34: The Dharma Body Breaks Through the Realm, Choose One of Three

On the long path of immortality, the word 'solitude' is the most grinding to one's Dao Heart.

If it weren't for the fatal temptation of the ethereal Great Dao of Longevity, how could there be so many seekers of the Dao rushing in like moths to a flame, one after another?

Lu Xian was also a member of this torrent, only he was the one with slightly better Luck.

Under the dual blessing of an eighty percent increase in Spiritual Qi concentration and a forty percent increase in cultivation speed, the Dharmic power within his Dantian became purer and more majestic day by day, like the rising tide.

Time flowed, and the sun and moon alternated.

Of course, Lu Xian did not spend all his time in seclusion for Qi Refining.

Daily affairs still needed to be managed.

In the early morning, he would go to the backyard and perform the Minor Cloud and Rain Art to irrigate the spiritual fields.

Then he would check the star stamen grass; if any were mature, he would harvest and store them before planting new seeds.

Next, he would head to the Chicken Coop, feed a few pounds of ordinary grain, and collect over twenty spirit eggs.

He didn't forget to feed Crane Heavenly Emperor some spirit grain to avoid any rift between man and bird, even though Lu Xian could give mandatory orders.

Once all this was done, he still had to go to the livestock pen to feed the two increasingly robust Yao Beasts.

Occasionally, he also had to deal with neighbors who came to his door, Zhao Shouren or... Luo Xuanmeng.

The monthly fixed profit handover also had to be carried out on schedule.

The whole process was somewhat like playing a certain "Valley Story" game.

Trivial, yet fulfilling.

“This repetition, although it only takes half an hour, ultimately interrupts my cultivation rhythm... Should I find a helper?”

One day, such a thought flashed through Lu Xian's mind.

Unfortunately, he could not trust anyone.

Whether it was the kindly teaching Zhao Shouren or the respectfully obedient Du Qinghong.

If he truly wanted a helper, he would likely have to refine a Puppet himself.

However, the Art of Human Puppetry had long been listed as a forbidden technique of the Demonic Path, and orthodox mechanical creations were far from intelligent enough.

Forget it, I'll deal with it later.

For now, the business isn't large, so I can still manage.

With this thought, he put aside his distractions and immersed himself in cultivation once more.

Inside the [Cultivation Chamber], Lu Xian cycled through refining Spiritual Qi, comprehending Spells, and tempering his Qi and blood.

In the [formation chamber], he continuously attempted to skillfully imprint the newly purchased "Water Wave Flowing Cloud Formation" Formation Plate.

It went by very quickly.

Time flew, and three months passed.

On this day, Lu Xian swallowed five pounds of braised Gray-Backed Yak meat.

He gritted his teeth and circulated the Spirit Devouring Bone Transformation Scripture to refine it with all his might.

In an instant, his entire body turned red like a branding iron, and his boiling Qi and blood almost burst out of his body, turning into wisps of blood-colored mist rising up!

When this dense Qi and blood were compressed to the limit and then suddenly retracted, a series of fine crackling sounds erupted from the bones throughout his body.

The third transformation, complete!

Lu Xian clenched his fist slightly, and the skin on his arm took on a jade-like warm luster under the dim light.

With a thought, he took out a Flying Sword and slashed forcefully at his forearm!

“Clang!”

Sparks flew!

Yet not even a white mark was left on his skin.

“Although I didn't use my full strength, with this much force, ordinary Magical Artifacts probably wouldn't even be able to break my skin!”

The Perfection of the sixth layer of the Spirit Devouring Bone Transformation Scripture meant that his Physical Body was strong enough to withstand ordinary Spell attacks from a Cultivator at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining.

The Black-Maned Boars had long been eaten, and only about three hundred pounds of Gray-Backed Yak remained.

Going further up would be the Seventh Layer, the Foundation Establishment of the physique, which required devouring a massive amount of Yao Beast flesh and blood and time to slowly polish; it couldn't be rushed.

He took a short breath to adjust his breathing.

Lu Xian sat cross-legged again, looking inward at his Qi Sea and Dantian.

For three months, he had cultivated both his magic and his body. While refining his body, his Dharmic power also grew steadily, and he was now just one step away from the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining!

He closed his eyes and concentrated.

Spiritual Qi flowed into his body like a trickling stream.

Another month passed.

“Now is the time!”

Lu Xian took out the spirit gathering pill he had kept for a long time and swallowed it.

The Medicinal Pill melted as soon as it entered his mouth, and the majestic medicinal power instantly dispersed into his limbs and bones, triggering the surrounding Spiritual Qi to form a vortex that surged into his body!

How much he could refine depended entirely on his own talent.

Lu Xian activated the Primordial Art with all his might.

“Boom—”

A small vibration occurred in his Qi Sea and Dantian, which then expanded outward.

The Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, achieved!

Lu Xian opened his eyes and performed the Major Achievement level Xuanpin Qi Concealment Art to restrain his aura. The cultivation level he displayed to the outside remained the unremarkable fourth layer of Qi Refining.

His efforts were not in vain.

The successive Breakthroughs in his Physical Body and Dharmic power filled his heart with immense joy.

“I, Lu Xian, am where I am today entirely because of my own efforts and... a little help from my cheat.”

One feels refreshed when encountering a happy event.

Lu Xian decided to temporarily bid farewell to the boring seclusion and enjoy a moment of leisure.

During this time, except for collecting profits once a month, he had hardly stepped out of his door and had not paid much attention to the changing situation in Qingyun County.

