Immortality begins with raising apprentices

Chapter 181 Who's the Fool?

"No need to thank me, it's just an ancient lost text."

The Fourth Elder frowned.

This person's character is ultimately inferior to Bai Li's.

The slightest favor, and they are moved to tears, prostrating themselves in gratitude...

However, he is someone who knows how to appreciate kindness.

Thinking of this, she added:

“In ancient times, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was abundant, and rare and precious materials were everywhere. Cultivators valued the power of their techniques more than the efficiency and difficulty of their cultivation. This Scripture of Withering and Flourishing Profound Light is a product of that era.”

"It is powerful, without a doubt. However, the difficulty of its cultivation and the enormous cost far exceed those of ordinary cultivation methods. This is why, although I obtained it, I have always kept it on a high shelf and have not passed it on to the disciples of the sect."

Chen Ye listened silently; in fact, he might be even more familiar with this technique than the Fourth Elder.

Indeed, as the Fourth Elder said, the Scripture of Withering and Flourishing is an ancient product, and its cultivation difficulty is naturally higher than the current cultivation methods that have been improved by generations of cultivators.

In ancient times, it was easier to talk about. At that time, the path of cultivation was just beginning to develop, and the world was full of rare and precious materials. Any spiritual flower could cause a bloodbath in the present-day Yan Kingdom.

But now... after generations of cultivators frantically plundered resources, where in the cultivation world is there so many resources left for cultivators to cultivate? It is precisely because of this that the originally insignificant spiritual plant cultivators have gradually gained their own place in the cultivation world.

"but……"

Zhang Ruoxu changed the subject.
“There are always exceptions. You possess the five elements pseudo-spiritual roots, which is already the worst choice on the path of cultivation. You might as well cultivate the Withering and Flourishing Profound Light Scripture; perhaps a miracle will occur. As the supervisor of Lin Song, you should have no shortage of cultivation resources…”

Uh……

The fourth elder meant that since the five spiritual roots were already rotten, they might as well rot even more, as there might still be a chance for a turnaround.

Chen Ye secretly grumbled to himself, but he also knew that the Fourth Elder was telling the truth and was doing it for his own good.

Chen Ye, always unpretentious, immediately bowed again and said:

"I will never forget your kindness, Elder. No matter how difficult the road ahead may be, I will do my utmost to live up to your expectations!"

"Just focus on your spiritual practice."

The Fourth Elder shook her head. She didn't expect that a middle-aged rogue cultivator who was only at the Qi Refining stage would be able to repay her in the future.

In fact, her gift had no particular purpose; it was just a casual reward.

Zhang Ruoxu didn't say anything more. She took a step forward, and her figure disappeared into the dazzling sunset.

……

"The Mysterious Light of Withering and Flourishing..."

After the Fourth Elder left, Chen Ye pondered the profound cultivation technique in his mind.

They couldn't help but start practicing on the spot.

"Congratulations, Brother Ye, on your extraordinary destiny."

Mao Qingzhu's voice came from beside him.

Although she did not know what kind of cultivation technique the Withering and Flourishing Profound Light Scripture was, it was bestowed by a Golden Core True Person and was undoubtedly a superior cultivation technique.

but,

She never expected that Chen Ye only had five spiritual roots!

He has reached his current position with the talent of five spiritual roots, and he also has two disciples. During this time, he has put in countless efforts.

Think of this,

Mao Qingzhu couldn't help but feel admiration.

"I'm afraid... Sister Qingzhu must have said a lot of good things about me in front of the Fourth Elder, right?"

Chen Ye sincerely said that although the elder's expression was indifferent, her behavior showed that she had a very good impression of him.

He knew that a slight resemblance was not enough to impress a Golden Core cultivator.

Unless, someone was speaking well of him beforehand...

Since Mao Qingzhu was able to come to Linsong Valley with the Fourth Elder, the two must have a good relationship.

"Yes...really?"

Mao Qingzhu was slightly taken aback; she hadn't expected Chen Ye to have guessed it.

Without making any attempt to hide it, he smiled faintly.

"I was just telling the truth..."

Only after I finished speaking did I belatedly realize that my words were somewhat inappropriate.

Doesn't this mean that Chen Ye has a very good image in her mind?

It seems like things are getting a little ambiguous...

