Longevity: My Talents Are a Bit Abundant

Shen Xuan suppressed his aura and changed his appearance.

Disguised as an old loose cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Realm wandering the four directions.

Upon arriving at Weimu County, he went directly to the Qi Family and presented a calling card.

"Are you Shen the Talisman Master?"

When Qi Wanqing saw Shen Xuan, she couldn't recognize him.

The signature on the calling card was: Loose Cultivator Li Haifeng.

Under Li Ruyi's reminder, Qi Wanqing exclaimed in surprise.

"Fellow Daoist Qi, what is your purpose in seeking me?"

Shen Xuan vaguely guessed Qi Wanqing's intention.

"Come in, and we'll talk!"

Qi Wanqing warmly invited him in and entertained Shen Xuan alone at her residence.

In the secret room, the two of them sipped tea and conversed.

Qi Wanqing handed over a Geography Jade Scroll.

"When I purchased the Blue-Ringed Octopus back in the day, the person gave me this Sea Map."

"It marks the sea area where the Blue-Ringed Octopus lives."

Qi Wanqing briefly recounted her experience of purchasing the Blue-Ringed Octopus back then.

"That person should be a late Foundation Establishment water cultivator, skilled in poison techniques."

"Very likely a poison cultivator. The poison quenching technique I know was taught by that person."

Shen Xuan asked about the person's appearance.

Short and stocky, dressed in black with a conical hat.

Rather resembled someone he once knew.

However, this was merely an interlude.

The matter of the Blue-Ringed Octopus was just a casual inquiry by Shen Xuan.

The real person who wanted to discuss matters with him was not Qi Wanqing.

It was the nether cultivator Li Ruyi.

"Sister Ruyi has recovered some memories."

While speaking, Li Ruyi materialized from the Soul Nourishing Wood at her waist.

"Ruyi greets Master Shen the Talisman Master."

Shen Xuan hurriedly returned the courtesy.

Li Ruyi's true age was much older than his.

Before becoming a nether cultivator, she was a Tier Two High-grade Pill Master.

Shen Xuan dared not underestimate her.

"Fellow Daoist Li, do you have important matters to discuss with me?"

"I have a seventy percent chance of successfully refining the Purifying Foundation Pill."

Li Ruyi said softly.

Shen Xuan remained expressionless, but his mind was stirred.

He had been collecting the main and auxiliary materials for the Purifying Foundation Pill.

If he claimed he didn't have thoughts about the Purifying Foundation Pill, it would be disingenuous.

A spirit pill that could enhance the quality of one's Dao Foundation was extremely tempting to him.

Even medicine is three parts poison.

Spirit pills are no exception.

Shen Xuan rarely used spirit pills.

On one hand, spirit pills are expensive.

On the other hand, he wasn't willing to force growth prematurely.

He preferred to spend more spirit stones to increase the concentration of Spiritual Qi with the Spirit Locking Array.

After acquiring "Water Spirit Absorption," there was even less need to use ordinary spirit pills.

Once he mastered "Devouring All Things," by devouring and refining ten pounds of Tier Two Demon Beast meat daily to increase his Dao Foundation Origin Spiritual Power, his cultivation speed surged.

It even surpassed the direct disciples of Golden Core True Masters in sects.

Bear in mind, he was practicing the "Divine Hidden Sea Technique" with health-preserving attributes.

The cultivation technique was known for its vast and majestic spiritual power.

In fact, for a cultivator practicing the "Divine Hidden Sea Technique," it's not advisable to cultivate too quickly.

It's the orthodox way to stabilize the Dao Foundation and advance gradually.

As for Demon Sect techniques, they progress rapidly in the early stages but must slow down after reaching the late Foundation Establishment stage.

Otherwise, the demon foundation becomes weak, the magic power turbid, and loss of control leads to backlash from the demon technique, which can easily result in Qi deviation.

Therefore, the Purifying Foundation Pill holds great significance for Shen Xuan.

"Devouring All Things" can refine the essence of spiritual objects and integrate it into one's own.

After all, it is foreign spiritual power, and there will be some rejection.

It's manageable in small quantities.

But if continued over years and years,

when foreign spiritual power becomes excessive, it may overshadow his own.

And there would also be the risk of spiritual power backlash and Qi deviation.

According to the pill formula,

the main function of the Purifying Foundation Pill is to cleanse impurities from the Dao Foundation Origin Spiritual Power and purify it.

Although it does not have the effect of liquifying and solidifying the sea of spiritual power,

it does truly have the effect of purifying and enhancing.

Thereby slightly improving the quality of the Dao Foundation.

