Chapter 375 - 352: Delivering a Letter_2
Chapter 375: Chapter 352: Delivering a Letter_2
The middle-aged cultivator sat in the front cabin of the Spirit Boat, slapped his palm on the Array at the bow, and shouted, "Hold tight! We’re taking off!"
Propelled by wind-aspected Spiritual Qi, the Spirit Boat rose nimbly high into the sky, quickly entering the Cloud Layer and flying toward Three Mountains County.
Although the Spirit Boat was small, it was faster and flew more smoothly, making for a much better ride than a Spiritual Vessel.
Zhao Lin nodded to himself. ’If I were to use vehicles from my past life as an analogy, a Spiritual Vessel would be like a bus, while a Spirit Boat would be like a car.’
As they reached the border of Three Mountains County, an extremely wide river appeared on the ground below.
The river’s waters were vast and mighty, flowing ceaselessly. From time to time, huge, multi-storied ships could be seen sailing upon it.
Spiritual Vessels traveling on water consumed far fewer Spirit Stones than they did flying through the air and could carry much heavier loads. Therefore, waterways were still the main route for transporting bulk goods.
"What a magnificent river!"
Zhao Lin couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
"Of course! The Feituo River is the largest river in the Western Ox Continent, and it even ranks in the top three within the Chenghua Sect’s territory."
A cultivator across from him, who looked to be in his forties and was slightly plump, said with great pride.
"So this is the Feituo River. Its reputation is well-deserved!"
Zhao Lin, observing the man’s expression and tone, guessed he was a local cultivator from Three Mountains County and struck up a conversation.
"Heh heh, Three Mountains County is a place of outstanding people and natural beauty. Since ancient times, it has produced many Golden Core Zhenrens."
When the man heard Zhao Lin was visiting a friend, he enthusiastically described the local specialties and sights worth seeing.
By the time they disembarked, Zhao Lin already had a general understanding of Three Mountains County.
"Fellow cultivator, how much did you pay for this Spirit Boat?"
Before leaving, Zhao Lin asked the Boatman Cultivator.
’If I had a Spirit Boat like this, traveling would be so much more convenient. I could come and go as I pleased, unrestricted by time or location.’
"This much."
The Boatman Cultivator held up one hand.
"Fifty thousand?"
"A little more. Fifty-two thousand."
Zhao Lin winced inwardly and immediately dismissed the idea of buying one.
More than five thousand Spirit Stones—that was not something he could afford. Besides, flying the Spirit Boat would also consume Spirit Stones, which was another expense.
’Better to wait until later!’
He left the boat station and walked briskly toward Three Mountains County...
Three Mountains County was located in the southwest of the Western Ox Continent. It was the continent’s second-largest county, with a long history stretching back over ten thousand years since its founding. It was named for the three great mountains within its borders.
In the afternoon, Zhao Lin arrived before a large estate in Three Mountains County.
"Li Estate."
Looking at the two words on the plaque, Zhao Lin murmured softly, "This is the place."
Upon arriving in the county, Zhao Lin didn’t rush to deliver the letter. Instead, he found someone nearby to ask about the Li family’s reputation, getting a clear picture of the situation before knocking on their door.
The Li family was indeed a cultivator family, with a minor reputation in the local area.
The formation of cultivator families was a phenomenon that arose alongside the growth and strengthening of sects.
Not even one in ten thousand mortals was born with a Spiritual Root, but if a cultivator and a mortal had children, the chance of their offspring having a Spiritual Root increased dramatically.
Furthermore, if both parents were cultivators, the probability of their children having a Spiritual Root was at least thirty percent.
As this passed down from one generation to the next, it was no surprise that families similar to mortal ones eventually formed.
However, according to established convention, to be called a cultivator family, two conditions usually had to be met.
First, the family had to have at least one mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. If they only had an Early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, or no Foundation Establishment cultivators at all, they couldn’t be called a family, no matter how many members they had.
Second, the family had to have at least three generations of cultivators, with more than ten members in total.
According to the information he’d gathered, the Li family had two Foundation Establishment cultivators, five generations living together, and over a hundred cultivators, just barely qualifying as a mid-tier family.
The Patriarch was Li Chenglin, who had three sons and two daughters. His eldest son, Li Yuanyou, and his second daughter, Li Zhen, had talent for cultivation.
"Who are you, and what is your business here?"
Two mortal guards stood before the gate, and one of them asked.
Most mortals were willing to live in counties with abundant Spiritual Qi, and cultivator families also needed mortals to serve them and manage worldly affairs.
Therefore, cultivator families would use contribution points to exchange with the sect for the right for mortals to enter the county, thus creating a situation where cultivators and mortals lived together.
"I have important business with Master Li. Please pass on the message."
