Chapter 39: Different Disciples
Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Different Disciples
He cultivated for several days in the new Spiritual Land.
Li Ping was pleasantly surprised to discover just how good a Tier Two Upper Grade Spiritual Land was.
He had originally estimated that it would take him about a month to completely convert the Magical Power in his body into Nourishing Life Skill Power.
But now, thanks to the Tier Two Upper Grade Spiritual Land, the speed of his conversion had increased dramatically. It would likely only take half a month to convert all of his Magical Power.
At this rate, he could become a proper Foundation Establishment Cultivator before the new year.
By then, he could also truly begin cultivating the first level of the Wetland Water Nourishing Skill.
He opened his eyes with a smile. ’I’ve been in this new cave residence for a few days. It’s time I paid a visit to that Pill Master neighbor of mine!’
...
From a lush, green mountain ravine, a cyan Escape Light flew out and landed before a cave residence on the mountainside.
The Escape Light dissipated to reveal Li Ping. He looked up at the cave residence before him.
Compared to his own, this cave residence had a slightly different appearance, though the Array enveloping it was similar.
Evidently, the Meng family had put real effort into constructing these cave residences. Each one was uniquely designed, not just a cookie-cutter copy.
He took out a Sound Transmission Talisman, stated that he was the neighbor from next door and had come today specifically to visit Master Hu, then tossed the talisman directly into the Array. Afterward, he stood in place and waited patiently.
The Cultivators who could live in the cave residences of Immortal Peach Mountain were all Foundation Establishment Cultivators with a Tier Two skill, possessing a certain status in the Immortal City.
Moreover, they were neighbors who would be living alongside each other for a long time. Therefore, even though Master Hu was a highly respected Tier Two Upper Grade Alchemist, as long as he wasn’t in the middle of Alchemy and couldn’t get away, he would normally be willing to meet Li Ping.
Sure enough, he had barely been standing in front of the cave residence for a moment when the Array around Master Hu’s home split open, and a figure in a plain-colored robe walked out.
Li Ping looked up and got a clear view of the man. He appeared to be in his sixties, short and stout, with a somewhat sallow complexion and long white hair that draped over his shoulders.
Just as Li Ping was sizing him up, the short, stout man saw him as well. A smile immediately spread across his face. "Haha... I heard from Fellow Daoist Meng that a new fellow daoist had moved in next door. I was just thinking of paying a visit myself, but I didn’t expect Fellow Daoist Li to come over first! Please, come in, quickly, come in."
Facing Li Ping, Master Hu Feng was just as enthusiastic, his warmth no less than that of the Meng family’s patriarch.
Li Ping couldn’t help but wonder, ’Is the atmosphere on this Immortal Peach Mountain really this friendly?’
...
Led by Master Hu, the two entered a quaint pavilion in the courtyard. This was likely where Master Hu usually received his guests.
As they sat down in the pavilion, a handsome youth of about seventeen or eighteen, with rosy lips and pearly teeth, served them Spirit Tea.
The youth said respectfully, "Master, Elder Li, please have some tea."
Hearing this, Li Ping couldn’t help but study him a little more closely. From the way he spoke, this youth was clearly Master Hu’s disciple.
Noticing Li Ping’s reaction, Master Hu proudly introduced him. "Fellow Daoist Li, this is my youngest disciple. He has a Dual Spirit Root and is only eighteen, yet he has already cultivated to the Qi Refining Sixth Level. Furthermore, he has a great talent for the Dao of Alchemy and is not far from becoming a Tier One Alchemist. In the future, there’s hope he will inherit my mantle and become a Tier Two Alchemist."
"Oh?" Li Ping was also a little surprised to hear this.
Eighteen years old and at the Qi Refining Sixth Level—that wasn’t particularly remarkable.
After all, he had a Dual Spirit Root and a Tier Two Upper Grade Alchemist for a master, so he wouldn’t lack Pills for cultivation.
What surprised him was that the young man was on the verge of becoming a Tier One Alchemist at his age.
