Starting at the Nascent Soul stage, a rogue cultivator is incredibly poor.

Three days later, deep within an unnamed mountain range in the southeastern part of the Southern Xuan Continent.

Inside a newly opened, secluded cave, Qingyouzi slowly finished his cultivation and opened his eyes.

His eyes shimmered with azure light, and his aura was more refined and concentrated than it had been three days ago. Although the battle with the Seven Fiends was perilous, it had allowed him to further enhance his control over the power of the early Nascent Soul stage in the life-or-death struggle.

He took out Seven Fiends True Man's storage bag and probed it with his divine sense.

The bag was quite spacious, containing over 20,000 spirit stones neatly arranged inside, emitting a soft glow. There were also several bottles of pills, each labeled as a Golden Core stage pill for enhancing cultivation or healing injuries, which were of little use to him now.

The most striking feature was the blood-red shield.

The shield is hexagonal, dark red in color, and covered with fine scale patterns. It feels heavy and cold to the touch.

Qingyouzi took it out and examined it carefully. The edge of the shield was slightly damaged, obviously from the previous battle, but the main body was intact, and its spiritual light was contained within.

He picked up several jade slips beside him and examined them one by one.

One of the records details the origin of this shield, named "Demon Dragon Shield," a secret defensive magic weapon of the Blood Shadow Sect, forged from a mixture of bloodthirsty energy and a strange ore called "Demon Dragon Iron." However, this shield is still a semi-finished product.

"If we can find the 'Dragon Flower' to incorporate into the refining process, the power of this shield can be increased several times over. At that time, it will be comparable to a defensive magic weapon for late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators and can withstand a full-force attack from a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator."

Qingyouzi read the contents of the jade slip aloud, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

It can withstand a single blow from a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator!

Such a defensive magic treasure is top-tier even among Nascent Soul cultivators. It's just a pity…

"Dragon Flower..." he frowned and pondered.

He had never heard of this plant before. According to the jade slip, it only grows in places where demonic energy is extremely abundant, and is often guarded by powerful demons, making it extremely difficult to harvest. Places with abundant demonic energy are already rare in the Southern Xuan Continent, so finding this flower is like finding a needle in a haystack.

He put the Dragon Shield back into his storage bag, saving it for later.

Immediately, Qingyouzi's divine sense quietly spread out, like invisible mercury, covering an area of ​​a hundred miles.

Every blade of grass, every tree, every insect, every beast, and even the slightest movement several feet underground, all are reflected in my heart.

After confirming that no one was watching, he carefully took out a jade box covered with spirit-sealing talismans from the depths of his storage bag.

With a gentle touch of fingertips, the talisman silently fell off the box.

The box lid is opened.

A fist-sized, crystal-clear fruit lay quietly in the box. Within the flesh, it seemed as if a galaxy flowed, and a hazy aura slowly emanated from it. Even though the pure and powerful spiritual energy was sealed layer by layer, it still emitted a heart-stirring fluctuation.

Heavenly Fairy Fruit.

As Qingyouzi stared at the fruit, the image of Lu Zhou, with his severed arm, falling into the abyss suddenly flashed before his eyes.

How exactly did that kid survive the Land of Desolation? And how was he able to escape using the teleportation array at the last moment?

He shook his head, suppressing his distracting thoughts.

"System, identify this item."

A thought subtly stirred within me.

"Ding, five hundred spirit stones consumed, appraisal successful."

A cold, mechanical voice echoed in my mind:

Item: Celestial Fruit.

"Birth Mechanism: During its growth, the Celestial Grass continuously absorbs the spiritual energy of heaven and earth within a radius of a hundred miles, forming a temporary spiritually depleted area. After the spiritual energy is exhausted, the laws of heaven and earth will automatically replenish it, repeating the cycle until a stable spiritually depleted area is finally created. The Celestial Fruit is the crystallized essence nurtured by the Celestial Grass."

"Efficacy Description: Celestial Immortal Grass can greatly increase the probability of Nascent Soul cultivators breaking through to a minor realm. Celestial Immortal Fruit, if taken by a Nascent Soul cultivator at the early or mid-stage peak, and without external interference, inner demons, or other unexpected situations, can guarantee a 100% success rate in breaking through to the next realm."

