Lying Low While Cultivating Immortality in Two Worlds

“Fellow Daoist Zhong… Bai seeks an audience.”

Just as Zhong Lingxiu and Daoist Xuanqi continued their discussion, a Core Formation divine sense suddenly transmitted from outside.

Joy immediately surfaced on Zhong Lingxiu’s face. “Fellow Daoist Bai, you succeeded in forming your Core?”

He turned toward Xuanqi and introduced, “This is an old friend of mine from the Minor Huan Sea. I never expected him to finally break through to Core Formation.”

“Another new fellow Daoist? Truly a joyous occasion.”

Daoist Xuanqi silently thought to himself, ‘So the Zhong Alliance had another Core Formation cultivator hidden away all along. That explains things. With two Core Formation cultivators overseeing matters, one staying behind while the other ventures out, whether transporting cargo or hunting demon beasts, they can always earn enough spirit stones.’

After waiting a moment, he saw a streak of white light descend, revealing a male Core Formation cultivator with sword-like brows and starry eyes, his bearing heroic and spirited. The True Core power within him was perfectly rounded and stable, clearly showing the signs of someone who had only recently stepped into the Core Formation realm.

It was naturally Fang Qing, appearing under Fang Jin’s identity.

“Fellow Daoist Bai, I am Xuanqi. I have yet to congratulate you on successfully condensing your True Core and joining the ranks of fellow Daoists.”

After the man departed, Fang Qing unceremoniously sat down in the seat of honor.

“What’s going on?”

Previously, his attention had been focused entirely on the battle on the Qi Ingestion world. He had not cared in the slightest about Zhong Lingxiu’s trivial affairs.

But now, things seemed somewhat unfavorable.

“A mere quasi-third-rank spirit vein, yet the rent is this high? Isn’t the Eastern Sea cultivation world supposed to be overflowing with resources?”

Fang Qing found it rather strange.

“The resources are indeed abundant, but they all belong to someone. This Ice Heaven Island belongs to Ice Heaven Market. It is said that the market lord is a late Core Formation cultivator and even has connections to a Nascent Soul old monster.”

Zhong Lingxiu smiled bitterly. “Although the market rents spirit veins to sects and major clans, the prices are exorbitant. Their true intention is to force cultivators into working for the market itself, serving them like beasts of burden.”

Truthfully, if Fang Qing had not insisted on settling somewhere neutral, Zhong Lingxiu could easily have brought everyone under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Frost Sect. At that point, assigning them a third-rank spirit land would not have been difficult.

Even now, Zhong Lingxiu was merely reluctant to pay such outrageous rent and hoped to negotiate the price down somewhat.

“Mhm.”

Fang Qing understood immediately. In the end, it was nothing major.

He lazily leaned back into the soft chair and casually said, “Tell me about the general situation in the Eastern Sea cultivation world these days.”

Zhong Lingxiu bowed respectfully.

“The intelligence regarding the Eastern Sea cultivation world was already presented to Young Master earlier. As for the One Palace and One Temple, there is no need to elaborate. They stand at the level of overlords over the entire Eastern Sea.”

“Below them are the Three Islands and Four Sects: Merchant Clan Island, Talisman Sword Island, Blood Fiend Island, along with the Four Seas Sect, Profound Center Sect, Heavenly Mechanism Sect, and Beast Taming Sect.”

“Merchant Clan Island is controlled by the 'Shang' (Merchant) cultivation clan. Their clan also established the largest merchant association in the Eastern Sea cultivation world, the Merchant Alliance. During their grand auction held once every hundred years, it is said that even Nascent Soul spiritual materials appear for sale.”

“Talisman Sword Island is famed for its talismans and sword arts. They also possess a unique method known as the ‘Talisman Sword’ technique, cultivating both spell and sword together. Its power is said to be extraordinary.”

“Blood Fiend Island is a demonic faction. The island itself drifts constantly, making its whereabouts unpredictable. It has survived several righteous path suppression campaigns, and among the Three Islands, its strength may very well be the greatest.”

“As for the remaining Four Sects, each specializes in different fields. The Heavenly Mechanism Sect excels in puppet arts, the Profound Center Sect focuses on alchemy, the Beast Taming Sect specializes in controlling spirit beasts, and the Four Seas Sect operates similarly to a merchant alliance formed from numerous mid-sized factions, dabbling in every cultivation art imaginable. Strictly speaking, our Heavenly Frost Sect is also considered one of the Four Seas Sect’s supporters.”

