"This is meant for me?" Xu Muhai's heart surged with excitement.
Though he was asking with his mouth, Xu Muhai's hand couldn't control itself as it reached for the wooden sculpture.
"This is..." Seeing the wooden sculpture in his hand, Xu Muhai couldn't help but be greatly shocked. It was actually a cauldron!
"A cauldron!"
Seeing this, a hint of horror flashed in Xu Muhai's eyes, and his gaze towards Li Changqing became somewhat intriguing.
"Don't you like it?" Seeing Xu Muhai's expression, Li Changqing thought Xu Muhai didn't like it and immediately wanted to check if he had anything else on him.
"No, no, it's not that I don't like it; I'm just very surprised that you, Senior Changqing, have actually seen a real cauldron!" Xu Muhai took a deep breath.
Holding the small wooden cauldron in his hands, it felt as if he were carrying a treasure weighing thousands of pounds.
"Haven't you seen one before?" Li Changqing frowned. Is a cauldron such a rare thing?
"Of course I've seen cauldrons," Xu Muhai said with a bitter smile. "But the cauldrons I've seen are completely different from the ones made by your wooden sculpture, Senior Changqing."
"In the Cangyuan Realm, a cauldron is a very, very ancient vessel used to inherit the power of incense."
"But later, for some reason, cauldrons disappeared into the long river of history, and the cauldrons made nowadays merely resemble them in shape but can't bear the power of incense at all. Even the painters can't truly depict a cauldron."
"So when I saw such a naturally formed cauldron, I was so surprised."
Xu Muhai carefully looked at the wooden cauldron in his hand, holding it cautiously, fearing it would fall to the ground.
The cauldron had tiny inscriptions on it, which were also carved by Li Changqing, using a kind of hieroglyphs once used in past history.
Staring at the inscriptions for a moment, Xu Muhai's mind was shaken as if whispers started to echo in his ears.
It seemed like a deity was murmuring in his ear.
Every word and phrase trembled, making Xu Muhai feel as if he were hearing a celestial sound!
"Peak Master Xu."
At this moment, Li Changqing's voice pulled Xu Muhai away from the celestial sound, and the next instant, Xu Muhai broke out in a cold sweat.
He had unknowingly been drawn into those ancient inscriptions.
If it were somewhere else, wouldn't he be in great danger?
"Peak Master Xu, what's wrong?" Li Changqing saw Xu Muhai staring blankly at the wooden cauldron he gifted him, so he couldn't help but call out to him twice.
"Thank you for the gift, Xu Muhai will remember it in his heart!"
Xu Muhai took a step back, then clasped his fists and bowed to Li Changqing.
For Li Changqing to gift him such a treasure was truly overwhelming!
He even silently vowed that in the future, Li Hengsheng would be treated as his own son.
The value of Li Changqing's wooden cauldron was immeasurable!
"Peak Master Xu, there's no need for such formalities. You are Saint Heng's teacher, and this small gift is nothing worth mentioning," Li Changqing quickly said.
"By the way, there's another matter." Xu Muhai suddenly frowned and said, "Senior Changqing, why did you become the great patron of the Yan family without any reason?"
"Well..." Li Changqing explained the token incident to Xu Muhai.
"The Yan family sure knows how to scheme." Xu Muhai sneered, "Senior Changqing, you don't need to pay attention to the small Yan family. They're just a small clan in Changting Town. With your strength, Senior Changqing, wouldn't you be admired and sought after wherever you go?"
"If Senior Changqing is willing, why not come to my Mountain Ancient Land? Giving you an elder position is more than enough, and then you can see Li Hengsheng anytime. How wonderful would that be?"
"Go to Mountain Ancient Land?" Li Changqing shivered all over and quickly shook his head.
You're kidding.
He didn't cross over with his memory. It's one thing to write a letter now and then, but if he really interacted with Li Hengsheng, he might be exposed in no time.
After all the trouble of reincarnating, he finally felt what it was like to have a filial son. He didn't want to lose it so soon.
So meeting Li Hengsheng was absolutely out of the question for now.
Otherwise, he definitely would be exposed.
"I won't go to Mountain Ancient Land," Li Changqing said, pondering, "And I hope you won't mention anything about me to Hengsheng either."
"What?" Xu Muhai seemed a bit confused, "What do you mean by that..."
"Yes, he doesn't actually know his father is a peerless master, nor does he know of my talent in wood carving. I do this simply to let him progress on his own merits, rather than relying on me and becoming a spoiled brat. Do you understand my well-meaning intentions?"
After listening, Xu Muhai also nodded in agreement.
However, Xu Muhai still found it hard to understand. Clearly a peerless powerhouse, yet so low-key, so low-key that even his own son didn't know how formidable he was, letting him suffer in Mountain Ancient Land.
Isn't that a bit too eccentric?
Seeing Xu Muhai's expression, Li Changqing evaluated him up and down and said with a smile, "You haven't married yet, so you might not fully understand."
"Senior is truly formidable, knowing I haven't married yet!" Xu Muhai said with some admiration.
"Not only do I know you haven't married yet, but I also know you're still a virgin," Li Changqing chuckled.
"Senior is amazing!" Xu Muhai admired Li Changqing more and more.
"I didn't expect Senior Changqing's Divine Soul to be so powerful that he could perceive my stabilized essence and harmonious vitality and see through me from a distance. He's truly a peerless master," Xu Muhai thought to himself.
But Li Changqing shrugged. There was nothing amazing about it.
Just look at what you're wearing.
Looking as poor as a dog, which woman, if not blind, would be willing to sleep with you?
"Rest assured, Senior, I definitely won't mention any of this to Li Hengsheng," Xu Muhai promised.
Li Changqing breathed a sigh of relief, but he also felt that Xu Muhai had a point. Given his perceived worth, the Yan family couldn't expect to tie him to their carriage with just a worthless token.
It was somewhat wishful thinking.
In his previous life, Li Changqing was obsessed with wood carving, and he often seemed simple and honest to others, but actually, Li Changqing was not stupid.
Many issues could be understood with a bit of thought.
Plus, he had the means to negotiate for benefits.
"Clan Leader Yan," Li Changqing called out to Yan Botao outside.
"Senior Changqing," Yan Botao immediately came in upon hearing Li Changqing call for him. Were these two great figures finally done talking?
"I've been well taken care of by the Yan family these few days, many thanks," Li Changqing said blandly.
"Senior Changqing, you're being too polite," Yan Botao quickly replied, "Senior's great kindness to my Yan family and the favor to my son Yan Yushi are much more valuable than this. Just coming to our Yan family to read is nothing."
"If that's the case, our debt is paid, so please take back this token." With that, Li Changqing placed the great patron's token on the table.