After announcing his decision to stop recruiting new members, Li Ping looked around at everyone, observing their reactions.
Everyone was visibly surprised, as though they had never expected Li Ping to make such a decision.
Gu Musheng in particular had already found a rogue cultivator who was only fifteen and had just embarked on the Immortal Dao. He had intended to recommend him to Li Ping for approval.
But now that Li Ping had decided to stop recruiting, it seemed he could only shelve the matter.
It seems that although Big Brother has no intention of breaking his Dao Heart Oath, he isn't willing to do more for the Shared Boat Association. After all, he's already reached Foundation Establishment. We managed to catch the last ride, Gu Musheng thought to himself.
In fact, he had long since prepared himself for Li Ping to break his oath and leave Immortal City for another country after successfully reaching Foundation Establishment.
After all his years in business, he had saved up quite a few spirit stones beyond the minimum annual contribution to the foundation establishment fund, though he was still a long way from being able to buy a Foundation Establishment Pill.
But by the time he reached Peak Qi Refining, he ought to have roughly enough.
So, the fact that Big Brother had not run off was already the best possible outcome for him. He did not particularly care about the rest.
Meanwhile, Zhang Tie seemed unable to understand why Li Ping had made this decision. He asked in surprise, "Big Brother, why?"
Hearing Zhang Tie's question, Gu Musheng could not help shaking his head inwardly. His second brother really wasn't very sharp.
The reason was so obvious, yet he still had to ask. Just how many Foundation Establishment cultivators were there in Immortal City?
A single Foundation Establishment Pill cost thousands of spirit stones. Even if Big Brother had no intention of advancing his own cultivation further, he could not possibly waste his time contributing more spirit stones to the association.
The six of them, himself included, were probably already the limit of what Big Brother could tolerate.
Besides, what benefit would Big Brother gain from taking in more new members?
Li Ping glanced at Zhang Tie. Seeing that his expression did not seem feigned and that he really appeared to be speaking his mind without thinking, Li Ping smiled and explained, "Now that I've reached Foundation Establishment, I'll naturally contribute at least a hundred spirit stones to the shared foundation establishment fund every year. There's no need to recruit more members."
Seeing that Zhang Tie still seemed confused, he continued, "If we take in more members, you'll also have to contribute toward their Foundation Establishment in the future. I'm worried that would affect your own cultivation down the line. So, stopping recruitment benefits both me and everyone else. Do you understand?"
Zhang Tie nodded, realization dawning on him. "So that's how it is. You've really thought everything through, Big Brother."
Gu Musheng rolled his eyes inwardly, but words of agreement immediately spilled from his mouth. "I agree with Big Brother's decision too. Our Shared Boat Association is now a Foundation Establishment-level force. If we let people join just like that, wouldn't we be handing them a bargain? I think the seven of us are enough."
Li Ping gave Gu Musheng an approving look. Although his third brother had relatively poor spiritual roots, did not obey him unquestioningly, and harbored plenty of little schemes of his own, he knew how to conduct himself.
He was sensible, however, and Li Ping was very satisfied with how he handled things.
Li Ping, Zhang Tie, and Gu Musheng all agreed-though Li Ping's agreement was, of course, what mattered most-so the decision to stop recruiting new members was settled. From then on, the Shared Boat Association's membership would remain fixed at the seven sworn siblings.
Next, the seven exchanged information and shared their plans for the future, letting the others help identify gaps and shortcomings.
As their discussion continued, midnight arrived before they knew it.
At the end of the banquet, Li Ping personally guided the other six in their cultivation, as was customary, leaving all six beaming with delight.
Receiving personal cultivation guidance from a Foundation Establishment cultivator was not an opportunity just anyone could have.
They all seized the chance to ask Li Ping about the problems they had encountered in their cultivation.
The banquet did not end until daybreak.
Zhang Tie, Gu Musheng, Cheng Yao, and the others left one after another, until only Li Ping and Bai Qing remained in the courtyard.
Seeing that Bai Qing seemed to have something on his mind but hesitated to speak, Li Ping asked in puzzlement, "Bai Qing, do you have a question?"
Bai Qing hurriedly nodded. "Big Brother, our Bo Family Ancestor would like to meet you. He has something he'd like to discuss with you. He's in Immortal City right now. If it's convenient for you, I'll invite him over to visit."
"Your ancestor wants to see me?" Li Ping smiled and nodded. "Of course I don't mind meeting him. But since your ancestor is my elder, I should be the one visiting him. Lead the way."
At Li Ping's words, Bai Qing's face lit up with delight. "All right, Big Brother!"
As far as Li Ping knew, the Bai Family had only recently held a grand celebration for their ancestor's two hundredth birthday.
Two hundred was an advanced age even for a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
After all, although a Foundation Establishment cultivator's maximum lifespan was said to be two hundred and forty years, cultivators could never entirely avoid magical battles along the immortal path.
Once they fought, they could easily suffer injuries that depleted their vital essence and lifespan.
Thus, Foundation Establishment cultivators who truly lived to the end of their natural lifespan were few and far between.
Cultivators who focused solely on preserving their health, neither competing nor contending for anything, could live longer than others at the same level. But without competing or contending, they would probably struggle even to reach Foundation Establishment.
When Li Ping arrived at the Bai Family's base in Immortal City, the Bo Family Ancestor was standing in the courtyard to welcome him personally.
He had crane-white hair and a youthful, rosy complexion, but the faint black aura between his brows, along with the wrinkles and age spots crisscrossing his face, revealed that the Bo Family Ancestor's condition was far from good.
"Hahaha... Fellow Daoist Li, I've heard Qing'er tell me time and again how remarkable his big brother is. Today, I finally get to meet you in the flesh." The Bo Family Ancestor burst into laughter as soon as he saw Li Ping enter the courtyard.
Li Ping smiled as well. "I can hardly compare with you, Fellow Daoist Bai-still so vigorous in your later years."
"You're too kind, Fellow Daoist Li. Come inside, come inside!" Hearing Li Ping praise his vigor in old age, the Bo Family Ancestor looked pleased and invited him into the hall to sit.
Shortly after they sat down, a Bai Family cultivator served spiritual tea, then obediently withdrew at a meaningful glance from the ancestor.
Even Bai Qing left of his own accord, leaving only Li Ping and the Bo Family Ancestor in the hall.
Watching Bai Qing leave, the Bo Family Ancestor suddenly cupped his hands in a solemn salute. "Our Qing'er suffered a great deal as a child. Thankfully, you've looked after him, Fellow Daoist Li. On behalf of the Bai Family, I thank you."
Li Ping hurriedly stopped him. "There's no need for that, Fellow Daoist Bai. Although Bai Qing is a Bai Family cultivator, he calls me Big Brother. It's only right that I look after him."
"You're right, Fellow Daoist Li. I misspoke." The Bo Family Ancestor readily accepted his words, smiling and nodding.
After they chatted for a while, the Bo Family Ancestor suddenly said, "Speaking of which, there have been quite a few rumors about you in Immortal City these past few days, Fellow Daoist Li. I imagine you haven't heard about them yet."
"Oh? Rumors about me?" Li Ping asked in puzzlement.