Starting Immortal Cultivation from a White Dog

At dusk, at Qingyi Courtyard.

Wu Tian instructed the kitchen to serve the dishes: braised carp, stir-fried bamboo shoots, braised beast meat, cold bamboo shoot salad, and a bowl of five-colored pheasant soup. They were all ordinary dishes, but they smelled delicious.

Just as the bowls and chopsticks were set out, footsteps could be heard outside the courtyard.

Lu Nanxi pushed open the door and saw her husband smiling as he served her rice. "Nanxi, come and wash your hands and eat."

The two sat facing each other, dining like an ordinary couple.

Lu Nanxi picked up a piece of spirit carp, and found it tender and perfectly seasoned. She couldn't help but exclaim, "Delicious! It's been a long time since I've had such a peaceful meal."

"Eat more if you like it." Wu Tian ladled another bowl of soup for her.

The meal was warm and peaceful.

After dinner, the two took a walk in the courtyard.

The moonlight, as clear as water, spilled onto the cobblestone path, while a cool night breeze caressed Lu Nanxi's skirt and long hair.

As she walked, she suddenly stopped and sighed softly.

"What's wrong?" Wu Tian asked.

Lu Nanxi leaned on his shoulder and whispered, "The news reported by the various managers at today's meeting... is not good."

"Talk about it."

"The situation in the three southern prefectures is becoming increasingly chaotic." Lu Nanxi's voice was filled with worry. "The Ten Thousand Mountains have been completely occupied by the demon race. The Demon Saint Bai Qian has gathered the Taibai Star and is stationed in the Undying Palace, with overwhelming power. In recent days, demon kings have been leading their forces out of the Ten Thousand Mountains and wreaking havoc on human territory."

She paused, then continued, "The cities closest to us still had caravans traveling between them last month, but we've completely lost contact with them these past few days."

"It is said that... Quancheng was breached by a silver-backed bear king, and no one in the city was spared."

Wu Tian remained silent. His identity was special; he had cultivated twice in his previous life, so whether human or demon, it made no difference to him.

In his view, those who are kind to me are kind, and those who are hostile to me are hostile.

Especially in this world where immortals and Buddhas manifest their divine power, the higher one's cultivation level, the more blurred the distinctions become regarding race, nation, and even gender.

His heart grew colder and colder with each experience, and he only cared about the people he cared about.

Even when they heard that the people of an entire city had been swallowed up, they remained unmoved.

After all, when the human race invaded the Ten Thousand Mountains, even more demons would die.

Lu Nanxi added, "The Fire God Palace suffered the most severe losses. According to the cultivators who escaped, the Great Sun Palace Master is missing, Gu Santong died in battle, and the rest of the primordial spirits and Dao embryos were almost completely wiped out."

"Now the Fire God Palace only has one Nascent Soul True Person left, barely able to protect itself with the mountain-protecting formation, and is no longer able to deter the Southern Frontier."

"What about the aristocratic families of Southern Xinjiang?" Wu Tian asked.

“Worse.” Lu Nanxi shook her head. “In the battle to besiege Bai Qian, almost all the Nascent Soul True Persons of each family died. Cao Tiangang, the patriarch of the Cao family, was hunted down by the Fire Virtue Star Lord and his fate is unknown; Lady Zhurong was seriously injured in that battle and went into seclusion after returning to Kunming Pool, and there has been no news of her since; Bai Wenxian, the patriarch of the Bai family, perished, and the family still has three Nascent Soul True Persons left, which is already considered the best situation.”

“The five Miao clans originally lived in the Hundred Thousand Mountains. This time, they were the most severely affected by the demon riots. Almost all the Miao people, from cultivators to ordinary people, have died.”

"Both Nascent Soul True Persons of the Suanchan Li family have perished, leaving only Dao Embryo cultivators, just like our Lu family."

She looked up at Wu Tian, ​​her eyes filled with worry: "Now, the entire human race in the Southern Frontier is living in fear. Demons and monsters appear from time to time in various places, slaughtering villages and destroying towns."

"The Vulcan Palace is powerless to suppress it, and the aristocratic families are too busy to help themselves... If this continues, the Southern Frontier may become a demon kingdom."

Wu Tian hugged her tightly and gently stroked her back: "Don't be afraid, I'm here. Don't forget that I have another identity. No matter what happens, I will definitely be able to protect you."

Lu Nanxi buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled: "I know, but..."

She couldn't continue. Should she say something like, "The rabbit mourns the fox's death," or "Things of one's own kind grieve for each other"? But what about her man? Was he human, or a demon?

She felt a sense of unease that was difficult to dispel.

"Nanxi, do you want to save the Southern Frontier people?" Wu Tian could naturally sense her feelings, so he tightened his grip on her waist slightly and asked gently.

Lu Nanxi shook her head. "I would not do such a thankless task, but I also do not want to see demons running rampant, causing bloodshed and chaos everywhere. This is not a good thing for my Lu family either."

Wu Tian said calmly, "Chaos can also be an opportunity. If the Lu family can seize the opportunity to rise, they may very well become the new overlord of the Southern Frontier."

