Immortality Begins With Internal Breathing

In a bleak world of darkness, a massive rift floated in the void, continuously releasing and absorbing large amounts of demonic qi. The earth and space around the rift were covered with intricate formations and restrictions, but they still couldn't contain the demonic qi and yao will.

At this initial line of defense, the closest to the space-time node, only cultivators at the Golden Core level or higher dared to approach. Cultivators below the Golden Core realm would be overwhelmed by the demonic qi and yao will after just one day here. Lin Zheyu extended his sharp perception and carefully examined the void beyond the node.

Lin Zheyu pointed toward a nearby formation node. "Fellow Zong, you can guard that formation node. Once Senior Wang leaves, I'll take over the one he's guarding."

Formations and restrictions could operate on their own and unleash tremendous power even without a cultivator presiding over them. However, if the demon realm launched an invasion, the formations would be unable to exert their full power without cultivators stationed there.

Lin Zheyu and the others were stationed here mainly to guard the formation nodes and defend against a possible invasion from the demon realm. If the yao did not invade, there was little for them to do. Wang Zhengtian, for example, currently had his eyes closed and was immersed in cultivation.

Zong Linjing nodded. "All right."

The formation node guarded by Wang Zhengtian was very close to the node's rift, where one had to withstand much fiercer demonic qi and the corrosive influence of yao will. Zong Linjing knew that she was not as strong as Xiao Yu, so she did not overestimate herself and readily agreed. After glancing at Wang Zhengtian, who was cultivating while suspended in the void, she headed toward the distant formation node and silently sat down cross-legged.

Lin Zheyu gazed in Wang Zhengtian's direction and muttered inwardly, What kind of technique is Senior Wang cultivating? His aura is so strange. I really want to take a secret look with my Heavenly Eye!

However, he was a martial artist with principles. He felt no guilt whatsoever about spying on cultivators he did not know, but Wang Zhengtian was, after all, a senior of the Martial Alliance. Aside from his amorous nature and the many romantic entanglements he had left in his wake, both his character and reputation were quite good.

"Forget it. I'll be staying here for quite a while anyway. I can find an opportunity to discuss martial cultivation with Senior Wang later." Lin Zheyu shook his head slightly and abandoned the idea of spying on him.

Wang Zhengtian was said to enjoy guiding younger generations and was fond of teaching others. If Lin Zheyu discussed martial cultivation with him, he likely would not hold anything back.

***

Time passed slowly. A day went by, yet Wang Zhengtian remained immersed in cultivation. Lin Zheyu found a place to sit cross-legged, sent his spiritual sense into the Primordial Chaos Pool, and immersed himself in the tomes of Shamanic Dao knowledge contained within the bone talisman.

Lin Zheyu opened his eyes and slowly exhaled a long breath of turbid air.

"Sheesh... I'm starting to lose track of it again..." Lin Zheyu shook his head.

He had nearly completed digesting the insights from reforming his natal shamanic pattern. Unfortunately, his environment was unsuitable. Otherwise, Lin Zheyu would have continued using the Yao Transformation to dissolve and then reshape the pattern within his body. Repeated reformulation of his natal shamanic pattern would have allowed him to deepen his understanding and insight into shamanic patterns.

A gentle breeze swept past. Lin Zheyu regarded Wang Zhengtian with curiosity. Although he did not use his Heavenly Eye to peer at him, his powerful perception still allowed him to discern a great deal.

Several hours passed before Lin Zheyu suddenly detected faint traces of an unusual aura emanating from Wang Zhengtian.

"Senior Wang is still cultivating? The technique he cultivates bears a strong resemblance to an Immortal Dao technique. Is he cultivating both the Immortal and Martial Daos... But this aura... Hmm, is that a Gu?[1] Is he nourishing himself through a symbiotic Gu?" Lin Zheyu narrowed his eyes, somewhat surprised by his discovery.