Chen Ye didn't think too much about it, but he looked at Mao Qingzhu, who suddenly turned her head away, with a puzzled expression.

Is that too much to ask?

What a daughter, unworthy of her mother! Qingjun is a little devil. If Qingjun were here, she'd definitely say:
"Hmph! What nonsense are you thinking, Master? Qingjun was just being polite with you, did you really take it seriously!"

Then, with his hands on his hips, he squinted and stared intently at her.

That wretched little girl!

"That wretched master!"

But in a dark corner unknown to the two of them.

A fair-skinned, delicate little girl, who looked like a silkworm constantly spinning in its cocoon, bit her sleeve and glared fiercely at her master.

What sweet talk is Master using to deceive Aunt Mao again!

Master is such a big idiot!

If he were to use sweet words to flatter her, she would be very angry, but... but she was just a little girl, and she couldn't do anything to her master, so she was forced to be deceived by him.

But how could he possibly use sweet talk to Aunt Mao? If Aunt Mao got angry, his master would be in big trouble!

You idiot master!

Why would someone with such an innocent and adorable girl like her choose to deceive a married woman instead?
And...and...it's Aunt Mao!
The little girl didn't dare to even think about what evil scheme her master was plotting.

"Shh..."

Zhiwei placed her index finger on her lips and quickly gestured for Qingjun to keep her voice down.

Thanks to her constitution, the two girls were not discovered by Chen Ye and the others—since the ordeal in the Misty Forest, her constitution has been further awakened, making her more compatible with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and giving her a powerful ability to conceal herself.

But that doesn't mean she can make Qingjun invisible!

but……

This physique called the Immaculate Glass Body seems quite good... In this way, Master will never notice her gaze.

Like now.

The older girl frowned, her delicate brows furrowing in unison with the younger girl beside her, as she looked not far away at the master who was saying something that had Aunt Mao swaying with delight.

Master, is your heart so fragile in your pursuit of the Way?
Beauty is nothing but a pink skull...

What a disappointing master!

Once again, the two girls silently accused their master in their hearts.

……

Ever since the incident at the bathhouse, Chen Ye has felt that the atmosphere when he is with Mao Qingzhu is a bit strange.

Although Mao Qingzhu is gentle and generous, she seems to care nothing about the past.

But it was precisely because of this that Chen Ye felt extremely guilty.

Looking at the stunningly beautiful and dignified woman before him, he couldn't help but think of her in the bath...

"By the way, Sister Qingzhu, Li Qiuyun has just returned to the sect. I have already had the maid tidy up her courtyard. You can stay there temporarily."

Chen Ye's gaze fell on the splendid flowerbed, and he then realized that when the Fourth Elder left, he had already picked the remaining thirty-three glass flowers.

"Li Qiuyun?" Mao Qingzhu asked curiously. "Is she the spirited young girl who used to be by your side?"

“Exactly.” Chen Ye nodded.

"I think that child... seems to have some different feelings for you, Brother Ye. He's not like an ordinary guard."

A hint of teasing amusement lingered in Mao Qingzhu's narrow, beautiful eyes.

Although she was ignorant about matters between men and women, as the saying goes, those involved are often confused while bystanders see clearly. Coupled with her woman's intuition, she could sense that the girl named Li Qiuyun had some unusual emotions in her eyes when she looked at Chen Ye.

"Of course there is!"

Chen Ye nodded in agreement.

Mao Qingzhu asked in surprise, "You...you know?"

"Sister Qingzhu, you may not know this, but Qiuyun calls me Uncle Chen, so she is my niece. How could she just be a simple bodyguard?"

Chen Ye smiled, his expression filled with emotion.
"Sigh, my dear niece, she's gone back to the clan now, and I'm a little reluctant to let her go..."

"..."

Looking at his serious and sentimental expression, Mao Qingzhu was momentarily speechless.

Her adopted brother was exceptionally talented in certain areas.

But when it comes to matters of the heart, he's surprisingly...adorably oblivious.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel a little pity.

Speaking of which, her younger brother is truly pitiful. He's over forty years old and not only can't find a Daoist partner, but he's also still a virgin... No wonder he's so slow to understand.

Should we help Ye Di find a Daoist partner?

No... the matter of a Daoist partner cannot be obtained by force.

