A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

The days passed, one by one.

The situation in the Southern Barbarian region was generally peaceful, though there was some localized turmoil. But this chaos didn’t cause any real damage. As long as Junling True Monarch watched over the Lingyue Sect, it would never be in danger of destruction.

Lü Zhong dedicated himself to his cultivation, visiting the Three Sects of Bihai once every year.

He had assumed the identity of a Supreme Elder, a fact known only to the higher-ups of the three sects. The Inner and Outer Disciples below knew nothing of it, believing the Three Sects of Bihai were each independent.

At one point, he made a huge investment to attract promising cultivators, adding thirty Foundation Establishment Pills to the sects’ treasure vaults, hoping to produce Foundation Establishment True Cultivators for the three sects sooner rather than later.

The sooner he could raise his own, the sooner he could return the True Cultivators he had borrowed from the Heling Sect.

Although Lü Zhong and Shuini were master and disciple, they still kept their finances separate. The twelve people he had borrowed each required a monthly stipend of one hundred Spirit Stones, which would become a substantial sum over time.

Three years passed in the blink of an eye, during which Lü Zhong established de facto control over the Three Sects of Bihai.

「On this day.」

In a certain cave estate in Bidao Market.

Lü Zhong received news that someone from Sea Abyss Palace had finally succeeded in their Foundation Establishment.

’It wasn’t easy! Four failed in a row, and now the fifth has finally succeeded!’ At this, he thought, ’I’m finally off the hook.’ He hurried from his cave estate and flew toward Sea Abyss Island, home to the Sea Abyss Palace’s main gate.

A moment later, Lü Zhong appeared in a secret chamber in the back mountains of Sea Abyss Palace.

Everyone in Sea Abyss Palace knew this place as the seclusion chamber of the Founding Ancestor.

Outside stood a nervous-looking, middle-aged man named Hex Bin. He had been a Family Cultivator from the Huayi Domain, but as a member of a branch family, he had no inheritance rights and had thus set out to sea to seek his fortune.

After many trials and tribulations, he managed to cultivate to the level of Qi Refining Perfection.

For the sake of a single Foundation Establishment Pill, he had decided to join Sea Abyss Palace.

”Come in,” a voice called from within the secret chamber.

Hex Bin’s expression grew serious. He straightened his robes before stepping inside.

”Disciple Hex Bin pays his respects to the Ancestor!”

”There’s no need for such formalities!”

Only then did Hex Bin dare to raise his head. When he saw the youthful-looking Lü Zhong, he froze in stunned silence.

’This... this is the Founding Ancestor of Sea Abyss Palace?’

Lü Zhong had anticipated Hex Bin’s reaction. After all, the newly advanced Foundation Establishment Cultivators from Sea Suppression Gate and the Bihai Sect had all reacted the same way. He couldn’t be bothered to explain, so he said directly, ”Congratulations on your successful Foundation Establishment, Nephew Hex. Take the Storage Bag on the table. It’s my congratulatory gift to you.”

After a short pause, he handed over a Token and a Jade Scroll.

How could Hex Bin not recognize the significance of the Jade Token and Jade Scroll? They were clearly the Palace Master’s Token and the disciple registry for Sea Abyss Palace. Possessing these two items meant he would be the new Palace Master of Sea Abyss Palace.

As Lü Zhong pressed the items into his hands, his mind went completely blank.

”Ancestor, this... what is this?”

”Alas!” Lü Zhong recited his script for the third time, his expression one of profound sorrow. He sighed, ”A short while ago, your Senior Brother Li, Senior Sister Mur, and Senior Brother Chengg insisted on exploring a Secret Realm. All three of them were lost inside!”

”What?!” Hex Bin exclaimed, startled.

’Losing three Foundation Establishment cultivators all at once... Doesn’t that mean Sea Abyss Palace is...?’

’No, wait. The Ancestor is still here.’

’This man is a Golden Core Master!’

”I never force anyone.” Lü Zhong continued, reciting his script—he’d tricked the previous two the same way. He looked at Hex Bin with eyes full of expectation. ”But now the Sect is in crisis. I hope that you, Nephew Hex, can see the bigger picture and accept the position of Palace Master!”

Hex Bin hesitated.

He had joined Sea Abyss Palace only to obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill, not out of any true loyalty.

But standing before the Founding Ancestor, he didn’t dare refuse.

’Fine, I’ll just accept it for now,’ he thought.

Hex Bin decided he would just find an opportunity to resign later. And so, he knelt, kowtowing three times with a resounding THUD, THUD, THUD. He cupped his fists and declared, ”This disciple will not betray the Ancestor’s trust!”

”Excellent!”

Lü Zhong said with a ”gratified” look.

He didn’t care what Hex Bin was really thinking. It was fine even if Hex Bin, like the two clever ones before him, saw right through his act. As long as they were willing to run the Sect, that was enough. Once the framework for the Three Sects of Bihai was in place, then as long as it wasn’t destroyed by some outside force, the disciples would sooner or later develop a true sense of belonging.

Once they had that sense of belonging, his first ten-year plan would be a success.