Lying Low While Cultivating Immortality in Two Worlds

Three years later.

Taibai Island, within the Ice Soul Cave.

“Difficult… truly difficult…”

Fang Qing let out a faint sigh as he carefully stored away the “Fountain of Agelessness.”

“The late stage of Dao Foundation, it truly is not easy.”

Over the past three years, he had continuously studied and comprehended the Fountain of Agelessness. It could not be said that he gained nothing from it, but he had now reached a certain bottleneck.

A bottleneck in breaking through to the late stage of Dao Foundation!

‘Back when I attempted to break through to mid-stage Dao Foundation, I even relied on a Life Spring Pill, but for the late stage of Dao Foundation, there are hardly any suitable medicinal pills.’

Although the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain possessed secret medicines that could aid breakthroughs, they were all blood-qi refined pills. Moreover, their effects on him had already become rather weak.

Ancient Shu had already broadened his horizons many times over, but surely the lands ruled by the orthodox righteous path would be somewhat better… right?

He stepped out of the cave abode and sent out a transmission talisman.

Not long afterward, a Core Formation-level divine sense arrived.

“Young Master, Zhong Lingxiu requests an audience.”

“Enter.”

Fang Qing nodded slightly.

Soon, Zhong Lingxiu walked in and respectfully bowed. “Greetings, Young Master.”

“You have not returned to the Heavenly Frost Sect for so many years. Will that not cause trouble?” Fang Qing asked casually.

“Reporting to Young Master, before leaving the sect, this subordinate already made the necessary arrangements. Being absent for thirty or forty years is not considered a major issue. After all, Core Formation cultivators already count as upper-level figures within a sect and possess considerable freedom. Traveling abroad for several years or even decades is perfectly normal. There are even Nascent Soul ancestors who disappear for centuries without returning.”

Zhong Lingxiu paused briefly before continuing:

“Only if my soul lamp were extinguished, or if the sect encountered a great war and ignored repeated summons, would they launch an investigation afterward.”

“I see.”

After confirming that Zhong Lingxiu would not bring him any unnecessary trouble, Fang Qing asked directly, “What of the secret realm?”

“It has already been confirmed that the realm is about to reopen. After several meetings between the Core Formation cultivators, an agreement was finally reached. Each faction may send fifty Qi Refining disciples and three Foundation Establishment cultivators.”

Zhong Lingxiu replied respectfully.

“If too many Foundation Establishment cultivators enter, the spatial crack passage becomes unstable. Therefore, the limit is nine in total.”

“Qi Refining cultivators may be chosen however you wish. As for the Foundation Establishment slots…”

Fang Qing had long since performed a divination. This journey into the secret realm yielded an auspicious hexagram.

If this were Ancient Shu, such divinations might not be entirely trustworthy. But within the Minor Huan Sea, he still had considerable confidence in his own heavenly calculation techniques.

‘Besides… I still have the Dao-Genesis Pearl protecting me. Even in the worst-case scenario, if the secret realm entrance is destroyed, I can simply escape directly into Ancient Shu.’

Moreover, all three major factions already had his people within them.

Naturally, Fang Qing knew their intentions perfectly well. None of them wanted to destroy the secret realm. Every single one coveted the enormous opportunities hidden within.

“I will take two of the slots myself.”

Fang Qing smiled faintly.

His appearance immediately shifted into the familiar image of “Fang Jin” dressed in white robes, with sword-like brows and star-bright eyes.

By now, his Heavenly Escape Sword Art had likewise reached the mid stage of Dao Foundation. To outsiders, he appeared no weaker than a great sword cultivator at the late or even perfected Foundation Establishment stage.

Moreover, this identity had not appeared out of nowhere. Its traces could be followed even within the Minor Huan Sea itself. It belonged to the nameless sword cultivator who had once destroyed the Jiang and Lu families of Sanyuan Island!

“One of the slots will go to this white-robed swordsman. You can simply make up a name at random for him. As for another.”

Fang Qing smiled faintly. “Give it to Zhan Hongxiu instead. That woman carries fortune upon her. If she enters the secret realm, she may very well obtain considerable benefits.”

Zhan Hongxiu had once been a temporary favored daughter of destiny. After so many years, she had already advanced to the late Foundation Establishment stage.

Moreover, as a subordinate of Taibai Island, it was perfectly justified for her to claim one of the spots.

