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

Although Valley Master Zhuge Qing's voice was not loud, it resounded throughout the entire training ground.

The four words "Golden Core Formation Secret Realm" resonated in the hearts of all the disciples like the sound of a resounding bell.

"A Core Formation Secret Realm? How is that possible? There's a Core Formation Secret Realm in the Black Soil Mountains?"

Some disciples found it unbelievable.

“The Valley Master himself admitted it, how could it be a lie?!” another disciple retorted.

"No wonder they're holding a competition and even sending disciples to explore the Core Formation Realm..."

"Haha, luckily I made it into the top 100, this incredible opportunity is mine!"

"A Core Formation Secret Realm! The Black Soil Mountains haven't produced a Core Formation True Person for hundreds or even thousands of years? Perhaps there are spiritual objects in that secret realm that can help someone break through to the Core Formation stage?!"

"Ugh, I hate it!! Why am I ranked 101st! I want a rematch, I just didn't give it my all!"

"..."

The disciples in the training ground were in an uproar.

Some disciples were overjoyed, relieved that they were ranked within the top 100 and could participate in the Core Formation Secret Realm exploration.

Some disciples beat their chests in despair, feeling utterly regretful for missing such a once-in-a-century opportunity; it was worse than losing half their lives.

Not to mention that Foundation Establishment is already the lifelong pursuit of most disciples.

Not to mention that powerful and 500-year-old Core Formation True Person.

As long as one is a cultivator, from the very first breath of spiritual energy one inhales, who doesn't dream of ascending to immortality and attaining eternal bliss?

"Hahaha, I'm rich! The Core Formation Realm, I, Old Han, have actually encountered it in my lifetime! I must seize this opportunity!"

Fatty Han laughed wildly, slapping his golden armor on his chest repeatedly to vent his excitement!

Lu Zaian was also caught up in the atmosphere and felt a surge of emotion.

However, he calmed down in a moment.

After thinking it over, he realized it wasn't his business, and as someone at the fourth level of Qi Refining, he wasn't even qualified to get involved.

Moreover, given that this matter concerns the Core Formation Realm, Lu Zaian did not believe that the other Foundation Establishment forces in the Black Soil Mountains would not react.

The waters here are probably incredibly deep.

Qi Refining stage disciples are probably just cannon fodder...

Sure enough, after the Valley Master Zhuge Qing silenced the crowd, he continued:

"In addition to my Spirit Medicine Valley, there are three other Foundation Establishment forces participating in this exploration of the secret realm."

The Fire Refining Sect is an opposing force.

They were the ones who instigated the chaos and disorder in Black Rock Market, and also murdered my Valley Alchemy Elder.

Therefore, if you encounter disciples of the Fire Refining Sect, there's no need to hold back; kill them without mercy!

The reason why the leaders of Lingyao Valley held a competition first and then announced the exploration of the secret realm was because...

This is so that we can screen out the true level of our disciples.

The saying goes, "Fortune and wealth are sought in danger, and they can also be lost in danger."

What is more precious than wealth is life!

Once there is competition involving hostile forces, battles are inevitable in the secret realm.

Where there is struggle, there will be sacrifice.

If the purpose is announced and a selection process is conducted from the outset, perhaps more disciples will be more actively involved.

However, there are also timid disciples who value their lives and hide their strength in order to avoid being selected.

For every person who is proactive and ambitious, there will be someone who seeks advantage and avoids harm...

The disciples of Lingyao Valley receive monthly stipends and can cultivate under the protection of the sect, acquiring a wealth of resources.

It is only natural that we should fulfill our corresponding obligations.

Exploring and developing secret realms, especially the Core Formation realm which is a once-in-a-century event, is, to put it bluntly, risking the lives of Qi Refining disciples...

They had no choice but to go.

Those who are lucky may reap huge rewards, receive sect rewards, and advance triumphantly.

Those who are unlucky might become cannon fodder, forever trapped in the secret realm...

After the Valley Master finished his announcement, he left his disciples with only half a month to rest and prepare.

