Chapter 760

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Xu Zhangqing

Tai Xu Lie Yuan, San Yuan Mi Luo Tian.

At the Outer Perimeter market, Xu Zixiao was guarding his own shop.

The shelves held several dozen varieties of Top-grade Spirit Rice; in this place where Spiritual Energy was mixed and resources scarce, they counted as rare goods.

"Shopkeeper, two hundred catties of Cui Ling Rice again!"

"Out of Long Marrow Crystal, I'll trade this piece of Zi Blood Ore Stone for it!"

"Right, if you need anything, you can hire us!"

Several cultivators entered the shop; because it wasn't their first time, they were quite familiar.

Xu Zixiao took the ore they handed over, confirmed there was no problem, tossed it into his Storage Bag, then handed out the Spirit Rice: "Deal, I'll look for you next time."

After the customers left, Xu Zixiao suddenly shut the door, then took out a jade box from his Storage Bag.

Upon opening it, inside lay one hundred twenty-seven Dark Gold Crystals — precisely Long Marrow Crystals.

Xu Zhangqing saw this through Vision Sharing, and a trace of Satisfaction flashed in his eyes: "By proportion, these Long Marrow Crystals are enough to forge fifty Xuan Yuan Golden Light Talismans."

He was thinking of sending this batch of Long Marrow Crystals back when, outside, a sudden violent trembling transmitted over.

Immediately after, rising and falling roars and miserable screams pierced the barrier and transmitted into the ears.

"What's going on?"

Xu Zhangqing froze for a moment, then issued an order: "Go outside and have a look."

At once, Xu Zixiao opened the door and walked out, soon reaching the boulevard.

He saw that the Outside World, filled with all manner of cold light, was now shrouded in a layer of strange dark red mist; the ground split open with countless cracks, and pitch-black tentacles drilled out from the cracks, frantically entwining cultivators who had no time to dodge.

Even more terrifying, evil gods a hundred zhang tall crawled out one after another.

Their numbers were several times the usual, madly assaulting the Defensive Array outside.

"It's the Corpse-Flipping Festival!"

"How did it come early?"

"Damn it, my Long Marrow Crystal reserves aren't much!"

The surrounding people discussed in a flurry, expressions all Solemn.

Xu Zhangqing couldn't help asking: "What is the Corpse-Flipping Festival?"

Xu Zixiao immediately explained: "Master, this is a festival unique to Tai Xu Lie Yuan; it generally appears after eighty-one light-and-shadow alternations, but this time it seems to have come early.

Apart from the Four Safe Zones, the entire Lie Yuan will undergo earth-shaking changes.

Monsters hidden in the earth's bottom will awaken, resources will be replaced with unknown supplies, even Heaven and Earth Spirit Qi will fall into disorder."

Xu Zhangqing frowned: "When the Corpse-Flipping Festival arrives, resources change and the environment changes too?"

The dark red mist, the hundred-zhang-tall evil gods, the wildly spreading pitch-black tentacles — this strange and ferocious scene made his pupils contract slightly.

At the same time he grew even more curious: just what kind of place is this Tai Xu Lie Yuan?

Not only does it have condensed Long Marrow Crystals, but also such strange periodic disturbances, as if hiding some secret unknown to men.

Moreover, Xu Zhangqing faintly felt that this Lie Yuan might perhaps have some connection with the Spiritual Mark Ancestor he controls, and even with the Xuan Yuan Golden Light Talismans.

Xu Zixiao's voice sounded again: "Master, the Corpse-Flipping Festival will last a period of time — maybe a few years, maybe a dozen or so years.

Only after the environment stabilizes can I continue exploring."

Xu Zhangqing replied: "No matter, I have no intention of letting you go out adventuring for the time being; we'll talk after the Corpse-Flipping Festival ends.

Also, keep an eye on the new resources; contact me anytime if anything comes up."

Xu Zixiao nodded forcefully: "Understood."

……

……

Ten years of time, gone in a flash.

Over ten years, the Spiritual Plants in the Special Cultivation Zone welcomed several bumper harvests.

Though the Spiritual Plant Quality couldn't reach Xianfeng Level, it wasn't bad either.

Xu Zhangqing's Lifespan increased again, smoothly breaking through two hundred thousand years.

Especially the Qing Emperor Longevity Art, employed with ever greater proficiency.

Linglong's cultivation bore fruit; she is already at Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

An'an, though young in years, has good talent, comprehension, and aptitude; she has now smoothly established her Foundation.

