The Fifth Life Complete! [Seeking Recommendation Tickets!]

Name: Meng Nan

Lifespan: 4/10

Affiliation: Yaozi Mountain

Cultivation: True Essence Sense Imprint

True Essence: 6

Bone Structure: 1

Cultivation Method: Lesser Thousand Sword Scripture

Sorcery: Gale Thunder Sword Technique (Minor Accomplishment), Hundred Changes Thousand Illusions Cloud Mist Movement Technique (Minor Accomplishment), Five Thunder Technique (Proficient), Blood Arrow Secret Technique (Proficient), Giant Spirit Mysterious Technique (Proficient), Small Thousand Sword Array (Uninitiated);

Skills: Alchemy (Intermediate: Qi Circulation Powder, Yellow Spirit Pill, Golden Marrow Pill); Artifact Refining (Beginner: Small Flying Shears, Water Emergence Sword)

Death Log: Viewable

...

Time flows like water.

Unbeknownst to him, four years of this life had already passed.

During these four years, Meng Nan diligently cultivated, but he didn't remain shut away.

To the west of Yaozi Mountain, there was a market town called 'Peach Blossom Market,' jointly built by over ten True Essence cultivators. It had a certain grandeur and was frequented by many rogue cultivators.

Meng Nan had spent the majority of these four years in this market town.

Alchemy.

Artifact Refining.

An initial foray into formations.

Meng Nan had accumulated considerable wealth previously, so reaching the True Essence Stage hadn't cost him much.

Only the 'Giant Spirit God' secret technique consumed a vast amount, and he truly couldn't sustain it.

With nine catties and two taels of Spirit Sand, he could only cultivate for about twenty more stages at most.

Half of it had already been consumed by Meng Nan in these four years.

Therefore, Meng Nan could only barely maintain his cultivation by occasionally selling a magic artifact or precious material he had accumulated in the market town, replenishing his resources every few days.

This was to avoid the awkward situation of 'not dead, but out of money.'

Selling off assets was the fastest way to get money.

It wasn't just the secret technique; Meng Nan's alchemy and artifact refining were also operating at a loss.

He didn't refine pills or artifacts to make money; he was solely focused on rapidly improving his attainments and pursuing growth, not profit.

He was in a hurry, and his expenses exceeded his income.

Thus, losses were inevitable.

In short, the vast fortune Meng Nan and Zhao Xiaoshuang had accumulated over the previous hundred years would be squandered by Meng Nan in these few short years and the years to come.

Meng Nan didn't feel heartbroken about it.

While spending money lavishly, he also made friends in the market town.

Whether they were true friends or fake, if they could exchange a few words and share a meal and drinks, Meng Nan considered them genuine.

Through these 'friends.'

Meng Nan, while in the market town, could know everything happening in the world.

'The world' was an exaggeration.

It didn't even encompass the entire 'Blood Lotus Mountain.'

But at the very least, if anything significant happened within tens of thousands of miles around 'Peach Blossom Market,' Meng Nan would likely know about it.

Immortal Calendar Year 128.

Fifth Life, Eighth Year.

Within this Blood Lotus Mountain, there was a sensational event--

...

"Eight thousand miles to the north lies 'Fire Cloud Mountain.' The rogue cultivator residing there calls himself 'Fire Cloud Daoist.' He cultivated to Qi Condensation before the age of sixty."

"Once you become an Immortal Master, you escape the sea of suffering and are forever changed!"

In Peach Blossom Market, 'Lingzhi the Wanderer' was drinking with Meng Nan and spoke of this matter with a sigh.

He was not much younger than Meng Nan and was already over a hundred years old.

Possessing no particular skill, he could only wander outside year-round, either gathering herbs, searching for minerals, or hunting Yao Beasts, in hopes of earning Spirit Sand.

It was better than nothing.

Meng Nan had purchased medicinal ingredients from him a few times, and they had become familiar through these interactions. They would gather occasionally during their free time and chat idly.

Lingzhi the Wanderer brought up Fire Cloud Daoist from Fire Cloud Mountain at this moment.

