I forge immortality with a pagoda.

Sink your Qi to your Dantian, lock your mind to the Xuan Guan (a point on the back of the body), and draw in the sharp, metallic Qi that is scattered throughout the world, transforming it into a protective divine light.

The vital energy circulates continuously along specific meridian pathways.

The inspiration instantly emanates outward, solidifying into a tangible form three inches from the body's surface, transforming the intangible into the tangible, like an ancient bronze bell enveloping the entire body, with the energy circulating endlessly.

However, the flowing radiance on Shen Yu's body only lasted for a moment before dissipating in a flickering manner, turning back into dark blue light spots and vanishing into the void.

"As expected, it was still just a hair's breadth short."

Shen Yu slowly opened her eyes, a hint of helplessness flashing in them.

These days, he has been diligently practicing this intermediate Taoist technique, "Copper Iron Shield," but he still hasn't grasped the essentials.

Each time he was about to successfully build a barrier, he would always fail at the last moment, which made him feel quite frustrated.

Shen Yu frowned deeply, stopped practicing his cultivation, and began to make plans.

The Taoist arts I have practiced now are actually quite few.

The lower-level Taoist arts include the Earth Armor Technique and the Sand Refining Technique; the middle-level Taoist arts only have the Mountain Splitting Technique; and the upper-level Taoist arts only have the Fierce Nether Wind Calling Technique.

The Sand Refining Technique is a Taoist technique that I recently purchased, and I am currently only at the beginner level.

The Earth Armor Technique was passed down from Daoist Yunhui, and after more than half a year of diligent practice, it has reached the intermediate level.

He has also made great progress in the Mountain Splitting Technique, and it is expected that he will be able to break through to the intermediate level in less than half a year.

As for the Fierce Nether Wind Summoning Technique, the condensation of the fiery flow still requires considerable time and effort.

Although he lacked Taoist skills and was still far from successfully condensing the Xuanlu, Shen Yu was not too worried.

The Xuanqiong Pagoda can now be fully activated. Even without using other spells or magical artifacts, Shen Yu is 70% confident that he can defeat Yu Yihu with just this treasure.

With this in mind, he no longer hesitated, immediately packed his things, and prepared to leave Liexing Valley.

The building he was in wasn't very tall, and he arrived at the ground floor in no time.

Shen Yu gave instructions to the attendant on duty and was about to leave when he heard a familiar voice from behind him.

"Is Senior Brother Shen leaving?"

Shen Yu turned her head and saw that it was Zhu Jianda who had arrived.

He then bowed and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhu, you've come at just the right time. I was just about to go and find you."

Zhu Jianda strode forward, surprised, and asked, "Senior Brother Shen, are you perhaps unaware that today is the day Fairy Qiu is choosing a husband?"

"Of course I know that."

"Then, senior brother, don't you want to see the fairy's true face?" Zhu Jianda was even more puzzled.

"Youth fades quickly, and time is precious. Beauty may be lovely, but it can never compare to the real benefits of self-cultivation."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Jianda couldn't help but show admiration, feeling that this Senior Brother Shen's unwavering resolve was truly admirable.

He felt ashamed, but still advised, "It's only been half a day, there should be no problem."

"If you miss this grand event, senior brother, it will be difficult to see such a scene again. Why don't you come with me to take a look?"

Shen Yu chuckled and teased, "Fellow Daoist Zhu, perhaps you also wish to try your luck and become Daoist partners with that Fairy Qiu?"

Zhu Jianda blushed instantly and waved his hands repeatedly: "Senior brother, please don't tease me. How could I dare to have such a presumptuous thought? I just want to see the fairy's beauty again."

"Oh?"

"It's actually this beautiful?"

"Absolutely true!"

Zhu Jian patted his chest and assured him.

"Since that's the case, let's go with Fellow Daoist Zhu. It will only take half a day."

Zhu Jian was overjoyed and quickly pulled Shen Yu out of the pavilion.

...

The Starfall Plain was already bustling with activity, even more so than when the Yangquan Dharma Assembly began.

On the high platform, Qiu Junhao sat in the center, surrounded by several Foundation Establishment cultivators.

