Mortal: Fifteenth Realm Sword Cultivator

In Zhuang Huayi's view, even if Yuan Yao forms a golden core, she will still need to find the most yin place nurtured by heaven and earth.

A round trip can easily take a century.

Even with the best Yin Soul artifacts to nurture it, the soul of a Qi Refining cultivator can only last for a few decades at most.

By the time Yuan Yao has everything ready, her senior sister Yanli's primordial spirit will probably have already dissipated into the world, so how could she possibly wait for Yuan Yao to cast her spell?

Therefore, Zhuang Huayi took it as a momentary obsession of a young girl and did not really take it to heart.

However, Yuan Yao now not only knows about the existence of the Soul-Nourishing Wood, but also has the medium to reach the Void Heaven Palace in her hands.

All of this seemed to be orchestrated by fate, a destiny that would lead her to rescue her senior sister, but also destined her own tragic end.

For Yuan Yao

This is tantamount to disregarding one's master...

Faced with these two choices, she wavered between "telling" and "keeping quiet," finding it difficult to make a decision.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Han Li looked at the three layers of restrictive barriers that had just been set up outside the cave and clapped his hands in satisfaction.

"Not bad, still cautious by nature."

A voice rang out behind him without warning, startling Han Li.

Upon recognizing the familiar voice, he didn't even turn around before complaining, "Brother Lu, next time you show up, could you at least give me some warning? You always appear and disappear so mysteriously, it scares me half to death and takes me a long time to calm down."

After saying that, Han Li turned around.

Lu Jianghe, dressed in black robes, was standing behind him, looking at the array barrier he had just set up with great interest.

Lu Jianghe ignored Han Li's complaints, casually pointing his finger in the air, and the inner layer rippled like water, revealing a gap.

"Triple counter attributes? You're quick to learn."

Han Li's lips twitched slightly when he saw that the restriction was completely ineffective in front of Lu Jianghe.

"It's just copying what you see; it's barely usable."

Lu Jianghe withdrew his gaze and instead focused on Han Li, his eyes seemingly able to penetrate his skin and reach his dantian.

"Is seclusion imminent?"

Han Li nodded slightly.

Lu Jianghe smiled and asked, "What are the chances of me reaching the Core Formation stage?"

Han Li's expression was sincere. "I'm probably about 50% sure."

Lu Jianghe chuckled. The "half a percent" this kid was talking about must be at least 80 percent.

"When the time is right, heaven and earth will lend their strength. Even a half-success is already quite an achievement. We should proceed step by step, climbing higher and higher. One day, we may very well be able to address each other as fellow Daoists."

Upon hearing this, Han Li almost rolled his eyes and said, "Don't flatter me. I'll be content as long as I don't fall too far behind Brother Lu on the path of cultivation."

Lu Jianghe smiled and said, "Who can say what will happen in the future?"

Han Li didn't take it seriously and asked, "Brother Lu, what kind of situations did you encounter when you formed your core?"

As Lu Jianghe walked, he said, "The cultivation method and path I use are completely different from yours, and the way we form our core is also very different."

Han Li was somewhat puzzled.

No matter how different they are, aren't they still part of the same cultivation system: Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, and Nascent Soul?

How much different could it get?

The two arrived at the main hall.

Han Li then asked, half-jokingly, "Brother Lu, do you think it's possible for me to cultivate your martial arts technique?"

Lu Jianghe sat down in the chair, looked at him, and smiled gently:

Not a trace.

Han Li was taken aback by this straightforward answer, and a hint of disappointment appeared on his face, but more curiosity than anything else.

"Brother Lu, how high are the requirements for your cultivation technique? Does it have to be a Heavenly Spiritual Root or a Dual Spiritual Root?"

Lu Jianghe said slowly, "It has absolutely nothing to do with spiritual root aptitude. To say there's no possibility at all is just a matter of now; who knows about the future."

Hearing this, Han Li became even more confused.