Zhao Lin said calmly.
Just then, the estate gate opened, and a rather old cultivator walked out.
"This old one is the steward of this estate. Fellow cultivator, you are looking for our Patriarch?"
The old cultivator sized up Zhao Lin and asked.
"That is correct."
Zhao Lin replied seriously.
The old man looked to be over sixty years old, yet his cultivation was only at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer. Zhao Lin secretly guessed that he must be a cultivator with a Mortal Spirit Root.
"May I ask your name, fellow cultivator? And where you are from? So that I have something to tell the Patriarch when he asks."
"Zhao Lin, from Qiuyang County."
"Please wait a moment, fellow cultivator. I will go inform the Patriarch right away."
The old man cupped his hands in a brief salute and turned to walk into the estate.
In the main hall, Li Chenglin, the Patriarch of the Li family, sat facing a young man in white robes.
Two cups of Spirit Tea sat on the low table between them, emitting a fragrant aroma.
"Junior Martial Uncle Li, you know I am deeply in love with Sister Zhen. But every time I mention becoming cultivation partners, she rejects me outright without a second thought."
The white-robed youth took a sip of tea and spoke with a bitter expression.
"Virtuous Nephew, this old man has long known of your feelings. It’s just that Zhen’Er is focused on her cultivation and doesn’t want to marry and have children so early. This old man has tried to persuade her, but she won’t listen. It’s all because my wife spoiled her rotten!"
Li Chenglin shook his head, a troubled look on his face.
"Junior Martial Uncle, this is a small token of this junior’s sincerity. Please accept it."
The white-robed youth respectfully presented an ancient sandalwood box.
"Oh?"
Li Chenglin took the box and opened it. Inside lay a pale green pill, emitting a dense Wood Element aura.
"A Wood Element Pill! Excellent! Taking a Wood Element Pill can enhance one’s ability to sense Wood Element Spiritual Qi, making it twice as effective to practice Wood Element Magic."
Though Li Chenglin praised it, his expression remained indifferent.
The white-robed youth knew he hadn’t swayed him and quickly added, "Junior Martial Uncle, my family actually has a True Yang Pill. If Sister Zhen is willing to marry me, I am willing to offer the True Yang Pill as a betrothal gift."
"A True Yang Pill!"
Li Chenglin’s eyes lit up at his words, and his hand began to rub against his teacup.
The True Yang Pill was one of the crucial pills for a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator to break through to the late stage. Li Chenglin had coveted it for a long time, and the condition the white-robed youth offered had hit him right where he was most vulnerable.
Li Chenglin raised a hand and stroked his beard. "Virtuous Nephew Tao, this old man has always approved of your family background and character. Looking across all of Three Mountains County, among the juniors of your generation, only you are worthy of my daughter."
A look of joy appeared on the white-robed youth’s face. "Then, about Sister Zhen..."
"A grown daughter must marry; how can she just follow her own whims? When she returns next month, this old man will speak to her!"
"Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle."
Just as they were talking, the steward walked in, bowed, and said, "Patriarch, there is a visitor who says he has important business with you."
Li Chenglin’s expression turned serious. "What is his name, and where is he from?"
"He said his surname is Zhao, and he’s from Qiuyang County."
Hearing the name Qiuyang County, the white-robed youth’s brows furrowed, but his expression quickly returned to normal.
"Qiuyang County? We have no connection with that place."
Li Chenglin looked puzzled. "What is the visitor’s cultivation level?"
The steward replied, "Qi Refining Third Layer."
Li Chenglin pondered for a moment, then said, "Let him in. Have him wait in the front hall."
An estate was generally divided into a front hall and a main hall. The front hall was for receiving ordinary guests, while the main hall was for close relations or guests of high status.
Since Zhao Lin’s cultivation was only at the Qi Refining Third Layer, he was naturally directed to the front hall.
The white-robed youth’s eyes darted about as he said with a smile, "Junior Martial Uncle Li, you are the dignified Patriarch, a Foundation Establishment senior. To personally receive a junior of unknown background would be beneath your status."
"Why don’t I go with you? I can help you ask any questions you might have."
Li Chenglin raised an eyebrow, thinking, ’What does the Li family’s business have to do with you?’ However, he had just accepted the young man’s gift, and the visitor wasn’t anyone important, so he nodded in agreement.
Zhao Lin waited at the estate gate for a while before the steward quickly returned and led him to the front hall.
"The Patriarch is currently with a guest. Please wait a moment, fellow cultivator."
"You are too kind, Steward."
Zhao Lin bowed slightly, sat down, and a well-featured maidservant immediately served him fragrant tea.
After a short while, the sound of footsteps echoed as two cultivators walked into the hall.