A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

”Golden Core self-detonation!” Yuu Yang and the other two Daoists were so shocked they were rendered speechless, hastily activating their respective defensive measures as if facing a life-or-death crisis.

ZZZT—!

The dazzling orb of light abruptly expanded.

Far away in the sky, Lü Zhong felt a disturbance and looked in the direction of the Secret Realm.

He saw a flash of brilliant light, followed by a mushroom cloud slowly rising into the air. A shockwave blasted the Wood Spirit Wind-controlling Ship far into the distance, and only then did the thunderous boom follow.

RUMBLE!

Lü Zhong was horrified. ’What in the world happened over there?’

’That kind of power—was that a nuclear explosion?’

...

The Lantern Festival was approaching once again.

However, Lingyue Immortal City had been far from peaceful lately.

The Law Enforcement Team’s actions grew increasingly violent. They were constantly on patrol, operating with a furious intensity as if venting their rage. They swept through every dark corner of the city, dragging out the ”rats” who couldn’t bear the light. But unlike in the past, there were no public trials; captures were followed by immediate, merciless executions.

For a time, the city was gripped by terror.

In the Central Courtyard, Lü Zhong reclined in a Grandmaster’s Chair, a weak expression on his face.

It had already been half a year since the expedition to Chenyuan Palace.

Yet his injuries had still not healed. Despite his best efforts, he could only manage to suppress them. There wasn’t the slightest sign of improvement, and he feared they would worsen if he delayed any longer.

It might even affect his cultivation foundation.

To heal his injuries and escape the eye of the storm, Lü Zhong decided to leave Lingyue Immortal City.

The Seven Southern Barbarian Sects each had their own specialties, and he planned to visit Changchun Valley, located near the East Sea. The valley was a vital hub where land met sea, a place where Spiritual Objects from all corners of the world converged. Changchun Valley was also home to many Medical Cultivators skilled in concocting medicines. Their healing arts were said to be so profound they could bring the dead back to life and grow flesh on bare bones. It was perhaps his only hope for healing his injuries.

At this thought, Lü Zhong spoke to Li Hejun, who was resting in his embrace.

”How’s the transfer of the shop coming along?”

”It’s all been settled, but...” Li Hejun nestled her head against Lü Zhong’s chest, her slender brows knitting in a heartbroken expression. ”Do we really have to let the shop go?” she asked reluctantly. ”Can’t we keep it? Master, you poured so much of your heart and soul into building this!”

When the Talisman Shop first opened, it barely had any customers. It was only because Lü Zhong had forced himself to change, actively integrating into the circles of Foundation Establishment cultivators. He’d tirelessly forged relationships, sent gifts to influential figures, and cultivated a vast network of connections that the shop had finally become the success it was today.

She had seen all the effort he put in.

That was why, in a rare moment of defiance, she had spoken against Lü Zhong’s wishes.

”A great upheaval is coming,” Lü Zhong said, his brow furrowing for a moment before smoothing out again. His voice was firm and decisive. ”The city will be plunged into chaos and its people slaughtered. The devastation will be even worse than the second war between the Three Sects. That is why we must leave!”

”I understand,” Li Hejun nodded.

Nearby, Bai Ling buried her face even deeper.

Her eyes gleamed, her thoughts impossible to guess.

「A few days later.」

The Talisman Shop was successfully sold. Despite the price being driven down significantly, they still received one hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

That same day, Lü Zhong dismissed his servant girls and Medicine Boys. He then boarded a Flying Shuttle at the sky-port with Li Hejun, heading east toward the Huayi Domain. From there, they would have to make several transfers before finally reaching Changchun Valley on the coast of the East Sea.

Gazing out at the sea of clouds rushing past, Lü Zhong wasn’t worried about his safety.

The fleet of Flying Ships was organized by a Great Commerce Association and guarded by a dedicated Golden Core Master. Plus, the ships themselves were heavily armed. Barring an attack from a Nascent Soul True Monarch or a catastrophic storm, they could pass through safely even if they encountered a flock from the Demon Bird Race.

From his embrace, Li Hejun looked up. She gathered a few stray strands of her black hair and asked in a soft voice, ”Master, are you still thinking about Bai Ling?”

When they left, Bai Ling had cited a breach of their Spirit Contract as her reason for staying behind in Lingyue Immortal City.

That was why only the two of them were on the Flying Shuttle now.

”She’s just a fool. Not worth a second thought.” Lü Zhong felt completely unfazed.

Their relationship was purely transactional, no different from the services provided by Shii Qingqing. She wasn’t worth any more of his thoughts.

’There was no reason for him to keep every woman he’d ever slept with by his side, was there?’

The reason he’d been lost in thought was that he was contemplating a matter crucial to the future of his cultivation: how to concoct the Creation Spirit Liquid.

His hopes for this matter, he feared, all rested on Changchun Valley.

The medical arts flourished in the Changchun Domain, so obtaining an Alchemy legacy there would likely be much easier.