There is a progress bar in my cultivation of immortality

Yu Lian, who attended the gathering with Wang Ping, took her calico cat Teng Yun to the nearby mountains immediately after the gathering to pick some fresh fruits that they had specially cultivated.

These fruits looked almost identical to those from Zhongzhou Star, mostly grapes and a type of green fruit. Yulian ate them with relish, but the calico cat didn't like them. Wang Ping picked up two green fruits to taste; they were sweet and refreshing, but unfortunately, the taste was fleeting.

"What do the fresh fruits personally cultivated by Xuanqing taste like?"

After eating the fresh fruit she had picked herself, Yulian couldn't help but imagine the fruit that Xuanqing had cultivated.

Wang Ping chuckled and gently stroked Yu Lian's head, saying, "I'll let you eat first."

Yu Lian immediately felt a sense of satisfaction.

Time flies, half a year has passed in the blink of an eye, and the end of the year is just around the corner. On the third day before the Spring Festival, Xuan Qing finally sent an invitation through the communication token of Yixi Meeting.

Yulian complained again, "He must know that Xiaozhu and the others will come every Spring Festival, but they have no one to visit them, so he always sends us away before the Spring Festival."

She seemed to have forgotten that she also needed to taste the fresh fruit cultivated by Xuanqing.

Wang Ping did not wait for Tiangong and Lieyang. He first used a transfer talisman to arrive at the outer edge of Yuqing Star. There were already more than ten Yuqing cultivators of the third realm waiting for a long time. Two of them led Wang Ping to Xuanqing's Daoist temple.

When the fresh fruit was served, Yulian immediately forgot her earlier complaints about Xuanqing, thanked him, and swallowed one in no time.

"Eating it too fast makes it tasteless, but it has a pure and refreshing spiritual energy that is very comforting."

As Yu Lian's voice echoed in Wang Ping's mind, she was already tasting the second fresh fruit, which resembled a peach but was much more vibrant in color.

Wang Ping also picked up a fresh fruit, feeling a perfectly soft touch on his fingertips. Its skin was as thin as a cicada's wing, with a translucent pink color, and fine water droplets were still condensed on the surface, shimmering with an alluring luster under the spiritual light of the temple.

The moment you gently bite into the peel, the sweet juice bursts forth between your lips and teeth. This sweetness is not as straightforward as that of ordinary fruits, but rather has distinct layers of flavor. At first, it is as refreshing as morning dew, then it brings the sweetness of mountain spring water, and finally leaves a faint floral fragrance. The flesh is so delicate that it almost melts in your mouth, yet it does not lose just the right amount of firmness. When you chew it, you can feel the fibers gently bouncing on the tip of your tongue.

These fleeting flavors did not enhance his cultivation, but they allowed Wang Ping, who had long forgotten the desire for food, to experience pure pleasure for the first time.

What is this fruit called?

Wang Ping inquired politely and appropriately showed an expression of enjoyment.

Xuanqing was very satisfied with Wang Ping's reaction. He smiled and said, "Before I started cultivating, my father and I helped a Yuqing Qi Master manage this orchard. At that time, my biggest wish was to own my own orchard."

"Later, the conflict between the Jade Purity Sect and the demon race became more and more intense, and we were given the opportunity to cultivate. I was also fortunate enough to cultivate step by step to my current level of cultivation. During this time, I never gave up cultivating my own orchard, and the fruit I liked to cultivate the most was the peach. Once, Yu Xiao came to play chess with me, and it just so happened that he was in my orchard. He said a name that I thought was quite good."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ping had a bad feeling.

Sure enough, Xuanqing said, "The peaches of immortality have the appearance of dragons and snakes coiling, and can also be used as a metaphor for 'turning the world upside down'. I was very satisfied when I heard this, so I adopted his suggestion."

"... "

Wang Ping almost lost his composure, but after taking another bite of the peach, he nodded sincerely and said, "A good name."

What were you thinking about just now?

Yu Lian's voice echoed in Wang Ping's mind. She could clearly sense the changes in Wang Ping's emotions. At this moment, she had already finished eating three peaches. Her lingering enjoyment spoke volumes about the charm of these peaches, more than any words of praise.

As Wang Ping responded to Yu Lian, a bell rang out outside. It was the disciples of the Yuqing Sect welcoming Tian Gong and Lie Yang, who had arrived together at the public Ascension Platform on the outer perimeter of Yuqing Star.

Xuanqing and Wang Ping had no reason to sit and wait, so they went together to the nearby Ascension Platform to greet them.

The four exchanged pleasantries upon meeting, then sat down to enjoy the peaches and chat. Ten days passed in the blink of an eye before Xuanqing, as the host, finally brought up the real reason for their gathering.

Yu Lian couldn't help but complain to Wang Ping again: "Look how formal they are this time. Last time they were so hasty. I guess they had already discussed it in advance and were just waiting for you to get involved so that you could bear the consequences of the war against the foreign rebels."

