Immortality Begins With Internal Breathing

”Haha. Then you have my thanks, fellow friend. With your help this time, we should be able to overcome that obstacle,” Fan Hongwei said with a hearty laugh.

”You are too kind. I still do not know exactly what lies inside, so I cannot say I am completely confident,” Lin Zheyu replied modestly, shaking his head.

They had just agreed to work together and explore the Shamanic Clan Ruins. Although each harbored ulterior motives, both were supremely confident that they could gain something from the other. Thus, despite their hidden agendas, they entered into a partnership.

”You are too modest. Once a martial artist opens the spirit divine repository, their perceptive abilities become exceptional even among those of the same realm. Moreover, you have awakened a spirit divine ability, making you even more extraordinary. Even the bloodline divine abilities of the Kong Family, an ancient martial esteemed family, often fall short in comparison,” Fan Hongwei praised.

The last time they explored the Shamanic Clan Ruins, they had done so alongside a martial artist from the Kong Family. The Kong Family was said to carry the bloodline of the Three-Eyed Black Dragon Steed, an ancient Desolate Beast. The creature’s third eye possessed extraordinary powers, allowing it to perceive the profound and mysterious shifts in fortune and opportunity between the world, thereby seeking out auspicious paths and avoiding danger. Unfortunately, their expedition had ended in failure.

”The Kong Family? They are a bloodline esteemed family. A commoner like me could never compare,” Lin Zheyu said with a chuckle.

”However, I am afraid our expedition to the ruins will have to be postponed for some time. I suffered some injuries during our last expedition and may need several years to recover,” Fan Hongwei said with a sigh.

It was not only him. Fan Hongwei’s old friend Ling Feng and Kong Di of the Kong Family had also suffered severe injuries. They had nearly perished there and never made it out.

”Of course. I also have some matters to attend to in the near future. If you were to set out now, I am afraid I would be unable to join you. Once you have recovered from your injuries, simply let me know. We can choose a suitable time and head there together,” Lin Zheyu said with a smile.

Once he had gathered all the heavenly treasures and earthly wonders required for the Primordial Chaos True Art, he would head to the demon cave to carry out his garrison assignment for the Martial Alliance. When the time came, he would find an opportunity to enter the space-time node and use the energy within its demonic lake to advance the Primordial Chaos True Art.

He did not need to advance it by much. As long as he fully developed the latent potential unlocked by breaking free of the first shackle and opened the second, his strength would reach a level comparable to the Nascent Soul realm.

By then, no matter how many schemes Fan Hongwei devised or how many contingencies he prepared, they would be of little use. The immense gulf between the Golden Core realm and the Nascent Soul realm was not something a Golden Core realm cultivator could bridge through schemes and cunning alone. Unless Fan Hongwei possessed a heaven-defying dharma treasure, there would be no way for him to overcome the disparity between the two realms.

”Haha. That is good to hear. By the way, is there anything else that brings you here? My Soaring Cloud Pavilion possesses considerable influence. Perhaps I can be of some assistance,” Fan Hongwei asked with a smile.

He had left a poor impression on Lin Zheyu during their previous encounter. This time, hoping to lower the other man’s guard and persuade him to join the expedition to the ruins, Fan Hongwei showed as much goodwill as he could.

”There is indeed something I would like to trouble you with, fellow friend. I need to purchase large quantities of these treasure herbs. They do not need to be intact or possess pure medicinal potency. Even contaminated treasure herbs will do, so long as they are cheap enough.”

Lin Zheyu turned his right hand over, and energy surged from within him, forming the names and required quantities of the heavenly treasures and earthly wonders in the space between them.

”These are all rare heavenly treasures and earthly wonders. The quantities you require are truly enormous. If you needed treasure herbs that met the usual standards, even I would find the task difficult. Fortunately, you have no requirements regarding their condition and can even use those with contaminated medicinal potency. In that case, there will be no problem. However, I will need around ten days,” Fan Hongwei said after a moment of thought, a faint gleam flickering in his eyes.

