Cultivation of Immortality: Start by Improving Spiritual Root Qualifications

Chapter 936 There are two of us, and you are one; we have the advantage!
The next day, Zhou Xun got up early.

The other cultivators waited quietly in the island's plaza.
"Greetings, Senior Zhou!"

Upon seeing Zhou Xun emerge, everyone bowed and paid their respects in unison.

Zhou Xun waved his hand.

"Que Qing!"

"Your subordinate is here!" A young man then emerged from inside, showing off.
This person was none other than Que Qing, Que Le's cousin, one of the Que clan members who had previously lived in the Ten Thousand Mountains, and an old acquaintance of Zhou Xun.

After returning from the Ten Thousand Mountains, he accumulated enough spiritual items to exchange for a Nascent Soul spiritual item.
Then, together with Que Le, they entered the cultivation room for seclusion and began their attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul realm.

But this level is not so easy to break through.

Even though the environment in the Immortal Realm is far superior to that in the Human Realm, the difficulty of breaking through is not as demanding as in the Human Realm.

However, the success rate remains very low.

Que Qing failed as expected and was subsequently assigned to Zhou Xun's team.

"Que Qing, we will continue our journey to conquer another spirit island, but we need to leave someone to guard this earth elemental gold mine,"

“I’ve decided to entrust this matter to you!” Zhou Xun said slowly.

"Rest assured, senior. If any enemy wants to land on the island, they will have to step over me first!" Que Qing said firmly.

He also hoped that this great battle would allow him to accumulate enough spiritual items to exchange for another Nascent Soul spiritual item.

After all, if successful, it would be a qualitative leap, directly increasing lifespan to 20,000 years, which is ten times that of an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator.

"Alright, I'll leave ten more Core Formation cultivators with you!" Zhou Xun also sensed Que Qing's determination.
After giving some instructions, he led the remaining cultivators into the sky and sped towards their next target.

On the spirit boat,

Zhou Xun and Que Le sat facing each other. In front of them was a nautical chart of the nearby sea area, along with information and intelligence about the spirit stone mining island.
Of course, this can only be used as a reference.

The cultivation world is vast and rich in resources, making communication between the two regions extremely difficult. The materials they possess are likely from many years ago.

"So, senior means that the next target is to directly attack this spirit stone mine?" Que Le asked in surprise.

“That’s right. My habit is to tackle the difficult ones first and then the easy ones. I just took the mine because it was nearby!” Zhou Xun explained.

After all, that was a fourth-tier spirit stone mine, producing only high-grade and top-grade spirit stones.
Even spirit crystals can appear once or twice in a while.

It is definitely one of the most important places for the Lu family.

It could be said that of all the targets he attacked that day, this spirit stone mine was the most valuable.
Once you win, the contribution points alone will increase to a full four hundred.

"It took about five days for the group to arrive near the Spirit Stone Mine Island."

Zhou Xun stood at the bow of the spirit boat, the sea breeze rustling his robes.

He made a hand seal with his hands, and a faint blue light emanated from his fingertips. Then he gently touched his brow.

In an instant, his eyes shone with a dazzling golden light, like two small suns, which was his Spirit Rhinoceros Azure Light Eyes, which he had cultivated for many years.

The scene before him instantly became incredibly clear. The island hundreds of miles away was clearly visible to him, and he could even see the patterns on the robes of the cultivators on the island.

The island was bustling with people and heavily guarded, with cultivators stationed at every key point, clearly indicating that it was an extremely important spirit stone mine.

"As expected of the Lu family's important location, it's so well-protected," Zhou Xun thought to himself, his brows furrowing slightly.

Using his pupil technique, he deduced that there was likely a Nascent Soul cultivator stationed on the island. Therefore, he turned and gathered everyone together to discuss a surprise attack plan.

However, just as everyone had gathered, Zhou Xun's expression suddenly changed.

On a distant island, a massive light curtain suddenly rose up, enveloping the entire island.

"Discovered?"

Zhou Xun's heart sank, and the golden light in his eyes intensified. He was confident that with the concealment effect of the Spirit Rhinoceros Azure Light Eyes, there was absolutely no way the other party could easily detect their presence.

unless……

He immediately spread his divine sense and carefully explored the surrounding sea area.

A moment later, his gaze locked onto a seemingly calm stretch of sea, and his face immediately darkened.

"I see." Zhou Xun snorted coldly, his hands quickly forming hand seals, and his internal magical power surged forth.

He pointed forward, and a gigantic hand, a thousand feet in size, materialized out of thin air, blotting out the sky and pressing down fiercely towards that sea area.

Before the giant hand even landed, the sea was already churning violently. Just then, a figure shot into the air from the sea, attempting to escape.

A cold glint flashed in Zhou Xun's eyes, and he was about to make a move when Que Le volunteered to fight:
"Senior, let me do it!"

Zhou Xun thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

Que Le flashed, transforming into a streak of light and giving chase. The fleeing person was merely a Nascent Soul cultivator; how could he possibly be a match for a Deity Transformation cultivator?
In a single encounter, he was captured by Que Le and taken back to the spirit boat.

