Chapter 29: Requesting Assistance

Chapter 29: Requesting Assistance

Li Xiangping was slightly taken aback by Wan Yuankai’s gesture and could not help but feel a bit wary. Internally, he cautioned himself about the Wan Family’s overenthusiasm while maintaining a cordial smile on his face.

He politely cupped his fist to Wan Yuankai, but firmly shook his head and said, “We appreciate your father’s kindness, but we really can’t accept the gift!”

However, Wan Yuankai persisted, unveiling a small pine box from his sleeve. He opened the well-polished box to reveal a unique greenish-white fruit nestled on a bed of cloth and silk.

The fruit’s surface, resembling snake scales in its smoothness, shone in the sunlight, giving it an appealing appearance.

Wan Yuankai, looking slightly embarrassed, said softly, “My family is struggling both internally and externally. This Pine Yue Fruit can aid in condensing the Radiant Lure Chakra, though it’s a humble offering. Please, Brother Li, accept this so I can fulfill my duty.”

As Li Xiangping examined the fruit, Wan Yuankai quickly explained, “You can simply slice open the skin and drink the juice inside.”

Li Xiangping, gazing at the fruit, weighed the implications of accepting it.

The Wan family is already struggling, so why share this with us? Wouldn’t that be unnecessarily inviting others to covet what they have?

Resolving to see where this gesture would lead, Li Xiangping laughed heartily and decisively said, “All right, I’ll accept it!”

He watched as Li Yesheng stepped forward to take the box, handling it with care.

Switching to a more serious tone, Li Xiangping then said, “But I do have a request, Brother Wan.”

Wan Yuankai waved his hands and humbly replied, “You can just call me Yuankai. What do you need?”

Li Xiangping explained, “We’re new to the area, so my family doesn’t know much about the neighboring families. Would you be willing to help us get acquainted?”

“Of course, I’d be happy to help.” Wan Yuankai nodded and readily agreed.

Li Yesheng fetched a piece of paper and a brush. He rolled his sleeves up, then drew a thin line and explained, “This is Guli Road.”

He then drew a circle in the middle of the line and marked it with the Li character.

Before Li Xiangping could respond, Wan Yuankai hurriedly added, “My father’s decision to visit your family and propose an alliance is a bid to borrow your clan’s strength...”

Since Wan Yuankai had stated his request, Li Xiangping had to give up probing for more information. He sighed inwardly and smiled wryly.

“We wish we could help, but our resources are limited. My family only recently began cultivating. Of my father’s four sons, the eldest passed away early. Although the youngest shows promising talent, he’s currently away to cultivate at the immortal sect. My brother and I are still novices in cultivation, not nearly as advanced as you. We’re not properly equipped to confront the Ji Family.”

Clinging to hope, Wan Yuankai suggested, “What about your father then?”

“The truth is... my father is a mortal...”

“Impossible! A mere mortal fathering three children with spiritual orifices?! My father, who has condensed the Jade Capital Chakra, had seventeen children and I’m the only one with a spiritual orifice!” Wan Yuankai exclaimed incredulously.

Li Xiangping, taken aback by Wan Yuankai’s reaction, quickly improvised, “My father’s cultivation was crippled during a battle in his younger days...”

Realizing his presumption, Wan Yuankai shamefully apologized, “I have spoken thoughtlessly. Your father must have been a great cultivator before his cultivation was crippled.”

As Wan Yuankai sank into his seat, filled with disappointment, Li Xiangping was drenched in cold sweat. That moment of interrogation had nearly unraveled his facade.

So, the achievement of a cultivator directly influences the chances of their offspring having a spiritual orifice. I overlooked this important detail and nearly blew it!

Observing Wan Yuankai’s dispirited expression, Li Xiangping composed himself and broached a new topic.

“Are you aware of what lies at the end of the Guli Road, to the West of my family’s residence?” he asked.

“West of Guli Road...” The question caught Wan Yuankai off guard.

He looked at the map and pondered for a moment before replying, “Mount Dali slopes Westward, and the Guli Road leads into the mountains in that direction. I’ve not heard of any settlements there, but...”

“What have you heard?” Li Xiangping pressed.

“My father mentioned that our ancestors explored that area before and encountered inhabitants of Mount Yue.”

“Inhabitants of Mount Yue?”