Fellow Daoist Entrusts His Child: Immortality Begins with Nurturing a Demoness

Chapter 90 Retainer's Order, True Essence Body, Rising Fame (5000-word chapter)

"You should choose her."

Watching Liu Xia's departing figure, Ming Ruoxue lightly flicked her slender fingers, and the frost and snow on her body condensed into an ice cup.

The spirit tea flowed gently, its fragrance filling the air. After being filled to the brim, it was gently pushed in front of Luo Fanchen, who accepted it with both hands.

“My junior sister is narrow-minded. If you choose me, you will offend her to death.”

Ming Ruoxue's voice was soft and delicate. Luo Fanchen took a sip of the spiritual tea, and the bittersweet taste on his tongue and the faint sweetness of lotus seeds filled his mouth, just like the fairy's fragrance.

After drinking from his teacup, Luo Fanchen said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "This junior still prefers Feiyunfang and trusts Fairy Ruoxue more."

"As my junior sister said, my cultivation method is destined to be unable to provide you with the same kind of extra support as hers."

Ming Ruoxue gently swayed her head, her blue eyes indifferent and without the slightest fluctuation.

"I will not get involved with anyone."

"I am used to being idle and cannot stand being restrained. I have no intention of relying on the Luoshen Pavilion. Fairy, you can just follow the rules of the Luoshen Pavilion."

Luo Fanchen remained neither humble nor arrogant; he was not so conceited as to believe that Ming Ruoxue would break the rules for him.

Ming Ruoxue, a prodigy of the Luoshen Pavilion who cultivates the Xuanzhang inheritance, is the absolute maintainer of the sect's order and cannot tolerate any injustice.

They advocate selflessness and detachment, detachment from cause and effect, and refusing to take anything from others. Their only concerns are the Great Dao and their sect.

Such clarity, like the pure moonlight, can only remain in memory and will not linger for anyone.

"Since you've made up your mind, I won't say any more."

Ming Ruoxue nodded slightly. She watched as Luo Fanchen accepted the guest token and hung it on his waist. With a light wave of her hand, frost gathered in the pavilion and then disappeared into the jade token.

"Within this card lies my Frosty Spirit Qi. In daily cultivation, it can sharpen the mind and spirit; in times of crisis, it can be activated to unleash a divine power."

"Thank you for your kindness, fairy."

Luo Fanchen bowed his head respectfully. Fairy Ruoxue was stern in speech, but actually had a warm heart despite her cold exterior.

Storing supernatural powers within the token is quite laborious, clearly intended to deal with potential difficulties from Liu Xia. With this token, his life is safe and secure.

"Sit down. There were traces of the Demonic Sect behind the black market incident. You were involved. I need to check your true essence."

"."

Luo Fanchen's expression stiffened slightly. After all, he had just made a contribution and was considered to have been incorporated into Ming Ruoxue's faction.

So you've already suspected him? It's good to find an excuse. No wonder few people fawn over Fairy Ruoxue. She is indeed quite harsh on her subordinates and doesn't know how to be flexible or considerate of their feelings.

However, the fairy's intuition was accurate; the black market incident was indeed his doing.

"Thank you for your help, fairy."

Luo Fanchen was not afraid of a straight shadow even though he was crooked. He had originally planned to induce Ming Ruoxue to help check his true essence and physique.

He did not carry a wooden plaque, so as long as he did not use the Lesser Yang Wood Transformation Technique, his true essence would not be detected.

As for exposing his identity as a demonic cultivator, he had no karmic burdens in his body, and his Yi Wood True Essence was vast and profound, so he would naturally be ruled out as a suspect.

Luo Fanchen sat cross-legged opposite Ming Ruoxue.

"I'm starting."

Ming Ruoxue spoke in a calm voice as she gently held Luo Fanchen's wrist with her slender fingers.

If it were only to probe true essence, she could use spiritual energy and divine sense remotely. However, since the matter of physical constitution involved Luo Fanchen's future, she naturally could not be careless. She patiently closed her eyes and used the safest method of skin-to-skin contact to sense it.

Luo Fanchen felt a cool sensation all over his body as he quietly admired Ming Ruoxue's flawless profile.

