A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

Inside the reception hall sat a stunningly beautiful woman dressed in magnificent robes. She carried an otherworldly air, as if a fairy had descended to the mortal realm, and her presence made the humble hall shine with splendor.

It was Shuini, whom he hadn’t seen in sixty years.

She was at Mid-stage Core Formation.

She sized Lü Zhong up, her eyes filled with undisguised surprise.

”Excellent! Just excellent! I never imagined my dear disciple would actually succeed in Core Formation!”

When she first heard the news, she couldn’t bring herself to believe it.

But now, seeing it with her own eyes, she knew it was true.

”Lü Zhong greets you, Master!”

”Yu Feng’Er greets you, Master!”

Seeing Yu Feng’Er greet her in this manner, Shuini understood at once. The smile on her face widened as she took her hand and pressed a jade box into it. ”I originally intended this for my dear disciple,” she said with a grin, ”but I never expected him to achieve Core Formation so quickly. He clearly has no use for it now, so it’s perfect for my dear disciple’s Dao Companion.”

”Oh, this...!” Yu Feng’Er was no fool; she knew instantly what was inside the box.

’It must be a Golden Core Pill!’

She tried to refuse, but Shuini insisted, pressing it back into her hands.

Shuini’s gaze shifted to Lü Zhong, her expression softening. She smiled and said, ”Truth be told, my disciple, I’ve returned to the Southern Barbarian lands to rebuild the Heling Sect...”

’Just as I suspected.’

Lü Zhong had long suspected this was the case.

”What are your thoughts on the matter?”

Shuini appeared calm as she spoke, but inwardly, she was incredibly nervous.

’If the two of us work together to rebuild the Sect, things will go much more smoothly.’

’Two Golden Core Masters would be enough to handle most of the trouble involved in establishing a new Sect. Plus, this is a window of opportunity. The Lingyue Sect’s Junling True Monarch is severely injured, and with the sudden emergence of Li Qionghua, the future looks bleak for the Lingyue Sect. I can even foresee its collapse.’

’If I can truly rebuild the Heling Sect...’

’...and manage it well, I might be able to gather the resources to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage.’

Shuini had sold her parents’ inheritance and resolutely returned to the Southern Barbarian lands for one reason: to advance further and walk the Nascent Soul Dao, a path countless cultivators never reach.

The allocation of resources within the Immortal Spirit Sect was already set in stone, leaving no opportunity for newcomers. If she wanted a chance at Nascent Soul Formation, her only option was to come here to the Southern Barbarian lands, where the spoils had not yet been fully divided.

”I’m sorry.”

After a long moment of silence, Lü Zhong declined Shuini’s invitation.

’The benefits of a master and disciple jointly running a Sect were obvious.’

’But it came down to the same old principle.’

’Reward is always accompanied by risk.’

’Right now, the Chengde Commerce Association is developing rapidly. It not only controls the vast majority of Spiritual Object production in the Northern Great Forest Sea but has also begun to venture into the highly profitable East Sea Route. My established ventures are also holding strong. Even if my profits only hold steady at their current level, I can still attempt Nascent Soul Formation before my Life is Exhausted.’

’And with the resale business made possible by the Transmission Array...’

’...I might even be able to gather a few Nascent Soul Spiritual Objects.’

Lü Zhong was confident that Nascent Soul Formation was a tangible goal for his future; this wasn’t just idle boasting.

’Under these circumstances, there was really no need for me to take such a risk.’

At his words, Shuini’s face fell.

”However, the Chengde Commerce Association can provide the necessary support!” Lü Zhong added.

Out of respect for their bond as master and disciple, he felt he had to make some gesture.

”Really?” Shuini asked, her face lighting up with pleasant surprise.

’Rebuilding a Sect is impossible without the support of resources and manpower.’

’Everything from the construction of the main gate to the creation of new Spirit Fields requires specialists.’

’If I can get help from the Chengde Commerce Association, I can focus my energy on mediating conflicts with other powers. That way, I can rebuild the Heling Sect on my own with much less difficulty.’

”My dear disciple, you’re a lifesaver!”