One hundred percent...breakthrough?!

Qingyouzi's pupils suddenly contracted, and his breathing faltered.

For Nascent Soul cultivators, each minor realm is like an insurmountable chasm. How many exceptionally talented individuals are stuck at the early Nascent Soul stage for hundreds of years until their lifespan ends? Those who can reach the middle stage are one in a hundred. As for the late stage, they are even rarer.

This celestial fruit is actually a talisman that grants direct access to a higher realm!

"This...this..."

Even though he had cultivated for three hundred years and his will had been tempered to be as hard as iron, he couldn't help but tremble slightly with excitement at this moment.

He took several deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down.

Carefully taking out the Celestial Fruit, he examined it closely for a moment, then quickly placed it back into the jade box. He then formed hand seals, casting twelve sealing spells that layered and enveloped the jade box. Finally, he took out a pale gold spirit-sealing talisman and solemnly affixed it.

After doing all this, he put the jade box back into the deepest part of his storage bag.

"This fruit... should be saved for when I reach the peak of the mid-stage Nascent Soul realm." Qing Youzi muttered to himself, "If I take it at the peak of the early stage, although I can directly enter the mid-stage, it will ultimately be a waste of this heaven-defying opportunity."

His gaze hardened.

"The prerequisite is... I must first cultivate to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm."

The road ahead is still long.

He stood up and slowly walked towards the cave entrance.

Sunlight streamed in from outside the cave, illuminating half of his serene face. In the distance, verdant mountains rose and fell, clouds drifted and swirled, and all was tranquil.

"That kid Lu Zhou..." He suddenly thought of the one-armed youth again, "Since he survived such a deadly situation, his future achievements will be limitless. Why not do him another favor?"

After a moment's thought, he raised his hand and took out a blank jade tablet from his storage bag. A blue light flowed from his fingertips as he imprinted a mark of pure magic power on the tablet.

Then, his figure blurred, transforming into a blue rainbow that soared into the sky and sped off in the northwest direction.

On the same day, Jingshan City, City Lord’s Mansion.

Lu Ang paced back and forth in the study, his face anxious and his brows furrowed.

"That brat... why hasn't he returned yet? Even if he's already on the second level, let alone the first level, he should be back by now."

He muttered to himself, his voice hoarse.

"Although he's only in the late Foundation Establishment stage, his physical strength has already reached the Golden Core level, and his power is no weaker than an ordinary mid-Golden Core cultivator. Could he really be recklessly advancing to a deeper level?"

He suddenly stopped and slammed his fist heavily on the table:

"If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have given him that Celestial Token! That brat, I repeatedly told him he was only allowed to train on the outer edge of the first level, but he insisted on doing it..."

Before he could finish speaking, all he could feel was regret and worry.

Just then, a very subtle fluctuation came from the protective barrier outside the mansion.

Lu Ang suddenly looked up.

A jade tablet pierced through the barrier and slid into the study like a fish, hovering three feet in front of him.

The jade pendant was of ordinary quality, but the wisp of magical energy flowing across its surface...

Lu Ang's pupils contracted.

"Senior Qingyou?"

He hurried forward, about to reach out and take it, when the jade pendant suddenly trembled and shattered on its own, turning into specks of green light that dissipated into the air.

Only one word echoed clearly and calmly within the study:

"escape."

Lu Ang stood there, stunned.

A moment later, he clenched his teeth, blood seeping from his lips, his eyes flashing with struggle and doubt, which finally turned into determination.

He turned around and strode towards the depths of the treasury.

Two days later.

Celestial City.

As the main city under the jurisdiction of "Celestial Immortal City," the most powerful force in the Southern Xuan Continent, this city is located in the central coastal area of ​​the continent.

It covers a vast area, with city walls over a hundred feet high, all built of white jade and spirit stones, shining brightly in the sunlight, like a celestial palace fallen to earth.

The city streets were wide and bustling with people. Cultivators came and went, their auras varying in strength, ranging from the lowest Qi Refining stage to the highest Golden Core stage.

