I only want immortality.

True cultivation of the Dao foundation!

This was the first time in Li Pinghe's life that he had faced such a person directly and personally experienced his thunderous rage.

However, at this moment, he felt unexpectedly calm and composed. Perhaps it was because he was over a hundred years old and his days were numbered, so he had a detached mindset and no longer had any fear of great power.

Perhaps he has done his best, and regardless of success or failure, he has no regrets.

Or perhaps, for him, life was already insignificant.

A century of trials and tribulations, highs and lows, have shaped him and given him a calm demeanor in the face of all storms.

This composure is not superficial or deliberately displayed, but rather it has long been ingrained in one's very being, like a stubborn rock that remains unmoved in a raging torrent in a mountain gorge.

All the storms and tempests have now become like a gentle breeze.

This composure, however, startled Wen Yao, whose anger was now palpable.

Above the dark clouds, the enormous face, which had been glaring angrily, suddenly narrowed its eyes upon seeing Li Pinghe caught red-handed, yet so calm and fearless, even taking the initiative to meet him. A sense of unease crept in.

"Is there someone behind him?"

"Otherwise, how could a mere Qi Refining cultivator dare to seize my treasure without fear or hesitation?"

However, it is not impossible. It is said that he traveled to various countries in his early years, spreading his teachings and arts. Whenever someone asked for advice, he was generous with his knowledge and guidance. As a result, he had a wide circle of friends and was a guest of many sects. Now, nearly 60 years have passed, and most of them should be old or even have passed away. However, some of them have transformed into dragons and ascended to the position of Dao Foundation.

Putting aside other matters, Ning He, the deputy sect leader of the Qinghe Sect, is one of them.

Given such a connection and such a network of connections, Wen Yao naturally didn't want to get involved with Li Pinghe, a hot potato, even if the other party wasn't a Dao Foundation cultivator.

but……

"To steal my protective treasure is going too far!"

The thought of apprehension was fleeting, and the anger at being offended by the revision was brought under control.

He looked down at Li Pinghe, his voice booming like thunder:

"Li Canglang, you stole my treasure! If you don't explain yourself clearly today, even if you're an old friend of the Vice Sect Master, I will kill you!"

Anger surged forth, dark clouds churned, and thunder writhed and flickered within them like a dragon.

Even though it wasn't being targeted, the black buffalo below still felt as if it were being oppressed by heaven and earth. Its magical power and blood energy were all stagnant and immobile, and it couldn't help but show a look of fear in its eyes.

Li Pinghe remained calm and composed, slightly tilting his beard upwards. The wind and waves billowed his robes as he met the gaze with unwavering composure, his tone relaxed and collected.

"Without explanation, when Wen Daoyou invaded the Song Dynasty and slaughtered his fellow Daoists, there was no need to do so to avoid disaster. Therefore, it is truly a case of the strong preying on the weak and plundering by nature, and there is no need to embellish it."

"My taking your treasure was out of greed, and there's no need to embellish it, so there's no point in explaining."

The enormous face was taken aback upon hearing this.

He had long heard that Li Canglang was no ordinary person, but a first-rate figure. In his heart, he did not agree with him. In the past, he disdained to associate with such a dilapidated minor sect cultivator who traveled to various countries. It was only later that he became wary of the other party's reputation, but he did not really care.

However, upon hearing him frankly admit his inherent greed and his refusal to use national righteousness as an excuse, his open and honest nature was something I had never seen before. Although I was angry with him, I actually felt a sense of admiration for him.

"You do have the air of an enlightened sage, it's a pity you were born in the Song Kingdom."

Dark clouds churned, and the enormous face, no longer contorted with rage, narrowed its eyes and said, "The law of the jungle isn't necessarily wrong, but even those who claim to be morally upright and uphold justice, using the pretense of eliminating demons and protecting the righteous path, are nothing but empty words!"

"For us practitioners, Dharma, companions, wealth, and land are indispensable. The Dharma is not easily transmitted, and companions are not easy to find. What we can compete for are nothing more than wealth and land."

"Great nations and powerful sects can obtain the resources for cultivation without much effort; how can we do that?"

"However, since you have stolen my treasure, you should also be prepared to die!"

By the end, his voice and expression had become stern.

