First Encounter with Hongyun, Journeying Together to Buzhou

As Cihang's physical body broke through, his consciousness also awoke from that profound state of enlightenment.

Cihang didn't rush to check the changes in his physical body but continued to calm his mind, wanting to enter that profound state once more.

However, no matter how hard Cihang tried this time, he couldn't sink into that state.

The vast and profound aura was clearly right before him, yet no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't touch it.

"Ultimately, my fortune is insufficient!"

Cihang opened his eyes in disappointment.

His biggest gain this time was not the advancement of his physical body but the improvement of his state of mind.

It was just a pity that the opportunity was fleeting.

"To have such an epiphany is already a great fortune; fortune cannot be forced!"

Cihang suddenly showed a smile.

It was a smile of relief, and also a smile at his own greed.

For cultivators, enlightenment was the most rare, but it was also extremely dangerous.

Some cultivators would achieve enlightenment and break through to a new realm in one go, but some cultivators would be assimilated by the Great Dao.

With his cultivation and foundation, having such an epiphany was already his limit.

If he had continued, he might have been completely immersed in Pangu's Dao, becoming a part of its Great Dao.

As it was now, it was just right.

His physical body had also broken through during the previous enlightenment, and not just to the mid-stage Golden Immortal, but to the peak of the mid-stage Golden Immortal.

His main body had also been tempered along with it.

"Has a thousand years already passed?"

Cihang was somewhat surprised.

It wasn't that he thought a thousand years was a long time, but rather that he had been in a state of enlightenment and hadn't felt the passage of time at all.

Only now did he realize that not only had a thousand years passed, but he had also moved from the foot of the mountain to the mountainside of Buzhou Mountain.

He could clearly feel that the spiritual energy around him had become more concentrated, and the laws of heaven and earth were much more concentrated and clearer than in the outside world.

"Now that my physical body has broken through, it's time to start searching for treasures!"

With excitement in his heart, Cihang was about to head deeper into Buzhou Mountain.

"Congratulations, young friend, on successfully breaking through your realm. To gain insight into Buzhou's Dao at such a level, young friend has great fortune and excellent comprehension!"

A Daoist wearing a red robe appeared not far away, looking at Cihang with admiration.

Hongyun?

Cihang was secretly surprised. His chances of encountering powerful individuals had increased quite a bit recently.

"Cihang greets Senior. I didn't expect Senior to be here. Please forgive me if I have disturbed you!"

Suppressing his thoughts, Cihang respectfully bowed to Hongyun.

Unlike Randeng, Hongyun was a true Quasi-Saint, and a powerful one at that among Quasi-Saints.

"I was just passing by and saw young friend comprehending the Dao, so I stayed to guard you.

Although Buzhou Mountain is vast, you might still encounter some cultivators.

Young friend, be careful next time!"

Hongyun's smile was gentle, and he bore no ill will towards Cihang.

"Cihang thanks Senior for guarding me. This was indeed Cihang's carelessness!"

Cihang thanked Hongyun while also feeling a bit self-reproachful.

Although he hadn't expected to enter enlightenment, he still hadn't been cautious enough.

He was also very fortunate to have encountered Hongyun this time.

"You're too kind, it was just a small matter!"

Hongyun said indifferently.

"This is a small matter for Senior, but not for Cihang.

I can only blame Cihang for his low strength and inability to repay Senior!"

Cihang bowed again.

He didn't doubt Hongyun's words at all; with Hongyun's cultivation and realm, there was no need for him to scheme against him.

With different cultivation realms came different perspectives. At this moment, even if he were to take out an Innate Spiritual Treasure, the other party might not be interested.

Of course, this excluded Supreme Treasures and divine-demon inheritances.

Cihang had also long decided not to reveal his strength to outsiders unless he reached an absolute level.

"Young friend is too polite. We met by chance, and since we have fate, would young friend be willing to travel with me?"

Hongyun waved his hand and helped Cihang up, then extended an invitation for them to travel together.

Cihang's aura was serene and full of life, which made Hongyun feel favorably towards him, thus prompting the invitation.

Traveling with Cihang might bring some unexpected gains.

"It is Cihang's honor to travel with Senior!"

Cihang readily agreed with joy.

Constantly encountering such powerful individuals made Cihang uncertain whether his luck was good or bad.

Traveling with Hongyun also meant absolute safety.

The two immediately headed deeper into Buzhou Mountain together.

Cihang also learned from Hongyun that, like himself, he had entered Buzhou Mountain in search of opportunities.

However, unlike his search for Spiritual Treasures, Hongyun had failed to comprehend the Primordial Violet Qi and had thus gone out to travel, hoping to gain some insight.

Upon hearing Hongyun's objective, Cihang couldn't help but feel a sinking feeling.

Achieving sainthood was no easy feat. If his memory was correct, Hongyun should have failed.

While the Primordial Violet Qi was an opportunity for Hongyun, it was also a calamity.

Looking at Hongyun, who was kind and always smiling beside him, Cihang didn't want him to meet such an end.

But ultimately, he could only think about it; there was nothing he could do at this moment.

"I wish Senior success in achieving sainthood this time!"

Despite his myriad thoughts, Cihang revealed none of them, instead offering his sincere blessings.

"Opportunities for sainthood are not so easily found. Rather than forcing it, it's better to find one or two Spiritual Treasures!"

Although Hongyun sought the opportunity to become a saint, he himself didn't hold out much hope.

The Primordial Violet Qi was simply too profound, and he had gained no enlightenment since obtaining it.

Though they were "treasure hunting," the two had no specific destination, simply wandering with the flow.

Buzhou Mountain contained countless folded spaces, some with Spiritual Treasures and Spiritual Roots, and others that were small worlds existing because of Buzhou Mountain itself.

Let alone Cihang, even Hongyun only knew of some of the regions.

Unless a Spiritual Treasure appeared, it was difficult for cultivators to discover these hidden spaces and worlds.

Of course, precisely because of this, many opportunities and Spiritual Treasures still remained hidden here.

Whether one could obtain them depended on the cultivator's fortune and methods.

Along the way, the two maintained a calm demeanor. Hongyun would occasionally offer guidance to Cihang, sharing some of the hidden secrets of the world.

Cihang benefited greatly from this.

At the same time, Cihang also harvested many spiritual herbs and materials along the journey.

He even encountered several Acquired Spiritual Roots.

"Buzhou Mountain truly is filled with treasures!"

Cihang exclaimed.

These spiritual herbs were not particularly valuable at this time, but in later ages, they would be rare treasures.

"They are merely ordinary spiritual items. With your current realm, you likely won't need them!"

Hongyun looked at Cihang with some confusion.

"I may not need them now, but my future disciples could.

Besides, these are special spiritual herbs, and they would be good for decorating my dojo."

In reality, Cihang had stored all these spiritual herbs in his Glazed Grotto-Heaven.

These herbs and roots, imbued with life force and spiritual energy, were highly beneficial for the evolution and advancement of the grotto-heaven.

"Alright!"

Seeing Cihang's persistence, Hongyun didn't try to dissuade him further. Instead, he began helping Cihang collect them.

Innate Spiritual Treasures were rare and sought after; it was best to let fate decide.