Now, his own maids are beautiful and in the prime of their youth; it seems they could be offered to Ye as his concubines.

At least we should make him... lose his virginity. Mao Qingzhu shook her head and did not continue the topic, but said gently, "Alright. Then I will trouble you, Brother Ye."

……

"Aunt Mao is an idiot! She talks as if Sister Qiuyun likes Master."

From the bushes, Qingjun watched the two laughing and talking in the distance and muttered to herself.

In her opinion, Sister Qiuyun clearly only regarded her master as an elder!

Upon hearing this, Zhiwei glanced at Qingjun.

My junior sister is the real idiot.

Li Qiuyun is clearly coveting her master in secret.

Can……

Where is Master?
Master... really doesn't know anything?

Looking into the distance, at her master who was still chatting and laughing with Mao Qingzhu, Zhiwei's already wavering heart became even more certain.

perhaps……

It's not that he doesn't know.

He was just pretending to be confused.

Actually, it wasn't easy for the master either. At his age, he had to raise them through all the ups and downs in this chaotic world. How could he have any thoughts of starting a family?
"Senior sister, senior sister, they're gone!"

The little girl had no idea that her senior sister's expression was off. Seeing that their master had left, she quickly tugged at her senior sister's sleeve.
"Should we follow them? Or should we go back and wait for Master to come home?"

Zhiwei snapped out of her daze, looking at her silly junior sister who only had her master in her heart and eyes, and then at the two figures walking side by side in the distance.

Silly girl... if you don't watch your step, your mother might become your teacher's wife!
If we were to talk about who in the world has the most confidence in their master.

This person must be Lu Zhiwei!

Zhiwei believes that there is no woman in the world who can refuse her master!

The little girl with black hair suddenly muttered, "Qingjun, Master is so good to you. Just like a biological daughter."

The white-haired little girl couldn't help but curl the corners of her lips, feeling smug inside, but her little face showed a look of disgust:

"How disgusting! Master actually treats his disciple like a daughter!!"

"If it really becomes a daughter... wouldn't that just add insult to injury?" Zhiwei said softly.

"Huh?" Qingjun stuck out her ahoge (cowlick) and swayed it back and forth. "How could I possibly be Master's daughter!"

"Hmm? That's true, Senior Sister is overthinking it." Zhiwei stammered.

Her senior sister is hiding something from her!
The clever little girl immediately discovered the truth.

Who in this world can truly deceive themselves?
Even if it's your master, it won't work.

"Daughter...daughter?!!"

Qingjun frowned her soft eyebrows, racking her brains, and suddenly seemed to have an epiphany.

If Aunt Mao marries Master, wouldn't I be Master's daughter?!
Absolutely not!

She used to ride on her master's head and do whatever she wanted. If she became a daughter, how could she do whatever she wanted?

Then they'll have to keep calling him "Daddy" every day, it'll be disgusting!
"No! Absolutely not!"

Qingjun suddenly jumped out of the bushes, grabbed her senior sister's hand, and said urgently,
"Senior Sister! Let's hurry and follow! We absolutely cannot let Aunt Mao steal our Master away! I've heard that once a man has a Daoist partner, he'll forget his disciple!!"

Uh……

But Aunt Mao is your mother.

Seeing her so alarmed, Zhiwei silently grumbled to herself, but still shook her head:
"No. Let's go back. Master has something to attend to, and it's not good to disturb him now... In any case, Master's important business is the most important."

She knew that since her master had important matters to discuss with Aunt Mao, it would be inconsiderate for them to follow along.

"Oh……"

Upon hearing this, Qingjun lowered her head in disappointment.

The two little girls walked back home, one in front of the other.

One of them was filled with a sense of crisis, fearing that his master would be taken away by someone else.

The other sighed silently in his heart.

But she didn't sigh because she was using her junior sister—as long as it was for her master, whatever she did was right!
……

After escorting Mao Qingzhu back to her residence, Chen Ye returned home with excitement and anticipation.

This time, I really hit the jackpot!

Chen Ye didn't even bother to spend time with his disciple before returning directly to his quiet room.

He sat cross-legged, his mind completely immersed in that incredibly profound and mysterious incantation.

"The five elements cycle, withering and flourishing depend on each other... So that's how it is, so that's how it is..."

