Cultivating To Immortality

Wu Shuangzhi received it steadily, holding the saber with both hands.

This horizontal saber was not long, entirely cyan-white, like jade and ice, with subtle ice-crack patterns on its blade.

As heavy rain fell, water ripples subtly flowed within it.

She was first stunned, then a flicker of gratitude appeared in her eyes: "Many thanks, Senior Brother Song, for lending me your saber."

Without another word, she turned and joined the battle to exterminate the Demonic Cultivators.

At the entrance of Heyan Mountain, the plump Li Qingfeng was fighting a Level 9 Qi Refining Demonic Cultivator.

The Demonic Cultivator held a small banner, from which rolling black Qi surged forth, transforming into countless scorched skeletons that flew towards Li Qingfeng.

However, Fat Li’s hands ignited with a crimson-gold flame, and he gathered the large number of skeletons between his two palms, one on the left and one on the right, using a cloud hand technique to form them into a ball.

Then, he pressed down, directly pushing them into a large black pot.

"You..."

The Demonic Cultivator’s expression was terrified, somewhat disbelieving.

Li Qingfeng’s Spiritual Qi surged around him, and a swirling white mist rose from around the black pot.

The surrounding skeletons that hadn’t been captured were also drawn into the pot by a mysterious force.

Bang!

Before long, a pitch-black Medicinal Pill, dark as ink, popped out of the pot and was snatched by Li Qingfeng.

"..."

He sniffed the Medicinal Pill under his nose; it seemed to have no strange smell, so he swallowed it in one gulp.

He smiled at the Demonic Cultivator, exhaling a few wisps of white mist from his mouth and nose.

"Any more?"

"No... none left."

Swish.

A kitchen knife was conjured, hovering beside Fat Li, his face still bearing a benevolent smile, but his voice was chilling: "Then go to hell."

The kitchen knife, which seemed somewhat out of place for a Cultivator, transformed into a cold light, relentlessly attacking the Demonic Cultivator’s protective spiritual light.

Soon, it couldn’t hold on, and Li Qingfeng found an opportunity. The kitchen knife moved, cutting him into several pieces.

He casually collected the opponent’s Storage Bag and looked up at Song Yan on the high platform.

"Truly terrifying..."

In this operation to clear Heyan Mountain, all Qi Refining Realm Cultivators, except for Song Yan, followed his lead.

Li Qingfeng was now also at the Perfection Stage of Qi Refining, ready to Breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Realm at any time.

During Dragon Pool Mountain, seeing Song Yan truly establish his Dao Foundation, Li Qingfeng was not only impressed but also anxious in his heart.

He did not envy Song Yan, but seeing the gap between his friend and himself widen, he inevitably felt a sense of anxiety.

Initially, he also thought about quickly achieving Foundation Establishment to catch up with Song Yan.

However, during a casual conversation with Junior Sister Cen, a few of her words enlightened him about his inner predicament, and he decided to remain calm and lay a solid foundation.

Chasing after Realms for a short time was meaningless; not comparing himself to others and forging his own path was the Righteous Path.

Therefore, he had not yet achieved Foundation Establishment.

Just as Li Qingfeng was marveling at Song Yan’s rapid progress in strength, two demonic figures attacked, rushing towards the valley pass from left and right.

"Get out of the way!"

Two streaks of blood light rapidly attacked Li Qingfeng.

"Even Foundation Establishment Demonic Cultivators can’t escape death, and you still want to leave?"

Li Qingfeng’s plump body blocked the narrow valley entrance, crimson-gold flames swirling around him, evaporating the torrential rain into a circle of swirling white mist.

His usual benevolent smile had long vanished, replaced by only icy killing intent in his eyes.

With a push of his hands, the black pot expanded against the wind, covering the tall Demonic Cultivator.

"Get back here, you bastard!"

The tall Demonic Cultivator was unable to dodge and could only grit his teeth, conjuring a bone shield to block.

Clang—

The tall Cultivator flew backward, but was pulled by the arm by the thin Demonic Cultivator, preventing him from collapsing.

Besides the three Foundation Establishment Realm Demonic Cultivators, these two were the closest to the high platform.

First, they were affected by some of Song Yan’s Sword Qi, almost losing their lives.

Then, they were besieged by these Righteous Path Cultivators, and at this moment, they were at the end of their rope.

Looking at the plump Cultivator in front of them, their hearts sank to the bottom of the valley.

At the same time, a graceful figure entered the battlefield, heading straight for these two Demonic Cultivators.

Wu Shuangzhi’s spiritual power surged wildly within her, carrying a burning, bone-corroding hatred, erupting with a roar!

"I want you to pay with your lives!"

On the saber’s blade, water ripples flowed.

With one slash, the thin Demonic Cultivator’s protective spiritual power flickered unsteadily.

The tall Demonic Cultivator was swayed by the saber light and retreated a few steps.

Wu Shuangzhi pressed closer, even getting right in front of him, stabbing out with her saber, shattering his protective spiritual armor, then reversing her grip to hold the saber against the thin Demonic Cultivator’s shoulder and neck.

