Chapter 225: Going Through the Back Door
Chapter 225: Chapter 225: Going Through the Back Door
Having secured Shi Yutong’s promise regarding the Core Formation Spiritual Land.
Li Ping returned to his cave abode, satisfied, and resumed his arduous cultivation.
However, as per his agreement with Shi Yutong, he would also periodically exit his seclusion to refine pills for the Flying Snow Sect.
Normally, with the aid of the Tree of Inheritance, Li Ping’s success rate in alchemy was one hundred percent.
But to avoid being too conspicuous, he would occasionally skim off some of the Spirit Medicines and use the excuse of a ’failed refinement’ to fob off the person Shi Yutong sent.
Since his relationship with the Flying Snow Sect was already quite good, Shi Yutong placed her full trust in him.
When Li Ping performed alchemy, the person she sent wouldn’t enter the Alchemy Room to watch. Instead, they would wait dutifully in the courtyard. Once Li Ping finished refining the pills, they would take them and leave.
Of course, even after skimming off some Spirit Medicines, Li Ping’s alchemy success rate was still far higher than that of other Alchemists.
This was why no one suspected him.
In truth, Li Ping wasn’t random about which Spirit Medicines he skimmed off.
Decades ago, inside a secret cave abode in the Western Wilderness, Li Ping had obtained the items left behind by its previous senior occupant.
Among them was a Purple Qi Fruit.
Using the Purple Qi Fruit as the main ingredient, combined with several hundred other types of Spirit Medicine, one could refine the Yuan Condensing Pill, a precious pill that aids in breaking through to the Core Formation realm.
The Yuan Condensing Pill was a Tier Three pill and could increase one’s chances of reaching Core Formation by fifteen percent.
Li Ping was determined to refine this pill before attempting his own Core Formation.
Relying on his peerless talent, he had learned the refinement method for the Yuan Condensing Pill long ago.
He already had the main ingredient; all he lacked now were the several hundred supplementary Spirit Medicines.
By taking advantage of his alchemy work for the Flying Snow Sect, Li Ping had the perfect opportunity to slowly accumulate them.
At the same time, he would occasionally visit shops in the city, spreading out his purchases of the required Spirit Medicines.
He did this mainly to avoid attracting attention.
The value of a Core Formation Spiritual Object was beyond imagination, and he didn’t want the Yuan Condensing Pill to bring him any trouble.
He lined his own pockets by skimming the Flying Snow Sect’s Spirit Medicines, all while occasionally strolling through the city’s shops and casually buying what he needed.
The process was a bit slow, but it was very safe.
In any case, it would still take Li Ping several decades to cultivate to the Peak of Foundation Establishment, so he had plenty of time to gather the necessary Spirit Medicines and refine the Yuan Condensing Pill.
Ever since he began practicing the wondrous Wetland Water Nourishing Skill, Li Ping’s personality had been unconsciously influenced by the cultivation technique.
The highest good is like water. It is not rushed, but flows slow and steady, ever onward.
There was no need to vie for momentary advantages in anything he did; the goal was to be as relentless as a surging river.
He wouldn’t lie awake at night plotting revenge against those who had offended him but were, for the moment, beyond his power to deal with.
Instead, he would let nature take its course, sit quietly on the riverbank, and patiently wait for his enemies’ corpses to float down from upstream.
...
Amidst the monotonous life of cultivation, a year passed by in the blink of an eye.
Soon, the end of the year arrived. There was still no news of Xiao Yunzhi attempting her breakthrough to Core Formation. Li Ping figured she was still honing her condition to ensure her attempt would be flawless.
Shortly after the New Year.
Ji Shu Xuan came to deliver the puppet-crafting materials he had collected for Li Ping.
He was seventy-six years old this year. Although cultivators had Magical Power protecting their bodies and lifespans that far exceeded those of mortals, Ji Shu Xuan had been injured, captured by the Tuluo People, and sold into slavery back in the Yan Kingdom. The torture he endured had damaged his Origin, an injury that no medicine could heal.
As a result, he appeared to be aging much faster than a normal Qi Refining Cultivator.
