"Once Luo Feibai returns today, I imagine your name, dear Li, will soon spread across the entire Chidi Mountain Range…"
"With your reputation, our Lan family will surely have a much easier time. I truly can't thank you enough!"
Lan Xinyi's eyes sparkled as she gazed admiringly at Li Ye, a soft blush creeping up her cheeks.
At this point, the old men had already tactfully taken their leave, leaving the two of them alone.
But Li Ye merely smiled lightly and said,
"This was just a small matter. If it helps reduce some unnecessary trouble and allows me to focus on cultivation, then it's worth it."
"As for your Lan family… haven't you already paid me?"
Seeing that Li Ye didn't seem interested in taking things further in this private moment, a hint of disappointment flashed in the girl's eyes.
But soon, she carefully asked,
"Li Lang, now that the layout of Changcui Mountain has changed… I was thinking of setting up some auxiliary formations at the foot of the mountain to gather spiritual energy. That way, it would be easier for the uncles and elders to cultivate… Would you be willing to help when you have time? Of course, we'll pay you accordingly."
Ever since Li Ye had rearranged the formations, effectively dividing the mountain into upper and lower regions from the midpoint, the spiritual energy flowing down had dropped by seventy to eighty percent.
The lower area, relying only on a low-grade spiritual vein, could barely sustain two plots of spirit fields.
The concentration of spiritual energy was just about enough for early-stage Qi Refining cultivators, but for those further along, it was woefully inadequate.
Siphoning energy from the first-grade vein above was almost out of the question. But if they could set up formations to gather and focus the ambient energy, things might improve somewhat.
Previously, the Lan family had been unsure whether Li Ye would mind, so even though they knew he was a formation master, they hadn't dared to bring it up.
But today, after seeing him so openly demonstrate his formation expertise in front of Luo Feibai, they finally felt comfortable enough to ask.
"This is no problem at all," Li Ye agreed without hesitation.
"If anyone from the other peaks comes seeking my help with formations whether to create or break them you may receive them on my behalf."
With Luo Feibai's help, his name as a formation master would soon spread. If he could use this identity to operate more freely in the area, it would allow him to "freeload" on formations, while also building his reputation and connections.
That would make his position in the Chidi Mountain Range all the more secure.
As for alchemy… after being hunted by that Foundation Establishment cultivator surnamed Ding, he no longer planned to reveal that skill so readily.
Better to stick with formations an art that balances both power and profit at least publicly, for now.
As soon as he said this, Lan Xinyi's face lit up with joy.
"Don't worry, Li Lang… I and the Lan family will take good care of any visitors who come seeking your services!"
Though the Lan family was now just a shadow of its former self, if they could become the intermediaries for Li Ye's outside commissions, other factions would naturally take them more seriously. It would greatly help them expand their network and secure new opportunities.
Certainly worth getting excited over!
…
After seeing off the business-minded Lan Xinyi, Li Ye headed straight for the Voidrealm Tree at the mountaintop formation's core.
In just a few days, the tree had visibly grown taller and thicker, already reaching over three meters.
As Li Ye approached, its branches and leaves gently swayed, as if greeting him.
He reached out and lightly stroked its greenish-purple trunk. His mind wavered for a moment, as if momentarily detached, and he felt their connection grow a bit stronger.
A panel prompt flashed before his eyes:
[Your bond with the Tier-4 spiritual plant "Jianmu Variant: Offshoot of the Voidrealm Tree" has deepened. Comprehension increased. Spirit Imprint solidification +0.1%...]
Though he hadn't yet seen much in terms of experience points or spiritual feedback from it, the spirit imprint solidification was progressing day by day.
Given that the tree's growth might accelerate the solidification process, even with just this single tree, he would need less than a thousand days to complete it.
"Let's hope it surprises me when the time comes…"
A hint of anticipation flickered in Li Ye's eyes.
...
Headquarters of the Mountain Alliance, Pingyang Mountain
"Deputy Alliance Leader, that's everything I saw today..."