Alchemy was far more troublesome than talisman crafting. Not only did one need to know how to identify types of Spirit Plants, their medicinal properties, and their interactions, but one also had to master numerous techniques like fire control and purification.
Generally speaking, anyone who wanted to learn Alchemy needed to be an apprentice for at least ten years before they were even qualified to touch a Pill Furnace. As for being able to produce a finished Pill, there was no telling how long that would take.
To become a Tier One Alchemist at eighteen truly meant he had a high talent for the Dao of Alchemy.
Thinking of this, Li Ping took a Tier Two Lower Grade Spirit Talisman from his Storage Bag and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Hu, this is the first time I’m meeting your disciple. Please consider this Spirit Talisman a small welcoming gift."
A Tier Two Lower Grade Spirit Talisman was worth fifty Spirit Stones, a considerable sum for a youth at the Qi Refining Sixth Level.
The youth quickly looked toward his master, but Master Hu just nodded with a smile. "Silly boy, since Fellow Daoist Li has offered, you should accept it."
After receiving his master’s approval, the youth accepted the Spirit Talisman with a delighted expression, saying, "Liu Yuan thanks you for your gift, Elder!"
Seeing Li Ping’s generosity, Master Hu looked at him with even more enthusiasm. "Fellow Daoist Li, as neighbors, we should certainly visit each other more often in the future."
Li Ping also smiled and nodded in agreement.
Next, the two chatted casually about interesting events and anecdotes on Immortal Peach Mountain.
Of course, it was mainly Master Hu who spoke, while Li Ping listened attentively, nodding in agreement from time to time.
It had to be said that as a veteran Alchemist who had lived on Immortal Peach Mountain for many years, Master Hu was extremely knowledgeable about the situation on the mountain. From him, Li Ping learned a great deal about the other artisans living there.
This would undoubtedly be helpful for Li Ping in activating the ’peerless talent’ for his other skills in the future.
It was just that Master Hu’s attitude was so enthusiastic that Li Ping found it rather strange.
...
While the two were chatting idly, Liu Yuan stood respectfully to the side.
Suddenly, a figure in a gray robe burst into the pavilion, interrupting the conversation between Li Ping and Master Hu.
An expression of displeasure appeared on Master Hu’s face. He looked at the newcomer and said, "What’s the rush? Can’t you see I’m discussing the Dao with Fellow Daoist Li?"
The gray-robed figure quickly exclaimed, "Master, Elder Wang from the Wang family has arrived! He says he has urgent business with you."
"The Wang family..." Master Hu’s expression grew thoughtful.
He said with a helpless sigh, "Fellow Daoist Li, you may not know this, but this Fellow Daoist Wang was introduced through the Meng family’s patriarch. I can’t afford to offend him. I have been neglectful today. I will certainly visit you another day to apologize, Fellow Daoist Li."
Hearing this, Li Ping tactfully cupped his hands. "Not at all, not at all. It is I who has imposed on you today. Since you have business, Fellow Daoist Hu, I will take my leave. I can visit again another day."
"Very well." Master Hu looked at the gray-robed figure who had burst in. "Qufeng, see Fellow Daoist Li out for me."
Then, Master Hu introduced him to Li Ping, "This is my eldest disciple, Feng Qufeng."
Li Ping nodded, finding this rather interesting.
After all, when Master Hu had introduced Liu Yuan just now, he had gone on proudly at length.
All that talk of ’Dual Spirit Root,’ ’talent for Alchemy,’ ’inheritor of his mantle’...
But for Feng Qufeng, his eldest disciple, the introduction was just a name.
Master Hu hurriedly left, taking his youngest disciple with him.
Feng Qufeng said respectfully, "Elder Li, I will see you out."
Hearing this, Li Ping nodded.
Feng Qufeng was an ordinary-looking man with dark skin, thick eyebrows, and a long face. In terms of appearance, he couldn’t possibly compare to his junior brother.
One looked like a dashing young noble, while the other looked like a farmhand who had just finished a day’s work in the fields.