Entry: I Secretly Cultivate Immortality in the Martial Arts World

55: Chapter 55 Ning Hongye’s Visit!Upon hearing this, Ming He’s gaze seemed to drift into the distance for a moment.

He recalled the various efforts of his Main Body in the Lower Realm to build the Sect and plan for the future.

He thought of the Star Array on Longevity Peak, his Senior Sister Lin Wei, and Elder Chen.

And that sleepy little dragon.

”Longevity is not the destination; there is scenery to be found along the way. It is just that the scenery each person sees is different.”

Ning Hongye was slightly taken aback. She chewed on these words carefully, a flash of brilliance passing through her beautiful eyes.

”Senior Brother’s words contain a profound mystery. Hongye has learned much.”

Walking to a corner where the crowd was thinner, Ning Hongye suddenly stopped.

She pointed to a three-story pavilion ahead with dim blue lanterns hanging at the entrance, appearing somewhat secluded.

”The Dark Flow Pavilion is here. Senior Brother, you can go in yourself. The proprietress there has a rather strange temper and dislikes being disturbed by too many people.”

Ming He nodded: ”Thank you, Junior Sister Ning.”

”I, Lin, will remember your guidance today.”

”Senior Brother is too polite.” Ning Hongye waved her hand, her smile still bright.

”It is only right for fellow Disciples to help one another.”

”If you need a guide in the future, or... if you’re bored and want someone to talk to, you can come to Moon Peak in the Inner Sect to find me.”

”I often Cultivate under the thousand-year-old fire maple tree on the mountainside.”

After she finished speaking, without waiting for Ming He’s response, she turned and left freely.

Her red clothes fluttered, and in a few steps, she merged into the crowd and disappeared, leaving behind only a faint, cold fragrance.

Ming He stood in place, looking at the direction where she disappeared, his brows furrowed slightly.

This Ning Hongye... her behavior was truly puzzling.

She was overly enthusiastic and had impressive knowledge, yet he couldn’t discern her clear purpose.

However, for now, there seemed to be no malice, and she had even provided tangible help.

He shook his head, pushing aside this chance encounter for the time being, and turned to walk toward the Dark Flow Pavilion.

...

Azure Wave Sect, seven hundred miles west of Listening Tide City, Knight Island.

This was where the Immortal Caves of most Inner Sect Personal Disciples were located.

The mountains were continuous, Spiritual Qi was like mist, and it was quiet and pleasant.

Ming He had a secluded Immortal Cave here.

Ten years of time was but a flick of the finger for a Cultivator.

Deep within the Immortal Cave, Ming He slowly opened his eyes.

His disguised cultivation had reached the Peak of the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Meanwhile, his Main Body, Gu Yan, had made even more impressive progress in the Mortal Realm.

He had already broken through to the second level of the Soul Transformation Stage, and the Foundation of the Taiyi Dao Sect was growing deeper by the day.

The Spiritual Qi gathered by the Star Array was becoming increasingly abundant.

”Time is the best planner.” Ming He thought to himself.

His current plan was already clear: use this Incarnation within the Azure Wave Sect, steadily display higher cultivation over time, and gradually rise in the Sect’s hierarchy.

Until one day, he would quietly hold the highest authority and become the new generation’s Old Ancestor.

By then, the Mortal Realm under the Azure Wave Sect’s jurisdiction would naturally fall under the control of his Main Body.

Boiling a frog in warm water—it was exactly that.

Over these ten years, Ming He stayed indoors, rarely venturing out.

Except for periodically going to the marketplace to purchase goods for his Main Body, he had almost no dealings with his fellow Disciples.

That red-clad Junior Sister Ning Hongye, whom he had met in the marketplace ten years ago and who had been overly enthusiastic... he naturally had never gone to find her.

Better safe than sorry.

On this day, Ming He got up, intending to go out as usual to purchase some small animals for his Main Body.

However, a slight fluctuation suddenly came from outside the Immortal Cave.

It wasn’t an alarm triggered by a Formation, but rather a feeling of... being gently swept by an invisible gaze.

It was like bright moonlight brushing over a hillside; although gentle, it made one feel unable to hide.

Immediately after, a clear and smiling female voice penetrated the simple sound-insulation Restriction of the Immortal Cave and rang clearly within the stone chamber:

”Senior Brother Lin You, are you in your residence? An old friend has come to visit; you wouldn’t close your door and refuse to see me, would you?”

This voice... the corners of Ming He’s mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.

He remained silent, trying to pretend that the Immortal Cave was empty.

However, the voice outside carried a hint of cunning laughter and raised a little: ”Senior Brother, don’t pretend.”

”Just now, my Divine Sense... sensed the flow of Qi within the residence. It must be that you have just finished your cultivation.”

”It’s been ten years; have you forgotten the etiquette of opening the door to welcome guests?”

”Or is it that you are afraid that I, your Junior Sister, will eat you?”

Ming He: ”...”

He knew he couldn’t avoid it.

Since the other party had spoken to this extent, continuing to play deaf and dumb would only make him appear guilty and strange.

The stone door of the Immortal Cave slowly slid to one side, daylight flooded in, and at the same time, it revealed a figure in burning red clothes.

