Chapter 163: Stepping onto the Immortal Path [Two Chapters Combined, Requesting Monthly Tickets]

"Just ten or so days—I'm sure they can wait." Xia Daoming said coolly.

"Ten or so days?" Lu Lu Jinglong frowned in confusion.

"I have two kinds of healing elixirs here that should help you recover faster." Xia Daoming smiled faintly as Lu Lu Jinglong stared, two vials appearing in his hand.

"Zi Qi Huan Hun Dan! Yu Ge Ning Lu Dan!" Lu Lu Jinglong, having lived long and seen much, instantly recognized the two elixirs and exclaimed in shock.

"Since you recognize them, no need for me to explain further." Xia Daoming glanced at Lu Lu Jinglong with mild surprise, then spoke calmly.

Both healing elixirs had been looted from the storage rings of Foundation Establishment sect cultivators.

Because Lu Lu Jinglong was severely wounded, Xia Daoming had specifically researched healing elixirs during his time at the Yan Yang Ridge marketplace.

Among them were Zi Qi Huan Hun Dan and Yu Ge Ning Lu Dan.

According to the shopkeeper's boasts, these two elixirs could nearly resurrect the dead and regrow flesh for mortals; even a Foundation Establishment cultivator suffering grave injuries could recover quickly after taking one or two.

Of course, the price was exorbitant—one pill cost one hundred and fifty spirit stones.

At the time, Xia Daoming was short on funds, and he figured it would merely shorten Lu Lu Jinglong's recovery period—he simply couldn't bring himself to spend them.

Then, four sect cultivators had suddenly appeared, and he'd ended up acquiring several pills for free.

Now, with the Lu family under pressure and Lu Lu Jinglong needing to recover further to take the Foundation Establishment pill, Xia Daoming had no hesitation in giving them to him.

"Thank you, Young Master. With these two elixirs, eight or ten days will surely suffice. But these pills are extremely expensive—no merchants on Wanluo Xianshan sell them."

"When I asked you to help me procure them in Qingzhou, I never imagined those people would be so impatient. I thought my injury would heal naturally through the breakthrough of Foundation Establishment, so I didn't want to waste spirit stones and never asked you to buy them for me."

"Yet you remembered this matter, bought them for me—so now I needn't trouble you. Once I successfully establish my Foundation, I'll make the Lu family's name ring loud and clear."

After his initial shock, Lu Lu Jinglong bowed deeply to Xia Daoming, face glowing with gratitude.

Xia Daoming smiled vaguely, handed the two healing elixirs to Lu Lu Jinglong, and offered no further explanation.

—

Lingdao Sect, Luo Li's Elder's residence.

Luo Li had a gaunt face, narrow eyes, and a small goatee, appearing as a cold and ruthless Foundation Establishment cultivator.

His actual age was eighty-seven, yet he looked no older than fifty.

At this moment, Luo Li sat leaning back in a wicker chair, eyes half-closed, fingers lightly tapping the armrest.

Behind him, a young woman dressed in fiery red robes gently massaged his shoulders.

Before him stood his second disciple, Wei Wei Shusheng.

"Has Lu Lu Jinglong given any indication yet?" Luo Li asked coolly.

"No, Master," Wei Wei Shusheng replied respectfully.

"When you visited him that day, did you make your meaning clear?" Luo Li asked.

"I made it clear, but the old man pretended not to understand and gave no response," Wei Wei Shusheng replied.

"That's normal. The Lu family paid a heavy price to seize Cold Star Valley, and their entire future hinges on it—how could he willingly give it up?" Luo Li said.

"Hmph, he doesn't get to choose! That's the resource I've earmarked for my future Foundation Establishment," said the woman in red behind Luo Li.

Luo Li ignored the red-clad woman and continued: "When you visited him that day, how did he appear?"

"His injuries have healed about fifty to sixty percent, but full recovery is impossible. His vital energy is dimming—he'll die sooner than expected, but he'll likely last three to five more years," Wei Wei Shusheng replied.

"Three to five years? Grandfather can't wait that long! I say we go straight to his door and force him to hand over Cold Star Valley. With the Lu family's current state, he won't dare object," the red-clad woman said.

