Cultivating Immortality in Two Realms

Chapter 182 Phoenix Seeks Its Mate

Splash!

Fang Qing opened his storage bag and gently poured it out, revealing a small mountain of spiritual items.

The most eye-catching items were the Five Elements Spiritual Fruits inside the two jade boxes!

Anyway, Zhong Lingxiu would have to return it to him after he took it out, so he naturally had to set an example for Zhan Hongxiu first.

However, he eventually realized the danger and kept the spoils of the Buxu Palace, including the rare treasures Gu Ge and Jiuyuan Stone, hidden away.

As for the so-called inspection methods?

Zhong Lingxiu's divine sense was just for show; did she really dare to rebel against the Heavenly Gang?

"Five Elements Spiritual Fruit? Two of them?"

Zhan Hongxiu gasped in surprise, her eyes seemingly fixed only on the two colorful fruits.

After all, this represents the path to Core Formation for Foundation Establishment cultivators!

In reality, Fang Qing wasn't entirely confident that he could successfully refine the Golden Core pill on his first try, so he left two behind as a precaution.

If he fails to refine the first pill, he definitely won't refine the second Five Elements Spirit Fruit; he'll just eat it raw!

Although a single batch of Golden Core pills might yield several pills, and the probability of forming a Golden Core from eating a whole Five Elements Spirit Fruit is not as high as that from a single Golden Core pill, he doesn't calculate it that way.

As long as the formation of the golden core is guaranteed to succeed, any waste is acceptable.

"Does the True Person possess these two Five Elements Spiritual Fruits to refine the 'Golden Core'?"

Zhan Hongxiu took out her own storage bag, but did not open it. Instead, she asked a question.

"What business is it of mine how I deal with it?"

Zhong Lingxiu stood with her hands behind her back, her eyes filled with a powerful sense of pressure, and asked in a half-smile.

"This humble woman merely has some doubts; please forgive her, sir..."

Zhan Hongxiu gritted her teeth. This might be the best opportunity to form a Golden Core in the Xiaohuanhai cultivation world; once it's gone, it's gone forever. Therefore, she said, "The True Immortal once promised that I could keep 30% of my gains... but I wish to exchange this 30% for a Golden Core. I wonder if the True Immortal would allow that?"

"Oh? It seems you're quite confident in your harvest; you've even managed to exchange it for a Golden Core."

Zhong Lingxiu smiled and said something that made Zhan Hongxiu's expression change: "Aren't you afraid I'll kill you on the spot? As long as I kill you, all the spiritual items in your storage bag will be mine..."

The moment the red sleeves appeared, the hair on one's head stood on end!

"Don't be afraid... This Nascent Soul cultivator is just trying to scare you. Although he has a murderous aura, he has no intention of killing you..."

At the crucial moment, the old man's voice rang out, causing Zhan Hongxiu's heart to stir: "This Core Formation cultivator was known as 'Ice Soul Child' in his youth. He is arrogant and should not do such a despicable thing as murder and robbery..."

She immediately clasped her hands in a fist and said, "I admire your demeanor, Master, and that's why I joined Taibai Island. I'm sure you won't disappoint me... If you need anything, Master, I'm willing to offer all of these spiritual items without taking a single penny."

"Haha... You mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, trying to test me."

Zhong Lingxiu chuckled and scolded, "However, I certainly won't go back on my word... Of these two Five Elements Spirit Fruits, I have a use for one of them, which I will exchange for spiritual items with other fellow Daoists. As for the other one, I do intend to give it to an alchemist to refine into a Golden Core... I can promise that if more than two Golden Cores are successfully formed, you will definitely receive one."

"Thank you, Island Master."

Zhan Hongxiu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly thanked her.

"Are the alchemists on your island any good? Five Elements Spiritual Fruits are precious even in Nascent Soul sects. Back then, they were personally refined by high-grade third-level alchemists, or even fourth-level alchemists... Don't ruin them and end up with nothing..."

