Immortality Begins With Internal Breathing

”Greetings, Elder Yang. Greetings, Master.”

Lin Zheyu entered the main hall and paid his respects to Elder Yang and Huang Baizhong.

It was rare for both Elder Yang and Huang Baizhong to be present today. Over the past few months, the situation had shifted constantly. Not only had the yao martial artists from the Heavenly Palace appeared, but even the Nine Nether Sect, the barbarians, and the ancient yao had shown up in the Guanghua Region. Great Wei was now under immense pressure, beset by enemies on all sides, and had even lost the entire Southern Barbarian Region.

As the buffer zone between the Central Plains, the Nine Nether Sect, and ancient yao, the loss of the Southern Barbarian Region caused the situation in the nearby Guanghua Region to grow increasingly tense. This was also why Huang Baizhong, as the Pavilion Master of the Azure Tide Pavilion, was often absent from the sect.

”You have exhausted your essence, qi, and spirit to the limits of your body again?” Elder Yang said with a chuckle.

With a single glance, he could tell that Lin Zheyu’s aura was unsteady. This was because Lin Zheyu had not deliberately concealed it. If Lin Zheyu had wished to hide it, even Elder Yang would have been unable to discern his true condition.

”Yes,” Lin Zheyu replied.

”Sit. There is no need to stand there. I cannot really judge your way of cultivating. Every genius has their own unique cultivation method. What suits you best is the best,” Elder Yang said with a chuckle, pointing to a nearby seat and gesturing for Lin Zheyu to sit.

”Have you encountered any difficulties in your cultivation recently?” Huang Baizhong asked with a trace of apology.

As a master, he had not fulfilled much of his teaching responsibilities. Most of the guidance Lin Zheyu received had come from Senior Sister Guo Wenzi.

”Senior Sister Wenzi is very responsible. Under her guidance, my cultivation has been progressing smoothly recently,” Lin Zheyu replied.

”Mm, that is good. I have heard that you possess considerable natural talent in cultivating the Sacred Evolution Spirit Nurturing Art. This secret art can enhance the spiritual soul and is of tremendous help for advancing to the Grandmaster realm and even for cultivation beyond it. However, the Sacred Evolution Spirit Nurturing Art is extremely difficult to cultivate, so there is no need to rush. Your current focus should be on true intent. Do not spend too much time on it, or it will...” Huang Baizhong cautioned.

He had heard from Guo Wenzi that Lin Zheyu’s natural talent in the Sacred Evolution Spirit Nurturing Art was astonishing, allowing him to vaguely sense the location of his own spiritual soul while still in the Marrow Refining realm. However, sensing the spiritual soul and fully mastering it were worlds apart, requiring extremely powerful control over essence, qi, and spirit in order to succeed. For a Marrow Refining realm martial artist, the difficulty was rather great.

”I have already mastered it,” Lin Zheyu said honestly.

He intended to shape himself into an image of astonishing comprehension and powerful natural talent, so that when he gradually revealed his strength, it would not appear too abrupt. This technique was indeed extremely difficult. If not for the terrifying level of control over essence, qi, and spirit he had attained while cultivating the Tortoise Breath True Technique, the Evernight Slumber Secret Art, and the Ninefold Origin Lock Art, Lin Zheyu would not have been able to successfully cultivate the Sacred Evolution Spirit Nurturing Art in such a short time.

”Mastered it? Hm?” Upon hearing this, looks of shock appeared on the faces of both Elder Yang and Huang Baizhong.

They had cultivated this secret art themselves and knew how difficult it was to master. Back when they advanced to the Force Transformation realm, it had taken them several years to succeed. Hearing that Lin Zheyu had mastered it in just a few months, the shock they felt was self-evident.

”Yes,” Lin Zheyu nodded seriously.

”Show us the Sacred Evolution Spirit Nurturing Art,” Elder Yang said impatiently.

