"Brother Li, are you truly unwilling to explore the site?"
"With someone of your exceptional skill in formations, the remaining restrictions in that cave dwelling wouldn't pose any obstacle. Who knows we might even find a chance to break through to Foundation Establishment!"
A Qi Refining stage eight cultivator was trying to persuade Li Ye with heartfelt sincerity, clearly surprised and regretful about his refusal.
Even Luo Feibai, standing nearby, couldn't help but speak up, "Such a rare opportunity, Brother Li can you bear to let it slip by?"
"I happen to be at a critical stage in my cultivation right now," Li Ye replied with a serious shake of his head, then smiled slightly.
"All I want is to stay on the mountain and focus on my training. I have no intention of going on any expeditions at the moment. I ask for your understanding, Brother Qin, Brother Luo."
He then added with a friendly tone,
"If the two of you do encounter difficulties, you can always bring back a copy of the formation's changes I'd be happy to help you analyze and break it down."
Through his recent dealings with Luo Feibai, Li Ye could tell that the man likely held no ill will. On the contrary, Luo seemed to be actively introducing him to business opportunities, subtly trying to recruit him.
As for the other cultivator, Qin Yao, at the eighth level of Qi Refining he had been introduced by Luo Feibai as one of the Seventy-Two Peak Lords, the lord of Anmu Mountain.
Anmu was one of the few powers not founded upon a family clan, but rather built from a gathering of rogue cultivators.
After Li Ye helped reorganize and reinforce their formation, they had some interaction and built a bit of rapport.
But the fate of Lan Xinyi's father still loomed clearly in Li Ye's mind.
Even if Li Ye was naturally cautious, having such a grim precedent only made him warier of similar invitations.
What he said was perfectly reasonable but the two men before him couldn't help showing strange expressions.
They couldn't quite tell if Li Ye was telling the truth.
But seeing how smoothly he declined them almost as if he'd done it many times before they couldn't help but start wondering…
Could it be that Li Ye, because of what happened with Lan Chengye, no longer dared to go on joint expeditions?
With strength like his, could he be that cautious?
But he'd once stormed Changcui Mountain alone, under the protection of its formation, and killed Wang Shuangyan in one fell swoop!
Could it be… that he simply didn't trust the two of them?
Still, Luo Feibai was quick on his feet and immediately smoothed things over.
"Cultivation is what matters most. Since Brother Li is at a critical moment in his training, of course, he should seize the opportunity… If you can't leave, then we'll go have a look ourselves."
"If it doesn't work out, we'll copy down the formation's structure and come back to ask for your help breaking it."
Li Ye nodded with a smile. "That sounds just fine."
…
After leaving Changcui Mountain, Luo Feibai's expression darkened a little.
"I was hoping to use this chance to build a stronger connection with Li Ye. Who would've thought that someone with his level of strength would turn down an opportunity delivered right to his doorstep…"
Qin Yao didn't look pleased either. "We clearly don't understand him well enough. I didn't expect him to be this cautious."
The discovery of the cave-dwelling was, of course, real.
But their true intent was to use the opportunity to get closer to Li Ye that was the actual plan.
After all, it wouldn't be a loss either way.
Bringing along a formation master would help them explore the site more easily, possibly even increase their gains. Sharing a portion with him would still be worth it.
But they'd considered everything… except the possibility that Li Ye would refuse!
"…Forget it," Luo Feibai shook his head.
"Over these past days, Li Ye's interacted with people from quite a few peaks. He should have a decent grasp of the situation in the mountains by now…"
"If he's not an idiot, he'll know which side is most beneficial to align with."
Qin Yao nodded in agreement, then smiled, "Shall we go check out the cave-dwelling ourselves, then?"
"Let's go!"
.......
"Luo Feibai's intention to recruit me is becoming more and more obvious. Qin Yao came along this time just to play Wingman for him… but who would've thought I'd end up rejecting them? Haha!"
Walking along the mountain path, Li Ye wore a thoughtful expression.
"So… do I choose a clan or the alliance?"
Ever since Luo Feibai, representing the alliance, came to visit him, word of Li Ye's skill as a formation master had begun to spread.
At first, only those who had friendly ties or mutual interests with Changcui Mountain paid much attention.
But once Luo Feibai started introducing him to new clients, and after Li Ye demonstrated his formation expertise a few more times, letters and invitations began pouring in, all expressing goodwill.
Through his dealings with people from the various peaks, Li Ye naturally gained a deeper understanding of the local landscape.
The alliance was led by Pingyang Mountain, a faction made up of rogue cultivators. Its leader and the alliance head Xu Pingyang, was a Foundation Establishment cultivator who held authority over the region.
However, most of the other mountains were dominated by family-based forces.
Even peaks that had started as mixed communities gradually turned into family sects as their mountain lords expanded their bloodlines.
As a result, the space for unaffiliated cultivators was shrinking. Pingyang Mountain continually stood up to defend their rights and interests.
Over time, this led to mounting tensions.
On the surface, things remained relatively calm thanks to Xu Pingyang's suppressive strength as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but factional divides were growing ever deeper.
Now that Li Ye had essentially become a co-owner of Changcui Mountain, he couldn't avoid being pulled into it all.
"Where there are people, there will be politics and strife…"
"And in this kind of situation, trying to sit on the fence is a death sentence. The clans already have their formation masters. Even if there are benefits to be had, they might not reach me at all. If I want to maximize my gains, I'll have to side with the rogue cultivators."
He shook his head.
"Of course… the most important thing is which side has a Foundation Establishment cultivator. That's who calls the shots."
"Master!"
"Master, you're here!"
While pondering, Li Ye had already arrived by the fields.
Fang Ze and Xiong Li, who were busy working the spirit farmland, quickly straightened up and bowed respectfully when they saw him.
Though it hadn't even been a month, after tending the land under Li Ye's guidance, they'd seen enough of his abilities to not only be bound by interests but to develop genuine awe and respect for him.
"Well done."
Li Ye inspected the fields carefully, sensing subtle feedback.
Without hesitation, he took off his outer robe, rolled up his sleeves, and stepped into the fields to personally tend to the seedlings and spirit flowers.
At that moment, Fang Ze and Xiong Li held their breath and watched intently, afraid to miss even a single detail.
As the sun gradually shifted westward, a slight ripple stirred in Li Ye's mind.
[You have expertly tended to the Tier-1 spirit plant "Blood Grain Rice," promoting healthy growth. EXP +0.2…]
["Blood Grain Rice" vitality enhanced. You've gained Blood Grain Rice Spirit Essence (1%)…]
[…]
[You have expertly tended to Tier-1 spirit plant "Evergreen Flower," promoting healthy growth. EXP +0.2…]
["Evergreen Flower" vitality enhanced. You've gained Evergreen Spirit Essence (1%)…]
[…]
One by one, soft auras shimmered over the spirit plants, and lines of notifications flashed rapidly before Li Ye's eyes like a flood of messages.
Somehow, he felt his connection to each plant deepening with every feedback notification. A smile slowly curled on his lips genuine and full of satisfaction.
More importantly, with the incoming spirit essence, he could finally fire up the furnace again and start refining the pills he needed!
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