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

Lu Zaian took Xu Yan'er back to his rented cave dwelling, number twenty-four.

The cave dwelling covers a vast area, with pavilions, towers, artificial hills and streams, exotic flowers and rare plants, creating a serene and secluded landscape.

Lu Zaian strolled around and was quite satisfied.

Besides its beautiful scenery, the cave is also fully equipped with various facilities.

Alchemy and weapon crafting rooms, training rooms, spirit pet enclosures, residences, and more...

What pleased Lu Zaian the most was undoubtedly the presence of a lake within the cave dwelling area.

The lake surface was as clear as a mirror, and the extremely rich spiritual energy gathered into a thin mist, making it ethereal and hazy.

In the middle of the lake stands a pavilion, appearing and disappearing in the thin mist, exuding an ethereal aura...

"Elder Lu, you haven't named this cave dwelling yet?"

Xu Yan'er excitedly reminded her from the side.

She benefited from Lu Zaian's presence, being able to cultivate in such a spiritually rich cave.

Even being a maid here is better than struggling in the outer city.

"Naming it..."

Many Foundation Establishment cultivators will express their aspirations or feelings through the name of their cave dwelling.

To make their name known, or to make their aspirations clear.

Lu Zaian pinched his chin with one hand, lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then chuckled softly:

"Let's call it 'Spring and Autumn Pavilion'."

Taken from the phrase, "I retreat into my small building and become a world unto myself, oblivious to winter, summer, spring, and autumn."

Lu Zaian has now completed his Foundation Establishment and only wants to focus on cultivation, ignoring the troubles of the outside world.

It also implies that he possesses an immortal body and has lived through the ages...

"Spring and Autumn Pavilion? What a nice name!"

Xu Yan'er's eyes lit up.

This is not just a name, but also a public declaration.

If anyone asks her in the future, she can proudly say, "I am a member of Chunqiu Pavilion."

Lu Zaian glanced at the excited Xu Yan'er, saw through her little scheme at a glance, and then warned her:

"When you are out in the world, you must not use my name to do anything that is out of line."

Otherwise, if I find out, I will be severely punished!

Also, I didn't bring you along for personal enjoyment.

The Spring and Autumn Pavilion is currently short of servants. Take the token and go to the outer city to find some people with respectable backgrounds.

Meanwhile, I'm planning to open a pill shop in the outer city...

Go to the outer city and find suitable locations for vacant shops, then report back to me.

Now that Lu Zaian has reached the Foundation Establishment stage, there's no need for him to do many things personally.

This saves a lot of time that can be used for spiritual practice.

"Yes! Yan'er understands."

Xu Yan'er looked respectful and gladly accepted the order.

.........

A few days later.

The news that Lu Zaian had established his foundation and moved into the inner city of Huangze City gradually spread.

The cultivators who witnessed his fight with Song Xuanfeng at the city gate spread the news far and wide.

This caused quite a stir in the cultivation world of the Northern Sky Domain.

After all, Lu Zaian was just a rogue cultivator with no connections or influence, and he was already an older Foundation Establishment cultivator.

This also made Lu Zaian a role model for many Qi Refining cultivators in the Northern Sky Domain.

Look at others, even seventy or eighty-year-old rogue cultivators can reach the Foundation Establishment stage.

What reason do I have to give up?

Spring and Autumn Pavilion, Lakeside Pavilion.

Lu Zaian named this lake "Mirror Lake".

Because of the abundant spiritual energy, Lu Zaian has been frequently coming to the lakeside pavilion to cultivate these past two days, or simply to cultivate his mind and body.

Inside the pavilion, Lu Zaian, Yang Ying, and another elderly man in a gray robe sat around a stone table, drinking and chatting.

The gray-robed old man had a clear and shrewd face and a profound aura. He was also a Foundation Establishment cultivator, named Chang Qing.

"Come, Fellow Daoist Chang, let's drink!"

Your shop near the West Gate has an excellent location.

This time, it's me, Lu, who owes you a favor.

Lu Zaian raised a glass of wine and toasted the old man in gray robes.

A few days ago, Lu Zaian asked Xu Yan'er to inspect the store location.

