Cultivating immortality begins with formations.

In the days that followed.

Aside from cultivating, refining his body, and feeding the Xuan Shui Spirit Turtle, Lu Yuan spent his time shamelessly engaging in intimate acts with Jiang Zhi.

During this time, I would also visit tea stalls and taverns to relax.

Fortunately, Lu Yuan was determined and did not succumb to the allure of sensual pleasures.

The pleasures of men and women are indeed delightful.

However, it's merely a spice in life, not the main theme.

The path to immortality was his lifelong desire.

Jiang Zhi was well aware of this, so she didn't linger too long.

By day, she's a Foundation Establishment weapon refiner engrossed in crafting artifacts; by night, she transforms into a gentle, tender woman...

Either she comes to her door on her own initiative, or Lu Yuan comes to find her.

The two maintained this relationship tacitly.

Focus on love and romance, enjoy the present, and don't talk about the future.

When Jiang Zhi established her foundation, she used one high-quality Foundation Establishment Pill, and gave the remaining two Foundation Establishment Pills to Lu Yuan.

As for these two Foundation Establishment Pills...

Lu Yuan only planned to keep the high-quality Foundation Establishment Pill, while he intended to save the other Foundation Establishment Pill for an auction three years later.

After all, although he doesn't lack spirit stones now, he will inevitably spend a lot of spirit stones in the future.

He had heard that in some immortal cities, mid-grade spirit stones were the basic currency, while low-grade spirit stones were considered mere change.

Looking at it this way, a mere tens of thousands of low-grade spirit stones seem insignificant.

This day.

Lu Yuan's cultivation pills were about to run out, so he came to Cui Xuan Bao Zhai again, hoping to buy some Qi Condensation Pills.

Even among first-tier Qi Condensation Pills, there are differences in quality.

Although the Qi Condensation Pill from Cui Xuan Bao Zhai is more expensive than those from other places, it is more effective.

"Please take a seat in the private room, Master Lu."

Liu Ling'er ushered him into the private room, her beautiful eyes scanning him up and down.

That day in the Jiuling Mountains, I saw with my own eyes a dense fog rising in the distance, similar to the effect of the Five Elements Fog Array.

She wondered if the person the female cultivator had mentioned that day was Lu Yuan, who was standing before her.

Given the influence of Ningcui Valley behind Cuixuanbaozhai, it wouldn't be difficult to discover, if they inquired in the market, that the female cultivator who saved people that day was Jiang Zhi.

But she didn't do that.

After all, the other party had done her a favor first, and regardless of whether the Starfall Sand fell into her hands, in Ningcui Valley's view, this matter was already settled.

"Why are you looking at me like that, Fellow Daoist Liu?"

Lu Yuan took a sip of tea and asked with a smile.

Liu Ling'er shook her head with a smile: "Master Lu, to be honest, I also went to the Nine-Ling Mountain Range some time ago. Not only did I fail to obtain any opportunities, but I also ended up in jail and almost lost my life..."

"Oh, is that so?"

Lu Yuan feigned surprise, then said, "Fellow Daoist Liu is a lucky man who survived a great calamity. How can that not be considered an opportunity?"

Liu Ling'er nodded: "I was able to escape danger thanks to the help of a benefactor... but that benefactor refused to reveal his true identity, leaving Ling'er with a heart full of gratitude and emotion that she had nowhere to express."

"We might meet again in the future, so why be fixated on this moment?" Lu Yuan said.

At this point, he seemed to realize what he meant.

Jiang Zhi did not disguise herself that day, so it shouldn't be difficult for Ningcui Valley to investigate if they wanted to.

But the other party didn't make any move, presumably having already let it go.

Liu Ling'er nodded slightly, then smiled and asked, "What would Master Lu like to buy this time?"

After pondering for a moment, Lu Yuan said, "Twenty bottles of premium Qi Condensation Pills, twenty bottles of premium Spirit Nourishing Pills, ten bottles of Blazing Sun Body Tempering Liquid, ten premium Great Rejuvenation Pills, three second-tier Detoxification Pills..."

He listed many pills, and Liu Ling'er narrowed her eyes and wrote them down one by one.

If all goes well, these pills will be enough to support his cultivation to the late stage of Qi Refining.

Before long, Liu Ling'er brought the corresponding pills and placed them on the table: "Please have Master Lu examine them; they are all top-quality pills."

Lu Yuan nodded.