Upon hearing this, Li Pinghe remained calm and composed.

"No matter how many words or explanations I may offer, in the end, we must see the true skill in action. I humbly request your guidance."

The enormous face showed a slight surprise, as if he had mistaken the strong wind for something else; he was rarely so astonished.

"Li Canglang, have you lost your mind? You want to fight me?"

Li Pinghe spoke calmly, yet resolutely:

"I, Li, am determined to obtain this treasure."

His enormous face remained silent, stunned, while the surrounding dark clouds surged and rolled like waves, revealing the turmoil in his heart at that moment.

Since ancient times, has anyone ever succeeded by refining their Qi and defying the foundation of their Dao?

Throughout history, there is no precedent for this.

Li Canglang, a man of profound learning, how could he not know this?

Is it foolish or wise to do something knowing it's impossible?

Is it really as he himself said, all because of greed?

Perhaps it was still for the sake of the Song state, but he was just taking advantage of his advanced age and wanted to sacrifice himself to uphold his principles, but he disdained to seek fame in this way.

He suddenly realized something, then exclaimed in surprise:

"You...you don't mean to practice the method of attaining enlightenment through tools, do you?"

Entering the Dao through tools is one of the paths to becoming a human immortal. It was widely spread in ancient times because when heaven and earth were first separated, there was an inexhaustible supply of natural treasures. Qi refiners would choose places and materials to cultivate the Dao. However, as time passed and people exhausted their resources, spiritual treasures disappeared. In addition, the world changed, making this path much more difficult. As a result, this method declined and was no longer known to ordinary people.

The Qinghe Sect also has such a method, but the conditions are too harsh. One must have a foundational treasure to entrust the method to, and the treasures must be compatible. The success rate is only one in ten thousand, so it has long been shelved and no one cares about it.

Li Pinghe asked in a calm voice:

"Fellow Daoist, do you perhaps wish to help others achieve their goals?"

Upon hearing this, the enormous-faced man couldn't help but laugh in anger, unable to contain himself any longer:

"You stole my protective treasure, and I'm supposed to grant your wish? Li Canglang, don't think that just because my true form is immobilized, I can't harm you!"

With a thought, the dark clouds in the sky, like a vast, overturned marsh, surged and roared, pressing down with the immense power of a marsh!

All things are silent, yet heaven and earth turn!

The true cultivation of the Dao foundation grants the ability to decide the fate of a region with a single word, a realm that even cultivators practicing Qi Refining can hardly glimpse in their lifetime.

Li Pinghe's white hair was slightly raised, his beard and hair flying, his blue robe billowing, as if a storm had come during the hottest days of summer, bringing a refreshing coolness.

I couldn't help but burst into laughter:

"Well done!"

He gently patted the black water buffalo beneath him.

Though terrified, the black buffalo still sang loudly:

"Moo—"

The stone forest beneath our feet trembled violently.

Countless stone pillars rose from the ground below, passing over Li Pinghe and the black water buffalo beneath him, like countless towering swords, rushing away!

In an instant, the vast swamp seemed to float in mid-air, and a forest of swords stretched across the sky.

"They're fighting!"

"They've really started fighting!"

As Jin Guang and Lin Yang were traveling at top speed south of the stone forest, they suddenly sensed something and turned to look. In the distance, they saw a strange phenomenon in the sky and earth, and Lin Yang couldn't help but exclaim.

Jin Guang was stunned and lost in thought. Even though they were so far apart, he could still feel an unprecedented vastness and immensity from that strange phenomenon. Compared to it, his proud skills seemed so insignificant.

"Is that Daoji?"

"Dōki...Teacher!"

His heart skipped a beat. Thinking of that outcome, he could no longer restrain himself. He knew that even if he went, it would be of no use, but as a disciple, he couldn't stand idly by. He turned and urgently ordered:

"Panlao Mountain isn't far; you can go there yourself!"

Having said that, he showed no intention of lingering, turned around, and headed straight for the strange phenomenon.

"Junior Uncle, Junior Uncle... sigh!"

Lin Yang shouted urgently from the spot, but couldn't get him to come back. She stomped her feet and gritted her teeth, and reluctantly followed after him.

at the same time.

