A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

On a platform atop a mountain peak, in the midst of a cold wind and freezing rain.

A group of cultivators was gathered here now, standing in twos and threes. Their cultivation levels varied greatly, from True Cultivators in the mid-to-late stages of Foundation Establishment to youths who had only just started on the Immortal Path by introducing Qi into their bodies.

Lü Zhong and Yu Feng’Er stood at the edge of the crowd, talking with the Clan Leader of the Lin Family of Xiaolan River.

The two of them had been waiting for the Secret Realm to open when the clan leader had approached them.

The Lin Family of Xiaolan River’s clan lands were to the south of Changchun Immortal City.

For generations, this family had made a living from agriculture, periodically supplying the market with large quantities of spiritual materials, including many Yellow Bud Flowers. They were a recently courted ally of the Chengde Commerce Association, vital for ensuring the supply of Yellow Bud Pills.

”Fellow Daoist, might you be the Master of Lintao Pavilion? I am Lin Muyun. I have long heard of your great name!” The Lin Clan Leader, a slender, elderly man, said with a smile as he cupped his hands toward Lü Zhong.

”Lü Zhong. It’s a pleasure, Fellow Daoist Lin,” Lü Zhong replied, returning the polite gesture.

After some idle chatter, Lin Muyun suddenly extended an invitation via voice transmission. ”To be perfectly honest, I entered the Changchun Secret Realm this time for a Phoenix Blood Ancient Vine that is about to mature. Unfortunately, the Demon Beast guarding it is truly formidable, and I cannot slay it alone. I wonder, would Fellow Daoist Lü be willing to lend me a hand?”

Lü Zhong did not reply at once.

’The Phoenix Blood Ancient Vine. A blood-nourishing treasure that takes at least six hundred years to mature. If a cultivator consumes it at the beginning of their journey, it can lay a foundation as solid as a rock. For a cultivator who has practiced for many years, it has a miraculous blood-cleansing effect, capable of curing chronic, hidden ailments within the body.’

’A Spiritual Object like this was no less valuable than a Core Formation Spiritual Object.’

’Behind Lin Muyun were two Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. They must be the helpers he specifically invited to get the Phoenix Blood Ancient Vine.’

’And under these circumstances, he was still extending an invitation to me...’

”Fellow Daoist Lin, I imagine the guardian Demon Beast is no easy opponent, is it?” Lü Zhong said, glancing at Lin Muyun.

”Haha, you see right through me, Fellow Daoist!” Lin Muyun’s expression remained unchanged as he continued his voice transmission. ”The Demon Beast guarding the Phoenix Blood Ancient Vine is indeed no simple creature. It is an exceedingly rare Tier Two Blood Demon. It is on the verge of its Metamorphosis to Tier Three, so its strength is comparable to a cultivator in the Fake Pill Realm.”

To sweeten the pot, he started promising rewards. ”I can make this decision myself: as long as Fellow Daoist Lü helps the three of us slay that Blood Demon, you will receive forty percent of the Phoenix Blood Ancient Vine.”

At these words, Lü Zhong glanced at Yu Feng’Er beside him, who looked clearly tempted.

Obviously, she was tempted by the Phoenix Blood Ancient Vine.

Noticing his glance, Yu Feng’Er pulled Lü Zhong aside and sent him a voice transmission. ”Husband, I think we should agree. With five Foundation Establishment cultivators joining forces, taking care of that Blood Demon will be a simple matter. This Phoenix Blood Ancient Vine would be so good for you—we can’t just pass this up.”

Her words tempted Lü Zhong as well.

’The Lin Family has a good reputation; there have never been any negative rumors about them.’

’It was unlikely that cooperating with them would be a trap.’

However, after a moment of consideration, Lü Zhong still decided to refuse.

’It just wasn’t necessary to get involved. In fact, if Yu Feng’Er hadn’t been the one to invite him on this trip, he would much rather be holed up in Lintao Pavilion, slowly cultivating and studying Magic Skills. He certainly wouldn’t risk his life fighting a Demon Beast on the verge of a Tier Three Metamorphosis for a Spiritual Object that could, one way or another, be bought with Spirit Stones.’

So he turned to Lin Muyun and apologized.

”My apologies. I came on this trip only for the Purple Jade Spirit Marrow, and I don’t wish to get involved in any other matters.”

”That’s understandable. Since Fellow Daoist Lü doesn’t want to get involved, I won’t disturb you further.” Lin Muyun’s expression was still wreathed in smiles, though they seemed a little less genuine than before.

With that, he led his men away to look for other partners.

After a moment, Yu Feng’Er sidled up to him, hugging his arm tightly. She looked up and said in a low voice, ”Husband, did I miss something? Was the Lin Family plotting something?”

She often felt she couldn’t compare to Li Hejun.

’Her thoughts weren’t meticulous enough, her foresight not farsighted enough, which often led her to make mistakes.’

’This time was probably no different.’

Sensing Yu Feng’Er’s emotions, Lü Zhong patted her head reassuringly. ”It’s not that complicated. I just don’t want to invite unnecessary trouble. The Chengde Commerce Association is growing more prosperous by the day, raking in countless Spirit Stones. While a Spiritual Object like the Phoenix Blood Ancient Vine is indeed incredibly rare, it’s not impossible to acquire similar substitutes if we’re willing to spend the Spirit Stones. Thus, there’s no need for us to take such a risk.”

Less trouble was better than more trouble.

’To survive for long in the Cultivation Realm, the best method was to not stir up trouble.’

Of course, if trouble came knocking on his door...

Lü Zhong wouldn’t mind using his Sword and Saber Magic to see them off on their final journey.

After hearing his explanation, Yu Feng’Er realized she had been overthinking things.

In turn, her smile returned, bright and cheerful.

”Everyone, it seems it’s about time. Shall we set off?” From the crowd, a female cultivator dressed in Changchun Valley robes and holding a Jade Ruyi glanced at the subsiding wind and rain, then called out to the group.

”We will follow Daoist Qing Shao’s arrangements!”

Everyone voiced their agreement with the female cultivator’s proposal.

Seeing that there were no objections, the female cultivator tossed the Jade Ruyi in her hand high into the air.

The word ”Changchun” was engraved on the Jade Ruyi in Silver Tadpole Script, and it was the key to opening the Changchun Secret Realm. This Secret Realm was once the cave abode of the Ancient Great Cultivator, the Changchun Daoist. It had been forged by the Changchun Daoist’s Great Magical Power and contained its own self-sufficient ecosystem. Because of this, it still possessed the same environment as in ancient times, making it exceptionally suitable for the growth of Spirit Medicines.

Every sixty years, the Evergreen Ruyi could be used to open the way into the Secret Realm.