Longevity: My Talents Are a Bit Abundant-Chapter 476: Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer

Chapter 476: Chapter 476: Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer

Shen Xuan was deeply contemplative.

The grand image of those in power is merely a disguise for others to see.

As long as one’s strength is formidable, no matter the action, there will be scholars to justify it.

Weakness is a sin.

Whatever the strong do is deemed right.

This is the essence of the Cultivation Realm’s order.

The law of the jungle, survival of the fittest.

This most aligns with the Heavenly Dao Rules.

For the countless laboring at the bottom, countless generations remain beasts of burden.

Only a very few, under the blessing of fortune, can break through and rise above.

For these fortunate ones, what plays a decisive role is still luck.

Not the so-called talent.

Having talent only makes a beast of burden a better one.

It can never evolve into a lion or tiger.

Those bottom-level loose cultivators who fancy themselves somewhat talented mostly end up as cannon fodder.

Some never understand, even at their death, that this was their predestined fate.

Some even complain about the injustice of the Heavenly Dao and go unrecognized.

It’s because they never truly understood the operating mechanism of this Cultivation Realm.

In a pyramid structure, the vast number of loose cultivators at the bottom support the upper echelons.

And there are even more mundane mortals, who are lower-tier creatures.

Unable to guarantee even the basics of sustenance.

Most early-stage Qi Cultivation realm cultivators would rather loiter in the Spirit Qi of market shantytowns than venture into the mortal world.

Not only would their realm cultivation drop.

There’s also a great risk of being manipulated and kept captive by the mortal nobles.

Shen Xuan had an agreement with Demon Sovereign Xuan Ye.

Two months later, she would send her disciples to Spring Wind Island with the Intelligence Jade Scroll for True Master Zong, to complete the transaction.

Shen Xuan sought ways to acquire new demon soldiers or high-grade demons.

Demon Sovereign Xuan Ye would return to the Demon Sect of Liang Country to collect the Tier Three Demon Flood Dragon Demon Core Essence Blood and Core Formation Spiritual Objects.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, you and I met like old friends, collaborating hand in hand for mutual development is the true way."

"Well said! Fellow Daoist Xuan Ye, if you gather the Demon Flood Dragon Demon Core Essence Blood, I am willing to buy it at a high price!"

...

Back at the cave mansion.

Shen Xuan rested for two days.

Late at night.

He sneaked out of Spring Wind Island and headed to the underwater coral grove.

Here, a concealed cave served as his secret treasury.

The entrance was only the size of a bowl, inaccessible to sea demons and cultivators unskilled in transformation techniques.

Previously, Shen Xuan had made a transaction with Demon Sovereign Xuan Ye.

He had returned here to fetch the Demon Shield of True Master Lone Fiend.

Inside were stored five storage pouches.

Those of Xiao Jinsong, Demon Sovereign Lone Fiend, and the three Foundation Establishment disciples of True Idea Sect who met their end.

At a depth of a thousand feet, vast seawater masked all auras.

Even with profound divination techniques, it would be challenging to trace to this location.

This time, Shen Xuan specifically retrieved Demon Sovereign Lone Fiend’s storage pouch.

He classified and organized the demon stones, Core Formation demons, and Evil Qi, all high-tier demon cultivator items within.

The scissor-like demon soldier was also kept safely.

These were intended for trade with Demon Sovereign Xuan Ye.

Originally, he planned to wait for the right moment to pass them to Ling Zhenfeng for sale.

Now, with Demon Sovereign Xuan Ye as a channel, there’s no need to trouble Ling Zhenfeng.

Demon Sovereign Xuan Ye is a cultivator of Hehuan Sect, inherently advantageous in gathering intelligence and resources.

Shen Xuan deliberately let Demon Sovereign Xuan Ye earn some profit.

This was to have her acquire the Demon Flood Dragon Demon Core Essence Blood.

To Shen Xuan.

Any useless spiritual or demonic items were not as important as the Demon Flood Dragon Demon Core Essence Blood.

...

Having retrieved True Master Lone Fiend’s relics, Shen Xuan returned to his cave mansion.

He began reviewing True Master Lu’s intelligence.

Lu Xingze, ninth-generation grandson of True Master Cyan Yang, condensed a True Pill at one hundred and eighty, now at two hundred ninety, at the early peak of the True Pill stage.

His spiritual artifact is the Primordial Mystic Wood Umbrella, belonging to True Master Cyan Yang, a Lu Family heirloom.

It’s said this umbrella is refined from various Tier Three divine woods, an integration of offense and defense, with formidable power.

Not only is its defense formidable, but it can also attack the Divine Soul, rendering True Pill cultivators unconscious.

Lu Xingze’s divine power is comprehended from this umbrella.

Called [Celestial Umbrella Enshrouds the Sky], it traps opponents within the Primordial Mystic Wood Umbrella, stagnates their spiritual power, leaving them at his mercy.