Lu Nanxi looked up at him: "You mean..."

"Nanxi, go and collect some Dutian Magic Pearls, or magic artifacts and treasures refined with magic pearls, from the Lu family's treasury." Wu Tian looked at her. "The more the better, as these can help me in my cultivation."

"However, this is due to my special bloodline; it's of little use to you or the rest of the Lu family..."

"If I can break through to the Nascent Soul stage and display my supernatural abilities, I can naturally deter demons and other forces, giving the Lu family a period of peace. You can also take this opportunity to settle down for a while."

Lu Nanxi's eyes lit up again. She didn't ask any more questions or try to find out the secret of refining the magic bead. She simply said softly, "Okay, I understand."

The two talked for a while longer, as night deepened.

Back in the room, the candlelight flickered.

Lu Nanxi sat in front of the dressing table removing her makeup when Wu Tian hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"Are you tired today?" he asked in a low voice.

“Hmm…” Lu Nanxi turned her head and pressed her cheek against his face. “I am indeed a little tired. The Lu family’s foundation is too shallow. Now that I am in charge of the family head position, I feel like I am walking on thin ice.”

Wu Tian chuckled and kissed her earlobe: "Then... shall I help you relax?"

Lu Nanxi trembled, her ears turning red: "How do you untie it..."

"What do you think?" Wu Tian's hand had already slipped inside his clothes.

Lu Nanxi gave a soft snort and pressed his hand down: "No... I haven't washed up yet..."

"We'll shower together later." Wu Tian picked her up and carried her to the bed.

"You...you put me down..." Lu Nanxi buried her face in his chest in embarrassment.

Wu Tian placed her on the bed and leaned down to press her down.

“Today… today I am on the throne…” Lu Nanxi suddenly whispered.

Wu Tian raised an eyebrow: "Oh?"

“Just… just once…” Lu Nanxi’s face turned even redder.

Wu Tian laughed and rolled over to lie down: "Okay, whatever you say."

Lu Nanxi bit her lip, listening to his guidance?

Wu Tian supported her, "Don't rush, take it slow..."

The candlelight crackled, and the spring atmosphere inside the tent grew stronger.

"Are you ok?"

“…How strange.”

"Then...what about this?"

"Um...you...you slow down..."

"Do you like it?" "...You're so annoying."

……

As dawn breaks, the Qingyi Courtyard is bathed in the soft light of morning.

When Wu Tian woke up, the bedside was empty, with only the faint fragrance of the pillow and the slight disarray of the bedding, silently telling the story of the intimacy of the previous night.

His fingertips brushed over the spot where Lu Nanxi had lain, where the warmth still lingered.

He put on his robe, got up, and walked out slowly. Lu Nanxi was already dressed, in a dignified indigo robe, her black hair all tied up and secured with a simple white jade hairpin, as she tidied the last strand of hair in front of the mirror.

"Why don't you rest a little longer?" Wu Tian approached and placed his hands on her seemingly slender and delicate shoulders.

Lu Nanxi smiled faintly at him in the mirror, put down the comb, turned around and took his hand, and said softly, "I have something on my mind and can't sleep. I have a lot to do today, so I'm afraid I'll be back late."

She paused, her gaze softening. "I have already ordered someone to count the magic beads you requested, and they should be delivered before noon."

"You've worked hard." Wu Tian lowered his head and kissed her forehead. "You don't have to do everything yourself. Take care of yourself."

Lu Nanxi leaned against him for a moment to recover, then left in a hurry.

Wu Tian ate a light breakfast alone and sat quietly under the plum tree in the courtyard.

At approximately 4:45 AM, a gentle knock was heard on the courtyard gate, and a maid in a lotus-colored dress appeared, carrying three sandalwood boxes of different sizes, which she respectfully placed on the stone table.

"Grand Commander, this is what the patriarch ordered to be sent." The maid's voice was gentle. "The patriarch said that all the clan's magic beads are here according to your needs, and a few other magic treasures will not be delivered until this afternoon."

"Thank you." Wu Tian nodded.

The maid bowed and withdrew silently.

Wu Tian's gaze fell on the wooden box. The box was made of fine sandalwood, exuding an antique feel, and the body of the box was decorated only with simple cloud patterns.

As the current head of the family, Lu Nanxi holds great power and can almost freely access the treasury. Although the Lu family is currently in decline, its heritage is extremely ancient, and over countless years, it has accumulated a vast number of magic beads.

These magic beads are of little use to other cultivators, but for the Lu family, they are excellent spiritual objects for refining magic treasures. Therefore, the vast majority of magic beads have been refined into magic treasures.

Only a few of the Dharma beads have survived; they are usually enshrined in the ancestral hall along with the memorial tablets.

If it were any other time, even if the head of the family wanted to use so many magic beads, it would be difficult to get approval, since they had to be taken from the ancestral hall, and it would be impossible without the consent of those ancient beings.

But now that the two of them have just joined forces to clean up the Lu family, no one dares to provoke them at this time. They just want to test whether their necks are harder than knives.

Wu Tian first opened the largest box on the far left.

