Chapter 650 - 52: Evergreen Ascendant

Core Formation True Men are regarded as the upper echelon in the Great Marsh Cultivation Realm, and they are not subjected to humiliation no matter where they go. Apart from the brainless barbarian tribes, most individuals and forces would neither make friends nor easily offend them.

Within Funiu Immortal City’s Inner City, at the City Lord’s Mansion, True Man Fengyin smiled warmly, frequently nodding at the elderly Li Ji’an and Ning Sujin before him.

"It is our honor that you two Daoist friends have taken a liking to our Immortal City and wish to reside here. However, the core Celestial Pool area is not open to outsiders; we beg your understanding!"

True Man Fengyin is the top disciple of Funiu Ascendant, possessing mid-stage Core Formation cultivation. He is exceedingly tactful in his dealings and has a steady disposition, entrusted with guarding the Inner City of the Immortal City.

His reception of Li Ji’an was courteous, without a hint of arrogance.

However, the inferior True Pill aura emanating from Li Ji’an, coupled with his concealed bone age, could not make him worthy of special regard from the other party, and he decisively rejected Li Ji’an’s request to reside in the near four-tier Spirit Vein Dao Field.

"May I ask if your city’s tribute can enter the Celestial Pool Dao Field?" Li Ji’an asked peacefully once more.

True Man Fengyin smiled slightly, not answering directly but countering with a question: "Daoist Changqing, which skill are you adept in?"

Currently, Funiu Mountain is entirely supported by the line of Funiu Ascendant, hence it continues to recruit externally.

Staff at all levels, from servants to tributes, are present.

For those like Core Formation True Men, they are primarily considered Honored Guest Elders, chiefly for accumulating combat power to defend Funiu Mountain.

A near four-tier Spirit Vein is an extremely precious cultivation resource across the entire eastern Great Marsh Cultivation Realm.

For over two hundred years, before Funiu Ascendant reached late-stage Core Formation, it was the focus of fierce competition from various forces.

You play your part, and I’ll make my entrance.

Fortunately, this place is sufficiently distant from other superior Spirit Vein Dao Fields, making it difficult for forces lacking inherent foundations to establish themselves here, while forces with such foundations are generally too far away.

Besides temporarily occupying positions or engaging in business ventures, most often they support proxy forces in the area for dominance, not abandoning their original territories.

Only with the late-stage Core Formation strength of Funiu Ascendant did he refuse all external attempts at buying over, suppressing a city single-handedly, and thus stabilizing the territory here.

Of course, there are rumors that Funiu Ascendant was initially supported by a certain force, but he turned his back on them once he advanced to Ascendant.

In any case, over these two hundred years, Funiu Ascendant has flourished, though numerous strong forces have secretly strived for influence.

To ensure the longevity of the Funiu Immortal City’s legacy, inherently thin-rooted Funiu Immortal City can only both cultivate its foundation and recruit external battle forces.

Nonetheless, the top combat power in this area is Funiu Ascendant, and solely in terms of combat power, no one qualifies as a tributor, with top Honored Guest Elder being the supreme combat honor.

In addition to combat power, skill masters of various trades are also the primary targets for recruitment.

However, the current requirements for skills in each trade have been elevated considerably.

An Honored Guest Elder must have at least near three-tier skills; strategic skills like Pill Masters, Array Masters, Talisman Masters, and Artifact Refiners require a minimum of second-tier advanced level, whereas auxiliary professions like Physicians, Spirit Plant Masters, and Beast Tamers demand even higher skills.

As for Li Ji’an’s suggestion of a tributor, Funiu Immortal City presently has only three.

First, a three-tier advanced Pill Master.

Second, a three-tier middle-tier Array Master.

Third, a near four-tier Physician.

True Man Fengyin’s seemingly casual inquiry toward Li Ji’an was actually informed, for from the moment Li Ji’an entered the City Lord’s Mansion, he already knew a series of information about Li Ji’an’s arrival.

The matter of treating barbarians in Desert City two months ago was reported in detail as well.

Considering his mere second-tier medical skills, the idea of being a tributor at Funiu Mountain was indeed somewhat far-fetched.

"I am adept in the art of Talismans!" For the near four-tier Spirit Vein and Golden Core cultivation, Li Ji’an chose a card that currently isn’t considered too pivotal.

As soon as Li Ji’an spoke, True Man Fengyin already had a prepared refusal: "Daoist friend, we must decline. Our Funiu Mountain has a near four-tier medic... What? Daoist friend is also a Talisman Master?"

However, halfway through his speech, he suddenly understood Li Ji’an’s mention of expertise as in the art of Talismans, and was instantly surprised.

Pill Artifact Talisman Array and Spirit Talisman are the most direct, simple, and effective methods in magical combat.

Hence Funiu Mountain has always valued Talisman Masters highly.

Unfortunately, Talisman Masters are overly reliant on talisman materials for practice, and within Yellow Heaven Domain, especially the Funiu Mountain region, talisman materials are indeed scarce. Local Talisman Masters, even at low tiers, lack sufficient materials for practice.

This results in no locally-grown high-tier Talisman Masters.

Funiu Mountain once paid a high price in the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain to purchase a batch of high-tier talisman materials, hoping to attract high-tier Talisman Masters, but yielded no results.

"I spent almost half my life devoted to talismans," Li Ji’an affirmed with a nod.