"The northern part of Wanluo Xianshan isn't just our Lingdao Sect—we have the Xie and Meng families, and there are many more Foundation Establishment factions overall."

"We can't just seize anyone's territory at will—if we did, who would ever ally with Lingdao Sect? They'd all flee to the Xie or Meng families or other Foundation Establishment powers."

"Even within Lingdao Sect, we're not the only Foundation Establishment cultivator. Do you think the Sect Master and Che Elder don't covet the Lu family's Cold Star Valley? They simply haven't interfered because the Lu family has always followed my line."

"If the Lu family hadn't been crippled—especially with Lu Lu Jinglong so gravely wounded and his lifespan cut short—Grandfather wouldn't even have entertained this thought. After all, the Cold Star Valley's annual income still gives me a share."

"But that share? How many years would it take to accumulate enough for my Foundation Establishment? I don't care—I need you to secure Cold Star Valley for me soon. I'm already at Qi Refining eighth layer; I'll reach ninth soon. I must start preparing for Foundation Establishment."

The red-clad woman was Luo Li's granddaughter, Luo Ying.

Luo Li had two sons and many grandchildren.

He was indeed blessed with a large family.

Unfortunately, most had abysmal cultivation talent; despite spending countless spirit stones and herbs, he'd barely lifted a few relatives.

The only truly outstanding one was this granddaughter, Luo Ying.

At only twenty-four, she'd already reached Qi Refining eighth layer.

Of course, Luo Ying's rapid progress wasn't just due to talent—much of it came from having a Foundation Establishment grandfather.

Since childhood, she'd been guided by masters and never lacked for spirit rice or medicinal herbs.

But Foundation Establishment required enormous resources, and with Luo Ying's talent, one Foundation Establishment pill stood little chance of success—she'd likely need a second, even third or fifth attempt, and still might fail.

Even as a Lingdao Sect Elder and Foundation Establishment cultivator, Luo Li was a landlord with no surplus grain to spare for his granddaughter's Foundation Establishment resources.

Moreover, Luo Li himself was striving toward Foundation Establishment mid-stage.

So Luo Ying knew clearly: to achieve Foundation Establishment, she'd have to find her own way to earn spirit stones—she couldn't rely solely on her grandfather.

Just then, the Lu family's bitter struggle with the Yan family over Cold Star Valley had left them crippled—giving Luo Ying her chance. She'd begged Luo Li to help her seize the valley as her starting resource.

"Here's what we'll do, Wei Shusheng: continue visiting Lu Lu Jinglong under the guise of concern, and take Luo Ying with you to Jin Jin Guifeng. Lu Lu Jinglong has lived over a hundred years—he'll understand my meaning when he sees Luo Ying accompanying you."

"If Lu Lu Jinglong is reasonable, there's no need to drive him to the brink. You may tell him plainly: we'll leave the Lu family two-tenths."

"But if he still pretends ignorance, don't blame me for being ruthless. You may spread word to those who hold grudges against the Lu family, those eager to kick a man when he's down or seize the opportunity to plunder."

As Luo Li spoke the final words, his tapping fingers suddenly stopped, his half-closed eyes flashing a cold, cruel gleam.

He then slowly closed his eyes and waved his hand toward Luo Ying and Wei Wei Shusheng behind him.

"Thank you, Grandfather!"

"Yes, Master!"

Luo Ying and Wei Wei Shusheng bowed deeply, faces alight with satisfaction, and departed.

Luo Ying hoped Lu Lu Jinglong would cooperate—then she could take possession of Cold Star Valley without trouble.

Wei Wei Shusheng, however, hoped Lu Lu Jinglong would refuse—then he could secretly mobilize his allies to prepare for plunder.

After all, his master had given permission—if things escalated, his master would bear the blame; he only needed to profit quietly.

If Lu Lu Jinglong cooperated and Luo Ying took Cold Star Valley smoothly, Wei Wei Shusheng would gain nothing.

The next day, Luo Ying and Wei Wei Shusheng left the sect and visited Jin Jin Guifeng.

That day, Xia Daoming sat on a massive boulder at the cliff's edge, watching clouds drift within arm's reach, feeling gloomy.

