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

"Yes."

Golden Pages, wait for me.

The ease with which he achieved his goal was somewhat beyond Wang Li's expectations. Originally, he had prepared a third and fourth apprenticeship gift, intending to complete the apprenticeship ceremony after securing Li Huayuan's beautiful and charming wife, thus pursuing a two-pronged approach.

Surprisingly, it was saved.

"Kid, I haven't asked you yet, what's the situation with your spiritual root?"

"Reporting to Grandmaster, this disciple possesses the three spiritual roots of wood, water, and fire."

"Just an ordinary spiritual root? It does allow one to cultivate top-tier techniques, but..."

As a senior cultivator at the Core Formation stage, it would be unreasonable for Li Huayuan not to offer something in return. Of course, it would be difficult to get him to give a tangible reward; however, it would be perfectly reasonable for him to offer a few words of advice.

"Please enlighten me, Grandmaster!"

As a novice cultivator, he should listen to the opinions of the Core Formation cultivator in front of him.

"The cultivation techniques we cultivators practice can be broadly divided into three categories based on their power and effects..."

"Firstly, there are cultivation techniques that improve one's magical power at a moderate or even slow pace (a typical example being the Great Evolution Technique); however, these techniques come with powerful and extraordinary supernatural abilities to defeat enemies. They are often favored by cultivators who have no hope of forming their core."

"Secondly, quite the opposite. It is a path of rapid advancement, easy to cultivate and practice, with very few bottlenecks; and even if a bottleneck is encountered, it is usually easier to overcome than for ordinary cultivators. Many cultivators choose this relatively smooth path because this type of cultivation method is the easiest for low-level cultivators to approach the Core Formation stage. However, this type of cultivation method often has weak supernatural abilities and lacks self-protection methods. Once embarked on, one is destined to remain at a relatively weak level among those of the same level in their future cultivation career."

"Thirdly, there is the top-tier cultivation technique, which is highly sought after by many cultivators but rarely circulated in the cultivation world. This technique combines the advantages of the first two types of techniques, and is both powerful and allows for an astonishing speed of improvement in mana."

"Ahem, I wonder if Senior Brother Chen informed you of these things beforehand?"

Tell me what?

Not to mention Old Master Chen, even Uncle Chen kept him a secret.

The Chen family is either a petty bunch, or they don't readily share this knowledge and intelligence. Clearly, they're more likely the latter. Knowledge and intelligence are priceless and won't be easily passed on to outsiders. However, even without material compensation from the Chen family, he can still leverage their influence and influence to avoid being bullied by others.

Perhaps those others also considered this point, which is why they quietly chose this tacit understanding with Wang Li.

On the other hand, it's quite remarkable that Li Huayuan, who was labeled as "stingy" in the original work, is so generous today.

"Grandmaster, top-tier cultivation techniques must combine the strengths of the first two types, so there must be many stringent conditions involved, right?"

"Indeed, cultivating top-level techniques is not only subject to numerous restrictions and difficulties, but the cultivation process is also extremely dangerous. One wrong move and you could fall into eternal damnation."

This is by no means alarmist.

"Grandmaster, let's take a look at the cultivation method first. The one that suits me best is the best one."

"You're quite clever..."

As they spoke, they arrived at the library.

This was a low, ordinary stone chamber, completely protected by a fiery red barrier, making it impossible for outsiders to enter. Li Huayuan then extended his right index finger and traced a line on the light barrier, instantly creating an opening about ten feet wide. With a flick of his robe, a gust of wind swept through, and the stone door in front, subjected to the force, naturally and smoothly opened.

Upon entering, Wang Li was immediately blinded by the dazzling light.

Inside were various jade slips shimmering with spiritual light, all sorts of books and classic texts, and numerous exquisite jade boxes. Some floated, some were displayed on bookshelves, and some were stacked in a large vat.

There are more than fifty kinds.

These must be the cultivation techniques that Li Huayuan has collected over the years through various means.

“I have placed a restriction on every item here. If my wife and I do not pick them ourselves, it will trigger another formation in the stone chamber, which will trap and refine the visitors here to death.”

With a flick of his wrist, all the floating objects enveloped in the light barrier drifted towards a table to the side:

"You have two hours to search. If you haven't found it by then, hmph, I don't have time to keep you company here!"

"Thank you for your kindness, Master."

Fortunately, there are only about fifty kinds of cultivation techniques in total, of which about twenty-four or twenty-five can rapidly improve one's magical power; otherwise, Wang Li would have had a real headache.

Two hours is not enough to read through more than fifty classic texts.

So, before searching, he solemnly rubbed his hands together, and then started with the category of cultivation techniques that allowed for relatively rapid progress, which were contained in the box. He remembered that the golden page that Old Demon Han had found, the golden page that recorded the "Condensing Yuan Technique," was buried among more than twenty items in this category.

Of course, to avoid arousing Li Huayuan's suspicion, even if he found the gold page, he could not immediately ask for it.

Furthermore, one should not merely glance at other items; one must carefully study each one, analyzing whether the practice method is suitable for oneself, and ensuring that the superficial aspects are fully understood.

