A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

Aside from the cultivators on watch, everyone else was on deck, grilling and feasting on meat.

The meat of the Storm Eagle was remarkably effective. Eating it strengthened one’s vitality and could even heal minor ailments. Hunting a Storm Eagle was normally no easy task, so now, every single person was eating their fill.

Lü Zhong was no exception.

As a Core Formation Cultivator, he felt it would be inappropriate to go out and disturb the others, so he remained secluded in his cabin.

Sprinkled with Spirit Medicine powder, the meat was crispy yet tender.

Great bites of meat, great bowls of wine.

’Now this is the life!’

An inopportune knock on the door sounded, and Lü Zhong’s expression grew cold.

”Come in.”

Jie Yu pushed the door open and entered, holding a platter of golden, crispy roasted meat. Though her expression seemed normal, it was laced with an undeniable trace of nervousness. A smile bloomed on her face as she spoke.

”Senior, this is spiritual flesh and Spirit Wine prepared by Master Yui. Please, enjoy.”

On this voyage, the fleet was guarded not only by Lü Zhong but also by another Core Formation Cultivator from Changchun Valley: Yui Xiaoqing, a veteran Golden Core with Mid-stage Core Formation cultivation.

Despite the fine meat and wine before him, Lü Zhong let out a cold laugh as he looked at Jie Yu.

”Do you know why you were the one sent to deliver this?”

Her heart lurched at his words.

Still, she suppressed her unease, lowered her head, and said, ”I do not know. I ask for your guidance, Senior!”

”It means you’re no longer useful,” Lü Zhong said coolly.

As he spoke, his gaze swept over the poisoned meat and wine.

’She must have suspected something herself,’ he thought. ’Otherwise, she wouldn’t have chosen such a crude poisoning method. This must have been a last-ditch gamble.’

Across from him, Jie Yu understood she had been exposed. Otherwise, Lü Zhong would never have spoken to her this way.

Just as she was about to speak, Fang Qing pushed the door open. Without so much as a glance at Jie Yu, he cupped his hands and said, ”Senior, the fleet’s position has been broadcast. Shall we begin closing the net?”

”Mm,” Lü Zhong nodded.

At that, Fang Qing turned to Jie Yu with a sinister smile. ”Fang Kuanhong has already taken his own life. Will you do the honors, or should I help?”

She gave a bitter laugh, then tilted her head back and downed a vial of poison. In moments, she was dead.

”Remember this for next time: don’t let people die in front of me!” Lü Zhong said with a frown. Death was common in the war between sects, but that didn’t mean he wanted to watch it happen.

”It was my oversight. Please forgive me, Senior.”

”Take the body away.” Internally, Lü Zhong made a decision. ’If I get the chance, I’ll have to get rid of this one too. He’s not a good person, so killing him won’t weigh on my conscience.’

”Yes, Senior.” With a wave of his hand, Fang Qing smilingly stored the corpse, along with the poisoned wine and meat, into his Storage Bag.

He cupped his hands in farewell and left the room.

After casting a few Cleaning Skills, Lü Zhong looked at the meat and wine on his table and found he’d completely lost his appetite.

’Forget it. We’re about to enter the ambush zone. I should make some preparations.’

He sat cross-legged on his meditation cushion and began to form Wood Thunder Talismans.

Using thinly pressed sheets of Thunder Evil Crystal as a medium, the process of forming a Wood Thunder Talisman was fairly simple. However, it consumed a great deal of Magical Power and Divine Sense. After making just three, Lü Zhong was already exhausted.

’Three should be enough.’

He immediately began to meditate, quickly restoring his energy.

...

「Smoke Cloud Ridge.」

An unavoidable pass on the route to Ningwu Market.

A large number of Allied Army Cultivators lay in ambush here.

Their leader was Master Lianjian of Huayi Temple, a practitioner of Daoist Skills. Once a member of the Seven Sons of Huayi, he was a long-bearded, middle-aged man who wore a blue Daoist Robe and a Jade Crown, giving him the ethereal air of an immortal.

Beside him sat another Core Formation Cultivator: Master Yue Cang of the Yan Zhen Sect. He practiced the Golden Brilliance Talisman Manual and was also a Sword Cultivator. With the weathered face of a middle-aged man, disheveled hair, and loose, wide robes, he had the air of a roguish, freewheeling knight-errant.

Both men were at the Early-stage of Core Formation.

At this moment, one was meditating with his hands in a seal, while the other stood stroking his sword.

”Yue Cang, who do you think will be the first to kill our opponent?” Master Lianjian asked, looking at Yue Cang. The two were old friends who often sparred to hone their Swordsmanship, and their competitive spirit often flared up.

”Me, of course,” Yue Cang said, not about to concede.

In the world of martial arts, there is no second place. The two had long argued over who was superior, and now they had a chance to settle it.

”How about this: whoever kills the opponent first gets to be the elder brother.”

”It’s a deal! Haha!” Master Lianjian laughed heartily, stroking his beard.

The Immortal Path was a lonely one. To have such an evenly matched Dao Companion was truly a blessing of three lifetimes.

As the two spoke, a fleet of ships appeared in the distance, approaching at high speed.