Longevity by Grinding Skills

The legendary Realm of a Great Daoist Master at Foundation Establishment Perfection—where the Grotto Heaven is completely stable and Magical Power flows in perfect harmony—was seemingly just a paper-thin barrier away.

And the key to piercing that barrier was the Imagery that had yet to be condensed.

For him, this was naturally not an urgent matter.

His priority was to first absorb and refine as much Immortal Golden Nature as possible—the more, the better.

At this moment, Xu Yunfan stood atop a barren hill, gazing out at the vast expanse of the Aitila Celestial Realm.

Thirteen strands of Immortal Golden Nature, like thirteen Purple Gold Divine Dragons, swam slowly within his Dao Foundation Cave Heaven, emanating immense Vitality and an immortal aura.

The Star Spirit Banner hovered silently by his side. On its surface, more than a dozen new phantoms of Star Spirits, some clear and some blurry, had appeared. Their faint, divine radiance intertwined, making the starry chart on the banner’s surface seem even more profound and mysterious.

The hunt for gods would not stop, but the next targets required more careful selection.

Therefore, the pace of the hunt had to slow for the time being.

In the nearly half a year he’d been here, the Divine Spirits in the Wilderness West Field had become increasingly scarce. This region, disdained by powerful gods, had once been a paradise for their weaker counterparts.

Xu Yunfan stood in a desolate valley that had just been cleared, his brow slightly furrowed.

His Divine Sense swept over the surrounding hundreds of miles, but he failed to discover the aura of any new, weak Divine Spirits.

’I clearly detected a Divine Spirit residing here not long ago.’

Xu Yunfan posed this question to the many Divine Spirits within the Star Spirit Banner.

From within the banner, Delis promptly conveyed her thoughts.

"Venerable One, your god-hunting activities were ultimately impossible to hide completely. Some survivors or their believers must have spread the word about a God Hunter. As for the others... I suppose any who could run, have run."

Her thoughts carried a complex mix of emotions—pity for her own kind and fear of Xu Yunfan’s methods.

Xu Yunfan understood.

The Triple Cause and Effect Secret Technique was powerful. It could shield him from the gaze of the Celestial Dao and distort his own causal traces. However, it couldn’t completely conceal the regional Anomalies triggered by the bursts of energy released every time he hunted a Divine Spirit. This was especially true when a target Divine Spirit launched a final, desperate counterattack or self-detonated its Divine Format, making the disturbance even harder to completely suppress.

Over time, it was inevitable that word would spread among the Divine Spirits.

’Continuing to sweep this area for weak Divine Spirits is too inefficient. It’s a waste of time, and just catching the ones that flee would take a while.’

Xu Yunfan’s eyes were profound.

The foundation solidified by the thirteen strands of Immortal Golden Nature gave him the confidence to take the next step.

He was only a paper-thin barrier away from Foundation Establishment Perfection. If he wished, he could use the Attribute Panel to instantly condense the Imagery and ascend to the Realm of a Great Daoist Master in the blink of an eye.

For now, he was simply contemplating how to define his own Dao.

’Waiting passively isn’t my style. Since the lesser gods are hard to find, I might as well switch targets.’

His Divine Thought swept over the few unrefined Divine Formats stored within the Star Spirit Banner.

One of them belonged to a weak Divine Spirit whose authority involved "Investigation" and "Discernment."

The Incense Fire Wish Power contained within the Divine Format’s core was impure and would be more harmful than beneficial to Xu Yunfan’s Dao Foundation. However, the imprint of authority carried by the stripped Divine Format itself was quite valuable.

It was especially suitable for one person in particular.

𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

The Sect Leader of the Taoist Sect, Zhang Ziyang.

There was no need to rush, but Xu Yunfan decided to act immediately. He found a secluded spot deep within a mountain and set up multiple layers of concealment and isolation formations.

With a flip of his hand, he took out the diamond-shaped Divine Format, which emanated faint waves of investigative power. Then, from his Storage Pouch, he poured out a massive amount of Heavenly and Earthly Treasures.

There was Immortal Gold Jade Marrow scavenged from the ruins of the Celestial Realm, Yin-Yang Spirit Soil acquired from the Primordial Sect, and even the pure Incense Fire Wish Power stripped from hunted Divine Spirits.

"Sect Leader, the time has come. I will reforge a physical body for you."

Xu Yunfan transmitted his voice into the Star Spirit Banner.

With this Divine Format, Zhang Ziyang would naturally have a native identity here.

