Chapter 260: Chapter 8: One Wave Has Yet to Subside, Another Arises!

Time passes quickly, and a year flies by.

This year, Zhou Xun is sixty-three years old.

His cultivation has steadily improved, and now the liquid magical power in his Dantian has reached one hundred and ten drops, progressing towards the one hundred and thirty drops needed for the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment, marking one-third of the progress.

“Based on the current pace, I should be able to break through to the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment before seventy, and reach the peak of Foundation Establishment before a hundred years old, at which point I can attempt to break through to Core Formation!”

In addition, after a year of cultivation, the Guiyuan Grass has now been successfully nurtured to Tier Three High-Grade, and in approximately two years, it can be enhanced to Tier Three Top-Grade.

At that time, its essence can be extracted to enhance my talent to Earth Spirit Root.

With Earth Spirit Root talent, my cultivation speed will be quicker by another notch.

Then, I can form my core several years earlier.

….

Wangchuan Lake Bottom Cultivation Room.

Zhou Xun sat cross-legged, eyes closed, with his body covered in dark green ointment.

Strips of dark green medicinal power continued to enter Zhou Xun’s body and merge into his flesh under the operation of the Body Refining Technique’s spell.

As time passed, the color of the ointment gradually faded, eventually turning into a blue-white hue.

It then dried and peeled off from Zhou Xun’s skin, revealing skin tinged with a faint red glow.

He was currently practicing the Hundred Veins Body Refining Technique.

Since returning from the ancient ruins in Hundred Savage Mountain, Zhou Xun reduced his investment in the Path of Array, refocusing his time on body refining, alchemy, and talisman making.

After all, he already obtained the treasures from the ruins, and he didn’t have an urgent need for the Path of Array.

Occasional study and maintaining normal progress are sufficient.

At this moment, Zhou Xun opened his eyes, and the red glow on his skin gradually faded, returning to its normal color.

Immediately, he stood up and cast a Dust-Removal Technique on himself.

As the light circulated, the residual ointment on his body was instantly removed.

With a wave of his large hand, the blue-green magic robe on the ground flew up and automatically wrapped around Zhou Xun.

Then, Zhou Xun took out a Talisman Pen, Spirit Ink, and a stack of Tier Two Middle-Grade Talisman Paper.

Due to the beast tide, Zhou Xun accumulated a large quantity of demon beast materials, which he refined into talisman paper and spirit ink.

The quantity was so substantial that it could support Zhou Xun’s practice without worrying about consumption.

Within a short year, his talisman-making skill had reached the Middle-Grade Peak of Tier Two.

All he needed was an opportunity to attempt a breakthrough to Tier Two High-Grade.

Spreading out the talisman paper, he held the talisman pen and prepared to dip it in the spirit ink, just as Zhou Xun’s pen moved with a vigorous grace, ready to begin drawing the talismans,

suddenly, the restriction of the Cultivation Room was triggered.

It turned out to be Sunx Yuanque visiting.

Thus Zhou Xun returned to the surface.

Sunx Yuanque, the grandson of the Cloud Light Sect Fake Pill Elder.

Years ago, at Lin Xueying’s Foundation Establishment gathering, Zhou Xun met Sunx Yuanque, who later took on the long-term position of Steward Elder stationed in White Cloud Immortal City.

Being in the same location, the two interacted frequently, becoming well acquainted.

However, since Zhou Xun left White Cloud Immortal City and stayed at Wangchuan Lake Daoist Field for an extended period, their contact naturally lessened.

Later, Sunx Yuanque also returned to Cloud Light Sect, further reducing their communication.

The last communication was two years ago.

I wonder why he has come here now.

…

Jingxin Pavilion,

Zhou Xun and Sunx Yuanque sat facing each other.

It was midsummer, and the Calm Heart Lotus was blooming on the lake surface.

Occasionally, fish swam leisurely among the lotus leaves.

“Brother Sunx, you came at the right time; my lotus seeds have just matured!” Zhou Xun laughed heartily.