Since returning and giving Lu Lu Jinglong the two Foundation Establishment pills and two healing elixirs, Xia Daoming had returned to Lingyun Lodge to consume the Tong Ling Xiao Xuan Guo, attempting to activate the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.

Yet today, after consuming his third Tong Ling Xiao Xuan Guo, the Eight Extraordinary Meridians remained sealed—no sign of opening.

"Am I too old? Or is my spiritual root so poor I have no cultivation talent at all?" Xia Daoming dangled his legs in midair, eyes absentmindedly watching mist slip through his fingers.

Xia Daoming didn't care about the Tong Ling Xiao Xuan Guo.

Eat more? Fine—he could just buy more with spirit stones.

He didn't mind starting late—he could spend every day meditating with spirit stones and crush himself with elixirs and herbs.

Even if his spiritual root was poor, he wasn't worried.

His martial path had already reached Grandmaster level; once his meridians were further strengthened, his combat power could rival late Foundation Establishment—or even surpass it.

For his cultivation path, this was a powerful golden key—granting him resources others could never obtain.

And if one day he entered the Qing Yuan Inner Sect and uncovered the Dao beyond Grandmaster, it would be even greater.

So now, what Xia Daoming feared most was that his spiritual root was truly abysmal—hopeless, useless, or worse, that he had zero cultivation talent, cutting off his path entirely.

That would be a problem.

"Old Lu once said there's a saying in the cultivation world: after thirty, even with a Qi-Opening Pill, it's nearly impossible to awaken spiritual roots."

"I'm nearly twenty-seven—on the verge of thirty—and three Tong Ling Xiao Xuan Guo have done nothing. It must be the age—yes, it's the age!"

Xia Daoming gave himself a pep talk and decided to consume another Tong Ling Xiao Xuan Guo that night.

"Master!" At that moment, Lu Lu Ziying hurried over.

"What's wrong? What happened?" Xia Daoming turned, frowning at Lu Lu Ziying's hurried, troubled expression.

"Luo Li's second disciple, Wei Wei Shusheng, and his granddaughter Luo Ying have come to visit the Clan Chief. But the Clan Chief is in seclusion and cannot receive guests."

"Then just tell them the situation," Xia Daoming said.

"But their intentions are hostile. Clan Elder Lu Sanxia believes if the Clan Chief doesn't see them, trouble will follow. She's currently calming and entertaining them while sending me to seek your advice," Lu Lu Ziying explained, her face tinged with worry and frustration.

"Hmph, hostile intentions?" Xia Daoming's mood was already foul—he raised his eyebrows, eyes flashing cold light. "Who cares if they're hostile? Go tell Clan Elder Lu Sanxia: the Clan Chief is in seclusion and cannot receive guests. Let them believe it or not."

"Master, really? Can we reply like that?" Lu Lu Ziying asked cautiously.

"You said they're hostile. If they're hostile, then Lingdao Sect has delivered their final ultimatum. The Lu family now has only two choices: surrender Cold Star Valley willingly, or tear up the peace and die resisting," Xia Daoming said calmly.

"So Master means we should tear up the peace!" Lu Lu Ziying's heart jolted.

"What, don't you trust your Master?" Xia Daoming glanced at her, a faint, knowing smile on his lips.

"I do! I trust you more than anyone in this life!" Lu Lu Ziying blurted out.

"Then go, quickly!" Xia Daoming waved his hand.

"Yes, Master!" Lu Lu Ziying replied, then walked off, face glowing with excitement.

Xunxian Cliff, Lu family guest hall.

Luo Ying, clad in fiery red, grew colder by the moment.

"The Lu Clan Chief must have quite the arrogance," Wei Wei Shusheng said, legs crossed, a cold smirk on his lips. "It's been this long—if he truly had pressing matters, surely they'd be finished by now."

"How could that be? The Clan Chief is in a critical phase of healing seclusion—we dare not disturb him. I've already sent someone to inquire—if he can see you, he will," Lu Lu Sanxia replied, suppressing her fury with careful politeness.

"Then we'll wait a little longer," Luo Ying said, icy and haughty.

