Unexpected Selection

Decades ago, Lan Chang'an was commissioned by Zhao Siyao to repair the High-Grade Magic Item, the Iron Net Umbrella, in Five Peaks Market.

The artificer who repaired the Law Artifact artifact was none other than Master Gu Lai.

At that time, Gu Lai was a second-tier low-grade weapon refiner, but he had not yet advanced to the Foundation Establishment.

"So it's Master Gu, a pleasure to meet you. I am Lan Chang'an, a humble Rogue Cultivator, Second-Order Talisman Master."

Lan Chang'an returned the greeting.

Back then, he sought out the weapon refiner Gu Lai and disguised himself to conceal his true appearance.

Gu Lai did not recognize him upon their meeting.

"Second-Order Talisman Master? Could it be that Fellow Daoist Lu also wants to compete for the position of the Third Peak?"

Gu Lai's eyes flickered.

"Just came to try my luck."

Lan Chang'an felt a strange sensation in his heart, never expecting that Master Gu, who had helped him refine the weapon back then, would become his competitor.

He seems to be losing the argument to his opponent.

On the surface, Lan Chang'an is inferior to Gu Lai in terms of cultivation, skills, and seniority.

Gu Lai is at the third level of Foundation Establishment, Second-Order Middle-Grade refiner, and is actually older than Lan Chang'an. He has accumulated extensive experience in the Five Peaks Market.

"No problem, fair competition."

Gu Lai smiled calmly, clearly displaying a degree of confidence.

One of the owners who perished while exploring for treasure in Wuqi Mountain was a weapon refiner.

"What do you two need, seniors? My name is Lan Lin, and I am Wuqi Mountain's steward."

A graceful female cultivator approached and bowed respectfully.

"I'm here to find ' Fairy Shi ' and ' Alchemist Lin ' to rent the vacant Third Peak."

Gu Lai stroked his beard and said.

Me too.

Lan Chang'an smiled, remaining calm and composed.

"Alchemist Lin and Fairy Shi are both at Small Pill Peak. I'll take you there."

The graceful female cultivator Lan Lin, smiled and led the way.

The three flew to the highest main peak, where Lan Lin, holding the token, broke through the formation.

Lan Chang'an noticed that two of the main peaks had their own Mountain Protection Array.

The female cultivator Lan Lin led the two to a side hall on Small Pill Peak.

There were three people seated inside the hall.

Seated at the head of the table were an elderly man with a red face and a female cultivator with elegant features.

The red-faced old man was at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage stage, dressed in a wide robe, with a full forehead, sharp eyes, and an aura of authority that commanded respect without anger.

The female cultivator was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. Her black hair was tied up high, and she was elegant and composed. She was not a stunning beauty, but she was refined and otherworldly, with a noble and tranquil charm.

Lan Chang'an guessed that the two were Alchemist Lin and Fairy Shi, the two masters of Wuqi Mountain.

"Manrong, even a night of marriage can be considered a hundred days of kindness. Even though we've long since separated, don't you have any lingering affection for us?"

Seated to the left was a middle-aged man wearing Liang Crown and with swollen eyes.

"Chen Sheng! Your talisman skills are barely at the lower second rank, yet you dare to dream of leading your clan to settle in Wuqi Mountain? Among those competing for the Third Peak, there are many with Second-Order Middle-Grade skills. It's neither reasonable nor ethical for me to give way to you."

Shi Manrong spoke in a light, elegant, and composed tone.

At this moment, Lan Chang'an and Gu Lai entered the hall.

"Fellow Daoist Gu, you've arrived."

Shi Manrong stood up and bowed apologetically.

This female array mage has an elegant figure, long legs, and a voluptuous figure, exuding the charm of a mature and beautiful woman.

"I've long heard of Master Gu's name. Hmm, and who is this fellow Daoist?"

The ruddy-faced old man, Alchemist Lin, stroked his beard and smiled, his gaze fixed on Lan Chang'an.

