Longevity: My Talents Are a Bit Abundant

The first day after entering the Cyan Spirit Secret Realm, so many things have happened.

Shen Xuan was truly speechless.

After carefully collecting the fragments of the demon cultivator surnamed Li's remains, Shen Xuan continued forward.

He directly ignored the two Zhu family cultivators behind him.

Grinding the bones into ashes and sinking them into Moon Lake was his greatest kindness to the demon cultivator surnamed Li.

Shen Xuan commanded the Shadow-devouring Demon Insect to charge directly out of the Poison Bone Forest, heading towards Scholar Qianzhu.

Within the Cyan Spirit Secret Realm, there were plenty of Tier Two Heavenly and Earthly Treasures.

Originally, everyone relied on their own abilities, and there was no need to rob and kill each other.

However, cultivators, like ordinary people, have boundless greed.

The root cause is that robbery and murder are quicker means.

He was not a tribulation cultivator.

He couldn't just kill everyone he saw or rob as soon as he saw wealth.

Once one takes the first step in such matters, it's easy to fall into the demon path and lose one's original intent.

Killing and looting is a faster way to earn spirit stones than demon hunting or talisman making.

Even Shen Xuan contemplated whether to eliminate all those tribulation cultivators and demon cultivators.

"Forget it!"

"As long as they don't provoke me..."

His goal was to fulfill Master Wuchen's promise to help the Lin Family obtain the Ashoka Fruit.

All other matters were trivial and not worth mentioning.

Though the Heavenly and Earthly Treasures within the Cyan Spirit Secret Realm were abundant, they were only of Tier Two quality, not urgently needed by him.

Upon exiting the Poison Bone Forest, Shen Xuan found a secluded cave for a brief rest.

He opened the storage pouch of the demon cultivator surnamed Li to inspect its contents.

The spiritual power imprint originally on it had been removed by the demon cultivator surnamed Li.

Aside from the "Golden Body Corpse Refining Technique," it contained only a small amount of spirit stones, demon stones, demon pills, talismans, and other cultivation materials.

More impoverished than expected.

Shen Xuan's primary target was, indeed, the "Golden Body Corpse Refining Technique."

After seeing the contents, it was just as he thought.

A golden-bodied zombie, besides absorbing corpse qi, requires setting up specific arrays to infuse a special golden liquid into its body, strengthening its flesh and bones.

This special golden liquid is even more troublesome to concoct than the Taiyin Corpse Beast Fluid.

The medicinal materials needed are not only rare but require higher age conditions.

However, if you can refine a corpse beast into a golden body, it can greatly enhance its defense and strength.

The strength of the corpse beast could even surpass its original state.

"It's a very good technique. After returning to the Rain Listening Pavilion, I'll purchase the necessary materials to concoct this golden liquid."

Shen Xuan composed himself, meditating to regulate his breath.

The Perfect Level "Self-Healing Technique" surpassed the spirit rejuvenation efficacy of the Foundation Establishment Realm's specialized Spirit Revitalizing Pill.

Soon, Shen Xuan was back to his optimal state.

He summoned the Red-winged Snake Corpse Beast again and continued to have the Shadow-devouring Demon Insect scout the path ahead.

After absorbing the corpse qi of four Flying Zombies, the Shadow-devouring Demon Insect felt invigorated, extremely excited.

As night fell, Shen Xuan used the Spirit Bamboo Jade Pendant to locate Scholar Qianzhu.

"Master Shen,"

"Fellow Daoist Qianzhu,"

The two greeted each other upon meeting.

In sight, Scholar Qianzhu summoned four Spirit Bamboo Puppets, two Shield and Blade Warriors and two Archer Puppets, to guard around him.

Shen Xuan inquired about Scholar Qianzhu's subsequent plans.

"Qianzhu entered the Cyan Spirit Secret Realm precisely to collect the Ashoka Fruit."

"The Ashoka Fruit is in the central area, and we have no choice but to venture there."

"Fortunately, with Master Shen's assistance, I'm sure we can achieve this effortlessly!"

Scholar Qianzhu said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Shen Xuan sighed softly, looking somewhat resigned.

The Ashoka Fruit is merely a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object, not particularly valuable by right.