Shen Xuan felt at ease after reading the Intelligence Jade Scroll on True Master Lu.

"So, True Master Lu excels in confinement-type divine powers."

"After [Dragon Blood Boiling], my physical strength should be able to break out."

"True Master Lu is a Wood Technique True Pill, suppressing the Sea Dragon King, King of Ocean Tranquility, and Peak Master Chang Sheng thoroughly."

"Yet, he cannot suppress me!"

Shen Xuan pondered in his heart.

In this light, the Golden Transformation Pill materials held by those pirate cultivators, along with the Six Masters Heart Protection Pill and the Exquisite Azure Waterfruit, could be considered for a change of ownership.

"Assistance from Zhuang Xueqin is still necessary. At the very least, he can provide accurate intelligence."

These pirate cultivators are infiltrated more deeply amongst each other.

Zhuang Xueqin has already established a foothold on Sea Dragon Island.

Implying to become the second most significant figure after the Sea Dragon King.

"We’ll see when the time comes."

Shen Xuan wouldn’t command Zhuang Xueqin for nothing.

However, merely for collecting pirate leader intelligence, Shen Xuan wouldn’t allocate the Golden Transformation Pill materials to him.

As he thought, gifting Zhuang Xueqin a piece of Exquisite Azure Waterfruit was quite considerate of him.

This is a top-grade Core Formation Spiritual Object!

If Zhuang Xueqin were dissatisfied and harbored other intentions.

Even better.

He would save the Exquisite Azure Waterfruit.

...

Two months later.

Late night, Spring Wind Island beach.​

Moonlight was desolate and cold, the sea breeze carried a damp fishy odor, and waves crashed against the reefs, producing a deep wailing sound.

Shen Xuan stood atop the reef with his hands behind his back, his black robe flapping, eyes deep as an abyss.

He gazed at the bright moon, his Divine Sense already spread out, covering ten miles in radius.

"Here they come."

A black shadow treaded the waves from afar, its figure slender like a monkey, steps light and agile.

It was the disciple of the Netherleaf Demon Lord that had been seen earlier, named Iron Monkey.

"Fellow Daoist Shen."

Iron Monkey clasped his fists in salute, his attitude respectful: "My master has sent me for a trade."

Shen Xuan nodded lightly, swept his sleeve, and two jade boxes flew towards Iron Monkey.

"True Master Zong’s intelligence is all contained within."

Iron Monkey received the two jade boxes, his Divine Sense swept over them, inside were the Scarlet Netherworld Flower and the Nine Turn Yin Marrow Bead.

After confirming there was no mistake, Iron Monkey grinned, took out an intelligence jade scroll from his bosom, and respectfully handed it over: "This is the intelligence jade scroll promised by my master."

Shen Xuan took the intelligence jade scroll, his Divine Sense scanned it, the surface was sealed with a layer of magical power, unable to be pried into.

"Please convey my greetings to Fellow Daoist Netherleaf."

"Yes. My master has mentioned that she has found a clue regarding what Fellow Daoist Shen needs. Please prepare accordingly with appropriate treasures."

"She will personally come to trade with Fellow Daoist Shen."

Shen Xuan’s gaze flickered slightly, a profound meaning in his words: "Oh? It seems Fellow Daoist Netherleaf is quite connected within your Hehuan Sect!"

Iron Monkey’s expression froze for a moment, then he quickly bowed his head in concealment: "Fellow Daoist Shen jests, my master always stands on integrity. She has a modest reputation within the sect."

Shen Xuan was momentarily speechless.

As a Demon Lord, to claim integrity as a foundation.

After a while, Shen Xuan waved his sleeve and said: "The treasures have been exchanged, return to report."

"Regarding what she needs, Shen naturally will prepare them."

Iron Monkey bowed deeply, his figure retreated into the darkness like a specter, disappearing into the sea mist in the blink of an eye.

Shen Xuan stared at the intelligence jade scroll in his hand, a chill gleaming in his eyes.

"The Netherleaf Demon Lord is indeed resourceful."

He chuckled coldly, his figure soon dissolved into nothingness, merging with the boundless night.

...

Cultivation knows no years.

In the blink of an eye, three years passed.

In Shen Xuan’s Cave Mansion, inside the Practice Room.

Spiritual mist surged.

Shen Xuan sat cross-legged at the center of the Spirit Gathering Array, Spiritual Qi surrounded him like tides, with each breath, the space within the Cave Mansion trembled in response.

In his Dantian, a nine-colored precious lotus radiated brilliance, Spiritual Light shone widely, its surface covered with Dao patterns, swallowing and spitting spiritual power.

The capacity of the Dao Foundation Spirit Sea has expanded by another twenty percent.

Not only that.