Returning to Origin Technique, Crimson Fire Technique, Illusionary Spirit Technique, Longevity Technique, Condensing Water True Technique...

In just half an hour, he naturally found the golden pages that contained the "Condensing Yuan Technique" and the "Gathering Spirit Technique"!

But Wang Li remained steadfast, unmoved, and after glancing at the text once, put it back and continued selecting other cultivation methods. More than an hour passed, and just as Li Huayuan was beginning to lose patience, he finally sighed.

"Grandmaster, is this all?"

There was no hint of disdain on her face, but her words conveyed that same meaning.

"Nothing satisfies you?"

I've searched through all twenty-odd types of the second category of techniques, and this is the result?

That won't do. Whether it's the Youth-Preserving Pill or the beast-taming insights of the Core Formation cultivators from Spirit Beast Mountain, he must keep them.

Wang Li stood up, shook his head, and prepared to walk out of the library. But as if remembering something, he suddenly paused, deftly turned back, and picked up the small box containing the gold pages.

"This one will do."

He looked like he was forcing a smile.

"Hey? This kid's got a knack for it. Wait, what's that golden page about? Oh right, it seems to be that useless, low-level technique called Condensing Yuan Technique... This is a good deal."

Thinking this to himself, his face was full of satisfaction after a fair trade. At the same time, Li Huayuan tossed three mid-grade spirit stones to Wang Li:

"Well, I won't take advantage of you. Kid, cultivate diligently in the future and strive to reach the Foundation Establishment stage as soon as possible. I have high hopes for you."

"Thank you for your generous gift, Master."

This time, Wang Li's laughter was genuine. And since this person had gone to such lengths, he, Wang, couldn't completely play the villain.

"Will Grandmaster lead the team for the next forbidden area trial?"

Why are you asking about this?

Li Huayuan frowned.

"Grandmaster, these are the maps of various sects that I seized during this forbidden area trial... no, I mean, that I collected! I also found several places where spiritual herbs are guarded by powerful top-tier demonic beasts. These are places that are not recorded on the maps of the various sects. Please take a look, Grandmaster."

The specially marked areas are precisely where many elites at the thirteenth level of Qi Refining stumbled.

However, it also contains rare and precious herbs that are rarely seen in the outside world.

Ordinary spiritual herbs wouldn't move Li Huayuan, a Core Formation stage cultivator, but...

"Pure Nirvana Lotus? Wind and Thunder Apricot?"

He suddenly stood up, his expression changing drastically.

Are you sure the information you provided is genuine?

Their gazes seemed to want to devour Wang Li whole.

"Even if you gave me a hundred lives, I wouldn't dare!"

These were the places he dared not easily provoke back then. But if he were to enter again next time, with his greatly enhanced abilities, he would naturally not take a few demonic beasts seriously. Moreover, these two kinds of "wild" spiritual herbs were also cultivated in the core area; giving some to Li Huayuan would be a way of receiving an invisible "golden favor," which wasn't bad at all.

"Good good!"

My inner excitement was all expressed in those three words: "good".

Then, as if remembering something, he asked in a gentle voice:

What kinds of spiritual herbs did you bring out this time?

"There's nothing too good, just a few spiritual herbs that have miraculous effects on the mid-to-late stages of Foundation Establishment, and an eight-hundred-year-old Purple Tang Immortal."

"hiss……"

Old Chen, who intercepted his escort mission, got a huge bargain!

hateful.

And this trick is so cheap and despicable, what kind of iron essence is this!

Losing more than you gain!

"Kid, you didn't submit this information to the sect? You should know that it could be exchanged for at least a hundred spirit stones."

"I just feel that you, Master, need it more; or, if I fail to establish my foundation this time, I might be able to bring back those spiritual herbs if I venture into the forbidden area again next time? At that time, I will have to ask you for your guidance."

care?

Do you want me to take you as my disciple?

However, if I can really bring out these immortal herbs, I'll just take on a disciple.

"I don't want any other Core Formation stage senior brothers or sisters to know this news, do you understand what I mean?"

"Even if I succeed in establishing my foundation, I will keep it to myself. Moreover, Master, according to my estimation, the forbidden area will have to be closed for a long time in less than two times."

Ok?

Li Huayuan wasn't stupid; he understood the meaning behind the words just by raising his eyelids.

"Indeed, the number of mature spiritual herbs produced inside is decreasing, and it needs to rest for a while..."

Having led teams more than a dozen times, how could he not understand what this meant?

It seems we need to prepare early.

"Young man, would you be willing to become my disciple in name only?"

After thinking for a while, Li Huayuan asked with a smile and a gentle voice.

"Disciple Wang Li greets his revered master."

Sure enough, presenting this map would likely earn him high expectations; but in order to make another trip to the forbidden area, he had to pay homage to this master before him!

"It seems you were prepared for this?"

"That is precisely why I have come!"

Li Huayuan: "..."

What a rebellious disciple! How dare you scheme against your master?!

……