A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

The benefits of cultivating the Jade Vein Technique quickly became apparent.

With a massive investment of Spirit Stones, Lü Zhong’s eight Minor Circulation meridians began to change at a visible rate. They grew as translucent as jade, constantly widening and becoming more resilient than before.

This manifested in his cultivation as an increased rate of progress.

Not only that, but to his pleasant surprise...

As his meridians grew tougher, the number of times he could circulate his energy each day also increased slightly. This meant that in the future, he could perform one or two more Grand Circulations per day than the average cultivator—a tremendous advantage when accumulated over time.

In addition, his combat prowess had also improved significantly.

Take the Late Sun Sword Skill, for example. After practicing the Jade Vein Technique, his meridians could now withstand more True Essence. This resulted in a slight increase in both the number of Magic Swords he could unleash in a burst and their power. He expected this would allow him to give his enemies more unpleasant surprises in the future.

「Three months later.」

Inside the Quiet Chamber, Lü Zhong was, for once, not cultivating.

He stared at a green-and-yellow orb of light before him, roughly the size of a watermelon, his face tense with nervousness. The orb was the manifestation of the Earth Wood Spirit Ring. After absorbing Essence worth nearly ten thousand Spirit Stones, it had finally accumulated enough Spiritual Attribute to begin the final step of its Metamorphosis into a Spiritual Artifact.

Within the orb, which was composed of numerous Prohibitions, a glowing ring could be seen clearly, rising and falling in the light as it underwent waves of baptism by Spiritual Qi.

’I hope this Small Spirit Tempering Array can actually raise the grade of the Spiritual Artifact!’ Lü Zhong thought with anticipation.

After hesitating for a moment, he flipped his hand and took out a Jade Scroll given to him by Liuu Piaoniang.

Lü Zhong had already read its entire contents. It was an extremely detailed map of Chenyuan Palace, documenting information on most of its regions, which would be of great help on his trip there.

What interested him was that the Jade Scroll described a type of Gilded Fire Jade.

This jade was only found in Chenyuan Palace. It was said that adding it during a Spiritual Artifact’s Metamorphosis could refine the item, purging impurities from the Artifact Embryo while greatly increasing the number of its Spiritual Veins. The number of Spiritual Veins determined the final grade of the Spiritual Artifact.

’They say Magical Artifacts are easy to come by, but Spiritual Artifacts are hard to find. If I can really obtain a Middle-grade Spiritual Artifact, my ability to protect myself during the trip to Chenyuan Palace will be much greater than it is now.’

At this thought, Lü Zhong stood up and went out.

He soon arrived at the Inner Ring Commercial District, which was as bustling as ever.

Thanks to generations of cultivators exploring Chenyuan Palace over the years, the major merchant houses had a considerable stock of Gilded Fire Jade. However, purchasing it was not easy. Either the price was astonishingly high, or it had to be exchanged for Spiritual Objects of equal value.

”I should have known,” Lü Zhong said, annoyed.

As one’s Realm increased, the variety of useful spiritual resources would become increasingly scarce.

Not only would high-aged Spirit Medicines become rare, but some of the uncommon spiritual materials usable by Foundation Establishment True Cultivators would also become difficult to find. It was no surprise that the merchant houses were hoarding them to drive up the price.

He then went to ask around at the auction houses and found that there was indeed Gilded Fire Jade up for auction.

However, after seeing the past transaction prices, Lü Zhong immediately gave up on the idea, as the cost was equally outrageous.

Just as he was thinking, a voice called out from behind him.

Turning around, he saw it was Liu Yuhe, who looked as if he had just left an auction and was walking out of the corridor.

Thanks to Lü Zhong’s deliberate efforts to befriend him, the two were on fairly good terms. After being invited to Changle Square several times to enjoy the music and dance, Liu Yuhe had immediately reciprocated with several large purchases and had also referred many customers to the Talisman Shop.

Lü Zhong had earned a significant amount of Spirit Stones from his cooperation with Liu Yuhe.

Despite his bad mood, he didn’t let it show on his face. He clasped his hands and smiled.

”Fellow Daoist Liu, long time no see!”

”Long time no see! Brother Lü, are you free tonight to join your little brother for a trip to Changle Square? I hear a new batch of fairies just arrived, proficient in all the arts of music and song!” Liu Yuhe said with a straight face, but he couldn’t hide the sleazy look in his eyes.

Lü Zhong really didn’t understand how a dignified Foundation Establishment True Cultivator could have such poor self-control.

However, perhaps this was also why he was willing to associate with him.

After all, the man was an open rogue, lacking the deep scheming of a hypocrite. And although he was greedy and lecherous, he was also righteous enough in his actions, always repaying a favor when he received one.

After a moment’s thought, he sighed, ”I’m not in the mood...”

He then told Liu Yuhe about the Gilded Fire Jade issue.

”So that’s what it is! Brother Lü, why didn’t you say so sooner? I happen to have a task I can introduce you to. If you complete it, getting one or two pieces of Gilded Fire Jade will be absolutely no problem!”

Seeing Liu Yuhe’s confidence, Lü Zhong couldn’t help but feel intrigued.

After asking, he learned that the Liu Family, after over a hundred years of painstaking effort, had finally saved up enough Spirit Stones. A while ago, they had pooled the entire clan’s resources to purchase a Tier Two Spiritual Vein at Iron Wall Mountain outside the city, to serve as the family’s eternal foundation.

They were currently undertaking major construction there and clearing out the surrounding Demon Beasts.

Whether it was helping to set up an Array or killing the Demon Beasts that threatened their territory, one could earn a certain amount of Liu Family contribution points. As long as Lü Zhong accumulated enough points, he could exchange them for Gilded Fire Jade.

”What do you say?” Liu Yuhe asked expectantly.

Lü Zhong gave a firm reply, deciding to accept the other’s kind offer.

Based on what he knew, the Liu Family had built its fortune on appraisal and had a reliable reputation in the city, so he wasn’t afraid of them going back on their word.

So, he made an agreement with Liu Yuhe to go to Iron Wall Mountain in three days to serve as a temporary Honored Guest Elder.