Eternal Life by Daily Divination

Chapter 234: Chapter 183: Many Invitations, Foundation Establishment Ceremony

Jin Ming was silent for a moment.

He could tell that Li Chang’an was politely refusing him.

Besides, what Li Chang’an said was true.

The vast majority of Loose Cultivators exhausted their potential and fighting spirit just to reach Foundation Establishment. They would remain at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment for the rest of their lives, no longer striving as hard as they had during the Qi Refining Stage. They were content to become a Foundation Establishment Ancestor and enjoy their remaining years in peace.

After all, most who became Loose Cultivators were people with inferior Spiritual Roots.

No matter how hard they fought after reaching Foundation Establishment, it was nearly impossible to break through to the Golden Core Realm, so they might as well enjoy their lives.

Loose Cultivators who reached the Golden Core Realm, like Huang He Master, were far too rare!

“Daoist Li, are you sure you won’t reconsider?”

Jin Ming asked again, his invitation sincere.

He offered numerous benefits, including that Earth Grade Wood Element Technique.

As long as Li Chang’an was willing to become an Honored Guest Elder for the Jin Family and made enough contributions, he would eventually be able to exchange them for that Earth Grade Technique.

But Li Chang’an still refused.

He knew full well.

The contribution required to obtain that Earth Grade Technique would surely be astronomical.

He would probably have to toil away for the Jin Family for decades just to earn it.

Jin Ming sighed and didn’t press the matter further.

“In that case, I wish Daoist Li stable cultivation and a smooth journey on the Immortal Dao!”

“Thank you, Daoist Jin!”

Li Chang’an replied with a smile.

Not long after, Jin Ming left with Jin Yue.

Before leaving, he gave Li Chang’an a VIP Token.

The status this Token represented was even higher than the one Zheng Qingqing had given Li Chang’an; it was nearly equivalent to being an Honored Guest Elder of the Jin Family!

From now on, Li Chang’an would have greater access within the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower and could view even more precious Treasures.

Furthermore, he would receive a ten percent discount on all purchases!

Li Chang’an watched Jin Ming depart, then glanced at the Token in his hand and marveled to himself.

’As expected of a Merchant Family. So generous!’

He carefully put the Token away.

The Path of Body Refinement required a large number of expensive Treasures, and this token would save him a considerable sum in the future.

…

「That evening.」

Li Chang’an paid a visit to the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower.

Jin Yue greeted him enthusiastically and took him directly to the third floor of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower to show him more Treasures.

It had to be said, after his strength and status had increased, things had certainly become much more convenient.

Li Chang’an had previously been unable to purchase the last few Treasures he needed for the Tier Two Body Refining Second Layer.

But this time, he managed to gather all of them at once!

’So this is the benefit of having strength and status.’

Li Chang’an reflected inwardly.

After reaching Foundation Establishment, everything seemed different.

Although he had known a few Foundation Establishment Cultivators before, he couldn’t always be asking them for help.

…

「The next day.」

Li Chang’an was preparing the medicinal concoction needed for the Second Layer of Body Refinement.

Another Golden Core Family came to visit.

This time, it was also acquaintances.

Mo Xi of the Mo Family.

Beside her was a Mo Family Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Mo Wenyuan.

“Daoist Mo!”

Li Chang’an greeted them with a smile.

On the day he had succeeded in reaching Foundation Establishment, this man had been the first to congratulate him.

Mo Wenyuan laughed. “Haha, Daoist Li, I often hear Mo Xi speak of you. If you hadn’t saved her life, she would have died at the hands of that Poison Cultivator long ago!”

“It was nothing, really. Not worth mentioning!”

Li Chang’an invited the two into his courtyard and served them Spirit Tea and Spirit Fruit.

Just like Jin Ming, Mo Wenyuan didn’t immediately extend an invitation. Instead, he began by speaking to Li Chang’an about the importance of having a Cultivation Technique for the Foundation Establishment Stage.

They all seemed to think that a Loose Cultivator like Li Chang’an must be desperate for a High-Tier Cultivation Technique.

In fact, Li Chang’an did want one.

But he had no intention of selling his life to the Seven Great Noble Families.

The two of them chatted and laughed, and a quarter of an hour passed before they knew it.

During this time, Mo Xi, being a Qi Refining Cultivator, barely spoke.

She felt the Foundation Establishment aura coming from Li Chang’an, and her emotions were particularly complex.

’Even he has reached Foundation Establishment.’

Mo Xi sighed inwardly.

There was a time when she had completely looked down on Loose Cultivators like Li Chang’an, who had a Low Grade Spirit Root.

But now, Li Chang’an had already surpassed her.

Meanwhile, the Treasures she had accumulated had all been stolen by that Tribulation Cultivator named Li Fan. She had no idea when she would be able to gather what she needed for Foundation Establishment.

’Damn you, Li Fan!’

At this thought, Mo Xi gnashed her teeth, wishing she could tear that Li Fan to pieces!

Before long, Li Chang’an politely declined the Mo Family’s invitation and saw the two of them out.

As he was leaving, Mo Wenyuan also gave him an Identity Token.

With this Token, he could get a ten percent discount when purchasing Puppets from the Mo Family’s shops.

Li Chang’an watched them leave and sighed to himself.

’A pity. What I want isn’t Puppets, but the art of puppetry itself.’

Puppets were consumables. They could be damaged after a major battle, and he would either have to hire someone to repair them or buy new ones.

Either way, the cost in Spirit Stones would be significant.

Only by mastering the Puppetry Skill himself could he minimize the expense.

…

「A few days later.」

The Zhou Family also sent someone.

The two who came were both acquaintances of Li Chang’an.

One was Zhou Xuan, and the other was Zhou Sheng, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Zhou Family who had sold him the advancement Treasure, the Profound Crystal.

Their purpose was much the same as that of the Mo and Jin Families.

They were also politely refused by Li Chang’an.

After that, whenever he faced invitations from the major Sects and Noble Families,

Li Chang’an gave the same excuse.

He claimed that reaching Foundation Establishment had been a stroke of luck, that he had lost his fighting spirit and was no longer willing to struggle. He just wanted to live out the rest of his life in peace.

Before he knew it, the day of the Foundation Establishment Ceremony was approaching.

「The day before the ceremony was scheduled to begin.」

The master and disciple pair, Pei Yingyao and Ji Mengyun, came to visit.

Ji Mengyun said eagerly, “Elder Li, I actually wanted to come see you much sooner, but Master said you must be very busy lately and wouldn’t let me disturb you.”

“It has been a bit busy, but it’s manageable.”

Li Chang’an smiled and took out his best Tier Two Spirit Tea to serve Pei Yingyao.