Then she kicked out fiercely.

"Kneel!"

With a thud, the Demonic Cultivator knelt in the muddy rain.

"Ah—"

Even Li Qingfeng couldn’t help but look sideways.

This Senior Sister had a beautiful appearance, but when she fought, she seemed somewhat "mad."

There was not a trace of spiritual power protecting her body; all her Qi was concentrated on the saber light.

She’s not afraid of death... Wu Shuangzhi’s chest rose and fell slightly... The heavy rain continued to fall, and with no spiritual power protecting her body, her hair was completely soaked.

It was this face.

It was him who killed Zilin.

Although Wu Shuangzhi didn’t say it, she knew very well that her younger brother, Wu Zilin, had no talent for Cultivation.

With four Spiritual Roots, his Aptitude was ordinary.

His Heart-Nature was also very childish, not decisive enough.

Perhaps even if there hadn’t been this invasion by Mo Xu Cultivators, and the Cultivation World had remained as peaceful as before, Zilin would have found it difficult to live a stable life in the Cultivation World.

As a Cultivator, he was not outstanding.

But to Wu Shuangzhi, he was a good younger brother.

The two relied on each other in the Sect; her brother always thought of her in everything.

He always felt that his older sister had better Aptitude, and he wanted to save all resources—Medicinal Pills, Spirit Stones, and even Sect contribution points—for his sister to use.

What a fool.

How could Wu Shuangzhi accept that Zilin was brutally tortured to death by these two Demonic Cultivators in front of her?

The tall Demonic Cultivator paused for a moment, then activated his Demonic Technique, intending to rescue the thin Demonic Cultivator, and then fight these two Cultivators to the death.

Unfortunately, Wu Shuangzhi seemed to have no intention of giving them a chance.

With the ice-jade horizontal saber in her hand, the spiritual power that had been suppressed within her for a long time poured out like a breaching flood!

No defense, no retreat!

The surrounding heavy rain seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, swirling back.

It converged into a water Dragon flowing with countless tiny rain-lights, merging into the blade.

"Ripple."

The saber light rose and fell.

The rain-light, like a vortex, suddenly spun, cutting off the thin Demonic Cultivator’s head cleanly.

A pale white stream of light flashed, swept past the tall Demonic Cultivator, lightly passed through his body, and disappeared into the back mountain wall without a trace.

Time seemed to freeze for a moment.

Spiritual Qi suddenly dissipated, and the cold light flowing on the blade instantly dimmed.

Wu Shuangzhi’s straight back relaxed, her body swayed, her legs went soft, and she fell straight onto the muddy ground mixed with blood, unconscious.

Soon, the Demonic Cultivators of Heyan Mountain were completely annihilated.

Song Yan whispered a few words to Xiao Ju.

Immediately, Li Qingfeng and Xiao Ju led a group of Righteous Path Cultivators and left first.

For these Qi Refining Realm Cultivators, the movements of a Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator were not something they were qualified to care about.

Moreover, this person was Song Yan.

And for Song Yan, Cong Yuzhen was nearby, so letting these Qi Refining Cultivators leave first posed no danger; he trusted his intelligence sources.

All light receded, and sounds faded like a tide.

The heavy rain stopped.

Heyan Mountain once again fell into dead silence and darkness.

Song Yan sat alone on the high platform, muttering to himself.

"Red skull..."

Is this it? It doesn’t seem like it.

"There’s a sack of skulls here. If you don’t explain more clearly, it’s hard for me..."

"Red, a skull like jade... ah."

When Song Yan saw this skull from Mudan’s bracelet, he could basically confirm that this was what he was looking for.

"Is this it?"

"Yes." Sheng Nian’s figure slowly emerged from the darkness: "This is it."

Song Yan casually tossed the blood jade skull to him.

"Why didn’t you kill her yourself?"

"Isn’t this to reduce risk..."

Sheng Nian chuckled: "It’s also good to see our Young Master Song’s astonishing swordsmanship, to observe and learn a thing or two on site, wouldn’t you say?"

"Oh?" Song Yan sneered: "What did you learn? Tell me."

"Heh, don’t even mention it, seeing it today, I’ve benefited greatly and gained much insight. I’m going back to ponder it carefully."

"...Don’t ponder it. With your brain, you won’t learn it."

"Are you trying to make me lose face?" Sheng Nian bristled with anger.

Song Yan waved his hand, having no time to fool around with him: "Did you see that saber?"

"I saw it, I’m not blind." Sheng Nian nodded.

"I got it from a Yellow Springs Path Foundation Establishment Cultivator. How is that saber?"

"It should be one of the replicas of a famous saber from the past, not as good as the one you gave me before."

"Mm." Song Yan nodded.

He didn’t study sabers much; sometimes when he found a uniquely shaped or good quality saber, he would keep it for Sheng Nian.

"If I’m not mistaken, that saber is a replica of a Spiritual Treasure called Water Dragon."