But no matter how many times he looked, he couldn't find a position that satisfied Lu Zai'an.

Either the foot traffic is low, the store is too small, or the prices are too high.

Later, it was Yang Ying who took the lead and contacted this fellow Daoist Chang Qing.

Chang Qing ran a brokerage business in Huangze City, selling and leasing shops.

Through his efforts, he managed to rent out a shop in a prime location in the West District to Lu Zaian.

The price is also very reasonable.

This also made Lu Zaian feel indebted, which led to today's gathering.

"Not at all, it's good that Brother Lu has a skill to rely on."

Unlike me, who can only engage in speculative brokerage business.

Chang Qing chuckled and raised his glass in return to Lu Zaian.

He himself was a wandering cultivator, and he knew how difficult it was to get to where he is today.

That's why he didn't refuse when Yang Ying approached him, and he came with the intention of getting to know Lu Zaian.

After all, having more friends is never a bad thing.

Yang Ying, sitting at the table, echoed with a smile:

"Indeed, Brother Lu is a capable man. You must have turned down quite a few invitations from other forces these past few days, right?"

Lu Zaian picked up a piece of food, shook his head and chuckled.

"Haha, Brother Yang, are you teasing me? Are you blaming me for not wanting to join the Wasteland City?"

"Hey~ I didn't say that..."

Just as the group was drinking and chatting, a maid's soft call came from the lakeside.

"Reporting to the Pavilion Master, another group of people has arrived outside the Spring and Autumn Pavilion."

This time it was people from Zixiao Temple and the Demon Spear Sect. Sister Yan'er led them to the reception room..."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zaian frowned slightly and put down his wine glass.

"Didn't we say that they've all disappeared?"

I'm still entertaining distinguished guests; please send them away.

After a while, they heard sounds coming from the lakeside again.

"But...but the ones who came were the Red Cloud Taoist from the Purple Cloud Temple and the Golden Spear Deacon from the Demon Spear Sect."

They look like they're about to start arguing...

"What? How could it be them?"

Lu Zaian was taken aback upon hearing this.

Previously, those who tried to win him over were mostly weaker sects and forces.

Even some Qi Refining sects wanted Lu Zaian to become a Supreme Elder...

Lu Zaian rejected them all.

But Zixiao Temple and Demon Spear Sect are both well-known and powerful forces in the Northern Sky Domain.

With their strength, they could at least rank among the top ten in the northern airspace.

There's absolutely no need to recruit independent cultivators from outside, right?

Crimson Cloud Taoist, Golden Spear Steward?

Lu Zaian had even heard of it.

These are all Foundation Establishment cultivators who have long been renowned in the Northern Sky Domain...

Moreover, they sent a Foundation Establishment cultivator to invite others, but ended up arguing outside the door first.

What expansion is this?

Just as Lu Zaian was puzzled, Chang Qing suddenly spoke up:

"It's not surprising that it's one of these two companies."

Brother Lu, I'm afraid you're unaware that the Purple Cloud Temple and the Demon Spear Sect are currently preparing for a major battle.

"Preparing for a major war? The Purple Cloud Temple and the Demon Spear Sect are about to fight?"

Lu Zaian was slightly surprised; he really didn't know about this.

Both Zixiao Temple and Demon Spear Sect are ancient, established forces in the Northern Sky Domain.

What could have caused a major war between them?

"Indeed, Brother Lu should still remember the Hundred Flowers Auction two years ago..."

Chang Qing nodded and sighed softly.

A flower auction?

I did attend the auction, but I left halfway through.

Lu Zaian frowned, as if remembering something, and blurted out:

"Could it be the Yin Fu Daoist?!"

Two years ago at the Hundred Flowers Auction.

The only person Lu Zaian knew who was connected to Zixiao Temple was the old Taoist Yin Fu.

At that time, the old Taoist Yin Fu made a bid to compete for the essence blood of Tianmingpeng, which resulted in a fight between Zhang Tianshi of Zixiao Temple and others.

This caused Lu Zaian to not dare to bid for Tianmingpeng's essence blood.

Therefore, Lu Zaian had a deep impression of this.

But... what does this have to do with the Demon Spear Cult?