The third-stage talismans are too precious, so he did not give them to the two people, after all, he was not running a charity.

It's not too late to give them once they truly find what they need.

...

...

After Duan Shuang and Gong Yang left, Thousand Leaves Mountain returned to its tranquility.

In the empty pavilion, only Xu Ping remained, alone.

"Now that the disaster of the evil spirits has dissipated, and a small revenge has been achieved, it is a double joy, time to drink a cup!"

Xu Ping's lips curled into a faint smile, as he took out spirit wine, specially asking the water lake rat to come and pour it for him.

The water lake rat nimbly bustled over, skillfully filling Xu Ping's cup.

Xu Ping raised the cup and drank it all in one go, the wine sliding down his throat, bringing a slight warmth.

Even though the revenge wasn't personally taken by him, the destruction of his enemies was still a great satisfaction.

...

Time quietly passed by.

On the tenth day after Shuize Sect's destruction, cultivators from the countries of Hu and Feng arrived at Wanzhe Waters like a tide.

Everything was just as Xu Ping had predicted before, with cultivators from both countries joining the "Alliance to Exterminate Evil Spirits."

For a time, a grand and imposing operation to exterminate the evil spirits was underway.

As a result, those magical artifacts and talismans that could restrain the evil spirits in the entire Wanzhe Waters suddenly became rare commodities, with prices soaring like a runaway horse.

During this period, many people came to Thousand Leaves Mountain by name, trying to purchase the Cyan Profound Divine Thunder Talisman made by Xu Ping, but without exception, all were skillfully deflected by Xu Ping.

On this day.

Xu Ping was immersed in cultivation, spiritual power circulating around him, his aura calm and steady, when the water lake rat's divine sense message interrupted his cultivation:

"Master, a fake pill cultivator claiming to be an old friend of yours has come to visit."

"An old friend who's a fake pill cultivator?"

Xu Ping's brows furrowed instantly, filled with confusion, and he immediately asked through divine sense: "What is the visitor's name?"

He couldn't recall knowing any fake pill cultivators before.

"He says his name is Hongyi!" the water lake rat quickly responded.

"Hongyi?"

Xu Ping was slightly taken aback, thoughts swirling in his mind, 'The senior disciple brother of Qiu Xuan Mountain's Sect Leader?

First it was Xu Zhixuan, and now it's Hongyi, why do all the surviving members of Qiu Xuan Mountain enjoy reminiscing with him so much?

Moreover, Hongyi has actually become a fake pill cultivator.

But upon closer thought, it's reasonable, since Hongyi already had the combat power of a fake pill before, though it's unclear what means he used.

But after all these years, his becoming a fake pill cultivator is indeed very plausible.

"Master, should I bring him up to meet you?" the water lake rat once again inquired through divine sense.

Xu Ping pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "Invite him up... nevermind, I will personally bring him up."

After all, Hongyi is now a fake pill cultivator, and given his previous kindness when he was at Qiu Xuan Mountain, it's only right to meet him in person.

...

Xu Ping set up Escape Light and went to greet him mid-air.

From afar, he saw a middle-aged man with slightly graying temples standing silently.

Xu Ping approached, bowed with hands clasped, and smiled: "Sect Leader Hong, long time no see!"

"Qiu Xuan Mountain has long since been destroyed, how can I still be a Sect Leader!" Hongyi smiled wryly, "Let us call each other fellow daoists."

Upon hearing this, Xu Ping sighed slightly: "Unknowingly, so many years have passed now!"

"But it's a cause for celebration that Fellow Daoist Hong has broken through to the fake pill." Xu Ping congratulated him with a smile.

"I am far from being comparable to Fellow Daoist Xu!" Hongyi waved his hands repeatedly.

He looked at Xu Ping, who looked almost the same as before, showing no signs of aging, but even seemed to be growing younger, and couldn't help but feel countless emotions.

When first meeting Xu Ping, he knew Xu Ping was extraordinary, later revealed by his Sword Qi Thunder Sound.

Even with psychological preparation, he never imagined that in the short span of twenty or thirty years, Xu Ping would have grown into a third-stage Talisman Master.

