Chapter 52: with translation of chapter title

"According to this calculation, if I achieve Foundation Establishment, my lifespan will likely directly break through the five-hundred-year mark!"

Yao Shou Shijie, Huanhu Dao

Yunhe lay on the sunbathing platform, enjoying the warm sunshine

One claw held a chunk of Jingying Meat emitting a strange fragrance, while the other claw played with an irregular piece of Spirit Stone

Five hundred years — that's the lifespan only a human Golden Core Stage expert can possess

"In other words, the Cultivator Body, currently twenty-seven years old, is equivalent to a thirteen-year-old ordinary cultivator"

Too young

Moreover, this is merely based on the premise that the Demon Beast Body is currently at the First Stage Late cultivation level

Yunhe believes that if the Demon Beast Body successfully breaks through to the Second Stage, the increase will certainly be more than just a hundred years of lifespan

Generally, a demon beast's lifespan is three times or more that of a human cultivator of the same realm

And his Demon Beast Body is, among all demon beasts, the turtle with the relatively longest lifespan

The higher the cultivation base, the greater the lifespan gap

It increases in a step-like manner

"It seems not only lifespan, but the growth of Spirit Sense also feels a bit beyond normal"

Just as the two bodies cultivate together, each breakthrough in Spirit Sense and Demon Sense from the two bodies accumulates together; it would be strange if it did not exceed the norm

Yunhe scratched his chin twice

I don't know why, but I keep feeling that my chin has been itchy lately, as if something is about to grow out

"Huh——"

He exhaled the breath that had settled in his lungs for an unknown amount of time

Along with it seemed to float out some barely visible black threads, finer than a hair, almost indistinguishable to the naked eye

Yunhe instantly felt refreshed and invigorated, his whole body seeming to have improved

Immediately after, its mouth opened slightly, and a ball of water larger than a fist, shimmering with iridescent hues in the sunlight, floated out

Three Yang Heavy Water!

"Three Yang Heavy Water: the first Yang dispels impurities, the second Yang hones the demon body, the third Yang condenses demon sense. For this body, given the current cultivation stage, the impurities that can be expelled have basically been cleared; thereafter, the main effort should be placed on tempering the body"

The three Yangs do not act sequentially, but work together

According to Yunhe's estimate, the Demon Beast Body's current First Stage Late cultivation means its body should not be weaker than that of some ordinary demon beasts at the peak of First Stage Late

"According to the 'Reliance on Mountain' chapter of the 'Carrying Mountain Manual,' the Three Yang Heavy Water is not considered fully refined just after the smelting is completed. As cultivation advances, the demon body strengthens, and more Three Yang Water is collected, repeated complex smelting must be carried out without interruption"

"Quantitative change brings qualitative change; three smeltings achieve minor completion, six smeltings achieve major completion, as for nine smeltings, the 'Carrying Mountain Manual' is incomplete and does not describe it"

Therefore, his current "Three Yang Heavy Water" can only be considered an entry-level stage

The Cultivator Body is the same

Yunhe has already noticed

As his cultivation base increases, his advantage of possessing two bodies gradually grows

Not just lifespan

With two bodies, the sense of obstruction he feels when shuttling between them keeps diminishing

In the future, if both bodies can remain conscious simultaneously, it would mean he gains double the cultivation benefits, gains, experience, and so on

After checking his own condition, Yunhe turned his attention back to the meat chunk

This meat chunk is from the flesh of a Second-tier Beast, the Red-backed Arrow-winged Falcon

When the Cultivator Body holds it, the feeling is not obvious, but when the Demon Beast Body holds the meat chunk, saliva is secreted uncontrollably, and that faint fragrance is extremely tempting

"With the two bodies respectively breaking through the Qi Refining Late Stage and the First Stage Late, the amount that can be transferred has indeed become greater, and they can also possess more Spiritual Power"

This piece of meat, Yunhe feels, has not yet reached the limit of what the two bodies can currently "transfer"

"Surely, one must break through a larger bottleneck for the changes to be greater"

