Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Another New Rule

After the sword’s cry faded, the banquet continued.

Li Ping looked at Teng Feng and said with a smile, "Teng Feng, it’s good that you have the ambition to go out and make a name for yourself. However, they have a point. The mountains and ridges beyond the Immortal City are fraught with danger."

Hearing what seemed like a word of caution from his Big Brother, Teng Feng quickly opened his mouth to explain, but Li Ping cut him off with a wave of his hand.

"Of course, I know that if you dare to leave the city, you must have some degree of confidence," he continued. "Besides, you have an Innocent Heart. Constantly cultivating within the Immortal City would only tarnish it."

As if struck by a revelation, Teng Feng’s expression turned to excitement. "Big Brother, you’re right! I knew something felt off while I was staying in the Immortal City. It seems I’m better suited for the mountains after all."

The other five had been about to continue persuading Teng Feng, but after Li Ping spoke, they silently swallowed their words.

Li Ping gestured for Teng Feng to calm down before continuing, "However, there’s always a chance of an accident. Teng Feng, you’ve been a quiet contributor to the Friends Association for many years. If something were to happen to you, what would become of your contributions? Should they just be erased? ...That certainly won’t do."

Hearing Li Ping’s words, Teng Feng grew thoughtful. ’My contributions...’

That’s right. He had contributed to the Foundation Establishment Fund for so many years. If he met an untimely end, wouldn’t all those contributions have been for nothing?

He would truly suffer a great loss. It would be as if everything had been washed away, leaving nothing but a vast, white emptiness.

But to not venture out of the Immortal City to train and temper himself?

Teng Feng felt he simply couldn’t bear the dull, monotonous environment of the Immortal City any longer. Staying there, he was like a bird in a cage, with wings but no room to fly.

The others had their own thoughts as well.

Zhang Tie thought, ’Big Brother is right. If Sixth Brother really has an accident, what happens to his contributions?’

Gumu Sheng thought, ’Big Brother’s contribution is the largest. If we lose one Middle-stage Qi Refining member, won’t the rest of us benefit more?’

Cheng Yao thought, ’I hadn’t thought of that until Big Brother brought it up. I’d better take good care of myself from now on, lest something happens to me and someone else reaps the benefits.’

Qi Hanmo thought, ’Fewer members would clearly be more advantageous for Big Brother, yet he brought this matter out into the open. He truly is a noble gentleman of ancient character.’

Bai Qing thought, ’Big Brother has a point, but my contribution to the association is the smallest. Even if something happened to me, it’s not like there are that many Spirit Stones at stake.’

...

Li Ping’s gaze swept over the six of them, taking in their changing expressions. Only then did he smile and reveal his solution.

He said with a smile, "To prevent everyone’s contributions from going to waste, I’ve come up with a ’succession’ plan."

"Succession?" The six were confused.

Li Ping continued to explain with a smile, "By ’succeed,’ I’m referring to your membership status in the Friends Association. According to my plan, each of you six can designate one person as your successor. That way, if anything happens to you, your contributions and your chance at Foundation Establishment will automatically transfer to that person, for them to take over."

"That is succession!"

"Of course, after you’ve chosen your successor, you must not tell them about the Friends Association," Li Ping added. "Only if something truly happens to you will I personally approach them and ask for their opinion. If they are willing, they can take your place—we’ll call it ’assuming the position.’ If they are unwilling, then your contributions will be forfeit."

With Li Ping’s explanation, the six quickly understood the concept of ’succession.’

This was a rule that would ensure their contributions wouldn’t be for nothing. Even if they really did meet an untimely end, their designated successor could take over their position, enjoy the fruits of their contributions, and bear their responsibilities.

This rule was undoubtedly a good thing for them.

After all, anyone they designated as a successor would certainly be someone very close to them.

For their contributions to go to a loved one after their own accidental death was the best possible outcome for them.

But someone as clever as Gumu Sheng quickly thought of a problem.

If one had already used their chance at Foundation Establishment, it wouldn’t be worth it to designate a successor. At that point, the successor would only have obligations, not rights, essentially contributing for nothing.

In that case, it would be better not to designate a successor at all. When a person dies, their debts die with them.

Thinking of this, he didn’t hesitate to ask, "Big Brother, can this successor be changed or revoked?"

Li Ping nodded affirmatively. "Of course. At any time!"

Having received a positive reply, Gumu Sheng was the first to respond. "I agree to the new rule proposed by Big Brother."

After some thought, the others unanimously agreed that the ’succession plan’ was beneficial to everyone except Big Brother.

While silently admiring Big Brother’s selflessness, they all voiced their approval of the plan.

Next, it was a matter of course for everyone to swear an oath and add this new rule.

Afterward, Li Ping asked the six who they each wanted to designate as their successor in the association.

Unsurprisingly, Zhang Tie designated his master, Old Man Lin.

Gumu Sheng said he needed more time to think.

Cheng Yao also needed more time to think.

Same for Qi Hanmo.

Same for Teng Feng.

Bai Qing designated a younger clan brother with whom he was on good terms.

Li Ping noted each response, had the others bear witness, and reminded Gumu Sheng and the other three to inform him as soon as they made their choices.

Once all this was settled, the banquet resumed.

The next part of the gathering, as was customary, involved Li Ping guiding the other six in their cultivation.

The six humbly asked for advice, and Li Ping patiently gave his guidance. Before they knew it, the night had passed.

As the sky began to lighten, the six bid Li Ping farewell and departed, and tranquility returned to Li Ping’s cave abode.

Ignoring the mess left over from the banquet, Li Ping returned to the main hall to continue his Alchemy and cultivation.

His little housekeeper, Bai Lin, would take care of the mess.

...

「In a valley on Gaoji Mountain.」

After staying at home until the seventh day of the new year, Bai Lin realized her vacation was almost over. Reluctantly, she bid her family farewell, ready to return to the city to work.

But as she was looking for a clan member to catch a ride with, the Clan Leader, Bai Mingde, found her.

Bai Mingde smiled and waved her over. "Lin’Er, the Ancestor wishes to see you. I’ll take you to pay your respects."

"Huh? The Ancestor wants to see me?" Bai Lin was both bewildered and overwhelmed by the honor.

The Ancestor was the Bai family’s only Foundation Establishment Cultivator and the pillar of the entire clan. Due to his advanced age, he spent most of his time recuperating and rarely made appearances.

In her entire life, she could count the number of times she had seen the Ancestor on one hand.

「A moment later.」

Bai Mingde flew Bai Lin on his sword, landing beside the Spiritual Spring where the Bai family’s Ancestor was recuperating. "Ancestor," he called out respectfully.

Bai Lin, for her part, hurriedly knelt and cried out, "Great Ancestor!"

"Ah, so it’s little Bai Lin," the Bai family’s Ancestor said with a gentle smile. "Come, come. Get up and sit here next to me."

Bai Lin did as she was told and sat beside the Great Ancestor. Her Senior and the Ancestor were both Foundation Establishment Cultivators, but as soon as she got close, she immediately noticed a difference.

Her Senior was a young man with skin as lustrous as jade, and he exuded a pleasant scent.

But the Ancestor, while appearing to have the face of a youth and the hair of a crane, had a withered complexion up close. She could see many age spots, and she could faintly smell the scent of decay.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.