Cultivation of Immortality: Start by Improving Spiritual Root Qualifications

Chapter 931 The best spiritual object, the Que family is in chaos

The hall fell silent.

Que Ming paused slightly in his teacup, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Fifth-tier lightning-attribute spirit wood?"

“Exactly.” Zhou Xun replied calmly.
"My cultivation technique requires this item as a catalyst to break through its bottleneck."

This statement is indeed true, after all, Zhou Xun is a lightning cultivator, so it is normal for him to need lightning-attribute spiritual wood.

Upon hearing this, Que Yue gasped, "Fifth-grade spirit wood is already rare, but to have it with lightning attribute... this kind of rare treasure is probably..."

“There is indeed a section in the warehouse,” Que Ming suddenly spoke, lightly tapping the table with his fingertips.

“It was obtained by the Second Supreme Being three hundred years ago in the depths of the Thunderstorm Sea.”

He rose and walked to the window, gazing at the sea of ​​clouds, and pondered:
"This wood is called 'Nine Tribulations Thunder Pattern Wood.' Legend has it that it was formed when lightning struck the wood in ancient times, leaving Dao patterns on the spirit wood. The thunder power contained within it is enough to make even Nascent Soul cultivators wary."

"If it were ordinary spirit wood, I could naturally decide to give it to Fellow Daoist Zhou directly!"

"This wood is a top-grade fifth-tier material, and it is considered a rare treasure even in the Que family!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xun sighed inwardly.
Fifth-grade, top-quality lightning-attribute spirit wood—how precious it is!

The merit of setting up the teleportation array alone is probably not enough to redeem it.
Just as he was about to give up,

A flash of inspiration,
No, if Que Ming is unwilling to exchange, he could simply say he doesn't have it and ask him to change his condition. Why waste time arguing like this?

He immediately spoke:

"How can I obtain this item?"

As Zhou Xun finished speaking, the candlelight in the main hall flickered slightly, reflecting a glint of light in Que Ming's eyes.

Que Ming suddenly clapped his hands and laughed: "Fellow Daoist Zhou is indeed straightforward!"

He turned around and took out a jade slip from his sleeve, gently stroking it with his fingertips, and slowly said, "To be honest, my Que family does have a request."

Zhou Xun's eyes flickered slightly, but he remained calm and composed: "I would like to hear the details."

Que Ming smiled slightly and said:
"Fellow Daoist Zhou's mastery of teleportation arrays is unparalleled in the entire Tianfeng Sea. Although my Que Clan has successfully set up a teleportation network, if the array malfunctions in the future, I'm afraid no one will be able to repair it in time."

He paused, then looked intently at Zhou Xun: "Therefore, I hope to exchange with Fellow Daoist Zhou for the method of setting up a teleportation array."

"In addition, I have taken in one of my Que family's array formation apprentices and personally instructed him on the methods of setting up and maintaining teleportation arrays."

"In that case, I will offer this piece of spirit wood with both hands!"

Hearing this, Zhou Xun nodded, understanding Que Ming's actions.

Since the teleportation array is related to the safety of the Que clan's territory, it is naturally safer to have it in the hands of their own people.

Ultimately, no matter how courteous the Que family was to him, he was still an outsider.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xun frowned slightly, revealing a thoughtful expression, as if weighing the pros and cons.

In truth, he had already agreed in his heart. After all, the fifth-grade top-quality Nine Tribulation Thunder Pattern Wood was of great importance to him, and teaching him the way of formations was just a piece of cake for him.

But he did not agree immediately, instead feigning hesitation.

Seeing this, Que Ming smiled slightly, knowing that Zhou Xun was waiting for a higher price to sell.

So they didn't hesitate to increase their bets:
"If Fellow Daoist Zhou is willing to agree, in addition to the Nine Tribulation Thunder Pattern Wood, my Que Clan will also give you two Rank 5 Mid-Grade 'Golden Thunder Jade',"

"This item is an excellent material for refining lightning-attribute spiritual treasures, and it will surely be of great benefit to Fellow Daoist Zhou's cultivation."