Yang Xingkong and Lu Mingchen, who were following Lan Jusuo's trail, suddenly stopped and turned to look at the strange phenomenon in the sky, exchanging bewildered glances.

"The Foundation of the Dao?!"

"Master?"

Yang Xingkong immediately realized what was happening and exclaimed in surprise, "That's the Grand Elder? And who is the Foundation Establishment cultivator fighting the Grand Elder?"

Lu Mingchen shook his head blankly, yet felt a sense of familiarity with the situation.

Yang Xingkong's eyes flashed rapidly: "Could it be that the Song Kingdom still has cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage?"

The thought of this possibility sent a chill down his spine.

"It seems that Master did not come in person. Why don't we go and take a look?"

Lu Mingchen suggested.

"No, we can't go!"

Yang Xingkong immediately spoke up, then realized his reaction was too strong and quickly added:

"Since the Grand Elder is fighting with Daoji, it would be unwise for Fellow Daoist Lu to intrude into the conflict and distract the Grand Elder. It would be better to return to the sect."

Lu Mingchen said:

"Since we have already appeared here, our master should have noticed us long ago and fled in fear, leaving us with no hope of establishing a foundation in the Dao."

Yang Xingkong hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded slowly.

"But we don't know which Dao Foundation it is."

He was wary.

The two immediately rushed towards the place of the strange phenomenon, and soon they saw the huge face in the sky, which was none other than Wen Yao, the Grand Elder of the Qinghe Sect.

Dark clouds all around surged like a raging swamp, crushing the vast stone forest to dust with overwhelming force.

Then it pressed down heavily, as if it had triggered something.

A buzzing sound came from below, and a circular, transparent light shield sprouted from the ground, rising up in the blink of an eye. To the astonishment of the two, it barely managed to block the pressure from the Black Swamp!

"Wait, who is that person...?"

Yang Xingkong's gaze fell upon the transparent light shield, and he was taken aback. There stood an unfamiliar old man, riding a familiar-looking black water buffalo, standing alone atop a stone pillar.

Subconsciously, he recalled the scene when he almost succeeded at Chun Jun Sect, only to be thwarted by a "golden light" boy. The boy's mount seemed to be this black water buffalo.

He was incredibly astute; in the blink of an eye, he had already guessed the old man's identity.

"Li Canglang?"

"It's Li Canglang!"

"He actually managed to fight the Grand Elder of the Qinghe Sect?! Could he also be a Foundation Establishment cultivator?"

I was shocked, but I immediately realized something was wrong.

The difference between Dao Foundation and Qi Refining is as vast as clouds and mud, yet Li Canglang did not exude the same chilling oppressive aura as a Dao Foundation cultivator.

"How can someone who is not a Dao Foundation cultivator contend with someone who is a Dao Foundation cultivator? Even if it is not the true form that has come."

"This...this shouldn't be happening..."

Thinking of this, he felt an unprecedented shock, as if what he saw before him had completely overturned all the knowledge he had ever acquired.

He was arrogant because he had inherited the legacy of the great clan and knew many secrets. He had great ambitions and never really took the Song state or the Wuling clan seriously.

The fact that Qi Refining can rival Dao Foundation is something that has never been mentioned even in the legacy of the Great Sect.

Right now, in the Song Kingdom, and on this old cultivator whom he had never truly respected, he witnessed it firsthand.

He suddenly recalled his grandfather's repeated praise and admiration for this person. At the time, he had dismissed it, thinking that his grandfather was from a small country and had limited knowledge. But now he couldn't help but feel a little dazed.

"Look over there!"

Suddenly, Lu Mingchen exclaimed in surprise.

Yang Xingkong was startled awake and quickly looked in the direction of the sound. He saw that in the distance, there were also many transparent light shields similar to the ones in front of him, rising from the ground, breathing in and out, flashing and flickering. They were numerous and scattered across the land like stars under the dark clouds, creating a magnificent sight.

"Formation!"

Above the sky, amidst the dark clouds, a massive face stared intently at Li Pinghe, whose expression remained unchanged throughout the entire process, within the light barrier below, and couldn't help but reveal an expression of disbelief.

He could tell at a glance that Li Pinghe had used a formation, but he couldn't understand why Li Pinghe's formation could stop him.

Even though he didn't come in person, before the immense power of heaven and earth that he could summon with a single thought...