However, it is highly effective for wood cultivators, rare in the outside world, difficult to preserve—a commodity without markets.

Shen Xuan vaguely speculated about the relationship between Scholar Qianzhu and Lin Zhuying.

Nevertheless, he was merely fulfilling his promise to Master Wuchen and didn't need to know the details.

"To reach the central area from here, we must pass through this dense forest. And here, there are many demon insects."

"According to the reports, these demon insects are numerous, possibly led by a Demon Insect King."

"The demon insect swarm will proactively attack cultivators; Master Shen, do you have a way to deal with this?"

Scholar Qianzhu pointed to the simulated map of the secret realm displayed in the air, turning to ask.

"What kinds of demon insects? What are their ranks?"

Shen Xuan asked.

"Bloodthirsty Mosquitoes, Flying Ants, and others. Most ordinary demon insects are Tier One lower and middle grade, with the Demon Insect King likely at Tier Two."

"That's manageable,"

Shen Xuan thought to himself.

Demon insect swarms are notoriously hard to tackle.

They're too numerous, seemingly endless.

An ordinary Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator trapped in one, regardless of their prowess, would face death upon exhausting their spiritual power.

"Let's move!"

The two pressed on their path.

Deep in the forest, they came upon another battle.

However, they were a bit late.

The fight was nearing its end.

A black-clad demon cultivator, sensing the presence of Shen Xuan and Scholar Qianzhu, intensified his attacks.

A pair of Skeleton Demons emitted eerie jeers as their sharp bone claws pierced through the protective spirit shield of that cultivator, deeply embedding into his forehead.

The cultivator let out a heart-wrenching scream of agony.

Nonetheless, the Skeleton Demons didn't cease; instead, they more frantically mashed his head into a pulp.

The screams abruptly ceased.

By the time Shen Xuan and Scholar Qianzhu closed in, the cultivator was already dead.

The black-clad demon cultivator snatched his storage pouch and magical treasure, transforming into a wisp of black smoke, swiftly departing with the two Skeleton Demons, vanishing into the dense forest.

"White Bone Sect Demon Cultivator!"

Scholar Qianzhu bore an expression of shock.

Looking at the corpse on the ground again,

The face was unrecognizable.

But judging by the attire, it should be a cultivator invited by the Luo Family.

"Those two Skeleton Demons, both have the strength of the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment."

"Middle Stage Demon Cultivators, the kind with sect inheritance."

Scholar Qianzhu walked over, glanced down at the corpse of the Luo Family cultivator, and looked solemn.

In the Cyan Spirit Secret Realm, cultivator killing is a common occurrence.

But the intruder was actually a Demon Sect cultivator, which made Scholar Qianzhu feel pressured.

"No wonder, the seven families of Weimu County forbade their clan cultivators from entering!"

If they were all Weimu County cultivators, unless it was something particularly important, they wouldn't go for the kill.

But for a Demon Cultivator.

Even if you did nothing, you couldn't escape the fate of being robbed and killed by them.

In the eyes of a Demon Cultivator, cultivators themselves are cultivation resources.

Next.

Shen Xuan shattered the corpse into fragments with ice and dug a pit to sweep them in.

From dust we come, to dust we return.

...

Shen Xuan and Scholar Qianzhu continued toward the core area.

This time, Scholar Qianzhu was much more alert.

Two Sword and Shield Puppets always stood in front with shields.

Besides them were two Archer Puppets, ready to fire an arrow at any disturbance ahead.

Shen Xuan glanced over.

These four puppets, primarily made of Spirit Bamboo, were slightly weaker than the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment.

This special puppetry inheritance must be unique to the Profound Bamboo Sect.

According to Scholar Qianzhu, she had a dozen of such Spirit Bamboo Puppets with her.

Limited by Divine Soul Power, she couldn't activate them all simultaneously.

But in a life-and-death situation, all Spirit Bamboo Puppets could self-destruct.

Each Spirit Bamboo Puppet could threaten the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.

"Do not underestimate any sect disciple."

Shen Xuan mused to himself.

Scholar Qianzhu undoubtedly had more than just Spirit Bamboo Puppets as protective measures.

The two cautiously moved forward, stopping occasionally.

It wasn't until the third day that they reached the inner boundary.