"Speak, what's the situation on the island?" Que Le stared coldly at the cultivator, his hands surging with magical power. If the other party made the slightest move, he would crush him instantly.

The cultivator's face turned deathly pale. Sensing the terrifying pressure emanating from Que Le, he dared not conceal anything any longer. He trembled as he said:
"The island has... a Nascent Soul Heavenly Lord in charge, seven Nascent Soul cultivators, over forty Core Formation cultivators, and hundreds of Foundation Establishment managers. The rest are Qi Refining stage miners..."

Upon hearing this, Que Le turned to look at Zhou Xun.

Zhou Xun nodded slightly, indicating that they should continue.

"How did you find us?" Que Le pressed, slightly increasing the pressure of his magic, causing the cultivator to break out in a cold sweat from the pain.

"It's...it's a hidden sentry post!" the cultivator hurriedly explained. "Dozens of hidden sentry posts have been set up in the sea area within a thousand miles around the island, specifically to monitor the movements of outside cultivators..."

Zhou Xun then realized that his group had already been discovered by the other party.

With the sneak attack plan aborted, he hesitated for a moment and decided to launch a direct assault instead.

Soon, the group arrived around the island and surrounded it completely.

However, when Zhou Xun saw the magic array in front of him clearly, his brows furrowed.

It was actually a fifth-tier low-grade defensive array, its light barrier as thick as a mountain, radiating a chilling spiritual energy fluctuation.

"A fifth-order formation... and a defensive formation!" Zhou Xun sighed softly, knowing that even with his strength, it would take a great deal of effort to break the formation by force.

But he still refused to believe it, so he took out the Xuan Ting Thunder Sword, gathered all his magical power, and slashed fiercely at the light barrier.

"boom--"

The sword light collided with the light barrier, unleashing a deafening roar.

The light screen shook violently, but quickly returned to normal. Seeing this, Zhou Xun knew that a direct attack was hopeless, so he had no choice but to lead everyone to retreat temporarily.

Seeing Zhou Xun and the others leave, the cultivators on the island finally breathed a sigh of relief. Someone suggested removing the magic array, but this was stopped by the Nascent Soul Heavenly Lord stationed there.
"We must not be careless! We need to hold out for a few more days until we are sure they have really left."

The number of spirit stones consumed each day the magic array is activated is astronomical. However, for safety's sake, the cultivators on the island can only grit their teeth and persevere.

Several days later, the cultivators responsible for tracking them sent back a message confirming that Zhou Xun and his group had left the area. Only then did the Nascent Soul Heavenly Lord order the removal of the magic array.

However, they were unaware that all of this was part of Zhou Xun's plan. After leaving the island, Zhou Xun called Que Le to his side. Que Le respectfully bowed:
"Senior, what are your orders?"

Zhou Xun smiled slightly: "Our departure is just a pretext to lower their guard. Next, you and I will conceal ourselves and sneak back to the island. Once we blend in, that magic array will be useless."

Upon hearing this, Que Le's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he immediately agreed: "Senior is brilliant! I will prepare immediately."

The two immediately used a concealment technique, their figures gradually fading until they disappeared without a trace.

They quietly turned back and stealthily made their way towards the Spirit Stone Mine Island...

at the same time,

On the Spirit Island, a group of ten people arrived, riding on a beam of light.

The two leaders possessed an aura as deep and unfathomable as the ocean; they were none other than two Nascent Soul Heavenly Lords.

Although the eight people at the rear were slightly inferior, they were all Nascent Soul stage cultivators. Their robes fluttered, and their bodies shimmered with spiritual light, making them extremely extraordinary!
Lu Fengyu, the Heavenly Lord stationed on the island, had already sensed the presence and hurriedly led the island's cultivators to greet them.

Upon seeing the iconic crimson light in the distance, Lu Fengyu's face lit up with joy, and he cupped his hands and called out loudly:

"Could it be that Heavenly Lord Crimson Cloud and Heavenly Lord Profound Origin have arrived? I, Feng Yu, have failed to greet them properly!"

The light dissipated, revealing ten figures. The first one, an old man in red robes, laughed loudly, "Fellow Daoist Feng Yu, how have you been! We have come to lend our assistance!" His voice was like a bell, causing the surrounding spiritual energy to tremble slightly.

Upon hearing this, Lu Fengyu was overjoyed and quickly led everyone into the council hall in the center of the island.

The hall was already prepared with spiritual wine and delicacies, and dozens of beautiful maids carrying jade platters moved about among them. The aroma of spiritual fruits mingled with the fragrance of wine, creating a delightful and refreshing atmosphere.

"Since the two Heavenly Lords have come from afar, I, Fengyu, have prepared a small feast to welcome them." Lu Fengyu personally poured a cup of the thousand-year-old spirit wine and respectfully offered it to them.

Crimson Heavenly Lord took the wine cup, drank it all in one gulp, smacked his lips, and said, "Good wine! But Fellow Daoist Feng Yu, how has the island been lately?"

Lu Fengyu sighed: "A few days ago, a group of Que clan cultivators attacked. Fortunately, there were sentries who gave us a warning, which allowed us to activate the formation in advance and force them to retreat!"

