Mortal: The Path to Immortality

Lu Nanzhu knew in his heart that chaos was coming and only strength would prevail.

Although the matter of that ancient teleportation array was on my mind, now that my cultivation had reached the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, it was time to make plans for breaking through to Core Formation.

Besides his unwavering daily cultivation, he began secretly planning items to aid in the formation of his core, such as the "Dust-Subduing Pill".

"Dust-Slaying Pill!"

Inside the alchemy room, a cultivator surnamed Ma with a long face was startled upon hearing Lu Nanzhu's request. He sized up his fellow disciple before him and continued,

"I have heard Elder Xiao mention this before. Junior Brother is an ambitious person. He has already begun preparing to condense his Golden Core when he is only at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage."

"Senior Brother Ma is too kind. Which cultivator who embarks on the path of cultivation doesn't have some ambition?" Lu Nanzhu smiled, cupping his hands politely.

"I've heard that this Dust-Clearing Pill can greatly increase the chances and quality of condensing a Golden Core. Does anyone know if there's a way to obtain it within the sect?"

After listening, Senior Brother Ma first praised Lu Nanzhu's firm will, but then shook his head.

He sighed, leaned back, and tapped his fingertips lightly on the table.

"Junior brother, it's not that I mean to discourage you. This Dust-Clearing Pill can't be refined in our Tiannan region." Senior Brother Ma lowered his voice and spread his hands.

"No other reason than that the main ingredients for refining the Dust-Subduing Pill require the inner cores of several level-five demon beasts."

As you know, what our Tiannan region lacks most is high-level demonic beasts. Every one we kill is one less, and they are now almost extinct.

Even though I learned how to refine it from Elder Xiao, a skilled cook can't cook without rice; without the inner core, no one can conjure up the medicine.

Seeing the fleeting disappointment and contemplation in Lu Nanzhu's eyes, Senior Brother Ma stroked his chin and added:

"Of course, there are other pill formulas that can help condense the golden core, but their effects are... several levels worse than the Dust-Subduing Pill."

Perhaps Elder Xiao has some good ideas; you can try asking her when you have the chance.

"I heard she has gone out to seek opportunities and is not in the sect. I wonder when she will return?" Lu Nanzhu said with some regret.

"Hey! Junior Brother Lu, you don't know this," Senior Brother Ma said, leaning closer with a gossipy look on his face.

"When the news of Elder Xiao's true appearance after he formed his core spread, everyone realized that this elusive elder was actually a stunningly beautiful woman."

"Now look what's happened! Many Core Formation cultivators from the seven sects are like flies drawn to meat, their betrothal gifts nearly leveling Elder Xiao's mountain gate, all eager to become his Daoist partners and share eternal life."

Senior Brother Ma shrugged helplessly:

Elder Xiao was aloof and arrogant, and could not bear the disturbance. He didn't even have time to greet the elders in the sect. He simply left with the words "seeking opportunities" and went far away.

This is really tough on us alchemy workers. Without Elder Xiao's guidance, the success rate of producing high-quality rare pills has plummeted, far worse than before.

Upon hearing this, Lu Nanzhu thought to himself: This is indeed her style.

After bidding farewell to Senior Brother Ma, Lu Nanzhu pondered the next steps: It seems that the Dust-Clearing Pill will eventually have to be searched for in the Chaotic Star Sea. Now, the priority of finding the ancient teleportation array will have to be raised again.

On this day, Lu Nanzhu and a group of Foundation Establishment disciples who remained at the sect were summoned to the sect's main hall.

At the very top of the main hall, a Nascent Soul elder with flowing white hair sat upright, his aura unfathomable. He was one of the rulers of Spirit Beast Mountain.

I had heard that this grandmaster had only recently emerged from seclusion and that his whereabouts were mysterious. He had mysteriously gone out several months ago and only returned to the sect a few days ago, covered in dust.

Beside the old man, a Core Formation Elder surnamed Yu solemnly began to give instructions on behalf of the Nascent Soul Grandmaster, and distributed task tokens to each of them for defending against the demonic path and guarding various locations.

After receiving their orders, everyone filed out, but Lu Nanzhu noticed that Elder Yu had not called his name.

He was puzzled, but he could only wait quietly in the hall until only the three of them remained.

"You are the new disciple of Junior Nephew Wang?" The Nascent Soul elder suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze piercing.

"Grandmaster, I am Lu Nanzhu, a disciple who became an apprentice of Elder Wang several years ago." Lu Nanzhu's heart tightened, and he quickly cupped his hands in response.

"Hmm. Mid-Foundation Establishment stage, still young in terms of bone age, but the aptitude is above average." The old man gently tapped Lu Nanzhu with his divine sense and continued in a calm tone.