During this period, they can use the rewards they have earned to enhance their own strength.

Then, led by the elders, they will head deep into the Black Soil Mountains.

.........

"Junior Brother Lu, here is the century-old Vermilion Fruit you requested."

"These are leaves of the Ethereal Grass. I originally had some use for you, but since you helped me so much, I'll sell you five leaves at a discount."

Outside the medicinal herb field, Lu Zaian couldn't wait to find the two disciples who had won the spiritual materials.

I spent a sum of spirit stones to buy both items.

The 100-year-old Zhu Guo (朱果) is mainly used to enhance qi and blood when taken directly.

The leaves of the ethereal herb are believed to have the effect of maintaining a clear and pure mind.

It just so happens that both of these disciples were under Lu Zaian's tutelage regarding array formations.

So they generously sold it to Lu Zaian.

At this point, all the materials needed to cultivate the Flying Crane Fiend of the Nine Fiends Demon Body have been gathered.

"The competition is over. It's time to cultivate the Flying Crane Demon. You go explore your secret realm, and I will go into seclusion."

The matter of the Core Formation Secret Realm in Lingyao Valley has already caused quite a stir.

The top 100 disciples are all busy preparing supplies and improving their cultivation.

Even those disciples who couldn't participate in the secret realm were restless and unable to concentrate on their cultivation.

Only Lu Zaian had already hidden himself in the back mountain of his medicinal herb field, summoning a first-grade low-level array to isolate his cave.

Hang up a sign that says "Do Not Disturb in Seclusion".

He then began his seclusion...

"...The Dingfeng Yangyuan Vine is three zhang long. First, chop it up and boil it for half an hour."

Then, I placed in a century-old Vermilion Fruit... and three ethereal grass leaves...

After letting it air dry for an hour, grind the remaining auxiliary ingredients into powder, add them, and stir well…

Inside the cave.

Lu Zaian's rambling voice came out.

Inside the stone chamber was a huge stone boiler, into which Lu Zaian refined various spiritual materials.

The boiler is filled with spirit fire charcoal.

A type of coal that can ignite a spiritual fire, burning without smoke.

Flames roared inside the boiler.

A pot of thick, black medicinal soup kept bubbling up and then bursting on the surface!

Anyone who didn't know better would think Lu Zaian was performing some kind of witchcraft...

Puff puff! !

A series of bubbles burst.

A strong, strange smell of medicinal herbs filled the stone chamber.

"Almost there... Add essence blood!"

Seeing that the time was ripe, Lu Zaian took out a pottery jar.

As soon as the earthenware jar appeared in the room, a whooshing sound like the wailing of a vengeful ghost could be heard...

Boo!

The lid seal has been opened.

The exceptionally foul-smelling, first-grade superior-level Wind Ghost Crane essence blood was like an undissolved blood clot, incredibly viscous.

Phew! !

The blood essence was poured into the boiler, and it instantly reacted with the medicinal liquid!

The liquid turned dark red, and a huge bubble burst on the surface.

There was a faint phantom of a ferocious-looking ghost crane, about to spread its black wings and pounce on Lu Zaian.

Lu Zaian remained calm and composed, tossing a blood-red bead into his hand.

The Blood Spirit Pearl can transform the essence of demonic beasts into pure blood and qi.

It can also eliminate the remaining fierce and resentful energy in the blood essence of demonic beasts!

"A mere remnant of a demonic beast, yet it dares to struggle!"

The Blood Spirit Pearl emitted a faint crimson purifying light, and the phantom of the Wind Ghost Crane instantly turned into a wisp of green smoke amidst a shriek.

"...That's it."

Lu Zaian removed all his clothes and activated the Blood Spirit Pearl.

After a burst of light, a thin layer of blood scabs covered Lu Zaian's body.

Lu Zaian glanced at the still bubbling medicinal liquid and couldn't help but swallow.

Insert a finger first; protected by the scab, you can't feel any burning sensation, only a slightly cool temperature.

"...Done!"

thump! ! !