Starting with warding off evil and disaster, one can ascend to immortality after countless tribulati

"A good man's ambition lies in all corners of the world. I have no intention of marrying into the family, and I can only fail to live up to the old man's high expectations."

Unexpectedly, the Cheng family valued him so much that they took the initiative to arrange a marriage. Although Jiang Ming was flattered, he remained clear-headed.

It's impossible for me to be a live-in son-in-law; I'll never be one in this lifetime.

With the backing of the Wanfa Sect, his future prospects are far broader than those of aristocratic families. Why should he invite trouble by marrying a girl he doesn't know and wasting their prime years?

"Really? That girl is very beautiful, her looks are just as good as Yun'er's. You'll regret it."

Slightly surprised, Cheng Ya looked at Jiang Ming and, seeing that his mind was made up and he showed no sign of wavering, smiled gently and wisely remained silent.

She turned around, put her hair up, and said with a dashing air, "Okay, I understand. Let's go to Ryuchi Cave."

My name is Jiang Ming. By the time you read this, I am beset by misfortune and on the verge of death.

After the plot to kill Liu Xin was exposed, I didn't take it seriously, but I never expected that this matter would plunge Xu Youwei into a quagmire.

In order to keep her secret, she took advantage of my return to the outer gate to visit me and use witchcraft to try to control me.

Caught off guard, I fell victim to her attack and lost my life.

If I had prepared earlier, or obtained the remnant soul of the Golden Core in Dragon Land Cave, the outcome might have been different.

That wicked woman, she never makes things easy for herself.

I haven't even tried to scam you yet, and you're already thinking of harming me!

Wait!

His gaze gradually darkened as Jiang Ming followed behind Cheng Ya, silently pondering a solution.

The Cheng family ancestral home.

Seeing Jiang Ming and Cheng Ya arrive one after the other, Tuoba Youyou ignored him as if he was sulking, but after looking around, he realized that he didn't recognize anyone else.

He followed her again, looking rather sullen, and gossiped, "I heard that the Cheng family patriarch is going to help you and..."

She covered her mouth and glared at her reproachfully, "Jiang Ming has already refused. In front of so many people, give that girl some face."

Tuoba Youyou glanced at Jiang Ming in astonishment, then looked at Cheng Ya with a look of utter disbelief. "How could this be..."

Speechless all the way.

Upon arriving at Longdi Cave, Elder Cheng Li stroked his beard, a hint of sadness in his eyes. Coming to his senses, he patiently offered his instructions.

"Cheng Ya, you are a water-element cultivator, help collect earth spirit milk."

I'll keep watch outside to prevent other families from causing trouble. If anything happens, inform me immediately.

Nodding calmly, Cheng Ya stepped forward to lead the way, displaying the demeanor of a leader.

Yongji Cave is a dark and dimly lit cave, but its only advantage is that it is very spacious, making it convenient for everyone to gather together.

Upon reaching the deepest part of the cave, Cheng Ya conjured a talisman, and in an instant, the secluded cave was illuminated as if it were daytime.

Pointing to the stalactites hanging from the cave ceiling, Cheng Ya spoke softly, "The spiritual liquid flowing down from these stalactites is the Earth Spirit Milk."

Jiang Ming, you've done a great job this time, come and receive it first.

Circulating her Water Flow Technique, she gently waved her hand, and two drops of pure lotion landed in Jiang Ming's hand.

He nodded emphatically and sat cross-legged on the open ground behind Cheng Ya.

With the help of Tuoba Youyou, Jiang Ming set up the fire ritual in the furnace.

In an instant, it aroused envy among the Cheng family disciples.

"A third-grade ritual ceremony—that's practically the standard for a core disciple of the Cheng family!"

"Incredible! My grandfather spent a thousand spirit stones to prepare a fifth-grade ritual instrument for me. This third-grade ritual instrument must be worth at least two thousand spirit stones!"

……

Listening to the crowd's discussion, Jiang Ming glanced sideways.