Besides, when she had submitted back then, she had at least done so under the banner of his name. Fang Qing naturally did not mind offering her a bit of care in return.

“As for the final slot, arrange it however you wish.”

With a wave of his hand, Zhong Lingxiu respectfully withdrew.

Several months later.

Tianxin Island. Beneath the seabed, within the bronze underground palace.

Fang Qing wore white robes, his sword-like brows sharp and his eyes bright as stars. Following behind Zhong Lingxiu, he watched as he exchanged greetings with Heiyuan True Personage, then confronted Ruan Zhixuan directly. Surprisingly, the Blue Sea Sect had sent only a single Core Formation True Personage this time. It was unclear whether they were deliberately showing weakness.

Among the three factions present, Fang Qing spotted quite a few familiar faces.

For example, Qin Ruxue was currently adjusting the formation arrays. Beside Ruan Zhixuan stood Tianding, his hair completely white, seemingly already nearing the end of his lifespan. And over onHeiyuan True Personage’s side was Yu Xiang’er…

‘If I were to raise my arm and call out now, causing all these factions to suddenly turn against one another, I wonder whether those two Core Formation cultivators would find it terrifying?’

The thought amused Fang Qing inwardly.

Naturally, he had no intention of indulging in such malicious humor. Moreover, the identity of “Fang Qing” itself had not appeared here at all.

After all, a third-rank alchemy grandmaster kept imprisoned would obviously possess greater value in refining pills than exploring a secret realm. There was no way he would be sent inside.

Simply appearing here at all would already seem strange enough.

‘Tianding… his lifespan is nearly exhausted. Has he come here intending to risk his life for the sake of his descendants? No, that does not fit his personality.’

Fang Qing felt increasingly suspicious. After observing Tianding several more times, he gradually noticed something unusual.

‘Hm? This is…’

His gaze clearly drew Tianding’s attention as well. The latter swept his eyes over and spoke with slight confusion on his face. “Fellow Daoist, could you perhaps be the sword cultivator who destroyed the Jiang and Lu families all those years ago?”

“Correct.”

Fang Qing responded coldly, speaking as sparingly as possible.

Nearby, Zhan Hongxiu looked as though she wanted to say more to Fang Qing, perhaps to thank him for saving her life back then. Yet for some inexplicable reason, she also felt a strange sense of awe toward him.

‘What is wrong with me? Why are my emotions fluctuating so strangely? Could it be…’

She found it rather baffling. Lowering her head unconsciously, a faint blush spread across her cheeks.

Rip!

At that moment, Qin Ruxue waved her array banner. Multicolored runes flew outward, stabilizing the arc-shaped passage of light.

“The secret realm passage has already opened. This time it can remain active for a month and a half.”

“There is no need for me to repeat the rules. Each of you will depend on your own fate.”

Heiyuan True Personage flicked his sleeve. One after another, demonic cultivators filed into the passage. Among the three Foundation Establishment cultivators leading them was none other than Yu Xiang’er!

‘Not surprising. Her cultivation is already close to Foundation Establishment perfection, and she is also Heiyuan True Personage’s disciple. Ever since I killed his senior disciple, she has clearly received far more favor.’

Fang Qing’s gaze crossed briefly with Yu Xiang’er’s. They behaved as though they were complete strangers before stepping into the void passage together.

Zhoutian Star Palace Secret Realm.

A flash of light passed.

Fang Qing’s figure appeared out of thin air.

“So this is a secret realm? It truly is somewhat miraculous.”

He glanced around his surroundings and found himself within a dense forest.

Deep within the forest, a second-rank demon beast was circling silently.

At this moment, the thick emerald-green demon python, as wide as a water bucket, had coiled its massive body tightly together, wishing with all its heart that its aura could shrink into something as insignificant as an ant.

As a second-rank demon beast, its innate spiritual senses were exceptionally sharp. It could clearly tell that Fang Qing was an existence not to be provoked, someone nearly comparable to a third-rank Demon King.

Whoosh!

Naturally, Fang Qing had no interest in troubling a mere snake demon. With a flash of light in his hand, a scroll of black iron appeared. It was none other than the Zhoutian Star Palace Map.

“Mm, tasks like gathering herbs from the outer regions are work for Qi Refining disciples. As for me, there’s no longer any need to secretly refine [Kui Wood] magical artifacts. Everything Taibai Island brings out belongs to me anyway.”

Fang Qing’s target had always been the core region hidden behind that sea of restrictive mist.

