A Mortal's Journey to Immortality: Starting as a Rogue Cultivator

There's not much to say about inscription techniques; he obtained them from the forbidden area. Sealing techniques are also a kind of inheritance from the stone palace of the forbidden area, but they are more incomplete, and he doesn't know if he can master them.

10. The private agendas of disciples from various factions.

For example, a disciple of Spirit Beast Mountain had a beast-taming manual and related insights in his pocket. This manual was a handwritten copy with personal annotations. After only a cursory glance, Wang Li knew that this thing was at least written by a late Foundation Establishment cultivator, and more likely by a Core Formation cultivator from Spirit Beast Mountain.

Because the things recorded on it are too numerous and profound to be written down by someone with only the experience of the Qi Refining stage.

For example, the talisman-making manual carried by a disciple of the Qingxu Sect was also made by a master.

For example, there was the dual cultivation technique that fell from the body of a disciple of the Hidden Moon Sect. No wonder Old Demon Han couldn't resist Nangong Wan's gentle embrace; such a special technique, beneficial to both men and women and for procreation, would be irresistible to any man.

In addition, the Greatsword Technique and Earth-Wood Condensation Sword Technique of the Greatsword Sect, as well as the cultivation methods and notes of predecessors, were also revealed to Wang Li this time.

The former is a forty-meter-long broadsword, no, I mean a forty-meter-long greatsword;

The latter can be made from mud, sand, wood chips... anything can be condensed into a sword! (Actually, the Yellow Maple Valley Collection Pavilion also has it, but if you want to observe and practice, especially to read the cultivation experiences of your predecessors, you have to pay extra.)

11. Thousand-star bees and a large number of young eggs, and seven snake eggs of the golden python.

Initially, Wang Li intended to boil and eat the seven eggs of the Golden Python; but perhaps the seven little creatures sensed the danger and hatched one after another, recognizing the thief as their father—or rather, they were wise enough to take in these orphans out of kindness.

Even so, serious training is out of the question; the potential of the seven little ones alone is not enough to impress him. So, he'll just have to make do with them for now and keep them as raw materials for crafting leather armor and magical artifacts later.

The Thousand Star Bee is different.

For the rare insects nearing the top 100 on the list of extraordinary insects, combat is secondary; the main reason is the scarcity of their "hundred-flower honey." The higher the quality of the rare flowers and herbs used, the more miraculous the effects of the "hundred-flower honey" blended by these little bees.

Isn't Wang Li going to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill next?

The honey from a hundred flowers came in handy, allowing him to use the bees' stockpile to help him refine pills, thereby increasing the success rate and quality of the pills.

12. The forbidden area map was provided to him by the disciples of the three factions and improved by him.

This item is also one of the gifts given when a student becomes an apprentice.

I recently had the opportunity to meet Li Huayuan.

Before that, he played with the three heroes—the chameleon, the timid mouse, and the lark—and fed them their favorite treats. He planned to focus on training the chameleon and the timid mouse, who had done so much for him.

"I wonder if that person from the Qingxu Sect has reached the Foundation Establishment stage yet, and whether they have obtained the formula for the ancient Spirit-Feeding Pill, which has miraculous effects on any spirit beast?"

Three days later, in the eastern part of the Taiyue Mountains, in front of a large waterfall.

Carrying the letter of introduction from Elder Chen and a generous apprenticeship gift, Wang Li, following the instructions given by his Uncle Chen, leisurely arrived at this secluded and beautiful place on the Azure Leaf Flying Magic Artifact given to him by the sect upon entering the sect.

Facing the massive waterfall separated by a canyon, Wang Li was filled with emotion, yet he dared not be impolite.

He took out a communication talisman from his pocket, respectfully whispered a few words, and then presented it forward. The talisman transformed into a soft flame and disappeared into the water curtain. He then patiently and obediently continued to wait.

After about the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, the water curtain suddenly parted, and a large hole appeared out of thin air.

