Cultivation of Immortality: Start by Improving Spiritual Root Qualifications

Chapter 941 The Lu Clan's Movements, Lei Jian's Advancement

"It's just repairing the formation, of course there's no problem!"

Zhou Xun was still interested in befriending Que Lie, a peak Nascent Soul cultivator.

After all, apart from those three Grand Ancestors at the Void Refinement stage,

Que Lie can be said to be the last powerful cultivator in the Que clan, and this time the secret vault exchange list contains Void Refinement spiritual items.

With Ji Lie's strength, as long as he kills a few more Nascent Soul cultivators,

You can then accumulate enough contribution points to redeem them for your own use.

Perhaps, by then he will have advanced to the Void Refinement stage.

"Then thank you very much, Fellow Daoist Zhou!"

"How much is the transfer fee?"

"Fellow Daoist Que is too kind," Zhou Xun smiled and continued:
"If Fellow Daoist Que had a fifth-tier demon soul, that would be even better!"

"What a coincidence!" Que Lie chuckled upon hearing this.

He then took out a jade bottle from his storage bag and handed it over.

"Among the Lu family cultivators I killed earlier, there happened to be a fifth-tier demon cultivator. I obtained this demon soul, which I originally intended to exchange for some spiritual items,"

"Now it's perfect to give this to Fellow Daoist Zhou as payment for his services!"

"It's the perfect time!" Zhou Xun laughed and put the demon soul into his storage bag.

In this way, his fifth-order demon spirit transformation can be further advanced, and he only needs two more demon souls to complete it.

"Come, let's go to my cave for a chat!"

Soon, the two arrived at Zhou Xun's temporary cave dwelling on Twin Fish Island.
"What would Fellow Daoist Ji like to drink, spirit wine or spirit tea?"

The two sat facing each other in the pavilion in the courtyard.

“We cultivators will naturally drink the spirit wine!” Ji Lie said without hesitation.

Zhou Xun smiled upon hearing this and took out a jade wine pot and two glass cups from his storage bag.

"This is my treasured 'Cold River Snow,' brewed from the pistils of a thousand-year-old snow lotus. Drinking it is like fishing alone on a cold river, with a sense of solitude and loftiness in its refreshing taste, which is just right for someone like Fellow Daoist Ji."

He called it a treasure, but it was actually his spoils of war!
Ji Lie's eyes lit up. He took the wine pot, sniffed it lightly, and exclaimed, "Fine wine! Just from the aroma, I know it's no ordinary wine!"

Zhou Xun poured him a full cup; the wine was as clear as ice, with a faint, shimmering light.

Ji Lie raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp. He closed his eyes and savored the moment, then suddenly laughed loudly:
"Excellent! This wine is like frost on the throat, yet it contains a hidden burning sensation, which is somewhat in line with my 'Burning Heaven Technique'!"

"Fellow Daoist Ji is indeed a connoisseur of wine," Zhou Xun said with a smile.
"This wine does indeed contain a trace of extremely cold fire; ordinary cultivators would probably find it difficult to handle."

After a few rounds of drinks, the two began discussing the repair of the magic array.
Zhou Xun took the incomplete "Panlong Locking Yuan Formation" flags and examined them carefully.

He looked at the cracks on the flag, and probed into them with a wisp of his divine sense, sensing the breaks in the array patterns.

"Although this formation is severely damaged, its core array patterns still remain," Zhou Xun said after a moment's thought.

"By simply replacing the three main array eyes and redrawing the dragon-shaped array pattern with fifth-order 'mysterious crystal sand,' we should be able to restore seventy to eighty percent of its power."

Que Lie was overjoyed upon hearing this: "Fellow Daoist Zhou is indeed insightful! I wonder how long it will take to complete the repairs?"

“If all the materials are ready, one month should be enough,” Zhou Xun said confidently.

"Alright! I'll have someone prepare the 'Mystic Crystal Sand' right away!" Que Lie immediately took out a communication talisman and whispered a few instructions.

Before long, a Core Formation cultivator respectfully presented a jade box filled with silver sand that shimmered with starlight.

After Zhou Xun checked and found nothing wrong, he took the array flags into the quiet room to begin repairs.