A glint flashed in Zhou Xun's eyes, as if he was moved by the offer. He slowly set down his teacup, a smile appearing on his face.
"With such sincerity from Chief Que, it would be disrespectful of me to refuse again."

Upon hearing this, Que Ming was overjoyed and immediately took out three jade boxes from his storage bag.

One of the boxes was entirely purplish-black, about three or four feet long, with faint lightning flashes inside, clearly indicating that it was the Nine Tribulations Thunder Pattern Wood.

The other two boxes are light gold in color, and when the lids are slightly opened, fine golden lace threads can be faintly seen jumping around, which is the Golden Thunder Jade.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou is so generous!" Que Ming laughed loudly, pushing the jade box in front of Zhou Xun.

Zhou Xun didn't stand on ceremony. He took out a blank jade slip, his fingertips flashing with spiritual light, and quickly inscribed his insights and key techniques for setting up the teleportation array onto it. He then handed it to Que Ming:

"This jade slip records my understanding of teleportation arrays. As long as your apprentices have some talent, they will surely achieve something in time if they study it according to this."

Que Ming took the jade slip, scanned it with his spiritual sense, and after confirming that it was correct, his smile widened: "In that case, my Que clan and Fellow Daoist Zhou can be said to have gotten what they deserved, and everyone is happy!"

The next day,

A spirit boat took off from Tianque Island.

On the spirit boat stood a man and a woman.

The man, dressed in a blue robe, had a handsome face and an otherworldly air; it was Zhou Xun.
The woman wore a moon-white robe, her black hair cascading down her back, loosely tied up with a single jade hairpin. Her face was delicate and beautiful, and her eyes exuded a refined and ethereal charm.

She stood half a step behind Zhou Xun, her posture respectful yet not at all reserved.

"Teacher, how long will it take to reach Silent Spirit Island?" The woman's voice was clear and melodious, like pearls falling onto a jade plate.

Zhou Xun slightly turned his head and said calmly, "There's no need to call me master. I'm merely fulfilling our agreement to guide you in the art of formations. There's no master-disciple relationship between us."

The woman paused for a moment, then smiled and readily agreed, "Yes, senior."

She paused, then said, "Although Lingling is not very talented, she will study hard and live up to the teachings of her seniors."

Zhou Xun nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over her. This young woman was already a fourth-tier low-grade array master with a late-stage Core Formation cultivation level; her talent in array formation was indeed extraordinary.

"What is your understanding of spatial array patterns?" Zhou Xun suddenly asked.

Que Lingling's eyes brightened slightly, and she answered without hesitation:
"Spatial array patterns are based on 'overlap' and 'rotation,' requiring the use of the power of heaven and earth to transform the illusory into the real. I have studied the 'Minor Teleportation Array,' but I have never been able to break through the barrier of 'mutual generation of illusion and reality.'"

A hint of surprise flashed in Zhou Xun's eyes. Being able to reach the threshold of "the interplay of reality and illusion" meant that she already had considerable expertise in spatial formations.

He pondered for a moment, then gathered a wisp of spiritual light at his fingertips and drew a complex array pattern in the air.

"Okay."

As the spiritual light flowed, the array patterns stretched out like living things, sometimes overlapping, sometimes dispersing, and finally transforming into a miniature teleportation array pattern that floated in front of the two.

Que Lingling stared intently at the changing array patterns, her eyes sparkling with wonder. Suddenly, she raised her hand and began to trace the array patterns, mimicking Zhou Xun's movements. Though her attempt was somewhat clumsy, it already possessed a certain charm.

Seeing this, Zhou Xun nodded slightly: "You have good comprehension."

In the following days, although Zhou Xun did not agree to take on any disciples, he was very open to giving them guidance.

Que Lingling was exceptionally talented, quick to grasp concepts, and even capable of drawing inferences and offering unique insights. Although Zhou Xun maintained a calm demeanor, he secretly admired this woman.

Several days later, the outline of Silent Spirit Island gradually became clear. The spirit boat slowly landed on the platform in front of the cave. Zhou Xun flicked his sleeve and put away the flying artifact.

The stone door to the cave opened, and a beautiful figure quickly stepped out.

