Cultivation: Being Immortal-Chapter 425:

You State, Tianxuan Sect

Zhou Huaiying woke up from seclusion, looked around, and walked to the Library Pavilion in Tianxuan Sect. He searched through the pavilion and found some ancient texts to study.

"There’s no road after achieving Tao."

Zhou Huaiying felt very heavy-hearted. It had been nearly a thousand years since he achieved Tao, reaching the peak of Tao Achieving. His progress was faster than others because in those thousand years, he had secretly absorbed and refined the skills of many experts.

Once Yang Luo revealed the method to refine the spiritual treasure, it caused a war in the cultivation world. He took the opportunity to absorb many cultivators, and in the end, he even attacked his own ancestor.

Another elder from Tianxuan Sect was close to the end of his life. He claimed to have reached the end of his lifespan and disappeared after a surprise attack by Zhou Huaiying, but no one noticed except Yang Luo.

Through these means, Zhou Huaiying reached the peak of Tao Achieving in less than a thousand years. However, when he tried to break through the Disaster Crossing Period, he found no path beyond Tao Achieving.

"From Qi Refining to Building foundation, golden core, Nascent Soul, Soul Changing, Void Achieving, there are parts in the cultivation techniques that mention Disaster Crossing Period. Why does it not exist? Could becoming an immortal be a scam?"

Zhou Huaiying had been pondering these questions for a long time. Yang Luo brought up these issues when he asked Zhou Huaiying to help attack Qing State.

Yang Luo didn’t explain things clearly to Zhou Huaiying to keep him interested. She just told him that he would find answers at the Green Emperor Tomb. Zhou Huaiying went there, but encountered Lin Batian, who was too powerful. He decided to retreat halfway, only to later find out about Yang Luo’s death there.

Yang Luo’s death left Zhou Huaiying feeling conflicted. On one hand, he felt relieved that he was no longer under Yang Luo’s threat. On the other hand, he regretted not learning more secrets from her. Yang Luo was a mystery, and she knew too much, many of which were things Zhou Huaiying desired.

"The cultivation world is full of secrets. It seems like I need to rethink my plans."

Zhou Huaiying gathered himself, as he was not one to easily give up. It wasn’t a dead end yet, especially since there were answers at the Green Emperor Tomb. He just needed to find the right opportunity.

·······

Li Qing returned to Wangxian Sect from Qing State, where she had been secretly stationed for a hundred years, monitoring the excavation of the four major families’ hidden retreat. During these hundred years, some spatial fragments were found, but Lin Jiang’s needed item was not discovered.

"Master"

"You’re back."

"Yes, Qing State is still the same. There have been no new spatial fragments from the hidden retreat for thirty years."

"Understood. From now on, you shall stay in the Sect."

Lin Jiang nodded, and in the blink of an eye, another hundred years had passed. Li Qing had also been stationed in Qing State for a hundred years; it was time for her to return.

"Yes, Master."

"I will do my best to help you with your Soul Changing matter, don’t worry."

Lin Jiang said that Li Qing is less than three hundred years old, her Nascent Soul cultivation has reached a high level, and she is about to undergo Soul Changing to advance further. The process is fast, but Lin Jiang needs to plan for the Soul Changing pill, as it’s not easy to obtain, and it’s not guaranteed that Danxia Sect will have it readily available.

"Thank you, Master."

"In the future, the sect will rely on you all."

Lin Jiang also mentioned that he entrusts the leadership of Wangxian Sect to Li Qing. Over the past century, Wangxian Sect has grown stronger and gained recognition in Bing State.

Lin Jiang has already arranged for the succession and normal operation of the sect. Descendants of sect disciples will receive their rightful share and be selectively recruited. The talent program will also continue, with eliminated disciples still remaining within the sect.

The numbers of both groups will be balanced to create some pressure on the descendants of sect disciples, preventing the emergence of pampered second-generation cultivators in Wangxian Sect.

In the past century, Lin Jiang has secretly arranged for five cycles of talented disciples. This strategy was aimed at balancing Li Qing and her peers, making them aware of the pressure to perform. The disciples thought Lin Jiang entrusted them to Li Qing out of necessity.

After delegating all sect affairs to Li Qing, Lin Jiang had more free time for himself.

