On the Path to Immortality, Mastering All Arts Chapter Seventeen: Evergreen Skill
Both sides advanced and retreated in turn.
Li E Tian, furious beyond measure and without much thought, directly plunged into the formation.
A buzzing sound arose as the entire array was activated.
The trapping formation took effect first.
Countless glowing vines quickly entangled Li E Tian’s body, wrapping him tightly like a parcel.
Li Feng knew that a first-level trapping formation wouldn’t hold for long, so he immediately scattered talismans around him.
In an instant, red, yellow, blue, and green talismans all burst forth simultaneously.
These talismans were all first-grade superior level, equivalent to the combined full power of dozens of ninth-stage Qi Refining cultivators.
Although those below Foundation Establishment were like ants, when ants gathered in great numbers, they formed a force not to be underestimated.
Li E Tian was subjected to various attacks and could not retaliate, feeling deeply stifled.
In the next moment, he finally broke through the trapping formation.
However, his left foot stepped forward unwittingly, and he fell into a killing formation.
“Boy, if you have the guts, fight me with real blades and real weapons. Relying on these external aids—what kind of cultivator is that?”
Hearing Li E Tian still had the energy to shout, Li Feng’s expression turned grim. He quickly replenished all his talismans and launched a new round of attacks.
Despite Li E Tian’s solid Foundation Establishment at the third layer, he was relentlessly beaten by Li Feng for over half an hour.
Li E Tian looked disheveled, his clothes tattered and torn, no longer displaying the arrogant and wild demeanor he once had.
“Fellow Daoist, we bear no grudge from the past, nor recent troubles. Must you truly pursue my complete annihilation?”
Desperate to escape, Li E Tian softened his tone.
Li Feng replied coldly, “I said it before: as long as you leave all your belongings behind, it will be as if nothing happened.”
“Fine, I agree. Please cease your divine arts.”
Li E Tian had suffered greatly within these formations.
He broke through the trapping formation, only to fall into the killing formation.
Breaking through that, he was caught in an illusion formation.
This cycle repeated endlessly, leaving him mentally and physically exhausted.
Moreover, the endless stream of talismans thrown by Li Feng was relentless.
Not even the paper money thrown at funerals by the dead could compare to the number of talismans he cast.
He could hardly imagine how many immortal arts this disciple of the Blood Cloud Sect had mastered.
Li Feng distanced himself and ceased all attacks but remained fully alert, wary of any trickery.
Feeling the pressure lift, Li E Tian’s expression darkened instantly.
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Seeing this, Li Feng immediately pulled out a thick stack of talismans, ready to continue.
“Fellow Daoist, wait! Although I, Li E Tian, am no good person, I always keep my word. My storage pouch contains all my possessions—take them all.”
With that, he tossed the pouch over.
The spiritual imprint on it had been erased, making it easy to inspect.
Li Feng cautiously glanced inside and found some spirit stones and spirit materials, but not many.
The total value of all his belongings was not even a tenth of Li Feng’s fortune.
“You’re an evil cultivator, and this is all you have? I don’t believe it.”
“Though evil, I am but a lone cultivator. I gather my own resources for cultivation. I cannot compare to disciples of sects like you.”
Li E Tian winced painfully; the man even complained his offerings were too few.
Li Feng pondered briefly, then disdainfully dismissed him: “I didn’t expect even Foundation Establishment cultivators to be so stingy. Get lost—don’t let me see you again.”
Li E Tian turned and fled, cursing inwardly. He vowed to avenge this humiliation in the future.
Letting the tiger return to the mountain carried risks, but there was no other choice. The currents within Anhe City were even deadlier.
Li Feng had to use this method to divert attention and struggle to grow amid the cracks.
Time was short—how far he could go depended entirely on whether the Tianqi Clan’s cultivation method proved effective.
Leaving the Hundred Thousand Mountains, the journey remained smooth and without incident.
After three months, he returned to the Spirit Plant Hall, where Uncle Fu immediately relayed the news to Hong Ling.
Upon hearing this, Hong Ling rushed over.
Seeing Li Feng, dusty and exhausted, her heart was moved slightly.
She knew this round trip would have taken at least three months.
Li Feng surely had no moments of rest along the way.
“Fellow Daoist Li, you have worked hard!”
Hong Ling personally brewed a pot of spirit tea and placed it before him, not mentioning the matter of the Li Mu Fruit.
“This journey was long and fraught with unknown risks. Since your departure, I have burned incense day and night, praying for your safe return.”
“Now that I see you unharmed, my heart can finally settle.”
Li Feng accepted the tea and thanked her, cursing her hypocrisy inwardly, but maintaining a polite smile.
“Sister Hong, I did not fail your expectations—the Li Mu Fruit has been brought back!”
He then produced a small, exquisite crystal box.
Opening the lid, a cold mist rose.
As the mist dispersed, a third-grade Li Mu Fruit, imbued with pure energy, lay quietly inside the box.
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Hong Ling suppressed her excitement and bowed in thanks.
“Fellow Daoist Li, you traveled a thousand miles to find this fruit. This kindness weighs heavier than the heavens. The Tianqi Clan will never forget!”
Li Feng smiled politely but felt disgusted inside.
Anyone could speak flowery words; what he wanted was the cultivation method that could reach the Golden Core stage.
All this trouble was just to obtain a method that could extend one’s lifespan.
He closed the crystal box and inquired, “Sister Hong, what about the cultivation method you promised?”
“This is the expanded edition of the Evergreen Technique. Please convey to our mentor that this method is extremely profound and must not be shared.”
Hong Ling took out the cultivation method she had prepared long ago and stressed its secrecy repeatedly.
Li Feng took the jade slip, verified its authenticity, and breathed a sigh of relief.
The method could indeed be cultivated to the Golden Core stage and followed the logic of wood-element techniques.
With the transaction complete, Li Feng took out a pill obtained from a cultivator’s ruins.
“Sister Hong, this is a second-grade Youth Preservation Pill. It has remarkable effects against facial aging. It is but a small token from my master.”
Though the second-grade Youth Preservation Pill was rare, it had no effect on cultivation progress, so Li Feng did not mind giving it away.
Presenting it to Hong Ling could dispel any doubts and prove he truly had the backing of a second-grade alchemist—an added layer of protection in its own right.
Hong Ling was both surprised and delighted, clasping the pill carefully.
Although her priority was restoring the nation and she had no time for romance,
she was still a woman, and feared the traces time might leave on her face.
“Fellow Daoist Li, please convey my deepest gratitude to our mentor. When the opportunity arises, I shall personally pay my respects.”
“No trouble. As long as I can help Sister Hong, this trip was worthwhile.”
Uncle Fu was in high spirits and laughed heartily nearby: “Fellow Daoist Li, you have done a great favor for the Tianqi Clan.”
“When the prince restores his spiritual root and cultivates the Evergreen Technique, the Tianqi Clan will surely regain its former glory.”
Curious, Li Feng asked, “Besides extending lifespan, can the Evergreen Technique really accelerate the growth of spirit plants?”
“Of course. When the Evergreen Technique is perfected, a hundred-year spirit plant can accumulate medicinal power in just a few years.”
Hong Ling interrupted Uncle Fu, saying, “Fellow Daoist Li, you must rest well after your arduous journey. In the coming days, I will have more cultivation resources sent to help you recover your vitality.”
Li Feng no longer questioned further and was eager to see whether the Evergreen Technique truly was as powerful as claimed.