Sun Yuanxuan smiled and was about to speak when her gaze suddenly fell on Que Lingling behind Zhou Xun, and her smile froze.

"And who is this...?" she asked softly, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible tension.

Zhou Xun remained calm and explained simply, "The disciples sent by the Que Clan to learn formations are temporarily residing on the island."

Sun Yuanxuan's eyes flickered slightly, but she quickly regained her composure and nodded to Que Lingling. Zhou Xun turned to Que Lingling and said calmly, "There are quite a few vacant cave dwellings on the island. You may choose one to stay in."

Que Lingling respectfully agreed, bowed to the two of them, and then tactfully withdrew.

After she had walked away, Sun Yuanxuan gently tugged at Zhou Xun's sleeve and whispered, "Young Master, was your journey smooth?"

Zhou Xun patted her hand and said gently, "Everything is fine, let's talk about it when we get back."

At the same time, a thousand stars were in chaos.

Deep within the Chaotic Sea of ​​a Thousand Stars, in a cultivator's ruins shrouded in ancient restrictions, three figures were cautiously traversing a dimly lit passageway.

Lu Tianxiong, the leading Nascent Soul cultivator from the Lu clan, suddenly stopped in front of a stone wall engraved with star patterns, and focused his fingertips on specific locations, tapping them several times.

“Crack—”

The stone wall opened with a sound, revealing a dusty, secret chamber inside.

In the corner, a pure white jade bottle emitted a faint glow in the darkness.

Lu Tianxiong's pupils contracted sharply, and he darted forward to grab the jade bottle. As he uncorked it, a burst of seven-colored light shot out, and the entire secret chamber was instantly filled with a strange fragrance that shook the very soul.

"Mysterious Heavenly Jade Elixir!" the accompanying female cultivator from the Lu family exclaimed in surprise, "It's actually a rare treasure of heaven and earth that can assist in breaking through to the Void Refinement stage!"

All three men's breathing became heavy. Lu Tianxiong quickly sealed the bottle, his voice trembling slightly with excitement: "Evacuate immediately, activate the highest level communication talisman." A flash of blue light appeared at his fingertips, and three blood-red jade talismans flew out of his storage bag. "Crush them, and the Ancestor will personally come to your aid."

Just as they turned around, a pair of eyes gleaming with an eerie green light vanished silently from the shadows of the secret chamber's dome. At the corner of the passageway, Que Jiuyin, the commander of the Que clan's secret guards, dressed in a gray robe, curled his lips into a cold smile, and a black jade talisman in his hand silently turned to dust.

Three days later, in the Azure Wave Sea.

The flying boat piloted by the three members of the Lu family was suddenly blocked by seven streaks of rainbow light. The leader was none other than Que Wuyai, the third elder of the Que clan.

The pressure from the early stage of the Void Refinement realm rolled in like a tidal wave, causing the seawater within a ten-mile radius to cave in three zhang (approximately 10 meters).

"Greetings, Senior Que. May I ask what brings you here?"

Lu Tianxiong's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't show it on his face.

"Lu Tianxiong, hand over the treasures you obtained in the ruins!" the middle-aged man next to Que Wuyai shouted angrily.

“Since Senior Que is interested, then I will offer it to you!” With that, Lu Tianxiong readily tossed his storage ring over.

The two people beside him were the same.
Upon seeing this, Que Tianya was quite surprised.

If we can seize the treasure without bloodshed, then it's fine.

After all, the Lu family also has cultivators who have reached the Void Refinement stage.

Que Tianya waved his hand and took all three storage rings into his hand.

His divine sense surged into it like a tidal wave, and he saw that the ring was filled with a dazzling array of treasures:
Fifth-grade spiritual materials, ancient magical artifacts, rare elixirs, and even a few rare cultivation manuals on jade slips are all available.

"He does have some wealth." Que Tianya sneered, but after searching several times, his face suddenly turned ashen.

The most crucial ingredient, "Mysterious Heavenly Elixir," was not among them!

"Where is the Profound Heaven Spirit Liquid?" His voice was icy cold, and the pressure of his Void Refinement Technique pressed down on Lu Tianxiong as if it were a tangible substance.

