Immortality and Cultivation: Starting with Improving Spiritual Root Aptitude

Wu Fan piloted the flying boat, speeding towards the direction of Falling Star Valley Market.

Throughout the journey, he almost never stopped, except for occasionally finding a secluded place to meditate and recover his depleted magical power or to take a short rest.

Even so, it took ten days of flying before they could finally catch a glimpse of the outline of the market town located on the outer edge of the main ridge of the Hengyue Mountains.

The Falling Star Valley Market is still several days' flight away from the actual Falling Star Valley gate, so Wu Fan decided to stay here for a few days first.

He found the Fangdi Fengxielou restaurant in the market and rented a quiet upper room, already having a plan in mind.

I will first go into seclusion here to break through to the late stage of Qi Refining. After my cultivation is stable, I will then head to Falling Star Valley. In the meantime, I will use these few days to search for some spiritual materials in the market that can activate the Five Elements Beads.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a little regretful. If only Li Buhui were in this market.

Having a well-informed friend keep an eye out for me would save me a lot of trouble.

Unfortunately, the other party was preoccupied with other important matters.

As night deepened, Wu Fan lay on the couch, gazing at the bright moonlight pouring down through the window, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

My experiences from leaving Yunxi Mountain half a month ago flashed through my mind like a revolving lantern.

For the first few days, he traveled alone in his flying boat.

However, the closer one gets to Falling Star Valley Market, the more densely packed the cultivators become.

Wu Fan's flying boat is made of high-quality materials and is quite valuable; it is not something that ordinary independent cultivators can possess.

To avoid attracting too much attention and causing unnecessary trouble, he put away the flying boat and started walking instead.

It was on that day, while traveling on foot, that he met a young monk.

The young man was in his early twenties, and his cultivation level was already at the seventh level of Qi Refining, which was even higher than Wu Fan's.

Seeing that Wu Fan was traveling the same way as him, both heading towards the Falling Star Valley market, his eyes lit up. He lightly touched the ground and darted to Wu Fan's side, cupping his hands in greeting and smiling:

"Greetings, sir! I am Fu Qianyu, a rogue cultivator from Yuanling County, Jingzhou. Judging from your direction, are you also heading to Falling Star Valley to attend the disciple-acceptance ceremony?"

Wu Fan's gaze narrowed slightly, and he began to sized the other person up and down without making a sound.

Fu Qianyu was handsome with delicate features and an innocent smile on his face. He was dressed in fine silks and satins, and his attire was of the finest quality. He looked like a scion of a wealthy family who lived a life of luxury. He did not look like a half-baked cultivator at all.

He claims to be a rogue cultivator, yet he doesn't know how to conceal his brilliance. By parading around like this, isn't he just inviting the covetousness of those with ulterior motives?

Wu Fan became somewhat wary and did not rush to answer, but instead stared intently at the other person.

The cultivation world is a mixed bag, full of those who pretend to be weak while actually being strong. This seemingly innocent young man might just be a ruthless character hiding his true abilities!

Perhaps sensing Wu Fan's wariness, Fu Qianyu quickly clasped his hands in a fist salute again, and said earnestly:

"Brother, please don't worry. I am no bad person. I am going to participate in the Star Ascension Ceremony in Falling Star Valley. However, traveling alone is too boring, so I would like to invite you to travel with me so that we can look after each other."

"A Star-Up Ceremony?"

Wu Fan's heart stirred slightly, and he slowly returned the greeting with a cupped hand. "My name is Liu Xi. I am not going to attend the disciple-acceptance ceremony. I am just passing through the Falling Star Valley market and intend to find some work."

He did not reveal his real name, after all, in this chaotic market, it was always better to be cautious.

"What a coincidence!"

Fu Qianyu's smile widened. "I've heard that the Star Ascension Ceremony is approaching, and many cultivators have come to the Falling Star Valley market. It's sure to be a grand occasion. I was just about to stop by the market to rest and buy some supplies. I wonder if Brother Liu would be willing to accompany me?"

As soon as Fu Qianyu finished speaking, alarm bells went off in Wu Fan's mind.

But his expression remained unchanged; he simply nodded slightly and said:

"That is indeed my wish, but I dare not ask. It is my honor to get to know Brother Fu, so let us go together."

After saying that, he raised his hand in a gesture, indicating that the other party should go first.

For the rest of the journey, the two walked side by side, chatting idly along the way.

It was less of a casual chat and more of a subtle inquiry from Wu Fan, while Fu Qianyu answered all his questions with great enthusiasm.

Wu Fan's questions mostly revolved around the Falling Star Valley's disciple-acceptance ceremony and various aspects of the Falling Star Valley market.

Only then did he realize that the Falling Star Valley's disciple-acceptance ceremony was also known as the "Star Ascension Ceremony" among independent cultivators.

Once a rogue cultivator is chosen by Falling Star Valley and becomes a disciple of the sect, it's like a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate, embarking on a bright future, like a rising star with limitless potential.

Upon hearing this, Wu Fan couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.

The path of cultivating immortality has always been a journey against the will of Heaven.

Unless one possesses exceptional spiritual roots or is a member of a powerful clan, even if one is fortunate enough to be admitted to Falling Star Valley, it is merely a change of scenery to become a lower-level cultivator in a different place.

Without connections or background, even if a rogue cultivator enters a sect, without a fortuitous encounter, they can only rely on themselves to climb the ladder step by step with great difficulty.

Just like Jiang Ling, although she was fortunate enough to become a disciple of a Foundation Establishment cultivator in Falling Star Valley, making her far superior to ordinary rogue cultivators, once her master was gone, wouldn't she have to fight tooth and nail to compete for a spot in the Foundation Establishment Pill?

However, when discussing the specifics of Falling Star Valley Market, Fu Qianyu spoke very little, appearing to know very little.

This made Wu Fan even more suspicious.

If Fu Qianyu had been to Falling Star Valley Market before, he would certainly not be unaware of these details; if he had never set foot here, then where did the market information he initially mentioned come from?

Could it be that you found out yourself?

But if that's the case, why are they so unfamiliar with the general news about the market?

After much thought, various doubts lingered in my mind, refusing to dissipate.

Wu Fan couldn't help but sigh inwardly, perhaps he was being too cautious and had been judging others by his own petty standards.

But in this world of cultivation, people's hearts are unpredictable. It's always better to be cautious than to regret it later.

After all, this is a world where great power resides within oneself, and moral laws have no binding force. One moment you are brothers and friends, and the next you may draw your swords against each other over a spirit stone or a spirit herb.

As his thoughts wandered, Wu Fan's mind drifted into the distance.

Perhaps those peaceful days of cultivation are gone forever. The cultivation life in Falling Star Valley is unknown, as are the secrets of the Five Elements Pearl and his own goal for foundation building.

All of this serves as a reminder that he is about to embark on a new beginning, leaving him somewhat uneasy throughout the day.

As night deepened, the moonlight outside the window grew even brighter. Wu Fan gently rubbed his temples, trying to dispel his chaotic thoughts.

Before long, a feeling of drowsiness gradually came over him, and he soon fell into a deep sleep.