Immediately afterwards, a slender young scholar flew out from inside. Judging from his age, he was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, and his aura was deep and profound, indicating that he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator who had been at the Foundation Establishment stage for quite some time.

As expected, it should be Yu Kun, Li Huayuan's talkative eldest disciple.

"Young friend, you say you are a surviving disciple of the Crimson Trial recommended by Senior Uncle Chen. Do you have any proof?"

recommend?

This is a win-win situation for both Wang Li and the Chen family.

If Li Huayuan took a liking to Wang Li and accepted him as a disciple, Old Ancestor Chen would gain a favor for free. Wang Li would also essentially sell himself for a good price.

Even if neither party is interested, it's still a win-win situation, isn't it?

"This is Master Chen's letter of introduction!"

“Yes, it’s Uncle Chen’s handwriting…”

After examining the piece of paper that seemed to shimmer with spiritual light, Yu Kun's face broke into a hearty smile. With a wave of his hand, dozens of floating stone platforms, each about ten feet in size, lined up in a row above the canyon, forming a suspended stone bridge; the bridge started at the mountain peak where Wang Li was located and ended deep inside the waterfall cave.

"Then come in, your master and mistress are both here."

Good, good, it's good that your master's wife is here!

Without Li Huayuan's weakness, he really wouldn't dare to guarantee that he could get his hands on the Azure Origin Sword Manual!

Chapter 50 Gold Pages in Hand

Upon entering the water curtain, the scene before Wang Li's eyes lit up.

Although the waterfall is naturally formed, it is also a clever illusion. Behind the curtain of the waterfall lies a small valley filled with birdsong, fragrant flowers, evergreen trees, and vibrant blooms.

Inside, there is a vibrant atmosphere filled with rare and lively animals, including kittens, puppies, and adorable cubs of tigers, wolves, lions, and leopards, all of whom are incredibly docile. Magpies and orioles sing in the treetops, butterflies and bees dance among the flowers, and there are scenes of kittens chasing butterflies.

"Master Li is truly a remarkable person!"

This sudden sense of ease and contentment surprised him, but also brought him a sense of comfort and ease, and greatly reduced the tension in his heart.

"Oh? What's so wonderful about it? Why do you say that?"

Yu Kun's eyes lit up as he asked.

"Uncle-Master, doesn't this perfectly embody the transcendent state of mind described in the poem, 'Picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, I leisurely gaze at the Southern Mountains; the mountain air is beautiful at sunset, and the birds fly back together'? We cultivators should return to nature, cultivate our character, and have such refined tastes!"

He quietly flattered someone.

"Oh my, you're quite the smooth talker. Others entering this place are just startled; but you, you actually praise your master's wife for raising these little animals like precious treasures, which is completely different from the others..."

They're much more interesting than them.

Yu Kun didn't dare say the last sentence out loud; he kept it firmly in his heart.

"By the way, be careful not to hurt these little guys. My master's wife treasures them very much."

It's hard to imagine that a Foundation Establishment cultivator would be so cheerful and easygoing when instructing a Qi Refining cultivator.

"Master's wife? Another Core Formation Grandmaster? How amazing."

Knowing full well that this person existed and was a crucial breakthrough point for him, Wang Li still pretended not to know and asked.

"Ahem, my master's wife hasn't reached the Core Formation stage yet; she's only at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. But she and my master have always had a very good relationship. Moreover, she's very kind and easy to get along with. If she knew you praised her little hobbies so much, she would definitely be very happy."

Upon hearing this, Wang Li gave a shy bow.

This is the principle of "achieving one's goal through a roundabout approach." Unbeknownst to him, he had won the favor of two important figures under Li Huayuan's tutelage.

Before long, the two entered the large cave on one side of the valley, one after the other. In the main hall inside the cave, they met Li Huayuan, a middle-aged man who looked to be in his fifties or sixties but was full of energy and had a ruddy complexion and a pair of fierce eyes that exuded an imposing presence, and a beautiful young woman who looked to be about twenty-two or twenty-three years old.

Young girl with older man, what a perfect match!

