The fairy forced me to marry into her family, so I retorted by throwing myself into the Pool of Fate

"three hundred."

The contribution points for participating in the war were reduced, but an extra 100 contribution points were awarded.

Li Ping pondered to himself and nodded.

"If you need these contribution points urgently, you can come with us back to our clan to settle the account first," Mu Yusheng said.

"I'll settle things when I'm done on the island," Li Ping said after a moment's thought. "But I have a favor to ask of you, Elder."

"I may not be able to make decisions on big matters, but I'm willing to listen to small ones," Mu Yusheng said with a smile.

"Elder, could you help me find a spiritual object called Thunder Sound Jade?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Yusheng chuckled and pointed to Mu Tongshou outside the courtyard: "That's the one who guards the treasure vault; you should ask him about this."

"Didn't the elders see this before? I..." Li Ping looked troubled.

"Although you refused the old man who governs the city, he will not make things difficult for you because of this."

Mu Yusheng shook his head, but seeing that Li Ping still had reservations, he finally agreed to the matter.

"Thank you, Elder."

Mu Yusheng waved his hand: "Don't get in my way. The Ancestor is waiting for you in the courtyard over there. Don't keep her waiting."

Li Ping was startled upon hearing this and was about to ask for the reason when Mu Yusheng chased him away.

"Is the Ancestor looking for me?"

Without giving it much thought, he strode towards the neighboring courtyard.

Standing at the door, Li Ping composed himself and announced the news.

A moment later, a lazy, soft voice came from the courtyard, as if the person had just woken up from a dream.

"Since you're here, please come in."

Pushing open the courtyard gate, Li Ping found no one inside. Just as he was wondering what was going on, Mu Rou's voice came from inside the house.

"What are you standing there for? Come in and talk."

Li Ping gave an awkward smile and had no choice but to go further inside.

As you step into the room, a sweet fragrance wafts over you, like flower petals soaked in honey.

He looked up and was dumbfounded.

The old ancestor was dressed in a thin gauze, light and transparent like mist, her graceful figure appearing and disappearing, her fair skin glowing with a faint pink blush.

She reclined on the couch, her long, slender legs casually crossed, her ankles delicate, and she gazed at Li Ping with a languid, dreamy look, tinged with a hint of playful teasing.

"Have you seen enough?"

One sentence made Li Ping's hair stand on end, and he quickly looked away.

"Look at you like this, how are you going to manage when you go out in the future?" Mu Rou said sagely.

Li Ping kept his eyes straight ahead and remained silent.

"That Yuebai girl, that's really enough."

Mu Rou stood up and, seeing that Li Ping hadn't moved an inch, smiled and said, "You're dressed, turn around now."

Li Ping felt a sense of relief, but when he turned around, he was stunned again.

"How was it?" Mu Rou covered her mouth and chuckled, a hint of slyness and pride in her expression.

"Ancestor, please have some self-respect."

"That's really good."

Li Ping dared not make a move until Mu Rou walked up to him and saw her put on her coat, then he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Did you not dare to look just now?" Mu Rou asked.

Li Ping cupped his hands in a respectful gesture: "This junior has nothing but reverence for our ancestor."

"I don't think so," Mu Rou shook her head.

"Why do you say this, Ancestor?"

"Judging from your words and actions, you're an ambitious person," Mu Rou said. "You're respectful now, but who knows if you're secretly plotting to get back at me later?"

Li Ping's eyelids twitched, and she felt a sense of panic. Could she hear my thoughts?

"That's really true."

Mu Rou chuckled softly, slowly circling around Li Ping to examine him, muttering "interesting" to herself.

"Are you trying to trick me?" Li Ping thought to himself, but he still forced a smile and said, "Please, Ancestor, do not make unfounded assumptions."

Mu Rou had probably had enough of teasing him, so she stopped and got down to business after sitting down.

"Since you weren't allowed to participate in the battle this time, you received fewer contribution points, so we need to compensate you. Tell me, what do you want?"