“First… I should retrieve the Five Elements Spirit Fruits. After that, I can visit the ‘Void Stepping Hall’ where Ancestor Blue Sea passed away. There are still restrictions deep within that hall. Clearly, there are secrets even Blue Sea True Personage longed for but failed to obtain.”

“And if time permits, I can also investigate the other marked locations on the map.”

With a single gesture from Fang Qing, Wolfbreaker appeared. The flying sword split apart the air ahead of him as man and sword became one, transforming into a streak of sword light that shot toward the depths of the secret realm.

Everywhere he passed, whether the native demon beasts of the secret realm or the disciples from the three major factions, all lowered their heads in submission, not daring to offend him in the slightest.

Before long, a vast expanse of white mist came into view.

“Mm?”

Fang Qing immediately felt his body grow heavier, though he did not resist. He descended before the white mist.

“A flight-restricting formation? The restrictions here probably grow stronger the stronger the intruder. The ones who built this secret realm were at minimum Nascent Soul old monsters. It would be unwise to force my way through.”

Stepping into the white mist, his figure twisted sharply, moving like a cloud dragon revealing its claws as he sped forward.

From time to time, Wolfbreaker lightly flicked outward in his hand. Each strike was followed by miserable shrieks echoing from within the mist, yet nothing managed to hinder his advance in the slightest.

‘The first priority is still the Five Elements Fruit Tree!’

‘No matter what other treasures or opportunities this secret realm contains, nothing matters more to me right now than successfully forming my Core. Everything else is secondary.’

Fang Qing’s gaze was as sharp as a drawn sword as he stepped forward once more.

Whoosh, whoosh!

A gentle breeze swept through the area, dispersing the dense mist. The world suddenly opened wide before him, revealing distant mountain peaks and layers upon layers of shimmering restrictive light.

Comparing the scene with the black iron scroll of the Zhoutian Star Palace, he identified the correct direction and swiftly began climbing upward.

…

“As expected… this secret realm is overflowing with opportunities everywhere.”

Zhan Hongxiu wore flowing green robes, her crimson sleeves clearly refined into spiritual artifacts. With every sweep of her arms, countless talismanic runes scattered outward like drifting red leaves, dazzling and beautiful while carrying silent killing intent.

Before her lay the corpse of a Yellow Origin Bull. Behind it grew a third-rank thousand-year spirit herb.

Joy immediately filled Zhan Hongxiu’s face as she carefully stored away the spirit herb.

With her current cultivation, she could naturally roam freely through the outer regions of the secret realm. Coupled with her remarkable luck, she frequently stumbled upon excellent treasures.

‘This time, I truly owe thanks to True Personage Zhong. If he hadn’t forcefully suppressed all opposition, how could such a fortunate opportunity ever have fallen to me?’

Zhan Hongxiu felt somewhat puzzled inwardly.

On Taibai Island alone, there were many Foundation Establishment cultivators far closer to Zhong Lingxiu than she was. Outside the island, countless loose Foundation Establishment cultivators would have willingly emptied their entire fortunes just for a chance to enter this secret realm and gamble on fortune.

Yet in the end, Zhong Lingxiu had given the slot to her instead, to the point that even her merfolk elder sister had been deeply envious.

‘If even the outer regions are this rich in opportunities, just how abundant must the core region be?’

However, Zhan Hongxiu had already experienced enough fortuitous encounters that she no longer dwelled on such matters. She prepared to head toward the dense mist restrictions.

‘I don’t dare hope to compete against the late-stage Foundation Establishment experts from the Blue Sea Sect or the Sea-Destroying Alliance. As long as I can exploit an opening and pick up a few overlooked treasures, I’ll already be satisfied.’

Just as this thought crossed her mind, a sudden stirring arose within her heart.

“This is… the aura of the Tortoise-Crane Longevity Art*l? But I clearly left the Longevity Turtle behind on Sanyuan Island.”

If the Longevity Turtle had been brought inside a spirit beast pouch, it would certainly have counted as an additional Foundation Establishment slot. Naturally, there was no such loophole.

On the other hand, second-rank puppets without life aura could potentially be smuggled inside storage bags without detection.

Yet at this moment, Zhan Hongxiu distinctly sensed a faint resonance from her cultivation technique, as though… another Longevity Turtle cultivating the same Tortoise-Crane Longevity Art also existed somewhere within this secret realm.

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