Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Late-stage Foundation Establishment

’A myriad of thoughts flashed through my mind.’

Facing Master Hu’s expectant gaze, Li Ping finally shook his head slightly. "I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you, Fellow Daoist Hu. As a newly advanced Foundation Establishment Cultivator, how could I possibly have the guts to face a Tier Two Late Stage Snake Demon?"

Hearing this, the smile on Master Hu’s face instantly froze.

’He hadn’t expected that after all he’d said, after building up the mood to this point, this Fellow Daoist Li would remain completely unmoved by the prospect of an Essence Pill.’

’Young people these days... how can they have no ambition at all?’

’So young, yet willing to remain an Early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator for his entire life?’

’The opportunity to break through to Mid-stage Foundation Establishment is right in front of him! If he doesn’t seize it now, when will he?’

However, he still hadn’t given up. He tried to persuade him, "If Fellow Daoist Li is worried about the danger, there’s really no need. When the time comes, I will make the first move and lure the Snake Demon away. Fellow Daoist Li only needs to take the opportunity to pick the Vermilion Fruit. If you’re lucky, you won’t even have to face the Snake Demon at all."

Hearing Master Hu’s words, Li Ping still smiled and refused, "Thank you for your kind intentions, Fellow Daoist Hu, but my strength is meager. I really don’t dare entertain any thoughts of adventuring. I hope you can understand."

At this, Master Hu could only give up on the idea of inviting Li Ping on the expedition.

’He’d already said so much without managing to move Li Ping. Persuading him any further would just mean raising the price.’

’But if the reward he offered Li Ping was greater than his own gains, it would be like he was working for Li Ping. That wouldn’t make any sense and would only make Li Ping suspicious.’

’Even a scam has to follow some basic logic.’

’Li Ping managed to become a Foundation Establishment Cultivator; he isn’t an idiot.’

Master Hu sighed and dropped the matter. "Fine. Since Fellow Daoist Li is unwilling to take the risk, I can only ask another fellow Daoist for help. I just ask that you don’t spread this matter to others."

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Hu. I’m not one to gossip," Li Ping promised with a smile.

「...」

After seeing Master Hu off, Li Ping returned to his Alchemy Room and continued his secluded Alchemy.

He dismissed Master Hu’s invitation to pick the Vermilion Fruit as a mere interlude.

But to his surprise, Master Hu came to visit him again several months later.

This time, Master Hu was beaming and looked incredibly smug. The aura emanating from him was even faintly alarming to Li Ping.

This Alchemist, who possessed Tier Two Upper Grade Alchemy skills, had astonishingly seen his Cultivation break through to Late-stage Foundation Establishment!

Master Hu’s sleeves fluttered in the wind, and he appeared dashing and extremely pleased with himself. "Hahaha... Fellow Daoist Li, I was quite lucky this time. After picking the Vermilion Fruit, I successfully refined several Essence Pills. After taking just one, I broke straight through to Late-stage Foundation Establishment!"

Seeing that Master Hu had truly broken through, Li Ping couldn’t help but feel a great deal of envy.

’Was I too suspicious? Maybe Master Hu was just trying to look out for me.’

Li Ping suppressed the envy in his heart and offered his congratulations with a smile, "My congratulations, Fellow Daoist Hu. By breaking through to Late-stage Foundation Establishment, you now have a chance to become a Core Formation Master!"

In truth, the envy in Li Ping’s heart was fleeting. If time were to rewind to a few months ago and Master Hu were to ask him again, he would still refuse without a moment’s hesitation.

’Playing it safe might lead to regret.’

’But being reckless might not even leave you the chance to regret.’

"Hahaha..." Master Hu laughed heartily and said humbly, "Core Formation isn’t that simple. I’ve only just broken through to Late-stage Foundation Establishment. It might take me another forty or fifty years just to reach the Peak of Foundation Establishment. I’m afraid Core Formation is hopeless for me in this lifetime."

