Lying Low While Cultivating Immortality in Two Worlds

Sanyuan Island.

“At last… I have returned to the marketplace.”

Inside the main hall, Zhan Hongxiu gazed at the familiar yet strangely distant surroundings. Her expression finally shifted with emotion as she took her seat in the position once occupied by Daoist Greenwater.

“Congratulations, little sister, on reclaiming your sect’s foundation.”

A tall woman dressed in white gauze adorned with seashell ornaments smiled. Faint scales shimmered along her cheeks, marking her as a sea-dweller.

“I must thank you for your assistance, elder sister. Otherwise, that demonic woman might not have retreated so easily.”

Zhan Hongxiu gave a bitter smile. “Although this foundation was passed down by my sect, it lies in a contested region. Managing it will not be easy.”

She understood clearly that Yu Xiang’er’s retreat was due partly to her own strength, but more importantly because the Jiang Family’s collusion with demonic cultivators had already been exposed. They had become a discarded piece, no longer of any value.

‘If Yu Xiang’er learns that my Foundation Establishment was aided by the master of Taibai Island of the Blue Sea Sect. I will likely become a thorn in the side of the Sea-Destroying Alliance from this day forward.’

The merfolk woman, now also at Foundation Establishment, smiled instead. “Little sister, you are thinking too narrowly. With such a vast foundation here, if we connect it with our merfolk trade routes and sell deep-sea resources, profits will flow in endlessly. Given enough time, you may even accumulate the resources needed to reach late Foundation Establishment.”

“You are right. This is the path of cultivation. I cannot abandon it. The profits from this marketplace will always include a share for you, elder sister.”

Zhan Hongxiu made her promise.

Back then, after breaking through to Foundation Establishment, she had sought revenge, only to fall into an ambush. She was rescued by the merfolk, forging a bond of friendship. Through that connection and a fortunate opportunity, she had advanced to mid-stage Foundation Establishment in less than twenty years.

“Good. My merfolk clan indeed has a strong demand for certain human specialties.”

The merfolk cultivator hesitated before asking, “I have heard that in about twenty years, that secret realm will open again?”

“That is correct. The Tianxin Island secret realm. Last time, it produced many thousand-year spiritual herbs and numerous opportunities.”

Zhan Hongxiu sighed. “It is said to open once every sixty years. By calculation, nearly forty years have already passed. When the time draws near, there will be no shortage of trouble.”

By then, the Blue Sea Sect and the Sea-Destroying Alliance would no longer be engaged in low-intensity skirmishes. After years of recovery, both sides had nurtured many Foundation Establishment cultivators. A major battle was inevitable.

The merfolk woman licked her lips slightly. “The secret realm is filled with treasures. I wonder if my merfolk clan might also claim a share?”

…

Ancient Shu, Xituo Commandery, Qingli Mountain.

“Waa…”

The cries of an infant echoed from within the residence, continuing for quite some time.

“Go help your sister-in-law…”

Fang Wujio sighed and spoke to his wife.

After she went inside, the crying gradually subsided.

He shook his head and carried his hoe out to the spirit fields.

“Sigh… I wonder how your elder brother is doing. Is there any way to find out? And Uncle Hu, the Hu Family has sent several people again today, begging without end.” Fang Yixin stood beneath a azure mulberry-jujube tree, shaking his head with a sigh.

“Hmph. They still have the nerve to come? My brother was harmed because of their family.”

Fang Wujio struck the ground with his hoe, his tone bitter. “If not for Father and I being cultivators, after my elder brother’s disappearance, do you think the Hu Family wouldn’t come to seize our spirit fields? Or this Qingli Mountain foundation?”

“Sigh, I am useless. Without someone at late Qi Ingestion to oversee Qingli Mountain, I cannot feel at ease.”

Fang Yixin reached to his waist, took out a wind-polished copper-mouthed pipe, and took a few puffs. Then he glanced toward the residence. “Mingxue has given birth. One son and one daughter. How about naming the boy Shanglin and the girl Shangning?”

Fang Wujio’s heart trembled.

Naming a child should be the father’s responsibility. Yet now the grandfather was taking over, clearly believing that his elder brother was unlikely to return.