Shi Manrong's clear eyes also fell on this unfamiliar young man in white robes.

"My name is Lan Chang'an, Second-Order Talisman Master, and Rogue Cultivator from Yellow Dragon Immortal City."

Lan Chang'an cupped his hands in greeting.

"Lan Chang'an? Yellow Dragon Immortal City?"

Alchemist Lin looked thoughtful, then his eyes suddenly lit up.

"Daoist Lu, could you perhaps be that legendary, seventy-year-old Foundation Establishment cultivator?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Manrong, Gu Lai, and the middle-aged man all looked at Lan Chang'an in surprise.

"It is indeed I," Lan Chang'an said frankly.

"My apologies, I misjudged you before."

Gu Lai was surprised, then smiled kindly.

For cultivators across the Liang Kingdom, the story of someone reaching the Foundation Establishment at the age of seventy was a rather amusing anecdote.

But since it doesn't affect their own interests, few people will pay attention to it after the hype dies down.

As time goes by, the memories of this event will gradually fade among the cultivators.

If it weren't for Alchemist Lin's mention, none of the people present would have connected such a young-looking cultivator with the seventy-year-old Foundation Establishment.

"Please have a seat, fellow Daoists."

Alchemist Lin's Lin Ye. He is the master of Small Pill Peak, with Foundation Establishment Middle Stage level and Second-Order High-Grade Alchemist.

The middle-aged man wearing the Liang Crown was the ex-husband of the array master Shi Manrong.

"Chen Sheng, we still have guests to entertain; Wuqi Mountain does not welcome you!"

Lin Ye waved his hand impatiently, dismissing the man.

Inside the side hall, the two hosts and two guests exchanged pleasantries for a moment before getting down to business.

"We are familiar with Fellow Daoist Gu's skills. May we ask what rank Talisman Master Daoist Lu is?"

Shi Manrong as a chrysanthemum, with eyes as clear as a spring.

Lan Chang'an realized that this dignified and quiet female array mage might have a connection with Gu Lai.

"Fairy Shi, although I have only recently advanced to the Foundation Establishment, I was already a second-tier low-grade Talisman Master many years ago. Now, I have touched the threshold of Second-Order Middle-Grade, and I expect to become Second-Order Middle-Grade Talisman Master within ten years."

Lan Chang'an replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.

If he were to display Second-Order Middle-Grade skill now, it would be somewhat unusual given his previous progress.

Moreover, even if one displays Second-Order Middle-Grade skill, one is unlikely to be able to compete with Gu Lai.

Shi Manrong nodded, but did not allow Lan Chang'an to test her.

Lan Chang'an's skill level was about what she had expected.

Even if it's slightly exaggerated.

His cultivation, skills, and experience are still inferior to those of Gu Lai, the weapon refiner.

Shi Manrong and Lin Ye exchanged glances and silently communicated for a moment.

"Fellow Daoists, why don't you wait a few days at Wuqi Mountain? We will discuss and select one of you to become the master of the Third Peak soon."

Alchemist Lin Ye spoke.

"Good."

Lan Chang'an and Gu Lai had no objections.

The two were accommodated in a guest room at Small Pill Peak.

In fact, Lan Chang'an didn't have high hopes; waiting a few days was just out of politeness.

Seven days later.

Five Foundation Establishment cultivators, each possessing exceptional skills, gathered in the main hall of Small Pill Peak.

Lan Chang'an and Gu Lai were two of them.

Lin Ye and Shi Manrong sat at the head of the table.

"After much discussion with Fairy Shi, we've decided that Daoist Lu will share the Third Peak of Wuqi Mountain with her."

Lin Ye announced the results in a calm and composed tone.

Lan Chang'an was surprised; he hadn't expected to be the final choice.

Among these five people, his skills and qualifications were in the middle to lower range.

