The Path to Immortality: Starting with an Analysis of Basic Concepts

"what?"

Tong Xuan paused, turned around in surprise, looked at the figure that had already entered through the door, pursed her lips, and called out:

"Okay... Master Zhu!"

The tone emphasized the word "senior brother".

When she turned back, for some reason, the girl's suppressed mood suddenly improved a lot, and she hummed, "This time I will definitely be able to condense another soul particle."

The door slowly closed.

Perhaps it was the original owner's memories, perhaps it was a sense of shared sorrow, or perhaps it was simply sympathy? Zhu Yu didn't know either; he just saw Tong Xuan looking like she was about to die from a failed meditation, so he invited her over.

The stone house wasn't big, but it could still accommodate one more person.

I didn't think much of it.

Zhu Yu mixed the shredded fresh meat, firefly petals, and snake grass leaves that the servant had brought with him into a bowl. Seeing that Xiao Hei was eating happily, he stopped paying attention, closed his eyes, and concentrated into meditation.

The next day.

Six full moons rose from the dome, and the door was knocked on as promised.

"call..."

Zhu Yu breathed a sigh of relief, opened his eyes, and felt the three divine soul particles that had increased in his divine sea. He shook his head slightly and silently warned himself that everything else should be put after Qi cultivation. He got up from the bed, brushed off his dust-free black robe, and pushed open the door with a beaming smile.

"Congratulations, Master."

"Fellow disciples, please be kind."

"Junior Brother Zhu, Senior Brother Xiang has something to do today and can't come over."

"..."

Seven full moons appeared on the dome.

The doors of the adjacent stone houses slowly opened.

Tong Xuan, dressed in a beige ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), stepped out. It was clear that she had taken great care in grooming herself. Her dark hair was styled with a gilded hairpin, and she had applied some powder to her dark circles, making her look much more energetic, like a girl next door.

She looked around, humming a strange tune as she walked toward the adjacent stone house. When she heard voices coming from inside, she hesitated for a moment, then raised her hand and knocked on the door.

The door was open.

Zhu Yu looked at Tong Xuan, who was clearly dressed up carefully, and was surprised for a moment, but did not think much of it. He gestured and said:

"Junior Sister Tong is here, please come in."

"Um."

Tong Xuan nodded with a smile and stepped into the house. She saw five young men and women sitting cross-legged on futons, as well as a big fat man standing to the side grinning foolishly. Her doubts deepened.

"What is Zhu Yu doing?"

She does have some discernment.

These people in front of him were clearly not as simple as Zhu Yu's friend...

"Please have a seat, Junior Sister Tong. I have some things to attend to. We can talk later."

After settling Tong Xuan into a chair, Zhu Yu didn't say much. He picked up a book from the table, turned to look at the first apprentice Xun Su, Ni Ying, and others, and continued the previous conversation.

"Does drawing the three-ring pattern create inexplicable resistance?"

"Based on my understanding, it's less of a resistance and more of a unique, inherent rhythm..."

As he spoke slowly, everyone's attention quickly focused on him.

Tong Xuan looked confused, but as Zhu Yu continued to explain, Xun Su, Ni Ying, and others occasionally asked questions, and their faces gradually showed shock.

He's teaching others "basic visualization diagrams"!

"He...isn't...how could he..."

Tong Xuan was in a daze, and an image involuntarily surfaced in her mind: a face that had become increasingly irritable and gloomy due to the long period of inability to open her divine sea.

Looking at the bright and talkative young man in front of me, if it weren't for his identical appearance, we could say they were two completely different people.

Zhu Yu caught a glimpse of her complicated expression, but didn't pay it any mind, nor did he change his teaching methods because of her.

He was just giving Tong Xuan a chance to attend the class, but whether she could gain anything from it was up to her.

Time passed slowly.

After her initial shock, Tong Xuan was drawn to Zhu Yu's explanation of the "basic visualization diagram." She quickly realized why he had invited her to chat, gave him a grateful look, and listened attentively without daring to make a sound.

