A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

In the Quiet Chamber.

Lü Zhong folded the Star Patterned Robe and carefully placed it into his Storage Ring.

It would still be some time before he learned the Golden Seal Script.

He planned to use this time to refine the Flood Dragon Materials himself. His goal was to create a piece of Magical Treasure Clothing to solve the problem of not having a suitable Dharma Robe.

As for its grade, he was fine if it was a bit low.

He took out the newly purchased Magical Treasure blueprint. It was a generic, Treasure Level Dharma Robe design with the Prohibitions already arranged and categorized, and it allowed for a certain degree of modification.

He had absorbed Huo Yezi’s insights and also had some understanding of the Array Dao himself.

Therefore, he could make more extensive modifications than the average person.

He quickly modified the blueprint’s appearance, modeling it after the Star Patterned Robe.

With a flip of his hand, he produced a Jade Scroll. It contained the Prohibition sequence for a Magical Treasure Divine Technique called the ”Rising Star Seal,” which absorbed Star Force to replenish one’s Magical Power.

Originally, Lü Zhong had wanted to find a Divine Technique similar to ”Star Blessing.” Unfortunately, such Divine Techniques at the Treasure Level were only known in Central Earth, and very little information about them had reached the Southern Barbarian lands. This forced him to settle for the next best thing: a Divine Technique that restored Magical Power.

He began transplanting the ”Rising Star Seal” into the empty spaces on the blueprint.

The process was a bit tedious. The Prohibitions in certain areas needed to be altered, or else compatibility issues would arise. The consequences could range from minor to severe; in a worst-case scenario, the entire Dharma Robe could be ruined.

It took him three months to modify the blueprint to his satisfaction.

Next up was Artifact Refining.

...

The days passed, one by one.

The Dharma Robe gradually took shape. With his experience from refining the Star Mirror, combined with the fact that his strength had long surpassed the Early-stage of Core Formation, Lü Zhong’s refining speed was much faster now. Although he inevitably encountered problems, they were all insignificant.

After a period of brewing turmoil, the Lingyue Domain began to descend into chaos.

Over the past year.

It was no exaggeration to say that the entire Lingyue Domain was engulfed in the flames of war.

Numerous Sect Clans were incited, provoked, or otherwise instigated to rise up in rebellion, brandishing the banner of resisting the Lingyue Sect’s tyranny. They began attacking the Lingyue Sect’s various properties and ambushing its lone disciples, only to be met with the Lingyue Sect’s thunderous suppression. Despite suffering heavy casualties, they continued their efforts tirelessly.

Any discerning person could see that this was merely the prelude to a greater upheaval.

Even a wrecked ship is worth a few good nails.

A ten-thousand-year-old Nascent Soul Sect, no matter how much it had declined, was still an arrogant Flood Dragon with enough power to suppress the masses. The hidden factions could only whittle away at its strength for now, forcing it to divert resources to deal with the regional unrest, which would in turn affect the Lingyue Sect’s ability to produce a new Nascent Soul cultivator.

It was a long process, one destined to be filled with bloodshed and strategic maneuvering.

...

At the start of the new year, Shuini paid a visit.

She came in her capacity as his master, so there was no need for the usual Sect formalities.

Lü Zhong prepared high-grade Spirit Tea and pastries, receiving her at the Tide Cave Waterside Pavilion.

”My dear disciple, come here! It’s been so long, I’ve missed you. Let me have a look at you.”

Shuini grabbed Lü Zhong and looked him over from head to toe before pulling him into a hug. It was enough to make Lü Zhong blush, and Yu Feng’Er, who was standing to the side, flushed red and looked as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.

”Ahem. Master, what brings you here? Aren’t things busy over at the Heling Sect?” Lü Zhong coughed lightly, taking the initiative to start a conversation and ease the awkwardness.

”What, I can’t come visit just because I’m busy?” Shuini said with a half-smile.

Lü Zhong felt another wave of awkwardness and gave a sheepish laugh. ”Of course I’m happy you’re here, Master.”

”Pfft!” Shuini chuckled.

”Alright, I’ll stop teasing you! I saw... er, I saw the Lantern Festival was approaching, so I made a special trip. Speaking of which, we’ve been master and disciple for so many years, but we’ve never once celebrated a festival together.”

’Who is she trying to fool?’

It was only the beginning of the year; the Lantern Festival was still six months away. Lü Zhong grumbled inwardly. Shuini couldn’t even come up with a proper excuse; she must have made it up on the spot.

Despite his thoughts, he had no choice but to play along.

”In that case, I’ll have someone make preparations. But with you away from the Heling Sect, and with the Lingyue Domain in such chaos and fires raging everywhere, will there really be no problems?”