Though his words were humble, his expression clearly showed that he was greatly enjoying Li Ping’s congratulations.

Li Ping just smiled and said nothing.

"By the way, I have another reason for visiting you today, Fellow Daoist Li." Master Hu took an invitation card from his robes. "I’ve struggled for decades and finally managed to break through to Late-stage Foundation Establishment, so I’m preparing to host a banquet to celebrate. I’m also inviting some fellow Foundation Establishment Daoists to sit and discuss the Dao. At that time, I will also share some of my insights on breaking through to the late stage with everyone."

Master Hu smiled at Li Ping. "Fellow Daoist Li, you must do me the honor of attending. Perhaps some of my humble insights on cultivation will be of some help to you."

"Oh, right." Master Hu slapped his forehead. "After the banquet, there will also be an exchange meet. I will be taking out some of my treasured Pills to trade with the attending fellow Daoists! You can also prepare some Spirit Talismans in advance, Fellow Daoist Li. You might be able to trade for some useful resources!"

’A banquet and an exchange meet.’

Hearing this, Li Ping felt quite tempted.

Both the lecture on the Dao from a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator like Master Hu and the exchange meet attended by numerous Foundation Establishment Cultivators were undoubtedly very appealing to him.

Never mind the lecture; just the exchange meet alone...

He had always wanted to buy a few suitable Tier Two Upper Grade Dharma Artifacts, but artifacts of this level were rarely sold in the Immortal City. Even when they were, Li Ping was never satisfied with their effects.

Generally speaking, when Cultivators wanted a Tier Two Upper Grade Dharma Artifact, they would usually gather the materials themselves and ask an Artifact Refiner to craft it.

Li Ping didn’t have time to gather materials. He had originally planned to wait for the Immortal City’s auction a few years later to see if he could buy enough materials, or perhaps have a chance to directly bid on a suitable Dharma Artifact.

If he attended this Foundation Establishment Cultivator exchange meet, he might be able to get what he wanted ahead of schedule.

「...」

But when Li Ping opened the invitation and saw the location of the banquet, he couldn’t help but frown. "Hmm? The banquet is being held at Lotus Immortal Pool, 600 li outside the Immortal City?"

Master Hu, standing to the side, watched with a chuckle as Li Ping opened the invitation, a flash of triumph glinting in his eyes before vanishing.

However, his smile quickly faded when he heard Li Ping’s confused question: "Fellow Daoist Hu, why hold the banquet in the middle of nowhere instead of using a wonderful paradise like Immortal Peach Mountain?"

Hearing this, Master Hu’s expression froze for a moment. He then explained with a laugh, "While the scenery on Immortal Peach Mountain is lovely, it can get a bit dull after seeing it for so long. And Lotus Immortal Pool is hardly the middle of nowhere; it’s actually a place of exquisite beauty near the Immortal City. When the time comes, with the full moon high in the sky, we shall boat upon the lake, sitting and discussing the Dao. Wouldn’t that be a joy?"

Hearing this, Li Ping inwardly shook his head.

’To avoid the fallout from the conflict between that mysterious faction and the Immortal City, to avoid becoming bait for those damn Sword Cultivators...’

’He had even given up on his plan to return to the Jiang Kingdom to see his bedridden master one last time.’

’So how could he possibly leave the safety of the Immortal City now, just for Master Hu’s celebratory banquet?’

’If Master Hu’s banquet were being held on Immortal Peach Mountain, he would indeed be very interested in the lecture and the exchange meet, and he’d be willing to attend to show his support.’

’But holding it outside the city?’

’Suddenly, Li Ping found he wasn’t interested in any of it anymore.’

’As for Master Hu?’

’We’re just fellow Daoists on the surface; we’re not that close.’

’Either way, he was not leaving the Immortal City.’

Li Ping said helplessly, "Fellow Daoist Hu, I’m truly sorry. I have to go into seclusion to cultivate a Secret Technique during this time, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend your banquet."

Hearing this, Master Hu’s expression instantly stiffened.

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