Cultivation of Immortality: Start by Improving Spiritual Root Qualifications

Chapter 958 All cultivators were impressed, Lu Xinghai attacked!

As soon as Zhou Xun finished speaking, the tense atmosphere in front of the mountain gate instantly became lively.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Wang, what are you saying? It was our rudeness to disturb you. We hope you won't take offense!"

The Heavenly Lord of the Crimson Sun was the first to respond with a smile, his tone even warmer than usual.

"Fellow Daoist Lei Yu has refined an astonishing treasure, a once-in-a-century event for our Tian Shu City. How could we not come and share in the joy?"

The elegant female cultivator covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her eyes revealing undisguised curiosity and inquiry.

“That is indeed the case! Fellow Daoist Wang, please!” Nine Thunder Heavenly Lord stroked his beard and nodded, adopting a very humble posture, as if he regarded Zhou Xun as an equal.

Zhou Xun stepped aside and gestured for them to enter: "Fellow Daoists, please."

With a flick of his sleeve, the restrictions on the cave dispersed like clouds, revealing a winding bluestone path leading into the depths.

Fragrant herbs bloom along the path, and the spring water gurgles. The scenery is serene and elegant. Although there is no extravagant decoration, it has its own natural Taoist charm.

The group followed Zhou Xun and walked into the cave.

As they walked, Lu Xingyun, the head of the Lu family, lagged slightly behind, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Zhou Xun, who was leading the way.

Sensing his aura as a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator,

Frowning,

Wasn't he supposed to have just broken through to the Nascent Soul stage in Tian Shu City? How could he have advanced to the mid-stage so quickly?

He then remembered the task that Elder Lu Xinghai of the clan had entrusted to him.

It was inevitable to connect the Thunder Prison Heavenly Lord before them with Zhou Xun.

Overwhelmed with emotion, he couldn't help but blurt out, "Lord Thunder Prison... Forgive my impertinence, but judging from the harmonious and powerful spiritual aura surrounding you, you have clearly reached the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm!"

Upon hearing this, the group of Nascent Soul Heavenly Lords, who had been exchanging pleasantries and admiring the scenery in hushed tones, all stopped in their tracks!
Everyone's gaze instantly shifted from the surrounding scenery.

Like a sharp arrow, the gaze suddenly focused on Zhou Xun, his face filled with astonishment and disbelief!
Even the Nine Thunder Heavenly Lord and the Crimson Sun Heavenly Lord standing to the side showed expressions of surprise.

Their attention was entirely focused on the tribulation lightning treasure and the recruitment, and they hadn't deliberately investigated Zhou Xun's cultivation level. But now, after Lu Xingyun mentioned it, they carefully sensed it and found that it was indeed the case!
"Mid-stage Nascent Soul? This... how is this possible!"

"Didn't Fellow Daoist Lei Yu just undergo the Nascent Soul Tribulation in Tian Shu City a few decades ago? At most, it's only been thirty years, right?"

"Thirty years...from the early to the middle stage of the Nascent Soul realm? I've been stuck at the peak of the early stage for nearly ten thousand years, and I still haven't even glimpsed the path to the middle stage..."

Despite being stared at by more than a dozen Nascent Soul cultivators, Zhou Xun remained calm.

He smiled slightly, his tone calm:

"Friend Lu, you have keen insight. Some time ago, I was troubled by some trivial matters, and my state of mind was occasionally affected. Fortunately, I was able to have a sudden enlightenment."

"After half a month of seclusion, my cultivation level has increased significantly on its own, and I have just barely entered the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm."

Epiphany!

These two words seemed to possess a magical power, instantly causing all the Nascent Soul cultivators present to gasp in astonishment.
The astonishment on his face was instantly replaced by an indescribable envy and even jealousy!

"Sudden enlightenment! It was a sudden enlightenment!"

"Ancient texts record that a sudden enlightenment is better than a thousand years of arduous cultivation! I never imagined that I would actually witness someone who has achieved enlightenment today!"

"Legend has it that some ancient great beings even attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and ascended to heaven in broad daylight... Although this cannot be verified, it demonstrates the profound mystery of enlightenment!"

"A breakthrough in mental state that triggers automatic advancement in cultivation... This is an incredibly rare and fortunate event!"