Aside from specific requirements for aptitude and spiritual roots, or the need to cultivate in a special environment, cultivation techniques for immortality seem to have no other harsh restrictions.

Why is there no possibility now, but then it's hard to say what will happen in the future?

Han Li pressed further, "Later? How long later do you mean?"

Lu Jianghe's lips curled up slightly, and a rare look of pleasure appeared between his brows.

"Wait until my sword can cleave Mount Kunwu."

Upon hearing this, Han Li remained speechless for a moment, his face still showing confusion.

Seeing this, Lu Jianghe didn't offer any further explanation. Instead, he changed the subject and said, "Bring Zhang Tie's physical body here."

Upon hearing this, Han Li's mind stirred slightly.

A dark shadow flew out from the inner cave and landed in front of the two.

Lu Jianghe swept his divine sense over the area and condensed a demonic core, making his combat strength equivalent to that of an ordinary early-stage Core Formation cultivator.

"Originally, I came here to try to restore Zhang Tie's sanity, but seeing your aura..." "The nascent elixir has already reached perfection, and the opportunity to form the final elixir is imminent. Such a favorable combination of timing, location, and human factors is rare and cannot be sought after; interference from external forces would only make things worse."

"Furthermore, if we restore Zhang Tie's consciousness now, we don't know how your wisp of soul residing within him will be affected. Whether it will be successfully retrieved or cause complications is unknown. To be on the safe side, it would be better to wait until you successfully form your core and your foundation is stable before attempting this."

Han Li didn't reply. He stood up, bowed respectfully, and then prepared to speak. "We have all the fantasy novel genres you like. Welcome to visit..."

"There's no need for further words."

Han Li shook his head slightly, his expression solemn. "There are some things that must be said, otherwise I won't be able to get over this hurdle in my heart. If it weren't for Brother Lu's rescue in the Heavenly Wind, I would have been reduced to ashes by now, and I wouldn't have the opportunity to prepare for Core Formation here today. I will never forget this life-saving grace."

Han Li shook his head slightly, his expression solemn. "There are some things that must be said, otherwise I won't be able to get over this hurdle in my heart. If it weren't for Brother Lu's rescue in the Heavenly Wind, I would have been reduced to ashes by now, and I wouldn't have the opportunity to prepare for Core Formation here today. I will never forget this life-saving grace."

Lu Jianghe nodded slightly as he looked at his serious expression.

"Young man, don't speak so maturely."

Han Li touched his nose, somewhat puzzled: "Really? I feel fine."

Lu Jianghe laughed and said, "Young people having bad tempers is often a good thing. Going too far can make them seem too calculating, which can make people wary. Of course, for cultivators, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages."

Han Li paused briefly, then muttered a defense in a low voice, "Perhaps I've seen too much life and death."

That is incorrect.

Lu Jianghe's lips curled into a meaningful smile. "Young Han, don't underestimate your own nature. To give you an example, a starving mortal can eat eight or nine buns in one go. For an ordinary person, the more they eat, the harder it becomes to swallow. But for someone, the first and the last bun taste exactly the same—that's a born cultivator."

Han Li was immediately embarrassed.

He never expected that he would be so highly regarded in the eyes of the other party.

Han Li didn't want to continue on this topic, so he changed the subject, "Brother Lu, this time my seclusion might take a little longer. The cultivation technique I'm practicing is still one final stage away from completion, and I really don't want to fail at the last hurdle. If I can reach the final stage before forming my core, my foundation should be several levels stronger than that of an ordinary Core Formation cultivator."

Lu Jianghe remained calm and nodded, saying, "Cultivators practice Qi cultivation to strengthen their foundation. In battles between equals, the deeper one's foundation, the greater the chance of survival. But how long do you estimate this seclusion will take?"

Han Li gently shook his head: "It's not certain yet, but... it will probably take more than ten years."

Lu Jianghe stood up: "In that case, I will not disturb you any longer. I came here today to find that the restrictions on your cave have been fully opened, so I assume that everything is ready."

"Take care, Brother Lu."