This method was created by ancient cultivators. Its core essence lies not in the speed of breathing in spiritual energy, but in comprehending the unity of opposites between decay and prosperity, and mastering the cycle of life and death.

Ordinary cultivators with a single spiritual root draw qi into their bodies through a single spiritual root, much like drawing water through a channel—a single path that allows for rapid cultivation.

However, those with the Five Elements Spiritual Root have a mixture of the five elements within their bodies, which conflict with each other. When they breathe in spiritual energy, it's like five streams flowing into one pool, constantly clashing and causing them to work harder for less results. Therefore, this is the worst choice.

The Ku Rong Xuan Guang Jing takes a different approach, not seeking to draw water temporarily, but rather to create a world within the body, constructing a perfect cycle of "five elements rotating and endlessly regenerating".

Once you get the hang of this method, you can turn the biggest disadvantage of the Five Elements spiritual roots into the biggest advantage.

Of course, this also creates new disadvantages.

For example, when Chen Ye cultivates the Evergreen Technique, after absorbing spiritual energy, he only needs to refine the wood-type spiritual energy, which is equivalent to choosing one of the five streams representing the five elements to refine. Of course, this is completely opposite to the nature of a single spiritual root, which means that there is only one large stream within the body.

However, after practicing the Mysterious Light of Withering and Flourishing, one must simultaneously refine all five streams.

The difficulty of cultivation has increased exponentially, and the speed of cultivation has also decreased exponentially—the Five Elements Root was already slow to cultivate, and now it's even slower... No matter how strong this technique is, if you can't even reach the Foundation Establishment stage by the time you die, then it's better to cultivate the Evergreen Technique.

"What the hell would I learn... No wonder this technique has disappeared from the cultivation world. It's not that it's too rare, but that nobody learns it."

Chen Ye admitted that this was unexpected.

In the game, you can simply hang this technique on your person.

How can one cultivate oneself in reality, with so many twists and turns?

He patiently read it carefully.

The first realm of the Mysterious Light of Withering and Flourishing is called the Five Elements Reincarnation.

Cultivators need to use their powerful divine sense as a guide to circulate the five elements' spiritual power within their bodies in an internal cycle within their dantian, according to the principle of mutual generation of the five elements.

Once successful, the speed and duration of spiritual energy recovery far surpass those of cultivators of the same level, giving them a significant advantage in combat.

However, it sounds easy, but it is very difficult to implement.

This is akin to asking five irreconcilable enemies to hold hands and coexist peacefully; the difficulty of that is unimaginable.

Fortunately, the creator of the Ku Rong Xuan Guang Jing was aware of the difficulty of this technique.

This cultivation technique requires five spiritual objects representing the five elements to help the cultivator refine spiritual energy and establish a stable cycle...

"Only second-tier natural treasures possess spirituality, hence they are called spiritual objects. Each spiritual object is extremely valuable. For independent cultivators, they are also known as foundation-building spiritual objects, because they can help cultivators establish their foundation... Their value is self-evident."

Chen Ye had a headache. He simply calculated that one spiritual item was worth 1,000 spirit stones, and five spiritual items would cost about 5,000 spirit stones!
No wonder,
The Fourth Elder has such skill, yet he doesn't use it to cultivate cultivators with five spiritual roots—with these five thousand spirit stones, who else could he cultivate?
Moreover,

The most difficult aspect of the *Ku Rong Xuan Guang Jing* (Scripture of Withering and Flourishing Light) is not the availability of resources, but rather the difficulty of its cultivation...

"However, I have a proficiency panel... the most difficult problem isn't a problem for me, it's just that these spirit stones are hard to accumulate..."

Chen Ye sighed silently.

After one night.

[An Introduction to the Classic of Withering and Flourishing: 1/10]

"They really forced their way to the beginner level by relying solely on the control panel..."

Chen Ye opened his eyes as he emerged from his monotonous cultivation.

Although he was just starting out, he didn't feel any particular changes.

Since he originally practiced the Evergreen Technique, he first tried to generate fire from wood.

After a night of cultivation, he could only vaguely sense that he was more adept at using fire magic.

But you never know, maybe it's just a misperception.

"Alright, business is more important. After the sect's assessment, it's time to hand over the first batch of mature spiritual plants."

Chen Ye had just stood up when he suddenly frowned.

He could faintly hear hurried footsteps.