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

The name of "Mansion" is "Yin Ming".

It belongs to "Qingping Tower" and is registered.

Zhu Yu did not hold any opening ceremony. Accompanied by Master Ma, he simply inspected the cave where he would cultivate in the future.

The “fu” maintains the specifications of the former “Yinmingfu”.

The dome is inlaid with twenty-four moonstones, arranged in an array; when full, they represent the sun, and when sparse, they represent the moon.

Because the "prefecture" was newly established.

The area is divided into four zones, with the central inverted tower as the core.

These are the "New Disciple Area", "Entry-Level Disciple Area", "Trading Market Area", and "Rental Cave Area".

It also has a "Lecture Hall", "Action Hall" and "Hall of Ten Thousand Laws".

It's simple, but it has everything you need.

Unlike the black stone houses of the former "Yinming Mansion", the entire "Yinming Mansion" is a unified tomb, which not only protects the privacy of cultivators, but is also a place to gather energy and condense spirit.

From a distance, the varying heights of the trees made it resemble a graveyard…

Zhu Yu didn't care much about these things; what concerned him was the second-order complex array that he had set up for building the "mansion".

Its name is "Tongyou".

It can connect to the "Native Spirit Ruins" above, serving as an anchor point for the "Native Spirit Ruins," and gather energy and condense spirit below. What it gathers is the radiation of cultivator's aura, and what it condenses is the spirit of cultivator's thoughts.

It can be said that the "abode" is less a place for nurturing disciples and more a cultivation cave dwelling specially built by the "sect" for Foundation Establishment cultivators.

There is a place called "Fu".

If managed properly, it will bring countless benefits.

After inspecting the place, Zhu Yu arrived at the core of the "mansion," waved his sleeve, pushed open the inverted tower door, and stepped inside.

The tower has three levels.

The first level is the same size as the "Netherworld Cave," empty and without any buildings, serving as a place for raising spirits and testing magical arts.

The second floor is half the size of the first floor, but it is still very large. It is bright as day and has various pavilions and waterside terraces, which serve as the residence for the "real man" to entertain guests, subordinates, and relatives.

The third level is the cultivation cave of the "True Man".

At Zhu Yu's request, the cave dwelling was constructed as a large tomb.

It has a "side chamber", "anterior chamber" and "posterior chamber".

The 108 inner chambers are the dwelling places for mythical beasts and the nurturing of corpses.

The front room was used for storing books, storing items, and studying arts.

The rear chamber is a place for cultivation and also the core foundation of the great array "Tongyou".

Of course, this was only the initial construction by the craftsmen.

Refining and mastering the "Tongyou" magic array can be done at will.

After a quick glance, Zhu Yu entered the "back room," his gaze falling on the jade tablet inside, which was covered with dense array patterns. He stepped closer, looked at the fully exposed "array patterns," and nodded in satisfaction.

Instead of rushing to collect and analyze the "Tongyou" formation, he placed his hand on the jade tablet, and with a slight thought, his magical power surged out like water, permeating and refining the "formation base".

moment.

hum…

The jade tablet's array patterns lit up instantly, emitting a faint glow. Zhu Yu felt his vision suddenly magnify, taking in the entire "Netherworld Palace".

"Not bad..."

After carefully experiencing it, Zhu Yu activated the "Tongyou" formation's power to connect with the spirit world. In the next moment, a surge of abundant energy was generated, transforming into an invisible pillar of light that headed straight for the location of the passage to the "Native Spirit Ruins".

I don't know how long it has been.

Located in the dark passageway, a blazing white light suddenly appeared in the dim world, piercing the darkness and landing directly on a sphere of light, a hundred feet in diameter, emitting a faint glow.

"It's done."

With the anchor point successfully erected, Zhu Yu suddenly felt a sense of groundedness, and he could also effortlessly release his "power" along the anchor point channel.

