Time passes slowly.
In the blink of an eye, Zhang Yao has been cultivating in Qingxu Palace for ten long years.
After ten years, the situation in the Southwest Land has already stabilized, and the production from Mo Yuan flows unceasingly, while the connections between the various countries deepen by the day.
On this day:
"Fellow Daoists, take care."
At the gates of Qingxu Palace, Zhang Yao bids farewell to the Nether Abyss Ancestor and numerous Golden Core Cultivators.
"Ancestor, please stay."
After exchanging farewells, the numerous Golden Core Cultivators ascend into the air, their escape lights scattering like stars.
"Fellow Daoist."
Zhang Yao looks at the Nether Abyss Ancestor and solemnly says:
"You might need to consider the matter of life extension."
A mere decade has passed, yet the Nether Abyss Ancestor appears somewhat aged and frail, clearly a sign of his approaching life's end.
His lifespan has already exceeded five hundred years, even surpassing that of Dugu Tianyi who passed away years ago. Though his cultivation is profound, allowing him to live a few more decades, he is fast approaching the sixty cycle lifespan limit of the Golden Core Realm.
Estimating under the best conditions, the Nether Abyss Ancestor probably only has twenty to thirty years of life left.
In short twenty to thirty years, it's obviously impossible for him to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm, so the only consideration is spirit pills or treasures that have life-extending effects.
"Haha..."
The Nether Abyss Ancestor laughs freely and says:
"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist, I have already sent my disciple to the Celestial Continent Nine Mansions to seek the Life Extending Spirit Pill."
"However, apart from financial power and connections, fate and fortune might be even more important. If it truly doesn't work, I shall accept my fate."
At this point, he sighs with emotion:
"I've had an extraordinary life, I dare not ask for more."
Throughout his life, from his youth, he's always been eager to compete, refusing to admit defeat. For a sliver of opportunity, he dared to gamble with his life, walking the edge between life and death countless times.
Yet after removing the Black Death Beast, freeing him from the torturous purgatory of hundreds of years, he encountered various twists and turns, and only after reuniting with his sole disciple did he experience ten years of stable life.
Now, facing the nearing end of his life, he instead has an enlightened mindset.
"Alas..."
Zhang Yao sighs deeply, unable to help but feel a sense of nostalgia.
Life-extending spirit pills and treasures are divided into two kinds: one aims to replenish the consumption of vital energy to slow down the depletion of lifespan, without exceeding the lifespan limit of one's realm.
This type of life-extending spirit pill is the most common, especially for the strong who might perform forbidden techniques or secret techniques that reduce lifespan; it's almost considered a staple spirit pill, though its efficacy will gradually diminish.
The second type of life-extending spirit pill and treasure truly increases the limit of vital energy, breaking the lifespan limit.
For instance, Zhang Yao once during the Foundation Establishment Stage, witnessed the second top grade 'Ruyi True Pill' refined by Yu Wen Tai at the climactic session of the Celestial Treasure Tower's grand auction, inciting mad competition among many Foundation Establishment Perfection elders.
But even Yu Wen Tai, at his peak, Liu Cang could not refine spirit pills capable of extending a Golden Core Cultivator's life.
These high-level spirit pills are invariably the best of the third grade spirit pills, whose worth even exceeds that of ordinary grade four spirit pills and spiritual objects—not only are their raw materials extremely rare, but perhaps only alchemy grandmasters of the Fourth grade can refine them.
It is imaginable:
Life-extending spirit pills capable of affecting Golden Core Cultivators, once refined, are almost impossible to circulate outside, thus, rather than wealth and networking, luck is more important.
"Take care, Fellow Daoist."
After bidding farewell to the Nether Abyss Ancestor, Zhang Yao watches his escape light disappear into the distance before turning back to the palace.
Inside Qingxu Palace, the previously lively great hall is now cold and deserted, with only the remnants of the feast left scattered around, being quickly cleaned up by some attendants.
"Having presided in the Southwest Land for ten years, it's about time to leave."
Zhang Yao's sleeves flutter as he strolls to the rear hall, contemplating leaving Da Li in his mind.
His cultivation speed was initially fast, and with the great opportunity of the 'Earth Milk Bathing Body' obtained in the underworld, his Qi refining breathing speed has reached an unprecedented peak.
In just ten years, he has completed one-third of the journey to the late stage Golden Core, far surpassing the first grade Golden Core achieved by a Celestial Spirit Root.
"There's less than seven years until the Taiyin Tide event."
"There can be no more delay."
With this thought, Zhang Yao is resolute in his decision to leave Da Li and return to the Mani Kingdom.
The date of the Taiyin Tide event draws nearer, also meaning that the major plan plotted with Passing Arhat and Ancestor Heze is coming to an urgent head.
At this time, he must return to the Mani Kingdom to discuss and deliberate with them in secret while also earnestly comprehending and attempting to practice the 'Celestial Crow Crying Marsh Skill'.
......
Half a month later.
After giving instructions to numerous Daoist officials and attendants, Zhang Yao once again leaves Qingxu Palace, heading all the way to the Mani Kingdom.
His current escape light speed is now far beyond what it used to be, crossing hundreds of thousands of miles in just a few short days to return to the Mani Kingdom, which he hadn't visited for many years.
Upon arriving in the Mani Kingdom for the second time, Zhang Yao is well-acquainted, going directly to the host of a nearby Great Buddha Temple to state his intention, using their channels to contact the Mani Temple.