Wang Ping had naturally considered this point, but compared to the benefits he gained, this sacrifice was nothing.

The four quickly reached an agreement, and Xuanqing led Wang Ping and the others to the other side of Yuqing Star. Like Jupiter, this place was full of towering mountains and forests, without a trace of civilization.

Moreover, this area was surrounded by a barrier, and inside the barrier, in Wang Ping's view, there was a completely new system of rules, as if he had entered another dimension. This was the Golden Core rule of the Jade Purity Sect. With Xuanqing's fifth realm cultivation, it was entirely possible for him to create such a space on his own.

Xuanqing landed first on the top of a high mountain, where there was a huge rock, hundreds of feet long and wide. Standing on the rock, the view was wide open, and it was the most stable place in this space.

"Let's begin." Xuanqing first looked at Tiangong and Lieyang, then turned his gaze to Wang Ping. "Fellow Daoist Changqing, I'm counting on you."

He was quite carefree, considering that by doing this, he was essentially entrusting his life to Wang Ping's hands.

Wang Ping naturally had to give a serious reply: "Fellow Daoist, rest assured, I will definitely do my best."

Tiangong instructed them, "Be careful yourselves, and stop immediately if things become unmanageable." His last sentence was addressed to Lieyang.

After saying that, he transformed into a golden light and rose into the sky, instantly appearing outside the barrier of this area. He sat cross-legged above the barrier, his sharp gaze scrutinizing the surrounding starry sky. In the following days, he would eliminate any creature he perceived as dangerous.

Xuan Qing decisively sat cross-legged on the boulder. Then, colorful light shone freely, and Xuan Qing's true form appeared. His immortal body, three hundred feet tall, stood majestically on the mountain peak, shrouded in a hazy glow. He completely occupied the boulder on the mountain peak, and Wang Ping and Lie Yang had no choice but to retreat.

This was the true form of the immortal being, its skin as smooth and lustrous as jade, shimmering with a faint moonlight. Every inch of its body seemed to be sculpted from the purest spiritual jade. The next moment, this immortal body sprouted three heads and six arms. The three faces were all exceptionally handsome, yet each possessed its own unique charm. The front face was compassionate and smiling, the left face was solemn and majestic, and the right face was serene and transcendent. The six arms stretched out like lotus flowers, with wisps of pure energy swirling around the fingertips, drawing mysterious trajectories in the void.

What is most striking is the colorful light surrounding him, which is a ribbon composed of countless tiny runes, encircling his body like a light veil. These runes appear and disappear, sometimes transforming into a flowing river of stars, and sometimes into rolling clouds. Each change is in accordance with the ultimate principles of the heavens.

Around his immortal body, space spontaneously twisted and folded, forming layers of halos. These halos were not static, but pulsated slowly like breathing. Each contraction brought forth bursts of immortal music. Even more miraculously, the rocks beneath his feet began to turn into jade. In the blink of an eye, the entire mountain peak turned into crystal-clear emeralds, reflecting a dreamlike brilliance under the sunlight.

Then, the radiant light on the immortal body rippled outwards like flowing water, causing vegetation to grow wildly and withered trees to come back to life wherever it passed. Even the spiritual energy floating in the air became lively, spontaneously condensing into golden lotuses that bloomed and dissipated in the void.

Yu Lian exclaimed in her spiritual sea, "A perfect body."

Wang Ping was observing the rules surrounding this body. It was not connected to the Five Elements and Yin-Yang rules of this starry sky, but rather it was an independent Five Elements and Yin-Yang, which was regulated by the Golden Core rules, rather than the real Five Elements and Yin-Yang.

"I'm really itching to fight him!"

Lieyang, who was standing next to him, suddenly blurted out these words, and then he laughed and said, "Once he has cleansed the pollution from his body, I will definitely invite him to have a match."

Yu Lian spoke up, "Do you think he's very capable? More capable than you?"

Lieyang retorted, "He couldn't possibly have a higher cultivation level than me, especially after he cleansed the pollution from his body. Pollution is also part of cultivation. Removing it can alleviate the confusion of his consciousness, but it will result in the loss of a portion of his cultivation. I, on the other hand, chose to assimilate it directly."

Yu Lian asked, "Can't he just assimilate directly?"

"Impossible, because Lingshan's consciousness is polluted, and pollution can only be cleaned up."

Yu Lian nodded thoughtfully. At that moment, she saw Xuan Qing's immortal body simultaneously form a hand seal with several arms. A primordial spirit, solidified into a tangible form, manifested above his head, shimmering with colorful light.

Within the primordial spirit, two distinct consciousnesses intertwined like yin and yang. Xuanqing's original consciousness was like a bright moon, its clear light illuminating every part of the primordial spirit, each ray of light orderly and well-ordered. The other consciousness, however, was like a turbid undercurrent.

