A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

”The Death Tide! A Death Tide spreading from the Mysterious Dao Sect of the Western Sect!”

Hee Yun’s face paled as she said this, her expression one of lingering fear. It was hard to imagine what kind of sight could cause a Mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator to react with such terror.

She then said in a grave voice, ”When the Hei Ming Daoist ascended, he consumed more than just the power of the Nai River. On that day, the Soul Spirits of the tens of billions of living beings in the lands of the Western Sect’s Daoist Sect were all extracted. Otherwise, with Hei Ming’s strength being on the lowest rungs of the Divinity Transformation realm, how could he possibly have succeeded in his Ascension?”

”Hah. A truly ruthless man,” Lü Zhong sneered.

At the same time, he thought, ’You people from the Gui Miao Sect are no saints, either. That Spirit Descent Plan of yours, which requires gouging out a cultivator’s Golden Core, is fundamentally no different from the Daoist Sect’s Divinity Transformation cultivator annihilating the Western Realm, or their cruel and inhumane actions in the lands of the Western Sect. At best, it’s the pot calling the kettle black.’

’Then again, how could the Hei Ming Daoist commit such a monstrous slaughter and not get struck down by heavenly lightning?’

On second thought, Lü Zhong wondered, ’what kind of terrifying disaster must this Death Tide be to make even the Gui Miao Sect treat it as a formidable enemy, so much so that they’d cast aside the pride of an Immortal Sect just to sue for peace?’

’Wait!’

A thought suddenly struck him.

’The power of a Divinity Transformation cultivator could be described as world-shattering. Even if the tens of billions of beings in the Western Sect had all become living corpses due to Soul Loss Syndrome, it should have been a simple matter for the Grand Venerables to resolve. All they’d need to do is strike a few times. Why is it like this now? Don’t tell me the Divinity Transformation Grand Venerables are...’

At this thought, Lü Zhong gave Hee Yun an inscrutable glance and said calmly, ”Fellow Daoist Hee Yun, you might as well be frank with me. The Grand Venerables of the Immortal Sects—where are they now?”

”I don’t know.” Hee Yun shook her head. Fearing Lü Zhong wouldn’t believe her, she explained, ”The movements of the Grand Venerables have always been ephemeral and unpredictable. When there is nothing they require in this realm, the Divinity Transformation cultivators don’t stay for long; they often roam the Void. As for what exactly they are doing, even someone of my standing is completely in the dark.”

’Roaming the Void?’

Lü Zhong wasn’t surprised to hear this.

With the power of a Divinity Transformation cultivator, they could annihilate not just Celestial Demons, but even Great Demons with a flick of the wrist. One could say there’s nothing in the Void to hinder their roaming. Under these circumstances, it was highly likely they were either exploring routes to the Upper Realm or searching for treasures within the Void.

Of course, these speculations were all based on the understanding of a Nascent Soul Cultivator.

As for what the Divinity Transformation cultivators were actually doing, truly no one knew.

’But for such a major incident to happen back home and not a single one has returned... that’s a bit...’ Lü Zhong thought of the Divinity Transformation cultivator, Cangmingzi, whom he had met before. He couldn’t help but wonder what they were so busy with, but he quickly quashed the stray thought. Turning his gaze back to Hee Yun, he said calmly:

”What are the terms of this cooperation? And with the Southern Barbarian Land being as barren as it is, it’s no exaggeration to say we have few resources. How could we possibly be of use to Central Earth’s resistance against the Death Tide? Most importantly, how can you guarantee that your sect won’t go back on its word when this is all over!”

Lü Zhong wasn’t opposed to cooperating with the Gui Miao Sect.

Mutual interests are what last forever. That was an immutable truth.

The Immortal Sects had profound foundations. In their Treasure Vaults, which had been accumulating riches for hundreds of thousands of years, there were surely things he wanted. Things like the Pill Formulas he desperately sought but couldn’t find, or methods for utilizing the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi.

These were all things Lü Zhong urgently needed.

By cooperating with the Gui Miao Sect, he might be able to trade for them.

However, the prerequisite for any cooperation was a guarantee of his own safety. Otherwise, even if he got what he wanted, the items would just be changing hands temporarily; his life would still be in their grasp.

A flicker of joy flashed in Hee Yun’s eyes when she heard Lü Zhong’s words.

”Let me answer your three questions one by one. Fellow Daoist Lü, if you are unsatisfied at any point, please feel free to interrupt me.”

”As for how we will cooperate, it will be through normal trade. Both sides will simply get what they need. I will provide you with a list shortly. It will include many items from the Gui Miao Sect’s secret vault. If you fancy a particular item, Fellow Daoist, you need only deliver Spiritual Objects of equivalent value to Huayi Temple.”