Immediately, with a wave of his large hand, several green lotus pods landed on the stone table between the two.

“Sunx Yuanque is indeed fortunate!”

Sunx Yuanque did not reject, picking up a lotus pod, peeling it open, taking out the milky white jade-like lotus seeds, and placing them in his mouth.

“Not bad… not bad!”

“Slightly sweet at first taste, there’s a lingering lotus fragrance between the lips and teeth; more importantly, consuming the lotus seeds stabilizes the mind significantly!”

“This is the Calm Heart Lotus, originally a Tier One Low-Grade Spirit Plant, but under my years of careful cultivation, it has now grown to Tier One Middle-Grade, and what Brother Sunx just tasted is Tier One High-Grade level!”

Actually, the rapid growth of these lotus seeds is related to Zhou Xun regularly nurturing them with spirit medicine essence.

Without it, they wouldn’t have grown so fast.

Inspired by the Calm Heart Lotus, Zhou Xun also cultivated Spirit Mist Tea, Ren Shui Pear, and Cyan Wood Peach, among other spirit plants.

Up to now, there have been quite satisfactory results.

“Never thought Brother Zhou would not only excel in alchemy but also have such expertise in the way of spirit plants!” Sunx Yuanque praised.

“You flatter me!” Zhou Xun replied with a slight smile. He then asked:

“Brother Sunx, I suspect you didn’t just come by to reminisce, did you?”

At his words, Sunx Yuanque was momentarily stunned, not expecting Zhou Xun to be so direct. He nodded without further ado.

“Indeed, I am here to discuss an important matter!”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xun thought to himself that his expectation was indeed correct.

Since moving to Wangchuan Lake Daoist Field, the contact between the two had become increasingly sparse.

If it weren’t for something important, why would he have come personally?

His gaze turned to Sunx Yuanque, eager to hear more.

“Brother Zhou, did you know that Yean Country has invaded?” Sunx Yuanque paused his tone, then revealed news that shocked Zhou Xun.

Yean Country is located in the north of Xui Country, covering a vast area, several times larger than Xui Country, with extremely strong power, boasting more than ten True Pill cultivators.

Among the Eastern Wilderness Nine Countries, it ranks third in strength.

The most powerful in Yean Country is Master Fengyuan, who is in the Late-Stage Core Formation.

“How is that possible? Between Xui Country and Yean Country lies the Hundred Thousand Swamp; how could they cross such a natural barrier?”

Zhou Xun expressed disbelief.

The Hundred Thousand Swamp is the absolute territory between Xui Country and Yean Country.

Though named Hundred Thousand Swamp, it actually spans several hundred thousand miles wide, filled with miasma.

Except for True Pill Cultivators, ordinary cultivators cannot cross it.

Hearing this, Sunx Yuanque gave a bitter smile and said:

“Something unknown has happened to the Hundred Thousand Swamp; it shows signs of drying up, and the original miasma inside has greatly weakened.”

“Now, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator can pass safely!”

“Master Yun Yi of our Cloud Light Sect personally investigated the Hundred Thousand Swamp and confirmed this matter!”

“Without the swamp’s barrier, how can we hold off Yean Country’s power?” Zhou Xun’s face was grim.

Xui Country and Fengg Country are ranked last among the Eastern Wilderness, as cultivation countries.

If not for the swamp’s barrier, they would have been annexed by Yean Country long ago.

“Rest assured, Brother Zhou, although Yean Country is strong, it has three major factions. The only ones currently intent on annexing Xui Country are the nearby Celestial Feather Sect,”

“Thus, we only face the cultivators of Celestial Feather Sect!”

Sunx Yuanque explained.

The three factions of Yean Country stand like a tripod in strength, ranked from high to low as: “Qingyang Sect,” “Aurora Palace,” “Celestial Feather Sect”

Qingyang Sect has seven True Pill cultivators; the Grand Elder is Late-Stage Core Formation, known as the First Cultivator of Yean Country, Master Fengyuan.