The undercurrent's consciousness seemed to possess some primal instinct, attempting to corrupt Xuan Qing's normal thoughts. However, Xuan Qing's consciousness maintained just the right amount of suppression, neither allowing the undercurrent to break through the defenses nor excessively depleting its own power.

The two consciousnesses maintained a fragile balance. If Xuanqing's consciousness did not encounter any major problems, this state could probably continue indefinitely. However, it also caused his consciousness to be pulled along, making it impossible for him to mobilize the yang energy of this starry sky.

Because the primordial spirit will influence the physical immortal body, Xuanqing's physical immortal body may seem calm at this moment, but once that crazy consciousness takes the initiative, it can construct a chaotic golden core world in an instant, thereby disturbing the spirituality of this starry sky.

According to the intelligence Wang Ping obtained, Ling Shan actively merged with Xuan Qing's consciousness. However, the current situation is far different from what he knew. After all, being polluted to this extent, it is impossible for Ling Shan to actively merge. It can only devour, and it devours endlessly.

This thought only flashed through Wang Ping's mind before he suppressed it, because the past was irrelevant to him, and he had no interest in understanding the truth, at least not now.

"I'll have to trouble you now, fellow Daoist."

Xuanqing's primordial spirit spoke.

Wang Ping nodded and said, "Fellow Daoist, rest assured." As he agreed, a green light continuously spread around him, and the 'Heaven-Stealing Talisman' immediately appeared and hovered beside him.

Next, the 'Heaven-Covering Talisman' and the 'Heaven-Reaching Talisman' manifested and brazenly examined the rule network belonging to Xuanqing under the interwoven rule network of the universe.

That is one of the five elements and yin-yang rules of this starry sky. Wang Ping certainly cannot directly define its life or death. Even if he succeeds in defining it, he will be damaged because the five elements and yin-yang rules are intertwined. However, suppressing it is very simple, and keeping it in a fixed form is even simpler, especially under the premise that Xuan Qing does not resist.

While Wang Ping was making hand seals, the clear consciousness within Xuan Qing's primordial spirit was adjusting its state at a visible speed. Wang Ping used the 'Heaven-Stealing Talisman' to record Xuan Qing's state at every moment, so that he could read and lock onto Xuan Qing's perfect state at crucial moments and use this perfect state to define Xuan Qing's future.

More than ten breaths later.

Xuanqing's voice echoed throughout the heavens and earth: "Now!"

Wang Ping decisively used the 'Heaven-Stealing Talisman' to record Xuan Qing's current state and used this state to define Xuan Qing's subsequent consciousness.

At this moment, Lieyang summoned five Xuanhuang command flags to construct a massive monitoring array to monitor the status of Wang Ping and Xuan Qing, and to pull them out when necessary.

"This feels so good."

Xuan Qing's tone conveyed a sense of relief. With the blessing of the 'Heaven-Stealing Talisman,' his perfect state was directly defined, and now he had enough consciousness to cleanse the pollution in his primordial spirit.

Suddenly, his primordial spirit trembled, and the radiant light surged like a tide. His clear primordial consciousness suddenly burst forth with dazzling white light, like a rising sun emerging from within his primordial spirit. Wherever the white light passed, the dark currents of consciousness melted away like ice and snow.

The immortal body then triggered a chain reaction. Fine cracks appeared on the surface of the three-hundred-foot-tall jade body. From each crack, a black, viscous substance seeped out. As soon as this substance came into contact with the air, it boiled violently and turned into countless twisted black shadows that scattered and fled. However, the rune ribbons around the immortal body immediately tightened, forming a net that crushed all the black shadows.

At this moment, the atmosphere of Yuqing Star suddenly became as bright as day, and countless golden lightning bolts shuttled through the clouds. All the orthodox and unorthodox Yuqing cultivators in the star field were awakened at the same time, because they found that the yang energy in the star sky had become chaotic, causing the Yuqing spiritual energy in their spiritual veins to boil uncontrollably.

Fortunately, everything recovered in an instant. Then, a trace of gray-gold contaminant seeped out from inside Xuanqing's primordial spirit. This was the contaminated consciousness, which also contained the spirituality of the primordial spirit. However, this amount of contamination was too small, and at this rate, it would probably take hundreds of years.

After the gray-gold pollutant slowly peeled away from the primordial spirit, it was like a dying venomous snake, twisting and struggling, refusing to dissipate. Its surface was covered with fine cracks, and each crack shimmered with fragmented memories. Some were blurry mountains and cities, some were distorted human faces, and some were incomplete cultivation techniques and runes.

These memories have long been tainted and distorted, like a painting burned by a raging fire, leaving only charred edges.

The pollutants contained specks of golden light, which were the purest original spiritual essence of Xuanqing's primordial spirit. Their loss would inevitably damage Xuanqing's cultivation, but this was something that could not be avoided.

The fact that the cultivation levels of all the True Lords have remained stagnant for so many years is likely largely due to a regression that occurred during the cleansing of their polluted consciousness. (End of Chapter)