Cultivating a family of immortals

Xu Jingtao left Mohe County and headed south, where the weather was getting warmer.

The year-round heavy snow in Mohe County seems to have come to an end. Here, not a single snowflake can be seen, only camellias blooming all over the mountains in the warm sunshine.

At this moment, Xu Jingtao sat under a tree with lush green leaves, wearing a plain blue shirt that was as soft as flowing clouds, which made her figure appear tall and straight.

The mountains here are not high, and there are clouds and mist in the mountains, but they are very thin, and it seems that you can see the end of them at a glance.

She placed one hand on her still-healing abdominal wound, and a hint of worry gradually appeared in her eyes.

She is now at the ninth level of the Fetal Breathing stage, and has prepared the Qi Condensation Pill to advance to the Qi Refining stage. Her inner knot has also been untied. She came out this time for two reasons: first, to seek opportunities, and second, to break through to the next level.

After wandering aimlessly for dozens of days, she finally made up her mind.

Advance to the Qi Refining Realm.

In fact, there is not much danger in advancing to the Qi Refining Realm. As long as one's mind is free of distractions and one has enough spirit stones and Qi Condensation Pills, one can advance smoothly.

Thinking of this, Xu Jingtao's expression gradually softened. Gazing in the direction of Luoshui City, she murmured:

"Brother Chang Le and Jing Heng, you must return safely..."

Then she looked at the city below the mountain ahead, pondered for a moment, and got up to walk into the city.

She wanted to buy several medicinal herbs, to be on the safe side.

Thus, she became the second Qi Refining cultivator in the Xu family on the surface.

………………

Five days have passed in the blink of an eye, and today is the opening day of Ningyuan Zezhi Land.

The Xu family father and son, along with the disciples of the Xuan Yuan Sect, arrived at the entrance of the Immortal Garden, where Dan Shuyao had been waiting for a long time.

The entrance was already filled with cultivators.

The cultivators from the twelve sects stood separately according to their sects, each with their own distinctive attire. Apart from the people from the Chaoyang Sect and the Haoran Sect, Xu Changle and his son did not recognize any of the others.

Among these people, ten sword cultivators stood in the left row.

True sword cultivators disdain storing their swords in storage bags; instead, they carry them on their backs, making them easily recognizable.

While Dan Shuyao was counting heads, Xuan Shuofeng whispered to Xu Changle and Xu Jingheng:

"Most of the cultivators who participated in the Ningyuan Zhize Grand Gathering in the past were these people, so I probably know them all."

"Those sword cultivators are from the Sword Void Sect, one of the Two Sword Sects of Profound Core. Everyone here cultivates their Dao through the sword, and their techniques and methods are primarily for killing. Their combat strength is the highest among the twelve sects!"

Xu Changle understood and nodded, saying, "I can indeed sense the murderous aura emanating from them."

"There are two sword sects, and another sword sect called the Sword Forging Sect. Unlike the Sword Void Sect, the Sword Forging Sect focuses on weapon forging, hence the name Sword Forging. These two sword sects, together with the Profound Origin Sect and the Danxi Sect, are called the 'Profound Origin and Danxi Sword Sects.' Look, those ten cultivators dressed in coarse linen clothes and with extremely strong physiques are disciples of the Sword Forging Sect."

"Apart from our four sects, the other sects are not to be feared, but once we enter the Ningyuan Zhize area, we will have to..."

Before he could finish speaking, Dan Shuyao, who was on the white jade steps, had just finished taking attendance and coughed lightly, saying:

"Now that all the fellow Daoists from various sects have gathered here, I will now explain the rules for entering the Ningyuan Zhize Land, in accordance with the established procedure."

Xuan Shuofeng chuckled softly, "You've forgotten that he'll explain the rules, so just remember them."

Xu Changle and Xu Jingheng nodded repeatedly.

"The Ningyuan Zhize area is located in the Luoxia Mountains of my Luoshui Capital. You all should know its importance. Enough of the nonsense, let's talk about the rules for entering!"

Dan Shuyao's tone became serious.

"The Xuan Dan Two Swords Sect has a total of forty disciples across its four branches, while other sects each have five slots, making a total of eighty disciples. After entering the Ningyuan Zhize Marshland, you may act according to your sect's rules or separately. In any case, you must find the ten Yuanji Ninghun Zhi that have already formed within the Ningyuan Zhize Marshland!"

"During this period, disciples from various sects may attempt to seize it, or sects may join forces. In short, as long as you can obtain the [Primordial Soul-Condensing Herb], any means you employ are acceptable!"

"Having heard this, you should now understand that the rule for entering here... is that there are no rules at all!"

Below, there appeared to be disciples from various sects attending this grand event for the first time. The leader of the group asked a question:

"The sect explained the general situation before I came, but it wasn't very clear. I have a question: if I kill someone inside, will I be held responsible?"

Dan Shuyao lowered his eyes and saw that the person who asked the question was a disciple of the Beast Taming Sect. He sneered and said:

"No wonder your sect didn't explain it clearly to you. Do you know why?"

Before he could answer, Dan Shuyao asked and answered himself:

"Because last time your Beast Taming Sect members entered this place, all five cultivators perished here! That's why we've sent you again!"

Dan Shuyao's tone became even more solemn as he said:

"Fellow Daoists, as I have already said, the rule here is that there are no rules. Whether you kill or bully others, as long as you are not afraid of retaliation, you can kill without restraint. Even if you have enemies among them, you can take the opportunity to avenge them. If you also have the method to refine blood pills, what's wrong with consuming them?"

"As I said before, rules are no rules."

"If there's only one thing to be careful about, it's that you must not damage the [Primordial Soul-Gathering Mushroom]!"

As soon as the words were spoken, those who knew the inside story looked at the newly arrived sect disciples with a cold smile. The latter were whispering among themselves, their faces pale.

Even Xu Changle frowned, never expecting that the situation was like this.

Xu Jingheng lowered his voice further and said, "I remember my senior brother saying that this rule is like raising a poisonous insect; only the strong can leave without worry. If a weak person obtains the [Primordial Soul-Gathering Mushroom], they probably won't survive past the second day. It is indeed extremely dangerous."

Xu Changle, his eyes gleaming, continued, "So... sects can form alliances! No wonder the Chaoyang Sect and Jingxu Sect visited the Xuanyuan Sect together five days ago; they probably had the same idea... In fact, if the Xuandan Two Swords Sect were willing, they could prevent other sects from obtaining that spiritual herb!"

Hearing the two talking, Xuan Shuofeng smiled slightly and said, "You guessed wrong."

"Ah, senior brother, what does this mean?" Xu Jingheng asked.

Just then, the cultivator leading the Sword Void Sect on the left suddenly snorted coldly:

"Dan Shuyao, don't intimidate these newcomers. We four sects have sect rules that forbid us from harming people at will, and each sect can only take away one [Primordial Soul-Gathering Mushroom]. You haven't made this rule clear. What are you trying to do?"

Dan Shuyao curled his lip and said calmly:

"I haven't even gotten to that point yet, why are you in such a hurry?"

"Enough talk, let's get going!"

"Hmph, Jiang Shuying, why don't you come up here and say it?"

"Come on up then, do you think I'm afraid of you?"

Seeing the two start arguing, and Jiang Shuying from the Sword Void Sect actually pushing through the crowd and walking upwards, Dan Shuyao's expression changed, and he angrily said:

"Jiang Shuying, are you looking for trouble today?"

"Haha, so what if you're looking for trouble? Let's have a match!"

After saying that, Jiang Shuying stretched out his right hand, and the sword he was carrying behind his back came out of its sheath and landed steadily in his hand.