Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 136 - 125: Treasure Vault Inventory

"Oh?"

The dignified voice conveyed through divine thought carried a hint of surprise:

"To have a new comrade join our Haihe Association is truly a great blessing!"

As he spoke, his tone became much more amiable:

"Li Chen, bring this Fellow Daoist Qingxu to the main hall, and I will notify the other Daoist friends."

"Understood."

Fairy Li Chen acknowledged, and Lord Haihe withdrew his powerful divine thought.

"This Lord Haihe’s strength is formidable..."

Zhang Yao felt a chill in his heart.

Judging by the intensity of the divine thought, this Lord Haihe was at least a late stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

While Zhang Yao’s current strength surpassed that of a middle stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, there was still a gap to the late stage.

"Fellow Daoist Qingxu, shall we?"

Fairy Li Chen called out, leading Zhang Yao deeper into the Cangjiang Water Mansion.

Moments later, the two passed through numerous grand palaces and buildings, reaching a magnificent and luxurious main hall.

"Fellow Daoist Qingxu has arrived!"

"Is this the Fellow Daoist Qingxu?"

The gathered Foundation Establishment cultivators, led by a short elder, greeted them at the entrance of the main hall, all smiling and welcoming.

"Fellow Daoist Qingxu, allow me to introduce you."

Standing beside him, Fairy Li Chen smiled brightly, pointing to the elder and the cultivators with a gentle voice:

"This is our Association Leader, Lord Haihe; this is Lord Haihe’s direct disciple, Lord Baihe; this is Fellow Daoist Duanxu; this is Fellow Daoist Cang’Er..."

After he finished introducing all the Foundation Establishment cultivators:

"I am Qingxu, greetings to all Daoist friends."

Zhang Yao stepped forward, bowing respectfully to the Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"Hahaha..."

The short-statured Lord Haihe laughed heartily, grabbing Zhang Yao’s wrist:

"Fellow Daoist Qingxu, no need to be so polite, come, let’s enter the hall and have a few rounds of drinks."

"In that case, I shall respectfully follow suit."

Zhang Yao nodded gladly, following Lord Haihe and the Foundation Establishment cultivators into the main hall.

The hall spanned dozens of yards squared, with floors paved in verdant jade stone, black jade tables aligned on either side, serving by a dozen or so beautiful maidens.

"Fellow Daoist Qingxu, please!"

"Please, Lord."

After some polite exchanges, the group took seats behind the black jade tables, and an impromptu welcoming ritual officially commenced.

Though improvised, the hospitality was quite grand. Lord Haihe was generous and bold, continuously offering drinks, with various Spirit Wine and Jade Dew paraded about like a carousel.

"I can’t drink any more..."

Unable to refuse such hospitality and unwilling to dissolve the alcohol’s effect with magical power, Zhang Yao found himself hazily inebriated.

It was evident that the other Foundation Establishment members were long accustomed to Lord Haihe’s manner, cheerfully drinking and making merry, even the two female cultivators indulged quite a bit.

"Today was genuinely delightful!"

As the feast continued, Lord Haihe, his face flushed with enjoyment, called out loudly halfway through, ordering a selection of second grade Spirit Pills to conduct a spontaneous Pill Assembly.

"Great! What grand gestures from the Lord!"

"The Association Leader is truly full of spirit!"

"Second grade Spirit Pills, I usually can’t bear to consume them, the Association Leader is indeed generous!"

A chorus of praise arose from the Foundation Establishment cultivators, some even dancing in revelry, showing a carefree demeanor.

After many hours of bustling activity, the feast and the Pill Assembly eventually concluded, with Zhang Yao, under the guidance of Lord Baihe, selecting a side hall in the Water Mansion as his cave abode.

Thus, he formally joined the Haihe Association, becoming the tenth Foundation Establishment member within the association.

The next day.

Zhang Yao, for once, did not practice Qi Refining or meditate, but instead enjoyed a fine sleep, waking to leisurely stroll around the Water Mansion.

"Greetings, Lord!"

"Greetings, Lord Qingxu."

As he walked, the servants, maidens, and Water Mansion disciples all respectfully made way and paid their respects.

"This place is not bad..."

So far, Zhang Yao was quite satisfied with the Haihe Association.

Essentially, it was a loose organization centered around Lord Haihe, where Foundation Establishment cultivators banded together for warmth, with a relaxed internal atmosphere.

The Spiritual Qi in the Cangjiang Water Mansion was also exceedingly abundant, and as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he occupied one of the best spots in the Water Mansion, greatly benefiting his cultivation.

"Lord Qingxu!"

Halfway through his stroll, Zhang Yao encountered Lord Baihe, dressed in a blue robe, with a shy smile.

This direct disciple of Lord Haihe, being only in his sixties and having broken through to Foundation Establishment less than a decade ago, was the youngest among many Foundation Establishment cultivators, appearing like an ordinary young man.

"So, it’s Lord Baihe."

Zhang Yao greeted him with a smile.

After the formalities, Lord Baihe began to speak:

"Lord Qingxu, here is the situation."

"I have been instructed by my master to familiarize you with the Cangjiang Water Mansion and to explain the various rules within our Haihe Association."

"Many thanks to Lord Baihe."

Zhang Yao courteously expressed his gratitude.

Subsequently, Lord Baihe led Zhang Yao on a tour of the Water Mansion, while explaining the regulations of the Haihe Association to him.

As a loose alliance, the Haihe Association imposed few restrictions on Foundation Establishment members, the core tenet being mutual assistance.

Whenever any member is in trouble, the other members have an obligation to assist; numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators will also regularly hold assemblies to exchange cultivation experiences and internally trade items.

Aside from this, each Foundation Establishment member can receive an annual stipend of one thousand spirit stones, funded from the public account of the Haihe Association.