The fairy's fingertips were soft and delicate, slightly cool, and the cool true energy was as pure and aloof as she was, spreading rapidly from her wrist to the main meridians.

The true essence was peaceful and restrained, and did not erode or cause the aggression of the Yi Wood true essence. It was only because of the spiritual seed that it could not enter the lungs and internal organs.

"Your true essence is so powerful that it shows signs of condensing into liquid. What kind of cultivation technique do you practice?"

Ming Ruoxue seemed to sense something, her brows furrowing slightly. Her degraded spiritual energy flowed down the Ren, Du, and Chong meridians, directly into Luo Fanchen's dantian.

It felt tingly and itchy, like a gentle stream flowing into the sea, and then... nothing happened.

Just as Luo Fanchen was about to answer, Ming Ruoxue's eyelashes trembled slightly, and the thin veil on her pretty face swayed gently, revealing her cherry lips pursed into an arc.

"The superior wood element possesses wondrous techniques, and its roots and bones have a sharp edge, thus forming the acquired sword bone, which excels in the way of killing and warfare."

"The dantian is not yet open, but the qi sea in the middle abdomen has already formed, which is the constitution of the true primordial type."

"How is this True Essence type physique?"

Luo Fanchen's eyes lit up slightly as he respectfully pressed for an answer, a hint of anticipation in his heart.

"True essence body and acquired sword bones are both excellent physiques. To possess two physiques at the same time is truly a favor from heaven, but a pity."

Ming Ruoxue released her hand, her pretty face revealing a rare and noticeable expression, a mixture of regret and pity.

She lost interest in continuing to inquire about Luo Fanchen's cultivation techniques.

The reason is simple: the side effects of the True Essence Body on the Five Elemental Roots are devastating.

The upper limit has been locked, so no matter how exquisite the cultivation technique is, it will be useless.

"May I ask, fairy, are there any hidden dangers in my constitution?"

Luo Fanchen frowned, and couldn't help but feel worried.

"A True Essence Body is an excellent body for those with superior spiritual roots, but it is like a deadly poison for those with five spiritual roots."

"This experience diverts about 30% of your true essence to your dantian, prematurely opening your qi sea. Therefore, the quality of your true essence far surpasses that of ordinary people. With the assistance of the sword bone, your combat strength at the same level might be slightly higher than mine, however..."

Ming Ruoxue frowned slightly, her clear, cool voice like flowing water, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

"However, given my five spiritual roots, my breathing techniques are already slow, and having another 30% taken away..."

Luo Fanchen's face was grim. After thinking it over, he immediately understood the crux of the problem.

Even if he only has five spiritual roots, it is still too slow for him to improve his cultivation level by only two levels after twenty years of hard work.

Opening up the Qi Sea ahead of time is indeed very beneficial, but it will also increase the difficulty of breakthrough.

His breathing was already slow, and with another 30% taken away, he simply couldn't fill his Qi Sea, which was several times larger than that of an ordinary person. How could he possibly break through to the Foundation Establishment stage?
Is there a solution?

Luo Fanchen was inevitably agitated, but his expression remained calm and composed. Ming Ruoxue tapped her knuckles lightly on the jade table and pondered for a moment before speaking.

"The only fundamental solution is to increase the amount of spiritual energy that can be absorbed and exhaled."

"One is to sublimate spiritual roots, which is mostly a method of demonic cultivation, not the orthodox path, and has extremely serious hidden dangers."

Luo Fanchen nodded. The Heavenly Demon Spirit Puppet could be used to sublimate spiritual roots, but it had many limitations and was against the natural order.

"Secondly, one must cultivate inner true essence, practice the boundless path, and possess profound chapters containing the power of heavenly might. Only in this way can one compensate for deficiencies in breathing and, with the help of heavenly might, forcefully break through bottlenecks and gain a glimmer of hope."

After speaking, Ming Ruoxue narrowed her green eyes slightly and pondered, "A Xuanzhang that combines both of these is extremely rare in the world. It all depends on your fate."

The implication is that there is basically no hope of finding a fundamental solution.

The Taoist sect does not accept people without limits, yet they cannot cultivate the profound teachings, which is a vicious cycle.

"A profound and powerful true essence, containing the might of heaven?"