The thought ends here

He tossed the meat into his mouth in one gulp

He quickly and swiftly digested it using the "Source Refining Method"

Soon, Yunhe felt a warmth rising in his abdomen

Then a surge of Spiritual Energy flowed through the meridians into his limbs and bones

However, these wandering Spiritual Energies, under the guidance of a strong demonic force, began to circulate in a special route within the body, forming a heavenly circuit

For a long time

Yunhe opened his eyes, revealing a look of delight

"As expected of a Second-tier Beast! The Spiritual Energy contained in the essence of its body is more extravagant than that of an entire First Stage Middle Beast, and can fully rival the effect of elixirs"

Of course, a large part of this is also due to the "Source Refining Method"

But no matter how you say it, such benefits are obvious for that Second-tier Beast as well

"The essence part is fed to the Demon Beast Body to enhance cultivation. The parts with relatively less Spiritual Energy can be given to the Cultivator Body to temper the physique. They can also be fed to the Red Pattern Spirit Bee to cultivate a new swarm"

He formulated a plan to maximize profits

"As for the most precious part, we still need to find a way to use it for forging"

The most precious part of the corpse of a Second-tier Beast, if all goes well, should be able to be refined into a Spiritual Artifact! Above Magical Artifacts are Spiritual Artifacts

It is an instrument used by great cultivators of the Foundation Establishment stage

"However, we must find a way to avoid the Ma Family; otherwise, our previous discussion with Ma Boyuan would be overturned"

Moreover, I'm afraid the refiners capable of forging Spiritual Artifacts are only found in the Qingzong Sect within Qingshan City

When forging the "Black Scorpion Shield", the old man with surname Ran did not accept his Spirit Stones, because he knew his own lifespan was limited and he had nothing left to seek

This time looking for an artifact refiner to refine a Spiritual Artifact, I'm afraid it will cost a fortune.

He currently has fewer than twenty Low-grade Ling Stones on him, and even the red-pattern spirit honey he's accumulated over three years in Hongye City isn't much; to save up to hire an artifact refiner capable of refining Spiritual Artifacts would take a long time.

"Fortunately, I have nothing else but plenty of time."

"Even if he just waits, he could outlast two generations of Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators."

"Indeed, in the world of cultivation, the best and safest way to deal with an enemy is to wear him down—glug glug—slowly sinking into the water."

The cool lake water didn't even cover the turtle's back.

Gazing toward the direction of the lake, Yunhe's gaze gradually grew solemn.

Originally, from the Black Fish he learned that it had picked up the Tuo Shan Giant Ao Skull and Spirit Stones from that direction, so Yunhe prepared to try exploring there.

When the Cultivator Body was in Hongye City, it closed off for a period of time, just so the Demon Beast Body could explore better.

However, at that time the Demon Beast Body with mid-stage First Stage cultivation, having achieved minor success in the Turtle Breath Body Forging Technique and Earth Escape Technique, and having just completed the refinement of the Three Yang Heavy Water, set off full of confidence.

Yet it was blocked by several First Stage Late demon beasts.

In the end, he returned defeated.

But now, its demonic power has also reached First Stage Late.

Its magical arts and such have also improved considerably, so it prepares to explore again.

"But before that, we still need to wait for the Cultivator Body to finish its trivial matters, stabilize completely, then close off for a few days before the Demon Beast Body can explore with peace of mind."

He had a premonition.

The place that hides the Tuo Shan Giant Ao Skull and Spirit Stones, if he could really find it, he should be able to obtain great benefits.

This premonition grows stronger with his cultivation breakthrough.

"We still need to make more preparations. Now the things that can be 'transmitted' contain more spiritual energy; maybe we can send over some talismans, though not treasure-grade talismans—if we could send over a few magical artifacts, that would be good."

Qingshan City.

A long mountain road stretched out before Yunhe and Qian Dajiang.

The steps were several zhang wide, jade-colored, layered upon layered, almost endless, leading to that misty, ethereal unknown land.

This mountain road is precisely the path to the greatest sect of the Qingyu Domain, the Qingzong Sect.

