A Mortal's Journey to Immortality

What Zhou Ping found most regrettable was that after cultivating to the fourth level of the Qingyuan Technique, he no longer had any further cultivation methods.

Zhou Ping knew very well that Jin Jingtian had never intended to teach him the techniques beyond the fourth level from the beginning. As long as he broke through to the fourth level, he would have met the Jin Clan's expectations and could begin the seed-borrowing plan.

He didn't want to be manipulated like this. Calculating the time, there were at most eight months left before the two sides had to confront each other. He needed to use the remaining time to speed up the cultivation of various techniques.

The day after Zhou Ping broke through, he went to the inner sect and took the opportunity to visit Ma Liuyun. Unfortunately, he did not find the cultivation method he wanted.

For now, his only option is to maximize the three techniques he already possesses and temporarily set aside any other options.

After breaking through to the fourth level of Qingyuan Gong, Zhou Ping made two more novel discoveries, and his mental strength was once again terrifyingly enhanced.

That night, he didn't sleep a wink and felt wide awake. The next day, he was still full of energy and didn't feel tired at all.

This discovery left him speechless. If he continued to cultivate the Qingyuan Technique, wouldn't he never need to sleep again?

The second discovery was that he could actually control the Azure Origin True Qi after reaching the fourth level. He could manipulate the True Qi in his meridians at will, either letting it surge through the meridians with all its might or shrinking it back into his dantian to lie dormant.

This ability allows him to freely change the strength of his true energy without relying on "Qi manipulation," making it more convenient and safer for him to deal with Jin Jingtian's probing.

After returning from the inner sect, Zhou Ping locked himself in his room, focusing all his attention on cultivating the Intercepting Wind Hand and the Wandering Soul Needle.

The benefits the fourth level brought him far exceeded his expectations, and now practicing these two techniques is undoubtedly much easier than before.

According to Zhou Ping's estimate, it won't be long before he can master the basics and greatly improve his combat capabilities.

Although he knew in his heart that even if he mastered all the martial arts manuals to the highest level, he might not be able to escape from the powerful Jin Clan and the unfathomable Jin Jingtian.

But Zhou Ping wasn't the type to sit idly by and wait for death. Even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance, he would seize it without hesitation.

Moreover, his situation might not be as bad as he imagined. If Jin Yan wasn't lying to him, becoming a son-in-law of the Jin family and raising one or two children together would be a good option.

In the days that followed, Zhou Ping immersed himself in cultivation day and night. Relying on the abundant energy brought to him by the Qingyuan Technique, he could even go two or three days without sleep and continuously engage in various forms of cultivation.

This terrifying efficiency left even him speechless.

Before this, he entrusted Duan Yu with all the things that needed to be prepared in advance, such as some herb seeds that he was interested in, and various hidden weapons and silver needles needed to cultivate the Soul-Wandering Needle.

With no worries about the future, Zhou Ping began his secluded cultivation in peace.

.......

In the council hall of the Jin clan, all the Jin clan elders and clan leader Jin Jingtian were present, but the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive.

Elders Jin Haiming and Jin Hong stood opposite Jin Jingtian, their faces flushed and necks red, while Jin Yan and two other elders sat quietly on either side, seemingly indifferent to the situation.

Everyone present knew perfectly well that Jin Yan was definitely on the side of her brother Jin Jingtian, and the attitudes of the other two elders, who came from the same lineage as Jin Haiming and Jin Hong respectively, were self-evident.

At this moment, all three of them appeared to be sitting on the sidelines watching the fight, actually leaving some room for maneuver for their respective camps.

Even if the three people in front of you cause a huge commotion, as long as they don't get involved, there's still room for things to ease.

Just now, Jin Jingtian proposed to purchase all kinds of medicinal materials at three times the market price, so that Zhou Ping could break through to the fourth level of Qingyuan Gong within four months.

As soon as the resolution was proposed, it was immediately opposed by Jin Haiming and Jin Hong, especially Jin Haiming, who looked heartbroken and whose former mature and composed demeanor had completely disappeared.

"Jing Tian, ​​are you trying to squander our clan's accumulated wealth of over a hundred years? We can wait a few months, why are you in such a hurry?!"

Jin Haiming, his face flushed with anger and trembling, pointed at Jin Jingtian and questioned him.

"Uncle, I have my reasons for doing this. In short, Zhou Ping must break through to the fourth level within four months."

Jin Jingtian became incredibly tough today, showing no sign of backing down.

"What a foolish move! What good is it to squander our family fortune to push that kid to the fourth level? Even if he can give birth to a seed of immortality for our clan ahead of time, so what? If things continue like this, where will our clan find the extra resources to nurture its own descendants?!"

Jin Haiming, trembling, angrily rebuked Jin Jingtian, his face turning from red to white, then from white to green, his expression shifting so rapidly that he almost died of anger on the spot.

Seeing this, Jin Hong stepped forward to help him up, glaring fiercely at Jin Jingtian.

"Jin Jingtian! The Jin clan doesn't belong to you alone; you can't control everything!"

Seeing this, Jin Jingtian sighed softly, seemingly feeling somewhat reluctant.

"Uncle, my lineage is small, and all my children are boys. Jingtian can swear an oath here."

"If Zhou Ping successfully cultivates the fourth level of the Azure Origin Technique, then the matter of his marriage into the family will be entirely up to you uncles. I will not interfere in the slightest. The selection of women for the Jin clan to marry into will also be decided by you. Is that alright?"

After hearing Jin Jingtian's vow, Jin Hong's face immediately lit up with joy, and he turned to look at Jin Haiming beside him.

"Jing Tian... these are all things to come later. This old man really doesn't understand why you're in such a hurry. Is there some hidden reason?"

Jin Haiming's expression gradually softened. Jin Jingtian's words indicated that he had given up competing for this son-in-law of the Jin family, which undoubtedly excited him and the Jin Hong lineage. Their tone also changed.

"Uncle, in your opinion, when will those old men from the Sword Sect stop?"

"Well... it's hard to say in a short time."

Jin Haiming hesitated for a moment when he heard the question.

"It seems you share my view. That's why I need to bring forward the seed-borrowing plan as soon as possible. At that time, the seed of immortality born will be secretly sent to the second secluded place set up by my great-uncle for our clan. Only in this way can our clan fight the Sword Sect to the end without any worries."

Jin Jingtian calmly expressed his thoughts, his face revealing no emotion whatsoever.

After hearing this, Jin Haiming, Jin Hong, and the others were all taken aback.

"Could it be...could it be that you're going to use gold...?"

"Indeed! That place has been hidden from the world for over a hundred years; absolutely no one knows it's the secluded abode of my Jin clan!"

Jin Jingtian interrupted Jin Haiming directly, speaking firmly.

"That was the last resort our great-uncle had prepared for our clan, to prevent the extermination of our people. Isn't it too frivolous to activate it now?"

"Child's play? The Seed of Immortality is the future of our race. For it, anything is worth the sacrifice..."

Jin Jingtian raised the corner of his mouth and said nonchalantly, a hint of fanaticism flashing in his eyes.