"Congratulations, Daoist Lu," Gu Lai and the other three offered their congratulations.

Gu Lai and the others did not show any resentment or press for details.

Lin Ye and Shi Manrong must have had their reasons for choosing Lan Chang'an.

Everyone here is at the Foundation Establishment Realm and possesses second-tier skills, so the difference between them isn't significant; it's just a matter of leasing a Spirit Vein Dao Field.

Lan Chang'an wondered to himself: compared to the other four, he had no other advantages except for his best appearance.

Foundation Establishment at the age of seventy may bring a significant boost to one's reputation.

However, both Lin Ye and Shi Manrong were Rogue Cultivator who were more focused on practical benefits.

A cultivator who reaches the Foundation Establishment at the age of seventy has low potential and will not achieve the same level of success as a young or middle-aged cultivator who has reached the Foundation Establishment.

Lan Chang'an couldn't figure it out, and he was too lazy to think about it anymore. He believed that after settling in Wuqi Mountain, he would eventually find out the reason.

Gu Lai and several other Foundation Establishment cultivators took their leave.

Lin Ye and Shi Manrong led Lan Chang'an to the empty third main peak.

Looking down from the sky, Lan Chang'an saw that the third main peak was much shorter than the other two.

The mountain peaks are not that steep; they are relatively flat and wide, and the actual land area on the mountain is actually larger.

At the top of the mountain is a cave dwelling left behind by the previous owner.

There is a large pool outside, covering an area of ten acres, which is quite conspicuous. There are some rust marks in the pool, which may be the place where Law Artifact are refined.

"Is Daoist Lu satisfied?" asked Alchemist Lin Ye.

"No problem."

Lan Chang'an inspected the area and found that the Spirit Vein environment was stable and the land was open, suitable for growing flowers and plants and keeping pets.

Without further hesitation, he signed Spirit Contract with the two Foundation Establishment cultivators and paid a deposit of Spirit Stone.

This kind of Spirit Contract, signed and sealed with a personal Law Power imprint, has no coercive force but serves as a credible certificate.

"Daoist Lu, after you move in, I will invite the cultivators from Golden Cloud Valley to come over. At that time, the three of us will sign a new co-tenancy agreement."

Lin Ye added.

Lan Chang'an nodded. He had connections in Golden Cloud Valley and wasn't worried about the other party playing tricks.

"Daoist Lu, from now on, you have the right to use this main peak. Why don't you give it a name?"

Shi Manrong smiled gracefully and made the suggestion.

Lan Chang'an learned this.

Lin Ye's main peak is called Small Pill Peak.

The main peak of Shi Manrong is called Small Plate Peak.

"This main peak is relatively low and flat, so let's call it ' Small Turtle Peak '."

Lan Chang'an's gaze fell on the large pool, and he quickly came up with a name.

"Small Turtle Peak?"

Lin Ye and Shi Manrong were taken aback for a moment but did not comment; it was a fairly normal mountain name.

"Then congratulations, Daoist Lu, on becoming the master of Small Turtle Peak."

The two men offered their congratulations.

The Small Turtle Peak in front of us is just a rough draft.

The former weapon refiner died, and his descendants and relatives took away all the valuables inside, including the array formations.

All that was left for Lan Chang'an was an empty mountain covered in greenery.

Lan Chang'an needs to make some arrangements before he can officially move in.

Fortunately, he was going to return to Yellow Dragon Immortal City anyway.

Purchase top-grade magical Law Artifact and Longevity Pill, collect materials for Treasure Talisman, and initiate the next collaboration with the Beast Taming Zhou Family.

When we arrive, we'll bring Guan Qiaozhi along to help manage this mountain cave.

"Daoist Lu, you can find me to help you set up formations at Small Turtle Peak. My price is reasonable, and I can provide you with a complete solution."

Shi Manrong elegant and graceful figure, flew into the air, turned around and smiled, her voice melodious and gentle.