Immortality: Starting with the Fruit of Taiyin

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The death of a Foundation Establishment cultivator may not be a big deal for the Zhao family as a whole, but it is certainly a matter of concern for the branch in Ezhou.

Although Wang Xuan was 99% certain that the other party couldn't trace him back to him, he shouldn't take any chances when it came to the Zhao family's movements.

……

Three days later, in northern Ezhou.

The area is filled with jagged rocks and perilous peaks, where spiritual energy condenses and lingers, revealing the aura of a second-tier high-grade spiritual vein.

This place was originally occupied by local forces in Ezhou, but now it has become the core base of the Zhao family in the area.

This day was like any other.

Standing before the communication array at the base, Zhao Zhilong, his brow furrowed with some irritation, forced himself to listen intently to the wild and unrestrained ramblings of the cultivators in his clan.

"Yes, young master, that's exactly it... It's not that I'm afraid of death and dare not test him, it's just that this person's swordsmanship talent is unparalleled, he has probably already refined the rudimentary form of sword intent, capable of captivating the soul... Yes, in my opinion, this person has the potential to form a Core Formation... no, a Nascent Soul, so I temporarily retreated to avoid his sharp edge, lest I lose my life in vain... Alright, I will appease the surrounding mines, and the follow-up matters will be handled by you, young master. As the son of the clan chief, you certainly won't lose to this person..."

A short while later, the other party finished their report.

Zhao Zhilong casually severed the communication array that had consumed a huge amount of spirit stones and took a deep breath.

That cowardly old man, he's lived over a hundred years in vain. He'll come up with any excuse to cover up his desertion.

Still only in the nascent stage of sword intent? Why don't you say you encountered a reincarnated powerful being, whose strength was monstrous, and whom you couldn't defeat even with all your might?

If you actually encounter a sword cultivator of this level, and you manage to come back alive, I'll have to give up my position to you. My father will have to prepare in advance, lest he be defeated by someone who has only reached the Foundation Establishment stage and becomes a disgrace to the Core Formation stage, a laughingstock for a thousand years.

He was indignant, but knowing it was a lie, Zhao Zhilong couldn't expose it.

After all, this is the drawback of family inheritance. Within the same clan, blood ties are close. If we have to talk about seniority, Zhao Chengkong is still his father's cousin. He has to give him face both morally and logically.

Cultivation families are more cohesive due to the bond of blood, but they are also more conservative and sluggish, just as one cannot have both fish and bear's paw.

Even if he were to advance to the Core Formation stage right now, he could only punish Zhao Chengkong alone, but he could not solve this long-standing problem.

"Brother Zhao? What's wrong? What's bothering you now?"

As I was pondering this, a delicate fragrance wafted from behind me.

"Brother Zhao, family affairs are important, but you should also take care of your health."

"Phew... It's Qingqing."

Realizing who it was, Zhao Zhilong quickly turned around.

As far as the eye could see, a beautiful girl in a white dress stood gracefully, yet her face betrayed her concern.

"Haha, it's just a small matter, but you've gone to so much trouble, Qingqing... Only a Core Formation cultivator like Father can keep these old fogies in check."

He laughed it off, suppressing his frustration.

Zhao Zhilong did not shy away from the story and recounted what had just happened.

"The managers of those mining areas and herb gardens in the south came to me and talked about the nascent form of sword intent and unparalleled genius... It's a joke."

"However, since this person dared to kill a Foundation Establishment cultivator of my Zhao clan, even if the deceased was not of the same surname, my clan must investigate to the end."

"The only thing that surprised me was that this guy named Han Feiyu... I think I've met him once before."

He recounted the story in detail, regardless of Zhao Chengkong's timid and cowardly attitude.

Regarding Ding Yuan's death alone, although Zhao Zhilong secretly felt unlucky, he had no doubts and did not think there was any conspiracy.

While sword cultivators who would draw their swords and kill at the slightest provocation are not numerous, they are certainly not many in the cultivation world either.

For example, in Xu Guoyi's sword sect, which intervened in Ezhou, Zhao Chengkong met a sword genius surnamed Chu. Although his cultivation was one level lower than Zhao Chengkong's, he was arrogant and looked down on everyone, showing no respect to others.

That person was only at the level of the first stage of swordsmanship, and had not yet perfected the refinement of swords into qi, let alone the higher levels of this stage, or the complementary state of hardness and softness.

"It's no wonder that these unorthodox methods were eventually replaced by the proper path of Qi cultivation, because either their character was flawed or their resource requirements were extremely demanding."

With a serious expression, Zhao Zhilong spoke with emotion.

"The reason why Zhao does not practice swordsmanship is precisely because of this. As for the claim that he lacks talent and is unable to comprehend the inheritance, that is simply not true."

"With my talent, if I really spend the time to thoroughly understand the way of the sword, I might be able to achieve something."

As he finished speaking, Zhao Zhilong seemed to remember something and added a sentence on the spot, which made the girl in the white dress next to him nod repeatedly, her eyes showing admiration.

"Yes, it's a pity that the rogue cultivator is so elusive. Otherwise, with Brother Zhao's abilities, he could have easily taken him down."

"Hehe, Miss Qingqing is right to believe me, but don't underestimate rogue cultivators. Looking at the cultivation world of Nanya, there are many rogue cultivators who have amazing luck and have achieved the Nascent Soul stage."

Zhao Zhilong shook his head slightly, a strange light flashing in his eyes.

"Moreover, this Han Feiyu... may not even be a rogue cultivator."

Sword cultivators are rare these days; there are hardly any in the entire Chen Kingdom, and even fewer in any particular prefecture.

Unfortunately, the Yi Jian Sect, a Core Formation sect that came from the neighboring Xu Kingdom and wanted to open up a branch, happened to have a lineage of sword cultivators.

Even the reason why the Yijian Sect is called the Yijian Sect is closely related to this.

"A rogue cultivator... he's probably some hidden true disciple."

"The waters of Ezhou are getting muddier and muddier."

Zhao Zhilong kept his guesses to himself, but only kept them in mind.

Behind him, "Qingqing" played with a strand of hair on her chest and blinked innocently.

Indeed, the waters of Ezhou are getting increasingly murky...

……

Time flies like water, and several years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Since killing Ding Yuan three years ago, Wang Xuan has not made any major moves.

But outside Black Narcissus City, the winds of the cultivation world never ceased to blow because of this.

Fortunately, the Immortal City's grand formation was formidable, isolating it from the outside world and unaffected by external disturbances.

On this day, in the quiet room of Fire Maple Residence, a magical aura gradually intensified, showing signs of a significant increase.

Several hours later, its momentum suddenly surged, then returned to calm.

In the center of the quiet room, the man in white slowly opened his eyes.

Before him, the demonic sparrow, now in its true form, exuded an astonishing aura.

The demonic power surrounding the bluebird was already approaching the mid-stage of the second tier, comparable to the third level of the human foundation building stage.

"Subtracting the cost of stabilizing the bloodline after reaching the second stage, it has taken ten years to get to this point."

"The demon race... is indeed astonishing."

With a mixture of delight and amazement, Wang Xuan could only be thankful that this was not a permanent effect.

If demons beyond the third rank can progress at such a rapid pace, then the world will not be in the hands of humans.

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