Zhu Rong no longer holds back; after many battles, he has not only made a name for himself but also ranks on the list, currently second only to Lei Yuan in first place.

Tai Bai is the same as ever, a far-and-wide renowned Forging Master, pursued by many.

Nü Tu is the most low-profile, always researching Arrays; in a small circle her Prestige is extremely high.

Fenglong's fame resounds in Longhu Xian Sect; he has smoothly become a True Disciple — resources, Cultivation Methods, spells, whatever he lacks is given.

The current Xu Zhangqing is already sixty-six years old.

Yet the years have left not a single trace on his face; he still looks middle-aged, his temperament ever more steady and reserved.

Ruo Qunshuang is also in her fifties; however, an Earth Grade Golden Core Stage Lifespan exceeds five hundred years, so in appearance there isn't much change.

The three disciples have already shed their youthful greenness.

Eldest Disciple Sun Shangxiang and Second Disciple Lin Feng are now both around forty years old.

Third Disciple Qingyao was not yet thirty, still carrying a few traces of a young girl's liveliness.

In the Guest Hall, Xu Zhangqing sat upright on the Main Seat, his fingertips lightly tapping the tabletop, his gaze falling on Sun Shangxiang and Lin Feng standing in attendance below.

The auras of these two were condensed and refined; they had already touched the bottleneck of Foundation Establishment Perfection, lacking only that final step to assault Golden Core.

After a long while, Xu Zhangqing opened his mouth: "Today, first is to ask about your conditions, second is to discuss the location for the breakthrough."

Sun Shangxiang and Lin Feng glanced at each other, simultaneously bowing in salute: "Everything depends on Teacher's arrangement."

Xu Zhangqing nodded slightly, raised his hand and waved, and the Du Jie Resources floated before the two: "As the saying goes, all who have not entered Golden Core are mere ants; breaking through to Golden Core is the first great hurdle on the path of cultivation.

External forces can only assist; whether you ultimately succeed depends on yourselves.

But whatever Teacher can do, I will surely exert my utmost."

The Breaking Barrier Pill can flush the meridians, clearing away obstacles of stagnant Spiritual Power.

The Heart-Protecting Pill: during the tribulation one's mind is easily disturbed; this pill can stabilize the Divine Soul, helping guard the Dao Heart.

The Vitality Pill contains pure and refined vitality of plants and trees; if injured during the tribulation, it can rapidly recover.

The Spirit Insect Armguard amplifies Spirit Insect combat power by three tenths.

The Protective Pendant automatically releases a Barrier upon encountering interference.

The Seven Color Spirit Insect Bag expands Spirit Insect capacity, and can rapidly recover Spirit Insect injuries and physical strength.

The Vitality Gauze Clothes defend against physical and magical impacts; because they are infused with Condensing Spirit Flower pollen, they can slowly recover mental power.

The Qingfeng Sword, its blade sharp as frost, can absorb Thunder Power to amplify Sword Qi.

The Sword Tassel is woven of jade silk, gathering Spiritual Power to amplify Sword Qi and stabilize the body during Sword Control.

The Sword Scabbard is engraved with multiple layers of Defensive Array Patterns, reducing tribulation force, protecting vital points, and steadying the Divine Soul.

The Qingwen Boots increase speed by three tenths, enhancing agility.

The Heart Protection Mirror guards the heart meridians and Qi Sea, able to withstand fatal damage head-on.

As for Spirit Talismans, those are even more exaggerated.

The Avoid Lightning Talisman weakens the power of the Thunder Tribulation.

The Diamond Talisman solidifies the Defense Barrier.

The Concentrate Spirit Talisman steadies the Divine Sense at all times.

The Xuan Yuan Golden Light Talisman — those who know, know.

Sun Shangxiang and Lin Feng's eyes were full of gratitude; they immediately bowed: "Thank you, Teacher, for your generous kindness!"

These resources, even for Core Disciples of the Immortal Sect, might not be possible to gather together.

Teacher assisting them with such full effort counts as giving them the greatest confidence.

Xu Zhangqing waved his hand, then continued: "Next is the choice of breakthrough location; Teacher has two directions, you listen and then speak your own thoughts."

Sun Shangxiang and Lin Feng immediately pricked up their ears, their eyes full of anticipation.

Xu Zhangqing raised his right index finger: "The first location, Qingmu Peak, one of the Seven Great Immortal Peaks.

Although Teacher is the Sengeng, I have no authority on the Immortal Peak.

But don't forget, your Grandmaster is the Peak Master; relying on this identity, Teacher can apply to let you break through on Qingmu Peak!"