Chapter 245: Chapter 242: Xiao Yunzhi’s Core Formation

This time they met, Shi Yutong’s artful, manipulative words were gone, replaced by a dignified air.

Li Ping guessed that Shi Yutong hadn’t yet recovered from the pain of losing her father and her master. ’It was a bone-deep sorrow that would take time to fade.’

"I’m fine. I’m doing very well here," he said with a smile.

Shi Yutong looked at Li Ping, her eyes full of gratitude. "Yutong must thank you, Brother Li. If you hadn’t refined the Profound Heart Pill and allowed my mother to overcome her Heart Demon, I don’t know what would have happened. Brother Li, you have done the Flying Snow Sect a great service."

Hearing this, Li Ping nodded slightly.

’Shi Yutong is someone who knows right from wrong. She might have been unhappy that I fled on my own when danger struck, but she can control her emotions and remember the help I gave the Flying Snow Sect before. She isn’t letting one thing blind her to the bigger picture, remembering only my failing and not the help I gave her and the Flying Snow Sect. That kind of personality proves she’s a qualified Sect Leader, not an overly emotional woman. Take Dai Sangyu, whom I met back in Fenglan Immortal City. She was nowhere near as capable as Shi Yutong. She was too emotional in everything she did, had an extreme personality, and offended far too many people. As a result, she died not long after reaching Core Formation.’

Shi Yutong thanked Li Ping again for performing Alchemy for the Flying Snow Sect and told him he could bring any requests to Mei Hao.

She also gave Li Ping her assurance.

The friendship between the Flying Snow Sect and Li Ping would not change. At any time, Li Ping could use the Sect’s Tier Three Spirit Vein to attempt his breakthrough to Core Formation.

Finally, she sincerely requested that Li Ping set aside some more time to refine Pills for the Flying Snow Sect in the near future.

After receiving a satisfactory answer from Li Ping, she departed in a hurry.

As the leader of a sect, especially during the crucial time of rebuilding, she had a vast number of matters to attend to and couldn’t afford to spend much time here.

...

By the time New Year’s arrived, the Flying Snow Sect’s Tier Three Sect Protection Array had finally been repaired, and the situation in the city had stabilized.

The reason it took so long to repair the Array was mainly that the Flying Snow Sect had no High-tier Array Masters.

The most skilled Array Master in the Flying Snow Sect was merely Tier Two and was helpless against the damaged Tier Three Array.

Shi Yutong had no choice but to hire a reliable Array Master from another Main City at a high price to come to Flying Snow City and repair the ruined Array.

In fact, most of the time was spent on that Array Master’s journey.

As for restoring stability in the city, that was relatively easy.

The Loose Cultivators who had committed crimes were either arrested on the spot by Qianxue Master or had hastily fled Flying Snow City for other Main Cities the moment she made her move.

Therefore, the Flying Snow Sect managed to restore order in the city with very little effort.

Of course, having learned from this painful lesson, the Flying Snow Sect tightened its control over the Loose Cultivators in the city, no longer granting them as much freedom.

They were willing to do so even if it meant sacrificing Flying Snow City’s economic development and reducing its commercial vitality.

Compared to the Sect’s security, some commercial profits were clearly not as important.

The lesson the Loose Cultivators had taught the Flying Snow Sect this time was simply too profound.

The Flying Snow Sect had almost been annihilated!

In reality, as far as Li Ping knew, it wasn’t just in the Flying Snow Sect’s territory; the Loose Cultivators of the Western Wilderness were much the same. ’Normally, they would honestly earn Spirit Stones to get by, enduring all sorts of treatment from Sect and Clan Cultivators. But the moment they saw an opportunity, they would strike ruthlessly without hesitation. Muttering things like, "This might be the only chance in my life," or "Gamble it all for a limitless future..." they would commit all sorts of robbery and murder. Of course, you couldn’t blame the Loose Cultivators entirely. Cultivation resources are finite, and the lion’s share is held by the Sects and Cultivation Clans, who block the paths of advancement for Loose Cultivators. If there were a stable path for advancement, which Loose Cultivator would be willing to risk their life and limb to attack Cultivation Clans and Sects? It could only be said that every cause has its effect. Whether it was the Sects, the Cultivation Clans, or the Loose Cultivators, everything they did was for their own benefit.’