"Seventy percent, huh? That's quite significant."

Shen Xuan smiled and nodded.

"Master Shen, I am willing to refine the Purifying Foundation Pill for you."

Li Ruyi appeared sincere, with a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

Shen Xuan was still hesitating.

He had a Mysterious Jade Talisman, which allows for stable advancement if he follows a methodical approach.

No issues exist within the small realms.

However, when reaching Foundation Establishment Perfection, he was uncertain about forming a core.

After all, for ordinary cultivators, the chances of forming a core are quite low.

A Celestial Spirit Root is said to be one in ten thousand among cultivators.

But those who successfully condense an Inner Core are legendary talents, one in ten thousand.

These are usually individuals who have had their path planned from early on, with abundant wealth, companions, methods, and land, all the way supported by top-tier resources.

Ordinary cultivators, let alone developing an Inner Core,

don't even have the opportunity to try.

Spirit pills that can increase the chance of core formation are astronomically expensive.

Moreover, Shen Xuan has a hidden concern.

His Dao Foundation is merely of Middle Grade.

Though Middle Grade is considered quite good,

it theoretically allows cultivation up to the late Foundation Establishment stage.

But if he wishes to form a core, it's rather difficult.

If the quality of the Dao Foundation could be elevated to Upper Grade, the success probability would be higher.

After much contemplation, Shen Xuan made up his mind.

For him, the Purifying Foundation Pill was a necessary spiritual object.

Moreover, the demand was substantial.

According to the pill formula, it's best to consume regularly and practice refining consistently for optimal results.

"What conditions does Fellow Daoist Li have?"

Li Ruyi glanced at Qi Wanqing.

"My cultivation requires many Nether Cultivation Spiritual Objects, and I hope Master Shen can help collect them."

"I am willing to follow Master Shen until I can condense a Soul Pill."

Shen Xuan remained silent for a moment.

Assisting with the collection of Nether Cultivation Spiritual Objects was just a pretext.

In essence, it was to seek his protection.

After all, as a mere nether cultivator,

without the protection of a powerful expert, it's easy to vanish without a trace.

Li Ruyi knew this is what Shen the Talisman Master was pondering.

"I am originally from Yan Country," she said.

"Oh."

Yan Country is a large country, far to the west, far from Song Country.

"There is no one I know from the world in Song Country."

"I have no intentions with worldly affairs, just to condense my Soul Pill."

Knowing that he is unwilling to get entangled in karma.

Harboring Li Ruyi has obvious benefits.

She can refine pills for him.

Especially the Purifying Foundation Pill.

With Li Ruyi around, success is only a matter of time.

The biggest downside.

Is the grievances entangled with Li Ruyi.

As for a disciple of the Daoist Sect, harboring a Nether Cultivator is not explicitly forbidden.

Some Daoist Sect disciples even practice some Demon Techniques.

As long as they do not commit heinous acts, harming innocents, the sect will not interfere.

"Fellow Daoist Li, do you remember how you met your demise?"

Li Ruyi shook her head.

"I can't remember."

"Rest assured, Master Shen, past events are like smoke and clouds, I have no intention to seek them out."

Shen Xuan nodded.

After much contemplation, he finally made a decision.

"Fellow Daoist Li is a smart person, I'll be straightforward."

"I need you to refine the Purifying Foundation Pill. For this, I am willing to pay a certain price."

"Within my abilities, I will protect you and gather resources for Nether Cultivation."

"If it's beyond my capabilities..."

Li Ruyi smiled gracefully: "I will leave on my own. Whether I live or die is none of Master Shen's concern."

Qi Wanqing also spoke from the side: "Master Shen, you're a good person, please help Sister Ruyi!"

Shen Xuan felt a headache coming.

What he dislikes the most is being given a 'good person' card.

Especially when these beautiful female cultivators say it, it always makes him feel like he's being taken advantage of.

"Listen, Qi Wanqing, from now on, don't say I'm a good person!"

"Good people don't live long, are you cursing me?"

Qi Wanqing waved her hands to explain: "Master Shen, I didn't mean it that way! I really think of you as..."

After Shen Xuan glared at her, Qi Wanqing quickly shut her mouth.

Shen Xuan is not a saint.

He simply treats his friends with sincerity and shares benefits.

He never thinks about taking advantage of his friends.

Although he knows that in the world of cultivators, relationships are weighed by interests.

When the benefits are exhausted, and when the power shifts, it's a common occurrence and not to be blamed.

But it does not prevent him from sticking to his own principles of conduct.

"Alright! Fellow Daoist Li, let's discuss the details of our cooperation."