The old turtle said worriedly, "The spiritual energy in this small sea is so thin that there probably isn't much of a good opportunity to form a core... And if you don't succeed in forming a core, traveling through that so-called ten-thousand-mile sea route is indeed quite dangerous..."

"It should... be fine, right?"

"The chief alchemist of Taibai Island has refined Foundation Establishment Pills many times back then... His alchemy skills are miraculous, and it is said that he has already reached the third level." The more Zhan Hongxiu spoke, the less confident she felt.

"Heh heh... but it can't be that kind of near-third-tier alchemist... otherwise you'll be in big trouble..."

The old tortoise chuckled a few times, then sighed in regret: "You little girl, you're so short-sighted... Forcibly maturing the Longevity Tortoise with life-burning pills is a complete waste of its potential... If your natal spirit pet's foundation were intact, I do have some secret techniques specifically suited for the Longevity Tortoise, which could increase its chances of condensing a demon core and advancing to a third-tier great demon... Then, with your natal spirit pet advancing first, and then using the secret techniques of the 'Tortoise and Crane Longevity Technique' to nourish it, your chances of forming a core would definitely exceed 70%! You wouldn't need any Golden Core anymore... For now, the only solution is for you to advance to Core Formation first, then use the true core's essence to nourish your natal spirit pet, combined with my secret techniques, hoping to make up for some of that junior's shortcomings..."

Mentioning this, Zhan Hongxiu's face darkened, and she could only answer in her heart: "This is a debt I owe... If it really leads to my failure in forming my core, or even my inability to condense my nascent soul in the future, then it can only be said to be my fate..."

"Hmph, we cultivators must never believe in fate, otherwise why would we cultivate immortality?"

Old Turtle started rambling on again.

The two, one human and one tortoise, were conversing in their consciousness, and Zhong Lingxiu was completely unaware of it.

Fang Qing, however, seemed to vaguely realize something. With a thought, he bowed and said, "Master... I shall take my leave now."

In Zhan Hongxiu's view, this aloof swordsman disdained the precious treasures she had obtained in the secret realm, demonstrating exceptional character and emotional intelligence. Little did she know, after Fang Qing arrived at the side hall, he concealed himself with an array, and his aura instantly changed!

From Lou Jin's "Sharp Edge Chapter" to the "Phoenix Seeking Phoenix" Dao Foundation of the Azure Phoenix True Fire Scripture!

The phoenix cries on Mount Qi, its voice resounding through the heavens; the phoenix perches on the parasol tree, its sound echoing in the spiritual realm. The phoenix represents Yang, and the phoenix represents Yin. Yang is active, and Yin is passive. Yang speaks with the zither, and Yin responds with the heart. The harmonious song of the phoenixes begins with listening to the heart!

In short, this foundation possesses the profound mystery of "mutual understanding," and is adept at listening to people's hearts!

Over the years, Fang Qing had already had the Green Toad, also known as the Empty Sparrow Tara, collect all the true essences needed to cultivate this technique, allowing him to begin his own cultivation. Now, after transforming his Dao foundation, he took out the Mirage Pearl and, in conjunction with the third-stage body refinement, moved the skin and flesh of his face, changing his appearance and aura, before re-entering the main hall: "Greetings, True Person!"

"Yes, you've arrived."

With the reminder from the Dao Life Pearl, Zhong Lingxiu immediately cooperated, saying, "This is a guest elder of our island, skilled in identifying treasures. The island lord specially summoned him. Zhan Hongxiu, you may continue..."

Although Zhan Hongxiu found it somewhat strange, she obediently opened her storage bag and poured out treasures that would make any cultivator from the outside world green with envy. Thousand-year-old spiritual herbs, third-tier ores... they were everywhere, like pebbles and tiles.

In addition, there was a stone bottle that emitted an enticing aroma of frankincense.

"This is... a stone stalactite that's been there for millennia?!"

