A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

”Of course!” Feng Rui replied, his composure instantly returning.

Then, acting as if nothing had happened, he began to explain to Lü Zhong:

”Regarding this Land of Immortal Arrival, its exact size and location within the Qinghe Realm are still unknown. My Wind-Avoiding Golden Roc clan has been exploring this place since we discovered it, but we still haven’t figured it all out. What we do know is that it seems to be divided into three major regions. The first is the Yingxian Pavilion, where we are now...”

As he said this, Feng Rui pointed to the ruins ahead.

”The Yingxian Pavilion region is boundless, stretching for millions of li without end. It’s also completely desolate. Apart from where we stand, the rest is just an empty void. There isn’t the slightest trace of life here, nor is there a single wisp of Spiritual Qi.”

”As for the solution to the Nai River crisis and the opportunities we’re most interested in, they are both located in the Central District of the Land of Immortal Arrival—the same place where the Dao Transmission Stone lies. But getting there won’t be easy. We’ll have to pass through nine Daoist Palaces. The palaces are connected to the Yingxian Pavilion and can be reached via the Heaven-Reaching Immortal Ladder.”

”The Daoist Palaces contain trials, all set by Immortals, and they test more than just your combat ability. As for the specific nature of these tests, or whether the Wind-Avoiding Golden Roc clan has any experience passing them... I’m afraid I have to tell you, Fellow Daoist Lü, that you’re on your own!”

”Don’t think me petty. The truth is, the more one knows, the lower their chances of passing the trials.” Feng Rui couldn’t help but sigh as he said this.

He had learned that lesson the hard way, and it had cost him his own great opportunity.

As for why they had chosen Lü Zhong, it came down to the experience of the Wind-Avoiding Golden Roc clan: possessing a Pure Spirit Body seemed to be a prerequisite. Without it, even if someone passed all nine trials, they still couldn’t enter the Central District, much less see the legendary Dao Transmission Stone.

As for how he himself would get in after Lü Zhong cleared the way, Feng Rui already had a plan.

With no time to waste, the two of them set off at once.

Passing through the ruins of Yingxian Pavilion, they soon arrived before the Heaven-Reaching Immortal Ladder.

”Fellow Daoist Lü, pay attention. This Immortal Ladder is a trial in itself. It’s a simple one, but failure is still possible. It requires...” Before Feng Rui could finish, he saw that Lü Zhong was already halfway up. He was slightly surprised, and it gave him a deeper appreciation for Lü Zhong’s physical prowess.

’It’s probably on par with my own Demon Roc body.’

Without another word, Feng Rui also strode onto the Immortal Ladder.

Soon, the first Daoist Palace appeared before them.

It was called a Daoist Palace, but it was really just a small hall.

A plaque hung above the entrance, inscribed with the words ”First Daoist Palace.” It was simple and straight to the point.

The small hall stood on a flat plaza. It looked utterly unremarkable, with no hint of ancient grandeur. It just sat there quietly.

In front of the hall stood a stone stele with a few lines of Silver Tadpole Script.

Its meaning was simple enough:

Only those who pass the trials of the nine Daoist Palaces will be granted an audience with the Immortal Envoy.

Just then, Feng Rui stepped into the Daoist Palace. To Lü Zhong’s surprise, however, he didn’t trigger a trial as the stele had described. He found this puzzling.

Seeing Lü Zhong’s confusion, Feng Rui smiled and explained, ”I forgot to mention, Fellow Daoist Lü, that while the Daoist Palace trials are difficult, they aren’t life-threatening. If you leave and re-enter, your progress is saved. Oh, and one more thing: if you want to leave this place, you have to clear the first Daoist Palace. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck here for a hundred years before they kick you out.”

”A hundred years to get out?”

Hearing this, Lü Zhong finally understood why Feng Rui had said that the Land of Immortal Arrival was easy to enter but hard to leave.

’Besides, I don’t think I’m so useless that I can’t even clear the first Daoist Palace.’