Immortality and Cultivation: This old man seeks enlightenment through mere survival.

"Fellow Daoist Lu is indeed worthy of being able to establish his foundation as a rogue cultivator; his heart for the Dao is so unwavering."

Yang Ying was slightly surprised.

He had assumed that cultivators of Lu Zaian's age who had reached the Foundation Establishment stage would spend the rest of their lives enjoying themselves.

After all, there are still more than a hundred years left.

If no new great opportunity arises.

Breaking through to the Core Formation stage is almost impossible.

This made Yang Ying admire Lu Zaian's character.

He continued:

"If Fellow Daoist Lu is willing, why not join my Desolate Marsh City?"

Becoming a worshipper in the Wasteland City grants access to the inner city's cave dwelling for free.

There are also many resources to enjoy...

As for the power struggles and other matters that Fellow Daoist Lu is worried about, they have nothing to do with my Desolate Swamp City.

After all, we are absolutely neutral in the northern airspace.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zaian did not immediately refuse, but instead asked:

"Since Huangze City remains neutral, why is it still recruiting retainers?"

What tasks need to be completed to receive the resources after making offerings?

Yang Ying smiled faintly and explained arrogantly:

"Fellow Daoist Lu, you've misunderstood one thing."

The purpose of recruiting worshippers is, of course, to strengthen the power of Huangze City.

However, being neutral does not mean you don't need to become stronger.

It is because we are strong that we can remain neutral!

"Oh... I was wrong about that."

Lu Zaian nodded in agreement.

Huangze City was able to maintain absolute neutrality among the many Foundation Establishment forces and a few Core Formation forces in the Northern Sky Domain.

The required strength is not necessarily the strongest.

It's still among the top.

Otherwise, we won't be able to hold onto this coveted prize, Huangze City.

After all, the resources flowing into the Wasteland City from the barren marshes every year are enough to make most Foundation Establishment cultivators envious.

Yang Ying continued:

"As for becoming a worshipper, one needs to lead a spirit-hunting team from the Wasteland City into the marshland once a year."

Many rare and precious creatures of nature are hidden within a vast expanse of water and marshland.

Ordinary Qi Refining cultivators cannot go deep into this area, but Foundation Establishment cultivators can.

Our team of spirit hunters consists of extraordinary individuals with unique abilities to detect and find treasures.

The task of offering sacrifices is to lead the team and protect them.

Deal with potential dangers.

After all, some second-tier spirit creatures are surrounded by guardian beasts or other dangers...

All collected spiritual items belong to the City of Wasteland.

Then a portion will be prioritized for internal staff.

Only the remaining items will be traded or auctioned...

At the same time, we have a complete contribution point mechanism.

The contribution points earned from offerings can be exchanged for various spiritual items, cultivation techniques, magic weapons, elixirs, and more that cannot be bought outside...

If you are absent from leading the team due to seclusion or other reasons.

It can be extended for up to ten years.

Alternatively, you can offset it with contribution points.

In addition, there are routine tasks and events, such as handling unexpected situations and defending the Wasteland City, like what I did today...

Overall, it was relatively easy.

Yang Ying slowly explained, clarifying the advantages and disadvantages of the offerings made in Huangze City.

For most Foundation Establishment cultivators, this is absolutely worthwhile.

Joining the Wasteland City provides both a Core Formation expert as a backer and access to abundant resources.

The only thing to be careful about is that when leading a team deep into the marshes, you need to act within your capabilities.

Even Foundation Establishment cultivators cannot guarantee 100% safety in the depths of the marshland.

However... Lu Zaian naturally wouldn't agree.

For him, is it still necessary to lead a team into the marshland every year?

There are just too many uncertainties and risks like this...

Take the Song family, whom we recently offended, for example.

What if the Song family ambushes me on my inevitable route?

Lu Zaian was confident that if he burned his essence blood, he would have a chance to escape even from a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

But why bring about these unnecessary crises?

Another issue is resources.

Lu Zaian could only do so if he was 100% certain.

Otherwise, they would not be willing to seek opportunities in the water.

It's similar to mining the original water core ore.

Lu Zaian only made a move when he was 100% confident in dealing with the Wood Crocodile Demons.

Otherwise, Lu Zaian would rather give up.

He possesses an immortal body and an endless lifespan.

What they should do best is honestly earn spirit stones through cultivation techniques.

It's safe and secure, so it doesn't matter if it's a bit slow...

Of course, there is one last, and most crucial, question.

Because of the Daoist body of longevity.

Lu Zaian is quite sensitive to the words "time" and "lifespan".

Based on some information I've gathered since arriving in Huangze City.

It seems that the City Lord of the Core Formation stage hasn't shown his face for a long time.

I've heard that the city lord achieved the Golden Core Dao three hundred years ago.

If you count the days, it's over four hundred years old now.

Those who reach the Core Formation stage live for five hundred years.

If the city lord's lifespan is nearing its end, and no new Core Formation cultivator is born in the city lord's lineage...

Whether the desolate city can maintain neutrality and peace for another few hundred years is truly another matter...

Therefore, it is even less likely that Lu Zaian would tie himself to Huangze City.

Currently, Lu Zaian's acquisition of resources here is, after all, a completely legitimate transaction.

Lu Zaian spent spirit stones to rent cave dwellings and buy spiritual items.

However, if one becomes a sacrificial offering, one is bound to be subservient to those who offer food and gifts.

If you're asked to risk your life to protect Huangze City, then Lu Zaian will be in a real bind...

In conclusion, Lu Zaian made a show of asking for Yang Ying's invitation, and then politely declined.

"Fellow Daoist Yang, I am truly sorry. I have been cultivating for so long that I have become accustomed to being carefree and do not like to be restrained."

Therefore... I'm afraid I'm not up to the task.

"This……"

Upon hearing Lu Zaian's answer, Yang Ying was slightly taken aback.

I have already carefully analyzed for the other party the benefits of becoming a worshipper in the Wasteland City.

The advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages.

As a late-blooming Foundation Establishment cultivator, Lu Zaian had no reason to refuse.

Could it be that they were afraid of encountering danger if they ventured deeper into the marshland?

Actually, he wasn't confident in his own abilities.

Or are there all other concerns?

Yang Ying valued Lu Zai'anla's decision to have him join the Wasteland City.

Firstly, if successful, one can also gain a considerable amount of contribution points.

Secondly, he also conducted a brief investigation into Lu Zaian's deeds after he came to Huangze City.

He was indeed a person who practiced asceticism.

The only conflict was with the Three Tripods Tower and the Song family.

It was all because the other party started it first.

Such ascetic practitioners are well-suited to the neutral city of Wasteland.

The third is Lu Zaian's dual cultivation of body and Dharma.

Even if Lu Zaian's cultivation only reaches the early stage of Foundation Establishment, his combat strength will still be comparable to that of a typical mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

This is a decent fighting force for Huangze City.

All things considered, Yang Yingcai was very interested in recruiting Lu Zaian into the army.

Unexpectedly, Lu Zaian has now refused.

"...Since Fellow Daoist Lu has other ambitions, then so be it."

Yang Ying sighed softly, but quickly composed himself.

Although the invitation was rejected, Yang Ying was not angry or showed any dissatisfaction.

We're all Foundation Establishment cultivators, so we see each other all the time in this desolate city.

There's no need to make things unpleasant over such a small matter.

Moreover, Lu Zaian is a lone cultivator with no weaknesses.