Luo Feibai respectfully reported to the lean man in front of him. After a moment's hesitation, a trace of lingering fear appeared in his eyes as he added,
"What's most noteworthy is that this man's mastery of formations is truly unfathomable… Even compared to our Pingyang Mountain's Tier-2 Protective Formation, the formation he set up gave me an even greater sense of danger."
"Now that is interesting…"
The lean-faced Xie Yushu murmured, then asked,
"Do you think he can be recruited?"
Luo Feibai's round face turned serious immediately.
"This Li Ye is an outsider with no ties to the families on any of the local peaks. The Lan family, having been nearly wiped out, is now left with only a handful of old, weak, and infirm. They rely on him completely and are at his mercy..."
"That puts him naturally in alignment with our side. And given his talent in formations, he's certainly worth recruiting."
"You make a fair point."
Xie Yushu nodded in approval.
"Even though you've often used your position for personal gain hurting the Alliance's image in the eyes of our envoys you do have some talent and remain loyal to the mountain."
Hearing the first half, Luo Feibai's face paled and he nearly knelt to apologize. But the praise that followed froze him in place, unsure whether to bow or smile.
"Ahem… I shall certainly conduct myself more properly."
After giving his subordinate a bit of a warning, Xie Yushu continued,
"Since he's worth recruiting, then go ahead and spread the word of what happened today. Bring some formation-related commissions to him in the coming days."
"Formation masters are rare, and people like him likely have some pride… Let him get comfortable first. Once he sees the benefits and understands the stakes, then we can talk about which side he wants to take."
"I'll see to it personally!"
Luo Feibai responded loudly, then respectfully took his leave.
Xie Yushu picked up the sparse intelligence report on Li Ye the one compiled after his contact with the Lan siblings. As he flipped through it, a look of doubt flashed in his eyes.
"A late-stage Qi Refining formation master… Someone of this caliber should be making waves even in the surrounding three nations, but we couldn't find any trace of his background. It's impossible for a Qi Refining cultivator to cross the Ten-Thousand Beast Mountain Range, so could he have come from even farther, perhaps from the Kingdom of Huan?"
"With the constant demonic tides and chaos of demonic cultivators over there, it's not implausible that someone would journey here in search of a safer place to cultivate… Though it still needs verification, I don't think there's an issue with him."
At that thought, a cold glint flickered in his eyes.
"If we can bring him in, then we'll have a counterbalance to the Tu family's formation master… Those other families will have no choice but to behave themselves."
"You two will do,"
Li Ye said after inspecting the group in front of him, finally pointing to a strong young man and a broad-shouldered, thick-armed middle-aged farm woman.
"Fang Ze and Xiong Li thank you for choosing us, sir!"
The two immediately stepped forward, bowing with excitement. The other spirit farmers who had come to compete for the positions looked on with envy.
They had already felt the abundant spiritual energy in this place. If they could stay here long-term, it would be a huge boost to their cultivation.
Even with lower pay, it would still be worth it!
After dismissing the rest, Li Ye led Fang Ze and Xiong Li to the spiritual fields.
Shielded by multiple layers of formations, the artificially created Tier-2 spiritual fields ones these two would never be allowed to touch were simply skipped over.
Li Ye only gestured toward the three publicly visible acres.
"This acre of Bloodgrain Rice isn't hard to manage just make sure to regularly replenish it with beast blood."
Though he had already cultivated the Elephant Armor Force technique to the third layer reaching the "great success" stage there was still room for improvement, and he needed a lot of resources to progress further.
Since this acre of spiritual field had relatively weaker spiritual energy, using it to grow something like Bloodgrain Rice was just right.
"As for these two acres of Evergreen Flower, I'll handle them myself for now. You'll assist me. If you fail to meet my standards within the given time, then there's no need for you to stay on."
Li Ye's tone was calm, but the two, who had just been smiling moments before, now tensed up, their expressions turning solemn.
Seeing their reactions, Li Ye couldn't help but recall his days competing for spiritual fields under Ji Qing…
The scheming, the desperation just to be allowed to tend a few acres of land.
And now… he was finally getting a taste of what it felt like to be the landlord.
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