After brief reporting and handover ceremonies:
Zhang Yao returns to the Changle Palace he once guarded, responsible for suppressing the Demon Cave beneath Changle Mountain.
"Fellow Daoist Qingxu, it's been a long time!"
"Hermit Qingxu, I didn't expect it to really be you returning!"
"Elder Qingxu, I've long admired your name..."
Sitting in Changle Palace for a short time, numerous Divine Thoughts were transmitted through the Divine Travel Array, some familiar acquaintances, others new arrivals over the years.
After Zhang Yao dealt with them one by one, he received a calm and aged Divine Thought transmission:
"Hermit Qingxu, your safe return truly comforts this old monk's heart."
"Thank you, Arhat, for your concern."
Zhang Yao politely responded.
This one-on-one exchange, while ordinary people might see nothing unusual, secretly conveyed a message between them.
Zhang Yao's return signified his continued support and participation in Passing Arhat's plan, which was already good news for him.
"Hoo..."
After Passing Arhat's Divine Thought retreated, Zhang Yao took several deep breaths, calming his emotions.
He didn't act immediately but continued cultivating quietly, as before, splitting a thought to dissipate Demonic Qi, appearing no different than usual.
This continued for half a month before he finally felt the vague sense of surveillance around him dissipate.
"Those monks from Mani Temple are indeed cautious..."
Zhang Yao squinted, pondering to himself.
The array suppressing twenty-four Demon Caves and maintaining the Merit System was set up by Ancestral Master Wuliang personally. In his current view, it's estimated to be top-tier among Fourth grade Arrays, and its overall scale is grand and magnificent, the most impressive he's ever seen.
If not for his greatly improved strength, he might not have detected the hidden surveillance, let alone set up measures to counter it.
He also knew that his actions were still somewhat suspicious.
Now, he was no longer the newly famous Golden Core powerhouse of one region but the renowned Elder Qingxu, the Lord of the Southwest, whose name resounded across over ten countries in the Central Plains.
Someone of his stature truly had no need to abide by any Merit System. If he wanted any treasure on the Merit List, wouldn't it be more convenient to discuss it directly with Mani Temple's higher-ups as the Lord of the Southwest?
After all, Mani Temple's higher-ups weren't stubborn and inflexible about matters beyond the Merit System.
Officially, even Nascent Soul Cultivators from outside must honestly accumulate merit to obtain treasures from the Merit List, but has this ever happened in reality? That would be tantamount to insulting a Nascent Soul Lord!
If Mani Temple's higher-ups were truly inflexible, they'd have countless enemies, but the reality is that Mani Temple's connections are vast, even having Sect and Family acquaintances within the Celestial Continent Nine Mansions, clearly having done enough groundwork in human relations.
"It's about time..."
Zhang Yao's thoughts flickered as he immediately split a Divine Thought, probing the special space beneath him.
Through the Muddy Qi sealed by the Demon Suppression Well, it rose in thin strands within the space, and Zhang Yao cautiously approached and entwined a strand of Muddy Qi with his Divine Thought, attempting to capture it.
Magical Power cannot touch Muddy Qi, as it would lead to violent conflict and mutual erosion. Only pure Divine Thought can capture Muddy Qi.
"Let me give it a try."
Capturing a strand of Muddy Qi, Zhang Yao focused entirely, treading carefully, attempting to channel it into his being.
Understanding that Muddy Qi and Spiritual Qi are incompatible, he suppressed all Magical Power within his Golden Core, maneuvering the Muddy Qi entirely according to the path outlined by the "Celestial Crow Crying Marsh Skill."
"Hoo!"
Zhang Yao deeply inhaled, swallowing the strand of Muddy Qi into his body.
In Zhuoxiu, Divine Thought doesn't exist; the beginning of the Path of Zhuoxiu is also from breathing technique, relying on the power of the mouth, nose, and viscera to swallow and refine Muddy Qi.
At that instant when Muddy Qi entered Zhang Yao's body:
"Boom!"
Chaos erupted in his body, between his viscera, as if igniting a million barrels of black powder, suddenly thunderous, mountains shaking!
"Ah!"
Zhang Yao spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his face rapidly paling, his aura sharply dwindling, even his form swayed.
His head throbbed severely, eyes spinning as if the world was whirling, his mind dizzy, even the Divine Soul suffered significant trauma.
"No, something's wrong!!"
He couldn't even care for the blood at the corner of his mouth, shock and confusion filling his eyes:
"This is impossible..."
Zhang Yao's mind was chaotic, countless thoughts clashing, rising and falling.
Attempting to cultivate the "Celestial Crow Crying Marsh Skill" for the first time, he had prepared for various scenarios, yet the current state exceeded all his expectations.
He considered potential clashes between Pure and Muddy Qi.
But the problem is, the clash between Pure and Muddy Qi shouldn't be so intense. He only captured that tiny strand of Muddy Qi, its total even less than the Magical Power of the early stage of Qi Refining!
How could such a small amount of Muddy Qi and Spiritual Qi collision cause such injury? Even an internal explosion shouldn't be possible!
"There must be something unexplained here..."
Even ignoring his injury, Zhang Yao let his innate talent work autonomously to heal his viscera, diving deep into thought.
Why? Why would the collision between Pure and Muddy Qi be so intense, affecting even the Divine Soul?
He had never encountered such a scenario when dispelling Muddy Qi in the past.