A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

”What was the True Central Sect’s purpose in attacking you?”

Lü Zhong asked. The man had been talking for a good while, beating around the bush without ever getting to the point.

’Honestly, I don’t care about the future of the Western Realm, nor do I want to get involved in any trouble. But I have a gut feeling that there might be a shocking secret hidden within all this, and learning about it in advance would allow me to prepare.’

Hearing this question, Shii Jingxuan shook his head.

”I do not know. The True Central Sect is holding its position at Immortal Prison Pass and has shown no intention of unifying the Western Realm, nor are there any signs of them plundering resources. They just keep searching for us, and... killing. That last part is my own speculation.”

”Why the talk about a Central Earth Demon Sect?”

”The talk of a Demon Sect comes from a final message sent back by Ancestor Bei Jing. He was a Late-stage Nascent Soul Great Cultivator and the only True Monarch to send back a last message. Unfortunately, the message was fragmented and mostly unintelligible. The only clearly discernible words were ’Central Earth’ and ’Demon Sect,’ which is how the theory of a Demon Sect in Central Earth came to be. Besides, there has long been evidence linking the True Central Sect to Central Earth,” Shii Jingxuan replied immediately, not daring to be slow.

After listening, Lü Zhong couldn’t help but think to himself.

’It seems the root of the problem lies in Central Earth after all.’

He shifted his gaze to the two people before him and said coolly, ”You’ve been talking about the True Central Sect for so long, but what about you? I’ve heard you want to restore the Western Realm to its former state. I’m curious how you plan to do that.”

Before speaking, Shii Jingxuan glanced at Granny Qian beside him. Seeing no objection from her, he said, ”To be honest with you, Senior, we cultivators of the Western Border Alliance are researching how to convert Crimson Spiritual Energy into ordinary Spiritual Qi. If we succeed, not only can the Western Realm be restored, but it will also gain a massive new source of Spiritual Qi.”

’Spiritual Energy Conversion Technology?’

’These cultivators from the Western Border Alliance sure are ambitious!’

’Still, if they really succeed, the Cultivation Realm will become even more prosperous, won’t it?’

’Once this technology is developed, there will be no more obstacles to the practical application of the Demon Core Refining Art. It could significantly alleviate the problem of resource scarcity.’

’Assuming Shii Jingxuan is telling the truth.’

’Or rather, that what he knows is the Western Border Alliance’s true intention.’

Lü Zhong stopped thinking about it and held out two Spirit Contracts.

”Leave your Divine Soul Auras, and you can go.”

Shii Jingxuan took one and saw that although the Spirit Contract had many clauses, as long as the two of them didn’t leak what happened today, they wouldn’t suffer any backlash. After discussing it with Granny Qian, they signed it readily.

Seeing Lü Zhong turn to leave, Shii Jingxuan hesitated for a moment before calling out:

”Senior, wait!”

”I was wondering if you might have any Healing Elixirs. I am willing to trade a Chaotic Blood Crystal for one!”

Chaotic Blood Crystal.

Lü Zhong, of course, knew what a Chaotic Blood Crystal was.

It was used to refine Magical Treasures, purify impurities, and indirectly accelerate the nurturing process.

This item was only produced in the Western Realm.

’No wonder people are still willing to trade with the Western Border Alliance even while they’re being hunted by the True Central Sect. So it’s because they’re carrying these things!’ The thought of the Chaotic Blood Crystal’s benefits made Lü Zhong’s heart race.

After some haggling,

he traded a Jade Sun Pill for a Chaotic Blood Crystal.

”Do you have any more Chaotic Blood Crystals?” Lü Zhong asked, a little unsatisfied.

A single Chaotic Blood Crystal was worth ten years of nurturing a treasure.

With a few more, he could easily possess the strength of a veteran Core Formation cultivator, instead of constantly trying to avoid conflict with cultivators of the same level as he was now.

Beside him, Shii Jingxuan carefully put away the Jade Sun Pill. He grew wary upon hearing the question, but then saw that Lü Zhong’s gaze was clear, not like someone about to kill him for his treasures.

”To answer your question, Senior, Chaotic Blood Crystals are precious. I only had one on me.”

Hearing this, Lü Zhong couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

It was already quite difficult to be lucky enough to come across even one of these precious Spiritual Objects.

He couldn’t expect to get rich overnight.

He then shot into the sky and quickly disappeared over the horizon.

...

Back at Lintao Pavilion.

For three months straight, Lü Zhong was in seclusion.

He used his Pill Fire to refine the Star Stone and the Chaotic Blood Crystal he had obtained into his Star Mirror.

The Star Mirror became even purer.

It glinted with silver light, emitting even stronger fluctuations of Spiritual Qi.

Faintly, it showed signs of breaking through to become a Three-layered Restriction Treasure.

’A Three-layered Restriction Treasure... The Lifebound Treasure of a typical Early-stage Core Formation Cultivator is usually at this level.’ Lü Zhong was delighted. After toying with the Star Mirror for a while, he recalled it into his body.

He went out to the courtyard.

It was late spring, and a light rain was drifting down from the sky.

Lying in a Grandmaster’s Chair, holding a cup of hot tea, sipping fine Spirit Tea Leaves from the Northern Realm while admiring the soft, mist-like rain was quite a pleasant experience.

’Of course, it would be better if Yu Feng’Er were here.’

’Teasing her when I’m bored is more fun than dual cultivation.’

Just as he thought of her, the Fish Pendant at his waist reacted.

A moment later, Yu Feng’Er did indeed appear.

Today, she wore a simple, plain-colored jacket and skirt, her hair tied in a simple bun, yet she still looked radiant and charming. The maidservant following behind her, though not unattractive herself, seemed like a common hen in comparison.

”Husband!”

”Alright, alright, I know.”

They had been together for so long that as soon as Yu Feng’Er opened her mouth, Lü Zhong knew what she wanted.

’She’s just collected more Vein Tempering Formulas, hasn’t she?’

”How many sets this time?”

”Th-thirty-seven sets...” Yu Feng’Er said, blushing and clutching her skirt.

”...” Lü Zhong was speechless.

’Are you trying to make my Jade Vein Technique break through sooner or what?’

He prepared the herbs and boiled the water.

In no time at all, the two of them began their practice.

After so many years of cultivation, Lü Zhong’s meridians had already reached a state of ”Half-Jadeification.” Now, under the surging waves of potent medicinal power, the signs of jadeification deepened bit by bit.