Cultivating Immortality in Two Realms

Chapter 22 Flying Sword and Strange Flame

The ancient land of Shu.

Fang Qing, dressed in a blue robe, looked like a scion of a noble family going on a spring outing.

"Body-refining techniques, spiritual sense... these are difficult..."

He gazed at the blazing sun in the sky, feeling its blinding radiance, and suddenly sighed.

In the past few days, he had inquired a lot about the disciples of the Hundred Arts True Disciples and discovered that some of them were able to cultivate divine sense because of their special cultivation methods, some because they had fortuitously consumed some rare flowers and spiritual fruits, and some because they had encountered life-or-death crises and naturally broke through...

They might even fabricate lies to deceive people, emphasizing that there are no fixed rules.

And what about body-refining techniques?

"There are quite a few body-tempering techniques in the Heavenly Book Pavilion... The most famous one is the 'Black Water Dharma Body,' which is said to 'surging black water cleanses the world!' After mastering it, one can even withstand a second-tier demon beast with their own body! But it's too expensive to exchange for... Cultivation also requires many precious auxiliary materials."

Fang Qing's face darkened as he recalled Zeng Shu's words from the Heavenly Book Pavilion that day; "A poor wretch isn't worthy of body cultivation?"

"Well, although I'm not poor, it's true that one shouldn't flaunt their wealth..."

"I don't need to get bogged down in details. The ancient Shu realm has wondrous magical arts, while the Azure Sea Sect is rich in resources... I need to make good use of the advantages of both realms."

His main purpose in coming here was to earn contribution points so he could spend them on alchemy.

Besides that, I also collected some auxiliary cultivation techniques, such as body-refining methods...

……

Floating boat square.

The mountain peaks are towering, and the clouds are like floating boats.

"It's been...four years."

Stepping onto this place again, Fang Qing couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.

Back then, he was just a lowly cultivator in the early stages of Qi Refining. And now? He's finally reached the early stages of Qi Refining! Seems like there's not much difference...

Because spiritual creatures are scarce in the ancient Shu region, many markets are not always open, and there are even caravans like those in Biluo Market that travel along the waterways.

Therefore, if Fang Qing wants to make large transactions, he must pursue these markets.

"That old blind man... he is indeed quite skilled at physiognomy and fortune telling, and he has traveled to many places, so he is very knowledgeable. We could go and inquire about the auxiliary cultivation methods..."

He used the alias Fang Shui and was identified as having the aptitude for cultivating immortality in this place. The old blind man even gave him a book on Qi gathering techniques.

Now that he has become a Qi-cultivating cultivator and is coming to see the old blind man again, it seems like a kind of reincarnation.

"However, it's normal to reach the third level of Qi Conquest after four years of cultivation. If he knew that I immediately advanced to the third level after Qi Conquest, that would be abnormal... So, either tell him that I directly bought a 'Earth Spring Refining True Qi' back then, or use the Dao Life Pearl to hide two levels of cultivation..."

After thinking it over, Fang Qing decided to conceal his cultivation level.

With the Dao Life Pearl in hand, his concealed magical power was virtually flawless; even a Core Formation Ancestor couldn't see through it.

However, to say that one's "Earth Spring Tempering True Essence" was purchased would be too ostentatious.

Considering that he needed to ask the old blind man for information, it would be better to ask someone he knew, so he didn't bother to conceal his appearance.

He walked into the market, just about to look for the old blind man, when he suddenly heard a delighted voice: "Brother Fang Shui?"

"Um?"

Fang Qing looked over in confusion and saw a dashing young man, exuding a sharp aura that gave off a piercing feeling. He was immediately shocked: "Li Rulong...you...have you accepted the Dao?"

This heroic young man is none other than Li Rulong, the leader of the Seven Swords of Shu Mountain!

"Indeed... Back then, I was lucky enough to obtain a spiritual resource, entered the market, and discovered that I possessed the aptitude for cultivation... After much hardship and struggle, I absorbed true qi and entered the Dao..."

When Li Rulong spoke of the past, a hint of melancholy appeared on his face.

Behind him, Guo Tianhong also bowed respectfully.

Seeing Fang Qing's gaze, Li Rulong explained, "My seventh sister and I both have the aptitude for cultivation. Alas, it's just a pity about the second and sixth brothers..."

Liu Wansu, the second oldest of the Seven Swords of Shu Mountain, and Zhu Zhenheng, the sixth oldest, were both renowned young talents in Shu. However, their cultivation aptitude was entirely a matter of fate!

If you don't have the aptitude for cultivation, then you don't have it!

At least for now, Fang Qing has not found a way to make ordinary people suddenly gain talent.

"Talent for cultivating immortality is rare..."

Fang Qing sighed, but his heart was filled with doubt and uncertainty.

In his eyes, this female knight-errant Guo Tianhong also possessed spiritual brilliance and had clearly embraced the Dao!

"Haven't I been here these past few days? Has the true qi in the ancient Shu lands gone on a huge discount? How come entering the Dao is so easy now?"

He chatted with him for a few more minutes and learned that Li Rulong had also had his fortune told by the old blind man and was cultivating the [Kang Jin] technique!

"【Kangjin】is a weapon of swords and sabers, no wonder when I saw you, fellow Daoist, I felt a sharp aura rushing towards me..."

Fang Qing smiled, his tone sincere, and activated his talent for eloquence.

"Haha... I was lucky. After my life was cut short, I was planning to gather Qi for a few more years, but I unexpectedly found a celestial cave and obtained a 'Sword in White' there. This Qi is perfect for [Kang Jin]. I also have a flying sword and a sword technique. I usually love practicing swordsmanship. After a few years of exploration, I have entered the realm of Qi cultivation. Now I have reached the third level of Qi cultivation and accumulated some spiritual resources. I also bought a portion of true Qi for Seventh Sister..."

