215: seclusion and cultivation

Lu Family Village quickly settled down, and everyone’s initial sadness at leaving their hometown had long since vanished without a trace.

The new territory was more than ten times larger than the previous Lu Family Village. As far as the eye could see, fields stretched endlessly, houses stood in orderly rows, and everywhere exuded vibrant life.

Village Chief Lu Zhengde felt immense relief upon seeing this.

He personally planted a locust tree seed at the village entrance, hoping that one day it would grow into a towering tree like those in his hometown.

He gathered all the villagers, old and young, and passionately encouraged them: "Now that we have such a wonderful place, everyone should have more children and make the Lu Family Village prosperous! Young men in the village, don't just focus on girls from our own clan; form ties with women from other clans. In this way, our Bloodline will intermingle, talented individuals will emerge, and our Lu Family Village will truly flourish!"

The villagers listened, their faces filled with joy, and they all nodded in agreement.

Lu Chen was assigned the largest house, and Lu Chen didn’t decline; if he didn't live there, no one else would dare to.

“Aunt, what are we eating tonight?” Lu Chen subconsciously blurted out, then suddenly remembered that his aunt, Liu Xiaohua, was no longer here. He didn't know where she had gone, and she had no Cultivation whatsoever, just an ordinary Mortal. Could she survive in this cultivation world?

Bai Jingjing wisely remained silent.

She keenly sensed Lu Chen's emotions at the moment and knew that disturbing him now would likely provoke his anger.

So, she silently turned and quietly went to prepare dinner, trying not to make a sound, allowing Lu Chen to process his longing alone.

In the following days, Lu Chen called Village Chief Lu Zhengde aside and seriously instructed him: “Village Chief, you must remember that our Lu Family Village must absolutely not stand out or act rashly. Let everyone develop steadily here. I have already spoken with Chu Yu; our Lu Family Village will not participate in the Chu Family Army's conscription, so we don't need to contribute effort.”

Lu Zhengde's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing this: “Ah? How… how could the Chu Family agree to this?”

Lu Chen smiled slightly: “I gave them a top-grade Cultivation Technique, so of course they would agree. Additionally, I will leave a Cultivation Technique suitable for our Lu Family's Golden Dragon Pathway for the people in the village.”

Lu Chen significantly modified the Nine Heavens Dragon Vein Art that he Cultivated.

Originally, this Cultivation Technique was complex and profound, as obscure and difficult to understand as a doctoral thesis; it was impossible for ordinary people to learn.

Now, he simplified it, turning it into an easy-to-understand "elementary school version."

Although learning became simpler, its power was greatly reduced. However, even so, Cultivating to the Foundation Establishment Stage was more than sufficient.

Lu Chen looked around at the people gathered in the training grounds and said solemnly: “I will stay in the village for another week. If you have any questions, ask me as soon as possible, otherwise I will go into seclusion in the mountains!”

In the field, the younger generation, including Lu Xiaohu, Lu Xiaoyu, Lu Qingfeng, Lu Qingshuang, and more than a dozen others, all had eager eyes; the middle-aged generation, including Iron Mountain Lu Lu Tieshan, Lu Pojun, Lu Jinglie, Lu Zhuifeng, and more than ten others, looked steady.

These were currently the most highly Cultivated individuals in Lu Family Village, all of whom had already reached the Transcendent Realm.

They originally Cultivated the Iron Shirt Technique and Golden Scale Art, and now, under Lu Chen’s guidance, they began to Cultivate the modified Nine Heavens Dragon Vein Art.

During this period, everyone’s Cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds.

Lu Xiaohu eagerly raised his hand and loudly asked: “Master, what does the incantation 'Dragon Vein latent in abyss, Qi spontaneously born; Nine Heavens clouds stir, transforming into truth' mean? I always feel that the circulation of Qi is not very smooth when I'm performing the grand cycle.” As he spoke, he gestured with a Cultivation hand sign.

Lu Chen smiled slightly and slowly said: “This incantation means that during Cultivation, one must first calm their mind and Qi, allowing Internal Energy to flow naturally through the Meridians like a hidden Dragon. 'Dragon Vein latent in abyss, Qi spontaneously born' means not to force it intentionally. After the breath stabilizes, follow the Cultivation Technique's guidance to direct Internal Energy to specific Acupoints, just like the clouds above the Nine Heavens move according to natural laws, only then can it 'transform into truth.'"

