Immortality begins with inheriting the myriad arts of cultivation.

Because of Gu Musheng's sudden attack, and Li Ping's addition of new rule patches to the Foundation Building Fund.

The atmosphere at the gathering became slightly somber, but since the overall framework of the Tongzhou Association remained unchanged and was even moving in a better direction, everyone still accepted the changes.

Before long, the gloomy mood was swept away.

Zhang Tie was left silent, hiding to the side and drinking alone.

No one else could say much about it.

After all, while we sympathize with Zhang Tie, if we put them in Gu Musheng's position, would they be able to tolerate it?

On such a crucial matter concerning their own foundation building, no matter how good their relationship is, they would never voluntarily back down.

Furthermore, the original purpose of the Tongzhou Association was to help everyone in the association to establish their foundation.

The greater the contribution, the higher the priority of foundation building, and the more likely they are to be able to build their foundation first. This is reasonable and acceptable to everyone.

Because Zhang Tie is older, he has the best relationship with Li Ping.

If Li Ping were to forcefully favor Zhang Tie and grant him the qualification to be the first to reach the Foundation Establishment stage, that would truly cause dissatisfaction among everyone and lead to the disunity of the entire Tongzhou Society.

……

As the banquet progressed, Li Ping, as usual, gave individual guidance on the cultivation of the remaining six people.

As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, his experience and knowledge far surpassed those of Qi Refining cultivators. Guiding the other six cultivators was naturally a piece of cake for him; often, just a few words were enough to enlighten them.

As Li Ping continued his sermon, before we knew it, the sky was beginning to brighten.

Seeing this, Li Ping stopped and smiled, "Alright, you can all go back and do your own thing. Think it over carefully, and remember to come see me again in ten days."

"Yes, elder brother." The six men quickly stood up and bowed.

A moment later, the five of them left together, but one figure remained standing in the same spot.

Li Ping asked in surprise, "Hanmo, what is it you want?"

The person standing there, dressed in a white robe with a handsome face, was none other than Qi Hanmo, the fifth brother who had been promoted to "First-Rank Superior Musician".

Upon hearing Li Ping's question and seeing that the others had already walked away, Qi Hanmo respectfully said, "I have a private matter I would like to ask for your opinion, elder brother."

"Oh, a personal matter?" Li Ping nodded with a smile. "Why don't you tell me? Sit down and talk, don't stand."

"Okay, big brother." Qi Hanmo sat down as instructed.

Then, under Li Ping's questioning gaze, he frankly said, "Brother, it's like this. Not long ago, I was promoted to a first-class superior musician. After the news spread, someone asked me to treat a young lady."

Li Ping nodded. In the world of cultivation, the profession of musician was somewhat like his past life's psychologist. Through music, they soothe the patient's mind, help them eliminate inner demons, resolve obstacles, and recover from mental breakdowns.

Qi Hanmo continued, "After my treatment, the results were quite good, and the young lady's condition improved considerably. However, I only learned when I left that the young lady's name was 'Lin Yue,' and she was the mentally unstable female cultivator who was the subject of rumors in the Immortal City some time ago."

"Because the treatment was quite effective, they might ask me to treat Lin Yue again." At this point, Qi Hanmo looked at Li Ping and said frankly, "I heard that you had some unpleasantness with Immortal City because of this, so... I would like to ask you for your opinion on whether I should continue to treat Lin Yue."

"So that's what happened." Li Ping waved his hand dismissively. "Don't spread rumors. I have no issues with Immortal City. Even if I did have issues with Immortal City, it wouldn't involve poor Lin Yue."

Upon hearing this, Qi Hanmo breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "Then what about me, elder brother?"

Li Ping laughed and said, "Not only can you save a poor woman, but you can also gain a large sum of spirit stones. Why not? You should definitely continue to treat Lin Yue. If you can cure her, it will be a great deed. If you can also gain favor from the Immortal City, it will be of great benefit to you."

Given the chance, Li Ping would absolutely not hesitate to retaliate fiercely against Dai Sangyu, that scoundrel of a swordsman.

But Li Ping felt only sympathy for her poor apprentice, without any hatred, and would not stop Qi Hanmo from treating her!

"With your words of reassurance, I can rest assured." Qi Hanmo breathed a sigh of relief.

As a musician, he was torn between healing the sick and saving lives and the possibility that his elder brother would blame him. Fortunately, his elder brother made the choice for him.

……

The leather tannery in Wuyi Lane.

Early on New Year's Day, Old Man Lin was busy. With his precise knife skills, every bit of meat and fat on the monster skin was cut off, and the whole shop was immediately filled with a foul, fishy smell.

Just then, Zhang Tie walked in from outside the shop.

Old Man Lin quickly called out to him, "Come and lend a hand."

"Oh." Zhang Tie hurried over to help, but his mood seemed rather low.

Old Man Lin was a shrewd man, and he immediately noticed that something was wrong with his disciple, but he did not ask any questions and continued to process the monster hide in his hands.

This busy schedule lasted until noon.

Since Qi Refining cultivators are not yet able to abstain from grains, Old Man Lin and Zhang Tie chatted while eating demon beast meat.

Only then did Old Man Lin ask Zhang Tie why he was in such a low mood.

Zhang Tie did not hide his master's thoughts and directly told him about Gu Musheng's contribution of 100 spirit stones and his elder brother's rule that the contribution amount could not be reduced in the future.

Old Man Lin's eyes sharpened instantly, but his tone remained nonchalant: "So you've all handed in your contributions for this year?"

"No," Zhang Tie shook his head. "My elder brother said we should come back and think it over carefully, and make a decision in ten days to avoid regretting it later!"

Hearing this, Old Man Lin's expression softened again: "So that's why you're unhappy. It's not a big deal. Since that kid Gu Musheng is willing to contribute 100 spirit stones every year, then you should also increase your contribution to 100 spirit stones."

"Master, I..." Zhang Tie looked up anxiously.

But before he could finish speaking, Old Man Lin interrupted him, sighing, "That kid Li Ping is really wicked; he even tried to swindle my spirit stones. From now on, you'll still contribute 30 spirit stones, and your master will cover the remaining 70."

Zhang Tie panicked: "Master, these are the spirit stones you've saved up, you..."

"Alright, stop being so wishy-washy. Since you call me Master, I won't let you be bullied." Old Man Lin's tall figure was somewhat hunched, but his words were very domineering: "It's only 70 spirit stones a year. I've been in Immortal City for so many years, I can afford it."

"But what if I fail to establish my foundation..." Zhang Tie shook his head repeatedly, disagreeing with Old Man Lin's offer to replenish his spirit stones.

He will now increase his contribution to 100 spirit stones. If he succeeds in Foundation Establishment, then 100 spirit stones will be nothing.

But if he fails, he will still have to contribute 100 spirit stones every year. Wouldn't that drag his master down with him? His master has worked hard all his life... Thinking of this, Zhang Tie dared not think any further.

He looked up and found his master staring at him, his eyes encouraging: "Even Gu Musheng, a child with four spiritual roots, dared to take a gamble. You have three spiritual roots, and the opportunity to establish your foundation is right in front of you. What is there to be afraid of? If something really goes wrong, your old bones will bear the burden with you!"

……

At the same time that Zhang Tie was talking to Old Man Lin, at the Wang family ancestral land.

The Wang family patriarch looked at the timid figure before him, his eyes filled with disappointment and frustration. He scolded, "You have two spiritual roots and the Foundation Establishment Pill to aid you, what are you afraid of!"

His shout startled the timid figure, causing him to visibly tremble.