Cultivating Immortality in Two Realms

"Hehe, the [Tailfire] lineage, refining the embers of tribulation fire... that really scared the old fox to death."

Dark Candle patted its chest in a very human-like manner, and the smile on its fox-like mouth seemed to have a hint of mockery.

"Cough cough..."

Seeing that the situation was not right, Fang Qing had no choice but to speak up: "Fellow Daoist... I am the one who needs to purchase cultivation techniques. Do you have any?"

"The old fox doesn't have the Great Sun Technique... but my demon race has a rich treasury. The old fox should go back and ask around; he should have some clues."

Dark Candle Master clearly enjoyed trading martial arts techniques; his fox-like face appeared extremely shrewd and eerie in the candlelight: "If you trust this old fox, pay a deposit first... I'll contact you again once I find him."

Fang Qing remained silent for a moment, then tossed out a yellow gourd.

Anzhuzi took it, opened it, and sniffed it: "Hmm...not bad, not bad. The old fox will remember this."

Fang Qing then secretly sent a telepathic message to the old fox, giving him a meeting point and a code word before retreating back into the crowd.

"Although the atmosphere at this exchange meeting was tense... quite a bit of information was leaked..."

While he ate the melon, he was also excited, hoping that Anzhuzi and the Pu family cultivators would reveal a few more bombshells.

After the exchange was over, it was time for everyone to have their own exchange.

Old Tian was the first to step forward and ask, "Old Tian is of the [Lou Jin] lineage, but his grandson and granddaughter are not. Will there be any obstacles in their cultivation of the [Lou Jin] technique?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Qing perked up and looked at the slovenly Taoist priest.

He will definitely switch to other cultivation methods in the future.

"A cultivator's destiny can enhance their cultivation techniques, but it's not absolute..."

The disheveled Taoist thought for a moment and then explained, "If your descendants possess other Metal element destiny, cultivating the [Lou Jin] technique will not pose much of an obstacle... it's just that the progress might be slower compared to techniques that suit them... If you possess a Metal element destiny but cultivate Wood or Fire element techniques, it's not impossible, but the speed will be extremely slow, and you'll even be more prone to qi deviation..."

Upon hearing this, Fang Qing immediately understood.

In this respect, the Qi-cultivation method is quite similar to the Qi-refining method.

According to the cultivation theory of the Qi Refining Path, a person's body contains all five elements, so he can actually cultivate various techniques with attributes such as metal, wood, fire, earth, and even ice.

However, he is skilled in water-based techniques, and one hour of his practice is equivalent to ten hours of practice with other techniques!

If you still want to break through to a higher realm and extend your lifespan, it's best to focus on water-based cultivation techniques.

However, once he reaches the Foundation Establishment stage, he can switch to cultivating the Azure Sea Sect's Core Formation technique, "Azure Sea Technique," or even acquire another water-based technique.

In the practice of cultivating qi, once a method is chosen, one must stick to it to the end.

"I see, thank you for clearing up my doubts, fellow Daoist..."

Old Tian suddenly realized, and gritted his teeth again: "Back then, I was ignorant and only consumed one lower-level True Qi when I first entered the Dao, which resulted in low-quality magical power. I wonder if there is any way to make up for it?"

"hehe……"

The cultivator surnamed Pu scoffed, "Once you enter the Dao, there's no going back. Once you've absorbed the lower three levels of true qi, you're destined to remain in the Qi Absorption Realm for life. Don't even think about breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage."

Upon hearing this, most of the cultivators present turned pale.

Clearly, these independent cultivators, without the guidance of elders, and with their first breath of true qi being extremely precious, naturally practice whatever they have. Most of them have only the lower three levels of true qi, making it impossible for them to break through to the Dao Foundation stage. They are also inferior in their daily cultivation and in battles with cultivators of the same level.

"Actually... there is a way."

At this moment, the old fox spoke up: "Water is good at nourishing all things. If we can find those legendary spiritual waters of heaven and earth, such as 'Heaven-Given Water,' it might be possible to purify magical power and defy fate..."

"Hehe... In this world, the golden fire is flourishing, and the spiritual fire of heaven and earth, as well as the few rare metals in the universe that can be used to forge the Nine Revolutions Flying Sword, are extremely rare... The spiritual water of heaven and earth will be even rarer."

The cultivator surnamed Pu sneered, "I'm afraid 'Heaven-Given Water' no longer exists in the world. To find it, unless a great being attains enlightenment and greatly benefits the world's water virtue, there's even a sliver of hope... Even if they did find it, such a spiritual object would be fiercely contested even by cultivators at the Purple Mansion level. Do you think you could even dream of it?"

The surrounding cultivators remained silent, but firmly remembered the name "Heaven Creates Water." Although it was likely all in vain, what if it worked?

"A great being attains enlightenment? And there's such a transformation?"

Fang Qing was genuinely surprised.

"What's so strange about that? When a Dao Foundation cultivator breaks through, there are extraordinary phenomena in the heavens and earth. If it's a Purple Mansion cultivator breaking through, the scope is even wider, affecting at least an entire prefecture... Back when the Pu family patriarch broke through, Yulin Prefecture was engulfed in flames, burning countless innocent passersby to death, and many wood-element cultivators suffered qi deviation... Those who broke through to a higher realm in seclusion fared even worse. Apart from those who cultivated fire elemental magic and benefited, all the others failed, some even dying out of their cultivation..."

