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

In the blink of an eye, a year has passed.

Lu Zaian sat cross-legged on the bed, his five hearts facing the sky.

Nourished by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and with ample nutrition, Lu Zaian's originally pale and dry hair turned silvery.

A hairpin made from a fish bone was coiled at the back of her head.

His dark complexion was no longer so gaunt, complemented by thick, heroic white eyebrows and lightly trimmed stubble.

He does have a somewhat otherworldly and ethereal appearance.

But it's fine this way; it won't attract attention.

Many cultivators in the Qi Refining stage, without methods to preserve their youth, will gradually age just like ordinary people.

Unless one successfully establishes their foundation, their lifespan is two hundred years.

'Foundation Building, Foundation Building... it's so far away from me...'

'One must walk one step at a time, and eat one bite at a time...'

Thinking of this, Lu Zaian withdrew his scattered thoughts, cleared his mind of distractions, calmed his spirit, and silently recited the breathing techniques of the "Water Flow Technique":

"With a calm mind, free from all thoughts, take a deep breath, exhale three times, take a short breath, exhale long, repeat this cycle, with nothing else in mind, stop after three quarters of an hour, and you will be as before."

"Looking inward, one sees the meridians flowing, moving with the Qi, circulating throughout the body, exhaling deeply, and after nine cycles, returning to normal..."

The spiritual energy of heaven and earth was drawn in and slowly gathered towards Lu Zaian.

Its general meaning is:

The spiritual energy of heaven and earth circulates within the body through eighty-one cycles.

Only then can one refine a trace of water-attribute magic power that belongs to oneself.

But throughout the entire day, Lu Zaian repeated the cycle of the zodiac cycle over a hundred times.

He barely managed to condense a trace of new water-attribute magic power.

"Sigh, after reaching the second level of Qi Refining, the cultivation speed of the low-grade water and wood dual spiritual roots has become even slower."

If it weren't for the painstaking cultivation of the Longevity Body, I probably would have died of old age before even reaching the Foundation Establishment stage.

Lu Zaian stroked his white stubble, lost in thought.

Although I am currently just a newbie in the cultivation world.

However, since he was a child, he had been exposed to the world of cultivation by his parents and remembered some common knowledge about the cultivation world.

The so-called "wealth, companions, methods, and place" are the four essential elements for cultivating immortality.

Wealth, rare and precious materials, and spiritual stones are used to increase cultivation and break through realms.

With guidance from their partners, mentors, and elders, they helped them grow and develop.

Laws, wondrous techniques and supernatural abilities, are inherited skills used to enhance combat power and compete for the Great Dao.

Land, the spiritual veins of heaven and earth, has distinct levels; only by occupying advantageous locations can one increase one's foundation.

All four must advance simultaneously; none can be omitted.

The reason why those independent cultivators are in such a miserable state is because they lack these elements.

"Time is my most precious asset now."

"As long as you live long enough and your cultivation level rises, you'll naturally be able to acquire cultivation techniques and spiritual veins of heaven and earth..."

However, we should always be mindful of potential dangers even in times of peace.

From the moment one embarks on the path of cultivation, one must harbor the greatest hostility and suspicion toward all things.

Since Lu Zaian silently killed Zhu Bin a year ago, the entire Slaughter Gang has been shocked. The gang leader personally ordered the entire gang to strengthen its vigilance and investigate the real culprit.

As a result, the Slaughter Gang also began to suspect the Blackwater Gang next door.

It is suspected that the assassination was carried out by the other side in order to seize territory.

The two gangs, who already disliked each other, ended up fighting, resulting in many more deaths.

Unfortunately, in the end, nothing could be found, and the matter was left unresolved.

The saying goes, "You can only be a thief all day long, not a thief you can guard against all day long."

In the year that followed, Lu Zaian took advantage of the butcher gang's laxity to carry out several more nighttime assassinations!

Without exception, the corpses of all the leaders and members of the slaughtering gang were displayed in the city by Lu Zaian using iron hooks.