Inside the quiet room, Zhou Xun sat cross-legged, his hands forming hand seals. Strands of pure spiritual energy flowed from his fingertips, winding around the array flags like silk threads.

A month goes by in a blink of an eye.

When Zhou Xun stepped out of the quiet room, the array flag in his hand had been completely renewed.

On the black flag, a lifelike coiled dragon roams around, its eyes gleaming as if it might burst out of the flag at any moment.

"I have fulfilled my mission." Zhou Xun handed the battle flag to Que Lie, who had been waiting for a long time.

Que Lie took the array flag, and after a moment of sensing, his face immediately showed surprise: "This... Fellow Daoist Zhou not only repaired the array, but also increased its power by half a percent?"

Zhou Xun smiled slightly: "When I was repairing it, I found that there were a few places in the original array pattern that could be optimized, so I did it on the spur of the moment."

Que Lie solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhou's mastery of formations is truly unparalleled in my life! If you ever need anything in the future, please don't hesitate to ask!"

Zhou Xun returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "Fellow Daoist Que, you are too kind."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Que Lie took his leave, saying he needed to familiarize himself with the improved formation as soon as possible.

After seeing Que Lie off, Zhou Xun returned to the quiet room and took out the treasures he had exchanged to examine them one by one.

"The 'Mysterious Spirit Golden Elixir' can help me break through to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm, and the 'Illusory Spirit' can assist in the advancement of the Mysterious Thunder Sword,"

"As for the 'Nine Abyss Thunder Crystal,' it can also be used to optimize materials and enhance the power of the Xuan Ting Thunder Sword during its advancement. It seems that it's time to upgrade the Xuan Ting Thunder Sword!" His eyes were burning with determination.

He has now entered the Nascent Soul stage.

However, this Xuan Ting Thunder Sword is still only at the semi-spiritual treasure level, and cannot fully unleash its current power.
Previously, they had successfully killed Lu Fengyu and others.
He succeeded only because of his current mastery of the Thunder Grass Sword technique, combined with the spiritual power of his Nascent Soul stage cultivation.
In terms of ability, they didn't perform at their full potential.

If the Xuan Ting Thunder Sword had been a spirit treasure, the kill efficiency would probably have been even higher.
At least with Lu Fengyu, there's no chance of escape.

In the Lu clan's territory, spatial ripples suddenly appeared on the obsidian-paved plaza.

A streak of azure light pierced through the air, and when the light dissipated, it revealed a middle-aged cultivator dressed in a Bagua Taoist robe.

This man had a face like jade, three long strands of beard fluttering in the wind, and a bronze compass hanging at his waist gleaming with a ghostly light.

"Fellow Daoist Xu Lingzi!"

A hearty laugh rang out, and Lu Xinghe and Lu Xinghai arrived together, their Void Refinement aura causing the surrounding clouds to surge.

Both were dressed in dark gold robes with star patterns embroidered on the cuffs, which were sixth-level robes, befitting cultivators of the Void Refinement stage.

Xu Lingzi bowed in return: "Fellow Daoists, how have you been? I received your message, am I late?"

"Fellow Daoist is too kind." Lu Xinghe led the way, his toes leaving circles of silver light as he touched the ground.

"Please come into the hall for further discussion."

After passing through three layers of restrictive light curtains, a spiritual feast had already been prepared inside the main hall.

On the gilded table sat "Cold Marrow Dew," brewed from millennia-old snow ginseng, with ice crystals clinging to the edge of the jade cup.

Then Xu Lingzi sat down in the guest seat.
"I heard that you obtained half of the 'Tai Xu Strategy' in the 'Xuan Yin Sea' thirty years ago?"

Lu Xinghai poured the wine himself; the amber liquid falling into the cup made a sound like pearls falling onto a jade plate.

"His cultivation level is about to advance to the next level."

Xu Lingzi is currently at the mid-stage of the Void Refinement realm; the next level would be the late-stage Void Refinement realm.

Even within the entire Wandao Lake area, it is among the top-tier establishments.

Xu Lingzi lightly tapped the table with his fingertips, and the wine in the cup suddenly transformed into a miniature dragon that swam around.