“As for spirit pills capable of increasing the mana of Core Formation cultivators or helping them break through bottlenecks, even within the Eastern Sea cultivation world, such items are extremely rare. Mid-sized forces like the Heavenly Frost Sect can only use them as occasional rewards. It is impossible for them to continuously supply Core Formation cultivators with third-rank spirit pills. If one wishes to acquire them in large quantities, one must seek opportunities from those top-tier factions.”

Zhong Lingxiu explained everything slowly and methodically.

As a fellow early Core Formation cultivator himself, asking about such matters would never attract suspicion. It was entirely reasonable.

“Mhm. That is not urgent for now.”

Fang Qing waved his hand dismissively.

He still possessed a batch of third-rank spirit pills refined from thousand-year spiritual herbs, enough to sustain his cultivation for quite some time.

‘Moreover, although my aptitude is only middle-grade, my cultivation speed seems comparable even to Zhong Lingxiu’s. It appears that once one reaches the Core Formation realm, the primary factor becomes the quality of the True Core itself. Aptitude matters far less than before.’

Zhong Lingxiu’s aptitude was second only to heaven-grade spiritual roots, yet he had only condensed a mid-grade True Core!

By Fang Qing’s calculations, a cultivator with high-grade aptitude but only a low-grade True Core might very well cultivate even slower than himself within the Core Formation realm.

‘After all, my True Core quality is slightly superior even to a high-grade True Core. Perhaps the bottleneck to mid-stage Core Formation will not be too difficult after all?’

‘Once a True Core enters the belly, my fate belongs to me and not the heavens!’

“After forming my True Core, I’ve finally managed to defy fate and change my destiny. Otherwise, where would I ever find another secret realm like the Zhoutian Star Palace to gather resources from?”

Fang Qing felt deeply gratified.

Originally, he had planned to search the Eastern Sea Cultivation World for treasures or secret arts capable of improving his aptitude. But now, it seemed there was no longer any need to rush.

After dismissing Zhong Lingxiu, Fang Qing unceremoniously occupied the best cave dwelling within the Zhong Alliance and began meditating in cultivation.

“As expected, the spiritual qi here is still inferior to Taibai Island.’

‘Coming to the Eastern Sea Cultivation World feels like a country bumpkin entering a great metropolis. Resources are vastly more abundant, but the living conditions are worse.’

‘No matter how poor the Minor Huan Sea was, a Core Formation cultivator could still monopolize an entire third-rank spirit island. Here, one can only rent a third-rank cave dwelling. The Zhong Alliance has it even worse. Their spiritual qi is only quasi-third-rank.’

‘Of course, if one truly has power and wealth in a big city, they can live even grander than the manor estates of the countryside. That applies to Nascent Soul old monsters who enjoy fourth-rank spirit veins.’

After regulating his breathing and recovering somewhat through meditation, Fang Qing began considering the cultivation path ahead for his Qi Refining path after reaching Core Formation.

Accumulating mana within the True Core was not something accomplished overnight.

For ordinary Core Formation cultivators, after condensing a True Core, the most important task was forging their natal dharma artifact!

Zhong Lingxiu was precisely such an example. In order to refine his “Ice Soul Pearl,” he still owed the Heavenly Frost Sect an enormous amount of sect contribution points.

“I’ve already examined the several natal dharma artifact recorded within the Blue Sea Technique. The most outstanding among them are the pearl and the flute. the Mountain Sea Pearl and the Clear Phoenix Flute.”

These were essentially the Sea-Transformation Pearl and jade flute artifact currently in Fang Qing’s possession.

Back then, Blue Sea True Personage had been a great cultivator at peak Core Formation. Naturally, the natal dharma artifact he selected were the finest possible.

Now that they had passed into Fang Qing’s hands, their power had diminished somewhat due to the nature of natal dharma artifact. Nevertheless, they remained more than sufficient for use throughout the early and middle Core Formation stages. This was one reason Fang Qing did not feel particularly rushed.

Not to mention the large pile of powerful treasures already in his possession.

And above all, that “Wolfbreaker” flying sword!

At this thought, golden qi circulated within Fang Qing’s lungs, transforming into a flying sword.