Han Li spoke respectfully.

Lu Jianghe nodded slightly, his figure flickered, and he transformed into a sword aura, ignoring the restrictions and barriers.

Han Li watched the sword energy disappear into the sky, a longing welling up in his heart.

He clenched his fists.

One day, he too will reach that level.

The path must be taken one step at a time, starting with successfully forming the Golden Core.

In fact, just moments before Lu Jianghe left, he was struggling intensely with his inner turmoil.

For a fleeting moment, he almost took out the little green bottle that held his life and livelihood.

Ultimately, it was the deep-rooted caution and instinctive protection of secrets that suppressed this impulse.

This made him belatedly realize that in front of Lu Jianghe, he seemed to be... finding it increasingly difficult to be wary.

At first, things were fine, but as the contact deepened, the vigilance stemming from the huge secret was unknowingly eroded by a strange sense of trust.

Only after the opponent's sword light completely disappeared from his perception did Han Li slap his forehead and exclaim in frustration, "Oops!"

I forgot to give away the two three-thousand-year-old spiritual herbs in my storage bag!

Although bringing out such aged spiritual herbs would greatly increase the risk of exposing the secret of the little green bottle.

But repaying the debt of saving my life is no big deal.

After suppressing these thoughts...

Han Li looked at the three layers of barriers outside the cave, weighed his options briefly, and then set up two more restrictions before going into seclusion.

Lu Jianghe returned to the fiftieth level of the cave.

In the sky outside the cave, Zhuang Huayi was facing off against a man wearing a black gold hooded cloak.

A quick scan with his divine sense revealed a powerful aura emanating from the other party, indicating that he was a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

The moment Lu Jianghe appeared, the man turned his head slightly.

"Now that the main character has arrived, Fellow Daoist Zhuang, there's no need for you and I to stand here looking at each other."

A deep laugh came from under the hood, carrying a knowing understanding of the world.

"I had previously heard that the lineage of Baibi Mountain had been cut off, but now it seems that it is far more complicated than that."

Zhuang Huayi breathed a sigh of relief when Lu Jianghe appeared, and her expression softened slightly.

"The Grand Elder's sudden arrival naturally demands our utmost attention."

Not long after Lu Jianghe left, a powerful pressure swept across the area.

In Tianxing City, the only person who could possess such power and act in this way is undoubtedly a certain elder of the Star Palace.

Zhuang Huayi dared not delay and immediately went out to greet them.

Upon seeing the other party, she was startled; the visitor was none other than Jin Kui, the Grand Elder of the Star Palace!

A renowned top expert in the Chaotic Star Sea.

When did he emerge from seclusion?

Lu Jianghe flashed and appeared three zhang in front of Jin Kui.

Jin Kui narrowed his eyes slightly.

it is good!

If this person is not extremely arrogant, then he must truly have the confidence to act without fear.

To be so close to a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, one would either be a fool if they weren't confident in their supernatural abilities to handle any unforeseen circumstances, or possess absolute self-confidence in not taking him seriously at all.

Zhuang Huayi flew slowly from a distance and hovered half a body length behind Lu Jianghe.

Lu Jianghe nodded slightly as he looked at his serious expression.

"Young man, don't speak so maturely."

Han Li touched his nose, somewhat puzzled: "Really? I feel fine."

Lu Jianghe laughed and said, "Young people having bad tempers is often a good thing. Going too far can make them seem too calculating, which can make people wary. Of course, for cultivators, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages."

Han Li paused briefly, then muttered a defense in a low voice, "Perhaps I've seen too much life and death."

That is incorrect.

Lu Jianghe's lips curled into a meaningful smile. "Young Han, don't underestimate your own nature. To give you an example, a starving mortal can eat eight or nine buns in one go. For an ordinary person, the more they eat, the harder it becomes to swallow. But for someone, the first and the last bun taste exactly the same—that's a born cultivator."

Han Li was immediately embarrassed.

He never expected that he would be so highly regarded in the eyes of the other party.