Luo Fanchen was slightly taken aback, but breathed a sigh of relief. He had been terrified by Ming Ruoxue.

Fortunately, the Lesser Yang Wood Transformation Technique he cultivated happened to follow the path of internal cultivation of true essence, and at the same time possessed the heavenly power of the Awakening of Insects.

When opening up acupoints and breaking through realms, it's as if divine assistance is present.

No wonder his cultivation speed improved significantly after he switched to Shaoyang Huamu Gong, and the wonders of his physique began to be activated and manifested.

"Fairy Ruoxue, may I ask what kind of True Essence Body I possess?"

"There are many kinds of True Essence Body, each with its own wonders, ranging from Immortal Body to Bare Body. Since you have not yet established your foundation, it is difficult for you to distinguish them."

Ming Ruoxue patiently explained that she had completely ruled out the possibility that Luo Fanchen was a demonic cultivator.

"The highest grade of True Essence Body is called Primordial Dao Embryo, which ranks among the top three immortal bodies. It was only recorded ten thousand years ago. Its characteristic is that it can break all laws. After this great being ascended, there has never been a second one."

"There are few records of this body. It is said to have obvious spiritual root characteristics. It can only be judged by a True Lord or above who can infuse the body with the True Spirit."

"I estimate that your true essence body is among the best."

Luo Fanchen stroked his chin thoughtfully, his impression of Fairy Ruoxue rising even higher.

Ming Ruoxue was extremely patient with him and did not look down on him just because he was only at the Qi Refining stage, unlike Liu Xia who was arrogant and haughty. It was very comfortable to be around her.
If it weren't for Fairy Ruoxue, it would have taken him a long time to figure out the key to his constitution by himself.

There's no way to cure the root cause, but there's a chance to treat the symptoms.

Seeing Luo Fanchen's solemn expression and his gaze silently fixed on the retainer's token worn at his waist, Ming Ruoxue hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"I have an opportunity that can help you break through your cultivation level and establish your foundation."

"This"

Luo Fanchen was somewhat flattered, as his breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment stage was probably much more difficult than that of ordinary cultivators.

The effects of Foundation Establishment items, or even Foundation Establishment Pills, are probably limited. Fairy Ruoxue's opportunity is likely quite significant. "This item is precious, but it can only help you establish your foundation. Forming your core will still be extremely difficult."

Ming Ruoxue frowned slightly and said to herself, "Three years."

"If you do not violate the rules of the Luoshen Pavilion in these three years, I will entrust you with a private matter after the Ascension Conference ends. This item will be given to you as a reward. Rest assured, I will not let you take any risks."

"I promise the fairy."

"Aren't you going to ask what the matter is?"

"The fairy wouldn't harm me."

Ming Ruoxue narrowed her eyes, a faint smile of approval appearing on her lips. She then finished the tea in her cup, smoothed her skirt, and stood up.

"I will settle the matter of the opportunity to ascend the tower later. Since you are my guest, come with me."

She took light, graceful steps, leaving only a beautiful silhouette behind her. Luo Fanchen followed three steps behind, silently keeping up.

"From now on, unless absolutely necessary, do not allow others to enter your body with their true energy to spy on you. Your physique is no less than a treasure to those with ulterior motives."

"I will remember the fairy's teachings."

Luo Fanchen clasped his hands in a respectful bow to see her off. This Fairy Ruoxue was indeed cold on the outside but warm on the inside.
In such a short time, when talking to him, he no longer acted like a superior. He said he would not provide help outside the rules of the sect, but in reality, he patiently answered his questions and considered his needs in every way. In Ming Ruoxue's eyes, he was nothing more than an ant who could not even reach the Foundation Establishment stage.

She still devoted herself to devising solutions for him and took action.

It seems that his refusal to stay has won over Fairy Ruoxue quite a bit, and perhaps he can strike while the iron is hot.

Luo Fanchen followed Ming Ruoxue at a distance, mustering his courage to speak.

"Fairy Ruoxue, if I ever encounter any difficulties in my cultivation in the future, and if you have the time, could you please offer some guidance?"

"Since you are my retainer, of course you can."

Ming Ruoxue paused slightly, pondered for a moment, and then calmly said, "During my stay at Feiyunfang, you may come to see me once every fourteen days. I will set aside half an hour to answer your questions."

