Cultivating immortality begins with formations.

Name: Lu Yuan

Lifespan: 30/32 (Lifespan increased, triple effect)

[Realm Level: Qi Refining Level 4]

[Spiritual Root: Five Elements Spiritual Root (Low Grade)]

[Cultivation Technique: Five Elements Technique (Minor Success, Breakthrough achievable after 30 years of practice)]

[Skills: Qi Gathering Array (Perfected, can be broken through after fifty years of cultivation); Five Elements Mist Array (Proficient, can be broken through after thirty years of cultivation)]

[Techniques: Fire Separation Spell (Mastery required, breakthrough possible after ten years of practice); Qi Concealment Technique (Mastery required, breakthrough possible after ten years of practice)]

[Lifespan can be infused into cultivation techniques and spells to increase cultivation progress. Currently, lifespan can be infused up to one year.]

"Is this the wisdom of all-in betting?!"

No matter how Lu Yuan thought about it, he felt that this lifespan was well spent.

Whether it's magic or formations, with each level of proficiency gained, you get further away from the market's kill line.

He was certain that during the Qi Refining stage, no one understood magic better than him.

As for having only two years left to live...

Without pressure, there is no motivation.

Before, Lu Yuan wouldn't have dared to imagine breaking through in two years.

But now, with the Qi-gathering array and no shortage of pills and spirit stones, breaking through in about two years is not difficult.

Moreover, I've heard that the Treasure Pavilion has longevity pills. Although they are expensive, you can always buy one if you accumulate some spirit stones.

This is also the source of his confidence to go all in.

……

After another day of cultivation to stabilize his mind and consolidate his realm, the day he had arranged to meet Manager Luo arrived.

Lu Yuan arrived at the Treasure Pavilion early.

Manager Luo had been waiting for quite some time.

Seeing that he had broken through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining, she congratulated him and her smile grew even wider.

"Young friend Lu, the Azure Spirit Stone and the blood of a first-tier demon beast are ready. Would you like to rest and recuperate for a moment?"

"No need, I can begin at any time."

Lu Yuan had just broken through to the next level, and was full of energy and spirit, so he was unwilling to waste any more time.

Following Manager Luo into the back hall, they entered a secret room, where they found two other people inside.

Through Manager Luo's introduction, Lu Yuan learned about it.

The thin, middle-aged cultivator was also a guest elder of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. His name was Liu Wanhai, and he was a mid-grade first-level talisman master.

The other middle-aged cultivator was named Zhu Meng. He had a square face, a rugged appearance, and a robust physique. It was clear at a glance that he, like Zhang Dashan, followed the path of physical cultivation.

"Young friend Lu, please do not worry. This is the rule of our pavilion. When you enter the pavilion for the test, there must be other people to witness it."

Manager Luo was worried that Lu Yuan might be overthinking things, so he spoke up to explain.

"Since it is a rule of the pavilion, I, Lu, cannot be an exception."

The Qi Gathering Array is a very common array, and its diagrams and patterns are no longer a secret, so there's no question of anyone learning it from others.

Lu Yuan didn't care at all. On the contrary, after hearing what Manager Luo said, he felt that Baibaoge was a good place.

Places with rules are safer; chaos is less likely to break out, making them suitable for quiet contemplation and self-cultivation.

Take out your own paintbrush and inkstone, and carefully polish the green stone with a file, so that the fine powder falls into the inkstone.

Lu Yuan then poured in the demon beast's blood, mixed it with the green spirit stone powder, and slowly stirred it clockwise to create a spiritual liquid for drawing array patterns.

The three people present couldn't help but nod in approval when they saw Lu Yuan's skillful technique, without any unnecessary movements.

None of the three were array masters.

But even though I've never eaten pork, I've seen pigs run.

To grind the brittle and fragile Qingling stone into powder requires extremely rich experience; otherwise, it would be impossible to control the force so well.

If fine stones are mixed in with the green spirit stone powder, it will affect the quality of the spirit liquid.

The effect of the Qi-gathering array will be greatly reduced.

The three were astonished by Lu Yuan's meticulous technique and none of them made a sound to disturb him.

Lu Yuan, however, was completely focused and clear-headed, and paid no attention to them.

He had previously spent ten days drawing the Qi-gathering array.

Now that I have broken through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining, my spiritual sense and spiritual power have both greatly improved, and I should be able to complete the process in five or six days.

Manager Luo wouldn't be by his side all the time.

The middle-aged cultivator named Zhu Meng only came once in the morning and once in the evening, and would leave after a short time.

Sometimes Lu Yuan could even smell a faint scent of blood on him.

Only Liu Wanhai, the talisman master, remained an observer throughout the entire process.

