A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

A Nascent Soul... a Nascent Soul True Monarch!

Anyone who reached the Nascent Soul stage was a true hero of their generation.

For someone like Wanmu True Monarch to succeed at Nascent Soul Formation within two hundred years was rarer still.

It was said that Wanmu True Monarch’s innate talent was astonishing.

He very likely possessed a single-element Wood Celestial Spirit Root.

Just then, in a move no one could have anticipated, someone dared to launch a sudden attack.

A Mid-stage Core Formation Cultivator rushed out, abruptly firing three beams of blood-red light from his hand.

This sudden turn of events left everyone stunned.

Lü Zhong suppressed his emotions and forced himself to remain still. ’Now is not the time to show off by frowning and backing away,’ he thought. ’Otherwise, I’ll have to talk myself hoarse just explaining it later.’

He had no idea what those three beams of blood-red light were.

Just looking at them filled his heart with dread; they were clearly nothing simple.

’They might even be able to injure a Nascent Soul True Monarch.’

”Hmph!” A cold snort rang out.

Wanmu True Monarch swept his sleeve, and an astonishing wave of pressure swept out. The three blood-red beams exploded in mid-air. Seeing that the situation had turned against him, the Core Formation Cultivator summoned a Magical Treasure Flying Sword, intending to take his own life.

His reaction was incredibly fast, but he was still a step too slow.

An invisible, giant hand seized the assassin.

The force it exerted was controlled perfectly.

Spiritual Light exploded and scattered as billowing Spiritual Qi swept through the area.

Lü Zhong glanced at the man and saw that not a shred of Spiritual Qi fluctuated from his body anymore.

His meridians were all severed, and his Qi Sea Dantian was shattered.

He was crippled!

’So this is the might of the Nascent Soul stage,’ he thought, his heart pounding.

The gap was even wider than the one between Foundation Establishment and Core Formation.

Of course, the assassin had been intent on suicide and hadn’t put up any resistance.

A Mid-stage Core Formation Cultivator’s Protective Gang Qi was extraordinarily powerful, yet Wanmu True Monarch had crushed it to dust with a single blow.

Lü Zhong knew he couldn’t have done the same.

It would take him at least a hundred breaths’ time to grind down that Protective Gang Qi.

Soon, the assassin was taken away.

A series of brutal interrogations undoubtedly awaited him.

Until he divulged every last shred of his memory, he wouldn’t even have the ”privilege” of undergoing a Soul Search.

After an incident like that, everyone was naturally scared into silence.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that a Golden Core Cultivator had virtually no chance of assassinating someone at the Nascent Soul stage. This was clearly Huayi Temple and the Yan Zhen Sect, the ones controlling the assassin, making a show of force against Wanmu True Monarch.

The meeting ended in an atmosphere of tension and panic.

The few Core Formation Cultivators who had quietly taken a few steps back during the assassination attempt were held behind by Wanmu True Monarch. They were likely in for no small amount of trouble.

...

After leaving Changchun Valley, Lü Zhong wasn’t in a hurry to return.

The main purpose of the meeting had been to assign duties.

He had been assigned a protection detail: to guard a fleet of Flying Ships transporting supplies and prevent it from being ambushed and destroyed by cultivators from the Allied Army of Huayi Temple and the Yan Zhen Sect.

It wasn’t exactly an easy job; after all, it was still life-threatening.

The upside was that he wouldn’t have to fight on the front lines.

He soon arrived at Changchun Street.

Lü Zhong had a premonition recently that his Wood Thunder Skill was on the verge of a breakthrough.

Once it did, he would be able to form Wood Thunder Talismans.

The Wood Thunder Talisman’s power was considerable—at least, far stronger than simply calling down a random barrage of lightning.

The process of forming the talisman required a material called ”Thunder Evil Crystal.”

That was the very reason for his current trip.

He knew war was coming, so he had placed his orders well in advance. But after going from one end of the street to the other, he had only managed to collect seven *qian* of Thunder Evil Crystal. And each Wood Thunder Talisman he formed would consume one *qian* of the material.

Seven *qian* meant he could only do it seven times.

’There’s no time to buy any more.’

The Flying Ship fleet was already assembling at the docks, and Lü Zhong had to get into position before sunset.

Since he still had a little time, he made a quick stop at Lintao Pavilion on his way.

Having received the news, Yu Feng’er rushed back to meet him.

Her face was etched with worry. She handed him a Storage Bag containing Thunder Evil Crystals and said with a furrowed brow, ”Husband, war is a brutal and dangerous affair. You must take good care of yourself. I’ll be here, waiting for your return.”

”Mm, don’t worry,” Lü Zhong said, stroking her hair.

He took the Storage Bag. It contained three *qian* of Thunder Evil Crystal, enough to form three more Wood Thunder Talismans.

He then bid Yu Feng’er farewell and turned to leave.

He soon arrived at the docks.

The docks, which were usually full of seagoing vessels, had already been cleared.

Now, the berths were filled with Flying Ships of all sizes that had been requisitioned by Changchun Valley. Some were fully prepared and ready for takeoff, while others were still being loaded with supplies or undergoing inspections.

Pier D.

Nine Flying Ships were moored there—three large and six small.