"How many of them are there?" asked the Crimson Primordial Heavenly Lord.

"Two early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators led the way, along with a dozen or so Nascent Soul cultivators, and the remaining hundreds were all in the Core Formation stage!" Lu Fengyu recalled.

"There's no need to attack those at the Core Formation or Nascent Soul stages. As for those at the Deity Transformation stage, two people dared to attack, but now that Fellow Daoist Chi Yuan and I are here,"

Xuan Yuan Tianjun snorted coldly, and a layer of frost instantly formed on the wine cup in his hand. "If he dares to come here again, I will make sure he never leaves!"

He exuded a chilling aura, causing the temperature in the hall to plummet, and several maids couldn't help but shiver.

Crimson Cloud Heavenly Lord stroked his beard and laughed heartily: "Fellow Daoist Xuan Yuan is right! With the two of us joining forces, even a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator would have no choice but to retreat."

Seeing this, Lu Fengyu felt much more at ease and quickly raised his cup: "With two fellow Daoists here, this island is as solid as a rock! Come, let me toast you both!"

Three days later, Zhou Xun and Que Yue returned to the place.

The sea was turbulent, and dark clouds loomed overhead. Zhou Xun stood on the crest of a wave, his robes fluttering in the sea breeze.

He formed hand seals and used the Spiritual Rhinoceros Azure Broad Path technique, looking towards the island.

"Sure enough, the magic array on the island has been deactivated." Zhou Xun opened his eyes, a smile appearing on his lips.

Que Yue was overjoyed upon hearing this:

"This is wonderful! It seems we can easily take over Spirit Stone Island!"

Zhou Xun then waved his hand, and a beam of spiritual light flew out and landed in front of him, transforming into a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy, who was none other than the Xuanjia Armored Armadillo.

"Xiao Jia pays respects to Master and Lord Que Tian!"

"Senior, your spirit pet has already advanced to the fourth-tier superior grade. Perhaps it will even have a chance to reach the fifth tier in the future!" Que Le complimented.

"Let's see what fate brings him!" Zhou Xun replied calmly, then gave the order.

"Xiao Jia, lead us into the island."

"Yes!"

Xiao Jia nodded, and an earthy yellow light emanated from his body, enveloping the two of them.

Zhou Xun felt his body sink, and the scene before him changed instantly, with murky seawater and mud all around him.

After traveling underwater for about half an hour, the three of them finally emerged from the ground.

Zhou Xun looked around and found himself in a mine.

The damp air was filled with a rich spiritual energy, and the cave walls were studded with spirit stones that emitted a faint glow in the darkness.

"Hahaha, they're in after all!" Que Yue suddenly burst into laughter.
His figure flashed and appeared above the island.
"From this day forward, this spirit stone mine belongs to the Que family!"

Zhou Xun frowned, about to stop him, but saw that Que Yue had already unleashed his magical power, his voice like thunder resounding throughout the entire island:

Before Zhou Xun could finish speaking, a cold snort came from afar.

"What arrogance!" A streak of azure light pierced through the air, it was Lu Fengyu.

He stood with his hands behind his back in mid-air, his robes fluttering, and sneered, "Two mere early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators dare to be so presumptuous here?"

Que Yue sneered, "Today, with only one of us Heavenly Sovereigns, the advantage is mine! Today is your death day!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Fengyu's lips curled into a mocking smile: "Is that so?"

Before the words were even finished, two more powerful auras soared into the sky. In an instant, two streaks of light, one red and one blue, arrived, transforming into two imposing old men.

"Crimson Cloud Heavenly Lord! Mysterious Origin Heavenly Lord!" Que Yue's expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed in shock.

Zhou Xun's gaze sharpened as he saw the red-robed elder's hair and beard blazing like fire, surrounded by intense spiritual energy.

The old man in blue robes had a cold and stern face, and his body was surrounded by a chilling aura. The two men's auras were connected, and they even seemed to have the power to suppress the heavens and earth.

"Senior Zhou, these two are extremely powerful. When they join forces, even a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator would have to give way!"

Que Yue hurriedly transmitted his voice, his tone clearly showing panic.
"We're probably doomed today. What should we do?"

Zhou Xun shook his head inwardly.

How is Que Yue's behavior any different from those newly born young masters of noble families? Although he has the cultivation level of the Nascent Soul stage, he lacks real experience.

"It's alright," Zhou Xun reassured him telepathically. "You just need to hold off Lu Fengyu; I'll take care of the other two."

Being able to suppress an opponent at the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm only fueled Zhou Xun's fighting spirit.

Back when he was at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, he had the experience of killing a demon in the Divine Transformation stage.

He has now advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, but has yet to truly fight against a Nascent Soul cultivator.

"Today is a good opportunity." Zhou Xun's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and his magical power surged like a river.

He laughed loudly, and his figure soared into the sky.

Zhou Xun stood atop a cloud, his voice clear and melodious like a dragon's roar, and slowly began to speak.
"The three of you, please make your move!"

(End of this chapter)