txolops Chapter 55 Late Foundation Establishment Stage
Chapter 55 Late Foundation Establishment Stage
Many 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 Fellow Daoist Hu. How could I, a newly promoted Foundation Establishment cultivator, have the guts to deal with a late-stage second-tier snake demon?"
Upon hearing this, Master Hu's smile froze instantly.
He hadn't expected that after saying so much and getting so emotional, this fellow Daoist Li would remain completely unmoved by the Essence Pill.
Why do young people these days have no ambition at all?
So young, yet willing to spend his whole life as a Foundation Establishment cultivator?
The opportunity to break through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment is right in front of us. If not now, when?
However, he did not give up and advised, "If Fellow Daoist Li is worried about the danger, there is really no need to. I will take action first to lure the snake demon away. Fellow Daoist Li only needs to take the opportunity to pick the Vermilion Fruit. If you are lucky, Fellow Daoist Li will not need to confront the snake demon at all."
Upon hearing Master Hu's words, Li Ping still smiled and declined: "Thank you for your kind offer, Fellow Daoist Hu, but my strength is too weak, and I dare not even entertain the idea of exploration. Please forgive me."
Upon hearing this, Master Hu had no choice but to abandon his idea of inviting Li Ping to go on an expedition.
He had already said all he could, but he still couldn't sway Li Ping. If he continued to persuade him, he would only have to raise the price.
However, if he pays Li Ping more than he receives, and in the end he ends up working for Li Ping, that would be illogical and would only arouse Li Ping's suspicion.
Even a scam should at least conform to basic logic.
Li Ping isn't stupid; he's capable of becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Master Hu sighed and stopped talking about it: "Alright, since Fellow Daoist Li is unwilling to take the risk, then I can only ask other fellow Daoists for help. I ask Fellow Daoist Li not to publicize this matter."
"Don't worry, Fellow Daoist Hu, I'm not a gossip," Li Ping assured him with a smile.
……
After seeing Master Hu off, Li Ping returned to the alchemy room and continued his secluded alchemy practice.
He ignored Master Hu's invitation to pick the Vermilion Fruit as just a side note.
To his surprise, Master Hu visited him again a few months later.
This time, Master Hu looked radiant and full of self-satisfaction. The aura emanating from him subtly made Li Ping feel uneasy.
This alchemist, who possesses second-tier superior alchemy skills, has already broken through to the late Foundation Establishment stage!
Master Hu's sleeves fluttered in the wind, making him appear spirited and extremely proud: "Hahaha... Fellow Daoist Li, I've had a stroke of luck this time. After picking that Vermilion Fruit, I successfully refined several Essence Pills. After consuming one, I directly broke through to the late Foundation Establishment stage!"
Seeing that Master Hu had truly made a breakthrough, Li Ping couldn't help but feel extremely envious.
He was being paranoid; Master Hu probably just wanted to take care of him.
Suppressing his envy, Li Ping smiled and congratulated him, "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Hu, on breaking through to the late Foundation Establishment stage! You now have the opportunity to become a Core Formation True Person!"
In truth, Li Ping's envy was only fleeting. If time could be turned back a few months and Master Hu asked him again, he would still refuse without hesitation.
Going haphazardly might lead to regret.
Acting recklessly might leave you with no chance to regret it.
"Hahaha..." Master Hu laughed and said modestly, "Creating the Core is not that simple. I have just broken through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment. It may take me another forty or fifty years to reach the peak of Foundation Establishment. I'm afraid I have no hope of forming the Core in this lifetime."
Although he spoke modestly, his expression clearly showed that he was extremely pleased with Li Ping's congratulatory words.
Li Ping just smiled and didn't say anything.
"By the way, there's another matter I have to discuss with Fellow Daoist Li on this trip." Master Hu took out an invitation from his pocket: "I've wasted decades of my life and finally managed to break through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment. So I'm preparing to hold a banquet to celebrate and invite some fellow Foundation Establishment cultivators to sit down and discuss the Dao. At that time, I will also share some of my experiences in breaking through to the late stage with you fellow Daoists."
Master Hu smiled and looked at Li Ping: "Fellow Daoist Li, you must give me this honor to attend the banquet. Perhaps some of my humble insights on cultivation will inspire you."
"Oh, right," Master Hu slapped his forehead, "After the banquet, there will be an exchange session. I will bring out some of my treasured elixirs to exchange with the fellow Daoists attending the banquet! Fellow Daoist Li can also prepare some spirit talismans in advance; perhaps you can exchange them for some useful resources!"
"Banquets, exchange meetings."
Upon hearing this, Li Ping was quite tempted.
Whether it was Master Hu's lectures, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, or the exchange meetings attended by many Foundation Establishment cultivators, both were undoubtedly very attractive to him.
Leaving aside the sermons, there were even just the exchange sessions.
He had always wanted to buy a few suitable second-tier high-grade magic artifacts, but magic artifacts of this level were rarely sold in the Immortal City, and even if they were, Li Ping was not satisfied with their effects.
Generally speaking, if a cultivator wants a second-tier high-grade magic weapon, they usually collect the materials themselves and ask a weapon refiner to forge it.
Li Ping didn't have time to collect materials. He originally planned to wait for the Immortal City Auction a few years later to see if he could buy enough materials or if he would have the opportunity to directly bid for a suitable magic weapon.
If he participates in the Foundation Establishment cultivator exchange meeting, he might be able to achieve his wish sooner.
……
But when Li Ping opened the invitation and saw the banquet location, he couldn't help but frown: "Hmm? The banquet is being held at Lotus Immortal Pool, 600 miles outside the Immortal City?"
Master Hu, standing to the side, watched with a smile as Li Ping opened the invitation, a fleeting smug look in his eyes.
However, his smile quickly faded as Li Ping asked in bewilderment, "Fellow Daoist Hu, why not use this magnificent fairyland of Immortal Peach Mountain as the venue for the banquet in the middle of nowhere?"
Master Hu paused for a moment upon hearing this, then smiled and explained, "While the scenery of Immortal Peach Mountain is beautiful, it can become a bit monotonous after a while. Lotus Immortal Pool is not some desolate wilderness; it is a truly stunning scenic spot near the Immortal City. When the moon is full, we can boat on the lake, sit and discuss the Dao—wouldn't that be delightful?"
Upon hearing this, Li Ping shook his head inwardly.
In order to avoid the aftermath of the struggle between the mysterious forces and the immortal city, and to avoid becoming bait for the sword cultivators in the ditch.
He even gave up his plan to return to Jiang State to see his bedridden master one last time.
Now, how could he possibly leave Immortal City so easily just because of Master Hu's celebratory banquet?
If Master Hu's banquet were held at Xiantao Mountain, he would indeed be very interested in preaching and exchanging ideas, and would be willing to support Master Hu.
But should it be held outside the city?
Li Ping said he suddenly lost interest in everything.
As for Master Hu?
We're just casual acquaintances; we're not really friends.
Anyway, he won't leave this immortal city.
Li Ping said helplessly, "Fellow Daoist Hu, I'm really sorry, but I need to go into seclusion to cultivate a secret technique for a while, so I'm afraid I won't be able to attend your banquet."
Upon hearing this, Master Hu's face immediately froze.