"I heard you've been inquiring everywhere about things that can help you form your Golden Core. Are you in such a hurry to condense your Golden Core at such a young age?"

Lu Nanzhu was puzzled. Why would a Nascent Soul cultivator be so concerned about the cultivation progress of a Foundation Establishment disciple? Could it be because of his cheap master, Elder Wang?

While his thoughts were racing, Lu Nanzhu replied quickly, "To be honest, Grandmaster, I am indeed searching for the materials needed to form my core. The path of cultivation is fraught with thorns, and it is always better to do things sooner rather than later."

Although I am not confident that I can reach the Core Formation stage, since I have chosen the path of cultivation, I must do my best and leave the rest to fate.

Elder Yu, standing to the side, nodded in satisfaction, seemingly quite appreciative. The Nascent Soul elder, however, sighed inexplicably.

"Very well. Since your mind is made up, I will grant you an opportunity."

He flicked his finger, and a mission token flew steadily into Lu Nanzhu's hand.

"With this order, you shall lead a team of Qi Refining disciples to guard a spirit stone mine located on the border between the Yue Kingdom and the Yuanwu Kingdom."

Before Lu Nanzhu could express his gratitude, the old man took out another crimson porcelain bottle.

"Do you know about 'Heavenly Fire Liquid'?"

Lu Nanzhu's pupils constricted slightly, and he blurted out, "It's that spiritual item that's on par with 'Snow Spirit Water,' capable of aiding in Core Formation!"

"Indeed. The Heavenly Fire Liquid is fierce and untamable, and ordinary jade bottles cannot preserve its spiritual power."

To collect and preserve this item, a cultivator specializing in fire-attribute techniques must use special magical abilities.

The old man smiled faintly and pointed to the red bottle in his hand.

"This item is called the 'Fire Bottle,' a rare treasure that I obtained by chance in my early years. It is used to collect and preserve some fire-attribute spiritual items, including the 'Heavenly Fire Liquid.'"

"I have been at the Nascent Soul stage for many years, and this item has been gathering dust for a long time. Today, I will bestow it upon you."

"If you want to collect Heavenly Fire Liquid, you need to find a place where the earth's fire veins are extremely abundant."

The underground fire pools inside the gate are no longer sufficient. If you truly have the courage, after completing your garrison mission, you can try your luck at the "Sealed Sea Fire Abyss" in Dongyu Kingdom.

"Feng Hai Huo Yuan..." Lu Nanzhu repeated the name in a low voice, recalling the news he had heard from the manager of Dongyu Kingdom.

"Alright, I've given you the gift, so your calling me 'Grandmaster' wasn't for nothing."

"Go and carry out your mission, lest you be late." The old man waved his hand and closed his eyes again.

Lu Nanzhu snapped out of his reverie and hurriedly bowed again in gratitude: "Thank you for your guidance and generous gift, Grandmaster! I will certainly do my utmost to protect the mine and will never disgrace the sect's reputation. I take my leave now."

Watching Lu Nanzhu's retreating figure as he left the main hall, the peaceful atmosphere that had been flowing through the hall suddenly turned cold.

Elder Yu's expression was solemn, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

"Boya, has Junior Nephew Wang returned from Jingu Plain yet?" the Nascent Soul elder asked with his eyes closed.

"Reporting to Master, Senior Brother Wang is currently tied up in the war and is still at the front."

"However... if my senior brother returns and finds out that you sent Junior Nephew Lu to that mine, I'm afraid... it might be inappropriate." Elder Yu replied with a cupped hand.

"Is it inappropriate?" The old man's tone was unreadable. "He's just a junior in the Foundation Establishment stage, after all."

If sacrificing him could bring peace to the entire Spirit Beast Mountain sect, then his death would have been worthwhile.

The old man slowly opened his eyes and sighed:

"This child's resolve to follow the Dao is indeed firm, but there are far too many people in this world with such a firm resolve."

People only look up to those at the pinnacle, as for the withered bones beneath their feet... without opportunity, in this chaotic world of cultivation, it's difficult to attain.

Yu Boya was silent for a moment, then asked in a low voice:

"Master, if we hand over Junior Nephew Lu, will Vice Sect Master Liu truly agree to let our Spirit Beast Mountain be incorporated into the Imperial Spirit Sect?"

"Most of the people in the Yuling Sect are happy to make this happen. However, Fellow Daoist Liu is interfering."

He only came out of seclusion a few months ago, and I specifically discussed the matter of kinship with him, promising him many benefits.

One of the demands was to hand over the Lu Nan Zhu. Only then did he stop obstructing him. "The old man replied patiently.