not far away.

Li Chang'an arrived at the elders' residence. He looked straight ahead and a simple courtyard came into view.

Boots pounded in the rain as he strode forward.

Pushing open the courtyard door, a fragrant aroma of plum blossoms wafted over.

"Sect Leader Li, what brings you to my place?"

The voice, carrying a chill, entered Li Chang'an's ears.

Judging from his tone, Li Chang'an could roughly confirm that Ning Hanruo was unaware of Wang Chengye and Niu Le's betrayal.

Li Chang'an then cupped his hands slightly and said...

"Elder Ning has taken on a fine disciple; how could I, the sect master, not come to congratulate him?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Ning Hanruo's figure appeared. She was still wearing the same black dress she wore that morning, and her bare legs were accentuated by the green grass in the courtyard, giving them a delicate fragrance.

Ning Hanru crossed her arms, glanced at Li Chang'an from head to toe, and snorted coldly.

"Oh, Sect Leader Li is really generous. He said he was congratulating you, but he came empty-handed."

Upon hearing Ning Hanruo's answer, Li Chang'an scratched the back of his head and gave an awkward laugh.

"Elder Ning, didn't I just give Qingjian a low-grade third-tier spiritual weapon?"

Upon hearing this, Ning Hanruo's face darkened. She took a step back, turned her back to Li Chang'an, and replied irritably.

"The spiritual artifact I just gave you, you immediately gave it away to someone else, and Sect Leader Li still has the nerve to bring it up?"

Li Chang'an followed closely behind Ning Hanruo, forcing a smile. He wanted to continue expressing his sincerity, but Ning Hanruo interrupted him with a gesture.

She turned her head calmly, and the chill emanating from her made Li Chang'an freeze in place.

"What brings Sect Leader Li to see me?"

"It's probably not just simple congratulations!"

"It's nothing..."

Seeing Li Chang'an's troubled expression, Ning Hanruo's eyes narrowed, and she gave a soft shout.

"explain!"

Her expression and tone made it seem as if Ning Hanruo were the true sect leader of the entire Cangyun Sect.

Seeing Ning Hanruo's rather arrogant demeanor, Li Chang'an immediately dropped his previous obsequious attitude.

His imposing presence clashed with Ning Hanruo's, the drizzling rain was swept away by their combined aura, and a sudden gust of wind arose.

"Has your strength improved again in just half a day?"

Or perhaps...

"You've been hiding something all along!"

Ning Hanruo's tone was sharp, and a top-grade third-tier longsword appeared in her hand, indicating that she was ready to attack at the slightest provocation.

Li Chang'an smiled.

"Elder Ning, you're overthinking it!"

"We're all in this together. Even if we're hiding our strength, it's all for the sake of the entire Cangyun Sect, isn't it?"

Li Chang'an's words were true. To outsiders, the Cangyun Sect only had Ning Hanruo, a Golden Core cultivator whose strength was comparable to the peak of the Golden Core stage.

If some powerful forces wanted to destroy the Cangyun Sect, sending out a cultivator at the peak of the Golden Core stage or a cultivator at the Great Completion of the Golden Core stage would be enough to wipe out the Cangyun Sect.

Why wouldn't a powerful force be happy to acquire the foundation of a sect at the lowest possible cost?

In Li Chang'an's view, the major powers' misjudgment of the strength of their Cangyun Sect was indeed an important opportunity for the Cangyun Sect to catch its breath.

Ning Hanruo was well aware of Li Chang'an's thoughts, but she was dissatisfied with her inability to grasp the current strength of the Cangyun Sect.

"As expected of the Sect Master of Cangyun Sect, he has thought of everything!"

"This elder has lived for over a hundred years, I'm old, and I don't think about these things anymore!"

Ning Hanruo tossed her long hair to hide her dissatisfaction and walked towards the house.

Li Chang'an then took the opportunity to step forward and push open the wooden door for Ning Hanruo.

"Elder Ning, where are you old? Who said that? I, Li Chang'an, am the first to disagree!"

At this point, Li Chang'an patted his chest and plopped down on a wooden chair inside the room.

"Elder Ning of my Cangyun Sect has a face like a peach blossom; from afar she looks like an eighteen-year-old girl, and up close she definitely looks like an eighteen-year-old girl!"

Looking at Li Chang'an's smiling face, Ning Hanruo closed her eyes and shook her head.

"I told you! What a smooth-talking fellow. I don't know how Ren Haotian could have taken on a disciple like you."

Li Chang'an took the opportunity to pick up the purple clay teapot on the table next to him, shook it, and felt that there was still some tea inside, so he poured two cups of tea.

Looking at Ning Hanruo, Li Chang'an gestured for her to sit next to him.

Ning Hanruo said irritably as she sat down.

"Sect Master is really not being polite."

She took a sip of tea and gave Li Chang'an a cold look.

Immediately, Li Chang'an's serious voice broke the deadlock.

"We will be attacking the Qinglan Sect in three days. Elder Ning, we request your participation!"

"What?!"

Hearing Li Chang'an's words, Ning Hanruo's heart clenched, and she almost choked on the tea she had just put in her mouth.

She couldn't believe it; she never expected that this young sect leader, Li Chang'an, who had been cowering like an old dog in front of her, would make such a bold decision.

This isn't just bold, it's insane! He's gambling with the future of the entire Cangyun Sect!

Li Chang'an nodded slightly, his eyes resolute.

"Elder Ning, our sect and the Qinglan Sect share borders; this battle is inevitable!"

"Moreover, from an outsider's perspective, we are now at their mercy, and taking the initiative might still offer a glimmer of hope."