Chapter 139: Chapter 47: Slacker

“Thank you, Grandpa Zhang, for not exposing their identity!”

Upon entering the cabin of the giant ship, a message from the Divine Sense appeared in Li Jizhou’s sea of consciousness. His expression remained unchanged, only nodding slightly.

However, he felt subtly moved inside.

“Could it be that the other six are not disciples of the Golden Sun Sect?” Whether they are or not, he certainly doesn’t recognize them.

“Grandpa Zhang, to be honest, they are fellow brothers I met on my journey. They were once the reliable pillars when my uncle founded Ten Thousand Talisman Pavilion, and now this can be considered their final deed for my uncle.” Qi Yuan, usually mature and alluring, now appeared somewhat reserved in front of Li Jizhou.

Thirty-seven years ago, when first meeting Shopkeeper Qi at the Spirit Pearl Mountain marketplace, she initially sought to give him a hard time. Later, due to Lu Zhenhua, she offered him considerable care and introduced him to various private ventures.

Until Lu Zhenhua unexpectedly fell, and internal conflicts began in Ten Thousand Talisman Pavilion, she returned to the headquarters in Golden Crow Immortal City and did not come back thereafter.

Now, thirty-two years have passed!

However, when Li Jizhou resided at Xiaogang Peak of the Golden Sun Sect, he had the opportunity to reconnect. At that time, Steward Chen had informed him about the situation of the five Outer Peaks.

The Yurong Peak was where Qi Yuan resided.

But Li Jizhou did not go to rekindle the relationship, as Steward Chen had specifically advised him that due to the upheaval at Ten Thousand Talisman Pavilion, Qi Yuan was disheartened by the strife between her uncles and withdrew to the Outer Peak, preferring solitude away from external disturbances.

Moreover, there wasn’t much of a bond.

Now seeing Qi Yuan again, Li Jizhou found himself slightly mistaken.

Qi Yuan’s grandfather is a True Core elder of the Golden Sun Sect, who is also on equal standing and has a good relationship with Zhang Ruoyu, making Qi Yuan and Zhang Ruoyu quite acquainted.

If it weren’t for his frequent association with Zhang Ruoyu in those years, and Zhang Ruoyu’s natural aversion to socializing, he would indeed fear Qi Yuan seeing through his disguise.

“No matter, surviving is all that counts!” Li Jizhou responded kindly using Zhang Ruoyu’s usual tone.

“Grandpa Zhang, you are certain to fulfill your wishes,” Qi Yuan said with a smile.

“That’s good, that’s good indeed.” Li Jizhou nodded perfunctorily.

“Knowing Grandpa Zhang’s temperament, I won’t interrupt you further. I’ll first take them out.”

Seeing Li Jizhou’s calm demeanor, Qi Yuan slightly bowed, and led the six out of the cabin.

As Qi Yuan left, Li Jizhou couldn’t help but smile slightly. He truly had no intention of taking advantage of Shopkeeper Qi.

He merely used Zhang Ruoyu’s identity to peacefully cultivate here and aim for Core Formation, simply because Zhang Ruoyu’s character and goals resembled his own.

Encountering Qi Yuan was indeed a sequence of stumbling events.

The repeated calling of “Grandpa” caused him some discomfort.

“Already succeeded in Foundation Establishment over thirty years ago, and now only just entering Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment like me.

The rumored idle lifestyle truly lives up to its reputation!”

Some people, due to insufficient talent, strive to change their fate against all odds.

However, Qi Yuan, possessing exceptional talent and sufficient financial support, adamantly chooses an idle life.

The rumor says after leaving Ten Thousand Talisman Pavilion and settling on Yurong Peak, she indulged in fiction, practicing only sporadically!

Comparing oneself to others can be utterly infuriating!

Dropping the chaotic thoughts, Li Jizhou returned his focus to his plans for this journey.

The Sea Domain of the Five Elders Association was said to have once been a barren island without discovery.

Until five loose cultivators, escaping from enemies, coincidentally arrived and discovered that the spirit vein here was comparable to that of a sect.

Gradually, this place became a cultivation venue for cultivators.

Initially, it was predominantly occupied by loose cultivators.

Among the initial discoverers, four have already passed away, leaving one fortunate to achieve Core Formation.

In honor of his departed friends, that true person named the place the Five Elders Association.

As time passed, the Five Elders Association developed into a large united sea domain cultivation venue.

Centered around the main island, surrounded by seven secluded islands as affiliates.

The main island, managed by the descendants of the true person for over a millennium, possesses a Tier Three Lower Grade spirit vein, and is the largest and most flourishing.

The seven secluded islands are owned by seven island lords, representing families with long-standing heritage here, each island contains a Tier Two Middle Grade spirit vein.

While land resources may be somewhat lacking, the ocean is abundant, leading to vigorous trade with the mainland overall.

Li Jizhou initially planned to cultivate steadily here until achieving Perfect Foundation Establishment, before considering further plans.

“Fellow Daoists, the spirit ship is about to set sail back to Linglong Island. During the voyage, we might encounter a spiritual energy storm or pirates, but no matter the situation, you should all remain assured and do not panic.”

Before long, the spirit ship was loaded with return cargo and cultivators headed for the Sea Domain of the Five Elders Association, and the person in charge announced departure.

Upon hearing this, Li Jizhou, who initially wasn’t too worried, felt a hint of concern.

He wasn’t afraid of the so-called pirate threat; his worry was about what to do if pirates destroyed the ship and they encountered a spiritual energy storm?

For the rest of the journey, Li Jizhou maintained caution.

After half a month had passed, a steward on the ship suddenly approached him.

Asking whether he had any special abilities or skills that could be presented.

If he had any, Linglong Island was recruiting talents, offering free venues and some cultivation resources.

All skills were considered, including martial abilities, the hundred arts of cultivating immortality, or commerce, management, fishing, etc.

The condition was signing a contract, being employed by Linglong Island, completing tasks assigned by the island lord.

The nature of this arrangement differs greatly from being an honored guest elder at various chambers of commerce in Qi Kingdom.

Honored guest elders just need to deliver specified products on time and are otherwise unrestricted.

Whereas recruiting talents here is purely an employment relationship, obliging one to follow the island lord’s orders.

The contract duration starts at a minimum of ten years.

Naturally, Li Jizhou did not agree to this.

“What if an old man has no exceptional skills to be employed by the island lord?” Li Jizhou didn’t immediately answer, instead probing first.

“If a fellow Daoist cannot be employed by the island, then he or she can only temporarily reside on Linglong Island for up to half a year, after which he or she must leave!” The steward replied succinctly.

“Is there any other way to reside on the island?” Li Jizhou asked further.

“Yes, by becoming a Dao Companion with a permanent resident woman on the island, one can gain permanent residency.”

“Nothing else?”

“Linglong Island does not support idlers, nothing else!” The steward asserted.

Li Jizhou slightly nodded, refraining from more inquiries, preferring to investigate the island before proceeding.

If necessary, any of his numerous skills would afford a bargaining edge.

“Boom!” Suddenly, a loud explosion shook the spirit ship.

“Woo~” A siren followed on the spirit ship.

“Pirates!”

Upon hearing, the steward’s face changed instantly, uncertain whether embarrassed by previous assertions being challenged or shocked, he immediately headed to the deck.

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