Although there is no shortage of spirit stones now, the reputation of Cui Xuan Bao Zhai is still there.

But he still checked very carefully.

Since it is something that needs to be imported and consumed, even the slightest mistake will damage one's foundation.

"The pills are fine."

Lu Yuan nodded in satisfaction.

"Master Lu purchased a total of 765 low-grade spirit stones for the pills this time. Ling'er has decided to give only 700 low-grade spirit stones."

Lu Yuan was somewhat surprised this time.

Dozens of low-grade spirit stones were wiped away without warning.

He became increasingly curious about Liu Ling'er's identity in Ningcui Valley, and at the same time, he wondered if she had other motives for showing such goodwill.

It's not that Lu Yuan has paranoia.

In this world of cultivation, there is absolutely no such thing as kindness without a reason.

Even if Liu Ling'er guessed what happened in the Nine Ridges Mountains, they secretly took the Starfall Sand, so the matter was considered settled.

"Master Lu, there's no need to worry. Ling'er's actions are simply to establish a good relationship with you," Liu Ling'er said frankly, looking at Lu Yuan with her eyes brimming with autumn water.

Hearing these words, Lu Yuan couldn't help but think of Manager Luo again.

He had said something similar before, but now, although they are not enemies, they belong to different worlds.

Lu Yuan thought for a moment and agreed, "Alright. Then I will accept this favor."

The money and goods were exchanged.

Liu Ling'er escorted Lu Yuan out of Cui Xuan Bao Zhai, and then went straight to a room in the far corner of the second floor.

Knock on the door and enter the room.

A beautiful woman dressed in an apricot-yellow palace dress slowly opened her eyes: "Ling'er, were those two Five Elements Mist Compasses truly made by this person?"

From the moment Lu Yuan entered Cui Xuan Bao Zhai, she had been secretly investigating him with her divine sense.

It's simply unbelievable that the array plate capable of engaging a cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Refining was actually created by a cultivator at the fifth level of Qi Refining.

Liu Ling'er cupped her hands and said, "Master, it's him."

"Heh~"

The beautiful woman exclaimed in amazement, "A mere cultivator at the fifth level of Qi Refining can actually set up such an array! In that case, this young man will surely go far in the path of arrays. If we could recruit him as a disciple..."

"I had already invited him before, but he declined."

The beautiful woman smiled and said, "The reason he refused you is because your offer was not high enough. If I promised to take him as my apprentice, I don't believe he wouldn't be tempted."

"Master, you..."

Liu Ling'er was taken aback.

When the sect leader of Ningcui Valley personally takes on disciples, few rogue cultivators can refuse.

After all, having a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator as a master is invaluable, both in terms of cultivation resources and experience guidance.

"Should the disciple represent Ningcui Valley in inviting him again?"

"No rush."

The beautiful woman gazed at the Ascension Pavilion in the distance and said softly, "I will speak to him in person at the Danhua Gathering."

Upon hearing this, Liu Ling'er felt a chill run down her spine.

She already considered Lu Yuan a cultivator worth befriending, but she still underestimated his value. She never expected that her master would directly step forward and promise her the status of a personal disciple of the Ningcui Valley sect leader.

if it is like this.

Perhaps Lu Yuan will actually become his junior brother in the future...

At this moment, Liu Ling'er was thinking about many things.

But at that moment, my thoughts were interrupted.

"besides……"

"These past few days, the Zhou and Wang families have been making increasingly big noise. Since you are in the market, keep an eye on their movements. If either side shows signs of defeat, immediately stop the supply of pills."

The beautiful woman's voice was deep and slow, carrying an unquestionable tone.

"Yes, Master."

Liu Ling'er bowed in agreement, then suddenly asked, "Master, do you really think the Azure Lotus Sword Sect won't intervene this time?"

"snort."

The beautiful woman snorted coldly, "The Azure Lotus Sword Sect's previous mediation was just a show; in reality, they were hoping we would descend into chaos so they could reap the benefits."

"otherwise……"

"How could they be so kind as to offer so many Foundation Establishment Pills and various spiritual artifacts?"

"Just you wait and see..."

"Within three years, the families and sects around Jiuling Market will either become its complete vassals or be purged and cease to exist."

Liu Ling'er was greatly shocked when she heard her master say this.

The inexplicable excitement that Lu Yuan might become her junior brother just moments before vanished in an instant.

……