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

Beside the icy pool, a bead of cold sweat rolled down Lu Zaian's forehead as he stared intently at the skeleton.

That sound must have come from there.

"Hehe... Junior, there's no need to be nervous. I have been dead for a long time and now only a wisp of my soul remains. I will not be of any harm to you."

A ghostly light flickered on the stark white bones, and a faint, ethereal figure floated out.

The phantom's aura was extremely weak, like a candle flickering in the wind.

"Eee-ooh!!"

The little creature floating in the air saw this remnant soul, called out twice, and approached, revealing an expression of affection.

"You... senior, are you the master of this secret palace?"

Seeing this, Lu Zaian became wary and carefully bowed before asking.

"Sigh, yes...no..."

The remnant soul sighed, reaching out to stroke the little creature's head, but the hand passed right through it. A sorrowful expression crossed its face, and it spoke slowly:

"The main body of this palace is a celestial pearl, a treasure that transcends the Core Formation stage."

I obtained it from a broken minor world secret realm, and after some modifications, it became what it is now.

However, the core of this palace is still the Heavenly Pearl itself, which even I haven't refined, so I can only be considered half a master.

"So...so that's how it is. It's actually a treasure beyond the Core Formation stage? But it's quite remarkable that you were able to make good use of it, senior."

Lu Zaian was shocked. He hadn't expected this secret realm to be so important. But at this moment, it was always good to say some nice things first.

"I wonder if there is anything you wish to instruct me about, senior?"

As long as it is within my ability, I will do my utmost.

And what about this icy pool, and this little fellow?

Lu Zaian had many questions in his mind, but no matter what, he should just lower his attitude first.

As long as this remnant soul doesn't have any other bad intentions, Lu Zaian still respects such a powerful person.

My previous breakthrough, which allowed me to absorb the aura of the amethyst fruit, was also thanks to the tree planted by the former.

The remnant soul gave a weary smile, his gaze first falling on the icy pool, then pointing to the little fellow beside him, and explained:

"This cold pool of mine was originally a third-tier spiritual object, Xuanbing Hanzhongshui, which can purify the spiritual body of cultivators and achieve the effect of cleansing tendons and refining marrow."

Especially for water-based cultivators, it can alter the characteristics of their techniques, greatly increasing their power.

Any single drop of it, if left out, would be a treasure that even a Core Formation expert would fight over.

I acquired so many unintentionally, and since I couldn't possibly use them all, I simply left them in this spiritual plant garden, where they transformed into a cold pool to irrigate the precious spiritual plants.

The higher the level of the spiritual creature, the more spiritual it possesses.

After its own demise, a thousand years passed, and quantitative changes led to qualitative changes.

From the depths of this icy pool a spirit was born—the Ice Spirit, which was the predecessor of this little guy.

Similarly, I once planted a fourth-tier water spirit lotus in this cold pool.

Lotus seeds can enhance a cultivator's spiritual comprehension and improve the grade of their water-based spiritual root.

Lotus root contains a strong life force, comparable to a miraculous medicine that can bring the dead back to life and heal flesh and bones.

However, after a thousand years, it has been left unharvested.

The lotus seeds detached themselves from the water, and the lotus roots also grew wildly underwater. After the Ice Spirit consumed both, it surprisingly gained full intelligence and a spiritual body… which is now this little fellow.”

The remnant soul slowly recounted his story, while Lu Zaian, standing to the side, listened with a twitching mouth.

What does it mean to "use more than you can use, and then use it to water the spiritual plants"?

There's also the phrase, "A spiritual plant that has been left unpicked for a thousand years has fallen off on its own..."

What a waste of talent, Versailles's remarks!

How incredibly lucky was this senior?

"It's really amazing. I never expected that this little guy's origin would be so special."

Lu Zaian couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, then changed the subject again.

"That icy pool could be said to be its birthplace, so why did this little guy bring me in before? It seemed like he wanted me to dive into the icy pool?"

Is this little guy really that enthusiastic about bringing strangers home?

"That's because this little guy was originally born in the cold pool, and its essence remains deep in the cold pool, a drop of solidified water essence."

Although it can move freely within this spiritual plant garden, it cannot travel too far due to its inherent limitations.

The little creature has developed intelligence and can even cultivate independently like a cultivator. Having been alone for hundreds of years, it has long been lonely and yearns for the outside world.

It wants you to retrieve its essence from the icy pool, thus freeing it from its shackles, so it can leave the Spirit Plant Garden, and even leave the secret realm, to go outside…”

The remnant soul explained everything in detail, down to the smallest detail.

It turned out to be the case.

Now Lu Zaian understood.

No wonder this little guy was so enthusiastic in leading the way and urging me to jump into the icy pool.

It must be the shackles of its origin that prevented it from freeing itself, just as a mortal cannot lift himself up by his own hair.

Therefore, we need the help of outsiders.

"Hehe, you have the aura of a Xuanwen token on you. The fact that you were able to get here means you are destined to be with me. That's why that little guy is close to you and chose to help you," the remnant soul said again.

"Mystic Token? Is this it?"

Lu Zaian instantly understood and took out the palm-sized token.

The mountain birds, insects and fish patterns engraved on the token shone even brighter after sensing the presence of the remnant soul!

“Indeed, this token was personally crafted by me before my death. It is a part of the restrictions that can control this palace. There are only three in total. I wonder where you obtained this?”

The remnant soul looked at the token in Lu Zaian's hand, a look of reminiscence flashing in its eyes.

"This is what I obtained from inside a Blood Spirit Pearl. It's this one."

Seeing that the remnant soul seemed quite agreeable, Lu Zaian didn't hide anything and took out the Blood Spirit Pearl as well.

Upon seeing the Blood Spirit Pearl, the remnant soul's illusory face showed a slight ripple, revealing a hint of sorrow.

"The Blood Spirit Pearl... I didn't expect you to have obtained it too. No wonder my second disciple also perished..."

The remnant soul's illusory shadow seemed to fluctuate intensely, immersed in a profound sorrow.

"……senior"

"Eee-ooh~~"

"It's nothing, just a bit sentimental."

The remnant soul waved its hand, mustered its strength, and looked solemnly at Lu Zaian.

"Now that things have come to this, I have nothing to hide. My remnant soul can only last for another quarter of an hour before it dissipates. I woke up to tell you something, which can be considered my last wish."

Don't worry, as long as you agree, all the treasures here are yours!

Upon hearing this, Lu Zaian's heart skipped a beat and his heart pounded. He knew that the real sex scene was about to begin, so he quickly bowed his head.

"Please give your instructions, senior. As long as it is within my ability, I will do my best to complete it."

Every rare and precious material here would be an immeasurable treasure outside.

Even Core Formation stage cultivators would fight over it, so it would be a lie to say that Lu Zaian wasn't tempted.

However, if the remnant soul's confession posed a threat to his life, Lu Zaian would still need to carefully consider it...