A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

Two years passed in a flash.

Lü Zhong rose early in the morning. After a hasty breakfast prepared by his maidservant, he boarded a magnificent Flying Ship and headed for Changchun Immortal City, his gaze drifting northward through the porthole.

The calamity of the beast tide was beginning to manifest.

Last year’s winter arrived earlier than usual, and Demon Beasts, struggling to find food, began raiding the Changchun North Domain. Caught off guard, countless mortals and cultivators died, and the various Sect Clans suffered considerable losses as well.

Even the Chengde Commerce Association had three of its farms damaged.

He had gone to see the scene for himself. At the time, rampaging Demon Beasts were everywhere—a problem far too great for any single person to solve. This was the reason for today’s meeting in Changchun Hall, for which Wanmu True Monarch had invited all Core Formation cultivators in the domain.

’Jointly discuss countermeasures...’ Lü Zhong mulled over the words.

Things were different now. Changchun Valley was in a period of decline, with only one Nascent Soul True Monarch remaining within its ranks. Facing the alliance of Huayi Temple and the Yan Zhen Sect, they were at a clear and absolute disadvantage.

Based on the information he had gathered recently, he couldn’t help but suspect something.

’Was that great explosion at Changchun Valley a conspiracy by its two True Monarchs? Did they use the anomaly to lure out an enemy True Monarch and injure them, all to prevent the Sect from facing an existential crisis after Yun Yao Ancestor’s fall?’

’The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.’

’After all, since that battle, Jade Chen True Monarch of the Yan Zhen Sect had not been seen again.’

’Perhaps he was too busy healing his wounds to appear in public.’

As Lü Zhong got lost in his wild speculations, breaking apart his thoughts, piecing them back together, and carefully weighing them against each other, the Flying Ship arrived at Changchun Valley before he knew it.

Guided by a Changchun Valley Foundation Establishment cultivator, he soon arrived at Changchun Hall.

Compared to his last visit, the atmosphere in the hall was somewhat strange.

The timid deference of some attendees had vanished, replaced by a willingness to bark orders freely. Although they still showed some restraint, it was clear they no longer respected Changchun Valley.

Lü Zhong did not follow their example. He maintained his reverence for a Nascent Soul Sect, greeting familiar cultivators along the way until he found his seat, where he sat motionless with his eyes closed in meditation.

”Fellow Daoist Lü, long time no see!” A voice called out from in front of him. It was Qingding Master, who had approached him with a rare smile on his face.

”Greetings, Fellow Daoist Qingding,” Lü Zhong replied, returning the courtesy.

He subtly probed Qingding’s cultivation without leaving a trace and found that the man had already reached late-stage Core Formation. ’Having a Sect backing you really makes a difference.’

’Catch up? There’s no way!’

He sighed inwardly.

”I haven’t yet had the chance to congratulate you on your breakthrough to the late stage, Fellow Daoist. My apologies!” Lü Zhong said with a smile.

”It was all thanks to my Sect’s support. It’s not worth mentioning...” Qingding waved his hand dismissively. Then, as if he had just discovered something, a hint of surprise appeared on his face. ”I didn’t expect that you’ve broken through as well, Fellow Daoist! If I recall correctly, it hasn’t even been a hundred years since you reached Core Formation, has it? Your talent is truly astonishing!”

”Er, actually, my talent is quite average...” Lü Zhong was telling the truth.

After all, he only had Four Spirit Roots.

Qingding Master assumed Lü Zhong was just being modest, so he exchanged a few more pleasantries before revealing his true purpose. He sent a voice transmission, ”To be honest, I came over this time because I’d like to team up with you, Fellow Daoist.”

’Team up?’ Lü Zhong hadn’t expected this to be his goal.

”That’s right!” Qingding then revealed the information he had.

It turned out that Wanmu True Monarch had decided that any cultivator who contributed during this beast tide would be able to earn a certain amount of Changchun Valley Merit. With this Merit, they could exchange for items from the Changchun Valley Sect Treasure Vault.

Immediately after, Qingding revealed another secret. ”For those with cultivation like ours, we can even exchange for items from the Sect’s Secret Vault. I think you know what that means, Fellow Daoist?”

What did it mean? Hope for reaching the Nascent Soul stage, of course!

Lü Zhong knew without even thinking that among the treasures stored in Changchun Valley’s Secret Vault, there must be Spiritual Objects that could increase one’s chances of Nascent Soul Formation, or perhaps even Cultivation Secret Techniques with similar effects.

’This Wanmu True Monarch is a real old fox...’ Lü Zhong thought to himself.

’He knows Changchun Valley is at a low point. Using the old methods of coercion would no longer be enough to make the domain’s Core Formation cultivators submit, so he decisively chose to entice them with benefits instead.’

’Birds die for food, and cultivators die for longevity. Once this news gets out, the entire Changchun Domain will be in an uproar.’

’Core Formation cultivators want to form a Nascent Soul, Foundation Establishment cultivators want to form a Golden Core, and Qi Refining cultivators want to break through to Foundation Establishment. With this, Changchun Valley might truly be able to suppress the beast tide in the north.’

’As for his purpose, it was likely to buy time.’

’Probably...’

After all, Lü Zhong could hardly guess the thoughts of a Nascent Soul Old Monster.

His mind raced. After some thought, he decided to politely decline Qingding’s invitation. After all, they had a history of conflict between them. Furthermore, Qingding was a man single-mindedly devoted to his cultivation; it was hard to imagine what he might do for the sake of advancing further.

Lü Zhong simply couldn’t bring himself to trust the man.

Besides, Beast Hunting was a dangerous affair.

He didn’t want to be a ”gold prospector,” risking his life for a score. Facing a massive horde of beasts, even a Golden Core Master could fall.

Lü Zhong planned to be the one selling the tools.

From a merchant’s perspective, this grand Beast Hunting event held significant business opportunities. If he could profit from it, his gains might not be any less than those who fought to the death.

Meanwhile, Qingding looked disappointed.

Seeing Lü Zhong’s firm attitude, he felt a flicker of dissatisfaction. But then he remembered that this man spent his years cooped up in his residence; he’d reportedly never been seen participating in any of the various Secret Realm explorations.

’Looks like he’s as timid as a mouse...’

Lowering his assessment of Lü Zhong, Qingding decided not to engage with him any further.

He promptly took his leave and moved on to his next target.