"This saber once belonged to the ancient Immortal Dynasty ’Sui’. Coincidentally, one of the countries in the ancient Immortal Dynasty battlefield we discovered was ’Sui’."

"..." Song Yan pondered for a moment, then asked: "Is there any news about that ancient battlefield?"

A few years ago, when Song Yan first went down the mountain to travel, Sheng Nian said it would take three to five years.

Now, about three or four years had passed, and there still seemed to be no movement.

"Not yet," Sheng Nian shook his head: "But I’ve had A Yuan and Sister Ping keep an eye on it over there. If there’s any news, I’ll send you a message."

"Mm."

"I’m leaving first."

After Sheng Nian finished speaking, his figure once again vanished into the endless dark night.

Whether it was Song Yan’s illusion or not, as soon as Sheng Nian left, the sky quickly began to brighten.

He collected Zhuo Hong’s Storage Bag and the bracelet together, identified the direction, and transformed into a streak of Sword Qi, disappearing into the clouds.

It had actually been over a year since Song Yan was dispatched to the main battlefield, and he had only been at the frontline, Red Maple Plains, for a month.

Initially, as an Early Stage Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator, Song Yan and the others were naturally stationed in the peripheral areas of the main battlefield.

Their usual tasks included pursuing fleeing Demonic Cultivators and clearing out renegade Sects.

However, due to Song Yan’s exceptionally formidable combat power, the high-ranking officials of the Righteous Path Alliance discussed it and transferred him to Red Maple Plains.

For many Cultivators seeking stability, this was not necessarily a good thing.

Because at this moment, Red Maple Plains represented the most dangerous place in the entire Chu Kingdom’s Cultivation World.

Many Middle Stage and even Late Stage Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivators, to avoid danger, used their connections to be transferred to the rear.

The position Song Yan was now filling was previously held by a Late Stage Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator who had relatively good connections.

Song Yan, however, didn’t mind.

His current mindset was very pure.

The closer to the center of the main battlefield, the more it meant endless battles and slaughter.

On the other side of danger and death were opportunities for transformation and more resources.

Over this past year, Song Yan had witnessed countless large and small battles between Mo Xu Cultivators and the Chu Kingdom Righteous Path Alliance.

It was strange to say, but after the initial few large-scale engagements yielded no results, the battles between the two sides settled into a delicate balance of give and take.

The actions of the Demonic Ruins were not as extensive as imagined.

It was likely that Mo Xu Cultivators also had battlefields in other countries in the Border Region or in the Central Region, and a barren place like Chu Kingdom was not worth a major mobilization for them.

Or perhaps, this particular action by the Demonic Ruins was merely a test in the long course of history.

In any case, whether it was large-scale battles or scattered skirmishes, casualties were primarily among Qi Refining Realm Cultivators, with a smaller number of Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Golden Core Realm mighty figures had also made moves, but they never reached a life-or-death confrontation.

After all, once one reached the Golden Core Realm, various Cultivation Techniques, Spells, secret arts, and Divine Abilities emerged endlessly.

It was easy to injure an opponent, but truly taking a life was not so simple.

Moreover, both Mo Xu Cultivators and the Righteous Path Alliance seemed to have reservations; their Golden Core battles always had a lot of thunder but little rain.

Perhaps it was because Song Yan had witnessed the might of his own Sect Master, Daoist Li Jun, that he believed all Golden Core Cultivators should possess such strength.

Of course, for a Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator like him, even if the Golden Core Realm only put on a show... that "thunder" was truly loud.

When would he possess such power... The black and white stream of light slowly paused in the air. Song Yan dispersed his Sword Qi, took out his Cave Abyss Sect Disciple token, and swiped it in a certain spot in the air.

The Restriction was opened.

He slowly descended and walked into the Restriction.

A moment later, he appeared within the Red Maple Plains joint encampment.

"Senior Song."

"Fellow Daoist Song Yan."

"Mm, thank you."

As long as they were in the Red Maple Plains encampment, most Cultivators, whether Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment, recognized Song Yan.

The guards verified his identity and allowed him to pass.

Maple Leaf Lake.

At the very center of the entire joint encampment was a huge circular mountain island, upon which several building complexes were distributed.

This was the residence and meeting place for the leaders of the Chu Kingdom’s Nine Pulses Cultivators.

Beyond this mountain island, across a large marsh, it was surrounded by a vast forest.

Within the forest, red maple leaves covered the mountains and plains.

Many wooden houses and pavilions could vaguely be seen scattered throughout the forest.

These were the temporary residences built by the Cultivators stationed at Red Maple Plains, using Spells or Talismans.

The central large island and the surrounding mountain ranges were connected by nine different long causeways. The other end of these causeways led to the Immortal Cave areas of the Nine Pulses Cultivators.

Song Yan returned to the outside of his Immortal Cave. Just as he was about to step inside, he saw a message Talisman arriving from afar.

It stopped right in front of his Immortal Cave.

"Hmm?"

Song Yan casually grabbed it and probed it with his Divine Sense.

"Senior Brother Song, there’s news about the item you asked me to look out for."

The sender of the message was Shao Sichao.