Gu cultivators were another branch of immortal cultivators, specifically a minor offshoot of those who specialized in beast taming. Anyone who wished to follow the path of Gu cultivation had to select a suitable lifebound Gu. A Gu cultivator's strength and latent potential were closely tied to their Gu.

However, as the environment of the world underwent drastic changes, Gu either failed to adapt and died or adapted too well, becoming tainted by the aura of the demon realm and thus unsuitable for cultivators. Consequently, as time passed, Gu cultivators had all but vanished from the immortal cultivation world.

"An interesting approach, but it isn't suitable for me." Lin Zheyu shook his head and ceased paying attention to Wang Zhengtian.

In this desolate, dark void, there was precious little to do if one was not cultivating. Yet with the Primordial Chaos True Art in its current state, he could not cultivate it without using Origin Force. Attempting to do so would kill him. Fortunately, Wang Zhengtian did not keep Lin Zheyu waiting for long.

Wang Zhengtian opened his eyes, slowly descended to the ground, and said with a smile, "Ah, the Martial Alliance has finally sent someone. So it's Fellow Zong. It has been a long time, yet you remain as radiant as ever. And this fellow must be Xiao Yu, who has risen to fame of late. I have heard much about you."

Lin Zheyu cupped his hands in greeting. "I am Xiao Yu. Greetings, Senior Wang."

Zong Linjing also opened her eyes and greeted him, though her manner was somewhat cold, as if she had no desire to engage with Wang Zhengtian. Seeing this, Wang Zhengtian merely smiled and turned his gaze toward Lin Zheyu.

"Not bad, not bad at all. It seems the Martial Alliance will be in capable hands, hahaha..." Wang Zhengtian studied him for a long while before laughing heartily.

Yet inwardly, he could not help wondering what kind of technique this young man cultivated. He could not see through him in the slightest. What a monstrous little fellow.

"You flatter me, Senior," Lin Zheyu replied modestly.

"That fellow, Qin Hu, finally sent someone to relieve me. If he had waited any longer, these old bones of mine wouldn't have held out. I'll leave this formation node to you," Wang Zhengtian said with a smile.

It sounded rather strange to hear such aged words coming from someone who appeared to be a young man in his twenties.

"Rest assured, Senior," Lin Zheyu said.

Wang Zhengtian smiled as he said, "I hear you're quite capable, lad. You were even once hailed as the strongest beneath the Shackles realm. News of you has reached me even here. I'll go get some rest for now. After a while, the two of us can exchange pointers."

With that, his figure flickered slightly, merged into the void, and vanished.

Lin Zheyu's eyes flickered as he murmured inwardly, Interesting. He doesn't have just one Gu. There are at least two different kinds within his body. Has Senior Wang abandoned martial cultivation and begun switching to the Immortal Dao?

Although Wang Zhengtian was quite powerful, he was no longer a pure martial artist. Lin Zheyu could sense that the power of Wang Zhengtian's Gu cultivation was gradually surpassing his martial cultivation and gaining the upper hand. He had entered the Dao through martial cultivation and was now transitioning to the Immortal Dao. However, everyone had their own aspirations, and Lin Zheyu did not think any less of Wang Zhengtian for making the switch.

The same was true of Lin Zheyu himself. If the current environment of the world had not been unsuitable for shamanic cultivation, he might have abandoned martial cultivation and switched to the Shamanic Dao long ago.

Lin Zheyu lightly tapped his toes against the ground and drifted down into the formation node. In an instant, he established a connection with the entire grand formation. As the controller of the formation node, he gained greater access to it, allowing him to perceive many of the formation's profound intricacies.

The Heavenly Eye within his sea of consciousness opened, and Lin Zheyu began contemplating the profound intricacies of the formations and restrictions surrounding the space-time node.

1. 蛊 (gǔ) refers to supernatural venomous creatures or parasites cultivated and controlled through esoteric practices. Although often insect-like, gu are not necessarily insects. ☜

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