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

Lu Zaian slowly withdrew his divine sense, and a barely perceptible glint flashed in his eyes as he opened and closed them.

He did not get up immediately.

Instead, he quietly absorbed the scattered fragments of memories he had gleaned from refining the remnant soul.

Ji Chun's cultivation experiences over hundreds of years, the ancient and chaotic instinctive memories of the Mist Demon King...

The two memories, like turbulent and muddy rivers, are filled with a vast and complex amount of information, including countless useless noise and even distorted obsessions.

"Memories are complex and require a calm and careful process to extract the true essence."

Lu Zaian thought to himself.

Within these memories, one might be able to sift out information related to cultivation, techniques, and even secrets of the Northern Sky Domain, as well as some useful information.

The rest of the dross must be gradually removed...

So as not to affect one's own temperament.

at this time.

The air around Jiuyou rippled slightly, and a soft "ee-ooh" sound rang out.

A tiny figure, its entire body sculpted from ice crystals, emerged from the Nine Nether Kidney Space, rubbing its sleepy "eyes."

It was Xiao Yi.

"Ee-woo ee-woo~"

Xiao Yi sensed Lu Zaian's presence, circled him twice, and scattered icy blue light spots, bringing a touch of coolness.

Upon seeing this, Jiuyou's pale face revealed a slight smile:

"I almost forgot about this little guy. He also made a great contribution to this trip to the ruins!"

Jiuyou's tone carried a hint of regret.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't find any ice or water attribute elixirs that could help it break through to the late stage of the second tier..."

As he spoke, Jiuyou untied the storage pouch from his waist and handed it to Lu Zaian:

"All that has been gained is here. How you deal with it is up to you, Venerable One."

I need to go into seclusion immediately. This battle has given me new insights, and my physical wounds also need time to heal..."

Lu Zaian took the heavy storage bag and nodded: "Go ahead, you've had a hard time this time."

Jiuyou said no more, and his figure disappeared into the clouds and mist of the mountain wall in an instant.

Lu Zaian pulled Xiao Yi back into his kidney space, using the power of the contract to accelerate her recovery.

At the same time, he carried the storage bag, scanned it slightly with his divine sense, and already had a plan in mind.

First and foremost is the Crystal Mulberry Grove.

They were frozen inside a large block of ice by Little Yi's magic.

However, the freezing spell is about to expire, and the ice is already showing signs of melting!

Both the crystal mulberry tree and its companion crystal silkworm require a specific aquatic environment, especially nourishment from flowing water.

"The bottom of the West Mountain ravine connects to an underground river and a marshland, and is rich in aquatic energy, making it an excellent place to transplant them."

Lu Zaian pondered,

"At that time, we will set up the [Spirit Gathering and Water Conservation Array] to protect that area, which will not only nourish the mulberry forest silkworms but also create a stable source of production..."

The Crystal Silkworm is docile, but the Crystal Moth, after its metamorphosis, is extremely ferocious and requires the use of formations to restrain it...

Second.

These are the various spiritual materials obtained from the ruins of sects and from cultivators who fought back.

Among them are many high-quality ice and water-based materials.

"My [Azure Frost Treasure Mirror] is only a second-grade low-level item. It's perfect to use Heavenly Spirit Sand to re-temper it, add spirituality, and upgrade its grade."

As for the others, Azure Edge Stone, Frost Jade Bamboo... these materials are more suitable for sword-shaped magic weapons, we'll consider those later.

A thoughtful glint flashed in Lu Zaian's eyes.

"I have plenty of low-grade materials, which I can use for practice. My crafting skills are stuck at the second-grade low level. I might be able to try to break through to the mid-grade level with this opportunity."

His gaze swept over the two sword spirit grasses, which were surrounded by sword energy and had blade-like leaves.

"A natural-born sword embryo, indeed a good thing."

Lu Zai'an gave a thumbs-up, then shook his head.

"Unfortunately, with my current weapon-refining skills, I am not yet able to perfectly control such a spiritual object. If I rashly refine it, I fear I will damage its innate sword intent and waste such a precious resource..."

These two sword spirit herbs cannot be given to other weapon refiners, so they can only be kept for now.

At last.

Lu Zaian's attention fell on the silent, jet-black broadsword—[Ten Thousand Commands].

This sword is deeply demonic, incredibly heavy, and seems to possess immense power when wielded. It also has the strange property of attracting thousands of swords.

"This sword combines murderous aura with power. It may seem clumsy, but it is actually a masterpiece of simplicity. It is a perfect match for the Nine Netherworlds."

Lu Zaian weighed it in for a moment,

"Nowadays, the skills being studied are becoming increasingly diverse, including formations, alchemy, and weapon crafting... all of which require a significant investment of resources."

