Traveling through time to cultivate immortality: a life and death test

The exchange, amidst the enthusiastic atmosphere of the crowd, lasted three days and three nights. Liu Xing listened with rapt interest, gaining both in cultivation and in knowledge, and felt the trip was worthwhile. However, it was obvious that everyone's treasured treasures or core cultivation secrets were not to be shared, so he understood that reaching this level was already a good achievement. If these exchange meetings lacked new participants, the new things shared would gradually diminish.

"Thank you all for your enthusiastic participation. Today's exchange meeting ends here. Those who wish to join the Tianyuan Loose Cultivator Alliance can contact us to sign up. The Alliance does not impose any restrictions; it only seeks mutual progress." Seeing that the time was almost up, Sun Yu announced the end of the meeting and invited everyone to join the Loose Cultivator Alliance. Everyone seemed to have expected this. Liu Xing suddenly realized that Sun Yu's enthusiasm had a purpose: to show his presence and attract people to join the Loose Cultivator Alliance.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, I have a plant of Oolong grass here. Could you lend it to me to discuss in detail?" When Liu Xing and Laochen were walking out of the hall together, they suddenly received a message from the Taoist priest.

"Master, do you have Oolong grass?! How old is it?" Liu Xing was extremely surprised and asked impatiently through voice transmission. Liaochen just smiled and nodded without further explanation.

"Let's go to the private room and talk in detail. This is not the place to talk." After saying this, Taoist Lechen walked towards the third floor, and Liu Xing hurriedly followed.

Arriving in the private room, the waiter served spiritual tea. Liu Xing looked at the Taoist priest expectantly, listening to his continued introduction. Liaochen smiled faintly and casually set up a soundproofing barrier.

"This Oolong grass of mine is nine hundred years old, which is enough for you to make pills. But spiritual herbs are too scarce, so I wanted to make pills myself to improve my cultivation." Lechen said slowly, looking very embarrassed.

"Master, please feel free to ask for anything you want." Seeing this, Liu Xing understood that Master Chen was going to ask for a huge amount of money.

"But recently I discovered the cave of a senior in the Jindan stage. There is a fourth-level monster, the Demon Flower Mantis, guarding it. I need help to kill it and obtain the secret treasures of the cave. Today, I heard from Fellow Daoist Liu that he seems to have rich experience in killing monsters, so I would like to ask for your help." Lechen finally stated his purpose.

"A fourth-level monster, aren't you and I just going to die?" Liu Xing exclaimed, pretending to be horrified. He couldn't easily reveal his strength.

"Of course not. I have also invited four fellow Taoists, all of whom are in the middle stage of foundation building. I previously thought that five against one would barely be feasible, but now if more Taoists join us, the chances will be even greater." Taoist Lechen saw Liu Xing's frightened look, smiled slightly and told him about other arrangements.

"Oh, with the six of us fellow Taoists, if we pay some price, we should be able to kill the fourth-level monster. I agree to go with you, what about the black dragon grass?" Liu Xing pondered for a moment, seemed to be struggling for a long time, and finally agreed.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Liu is so kind. This Oolong grass is the reward for your help. But the Oolong grass is too valuable, so the other treasures in the cave can no longer be shared with you. I hope Fellow Daoist Liu can understand." Lechen was very happy to see Liu Xing agreed.

"I want to see the Oolong grass first." Liu Xing wanted to inspect the goods first and not do the work, but in the end he was cheated by a blank check.

"Of course." With a wave of his hand, Liaochen revealed a delicate jade box on the table. Inside lay a emerald green spiritual herb, emitting a rich medicinal aroma. It was clearly mature oolong grass. Liu Xing carefully examined it with his spiritual sense and confirmed it was approximately nine hundred years old. Nodding with great satisfaction, Taoist Liaochen collected the herb. The two agreed to meet three mornings later on a hillside five kilometers from the East City Gate and set out for the cave abode.

Back at the inn, Liu Xing habitually reviewed what he had seen and heard over the past few days. The loose cultivator alliance was an inevitable product of the times, satisfying both freedom and the need for community. However, the organizers saw no profit, either short-lived or motivated by ulterior motives. The situation for loose cultivators was indeed difficult. Judging from the various groups at the exchange meetings, they were relatively lacking in vision, knowledge, skills, and financial resources. Liu Xing felt that hanging out with them would limit his perspective and hinder his progress. This further solidified his determination to join a sect. Only by learning from the prodigies of various sects could he rise to the top.

Another peculiar point was the appearance of Taoist Master Liaochen. The encounter at the pharmacy, the message in the alley, the exchange meeting, the invitation to help—all seemed logical, but the combination of these coincidences made things suspicious. The Oolong Grass was real, and he had to obtain it at all costs. He had concealed his strength well, and Taoist Master Liaochen had better not be plotting anything, or he would surely give him a big surprise. He couldn't tell if what Liaochen said was true, so he didn't believe it completely, playing along with him with a skeptical attitude, trying to see what his intentions were, and reminding himself to be vigilant.

Three days later, Liu Xing arrived at the agreed location early and found that Taoist Chen had already arrived with a woman standing beside him.

"Fellow Daoist Liaochen, you've arrived so early. Who is this lady?" Liu Xing greeted him.

"Since I'm the initiator, I naturally had to come early to wait for everyone. I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Liu to arrive so early. This is Madam Long, Madam Long, and this is Fellow Daoist Liu." Liaochen introduced the two with a smile. The two exchanged greetings, sat down cross-legged, and waited for the others to arrive. The others arrived one after another, and an hour later, all six were present. Liu Xing discovered that, except for Madam Long, everyone else had met at the free cultivator exchange meeting three days prior, so they had a certain acquaintance. This time, they met again, and they formally got to know each other once again.

"Everyone is here. Fellow Daoist Liaochen, could you tell us the approximate destination and how far it is?" asked a rather cautious young man, and everyone looked at the Taoist priest.

"Even if Fellow Daoist Min didn't ask, I was just planning to tell you. Our journey to the Mengqi Grassland is about ten thousand miles." Lechen answered immediately, as if he was not deliberately concealing the truth.

"Let's set off now without further delay," Madam Long suggested. Everyone wanted to get there and back quickly, to collect their dues. Taoist Master Liaochen led the way, flinging out his whisk, leaping onto its handle and soaring steadily forward. The others also unleashed flying swords, flying boats, and other magical instruments, soaring through the air. Liu Xing also unleashed his speedboat, keeping it to a minimum, and trailed behind the others. Unaware of the dangers ahead, Liu Xing used the speedboat to conserve his spiritual energy.

Led by Lechen, a group of people headed towards the Mengqi grassland in a mighty manner.