CHAPTER 213: CHAPTER 170: AN OLD FRIEND INVITES ME TO JOIN THE SHUIZE SECT (3)

"The position of Elder?"

Xu Ping inwardly sighed and immediately shook his head in refusal, "I appreciate your sect’s kindness, but I have always been accustomed to a carefree life and have no desire to join any faction."

Only if he were mad would he fight to the death for a Shuize Sect elder position.

"Fellow Daoist Xu..."

Xu Zhixuan tried to persuade him further, but was once again interrupted by Xu Ping: "Fellow Daoist Xu, there’s no need to say more, I truly have no intention of joining any sect or faction at present, my mind is made up."

Xu Ping’s tone was exceptionally firm, and his attitude was quite clear.

Xu Zhixuan opened his mouth, wanting to say more, but in the end, the words turned into a simple: "I understand."

At this moment, the gap between the two of them was like heaven and earth; he truly couldn’t find the right words to continue persuading.

"Then, Fellow Daoist Xu, could you sell me a few third-rank talismans? Spirit Stones are absolutely not a problem." Xu Zhixuan cupped his hands again, his words full of pleading.

If he couldn’t complete any of the tasks Elder Hao assigned, life would not be easy once he returned.

However, faced with Xu Zhixuan’s plea, Xu Ping wasn’t moved at all, instead showing a faint bitter smile:

"To be honest with Fellow Daoist Xu, I only managed to draw two third-rank talismans, and they were all used up during the last battle against evil spirits.

"Moreover, you know that with my current mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, drawing a third-rank talisman is extremely difficult. As for when a new third-rank talisman will be successfully created, I have no confidence.

"However, rest assured, Fellow Daoist Xu, if I succeed in drawing new third-rank talismans in the future, I will definitely consider trading with your sect first."

Xu Ping spoke these words very sincerely.

In his heart, these third-rank talismans cannot be sold at this moment.

Only when he successfully draws mid-grade third-rank talismans does he intend to consider it.

Despite Xu Ping’s sincere words, Xu Zhixuan, who was determined to complete Elder Hao’s assigned task, still refused to give up and asked:

"Fellow Daoist Xu, do you really not have a single third-rank talisman left?"

"What? Do you intend to search me, Fellow Daoist Xu?"

Seeing Xu Zhixuan pressing on endlessly, Xu Ping’s attitude suddenly turned cold.

He didn’t have much of a close friendship with Xu Zhixuan, and moreover, they hadn’t met for over a decade, and their camaraderie had long since faded.

Besides, since Xu Zhixuan was now a Guest Minister of Shuize Sect, he didn’t want to have too much to do with him.

Drawing a clear boundary now would save a lot of trouble in the future.

"How... how could that be, I was just in a moment of desperation, I hope Fellow Daoist Xu can forgive me." Xu Zhixuan broke out in a cold sweat and quickly apologized.

Now that Xu Ping’s strength and position had far surpassed his, how could he dare to offend him lightly?

"No problem, I understand your difficulties."

Xu Ping’s tone was cold, and then he gave the order to dismiss the guest, "However, I have important matters to attend to next, so I won’t keep you any longer, Fellow Daoist Xu."

"Since... since that’s the case, I won’t be able to stay any longer." Xu Zhixuan forced a very awkward smile.

At this moment, a trace of resentment towards Xu Ping arose in his heart.

He merely asked one more question, yet Xu Ping’s attitude was so cold, completely disregarding their many years of friendship and issuing a dismissal.

Although Xu Zhixuan harbored resentment towards Xu Ping in his heart, he didn’t show it on his face, instead, he respectfully bid farewell to Xu Ping and flew away hastily from Thousand Leaves Mountain on his Escape Light.

Watching Xu Zhixuan’s gradually receding figure, Xu Ping couldn’t help but reveal a slight cold smile at the corner of his mouth.

Though he appeared respectful outwardly, he was sure to harbor resentment within.

But Xu Ping didn’t care, as a Shuize Sect fake pill cultivator posed no threat to him.

Once Xu Zhixuan’s figure completely disappeared, Xu Ping called the Water Lake Mouse over and specifically instructed: "Remember, next time don’t let this person in, got it?"

"Understood!"

The Water Lake Mouse nodded hastily, a flattering expression plastered on its face.

It keenly sensed that its master was in a bad mood, fearing that it might accidentally provoke the master, who could then vent his anger on it, something it couldn’t afford to risk.

"Hmm, you may go now." Xu Ping nodded slightly.

"Yes, master!"

Without another word, the Water Lake Mouse turned and ran away, as if chased by a terrifying monster, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

"That damned mouse!"

Seeing this, Xu Ping couldn’t help but chuckle and curse.

He naturally understood why the Water Lake Mouse was in such a hurry to run away.

He did have a fleeting thought of mildly punishing the mouse, but he had not carried it out yet.

"Truly timid as a mouse!"

Xu Ping shook his head helplessly, then got up and returned to the cultivating room, once again immersing himself wholly in talisman making.

...

...

Ten days later.

Dragon and Lion Market.

"From what you say, of the two tasks assigned to you, not a single one was accomplished?"

Elder Hao’s tone seemed flat, yet his cold eyes revealed his deep dissatisfaction.

Xu Zhixuan trembled all over, instinctively wanting to place all the blame on Xu Ping:

"Elder Hao, it’s really not my fault! Xu Ping showed no sense of camaraderie; he barely let me speak before he threw me out."

"Regarding purchasing talismans and inviting him to join our Shuize Sect, he refused outright, without the slightest room for negotiation."

"From what I see, since he’s become a third-rank Talisman Master, he simply doesn’t regard our currently weakened Shuize Sect at all!"