He never expected Cheng Ya to value him so much and show him such affection. If he couldn't break through to the next level as he wished, he would have no choice but to repay her with his body as an apology.

The so-called "fire ritual in the furnace" is a kind of cultivation ritual.

The third-grade ritual implement is like a portable array that, with the aid of several specific materials, helps absorb fire-elemental spiritual energy.

Holding his breath and slightly closing his eyes, Jiang Ming silently refined the Mind Essence Milk. As the first drop entered his stomach, his Qi Sea instantly churned and thundered, and a vast amount of spiritual power surged around his body.

Cheng Ya glanced at him secretly and, seeing that Jiang Ming was doing relatively well, revealed a relaxed expression.

Ok?

Looking around warily, Cheng Ya noticed something amiss and frowned, looking somewhat troubled.

A small, dark snake silently crawled into Jiang Ming's arms. Logically speaking, this shouldn't be a big deal.

But she remembered that Jiang Ming had said he was afraid of snakes. If this matter affected her breakthrough, then things would be very bad.

I tentatively stepped forward and tried to kill the little snake.

But the little creature very alertly burrowed into Jiang Ming's crotch and scurried downwards, as if it had found a warm home.

Cheng Ya's expression froze for a moment. She really didn't know how to resolve this trouble without affecting Jiang Ming.

After much thought, I had no choice but to let it be.

Whether Jiang Ming will be affected is anyone's guess.

Stop being a troublemaker.

Feeling the unusual sensation, Jiang Ming felt uncomfortable, but he could only endure it and dared not move rashly to break his magic.

You wicked little beast, once I break through to the next level, I'll slaughter you and make soup.

One drop of Earth Spirit Milk should theoretically be enough for a fifth-order perfect cultivator to break through, but Jiang Ming's physique is not good, so his absorption efficiency is relatively poor.

We've only gone halfway to breaking through the bottleneck.

Left with no other choice, he had to refine the second drop of Earth Spirit Milk.

Upon noticing the beads of sweat on Jiang Ming's forehead, Cheng Ya felt a chill run down her spine. She then saw Tuoba Youyou lighting a refreshing incense stick and silently assisting from the sidelines.

Only then did he calm down a bit and continue helping his people collect the earth's spiritual milk.

Seeing the two beautiful women vying to serve Jiang Ming, the disciples present immediately showed envy, wishing they could take their place.

Unlike the others' shallowness, Jiang Ming was extremely flustered at this moment.

While external aids are certainly very important, the limitations imposed by one's inherent physical constitution are also surprisingly significant.

The bottleneck is clearly within reach, but the Earth's spiritual essence is about to be exhausted.

Jiang Ming frantically absorbed the last embers of the Earth Spirit Milk to replenish himself, but even after exhausting his last bit of spiritual power, his cultivation level still hadn't broken through.

shit!

Two drops of spiritual milk aren't enough!

This time, he was about to have a major accident in public. His face turned pale, and Jiang Ming was already prepared to pretend to faint to save face.

The next second, the Qi Sea trembled slightly, and the shockwave spread from one to ten, then to a hundred, causing a tremendous change.

All his spiritual power gathered at one point, and suddenly pierced through that cultivation bottleneck.

With a refreshing whistle, the barrier that had been binding Jiang Ming was instantly broken!

Opening his eyes, Jiang Ming smiled and nodded as he met the delighted gazes of Cheng Ya and Tuoba Youyou. Then he turned around, stuffed his hand into his pants, and viciously pulled out the little black snake.

I glared at it and tossed it aside.

They immediately gave chase, intending to let it taste the sweet dew.

That's so rude!!

Cheng Ya's face stiffened; she simply couldn't bear to look and turned her head away in annoyance.

Tuoba Youyou looked at the little black snake on the ground with deep pity. She wanted to pick it up and adopt it, but Jiang Ming was about to relieve himself, so she was too embarrassed to go over.

Just as he was about to unleash his power, a clear, cool, mature female voice rang in his ears.

"You bastard, how dare you! You wouldn't have been able to break through at all without my help, and this is how you repay me?"