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

After opening up the spiritual field, Lu Zaian's cultivation career has become completely stable.

With the [Minor Yin-Yang Creation Array] in place, the safety of Yunli Mountain is guaranteed.

Lu Zaian can now focus on his own path with peace of mind.

Time flies in the mountains; in the blink of an eye, another three years have passed...

It was the dead of winter, and the wind was biting cold.

The Changli Mountains were hit by a once-in-a-century heavy snowfall.

However, in the Liushi Domain, located south of the mountain ridge, the violent fire elemental energy miraculously prevented the snowflakes from falling.

From a distance, the Changli Mountains appear as if they have been severed by a single stroke.

On one side is a snow-covered, silver-clad world of ice and snow; on the other side is still a desolate scene of withered mountains and dead vegetation.

It is indeed a rare spectacle.

Meanwhile, a fierce battle was taking place on the mountaintop, unknown to anyone.

"The power of a savage bear, take this punch!"

The Nine Netherworld clone slammed its fist forward, carrying the ultimate power of the [Savage Bear Demon], causing the surrounding air to explode!

Snowflakes are falling wildly!

On the other side of him, the target of the attack was none other than Lu Zaian himself.

Faced with the full-force attack from the mid-Foundation Establishment body cultivator of the Nine Netherworld clone, Lu Zaian dared not be careless.

He reached out and grasped at the air, his magic power condensing into a transparent hammer, which he then hurled out.

[Water Spirit Hammer!]

The hammer, though formed from flowing water, seemed as hard as metal, spinning in mid-air and colliding with the fist of the Nine Netherworld clone!

boom! ! !

The two collided, producing a huge sound.

However, the physical strength of the Nine Netherworld clone was ultimately superior!

"Haha, this level of attack isn't enough!"

Nine Netherworld clone shattered the water hammer with another punch, its fist's energy condensing into a grotesque image of a roaring bear, which lunged at Lu Zaian.

"Body cultivators are still troublesome."

Lu Zaian frowned slightly and murmured.

He naturally knew the strength of the Nine Netherworld clone best.

However, it is precisely because of this that this exchange between Qi cultivation and body cultivation is meaningful.

Lu Zaian waved his sleeve, unleashing a surge of immense magical power, and then grasped with his five fingers.

[Water Spirit Thousand Blades - Formation!]

The next moment, the boundless water magic condensed into transparent weapons: swords, spears, halberds, axes, hooks, and forks...

They attacked the Nine Netherworld clone together.

"That trick again, hahaha, my [Blood罡 Gluttonous Armor] is newly formed, even the eighteen weapons can't do anything to me!"

The Nine Netherworld clone's expression froze slightly, then he burst into laughter.

Last time, he was defeated by this move from the main body.

This move is inspired by the "Water Moon Sword Manual" and the "Extreme Spirit Yin Sha Technique".

Now that Lu Zaian's knowledge has broadened and his strength has increased, he has finally found the time to study the "Extreme Spirit Yin Sha Technique".

Even if one cannot practice a third-tier cultivation technique, there are still things one can learn from it.

The so-called "ultimate spiritual power" refers to the ultimate control and proficiency with spiritual power, as if it were an extension of one's own arm!

This applies to all attributes.

In addition, Lu Zaian's weapon-refining skills improved to the first-tier mid-grade level over three years, and he became well-versed in the structure of all weapons.

Condensed weapons combine the practicality of knives and axes with the sharpness of spears and swords!

It can be said that this move represents Lu Zaian's further mastery of magical power.

The Nine Netherworld clone's laughter reverberated as it immediately unleashed the [Blood罡饕甲].

He suddenly erupted with terrifying blood flames, which surged and shaped on his body like boiling magma.

Dark red armor covered his entire body, with magical runes moving around it, and a Taotie relief with its mouth open roaring!

clang clang clang!!

Once the demonic armor was completed, it withstood thousands of weapons, producing the sounds of clashing swords.

The Nine Netherworld clone used the momentum to get closer to the main body and threw a punch! Throwed a punch! Throwed another punch!