"They've only managed to grasp a superficial understanding by chance. But these two..." He changed the subject.
"The Que family has recently captured several islands in succession; you must be having a hard time!"

Upon hearing this, the candlelight in the hall suddenly went out.

Lu Xinghe crushed the spiritual fruit in his hand, juice dripping from between his fingers, and finally sighed.

"That's exactly right. The reason I invited you here is to deal with the Que clan!"

"Haha, I naturally have no objection to dealing with Que Tianming and his group, but I can't just give my help for nothing."

"What does Fellow Daoist Xu need?"

"I want your Lu family's sixth-tier ancient jade, plus 50% of the spoils from this battle."

"Fellow Daoist has quite the appetite!" Lu Xinghai sneered.

"However, if they're willing to take action against Que Tianming, it wouldn't be a bad idea." "The Lu family is indeed straightforward,"

Xu Lingzi smiled slightly and continued, "I heard that you also obtained the 'Mysterious Heaven Jade Liquid'?"

The two brothers exchanged a glance and both saw the astonishment in each other's eyes.

"Where did you hear this from, fellow Daoist?" Lu Xinghe's voice was hoarse.

Xu Lingzi said softly:

"Three years ago, when the 'Thousand Star Relics Palace' appeared, someone used this information to exchange for my 'Nine-Turn Pill'."

"That Xuan Tian Jade Liquid did indeed belong to us at first, but after the Que Clan intercepted it, it fell into their hands!" Lu Xinghai said angrily.
"I don't quite believe that!"

"If you do not believe me, fellow Daoist, we two can swear an oath."

As he spoke, Lu Xinghe suddenly bit his fingertip and used his blood as ink to draw a talisman in mid-air:

"I, Lu Xinghe, swear by my Dao heart that the Xuan Tian Jade Liquid has indeed been lost. If I break this oath, my cultivation will never advance!" The blood talisman transformed into a stream of light and disappeared into his brow.

Only then did Xu Lingzi believe it.

"If that's the case, and we find this item in the Que family, it should belong to me."

"Okay." Lu Xinghe gritted his teeth and agreed. If he could kill the Void Refinement cultivator of the Que Clan, this price would be worth it!

The next day, at 3:45 PM, eighteen beams of light shot into the sky.

Among them were three at the Void Refinement stage and fifteen at the Nascent Soul stage, essentially representing the entirety of the Lu clan's strength.

Xu Lingzi flew at the forefront, stepping on a bronze compass, the twelve earthly branches on the compass surface illuminating with a blinding blood-red light.

The Lu brothers, one on the left and one on the right, moved in unison, causing the sea to split into deep ravines wherever they passed.

Their target is Shuangyu Island.

On Twin Fish Island, in his temporary cave dwelling, Zhou Xun took out the Five Heavens Purple Thunder Array.

A purple light curtain rose up and surrounded the entire cave.

After doing all this, he went to the cultivation room.
Inside the cultivation room, Zhou Xun sat upright on a futon.

With a wave of his hand, a beam of spiritual light shot out, transforming into a flying sword that was entirely blue-purple, surrounded by arcs of lightning.
It was his Xuan Ting Lei Sword.

Having acquired the Illusionary Spirit, he planned to take this opportunity to refine the Profound Thunder Sword and upgrade it to the level of a Spirit Treasure.

This is to enhance one's combat power.

Zhou Xun stared at the Xuan Ting Lei Sword floating in front of him, its blade crackling with purple current, reflecting a faint, cold light in the dimly lit room.

"I remember that the first step in refining a spiritual treasure is to cleanse its veins!"

He made hand seals, and seventy-two lightning seeds flew out, intertwining and differentiating into lightning meridian diagrams in the quiet room.

"Draw thunder!"

Zhou Xun gave a soft shout, and the lightning pattern between his brows suddenly lit up.

The lightning bolt shot into the sky, forming a lightning array above the cave.

At the same time, the sky above the training room suddenly became overcast.

"Boom——"

A bolt of purple lightning, as thick as a bucket, pierced through the roof's protective barrier and struck the sword precisely.

The instant the lightning exploded, he heard the sharp sound of thousands of birds chirping in unison.