Shen Xuan asked Qi Wanqing to leave the secret room.

He and Li Ruyi talked for more than an hour, outlining the basic framework of their cooperation.

In short.

Shen Xuan is responsible for collecting the medicinal materials, while Li Ruyi is responsible for refining the pills.

Once the pills are refined, they will split the earnings equally.

Li Ruyi does not need the Purifying Foundation Pill and will sell it to Shen Xuan at a certain price.

Shen Xuan will help her convert it into Nether Cultivation Spiritual Objects.

The difference in price can be recorded for accounting purposes.

Unless absolutely necessary, Li Ruyi would not reveal herself before others, nor participate in Shen Xuan's magical combats with others.

On this point, Li Ruyi was very satisfied.

Following Qi Wanqing, she would occasionally have to appear in battles.

Each time it would consume a lot of her Nether Power.

In fact, it was disadvantageous for her cultivation.

However, Li Ruyi had no choice.

If she did not intervene, Qi Wanqing would not know how many times she would have fallen.

It is not that Qi Wanqing does not work hard.

But she simply lacks the strength.

This is also why she has always wanted to cooperate with Shen Xuan.

Even a master-servant soul contract, she would be willing to accept.

Because, after condensing the Soul Pill, with strong soul power, she could terminate the master-servant soul contract.

She could also turn against the original master and regain her freedom.

Shen Xuan is unaware of this.

He simply feels there is no need to form a contract with a Nether Cultivator.

As it might affect his fortune.

In terms of cooperation.

Without the karma of Li Ruyi's past life, it's actually a very good option.

After all, she is a Tier Two High-grade Pill Master.

As long as there are enough resources, she can continuously refine Tier Two High-grade Spirit Pills for him.

The key is the Purifying Foundation Pill.

This is a Top-grade Spirit Pill that even the Cyan Cloud Sect does not have!

Throughout Song Country, no one except the top Pill Masters of Medicine God Valley knows how to refine it.

Shen Xuan inquired about it.

The price of a Purifying Foundation Pill is absurdly high.

One pill costs three thousand Spirit Stones.

If consumed every ten days, it would cost more than a hundred thousand Spirit Stones every year.

Even the direct disciples of a Golden Core True Master can't afford it!

After they settled the matter, Li Ruyi returned to the Soul Nourishing Wood.

Shen Xuan, taking her with him, returned to Cyan Yang Prefecture.

This time, his trip was bountiful.

He reconnected with old friends.

Collected ten portions of Water Demon Essence Blood.

And also secured the strong support of a Tier Two High-grade Pill Master.

Though regrettably, she's a Nether Cultivator.

…

A year and a half later.

Feiyun Mountain, Rain Listening Pavilion.

In the practice room, Shen Xuan slowly concluded his practice.

This time, his retreat was more effective than the last.

His flesh body, spiritual power, divine soul, and divine sense all continue to improve.

Getting closer and closer to the peak of the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment.

Among the ten portions of Water Demon Essence Blood he obtained last time.

Three were used as raw materials for Poison Talismans.

Six were gradually refined by him.

As he anticipated.

The quality of the essence blood was too poor, unable to provide new bloodline talents.

Even the existing skill level improvement was very limited.

As for enhancing the Spirit Root talent, that was out of the question.

Its greatest function was to accumulate Dao Rhyme Points.

[Dao Rhyme: 12688]

It seems like a lot.

But in fact, a complete portion of Water Demon Essence Blood only provides a little over a thousand Dao Rhyme Points.

Once he advances to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, it certainly won't be enough.

Skills like [Devouring All Things], [Sharp Teeth and Fangs], [Vigorous Shock], which can still be improved, don't require Dao Rhyme Points.

Skills like [Ice Soul Spirit Body] and [Absolute Thunder Dao Body] can be gradually cultivated after achieving Great Success.

However, primary techniques like [Thunder God's Fury], [Ice Soul Cold Water Technique], and [Immortal-Slaying Water Qi Technique], progress too slowly through personal cultivation.

Especially [Immortal-Slaying Water Qi Technique].

With the greatest power, it's also the slowest to cultivate.

After Shen Xuan breaks through to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, he needs to prioritize allocating points to [Immortal-Slaying Water Qi Technique].

To promote [Immortal-Slaying Water Qi Technique] to Great Success, over ten thousand Dao Rhyme Points are certainly not enough.

Shen Xuan's gaze turned to the last portion of essence blood in front of him.

It was the essence blood of the Giant-Eyed Strange Shrimp.

"I hope it can bring some surprises!"