This natal flying sword had always remained within his body, nourished constantly. Ever since reaching the late Dao Foundation stage, he had repeatedly tempered it with the Sharp Edge Chapter of the [Lou Metal] lineage. In particular, after obtaining assistance from the third-rank true fire “Ignorance Illuminating Ashes,” the sword had undergone two additional refinements of form and substance. It now counted as a three-revolution flying sword.

In terms of quality, it was no weaker than an ordinary low-grade dharma artifact.

“But in the end, I cultivate the water path. Wielding a metal-aspect flying sword always feels somewhat mismatched.”

Fang Qing silently contemplated his Qi Refining Dao Core Formation cultivation method.

Truthfully, after reaching Core Formation, the Blue Sea Technique had gradually ceased to impress him. The technique was genuinely mediocre.

Even its natal dharma artifact were only fairly average.

As for what cultivation method he intended to switch to afterward, Fang Qing had long since made his decision. The answer was the Devouring Sea Technique!

“This technique can at least cultivate all the way to the Soul Transformation realm, and it also descends from the same lineage as the Blue Sea Technique. Though honestly, with my abilities, switching to any cultivation method would be effortless. The real issue is whether my previous cultivation experience and spells can still be used afterward.”

“And as expected of a Soul Transformation cultivation method, the Devouring Sea Art offers far more choices for natal dharma artifact than the Blue Sea Technique, along with many treasures of tremendous power.”

Fang Qing took out the Devouring Sea Token, infused mana into it, and carefully examined the section concerning natal dharma artifact.

“The Abstruse Dark Mirror, Tide-Sound Zither, Abyss Sea Robe, Abyss Pupil Pearl, Tidal Nail, Devouring Sea Bottle.”

“All of them possess tremendous power, each with its own unique uses.”

“The Abstruse Dark Mirror can ‘pierce falsehood and calm the heart and spirit.’ It even offers some resistance against the Heart Demon Tribulation encountered while condensing a Nascent Soul.”

“As for the Tide-Sound Zither, it specializes in musical arts. I know absolutely nothing about that, so it’s excluded immediately.”

“The Abyss Sea Robe focuses on defense, claiming that ‘with the abyss sea upon one’s body, divine abilities cannot cross.’ It can withstand the vast majority of third-rank attacks.”

“The Abyss Pupil Pearl is a divine sense treasure, like a third vertical eye upon the forehead. It can enhance one’s divine sense by an entire minor realm, while also granting illusion and spiritual attacks.”

“The Tidal Nail is a flying needle-type dharma artifact. A complete set contains thirteen needles. Its power is formidable, and it is exceptionally sinister.”

“And finally, the Devouring Sea Bottle contains a self-contained internal space. It is said capable of devouring rivers and containing seas, excelling at absorbing all kinds of spells.”

Truthfully, Fang Qing wanted every single one of them.

But a person had to remain realistic. For the sake of breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm in the future, his first choices were naturally the Abstruse Dark Mirror and the Abyss Pupil Pearl!

After all, one concerned the Nascent Soul Heart Demon Tribulation, while the other enhanced divine sense. Both offered tremendous benefits for breaking through major realms.

His secondary choice would depend entirely on the materials currently in his possession. As it happened, he already held a main material perfectly suited for refining the Devouring Sea Bottle: the “Nine Abyss Stone”!

“Still, this coincidence feels a little too convenient. If I were in the Qi Ingestion world, I would never dare use it. But here, it doesn’t really matter.”

Fang Qing formed hand seals and performed a calculation.

“This Devouring Sea Bottle actually seems tied to a certain opportunity?”

Ever since forming his True Core, his divination abilities within the Minor Huan Sea had advanced by an entirely new level.

At his current stage, even when calculations involved Nascent Soul old monsters, he could still vaguely perceive some reaction.

And when tracing karma, an unexpected figure suddenly appeared within his calculations.

“Zhan Hongxiu!”

“Ever since that woman arrived in the Eastern Sea Cultivation World, she mysteriously vanished without a trace. It seems she truly became a dragon entering the sea. At the same time, she likely did not wish to remain exposed beneath the watchful eyes of a Core Formation True Personage.”

“But the karmic ties between her and me run extremely deep. I don’t even require any object as a medium to calculate her whereabouts.”

“It seems the opportunity connected to this Devouring Sea Bottle is likewise related to the Zhoutian Star Palace?”

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!