Ning Hongye was standing with her hands behind her back, looking up slightly, examining the lines of characters carved by Ming He with his finger strength above the stone door of the Immortal Cave with great interest.

Hearing the door open, she turned her head and said with a beaming smile:

”Longevity and long vision, an immortal’s abode; life as long as the heavens, a practitioner’s home...”

”Senior Brother, the couplet at the entrance of your Immortal Cave has truly... grand ambitions.”

”What, are you already thinking about living as long as the heavens while in the Foundation Establishment Stage?”

Ming He’s expression remained unchanged, but his heart felt a trace of helplessness.

This inscription was something his Main Body, Gu Yan, had made him carve during a sudden fit of bad taste.

He said it was for the sake of having style.

”I carved it casually in my spare time, I have let you see something laughable, Junior Sister Ning.”

He stepped aside and made a gesture of invitation.

”I do not know why you have come from afar, do you have any instructions?”

Ning Hongye was not polite either; she walked into the Immortal Cave with light steps, looking around curiously.

The furnishings inside the Immortal Cave were extremely simple: a stone bed, a prayer mat, a stone table, and two stone stools.

Besides that, there were only some jade boxes and wooden shelves for storing miscellaneous items.

It was so tidy that it was almost boring.

There was no personal taste to speak of.

”I wouldn’t dare offer instructions.” She sat down on the stone stool.

Resting her elbows on the stone table and supporting her chin, she looked at Ming He with burning eyes.

”It’s just that it’s been ten years, and I remembered the day we walked together in the marketplace; we talked very happily, and I have been missing you deeply.”

”But I waited and waited, yet I never saw Senior Brother come to Moon Peak to find me for tea and discussion of the Dao, so I had to shamelessly come to your door myself.”

Talked very happily?

Ming He recalled the conversation from ten years ago, during which he mostly said ”hmm,” ”oh,” and ”not bad.”

He began to have some doubts about her definition of ”very happily.”

”Junior Sister is joking. I, Lin, have dull Aptitude and only know how to Cultivate hard. I was afraid of disturbing your quiet cultivation, so I did not dare to bother you.”

”It’s this set of excuses again.” Ning Hongye pouted, suddenly stood up, walked half a circle around Ming He, and looked him up and down.

”Senior Brother Lin, you are good in every way, but you are too dull, too uptight.”

”Cultivation is not about turning yourself into a stone.”

As she spoke, she actually reached out her finger, making a gesture to poke Ming He’s... belly button.

——————————————

[PS: A segment of the plot was missed, adding it here!]

Ming He’s brows furrowed slightly, his feet moved slightly, and he slid back half a step without leaving a trace.

He avoided that seemingly casual poke.

”Junior Sister, please conduct yourself with dignity.”

”Oh, you dodged quite quickly.” Ning Hongye withdrew her hand, not annoyed, but instead laughed even more happily.

She suddenly slapped the Storage Pouch at her waist, which looked ordinary but contained hidden mysteries.

The next moment, bright light flashed repeatedly on the stone table.

A mutton-fat jade bottle, the stopper unopened, yet a refreshing medicinal fragrance already spilled out.

Just by smelling it, one felt the spiritual power within the body become more active.

”seventh turn Golden Core Condensation Pill, for use at the Foundation Establishment Peak, can increase the chance of Core Formation by seventy percent out of thin air, and the quality of the pill formed will be at least Medium Grade or higher.”

Another small, azure blue sword appeared ostentatiously.

”Autumn Water Cold, a Medium Grade Magic Treasure, water attribute, incomparably sharp.”

There was also a small golden shield, gleaming with flowing light.

The last thing to appear was a pale purple ring spinning rapidly.

”lesser heavenly cycle star ring, a Top-Grade Magic Treasure. It can be used for both offense and defense, and can also assist in gathering Star Power for cultivation. It has infinite wonderful uses.”

”In an ordinary marketplace, a Top-Grade Magic Treasure can often be auctioned for an astronomical price of millions of High-Grade Spirit Stones, and moreover... it is usually priceless and marketless.”

Ning Hongye placed these treasures, which were enough to make any Foundation Establishment Cultivator, or even Golden Core or Nascent Soul Cultivators, pursue them crazily, casually on the stone table as if setting up a street stall.

Then she looked at Ming He with composure, expecting to see shock, ecstasy, or even greed on his face.

Ming He’s gaze did indeed linger on those few items for a moment.

He quickly evaluated them in his mind: the Medicinal Pill was not bad, and the Magic Treasures were also acceptable.

Although neither his Main Body nor he himself needed them, they would be suitable to bestow upon Disciples in the Lower Realm or to enrich the Sect’s treasury.

Especially that star ring; it seemed to have a faint resonance with the Star Array on Longevity Peak.

But that was all.

Shock? Ecstasy? Non-existent.

His Main Body sat upon the potential of an entire realm, and his own Cultivation Technique and Divine Ability were beyond imagination; his vision had long been raised extremely high.

He raised his head and looked at Ning Hongye: ”What is the meaning of this, Junior Sister?”