Li Rulong already knew Fang Qing, and at this moment he unknowingly talked a bit too much, until Guo Tianhong tugged at his sleeve, making him realize he had stopped talking and give an apologetic smile.

"Level three of Qi cultivation, or a sword cultivator?"

Fang Qing was speechless.

Although it took them four years to achieve that level, rather than something I accomplished overnight, the level is the same.

"And... a swordsman!"

In the ancient Shu region, metal and fire were prominent elements, and in the world, there were more spiritual beings with the virtues of metal and fire.

In the eyes of cultivators, the most powerful cultivator of the metal element is undoubtedly the sword cultivator!

With a flying sword in hand, he could break through all laws, making him the most dashing figure in this world!

Various famous swords were compiled into the Ten Great Flying Swords of the World, which were widely circulated and described in various biographies that Fang Qing read.

As for the Fire Virtue? It is the Fire-based cultivators who are revered.

This strange fire is a spiritual fire of heaven and earth. When a fire-elemental cultivator refines it into their body, it becomes incredibly powerful when unleashed in battle, completely overcoming water, wood, and earth elements...

There is also a list of Heavenly Spiritual Flames in the cultivation world. It is said that even the spiritual flames ranked at the bottom are first-class spiritual objects, which ordinary cultivators cannot even see.

"This Li Rulong, he's really hit the jackpot... Wait, could he be a chosen one like the protagonists in novels? Or just a lucky one for a short time?"

If Fang Qing hadn't been completely ignorant of the "Plum Blossom Divination," he would have been tempted to tell Li Rulong's fortune right now.

"His flying sword, though certainly not a famous one, is still incredibly valuable, far more precious than a few strands of true qi..."

Fang Qing had to admit that he had an urge to snatch the other person away.

But he quickly calmed down this impulse: 'I can't do that... I still have some bottom line. Besides... I have the Dao Life Pearl in my hands. As long as I proceed steadily, my future is bright. If I get used to taking risks, even if I make a fortune once or twice, can I make it ten or a hundred times? If I encounter even one fatal danger, I'm doomed... As long as I don't gamble, I'll never lose!'

Li Rulong inadvertently revealed his family's background, and his expression turned somewhat off. In addition, his sworn sister next to him was giving him meaningful glances. After exchanging a few words with Fang Qing, he hurriedly took his leave.

"This guy is bound to be in trouble... It's best to avoid associating with him."

Fang Qing politely said goodbye and turned into a herbal medicine shop.

"Fellow Daoist, welcome to our shop. May I ask what kind of spiritual herbs you wish to purchase?"

A cultivator who looked like a waiter immediately came forward.

Fang Qing sensed that although this person possessed some magical power, the quality of that power was mixed, and he was probably someone who had entered the Dao by consuming third-order true qi.

Do you have any 'Mysterious Green Ginseng'?

Fang Qing asked.

The so-called "Mysterious Jade Ginseng" is another name for "Jade Qi Ginseng" here, and "Jade Qi Ginseng" is the main ingredient for refining "Ginseng Green Spirit Water".

If the cost here is lower, then the price of all the materials for the pill formula can be driven down, and then large quantities can be refined to gain pill refining experience and cultivation.

"Well... that depends on what you have to exchange for, fellow cultivator. Generally speaking, it's fifty catties of spirit grain for one ten-year-old 'Mysterious Jade Ginseng'!"

The waiter quickly answered.

"Using spirit rice as a general equivalent? That's not bad."

Fang Qing did the math and realized that the prices here were higher than at Bihaimen, but he happened to have some unwanted items that he could sell here.

He tossed out a bottle of pills, the very same 'Blood Pills' he'd seized during the last raid on the cultivators: "How are these pills?"

"This is... a pill to enhance magical power?"

The waiter uncorked the bottle, sniffed it, and his eyes immediately lit up. He quickly looked around and lowered his voice, "If you want to exchange it here, you can get five 'Mysterious Jade Ginseng's. If you exchange it with me, you can get six..."

"Is this considered...a private transaction?"

Fang Qing chuckled to himself. Sure enough, everyone has their own selfish desires, and no place is immune to them.

Such pills that enhance magical power may have an even more immediate effect on cultivators with mixed magical power.

"I don't care, as long as you can get more Xuanbi Ginseng, I'll trade."

Fang Qing's words were pointed and meaningful.

A moment later, he walked out of the herbal shop and patted the storage bag at his waist with satisfaction.

"In both worlds, there are many spiritual herbs that, although named differently, are actually the same..."

"In that case, perhaps we could collect some pill formulas from here and try refining them over there?"

"Or... could we find the extinct main ingredients for some pill formulas on Jade Island here, since those ingredients are no longer available?"

The more Fang Qing thought about it, the more she felt that her family had great potential.

Compared to the profits from trade between the two worlds, even if Li Rulong were to get incredibly lucky and acquire a flying sword, it would be nothing special!

……

At the old blind man's stall.

Fang Qing sat down, and the old blind man opposite him was taken aback for a moment, then smiled, revealing a set of broken yellow teeth: "Unbelievable... This old blind man has been reading fortunes and judging fates for so many years, and has predicted quite a few people destined to cultivate immortality, but in the end, very few have truly accepted their fate and entered the Dao. Yet today, I've seen two of them..."

"Old sir...you're not blind, are you?"

Fang Qing sighed and placed a skinned and scaled spirit fish on the stall table.

"We cultivators judge people by their 'qi'. Fellow Daoist, your [Ji Shui] magic power is much easier for this old blind man to discern than beauty or ugliness..."

The old blind man stared at Fang Qing with his two dark, hollow eyes, and said meaningfully.