A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

Lü Zhong felt a flicker of anticipation.

If it weren’t for this accident, he probably would have just kept hiding away in the Bihai Sect. He never would have had the idea of traveling the world as he did now.

’There are pros and cons, I suppose.’

To be honest, after growing accustomed to quiet cultivation, the sudden prospect of traveling outside felt somewhat unsettling. Fortunately, having his family by his side would help ease the discomfort.

Returning to Tide Cave, Lü Zhong told Yu Feng’Er what had happened.

”My love, did you... did you really repel a Divinity Transformation cultivator?” After hearing his story, Yu Feng’Er was stunned beyond words. Then she threw her arms around Lü Zhong, her eyes instantly turning red as she burst into tears.

If Cangmingzi hadn’t been so arrogant and overconfident, the two of them might never have had the chance to see each other again in this lifetime.

Lü Zhong had to console his wife for a while before she finally calmed down.

’Honestly,’ he thought, ’we’re both Nascent Soul Cultivators now, but she’s still the same as ever.’

Only after Yu Feng’Er let go did he continue.

”Alright, alright. Tell Tianwen and Jiuge to pack up. If any disciples are willing to come with us, bring them along too. After the repairs, the Mountain and River Map has stabilized. It should have no problem holding hundreds of thousands, even a million people.”

That’s right. He planned to take the ”Sect” with him on his travels.

This was a spur-of-the-moment idea. Lü Zhong had discovered that the reinforced Mountain and River Map had not only stopped collapsing but was also faintly showing signs of recovery. It was now stable enough to realize his current plan.

The benefits of traveling with a ”mobile Sect” were practically innumerable.

With enough manpower, the cultivation of Spirit Medicines wouldn’t have to stop. Once he figured out a source for Spiritual Qi, they could still produce a constant supply of Spirit Medicines. If he repaired the Mountain and River Map further and expanded the space inside, he might even be able to put the production of the Ten Thousand Spirits Liquid on the agenda.

The more Lü Zhong thought about it, the better the idea seemed. He decided to do just that.

”Mm, I’ll go inform them right away.” Yu Feng’Er nodded. She took a few steps, then turned back to give Lü Zhong another look before finally leaving with a small smile.

Lü Zhong gave a wry smile and shook his head. ’Is she afraid I’ll disappear the moment she turns away?’

Turning, he flew into the sky above the cave residence. Gazing at the familiar sight, he prepared to move it.

The Spirit Vein was connected to the earth and couldn’t be taken, but the Tide Cave itself was another matter; it could be separated and moved. With the Sleeve Universe Technique, this kind of heavy lifting was almost laughably easy.

Later, he just needed to transplant it onto a new Spirit Vein to create a comfortable environment once more.

There was no time to waste. He got to work immediately.

After the better part of half a day, Lü Zhong had separated the main body of the cave residence. He then used the Sleeve Universe Technique to store it in a temporary space, completing the transfer of the entire cave into the Mountain and River Map.

Meanwhile, news of the great battle on Bidao had spread completely throughout the Southern Barbarian Cultivation Realm.

Star Sun True Monarch Lü Zhong had faced a Divinity Transformation cultivator and lived.

What an astonishing feat!

In the million-year-long history of the Cultivation Realm, those who could accomplish such a thing were as rare as a phoenix feather or a qilin’s horn.

Every Sect Clan that received this news was utterly astounded, and they couldn’t help but re-evaluate the legendary existence that was Lü Zhong.

At the same time, Bihai Sect also received Lü Zhong’s order.

Those willing to leave with him were to pack their belongings within three days and be ready to depart at a moment’s notice.

Inside Bihai Hall, Su Caocao sat high on the main seat, her gaze locked with He Luo below. The latter was at the Core Formation Stage, yet despite facing a Nascent Soul True Monarch, he showed not the slightest hint of retreat, his face filled with stubborn resolve.

”Senior Sister, I’ve decided to stay.”

”Why? Give me a reason!” Su Caocao said coldly.

”In the eyes of outsiders, your position and mine are completely different. You are a recognized member of the Venerable Master Sect, while I am merely a representative of the clan’s interests. Therefore, Senior Sister, if you intend to follow the Master and leave, then I hope... that before you go, you will hand the position of Sect Leader over to me!”

”Is this your path?” Su Caocao suddenly laughed.

”I just don’t want to see the Bihai Sect fall into the hands of those outsiders,” He Luo replied calmly.

”That’s not out of the question, but I hope you remember what you’ve said today!” Su Caocao tossed out the Sect Leader Token and gave He Luo a long, deep look. She realized that this junior brother of hers seemed to have matured a great deal all of a sudden. It was probably the weight of the heavy responsibility he was taking on.

”However, I will be taking everything from the Sect Treasure Vault. In addition, I will take every last item from the various warehouses and secret stashes of Spiritual Objects. Even the Tree of Spiritual Eye in the Spirit Vein. You’ll be taking over an empty shell, and you’ll still have to feign civility with the Immortal Sects.

So, do you have any regrets?”

”Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. Your junior brother has his own ways.”

He Luo said, gripping the Sect Leader Token and clasping his hands in a salute.

Hearing this, Su Caocao just gave a faint smile and walked out of Bihai Hall.

Outside Bihai Hall, a large crowd of cultivators was already standing there.

There were Core Formation and Foundation Establishment cultivators, but most were Qi Refining Cultivators, all from the various factions of the Bihai Sect. They had all appeared here for one reason: a long-term investment.

Yes, an investment.

After the battle on Bidao, Lü Zhong had proven his potential.

Given time, it wasn’t impossible that he could become a Divinity Transformation cultivator.

If that day truly came, everything they had lost would be restored.

That was why the Clan Faction was sending a branch family, and the Master-Disciple Sect was sending several disciples, to join the ranks of their Ancestor who was being forced to leave.

Among the Independent Cultivator Sect, there were even more who were betting heavily. Most of them had mediocre aptitude; compared to a future where their achievements were clearly limited, they would rather risk it all on one big gamble.

...

Inside the Mountain and River Map, Lü Zhong stared in shock at the scene before him.

Just a moment ago, he had moved the Tide Cave inside. Before he could even set it into its foundation pit, a flash of green light suddenly erupted from the very top of the cave.