As an obligation, each Foundation Establishment member must complete at least one task assigned by the Haihe Association within ten years. Tasks can be chosen or refused if deemed unreasonable.

Completing tasks earns contribution points that can be accumulated and exchanged for items from the public treasury of the Haihe Association.

"Lord Baihe."

Zhang Yao asked:

"May I ask what specific tasks are assigned by the association?"

Lord Baihe smiled and said:

"In fact, these tasks are all related to the various industries of our Haihe Association."

"We have our own Haihe Commerce Association, scattered across the marketplaces of Da Li, occasionally requiring Foundation Establishment cultivators to oversee and patrol."

"The most important products of the association are the spirit beast eggs, clam pearl and shell jade from the Cangjiang Water Vein, also needing Foundation Establishment cultivators to inspect and protect the Qi Refining disciples below."

"Besides this, we also hold ownership rights to several Profound Gold Ore Veins within the Fang Continent, needing Foundation Establishment cultivators to be stationed long term; plus some irregular bounty tasks..."

Zhang Yao listened patiently to his explanation, nodded slightly, and asked again:

"Could you let this humble one take a look at the list of items that can be exchanged with contribution points?"

"That’s no problem at all."

Lord Baihe agreed readily, took out a jade scroll, handed it to Zhang Yao, and said with a smile:

"I won’t hide it from you, thanks to the high regard of my master, I am currently in charge of the treasury and the contribution points exchange."

"If Lord Qingxu wishes to exchange for treasures in the future, just come to me, as I am usually in the Water Mansion."

"Alright, thank you, Lord Baihe."

After politely expressing his gratitude, Zhang Yao scanned the jade scroll with his divine thought to review its content.

The exchange list of the Haihe Association’s treasury contains only more than a hundred items, without exception, all of which are treasures very useful to Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Aside from the common second grade spirit pills, spiritual objects, and early stage spiritual artifacts, there are also some immortal secret techniques, cultivation technique scriptures, and powerful disposable secret treasures, making it a dazzling array.

"Good heavens! The ’Barrier Breaking Pill’ that can help break through bottlenecks, and even a complete set of high grade spiritual artifacts!"

"This Lord Haihe is truly wealthy, no wonder ordinary second grade spirit pills are of no concern..."

Zhang Yao was filled with amazement.

The entire Haihe Association, although a loose alliance, is actually also the private enterprise of Lord Haihe. The so-called public treasury is no different from Lord Haihe’s private treasury.

With the resources of the entire Haihe Association at his disposal and nearly ten Foundation Establishment cultivators serving under him, Lord Haihe is probably among the wealthiest in the Foundation Establishment stage.

"The ’Scripture of All Transformations and True Nature’ is indeed here!"

"It seems the rumors are true, the Haihe Association’s relationship with the Fuhai Sect is very close, even practically joined at the hip."

"However, if I want to get my hands on the technique, I’ll need to think of an excuse that won’t arouse suspicion..."

Zhang Yao pondered in his mind.

This list includes numerous cultivation technique scriptures and immortal secret techniques, with even five top level techniques.

The Fuhai Sect’s ’Nine Seas and Myriad Rivers Scripture’, the Pingdu Sect’s ’Benefiting All Living Beings Great Technique’, the Five Elements Wanderer’s ’Scripture of All Transformations and True Nature’, and two other top level techniques of unknown origin.

Of course, all five of these top level techniques only contain the parts for Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment stages, lacking any further content.

A complete top level technique can at least be cultivated up to the Nascent Soul stage, and its value is immeasurable, making it unlikely that the Fuhai Sect would easily allow it to circulate.

"Lord Baihe, please wait."

"Mm, feel free, Lord Qingxu, I must return to cultivate."

Half an hour later, Zhang Yao bid farewell to Lord Baihe and returned to his cave dwelling.

After pondering for a moment, a plan gradually formed in his mind, and then he left his cave dwelling, passed through the depths of the Water Mansion, and arrived outside Lord Haihe’s cave dwelling.

"Lord Qingxu?"

Lord Haihe was somewhat surprised to see Zhang Yao visiting.

He invited Zhang Yao into the cave dwelling, offered spirit tea, and after exchanging pleasantries, he asked with a smile:

"Lord Qingxu, you must have some important matter today?"

"Indeed."

Zhang Yao nodded slightly, showing a hint of embarrassment, and said in a low voice:

"To be honest, this humble one has a matter for which I must shamelessly ask the Association Leader for some assistance."

"Oh?"

Lord Haihe raised an eyebrow, his expression unchanged, and indicated with his words:

"Feel free to speak."

"It’s like this..."

Zhang Yao deliberated his tone before speaking:

"Perhaps the Association Leader knows, I am of Loose Cultivator origin, having painstakingly cultivated to this day."

"The cultivation technique I practice is of a very low grade, able to advance only to Foundation Establishment at most. After consolidating my Dao Foundation, there is no way forward..."

Hearing his words, Lord Haihe immediately understood, revealing a slight smile:

"I see."

"Lord Qingxu wishes to create his own cultivation technique, yet lacks references, so you want to exchange for the techniques in the treasury, right?"

Self-created techniques at the Foundation Establishment stage is not a novel matter.

In today’s cultivation realm, countless techniques of various schools have been created in just this way.

"Correct."

Zhang Yao nodded, sincerely saying:

"I want to exchange for several techniques as reference targets to strive for early creation of a subsequent spell suitable for myself."

"However, having just joined the association, I have not yet accumulated contribution points, thus I am shamelessly requesting the Association Leader to be lenient and allow me to temporarily borrow them."

As he spoke, he added:

"Of course, I can use equivalent spirit stones as collateral."

"I hope the Association Leader can fulfill this."