NOVPUB
Chapter 47: Chapter 47: Distributing Spirit Stones
"High-grade Spirit Root, a tall tree invites the wind, and it’s prone to unexpected events."
Li Quanqing seemed to understand, "On the contrary, it’s better to present oneself as a Middle-grade Spirit Root, with dignity and honesty."
Li Quanlin scratched his head, "So the family records won’t be changed, will they?"
"Why wouldn’t they be changed? If the records aren’t to be changed, why would I say so much?"
Li Kunli looked at them with an expression reserved for fools, "A High-grade Spirit Root is too conspicuous, so we’ll change it in another way."
"For example, change Quanqing’s Lower-grade Metal Spirit Root to Middle-grade, benefiting from the blending of Gold and Water elements, coupled with our Li Family’s proficiency in water paths, abundant resources, the cultivation speed will rival that of a High-grade Water Spirit Root."
"We can also increase the age by a few years, so when traveling or reporting outside, claim to be in one’s early twenties. With a blend of truths and subtleties, it becomes more credible."
Li Quanqing nodded in agreement, "It’s a good idea, I’ve always been careful about the age issue, never revealing it to outsiders."
"You’re cautious, just like I was back in my day."
Li Kunli’s gaze was encouraging and praiseworthy as he handed over two records, "Here are your family records, I specifically fetched them, now tell me how do you want to change them?" n𝚘𝚟𝚙𝚞𝚋.𝚌o𝚖
One was Li Quanqing’s childhood records, the other was a blank record, with nothing written on it.
"Li Quanqing, twelve years old, from Qingpan Island, father Li Yuping, mother Li Yuru, both Qi Refining cultivators of the Li Family."
"Middle-grade Water Spirit Root, three inches and seven-tenths high; Lower-grade Metal Spirit Root, two inches and three-tenths high; all other Spirit Roots are less than an inch."
It is based on the height of the aura glowing on the Spirit Testing Platform that the Spirit Roots are categorized.
Less than one inch is considered inferior, 1-3 inches Lower-grade, 3-5 inches Middle-grade, 5-7 inches High-grade, and Earth Spirit Root is 7-9 inches.
A Heavenly Spirit Root is not only over 9 inches high but also contains Heavenly Spirit Qi within the body, aiding cultivators in forming their Golden Core.
Li Kunli made a grand gesture and changed it to 4.7 inches for Water Spirit Root and 4.3 inches for Metal Spirit Root, a solid Middle to High-grade appearance.
Li Quanlin couldn’t help but laugh upon seeing it, "These two Spirit Roots combined are exactly nine inches; it’s as if my fellow disciple now possesses a Heavenly Spirit Root!"
"That’s right, the first Golden Core True Master in our Li Family’s future is none other than me!"
Li Quanqing laughed confidently, his words bold and audacious.
Seeing no issues, the Third Elder’s palm flared with intense flames, completely incinerating the old records into ash.
"I have already confirmed that the Family Steward who measured your Spirit Root has passed away in meditation, leaving no significant flaws."
Li Kunli was always meticulous in his work, "The family competition is in eight months, how are you preparing, young man?"
After asking, he couldn’t help but laugh himself.
With Qi Refining Sixth Level cultivation, there were only a few in the Quan generation who could compete, and they had always been top contenders for the championship.
The Third Elder took out a Storage Bag, "Take it, this is your family allowance for the past three months, totaling 32 Spirit Stones."
Li Quanqing opened the bag and was nearly blinded by the brightness, "Why are there so many?"
Packed tightly were eight to nine hundred Spirit Stones!
"Because it also includes the allowances for other clan members."
The old man said with a smile as he took out a scroll, "You’re responsible for distributing allowances to half of Qingpan Island’s clan members; it’s hard work."
Li Quanqing was dumbfounded, "Isn’t this the work of a Family Steward?"
"Once your cultivation advances, it’s natural to start taking responsibilities."
The Third Elder patted the young man’s shoulder encouragingly, "Go, let the clan members witness the genius of our Artifact Refining Hall!"
Li Quanqing had a bitter face as he picked up the Storage Bag and headed towards Qingpan Island.
The Spirit Boat cut through the sea, the young man took out the scroll and looked over each name, almost all familiar faces, and found their dwellings with ease.
He soon realized that distributing allowances was indeed a cushy job.
Some people had just made a minor breakthrough and should have their allowances doubled, but they had yet to register it at the Evergreen Hall.
There was plenty of room for manipulation here, and plenty of kickbacks.