He demonstrated the standard breathing rhythm and hand gestures as he spoke.

Iron Mountain Lu Lu Tieshan nodded thoughtfully, then asked: “What should I do if I encounter blocked Meridians during the Cultivation process?”

Lu Chen answered without hesitation: “At this time, you must not force a Breakthrough. You should slow down your Cultivation progress and slowly nourish the Meridians with Internal Energy. It's like dredging a river; you can't just forcibly widen it, but rather guide the water flow to gradually wash away obstacles.”

Everyone listened, nodding in agreement. Some began to softly recite the incantation, while others closed their eyes and focused, trying to adjust their Cultivation state.

In the training grounds, only faint breathing sounds and occasional hushed discussions could be heard. Everyone was earnestly comprehending Lu Chen’s guidance, striving to improve their Cultivation.

Sometimes, the Village Chief couldn't resist secretly listening from the side, his eyes moist. He only regretted not being a few years younger; he even wanted to Cultivate again.

“Alright, everything that needed to be said has been said. From now on, it’s up to all of you!” Lu Chen stood at the village entrance, his gaze sweeping over the familiar faces.

After arranging all matters, Lu Chen turned and walked towards the back mountain.

He had long planned to find a serene place suitable for his Cultivation.

Before leaving, he specifically instructed the Village Chief that unless it was a matter of life and death for Lu Family Village, no one was allowed to disturb him.

The current Lu Chen no longer needed three meals a day like Mortals.

He could absorb the Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth to maintain his body's functions; even if he didn't eat for a year, it wouldn't affect his Cultivation in the slightest.

Lu Chen was determined to go into seclusion for a year.

He aimed to Break through the Qi Refining Stage Bottleneck as soon as possible and reach the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Arriving at the back mountain, he found a quiet Immortal Cave.

Lu Chen stepped into the back mountain, moving through the dense woods, carefully searching for an Immortal Cave suitable for Cultivation.

Finally, in a secluded mountain hollow, he discovered a quiet natural cave.

Inside, the stone walls were smooth, and Spiritual Qi lingered, making it an excellent place for secluded Cultivation.

He sat cross-legged in the center of the Immortal Cave, closed his eyes, and began to formulate a strict Cultivation plan.

Every morning, he Cultivated the Body Tempering Cultivation Technique, Nine Heavens Dragon Vein Art, to strengthen his physique and open his Meridians;

At noon, he studied the Five Elements Inverse Deduction Art, comprehending the Dao of Five Elements' mutual generation and restraint;

In the evening, he Cultivated the Divine Illumination Seamless Art, enhancing his Mental Energy and perception. With a three-pronged approach, he aimed for a comprehensive Breakthrough.

Subsequently, Lu Chen took out the heart of the blood god he had obtained from Ge Hong.

As soon as this treasure touched the air, it released a rich, bloody water.

The bloody water quickly spread, filling the area around the Immortal Cave, forming a massive blood pool.

The dragon fiend spear seemed to sense the blood fiend Qi in the blood pool and began to greedily absorb it, slowly merging with the heart of the blood god, even starting to Cultivate on its own.

Just like that, one man and one spear, oblivious to time, Cultivated for a full half-year!

Lu Chen had previously simulated Cultivation tens of thousands of times in the Heavenly Dao Workshop, yet it still took him a full half-year to Cultivate to the Middle Stage Qi Refining!

The beginning is always the hardest. Lu Chen intentionally suppressed the speed of his Breakthrough. With three pathways, he had to lay a solid foundation, so that subsequent Cultivation would yield twice the results with half the effort.

After laying a good foundation, Lu Chen only took one month to Cultivate to the Late Stage Qi Refining.

Then, another half-month, he reached Qi Refining Perfection, and was about to enter the most crucial moment—Foundation Establishment!

Lu Chen felt the Spiritual Qi within his body; it was terrifying!

Previously, during the Early Stage Qi Refining, his Spiritual Qi capacity was already a thousand times that of an ordinary Cultivator!

Now that he had reached the Late Stage, it was at least ten thousand times that of a Cultivator at the same level!

If he didn't establish his Foundation and open up his inner Immortal Cave soon, Lu Chen would explode!