Cultivation of Immortality: Start by Improving Spiritual Root Qualifications

Chapter 991 The Immortal Realm Banquet Amazes All Cultivators!
"Master Yun Ku is about to break through!" Zhou Xun's gaze sharpened.

"Let's attack together, isolate our auras, and avoid disturbing anyone, so as to prevent leaks and unnecessary trouble!" Liu Bai reacted quickly and spoke in a cool tone.

In an instant, Zhou Xun, Liu Bai, and Yanmo Tianjun, three Nascent Soul cultivators, attacked simultaneously.

Zhou Xun flicked his sleeve, summoning lightning to form a pale blue light curtain.
Liu Bai pointed his fingers like a sword, and his sharp sword intent transformed into an invisible barrier. Yama Heavenly Lord's blood-red eyes flashed, and his powerful demonic energy formed a third line of defense.

The three forces intertwined, instantly sealing the impending eruption of the mid-stage Nascent Soul spiritual pressure within a radius of several feet.

The Cloud Bitter Heavenly Lord appeared solemn and dignified, with a golden light flickering between his brows.
The bones in his body emitted subtle crackling sounds, as if undergoing some kind of transformation.

His already profound aura surged forth like a torrent breaking through a dam, rising steadily until it finally settled at a new height!

The middle stage of becoming a god!

Yun Kutianjun slowly opened his eyes, his eyes filled with Buddhist light, deep as the sea, carrying a clarity after seeing through the fog and an even stronger majesty.

His aura had completely stabilized, and he was now a cultivator in the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm!
"Congratulations to Master Yun Ku on your great progress in cultivation, reaching a new level!" Upon seeing this, everyone's faces lit up with joy, and they all offered their congratulations.

Yun Kutianjun clasped his hands together, a gentle smile on his face, and returned the greeting:
"Many thanks to my fellow practitioners for protecting me. My progress is all thanks to you all."

His gaze swept over the crowd, lingering for a moment on Liu Bai, Yanmo Tianjun, and Tianci Zhenjun, his tone filled with admiration:

"Even in meditation, this humble monk can still sense changes in the external energy."

"This opportunity is not something that I, a humble monk, have obtained alone."

"Fellow Daoists Tianci, Tianyi, and Ziyi have already glimpsed the path to the Nascent Soul stage, and Fellow Daoist Liu Bai's sword intent is becoming increasingly refined, only one step away from the mid-stage,"

"Fellow Daoist Yanmo's foundation is becoming increasingly solid, and even Fellow Daoist Tieshan's cultivation has improved... It is evident that the Immortal Realm is truly an unparalleled blessed land for us."

"Given time, fellow Daoists, you will surely have a bright future!"

"Then we'll take your kind words, Master!" everyone replied.
The rest of the journey became extremely easy.

……

One month later, Cangyuan Islands,

This is one of the core regions of the Thousand Star Chaos, and its resources are even richer than those of the Heavenly Star Islands where Zhou Xun once stayed.
Composed of more than 800 islands of varying sizes, arranged in a celestial pattern.
It is said that the island with the highest spiritual veins is an eighth-grade low-level spiritual island, which is the core of the Cangyuan Islands, Cangyuan City.

An unknown number of cultivators gathered there.

This is the destination that Zhou Xun led everyone to.

Several days later, Zhou Xun saw a cluster of islands scattered like stars in the distance.

At the very center lies Cangyuan Island, which shines like a dazzling pearl, with its buildings standing side by side, shimmering with light.

As Zhou Xun approached the island, he noticed a significant increase in the number of cultivators around him. Some were piloting magical artifacts, some were riding spirit boats, and some were even riding various spirit beasts—it was quite a lively scene.

Among them were two extremely powerful auras, clearly belonging to Nascent Soul cultivators.

Zhou Xun was surprised. He could easily encounter a Nascent Soul cultivator. It was clear that Cangyuan City was indeed one of the top immortal cities in the Thousand Star Chaos.

"Is this the Immortal Realm? To have encountered two Nascent Soul cultivators upon first arriving here!" True Monarch Tianyi exclaimed in amazement.

In the human realm, Nascent Soul cultivators are usually high-ranking and rarely seen. Before the invasion of the Ghost Realm, even figures like Yama True Lord and Tianyi True Lord had never seen a Nascent Soul cultivator.

