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

In the central courtyard, Jiang Ming sat cross-legged in his cave, intending to challenge Zheng Xin and try to gain more resources.

Upon seeing Elder Duan, the old man seemed to have guessed Jiang Ming's purpose. He shook his head and reminded him with a half-smile, "Wait a little longer, kid. Zheng Xin broke through to the eighth level of perfection half a year ago. Go and challenge him now."

That would be extremely dangerous. From what I know, you should learn some magic and find another way to forge a suitable weapon.

"Fighting solely with imagery won't get you far."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ming felt somewhat helpless. After all, Zheng Xin was the young master of the Zheng family, one of the four great families, and he could be described as arrogant and shameless.

But he possesses a great deal in terms of both inherent talent and resources.

It's normal for the other party to break through, after all, it's really unreasonable for a disciple of a prestigious family to not advance beyond a single realm in three years.

"What's wrong? Are you having some trouble?" Elder Duan chuckled, noticing Jiang Ming's troubled expression, and showed a rare hint of curiosity.

After a long silence, Jiang Ming bluntly expressed his concerns: "I'm worried that Zheng Xin will send people to ambush me at the foot of the mountain."

That's why he hasn't left the Myriad Laws Sect for three years, but even without leaving the sect, he couldn't obtain a suitable weapon.

"Haha, that's easy. I'll take you down the mountain."

Even though the Zheng family is one of the four great families of Tongzhou, they wouldn't risk offending an inner sect elder like me for the sake of a junior like you.

Nodding, Jiang Ming was overjoyed to see that Elder Duan was willing to help. In fact, he had originally wanted Old Man Li to accompany him down the mountain.

Unexpectedly, he learned that the old man was in seclusion, seemingly trying to follow Elder Qin's example and consolidate his cultivation before attempting to break through to the Foundation Establishment realm.

That's why Jiang Ming felt embarrassed to bother him.

It's a good thing that Elder Duan is willing to help out of this predicament.

"Let's go. It's been a while since I've been down the mountain. It would be nice to travel around Tongzhou."

With a flick of his sleeve, Elder Duan's Heavenly Star Chessboard instantly transformed into a small spaceship, carrying Jiang Ming swiftly towards the door.

Jiang Ming was imprisoned for three whole years.

The black-robed elder sensed Jiang Ming's aura and immediately wanted to kill him. However, when he discovered that Jiang Ming was being protected by an elder, he realized that Jiang Ming was not alone.

His face turned ashen again. He gritted his teeth, suppressed his murderous intent, and chose to endure for the time being.

The ninth-level cultivators of the inner sect are quite different from these rogue cultivators and guest elders.

Cultivators in sects are naturally stronger than those outside, and this gap widens as they progress to the ninth rank.

If he were to attack rashly, he would be at risk of perishing.

If it weren't for the fact that it was Zheng Xin, who was likely to become the future pillar of the Zheng family, who was asking him for a favor, he would have given up on this troublesome matter long ago and returned to the Zheng family to enjoy his life.

With a sigh, the black-robed cultivator had no choice but to return to his post.

He believed that sooner or later, Jiang Ming would be left all alone!

"There is a ninth-level cultivator who is well hidden, but I cultivate the Covering Lamp Fire, which allows me to see through the secrets of the surrounding area."

"He seems to have come for you. It looks like your caution wasn't in vain." He cast a glance at him with some appreciation.

Elder Duan praised him generously and patiently pointed out the risks.

"Thank you for your help, Elder Duan." Although he didn't know why Elder Duan was helping out of kindness, Jiang Ming couldn't ask directly.

He could only silently remember this kindness in his heart, waiting for the opportunity to repay it in the future.

"Fudeng Huo's Foundation Establishment stage is already full. In my early years, when I was helping the sect to eliminate demonic monsters, I suffered considerable injuries."

Still plagued by residual poison, he probably won't have the chance to advance his cultivation further in this life.

Mid-stage ninth rank, this cultivation level is neither particularly strong nor weak, but due to the poisoning, my lifespan won't be long.

In a few decades, it will probably come to an end. I have a son and a daughter, who are now both practicing in the outer sect of the Wanfa Sect.

You may have the opportunity to enter the inner sect in the future, or you may not. By the time I am gone, you will probably have become a powerful figure who commands respect in the region.

If you still remember my kindness, please look after me for that matter.

Seeing Elder Duan speak frankly, Jiang Ming nodded and did not refuse, "Understood. If that day ever comes, I will definitely do my best to help."

The ninth-level cultivator was several times faster than Jiang Ming.

In just half an hour, he arrived in Tongzhou City. After arriving at the Ye Family Chamber of Commerce, Elder Duan learned that Jiang Ming was going to meet someone.

I made up an excuse to travel and said goodbye for the time being.

They agreed to return home in a few days.

Upon reuniting with Ye Tao after three years apart, the two instantly embraced like dry tinder, and after a period of blissful passion...

