A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

Even if he wanted to burn his Essence Blood or even consume his Nascent Soul Qi, he was powerless to do so.

’This is a desperate measure, but it’s the only option left!’ Lü Zhong gritted his teeth, holding Shuini tighter as he pulled a Small Jade Bottle from his robes.

It was the Panacea.

According to its description, the ”All-Purpose and All-Spirit” effect of this medicine was only effective for repairing physical damage.

Lü Zhong didn’t know if the medicine could eliminate that black qi.

But it was already his only option.

He tilted his head back and downed the entire Panacea.

It had to be said, the medicine’s taste was utterly nauseating. It was like salted fish that had fermented for ten thousand years, mixed with a hint of blood, creating a composite flavor that was simply indescribable. The texture was like drinking a paste—a lumpy, sticky slurry that inevitably brought certain disgusting things to mind.

Just then, Lü Zhong’s expression froze for a moment before breaking into a look of elation.

’The Panacea is working!’

After he took the medicine, the black qi in his body immediately began to recede. Although the process was still slow, it was just barely enough for him to cast a Low-tier Spell.

There was no time to lose. Lü Zhong immediately formed the hand seals to cast the spell.

”Light Body Skill!”

’Who would have thought that even as a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, I’d have a use for this skill?’

The effect of the Light Body Skill was immediate; their rate of descent began to slow.

As they continued to fall, Lü Zhong carefully maintained the spell while calmly adjusting his posture to increase wind resistance, reducing the strain on the Light Body Skill.

Five thousand zhang... four thousand zhang... one thousand zhang!

Just as he was about to reach the ground, Lü Zhong found that the Panacea’s effects had worn off. At the same time, the black qi he had driven out began to creep back, entangling him once more.

His already meager Magical Power was now fading fast.

’No other choice. I have to go for a hard landing!’ Lü Zhong was out of options. While desperately maintaining the Light Body Skill, his gaze swept over the ground below, searching for a relatively safe place to land.

He quickly identified a suitable spot.

A lake!

In the next instant, a streak of light plummeted from the sky.

BOOM!

Lake water, mud, and weeds erupted a hundred zhang into the air.

This astonishing scene shocked the cultivators of the three families settled on the lake’s shore.

The Zhao, Wang, and Gao were all minor Cultivation Clans, with their strongest member only at the Late-stage Qi Refining realm. For generations, they had settled by Molin Lake, banding together for survival and relying on the lake’s meager Spiritual Qi for their cultivation.

And now a meteor had fallen from the sky, landing squarely in the middle of Molin Lake.

This was a disaster!

Figures rose into the air one after another, rushing toward the shore in a panic.

Although Molin Lake’s Spirit Vein was weak, it was the foundation of the three families’ existence. They couldn’t afford to lose it; otherwise, the Zhao, Wang, and Gao families would have no Spirit Vein left to cultivate with.

Soon, led by the three Clan Leaders, some thirty cultivators of varying cultivation levels gathered at the lake’s edge. Staring at the massive crater smashed into the center of the lake, they couldn’t help but look at each other in dismay.

”Brother Zhao, your Spiritual Eye Skill has always been superb. Can you see anything?” a withered, gray-robed old man leaning on a Pigeon Staff asked, a tense expression on his face. He had the character for ”Gao” embroidered on his chest.

Hearing this, the Zhao Family Patriarch began to form hand seals.

Soon, a Spiritual Light emanated from his eyes.

He peered into the crater, a strange expression on his face. Turning to the patriarchs of the Wang and Gao clans, he said hesitantly, ”I don’t see any treasure light emerging from it, and the Spiritual Qi concentration in the crater is completely normal. So... it seems the object that fell really was just an ordinary meteor.”

”What?” The Wang Family Patriarch was incredulous.

The Zhao Family Patriarch knew his words weren’t very convincing, so he proposed, ”What’s done is done; we have no choice but to accept that the Spirit Vein has been damaged. Since Molin Lake is jointly managed by the Zhao, Wang, and Gao families, how about this? Each clan can dispatch three of its elite disciples to go down and investigate.”

”...I agree,” the Gao Family Patriarch said with a sigh after a moment of thought.