"Thank you for your patience, Miss Luo and Brother Wei. Please, have some tea," Lu Lu Sanxia said with a forced smile.

Luo Ying and Wei Wei Shusheng smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying, and no one touched the tea cups.

At that moment, Lu Lu Ziying's towering, massive figure appeared at the door.

"Elder, the Clan Chief is in seclusion and cannot receive guests. He asks you to kindly entertain Miss Luo Ying and Elder Wei, and to convey his gratitude for their visit." Lu Lu Ziying stepped before Lu Lu Sanxia, speaking loudly in front of Luo Ying and Wei Wei Shusheng.

Luo Ying and Wei Wei Shusheng immediately changed expression, rose, and swept their sleeves aside before leaving.

"Miss Luo Ying, Elder Wei, are you leaving already? You haven't even drunk your tea!" Lu Lu Sanxia hurriedly stood up.

"Hmph. Lu Lu Jinglong has such a high opinion of himself—fine, we'll skip the tea. You Lu family can fend for yourselves!" Luo Ying said coldly.

"High opinion? Fend for yourselves? Didn't you come here out of concern for our Clan Chief's condition? Now he's in seclusion healing—how can you not show understanding? Unless… you didn't come to visit him at all, but for some other purpose?" Lu Lu Ziying asked, feigning confusion.

But Lu Lu Ziying's innocent question carried a mocking tone in Luo Ying and Wei Wei Shusheng's ears.

"Lu Lu Sanxia, who is this girl? How dare she speak to Miss Luo Ying like that? Seize her and teach her a lesson!" Wei Wei Shusheng's face darkened.

Lu Lu Sanxia's expression flickered, but she soon spoke firmly: "Elder Wei, don't forget this is the Lu family's Xunxian Cliff. It hardly falls to you to instruct me on how to discipline my own clan's youth!"

"Hah! Very good, Lu family!" Wei Wei Shusheng paused, then burst into laughter.

"I will report everything exactly as it happened to my grandfather!" Luo Ying smiled coldly, flicked her hand, and a small immortal boat appeared outside the hall. She and Wei Wei Shusheng leapt aboard and departed in grand style.

"Lu Ziying, you were reckless just now!" Lu Lu Sanxia watched the immortal boat vanish, her expression troubled.

"Luo Li's intentions are clear. Even if we were polite, the outcome would be the same. So why treat such bullies—who exploit power to seize what's not theirs—with courtesy?" Lu Lu Ziying said, her towering frame unconsciously radiating an aura of dominance.

"That's true, but they're connected to Luo Li… never mind. It's done now. What's Master Xia's stance?" Lu Lu Sanxia quickly shifted focus to Xia Daoming.

"Master's meaning is clear: no need for courtesy. Let's just tear off the mask outright!" Lu Lu Ziying said, her copper-bell eyes gleaming with anticipation and excitement.

As she had just blurted out, she now trusted Xia Daoming above all others.

Given Xia Daoming's naturally cautious and reserved nature, if he had spoken so firmly, Lu Lu Ziying had nothing to fear.

"Good!" Lu Lu Sanxia's heart instantly settled.

She, too, held strong confidence in Xia Daoming—just not as absolute as Lu Lu Ziying's.

The next day.

Xia Daoming's mood was again poor.

Last night, he consumed his fourth Tongling Tongxuan Xuanguo—and still had not opened the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.

Meanwhile, on the northern side of Wanluo Xianshan, many small factions and lone cultivators felt the opposite: they were all exhilarated.

That day, the number of people loitering outside Jingu Valley noticeably increased.

Rumors spread that Elder Luo Li had recently traveled abroad to visit friends.

Other rumors claimed Lu Lu Jinglong's injuries had suddenly worsened.

Still others said that within just half a month, the Hanxing Valley had unearthed twenty pieces of Anyou Ice Stone.

And whispers circulated that a Lu family youth had offended Miss Luo Ying.

When these rumors converged, those with sharp instincts quickly realized: this was a prime opportunity to plunder the Lu family's assets.

Of course, fixed resources like the Hanxing Valley could not be moved—and would ultimately fall to Lingdao Gate to claim.

Their target was the Lu family's portable wealth.

That day.