And here, people can come and go as they please.
It is clear that the claim that there are many Nascent Soul cultivators in the Immortal Realm, greatly reducing the difficulty of breaking through, is true!

So the group decided not to conceal their cultivation levels and went straight to the entrance of Cangyuan City.

The city gate of Cangyuan City is ten zhang high, made entirely of Xuanling Iron, and engraved with defensive array patterns. Cultivators in uniform guard the gate, and those who wish to enter the city must pay a high-grade spirit stone.

After exchanging spirit stones, everyone received a temporary identity jade token and successfully entered the city.

The city streets are wide, paved with bluestone slabs, and lined with shops on both sides. The sounds of vendors hawking their wares and bargaining fill the air, creating a vibrant, bustling atmosphere.

"Senior, do you need a guide?" A Qi Refining stage youth approached and asked respectfully.

Zhou Xun sized up the other person; he was a handsome young man with bright, alert eyes. "You seem to know this place very well?"

The young man puffed out his chest: "I grew up in Cangyuan City and know every corner of the city like the back of my hand! I only need ten spirit stones a day!"

Zhou Xun casually tossed him a mid-grade spirit stone: "Take me to the best inn."

The young man caught the spirit stone, overjoyed: "Thank you so much, senior! Please come with me!"

Led by the boy, Zhou Xun arrived at a group of buildings called "Cangyue Cave".

"Senior, this is one of the largest inns in Cangyuan City. It is said that Cangyuan City is located behind it!" the young man introduced.

Zhou Xun nodded in satisfaction, rewarded the boy with a few more bottles of pills, and sent him away.

……

The group then entered the room, where the environment was serene and filled with spiritual energy.

Immediately, a middle-aged cultivator dressed in brocade robes with a capable-looking face came forward to greet them.

A quick scan with divine sense revealed that this person actually possessed the cultivation level of the mid-stage Nascent Soul realm.

"Even a mere steward is a Nascent Soul cultivator! This Immortal Realm is truly extraordinary!" True Monarch Iron Mountain was greatly shocked.
It should be noted that he only broke through to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm after arriving in this Immortal Realm.

Such cultivation would be enough to make someone a sect leader or ancestor in the human realm, yet here they are merely a mere steward; it is truly astonishing.

"This junior is a steward of the Immortal Abode Pavilion. I have met you seniors. May I ask what kind of cave dwelling you require? I will do my best to arrange it."

The middle-aged deacon bowed respectfully, his tone neither humble nor arrogant, but filled with utmost respect.

Zhou Xun nodded slightly and spoke directly:

"We need to rent a fifth-level cave dwelling, preferably one that can accommodate more than ten of us for temporary accommodation and cultivation."

Upon hearing this, the steward's eyes flashed with surprise. It was rare to see a client who could rent a fifth-tier cave dwelling at once and require it to accommodate many people.

He dared not delay and quickly replied, "Yes, yes! Please follow me to the inner room for a closer look, seniors."

Upon entering the inner private room, the steward retrieved a compass-shaped magical artifact and infused it with his magic power.

Immediately, a dozen or so shrunken, yet still lifelike, phantom images of mountains were projected into the sky above the compass.

These caves vary in shape; some are located atop mountain peaks, shrouded in mist, while others are hidden in valleys, with babbling brooks.
Several of the cave dwellings even contained a sizable spiritual pool, its surface shimmering with light, where spirit fish frolicked.

"These are all our independent cave dwellings, covering an entire mountain, and can accommodate an entire cultivation family!"

Zhou Xun's gaze swept across the area and finally landed on a cave dwelling marked "Qingyu Lake".

This cave dwelling is nestled against the mountain and beside the water. Its main body is a mountain peak that is over ten feet tall and white. At the foot of the mountain is a spiritual lake, which is about ten acres in size. The environment is quiet and elegant, with rich spiritual energy. Its grade has reached the middle level of the fifth rank.

“Let’s rent this ‘Clear Rain Lake’ for a hundred years.” Zhou Xun pointed to the model of the cave dwelling and said decisively.

The steward was overjoyed; a hundred years' rent for a mid-grade fifth-tier cave dwelling would be a considerable sum. He quickly agreed and swiftly completed the rental procedures.