The old fox spoke up: "If a powerful being were to attain enlightenment, their influence would absolutely spread throughout the world... If they cultivate the virtue of water, what does it matter if there are a few more water-based spiritual creatures in the world?"

"Thank you, I've learned a lot."

Fang Qing clasped his hands in a salute, for this was valuable knowledge, no matter what.

"Hehe... It's alright, it's just common sense. The old fox got a clerical job at 'Fallen Phoenix Mountain', in charge of looking after 'Langhuan Library', and he usually loves reading."

The old fox laughed.

"The sacred land of the demon race—Fallen Phoenix Mountain?"

Fang Qing was still marveling at how the old fox loved trading cultivation techniques—it turned out he was just a librarian—when he heard the exclamation of the cultivator surnamed Pu.

When he looked over again, he saw that the cultivator surnamed Pu was full of fear and no longer had the aggressive demeanor he had shown before.

"Fine... so you're outmatched and decided to back down?"

These scions of powerful families can be arrogant and haughty when facing those from lower classes, but they can be incredibly humble when facing those from even more prestigious families, highlighting a duality.

The ensuing exchange was rather boring because the cultivator surnamed Pu backed down and didn't say a word. Fang Qing didn't hear any juicy gossip and found it quite dull.

After the exchange meeting ended, the cultivators dispersed one by one.

Just as he was about to leave, he heard the disheveled old Taoist priest speak: "Fellow Daoist Fang Shui, please wait..."

"What are your instructions, Taoist Master?"

Fang Qing remained on guard, but his expression was extremely polite.

"It feels like just yesterday that I saw you all outside Fuzhoufang... Young friend, you were able to consume exotic fruits in your childhood and found Fuzhoufang. It can be said that we are destined to meet."

The disheveled Taoist looked somewhat bewildered: "And now, you've not only accepted the Dao and entered the sixth level... Li Rulong is even more extraordinary, blessed with good fortune, a prodigy who can control most of Ba County. Although it's an agreement with the Purple Mansion, it's still quite rare..."

"Consuming exotic fruits?"

Fang Qing's eyes twitched: 'If this wasn't leaked by Li Rulong or the Pu family, then this old bastard is plotting against me? Could he possibly have predicted this? Is he even a cultivator? Perhaps… a Foundation Establishment cultivator? Aren't he afraid of the Purple Mansion's prohibitions?'

At the same time, he secretly resented it: 'To run into such a big shot even in a simple exchange event... This cesspool, this lousy place!'

"Fortunately, I have the 'As If Calculated' technique. He thought he had figured me out, but it was just a facade... I'll use the Plum Blossom Divination to calculate him in reverse. According to the divination book, someone who actively creates karma with me should be easier to calculate... However, it's unlikely that his level of understanding surpasses mine, especially since this ancient Shu is a cesspool of secrets!"

At this moment, Fang Qing's expression shifted, and he sensed another unusual situation.

The Dao-Born Pearl within his body spun rapidly, filling the air with both pure and impure energy, creating a myriad of phenomena.

"This is... 'As If in Calculation' being activated?"

"This person might not even be a Foundation Establishment cultivator?"

"The Purple Mansion itself is personally involved in blasting fish?! Is there no justice?! Is there no law?!"

"I've worked diligently at the Azure Sea Sect for almost ten years, and I still haven't seen what my own Core Formation Ancestor looks like! Do the Purple Mansion cultivators here have to be so approachable?"

Although she was internally ranting and raving, Fang Qing maintained her acting skills and appeared outwardly normal.

Or rather, with the 'Dao Sheng Pearl' concealing his thoughts, his mental fluctuations were also shrouded in a layer of 'as if calculated' effect. Even if this Purple Mansion cultivator had some method of peering into people's hearts, he could only see a layer of false psychological activity.

Fang Qing continued listening, and then the old Taoist priest spoke: "Although Li Rulong was a chosen one of fortune for a time, he has now reached his limit. The Dao Foundation Clan's stronghold, the Black Gu Sect... are not things he can handle. Although I am weak, I am willing to do my best for him. I wonder if you, young friend, would be willing to deliver a letter for me and invite him to join this exchange meeting?"

"That's natural."

He readily agreed, took a bright yellow letter, and bid farewell.

Whoosh!

Fang Qing stepped onto the Xuanbing Wheel and flew a long way in one breath. His subconscious thought was to travel back to Jade Island and not stay in this wretched place anymore.

But the next moment, a thought struck him, and he silently practiced the "Plum Blossom Divination".

After the fright he had just experienced, he stumbled upon another aspect of the "as if in the calculation" phenomenon.

"Although the secrets of the ancient Shu lands are a cesspool! But I possess a Dao-born pearl, and by borrowing its position... perhaps my divination abilities can rival those of the Purple Palace?"

"Plus, that slovenly Taoist priest took the initiative to seek me out and form a karmic bond, so he had it relatively easy..."

Within Fang Qing's sea of ​​consciousness, several illusory plum blossom petals drifted down, forming a hexagram:

"A terrible omen?!"

"Could it be... that slovenly Taoist priest has been spying on me all along? If I travel through time, will I expose my most secret secret?"

He was incredibly shocked, but showed no sign of it on his face. After finding out the location of Li Rulong's army, he rushed over there.

"For now, Li Rulong is the pawn that everyone values. I'm just a minor figure on the sidelines... As long as I play my part well and then leave the stage, no one will notice me."

"The most crucial thing is the position of the Plum Blossom Divination and the Dao-Born Pearl... Otherwise, I wouldn't even know if I was involved, and I would have died like a confused ghost..."