Qingyouzi concealed his aura, appearing as an ordinary person, and followed the flow of people into the city.

He was no stranger to this city.

Decades ago, in preparation for his childbirth, he lived here for more than ten years, searching for resources in various markets and auction houses, and became very familiar with the layout of the city.

After passing through several bustling streets, he stopped in front of a seven-story vermilion pavilion.

The pavilion's plaque bears three large characters in gold lacquer: Tianbao Pavilion.

This is the premier merchant guild in Tianxian City, rumored to be backed by a Nascent Soul Grand Elder of Tianxian City. It boasts abundant resources and an outstanding reputation. Qingyouzi used to trade here frequently, and thus became acquainted with one of the guild's managers.

He stepped into the pavilion, and a maid immediately came to greet him.

"Senior, what are you looking for? Our establishment has everything: elixirs, magical treasures, cultivation techniques, and materials." The maid's voice was gentle, and her demeanor was impeccable.

Qingyouzi nodded slightly: "Find your Master Chu. Tell him an old friend has come to visit."

Upon hearing this, the maid dared not delay and quickly replied, "Please wait a moment, senior, I will inform them immediately."

After saying that, he turned around and quickly went up the stairs.

A short while later, a series of slightly dragging footsteps came from the stairs.

A middle-aged man dressed in a brocade robe with a short beard walked slowly down the stairs, one hand behind his back and the other casually stroking his beard. He looked relaxed and his gaze swept across the first-floor hall indifferently.

It was Chu Zhengshan, the head of Tianbao Pavilion.

After decades, his appearance had not changed much, and his cultivation level remained at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm. Only the fine lines around his eyes had deepened, and his demeanor had become more sophisticated and worldly.

His gaze swept across the hall and finally landed on Qingyouzi's face.

Chu Zhengshan was taken aback at first, then a familiar smile spread across his face, and his voice was loud and clear:

"Yo! Fellow Daoist Qingyou! It's been decades, and you're even more radiant than before!"

He strode down the stairs, beaming with enthusiasm. But after only a few steps, he instinctively scanned Qing Youzi with his divine sense, only to find it like a mud ox sinking into the sea—he couldn't discern even the slightest depth!

His steps suddenly stopped.

Chu Zhengshan's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes suddenly narrowed, then turned respectful, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible fear, as he cupped his hands and bowed.

"This... Qingyou Dao... Senior."

Qingyouzi smiled slightly and stepped forward to offer a helping hand:

"Fellow Daoist Chu, we have known each other for over a decade, why be so formal? Let's continue to address each other as fellow Daoist."

Chu Zhengshan straightened up, sensing his stagnant mid-stage Golden Core cultivation, then glanced at the unfathomable Qing Youzi before him, finally shaking his head with a bitter smile, and said self-deprecatingly:

"I never imagined that in just thirty or forty years, you would have already reached the Nascent Soul stage... Truly, your destiny to immortality is profound, making others envious."

He looked around; the conversation between the two had already attracted the attention of many cultivators in the hall.

At this moment, their gazes were filled with shock, awe, and curiosity. For most people, a Nascent Soul cultivator was already a legendary figure.

"This is not the place to talk." Chu Zhengshan stepped aside to lead the way. "Senior, please follow me to the private room on the second floor."

Qingyouzi nodded and followed him up the stairs.

He could sense that the friendship between the two, built up over years of business dealings, was now shrouded in an invisible barrier.

The difference in cultivation level is an insurmountable chasm.

Chu Zhengshan dared not address him as an equal any longer, nor did he insist. In the cultivation world, rank is determined by strength, as has been the case since ancient times.

But... looking at Chu Zhengshan's back, Qingyouzi sighed inwardly.

This old acquaintance is nearly four hundred years old. A Golden Core cultivator lives for five hundred years; with his remaining time... he'll likely find it difficult to achieve a breakthrough.

The elegant room on the second floor is tastefully furnished and enclosed by soundproofing.

The maidservant served the sacred tea and then quietly withdrew.

Qingyouzi stopped with pleasantries and spoke directly:

"Sect Master Chu, I've come to inquire whether your esteemed pavilion possesses any advanced insect control techniques?"

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