93: Chapter 43: Father’s Ambition 93: Chapter 43: Father’s Ambition They say good news invigorates the spirit, and Li Dazhi’s face was aglow with happiness, evidently having encountered something delightful.
Today, he did not evade but landed directly in front of the great vermilion doors of Li Ping’an’s residence.
Just as he was about to knock, the doors swung open on their own.
Behind the door stood Qing Su, an Immortal dressed in a light white robe, who greeted Li Dazhi with a clasped-hands salute.
“I pay my respects to Great-Ancestor.”
“Ah, this is all wrong!”
Li Dazhi hurriedly returned the salute, his eyes searching for Li Ping’an as he spoke,
“You are Ping’an’s master, we should just each call our own…
Qing Su stepped aside, saying, “He’s cooking.”
Li Dazhi squinted, his smile broadening.
He knew his son’s culinary skills;
They were, without doubt, explosive even by the old Li family’s standards.
Just as Li Dazhi was about to say he would wait at the cave entrance, he saw Li Ping’an carrying a large iron pot from the back of the cave to the front hall.
A rich aroma filled the air, causing Li Dazhi to swallow hard.
It was the famous hometown dish—iron pot stewed goose!
That ‘goose’ was also a spiritual fowl; he wondered what the taste would be like.
Li Dazhi’s appetite was truly aroused.
Li Ping’an placed the iron pot on a stone table, and with a light call from his right hand, several dishes of condiments flew through the air and landed near the pot.
He smiled and said, “Master, please have a meal first.
I’ll talk with my father in my room about some matters.”
“Hmm,” Qing Su’s lips curved into a shallow smile as she floated to the stone table and took a seat, listening to Li Ping’an’s simple explanation of how to enjoy the meal.
Actually, having a meal before discussing matters wouldn’t be a problem at all.
Li Ping’an took off his homemade apron, glanced at his father in puzzlement, and called out, “Dad, why don’t you come in?”
Li Dazhi sighed inwardly, guessing that with Qing Su’s appetite, the pot of goose would likely not be finished, so he went to Li Ping’an’s room with peace of mind.
After closing the door and activating the formation, with a Heavenly Immortal’s barrier set up outside, the father and son still conversed in their hometown dialect.
“Dad, how did it go?”
“It’s done,” Li Dazhi smiled, “earlier than we had planned, but the timing was good, and the effect exceeded expectations.”
Li Ping’an poured some mountain spring water and began to make tea for his father as he inquired, “What about Elder Xiaoyue?”
“Didn’t you give me a Jade Talisman?
It’s all in that eagle language.”
Li Dazhi rolled up his sleeves and sat down in front of Li Ping’an, saying with a smile,
“Just as you said, I publicly recommended Elder Xiaoyue to the Sect Leader, suggesting she take charge of the subsequent Magic Artifact sales and tried to appear as enthusiastic as possible.”
Li Ping’an was somewhat curious to know just how enthusiastic his father had been at the time.
“Elder Xiaoyue left the sect yesterday, returning to her stronghold in the East Sea town.
“I had Weiyanzi accompany her, and Weiyanzi will also report back on Elder Xiaoyue’s every move.
“Elder Xiaoyue really is an able person, astute and capable with strong organizational skills.
“There are many Immortals in the sect, but most prefer seclusion and cultivation, so finding another external elder as competent as her is rather difficult.
“It’s just right to let her ensure the sales channels for the initial batches of Magic Artifacts.”
Li Dazhi’s explanations were quite straightforward, but Li Ping’an couldn’t help but think a little more deeply about them.
Li Ping’an then asked, “Before Elder Xiaoyue left, did she meet with Vice Sect Leader Moyi?”
“Oh, she did, at the banquet…
That’s right, Vice Sect Leader Moyi has announced he’s going into seclusion.”
Li Dazhi raised his eyebrows at Li Ping’an,
“Vice Sect Leader Moyi said he’s secluding himself to break through a bottleneck and advance to the Sixth Rank Heavenly Immortal realm as soon as possible.
He likely won’t come out in the next few years.”
Li Ping’an looked slightly puzzled.
Was this Vice Sect Leader Moyi secluding himself because he saw that Father’s momentum was unstoppable, so he chose to step back proactively?
Li Dazhi added, “Elder Bi has also gone into seclusion…
The Sect Leader told me.”
Li Ping’an handed a cup of tea to his father and said with a smile, “They are quite cunning, hiding away first to avoid losing face when the situation looks bad.”
Li Dazhi spoke with a darkened face,
“They’re probably waiting to see how things turn out with Castcloud Hall.
If you and I mess up…
Those two old scoundrels will jump out immediately!”
Li Ping’an laughed, “So, is everything settled with Castcloud Hall?”
“The Sect Leader agreed, and the whole sect is supporting it.”
Li Dazhi smiled with his eyes narrowed, sipped his tea comfortably, and looked very relaxed.
“From now on, this Castcloud Hall will be led by me, your father.
I will have the final say in everything.”
“This is my first proper job in the sect, and I certainly aim to achieve some results.”
“You don’t have to worry about this at all.
This is my old line after all.
The key tasks are to manage production, personnel, technological upgrades, and sales channels.
We’ll prioritize product quality and production efficiency, avoid blindly expanding production, and not exploit the sect’s disciples.”
“I’ve also mentioned to the Sect Leader the points you reminded me of, not to be too ruthless and to leave some opportunities for Loose Cultivators.”
The true “I’m running a factory in the Immortal Realm.”
Li Ping’an laughed and said, “Though I’ve said it many times, and you’re probably tired of hearing it, your personal cultivation is always the foundation of everything.”
“Actually, it’s okay,” Li Dazhi blinked, “I’ve been so busy these past days, being dragged around by the elders all the time, and I’ve even advanced a minor boundary.
Now I’m an Eighth Rank Origin Immortal.”
Li Ping’an’s smile instantly stiffened on his face.
He shouldn’t have asked!
Comrade Li’s otherworldly talent and great fortune made him unstoppable in cultivation!
Li Dazhi spoke in a lower voice, “Ping’an, shall I pass on a technique to you?”
“The year has not yet passed,” Li Ping’an shook his head in resignation, “let me complete the Foundation Establishment first.
It’s crucial, especially since I lack the Earth element and my Dao Body has many imperfections.”
“The herbs you gave me last time, I’ve already asked Elder Yun Chenzi to handle the Alchemy.
It should somewhat improve your talents.”