Lu Tianxiong's heart trembled violently, and his back was instantly soaked with cold sweat. He forced himself to remain calm and said, "Senior is too kind. This junior has no knowledge of any Mysterious Heaven Spirit Liquid."

Before he could finish speaking, a cold glint flashed in Que Tianya's eyes:

"court death!"

A flash of silver light appeared from his sleeve, and before Lu Tianxiong could even react, his head was already flying into the air. Amidst the splatter of blood, the headless corpse remained in the gesture of making a hand seal.

"Search!"

Que Tianya shouted sharply.

Six Nascent Soul cultivators immediately stepped forward and stripped Lu Tianxiong's corpse naked.

The robes were torn to shreds, the boot soles were split open, and even the hair bun was disassembled and examined. A female cultivator even took out a bronze mirror and shone it back and forth on the corpse.

"Your Majesty, there is indeed none." The voices trembled as they reported.

Que Tianya's expression shifted between light and dark.

He personally took action, his divine sense sweeping across the ten-mile radius of the sea three times like a comb, even turning the seabed mud and sand upside down.

"Could it be..." His eyes flickered, "that this boy has hidden the treasure somewhere else?"

Just then, a deafening roar suddenly echoed from the sky: "You old dog Que! How dare you kill my Lu family's disciples!"

Twelve streaks of light tore through the clouds, and the two elders at the front stepped into the void, each step causing the sea to explode with towering waves hundreds of feet high.

It was none other than the two Void Refinement Ancestors of the Lu family—Lu Xinghe and Lu Xinghai!

"Not good!" Que Tianya's pupils shrank sharply. He clearly saw the "Dragon-Slaying Halberd" in Lu Xinghe's hand, which was glowing with blood-red light—the Lu family's treasured artifact!

"Form the Seven Fiends Formation!" Que Tianya roared. The seven instantly formed a battle formation, but Lu Xinghe had already cleaved down with his halberd. Where the bloody light passed, three Que clan Nascent Soul cultivators instantly exploded into a bloody mist.

"Que Wuyai! Today you will pay for your blood debt!" Lu Xinghai made hand seals, and nine star beads turned into streams of light and came crashing down.

Que Tianya used his superior spiritual treasure, the "Mysterious Yin Shield," to block the attack, but was still shaken and coughed up blood.

"Que Wuyai!" Lu Xinghe's hair and beard bristled with rage, his voice shattering the clouds. "Today I'll let you taste the fury of the Lu family!"

Que Tianya's face was ashen; he hadn't expected retribution to come so quickly. Just moments ago they were the hunters, and now they were the prey.

What's even more terrifying is that the Lu family mobilized almost twice the strength of them this time, with two Void Refinement cultivators and ten Nascent Soul cultivators!
"Fight to the death!" Que Tianya roared fiercely.

The six Nascent Soul cultivators immediately formed the Six Harmony Killing Formation, but faced with the absolute difference in strength, the formation was quickly broken.

"Ah!" A scream rang out as a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Que clan was struck simultaneously by three magical treasures, his body exploding on the spot. Immediately following were two more muffled thuds, and two more people perished.

Blood-red waves churned on the sea, severed limbs bobbing up and down with the spray. Que Tianya's eyes were bloodshot, but he saw Lu Xinghe already charging towards him with his halberd.

"Pfft!" The Dragon-Slaying Halberd pierced through his right shoulder, drawing out a spray of golden blood. Que Tianya gritted his teeth, crushed a blood-red jade talisman, and instantly transformed into twelve blood shadows, scattering in all directions.

Half an hour later, the Lu family patriarch's face was gloomy.

"He still managed to escape!"

"Big brother, what do we do next?!"

"Prepare for war!"

On the other side, Zhou Xun sat in the courtyard of his cave dwelling.

Holding a jade slip in his hand,

It contained the 'Five Heavens Purple Thunder Formation', and at that very moment...

A jade talisman at his waist lit up.
"Fellow Daoist Zhou, come to Tianque Island immediately!"

(End of this chapter)