As a talisman master, he saw that the array patterns drawn by Lu Yuan had many similarities with the Qi Gathering Array runes, and couldn't help but get closer and closer.

I wanted to ask several times, but I held back.

This day.

The maids from the Treasure Pavilion brought food again.

Lu Yuan picked up his bowl and chopsticks.

Large chunks of demonic beast meat, coated in sauce, are poured over spirit rice and garnished with a few spirit vegetables, emitting an enticing aroma.

Lu Yuan couldn't help but take a deep breath.

"It smells so good!"

If it weren't for the Treasure Pavilion, how could I have the chance to eat fresh monster meat and spiritual vegetables every meal?

While he was enjoying his meal, Liu Wanhai found it unappetizing.

Lu Yuan observed the other party's expression and waited for two days without hearing him speak. He guessed that the other party was a tech geek who was not good at talking.

For a mid-grade first-tier talisman master, befriending him would be a fortunate thing.

After all, having more friends means having more options.

"Is Master Liu also interested in formations?"

Lu Yuan put down his chopsticks, picked up his spiritual tea and took a sip, then initiated a conversation.

"The Dao of Talismans is as deep as an abyss, and I am still only floating on the shallow surface. How dare I be distracted?" Liu Wanhai shook his head before expressing his doubts.

"I observed that Fellow Daoist Lu was concentrating on his brushstrokes when drawing array patterns. The trajectory of his brushstrokes was somewhat similar to when I drew Qi-gathering talismans, but the brushwork was completely different. It seemed to be much smoother. Therefore, I would like to ask him for some guidance."

Lu Yuan couldn't discern his cultivation level, thus knowing that the other party's cultivation was definitely above his own.

Even so, I still didn't hesitate to ask for advice.

Lu Yuan thought for a moment: "Could you please take out one of the Qi-gathering talismans you drew, Brother Liu, so that I can take a look at it?"

Liu Wanhai took out a Qi-gathering talisman from his storage bag and handed it over.

Lu Yuan reached out and took it, then examined it carefully, gently rubbing the runes with his fingertips. After a moment, he smiled and said, "Although I don't understand talismans, I have a deep understanding of Qi-gathering arrays..."

"I suppose Brother Liu's Qi-gathering talisman can gather a large amount of spiritual energy in an instant when activated, but it will dissipate within a few breaths due to insufficient follow-up."

Upon hearing Lu Yuan point out the flaw in this talisman, Liu Wanhai's eyes lit up: "Please enlighten me, Brother Lu."

Lu Yuan didn't hold back and said directly, "Next time, Brother Liu can try pausing at the beginning of the stroke, injecting more spiritual energy, and making the transitions as smooth as possible to make the spiritual energy flow more smoothly, which may increase the duration of the talisman."

Both array formations and runes use lines to communicate with heaven and earth, and are originally from the same source but different paths.

Lu Yuan's experience and insights into Qi Gathering Arrays, gained over several decades of his lifespan, along with his mastery of drawing array patterns, naturally made it easy for him to guide first-tier talisman masters in drawing Qi Gathering Talismans.

Upon hearing this, Liu Wanhai's thin body trembled slightly.

He remained silent for a long time, then suddenly stood up and bowed solemnly to Lu Yuan, saying, "Brother Lu's words are like the sun breaking through the clouds; I thank you in advance."

Lu Yuan hurriedly stood up to return the greeting.

"Master Liu, you flatter me. It's just a matter of mutual learning."

to be honest.

He was telling Liu Wanhai that different talismans should have different brushstrokes.

Lu Yuan can provide some guidance with the Qi Gathering Talisman, but he is powerless to help with other talismans.

But for Liu Wanhai, it was extremely useful.

Choosing to live in the Treasure Pavilion as a talisman master was not only for the sake of making a living, but also because he had no master. Such insights and experiences in cultivation are invaluable to any independent cultivator.

"Indeed, Fellow Daoist Lu should accept this courtesy."

Liu Wanhai then took out several yellowed talismans from his storage bag and presented them with both hands.

"This is a golden talisman I drew myself. Although it's not worth many spirit stones, it's a token of my goodwill and has the effect of protecting you from enemies. Please accept it, Brother Lu."

"How can this be allowed?"

Lu Yuan took the talisman and saw that although the talisman paper was old, the patterns were clear and powerful, the spiritual light flowed, and the golden light was dimmed. It was undoubtedly a mid-grade first-rank talisman.

Five first-grade mid-level talismans are worth about fifteen low-grade spirit stones on the market.

Lu Yuan smiled broadly as he put the talisman into his storage bag, thinking to himself that this friend was worth making.

The two then discussed it further.

The atmosphere became much more lively than before.

A short while later.

Lu Yuan continued to draw the array patterns, and Liu Wanhai, being quite sensible, stopped bothering him.