”As for the resources of the Southern Barbarian Land... heh heh... Fellow Daoist Lü, you underestimate the potential of this region today. If you look across the entire realm, you won’t find another place like the Southern Barbarian Land that can still steadily produce Spiritual Objects! As far as I know, even the Water Palace, which rules the Boundless Sea, is currently in total chaos due to a beast rampage. Otherwise, why would that band of Demon Cultivators be behaving so tamely instead of taking advantage of our Human Race’s crisis to launch an invasion!”

After answering two questions in one breath, Hee Yun paused before continuing, ”As for dispelling your concerns, I have a Spirit Communication Jade Contract here. The names of the Gui Miao Sect’s three Great Cultivators are already inscribed upon it. Fellow Daoist Lü, you need only sign your name, and you can rest easy for the next thousand years!”

’Another Spirit Communication Jade Contract!’

Lü Zhong’s brow twitched, but he had to admit it was the most reassuring solution. First, Cangmingzi of the Celestial Origin Immortal Palace had guaranteed that Luoying Grand Venerable would not make a move against him for a thousand years. Now, with this jade contract, not even the Great Cultivators could act. For the time being, the threat from the Gui Miao Sect was neutralized.

He looked over the terms of the jade contract and saw no hidden clauses or traps.

So, he signed his name.

...

Lü Zhong felt a wave of relief wash over him as he walked out of the Council Hall.

For the longest time, the Gui Miao Sect had been like a great mountain pressing down on him, suffocating him.

’I can finally breathe a sigh of relief now!’

But he also knew that this peace was only temporary.

If Luoying Grand Venerable truly wanted to act, she only needed to offer the other two Divinity Transformation cultivators enough benefits to persuade them. The contract had no real binding power. The crisis, therefore, remained. It was only the threat of the ”Death Tide” that had forced the ever-proud Central Earth Immortal Sects to lower their heads for now.

’In the end, it all comes down to strength!’

Lü Zhong’s expression returned to its usual composure. He glanced toward the swirling clouds in the direction of the Ten Thousand Demon Nest, a grave look crossing his eyes. He did not believe the coming war would proceed as smoothly as planned.

The Celestial Demons were no pushovers; they were bound to react.

When that time came, there was no telling what kind of chaos would erupt. It was possible that among the five Nascent Soul cultivators participating in the battle, someone would be grievously wounded, or even perish.

...

The will of a Nascent Soul cultivator was the will of their Sect.

The decision made in the Council Hall of Molten Iron City had a tremendous impact across the Southern Barbarian Land.

The increasingly powerful Qian Nan Alliance, acting as the Sects’ de facto enforcers, began to purge the various domains of illegal activities like hoarding, price gouging, and black-market reselling. After waves of executions, the restless cultivators among the factions finally understood just how seriously the True Monarchs above them were taking this matter.

A flood of Summon Orders was issued, mobilizing vast numbers of cultivators and resources.

As time passed, the atmosphere in the Southern Barbarian Land grew increasingly grim.

Meanwhile, Lü Zhong continued his quiet cultivation.

A while ago, he had used the Creation Secret Array to refine the Fireproof Bead into a Fireproof Treasure Pill. Eager to advance his cultivation as soon as possible, he decided to consume the Pill today.

Naturally, there were many precautions to consider when consuming the Fireproof Treasure Pill.

For instance, the Treasure Pill’s medicinal energy was explosive. One had to guard their meridians while consuming it to avoid being injured by the violent power. At the same time, one needed to neutralize the fire poison contained within the Pill to prevent it from tainting their True Essence.

In total, there were no less than eighteen such precautions.

Lü Zhong reviewed each one. Only after feeling confident that he could handle them all did he swipe his Storage Ring and retrieve a crimson Pill. This was the Fireproof Treasure Pill.

As it was refined from a demon beast inner core, it was naturally classified as a Great Pill due to its size.

A little pill could be swallowed whole, and its refining process was very brief.

At shortest, it might take a few moments; at most, it would be over in three to five days.

A Great Pill, however, was different. Its energy could only be absorbed and refined slowly until the Pill’s power was completely exhausted. This process was incredibly time-consuming; it wouldn’t be surprising for it to take even ten years.

Fortunately, the Fireproof Treasure Pill wouldn’t take nearly that long.

Lü Zhong estimated it would take three to five years at most.

He would finish refining it just in time for the start of the war.

War was a deadly and perilous affair.

Every extra bit of strength counted.

Thinking no more of it, Lü Zhong waved his sleeve, striking the Fireproof Treasure Pill with a surge of Magical Power. The medicinal shell encasing the Pill instantly cracked open.

An astonishing medicinal power instantly surged forth.

Not daring to hesitate for even a moment, Lü Zhong immediately began to absorb and refine it.