"Thank you fairy."

Luo Fanchen bowed and thanked her, now he could be considered to have latched onto Ming Ruoxue's coattails.

Beneath the Dharma Tower, the cultivators continued their clamor.

The cultivators from the Qinghe and Xianshui sects were excited. A female cultivator named Li Yunxiang, who looked dull-witted, reached the eleventh floor of the Talisman Tower within half an hour.

They won first place in the Fu Tower by a narrow margin.

In other words, they conquered the three floors of magic, sword, and talisman, and even reached the top of two of them, which was enough to satisfy Fairy Ruoxue.

As for the cultivators from the four sects, they were devastated, having just been severely reprimanded by Liu Xia and lost face.

The inner disciples responsible for climbing the tower, especially Han Chong, were called away separately and were likely to receive a good scolding.

Lord Xia is skilled at managing her subordinates, and the four sects are well-governed. However, she is extremely concerned with appearances and lacks tolerance for others.

"Is it that rogue cultivator?"

"Lord Luo, who ascended to the top of the Dharma Tower, has a retainer's token? He's become Fairy Ruoxue's first retainer?"

As soon as Ming Ruoxue appeared, her graceful steps, shrouded in icy mist, drew the attention of all the cultivators present.

The cultivators held their breath and focused their attention on Luo Fanchen, who was following behind them. Their eyes were all drawn to the jade pendant at his waist.

It features a lotus pattern with ice crystals and is engraved with the three characters "Ming Ruoxue" in gilded gold.

"What rogue cultivator? Call me Lord Luo."

"A retainer of Fairy Ruoxue."

The rogue cultivators marveled, their eyes burning with envy. Countless scorching gazes focused on Luo Fanchen, giving him the illusion that he was about to burst into flames.

It seems he's become a big shot too?
Looking at the disciples of Qinghe and Xianshuiju, these geniuses from sects whom he had to give way to half a year ago, they all bowed and greeted him.

He was still a rogue cultivator, but he was no longer just a rogue cultivator.

Even though Ming Ruoxue's retainer token has extremely limited use compared to other Daoist disciples, he is still a retainer of the inner sect's prodigies, and his nominal status is similar to that of Qing Beixuan.

"The top spot on the list of those who ascended the tower this time belongs to Luo Fanchen. As for the others who made contributions to the list, I will now reward them according to their merits."

After speaking, Ming Ruoxue waved her hand lightly, and amidst the swirling frost and mist, two strands of spiritual energy condensed, transforming into an ice crystal jade scroll.

[Luo Fanchen, having reached the top of the Dharma Tower, is rewarded with 76 Immortal Destinies; the top spot on the leaderboard is rewarded with 50 Immortal Destinies.]

[Ling Moxue, reached the top of the Sword Tower, rewarded with 76 Immortal Destinies]

[Li Yunxiang and Qian Yun, both climbed to the eleventh floor, tied for third place, and were awarded thirty-seven Immortal Fates.]

The two disciples' eyes burned with anticipation, eagerly awaiting their names to be called, when they saw Ming Ruoxue calmly put away the scroll and say something indifferently.

"These four have made a meritorious contribution by climbing the tower and are ranked first. I will personally host a banquet to entertain them and reward them with elixirs and magical artifacts."

After speaking, Ming Ruoxue lightly tapped her slender finger, and ice crystals condensed into the second list. She looked at Luo Fanchen with her green eyes and said calmly.

"You'll be the one to announce this list."

Luo Fanchen bowed and accepted, knowing that Fairy Ruoxue intended for him to help elevate his status.

"Those who make it onto the second list may board the spirit ship and drink with the first list. There are a total of twenty people on this list."

The cultivators below the stage held their breath, especially Qing Beixuan, whose eyes were full of envy as he looked at Luo Fanchen, and he couldn't help but look forward to it.

He must have been listed among the top ten on the list of those who ascended the tenth floor. The Snow Fairy's banquet would certainly be filled with delicacies.

Nearly half of the second-ranked cultivators were independent cultivators, with very few cultivators from the two sects. Even when the last name was read, Qing Beixuan's name was still not on the list. The latter's face turned slightly pale, knowing that his attempt to hide his talents in the tower had been rejected by Fairy Ruoxue.

