A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

He quickly finished inscribing the Prohibitions.

Lü Zhong had to wait for the Prohibitions to fully integrate into the Artifact Embryo before he could take the next step.

For now, he could take a break.

However, an unexpected surprise awaited him the moment he stepped out of the Quiet Chamber.

He had long been fixated on the Wood Thunder Skill and had ordered the Chengde Commerce Association to do everything in its power to collect the related Spiritual Objects. Now, a secret letter had arrived from Yu Feng’Er, stating that the whereabouts of one such item had been discovered.

What’s more, it was the Spiritual Object needed to begin learning the skill—a Thunder Stone.

If he could truly get his hands on this item, he could immediately begin cultivating the Wood Thunder Skill.

Lü Zhong’s heart leaped with joy.

The Wood Thunder Skill lacked the slow casting speed characteristic of other Tier Three Magic Skills, yet its power was considerable. It could play a significant role in combat during the Core Formation Stage, powerful enough to deal with an average early-stage Core Formation cultivator wielding a Magical Treasure.

’On my last trip to the Western Realm, I was forced to trade with declining Foundation Establishment powers like the Li Family of the Panshi Plateau, all because I lacked a decisive combat skill to protect myself. Even then, I still ran into trouble multiple times and was forced into major fights.’

’If I can really master the Wood Thunder Skill, all these problems will be solved with ease!’ Lü Zhong put down the secret letter, reining in his excitement, and went to his bedroom in the rear courtyard to rest.

The exhaustion of his Divine Soul couldn’t be effectively alleviated by meditation.

Sleep was the best remedy.

He fell into a deep, long sleep, not waking until more than half a month later.

Lü Zhong sat up and found Yu Feng’Er also fast asleep beside him. A smile would occasionally appear on her face, making him wonder what sweet dreams she was having. She then snuggled closer to him, gripping his arm even tighter.

He swept his Divine Sense toward the Quiet Chamber and saw that the Prohibitions had not yet fully integrated.

And so, he rested for two more days.

After Yu Feng’Er woke up, he asked her for the details about the Thunder Stone.

”Husband, that Thunder Stone is inside an ancient tomb, buried with the tomb’s owner. Based on the Commerce Association’s repeated investigations, we’ve confirmed that the owner has reanimated as an undead creature. Its strength is approaching that of a Tier Three Silver Armored Corpse, so getting the stone will be quite difficult. I’ve already ordered our people to expedite the exploration and retrieve it as soon as possible.”

”You’ve worked hard.” Lü Zhong said, stroking her head.

”Mm, it’s no trouble at all...”

Yu Feng’Er buried her head deep in Lü Zhong’s embrace.

At this moment, her heart felt as sweet as honey.

This wonderful life of cultivation was something she had never dared to imagine before. Compared to her old life, where she lived precariously from one day to the next, all alone, the difference was like that between heaven and earth.

And this was all thanks to Lü Zhong’s appearance in her life.

...

Well-rested, Lü Zhong resumed refining the Star Mirror.

Gazing at the mass of the Artifact Embryo floating above the Array, he saw that all the Prohibitions had perfectly integrated within. He then formed a series of hand seals, casting several Technique Mantras to activate both the Spirit Gathering Array and the Refining Array.

Next, he released more auxiliary materials, all of which were essential for the imminent shaping process.

Some enhanced the conduction of Spiritual Qi, others accelerated the formation of Spiritual Veins, and still others altered the strength of the materials during the shaping process. Each had its own specific use.

Lü Zhong glanced at these materials, sat cross-legged on his rush cushion, and closed his eyes. He reviewed the Magical Treasure’s blueprint in his mind, confirming the refining process one more time. Only after being certain there were no mistakes did he unhurriedly release his powerful Divine Sense.

Divine Sense interfering with reality!

The shaping process of a Magical Treasure required using Divine Sense to reorganize the chaotic Prohibitions within the Artifact Embryo. They had to be reordered according to the pattern given in the blueprint, making them as orderly as the Prohibitions in an Array Formation, thus forming distinct functional components.

Only then could the final product be considered a true Magical Treasure.

Lü Zhong’s face was expressionless. Disregarding the immense drain on his Power of Divine Sense, he began the reordering process.

He added the auxiliary materials and activated his Purple Nether Extreme Fire to accelerate the shaping process.

The Artifact Embryo, which started as a liquid droplet, gradually stretched and flattened. It periodically burst with dazzling Spiritual Light as a three-inch, silver Mirror Embryo slowly took shape under the influence of his Divine Sense.

This process took a full half-month.

Seeing the Mirror Embryo was fully formed, Lü Zhong touched the spot between his eyebrows and extracted a ball of Essence Blood.

Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately dripped it onto the Mirror Embryo.

The moment the Essence Blood touched the Mirror Embryo, it rapidly seeped in, vanishing without a trace.

Simultaneously, he felt a faint sense of connection form.

’Success!’ Lü Zhong thought, overjoyed.

With this step successful, the rest of the process would be much easier.

Next, he began adding the auxiliary materials one by one... Meticulously, Lü Zhong followed the refining method from the blueprint, completing each step with painstaking precision.

As for the Star Mirror’s appearance, he chose the design of a round mirror.

The front was as smooth as glass, while the back was adorned with a Star Map pattern.

After further carving and refinement, more than another month went by.

Finally, the Star Mirror was complete!

Gazing at the small silver mirror in his hand, Lü Zhong couldn’t bring himself to put it down. His excitement was plain to see as he turned it over and over, examining it carefully for a long while before finally storing it in his Dantian to be nurtured.

When he stepped out of the Quiet Chamber, Yu Feng’Er was already waiting, her expression anxious.

”Husband, something’s happened with the Thunder Stone!”

”Don’t panic, tell me slowly.” Lü Zhong took her hand, comforting her.

His comforting words immediately calmed the anxious Yu Feng’Er a fair bit. However, she still looked worried, as she knew how much Lü Zhong valued the Thunder Stone.

”Somehow, the master of the tomb suddenly advanced. It has now become a Tier Three Silver Armored Corpse.”

The Chengde Commerce Association has already lost quite a few people because of it.

What’s worse, after its advancement, the Silver Armored Corpse began attacking people and livestock to drink their blood. For a time, no one could stop it. Even those who were strong enough to face it were unwilling to act, fearing how difficult Armored Corpses are to deal with. Now, Changchun Valley has sent someone to demand that the Chengde Commerce Association deal with the Silver Armored Corpse immediately. Otherwise, the Association will be held responsible for all damages it causes in the surrounding area.