His spiritual power has been compressed to an extremely refined state.

Shen Xuan slowly opened his eyes, a flash of golden light passed by.

The secret chamber seemed to be shaken by an invisible force, presenting web-like cracks.

Shen Xuan slowly rose, letting out a roar.

In the next instant.

With a golden body of fifteen feet, and flood dragon dharma aspect, his bones cracked like thunder, muscles moving like flood dragons.

After completely refining the fake pill, Shen Xuan successfully broke through to the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment!

At this moment, his spiritual power is as immense as a Fake Pill True Master, and thanks to the refinement of [Dragon Blood Boiling], his physical body strength far surpasses an ordinary True Pill True Master!

Shen Xuan collected his dharma aspect, left the Practice Room, and came alone to the pinnacle of Spring Breeze Island.

With hands behind his back, he gazed at the sea.

His thoughts churned with the waves.

"Refining the fake pill took only eight years to break through to the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment!"

This speed surpasses most sect’s Core Formation seeds.

On the Mysterious Jade Talisman, [Lifespan: 144/382].

"This breakthrough increased lifespan by fifteen years!"

"However, due to painstaking cultivation of [Dragon Blood Boiling], seven years were lost!"

[Talent: Dragon Blood Boiling Great Success (828/1600)]

[Dragon Blood Boiling] is more than halfway to Great Success.

The physical strength is enough to resist most True Master Spiritual Artifact attacks.

At this moment, within his body, the Purple Gold True Water Seal gradually displays some Spiritual Artifact properties.

As long as he persists and nurtures for another decade or so, it will reach the peak of a Spiritual Artifact’s spirit embryo.

At that time, find a suitable Heavenly and Earthly Treasure, and it can be transformed into a Spiritual Artifact.

And the [Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Talisman] treasure talisman has been replaced with a new batch three years ago.

Although the time is still shallow, its power is insufficient.

But in his Storage Pouch, there are four Divine Thunder Treasure Talismans nurtured for thirty years.

If activated simultaneously, even a True Pill True Master would temporarily avoid its edge.

Feeling the vast Dao Foundation Spirit Sea within, Shen Xuan’s lips curled slightly.

Previously, what he feared, the Fake Pill True Master and Fake Pill Demon Lord.

Now, in his eyes, they hold no deterrence.

Limited by the fake pill within his body.

Powerful as the Fake Pill True Master’s and Fake Pill Demon Lord’s Spiritual Artifact Demon Soldiers may be, they have a limit.

It’s difficult to pose a threat to Shen Xuan.

Shen Xuan overlooked the sea, Divine Thought moving slightly.

His Divine Sense spread like a tide, instantly covering fifteen miles around.

Not much inferior to a Fake Pill True Master.

A flicker of crimson glinted in Shen Xuan’s eyes.

He executed [Illusion-Breaking Spirit Eyes], [Insight], [Ears Listening in All Directions], [Smell and Taste], [Sharp-eyed], and other physical skills.

Centered on him, within thirty miles, every swaying blade of grass, every fluttering insect, was clearly perceived.

"Sharp ears and eyes, these physical talent skills are much more useful than Divine Sense!"

Shen Xuan nodded in satisfaction, then pressed his fingers together like a sword, pointing in the air.

Swish!

A strand of Ice Sword Qi shot out, a giant boulder a hundred feet away collapsed with a smooth, mirror-like cut.

"Spiritual power increase, nearing the limit."

Casually, he took out a Tier Two Middle Grade Spirit Shield magical treasure, gently clasping it.

Crack!

The Tier Two Middle Grade Spirit Shield magical treasure was covered with cracks, instantly shattered into fragments.

"Physical strength, enough to withstand ordinary Spiritual Artifacts."

Shen Xuan exhaled deeply, his eyes glittering.

Now, he finally possesses the power to contend against a True Pill True Master.

"The result of the pirate cultivator leader’s death match is also nearing the outcome!"

In the past three years, in the nearby seas, five pirate teams engaged in brutal battles.

With the five’s realm honed, they’re about to reveal their true intentions.

Zhuang Xueqin kept a close eye on those five pirate cultivator leaders, frequently urging him by letter, calling for both of them to join forces.

Shen Xuan gazed towards the direction of Immortal City Baiyun, a chill gleaming like blades in his eyes.

"True Master Lu, whether you’re fishing or being fished, remains uncertain!"

He had obtained the latest intelligence from the Netherleaf Demon Lord.

It wasn’t just the Sea Dragon King on Dragon King Island.

The Sea King of Chaotic Stone Sea and the Chang Sheng Ship Master of the Fairy Archipelago are negotiating with the sects of Yan Country for reformation matters.

The ruling position of the Lu Family in Immortal City Baiyun is teetering amidst the storm.

If True Master Lu fails to suppress, chaos may erupt instantly.