A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

Day by day, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

Just as Lü Zhong had feared, Changchun Valley had indeed set its sights on the ”juicy prize” that was Bidao, coveting its annual income of millions of Spirit Stones and its vast prospects for future development.

With two Nascent Soul True Monarchs in their prime within the sect, Changchun Valley’s methods had become far more brazen than before. They no longer showed any restraint or patience, acting with swift and decisive force.

The old tactics of overt and covert suppression had returned.

The most obvious example was the sale of Spirit Ascending Honey, which faced immense obstruction in Changchun Immortal City.

What was once in high demand suddenly had no buyers.

No auction houses were willing to accept it for consignment, and no sect clans dared to trade with the Bihai Sect. Even in the other Five Domains of the South Barbarians, outside the True Spirit Domain, a host of sect clans and commerce associations began to kick them while they were down, driving down prices in an attempt to get a piece of the pie.

If this was how the Golden Core Sect, Bihai Sect, was being treated, the pressure on the Chengde Commerce Association was even worse. With their supply of goods cut off, trade with the East Sea was forced to a halt with no telling when it might resume. This sowed panic within the association, and stewards of all ranks continuously quit to distance themselves from the trouble.

Faced with this situation, Lü Zhong was furious but helpless.

Fortunately, things hadn’t reached their worst point yet.

With Shuini around, Changchun Valley still had a line they wouldn’t cross and continued to abide by some basic rules. It seemed they wouldn’t resort to direct, open conflict until their patience had completely run out.

’Besides, I still have the Western Realm…’ Lü Zhong let out a breath of relief.

Thank goodness he had prepared an escape route for himself.

Thanks to the recent land expansion order, Bihai’s Spirit Rice production had surged. As long as he continued to implement the policy, the yield would keep increasing, providing enough to complete his trade deal with the Western Border Alliance.

With his Incarnation, Lü Zhong wouldn’t have to risk his own life.

Once he obtained the rare Spiritual Objects from the Western Realm, he could trade them for what he needed.

One day, as Lü Zhong was in the Waterside Pavilion drinking tea to soothe his recent frustrations, a rainbow-hued streak of light suddenly descended.

It was Shuini.

Seeing it was her, Lü Zhong waved his hand, dismissing the surrounding maids.

Shuini stepped into the Waterside Pavilion, glanced around, and sat down beside Lü Zhong with a smile. Without a second thought, she picked up the teacup he had just been drinking from and drained it in one go.

The action left Lü Zhong wanting to speak but holding his tongue.

The two chatted idly for a while before getting to the point.

Shuini caressed Lü Zhong’s face and said gently, ”My dear disciple, I already know what’s been happening here…

”To be honest, Changchun Valley’s power is at its peak right now. If both of their Nascent Soul cultivators attack together, even I would have to avoid a direct confrontation.”

She paused for a moment before continuing:

”If… if you feel you can’t stay here any longer, don’t be embarrassed. Just come back with me to the True Spirit Sect.

”Don’t worry. The True Spirit Domain might be a bit small, but since you are my, Shuini’s, disciple, I’ll still prepare enough Spiritual Objects for you to successfully achieve Nascent Soul Formation.”

Her words filled Lü Zhong’s heart with a mix of complex emotions.

’Could there be a better master in this world?’

He recalled how, back when he first became her disciple, he had only treated Shuini as a ”master of convenience.” He had used stories to win her favor purely for personal gain. As for respecting one’s master and revering the Dao, he’d had none of that at all.

But now…

Lü Zhong took a deep breath and said with confidence, ”Thank you, Master, for coming all this way. Although Changchun Valley is powerful and aggressive, your disciple is not just meat on a chopping block. I have already prepared an escape route. Even if the worst happens, I can retreat safely.”

”Oh, you…” Shuini gave a wry smile, as if she had expected this, and said no more.

She took out two Jade Talismans from her robes.

”Remember the Golden Palace Jade Talisman? These are Tier Four Golden Palace Secret Talismans. It took me a great deal of effort to refine them. They can withstand several blows from a Nascent Soul True Monarch. Take them, my disciple. I trust that the escape route you’ve prepared is thorough and safe, but… it’s always good to have a little extra insurance, isn’t it?”

”Thank you, Master, for the talismans!” Lü Zhong didn’t refuse. After all, it was a token of Shuini’s affection, so he accepted the two still-warm Jade Talismans.

Shuini then took a step forward and threw her arms around Lü Zhong, holding him for a long time before she could bear to let go.

”Alright, matters at the True Spirit Sect are pressing, and I could only get away for a short while, so I can’t stay. Make sure you take good care of my sweet daughter-in-law, and don’t let her be wronged!”

She didn’t wait for Lü Zhong to reply, taking several steps back.

Once outside the Waterside Pavilion, she shot into the sky, transforming into a streak of rainbow light.

Her figure shrank to the size of a sesame seed before a thunderous boom followed, a testament to her incredible speed.

”Husband…” Yu Feng’Er came over.

Lü Zhong stroked her head, knowing his wife was worrying needlessly again. He could only comfort her, ”It’s alright. It’s just a small problem. By the way, these are the Golden Palace Secret Talismans Master gave us. Remember to carry one with you at all times. They can block an attack from a Nascent Soul True Monarch, so don’t lose it.”

”Mhm!” Yu Feng’Er nodded emphatically.

…

「Late in the seventh month.」

Lü Zhong refined a new Combat Incarnation.

Unlike his previous Incarnations, this was the first time he had refined a special Incarnation modeled after his own appearance. From now on, the Combat Incarnation would make all public appearances.

His true body would remain in Tide Cave at all times.

During this time, Changchun Valley had been steadily increasing the pressure. Their initial overt and covert suppression had escalated to all sorts of baseless restrictions, causing both the Commerce Association and the Bihai Sect to suffer significant losses. If converted into Spirit Stones, the damages would be at least a million.