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

"Brother Wang, this is last month's assignment." Liu Xing hands in his homework on time on the 1st of every month.

"Junior Brother Liu, you have a bright future. Keep up the good work." Manager Wang always smiled when he saw Liu Xing coming over. He was very satisfied with his hard work. Looking at Liu Xing's back as he left, he said with emotion:

"What a hardworking young man! He stays in the workshop every day, either refining talismans or practicing martial arts. Unfortunately, his talent is limited. Two years have passed, and he still hasn't been able to break through. Sigh~"

Liu Xing ignored Wang Fu's sighs and groans. He was determined to seize the day and continue his training. Over the past two years, he'd spent a year cultivating the "Ten Directions Qi Condensation Technique" to perfection, then broke through to the eighth level. Using Qi Condensation Techniques, he concealed his magical power at the peak of the seventh level, effectively imperceptible to outsiders. Reassured, Liu Xing continued his relentless progress, cultivating frantically until he reached the peak of the eighth level.

Another three years passed. Besides cultivating the Ice and Water Technique, he also practiced other spells, such as Fire Technique, Earth Wall Technique, Wood Spike Technique, and Diamond Shield. Because he practiced water-attributed techniques, these spells underwent some changes, becoming ice flames, ice walls, and ice spikes, though their effects remained similar. For example, unlike fire, ice flames were extremely cold, yet they could also incinerate objects. Consequently, over the past three years, the variety of talismans he refined increased significantly, though he never displayed them at the Wang family. Every assignment he submitted was based on old spells like Ice Cone and Water Arrow.

In recent years, he has made rapid progress, his strength increasing tremendously, and he has now reached the peak of the ninth level. He recently made another purchase at Wanbao Tower, receiving approximately 20,000 spirit stones in exchange for a large number of realm-breaking and cultivation-enhancing elixirs. This delighted the elderly steward who received him, further confirming his identity as a talisman-refining sect. This was a major customer, so he treated him well. He also gave him a Wantong Chamber of Commerce membership card, granting him a 5% discount on purchases at Wantong Chamber of Commerce stores. Don't underestimate this membership card; it not only saves a significant amount of spirit stones, but also serves as a status symbol. Liu Xing also took the opportunity to ask for a map of the cultivation world, revealing the locations of various immortal sects, aristocratic families, renowned independent cultivators' dojo, and even the Fang City within a million-mile radius.

Two years flew by in the blink of an eye. With the help of a large amount of elixirs and diligent training, his power reached the peak of the eleventh level. He also accumulated five or six hundred finished talismans of tenth and eleventh levels of power. Each one of them was a huge fortune. Having a technical skill was good; it could make money.

Liu Xing had been working for the Wang family for ten years. With his contract up, he decided to bid farewell to the head of the Wang family. On the way, he ran into Wang Shen, also at the tenth level. With talent and a good father, his progress was rapid. Liu Xing sighed and said hello. Seeing that Liu Xing was still stuck at the seventh level, with little improvement in his skills over the past ten years, the gap between him and himself was widening, and his attitude was lukewarm. Ever since learning that Liu Xing had mixed spiritual roots, he had distanced himself from him. He lacked the initial enthusiasm he had shown when they first met, and hadn't visited him in the past ten years, becoming a complete stranger. Liu Xing had witnessed countless instances of snobbery and the fickleness of human nature in his two lives. In the world of cultivation, the disparity in strength stemming from the difference in realm led to a greater lack of humanity, a selfishness that was often felt without mercy. Therefore, Wang Shen's contrasting behavior was unfazed, unwavering in his resolve, and he harbored no jealousy or resentment.

"Senior Wang, Liu Xing's contract has expired, so I've come to say goodbye to the head of the family. Thank you for your care over the past ten years." Liu Xing said sincerely. The head of the Wang family is still in the early stages of foundation building. It can be seen that the higher the realm, the more difficult it is to advance.

"Wang Fu speaks highly of you, praising your diligence and ambition. However, your talent is limited, making advancement difficult. Would you like to continue to stay with the Wang family? I can offer you a monthly salary of 20 spirit stones, which is already five more than other talisman makers." The head of the Wang family was also very satisfied with Liu Xing's work performance over the past ten years. Although his realm remained at the seventh level and he lacked inch strength, it did not affect his talisman making. He extended an olive branch, hoping to continue employing Liu Xing, but Liu Xing was determined to leave and refused.

"You can also marry and have children, and move your family into the Wang family's restricted area. We will allocate real estate and fertile land to you, and the Wang family will protect you and ensure your safety for the rest of your life. Your cultivation is still shallow, and it is very dangerous for you to go out. It will also be more difficult for you to become a casual cultivator and obtain resources for cultivation." The head of the Wang family put forward another condition, which was to turn Liu Xing into a lifelong wage earner.

"Thank you for your kindness, Master. I have made up my mind to leave." Liu Xing was unmoved and still refused.

"Keep your badge. The Wang family's doors are always open to you. We welcome you back anytime." The head of the Wang family was disappointed to see Liu Xing insist on leaving. He suspected that Liu Xing had grown tired of his job after ten years. After a few dangerous experiences and a few bruises, he'd miss coming back. His workshop had many second-time cultivators, but by the time they wanted to come back, they wouldn't have such good conditions.

Liu Xing's smooth departure from the Wang family surprised him, as he'd expected more trouble, perhaps even a falling out. Perhaps it was because his cultivation was too low that the Wang family simply looked down upon him. Regardless, a smooth departure was a welcome relief; all his prepared backup plans were unnecessary, and everyone was happy.

Liu Xing soared onto the clouds, flying towards the Shangwu Kingdom. Reflecting on the past ten years, he felt a surge of emotion. Working for the Wang family for ten years hadn't been a loss. Although the wages were low, the side hustle earned him a lot. He also acquired a complete set of techniques and the skill of talisman making, which would provide him with a means of livelihood in the future. His technique had reached the peak of the eleventh level, and he only needed one level to complete the Qi Refining stage, which would allow him to seek the opportunity to establish his foundation. Although his age and cultivation level couldn't compare to those of the rich second generation or top geniuses, he could still catch up. His current strength should be more than enough to protect himself among his peers in the Qi Refining stage.

He could no longer expect further opportunities within the Wang family, so he planned to leave when the time came. The conditions offered by the Wang family were quite generous for an ordinary cultivator. Before he discovered the secret of the flute, he would have been tempted to bring his lover here to spend his life together. However, with the help of the flute, his future on the immortal path would inevitably be much further. He could no longer settle for a single place; he needed to venture out into the world and seek the secret of immortality.

"Qing'er, are you okay?" Thinking of Qing'er, Liu Xing felt filled with guilt.

For the past ten years, he had missed his beloved Qing'er constantly. Now that his Daoist skills had been mastered and his contract had expired, he set out immediately to find her again. His greatest fear was that Qing'er would become depressed and do something to harm him. So he dared not stay a moment longer, determined to find her and pour out his heart.