Upon hearing Lin Zheyu’s request, numerous possibilities arose in Fan Hongwei’s mind. However, he betrayed none of his thoughts and continued to display ample enthusiasm.

Interesting. This brat really is hiding a secret. Could it have something to do with purifying the contaminants within treasure herbs? The thought flashed through Fan Hongwei’s mind.

He could hardly be blamed for drawing such a conclusion. Lin Zheyu had remained in the demon realm for far too long back then. If he possessed a powerful dharma treasure capable of purifying contamination, then everything would make sense.

Lin Zheyu cupped his hands in gratitude. ”Then you have my thanks, fellow friend.”

After a moment’s hesitation, he continued, ”However, as for the price...”

”Don’t worry about the price. It will certainly be far more economical than buying from those cultivators with stalls outside. Large quantities of heavenly treasures and earthly wonders enter the Soaring Cloud Pavilion’s storehouses every day. They are divided into numerous grades according to their quality, degree of contamination, and other factors.

”Each grade has its own uses. Most of those that meet the required standards are sent to the Pill Pavilion to be refined into medicinal pills, while those that fall short are distributed through various other channels. Most of the treasure herbs sold by the stallholders outside were purchased from us because they failed to meet our standards,” Fan Hongwei explained with a hearty laugh.

It was entirely possible that many of the herbs Lin Zheyu had purchased earlier were substandard goods that had been smuggled out of the Soaring Cloud Pavilion. However, not everyone had the connections needed to acquire such treasure herbs directly from a major power like the pavilion. Too many people’s interests were involved. If Fan Hongwei personally intervened, however, there would be no problem at all.

”If only I had met you sooner. Not long ago, I purchased some contaminated Seven-Colored Profound Moss. I am afraid I may have been overcharged,” Lin Zheyu said with a smile.

”Haha... By the way, aside from inferior treasure herbs, the cheapest option would be the pill residue produced during the pill-refining process. I wonder if pill residue would meet your requirements?” Fan Hongwei asked with a smile, his eyes flickering faintly.

It was a probing question. Fan Hongwei hoped to glean Lin Zheyu’s purpose and uncover the secrets he might be hiding from the smallest details. At the same time, he slipped his right hand beneath the table and concealed it within his sleeve. Spirit power flickered faintly as he quietly activated a divination art, attempting to pry into Lin Zheyu’s secrets.

”That would be even better. However, the medicinal potency within pill residue is far more impure and intermixed, so I am afraid I will require a much larger quantity,” Lin Zheyu replied, feigning a hint of delight.

The Heavenly Eye within his sea of consciousness had long since taken in every one of Fan Hongwei’s subtle movements. Lin Zheyu sneered inwardly and pushed the Heaven-Deceiving Art to its limits, concealing both his aura and the workings of fate surrounding him.

”Then it’s settled. Just wait for my good news. Rest assured, you will be satisfied with the price. Pill residue is generally not sold to outsiders, but it is hardly worth more than a few spirit stones. In a few days, I will be heading to the Martial Realm to attend to some matters. I will bring everything with me then,” Fan Hongwei said with a smile as he discreetly ceased his divination art.

Lin Zheyu cupped his hands in gratitude and said, ”Then you have my thanks, fellow friend.”

The two exchanged pleasantries for a while and amicably finished their meal before Lin Zheyu took his leave. Fan Hongwei remained seated in silence, turning his head to watch Lin Zheyu’s departing figure below. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

What an interesting young fellow. It has not been long since we last met, yet even my divination arts no longer work on him. Fan Hongwei was somewhat surprised.

To an immortal cultivator who had reached the Golden Core realm, a year or two was nothing. Such a span could pass in the time it took to doze off. Yet upon meeting Lin Zheyu again, Fan Hongwei felt that the man had grown increasingly mysterious. It was as though a veil of mist shrouded him, preventing anyone from prying into his secrets or seeing through him.

”As expected of a cultivator blessed with such profound fortune. Perhaps he truly is the one born in response to this great calamity, destined to face its tribulations. Should I use that secret art on him?” Fan Hongwei murmured softly.