He displayed the overwhelming power of body cultivation without reservation!

"Should we tough it out?"

On the other side, Lu Zaian muttered to himself.

It was just a friendly spar, so he didn't use any cold poison.

The new tricks are still being perfected, and for a time they were unable to do anything to the Nine Netherworld clones.

However... even the Nine Netherworld clone couldn't do anything to him.

[Water Release!]

[Water Release!!]

……

Lu Zaian stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm.

Whenever the Nine Netherworld clone's fist came, he would turn into a stream of water and disappear from the spot.

The next moment, it re-formed not far away.

"What a cheat! If you can't beat them, all you can do is run away?" Nine Nether Clone shouted.

Lu Zaian paused in mid-air, dusted off his sleeves, and chuckled.

"Heh, movement technique is also part of combat. You can't even touch me, so how can you say you can beat me?"

This move, "Water Escape," is borrowed from the "Shadow Killing Technique" obtained from the Twin Bandits.

Back then, the female bandit, with her dark spiritual root combined with shadow escape, was so powerful that even Lu Zaian's divine sense couldn't detect her.

It can be described as a top-notch combat movement technique.

Unfortunately, it was ultimately countered by the [Minor Yin-Yang Creation Array]...

Lu Zaian does have a unique escape technique—[Burning Blood Escape].

However, this move is clearly more suitable for long-distance flight and not for short-distance maneuvering in combat.

Therefore, Lu Zai'an spent three years creating his own unique fighting style.

"I'm not fighting anymore, I'm not fighting anymore, it's so boring to keep dodging and weaving."

The Nine Netherworld clone was like a fist hitting cotton, unable to exert its strength.

If he were to use the [Law of Heaven and Earth] technique, his combat power would increase significantly, allowing him to encounter the true form.

But then it wouldn't be a friendly sparring match...

"Alright, that concludes our exchange for today."

Lu Zaian's wide sleeves fluttered, dispelling the formation that had been locking away the battle aura on the mountaintop.

Over the course of three years, although his liquid mana grew slowly, his overall combat strength improved significantly.

Having a clone by your side is very convenient.

As long as an idea pops into Lu Zaian's mind, he can pull his clone together to test and verify it.

"Now that it's over, I'm going to continue hunting in the marshes..."

"That's what the Nine Netherworld clone said."

Although the Changli Mountains cover a vast area, they are poor in resources.

The spiritual field and the Seven Treasures Tree are still developing slowly.

Therefore, Lu Zaian's current acquisition of cultivation resources relies entirely on his clones traveling outside.

Every so often, the clone would disguise itself and go out to hunt monsters and collect spiritual materials and other resources in the desolate marshes.

Moreover, the most important element required for the Nine Netherworld Avatar's body refinement is "vital energy and blood".

It is also extracted by killing monsters in the marsh with the Blood Spirit Orb.

After all, there are no high-level demonic beasts in the Changli Mountains.

"By the way, don't go there for now..."

Lu Zai'an spoke up to stop him,

"For some reason, I've been feeling uneasy while cultivating these past few days, as if I'm being locked onto by some kind of sense of crisis..."

"Oh? Could it really be because of that 'Ghostly Netherworld Tribulation'?"

The Nine Netherworld clone was puzzled.

"It's hard to say, but it's pretty close to the truth." Lu Zaian's expression turned slightly serious.

"The Ghostly Wheel of Tribulation" is a secret technique of the soul that he obtained in the Desolate City.

Although it is difficult to get started, its effect on improving one's spiritual awareness is remarkable.

Lu Zai'an's ability to successfully pass the three trials and establish his foundation was also thanks in part to this method.

However, this secret method is somewhat strange.

After successfully cultivating the twelfth tribulation—the Soul Devouring Tribulation—he stopped after sensing something strange.

Now, that eerie feeling is growing stronger.

It's as if an invisible thread connects to the other end; ever since I started cultivating the "Ghostly Netherworld Tribulation," I haven't been able to escape it.

Therefore, Lu Zaian kept his clone by his side, just in case, to have an extra fighting force.

.........