”Alright.” Lin Zheyu nodded.

Under normal circumstances, Lin Zheyu maintained the Sacred Evolution Spirit Nurturing Art almost around the clock, constantly strengthening his spiritual soul. But now, having just pushed past his limits, his essence, qi, and spirit were extremely depleted and could not sustain it. In this state, even maintaining the Tortoise Breath True Technique required a great deal of vitality, let alone the Sacred Evolution Spirit Nurturing Art.

Under the expectant gazes of Elder Yang and Huang Baizhong, Lin Zheyu took out an Origin Stabilizing Pill and swallowed it. Having just broken through his limits, the loss of essence, qi, and spirit was too great. Without taking the Origin Stabilizing Pill to recover some origin qi, operating the Sacred Evolution Spirit Nurturing Art would be difficult.

Sitting cross-legged on the ground, after more than ten minutes, he began circulating the Sacred Evolution Spirit Nurturing Art. He did not deliberately conceal the fluctuations produced by the technique. Soon, a faint yet extremely resilient spiritual fluctuation spread from his body. As the technique circulated, it entered his body and established a trace of connection with his physique.

Elder Yang and Huang Baizhong sensed it. They exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with disbelief. It had truly succeeded. Moreover, judging by the proficiency with which he circulated the technique, he did not resemble a novice who had just mastered this secret art at all.

This time, what we picked up was more than just a treasure!

The same thought flashed through the minds of both Elder Yang and Huang Baizhong.

The Sacred Evolution Spirit Nurturing Art held extraordinary significance. Being able to master it so quickly represented exceptional natural talent and latent potential in the realm of the spiritual soul.

”That will do.” Huang Baizhong’s voice sounded as he concealed the shock in his eyes and returned to a calm, unruffled expression.

”Not bad. It seems you truly have cultivated the Sacred Evolution Spirit Nurturing Art successfully, but do not grow arrogant. Your current task is to first complete the cultivation of the Boundless Azure Sea Body. Do not allow yourself to be distracted by cultivating other techniques,” Huang Baizhong said calmly.

Lin Zheyu stood up, returned to his seat, and said with a smile, ”Yes, Master. This disciple has already successfully condensed the Azure Tide true intent, and the Boundless Azure Sea Body has also made some progress. It should take less than three months to cultivate it successfully.”

The foundation he had laid previously was far too deep. Re-cultivating the techniques from before the Force Transformation realm posed little difficulty for him. Only when condensing true intent did he encounter some trouble, but it was minimal. The cultivation environment within the Wuji Sect was simply excellent. Training beneath waterfalls every day, cultivating within deep pools, combined with true intent diagrams made by Grandmaster realm experts, along with corresponding true intent pills for assistance, truly made it easy.

Such an environment was vastly better than before. If he still could not condense the Azure Tide true intent under these conditions, he would truly be worthless. If Huang Youwei and the others knew Lin Zheyu’s thoughts, they would likely be ashamed beyond measure.

”...Very good.” Huang Baizhong froze for a brief moment, a trace of surprise flashing through his eyes before quickly vanishing as he returned to his calm demeanor. Even with his Grandmaster realm state of mind, he was finding it difficult to remain composed.

”Let me take a look.” Hearing this, Elder Yang stepped forward to stand before Lin Zheyu.

He grabbed Lin Zheyu’s wrist, and pale blue true strength flowed from his palm, surging into Lin Zheyu’s body. Lin Zheyu let out a long breath and quietly circulated the Evernight Slumber Secret Art. Although the energy within his body had been completely depleted, the strength of his physique could not be changed. Over the past few months, nourished by powerful blood qi, the strength of his physique had improved once again, far surpassing that of genius martial artists who had broken into the Marrow Refining realm through nine transformations of blood qi.