"Disciple Wang Li greets Grandmaster."

"Hmm, get up; tell me, what do you want from me? Senior Brother Chen's letter of introduction is very difficult for ordinary people to obtain."

The old man was quite direct.

"Reporting to my master, I wish to obtain a superior cultivation technique suitable for my practice, and therefore I have come here to pay my respects."

Although the first six levels of the Azure Origin Sword Technique can be exchanged in the sect's archives, the seventh to ninth levels, as well as the subsequent secret techniques of the Three Revolutions Replenishing Yuan Technique, are very difficult to obtain. In particular, the Three Revolutions Replenishing Yuan Technique is only hidden by Li Huayuan.

"Seeking cultivation techniques? Doesn't Senior Brother Chen have any suitable ones for you?"

"Master Chen doesn't have what I want."

Wang Li wasn't lying; he said he didn't want anything, but he didn't say anything was unsuitable. Therefore, even a Core Formation cultivator couldn't find fault with it; even if it reached Old Ancestor Chen's ears later, it wouldn't be a big deal.

"Then what makes you think I have what you need here?"

Li Huayuan did have some thoughts about it.

"I'm not sure if my master has what I want, so as a condition for borrowing it, I'll leave this Youth-Preserving Pill with you. If you happen to have the cultivation technique I desire, I hope you'll allow me to copy it and take it with me. This Youth-Preserving Pill, which is now extinct and priceless, is just a small token of my appreciation!"

If not, this disciple will use this guide to beast taming from Spirit Beast Mountain as a token of gratitude for viewing Master's collection!

As he spoke, he took out two exquisitely crafted small wooden boxes from his storage bag. One box contained a jade slip, and the other contained a pinkish-purple pill with a unique fragrance.

Just as clothes make the man, so do objects.

Huh? Wasn't Wang Li here to become an apprentice?

How did you get started trading?

There is a sequence to becoming an apprentice.

If Wang Li were to become an apprentice first, he would effectively lose half of his leverage: even if Li Huayuan took those two items, no one could find fault with it; the old man Li could simply claim it was a disciple's gift to his master. Who could Wang Li complain to then? He would likely have to suffer in silence.

There are specific rules regarding whether to take on a master later in life, or not at all, and whether to take on a master before or after Foundation Establishment.

At least for now, let's try not to formally become disciples and see if we can make a fair deal. This way, we can maximize our benefits and make the Core Formation cultivators, who care about their reputation, more mindful of their image.

If this path is blocked, it is not too late to seek a master and ask for the cultivation method.

"A youth-preserving pill?!"

Before Li Huayuan could speak, the young woman sitting beside him had already stood up excitedly.

"Yes, it is the miraculous elixir that can keep one's appearance youthful forever!"

Upon seeing this, Wang Li's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile: the second step of the indirect approach to achieving his goal is complete. What could be more lethal to low-level female cultivators than the Youth-Preserving Pill?

Once this person's interest is piqued, the gold pages containing the complete Qingyuan Sword Manual will essentially fall into Wang Li's hands.

To reiterate, this woman is Li Huayuan's Achilles' heel.

"Beast taming techniques from Spirit Beast Mountain? Where did you get those from?"

Li Huayuan frowned and asked.

"This is what I obtained during my trial in the forbidden area."

Wang Li answered respectfully.

"You kid came out of the Crimson Trial alive? I see. Time really flies. It will take some time before I can successfully refine that piece of iron essence." After muttering a few words, Li Huayuan's expression turned serious. Then, glancing at his Daoist partner's longing for the Youth Preservation Pill, he couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.

“Madam, please wait here for a moment. I will go with this boy and be right back.”

"Alright, you'd better make sure Wang Xiaoyou is satisfied."

The beautiful woman's words were loaded with meaning.

"Don't worry, with my collection, surely it can't satisfy the needs of a Qi Refining stage disciple?"

He stood up as he spoke, his gaze falling upon the library not far from the main hall; then he pointed at Wang Li:

"Come with me."