She could understand some of what was said, but not others.

But she forced herself to write it all down, intending to ponder it later when she got back. However, for some reason, as she listened, her vision began to blur...

I don't know how long it has been.

A voice saying "Teacher Zhu, farewell" startled Tong Xuan from her sleep. She looked up and, still half-asleep, saw everyone leaving, except for Zhu Yu's figure, which became clearer and clearer.

"Awake?"

A blush immediately rose to Tong Xuan's cheeks. She stood up and hurriedly explained, "I'm sorry, I'm just too sleepy, I..."

Zhu Yu knew what she meant, shook his head slightly, and interrupted, "Junior Sister Tong, there's no need for that." He paused, then smiled and teased, "We're from the same hometown, so saying that would be too formal."

"Yes, thank you, senior brother."

Seeing that he wasn't angry, Tong Xuan's tense mood eased, and a smile returned to her face. After hesitating for a moment, she cautiously asked, "Senior brother, can I come again tomorrow?"

"sure."

Zhu Yu smiled and nodded. After thinking for a moment, she advised, "The more tense your mind is, the worse the effect of meditation will be. Go back and get a good night's sleep."

"Um."

Upon hearing this, Tong Xuan nodded earnestly.

Brother Zhu's skill level far surpasses hers, so what he says must be correct.

"Then I'll head back now, senior brother."

Tong Xuan walked to the door, turned around and looked back at the boy playing with insects inside the house. She bowed and greeted him with a happy expression. Humming a little tune, she walked towards her residence.

[Non-product quality: 12%]

Zhu Yu summoned Xiao Hei's information panel and was somewhat surprised to see its cultivation progress.

Overnight, his cultivation level nearly doubled.

At this rate, it will only take half a month for Xiao Hei to draw in spiritual energy, shed its old shell, and advance to a first-tier low-grade insect beast.

"It's probably not that simple..."

Zhu Yu hadn't forgotten the words of the bearded stall owner arguing with others earlier. Xiao Hei was just an ordinary buck-toothed worm. If the source worm mother was killed, it would be fine; at least it could break through to become a worm beast. But if the source worm mother wasn't killed...

Hmm... well, then we'll just have to see how well the Eye of True Sight performs.

As for the previous statement about making Xiao Hei a Zerg cultivator, it was just a joke. If becoming a Zerg cultivator were really that easy, every disciple of the Yinming Cave would have one by now.

After feeding Xiao Hei, Zhu Yu sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and meditated while waiting for the afternoon's lesson.

......

Time passed slowly.

Before we knew it, eight days had passed.

Six full moons rose from the dome, radiating a cool, clear light.

Stone house.

Xiang Sui asked with a smile, "Junior Brother, are you ready?"

"With Junior Brother Zhu's foundation, breaking through to Qi Refining will be a piece of cake." Liang Kuan grinned, then said mysteriously, "When you advance to Qi Refining, I'll give you a big gift."

"Speaking of gifts, I do have one here." Xiang Sui glanced at Liang Kuan with surprise, took out a thin book from his pocket and placed it on the table. Seeing Zhu Yu's puzzled look, he explained, "It contains some experience from our elders in constructing the three-ring pattern. Junior Brother will understand it at a glance."

"Thank you, senior brother."

Zhu Yu's eyes brightened slightly, and he solemnly clasped his hands in thanks.

Although he was confident that he had divine sense and was almost certain to break through to Qi Refining, he would definitely be more certain.

"It's alright, Junior Brother, you can focus on your breakthrough. We'll protect you outside."

Xiang Sui waved his hand dismissively. He was counting on Zhu Yu to break through to Qi Refining and open a Grand Class to earn spirit stones, so naturally he didn't want him to fail. He then took Liang Kuan and left the room.

After the two left.

Zhu Yu picked up the book on the table and slowly opened it.