The banner’s surface flashed with a faint light, and the phantom of a handsome, green-robed Daoist emerged—Zhang Ziyang. Though he was only a soul-form, his gaze was clear and wise, holding a hint of anticipation as he gave a slight nod.

"Then I shall impose upon you, Yunfan."

Xu Yunfan said no more. He formed a series of hand seals, and the Eight Sceneries Cloud Qi rose and swirled around his body.

He first used his immense Divine Sky Magical Power to smelt all the materials together, forging them into the prototype of an Innate Dao Body, one that was crystal clear and flowed with Dao Rhyme.

Then, he guided the Investigation Divine Format to slowly merge into the space between the Dao Body’s eyebrows.

The moment the Divine Format touched the Dao Body, it erupted in a soft radiance. The imprint of its authority began to merge with the Dao Body’s meridians.

Next, Xu Yunfan repeatedly refined and purified the massive amount of impure Incense Fire Wish Power using Artifact Refining techniques. He transformed it into the most fundamental divine essence, which he then used to nourish the point where the Divine Format and Dao Body were joining, like a sweet rain.

This step was crucial. Here, the Incense Fire Wish Power was not a resource for cultivation, but an indispensable adhesive and catalyst for reforging the physical body.

Finally, Xu Yunfan used his Divine Thought to communicate with the Star Spirit Banner and release its hold. Zhang Ziyang’s Divine Soul Dharma Body transformed into a streak of light and shot precisely into the Dao Body that had already begun to fuse with the Investigation Divine Format.

HUMMM!

The Dao Body suddenly erupted with a brilliant radiance. Its pores opened, madly absorbing the surrounding energy as well as the divine essence Xu Yunfan had prepared in advance.

The Divine Format’s imprint between its brows flickered erratically before finally stabilizing completely, transforming into a single, deep silver star.

Zhang Ziyang’s face rapidly solidified, and his green robe stirred as if moved by an unseen wind.

An aura of the Early-Stage Foundation Establishment realm, accompanied by a unique authority imbued with the Dao Rhyme of investigation and discernment, began to emanate from the new body.

Zhang Ziyang slowly opened his eyes. The sharp glint within them receded, replaced by a gentle warmth.

He raised his hands, feeling the warmth and strength of a body of flesh and blood, and gave Xu Yunfan a solemn bow.

"This old Daoist, Zhang Ziyang, thanks you for the grace of this new life!"

His tone was sincere, filled with the deep emotion of one who has weathered the vicissitudes of time.

His body had been reforged, and he was a man once more. Moreover, this body’s foundation was excellent and even blessed by the Investigation Divine Format, which would be of infinite benefit to his comprehension of the Great Dao and his journey along the path of the Incense Fire Divine Dao.

For him, this place was a land of vast opportunity, a place where he could finally stretch his wings and accomplish great things.

In the future, even if he were to return to the Taihua Spirit Ruins Realm, the connection would not be severed as long as he had enough believers in this world.

Xu Yunfan withdrew his Magical Power. His face was slightly pale, but he simply waved a hand.

"Sect Leader, you and I share a deep bond, and you have helped me a great deal. This is only what I should do. There is no need for thanks."

His tone was calm. Looking at Zhang Ziyang’s face, which was familiar yet held a new quality, he felt quite satisfied.

Having Zhang Ziyang, the Taoist Sect Leader with his heaven-defying comprehension, by his side would be a tremendous asset, whether for comprehending Daoist Techniques, deducing Secret Techniques, or for his future plans.

Moreover...

Xu Yunfan silently glanced at his Attribute Panel. The edification effect from Zhang Ziyang was still active.

Zhang Ziyang took a moment to regulate his breathing, familiarizing himself with his new body and its new powers. A glint of wisdom flashed in his eyes.

"Yunfan, you paused your hunt and went to the trouble of reforging a body for me. Your ambitions must extend beyond just this. Who is your next target?"

Xu Yunfan’s gaze turned toward the distant horizon, where heavy clouds gathered and the faint, muffled sound of rolling thunder could be heard.

"The lesser gods of the Wilderness West Field are now like birds startled by the mere twang of a bowstring. It’s pointless to waste any more time here.

I intend to switch to hunting stronger targets, specifically the ’Heart of Nature’ Pantheon, which reveres primal Life Force and the balance of all things..."

He paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "One of them, a Divine Spirit who commands thunder, has an aura of authority that resonates faintly with my Divine Sky Thunderbolt Daoist Technique. Obtaining that god’s Divine Format would be of great benefit to me."