Next, he will use this Heavenly Dao True Lightning to refine the sword's body and enhance its foundation.

One day. Two days
It wasn't until forty-nine days later that things stopped.
Looking closely,

Under the impact of lightning, the meridians inside the sword condensed into streaks of lightning, just like the blood vessels in the human body, forming a continuous and unobstructed flow.

Thus, the first step is complete.
"Next comes the second step: spiritual communion!"

This is the most crucial step, and the most critical step in the creation of the artifact spirit.

Zhou Xun took out the jade box that sealed the phantom spirit.

The moment the box lid was opened, a hazy blue light rose into the air, transforming into a palm-sized sprite.

The little elf had thin, cicada-like wings and was wrapped in ribbons formed from innate Daoist energy.

"The Taiyin Refining Form Technique!"

Zhou Xun bit his tongue, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

The blood mist condensed in the air into crimson runes, firmly imprisoning the struggling phantom spirit.

His ten fingers danced like butterflies flitting among flowers, and spiritual power poured out from his fingertips, refining the illusory spirit little by little, transforming it into pure spiritual essence.

On the night of the new moon, the power of the moon is at its strongest.

Zhou Xun sat cross-legged in the center of the cultivation room, with the Xuan Ting Lei Sword placed horizontally in front of his knees.

The refined phantom spirit transformed into flowing blue light, slowly seeping into the lightning patterns on the sword hilt.

The sword suddenly trembled violently, emitting a humming sound like a dragon's roar, and streaks of blue veins spread across the amethyst-like blade.

"Blood Refinement and Spiritual Connection!"

Zhou Xun's nascent soul left his body, and he used his small hands to form a hand seal, drawing upon his life essence. A drop of purple blood, shimmering with golden light, fell onto the sword, instantly igniting a dazzling glow.

The moment he merged with the artifact, countless images suddenly appeared in his mind: lightning splitting through chaos, ancient cultivators wielding swords to slay demons, and even the hazy consciousness emanating from the sword conveying a sense of closeness to him.

Three days later, the blue light completely merged into the sword.

The originally violent aura of thunder has gained a touch of ethereal and graceful charm.

When the sword tip trembled slightly, it left a lingering blue afterimage in the void.

At the same time, a hazy consciousness began to awaken within the sword!
The second step was also successfully completed!
"Next comes the final step: Qi Resonance!"

Zhou Xun tossed the Nine Abyss Thunder Crystal into the air, and the Xuan Ting Thunder Sword shot out like a shark smelling blood.

The moment the sword tip pierced the lightning crystal, the entire training room was engulfed in blinding lightning.

The Nine Abyss Thunder Power contained within the crystal surged into the sword like a flood bursting its banks, forming a winding golden thunder pattern along the spine of the sword.

"boom--"

The primordial energy of heaven and earth suddenly surged, and the spiritual energy within a radius of a hundred miles formed a huge vortex.

All the cultivators on Pisces Island felt an overwhelming pressure and turned to look.
"This is... someone is refining a spiritual treasure!"

Just then, a booming voice reached everyone's ears; it was Que Tianming.

"No need to panic, this is Guest Elder Zhou refining a spiritual treasure!"

As he spoke, with a wave of his hand, the spiritual energy of most of the island enveloped Zhou Xun's cave.
Assist him in the refining!
Inside the quiet room, the Xuan Ting Thunder Sword was undergoing an astonishing transformation.

Streams of spiritual energy flowed into the sword.

Just as he was breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, Lei Jian was also refining his spiritual energy and improving himself.

Its aura began to grow until, at a certain point, it suddenly stopped, abruptly halting.

Something changed; a powerful aura spread out, and lightning crackled around them.

This means that the third step is also complete!

Immediately afterwards, Zhou Xun had a flash of inspiration.
With a 'whoosh', the Thunder Sword flew to the front and hovered there.

The sword is seven feet and two inches long.

The ancient Daoist characters "Xuanting" appeared on the hilt of the sword, and the golden thunder patterns and cyan spiritual patterns on the spine of the sword intertwined to form a primordial Daoist diagram of the birth and death of thunder.

"The Spiritual Treasure Thunder Sword is finally complete!"

(End of this chapter)