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Decades ago, Lan Chang'an accepted Zhao Siyao's commission to go to the Five Peaks Market Town to repair the top superior-grade magical weapon, the Iron Trellis Umbrella.
The artifact refiner responsible for repairing the magical weapon was Master Gu Lai.
At that time, Gu Lai was a second-rank low-grade artifact refiner who had not yet advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage.
"So it's Master Gu, a pleasure to meet you. I am Lan Chang'an, a wandering second-rank talisman master." Lan Chang'an greeted back.
Back then, he had disguised his appearance when he sought out the artifact refiner Gu Lai for help. Thus, Gu Lai failed to recognize him.
"A second-rank talisman master? Could it be that Fellow Daoist Lan also wants to compete for the position of the third peak?" Gu Lai's eyes flashed.
"Just trying my luck."
Lan Chang'an felt strange in his heart, not expecting the master who had helped him with refining would become his competitor.
It seemed that he might not be able to compete against him. On the surface, in terms of cultivation, skills, and experience, Lan Chang'an trailed behind Gu Lai.
Gu Lai had a third-level Foundation Establishment cultivation, was a second-rank middle-grade artifact refiner, and was actually older than Lan Chang'an, having accumulated deep experience in the Five Peaks Market Town.
"No matter, let us compete fairly." Gu Lai smiled calmly, clearly having some confidence.
One of the former peak masters who perished in Wuqi Mountain while exploring a cave seeking for treasures, had also been an artifact refiner.
"Do you two seniors have any needs? I am Lan Lin, the steward of Wuqi Mountain." A graceful female cultivator came forward, bowing respectfully.
"I am here to see 'Fairy Shi' and 'Alchemist Lin' to rent the vacant third peak." Gu Lai stroked his beard and said.
"The same for me." Lan Chang'an smiled faintly, his expression unchanged.
"Alchemist Lin and Fairy Shi are both at the Little Pill Peak, I will take you there." Lan Lin smiled and led the way ahead.
The three flew to the tallest peak, and Lan Lin held up a token, passing through the formation.
Lan Chang'an noticed that two of the main peaks each had their own protective formations.
...
The female cultivator Lan Lin led the two to a side hall of the Little Pill Peak.
Inside the hall, three people were seated.
In the main seats sat a red-faced elder and a simple and elegant female cultivator.
The red-faced elder had a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, wore a wide robe, had a full forehead, and sharp eyes, exuding an aura of authority.
The female cultivator, who looked to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with her hair elegantly tied up, composed and graceful, not stunningly beautiful but refined and elegant, with a serene charm.
Lan Chang'an guessed that these two were Alchemist Lin and Fairy Shi, the two peak masters of Wuqi Mountain.
"Manrong, we were once husband and wife. Even if we have long been separated, don't you have any old feelings left?" A middle-aged man with swollen eyes and a coronet on his head sat at the lower end.
"Chen Sheng! Your talisman skills are barely at the low second-rank. How dare you think of bringing your family to reside in Wuqi Mountain? Among those competing for the third peak, there are those with mid-grade second-rank skills. You are not deserving." Shi Manrong's tone light and steady, graceful and composed.
At this moment, Lan Chang'an and Gu Lai entered the hall.
"Ah, Fellow Daoist Gu, you've come." Shi Manrong stood up apologetically and greeted.
This female formation master had an elegant and slender figure, her legs long and shapely; beneath her mature beauty, she exuded an alluring charm.
"I have long heard of Master Gu's name. And this Fellow Daoist is?" Alchemist Lin, the red-faced elder, stroked his beard and smiled, looking at Lan Chang'an.
Shi Manrong's clear eyes also fell on this unfamiliar young man in white.
"I am Lan Chang'an, a second-rank talisman master and a loose cultivator from Huanglong Immortal City." Lan Chang'an cupped his hands and said.
"Lan Chang'an? Huanglong Immortal City?"
Alchemist Lin seemed to recall something, his eyes suddenly brightening.
"Fellow Daoist Lan, could you be that rumored ancient Foundation Establishment cultivator?"
Upon hearing this, Shi Manrong, Gu Lai, and the middle-aged man all looked at Lan Chang'an in surprise.
"Indeed, it is me," Lan Chang'an replied calmly.
"I couldn't recognize you earlier, Fellow Daoist," Gu Lai said in surprise, revealing a kind smile.
To the cultivators of the Liang Kingdom, the tale of ancient Foundation Establishment was an amusing anecdote. Yet, as it had no bearing on their own interests, after the initial excitement died down, few paid it any mind. As time passed, memories of this event faded from their minds. If not for Alchemist Lin's mention, none of the cultivators present would have guessed that this youthful-looking cultivator was related to the ancient age Foundation Establishment story.
"Please take a seat, both of you."
Alchemist Lin, whose full name was Lin Ye, was the owner of Little Pill Peak, a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, and a second-rank superior-grade alchemist.
The middle-aged man with the coronet was Chen Sheng, Formation Master Shi Manrong's ex-husband.
"Chen Sheng, we have guests to attend to. Wuqi Mountain does not welcome you!" Lin Ye waved his hand impatiently, dismissing the man.
... In the side hall, after a brief exchange, they got to the main topic.
"We know of Fellow Daoist Gu's skills. May I ask, what grade of talisman master is Fellow Daoist Lan?" Shi Manrong's eyes were as clear as a spring.
