Chapter 61 The Old Beggar

Several young cultivators appeared astonished and excited, almost losing their composure.

Who could have imagined that simply by indulging on a whim to enter the bathhouse, one could actually breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage?

Li Ya's eyes became somewhat moist.

He was the only heir of his family, and the Li Family was one of the major families in the city, but unfortunately, he did not possess the innate talent for cultivation.

A month ago, the family spent a fortune to buy him a large quantity of Foundation Establishment Pills, along with Breakthrough Pills, yet all was in vain without any progress.

The family nearly lost hope in him, when unexpectedly, there was light at the end of the tunnel—a humble bathhouse helped him break through his realm and become a cultivator of the Foundation Establishment Realm Great Perfection, just one step away from the Golden Core!

Not only that, but he even felt that cultivation had become smoother thereafter, his meridians within his body had expanded significantly, and he could draw in even more Spiritual Energy.

It was truly magical!

Li Ya stood up from the pool and gave a deep bow to Li Xiaobai with a clasped fist.

"Thank you, shopkeeper, for your kindness of a single bath, which Li Ya will never forget. If there's anything you need in the future, I will go through fire and water for you!"

"No need to mention it, just take care of my small shop's business in the future."

Li Xiaobai waved his hand, unconcerned.

He had seen too many similar situations already.

The entrance of the shop kept attracting a steady stream of visitors, who were handled in the same way as before.

The men were taken care of by Situ Yanyu, and the women by Li Xiaobai, both of whom had outstanding beauty and unlimited attractiveness to both male and female cultivators.

Soon, many cultivators, with their minds agitated, parted with their Spirit Stones and then, with silly grins on their faces, were ushered into the bathhouse.

The result was self-evident. Upon discovering that bathing could enhance their cultivation level, the whole bathhouse became a sensation, every face filled with excitement.

Some even danced with joy, extremely satisfied with "Tangneng First-class."

"Shopkeeper, what kind of materials did you use for this water to make it so miraculous?"

"Yes, shopkeeper, I want to buy your water, name your price!"

"I am a steward of the Wang Family, and I can negotiate this business directly on behalf of my family with you!"

"Shopkeeper, we…"

The cultivators keenly sensed that it was the bathwater that had enabled them to breakthrough and upgrade, and they each started to get ideas about it.

Someone took advantage of the others' distraction and secretly collected a jar of water, concealing it within their Space Ring.

However, Li Xiaobai's next words left them dumbfounded.

"It's not because of the bathwater. Bathing is a technique, as well as an art. What you soak in is not just water, but a high-quality culture inherited for thousands of years. It's only natural to breakthrough in such conditions."

"As for the bathwater, whether you want to drink it or take it back for research, feel free."

"We can really take it back?"

"Yes, feel free. The water was infused with care by me, which is why it has such miraculous effects. It does not contain any precious natural treasures; it is just ordinary water."

Li Xiaobai made this up on the fly since no one other than himself knew the truth about the water.

Produced by the System, I don't understand it either; as long as it works, that's what matters.

Everything else is trivial.

Hearing Li Xiaobai say this, most of the cultivators' first reaction was to quickly collect a scoop of water to study at their leisure.

What Li Xiaobai said was too profound, they still preferred to trust their own judgment.

The bathhouse regained its tranquility, each person seized this rare opportunity to cultivate as fast as they could. Those who had initially planned to inform their friends and relatives decided to put off the idea.

The reason being nothing else but the Spirit Stones they had already spent; they couldn't let it go to waste.

Moreover, the bathhouse was indeed too small, converted from a teahouse, it could accommodate no more than a few dozen people at most.

If they left now and other cultivators who came later took their spots, it would be a loss not worth the gain.

Not just now, but they would also need to arrive early tomorrow to claim their spots. There was no doubt about it; they had to book for both the night and the following day. This was the unanimous thought among all the cultivators present.

Not only could they speed up their cultivation, but there were also beautiful women and handsome men for the eyes to feast on; this place was genuinely nice.

In his spare time, Li Xiaobai also constructed two small pools for himself and Situ Yanyu, each only large enough for one person, placed behind the bar.

When there were no customers, they could take a soak, practice cultivation, and earn money without delay.

[Attribute Points +30...]

[Attribute Points +30...]

This speed was not fast, but it was still good enough.

[Defensive power: Indestructible Golden Body Fifth Turn (9000/50000).]

At this rate, soaking for a few more days should allow a breakthrough to the next stage, by which time the Blood Demon Erosion State should also be effectively alleviated.

It was at this moment that another person entered from outside.

This was an old beggar covered in filth, his white hair dyed black from dirt, his body grimy, holding a large hemp bag, and barefoot with feet caked in mud and grime.

As soon as he entered, a piercing stench permeated the entire room.

"Oh come on, how did this old beggar get in here!"

"Boss, hurry up and kick him out!"

"This severely affects our cultivation. What is this smell? It's disgusting!"

"Exactly, I can't even focus my breath into my Dantian!"

"Kick him out!"

Most of the bathhouse patrons were scions of noble families or wealthy clans, along with a few loose cultivators, and they all frowned upon seeing such an old beggar bumbling in.

They needed a calm mind for their cultivation practice, but the rotten stench made it impossible for them to concentrate.

They were all extremely annoyed.

"A customer is a customer, as long as you can pay, regardless of whether you're rich or poor, highborn or low, I welcome you all the same."

Li Xiaobai spoke indifferently, not minding the beggar's appearance in the slightest.

"Old man, how many hours would you like to soak?"

"Hehehe, let's start with two hours, it's been a long time since I've had a bath, and getting clean might take some time."

The old beggar dug into his ear, and a lump of mud fell out.

"What, boss, you're actually letting this old thing bathe with us!"

"No way, how can someone like him soak in the same bathhouse as us!"

"Boss, I'll pay double the price, just kick him out!"

"Exactly, we of the Wang Family will never bathe with a beggar!"

Hearing that Li Xiaobai was actually considering letting the old beggar patronize their business, everyone was somewhat angry. They were respectable people with status and identification; sharing the bath with a beggar was an insult to them, something utterly intolerable.

"All of you, shut up. Liangchen doesn't like to waste words; as long as you can pay, everyone is a respected customer!"

"Hehehe, not bad, young man, you have insight, a clear sense of right and wrong, and you've done a great job with that mask of yours."

On hearing this, Li Xiaobai was startled; this old man was not simple, he had seen through his Human Skin Mask!