"This junior dares not presume to ask for anything; I leave everything to the ancestor's discretion."

"Your cultivation level is still too low. There is a drop of Cold Pool Dew in the treasure vault that is very suitable for you. Go and exchange it. When you do, just mention my name."

"Thank you, Ancestor." Li Ping cupped his hands in thanks.

"Don't thank me yet, there's something else." Mu Rou said, placing a jade scroll in front of him. "Your Giant Wave spell is powerful, but it requires accumulation and its explosive power is insufficient."

This course, "The Collapse of the Abyss," can just fill that gap.

Li Ping took a look and found it to be exactly as he had said.

This technique uses magical power to condense a spring, continuously pouring it in before unleashing a sudden burst that catches the enemy off guard and is impossible to defend against.

Regardless of Mu Rou's previous teasing, the benefits were real, and Li Ping bowed again to express his sincere gratitude.

Mu Rou chuckled softly, "You don't need to be so reserved and fearful in front of me in the future."

Who wouldn't be afraid of being tested like this by a Foundation Establishment expert?

Li Ping harbored resentment in his heart, but nodded in agreement on the surface.

"We'll be spending a lot of time together in the future, this won't do."

Mu Rou seemed to see through his insincerity, left a single sentence, and turned to leave.

Li Ping stood there, filled with doubt.

He pondered for a moment, but could not find an answer, so he could only shake his head helplessly.

"A Foundation Establishment stage monster, are all his thoughts so unpredictable?"

Li Ping sighed inwardly and silently flipped through the jade book.

A moment later, he returned to his courtyard.

Hong Xing was already standing at attention in front of the courtyard gate. When she saw him return, she quickly went forward and pushed open the gate.

Li Ping nodded slightly, said nothing more, and went straight inside.

"Master, would you like to have a meal?" Hong Xing asked softly.

Li Ping paused, turned around, and saw Hong Xing hurriedly lower her head, her fingers clenching slightly.

"Do you resent me?" Li Ping asked calmly.

Hong Xing's expression changed drastically, and she knelt down in fear: "Xing'er has offended you in the past, please punish me, sir."

"I ask you, do you harbor resentment?"

"No... I wouldn't dare," Hong Xing said, her voice trembling.

Li Ping smiled faintly, turned around and walked into the house, leaving Hong Xing standing there dumbfounded.

He will definitely need Hong Xing in the future.

But before using her, one must test her character.

If she remains as arrogant as before, it would be better to simply destroy her spirit tablet.

If she truly submits, he will treat her with courtesy and may even offer her assistance in the future.

Thinking this, he leaned out of the window and saw Hong Xing still standing respectfully in the same place, so he nodded slightly.

I'm hungry.

Hearing Li Ping speak, Hong Xing felt relieved and quickly went to prepare.

Under Hong Xing's meticulous care, Li Ping enjoyed a delicious meal.

He then went outside the courtyard and strolled around the island.

Compared to before, Qing Teng Island is now eerily quiet.

The Mu family members had just left when the Hong family cultivators also departed, along with the Hong family mortals.

Now, only he and Hong Xing remain on the entire Green Vine Island.

"Your father said earlier that this island needs at least five people to manage it. Is that true?" Li Ping turned to look at Hong Xing.

"It's always been like this every year," Hong Xing said honestly.

"About how many spirit stones are needed for annual expenses?" Li Ping asked again.

"Hiring a cultivator costs about three hundred spirit stones, plus other miscellaneous expenses, totaling about five hundred spirit stones per year."

"How much revenue does the tidal vine on that island generate in a year?"

"In previous years, we could sell more than two thousand spirit stones," Hong Xing said. "But now that the Hong family is no longer a major supplier, we need to find new sales channels."

Li Ping frowned slightly: "How did you sell them in the past?"

"A small number will be sold to those cultivators who raise aquatic beasts, and the rest will be supplied to the Hong family."

Therefore, it seems that turning the island's tidal vines into cash will require some twists and turns.

Li Ping sighed softly and walked alone toward the Lingquan Cave.