Zhong Lingxiu's expression shifted: "A fourth-tier spiritual item, a treasure even Nascent Soul cultivators would covet, and you managed to obtain it. Your luck is truly extraordinary..." Sigh...

Meanwhile, the old tortoise sighed, "This item is perfect for combining with the secret technique to replenish some of the vital energy of your natal spirit pet..."

Beside him, Fang Qing, disguised as a middle-aged man, examined the spiritual object, gave his evaluation, and secretly pricked up his ears.

"This...could it be a top-grade spirit stone?"

He picked up a spirit stone and felt a powerful spiritual pressure. The pure spiritual energy was so strong that it was about to flow into his body through his palm without him even having to guide it. He was shocked.

"Indeed, it is a top-grade spirit stone."

Zhan Hongxiu nodded, then said to the old turtle in her heart, "Old turtle... is the method you taught me going to work? If this Core Formation cultivator finds out I'm keeping it to myself, I'll definitely be annihilated, body and soul..."

"Hehe, when it comes to concealing one's aura, that's our turtle-type demon beast's specialty, not to mention I've already advanced to the fourth rank... You used the incantation I taught you to refine my original turtle shell, hiding it on my body. Even a Nascent Soul cultivator might not be able to detect it, let alone a mere Core Formation cultivator? Hmph... Back in my day, I could devour quite a few Core Formation cultivators with a mere yawn. It's only because I'm down on my luck now that I'd have to fight this person. If I were to fight him, I'd exhaust my last bit of spiritual power, which would be a huge waste... Actually, the spiritual items inside the shell are just extras. The key is my original turtle shell, which is a defensive magic weapon crafting material that even Nascent Soul cultivators would find hard to obtain, and it has many miraculous effects..."

"Oh... there really is an old man, and a remnant soul of a fourth-tier spirit turtle?"

Fang Qing's expression remained unchanged, but he felt quite strange inside.

It's like burying your head in the sand or someone secretly plotting something in front of you; it's really hard not to laugh out loud.

"This is just a minor mystery attached to the Dao Foundation 'Phoenix Seeking its Mate'... According to the 'Azure Phoenix True Fire Scripture,' if this Dao Foundation is refined into a supernatural power, it can hear the thoughts of people within a certain range without being actively used. If someone harbors malicious intent, the supernatural power will immediately alert the host, which is equivalent to several times the power of a sudden impulse, or what is called 'the way of utmost sincerity can foresee the future'... How can other cultivators compete with this?"

"No wonder the Green Clam was able to escape unscathed from the great calamity of the Green Bird Tribe. This profound and mysterious foundation played a crucial role. It is indeed worthy of being a true disciple of Mount Luofeng. Is this the weight of the divine power passed down directly from the Lord of the Fire Virtue?"

There are clearly differences between different supernatural powers.

This "Phoenix Seeking Phoenix" is definitely extraordinary; it must be a top-grade or even the best among supernatural powers!

"Unfortunately... I can counter this supernatural power."

When Fang Qing casually refined the "Phoenix Seeking Phoenix" Dao Foundation, he had some doubts in his heart. Fortunately, Qingha was by his side, so he asked him about it when the two of them were refining their bodies.

This girl was indeed up to no good. During the transaction of the "Listening to the Mysterious Cave Spring Scripture" at the Pu family's birthday banquet, she tried to eavesdrop on my thoughts. She also tried to do so several times during our subsequent meetings, but I didn't find anything unusual...

This proves that the "as if within calculation" of the Dao-born Pearl is also immune to such supernatural powers!

Furthermore, according to Qingha, there are examples throughout history of Qingluan bloodline who have mastered this divine power being hunted down and killed, indicating that this divine power is not absolutely precognitive and can still be restrained.

As expected of the little princess of the Azure Bird Tribe, the Green Clam managed to sell off all the direct descendants of the demon race.

As for her, a bluebird with a strong Qingluan bloodline, why is she called "Qingling"?

Fang Qing thought it was probably the contrast between the idea that a humble name makes a child easier to raise and the idea that such a name is more endearing.