A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

”A Tier Five Jade Seal?”

A chill went through Lü Zhong. ’The Gui Miao Immortal Sect has really gone all out this time,’ he thought, ’to bring out such a treasure.’

’Looking at it another way, it shows how much importance they place on us Southern Barbarians.’

’I wonder what the situation in Central Earth is like right now,’ Lü Zhong mused.

His Incarnation’s progress on the Array Formation, with Baqiong’s continuous assistance, had reached the halfway point a while ago. He estimated that in less than ten years, the High Wall Secret Tunnel would be complete. When that happened, he would finally have firsthand information about Central Earth.

He reined in his wandering thoughts. With Hee Yun presenting the Divine Chapter, the Gui Miao Sect’s sincerity was on full display. It gave the assembled Nascent Soul cultivators a boost of confidence in their ability to destroy the Ten Thousand Demon Nest and repel the invading Celestial Demons. After all, a single strike from a Divinity Transformation Grand Venerable was truly world-shaking. Overcoming the Celestial Demons’ numerical advantage would not be a problem.

”And what is this?” Fire Dragon asked, his voice a mix of surprise and doubt.

Following his gaze, everyone’s eyes fell on the Thunder Banner in Hee Yun’s hand.

One glance was enough to tell the banner was extraordinary. It faintly emanated astonishing Spiritual Qi fluctuations. To Lü Zhong, whose Spiritual Sense and Divine Sense were exceptionally sharp, he could even sense its connection to the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi. It was somewhat similar to the Giant Spirit Mask, making one wonder if the Thunder Banner was a Spirit Treasure.

’...Could it be a Spirit Treasure?’ Lü Zhong thought, slightly startled.

But then, he decided it was unlikely.

’It wouldn’t be surprising for a power as great as the Gui Miao Immortal Sect to possess multiple Spirit Treasures. However, common sense dictates that control over such precious items would be in the hands of their three Great Cultivators and the Divinity Transformation Grand Venerable. Furthermore, given the unique nature of the Spirit Communication Mantra for Spirit Treasures, if Gui Miao truly intended to use one, they would most likely have sent a Great Cultivator directly.’

’They wouldn’t just hand it over to a Mid-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator like this.’

Just as Lü Zhong was pondering this, Hee Yun, her expression as cold as ever, stated icily, ”This is the Small Thunder Punishment Banner. It is merely a somewhat special Sacrificial Refining Treasure. Because it was refined with a sliver of Void Nether True Thunder, it has the ability to tear through space, which makes it perfect for closing the Void Channel.”

Upon hearing this, the cultivators marveled at the Immortal Sect’s wealth, and their confidence in the coming battle grew even stronger.

Next came the specific details. These included, but were not limited to, how the various sects would coordinate and communicate, the step-by-step plans for advancing, and how to handle and respond to various emergencies. But the most important matter was how each Nascent Soul cultivator should act and what tasks they needed to complete. That was the true key to the battle’s success or failure.

Finally, there was the matter of mobilizing personnel and procuring the necessary supplies.

The council lasted for three days and three nights before finally concluding.

Just as Lü Zhong was taking Shuini’s hand, ready to leave, his expression suddenly shifted. He had received a voice transmission from Hee Yun, inviting him to stay behind and talk.

And it was for him alone.

”What is it? Does she need something from you?” Shuini asked, having noticed the change in Lü Zhong’s expression and immediately guessing the reason.

”Yes,” Lü Zhong nodded.

”Well, you should go then. Given how hostile our sides are right now, I really can’t imagine what she wants with you. Unless... you’re planning on winning her over!” Shuini said, starting off seriously before her tone turned playful, and she let out a teasing laugh.

Lü Zhong sighed inwardly. ’This woman never changes.’

Besides, there was clearly no possibility of anything happening between him and Hee Yun.

In the future, the two of them would either coexist peacefully, or he would be the one to kill her.

After Shuini left the hall, the sound-dampening and Divine Sense-blocking Prohibitions that had been deactivated reactivated one by one. The Spiritual Light they now emitted was clearly much stronger than before. Under these circumstances, no one could learn what the two were discussing unless a Divinity Transformation Grand Venerable came in person.

Lü Zhong returned to his seat and gave Hee Yun a cool glance before speaking. ”Fellow Daoist Hee Yun, I imagine you didn’t ask me to stay behind just to make small talk. If you have something to say, there’s no need to beat around the bush. Both of our time is precious. Just say what’s on your mind.”

This Nascent Soul from the Gui Miao Sect always gave him a feeling of being completely inscrutable.

’Is she just cunning?’

’Not exactly.’

’It’s more that she’s just... unpredictable.’

”Fellow Daoist, you truly are a man of deep feeling. No wonder you visit your late wife’s memorial every year during the lantern festival.” The coldness on Hee Yun’s face vanished, replaced by a flicker of loneliness. But it was gone in an instant, and she returned to her usual detached expression as if nothing had happened.

Lü Zhong took in her fleeting change of expression. He didn’t know what Hee Yun’s purpose was in deliberately revealing her true feelings. The only thing he could be sure of was that this Nascent Soul cultivator from the Gui Miao Sect likely had quite a history.

’But...’

’...for a long-lived cultivator, that was completely normal.’

Lü Zhong remained silent, showing no intention of responding to Hee Yun’s comment.

Hee Yun, for her part, continued, ”I invited you here, Fellow Daoist, to inform you of something regarding the Nai River. I imagine you are not yet aware of its true significance. It governs the cycle of life in this world. After Hei Ming Daoist’s successful Ascension, the Nai River is on the verge of collapse. The natural order of life and death has been disrupted, leading to the appearance of Soul Loss Syndrome. This is especially true in Central Earth, where the Nai River no longer exists, and Soul Loss Syndrome is running rampant.”

”So...” Lü Zhong said calmly.

”I’m telling you this because I want to make a deal with you, Fellow Daoist. Let us set aside our past grievances and cooperate fully for at least a thousand years. At the same time, I can tell you without reservation that although the spread of Soul Loss Syndrome seems rampant, in the eyes of us Central Earth Cultivators, it is nothing more than a minor affliction,” Hee Yun said coolly.

’A minor affliction?’

Lü Zhong’s expression remained unchanged. He asked directly, ”Then what is the real reason?”