His hair was nearly all white, and the skin on his neck sagged slightly, revealing clear signs of old age.
Seeing this, Li Ping couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
’In his current state, Ji Shu Xuan probably won’t live as long as a normal Qi Refining Cultivator. In fact, it’s hard to say if he’ll even make it to a hundred.’
’If I were willing to intervene and use my Nourishing Life Skill Power to replenish his Origin, he could probably live for another twenty years.’
’However, I don’t want to expose the special nature of my Nourishing Life Skill Power.’
’If Ji Shu Xuan were a mortal like my Third Senior Brother, I wouldn’t mind helping. But he’s a cultivator; he might be able to sense something.’
He made a silent decision. ’I’ll wait until I reach Core Formation. If you’re still alive after I succeed, I’ll step in and help you replenish your lost Origin.’
’Once I reach Core Formation, I won’t have to worry about others coveting my abilities. I’ll be able to boldly display these life-restoring methods.’
’If Ji Shu Xuan is unfortunate enough to pass away before I reach Core Formation, then it can only be blamed on his ill fate.’
"By the way, Shu Xuan, didn’t your third son plan to join the Flying Snow Sect? Did it work out?" Li Ping asked with a sudden smile as the hunched-over Ji Shu Xuan was taking his leave.
Ji Shu Xuan had three children, all of whom possessed Spiritual Roots. However, the Spiritual Roots of his first two children were quite ordinary.
Only his third son, who possessed Three Spirit Roots, had a decent aptitude for cultivation.
A year ago, Ji Shu Xuan had told Li Ping he was preparing to have his third son join the Flying Snow Sect to cultivate.
The Flying Snow Sect’s disciple recruitment ceremony, held once every three years, had already passed. Seeing Ji Shu Xuan reminded Li Ping of the matter.
But to Li Ping’s surprise, Ji Shu Xuan just shook his head with a bitter smile. "The threshold for the Flying Snow Sect’s recruitment was rather high this time. Nianyun was screened out."
"Oh?" Li Ping was a little surprised.
After asking for more details, he learned what had happened.
Normally, anyone with the aptitude of Three Spirit Roots could have joined the Flying Snow Sect without issue.
This time, however, the Flying Snow Sect had changed its assessment methods. They didn’t just test for Spiritual Root aptitude; they also included a test of one’s mental state.
As it turned out, Ji Nianyun scored very poorly on the mental state test. Although his aptitude score was decent, the sum of the two was not enough, and he was ultimately rejected by the Flying Snow Sect.
At this point in his story, Ji Shu Xuan seemed to blame himself.
He believed that if he hadn’t doted on his son so much and had let him experience more of life’s hardships, the boy might have successfully passed the entrance assessment and joined the Sect.
Li Ping knew that wasn’t really the case.
What parent in the world didn’t dote on their children?
Even mindless beasts followed the principle that ’even a vicious tiger will not eat its own cubs.’
Ji Shu Xuan had the tragic experience of being enslaved. It was precisely because he had suffered such unbearable hardships that he protected his children so meticulously, even to the point of spoiling them.
It was perfectly understandable.
Li Ping shook his head, deciding to mention the matter to Shi Yutong the next time they met.
He would see if Shi Yutong, as a favor to him, would make an exception and accept Ji Nianyun into the Flying Snow Sect.
However, he didn’t rush to tell Ji Shu Xuan about his plan.
’With my influence,’ he thought, ’it shouldn’t be a problem for Ji Nianyun to get into the Flying Snow Sect through the back door.’
’But there’s always a chance things could go wrong. If I tell him now and it doesn’t work out...’
’...not only will Ji Shu Xuan get his hopes up for nothing, but I’ll lose face as well.’
’So, it’s better to wait until it’s a done deal before I say anything.’
...
Not long after, Shi Yutong came to visit Li Ping.
She had gathered another batch of Spiritual Materials for the Ganlu Pill and came to specially request Li Ping’s help in refining them.
Refining a Tier Two Upper Grade pill would allow him to absorb the Innate qi within it, so Li Ping naturally wouldn’t refuse.