“The ‘lin’ as in long-awaited sweet rain?” he asked softly.

“Correct. I heard that the great ship from the Xuantu Sect took away many cultivators, most of them cultivating earth virtue. That Precious Earth Returning to Origin Art is likely somewhat unorthodox. Even if it can forge a Dao Foundation, it should not be practiced. If Shanglin has aptitude for cultivation, he should honestly follow our family’s inherited Observing Black Mausoleum Book.”

Fang Yixin took another puff of smoke and tapped the pipe against the stone slab beneath him.

“And also, the times are chaotic. You heard that voice as well. A great figure has forbidden the consumption of human pills and blood qi.”

“I asked around. A nearby rogue cultivator ignored it and continued using blood qi pills for cultivation. Within days, he went mad and died in delirium.”

Fang Wujio inhaled sharply, clearly shaken. “But I also heard traveling merchants say that blood qi pills are no longer effective. Everyone is now seeking pills made from herbs, metals, and minerals. I think spirit rice prices will rise. After all, it is also a cultivation resource. If pills become unreliable, spirit rice will certainly become more valuable.”

“This is not a blessing. It is the root of disaster!”

Fang Yixin stood before his family’s spirit fields, his face filled with worry. “This foundation was built with Wuchen’s life on the line. We cannot let it be ruined in our hands. By the way, that wandering cultivator who went mad and died, what lineage did he cultivate?”

“I am not sure about his technique, but it should have been of earth virtue.”

Fang Wujiu replied.

“Earth virtue again, hmph!”

Fang Yixin let out several cold laughs and said no more.

Clearly, he feared provoking some great figure and bringing calamity upon his family.

The next day.

Yuyi Market.

This marketplace catered to wandering cultivators. It opened once a month, on the fifth day, and happened to be located near Qingli Mountain.

Fang Yixin and Fang Wujiu arrived together, both to look after each other and to gather information.

“This… why is the crowd so sparse?”

Seeing that the marketplace, once bustling with wandering cultivators, had become so desolate, Fang Yixin could not help but show a look of surprise.

“You do not know? A treasure light appeared outside Wusheng Temple. Many mountains rose from the ground around it. The phenomenon was visible across the entire commandery, It is said that a great Guru has achieved his breakthrough.”

An old cultivator sighed deeply. “And the Kitchen God Sect, from the sect master to all its core members, has vanished without a trace. The cultivators who once relied on the Kitchen God Sect and the Tie Family, how could they not flee? Once they ran, the market naturally grew deserted.”

“The White Bone Dao Lord, has attained the Dharma King realm?”

Fang Yixin felt as though his mind had been split open. It was like basin after basin of cold water had been poured over him, chilling him to the bone.

“This, what are we supposed to do now?”

His eyes reddened, and he was on the verge of tears. “I said it back then, we should not have left the Zeng Family. Now the Zeng Family is about to rise. They served Wusheng Temple for decades, and three Dao Foundation cultivators died for it, surely they will receive compensation. Wujiu, should we go back and kowtow to the main family and admit fault.”

“Hmph! With the ways of the Esoteric Domain, they may not reward the Zeng Family at all. It is more likely they will turn every man, woman, and child of the Zeng Family into magical artifacts, to be carried by those so-called Buddhas and enjoy their ‘great blessings.’”

At that moment, a cold laugh sounded from the side.

Fang Yixin turned to look and his face lit up with joy. “Old Tian?!”

The man looked aged, but his eyes were still sharp. He was none other than Tian Jinchen, once a tenant of the Yue Family, later of the Zeng Family, and a former neighbor of the Fang Family.

Fang Yixin had no idea that Tian Jinchen carried immense karma and might even drag the Fang Family into it. Seeing an old acquaintance, he was genuinely delighted.

This Tian Jinchen had not been taken to Taihuang Heaven. Perhaps the Purple Mansion had other uses for him, causing him to miss a tremendous opportunity.

“Haha, Brother Fang, it has been a long time. Come, let us have a drink.”

Tian Jinchen seemed equally pleased to meet him. He led the two of them to a stall, ordered a jug of fine wine and a few dishes.