My physical cultivation has gradually lagged behind my Qi cultivation.

Letting Jiuyou specialize in physical cultivation and wield this demonic sword might be the best choice.

"If resources become more abundant in the future, it's not too late to consider improving one's body cultivation level..."

The plan has been decided.

After cleaning up the harvest, Lu Zaian did not linger any longer.

He moved the soon-to-melt crystal mulberry ice block to the bottom of the West Mountain Stream and began to set up the formation.

They then categorized the various materials and prepared to begin refining the weapon.

……

Meanwhile, outside the Black Miasma Forest, the turmoil had already spread.

The reclusive Huang family.

A slightly dim stream of light fell into the heavily guarded family forbidden area.

Huang Tian Lao Zu revealed himself, his face was an unnatural ashen, and his aura was much weaker than usual.

"Ancestor!"

The guard elder was shocked upon seeing this and quickly stepped forward to bow, cautiously asking, "You... what's wrong?"

Huangtian Laozu waved his hand, interrupting his question, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible weariness and gloom:

"Nothing. Pass down the order that I must immediately go into seclusion and that no one is to disturb me!"

All family affairs shall be decided jointly by you all; you shall not disturb me except on matters of great importance!

"Yes! I will obey the Ancestor's decree!"

The elder felt a chill run down his spine. Although he was full of questions, he dared not ask a single question and quickly bowed in response.

Huang Tian Lao Zu said no more, and his figure flashed and disappeared into the secluded cave, where layers of restrictions were instantly activated.

He needed to heal his hidden injuries as soon as possible, and more importantly, he needed to seize the time to refine the hard-won third-tier [Ink Blood Spirit Plant].

He was the only Core Formation cultivator in the Huang family.

He is the pillar of the family and must not fall. The news of his serious injury must never be known to the outside world!

Wasteland City, City Lord's Mansion.

Inside the renovated main hall, dim flames flickered in the wall lamps, illuminating the unpredictable expression on Master Qingming's face.

He sat upright on the black jade throne. Compared to Huang Tian Lao Zu, his injuries were less severe, and he was more resentful about the damage to his face.

There were so many spectators at the time that the news simply couldn't be kept secret!

It won't be long—

The news that two Core Formation cultivators, Qingming Zhenren and Huangtian Laozu, were forced into a sorry state and possibly even injured by a Foundation Establishment Body Cultivator.

It will spread throughout the entire Northern Sky Domain and become a topic of conversation among many cultivators during their leisure time!

This is a huge blow to his and the prestige of the Heavenly Underworld Palace!

"Someone is coming."

The voice of Master Qingming rang out coldly in the main hall.

A cultivator dressed in the robes of an elder of the Heavenly Nether Palace appeared silently in the hall and bowed to receive the order.

Master Qingming flicked his finger, and a jade slip flew toward the elder.

The jade slip clearly bears the two aliases that Jiuyou once used—

One was a scholar in blue robes with a cold and aloof demeanor;

The other is the arrogant and unruly burly man, Chu Xiao.

"Make a copy of this photo and send a message to the Northern Sky Domain: The Heavenly Underworld Palace is offering a reward for the capture of this person!"

They are cunning and unpredictable, and extremely skilled at disguise.

Any cultivator who discovers its traces shall immediately report it and be rewarded with 100,000 spirit stones, a bottle of second-grade superior pills, and the right to choose any second-grade magic weapon from the Heavenly Nether Palace treasury!

"If you can provide concrete clues to help me capture and kill this fiend, I will grant you the position of Elder of the Heavenly Underworld Palace!"

Master Qingming's voice was icy. He paused, then added:

"I heard that a young cultivator accompanied him before..."

"Investigate immediately! Uncover this person's identity and background! Perhaps we can find a breakthrough!"

"I will obey the Palace Master's decree!"

The elder accepted the jade slip with both hands, his mind reeling from the astronomical reward and even more shocked by the information revealed in the palace master's words. He dared not ask any more questions and hurriedly accepted the order to leave.

The main hall was empty.

Master Qingming tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of the throne, his eyes flashing with a ghostly light.

"Hmph, although we lost face, we didn't come away empty-handed."

He pondered to himself, "That [Mist Nightmare Banner], along with the corpse of the Mist Demon King, was given to me by Old Ghost Huang, who felt he was injured..."

He recalled how Huang Tian Lao Zu had suppressed his injuries when he left, and a cold smile crept onto his lips.

"Perhaps... we can take this opportunity to gain an edge over the Huang family in the division of interests in Huangze City. In the cultivation world, strength ultimately speaks."

There are no eternal friends, only eternal interests.