In a certain immortal liquor house in Shi Zhu Forest Market.

Seven cultivators of Qi Refining Ninth and Eighth Levels gathered in a private chamber, conspiring to attack and divide the Lu family's assets.

Deep night.

Xunxian Cliff, utterly silent.

Lingyun Lodge.

"No wonder no spiritual energy Pills were found in the markets around Wanluo Xianshan. A Tongxuan Tongxuan Xuanguo costs at least a thousand spirit stones—I've eaten four and still haven't opened the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. Which family here would be so insane as to spend such a fortune just to awaken a disciple?"

Xia Daoming sat cross-legged on a mat, staring at his last Tongxuan Tongxuan Xuanguo, a bitter smile touching his lips, his heart aching.

Even though he was now "wealthy," and spirit stones came easily, spending over a thousand each night so casually still hurt deeply.

But no matter how much it pained him, for the sake of his cultivation, Xia Daoming finally bit down hard.

The Tongxuan Tongxuan Xuanguo entered his belly like a cool, gentle stream flowing through his five viscera and six bowels, spreading a strangely familiar sensation throughout his body.

His blood and vigor seemed to grow purer; his five viscera and six bowels were nourished and cleansed, becoming more vibrant.

Even the progress of his meridian strengthening improved slightly.

These were the minor comforts Xia Daoming had gained from consuming the Tongxuan Tongxuan Xuanguo for four straight days.

But they were not what he truly wanted.

He wanted the opening of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.

"Huh!"

Just as Xia Daoming grew frustrated—today's sensation felt identical to the past few days, even weaker, as if the gentle stream had thinned—a faint cool current suddenly leaked from his limbs and bones, merging into today's "stream."

"Whoosh!"

Soon, the gentle stream became a raging torrent, crashing against cliffs and rocks.

"Boom!"

Xia Daoming seemed to hear the sound of a rock face collapsing.

Then he saw a mysterious space within his body burst open.

The torrent surged through the breach.

The Eight Extraordinary Meridians opened. The Lower Middle Dantian appeared.

Seeing the Eight Extraordinary Meridians and Lower Middle Dantian manifest,

Xia Daoming recalled a passage from the opening of the "Bimu Changqing Gong" secret scroll.

"Ordinary humans possess the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, all belonging to the yin spirit—closed and unopened. The Middle Dantian and Huangting remain hidden. Only cultivators, through their primordial true qi, can force them open and reveal them. Thereafter, drawing spiritual energy from heaven and earth into the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, gathering it in the Middle Dantian and Huangting—this is the Immortal Path."

The "torrent" surged into the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.

But that tiny torrent, once inside, seeped slowly into the meridians, then dried up like a river cut off, leaving only faint traces of moisture.

Xia Daoming felt no surprise.

The Tongling Tongxuan Xuanguo was only meant to awaken the meridians. To truly fill them with true qi and magic power, and gather it in the Middle Dantian, he must now cultivate diligently.

"Cultivate!"

Xia Daoming opened his eyes, then slowly closed them again.

He imagined himself a green pine seed fallen into the earth, drawing nourishment from heaven and earth.

"Bimu Changqing Gong" activated silently.

The spiritual energy drifting across Xunxian Cliff seemed drawn by an invisible force, gradually converging and flowing into Xia Daoming's body.

A child walking the Immortal Path

must first enter stillness and comprehend the technique, then calmly perceive the existence of his Eight Extraordinary Meridians, Middle Dantian, and spiritual energy in heaven and earth, before finally drawing energy into his body.

Only when he reaches this step does he truly enter the Immortal Path.

Otherwise, merely comprehending the technique and perceiving the meridians, Middle Dantian, and spiritual energy—without drawing it into the body to transform into true qi and magic power—is like moon reflected in water, flowers in a mirror, empty talk on paper, useless for self-strengthening.

Many children could not take this step.

Even those who eventually did often struggled for a long time before crossing this threshold.

But Xia Daoming, the moment he awakened, naturally crossed it.

Because his spiritual sense was already extremely strong.

PS: Today's chapter is still a combined two-chapter release. Thank you very much for your monthly tickets and subscriptions.

(End of Chapter)