"Come…"

With a slight thought, Zhu Yu's "Native Spiritual Ruins" suddenly unleashed a powerful attraction, drawing in a massive amount of ordinary spiritual energy that he could hardly comprehend, as well as some substances beneficial to Qi Refining cultivators.

Then he stuffed them all into the anchor point channel.

"The Netherworld Ruins".

Ma Zhenren, who was waiting outside, felt a slight stirring in his heart and looked at the upside-down tower.

In his divine sense, the "Upside-down Tower" seemed to transform into a clear spring, continuously gushing out pure spiritual energy, which also contained wisps of special aura that were quite precious to those in the Qi Refining Realm.

His eyes gleamed with envy. "Is this the 'Lord of the Spirit Ruins'? No need for spiritual veins to develop, he can directly draw spiritual energy from the 'Foundation Establishment Realm'..."

Without much thought, he turned to look at Zhu Yi, Liang Kuan, Bai Yan, Zhou Tong, Hong Xingwang, Xun Su, Ni Ying, Bai Meng, Qiao Hewei, and others standing respectfully behind him. Knowing that they all had some connection with Zhu Yu, he spoke up to offer some advice:

"Junior Brother Zhu is currently cultivating a spiritual land and will not emerge from seclusion for some time. During this period, some excellent spiritual creatures will be born within the 'Manor.' You should all disperse and seek out your own opportunities."

"Um!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up. They turned to look at the "Upside-Down Tower" door and bowed in unison, saying, "Thank you for the gift, Master Ma, and thank you for your guidance."

After saying that, they exchanged a glance and each went their own way.

They soon discovered that the spiritual energy concentration inside the "Netherworld Palace" had soared, reaching the level of their previous cultivation sites in a short period of time, and the concentration was still rising.

Liang Kuan arrived at the area for newly recruited disciples, walked along the path, and looked around at the rows of "graves" on both sides. The scene of his first encounter with Zhu Yu involuntarily came to mind.

Thinking back to how he tried to trick Zhu Yu into buying "meditation liquid" but failed, he was instead tricked into buying a bottle of "meditation liquid" by Zhu Yu's lecture. After that, the three of them collaborated to start a lecture series and earned their first batch of spirit stones...

Scenes flashed by.

A simple smile appeared on Liang Kuan's face. He tightened his sleeves, and his initial hesitation vanished instantly.

"I'm sure my senior brother won't treat me unfairly..."

Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly sensed a violent fluctuation of spiritual energy coming from the side. He snapped out of his daze and looked over.

A vortex of spiritual energy appeared not far away, with strands of spiritual energy converging and gathering. After a dozen breaths, the vortex dispersed, and a black stone full of spiritual energy fell down.

Liang Kuan raised his hand and took it into his palm, examining the ghost face faintly emerging on the stone and the abundant Yin energy it contained. He exclaimed in surprise, "Ghost Face Stone? And a top-grade one at that!..."

This is such a large piece of "ghost face stone".

To purchase from "Treasures of Nature" requires at least three thousand spirit stones.

Remembering what Master Ma had said earlier, Liang Kuan quickly put it into his beast pouch and walked briskly along the path, spreading his divine sense to pay close attention to any unusual spiritual energy around him.

Not long after.

He then found a top-grade Yin-Ganoderma lucidum and a top-grade clear jade stone for making talismans...

In other locations, Zhu Yi, Bai Yan, Zhou Tong, Xun Su, Ni Ying, and others all made gains.

Zhu Yi was the happiest of them all.

She was in dire need of spirit stones to improve herself, and she was the one who searched for them most diligently.

Not long.

The spiritual energy in the "Underworld" gradually calmed down, like the ebb and flow of the tide.

The "spiritual objects" became increasingly rare until none of them appeared anymore. Everyone returned to the outside of the "Upside-Down Tower," bowed to Master Ma, and stood motionless to the side.

soon.

