A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

Apparently, he had never expected to run into a Thunder Cultivator who had mastered Thunder Skills.

’This is bad! The Pan Mountain Talisman Manual I practice is strong on defense but weak on offense. I’m definitely not his match.’ Yue Xuan was from the Yan Zhen Sect, a Daoist Sect where most cultivators practiced Talismanic Defense and Attack Techniques.

Though called a manual, it was, in reality, a collection of exquisite techniques.

These techniques resembled Magic Skills but had to be channeled through Magical Artifacts, Spiritual Artifacts, or Magical Treasures. Their power was slightly inferior to the Sword Techniques of a Sword Cultivator.

The advantage was that they weren’t difficult to master, unlike the path of a Sword Cultivator, which demanded a profound understanding of the Sword Dao and involved the abstruse concepts of Sword Heart, Sword Intent, and Sword Soul.

Before Yue Xuan could dwell on it, a vibrant red sword shadow streaked toward him.

CLANG! A crisp sound rang out.

Yue Xuan swung his Profound Yellow Heavy Sword and executed ”Immovable Mountain.” A phantom mountain materialized behind him, parrying and deflecting the ferocious blow.

Just then, Lü Zhong descended like a meteor.

Eerie purple flames clung to the Magic Swords in both his hands. He slashed fiercely at his foe, only to be blocked again. The flames, however, splashed out and began to spread rapidly across the ship’s deck.

A glance around revealed the two fleets locked in a fierce battle.

Both sides were taking casualties, and the battle had reached a stalemate with no clear victor in sight.

Down on the ground, Qingding Master saw the reinforcements arrive and the enemy Flying Ships cease their attack. He finally breathed a sigh of relief and resumed his fight against the Core Formation cultivators of the invading Allied Army.

With Snow Dragon Pass having been breached on his watch, he, as its guardian, bore an unshirkable responsibility.

To absolve himself of blame, he not only had to repel the Allied Army but also claim the head of one of their Core Formation cultivators.

Only then could he atone for his failure.

With this in mind, Qingding Master raised a hand.

He produced a purple Thunder Talisman. It was a Tier Three High-grade ”Thunder Dust Talisman” with power comparable to a strike from the Fake Infant Realm. This was a trump card he had treasured for a long time, reluctant to use it even during several past crises.

Now, to atone for his failure, he had no choice but to use it, no matter how much it pained him.

His opponent’s Protective Gang Qi was nearly depleted—the perfect moment for a thunderous strike.

As the Thunder Talisman activated, a Thunder Pillar instantly erupted.

Meanwhile, in the sky, lightning also flashed and crackled.

Lü Zhong had run into trouble. Yue Xuan was a veritable Iron Turtle; his Flying Sword never went on the offensive, focusing solely on defense. He executed one technique after another, forming an impenetrable barrier.

No matter how Lü Zhong attacked, even with a direct hit from a Thunder Skill, Yue Xuan would only end up looking battered, suffering no significant damage.

’Forget it. I’ll just keep him occupied.’

Lü Zhong shifted his gaze from the ground. An Allied Army Core Formation cultivator had just been slain, so he figured the battle’s outcome would soon be clear. There was no need to exert himself further.

Besides, if he pushed his opponent into a corner, there was no telling what kind of counterattack it might provoke.

He immediately used Rouge to keep Yue Xuan tied down.

Meanwhile, his Star Mirror continuously gathered Star Force, augmenting his own power while also picking out unlucky targets below and blasting them with volleys of Mirror Light.

One, two... eleven.

Seeing Lü Zhong on a killing spree and watching the Allied Army retreat from Snow Dragon Pass below, Yue Xuan could no longer afford to just turtle up.

He crushed a Jade Talisman, which exploded into a firework in midair, letting out a piercing shriek.

”Retreat! Everyone, retreat!”

As for the Flying Ship beneath him, most of the cultivators aboard had been killed or wounded by lightning in the very first exchange. The inner cabins might have already been seized by Changchun Valley cultivators; control had likely already changed hands.

Yue Xuan stomped his foot, gritted his teeth, and decided to abandon the ship.

The two fleets quickly broke apart.

The side that had lost control of their Flying Ship retreated unwillingly. The cultivators who had boarded but not fully secured the ship also withdrew, lest its shields reactivate and leave them trapped like fish in a barrel.

In the end, the Allied Army lost two Flying Ships, one large and one small, while Changchun Valley lost one small ship that was burned down.

It was a mixed outcome, with both sides suffering losses.

”Elder Lü, should we...” Fang Kuanhong asked, moving closer.

Lü Zhong glanced at him and chuckled to himself but kept a straight face. He boomed, ”Relay my orders! No one is to give chase! We’re landing to regroup and make repairs!”

He then began to inspect the Flying Ship beneath his feet.

According to the customary rules of plunder, this vessel was now his spoils of war.

Noticing the fire aboard was still burning strong, he quickly began to extinguish it, lest the ship be damaged beyond repair.

As for the Storage Bags and other portable wealth left on the ship, Lü Zhong let his subordinates take them as a reward for their bravery in battle.

It also served to win their loyalty.

Before long, with the fire extinguished, the Flying Ship landed smoothly on the ground.

Without waiting for orders from Lü Zhong, the cultivators in the fleet who were still able-bodied began treating the wounded or tending to their own injuries. Others, under the Boatswain’s direction, started repairing the damaged hulls.

As for the heavily damaged Array Prohibitions, they would have to wait until they returned to Changchun Immortal City to have an Array Master repair them.

Just as Lü Zhong was pondering how to repair the Flying Ship, he heard footsteps approaching from behind.

He turned to see it was none other than Qingding Master.

The man’s hair was somewhat disheveled, and he carried the thick stench of blood.

Upon seeing Lü Zhong, Qingding Master’s expression froze for an imperceptible moment before he recovered. Clasping his hands in a salute, he smiled. ”So it is Fellow Daoist Lü. Thank you for coming to our aid!”

”Don’t mention it. I just happened to be in the area,” Lü Zhong replied humbly.

The two exchanged a round of pleasantries.

Qingding Master never brought up Ning Zhongyun, acting as if he’d never had such a disciple.

Lü Zhong, for his part, was happy to avoid the topic and gladly exchanged superficial pleasantries with him.

They continued the polite facade for a time.

Only when a Steward came looking for him did Qingding Master finally excuse himself and depart.

Watching the man’s departing figure, a grave look flashed in Lü Zhong’s eyes. ’This kind of person is dangerous. He can stay calm even after his own disciple is killed. In a story, a man like that is either the protagonist or some great overlord.’

’If I ever get the chance, it would be best to...’

The thought had barely formed before he quashed it.