Lan Chang'an realized that this graceful and serene female formation master might have some acquaintance with Gu Lai.
"Fairy Shi, although I advanced to Foundation Establishment not long ago, I became a low-grade second-rank talisman master many years ago. Now, I am on the threshold of middle-grade second-rank and hope to achieve that within ten years." Lan Chang'an spoke with humility and confidence.
If he displayed middle second-rank skills now, it would not match his past progress and would seem suspicious. Moreover, even with middle second-rank skills, he might not be able to outdo Gu Lai.
Shi Manrong nodded, not requiring Lan Chang'an to demonstrate his skills.
His abilities were on par with her expectations, even if he had exaggerated them slightly. Regardless, his cultivation, skill, and experience still fell short of those of the Artifact Refiner Gu Lai.
Shi Manrong and Lin Ye exchanged a glance, communicating silently.
"Fellow Daoists, how about waiting a few days at Wuqi Mountain? We will be discussing the matter shortly and select one of you to become the third peak's master." Alchemist Lin Ye suggested.
"Alright." Lan Chang'an and Gu Lai had no objections.
The two were accommodated in guest rooms at Little Pill Peak.
In fact, Lan Chang'an did not have much hope and was waiting out of courtesy.
...
Seven days later.
Five Foundation Establishment cultivators with skills gathered in the main hall of Little Pill Peak.
Lan Chang'an and Gu Lai were among them.
Lin Ye and Shi Manrong sat in the main seats.
"After much deliberation with Fairy Shi, we have decided to let Fellow Daoist Lan jointly lease the third peak." Lin Ye announced the result calmly.
Lan Chang'an was surprised; he hadn't expected himself to be chosen. Among these five, his skill and cultivation level were decidedly middle-of-the-road.
"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Lan." Gu Lai and the other three congratulated him.
None of them showed dissatisfaction or questioned the decision.
Lin Ye and Shi Manrong must have their reasons for choosing Lan Chang'an.
They were all Foundation Establishment cultivators with second-rank skills, not differing too much, and it was only a leasing right of a spiritual vein field.
Lan Chang'an was puzzled: compared to the other four, he had no advantage except for his appearance. Ancient foundation establishment story might earn some prestige, but Lin Ye and Shi Manrong were both loose cultivators, more inclined to pursue practical benefits.
An elderly Foundation Establishment implied lower potential, and less future achievement than younger Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Lan Chang'an didn't understand their decision, but he didn't waste too much energy on it either. He trusted that he'd eventually learn their reasoning after moving to Wuqi Mountain.
...
Gu Lai and the other Foundation Establishment cultivators took their leave.
Lin Ye and Shi Manrong took Lan Chang'an to the vacant third main peak.
From above, Lan Chang'an saw that the third main peak was much lower than the other two.
The peak was less steep, relatively flat and wide, with a larger actual land area.
At the top was a cave mansion left by the previous owner.
Outside was a large pool covering ten mu (approximately 1.65 acres), conspicuous with some rust marks, likely used for washing and smoothening magical weapons.
"Is Fellow Daoist Lan satisfied?" Alchemist Lin Ye asked.
"I have no objections."
Lan Chang'an surveyed around, finding the spiritual vein environment stable, the area spacious, suitable for gardening and raising pets.
Without any hesitation, he signed a spirit contract with the two Foundation Establishment cultivators and paid a deposit in spirit stones.
A spirit contract was a legally binding agreement backed by personal mana imprints; it was not enforceable but served as a credible document nonetheless.
"Fellow Daoist Lan, after you settle in, I will invite a cultivator from Jin Yun Valley over. At that time, we three can sign a new lease contract." Lin Ye added.
Lan Chang'an nodded. He had connections in Jinyun Valley, so he wasn't concerned about the other two parties pulling any tricks.
"Fellow Daoist Lan, since you will be the master of this main peak, how about giving it a name?" Shi Manrong elegantly smiled and suggested.
Lan Chang'an accepted her suggestion.
Lin Ye's peak was named Pill Peak. Shi Manrong's peak was named Xiao Pan Peak.
"Since this peak is relatively short and flat, how about we call it 'Little Turtle Peak'?" Lan Chang'an's gaze fell on the large pond, then quickly settled on a name.
"Little Turtle Peak?"
Lin Ye and Shi Manrong blinked, but they didn't comment. It was a perfectly acceptable name for a mountain peak.
"Then congratulations, Fellow Daoist Lan, on becoming the master of Little Turtle Peak," the other two said in unison, offering their congratulations.
...
The Little Turtle Peak before their eyes was, at present, a raw and unfinished product. The late artifact refiner's heirs and acquaintances had stripped the peak of its most valuable items, including the protective formation, leaving behind an empty mountain draped in greenery.
Lan Chang'an would need to make some arrangements before he officially moved in. Fortunately, he had already planned a trip back to the Huanglong Immortal City to purchase high-end magical weapons, Life Extension Pills, and materials for talismans, as well as to arrange for his next collaboration with the Beast Taming Zhou Family.
At that time, on the way, he would bring Guan Qiaozhi over to help take care of this mountain peak.
"Fellow Daoist Lan, if you need assistance setting up a protective formation for Little Turtle Peak, you may call upon me. My prices are quite reasonable, and I can provide a comprehensive plan." Shi Manrong's graceful and plump figure soared through the air, and she looked back with a smile, her voice melodious and gentle.
(End of chapter)