”Don’t worry, I’ve already made plans. You probably don’t know this, my dear disciple, but our sect recently had a new Golden Core Master ascend. I came to celebrate with you as an opportunity to test her. If she passes this test, I’ll hand over all of the Heling Sect’s affairs to her.”

As she spoke, Shuini seemed to feel her throat was dry and picked up her teacup from the table to take a drink.

”Then congratulations, Master!” Lü Zhong said, his tone tinged with envy.

Compared to Shuini’s Heling Sect, his Bihai Sect had developed rapidly in recent years, with the number of Foundation Establishment True Cultivators increasing to three. However, the one with the highest cultivation was only at the Mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

’At this rate, how long will it be before I can finally be a hands-off sect master?!’

”What’s there to congratulate? Disciple, tell me the truth, are you trying to anger me to death? How have you and Feng’Er been Dao Companions for so long without any results?” Shuini put down her teacup, her smile vanishing. She put on the expression of a senior elder, clearly displeased that she hadn’t become a ”grandmother” yet.

Lü Zhong was mortified again, and Yu Feng’Er, sitting beside him, could no longer stay still.

”Master, you can’t blame my husband for this. It’s, it’s...” Yu Feng’Er’s face turned beet red, the blush spreading all the way to the base of her neck. She was too embarrassed to speak of such intimate matters between a husband and wife, even in front of her master.

They had truly been trying hard recently.

They had even tried all the secret formulas and Secret Skills her husband had gotten from Kuang Youwen, time and time again.

But alas...

Lü Zhong stammered for a long while, not knowing what to say.

The situation was truly difficult to handle. He would rather go fight a Flood Dragon to the death than sit here making small talk about family matters.

Fortunately, Shuini didn’t press the issue.

She took Yu Feng’Er’s hand and gently stroked her back, comforting her with kind words. ”Good daughter-in-law, this isn’t your fault. Don’t take it to heart...”

Then, the two of them started whispering to each other.

Lü Zhong sat to the side, minding his own business, and watched as Yu Feng’Er mumbled a few responses. Her little face grew visibly redder until it looked like it was about to bleed.

He figured Shuini was probably teaching her some ”techniques” again.

Although he was the one who would benefit, he couldn’t help but wonder. His master, Shuini, had never once been with a man, so where did she get all this ”experience”?

’Could it be... she’s a master of theory?’

He decided not to dwell on it.

It was inappropriate to speculate about his master behind her back.

After a long round of family chitchat.

In the blink of an eye, it was time to eat.

Yu Feng’Er, as if granted a great pardon, scurried over to her husband’s side. After Shuini’s lecture on Secret Skills and ”positions,” she really couldn’t take it anymore and had to make a hasty retreat.

”This Crystal Flood Dragon Meat is excellent! Rich but not greasy, and the flavor is fresh and savory!” Shuini’s eyes lit up as she praised the dish with a smile.

”If you like it, Master, please have some more.” Lü Zhong proactively served her some food. He was honestly sick of eating Flood Dragon Meat, but since Shuini had come from so far away, he had to treat her to something good. That was why he’d had the Spirit Chef prepare a Flood Dragon Banquet.

Yu Feng’Er giggled foolishly at the side, looking like a newlywed daughter-in-law meeting her in-laws for the first time.

Shuini ate another piece of stewed dragon liver. Seeing that the two of them were only serving her while they just sat there drinking soup, she couldn’t help but ask, ”Go on, eat. Let’s eat together. Why are you two just sitting there like that? This Spiritual Food is very well made. Not only is the knife work and cooking time precise, but it’s also rich in Spiritual Qi and nutrients. It’s highly beneficial for one’s cultivation and body.”

”Yes, of course, Master.” Lü Zhong gave an awkward laugh, then picked up a piece of Fried Flood Dragon Scale and began eating it with a CRUNCH CRUNCH.

Yu Feng’Er did the same, though she picked up a piece of Flood Dragon Wings, her least favorite part.

Seeing their expressions, how could Shuini not understand the reason? She put down her chopsticks.

”Sigh, you two have it so good! Back when I was still in the Immortal Spirit Sect... those days were really something. The Central Earth Sects are nothing like the lenient Southern Barbarian Sects. Over there, it’s not just about your aptitude, but also your background. It’s true that the Sect resources are abundant, but you have to fight for them. The betrayals and manipulations that arise from that are truly countless. One wrong step and you’ll fall into an Abyss of eternal damnation...” Shuini began to ramble on about her past experiences.

Lü Zhong listened patiently. Shuini had rarely spoken of these things before.