A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

It was somewhat similar to the Qi Observation Skill, but far more precise.

The authenticity of everything within his sight was laid bare.

He focused his gaze on the Quiet Chamber Array. To his surprise, flaws and omissions he had never noticed before were now clearly visible under the scrutiny of his Celestial Net Eye.

’What a powerful Secret Skill!’

Lü Zhong’s heart pounded with excitement. ’I’ve really struck gold this time,’ he thought.

No wonder the Celestial Net Secret Eye Technique was the Celestial Net Sect’s Treasure Technique. Its supportive effect on a cultivator was far beyond what any ordinary Spiritual Eye Skill could offer, making it incredibly useful in combat and for everyday tasks alike.

He tried drawing a Flying Talisman.

Bolstered by his powerful cultivation and the Celestial Net Eye, his brush moved as if guided by the gods.

He worked with the grace of flowing water, drawing ten talismans in a row, every single one a success.

This had never happened before.

Back when he made a living through Talisman Making, this would have made him a fortune.

But now that he was in the Core Formation Stage, things were vastly different.

While Tier Three Talismans were highly profitable, the market for them was small. After all, only a handful of cultivators could afford them. In terms of total profit, it might not even be as lucrative as selling Tier Two Secret Talismans.

This was also why he had given up Talisman Making after reaching the Core Formation Stage.

’It’s not just for Talisman Making. It should be a huge help for my Alchemy Skill, too. At the very least, I’ll be able to control the heat with much greater precision, which would in turn increase my Pill Formation Rate,’ Lü Zhong thought to himself.

He pushed open the door and stepped into the courtyard.

Now more beautiful and alluring than ever, Yu Feng’Er saw the unconcealed joy on Lü Zhong’s face as he emerged. ”Darling, why are you so happy today?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

”It’s nothing, just a small breakthrough in the Secret Skill I’m cultivating.” Lü Zhong picked up a cup of Spirit Tea and downed it in a few large gulps.

”Congratulations then, darling!” Yu Feng’Er said with a smile.

”Oh? Then shall we... celebrate tonight?” Lü Zhong teased.

”N-no, let’s not, shall we?” Yu Feng’Er stammered at his words, the color draining from her face. She instinctively wanted to get up and flee.

’If I don’t leave now, this ox is going to plow the field until it’s ruined!’

Hahaha!

Lü Zhong couldn’t help but laugh at the change in her expression.

’Serves you right for spending all your time collecting Vein Tempering Formulas.’

’Now it’s your turn to be scared, isn’t it?’

...

「Three days later.」

Lü Zhong arrived at the Bidao Market.

He didn’t feel like going to the Western Realm just yet, so with some time on his hands, he had come here instead.

His purpose, of course, was to scout for a potential Sect Leader.

It was only a matter of time before the Chengde Commerce Association had full control of the Bihai Island Group, so the plan to establish a Sect naturally had to be put on the agenda.

The Bidao Market was already starting to take shape.

After receiving assurances, the Lianhai Alliance had proactively restructured itself into a Guild. Its nearly ten thousand cultivators injected some much-needed life into the Workshop Market, and with investments from commerce associations of all sizes from the Changchun Domain, numerous shops had already opened. While the variety of goods was still limited, it was steadily improving with time.

The streets were crowded, but even after searching for a long time, Lü Zhong couldn’t find a single suitable candidate.

”Forget it,” Lü Zhong said, shaking his head.

’I’m no Chosen One. How could I expect to find the perfect candidate just by walking down the street? If someone like that did show up, I’d just have to worry they were sent by an enemy. It would be too much of a coincidence.’

’Time for Plan B.’

’As the saying goes, great waves sift the sand.’

Lü Zhong decided to just establish his own ”Three Sects of Bihai.”

He could afford to support three Foundation Establishment Sects. At most, it would cost a hundred thousand Spirit Stones a year. If the sects developed well, he might even earn back what he spent.

He would have the three sects compete fiercely against one another.

In the end, he would weed out the weak and select the best.

It was certainly possible that a sect with true potential would emerge from the process.

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye.

”The Sea Abyss Palace is recruiting! Anyone who joins becomes an Inner Sect Disciple! Come one, come all, fellow cultivators, don’t miss this chance! Who’s to say this humble sect today won’t be a great Nascent Soul Sect with a ten-thousand-year legacy tomorrow?”

”Hey, cultivator, you interested in joining?”

”Join now and you’ll get a free settling-in package! We guarantee you a worry-free start!”

Cultivators from the newly established Sea Abyss Palace, clad in blue Sea Water Robes, were eagerly trying to recruit people in the Bidao Market. Their enthusiasm was understandable; after all, they earned a ten Spirit Stone commission for every person they signed up.

”Get lost, get lost! Where did this fly-by-night sect even come from?” one pestered cultivator said with a look of annoyance.

This was the third time such a scene had played out in the last six months.

First came the Sea Suppression Gate, then the Bihai Sect, and now the Sea Abyss Palace.

After shooing away the Sea Abyss Palace cultivator who was buzzing around him like a fly, the man wondered aloud to his companion, ”This is so strange. Since when did Bihai become such prime real estate? Three new sects have popped up in just half a year.”

In the past, it wasn’t for lack of trying. Other sects had seen the resources and strategic advantages of the Bihai Island Group and wanted to build a foundation here. However, between the suppression from the Bidao Cultivation Association and the constant raids from the Boat Gangs, every attempt had ended in failure. Some sects were even wiped out entirely.

But now... his companion, who carried a Sword Box on his back, sneered at the departing Sea Abyss Palace cultivators. ”It’s all because the Chengde Commerce Association wiped out the Cultivation Association and the Boat Gangs. Now all these sect-mongering dogs see an opportunity. If you ask me, we shouldn’t join. We can’t let them get a foothold and start cutting into the Chengde Commerce Association’s business!”

”You’ve got a point there, brother!” the first cultivator said with a nod.

The very reason they’d all come out to sea to make a living was to escape the sects’ exploitation.

They couldn’t let another sect rise up in Bihai and start exploiting Loose Cultivators all over again.

Lü Zhong, disguised as a middle-aged cultivator drinking tea at a nearby stall, nearly spat it all out when he heard their conversation.

”Oh, well, th-thanks a lot, you guys!”