...

Li Ping shook his head, casting the many thoughts from his mind. He rose, walked out of the main hall, and headed toward the edge of the Flying Snow Sect’s grounds.

More than half a month ago, Ji Shu Xuan had invited him to a New Year’s banquet at his home, insisting he come so that Ji Shu Xuan could show his filial respect to "Uncle Li."

Hearing his sincerity, Li Ping didn’t have the heart to disappoint him and agreed.

Now, he was on his way to be a guest at Ji Shu Xuan’s home.

The Flying Snow Sect had arranged a small, modest courtyard for Ji Shu Xuan’s family, just large enough for the five of them.

The banquet was set up in the courtyard.

「That night, the moon hung high in the sky.」

Ji Shu Xuan and his wife respectfully toasted Li Ping, their faces filled with gratitude. "Uncle Li, we owe you so much for taking care of us all these years. Allow us to offer our thanks with this toast!"

Li Ping smiled, nodded, and drained his cup.

’Nearly a hundred years ago, Daoist Ji had led him onto the path of the Immortal Dao. Now, by taking care of Daoist Ji’s descendants, he was repaying the grace of that guidance. He didn’t expect anything in return, but Ji Shu Xuan’s gratitude was genuinely gratifying.’

The Ji family’s three children also chimed in unison, "Grandpa Li, we wish you a Happy New Year!"

Li Ping chuckled and accepted their well-wishes. He then took out some Pills he had refined in advance from his Storage Bag and distributed them among the three youths, encouraging them to "cultivate well and improve every day."

The Pills Li Ping bestowed upon them were all of high quality, and the three children were overjoyed.

As for Ji Shu Xuan and his wife, Li Ping didn’t give them anything.

’In any case, at their age, they were basically in a state of retirement and had long since given up on their own cultivation. Anything he gave them would just be used for their three children anyway. It was better to just give the items directly to the children.’

During the banquet, Ji Shu Xuan also told Li Ping about his family’s plans for the future.

The Flying Snow Sect had been gravely weakened in the recent turmoil. They had suffered significant losses among their Low-tier Cultivators and were in urgent need of new blood.

The Ji family, however, had not abandoned the Sect in its time of crisis and had passed the test.

Not only had they protected the Sect’s property, but they had also killed several Loose Cultivators who tried to plunder it, thereby earning great merit.

Therefore, the Flying Snow Sect had granted special permission for Ji Shu Xuan’s eldest son and second daughter to join the Sect.

Of course, their Spiritual Root aptitude was a bit poor, and they were a little old, so they could only become Outer Sect disciples of the Flying Snow Sect.

But even so, for them, this was a rather good opportunity.

Compared to being a Loose Cultivator, the status of a Sect cultivator was like ascending to the heavens in a single step.

’But this was all what they deserved.’

Seeing that his three children now had promising futures, staying in the Flying Snow Sect to cultivate and serve, Ji Shu Xuan’s aged eyes were filled with relief and gratification.

As for him and his wife, they planned to reopen their shop after the New Year. They would work for Xu Guikai while also earning some Spirit Stones to support their three children’s cultivation.

On his way to the Land of the Far North, Xu Guikai had once saved Ji Shu Xuan’s life.

For this, he had always been deeply grateful.

Li Ping smiled and nodded at his plans.

’After surviving this great disaster, Ji Shu Xuan had finally established a firm foothold in Flying Snow City. In the future, the Ji family might even produce a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and become one of the influential families within the Flying Snow Sect. Coupled with the main branch of the Ji family far away in the Jiang Kingdom, looked after by the two Foundation Establishment Cultivators Ji Shuwen and Yan Hengchuan, their development prospects should be quite good. If Old Brother Ji’s spirit in the heavens could see this, he would surely be very pleased.’

