A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

It was a journey of stops and starts, and it took over a month before he finally returned to Tide Cave.

The moment he got home, he ran right into Yu Feng’Er.

”Husband, if anything like this happens again, you have to take me with you!” Yu Feng’Er said, pouting. She was a Core Formation Cultivator now, too; she could actually help.

’I’m not some burden!’

”Alright, alright!” Lü Zhong said, just to pacify her.

By the time he finally managed to calm her down, the sun was already high in the sky.

Accompanied by Yu Feng’Er, Lü Zhong went to the Waterside Pavilion to rest. He suddenly remembered the pile of ingredients in his Storage Bag. Although they would stay fresh inside, he felt they might lose some flavor if left for too long.

He then instructed a nearby servant girl, ”There are several ingredients in here. Have the Spirit Chef prepare them all into Spiritual Food. Especially that Flood Dragon Liver, and... and the Flood Dragon Whip. Make sure they’re prepared well for me. Tell her not to be stingy with the other ingredients. If she’s missing anything, she can just ask Sect Leader Luu for it.”

”Yes, Ancestor!” The servant girl lowered her gaze obediently, took the Storage Bag, and withdrew.

”Husband, you really... with the Water Flood Dragon?” Yu Feng’Er asked, her face a mask of shock. She had only known that her husband successfully completed his objective for the trip, but she never imagined he had actually slain the Water Flood Dragon.

’That’s just... too incredible!’

”Of course. My Thunder Skill is quite potent, and it happens to be the perfect counter to that Flood Dragon.” Lü Zhong paused, looking at Yu Feng’Er with a wide grin. He leaned in close to her ear and whispered, ”What’s the matter? Would you like another demonstration of just how... powerful this skill is?”

”Pah!” Yu Feng’Er scoffed. ’This man is so shameless!’

’I don’t know where he comes up with these ridiculous ideas, just misusing his Magic Skills all the time.’

”Hmph, don’t even think about it!”

’That feeling was too intense. Once was more than enough.’

”Hahaha!” Lü Zhong roared with laughter.

Her flushed, blushing face was his favorite sight.

After teasing her for a bit, he turned his hand over and produced Rouge.

He had just obtained two more Magical Treasure Flying Swords, bringing his total to five. As a Magic Cultivator with no plans to change his path, he couldn’t possibly use them all himself.

’Instead of selling the extra Flying Swords for Spirit Stones, I’d rather give one to Yu Feng’Er.’

’It’ll give her a better way to protect herself and hopefully prevent any accidents.’

”This... My Lifebound Treasure is enough!” Yu Feng’Er said, her eyes turning a little red. A Magical Treasure was worth at least several hundred thousand Spirit Stones, a testament to its value. She couldn’t help but be deeply moved that he would just give one to her so casually.

Even for Dao Companions, such a gift was exceedingly precious.

She refused for a long time, but ultimately could not sway Lü Zhong from his insistence, so she had no choice but to accept it.

”Fine, but I’m just holding onto it for you!”

”Mm,” Lü Zhong replied noncommittally.

’This silly woman,’ he thought. ’Even after reaching the Core Formation Stage, she still says one thing and means another. She’s not honest at all. All that arguing just now was more tiring than slaying a Core Formation Cultivator.’

Seeing Yu Feng’Er cradling Rouge, unable to put it down, he knew she was delighted with the gift.

He couldn’t resist a teasing comment, which immediately earned him a few playful smacks.

After a while of playful banter, it was finally time for the meal.

A line of servant girls filed in, quickly setting up a table, chairs, and tableware in the Waterside Pavilion. Then, once a Spirit Gathering Array had been activated in the pavilion, they began to serve the courses of Spiritual Food, one after another.

The spread was exceptionally lavish; it could truly be called a full Flood Dragon Banquet.

From tongue to tail, blood to fin, meat to heart and liver—every ingredient was extravagant, concentrating the very essence of the Water Flood Dragon.

Every part that wasn’t an artifact refining material had been cooked into Spiritual Food.

Not only was every dish a feast for the senses, but the Spirit Chef had also gone all out, wildly adding all kinds of century-old Spirit Medicines as if they were free. As a result, every single dish was exceptionally restorative.

Lü Zhong had only eaten a single plate when he felt the qi and blood in his body begin to churn violently.

Just circulating his Cultivation Body wasn’t enough to suppress the energy; he had to activate his Barbarian Ancestor Heaven-Swallowing Mantra just to maintain control.

Otherwise, he would have gotten an instant nosebleed.

If it was affecting him this much, there was no need to even mention how Yu Feng’Er was faring.

A faint red glow even began to emanate from within her body.

”Ngh... Husband, I can’t take it anymore!” As the words left her mouth, Spiritual Qi gushed out with them, a testament to the sheer potency of the Flood Dragon Banquet. She hastily put down her bowl and chopsticks and began to meditate right where she sat.

The meal lasted for three full days and nights.

Toward the end, even Lü Zhong couldn’t handle it anymore and was forced to meditate to digest the power.

Eating the meal had been an ordeal, but the benefits were immense.

For Lü Zhong, he broke through two barriers on the spot, advancing his Barbarian Ancestor Heaven-Swallowing Mantra to the seventh Acupoint. He was now just one step away from opening the eighth. The results were nothing short of astonishing.

’Flood Dragons are truly incredible things!’

’No wonder the old records so often describe Sect patriarchs mobilizing their entire Sects, accepting heavy casualties among their disciples, and expending vast resources just to hunt a Flood Dragon. The rewards are simply too astonishing.’

It took half a month to completely digest the Spiritual Food.

As expected, he also broke through to the eighth Acupoint of his Barbarian Ancestor Heaven-Swallowing Mantra.

Lü Zhong now felt brimming with vitality, as if he possessed an inexhaustible strength. He was desperate to find an outlet for it all.

When he walked out of his Secluded Meditation Chamber, he found that Yu Feng’Er was also just ending her own session.

Without a word, he pulled her into a session of dual cultivation.

...

「In the blink of an eye, it was the end of the year.」

The two were in the Waterside Pavilion, enjoying the rain. A small, red clay stove was lit inside, burbling softly as it heated a kettle of water. The steam mingled with the mist from the rain, creating a perfect, cozy atmosphere.

Sipping their tea from time to time was exceptionally pleasant.

As she gazed at the fine strands of rain falling from the sky, Yu Feng’Er gave Lü Zhong an annoyed smack.

Feeling that one smack wasn’t enough to relieve her frustration, she hit him several more times.

’Over the past six months, Lü Zhong had completely worn her out.’