Aurora Palace has six True Pill cultivators; the Grand Elder is also Late-Stage Core Formation.

Celestial Feather Sect is slightly weaker but has five True Pill cultivators, among which the Grand Elder and Second Elder are Middle-Stage Core Formation cultivators.

“It seems Celestial Feather Sect saw Xui Country suffer from the Beast Tide disaster, its power greatly reduced, coupled with the swamp retracting as a barrier, hence the desire to exploit the situation!”

Zhou Xun sighed.

The Beast Tide disaster led to half of Xui Country being overrun, and numerous cultivators perished at the hands of demon beasts.

Along with Master White Cloud’s downfall, Xui Country’s strength has sharply diminished.

Whether high-tier or low-tier cultivators, Xui Country now may not be a match for Celestial Feather Sect.

“According to our scouts, Celestial Feather Sect’s cultivator army has already prepared and is likely heading to Xui Country!”

Sunx Yuanque was full of worry.

“Then what does Daoist Sunx want from me?”

Zhou Xun inquired tentatively.

Could it be they want to recruit me for a cultivator war?

“Daoist Zhou’s alchemy skill is exceptional, reaching the Tier Two High-Grade level, which is extremely rare in the whole Xui Country!”

“I’ve been commissioned by the Sect Leader to invite Brother Zhou to Cloud Light Sect to focus on alchemy in preparation for the war!”

Sunx Yuanque had laid the groundwork for so long, finally revealing his real intention.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xun did not respond but probed:

“How did your sect know Zhou Mou has become a Tier Two High-Grade Alchemist?”

Zhou Xun’s true alchemy skill was unknown even to Song Yiqing, and only a few senior disciples were aware.

“It was Elder Jin Hong who revealed it. Elder Jin Hong praised Brother Zhou’s alchemy skill highly and predicted he’ll become a Tier Three Alchemy Master in the future!”

At this, Zhou Xun came to a realization.

It seems Master White Cloud spoke to Master Jin Hong about this.

“Elder Jin Hong overestimates me!”

“However, I am currently at a critical point in cultivation and have no time to spare. I fear I cannot accept Cloud Light Sect’s kind offer!”

Zhou Xun unhesitatingly refused.

Joking aside, being a disciple of Master White Cloud, going to Cloud Light Sect would be like walking into a trap.

Seeing Zhou Xun refuse, Sunx Yuanque was not surprised and continued:

“Daoist, why not listen to my sect’s conditions first?”

“I’m aware of the friction between Cloud Light Sect and White Cloud Immortal City; as a disciple of Master White Cloud, your concerns are understandable,”

“However, Elder Jin Hong noted that you joined Master White Cloud’s sect merely a month before the Beast Tide!”

“With such a short duration, why would Cloud Light Sect consider Daoist Zhou an enemy?”

“If you join Cloud Light Sect, we’ll fully support you in advancing to a Tier Three Alchemist and even offer Core Formation Spiritual Objects. With your talent, even a Fake Pill Realm is highly probable!”

“A Fake Pill cultivation combined with Tier Three alchemy skill equates to a status no lesser than an ordinary True Pill cultivator!”

“What does Brother Zhou think?”

“The terms are indeed very sincere; let me consider them for a moment!”

With that, Zhou Xun appeared to be in deep thought.

After half a cup of tea, Zhou Xun raised his head and slowly said:

“Right now, the pressing matter is how to deal with Celestial Feather Sect’s invasion. Wouldn’t it be better to discuss joining after defeating Celestial Feather Sect?”

Seemingly noticing Zhou Xun still had some reservations, Sunx Yuanque smiled slightly.

Plus, Elder Jin Hong had instructed before coming not to push too hard, so he nodded in agreement:

“Very well, let’s talk about joining later. However, for now, please support us in alchemy; as for compensation, it shall be at market rate!”

“Certainly!”

Immediately, the two discussed the details of alchemy.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep