Facing Xu Tianhao's praise, Li Ming showed no intention of taking credit.
His face remained sincere, and he steadily held the god-locking ring, presenting it again:
"Sixth Highness overstates it. This subordinate's achievements today are all thanks to Your Highness's promotion."
"If not for Your Highness bestowing resources and inviting Hall Master Hongchen to guide me in the essence of spirit tool crafting, this subordinate would probably still be lingering at the threshold of an eighth-rank Soul Engineer, unable to advance an inch in this lifetime."
"This small matter is merely my duty; it does not warrant such praise from Your Highness."
Xu Tianhao smiled as he took the god-locking ring and said, "I'll thank Meng on your behalf first. You've rendered a great service this time, and you should be heavily rewarded."
"The spirit tool crafting resources and Cultivation materials you previously needed, I have already ordered people to prepare them, not a single bit less."
With that, Xu Tianhao took a storage spirit tool from his Huai and handed it to Li Ming.
This storage spirit tool was filled with various rare spirit tool metals and core Formation blueprints, enough to elevate Li Ming's spirit tool crafting skills to the next level.
Combining grace with might, and clear rewards and punishments, is the best way to win people's hearts.
To make subordinates work diligently, one must provide sufficient returns.
As the saying goes, if you want the horse to run, you must feed it enough grass.
Moreover, Li Ming's talent in crafting Seal-type spirit tools is unique, and he will be of great use in the future.
Spending these resources to help him grow is not a waste, but a very cost-effective long-term investment.
Li Ming looked at the storage spirit tool before him, a flicker of desire in his eyes.
These resources were exactly what he most urgently needed; if he could obtain them, his research in the spirit tool Domain would advance by leaps and bounds.
However, he did not immediately reach out to take it. Instead, he took a slight step back, his expression growing even more respectful:
"Sixth Highness, this subordinate's work for you is out of willingness, not for these gold, silver, or Cultivation resources."
Li Ming's voice grew even more respectful: "This subordinate sincerely wishes to repay your kindness in recognizing my talent. Please take it back, Your Highness."
Xu Tianhao naturally knew his thoughts, smiling and shaking his head, his tone carrying a hint of undeniable authority: "There's a reason I'm rewarding you."
"I'm giving you these resources not merely as a reward, but so you can better research spirit tools in the future."
"To make more contributions to me and to the Empire, and to better repay my kindness in recognizing your talent, so you don't need to decline; just accept it."
These words not only gave Li Ming an out but also elucidated the deeper meaning.
Li Ming was deeply moved, knowing that His Highness truly cared for him. He no longer declined, reverently took the storage spirit tool with both hands, and bowed:
"This subordinate obeys. Thank you for Your Highness's generosity. This subordinate will surely not disappoint Your Highness's expectations."
Carefully putting away the storage spirit tool, the excitement on Li Ming's face reappeared. He stepped forward, lowered his voice, and spoke with a hint of mystery:
"Sixth Highness, this trip to the Far North, besides finding this Ice Jade Scorpion for Young Miss Meng Hongchen, this subordinate also had another enormous gain."
Xu Tianhao's heart stirred, but his face remained calm as he waited for the rest.
Li Ming took a deep breath and took out his Peak work—the god-sealing platform.
The god-sealing platform floated in mid-air, within it a pure white light mass thrashed violently, its aura extremely volatile, constantly impacting the god-sealing platform's Seal.
Waves of icy cold power emanated, and even through the Seal, one could feel the terrifying power and untamed will contained within.
Xu Tianhao feigned confusion, furrowing his brows as he looked at the god-sealing platform and asked, "What is this object?"
Seeing this, Li Ming revealed a smug and mysterious smile, lowering his voice, his tone filled with excitement:
"Your Highness, sealed within this god-sealing platform is a transformed hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast!"
"This subordinate was in the depths of the Far North and happened upon its critical period of transformation and re-Cultivation, when its power was weakest and its defenses most relaxed."
"This subordinate seized this once-in-a-lifetime Opportunity, used the god-sealing platform to capture it in one fell swoop, without alarming any other Spirit Beasts in the Far North."