The bronze door of the "Upside-Down Tower" slowly opened, accompanied by a cacophony of "whoosh whoosh" sounds. A rough-looking "Zhongli" stepped out, gesturing for them to enter, and said:

"Master Ma, fellow Daoists, the master invites you."

Under its guidance.

The group entered the "Upside-Down Tower".

Compared to the darkness outside, the inside of the "Upside-Down Tower" was as bright as day, and they could see clearly where the "waaaa" sound came from.

It was a monster with a lizard-like head, long whiskers, yellow eyes, a human-like lower body, and a fish tail.

can be seen.

There are nearly ten thousand such monsters.

They were scattered around, and under the shouts of many "servants," they slashed at each other with swords. Their skin was oily and tough, and ordinary swords could only cut a small gash on them at most. So, although the clanging sound seemed lively and dangerous, none of them were seriously injured.

The "whale" stood on the back of the golden turtle, hovering in mid-air, looking down at the "fishman" who was diligently forging swords, and nodded in satisfaction.

The "Fish People" have brains, but not many.

Instead of teaching them complicated skills, it's better to let them chop each other. As they chop, they'll learn where to chop the most fiercely and painfully, and that's enough.

No matter how much more you say, their brains can't remember it all.

As for the dozen or so "Great Tuyumen" that had become stronger, and the few "Tuyumen" that had awakened their innate magical abilities, he singled them out and had his "servants" teach them the "Tuyumen" inheritance methods.

It's actually just a simple method for absorbing spiritual energy...

"Are these relatives of a 'real person'?"

Looking at the chaotic mess of the "Fish People," Xun Su and Ni Ying, who knew some of the inside story of "Foundation Building," were puzzled as to why Zhu Yu had chosen such a weak, low-level bloodline race as his companions.

That "dragon-headed" alien would have been a perfect fit.

Furthermore, Zhu Yu also keeps a "six-armed Naga" as a companion, whose bloodline is far superior to this ugly lizardman.

Of course, they only dared to think about it in their hearts.

It's not their place to comment on what a "real person" is like.

Then pass through another "bronze gate".

The scene before my eyes changed dramatically. The grass was lush and green, and a cluster of pavilions and waterside terraces were built on the hillside. The dense, misty spiritual energy flowed like white clouds, the water murmured, and a gentle breeze caressed my face.

The road up the mountain.

They saw two pythons, one large and one small, with emerald green scales, coiled in a spring pool. Scattered around the artificial hill in the pool, and on the sacred trees and flowers, were a dozen or so small emerald green snakes, no more than a meter long.

Climb to the top of the mountain.

Suddenly, everyone's attention was drawn to a towering tree, three zhang tall, entirely silver-white, radiating a moonlit glow. Even Master Ma was not surprised.

"This is... 'Starry Sky Wood'?..."

Liang Kuan looked at Xiao Hei lying under the tree with surprise in his eyes.

Xun Su, Ni Ying, Bai Meng, and Qiao Hewei also recognized the "Starry Sky Wood" and sensed its rich "divine essence." Their eyes lit up as they looked at the little black dog lying there, their expressions thoughtful.

Compared to Liang Kuan and others, Ma Zhenren felt it more deeply.

He sensed the aura of "Spiritual Ruins Origin" from the "Starry Sky Wood," and he had only ever heard of divinely bestowed spiritual seeds nurtured in the "Insect Realm" containing "Spiritual Ruins Origin."

"Could this be a 'divinely bestowed spirit seed'?"

As the thought crossed Ma Zhenren's mind, his gaze shifted to the little black creature lying on the ground, sensing its aura, and he wondered:

"Could it be the rumored Zerg warrior?... "

Thinking of this, his heart suddenly stirred.

"Since Junior Brother Zhu is well-versed in the 'Insect Realm' and even raises insectoid creatures, perhaps we could ask him to purchase 'Life Elixir' on his behalf..."

