A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

They could curse him all they wanted.

Lü Zhong didn’t care.

As long as it didn’t interfere with him mastering the Outer Body Incarnation, it was fine.

Back to the books.

As it involved a Divine Technique, the material on the Outer Body Incarnation was so obscure that calling it convoluted would be a compliment. Furthermore, the Soul Splitting process allowed for no mistakes; the slightest deviation meant failure.

Left with no choice, he had to bite the bullet and continue reading.

In the process, Lü Zhong learned the detailed differences between the Incarnation and the main body.

Although the Incarnation was an independent entity, the main body could take control of it at will.

Conversely, the Incarnation could not do the same unless it successfully usurped the main body.

Moreover, when an Incarnation was born, if the main body did not share its own memories, insights, and experiences from each Realm, then the Incarnation would just be an ordinary infant with Four Spirit Root Talent.

’This isn’t necessarily a bad thing...’ Lü Zhong thought to himself.

In fact, he was somewhat tempted to try sending an Incarnation to serve as a mole in other sects.

Considering his own Spirit Root talent, he figured that wouldn’t be easy.

But it was said that the limitations of one’s talent would change upon reaching the Nascent Soul Stage. Many ancient texts mentioned this point, but they were all vague, so he didn’t know if it was true.

He stopped overthinking it and continued his comprehension.

...

「The seventh day of the sixth month.」

Just after the Lantern Festival, the Bihai Sect and the Chengde Commerce Association finished mustering their forces and formed an Allied Army. Today, they officially set out for the Lingyue Domain to join Shuini’s Heling Sect in the ”Battle of the United Sects,” which had been launched against their former brethren.

According to news from Shuini not long ago, negotiations for a bloodless merger had failed.

Thus, Lü Zhong had no choice but to go to war.

The tide slapped against the stone slabs, sending up sprays of white foam.

At the docks, a fleet of Flying Ships was already moored.

The Allied Army was now boarding in an orderly fashion. On their faces, one could see unease and apprehension, as well as a thirst and hope for victory, but most wore calm expressions.

Along with them, large quantities of Spiritual Objects were also being loaded.

Supplies like Healing Elixirs, Replenishing Qi Pills, and Arrays of all sizes were in abundance. Both the Bihai Sect and the Chengde Commerce Association were wealthy and powerful, and with ample time, they had made thorough preparations.

At the end of the pier, facing the boundless azure sea.

Yu Feng’Er hugged Lü Zhong tightly, unwilling to let go for a long time. After what felt like an eternity, she finally wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, a thousand words condensed into a single sentence.

”Husband, I’ll be here waiting for you to come back.”

”Mm,” Lü Zhong replied softly.

After they parted, Lü Zhong boarded his flagship.

The fleet then slowly ascended, formed up in the air, and flew straight to the west. However, due to the heavy load, their flight speed was indeed a bit slow.

Departing from Bihai Island, it took them a month and a half to reach the Heling Sect.

...

「Heling Sect.」

Master and disciple were reunited.

”My dear disciple, you’re finally here!” As Shuini’s gaze shifted from the sand table, she saw Lü Zhong just entering the hall and couldn’t help but exclaim in delight.

”Master made a request. How could I, your disciple, not come?” Lü Zhong sighed, his tone a bit resigned. He then took a closer look at Shuini, a surprised expression appearing on his face.

”This aura... Could it be that Master has broken through her bottleneck and entered the Fake Infant Realm?”

”I only managed a breakthrough by a stroke of luck half a month ago. Speaking of which, it’s all thanks to you, my dear disciple. If you hadn’t resolved your master’s long-standing obsession, who knows how much longer I would have been stuck at the Late-stage Core Formation.” As Shuini spoke of this, her face was wreathed in smiles, her peerless beauty appearing even more radiant.

Lü Zhong’s Heart and Spirit wavered for a moment at the sight.

’But then again, what *was* Shuini’s obsession?’

’Uh, the resentment of an old spinster...’

He had a feeling deep down that was it.

’A sin, a sin!’

”Master, why did the negotiations suddenly fail?” Getting back to the point, Lü Zhong asked about the situation with the Flying Star, Profound Moon, and Tuoyang Sects. According to his previous predictions, Shuini should have been able to win over at least one of them, rather than things escalating to the point where force was the only solution.

”Something unexpected happened,” Shuini said calmly.

Her Jade Fingers drew lines in the air, bringing forth streams of information.

”Another power beat us to it. They unified the Three Sects ahead of us with the promise of helping them replace the Lingyue Sect and become a new Nascent Soul Sect.”

Under such circumstances, the failure of the negotiations was practically inevitable.

”Was it... Changchun Valley?” Lü Zhong guessed.

”Alas, you’re right.” Shuini sighed.