Li Quanqing wasn’t interested in these bits of Spirit Sand and Spirit Stones and went about his duties, using the opportunity to show his face.
Many familiar neighbors were surprised, wondering how, in the blink of an eye, Yuru’s orphan had become a Family Steward!
"This is what a family is all about!"
Li Quanqing exhaled a breath of murky air and understood that the Hall Master’s intention was to create momentum for him.
In the family, one cannot only look after one’s own welfare; one must build their own faction step by step, to hold power alone.
The sound of the sea water crashes, the green sea under the blue sky, the lazy white clouds, the Spirit Boat arrives at an extremely familiar fish pond.
"Quanqing, why do you have time to come by this old man’s place today?"
Li Kunshui, smiling with his eyes half-closed, puffs on his dry pipe, the smoke drifts faintly, looking very content.
"I came to deliver this quarter’s stipend to Uncle Nineteen."
"Wow, isn’t this something! In the blink of an eye, Quanqing is about to become a big shot!"
The old man laughs exaggeratedly, his spirit extremely good; despite being near a hundred years old, he still appears hale and hearty like a young man.
Li Quanqing chats and jokes for a bit, then unexpectedly sees a familiar figure in the depths of the fish pond, clumsily netting big green fish.
The big green fish struggle in the net, causing the surface of the water to boil, spitting out dense Water Arrows, making that person look very embarrassingly disheveled.
"So this kid is actually helping at Uncle’s place."
That person in the fish pond is none other than his cousin, Li Quanzhu.
"His mother sought me out, and seeing that he indeed has potential, I reluctantly took him in as an apprentice."
Li Kunshui taps on his dry pipe then calls out, "A’Zhu, your brother has come to see you!"
Li Quanzhu is clearly startled for a moment, then slowly drags himself over with the fish net, reluctantly calling out, "Quanqing... Cousin."
"Qi Refining Third Layer, your Cultivation isn’t slow."
"I just came from your mother’s place; she didn’t tell me about this."
Li Quanqing takes out two Spirit Stones: "The stipend for Qi Refining Third Layer is four Spirit Stones, here’s the two you’re missing."
"Thank you, brother."
Seeing the shining white Spirit Stones, Li Quanzhu calls out much more naturally: "I was lucky to break through a couple of days ago; I haven’t had the chance to tell her yet."
The young man stretches out his much rougher palm to receive the Spirit Stones, not having seen him for some time, the kid has grown a bit taller and gotten a bit tanner.
Like rocks shaped by the beating of the waves, his expression has lost some childish stubbornness, replaced by a bit more solidity.
In other words, he’s grown up.
"Any news from your dad recently?"
Silence for a moment, Li Quanqing broaches the subject.
Li Quanzhu shakes his head, his expression also slightly vague.
Originally Li Yuheng took two thousand Spirit Stones, saying he was going to the Golden Core Workshop to find a Spirit Pill that could regenerate limbs, and then disappeared without a trace.
Not even the Spirit Stones he owed were repaid.
"Before we have concrete news back at the clan, I’ll make sure your uncle’s annual tribute is delivered to your mother on time."
Li Quanqing makes his promise.
Li Quanzhu’s expression finally relaxes, joy rising to his brows, his eyes happily curving up.
Finally, he has some semblance of that spirited and flamboyant teenager from before.
When Li Quanqing returns to his own fish pond, the sky is already flushed with the afterglow, the songs of the fishermen returning home faintly audible, boats singing in the evening.
"I’m back!"
As usual, he hollers out loud, but he doesn’t see the Spiritual Beasts lining up to welcome him.
Only a few big green fish stick their heads out, lazily spitting Water Arrows at him.
"What are these guys gathered together for?"
Li Quanqing steps on the lotus platform, his clothes fluttering, looking like a Banished Immortal walking on waves, utterly carefree.
He discovers the Green Jade Carps have surrounded a big rock, and eight glossy Azure Water Pythons are also present, with the glittering Copper-armored Crabs occupying another area.
Is this the hatching place for the Longevity Turtle?
Li Quanqing’s heart jumps for joy, ready to go over for a closer look, just then he hears a gurgling sound.
A string of bubbles surfaces, from the seabed a large, emerald green stone as big as a sea bowl bobs up and down with the undulating waves.
In the midst of his wonder, a blunt turtle head suddenly pops out, two bean-sized black eyes blinking, staring motionlessly at him.
[Motionless]Longevity Turtle: "I’m supposed to be in the mud, not lying at the bottom of the sea, ow ow!"
[Maturity: 4%]