Thinking to himself, Master Ma's expression showed a hint of excitement.

With different thoughts in mind, the group soon arrived at a pavilion on the hilltop.

Just entered the door.

Master Ma smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, "Congratulations, Junior Brother, on establishing your residence." He then took out a gift from his sleeve and handed it to Zhu Yi.

"Congratulations on establishing your residence, Master."

Liang Kuanbaiyan, Xun Su, and Ni Ying bowed and presented the prepared gifts one after another.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Ma." Zhu Yu thanked him with a smile without standing on ceremony, nodded slightly to Liang Kuan and the others, and waved his hand, saying, "Sit down and let's talk."

Everyone took their seats.

Master Ma couldn't wait to ask, "Junior Brother Zhu, do you have some connections in the 'Insect Realm'?..."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yu immediately understood what Master Ma meant by asking the question, nodded slightly, and said, "It is indeed related."

Master Ma looked excited, hesitated for a moment, and said somewhat nervously, "Then could you please bring me some 'Life Dew', Junior Brother?" He paused, then quickly added, "I would never let you help me for nothing, Junior Brother."

As he spoke, he slipped his arm into his sleeve.

Zhu Yu waved his hand to stop him, and said with a smile, "I'm grateful for the construction of this 'mansion,' Senior Brother. In a few days, I'll give you a 'Life Dew' that can extend your life by sixty years."

"May your lifespan be extended by sixty years..."

Master Ma was taken aback, then abruptly stood up, his gaze burning as he said, "Junior Brother Zhu, don't try to fool me. At our level, can 'Life Dew' truly extend our lives by sixty years?..."

"Can."

Zhu Yu nodded.

He had asked Hua Ling, and she confirmed that "Life Dew" could indeed extend the lifespan of a second-tier cultivator by sixty years, but its side effects were significant, causing the body to become woody and hindering the cultivator's path to immortality to some extent.

He didn't hide anything and talked about its side effects.

Upon hearing this...

Master Ma showed no surprise but rather delight. His body had turned to wood? This was a side effect? ​​And an obstacle to the path of cultivation? He had to rely on spiritual objects to prolong his life; how could there be any path of cultivation left?

"Then I'll leave it to you, junior brother..."

As he spoke, he gritted his teeth and simply handed the storage jade talisman to Zhu Yu, saying, "Junior brother, feel free to take anything you need. If it's not enough, I'll think of a way."

Zhu Yu didn't check it, waved it back, and before he could speak, waved his hand and said:

"No need, it's not worth many spirit stones."

Before he could reply, she turned to look at Liang Kuan and the others, and said:

"I have now accepted you into the 'Netherworld Palace' sect. The task of recruiting disciples from now on will be yours."

After thinking for a moment, he gave the instructions:

"Remember, the conditions can be relaxed a bit..."

"Yes."

Liang Kuan and the others hurriedly got up and agreed.

Recruiting disciples can be a lucrative business. Even if you don't make a fortune, you can still earn a decent amount.

Let's have a brief chat.

Zhu Yu ended the conversation by saying he needed to organize the "Underworld Palace," watched them leave, and then turned back to the pavilion.

He was about to check the gifts before returning to his cultivation, but when his divine sense swept over a jade box, his face showed astonishment.

"This is…"

Zhu Yu opened the jade box, and what came into view was a rhombus-shaped crystal with a blackish-red color. Sensing the aura surrounding it, he looked strange.

"It's so complete..."

"Now we won't lack materials for the 'Blood Slave' to advance to the second tier..."

The black and red rhomboid crystal is none other than the core of the "Blood Demon".

With it.

Zhu Yu could then build an altar to draw upon the aura of the "Abyss" and allow the "Blood Slave" to advance to the second tier. Once successful, he would have even more confidence when he began to attack the "Martial World".

Coming to his senses, he chuckled and shook his head, saying:

"Junior Brother Liang is too honest..."