Chapter 264: Chapter 261: Senior, Do You Want a Dao Companion?

A Tier Two Upper Grade puppet.

Its strength was equivalent to that of a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator. These puppets had accompanied Li Ping in many instances of Magical Combat, rendering meritorious service and slaying numerous powerful enemies for him.

But now that he had successfully formed his Golden Core, his power had taken a great leap forward.

Tier Two puppets were no longer useful in the Magical Combat he now participated in.

Even multiple Tier Two Upper Grade puppets working together would be helpless before the Magical Treasure of a Core Formation Cultivator. They would be smashed to pieces as easily as chopping melons and vegetables.

It was foreseeable that, aside from leaving one or two behind to guard his cave residence, the rest of these puppets would probably just gather dust in the depths of his Storage Bag.

For Li Ping, leaving one of these useless Tier Two Upper Grade puppets for the Ji family was a way of putting it to good use.

...

"A Tier Two Upper Grade puppet!" Hearing Li Ping’s casual words, Ji Nianyun was completely stunned.

A puppet of this tier was indeed useless to a Core Formation Master.

But for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator... a Tier Two Upper Grade puppet was powerful enough to match a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator. It could even directly kill an Early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator like Ji Nianyun in a one-on-one fight!

Moreover, a puppet wasn’t a Cultivator. As long as it was properly maintained, it could be passed down and used for thousands of years.

Even if a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator’s combat power was comparable to a Tier Two Upper Grade puppet, they could live for 240 years at most. In this respect, they were far inferior to the puppet.

So, in a sense, a Tier Two Upper Grade puppet was actually more useful to a family than a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Of course, if the person controlling the puppet was weak themselves, they could easily become a weak point for the enemy to exploit in a large battle. But that was another matter entirely.

Regardless, the value of a Tier Two Upper Grade puppet was simply unimaginable.

And now, Grandpa Li was bestowing such a puppet upon him.

Ji Nianyun looked hesitant, wanting to refuse, but he couldn’t bring himself to say the words. He knew all too well how important a Tier Two Upper Grade puppet was to his family.

Never mind the fact that there were usually no channels to purchase such a Treasure as a Tier Two Upper Grade puppet.

Even if one were for sale, the price would easily be over ten thousand Spirit Stones. With the Ji family’s resources, it might take them several generations of work just to afford it.

He struggled to tear his gaze away from the human-sized puppet, which was clad in black armor and had Dharma Artifacts like a bow, flying daggers, and arrows hanging from its waist.

Ji Nianyun’s expression was conflicted as he began to refuse. "Grandpa Li, you’ve given me a new lease on life. I haven’t even had a chance to show you my filial respect yet. How can I accept such a valuable Treasure from you...?"

"Enough. If I tell you to take it, then take it. As I’ve said, this puppet is useless to me." Li Ping smiled and waved his hand, stopping Ji Nianyun from continuing. "Now, go and bring me half of your father’s ashes."

Since Li Ping had put it that way, Ji Nianyun could no longer refuse and respectfully accepted the puppet.

He immediately refined the puppet on the spot, following the method Li Ping had taught him. Then, with a look of uncontrollable joy, he left Changping Square to retrieve his late father’s ashes.

...

No sooner had Ji Nianyun left than an acquaintance arrived to see Li Ping.

As soon as Mei Hao saw Li Ping, he bowed respectfully. "This junior pays his respects to Elder Li!"

Li Ping nodded with a smile. "Young Friend Mei, you and I have been friends for many years. There’s no need for such formalities."

At his gesture, Mei Hao sat down with a reverent expression.

Li Ping could clearly sense that not only was his attitude extremely humble, but he was also only sitting on the edge of his seat.

After flattering Li Ping for a while, Mei Hao finally said with a smile, "Elder Li, to be honest, I’ve actually come today on an important matter that I wished to discuss with you specifically."

"Oh? What is it? Feel free to speak." Li Ping replied nonchalantly, though a hint of surprise couldn’t help but creep into his tone.

"Then this junior will be direct. If I cause any offense, I hope Elder will forgive me." Mei Hao spoke respectfully, but his expression was filled with apprehension.

This only made Li Ping more curious about what Mei Hao wanted to say. He replied in an exceptionally calm and faint voice, "With the friendship between Young Friend Mei and myself, there is no need to speak of offense. Just say what’s on your mind."

’In reality, he and Mei Hao had only had a few transactions. Their friendship couldn’t be considered deep at all.’

’If Mei Hao were to overstep his bounds and ask for a favor, Li Ping would not hesitate to show him the door. He had no interest in doing things for others.’

But to his surprise, Mei Hao’s eyes shifted, and he said something completely unexpected. "If this junior isn’t mistaken, Elder Li does not currently have a cultivation partner, correct?"

Hearing this, Li Ping felt a flicker of annoyance. Mei Hao’s words reminded him of being pressured into marriage during his past life on Earth.

However, his face remained impassive as he glanced at Mei Hao and didn’t deny it. "And what if I don’t?"

Receiving Li Ping’s confirmation, Mei Hao let out a huge sigh of relief. He smiled and said, "Since Elder has no cultivation partner, then what this junior is about to say is truly a great thing for you."

By this point, Li Ping had a good idea of what Mei Hao was getting at, and he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

"Elder Li, what are your thoughts on our Sect Leader Shi as a person?" After speaking, Mei Hao secretly observed the changes in Li Ping’s expression.