When he finished refining the pills and handed them over to Shi Yutong, Li Ping casually brought up Ji Nianyun’s situation. He asked her directly if she could, as a favor to him, accept Ji Nianyun into the Flying Snow Sect.
Shi Yutong had been deliberately trying to foster a good relationship with Li Ping, so when she heard his request, she agreed at once without the slightest hesitation. It was only a matter of accepting one more Qi Refining disciple, after all.
Furthermore, she went on to explain that the Flying Snow Sect was divided into Inner and Outer Sect disciples. Normally, only those with Dual Spirit Roots or better were qualified for Inner Sect Disciple status. Even if someone with Three Spirit Roots managed to join the Sect, they would only be an Outer Sect disciple.
But since Brother Li had asked, she would not only make an exception and admit Ji Nianyun, but she would also grant him the status of an Inner Sect Disciple.
From Shi Yutong’s explanation, Li Ping came to understand the difference between the Flying Snow Sect’s Inner and Outer Sect disciples.
Inner Sect disciples didn’t have to perform many Sect missions and could focus solely on their cultivation. Furthermore, once an Inner Sect Disciple reached the peak of the Qi Refining Ninth Level, they could apply to the Sect for a free Foundation Establishment Pill to attempt their breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.
After hearing this, Li Ping smiled and nodded. He was very satisfied with Shi Yutong’s arrangements.
...
Several days later, Ji Shu Xuan was busy in his shop.
A Steward from the Flying Snow Sect suddenly appeared at his door and immediately offered his congratulations.
Ji Shu Xuan was baffled.
The Steward then chuckled and told him that Ji Nianyun had been accepted into the Flying Snow Sect, and as an Inner Sect Disciple, no less.
He had come to inform Ji Shu Xuan of this and to remind him to send his son to the Sect to register in a timely manner.
Even after the Steward finished speaking, Ji Shu Xuan remained completely stunned.
After confirming that the man hadn’t come to the wrong place and that Ji Nianyun’s acceptance was absolutely true, Ji Shu Xuan’s mind was flooded with immense joy.
He had thought that since Ji Nianyun had failed to enter a Sect, he would have no choice but to be a Loose Cultivator, just like him.
But then, things had taken a sudden, miraculous turn. Not only had Ji Nianyun been accepted, but he had become an Inner Sect Disciple of the Flying Snow Sect.
How could he not be ecstatic?
But beyond his joy, he also understood that such a complete reversal of fortune couldn’t be as simple as the Flying Snow Sect making a mistake. There had to be a reason.
Thinking of this, he quickly took out three Spirit Stones as a gift and tried to probe the Flying Snow Sect Steward for information.
But the Steward was merely following the Sect Leader’s orders. How would he know any inside story?
Before coming, he had assumed the Ji family had used their connections to get to the Sect Leader.
In the end, Ji Shu Xuan learned nothing from him.
After seeing the Steward off, Ji Shu Xuan sat in his shop, lost in thought. ’The Sect Leader herself gave the order... Strange. Why would she help me?’
The Sect Leader of the Flying Snow Sect was a figure far too remote for him. Ji Shu Xuan was certain he didn’t know her, much less have any connection to her.
’Could it be... Uncle Li?’
Carefully thinking back over recent events, Ji Shu Xuan quickly recalled his recent visit to deliver Spiritual Materials. Uncle Li had asked about Nianyun then.
’Senior Xu and Senior Lin are in seclusion and know nothing about Nianyun’s situation. The only person I know with the ability to influence this is Uncle Li. He’s always been kind and generous, and he likes to look after the younger generation. It must have been him. He must have stepped in and asked the Flying Snow Sect’s Leader for help.’
Ji Shu Xuan was almost certain of his guess.
Both he and Yan Hengchuan had received a great deal of help from Uncle Li when they were in Fenglan Immortal City.
Now, Uncle Li had once again gone to great lengths for the sake of his child.
At this thought, Ji Shu Xuan’s eyes filled with gratitude.
This time, Uncle Li had truly done him a huge favor, directly changing Nianyun’s destiny.
Of course, he didn’t know.
That this life-changing opportunity for Ji Nianyun had been secured with nothing more than a casual word from Li Ping.