How did a bastard like him become an immortal?

Li Muyun, his eyes wide, couldn't help but swallow. Even a wisp of its aura was enough for him to feel its power. Was this the relic of the Great God Pangu, a magical treasure formed from the laws of Heaven?

Long-eared Immortal looked at Li Muyun's surprised expression with satisfaction, and put away the Six Souls Divine Banner Sword. "Only those at the Golden Core Realm can nurture magic treasures with the fire of the elixir. I'll take you to try your luck when you reach the Golden Core Realm. I have heard some rumors about the secret locations of the Twenty-Four Creation Divine Swords of Heaven."

Li Muyun swallowed again, a look of longing on his face. Suddenly, he felt that the flying knife and the black iron needle in his hand were no longer appealing.

Long-eared Immortal tapped Li Muyun's head and said, "Don't worry about that for now. How powerful a magic weapon you can wield depends on how strong your true essence and divine sense are. With your current cultivation level, even if you were given a precious sword, you wouldn't be able to control or use it. Back then, I almost lost my soul in order to gain the approval of the Six Souls Divine Banner Sword. If you want to obtain a divine sword, you'd better be prepared to risk your life."

“I understand now. Mastering the basics of spiritual practice is the foundation of everything.”

Li Muyun nodded. He naturally understood the principle that higher returns come with greater risks. Li Muyun wasn't one to aim too high; he knew that the coming-of-age ceremony a month later would inevitably involve a fierce battle, and Li Tianquan was not as easy to deal with as Li Tianci.

"Not bad, lad. You've grasped the essence," said the Long-Eared Immortal. "Your cultivation will now consist of three parts. First: daily meditation on the Three Thousand Great Daos within your body; second: mastering your Golden Light Mantra, Thunder Techniques, and other immortal arts; third: acquire three Spirit-Enhancing Jade, one Spirit-Gathering Stone, one Basic Rune Stone, and one bottle of Qian Yuan Beast Spirit Blood..."

“Wait a minute, Rabbit God!” Li Muyun interrupted the long-eared fairy with wide eyes. “Do you think I’m a rich kid? You said those materials are all worth a thousand gold pieces. I couldn’t afford them even if I sold this little courtyard.”

The long-eared immortal curled his lip. "Whether you can afford it or not is your business. There are only two ways to improve your cultivation: directly by taking pills or indirectly by accelerating your cultivation speed. Although pills can quickly improve cultivation, they are like pulling up seedlings to help them grow; they cannot be used for long. They will make the cultivator's foundation unstable, and in the end, they will become just a pretty face, good to look at but useless. So the best way is to use an array to increase the spiritual energy of your surrounding environment, thereby accelerating your cultivation speed."

Li Muyun's eyes lit up. "Array formations can be used like this?"

The long-eared immortal chuckled, "There are many kinds of formations with endless uses, and they are not just for killing people. For example, I asked you to purchase these materials to set up a spirit-gathering formation, which can absorb the spiritual energy of the surrounding world and create a wonderful place for you to cultivate, increasing your cultivation speed by at least three times."

Unable to resist scratching his head, Li Muyun frowned. Although the formation was good, the cost of the materials was at least five thousand gold coins, which was an astronomical price for him. He only had five hundred gold coins, which were given to him by the Fourth Madam. It was true that even a hero is stumped by a penny.

Long-eared Fairy pulled up a chair, crossed her legs, and said, "What are you worried about? Don't you have Princess Miaochan? With your handsome face, I think that girl would definitely be willing to spend money on you."

Li Muyun rolled his eyes. "You little rascal, Shi Miaochan and I are just friends, don't talk nonsense. Besides, do I look like the kind of person who lives off a woman?"

The long-eared fairy casually shook its snow-white long ears and said leisurely, "Whether you eat it or not is up to you. I don't know you."

......

The next day, at Princess Miaochan's residence.

Shi Miaochan dismissed her attendants, stretched, and her fiery red dress accentuated her curvaceous figure. She looked at Li Muyun with a grin and teased, "This is Young Master Yun's first visit. What? Have you decided to become my consort?"

After coughing awkwardly a few times, Li Muyun said embarrassedly, "Your Highness, I actually came to borrow money. I want to buy some materials, which require five thousand gold coins, but I am really short of money and have no choice but to ask you for help."

Shi Miaochan was somewhat surprised, but then nodded in relief. The path of cultivation not only requires talent and spiritual roots, but also a lot of money. Magical artifacts, magical treasures, and elixirs are all priceless.

She said straightforwardly, "Young Master Yun, you don't need to worry about money. It's just five thousand gold coins. I'll have my servants bring you a gold coin card that's universally accepted in the Tang Dynasty. It contains ten thousand gold coins. You can use it."

Sighing, Li Muyun said helplessly, "Your Highness has helped me so many times, how can I ever repay you?" He felt he owed Shi Miaochan more and more favors.

Shi Miaochan smiled slightly, "If Young Master Yun hadn't come to me, I would have gone to find you. I just happen to need your help."

With a flick of her wrist, two gleaming golden invitations appeared in her palm. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. "The Prince of Qin has always enjoyed making friends. Every year at this time, he hosts a banquet at the Capital Banquet Hall for the most famous young talents and sons of princes and ministers in the capital. Many people consider it an honor to attend the Prince of Qin's banquet. The Prince of Qin is my sworn brother, and I cannot refuse his invitation. However, at this time of year, there are always some disgusting flies buzzing around me. It's so annoying."

Li Muyun touched his nose and said, "I understand. Your Highness needs me to be your protector."

"Hehe! I've long been deeply in love with Young Master Yun, so naturally I want Young Master Yun to accompany me." Shi Miaochan's pretty face blossomed with a mischievous smile. "We're mutually attracted, so those annoying flies will give up their ideas and stop bothering me."

"Alright! Then I'll risk my life to accompany the princess."

Li Muyun reluctantly accepted the invitation, took Shi Miaochan's gold card, and left. He knew this banquet was rife with undercurrents, and he would undoubtedly become the target of everyone's criticism. Indeed, a woman's money wasn't so easy to spend.

This time, Li Muyun was buying materials for an array. To avoid any unforeseen complications, he wore a black robe and a bamboo hat when he arrived at the Xuan Tian Treasure Pavilion. After telling the attendant his needs, the attendant's eyes lit up and he immediately invited Li Muyun to the VIP room. The VIP room was magnificent, and exquisite snacks and fine tea were prepared on the table.

The waiter said respectfully, "Honorable guest, the item you wish to purchase is extremely rare and priceless. I am not authorized to serve you. Please wait a moment while I report to them."

Li Muyun nodded, and a moment later, an elderly man dressed in a manager's robe appeared.

The old man, his face ruddy and his eyes gleaming with eagerness, said, "Honorable guest, I am Manager Wang here. You are purchasing materials for setting up formations. May I ask if you are a formation master?"

Li Muyun, standing beneath his bamboo hat, said coldly, "Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask. These materials may seem precious to outsiders, but they shouldn't be a problem for your Xuantian Treasure Pavilion, right?"