Unfortunately for him, Li Ping’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. He simply smiled and nodded. "Young Friend Shi reached the Late-stage of Foundation Establishment at such a young age and can attempt her breakthrough to Core Formation at any time. Her cultivation talent is truly outstanding. Furthermore, she handles matters quite appropriately and manages Flying Snow City very well."

Seeing that Li Ping seemed to have a good impression of Shi Yutong, Mei Hao’s confidence surged. He quickly added with an obsequious smile, "Our Sect Leader Shi’s aptitude is indeed quite good, but it pales in comparison to yours, Elder Li. Of course, with the Sect Leader’s aptitude, achieving Core Formation is likely not far off."

After flattering Li Ping some more, Mei Hao finally revealed his purpose. "If Elder Li and Sect Leader Shi were to support each other, you would both be Core Formation Cultivators, with the foundation of Flying Snow City to back you. You would be a celestial couple. Elder Li, would you be willing to become dual cultivation partners with our Sect Leader Shi?"

"Dual cultivation partners." Li Ping stared at Mei Hao, his expression unreadable.

Mei Hao hurriedly added, "Yes! Elder Li, you do not have a partner, and our Sect Leader Shi is also alone. In terms of aptitude and status, the two of you are a match made in heaven."

Li Ping was speechless.

Mei Hao, who had been secretly observing Li Ping, saw this and couldn’t help but feel a little uncertain.

Before coming, his biggest worry was that Li Ping already had a cultivation partner. In that case, he naturally wouldn’t be able to marry Shi Yutong.

But after confirming Li Ping didn’t have a partner, he thought the matchmaking was already halfway to success.

After all, Shi Yutong had already reached the Peak of Foundation Establishment and could attempt her breakthrough to Core Formation at any moment. Once she succeeded, she would earn the title of ’Master’.

In the Cultivation Realm, a Core Formation Stage cultivation partner is not easy to find.

Furthermore, Shi Yutong had the appearance of a beautiful young woman, with exceptional looks, and she wasn’t old for her Cultivation level.

More importantly, Shi Yutong was the only daughter of the Flying Snow Sect’s previous leaders, Mu Yun Master and Qianxue Master.

Marrying her was practically equivalent to obtaining a vast, thousand-year-old enterprise out of thin air.

An opportunity like this was like a pie falling from the sky. He refused to believe that Li Ping wouldn’t be tempted.

But after he brought up the matter of a cultivation partner, Li Ping actually looked completely indifferent, which was far beyond his expectations.

But Li Ping was a Core Formation Cultivator, while he was just a lowly Foundation Establishment Cultivator. The difference in their status was immense, so of course, he didn’t dare show any dissatisfaction at this moment.

He suspected that perhaps Elder Li hadn’t understood his implication, so he hurriedly continued to explain, "With Elder Li’s age, as long as you become cultivation partners with Sect Leader Shi, the Flying Snow Sect will naturally be yours in the future. The Sect controls a territory tens of thousands of miles wide, with tens of millions of mortals and tens of thousands of Cultivators, all of whom will look to you as their master. At that time..."

Seeing Mei Hao rambling on, Li Ping had no choice but to interrupt him. "Young Friend Mei, there’s no need to say more. I have long since devoted my heart to the Great Dao. Before I achieve the Dao, I will not consider taking a cultivation partner."

"Uh..."

Hearing Li Ping’s words, Mei Hao knew that his trip was likely in vain. He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly at this outcome.

’So Elder Li is an ascetic. No wonder he was able to achieve the Golden Core Path.’ At the same time, Mei Hao felt a renewed sense of admiration for Li Ping.

’If it were me,’ he thought, ’and a Female Cultivator with conditions similar to Shi Yutong’s was pursuing me, I’d probably have eagerly agreed in a heartbeat. Who would still be thinking about some Great Dao?’

"I see. It seems Elder Li and our Sect Leader Shi are fated to not be together. What a pity." A helpless look appeared on Mei Hao’s face, and he stopped pressing the matter of a cultivation partner.

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries before he respectfully took his leave.

...

Ji Nianyun stood respectfully before Li Ping, holding an urn with a simple, ancient design. A look of reluctance was in his eyes.

In the end, however, he offered up the urn with both hands.

With a wave of his hand, Li Ping stored the urn in his Storage Bag. Then he smiled and said, "Go on."

"Yes, Grandpa Li. I will come to pay my respects again later." Ji Nianyun respectfully bid farewell and left.

...

In the empty hall, Shi Yutong was listening to Mei Hao’s report on his mission.

After Mei Hao finished speaking, she remained silent for a long time before slowly opening her mouth. It was as if she were asking Mei Hao, but also as if she were talking to herself. "Devoted his heart to the Great Dao... is that what he said?"

"Yes, Sect Leader," Mei Hao replied.

Shi Yutong forced a smile. "I’ve troubled you this time, Senior Brother Mei."

...

「Several days later.」

Shi Yutong, dressed in her finest attire, came to Changping Square to visit Li Ping, carrying a basket of Spirit Fruits she had picked herself.

But to her surprise, the Array of the cave residence belonging to Li Ping was wide open.

’What is this?’

Curious, Shi Yutong stepped into the cave residence.

The inside of the cave was perfectly still, without the slightest sound or movement, let alone the figure she had hoped to see.

Shi Yutong knew exactly what had happened.

Clearly, Li Ping had already left Flying Snow City. And he had left without a word, not informing her before his departure.

"Sigh!"

The beauty’s sigh echoed in the courtyard, a sound of both lament and grievance.

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