Zhou Xun paid the corresponding number of spirit crystals in exchange for a token that allowed him to control the restrictions on the cave.

Following the token's guidance, the group arrived at a scenic area of ​​mountains and rivers behind Cangyuan City, shrouded in a powerful array.

Having found the "Clear Rain Lake" cave, Zhou Xun waved his token at the entrance light screen, which opened silently. Upon stepping inside, a rich and pure spiritual energy rushed towards him, instantly invigorating him.

Looking around, the cave is a world unto itself, with distant green mountains like dark eyebrows and a clear lake nearby like an emerald inlaid in the landscape.

The most amazing thing is that the extremely rich spiritual energy formed a light mist on the lake surface, swirling among the lake and mountain scenery, like a dream.

"The misty Qingyu Lake... truly a beautiful sight, my brother. This place is no less beautiful than your Wangchuan Lake!"

Tianci Zhenjun took a deep breath of the almost tangible spiritual energy and couldn't help but sigh.

"Brother Dao, you jest. My Forgotten River Lake is probably no match for this place!" Zhou Xun knew his own limitations.
The Lake of Oblivion is merely a low-grade fifth-order lake.
This place is a genuine mid-grade fifth-order spiritual vein, far surpassing the entire immortal city situated atop a seventh-order spiritual vein.

However, Zhou Xun was confident that he could one day develop Wangchuan Lake into an entity that surpassed Cangyuan City.

After all, as his cultivation level increases, he will be able to continuously acquire high-level spiritual items to build the Forgotten River Lake.

Yun Kutian looked around, sensing the peaceful, serene, and spiritually vibrant atmosphere of the place, and nodded slightly:
"The spiritual energy is abundant yet not violent, and the environment is serene yet imbued with the spirit of Tao. It is indeed an excellent place for cultivating one's mind and character and comprehending the Great Tao. Zhou Xun has gone to great lengths."

Everyone was very satisfied with this temporary place to stay.

Next, they dispersed and chose accommodations that suited their tastes from several courtyards, settling down for the time being.

After everyone had rested for a while,
Zhou Xun then suggested going to the city to sample the delicacies of the immortal realm, which would also serve as a welcome feast for everyone and to discuss the subsequent arrangements.

This proposal naturally received a positive response from everyone.

As one of the major cities in the Northern Bright Immortal Domain, Cangyuan City's prosperity far exceeds people's imagination.

The streets were bustling with people, shops lined the streets, and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares, people talking, and the cries of mythical beasts filled the air.

Zhou Xun led the group straight to one of the three most famous restaurants in the city – “Zui Xian Ju”.

Zuixianju is a nine-story tower-like building with flying eaves, brackets, carved beams and painted rafters, making it exceptionally grand.

Two attendants, whose cultivation had reached the late stage of Core Formation, stood at the entrance. Upon seeing Zhou Xun and his group of distinguished guests, they immediately and respectfully led them into the building.

Zhou Xun directly requested an elegant private room located on the top floor.

The private room was elegantly decorated, with landscape paintings of profound artistic conception hanging on the walls, and a faint fragrance rising from the corner, making people feel relaxed and happy.

Through the wooden window, one can overlook the bustling scene of most of Cangyuan City.

After everyone was seated, Zhou Xun took the exquisitely crafted jade slip menu, scanned it with his divine sense, and ordered several signature spiritual dishes.

This includes "Spirit Snake Soup," made primarily with the fifth-tier demonic beast "Azure Water Spirit Snake" and supplemented with various rare spiritual herbs.
The "True Immortal's Intoxication" spirit wine is brewed using fifth-grade spirit grain "Jade Marrow Rice" and various thousand-year-old spirit fruits.
Other dishes include "Steamed Four-Tier Silver Thread Carp", "Braised Rhinoceros Hoof", and "Stir-fried Thousand-Year-Old Jade Bamboo Shoots"...

These are all delicacies carefully prepared using fourth- or fifth-tier spiritual plants and materials.

This meal cost quite a bit, about three spirit crystals.

Soon,
One after another, dishes of spiritual food, brimming with spiritual energy, were brought up by the maids.

