Chapter 16: The Bai Family’s Old Ancestor, Rumors
Chapter 16: Chapter 16: The Bai Family’s Old Ancestor, Rumors
After Li Ping announced his decision to stop recruiting new members, he scanned the faces of the others, observing their reactions.
They were all clearly surprised, apparently not expecting Li Ping to make such a decision.
This was especially true for Gumu Sheng. He had already scouted a fifteen-year-old Loose Cultivator who had just begun their journey on the Immortal Dao, and he was planning to recommend him to Li Ping for consideration.
But now that Li Ping had decided to stop recruiting, it seemed that plan would have to be shelved.
’It seems Big Brother isn’t planning to break his Dao Heart oath, but he’s unwilling to put any more effort into the Friends Association. After all, he’s already reached Foundation Establishment. We were the last ones to get on board,’ Gumu Sheng thought to himself.
In fact, he had long been prepared for the possibility that Li Ping would break his oath and leave the Immortal City for another country after successfully reaching Foundation Establishment.
After so many years in business, aside from his minimum annual contribution to the Foundation Establishment Fund, he had managed to save up a good number of Spirit Stones. It was still a far cry from what he needed for a Foundation Establishment Pill, though.
But by the time he reached the Peak of Qi Refining, he should be close to having enough.
So, the fact that Big Brother hadn’t skipped town was already the best possible outcome for him. He didn’t much care about anything else.
On the other hand, Zhang Tie didn’t seem to grasp the reason for Li Ping’s decision. "Big Brother, why?" he asked in surprise.
Hearing Zhang Tie’s question, Gumu Sheng couldn’t help but shake his head. ’This Second Brother of his really isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed.’
’Why even ask such an obvious question? How many Foundation Establishment Cultivators are there in the entire Immortal City?’
’A single Foundation Establishment Pill costs thousands of Spirit Stones. Even if Big Brother wasn’t thinking about his own future Cultivation, he wouldn’t waste his time helping the association earn more Spirit Stones.’
’The six of them were probably the absolute limit of what Big Brother was willing to take on.’
’Besides, what good would recruiting more new members do for Big Brother anyway?’
Li Ping glanced at Zhang Tie. Seeing that his expression wasn’t feigned and that he was simply being blunt, Li Ping smiled and explained, "Now that I’ve reached Foundation Establishment, I’ll naturally be contributing at least 100 Spirit Stones to the Foundation Establishment Fund every year. There’s no need to bring in more members."
Seeing that Zhang Tie still looked confused, he continued, "If we were to bring in more members, you would all have to contribute to their Foundation Establishment in the future. I’m also worried that would affect your own cultivation. So, stopping recruitment is beneficial for me and for all of you. Understand?"
Zhang Tie nodded, realization dawning on his face. "Oh, I see. You’re always so considerate, Big Brother."
Gumu Sheng rolled his eyes internally, but words of agreement came tumbling out of his mouth. "I agree with Big Brother’s decision. Our Friends Association is now a Foundation Establishment Level organization. If we let just anyone join, wouldn’t that be letting them off too easy? I think the seven of us are plenty."
Li Ping shot Gumu Sheng an appreciative glance. Although this third brother of his had a rather poor Spiritual Root and didn’t follow his every command, he was perceptive and handled things in a way that satisfied Li Ping.
...
Since Li Ping, Zhang Tie, and Gumu Sheng all agreed—though of course, it was mainly Li Ping’s agreement that mattered—the decision to stop recruiting new members was settled. From now on, the Friends Association’s membership would be fixed at the seven of them.
After that, the seven of them exchanged information and shared their plans for the future, getting feedback from the others to patch up any holes in their thinking.
The discussion continued, and before they knew it, midnight had arrived.
At the end of the banquet, as was customary, Li Ping personally gave the other six pointers on their cultivation, causing all of their faces to light up with joy.
Receiving personal guidance from a Foundation Establishment Cultivator was not an opportunity that came along for just anyone.
One after another, they seized the opportunity to ask Li Ping about the problems they had encountered in their cultivation.
...
The banquet didn’t end until dawn.
Zhang Tie, Gumu Sheng, Cheng Yao, and the others left one by one, until finally, only Li Ping and Bai Qing remained in the courtyard.
Seeing Bai Qing hesitating as if he wanted to say something, Li Ping asked, "Bai Qing, is there something else?"
Bai Qing nodded quickly. "Big Brother, the Old Ancestor of the Bai family would like to meet with you. He has something he wishes to discuss. The Old Ancestor is in the Immortal City right now. If it’s convenient for you, I can ask him to come and pay you a visit."
"Your family’s Old Ancestor wants to see me?" Li Ping smiled and nodded. "A meeting is no problem, of course. But your family’s Old Ancestor is my senior; it’s only proper that I visit him. You can lead me there."
A look of immense joy spread across Bai Qing’s face upon hearing Li Ping’s words. "Yes, Big Brother!"
...
As far as Li Ping knew, the Bai family had recently held a grand 200th birthday celebration for their Old Ancestor.
Two hundred years was an advanced age, even for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
After all, while a Foundation Establishment Cultivator’s lifespan could theoretically reach 240 years, for a Cultivator on the Immortal Dao, Magical Combat was always unavoidable.
And once engaged in Magical Combat, it was easy to sustain injuries that would damage one’s Origin and shorten one’s life.
Therefore, Foundation Establishment Cultivators who actually lived to the end of their natural lifespans were few and far between.
A Cultivator who focused solely on self-preservation, never fighting or seizing opportunities, might live longer than their peers. But without fighting and seizing, it was nearly impossible to even reach Foundation Establishment.
...
When Li Ping arrived at the Bai family’s residence in the Immortal City, the family’s Old Ancestor was personally standing in the courtyard to greet him.
He had white hair yet a youthful face and a ruddy complexion. However, the faint dark aura lingering between his eyebrows, along with the deep-set wrinkles and age spots on his face, indicated that the Bai family’s Old Ancestor was not in good health.
"Haha... Fellow Daoist Li! I’ve heard Qing’Er speak time and again of how remarkable his Big Brother is. At last, I get to meet you in person." The Bai family’s Old Ancestor laughed heartily as Li Ping stepped into the courtyard.
Li Ping smiled in return. "I can’t compare to you, Fellow Daoist Bai. You’re as vigorous as ever."
"You’re too kind, Fellow Daoist Li. Come in, come in!" A pleased expression appeared on the Old Ancestor’s face at the compliment, and he invited Li Ping into the main hall to take a seat.
Shortly after they were seated, a Bai family cultivator served them Spirit Tea, then obediently excused himself at a look from the Old Ancestor.
Even Bai Qing left of his own accord, leaving only Li Ping and the Bai family’s Old Ancestor in the hall.
Watching Bai Qing’s departing figure, the Bai family’s Old Ancestor suddenly gave a solemn, cupped-fist salute. "That child, my Qing’Er, suffered a great deal in his youth. It’s thanks to you, Fellow Daoist Li, that he has been so well looked after. On behalf of the Bai family, I thank you."
Li Ping quickly moved to stop the Old Ancestor’s gesture. "Please, Fellow Daoist Bai, there’s no need for that. Although Bai Qing is a cultivator of the Bai family, he calls me Big Brother. It is only right that I look after him."
"You speak reason, Fellow Daoist Li. It was I who misspoke," the Old Ancestor said with a smile, readily conceding the point.
After chatting for a while, the Bai family’s Old Ancestor suddenly spoke up. "Speaking of which, there have been quite a few rumors about you circulating in the Immortal City these past few days. I imagine you haven’t heard them yet."
"Oh? Rumors about me?" Li Ping asked, puzzled.