Chapter 36: The Unusually Enthusiastic Old Ancestor of the Meng Family
Chapter 36: Chapter 36: The Unusually Enthusiastic Old Ancestor of the Meng Family
Soon, the two arrived before a palace at the foot of the mountain. According to the elder’s explanation, the Meng family’s ancestor resided within.
The elder approached the front of the hall to report the situation to the ancestor.
A moment later, a figure hurried out from the hall. His voice arrived before he did. "So it is Fellow Daoist Li! Forgive me for not coming out to greet you sooner. My apologies, my apologies!"
Judging by his voice, the newcomer was exceedingly polite.
In that brief moment, Li Ping got a clear look at the figure who had emerged from the hall.
He was a round-faced elder who appeared to be in his fifties or sixties. His hair was streaked with white, but his complexion was ruddy, and his bright, piercing eyes made him look remarkably vigorous.
The man looked like just an ordinary, spry old man, but what shocked Li Ping was that his aura was unmistakably that of a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
’The same realm as that damned Sword Cultivator!’
He was only the second Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator Li Ping had encountered since arriving in this Cultivation Realm.
Of course, Dai Sangyu’s aura had been sharp and unconcealed.
This spry elder’s aura, however, was as pleasant as a spring breeze.
Upon seeing the round-faced elder, the Meng family member who had guided Li Ping here quickly and respectfully called out, "Ancestor."
Only then did Li Ping confirm that this spry old man was the Meng family’s ancestor.
The Meng ancestor waved his hand dismissively. "That will be all. I will host Fellow Daoist Li. You may go."
After dismissing his clansman, the Meng ancestor turned to Li Ping with a beaming smile. "Fellow Daoist Li, I’ve heard so much about you. It’s a shame our paths haven’t crossed until today."
’The Meng ancestor is being a bit too enthusiastic,’ Li Ping thought, puzzled.
’I’m not some legendary hero that people flock to serve.’
With this in mind, he voiced his thoughts directly. "You’re too kind, Fellow Daoist Meng. I am but a humble Early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator; I don’t deserve such high praise."
Hearing this, the Meng ancestor burst into laughter. "Haha! Fellow Daoist Li, I’m not spouting nonsense. There’s a long-standing connection between us. Come, come... let’s talk inside."
The two entered the hall and sat across from each other at a table. A servant brought them Spirit Tea before withdrawing.
Finally, facing a deeply puzzled Li Ping, the Meng ancestor smiled and revealed the source of their connection. "Fellow Daoist Li, you should know that young lady, Qingyi, shouldn’t you?"
At the Meng ancestor’s words, it all clicked for Li Ping.
After he had successfully reached Foundation Establishment, Meng Qingyi, a disciple of Fenglan Master, had invited him to join the Immortal City. Although he ultimately failed to become an Honored Guest Elder due to that damned Sword Cultivator, he’d had a pleasant conversation with Meng Qingyi. Moreover, when Li Ping had made a request, she had readily gifted him a discarded Tier Two Middle Grade Talisman Brush.
With the help of that Talisman Brush, Li Ping was able to "inherit" the techniques for making Tier Two Middle Grade talismans.
Strictly speaking, he still owed Meng Qingyi a not-insignificant favor.
Seeing Li Ping’s look of realization, the Meng ancestor smiled and explained, "Qingyi is a member of our Meng family. It was from her that I first heard of you, Fellow Daoist Li. She mentioned that your skills as a Talisman Maker were quite profound and that you weren’t far from becoming a Tier Two Talisman Maker. It seems you have indeed made the breakthrough?"
"I am indeed a Tier Two Talisman Maker now," Li Ping confirmed with a nod.
As the saying goes, you scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours. Since the Meng ancestor was being so warm and polite, Li Ping didn’t mind showing a little goodwill himself.