With a hint of disgust, Ye Tao rubbed the spots on her thigh, then slowly stood up, swaying her alluring figure as she took out a bundle of golden bamboo sections, her pretty face full of pride.

"Hey, I've prepared all the Golden Thunder Bamboo for you, exactly seventy-two. I want to keep the remaining few to forge a suitable magic weapon."

If you need it, I'll give it to you as well...

Jiang Ming shook his head immediately after accepting the Golden Thunder Bamboo with delight, "You can keep the rest of the Golden Thunder Bamboo."

It's a pity I've run into some trouble lately, otherwise I would definitely have offered you some resources to thank you.

"Oh? You've run into trouble. Tell me about it."

"Although I may not be able to help, the Ye family has a strong foundation and should be able to mediate." Ye Tao raised an eyebrow, not hiding her worry.

She let Jiang Ming rest his head on her snow-white long legs, looking worried.

"It's not a big deal, the Ye family doesn't need to get involved."

"Wait a while, and I'll personally beat them until they really hurt." With the Golden Thunder Bamboo, Jiang Ming suddenly felt more confident.

According to Tuoba Youyou, their family possesses an extremely powerful magic, whose attack power is virtually unmatched in the world.

The only resource needed is Golden Thunder Bamboo. Seventy-two Golden Thunder Bamboo stalks are required to forge a complete set of flying swords, which, along with the appropriate secret techniques for manipulation, are needed.

In this way, one can demonstrate a killing power far exceeding that of others of the same level.

With this spell, given time, defeating Zheng Xin, that villain, will not be a problem, after all, his cultivation speed is very fast, but Jiang Ming is not slow either.

Seeing Jiang Ming's confident demeanor, Ye Tao didn't say much. She gently leaned down and said, "Remember to tell me when you can't hold on any longer."

My younger brother is now a minor official in Tongzhou. He can talk to those important figures, and as long as they belong to the Tongzhou faction, everyone has to give him some face.

I never expected the Ye family to have such a background.

Jiang Ming was immediately surprised and couldn't help but ask curiously, "I've heard that the Dao Laws of the Immortal Dynasty can boost a cultivator's cultivation level out of thin air. Is that true?"

Nodding, Ye Tao naturally wouldn't hide anything from Jiang Ming and was happy to explain, "That's right, but the laws of the Immortal Dynasty also have certain limitations."

Forcibly increasing one's cultivation level will not only make one 30% weaker than others in combat, but will also cause the cultivation level to disappear instantly after being dismissed from office, and will also damage the cultivator's body.

The higher the rank of a general, the greater the regression in their cultivation level, and the greater the damage they suffer.

Slightly surprised, Jiang Ming gradually understood the logic behind it: the strong could arbitrarily enhance the strength and status of the weak.

Make the weak work for you, and never have to fear their betrayal. After all, with the blessing of the Immortal Dynasty's laws, a single thought can completely eliminate a cultivator's cultivation.

"However, most cultivators are not dismissed from their posts. In the Immortal Dynasty, most official positions are passed down from generation to generation."

The reason my younger brother was able to become a celestial official was entirely because my father's unintentional act of kindness in his early years helped a great man.

This gave him the opportunity to work for that person, and through this opportunity, he gradually expanded and strengthened his business, eventually becoming the Ye Family Chamber of Commerce we know today.

Indeed, the most important thing in cultivating immortality is opportunity.

Ordinary people go to great lengths to compete and fight, while powerful figures can simply sprinkle water and share some benefits.

After hearing about the Ye family's rise to power, Jiang Ming seemed to be deep in thought, and his desire to reach the Foundation Establishment stage deepened even further.

Even a cultivator at the Qi Refining Realm, even one at the peak of their cultivation, is nothing more than a large toy in the eyes of a Foundation Establishment True Person. They can be easily killed with a mere flick of a finger.

To gain a foothold in Tongzhou and become a local hegemon, one must reach the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Ye Tao suffered quite a bit during her stay at the Ye family's residence, but she was still reluctant to part ways when the time came.

However, he is now at the eighth level of cultivation.

Ye Tao gradually came to terms with these breakups and reunions.

Only through continuous improvement in their cultivation can the two have the opportunity to stay together forever.

Otherwise, after more than a hundred years, all that remains will be a handful of yellow earth.

Return to the Intermediate People's Court.

Jiang Ming immediately went to visit Tuoba Youyou and asked her for magic.

Following the original No. 80 cave, they found that the place had been taken over, and that someone had come to cause trouble while they were away.

Jiang Ming gave the man a deep look, but didn't make a fuss. He asked about the location of Tuoba Youyou's new cave dwelling and immediately went to visit him.

With a bandage wrapped around her forehead, the girl's blank stare gradually brightened when she saw Jiang Ming, and she ran over to greet him.

She threw herself into Jiang Ming's arms with great enthusiasm, "You're back?"

