Chapter 42: Conflict within the Association
Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Conflict within the Association
The others all congratulated Qi Hanmo on his breakthrough in his skills as a Musician.
This actually made Qi Hanmo a bit embarrassed. He humbly insisted that he was still a long way from being a Master of Music and had a long road ahead of him.
This made everyone laugh.
Then, while the mood at the banquet was pleasant, Li Ping clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention.
Once everyone had quieted down and was looking at him, Li Ping finally spoke with a smile. "You all know I’ve reached Tier Two in my talisman-making skills. With your safety in mind, I’ve specially prepared a Tier Two Lower Grade Spirit Talisman for each of you at this gathering. It might just save your life at a critical moment."
As he finished speaking, to everyone’s surprise and delight, Li Ping took out six offensive Spirit Talismans from his Storage Bag and handed them out to the six of them.
The six of them all thanked him. "Thank you, Big Brother."
A single Tier Two Lower Grade Spirit Talisman was worth fifty Spirit Stones.
Among the six of them, Zhang Tie and Gumu Sheng were at Late-stage Qi Refining. Cheng Yao, Qi Hanmo, and Teng Feng were at Middle-stage Qi Refining, while Bai Qing was still only at the Early-stage Qi Refining.
For the four other than Zhang Tie and Gumu Sheng, a Tier Two Lower Grade Spirit Talisman was undoubtedly a massive fortune.
Its power was equivalent to a single strike from a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. In a moment of true danger, it could help them escape with their lives, or even allow them to turn the tables and kill their enemy!
...
After Li Ping finished handing out the Spirit Talismans, it was time for the seven of them to make their individual contributions to the Foundation Establishment Fund. This was also Li Ping’s first contribution since he had successfully achieved Foundation Establishment.
Before this, in order to purchase a Foundation Establishment Pill and other Spiritual Objects required for Foundation Establishment, Li Ping had not only exhausted his personal fortune but had also spent the entirety of the Foundation Establishment Fund.
According to the rules previously set by the Friends Association, as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator whose income had greatly increased, Li Ping was required to contribute at least 100 Spirit Stones to the Foundation Establishment Fund annually.
Before the gathering, Li Ping considered the matter. He was now a Tier Two Talisman Maker, and his speed of earning Spirit Stones far surpassed that of an ordinary Early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
’Instead, the oath sworn for the Friends Association is a constraint on me as long as it remains in effect.’
’The others want to achieve Foundation Establishment sooner, and I want to be free of this oath sooner.’
Thus, without much hesitation, Li Ping announced his decision to the group. "It was only with your support that I was able to successfully achieve Foundation Establishment. As your Big Brother, it’s only right that I contribute more to the Foundation Establishment Fund. Therefore, I’ve decided to contribute 300 Spirit Stones to the fund annually. This will help all of you achieve Foundation Establishment sooner!"
Hearing this, Zhang Tie immediately beamed with joy. His age, Cultivation, and contributions to the Foundation Establishment Fund were all second only to their Big Brother in the association, meaning he would be the next one to get a chance at Foundation Establishment!
Since Li Ping was willing to increase his contribution amount, Zhang Tie would undoubtedly be the first to benefit.
Gumu Sheng and the others were somewhat surprised, but after a moment, their surprise turned to joy.
Li Ping increasing his contribution was a good thing for them as well.
After all, the younger one was when attempting Foundation Establishment, the higher the success rate.
If someone delayed until their fifties to attempt Foundation Establishment, their body would have already begun to decline and their vitality to wane. Even with a Foundation Establishment Pill, the probability of success would be significantly lower.
He took 300 Spirit Stones from his Storage Bag and, as the six others watched with fervent gazes, placed them directly into another, empty Storage Bag.
After Li Ping, it was Zhang Tie’s turn.
With a cheerful laugh, he took 30 Spirit Stones from his Storage Bag and placed them on the table. "Big Brother, here is my contribution."
"Mm." Li Ping nodded but wasn’t in a hurry to collect the Spirit Stones. He planned to wait until everyone else had put forth their contributions before gathering them all at once.