"Thirty years...from the early to the middle stage of the Nascent Soul realm...all through sudden enlightenment...this..."

In an instant, the way everyone looked at Zhou Xun changed completely.

Refining treasures can trigger lightning tribulations and allow for perfect absorption; cultivation can lead to the legendary enlightenment...

Such a person cannot be described simply as a "genius"; he is a true "heavenly prodigy"!
Considering that the Nine Thunder Heavenly Lord had just announced the matter of the "Qin Family Guest Elder,"
Everyone couldn't help but admire the Nine Thunder Heavenly Lord's vision and fortune.

The smiles on the faces of the others were even more enthusiastic and warm than before, and even carried a hint of cautious flattery.

The group followed Zhou Xun inside.

Upon entering the main hall for receiving guests, everyone took their seats according to their status as hosts and guests.

Sun Yuanxuan had already cleverly prepared the spiritual tea and immortal fruit with Xiao Jia. Her movements were smooth and elegant, showing her great demeanor, which made the Heavenly Lords nod in approval.

"I am deeply grateful for your presence today. Please do not find these few spiritual fruits and these plates of crocodile meat too offensive!"

Zhou Xun took his seat, bowed to the surroundings, and

"Haha, only Fellow Daoist Zhou could afford to spend money like this on fifth-tier demon crocodile meat!"

"Yes, we're benefiting from Fellow Daoist Wang's influence."

Everyone was extremely polite, exchanging greetings with each other.

After some pleasantries,
"Fellow Daoist Wang," Nine Thunder Heavenly Lord couldn't help but speak, his face full of curiosity.

"That last bolt of chaotic lightning was incredibly powerful; even our divine senses were struck as if by lightning upon touching it. Yet, you were able to subdue it so easily, fellow Daoist."

"How did they manage to do that? Could it be... that they truly grasped the legendary 'True Meaning of Tribulation Lightning'?"

Upon hearing this, the hall fell completely silent.

All eyes were fixed intently on Zhou Xun's face. Their initial shock at Zhou Xun's sudden enlightenment and advancement to the mid-stage was already immense.
Unexpectedly, something even more shocking happened.

"Brother Jiulei, you flatter me. The 'True Meaning of Tribulation Lightning' is infinitely profound. I, Wang, merely managed to glimpse a tiny fraction of it under the oppressive power of Heaven."

"It was only by borrowing the power of my innate Thunder Pool that I was able to absorb it with great difficulty. There was no way I could comprehend it, let alone do so 'easily'."

Zhou Xun smiled faintly, his expression calm, neither arrogant nor humble, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

He spoke casually, but it resonated like a thunderclap in everyone's hearts!

Admit it!
He actually managed to touch that threshold!
To comprehend the true meaning of tribulation lightning at the Nascent Soul stage, even if it's just a superficial understanding, is an extremely astonishing feat.

It should be noted that in the entire Tian Shu City, only a handful of cultivators have reached the level of artistic conception.

Only Xuan Gui Tianjun,
But he had spent tens of thousands of years cultivating at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage to achieve such success.
How old is Zhou Xun?
A collective gasp filled the hall.

Although there had been speculation before, the impact of his personal confirmation is still unparalleled.

A brilliant light flashed in the eyes of the Nine Thunder Heavenly Lord, who clapped his hands and sighed deeply:
"Excellent! Fellow Daoist Wang, such good fortune is the result of your accumulated experience and eventual success. I hereby congratulate you!"

He picked up the sacred tea, offering it as a substitute for wine, and solemnly toasted the occasion.

"Congratulations to Thunder Prison Heavenly Lord (Fellow Daoist Wang)!" The other Nascent Soul cultivators raised their cups, their tone filled with sincere admiration and a hint of barely concealed envy and jealousy.

Lu Xingyun drank the spiritual tea, and although his doubts were dispelled, he still felt that something was amiss.
Given the current atmosphere, he could only put it aside for the time being. He planned to send someone to investigate Lei Yutianjun's past after he returned.

At this moment, the Nine Thunder Heavenly Lord took out a purple jade elixir bottle, its surface entwined with lightning patterns. He slowly spoke:
"Since Fellow Daoist Wang is now a guest of the Qin family, I, on behalf of the Qin family, also have a congratulatory gift to offer."

