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104: Body Refinement Breakthrough
“What would Fairy Shi like in exchange, if not spirit stones?” Lan Chang'an asked in surprise.
Shi Manrong looked toward the direction of the cave mansion, her eyes bright as she said warmly, “I won’t accept payment for the mountain-protecting formation. I want to learn the formation that Fellow Daoist Lan has set up in your abode.”
“This protective formation is a closely guarded secret of mine and is not for sale,” Lan Chang'an decisively refused.
The defensive formation he had set up on Little Turtle Peak came from his past life during the Core Formation Realm, acquired from the ruins of a cultivation civilization and simplified from an ancient third-rank formation.
This formation not only excelled in defense but also had a good shielding effect against spiritual sense prying.
The core of this formation was placed deep in the cave mansion by Lan Chang'an, making its functions rather concealed.
This woman’s sharp eyes had noticed some clues.
As far as personal safety was concerned, Lan Chang'an would never divulge such knowledge to outsiders.
“I’ll add a second-rank formation inheritance, how about that?” Shi Manrong’s voice was soft and gentle, pleading sweetly.
In terms of value, it exceeded the defensive formation set up by Lan Chang'an.
“No,” he firmly refused. When it came to matters of principle, Lan Chang'an refused to yield even an inch.
“It’s my fault for being presumptuous,” Shi Manrong paused, her silver-plate-like face glowing faintly red with embarrassment.
She smiled apologetically and accepted the spirit stones from Lan Chang'an.
...
In the blink of an eye, more than half a year passed.
Unknowingly, Lan Chang'an turned seventy-three.
With the support of the first life’s soul imprint from the Nine Seal Stele, he drew two more treasure talismans from the three talisman embryos. Now, Lan Chang'an was nurturing three treasure talismans simultaneously.
Although only a short time had elapsed, he could feel the spirituality of the talisman material slowly growing, the future looked bright.
On this day, inside the secret room of the cave mansion.
Lan Chang'an sat in a medicinal tub, surrounded by second-rank crystal stones, each stone dimming and turning to powder.
Suddenly, a low, thunderous roar like a tide surged from within his body, and an extremely strong blood and energy pressure swept out.
Even without using any mana, the restrictions in the secret room were shaken up by the breakthrough impact.
“Fifth layer of the Cloud Sand Body Refinement Manual,” Lan Chang'an felt the beast-like power within his body, and the crystalline textures on his skin retracted.
Ding! Chi!
Lan Chang'an took out a top superior-grade magical weapon and slashed his arm several times, leaving only faint, shallow red marks.
“The strength of my fleshy body is comparable to a mid second-rank demon beast. But without the bloodline talents of a demon beast, I don’t possess magical powers or divine abilities.”
Lan Chang'an understood that the common body refining arts in the cultivation world were all auxiliary paths, not the main body cultivation path of the ancient era.
In true body cultivation, it was harder to break through major realms, and higher realms would also face tribulations.
The Cloud Sand Body Refinement Manual only had some physical techniques focused on speed and agility. Overall, Lan Chang'an was quite satisfied.
In fact, he dared not practice the true path of body cultivation, fearing the additional tribulation crisis in the future.
...
A few days later, after consolidating his gains, Lan Chang'an exited seclusion.
Stepping out of the cave mansion, he felt refreshed.
From the outskirts to halfway up Little Turtle Peak, golden light shimmered, indicating the ripeness of spirit grains.
From the outside to the inside, seedlings of spirit trees encircled the peak.
At the entrance of the cave mansion, a large pond covering ten mu was filled with emerald green lotus leaves, like umbrellas; the budding lotuses were like shy girls with red faces, exuding a faint fragrance.
The open space around the pond was dotted with medicine fields, where various spirit flowers and exotic grasses vied for beauty in a riot of colors.
A Profound Water Turtle was casting water spells in front of the medicine field, looking somewhat tired, while sparse rain mist fell from the sky.
An Earth Burrowing Rat was digging the soil diligently, catching some harmful insects and birds.
“Fellow Daoist Lan’s life is indeed leisurely, raising turtles and planting herbs, enjoying a carefree existence,” a gentle female voice sounded.
In the pavilion opposite the pond, Shi Manrong leaned against the railing, her tall and full figure tilted lazily, a departure from her usual dignified demeanor.
A breeze lifted the hem of her plain skirt, revealing a glimpse of blue silk stockings and her crystal-like ankles.
Guan Qiaozhi sat beside her, giggling softly, though it was unclear what she had just said.
Lan Chang'an smiled, not surprised by this scene.
Since the last formation setup, Shi Manrong occasionally visited Little Turtle Peak.
Each time she brought small gifts, like spirit tea and spirit fruits, and she was on good terms with Guan Qiaozhi.
Lan Chang'an knew well that this woman wished to secretly learn his defensive formation, observing it quietly during her visits.
Shi Manrong’s visits were infrequent, the gifts she brought were of some value, and her graceful demeanor was pleasing to the eye, making her presence not unwelcome.
As long as she didn’t enter the cave mansion to inspect the formation’s core, Lan Chang'an would let her be.
Squeak!
The Earth Burrowing Rat let go of its catch and brought a letter to Lan Chang'an.
Lan Chang'an took the envelope and broke the restriction on it.
It was a letter from Li Erqing.
The letter mentioned that the situation around Feiyue Lake was stable. The Maple Leaf Huang Family had lost a Foundation Establishment cultivator, significantly reducing their arrogance.
The Huang Family had a family residence and a market town, both requiring a Foundation Establishment cultivator to guard.
While dealing with the Mu Family, their Bamboo Leaf Mountain Market Town had been attacked by a mysterious group, suffering considerable losses.