On the side of the mountain road, a huge and towering stone bore three splendid characters—Lian Xin Lu!

Looking up, one could see many cultivators ascending the steps, some with solemn faces, some with brows flying in joy, some with faces full of worry—all the myriad aspects of life.

"This is the Qingzong Sect's Lian Xin Lu; it is said that a Golden Core Great Expert of the sect once set up a formation on this mountain road to test all who ascend the mountain—those who pass the Lian Xin Lu may directly enter the mountain gate, regardless of talent or spiritual roots."

Qian Dajiang seemed quite familiar with this, explaining excitedly.

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Yunhe raised an eyebrow.

"Then are all these cultivators here to join the Qingzong Sect?"

But Qian Dajiang flicked his dust whisk, clicked his tongue, and sighed:

"It's a shame the formation ultimately can't withstand the erosion of time; nowadays the Lian Xin Lu has long lost its original function, and the Qingzong Sect hasn't recruited any disciples via this road for hundreds of years."

"Then what about them?"

Yunhe looked at the travelers on the mountain road.

Qian Dajiang sneered contemptuously.

"There are always some people who consider themselves extraordinary, believing they are heaven's chosen; just because others can't do something doesn't mean they can't—like the protagonists in storybooks, wherever they go becomes their fortune."

Listening to his undisguised mockery, Yunhe was speechless.

"Who among those who become cultivators hasn't experienced some strange encounter or coincidence?"

He let out another light sigh, adopting a solemn demeanor, indeed bearing a touch of immortal wind and dao bones, and spoke in a deep voice: "Who knows, in this world, only qi—where does fortune come from?"

Yunhe couldn't help but glance sideways.

That fat Daoist, Qian Dajiang, after just a couple of breaths, returned to his original self, laughing: "These are the words left by my master-ancestor."

Yunhe: "."

The two walked up the steps.

"In this world, only qi—where does fortune come from?"

Yunhe silently recited Qian Dajiang's words in his heart, feeling they were quite profound.

When halfway up, Yunhe suddenly felt dazed, as if many images flashed through his mind, like a dream.

But it was merely like a dream, far from the so-called 'refining the heart' effect.

This made him feel that the group of cultivators on the road just now might all be pretending.

Qian Dajiang remained dazed a bit longer, but soon woke up as well.

After exchanging a glance, they continued upward.

They arrived at the mountainside.

A huge, towering stone archway with three gates and four pillars stood erect.

Upon it, the three characters 'Qingzong Sect' bore great charm.

"Fellow cultivators, please halt."

At that moment, a cultivator dressed in Qingzong Sect disciple robes, with a sword at his waist and hair bound three feet, slender in appearance, blocked their path.

Going further up would be the inner territory of the Qingzong Sect; Yunhe and the two of them sensibly stopped their steps.

"Fellow cultivators, we two have been entrusted to come looking for the Disciple of the Artifact Pavilion, Ran Lingyao."

Qian Dajiang stepped forward, bowed, and handed over a Jade Token representing his identity.

The Qingzong Sect cultivator took the Jade Token, glanced at it, confirmed it was a token only sect disciples' kin could hold, said nothing more, nodded, and said: "Please wait a moment."

Saying that, he flipped his palm, and a snow-white feather appeared in his hand, faintly exuding spirituality.

Just then he pinched a seal, infused Spiritual Power, and with a light flick of his finger, the feather flew on its own into the mountain.

Yunhe suddenly thought of something, took out an exquisite silk pouch from his bosom, and handed it to Qian Dajiang.

Huh?

"Qian Dajiang, later you will hand over Daoist Ran's item to Daoist Ran Lingyao." Yunhe said.

"Why?"

Yunhe pressed his lips, shook his head, and said nothing.

Could it be that he is supposed to speak to Qian Dajiang?

What if Ran Lingyao is graceful and handsome, with outstanding talent, and has many admirers within the Qingzong Sect—wouldn't interacting with him more easily provoke the hostility of some narrow-minded people? (End of chapter)