Han Li didn't want to continue on this topic, so he changed the subject, "Brother Lu, this time my seclusion might take a little longer. The cultivation technique I'm practicing is still one final stage away from completion, and I really don't want to fail at the last hurdle. If I can reach the final stage before forming my core, my foundation should be several levels stronger than that of an ordinary Core Formation cultivator."

Lu Jianghe remained calm and nodded, saying, "Cultivators practice Qi cultivation to strengthen their foundation. In battles between equals, the deeper one's foundation, the greater the chance of survival. But how long do you estimate this seclusion will take?"

Han Li gently shook his head: "It's not certain yet, but... it will probably take more than ten years."

Lu Jianghe stood up: "In that case, I will not disturb you any longer. I came here today to find that the restrictions on your cave have been fully opened, so I assume that everything is ready."

"Take care, Brother Lu."

Han Li spoke respectfully.

Lu Jianghe nodded slightly, his figure flickered, and he transformed into a sword aura, ignoring the restrictions and barriers.

Han Li watched the sword energy disappear into the sky, a longing welling up in his heart.

He clenched his fists.

One day, he too will reach that level.

The path must be taken one step at a time, starting with successfully forming the Golden Core.

In fact, just moments before Lu Jianghe left, he was struggling intensely with his inner turmoil.

For a fleeting moment, he almost took out the little green bottle that held his life and livelihood.

Ultimately, it was the deep-rooted caution and instinctive protection of secrets that suppressed this impulse.

This made him belatedly realize that in front of Lu Jianghe, he seemed to be... finding it increasingly difficult to be wary.

At first, things were fine, but as the contact deepened, the vigilance stemming from the huge secret was unknowingly eroded by a strange sense of trust.

Only after the opponent's sword light completely disappeared from his perception did Han Li slap his forehead and exclaim in frustration, "Oops!"

I forgot to give away the two three-thousand-year-old spiritual herbs in my storage bag!

Although bringing out such aged spiritual herbs would greatly increase the risk of exposing the secret of the little green bottle.

But repaying the debt of saving my life is no big deal.

After suppressing these thoughts...

Han Li looked at the three layers of barriers outside the cave, weighed his options briefly, and then set up two more restrictions before going into seclusion.

Lu Jianghe returned to the fiftieth level of the cave.

In the sky outside the cave, Zhuang Huayi was facing off against a man wearing a black gold hooded cloak.

A quick scan with his divine sense revealed a powerful aura emanating from the other party, indicating that he was a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

The moment Lu Jianghe appeared, the man turned his head slightly.

"Now that the main character has arrived, Fellow Daoist Zhuang, there's no need for you and I to stand here looking at each other."

A deep laugh came from under the hood, carrying a knowing understanding of the world.

"I had previously heard that the lineage of Baibi Mountain had been cut off, but now it seems that it is far more complicated than that."

Zhuang Huayi breathed a sigh of relief when Lu Jianghe appeared, and her expression softened slightly.

"The Grand Elder's sudden arrival naturally demands our utmost attention."

Not long after Lu Jianghe left, a powerful pressure swept across the area.

In Tianxing City, the only person who could possess such power and act in this way is undoubtedly a certain elder of the Star Palace.

Zhuang Huayi dared not delay and immediately went out to greet them.

Upon seeing the other party, she was startled; the visitor was none other than Jin Kui, the Grand Elder of the Star Palace!

A renowned top expert in the Chaotic Star Sea.

When did he emerge from seclusion?

Lu Jianghe flashed and appeared three zhang in front of Jin Kui.

Jin Kui narrowed his eyes slightly.

it is good!

If this person is not extremely arrogant, then he must truly have the confidence to act without fear.

To be so close to a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, one would either be a fool if they weren't confident in their supernatural abilities to handle any unforeseen circumstances, or possess absolute self-confidence in not taking him seriously at all.

Zhuang Huayi flew slowly from a distance and hovered half a body length behind Lu Jianghe.

(P.S.: Chapter 2 will be a little later...)