On the other hand, the Ten Thousand Swords Zhuo Family and the Beast Taming Zhou Family had a small skirmish and reached an agreement.
The two major families ceased hostilities.
“It's good to hear things remain stable,” Lan Chang'an put away the letter, feeling quite pleased.
A relatively stable situation in the cultivation world suited a cultivator like him, who had a long lifespan and planned to lead a stable life.
If the cultivation world were to experience major upheaval, no one could escape unscathed, unless one did not rely on spiritual veins for cultivation and did not require any resources. ...
“I suggest that Qiaozhi uses the Bottleneck-Breaking Pill to advance to the late Qi-Refining stage as soon as possible. Although breakthrough pills might affect potential, an early breakthrough provides more time to slowly refine and polish her mana.”
In the pavilion, Shi Manrong had resumed her dignified posture and made a suggestion.
Although Guan Qiaozhi appeared young, she was actually forty-one years old.
Previously, Lan Chang'an had advised her to avoid using breakthrough pills as much as possible.
However, Guan Qiaozhi possessed only low-grade spiritual roots, with average aptitude, aside from her skillful hands, and thus was stuck at the sixth layer of Qi-Refining for many years.
“Fairy Shi makes a valid point. Age has a greater impact further down the line,” Lan Chang'an glanced at Guan Qiaozhi, whose eyes were filled with anticipation, and relented today.
He didn't have any Bottleneck-Breaking Pill on hand, but this did not hinder Lan Chang'an.
The next day, he went to the Little Pill Peak a few li away.
Alchemist Lin Ye was very straightforward, selling him a Bottleneck-Breaking Pill at a friendly price.
It was that simple.
This was the qualitative change brought by his current cultivation, status, and connections.
Back when he was in the Mu Family, he couldn’t even hope to get a late-stage Qi-Refining breakthrough pill, but now he could obtain it effortlessly.
Similarly, if he reached the Core Formation Realm, getting a Foundation Establishment pill for his descendants would be a piece of cake.
...
A few days later.
Guan Qiaozhi successfully advanced to the seventh layer of Qi-Refining, her mana increasing significantly.
This step surpassed her master, Master Guan, who never advanced to the late stage of Qi-Refining in his lifetime.
Guan Qiaozhi happily held a banquet to celebrate, inviting Shi Manrong and the steward of Wuqi Mountain, Lan Lin.
Lan Chang'an, a grown man, ate a couple of bites before retreating from the festivities. He went off to play with the Profound Water Turtle instead.
The turtle’s true cultivation level was not far from the late first rank.
It seemed slow, but the normal growth rate of a Profound Water Turtle was much slower than this.
Behind him, light footsteps approached, accompanied by a fragrance like night-blooming jasmine.
“Fellow Daoist Lan, have you considered marrying Qiaozhi and having children, or finding a formal Dao companion?” Shi Manrong asked curiously as she approached.
She had interacted quite frequently with this neighbor recently, yet she still felt something inexplicably strange about Lan Chang'an.
Clearly, as an inspiring seventy-year-old Foundation Establishment cultivator with low potential, he should be striving harder.
However, Lan Chang'an lived a leisurely life, indifferent and tranquil, unmoved by honor or disgrace, with a very good mindset.
This was not the first time Lan Chang'an had been asked such a question.
“The cultivation world is full of uncertainties. Foundation Establishment cultivators have only just gained a foothold, unlike Core Formation experts with magical powers and magic treasures. How can one dare to marry and have children?” Lan Chang'an shook his head.
Shi Manrong pondered and nodded, “I largely agree with Fellow Daoist Lan’s view.”
Due to her personal experiences, she also didn’t want to marry or find a Dao companion.
Their views were quite similar—they both advocated for remaining unmarried.
“However, regarding having children, I believe that bloodline is the inheritance and continuation of one’s existence.” Saying this, she looked at the young man in white who was as gentle as jade.
It seemed she realized this topic might be inappropriate, and her delicate features flushed slightly.
Lan Chang'an felt it was strange: You want to have children, why discuss it with me?
...
Half a month later.
The cave mansion on Little Turtle Peak received an uninvited guest.
It was a haggard middle-aged man wearing a crown.
“Daoist Chen, no need to say more. I am very satisfied living on Little Turtle Peak and have no intention of subletting,” Lan Chang'an refused.
The haggard middle-aged man was Shi Manrong’s ex-husband, Chen Sheng.
Lan Chang'an had seen him once when he first arrived at Wuqi Mountain.
“I have wronged Manrong, and sincerely wish to reconcile our relationship. Thus, I would like to live as neighbors,” Chen Sheng said.
“Don’t laugh at me, Fellow Daoist Lan, but given Manrong's talent and disposition today, there are many scheming suitors vying for her favor. I'm very concerned,” Chen Sheng smiled bitterly.
Lan Chang'an remained unmoved. Even if he agreed, the other two peak masters might not be willing.
“Sigh,” Chen Sheng knew how difficult this request was, so he pleaded further, “Fellow Daoist Lan, your achievement of Foundation Establishment at your ancient age is inspiring and well-known in Huanglong Immortal City. I believe in your character, and hope that you will keep an eye out for any unsavory characters who may attempt to prey upon my wife while she resides here at Wuqi Mountain.”
At this point, Lan Chang'an felt impatient but superficially agreed, “Rest assured, Daoist Chen, I will try to help keep an eye out.”
Finally, he managed to send this person away.
...
Seven years flew by.
This year, Lan Chang'an turned eighty.
Wuqi Mountain, in the cave mansion’s secret room on Little Turtle Peak. Two waves of spiritual pressure appeared one after another, their pressure increasing rapidly.
(End of chapter)