This was what gave her the biggest headache.

With Changchun Valley’s support, the future of the Battle of the United Sects was suddenly uncertain.

According to intelligence, Changchun Valley had already sent two Core Formation Elders to assist the Three Sects. One of them was also at the Fake Infant Realm, same as her, which immediately tipped the balance of power.

It went from the original three-on-three to five-on-three.

The situation was not in favor of the master and disciple pair.

Lü Zhong frowned after reading the intelligence Shuini provided. However, he had no intention of backing out. After all, although the current situation was dire, he and his master were in no real danger.

In reality, whether the Battle of the United Sects would even happen was still up in the air.

While the two were discussing, a woman’s voice suddenly came from outside the hall.

”Senior Sister Shui, may I come in?”

’Is this the newly ascended Core Formation cultivator?’ Lü Zhong sensed the person outside the hall. She was exuding the aura of the Early-stage Core Formation, and it was still slightly unstable, a clear sign that she had only just achieved her breakthrough.

”That’s her. Her name is Chuu Yueyun,” Shuini replied, then projected her voice outside the hall. ”Yueyun, come in. It’s a perfect time to introduce you to someone.”

A moment later, a Female Cultivator with a cool and detached expression, dressed in a moon-white robe, walked into the hall.

”This is Lü Zhong, my prized disciple!” Shuini introduced him proudly.

Hearing this, Chuu Yueyun discreetly sensed Lü Zhong’s aura. When she realized he was at the Mid-stage Core Formation, she was inwardly startled. She then gave a slight curtsy and offered a greeting.

”Greetings, Fellow Daoist Lü.”

Lü Zhong clasped his hands in a polite return gesture.

And with that, the two were acquainted.

”Yueyun, what did you need me for?” Shuini knew Chuu Yueyun well. Seeing the hesitation on the latter’s face, she added with a smile, ”My disciple is not an outsider. If you have something to say, just say it.”

”Senior Sister, an envoy from Huayi Temple just arrived. I came to ask for your decision!”

Huayi Temple?

Lü Zhong and Shuini looked at each other, having guessed the envoy’s purpose.

Shuini pondered for a moment before turning to Lü Zhong. ”My dear disciple, what are your thoughts? I think we should meet with them. In the current situation, if we want to complete the sect unification, our only choice is to form strategic alliances.”

”I think it’s better to refuse,” Lü Zhong said with a sigh.

Compared to Changchun Valley, the Daoist Sects actually pose a greater long-term threat.

Whether they call themselves the Heling Sect or the True Spirit Sect, their heritage is ultimately not of the Daoist Sects. Even if they temporarily unified the Lingyue Domain with the Daoist Sects’ support, the fundamental conflicts of interest that would inevitably arise later would force them to give back everything they gained, and then some.

Unless they were willing to completely change their foundation and switch their allegiance.

But if they did that, what would be the point of the True Spirit Sect’s existence?

It was precisely because of the Daoist Sects’ tyranny that the former Lingyue Sect had constantly opposed Huayi Temple.

”Then what should we do, in your opinion?” Shuini wanted to hear Lü Zhong’s thoughts.

”I think we shouldn’t rush to meet that envoy. Instead, we should try to contact those two Elders from Changchun Valley!” Lü Zhong said in a low voice, then explained his reasoning in detail to the two women. ”Changchun Valley sees it as its mission to suppress the expansion of the Daoist Sects. That’s why they are supporting the Three-Sect Alliance, whose power is unmatched in the Lingyue Domain. If we can win the approval of those two, we might be able to win Changchun Valley’s support for ourselves.”

There was one more thing he didn’t say: once Changchun Valley switched its support to Shuini, the Three-Sect Alliance would no longer be a threat.

”Hmm, you two may leave for now. Let me think it over...” Shuini did not answer immediately.

”Yes.” Lü Zhong took his leave.

He turned and went to the area where the Bihai Sect and the Chengde Commerce Association were quartered.

In the center of the camp stood a brightly lit hall.

Inside the hall, Lu Baokui, the Sect Leader of the Bihai Sect, and two of its Stewards, along with Si Huandou, the Chief Steward of the Chengde Commerce Association, and a group of other Commerce Association Stewards, had all been gathered and waiting for a long time.

Lü Zhong entered and glanced at the crowd, seeing that they were all somewhat nervous.

This was normal. This was a war between sects, and its intensity far exceeded the usual small-scale skirmishes. In theory, even a Core Formation Ancestor like him was at risk of falling.

Of course, Lü Zhong didn’t think his opponents could stop him from leaving, and he doubted they could even keep Shuini there.

It was just that these Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining cultivators were the ones whose lives would be in danger.

Therefore, he had summoned them here to promise them benefits.

This was to prevent them from shrinking back when the time came.