Chapter 495 393 Li Encheng

An Zhiyan congratulated:

"I have discovered two mineral veins in the lake, one of which is 'Wu Hui Spirit Molybdenum,' a Fetal Breathing level spiritual mine with an estimated reserve of about 400,000 catties. The other is 'Mi Water Cold Iron' at the Qi Cultivation level, roughly 200,000 catties."

His face brimming with excitement, he continued:

"Both mineral veins are substantial and should last us for hundreds of years!"

Li Yuanping was shocked by the news he heard and joy appeared on his face. He immediately seized on the key point and followed up with a question:

"'Wu Hui Spirit Molybdenum' and 'Mi Water Cold Iron' aren't like 'Green Crow' which can be used immediately after excavation, I'm afraid they have to be refined, right?"

An Zhiyan nodded repeatedly and answered:

"'Wu Hui Spirit Molybdenum' is a Spirit Essence commonly used in artifact refining. It is extracted from the ore and a hundred catties will only yield powder the size of a fingertip, yet it can be sold for one Spirit Stone!"

He took out two pieces of ore from his bosom, one was dull yellow close to grey with all round patterns on it, and the other was very beautiful with blue and white fine stripes interweaving like a gemstone, and passed them to Li Xihong's hands, then he continued:

"'Mi Water Cold Iron' is even more precious. This mineral is somewhat barren, but still, from 200 catties, we can refine a piece of cold iron the size of a fist. It's worth even more, several Spirit Stones..."

"Good."

After hearing this, Li Yuanping nodded, knowing that the Li Family currently did not lack hands. The cultivators at the Fetal Breathing level in various mountains were quite at ease. With these two mineral veins, they could allocate the work of refining, which would also keep this group of cultivators from being idle.

Then, he added:

"Li Wushao also took you to see them; with these demon creatures' help, how much ore can we extract each year?"

An Zhiyan replied:

"We should be able to mine over a thousand catties of 'Wu Hui Spirit Molybdenum' each year. As for 'Mi Water Cold Iron,' which is especially hard, having Qi Cultivators personally dig it, even two hundred catties a year would be considered good."

'An additional income of more than ten Spirit Stones per year, nearly a hundred in five years... quite good.'

Li Yuanping smiled faintly. 'Wu Hui Spirit Molybdenum' was quite common, most Fetal Breathing magical instruments could use it, so selling it naturally wouldn't be an issue. 'Mi Water Cold Iron,' however, was very valuable and best stored for personal use.

Having made a decision in his heart, he arranged for the Jade Courtyard Guards to follow An Zhiyan down and turned to Li Xihong, saying:

"Go call Li Wushao. We need the Hook Snake to give orders when extracting ore from the lakebed."

Li Xihong nodded and left. Li Yuanping carefully calculated:

"The spirit fish we're breeding will slowly start to yield in a few years. With the two types of minerals, we'll have an output of at least ten or more Spirit Stones every year. In this way, Xihong won't have to be frugal in managing the household in the future."

If it weren't for the need for Spirit Stones, Li Yuanping would not truly wish to sell these minerals. Once his family produced a Refiner Master, the price of selling refined magical instruments would be worlds apart.

The Li Family also possessed a few spells for artifact refining, acquired from Loose Cultivators, which weren't easy to use. It was only possible to barely refine Fetal Breathing magical instruments using a Fire Vein, but since they were costly and the family did not have a Fire Vein, they had no choice but to give up on it.

Li Yuanping only silently made calculations:

"It's uncertain whether I can get my hands on Meng Taizhi's artifact refining heritage... From his demeanor, it seems he can refine without a Fire Vein, and the old man doesn't have many years left; it shouldn't be difficult to obtain it..."

He recalled Meng Taizhi's words and expressions, feeling somewhat uncertain.

...

By the lake.

Meng Taizhi had set off and, riding on the wind, returned to the shore. The lamps were still lit in the cabin on the shore. He pushed the door open and entered to find Meng Zhuoyun silently cultivating.

"Yun'er."

Meng Zhuoyun had a beautiful appearance, skin whiter than snow, and seemed very young, just cultivating on the couch. Upon seeing Meng Taizhi enter, she said softly:

"How is the Li Family? Although Xiao Yuansi has connections with our grandfather, he is a young master, difficult to understand the evils of worldly affairs..."

Meng Taizhi shook his head and said in a solemn voice:

"Although the Li Family is a rising power, they are very strict in discipline. Perhaps the old Li ancestor is an old-fashioned Taoist, keeping a tight rein on everyone. With a letter from the Xiao Family ancestor as well, they certainly will not harm us."

After reminiscing for a bit, Meng Taizhi continued:

"I have not met Li Yuanjiao, but Li Yuanping is quite the character; it's just a pity... I see his complexion is pale, and his breath is weak. He must have suffered a serious injury and probably does not have many years to live."

Meng Zhuoyun frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled as she asked:

"The Li Family, a Sword Immortal Family, how can even the Family Head look so desolate? There must be some problem. Devil Cultivators have ravaged for many years; I do not believe they lack secret techniques!"

Meng Taizhi shook his head and stroked his long beard on his chin:

"They are ruthless to cultivators but have compassion for common folk. Hindered by worldly morals, they are unwilling to use secret techniques to save their own people, just coldly watching such individuals die, which is truly regrettable."

After pausing, the old man continued:

"It's better this way. The man is quite skilled, and if he were able to lead the family, we might not covet anything from them, yet we would inevitably be apprehensive."

Meng Zhuoyun, confused, exclaimed:

"Is there such a situation? Is the life of a hundred unrelated commoners lighter or heavier than a trustworthy, capable brother? Can't Foundation Establishment Cultivator Li Yuanjiao distinguish this? Even after a thousand years of strife between immortals and devils, there are still such families."

"I had heard long ago in the East Sea that many conservative sects and families hold on to their outdated ways, but I thought it was just a joke; I never expected it to be true!"

"Still, let's speak less of it!"

Meng Taizhi warned, then said:

"I have already made it clear to Li Yuanping, and there should be no problem in exchanging for the Alchemy Dao heritage. However, Li Yuanping refuses to trust me and has no intention to recruit me yet. I fear that after I die, you might have to wander through Yue Country."