A few days later, Lin Jiang appeared in Yun State once again. The people of Yun State are still unaware of the existence of Wangxian Sect and have no knowledge of Li Qing. Lin Jiang always takes the initiative when interacting with the people of Yun State.

Yun State is different now. Lin family is no longer the only powerful one. Five Elements Sect and Zhonghang Sect have weakened a lot. The losses from the battle with Qing State cannot be recovered in a hundred years, but at least they have kept their main strength.

The most miserable is Cloud Sword Sect, which has split and weakened into a small sect. The same fate almost happened to Five Elements Sect, but Lin Jiang’s appearance changed the outcome and stopped the internal conflicts within the sect.

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However, Cloud Sword Sect didn’t have the same ending. After the leader returned for a few years, the sect fell apart due to the lack of strong leadership. After causing chaos that affected the operation of Yunzhong City, Cao Ying decisively expelled them and took over the city.

"Brother!"

Lin Jiang, with all the permissions from Lin family, entered their mountain gate. Lin Ying saw Lin Jiang and greeted him warmly.

Lin Ying has changed a lot over the past century, becoming more mature and steady due to life’s challenges.

"I heard that people from Qing State are causing trouble and want to go back, is that true?"

Lin Jiang explained that apart from Lin family from Qing State, the other four major families cannot fully integrate into Yun State. The past grudges are too deep. Although the other forces in Yun State are influenced by Lin family, they dare not confront directly. Instead, they choose to be uncooperative, making it difficult for them. Therefore, the three families are considering returning to Qing State.

"Yes, they have been causing trouble for a long time. The foundation of the three families is still there, and after a hundred years, they have produced many talented individuals who want to reclaim their lost territory."

"Did you explain to them about the situation in the Qing State?"

"I did, but it was useless."

Lin Ying explained that since the major war in the Qing State, it has declined completely. The local powers have all become puppets of other states’ powers. The other states only seek to plunder resources and have not thought about managing the Qing State, which has led to continuous warfare in the Qing State for a hundred years.

Although the Qing State seems weak due to the ongoing wars, there are major factions supporting it from behind. If they were to retreat, they would surely be targeted by these major factions, leading to a suicidal act.

"Then let’s not bother with it. If they want to hit a wall, let them. No need to worry about it."

"I know, I can’t stop them, so I can only let them go."

"While we’re at it, let’s see if we can find the entrance to the hidden retreat, search for spatial fragments, and maybe collect some bones if possible."

Lin Jiang mentioned that those who die in the hidden retreat are all experts. Their bodies can remain uncorrupted for hundreds or thousands of years, making it possible to collect their bones. Of course, this is just a side benefit. The main purpose is to find the treasures inside.

Just the spiritual treasures alone are enough to make anyone in the cultivation world covet them.

Lin Ying also understood cleverly and answered. I know what to do. Those things belong to us in the first place, so they should go back to their rightful owner.

"Has Li Yuncheng acknowledged his master now?"

"No, actually my dad had already released him from the Master-servant Contract before."

"It doesn’t matter if not, as long as he stays put."

"He won’t run away."

Lin Ying said. Where else can Li Yuncheng run to now? Since he has become a Formation Spirit, he needs to guard a place. The special existence like Divine Kingdom won’t appear again. In Yun State, he is still free.

"What Yun State lacks the most now is a Tao Achieving. Who, between you and Cao Ying, has a better chance?"

"Cao Ying, not me. Void Achieving is already the limit for me."

Lin Ying directly said that her talent and understanding are weaker than Cao Ying’s. Also, Lin Ying knows her situation. Breaking through Void Achieving was already very difficult, so there’s almost no chance for Tao Achieving.

"Okay, I understand. We can focus our resources on cultivating a Tao Achieving. Without a Tao Achieving guarding the state, it is too weak."

Lin Jiang said. Yun State can survive thanks to Li Yuncheng, but Li Yuncheng’s Dutian Formation is not all-powerful. It still needs a true Tao Achieving to protect it.

"You handle it, brother, don’t delay yourself. Learn the four great secrets as soon as possible."

"Alright, if there’s nothing else, I’ll leave first."

Lin Jiang had learned the secrets of the four great families from the Lin family and had been practicing for many years. However, he wasn’t very talented and had yet to make much progress. He could only slowly improve with time.

Lin Jiang quickly left, paying close attention to his whereabouts. Except for safe areas, he didn’t linger in other places, described as elusive.