"Oh? May I ask Daoist Changqing, what tier and grade is your Talisman skill?" True Man Fengyin remained amicable, but his attitude had subtly shifted.

Li Ji’an smiled faintly: "Modestly, barely three-tier middle-level."

"Tier Three Middle Level Talisman Master?" True Man Fengyin could no longer sit still, his face breaking into a broader smile.

"Daoyou Changqing is truly talented!"

"Then what about this tributor matter?" Li Ji’an asked directly.

"Rest assured, fellow Daoist, our Funiu Mountain is indeed lacking in high-tier talisman masters and is willing to treat you with great respect. If your words are true, a Tier Three Middle Level Talisman Master is certainly qualified to become a tributor for Funiu Mountain..." True Man Fengyin said without hesitation, showing no sign of bargaining and full of sincerity.

However, halfway through his words, his expression paused slightly.

At the same time, Ning Sujin already sensed a subtle fluctuation of divine sense.

Immediately, True Man Fengyin changed his tone: "However, the Celestial Pool Core Dao Field is a critical location of our sect, containing the core of the grand array within, to prevent anyone with ulterior motives, tributor qualifications must be personally granted by the master, please forgive us."

Li Ji’an nodded: "That’s only natural."

Seeing Li Ji’an not showing any impatience, True Man Fengyin felt slightly relieved, then spoke somewhat apologetically:

"It is unfortunate that the master has been in seclusion for a decade this time, and the timing of his emergence is uncertain. I dare ask if fellow Daoist could temporarily reside in the inner city so that the master can meet you at the earliest moment upon his emergence."

"Oh? That is truly unfortunate." Li Ji’an frowned slightly.

True Man Fengyin’s eyes flickered, hesitating to speak several times, clearly wishing to keep him, but ultimately he refrained from saying more.

"In that case, I shall not impose." Li Ji’an immediately stood up, bowed to the other party, and turned to leave.

"Daoyou Changqing..." True Man Fengyin wished to persuade him to stay but was held back by worries, ultimately watching him leave the City Lord’s Mansion.

As soon as Li Ji’an left, True Man Fengyin immediately transmitted: "Master, we are urgently in need of personnel like a high-tier talisman master..."

Before he finished speaking, a kindly voice sounded in his sea of consciousness: "Foolish child, this Longevity True Man should indeed be called Evergreen Ascendant, a person of such caliber visiting Funiu Mountain is a complex situation that requires careful consideration!"

"Ascendant? Master’s meaning... he’s actually at Late Period Core Formation cultivation?" Fengyin was shocked.

At the same time, the idea of recruitment instantly froze in his mind.

"Hmph, it seems those people are becoming more impatient." He snorted coldly.

"Hehe, foolish child, if it were those factions, why would it be done so clumsily? Since he disguised himself as an Ascendant here, he naturally knows I can sense it." The kindly voice chuckled warmly.

"Apprentice’s mind was muddled." True Man Fengyin chuckled self-deprecatingly, realizing he had overlooked such a simple truth.

"Then... since he’s not from those factions, would we then give up on a high-tier talisman master?" He pondered for a moment before asking in suspicion.

Initially, his first reaction was that the master was being cautious about an Ascendant, fearing they might dethrone him, but he quickly negated that thought considering the master’s nature and magnanimity.

"Naturally not, but before that, at least we should clarify his connections, to see if our Funiu Mountain can handle them." The kindly voice spoke again.

"I understand now!" With those words, Fengyin instantly understood his master’s intent.

A Core Formation Ascendant already stands at the pinnacle of existence here yet comes disguised; if he isn’t someone with ill intentions, then he must be burdened with connections.

If he’s escaping enmity, the level of enmity would be too great for Funiu Mountain to bear.

If it’s to spend his years in peace, then it’s greatly sought after.

However, Core Formation Ascendants are rare in the world, there are just a handful across the Yellow Heaven Domain, mostly within the Joyful Union Sect.

The most likely possibility is that he’s a former Supreme Elder of the sects of Celestial Cyan Domain.

If he indeed hails from a former sect of Celestial Cyan Domain, they naturally welcome him gladly.

After all, the Corpse Puppet Sect has invaded for years, their reckoning has already been concluded, and they hold no ties with the factions of Yellow Heaven Domain.

With this thought, True Man Fengyin hurriedly went out to follow him.

A moment later, he caught up as Li Ji’an was about to exit the inner city.

"Fellow Daoist, please wait!"

Li Ji’an’s face showed a hint of a smile: "What guidance does the Wind Chant City Lord have?"

"Daoyou Changqing speaks too highly, Liu is indeed ashamed. For fellow Daoist to visit our Funiu Mountain is our honor, but unfortunately, master is coincidently in seclusion right now. After pondering for a while, I dare ask fellow Daoist to give Funiu Mountain a chance." True Man Fengyin’s demeanor changed dramatically.

"The City Lord is humble, I am just an old decaying body, merely seeking a stable Dao Field to spend my years in peace. Since Funiu Ascendant is in seclusion, it seems fate hasn’t arrived, it ends here." Li Ji’an waved his hand with a smile.

"I dare ask if fellow Daoist could temporarily stay in the inner city, Liu has already sent a message to the master, he might emerge shortly." True Man Fengyin sincerely requested again.

Li Ji’an slightly frowned, then turned to look at Ning Sujin beside him.

"Since that’s the case, then we old couple shall temporarily reside for a while."