Now, Xu Ping's status and position exceeded that of an actual fake pill cultivator like him by half a step.

"Let us stop praising each other here, why don't we chat as we drink in my cave residence." Xu Ping warmly invited.

"I couldn't ask for more!" Hongyi agreed readily with a smile.

Subsequently, under Xu Ping's guidance, the two came to the pavilion within the mountain.

"Ah... I truly envy Fellow Daoist Xu, farming and making talismans at Thousand Leaves Mountain, living a carefree and leisurely life..."

Hongyi drank a sip of spirit tea, seemingly in genuine admiration.

However, in the next second, his words abruptly shifted: "Yet, even though Thousand Leaves Mountain is good, it is ultimately only a second-stage spirit vein, now somewhat inferior to a third-stage spirit vein, not a true blessed land."

"Oh?"

Xu Ping's expression changed slightly as he immediately asked, "What high opinion do you have, Fellow Daoist Hong?"

"To be frank, Fellow Daoist Xu, I indeed came today to discuss an important matter,"

Hongyi said seriously and sincerely, "Although Qiu Xuan Mountain was unfortunately breached by a beast tide back then, the third-stage spirit vein within the mountain remains intact."

"Now that the beast tide has receded, it is an excellent time to reorganize Qiu Xuan Mountain!"

At this point, Hongyi looked at Xu Ping with burning eyes and sincere words: "I sincerely invite Fellow Daoist Xu to join Qiu Xuan Mountain and take the position of Sect Leader."

"While I become the deputy Sect Leader, fully supporting Fellow Daoist Xu, I believe it won't be long before Qiu Xuan Mountain regains its former glory."

"Moreover, with a third-stage spiritual land as a firm foundation, the entire force can be at Fellow Daoist Xu's command to consolidate, then Fellow Daoist Xu's desire to form the Golden Core may not be illusory!"

'Join Qiu Xuan Mountain as its Sect Leader?' Hearing Hongyi's suggestion, Xu Ping couldn't help but freeze momentarily.

After a brief moment of shock, he regained his composure and immediately shook his head in refusal: "I feel my strength is still lacking and likely cannot bear such a significant responsibility."

For ordinary cultivators, Hongyi's proposal would be immensely tempting.

But for Xu Ping, it held no allure whatsoever.

Not to mention anything else, just the once-every-few-decades beast tide threat at Qiu Xuan Mountain was enough to make him lose all interest.

Upon hearing how decisively Xu Ping refused, Hongyi became somewhat anxious.

He quickly urged repeatedly: "With Fellow Daoist Xu's current status and strength as a third-stage Talisman Master, taking on the role of Sect Leader at Qiu Xuan Mountain would be entirely fitting."

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Xu, once you become Sect Leader, you won't need to worry about any trivial matters, just focus on closed-door cultivation and drawing talismans.

This is no different from your life at Thousand Leaves Mountain, and moreover, there would be a substantial Sect Leader's allowance solely for Fellow Daoist Xu every year."

Admittedly, Hongyi's offer was indeed very enticing.

Yet, Xu Ping still, without any hesitation, firmly refused once more: "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Hong, for your kind intentions, but I truly have no interest in being the Sect Leader of Qiu Xuan Mountain, please seek others who are suitable."

Hongyi opened his mouth as if wanting to say more, but finally, he just smiled bitterly and shook his head helplessly: "Since Fellow Daoist Xu has made up his mind, I won't force further persuasion."

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Hong, for understanding. Honestly speaking, even without inviting me, with your current fake pill strength, reviving Qiu Xuan Mountain isn't a difficult task!"

Xu Ping's words were genuine and not empty flattery.

With the entire Yue Country repeatedly suffering calamities, many forces have already perished, not to mention that Shuize Sect, a formidable presence, was annihilated at the hands of Luoyun Sect.

Under such circumstances, Hongyi's strength as a fake pill cultivator makes revitalizing Qiu Xuan Mountain quite possible, although returning to its peak of prosperity might be somewhat challenging.

"I understand what Fellow Daoist Xu is saying, just... forget it, there's no point discussing it." Hongyi sighed slightly.

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