"You're injured? Was it that cultivator from Cave 80 who injured you?" Seeing that Tuoba Youyou's injuries weren't serious, Jiang Ming's expression softened slightly.

It seems that the Tuoba family's reputation has some effect.

Even if Zheng Xin intended to cause trouble, he could only do so within the rules, sending people to bully Tuoba Youyou.

"No, although I don't know why he suddenly challenged me, I was injured purely because of myself."

When I was condensing the third image of the earthen city wall, I accidentally injured my head, which is why I put on a bandage. I'm all better now.

Unfortunately, the third vision failed; otherwise, I would have been only the second person in my family's century-long history to condense three visions at the eighth level of cultivation.

After offering an explanation, Tuoba Youyou's voice was full of regret, clearly indicating that she didn't care about the drop in ranking.

"Sigh, I guess I've dragged my senior sister down with me..."

"No, no, it's nothing. You must have something to say to me. Tell me, and I won't stand idly by as long as it's within my power." Jiang Ming looked somewhat apologetic.

Tuoba Youyou waved his hand and kindly pulled Jiang Ming to sit down and drink tea.

Without hiding his intentions, Jiang Ming spoke directly, "I want to borrow that spell that requires Golden Thunder Bamboo as a material to take a look."

"Oh, well, I did mention it to you before, but this item is very precious, and I probably can't make the decision."

Would you like to go to the Tuoba family and meet my elders?

If they agree, they might even help you forge weapons, provided you have enough Golden Thunder Bamboo.

Seventy-two, not one less…

Scratching his head, Tuoba Youyou felt a little ashamed that he couldn't help directly, and his eyes dimmed slightly.

"Alright, please make the arrangements, Senior Sister. I will accept whatever comes my way, whether it succeeds or not."

Realizing the importance of this matter, Jiang Ming immediately nodded in agreement.

Sitting on the ground, Tuoba Youyou tentatively cast a divination. Her face was solemn and somewhat disappointed. "It seems difficult. At least the fortune I predicted is not good."

However, I believe that good fortune will always be on your side, and Junior Brother Jiang should succeed.

While offering words of comfort, Tuoba Youyou was filled with helplessness. If the clan elders didn't agree, she only had one last option left: to steal it, borrow it from Jiang Ming, take a look, and then put it back.

This way, they might be able to get away with it, and once the deed is done, the clan elders, even for their own sake, wouldn't make things difficult for Jiang Ming.

After pondering for a moment, Tuoba Youyou took out a bell, shook it a few times, and the clear sound of the bell carried far away.

Outside Tongzhou city, there is a secluded place resembling a small mountain village.

Disrupt and push away the trigrams on the ground.

Tuoba Changsheng rubbed his temples, looking helplessly at the beautiful woman beside him, and complained inwardly, "It's all your fault for spoiling her. That brat Youyou is already siding with outsiders."

"What's wrong now? What did you predict?" The beautiful woman smiled and leaned closer. She was in a good mood, and thinking of her daughter's silly appearance, she couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth.

"This girl has her eye on the Ancestor's 'Primordial Sword Manual,' which is the Tuoba family's family secret and she wants to pass it on to outsiders."

"We must also pass on the earth-based cultivation technique from the city walls, otherwise we won't be able to enter the ancestral land and won't be able to find any trace of that technique." With a sigh, Tuoba Changsheng looked depressed.

It's true that the Tuoba family likes to invest, but investing now is way too early. Moreover, according to Chengtoutu's prediction, Jiang Ming will encounter a fatal calamity when he reaches the peak of the Qi Refining Realm.

If we can't survive this, all our investments will be wasted.

"Since Youyou thinks it's okay, what's wrong with passing on the City Wall Earth Cultivation Technique to him?" Compared to her father's worries, the beautiful woman was very optimistic.

She nudged Tuoba Changsheng, her almond-shaped eyes urging him, "Go pick Youyou up and take her home. It's been a long time since I've seen that girl."

"I just happened to bring that person over so I could take a look. If he's worth cultivating, then I'll let them be together..."

"It's easy for you to say. What does that silly girl Youyou know? This boy's aptitude is poor, and the City Wall Earth Technique is the most obscure and difficult to understand."

"If I want to pass on the martial arts to him, I'll have to sacrifice Youyou. How can I treat my daughter's life's most important matter so lightly?"

With a sigh of some worry, Tuoba Changsheng didn't say anything more.

He simply flicked his sleeves, made a few quick calculations, and then set off for the inner sect of the Myriad Laws Sect.

In a secluded corner, the black-robed guest sat cross-legged on the ground, almost as if he were about to die there. Even with such a painstaking wait, he still couldn't catch a glimpse of Jiang Ming.

He raised an eyebrow, a strange light flashing across his old face.

Sensing Jiang Ming's aura and realizing he was alone, the black-robed cultivator licked his lips and was about to set off to give chase.

Just as I was about to act, I felt a chill run down my spine...