Seeing this, the remaining Wang Family Patriarch had no choice but to agree as well.

Immediately, each family dispatched three elite disciples, all at the Mid-stage Qi Refining realm. They formed up and flew straight toward the crater in the center of the lake.

But just then, the unexpected happened.

The previously quiet crater suddenly erupted with a dazzling Spiritual Light. Before the cultivators from the three clans could even react, they saw a figure shoot out from within.

The figure flickered, landing in front of the three Clan Leaders as an astonishing Spiritual Pressure descended upon them all.

It was a black-haired young man wearing a black Dharma Robe.

The Family Cultivators, leaders included, couldn’t withstand the pressure. Their legs gave out, and they collapsed to their knees.

Lü Zhong materialized and looked at the crowd of cultivators kneeling before him. Seeing their style of dress was completely different from that of the Southern Barbarian region, his face showed no trace of joy. Instead, his brow furrowed deeply. A moment later, as if realizing something, his expression turned incredibly grim.

”Where is this place?”

Lü Zhong’s gaze settled on the Zhao Family Patriarch. At the Artifact Refining Eighth Layer, this man was clearly the strongest among the group of strangers and likely the most knowledgeable.

Seeing the man still kneeling on the ground, trembling uncontrollably, Lü Zhong belatedly retracted his aura.

The Zhao Family Patriarch felt as if a great weight had been lifted and let out a long sigh of relief. His mind was still in turmoil. He realized he couldn’t see through the young man’s cultivation at all. Recalling the Spiritual Pressure of a True Monarch he had once experienced, he came to an unbelievable conclusion.

’This young man... he’s very likely a Nascent Soul True Monarch!’

At this thought, the Zhao Family Patriarch dared not show the slightest disrespect. He bowed deeply and replied, trembling with fear, ”Re... Replying to you, Senior, this is Jingxi State, in Xiyang Country.”

Xiyang Country?

Hearing this, Lü Zhong’s heart sank.

Although he had already suspected it, he was still profoundly shocked by the confirmation. He couldn’t believe he had actually left the Southern Barbarian region.

As for Xiyang Country, he searched his memory and found some relevant information.

It was a small country located on the Northern Border.

It was only famous enough to be noted in geographical atlases because it produced Xiyang Gold, a precious ingredient for Magical Treasures.

’I can’t believe I’ve ended up on the Northern Border!’ Lü Zhong was momentarily lost in thought.

But he quickly suppressed his emotions, his expression returning to normal. He glanced coldly at the three men, then at the other cultivators, and said with a frown, ”Have them withdraw. I have a task I need you to handle for me. If you do it well... this Foundation Establishment Pill is yours.”

As he spoke, he took a jade box from his sleeve.

He opened the box, revealing a Foundation Establishment Pill resting inside.

The three Clan Leaders’ eyes were immediately captivated by the Pill. While marveling at this senior’s generosity, their minds began to race with their own calculations.

There was only one Foundation Establishment Pill.

But there were several people who could do the task.

The Gao Family Patriarch was the first to react, ordering the Gao Clan Members to withdraw. The other two patriarchs, seeing this, immediately followed suit, ordering their own clansmen away, terrified of being even a half-step too slow.

”I am willing to work like a dog for you, Senior!” the Gao Family Patriarch said with a sycophantic smile, taking a step forward.

The other two Clan Leaders looked on with scorn for the Gao Family Patriarch’s fawning, yet they wished they had been the ones to say it. Compared to a priceless Foundation Establishment Pill, a little groveling was nothing.

Lü Zhong’s gaze swept over the Gao Family Patriarch. He then released his Divine Sense, scanning the area. After confirming there were no other cultivators nearby, he turned back to the three men with a faint smile that sent an inexplicable shiver through their hearts. The Zhao Family Patriarch, as if realizing something, couldn’t help but retreat a few steps.

”Senior, what are you...?”

”Relax, I mean you no harm.”

Ignoring their horrified expressions, Lü Zhong placed a Prohibition on each of them before continuing in a calm voice:

”There. Now that the three of you are under my Prohibition, I can speak freely. The task I have for you is simple. For the next ten years, you are to guard this lakeside without ever leaving.

”And in return, I will give you three Foundation Establishment Pills.”