“Old brother, are you still with the Zeng Family?”

Fang Yixin asked, hoping to use Tian Jinchen to smooth over relations.

“I left long ago…”

Tian Jinchen shook his head. “But I have heard that your eldest brother established quite a foundation and even attempted Dao Foundation. The phenomenon at Qingli Mountain back then, I heard all about it.”

“That is right. My elder brother has already forged his Dao Foundation.”

Fang Wujiu quickly added, clearly hoping to rely on his brother’s reputation to secure their position at Qingli Mountain.

Tian Jinchen glanced at the two of them, took a sip of wine, and his expression grew slightly thoughtful.

Tian Jinchen wore a faint smile that was not quite a smile, saying little as he simply pulled Fang Yixin along to drink.

“Haha, a toast to that great figure! I always knew this world still has righteous paths.”

By the end, perhaps overcome with emotion, his eyes had turned red, tears and mucus streaming down his face.

‘This Old Tian, does he have some painful past?’

Fang Yixin pondered for a moment, then probed cautiously, even attempting to persuade Old Tian to return with him to his household.

There were plenty of spirit fields on Qingli Mountain. Old Tian was highly skilled at farming, and moreover, he was a capable fighter.

They had known each other for many years and understood each other well, so Fang Yixin felt at ease with him.

“Brother… I will speak plainly. The karma I carry is far too heavy.”

Old Tian understood his intent immediately but shook his head in refusal. “Moreover… I have sworn that in this lifetime I will take no disciples and never marry. I will remain alone until the end of my days.”

It was clear that by now, he had realized the truth. He feared that those great figures might still target his disciples or descendants.

Thus he chose a solitary life, leaving no opportunity for such ties to form.

“Sigh… very well. Then what do you think of the elders at Wusheng Temple? Is it possible to seek their protection?”

Fang Yixin felt some regret but set down his chopsticks and asked the most crucial question. “Also, will the situation in Xituo Commandery change completely now?”

“Change? Of course it will…”

A bitter smile appeared on Old Tian’s lips. He drained the large bowl of wine in one gulp and sighed. “The Kitchen God Sect has already become an empty shell. As for the Tie Family.”

He paused before continuing, “There is no longer any Tie Family.”

“The Tie Family had four Dao Foundation cultivators.”

Fang Wujio spoke in disbelief.

Back then, the Tie Family had been the first to oppose Wusheng Temple. By following behind the Kitchen God Sect, they had gained immense benefits and cultivated several Dao Foundation cultivators. Tie Kuangtu had even reached the late stage.

And yet, they had been wiped out without a sound.

“Haha, what are Dao Foundation cultivators in the eyes of Purple Mansion experts? Nothing but ants!”

Old Tian seemed to recall something and burst into laughter, tears streaming down his face. “Among those white bones covering the mountain were the four Dao Foundation cultivators of the Tie Family. Their skeletons knelt facing west, as if confessing their sins.”

Fang Wujio drew in a sharp breath. “The might of Purple Mansion cultivators, to reach such a level?”

His tone carried both awe and envy. “If only our family could produce one.”

“Then your family would become a Purple Mansion immortal clan, like the Pu Family of Yulin. And who knows when you might be swept into some great upheaval and have your entire clan wiped out!”

Old Tian let out a cold laugh as he added, “Your family is already a Dao Foundation lineage. But compared to a Purple Mansion immortal clan, you are still separated by an immeasurable distance.”

His tone was filled with disdain and a hint of mockery.

“Sigh, enough of this. Let us drink and speak of proper matters.”

Fang Yixin quickly grabbed Old Tian’s arm. “Do you think the masters of Wusheng Temple would still accept us?”

“I do not know. I only heard that the White Bone Dao Master has already departed. The one currently presiding over the temple is still that same Master Miaoshan. However, she is now revered as the ‘Moonlight White Dumu.’ She is also at the Purple Mansion realm. The destruction of the Tie Family was carried out by her.”

Old Tian let out a cold laugh, yet there seemed to be a trace of anticipation in his voice.

“One sect, six Purple Mansion cultivators, the heavens of Ancient Shu are bound to change.”

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