Immortality begins with inheriting the myriad arts of cultivation.

Inside the pavilion, they heard Master Hu's words.

Li Ping looked at Master Hu with slight surprise: "A great opportunity?"

However, Master Hu did not elaborate on what the opportunity was, but instead talked about other things.

He looked at Li Ping and said, "Forgive my bluntness, but since you are a rogue cultivator, your aptitude must not be very good."

A cultivator's aptitude is not a secret, and Li Ping had no intention of hiding it. He sighed and said, "To be honest, my aptitude is only average. Otherwise, I wouldn't have wasted so much time as a rogue cultivator."

Cultivators with at least two spiritual roots can easily pass the sect's entrance screening and join the sect. For example, the disciples of the Immortal City Lord, True Person Feng Lan, are all at least cultivators with two spiritual roots.

That's why Master Hu and Li Ping had this conversation.

Master Hu nodded, then changed the subject and said, "Fellow Daoist Li, do you know that my aptitude is not very good? I only have three spiritual roots. However, I was quite talented in alchemy when I was young."

At this point, Master Hu, with his full head of white hair, sighed, "Back then, I was young and naive. I thought I could use my alchemy skills to earn a lot of spirit stones and make great progress on the path of immortality."

"But later I realized that some things can't be bought just because you have spirit stones." Master Hu sighed, "Even after I became a second-tier high-grade alchemist and refined more than one batch of essence pills that could help cultivators break through the late-stage bottleneck."

"I've refined so many, yet I can't get a single one for myself. Those adorned in fine silks aren't the ones who raise silkworms." Master Hu shook his head helplessly. "All the resources in this cultivation world are controlled by those Core Formation forces. For us rogue cultivators to advance even a single step is incredibly difficult!"

Li Ping nodded, quite agreeing with Master Hu's view.

If he hadn't had no future in the Jiang Kingdom, why would he have traveled all the way to the Immortal City to make a living?

If it weren't for the precious resources needed to break through the bottleneck, he wouldn't have practiced the "Ze Shui Yang Sheng Jue" technique.

As second-tier craftsmen, earning spirit stones was naturally a piece of cake for him and Master Hu.

But treasures that can help Foundation Establishment cultivators break through bottlenecks are so scarce that even the major powers don't have enough to go around, so how could they possibly sell them?

Would a Core Formation cultivator lack spirit stones?

Ultimately, when it comes to allocating high-end resources, having a lot of spirit stones is useless; having strong strength is what matters.

Furthermore, if a cultivator's strength does not match their wealth, they may become a target of a tribulation cultivator, bringing trouble upon themselves out of nowhere.

However, Li Ping also had some doubts about what Master Hu said. It was normal for a talisman maker like him not to be able to obtain such a treasure that could help him break through his bottleneck.

However, as a second-tier high-grade alchemist, Master Hu is a talent that all major Core Formation forces are trying their best to recruit. As long as he is willing to accept the offer and join a faction.

The treasures that could help him break through to the Core Formation stage might not end up in his hands.

However, obtaining resources to break through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment should not be difficult.

……

"Fellow Daoist Li, with our aptitudes, if we don't take this chance in this lifetime, we might not even have the opportunity to break through to the Core Formation stage," Master Hu said to Li Ping with a sigh.

Li Ping thought to himself, "That's you. I've already been recommended to reach the Core Formation stage."

However, he showed no sign of it on his face, and instead nodded in agreement thoughtfully: "Fellow Daoist Hu is right."

Seeing Li Ping nod, Master Hu immediately pressed his advantage: "Fellow Daoist Li, do you know what I regret most in my daily life?"

Before Li Ping could answer, Master Hu continued, "When you were young, you were always looking for stability and dared not take risks, thus missing several opportunities!"

At this point, it seemed that they felt the emotions had been effectively conveyed.

Master Hu leaned slightly closer to Li Ping and transmitted his voice, saying, "More than ten years ago, I discovered a Vermilion Fruit Tree in the Cloud Mist Mountains, tens of thousands of miles from the Immortal City. Because the Vermilion Fruit was not yet ripe at the time, I only noted its location. Now I estimate that it is not far from ripening."

He laughed and said, "The Vermilion Fruit is the key ingredient for refining the Essence Pill. If we can obtain the Vermilion Fruit and refine it into a pill, Fellow Daoist Li will have this pill to help him break through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage in the future, which will be a piece of cake!"

After speaking, Master Hu looked at Li Ping with a confident smile.

Li Ping was slightly stunned upon hearing this.

He knew about the Essence Pill; it was a second-tier high-grade pill that could help Foundation Establishment cultivators break through the bottlenecks of the mid and late stages.

Due to its special effects, it is highly sought after by Foundation Establishment cultivators, and it can be said to be a great temptation for them.

But Li Ping doesn't need that.

Not only is it unnecessary, but Li Ping now also has some doubts about Master Hu's behavior.

He had only known Master Hu for a short time, and their relationship wasn't particularly close, yet Master Hu tried to tempt him with the Essence Pill.

Which Foundation Establishment cultivator could withstand such a test?

He's not a succubus, so why would Master Hu do that?

Is there some kind of conspiracy involved?

……

Thinking of this, Li Ping immediately became alert. He asked calmly, "Why would Fellow Daoist Hu think of me for such an opportunity?"

"To be honest, there is a snake demon at the late stage of the second tier near that Vermilion Fruit tree. If we want to pick the Vermilion Fruit, we must deal with the snake demon first. Even with my abilities, I cannot deal with the snake demon alone. I can only find someone to help me."

Master Hu adopted a frank attitude: "I am an alchemist, not very skilled in combat. If I were to seek the assistance of other powerful cultivators, I might have to give up most of the profits. Fellow Daoist Li is only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. If you and I join forces, we are enough to deal with the snake demon. Moreover, I am confident that I can suppress you and obtain most of the profits from this trip."

"Therefore, I believe that Fellow Daoist Li is my best partner. Of course, Fellow Daoist Li can rest assured that I will not go back on my word regarding the share of profits that are due to you."

……

Master Hu's words were reasonable and sincere.

Moreover, he was extremely frank, stating openly that most of the profits from this trip would belong to him, while Li Ping might only receive one Essence Pill.

Li Ping couldn't find any obvious flaws in his words; on the surface, it seemed like an ordinary adventure.

"Is what Master Hu said true or false?" Li Ping wondered.

Seeing him deep in thought, Master Hu calmly sipped his tea and said nothing more.

……

Li Ping pondered for a moment, then finally gave a wry smile.

Whether Master Hu's claims are true or false, what does it have to do with him?

The Essence Pill might be an irresistible temptation for other Foundation Establishment cultivators, but it was completely useless to him who cultivated the Nourishing Life Technique.

Even if what Master Hu said is true, he can only sell the Essence Pill for some spirit stones.

As a mid-grade second-tier talisman maker and a high-grade first-tier alchemist, he has a 100% success rate in both talisman making and alchemy, and he is never short of spirit stones.

Is it really necessary to travel tens of thousands of miles and take such a risk?

He won't leave the city.

As for feigning agreement to go on an adventure, intercepting Master Hu on the way, and obtaining his second-tier superior alchemist inheritance?

Master Hu is a veteran mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator and a second-tier high-grade alchemist with considerable wealth.

Even if Li Ping wanted to, he was powerless to deal with him.