"Damn it. How could I dare to take such a risk?"

Qing Beixuan was filled with frustration and regret, and his gaze towards Luo Fanchen was filled with unbearable jealousy.

Ming Ruoxue could change the chief of Qinghe Sect with a single word. If he offended this fairy, his future would be bleak. Yet this rogue cultivator was able to gain the fairy's favor. How could people not be envious?

If he had known that reaching the top would grant him the fairy's retainer's token, he would have risked half his life to climb to the twelfth floor!

"I have arranged for the spirit puppets to prepare the ingredients for the spirit banquet, and the venue is set up on the spirit ship. You can arrange the rest. I will take the time to personally meet with the top-ranked person."

Ming Ruoxue patiently encouraged everyone a few more times, then swam away as the icy mist evaporated and rose on its own, like ripples on a calm lake.

With a slight frown, she calmly gave Luo Fanchen a few instructions, handed him a list, bid farewell to the cultivators, and her graceful figure slowly merged into the icy mist, gradually fading away until she disappeared completely.

"give it to me?"

Luo Fanchen narrowed his eyes slightly; he seemed to have sensed a rather strong emotional fluctuation in the fairy just now.

The changes were fleeting, and he wasn't sure about them, so he put them out of his mind.

"Top ranking: Tier 2 Low-grade Jade Snapper, Tier 1 High-grade Origin Jade Peach; Second ranking: Tier 1 High-grade Cloud River Deer, Tier 1 Mid-grade Tender Jade Fruit."

Luo Fanchen clicked his tongue in amazement, thinking to himself that Fairy Ruoxue was indeed generous, having almost pushed the limits of the rules in terms of rewards.

The second-ranked team prepares three extra portions of ingredients as a backup, which will be accounted for as a loss. This is within the rules, but it is clearly intentional.

The fairy does not receive those on the second list, which means he can invite three more people to the banquet.

"Lord Luo, this humble woman is Yunqian from Yunyuan."

As soon as Ming Ruoxue left, many female cultivators who considered themselves to be somewhat attractive and of high status went up to congratulate him, trying to get closer to him.

The sect disciples were no exception; they immediately sent people to gather information about him.

"I am Lord Zongluo of Qinghe."

"I am an outer disciple of the Immortal Water Abode. My senior brother is a distinguished member of the inner sect and also wishes to befriend you, sir."

The incessant noise around him annoyed Luo Fanchen. Although his status and position had risen, his prestige was still shallow. Moreover, the cultivators who came were all well-intentioned, and for a time they surrounded him so tightly that he could not move.

His eyes narrowed slightly, but fortunately, before he could get angry, a powerful Foundation Establishment aura dispelled everyone.

Li Miaoyun frowned, like a mother leopard guarding her prey, her sharp gaze easily driving away several female cultivators.

The noise stopped immediately, and everyone fell silent, tacitly making way for each other.

"Sir, the tea is still warm, please have some."

A fragrant breeze caressed her face as Li Miaoyun walked slowly, her fox-like eyes alluring and submissive, a thin mist shimmering around her as she offered a cup of fragrant tea.

Her lips were slightly pouting, her delicate lips glistening and moist. She deliberately lowered her body slightly, revealing her long, snowy neck adorned with a star-shaped beauty mark.

From his elevated position, Luo Fanchen could glimpse half of the snowy white, full breasts by looking down along the neck, whether intentionally or unintentionally, it was unclear.

"sorry to bother you."

Luo Fanchen accepted the teacup with a smile. Half an hour had passed, and the spiritual tea should have gone cold long ago. However, Li Miaoyun had been keeping it warm with her spiritual energy, so it was still warm when she drank it, with a hint of the delicate sweet fragrance of apricot blossoms.

Sweet and fragrant on the tip of her tongue, Li Miaoyun's face was as beautiful as a painting, her fox-like eyes were filled with a thin mist, and she was filled with the image of Luo Fanchen.

Her soft lips held a faint smile, which seemed to sweeten the very core of one's being.

Luo Fanchen's pupils contracted slightly, and the spiritual tea in his mouth seemed to lose its flavor.

(End of this chapter)