"This is the 'Five Heavens Thunder Essence Pill,' made from a variety of sacred medicines of the thunder element. It is slightly beneficial for comprehending thunder magic and tempering the primordial spirit. Perhaps it can be of some minor use in consolidating that 'tiny bit' of your knowledge."

"Five Heavens Thunder Essence Pill!"

"The Qin family is actually willing to give away this pill? This pill is very attractive even to late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators!"

"Brother Jiulei, this gift is far too generous!"

The hall erupted in commotion once again, and everyone looked at Zhou Xun with even more different expressions.

The Qin family's move was undoubtedly a declaration to everyone of their extreme importance and full support for this new guest! Zhou Xun's heart also stirred; this pill was exactly what he needed at the moment, and the Nine Thunder Heavenly Lord's gift was truly to his liking.

He solemnly accepted it: "Thank you, Brother Jiulei, and thank you for the Qin family's kindness. I will certainly live up to your expectations."

"Easy!" Nine Thunder Heavenly Lord laughed heartily.

With Zhou Xun's talent, what are mere pills compared to that?

Once someone took the lead, the other Heavenly Lords naturally did not want to fall behind, and they all presented the congratulatory gifts they had prepared in advance.

"My mere skill in refining treasures is hardly worthy of such generous gifts from you all..." Zhou Xun declined.

"Certainly! Certainly!" the red-robed old man laughed.
"Fellow Daoist, you have not only successfully refined the treasure, but also shown us an unprecedented path, broadening our horizons. This kindness is more important than mere formalities!"

"Excellent, fellow Daoist, please do not refuse!"

In an instant, the hall was filled with a dazzling light and brimming with spiritual energy, as various rare materials, elixirs, and exotic treasures appeared one after another.
Each item is priceless, enough to make Nascent Soul cultivators fight tooth and nail for it.

Zhou Xun thanked them one by one and asked Xiao Jia to accept the gifts.

Even Lu Xingyun and his son presented a low-grade fifth-order spiritual material.

The atmosphere became increasingly harmonious over the next few days.

Many of the Heavenly Kings were knowledgeable and experienced individuals.

During their conversations, they would discuss Taoist principles, exchange insights on alchemy and weapon crafting, or recount strange tales and events from the ancient Xuan Realm and even the wider world.

Although Zhou Xun had only recently advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, his foundation was solid and his insights unique, especially his understanding of the Dao of Thunder, which often yielded astonishing pronouncements.

This impressed everyone, especially the Nine Thunder Heavenly Lord, and no one dared to look down on him for his slightly lower cultivation level.

Clinking glasses, laughter and conversation filled the air.
As night fell, the celestial rulers reluctantly took their leave.

After seeing off the last guest, Zhou Xun returned to the courtyard.

After this incident, his status in Tian Shu City will be completely different.

He is no longer just a newly promoted Nascent Soul cultivator with some talent, but a heavyweight figure with unlimited potential, a powerful background, and the kind of person that top forces would do their best to befriend.

"The Ghost Emperor cries..."

He murmured to himself, a barely perceptible wisp of lightning flashing past his fingertips.

"Once I am fully familiar with this treasure and the power I have acquired, and after making some preparations, it will be time to return to the human realm and settle my grudges!"

He turned to look at Sun Yuanxuan and Xiao Jia, who were standing respectfully to the side, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.

They selected some useful treasures from among the treasures and bestowed them upon them.

The two were extremely grateful.

As soon as they left the area of ​​Zhou Xun's cave,

Lu Yuxuan could no longer contain himself. He moved closer to his father and whispered in his ear:

"Father! This Thunder Prison Heavenly Lord... is he really at the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm?"

"Thirty years! From the initial stage of Nascent Soul to the middle stage, how is that possible!" His tone was urgent, as if he had been holding it in for a long time.
"Father, do you think... he might be related to Zhou Xun, the Heavenly Lord of the Forgotten River that the Grand Elder is looking for?"

Lu Xingyun did not stop walking, his expression was solemn, and his eyes flickered uncertainly.

He glanced at his son, nodded slowly, and said in a low voice:
"I had the same doubts when I was in the cave. Thunder cultivators are rare, and those with exceptional talent are even rarer."

