Chapter 1196: A Long and Arduous Path Ahead
Chapter 1196: A Long and Arduous Path Ahead
With a thought, he immediately selected an area and buried several Dongxuan Sword Steles in the center, then created a small pond, placing some lesser Sword Dao treasures at the bottom.
After some consideration, he also relocated the Tempering Sword Pavilion into his personal space.
"The requirements to nurture a Sword Dao Spirit Ground are truly stringent, and the most crucial aspect is the need for Sword Dao treasures similar to the Nine Heavens Thunder Summoning Stele."
"These arrangements can only be considered preliminary preparations."
He was extremely patient and decided to take things slow.
Subsequently, he remained in his personal space, carefully examining the numerous high-rank Spirit Plants cultivated in various locations.
"The Seventh Rank Spirit Plants are increasing; there are already over thirty of them."
"There are even quite a few Eighth and Ninth Rank Spirit Plants, as well as those with Primordial Spirit Roots."
His Divine Sense swept through his personal space, and he had high expectations for these high-rank Spirit Plants.
"The Empty Cicada Wood is about to begin a new round of molting."
"The Lamp Burning Ancient Grass, Impermeable Spirit Wood, and Incense Fire Marvel Tree have all been planted for many years and are now gradually reaching maturity."
Lu Xuan sighed inwardly.
He was reluctant to use the Supreme Taiyi Ethereal Dew in his hand, as the Demigod Wood Green Flask was currently in the stage of storing and transforming the spiritual energy of plants and trees. Therefore, he didn't rush to mature these Seventh Rank Spirit Plants.
After carefully nurturing them, he returned to his cave mansion.
Two months passed in the blink of an eye, and on this day, he accepted Li Xuandust's invitation to visit the Sword Palace.
The interior of the Sword Palace was boundless, and Li Xuandust's cave mansion was located within.
"Junior Brother Lu, it's been a while since we last met."
"Haha, Senior Brother, today, let's have a proper drink."
Lu Xuan smiled and handed over several bottles of Spirit Brew.
"Junior Brother Lu, you are too low-key. After making such a grand entrance, it's rare to see you in the Sword Sect."
Li Xuandust exclaimed.
"Senior Brother, what do you mean? I've been cultivating Spirit Plants in my cave mansion and am unaware of the grand entrance you mentioned."
Lu Xuan asked in confusion.
"The Sword Peak Grand Competition from over two months ago!"
Li Xuandust emphasized.
"Due to your Soul Annihilation Prison Grass, the True Sword Peak has risen in ranking once again, now at fifth place."
"In this, Junior Brother, you have made a significant contribution!"
"So that's how it is..."
Lu Xuan's expression remained unchanged, and he nodded lightly.
"Junior Brother, you are too calm and composed."
Seeing Lu Xuan's unperturbed and carefree demeanor, Li Xuandust couldn't help but speak up.
"It's been a long time since the cultivation of the sword grass; there's no need to dwell on past accomplishments."
Lu Xuan chuckled.
"Junior Brother, you are indeed open-minded, but it's a pity for the fellow disciples of the other two Sword Peaks."
Li Xuandust leaned closer, a mischievous smile on his face.
"I heard that the Sword Masters of the Pure Yang Sword Peak and the Purple Cloud Sword Peak, who ranked at the bottom this time, have both used various means to pressure the Nascent Soul Stage disciples in the Sword Peak, urging them to find ways to contribute to the Sword Sect in the new cycle and improve the sect's overall ranking."
"Many Nascent Soul Stage fellow disciples are suffering under this pressure and have no choice but to invest their efforts in various aspects."
"Did my improved Soul Annihilation Prison Grass make the Sword Sect even more competitive?"
Lu Xuan was surprised.
The two sat together, tasting Spirit Fruits and Spirit Brew while discussing various matters, both big and small, concerning the Sword Sect and the cultivation world.
"Junior Brother Lu, after enduring countless trials and even life-threatening tribulations to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage, what does it all mean?"
"Even with a thousand years of longevity, we will eventually turn into a handful of yellow soil."
Li Xuandust suddenly sighed, expressing his sentiment.
"Senior Brother, why do you say that?"
Lu Xuan's expression turned pensive, and he curiously asked, "What is it, Senior Brother?"
"It's nothing, Junior Brother, no need to worry."
"Have you heard of Senior Brother Wen Chenyu from Qingwei Sword Peak?"
"I've heard of him, but I've never had the chance to meet him. I heard that Senior Brother Wen achieved the Late-stage Nascent Soul many years ago and has been in secluded cultivation within the Sword Sect's blessed land."
Lu Xuan's voice deepened as he spoke.
"That's right, but Senior Brother wasn't in secluded cultivation. He was trying to prolong his life."
"That Senior Brother Wen..."
Lu Xuan's heart stirred with an ominous thought, and his expression became much more serious.
"His...time...is...up."
"..."
"What a pity."
At these words, Lu Xuan fell silent for a moment before sighing.
"It's not exactly a pity, as Senior Brother Wen has already lived for over thirteen hundred years. Among Nascent Soul Cultivators, this isn't considered a short lifespan."
"There's an error-free version in the 169th chapter!"
"Did Senior Brother Wen try cultivating longevity techniques or collecting longevity elixirs and spirit herbs?"
"Of course."
"After gradually entering the aging phase, Senior Brother Wen started preparing to gather longevity treasures."
"Longevity techniques suitable for the Nascent Soul Stage are extremely rare in the cultivation world, and one must start cultivating them early to achieve good results at a certain stage."
"As for longevity elixirs and spirit herbs, they are equally rare. Occasionally obtaining one or two can only barely quench one's thirst, unable to solve the problem fundamentally."
"Did Senior Brother Wen try any other methods?"
Lu Xuan hesitated, appearing as if he wanted to speak but stopped.
"Junior Brother Lu, our friendship is deep, there's no need to be so cautious."
"Are you referring to soul transfer or becoming a ghost cultivator?"
Lu Xuan nodded lightly.
"Strictly speaking, these unorthodox methods are not tolerated by the Sword Sect, which prides itself on being a righteous sect."
"Moreover, they aren't easy to perform."
"For example, soul transfer requires finding a target with superior roots and talent, and the souls must be compatible. It also goes against the natural order, making it much more difficult to break through to the Core Formation and Nascent Soul Stages."
"As for the method of becoming a ghost cultivator, it requires high-level secret techniques and high-grade treasures capable of nurturing the yin soul. Even if one successfully becomes a ghost cultivator, they can only linger on, neither human nor ghost."
"Senior Brother, there's no need to be so pessimistic."
"From another perspective, Senior Brother Wen being able to find peace within the Sword Sect is already better than countless Nascent Soul Cultivators."
"You should know, countless Nascent Soul Cultivators die in various secret realms and at the hands of enemies. Only a minority are able to pass away peacefully."
Lu Xuan offered words of comfort.
"You're right, Junior Brother. I've been overthinking it."
"Being like that, it's easy to give rise to heart demons."
Lu Xuan reminded him.
"Haha, good. Later, I'll firmly reinforce my heart of seeking the Dao."
"By the way, according to the Sword Palace Lord's message, Senior Brother Wen might choose to vanish into the Heart Sword Lake within the next ten days or so. Remember to come and see him off, Junior Brother Lu."
"Okay."
Lu Xuan's expression turned solemn, and he nodded lightly.
"The Nascent Soul Stage is just the beginning; the path ahead is long and arduous, with too much to be done."
He silently reminded himself.
(Chapter End)
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