”Hm... Not bad. You are indeed not far from cultivating the Boundless Azure Sea Body successfully. However, the later stages are even more difficult... Haha.. With your aptitude, perhaps you truly can succeed within three months.” Elder Yang withdrew his hand. He had been about to say that the subsequent stages were even more difficult and would require greater time and vitality, but thinking of Lin Zheyu’s astonishing natural talent and aptitude, he changed his words.

”Very good. Continue to work hard and do not slack off. After the Force Transformation realm, there are several cultivation paths, but all of them take the Boundless Azure Sea Body as their foundation. Once you have cultivated the Boundless Azure Sea Body, come and seek me out. If I am not here, you may seek Elder Yang instead. Now, let us discuss proper matters,” Huang Baizhong said slowly.

At present, Lin Zheyu was still only in the foundational stage. The Boundless Azure Sea Body was the foundation of the techniques cultivated by the Azure Tide Pavilion. Only after cultivating the Boundless Azure Sea Body could one qualify to pursue the most powerful cultivation paths of the Azure Tide Pavilion.

”Yes, Master. Please give your instructions,” Lin Zheyu replied.

”Currently, the sect is somewhat short on manpower. Ancient yao, the Nine Nether Sect, yao martial artists, and even yaos and demons are all stirring in the shadows. Several important territories under our responsibility have suffered varying degrees of attack and harassment. I want you to head to Soaring Serpent Mountain immediately and assist Gu Ye in guarding Soaring Serpent Mountain. Although your lightness and movement techniques are formidable, you must not pursue enemies too deeply. If they flee beyond the bounds of Soaring Serpent Mountain, do not chase after them,” Huang Baizhong instructed, adding a special reminder.

”Yes, this disciple understands.” Lin Zheyu nodded.

”You should return and rest first. Your current condition is not very good. You may rest for a day, then depart together with Gu Ye tomorrow,” Huang Baizhong said.

”Yes, this disciple will take his leave.” Lin Zheyu nodded.

After leaving the main hall, he let out a slight sigh of relief. He had just temporarily used the Evernight Slumber Secret Art, so it was unclear whether he had managed to evade Elder Yang’s probing. However, having only just broken through his body’s limits, with his body’s energy completely exhausted, even if Elder Yang detected something, it likely would not have been very clear.

”How do you view this child, Elder Yang?” Huang Baizhong asked calmly after Lin Zheyu left.

”A monstrous prodigy. He’s an unparalleled monstrous prodigy!” Elder Yang said after a moment of contemplation.

”Isn’t that evaluation a bit too high? Even if he possesses astonishing natural talent in the Sacred Evolution Spirit Nurturing Art, it should not warrant the title of unparalleled, should it?” Huang Baizhong said in surprise.

He was startled by Elder Yang’s evaluation. After examining Lin Zheyu’s cultivation progress, Huang Baizhong had already raised his appraisal of Lin Zheyu to an extremely high level. Even so, he felt that Elder Yang’s use of the word unparalleled was excessive.

”Do you know what I discovered when I examined that child’s body just now?” Elder Yang asked leisurely.

”Elder Yang, please do not keep me in suspense. What kind of secret does Lin Zheyu possess for you to give such an evaluation?” Huang Baizhong asked.

”Heh. Although the little fellow concealed it well, something like one’s physique cannot truly be hidden. If I had not studied the Evernight Slumber Secret Art back then to treat my hidden injuries and prolong my lifespan, I truly would not have discovered the secret on his body,” Elder Yang said leisurely, a trace of amazement in his eyes.

Back then, he had suffered severe injuries and fallen all the way from the peak of the Grandmaster realm to the peak of the Force Transformation realm, with the decline even showing signs of continuing. In order to treat his injuries, he had studied various secret arts, among which was the obscure Evernight Slumber Secret Art.

Elder Yang had originally planned that if all else failed, he would use this secret art to fall into a deep slumber, allowing others to continuously treat and restore his body with medicines over a long period of sleep. Fortunately, he later found another method and did not need to use this plan.