Upon hearing this, Xu Tianhao's eyes flashed with a well-timed, genuine surprise, and his tone carried a hint of approval:
"I can't believe you had such an Opportunity to capture a transformed hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast in the Far North."
"Such an encounter is truly rare. It seems sending you to the Far North was the most correct decision."
Li Ming quickly held the god-sealing platform with both hands, respectfully offering it, his tone sincere:
"This item is a rare treasure, priceless. This subordinate's status is humble, making it difficult to keep, and I dare not hide it privately. I specially brought it to Your Highness for disposal, according to Your Highness's arrangements."
Xu Tianhao looked at the god-sealing platform before him, his heart already churning. He knew that what was sealed within was undoubtedly the Snow Empress!
But his face remained calm; he did not immediately take it, but instead looked at Li Ming, praising him with a smile: "Li Ming, this time, you've broadened your path."
Upon hearing this, Li Ming immediately understood that His Highness was extremely satisfied with his performance. He chuckled, scratching his head:
"As Your Highness's subordinate, I naturally must consider everything for Your Highness; everything is to serve Your Highness."
Only then did Xu Tianhao reach out and take the god-sealing platform, his fingertips touching the body of the platform, clearly feeling the Snow Empress's volatile emotions and powerful strength within.
He nodded in satisfaction: "Very well, I shall accept this item."
After a pause, Xu Tianhao looked at Li Ming, his tone solemn: "Your capture of this hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast is an immense merit."
"The subsequent heavy rewards, and rare resources corresponding to the value of this item, I will have someone deliver to your residence immediately. You just wait patiently."
Fearing that Li Ming would decline again as he had just now, Xu Tianhao added: "You don't need to be modest and decline again. This is your deserved reward; what I give you, you can accept with peace of mind, no need to overthink it."
Changing his tone, Xu Tianhao then threw out an even greater temptation, his voice calm but weighty:
"By the way, my teacher will be coming to Haoyu Palace tomorrow to guide me in Cultivation. You should come along too."
"If you have any doubts or Bottlenecks in spirit tool crafting, you can ask my teacher directly. He has a broad vision and profound attainments; he will surely be able to resolve your confusion."
As these words were spoken, Li Ming instantly stood frozen in place, then his face filled with wild joy, no longer able to suppress his inner excitement.
Li Ming immediately knelt down with a thud, bowing his head to Xu Tianhao, his voice trembling:
"Th-thank you, Your Highness, for your great kindness! This subordinate is endlessly grateful!"
The Sixth Highness's teacher was Kong Deming, the number one Soul Engineer of the Sun Moon Empire.
He was a grandmaster in the field of spirit tools across the entire Douluo Continent, someone even Hall Master of Mingde Hall Jing Hongchen would call 'teacher'.
He was Li Ming's idol since childhood, an existence he longed to look up to and seek guidance from his entire life.
Ordinarily, Kong Deming lived a secluded life; it was harder than ascending to heaven for ordinary Soul Engineers to even meet him, let alone receive his personal guidance.
Now, the Sixth Highness not only wanted to bestow upon him massive resources comparable in value to a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast, but also gave him the Opportunity to meet Kong Deming and receive personal guidance.
Coupled with the constant favor from the Sixth Highness, the number one Genius of the Sun Moon Empire, Li Ming felt that his trip to the Far North had truly brought him a huge fortune.
This favor was ten thousand times more precious than any amount of resources!
Seeing this, Xu Tianhao quickly reached out to help Li Ming up, his tone amiable: "Between you and me, as ruler and subject, there's no need for such a grand Rites."
"This is an Opportunity you deserve. Just seize it well tomorrow, and don't disappoint my intentions."
Li Ming stood up, still unable to hide his excitement, filled with vigor: "Yes! This subordinate obeys!"
"I will definitely arrive on time tomorrow and cherish this Opportunity, never disappointing Your Highness's kindness!"
Watching Li Ming's sincere and spirited demeanor, Xu Tianhao was quite satisfied.
After this round of rewards and promises, Li Ming's loyalty to him was now unbreakable.