"In all these years, apart from the Nine Thunder Heavenly Lord, when has such a figure ever emerged in Tian Shu City? And of all times, it has to be at this critical juncture..."

He abruptly changed the subject, his tone tinged with helplessness and apprehension:

"However, Lei Yutian Monarch Wang Lin underwent the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation in Tian Shu City more than 20 years ago, which was done in full view of everyone and cannot be faked."

"This is an undeniable fact."

He took a deep breath, his tone becoming serious: "Precisely because we cannot be certain, we must not act rashly!"

"Such a person is likely to advance to the Void Refinement realm or even higher in the future! Although our Lu family is strong, it is unwise to make such a great enemy for no reason!"

"Therefore, this matter can only be investigated secretly through the most clandestine channels, uncovering the background and origins of this Thunder Prison Heavenly Lord."

"Remember, you must not let a word of this slip out, and you must not let him find out in the slightest!"

"Until then, the Lu family must maintain a show of courtesy towards them. Everything will be discussed after the investigation is complete!"

Lu Yuxuan knew that his father's words were a mature and prudent move, and nodded in agreement, "Father's considerations are thorough, and I have learned from them."

The father and son quickly returned to their rented cave dwelling in Tian Shu City.

As soon as they stepped into the cave, a Nascent Soul cultivator dressed in Lu family attire, who had been waiting there, immediately came to greet them.
He bowed respectfully and presented a sealed jade slip with both hands:

"Reporting to the patriarch, Elder Xinghai has delivered an urgent letter."

Lu Xingyun felt a chill run down his spine and took the jade slip.

The eldest elder, Lu Xinghai, was the most violent and impatient of them all. He was still deeply troubled by the murder of his only son, Lu Qingya, and kept urging him to hurry up and make amends.

He waved away the messenger and then used a special incantation to break the seal on the jade slip.

As his divine sense probed in, lines of angry words instantly flooded his mind.
The chilling anger and stern rebuke conveyed between the lines made Lu Xingyun feel a pressure on his forehead.

He sighed, took out a blank jade slip, pondered for a long time, and began to use his divine sense to inscribe a reply.

He reported truthfully and earnestly on the findings of his investigations over the past year.
He paused for a moment after writing this.
The sights and sounds I had witnessed in Zhou Xun's cave earlier that day flashed before my eyes once more.
He hesitated for a moment, but still added the information about "Thunder Prison Heavenly Lord" Wang Lin to the end.

He wrote with extreme caution, only objectively describing the other party's astonishing talent and progress in cultivation.

And the facts such as refining the tribulation lightning treasure and gaining the favor of the Nine Thunder Heavenly Lord,
Finally, he added his own speculation about the Heavenly Lord of the River of Oblivion and strongly suggested that the family investigate secretly, lest they alert him.

After the engraving was completed, he carefully checked it several times to ensure that the wording was tactful and cautious enough before resealing the jade slip and summoning his trusted messenger to send it back to the Lu family's ancestral land as soon as possible.

Several days later, in the core area of ​​the Lu family's ancestral land, inside a sixth-tier cave dwelling brimming with spiritual energy.

An elderly man with a fierce and domineering air between his brows sat cross-legged.

This person is none other than Lu Xinghai, the head of the Lu family!

When he received the jade slip delivered by the messenger, he couldn't wait to examine it.

After reading the description of Thunder Prison Heavenly Lord,

His face turned ashen.

"Absurd! Conservative! Cowardly!" Lu Xinghai stood up abruptly, extremely dissatisfied with Lu Xingyun's actions!
"If there's suspicion, why bother investigating? Better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free!"

"Go directly to their doorstep, search their souls and refine their spirits, and everything will naturally come to light!"

"A mere Nascent Soul cultivator is not worth all this hesitation and fear? You have utterly disgraced the Lu family!"

In his rage, he wouldn't listen to any of Lu Xingyun's advice, thinking only that the other party was utterly incompetent and indecisive.

"Very well! If you dare not, I will go myself!"

Before he could finish speaking, Lu Xinghai had already transformed into a raging streak of crimson light and burst out of the cave.
Carrying boundless rage, it tore through the sky and headed straight towards Tian Shu City!

(End of this chapter)