...

After a pleasant night, Li Ping took his leave early the next morning.

He actually wanted to move out of the Flying Snow Sect and return to his residence in Changping Square.

The problem was that his cave estate in Changping Square had been destroyed by Loose Cultivators. And because Changping Square was in a remote location, the Flying Snow Sect hadn’t yet had time to repair the estate or set up an Array, so Li Ping could only remain within the Sect for the time being.

’But he probably wouldn’t have to wait too much longer.’

Li Ping estimated that he would be able to move back into his own cave estate within a month or two after the New Year.

He walked back, lost in thought.

Before he knew it, Li Ping had wandered near the seclusion chamber where Xiao Yunzhi was attempting her breakthrough to Core Formation.

’It’s been three years. I wonder how she’s progressing.’

Li Ping looked toward the seclusion chamber, his eyes filled with emotion.

’Thankfully, the place where Xiao Yunzhi was in seclusion was a remote spot that obviously didn’t hide any Treasures, so she hadn’t been disturbed during the chaos and could focus on her breakthrough to Core Formation.’

Shaking his head, Li Ping was about to turn and leave.

Suddenly—

He clearly sensed the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi in the surroundings begin to tremble violently.

’What is this?’ Li Ping looked up at the sky in delighted surprise.

He saw the clear, cloudless azure sky suddenly roil with change!

Amid flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder, a vast expanse of inky black clouds gathered in the blink of an eye, blanketing the sky above Xiao Yunzhi’s seclusion chamber. The thunder was deafening, and electric serpents danced wildly within the dark clouds!

The instant this strange celestial phenomenon appeared, Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi also began to converge in massive quantities, gradually forming an immense Spiritual Qi vortex above the chamber. The vortex continuously drew in Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi until it stabilized at a size of several dozen miles in radius.

It was almost identical to the celestial phenomenon that occurred when Dai Sangyu attempted her breakthrough to Core Formation.

Li Ping was certain now. After nearly three years in seclusion, Xiao Yunzhi had finally reached the last step of Core Formation.

The celestial phenomenon triggered by Xiao Yunzhi’s breakthrough attempt naturally drew the attention of every cultivator in Flying Snow City.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! ...

Several figures appeared at Li Ping’s side. Among them were Shi Yutong and a silver-haired Female Cultivator with skin like pristine snow and a beautiful face like that of a sixteen-year-old girl.

Sensing the Spiritual Pressure emanating from her, Li Ping’s heart tightened. He quickly bowed in salute. "Greetings, Master."

This Female Cultivator, who looked like she could be Shi Yutong’s sister, was none other than Qianxue Master.

"Alchemist Li, there’s no need for such formalities." A gentle, slightly weak voice sounded in Li Ping’s ear. "Your young friend has reached the final moments of her breakthrough to Core Formation. Congratulations, Alchemist Li."

Li Ping smiled and thanked Qianxue Master for her congratulations.

’Actually, Xiao Yunzhi had promised to do three things for the Flying Snow Sect free of charge after reaching Core Formation. At a time when the Sect’s strength was greatly diminished, her successful breakthrough was also a good thing for them.’

Not long after, everyone else left to attend to their own business.

Only Li Ping remained, watching.

Several days later, under Li Ping’s watchful gaze, the enormous Spiritual Qi vortex spanning several dozen miles above the seclusion chamber seemed to have absorbed enough Spiritual Qi. Following a clear cry that sounded like a dragon’s roar and a phoenix’s call, it dispersed like a receding tide.

Within the turbulent Spiritual Qi, a brilliant five-colored light faintly shimmered, like a sea of rainbows.

Then, the clouds and mist dissipated, the dancing electric serpents vanished, and everything returned to normal, revealing the azure sky once more!

Li Ping knew. ’Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Xiao Yunzhi had successfully reached Core Formation.’

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