After Zhang Tie, it was Gumu Sheng’s turn.
According to the rules, now that he had broken through to Late-stage Qi Refining, he was also supposed to contribute 30 Spirit Stones.
Facing everyone’s stares, Gumu Sheng hesitated for a moment before finally taking a deep breath and pouring a small pile of Spirit Stones out of his Storage Bag.
Facing the others’ confused expressions, Gumu Sheng forced a stiff smile. "After my breakthrough, business at my shop improved quite a bit, so I’ve decided to contribute 100 Spirit Stones to the Foundation Establishment Fund."
Gumu Sheng had originally joined the Friends Association because he was being bullied by other Loose Cultivators while doing business and had no choice but to find a backer for protection.
Deep down, he never believed in the Friends Association’s purpose, much less that after Li Ping achieved Foundation Establishment, he would actually turn around and help the rest of them do the same.
Therefore, even as his business grew and his net worth secretly became the largest in the association, he only ever contributed the minimum annual amount of Spirit Stones, treating it as nothing more than a protection fee.
As for contributing more Spirit Stones to surpass Li Ping and gain a higher priority for Foundation Establishment? He had never even considered it.
First, his Cultivation was far too low compared to Li Ping’s. No matter how he rushed, he wouldn’t be able to reach the Qi Refining Ninth Level before the Foundation Establishment Fund had amassed enough Spirit Stones for a Foundation Establishment Pill.
Second, he believed that their Big Brother, Li Ping, was not some fool who rigidly adhered to rules. If Gumu Sheng dared to oppose him and try to snatch the prize for himself, there was no telling what fate would await him.
Third, the Foundation Establishment Fund was in Li Ping’s possession. Gumu Sheng believed that even if he did reach the Qi Refining Ninth Level and surpassed Li Ping in contributions, thus earning the right to use the fund first, Li Ping would have a hundred ways to make excuses and refuse to give him the Spirit Stones.
In short, Gumu Sheng dared not compete with Li Ping.
But facing Zhang Tie was a different story. Gumu Sheng had always looked down on this "Second Brother," considering him to be rather dull-witted.
Furthermore, his Cultivation was now at the Qi Refining Seventh Level, only one level behind Zhang Tie.
’With a gap that small, and by leveraging my connection to Master Hu’s disciple, I can just take pills regardless of the cost to catch up and even surpass him!’
’And if I surpass Zhang Tie in contributions to the Foundation Establishment Fund as well...’
’...then by the time I reach the Qi Refining Ninth Level, my priority to use the Foundation Establishment Fund will be higher than his, and I’ll be the one with the right to use it first!’
Although he was three years younger than Zhang Tie and his need for Foundation Establishment didn’t seem as urgent... but given the choice, ’who wouldn’t want to achieve Foundation Establishment first?’
...
After saying this, Gumu Sheng didn’t even glance at the expressions on the faces of Zhang Tie and the other four. Instead, he secretly watched Li Ping out of the corner of his eye.
’Technically, according to the rules, the Foundation Establishment Fund only specifies a minimum contribution from each person, with no upper limit. If I’m willing to contribute more, no one can object.’
’What I’m doing is completely within the rules.’
’But the problem is, as the founder of the Friends Association and a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Li Ping *is* the rules of the Friends Association!’
If Li Ping objected, Gumu Sheng knew that no matter how eloquent or indignant he might be, he would have no choice but to obediently comply.
’Big Brother knew Zhang Tie first, so their relationship is the closest. Between me and Zhang Tie, he’ll definitely favor Zhang Tie,’ Gumu Sheng thought. ’But Big Brother is a man who keeps his promises and abides by the rules. He’s not likely to just brazenly break the rules he established himself.’
’Besides, I’m the one who brought Cheng Yao, Qi Hanmo, and Bai Qing into the association. Big Brother has seen my contributions!’
...
Just as Gumu Sheng had anticipated, Li Ping looked at the Spirit Stones Gumu Sheng had produced and indeed felt troubled.