"What method did you use?!"

His massive face couldn't help but roar angrily, his voice booming like thunder, tinged with unspeakable shame and annoyance.

If it were a fight between people of the same realm, it would be fine, but being blocked like this by an old cultivator who practices Qi Refining has already caused him to lose face today, so he is naturally furious.

I thought Li Pinghe wouldn't answer, but to my surprise, he answered calmly without holding anything back:

"It's nothing more than using the strength of heaven and earth to appease your anger. The way of formations is to use minimal force to overcome great strength."

"Although Daoji is no longer human, he is still ultimately within this world. How could he possibly break through this world?"

His enormous face showed astonishment, but as he came to his senses, his mind swept over the almost identical arrays on the ground below. Gradually, he understood, and a sense of awe and unprecedented apprehension arose in his heart towards Li Pinghe.

"Using the land of the Song Kingdom as a framework, hundreds of formations are set up as the base, and the formation where the person resides is the core. Once a great force falls, it can be quickly channeled through the many formations on the land and transmitted underground."

"What a grand gesture!"

As he said, no matter how powerful a Dao Foundation cultivator is, he is still within the realm of heaven and earth. How could he possibly break through the entire land of the Song Kingdom?

Therefore, what truly blocked his path was not Li Pinghe, but the mountains and rivers of the Song Kingdom.

"It is truly admirable that such an unparalleled genius as you has emerged from this poor and remote place of Song."

The enormous face showed heartfelt admiration.

Li Pinghe dismounted from the ox's back, stood with his hands behind his back atop a stone pillar, letting his green robe flutter, and calmly said:

"If you want to learn, I can teach you."

His enormous face showed a flicker of interest, but he slowly shook his head, as if he had finally made up his mind, his voice echoing softly:

"Li Canglang, you are too monstrous. You have only lived for a little over a hundred years and yet you have such abilities. If you were to actually manage to forge your Dao foundation by chance, what future would my Qinghe Sect have?"

Li Pinghe narrowed his eyes slightly, not surprised, and only sighed softly:

"It seems Fellow Daoist Wen has made his decision."

"good."

The dark clouds suddenly surged like a wildfire.

The enormous face vanished silently into the dark clouds. At the same time, a cultivator with white hair and a green robe, adorned with a jade hairpin, silently hovered above the light barrier, his eyes meeting Li Pinghe's through the barrier.

It was indeed Wen Yao himself; he had actually come in person.

From the distant Baiyun Mountain, one could faintly hear Xianyu Qiong's voice filled with shock and anger.

Wen Yao remained calm. His blue robe was slightly torn, indicating that he had just experienced a major battle, but he did not care about such things. He simply looked at Li Pinghe with a hint of regret and indifference in his eyes.

Without any hesitation, and without holding back.

In that instant, the dark clouds transformed into countless tentacles, reaching into the earth below and forcibly grabbing the shimmering arrays along with their respective ley lines!

Bang bang bang!

The hundreds of array formations and light shields all vanished at the same moment!

Bang!

The protective shield at the center of the formation where Li Pinghe was located lost its ability to channel energy and only lasted for less than a breath before shattering with a bang and being grasped by the black cloud tentacles...

The black buffalo looked sad and then closed its eyes.

The golden light rushing towards them from afar was blindingly bright, and Lin Yang turned pale with horror...

Li Pinghe showed no emotion, lightly flicking his wrist, ready to respond and live up to his skills.

At that moment, in the space between his brows, the broken bronze bell inside the green gourd that was constantly being repaired seemed to sense the danger and suddenly lit up slightly.

"what?"

Li Pinghe was taken aback.

Before he could even understand what was going on with the bronze bell, he suddenly heard Wen Yao's angry and alarmed voice coming from above:

"Who's there!?"

Li Pinghe's gaze swept over and saw that a lotus seed had been shot into the tentacles formed from the black clouds. In the blink of an eye, the lotus seed sprouted, growing upright leaves, floating leaves, and flower buds, eventually forming a lotus flower.

The blue lotus, as beautiful as jade, stood tall and graceful, completely blocking out the dark clouds.

Upon seeing the lotus flower, Li Pinghe was suddenly startled, and a person suddenly came to mind.