Ning Hongye blinked, somewhat surprised by his calmness.

But then she thought, perhaps his vision was limited, and he didn’t recognize the true value of these treasures?

She explained: ”Senior Brother, you are now at the Foundation Establishment Peak, and Core Formation is imminent.”

”These Medicinal Pills and Magic Treasures are exactly what you need right now.”

”This seventh turn Golden Core Condensation Pill is something ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators cannot obtain even if they seek it.”

”These Top-Grade Magic Treasures are things that many Nascent Soul Elders may not even possess...”

”I appreciate your kindness, Junior Sister.” Ming He interrupted her.

”However, the path of cultivation values the self above all. Relying too much on external objects may lead to an unstable Foundation. These treasures are too precious; I, Lin, would feel ashamed to accept them. Please take them back, Junior Sister.”

Ning Hongye was stunned.

She had thought that the other party might decline a little and then accept them half-heartedly.

Or accept them with ecstasy, or even vigilantly ask what conditions she had...

But she had never expected that the other party would refuse with such indifference, almost bordering on disdain.

A stronger sense of novelty surged into her heart.

When had she, Ning Hongye, ever had her gifts treated with such disdain?

”Lin You! You... do you know how rare these things are?”

”With this Medicinal Pill, your success rate for Core Formation will greatly increase, and the Great Dao will be within reach! Why don’t you want it?”

”Don’t you want to form a Golden Core? Don’t you want to become more powerful? Don’t you want to live forever?”

Ming He looked at her cheeks, which were slightly flushed with annoyance, and the feeling of helplessness in his heart grew even stronger.

Why was this girl so persistent? Forcibly giving gifts and being rejected, and she was actually furious?

Did this woman think the whole world should revolve around her?

Ming He sighed and tried to reason with her: ”Junior Sister, the path of the Dao is long, and everyone has their own Opportunities.”

”I have my own cultivation plan; although these external objects are good, they are not what I need right now.”

”I will remember your kindness, Junior Sister, but I really cannot accept these treasures.”

”You!” Ning Hongye was choked with anger, glared at him for a long time, and then suddenly her eyes rolled, as if she had thought of something.

She snorted coldly and slapped the Storage Pouch again.

This time, what appeared on the stone table was not an object, but a Jade Slip that was crystal clear and flowing with a faint light.

”Star River True Scripture, an ancient Cultivation Technique that points directly to the Body Integration Stage Great Dao.”

”It is one of the core Legacies of the Star River Sect. The Star River magic power cultivated is vast and boundless, possessing both the changes of stars and the mysteries of cosmic light, with infinite power.”

”Cultivation Techniques are hard to come by, especially those that can be cultivated to the Body Integration Stage; they are secret Legacies.”

”Senior Brother, the Azure Wave Sect Mind-Cultivation Technique you are currently practicing ends at the Nascent Soul Stage at most, right? Could it be... that you are not tempted by this either?”

She stared closely at Ming He’s eyes.

He could say he didn’t lack or didn’t like the Medicinal Pills and Magic Treasures.

But what about a top-tier Cultivation Technique that reached the Body Integration Stage?

Ming He’s gaze fell on the Star River True Scripture; this time, his eyes did indeed have a slight fluctuation.

It was not because he was tempted for himself.

He carried the Legacy of his Main Body, and the profoundness of his Cultivation Technique was far beyond what ordinary methods in this realm could compare to.

However... this Star River True Scripture sounded like it had deep origins with the Dao of Stars, and its quality was indeed impressive.

If he obtained it, modified it, simplified it, and adapted it, it might become one of the excellent foundational Cultivation Techniques within the Taiyi Dao Sect.

A thought flashed through Ming He’s mind.

”This Cultivation Technique... I, Lin, am indeed quite tempted.” Ming He said slowly.

Ning Hongye’s heart stirred.

As expected!

Cultivation Techniques are the lifeblood of a Cultivator; this guy finally had some reaction.

”If Senior Brother is willing to accept it, I will not only offer the Cultivation Technique, but also gift the previous Medicinal Pills and Magic Treasures as well.”

”Consider it... an investment from Hongye in your future path of the Dao.”

Ming He fell into silence.

He appeared to be hesitating and struggling, but in reality, he was quickly weighing his options.

If he accepted, he would inevitably be more deeply entangled with this mysterious and wealthy Ning Hongye; her motives were unclear, and she was trouble.

If he didn’t accept, not only would a valuable Cultivation Technique fly away, but he might also completely offend this Junior Sister who looked like she wouldn’t stop until she achieved her goal.

His subsequent peaceful life in the Azure Wave Sect would likely be impossible to maintain.

A moment later, Ming He raised his head and asked the most critical question.

”I, Lin, am flattered by such a generous gift from Junior Sister Ning.”

”However, there is one thing I do not understand, and I hope Junior Sister can clarify it for me.”

”Please go ahead, Senior Brother.”

”Junior Sister and I only met once in the marketplace ten years ago, and we spoke very little.”

”Why, today, are you willing to spare no expense with such heavy treasures to... support me with all your might?”

”I, Lin, ask myself, and I do not have anything worthy of such generous treatment from you.”