So he took out his quasi-immortal jade token, intending to browse some interesting news as a form of relaxation.

In the Nine Heavens Dao Discussion.

「Announcement: The Great Competition of the Twelve Foundation Establishment Aristocratic Families of Qingyun will officially be held on the third day of the eleventh month in the year 478 of the Wanshu Calendar!」

「This competition has been registered with the Cultivator General Affairs Office. The process is fair and open, aimed at determining the priority exploration rights for that 'Ancient Ruin' located 3,320 li northwest of Qingyun City!」

「The process is as follows: ...」

After reading it, Lu Xian was surprised.

That Foundation Establishment Immortal Cave hasn't been taken even after five months?

Looking closely at the details, he learned that the cave was buried deep underground, and the entrance was located in the center of a valley filled with poisonous miasma year-round.

The miasma would only briefly weaken for a few days at the end of each year.

Otherwise, even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator would be corroded by the poisonous miasma if they ventured deep into it.

What was even more interesting was that there was actually a public call-to-arms post from a Loose Cultivator.

「Daoist Xiaoyao: This humble Daoist hereby calls upon all fellow Loose Cultivators.

The Aristocratic Families are unkind and the Sects are unjust; this is our only chance!

The opportunities in the ruins should belong to those who are capable! We missed it fifty years ago; we must not lose out this time!」

There were many different opinions below.

「Gouzhonggou: Go! The Poisonous Miasma Valley is so big, can they really seal it off?!」

「Li Feitian: That's right, at worst we'll all rush in together! I've lived long enough anyway; I might as well take a gamble and turn my Qi Refining into Foundation Establishment!」

「Zhao Unkind: I believe we need to plan carefully. It would be best to find a few trustworthy Fellow Daoists to plan this great matter together.」

Seeing the name "Zhao Unkind," Lu Xian suddenly felt it was a bit familiar.

Wasn't this Zhao Shouren's nickname?

It seemed the old man Zhao couldn't sit still either; a hint of worry couldn't help but flash through Lu Xian's eyes.

Does that Immortal Cave really have a Profound Rank Legacy?

Since it's called an "Ancient Ruin," heaven knows which Cultivator from thousands of years ago left it behind. If it's a demonic Cultivator's cave, wouldn't things just blow up?

Even if one makes it out, they would still find it hard to escape the encirclement and suppression by the families.

“Forget it, I'm not going anyway. I'll wait until Old Zhao goes and then ask him when he returns. If he doesn't come back... then that's just fate.”

Lu Xian did not let his growing strength shake his determination to be steady.

Being steady is the foundation of longevity.

In his view, waiting for the next Cangye Sect recruitment, entering the Outer Sect directly with his strength, and developing steadily was the right way.

What's more, Lu Xian had previously received news from Du Qinghong and already had a more important goal.

The diagram for the First-Tier Top-Grade teleportation array, "A Bridge of So close yet so far," would appear at the Lin Family auction!

The auction time happened to be in one month, held at the end of the year, coinciding with the timing of the miasma's dissipation from the ruins.

The teleportation array diagram was crucial to his subsequent series of plans.

There was no room for failure!

Lu Xian calculated his net worth.

Over the past four months, Du Qinghong had sold spiritual items on his behalf, earning a total of 1,920 Spirit Stones.

He had consumed 214 pieces during his seclusion.

Purchasing the First-Tier High Grade defensive Formation, Water Wave Flowing Cloud, cost 300 pieces.

The sale of star stamen grass and Fire Vein Ganoderma brought in 420 pieces.

Currently remaining... 1,826 Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

“Taking that diagram shouldn't be a problem, but if I encounter other necessary Materials, I'm afraid it won't be enough. I need to earn more.”

Lu Xian pondered.

Since he had decided to take the risk and participate in the auction, he had to maximize his gains; otherwise, it would be a huge loss.

His greatly increased strength, especially the strength of his Physical Body, made him unafraid of fellow Cultivators at the Qi Refinement Stage.

As long as he wasn't surrounded and attacked, he was confident he could escape unscathed.

Weighing the risks...

At this moment, he received three messages at the same time.

「Du Qinghong: Brother Han! This month's goods have been handled in advance. Tomorrow is the Great Competition of the Twelve Families, and it's going to be incredibly lively! I've prepared the profits; do you want to come out and see the excitement? We can also do the handover while we're at it?」

Another one.

「Luo Xuanmeng: Fellow Daoist Lu~ Tomorrow is the competition of the twelve families, and the city is bound to be a grand occasion like never before. I long to go, but it's boring to be alone. Does Fellow Daoist have the interest to go and watch together? (╹▽╹)」

Luo Xuanmeng had only become acquainted with him in the last two months.

He didn't know what kind of madness had possessed her lately, as she knocked on his door to harass him at a fixed time every day, making Lu Xian extremely annoyed.

And because he couldn't gauge her depth, it wasn't convenient for Lu Xian to fall out with her, so he had to exchange contact methods.

There was one more left.

「Zhao Unkind: Little Lu, have you come out of seclusion yet? Tomorrow at midnight, I have an important matter to discuss! It's of great importance, so make sure you're at home!」

After reading them, Lu Xian was speechless for a moment.

How did these people accurately predict that he would come out of seclusion today?

If it weren't for the fact that the Formations in the courtyard were intact, he would really suspect he was being monitored.

What to do.

It's so hard to choose: an invitation from a brother, the company of a Fairy, and the summons of an elder...