https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-485-Lu-Qing-s-Seclusion-The-Difficulty-of-Cultivation/13150804/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-487-Soul-Shaping-Mud-Exchanging-Bloodlines/13150806/
Chapter 486: Transmitting Messages, Exchanging Spiritual Artifacts
Chapter 486: Transmitting Messages, Exchanging Spiritual Artifacts
2025-02-12
"Oh well, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it."
After a moment of contemplation, Lu Qing managed to calm his thoughts.
These circumstances were, in fact, within his expectations.
After all, his starting point was incredibly high, and the might of the Perfect Jin Dan was too powerful.
Moreover, the recovery speed of this world couldn't keep up with his cultivation pace.
It was foreseeable that his cultivation journey would be challenging.
It was only because he possessed unique abilities and numerous treasures that could aid his cultivation.
Otherwise, his cultivation time might have had to be extended tenfold or more.
After calming his mind, Lu Qing took out the Chuanxun Jade Talisman.
This time, he had been in seclusion for a significant period, and he wasn't sure if anyone had sent him messages.
Lu Qing probed with his divine sense and discovered that there were indeed quite a few messages.
The first message was from his master, sent half a year ago.
It mentioned that his master had recently traveled the world and discovered a rare flower that could be used to concoct a potent yet gentle detoxifying powder suitable even for ordinary people.
His master suggested that they could research it together after returning to the village.
Following that, there were messages from Wei Shan Hai, Lin Zhi Rui, and others.
Most of them were updates on their current situations, with nothing particularly special.
Apart from these, the person who had left the most messages was Xiao Yan.
The young girl had been traveling around with Xiao Li and Wu Xing, sharing her adventures with Lu Qing.
Thus, most of the messages in the Chuanxun Jade Talisman were Xiao Yan's accounts of her experiences.
For instance, she would talk about delicious food she had tried in various places or beautiful linghua she had picked in certain mountain forests.
Although Xiao Yan's stories were mundane, Lu Qing found them captivating, and a smile would occasionally appear on his face.
In recent years, he had spent the majority of his time secluded in the Holy Mountain, leaving him with less time to accompany Xiao Yan.
Seeing that the young girl was having fun during her travels brought him great comfort.
However, as he continued reading, Lu Qing's brows furrowed slightly.
In the later messages, he noticed that Xiao Yan seemed to be traveling with a few peers.
She began mentioning them more frequently, and her words suggested a good relationship with them.
"Is this a coincidence, or is she intentionally getting close to them?" Lu Qing wondered.
He immediately focused his divine sense, calling out to the familiar presence within his soul.
"Wu Xing!"
Far away, the Five-Color Winged Snake, which was curled up in Xiao Yan's hood, suddenly woke up.
It immediately showed surprise in its eyes, "Master, is it you?"
"Yes, where are you, Xiao Yan, and Xiao Li right now?" Lu Qing asked through his divine sense.
Wu Xing was a spiritual beast enslaved by Lu Qing's soul, and with his current cultivation level, he could communicate with it through his divine sense as long as they were in the same world.
This was why Lu Qing felt at ease letting Xiao Yan travel around.
Not only did she have the protection of Wu Xing and Xiao Li, two powerful spiritual beasts, but Wu Xing could also summon him through the soul enslavement mark if anything happened.
"Master, we're currently in a small state called Lin Zhou in the Northern Frontier," Wu Xing replied in its mind.
Over the past decade, the Five-Color Winged Snake had learned to use human language and could now communicate with Lu Qing without any barriers.
"I just came out of seclusion today, and I saw Xiao Yan's message saying that you've been traveling with a few people recently. Who are they, and can they be trusted?"
"Yes, Master," the Five-Color Winged Snake thought for a moment before answering, "The young lady has indeed been traveling with several young people from different sects.
They all seem to have decent cultivation levels, at least in the Lesser stage of the Xiantian Realm.
As for their character, neither I nor Xiao Li have seen any ill intentions from them so far."
Hearing this, Lu Qing's worries lessened.
Although Wu Xing might have misjudged, Xiao Li's sensing abilities were exceptionally mystical.
If those people had any ill intentions towards Xiao Yan, it would be difficult for them to escape Xiao Li's senses.
However, since human hearts were unpredictable, Lu Qing still gave the Five-Color Winged Snake a reminder.
"Regardless, be vigilant and protect Xiao Yan well."
"Understood, Master. Xiao Li and I have always stayed by the young lady's side, and we haven't revealed our full strength.
Even the young lady has only displayed the strength of the Xiantian Realm.
Those people are unaware of our true capabilities."
The Five-Color Winged Snake conveyed in its mind.
"That's good, continue like this, and I'll come to you after I finish my business.
Also, don't tell Xiao Yan about my communication with you for now."
Upon learning that Xiao Yan hadn't fully revealed her strength, Lu Qing completely put his mind at ease.
He knew that his worries were somewhat unnecessary.
In the past decade, the young girl's cultivation progress had been remarkably rapid.
She was now a formidable cultivator at the Zhu Ji Da Cheng stage.
Even in the entire cultivation world, she could be considered a true expert.
Moreover, she possessed the many treasures he had given her, and Xiao Li and the others were by her side.
Even a genuine Jin Dan cultivator might not be able to harm them in a short time.
After severing the divine sense connection with the Five-Color Winged Snake, Lu Qing continued reading the Chuanxun Jade Talisman.
Suddenly, when he saw the last message, he paused for a moment before showing a delighted expression.
"Has that old dragon turtle finally come to its senses?"
Over the years, Lu Qing had communicated with the old dragon turtle a few times.
During one of these exchanges, he had proposed exchanging some of its bloodline power.