The "Snake Soup" has a jade-green broth, a fragrant aroma, and faint images of snakes moving about.
"A fifth-tier demon beast, even in our human realm, would be no less than us. Yet now in the immortal realm, it has become food for us. It is truly lamentable!"

Looking at the glistening meat and soup before him, Lord Yun Kutian couldn't help but sigh.

Zi Yitianjun's expression changed drastically. As a fellow member of the demon race, even those who had reached the Nascent Soul stage could not escape the fate of being devoured. Although the Immortal Realm offered great opportunities...
But it also contains a major crisis.

The others were also discussing it animatedly.

Yama, however, took it in stride and laughed heartily, saying:
"It's just a matter of the strong preying on the weak; it's the same everywhere, and this world has never changed!"

Everyone then realized what was happening and agreed, making the scene lively again.

Next, the True Immortal's Drunkenness was also brought up, served in a clear jade wine jar.

The wine has an amber sheen, and even before it's opened, you can smell its intoxicating aroma.

The other dishes were also a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate, with a subtle brilliance that made one's mouth water.

"Gudong."

Looking at the plate of "Braised Fifth-Rank Fire Rhinoceros Hoof" radiating powerful energy, Wang Erniu couldn't help but swallow hard, his honest face filled with amazement.

"Back in the mortal realm, I would avoid even a fifth-tier demon lord, but here... they can actually be cooked into a dish! No wonder this is the immortal realm!"

Upon hearing this, everyone smiled knowingly.
At the same time, it also gave us a more intuitive understanding of the abundance of resources in the immortal realm.

Once all the spiritual food had been served, the maidservants withdrew.

A waiter carried a pot and poured a cup of "True Immortal's Intoxication" for everyone present.

As the wine is poured into the glass, its aroma becomes even more intense, as if celestial music is playing in the air.

Liu Bai was the first to raise his cup and stand up. Dressed in pristine white, with a handsome face, his gaze swept over each of the fellow Daoists who had come from the mortal realm, finally settling on Zhou Xun. His tone was clear and sincere:
"Fellow Daoist Zhou,"

"On behalf of all my fellow Daoists, I, Liu, would like to offer you a toast today!"

"If it weren't for your supreme divine power guiding us to break free from the shackles of the mortal realm and arrive in this vast immortal realm,"

"I'm afraid we'll spend our whole lives just wasting our time in that small space, like frogs at the bottom of a well, unable to see the vastness of the world or the truth of the great way."

"This is not only guiding us on the path, but also allowing us to glimpse the possibility of a higher realm. For us, it is truly a blessing to attain enlightenment!"

"I offer this cup of wine to my fellow Daoist!"

"A toast to Fellow Daoist Zhou (Brother Zhou/Elder Brother)!" Everyone responded in unison, raising their glasses and rising to their feet.

Zhou Xun also stood up, raised his glass, and looked around at everyone with a gentle smile on his face:
"Fellow Daoist Liu, you flatter me. You are all my dear friends and relatives in the human world. It is my honor to be able to walk alongside you."

May our friendship endure forever, and may we climb together to the pinnacle of enlightenment!

"Let us climb to the pinnacle of the Great Dao together!" the crowd repeated in unison.
Immediately, everyone drank the "True Immortal's Intoxication" in their cups in one gulp.

then,

The atmosphere grew increasingly harmonious as everyone savored the delicacies of the celestial realm while discussing their future plans.

After settling in, the group will part ways to travel on their own.
But every hundred years, they would return to Cangyuan City to gather, exchange ideas, and support each other.

Unless there are special circumstances, I will definitely keep the appointment on time.

The banquet lasted for several hours, until the moon was high in the sky, before everyone finally left, thoroughly satisfied.

Stepping out of Zuixianju, Cangyuan City was brightly lit, as if it were daytime.

Just as Zhou Xun and his group were preparing to return to their cave, the door to another private room next door opened, and a group of people walked out.

The leader was a young man dressed in fine clothes with a somewhat arrogant expression, followed by several powerful attendants and guards.

Zhou Xun's gaze swept over them casually, not paying any attention.

However, when his gaze fell on the face of one of the attendants who was looking down and somewhat reserved, his pupils suddenly contracted, and he was greatly surprised!

This person is actually a direct descendant of the Nine Thunder Heavenly Lord!

(End of this chapter)