Unfortunately, they encountered two groups of cultivators in a standoff.

One of them was Qi Wanqing, a female cultivator from the Qi Family they had seen before.

She teamed up with Luo Family cultivators to confront two cultivators from the Guan Family.

Initially, Qi Wanqing's side was at a disadvantage.

Seeing Shen Xuan and Scholar Qianzhu arrive, Qi Wanqing was overjoyed and shouted, "Brother Shen, Wanqing is here!"

Shen Xuan felt a bit exasperated.

This Qi Wanqing really knew how to seize an opportunity.

Scholar Qianzhu glanced at Shen Xuan with a half-smile.

"Fellow Daoist Shen and she are not acquainted!"

Scholar Qianzhu nodded slightly, "Qi Wanqing is known for being quite cunning and peculiar. Fellow Daoist Shen should be careful."

As they spoke, Qi Wanqing swiftly appeared beside them.

"Brother Shen, they're trying to take my Profound Spirit Grass!"

The Profound Spirit Grass is a precious Tier Two Spirit Plant.

If aged enough, it can be used as auxiliary material for Tier Three Spirit Pills.

Shen Xuan glared at Qi Wanqing fiercely.

By his ear, Qi Wanqing's voice resounded.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, help me. I have the Purifying Base Pill Formula."

Shen Xuan was stunned.

The Purifying Foundation Pill is an extremely rare Tier Two Top-Grade Spirit Pill, effective in strengthening the Dao Foundation and removing impurities.

It's said that long-term use of the Purifying Foundation Pill can enhance the quality of the Dao Foundation.

Shen Xuan has only a Middle Grade Dao Foundation.

If he could enhance it to Upper Grade, it would slightly increase his chance of successfully condensing the Inner Core in the future.

Shen Xuan never expected this kind of clan female cultivator like Qi Wanqing to have the Purifying Base Pill Formula.

"The Purifying Base Pill Formula? Fellow Daoist Qi, don't joke around!"

"Really. Wanqing indeed has the Purifying Base Pill Formula. But it's an Ancient Formula."

Shen Xuan relaxed a bit.

The Purifying Base Pill Formula is a treasure that even True Masters find irresistible.

Even in the Cyan Cloud Sect, there is no Purifying Base Pill inheritance.

It's said that the major sects in Jin Country have Purifying Base Pills, priced at three thousand sect merit points.

Nearly ten thousand Spirit Stones.

To strengthen the Dao Foundation, enhancing its quality requires continuous use of the Purifying Base Pill.

How many are needed, Shen Xuan did not know.

But certainly more than just a few would be necessary.

"An Ancient Formula? Are you sure it's effective, Fellow Daoist Qi?"

Ancient Formulas refer to pill formulas from ancient times, often with missing herbs, making them unrefinable, akin to useless recipes.

"It's effective! Sister Ruyi told me, she wouldn't lie to me."

"Sister Ruyi?"

"Fellow Daoist Shen has met her. Sister Ruyi was an alchemist in life and once successfully refined the Purifying Base Pill."

Qi Wanqing vowed, "Don't worry, Fellow Daoist Shen. Even if Wanqing were bolder, I wouldn't dare deceive you! The Profound Spirit Grass is one of the main ingredients for the Purifying Base Pill."

Shen Xuan nodded.

Qi Wanqing was aware of his capabilities.

With the Insight Technique, Qi Wanqing didn't seem to be acting falsely.

At this moment, the two Guan Family cultivators grew impatient.

One of them, a blue-gowned Daoist robe wearer, saluted Scholar Qianzhu and said, "I am Zhou Zhiping, greetings to Fellow Daoist Qianzhu."

"This is my friend Mai Qingquan."

Both of them were at the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation.

Evidently, they had collected information before entering the Secret Realm and were aware of Scholar Qianzhu's identity and strength.

"Fellow Daoists Zhou and Mai."

Scholar Qianzhu returned the salute.

"The Profound Spirit Grass here, from what I see, there are seven plants, enough for us both to divide."

"I suggest we first drive away the Luo Family and Zhou Family individuals. Then, we can join forces to slay the Demon Beasts guarding the Profound Spirit Grass."

"Afterward, based on our respective contributions, we can distribute these seven Profound Spirit Grass plants, how about it?"