Initially, the old dragon turtle had flatly refused.
But when Lu Qing later offered his conditions, it became hesitant.
Now it seemed that the dragon turtle had finally made up its mind.
"Perfect timing, as the spiritual energy in the Holy Mountain's cave is no longer as effective for me."
"I was thinking of heading to the Donghai to see if there are any treasures that could aid my cultivation."
Just as Lu Qing was about to leave seclusion for the Donghai, a voice suddenly called out from outside. "Young Friend Lu, have you emerged from seclusion?"
Recognizing the voice of the First Sage Master, Lu Qing immediately exited his cave abode.
"Senior First Sage Master, it's been a long time."
"As expected, we sensed your aura and guessed that you must have emerged from seclusion," the First Sage Master said with a smile.
Outside the cave abode, all three Sage Masters were present, and the First Sage Master continued, "We didn't mean to disturb you, Young Friend Lu."
"I'm sorry for not being able to control my aura," Lu Qing apologized.
"Nonsense, Young Friend Lu," the First Sage Master waved his hand, "but even you couldn't fully suppress your aura, it seems your seclusion has yielded significant progress."
"It's just a minor breakthrough, nothing significant," Lu Qing smiled modestly.
Hearing this, the three Sage Masters were inwardly startled.
Indeed, Lu Qing had made another breakthrough.
However, they were unsure which realm he had entered this time.
The true cultivation realm of Lu Qing remained a mystery to the three Sage Masters, as they had never been able to discern it.
Regardless of when they faced Lu Qing, they always had the same feeling: his abilities were unfathomable and beyond comprehension.
Despite his formidable strength, Lu Qing continued to make breakthroughs from time to time.
This couldn't help but impress the three Sage Masters.
Indeed, he was the first to transcend tribulations after the heavenly changes, the most dazzling and peerless genius of this era.
Over the past ten years, the three Sage Masters had also made progress in their cultivation realms.
For instance, the First Sage Master had entered the second stage of the Jin Dan Realm, and the Second and Third Sage Masters were close to completing their first stage.
Their cultivation progress was undeniably rapid.
However, compared to Lu Qing's breakthroughs during his seclusion every few months, the gap was truly enormous.
"By the way, what brings you three seniors to visit your junior?" Lu Qing asked.
"We have compiled a record of various spiritual artifacts collected by the disciples of the Sacred Mountain over the past year," the Second Sage Master explained, handing over a book. "Since you've emerged from seclusion, we thought to bring it to you for your perusal."
"Oh? Let me take a look."
Lu Qing took the book and began flipping through its pages.
Once their crimes were confirmed, punishment was swift, even if the offender was from a major sect. No mercy was shown.
Capturing criminals was a risky endeavor, and the Sacred Mountain would not let its disciples take unnecessary risks.
Consequently, the Sacred Mountain had established a comprehensive reward system.
Upon successfully capturing criminals, disciples were awarded merit.
This merit could be exchanged for various cultivation techniques, spiritual artifacts, or other rewards.
Similarly, if disciples obtained spiritual artifacts they didn't need during their travels, they could turn them in to the Sacred Mountain.
These artifacts would be converted into merit, which could then be exchanged for other desired items.
Ten years ago, when Lu Qing learned about this reward system, he became intrigued.
With the changes in the world and the continuous recovery of spiritual energy, various spiritual artifacts were constantly emerging.
Even long-lost secret realms, absent for tens of thousands of years, were gradually resurfacing.
Lu Qing, who often needed to seclude himself for cultivation, clearly didn't have much time to collect these artifacts.
However, by utilizing the Sacred Mountain's reward system, he could have the disciples collect the artifacts he needed.
Therefore, Lu Qing proposed to the three Sage Masters that he would contribute some items to the Merit Hall in exchange for the Sacred Mountain's merit.
The three Sage Masters naturally had no objections and even welcomed the idea.
All three of them were unable to leave the Sacred Mountain in their true forms and could only venture out using puppet bodies.
Before the recovery of spiritual energy, collecting treasures with puppet bodies was relatively easy.
But the situation had changed, and even puppet bodies struggled to dominate the competition.
Moreover, they needed to focus on their cultivation, leaving little time for excursions.
As a result, the treasures they could provide for the Sacred Mountain disciples were becoming increasingly scarce.
Lu Qing's participation in the reward system was a welcome development, as it could alleviate their urgent need.
And so, Lu Qing joined the Sacred Mountain's reward system.
The items he contributed to the Merit Hall were not ordinary but various talismans.
Lu Qing had initially planned to engrave talismans as a way to practice his talismanic arts without exerting himself.
If he could exchange these talismans for the spiritual artifacts he needed, it would be an unexpected delight.
However, what they didn't expect was that the talismans Lu Qing engraved would become incredibly popular among the Sacred Mountain disciples.
They even became the most sought-after items for exchange.
After all, activating talismans didn't require a high level of cultivation.
A powerful talisman could significantly enhance a cultivator's combat power, even enabling them to fight opponents of higher realms.
Such valuable items were naturally well-liked.
Due to the overwhelming popularity of the talismans, Lu Qing's accumulated merit over the years had surpassed that of the three Sage Masters.
He became the person with the most merit in the entire Sacred Mountain.
However, aside from the three Sage Masters, very few others were aware of this fact.
The vast majority of Sacred Mountain disciples assumed that the talismans were provided by the three Sage Masters.
As Lu Qing flipped through the book, he marked the spiritual artifacts he desired.
Most of the items listed were ordinary and of little use to him.
But when he reached the last page and saw a particular item, his eyes lit up.
(End of Chapter)
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