They were, of course, a far cry from the Mountain Shaking Ship.

But even the largest was a behemoth over a hundred *zhang* long, and the smallest was more than thirty *zhang*.

A person standing before them looked exceptionally small.

This was the fleet of Flying Ships that Lü Zhong had to protect.

On the pier, more than two hundred cultivators in assorted attire were already lined up in neat formation. Their cultivation levels ranged from the Qi Refining Stage to Foundation Establishment, and they held positions such as lookouts, navigators, and helmsmen. Without exception, all the captains were Foundation Establishment True Cultivators.

Changchun Valley had also specially assigned two Foundation Establishment Disciples to serve as his deputies.

They were deputies in name, but in reality, they were also there to keep an eye on him.

One man and one woman.

The male cultivator, Ye Yun, was delicate and almost boneless, while the female cultivator, Ye Mei, had a sharp and heroic bearing.

The two of them were siblings.

Upon seeing Lü Zhong arrive, everyone bowed respectfully.

”Greetings, Senior!”

”Mm,” Lü Zhong nodded lightly.

He sized up his two deputies before asking,

”Where are we headed on this trip?”

”In reply to Senior, we are transporting materials to help reinforce the defenses at Snow Dragon Pass,” Ye Yun said in a delicate, almost cooing voice.

Hearing him speak, Lü Zhong genuinely wondered if something had gone wrong with the man’s cultivation.

’Or perhaps he’s practicing a special kind of Cultivation Technique.’

Not wanting to dwell on it, he looked to Ye Mei at his side.

”Are the preparations complete?”

”Senior, all personnel and supplies for the fleet are ready. We can depart at any time.” Ye Mei’s voice was firm and powerful. Compared to her brother, Ye Yun, she actually had a more masculine air about her.

”Good. Let’s set out!” Lü Zhong ordered.

’If we can deliver the supplies now, before the war truly breaks out, we might be able to avoid the most intense and bloody first wave of the conflict,’ he thought.

Receiving the order, everyone began to board the ships.

The Flying Ships were connected to the pier by gangways, allowing everyone to walk directly aboard.

Lü Zhong boarded his flagship, curiously examining this Flying Ship built specifically for war.

Unlike the Flying Ships he had seen before, this War Flying Ship’s defenses were comprehensive and incredibly strong. Its surface was covered in palm-thick Ironwood Armor Plates that were both lightweight and sturdy.

An ordinary Magical Artifact or Magic Skill would, at best, only pierce a small hole in the armor.

However, this was just the War Flying Ship’s final layer of defense. On the outside was a shield on par with a Mountain Protecting Grand Array, and that was the most crucial guarantee of the ship’s safety. Lü Zhong estimated that even if he went all out, it would take him a couple of hours to break through it.

Inside the cabin, the furnishings could only be described as spartan.

The interior space was low-ceilinged and oppressive. Fortunately, a Ventilation Array was operating, so the air was at least fresh.

Led by the captain, Lü Zhong arrived at his personal quarters.

It wasn’t large, only about ten *zhang* square.

It barely befitted his status as a Golden Core Master.

Soon, the Floating Array activated.

Amidst a low WHIRRING sound, various restrictive wards flickered, and the Flying Ship slowly ascended.

Once in the air, the fleet formed up and accelerated toward the southwest.

...

「Inside the cabin.」

Lü Zhong set up several restrictive wards.

Just as he finished, he heard a knock on the door. Frowning, he opened it.

It was the ship’s captain, a middle-aged cultivator with a slick, unctuous air about him. He was all smiles, and behind him stood a beautiful female cultivator. She was quite a looker.

She was exactly his type.

”Senior, conditions on the ship are harsh. Please, allow my daughter to attend to you.”

As if sensing Lü Zhong’s gaze, the female cultivator’s cheeks flushed, and her breathing quickened slightly.

”That won’t be necessary. Just focus on your duties,” Lü Zhong said, averting his gaze and refusing without a second thought.

He was very clear about the right time and place for certain things.

After sending the two away, Lü Zhong sat cross-legged on his bed.

He closed his eyes, then opened them again.

A peculiar expression crossed his face.

He had just used a skill to replay the scene and observe the two after they left, and he’d made an unexpected discovery.

’Great,’ he thought. ’Two spies from the Allied Army right off the bat!’

It really made him wonder if Changchun Valley had been infiltrated so thoroughly it resembled a sieve.

He continued to watch.

In a hidden corner of the ship, the captain and his ”daughter” were speaking in hushed tones.

”What happened? I heard this Master was a huge lecher, that he’s had at least ten concubines. My face, my figure... they’re a perfect match for his tastes. So why did he refuse me without even hesitating?” the beautiful female cultivator said, touching her full chest and looking down at her fair-skinned body with a frustrated expression.

”How should I know!” Fang Kuanhong was just as frustrated.

Getting stuck on this damn ship was one thing, but for their plan to fail at the first step was another.

After a long moment, Fang Kuanhong heaved a heavy sigh and said to the female cultivator, ”Just keep lying low for now. Even if we can’t complete the plan, you must keep your identity hidden. Otherwise, we’ll both end up dead!”

”I know,” Jie Yu sighed as well.

If she couldn’t complete her mission, she would have to remain in deep cover.