The box was opened, revealing a deep red velvet lining inside, with hundreds of beads the size of longan fruits neatly arranged – the Heavenly Pearls of the Refining Realm.

These magic beads are crystal clear, with flowing light inside and varying shades of color, making them look extremely mystical.

After closing the lid, Wu Tian opened the slightly smaller box in the middle. As soon as the box was opened, a burst of light and flame shot out, spreading for more than ten feet.

He looked closely and saw that there were only twelve magic beads inside, which were slightly larger than pigeon eggs.

These are the Dao Embryo Realm Dharma Beads. Their radiance is restrained, and their bodies are as warm and smooth as red jade, yet they are also imprinted with faint golden patterns, radiating flame-like light. When they are intertwined, they present a magnificent and ever-changing spectacle.

Finally, Wu Tian took the smallest wooden box and gently opened it.

Inside the box was a layer of bright yellow warm jade, upon which lay two magic beads.

These two magic beads are only the size of a thumb joint, yet they are perfectly round and flawless, sparkling and dazzling. One can vaguely see the Heavenly Pillar floating within them, but each of the two beads is sealed with a talisman, which is why no strange phenomena have appeared.

Even with Wu Tian's calm and collected nature, he couldn't help but take a deep breath, his eyes revealing a look of surprise.

The quantity and quality of the Dharma beads far exceeded expectations, and were more than enough for him to push the "True Explanation of the Heavenly Blazing Fire" to the twelfth major perfection.

He suppressed the urge to start practicing immediately, first carefully moved the three boxes into the quiet room, and then calmed his mind and sat cross-legged on the futon.

A moment later, Wu Tian opened his eyes, his gaze shining brightly.

With a thought, he took five Refinement Realm magic beads and swallowed them one by one.

"laugh……"

As the magic beads entered his abdomen, raging flames rose from the heavens, refining the five magic beads.

The bloodline essence sealed within the magic bead was drawn out and began to circulate along the route of the eleventh level of the True Explanation of the Heavenly Blazing Fire.

Inside the quiet room, crimson light swirled, and Wu Tian continuously absorbed the essence of the magic pearl, his cultivation progress increasing at a visible rate.

……

In the days that followed, the situation in southern Xinjiang deteriorated day by day.

Bad news came almost every day.

An ancient city was breached, and its entire population was slaughtered; a family's ancestral land was attacked and destroyed by a demon king, resulting in the extermination of the clan; a small sect was wiped out by the demon race, with almost all its cultivators killed or wounded...

Lu Nanxi is getting busier and busier.

She not only had to handle the internal affairs of the Lu family, but also coordinate the defense of Wuling County, contact other aristocratic families, and deal with possible demon attacks at any time. She often left before dawn and did not return to Qingyi Courtyard until late at night.

Wu Tian stayed in the courtyard and focused on his cultivation.

However, when Lu Nanxi sent him several magical treasures, he tried to refine them but found that these refined magical beads could no longer be consumed to enhance his bloodline.

In particular, he only just learned that the Lu family possessed a Crimson Dragon Immortal-Slaying Blade, which was actually a Dao artifact refined from eight scattered immortal magic beads.

Upon learning this, he was extremely annoyed.

If he were to refine all eight of these magic beads, wouldn't he be able to directly break through to the True Immortal realm all at once?

The Lu family's heritage is too ancient. This is after the family has gone through many years of rise and fall, and many precious treasures have been lost.

In addition to the Crimson Dragon Blade, he now possesses three other divine weapons: the Heavenly Spear, the Crimson Dragon Ring, and the Immortal-Slaying Banner. Undoubtedly, these magical treasures and divine weapons were all forged based on the supernatural powers that can be awakened by the true blood of the Heavenly Blazing Fire.

When combined with one's own supernatural abilities, they complement each other perfectly, resulting in a surge in power.

There are more than a dozen magical treasures beneath the divine weapon.

Unfortunately, although the Lu family now possesses abundant treasures, their descendants are incompetent and no one is capable of using them.

Especially that Crimson Dragon Immortal-Slaying Blade, which can only be used by cultivators at least at the third level of the Nascent Soul stage. Others simply cannot activate it, and it is just a piece of stubborn iron enshrined in the Lu family ancestral hall.

Just as Wu Tian was immersed in cultivation, bad news came one after another. The demons in the Ten Thousand Mountains were becoming more and more active, and a dark cloud hung over the entire southern border.

Panic was spreading, and even refugees began to appear in Wuling County.

Lu Nanxi is getting busier and busier, her figure always in a hurry.

She not only had to appease her clansmen, allocate resources to strengthen city defenses and increase patrols, but also had to navigate between various forces within the county, coordinate defense deployments, and do her utmost to find a way out and allies for the Lu family in the increasingly perilous situation.

He often left Qingyi Courtyard before dawn and returned late at night, sometimes even just dozing off for a short while in his study.

Wu Tian was single-minded, refining the magic pearl day and night, and focusing on cultivation.

The streams formed from the hundred or so Refinement Realm magic beads gradually converged into a river, nourishing his solid foundation.

...(End of chapter)