Treat them like you would treat animals.

As a result, a terrifying rumor began to circulate throughout Sea Breeze City.

It is said that:

"The slaughtering gang ran rampant, bullying the villagers. The fishermen and civilians who were killed in the past have turned into water ghosts and come to seek revenge..."

Regardless of whether the rumors are true or false.

The slaughterhouse gang is indeed constantly killing people.

This caused widespread panic within the slaughterhouse gang, with many members leaving the gang altogether.

The rest of them live in constant fear.

Even if they leave the gang, their past crimes cannot be erased.

On the contrary, it is easier for Lu Zaian to call out their names when they are alone.

Even now, members of those slaughtering gangs dare not travel alone.

The so-called slaughter tax, which was originally collected monthly, has been changed to be collected every three months.

The entire gang seemed to be adopting a more cautious and submissive approach.

Throughout the year, Lu Zaian repeatedly used magic to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to recover.

This process accelerated the progress of cultivation, and it was also a natural breakthrough to the second level of Qi Refining!

However, if Lu Zaian wants to break through to the third level of Qi Refining, given his aptitude and the scarce spiritual energy of the mortal world, it will take him at least five or six years...

Having now absorbed the "Water Flow Technique," Lu Zaian looked out the window.

The sky outside was overcast, and a light drizzle was falling.

"Good rain knows the season, when spring is here."

Lu Zaian couldn't help but sigh.

Is this the first spring rain I've ever experienced in this world?

"If I remember correctly, tomorrow is the 80th birthday of the old leader of the Slaughter Gang."

"It's true what they say, good people don't live long, but evil people live on for a thousand years..."

As soon as Lu Zaian spoke, he suddenly realized that he now possessed the Longevity Body, which meant longevity.

He couldn't help but chuckle.

"Of course, I'm not a good person either."

If you don't like something, kill it; if you can't beat someone, hide.

Cultivate immortality as you please, just do what you want...

Lu Zaian put on a raincoat, pressed his straw hat down over his white hair, and stepped out the door into the drizzling spring rain.

"Now that I have reached the second level of Qi Refining, my magical power has increased, and I am more skilled at casting spells."

It's the old man from the slaughterhouse gang's 80th birthday celebration.

As an old fisherman, I naturally have to come and offer a generous birthday gift, hmph…

I passed by my neighbor's house.

Just then, I saw Old Haitou taking in the fishing nets that were drying in front of his door.

That fishing net was bought by Lu Zaian and given to Old Haitou, who treasured it.

Later, whenever Lao Haitou caught fish, he would send them to Lu Zaian every few days to express his gratitude.

As for Lao Haitou's injuries, they have long since healed.

This year, thanks to Lu Zai'an.

The slaughterhouse gangs have become much more well-behaved, and the lives of fishermen in many surrounding fishing villages have become much more peaceful and comfortable.

"Old Lu, it's almost evening, are you still going out to sea?"

"Once this spring rain starts, it seems it won't stop; it's getting heavier and heavier, and things aren't going to be peaceful at sea!"

At that moment, when Old Hai saw Lu Zaian dressed neatly and leaving the house, he assumed that Lu Zaian was going out to sea to fish, so he reminded him.

Fishermen also go out to sea to fish at night.

Sometimes it's to catch the market.

Just as dawn was breaking, they took the fish they had caught the night before to the city to be slaughtered and sold.

The market has just opened, and the fish are fresh, so they can fetch a good price.

Sometimes, the activity patterns of tides and fish species are taken into account, as more valuable fish can often be caught at night.

Of course, the risks of fishing at night also increase accordingly.

Generally, only old fishermen or courageous young people dare to go out to sea at night.

"Haha, don't worry, old man, the bigger the waves, the more expensive the fish!"

Lu Zaian waved his hand, leaving behind a desolate figure as he walked out in the spring rain.

"That's not towards the dock, is it?"

Old Hai muttered to himself, feeling that his neighbor had been acting rather mysteriously lately.