After answering the ancestor’s question, he added with a smile, "It’s also thanks to Fairy Meng’s guidance. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have become a Tier Two Talisman Maker so quickly. I was hoping to find an opportunity to thank her, but I never expected she would be a member of the Meng family. What a coincidence!"
The part about her guidance wasn’t a complete fabrication. As for the *method* of that guidance... well, there was no need to spell that out.
A satisfied look appeared in the Meng ancestor’s eyes after hearing Li Ping’s words. He laughed. "Haha! Once you’re living on Immortal Peach Mountain, Fellow Daoist Li, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see Qingyi. You are both Talisman Makers, so you can exchange insights in the future."
With these words, the Meng ancestor had already revealed his consent for Li Ping to take up residence on Immortal Peach Mountain.
He hadn’t agreed so readily because renting a residence on Immortal Peach Mountain was easy, but because the Meng ancestor had already given Li Ping his approval.
In his view, based on the information the Meng family had gathered and his inferences from what Meng Qingyi had told him, Li Ping’s talisman-making skills had indeed reached Tier Two Lower Grade.
There was no need for further verification.
This way, by forgoing any verification of Li Ping’s skills or a background check and instead adopting a posture of complete trust, he was undoubtedly currying favor with Li Ping. It would put Li Ping at ease and lower the barriers between them.
This would make future collaborations between them much more harmonious.
Of course, what he didn’t know was that Li Ping’s skills weren’t Tier Two Lower Grade, but Tier Two Middle Grade.
...
’That’s it? I’m approved?’ Li Ping was a little surprised by how readily the Meng ancestor had agreed.
However, Immortal Peach Mountain had a fine reputation. Several Tier Two artisans lived on the mountain, and there were no rumors of any of them having conflicts with the Meng family.
Therefore, since the Meng ancestor had agreed so readily, Li Ping had no reason to hesitate.
He would rent this residence on Immortal Peach Mountain.
"Since you’ve said so, then I’ll be direct," Li Ping said with a smile. "I too have long admired Immortal Peach Mountain. I was just wondering about the price of the residence, and if there are any restrictions for living on the mountain?"
Hearing Li Ping ask about the rent and restrictions, the Meng ancestor’s expression remained easygoing. He smiled and said, "Immortal Peach Mountain’s Spirit Vein is Tier Two Upper Grade, so the cultivation effects are much better than a typical Tier Two Spiritual Land. However, the Meng family rents out spots on Immortal Peach Mountain to make friends. Everyone who resides here is a friend of the Meng family, so we offer a ’friendship price’ for the residences: 100 Spirit Stones a year."
"One hundred Spirit Stones?" Li Ping nodded slightly. The price was within his expectations.
From his observations, a Late-stage Qi Refining Cultivator like Zhang Tie, who had mastered a low-end craft, earned about 40 to 60 Spirit Stones a year.
The income of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator was much higher. An ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator, while still setting aside enough time for their own cultivation, could earn over 300 Spirit Stones a year.
For a Foundation Establishment Cultivator with a high-tier skill like Alchemy or Artifact Refining, the annual income was much higher still. It depended on how much time they were willing to invest, so the potential earnings varied greatly.
Therefore, for a Tier Two artisan, renting a residence on a Tier Two Upper Grade Spiritual Land for 100 Spirit Stones a year was truly a ’friendship price.’
The Meng ancestor’s voice reached his ears again.
"Furthermore, other fellow Daoists will occasionally approach the Meng family, hoping to commission the artisans on Immortal Peach Mountain. If it’s convenient for you at that time, we would ask that Fellow Daoist Li do the Meng family a favor."
"Also, if you wish to sell Spirit Talismans or purchase talisman-making materials, we ask that you consider doing business with the Meng family, if it’s convenient. I can guarantee that our prices will not leave you at a disadvantage."
Finally, the Meng ancestor added with a smile, "Of course, both of these matters are entirely up to you. The Meng family will never force any of the Daoists on the mountain to do anything against their will."