The Path to Immortality: Mastering a Hundred Arts Chapter Fourteen: The Cultivator’s Ruins (Please Add to Favorites)

At twenty years old, you diligently practice, but your cultivation progresses slowly. Your skills in alchemy and talisman crafting have clearly improved, yet you still cannot surpass the threshold of the second level. You have increased talisman business for the Spirit Plant Hall, which has flourished and begun to expand. The head of the Tianqi clan has finally sent over the formula for the Longevity Pill.

At twenty-one, the owner of the neighboring Talisman Pavilion approaches you, inviting you to explore a cultivator’s ruin together. You agree to go, but all the cultivators become trapped inside the ruin’s array and cannot escape. Relying on your exceptional talent and insight, you break the array and acquire numerous rare treasures, including the Li Mu fruit. The Talisman Pavilion owner attempts to seize all the spoils alone and kills all the cultivators, including you. You die!

This simulation ends here, and you may choose to retain one of the following: your cultivation level at twenty-one or your experience with arrays at twenty-one.

“Cultivation level,” you choose.

Congratulations, host, you have gained the cultivation level of a twenty-one-year-old!

Mist-like spiritual energy within Li Feng’s body has increased considerably, but breakthrough remains a distant goal.

“As expected, the higher the strength, the harder the cultivation becomes.”

Looking at the simulation results, Li Feng’s greatest fear has come true. With only three years of lifespan left, if he cannot find a way to extend his life, he will die with regret, unable to avenge his sister by striking down her true murderer.

Though he has obtained the Longevity Pill formula through the simulation, his current alchemy skills are insufficient to concoct a mid-grade second-level pill. Even if he could, he would be unable to gather the rare ingredients in the short term.

“I’ve heard the Tianqi clan’s wood-element cultivation techniques are exquisite and unique; perhaps they can extend lifespan.”

Within the wood-element techniques, there is a distinctive category devoted to health preservation, known for gentle nurturing of the body, prolonging life, and healing wounds and illnesses. However, these techniques often possess limited power and progress slowly in cultivation, thus are not highly valued among cultivators.

Li Feng plans to seize an opportunity to work with Hong Ling to obtain the Tianqi clan’s signature technique.

Over the next half-month, he prepares pills and talismans, planning a journey to a cultivator’s ruin. Only by acquiring the Li Mu fruit will he have the standing to negotiate with Hong Ling, a woman not easily deceived.

Once preparations are complete, Li Feng asks Uncle Fu to summon Hong Ling, claiming there is an urgent matter to discuss. Uncle Fu promptly obliges, and Hong Ling soon arrives at the Spirit Plant Hall.

After more than a month apart, Hong Ling has changed little—still graceful and stunningly beautiful. Li Feng, however, appears gloomier, his brow shadowed with worry.

Hong Ling asks, “Daoist Li, what’s the urgent matter that requires my personal presence?”

Li Feng wastes no time: “Sister Hong, I can obtain the Li Mu fruit.”

Her eyes sparkle with excitement.

“Daoist Li, this is no trivial matter.”

“Since it concerns Sister Hong, how could I joke? Every word is sincere.”

“Where is the Li Mu fruit?”

Hong Ling draws closer, her delicate hand gripping his arm, her voice tinged with emotion.

“You may not know, but the teacher who guided me into alchemy is two hundred seventy years old this year, already in his twilight years. The Li Mu fruit is in his possession.”

“I received a letter from him yesterday; he wishes to exchange the Li Mu fruit for a technique that prolongs life. He asked me to keep an eye out.”

“Upon hearing this, I immediately invited you here.”

Li Feng explains everything to avoid suspicion.

Hong Ling nods repeatedly.

“Our clan indeed has a technique that meets such requirements, but it can cultivate up to the Golden Core stage and is far more precious than the Li Mu fruit…”

At this, even Li Feng understands clearly—Hong Ling finds the trade unfair.

Techniques, pill formulas, and secret arts are all monopolized treasures in the cultivation world. No matter how talented one is, without a mentor, a lifetime of mediocrity is inevitable.

Therefore, a technique capable of reaching Golden Core is naturally more valuable than a third-level Li Mu fruit.

“Rest assured, Sister Hong. If the technique’s life-prolonging effect is good, my teacher will pay handsomely and owe a favor in return.”

“What is your teacher’s name? What grade of alchemist is he? Where does he reside?”

Hong Ling remains cautious, not losing composure over the news of the Li Mu fruit.

“My teacher’s surname is Fang, commonly known as the Recluse Qingyan. His alchemical skill is mid-grade second-level, and he enjoys traveling. He is currently within the borders of the Luoshan Kingdom.”

This teacher’s name is a fabrication by Li Feng; even if Hong Ling tries to verify, she won’t find anything.

“Recluse Qingyan?”

Hong Ling thinks hard but has never heard of such a figure. The Guoyuan Kingdom is vast and abundant, home to countless talented and extraordinary people. Not knowing him is normal.

A mid-grade second-level alchemist’s favor is also very valuable.

“Daoist Li, would you take me to Luoshan Kingdom to meet your teacher?”

Hong Ling bows sincerely.

“Traveling to Luoshan Kingdom involves traversing mountains and rivers, fraught with dangers. For a mortal to go, the risks are considerable,” Li Feng gently warns.

If she goes, how can he explore the cultivator’s ruin?

“Then, Daoist Li, how do you propose to resolve this?”

Li Feng’s words make Hong Ling cautious. She remembers the conflict between the Tianhe Sect and the Blood Cloud Sect sparked by the young man before her and knows she must be vigilant.

“How about this: I’ll go alone to Luoshan Kingdom to meet my teacher and retrieve the Li Mu fruit. Sister Hong thinks this is acceptable?”

“You would carry our clan’s technique there?”

A spark of suspicion lights in Hong Ling’s eyes.

“No, no, that’s definitely not suitable. Even if Sister Hong trusts me, I cannot agree to that.”

Li Feng knows well that Hong Ling would never allow him to leave with the technique.

His real intent is to agree on a trade beforehand, so that after retrieving the Li Mu fruit, they will not waste time and energy in negotiations.

“I’ll go alone to Luoshan Kingdom and bring back the Li Mu fruit. Sister Hong can verify its authenticity in person and then decide whether to trade.”

Hong Ling’s suspicion fades. “Is that appropriate? How will you explain it to your teacher?”

“My teacher is broad-minded and unbound by trivialities. He won’t mind as long as the technique meets the requirements.”

“Then it’s a hard journey for Daoist Li. Once successful, the Tianqi clan will reward you handsomely.”

Hong Ling bows again, expressing gratitude.

“You’re too kind, Sister Hong. Since I’ve joined the Tianqi clan, I naturally must do what I can for the clan,” Li Feng replies with polished words.

A smile brightens Hong Ling’s lovely face.

With the plan settled, they set off immediately.

Li Feng wastes no time, packs his belongings, disguises himself, and leaves through the back door of the Spirit Plant Hall.

After seeing Li Feng off, Hong Ling promptly summons Uncle Fu.

“Did you see Li Feng receive any letters yesterday?”

Uncle Fu nods. “A courier came by, apparently from the Luoshan Kingdom.”

Hearing this, Hong Ling feels reassured; it should be nothing problematic.

Still, she orders Uncle Fu to send someone to secretly follow Li Feng as he leaves Anhe City.