He cleared his throat and said in a loud voice, "Fellow practitioners, I am deeply grateful for your presence today at my daughter's marriage selection ceremony."

He cleared his throat and said loudly, "Fellow colleagues and fellow Daoists, I thank you all for gracing me with your presence today to attend my daughter's selection of a husband."

A commotion immediately broke out in the audience. Everyone looked around, trying to find Qiu Yunzhi, who was known as one of the top three beauties in the southern region of Dongling Prefecture, but to no avail.

Discussions began to rise, and the scene became incredibly noisy.

Qiu Junhao smiled and said, "Everyone, please be patient. My daughter was about to break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining a few days ago. She has just emerged from seclusion and her realm is not yet stable. She still needs to recuperate for a while."

These words shocked everyone present, and even the Foundation Establishment cultivators on the high platform were moved.

Qin Yang and Feng Jinhong were both utterly shocked.

It is important to know that the Qi Refining Realm is divided into nine levels, with each three levels forming a minor realm.

Breakthroughs in each small realm are extremely difficult.

Unexpectedly, Qiu Yunzhi broke through from the third level of Qi Refining to the fourth level.

Such a casual remark suggests that this fairy of the Qiu family is of exceptional talent.

Qin Yang's eyes burned even brighter, while Feng Jinhong's gaze flickered; both were clearly determined to possess this fairy from the Qiu family.

Before long, a burst of light suddenly shot into the sky from a secret place in the valley, and in a moment it flew to the sky above Starfall Plain.

All eyes were drawn to it.

Shen Yu also looked intently and saw a graceful figure standing gracefully amidst the radiance.

The female Taoist priest wore a hibiscus crown, a sky-blue Taoist robe, and silver-threaded cloud-patterned shoes, looking every bit the part of a legitimate disciple of the Xuanmen sect.

Shen Yu looked more closely and saw that the person's eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, his eyes were like autumn waters rippling across the surface, his lips held a smile, and his skin was whiter than snow.

A silver bracelet dangled diagonally from her arm, further accentuating her graceful figure and ethereal beauty.

It truly is a sight to behold that could topple a city with a single glance, and a sight to behold that could topple a nation with a second.

Many cultivators in the arena were stunned for a moment, as if their souls had been captivated by Qiu Yunzhi.

"If I could spend a night with Fairy Qiu, I would be willing to die and disappear tomorrow."

One of the Kaiyuan cultivators was momentarily lost in thought and murmured to himself.

This immediately drew a chorus of sneers.

The monk came to his senses and immediately realized his rudeness. His face turned red with embarrassment, and he covered his face and hid in the crowd.

Shen Yu shook his head and chuckled, glancing sideways at Zhu Jianda, who was also in a similar dazed state, and couldn't help but smile.

Although this woman was beautiful, she was only about the same as Yue Ling.

On the stage, Qin Yang stared intently at Qiu Yunzhi, who had just landed, as if she were already his.

Feng Jinhong turned her head and whispered to Feng Yunqian behind her.

Qiu Junhao took in everyone's reactions and felt smug. He announced loudly, "This selection of a son-in-law will be divided into two rounds. All of you young talents will need to compete to determine four winners. My daughter will then choose the best match from among them."

"The first exam is a written test..."

When Shen Yu saw that the competition had started, he lost interest and wandered to a secluded spot by the lake to meditate.

Zhu Jianda, however, squeezed to the front with great interest, staring intently at the battle between the Qi Refining cultivators in the arena, eager to know who would ultimately win the beauty's favor.

...

When Shen Yu opened his eyes again, the competition had already ended.

Qin Yang and Feng Jinhong naturally made it into the top four, while the other two winners were unfamiliar Qi Refining cultivators, whose backgrounds Shen Yu was unaware of.

To Shen Yu's surprise, Feng Jinhong, whose cultivation was slightly inferior, won the second martial arts competition.

"I wonder what secret technique this member of the Feng family used?"

Shen Yu stroked his chin, his opinion of Feng Jinhong rising even higher.

If you encounter this person again, you must not let your guard down.

...

...