His words were filled with envy.

To have advanced to Immortal Master before the age of sixty, this person's immortal path was boundless.

"Fire Cloud Daoist."

Meng Nan was equally envious. He poured Lingzhi the Wanderer another cup of wine and asked curiously, "How did this person break through?"

Of the Three Qi Condensation Methods, which path did he take?

If it was the Middle Method, relying on a Great Elixir, Meng Nan could inquire in detail and make a note of it.

However--

"Based on the Upper, Middle, and Lower Methods you mentioned, Brother Meng, this individual must have taken the 'Upper Method'."

"A breakthrough through arduous cultivation!"

"He didn't rely on the assistance of a Qi Refining Immortal Master, nor have I heard of him seeking out a Great Elixir. He just abruptly opened his Three Cavities on his own and broke through."

Lingzhi the Wanderer clicked his tongue in admiration.

The 'Three Qi Condensation Methods' he mentioned were told to him by Meng Nan.

As for whether Lingzhi the Wanderer knew of them beforehand, it was impossible to say.

In fact, in the cultivation world, 'Great Elixirs' were the most effective way for rogue cultivators to advance in Qi Refining, and not everyone knew about them.

Meng Nan, for example.

He hadn't known in his previous four lives.

Information was very thoroughly suppressed, and everyone was tacitly in agreement, with no one willing to reveal it casually.

Great Elixirs were rare enough as it was.

Rogue cultivators were as numerous as ox hairs.

There was far more demand than supply.

The fewer people who knew about the path of Great Elixirs, the fewer competitors there would be.

But Meng Nan didn't care.

He even wished more people knew, so they could search for Great Elixirs, which he could then learn about.

Therefore, in Peach Blossom Market, when he interacted with people, he would readily share the 'Three Qi Condensation Methods', pouring his heart out, easily gaining many friends.

Some were genuinely ignorant and were shocked and overjoyed.

Some feigned ignorance, but seeing that Meng Nan was willing to share such a secret, they couldn't help but be moved, thinking Meng Nan was selfless and without reservation.

By using this secret as a way in.

Meng Nan's path quickly opened up. In just eight years, he made many acquaintances.

He didn't expect them to lay down their lives for him, but at the very least, like Lingzhi the Wanderer, they would think of him when they had news and chat with him, which was worth it.

Like this time.

Meng Nan learned of Fire Cloud Daoist's advancement to Qi Refining from Fire Cloud Mountain through various channels, pieced together the full picture, and learned much about Fire Cloud Daoist's background.

"A breakthrough via the Upper Method."

"Boundless future."

"He probably won't linger in Blood Lotus Mountain for long."

Either he would head north, seeking a Xian Sect.

Or he would head east, where all rivers flow into the sea.

The small Blood Lotus Mountain couldn't hold him.

As Meng Nan had guessed, it turned out to be true.

Within two years.

Fire Cloud Mountain was already deserted. Fire Cloud Daoist, having achieved Immortal Master status, had departed gracefully.

Meng Nan remained in Blood Lotus Mountain, in Peach Blossom Market, as the years passed.

In the fourth year of his fifth life, Meng Nan broke through to True Essence.

In the following six years, he managed to achieve Sense Imprint once, reaching the first level of Sense Imprint.

True Essence and Sense Imprint were divided into five levels, with each level corresponding to one of the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. The order could be rearranged, and one could choose one sense to imprint at each level.

For ordinary True Essence cultivators.

Like Qian Yu.

Like Zhao Xiaoshuang.

They would initially choose 'sight' and 'hearing' for their first two imprints.

Once completed, vision and hearing surpass that of ordinary people, known as 'Super Sense,' allowing one to see and hear things normal people cannot.

This is helpful for fighting, battling, and traveling through mountains and wilderness.

Meng Nan was like this originally.

But since he had come to the future timeline, Meng Nan chose the 'nose' as his primary sense for his current cultivation, strengthening his sense of smell.

This would help him in his Alchemy studies.

As for combat.

As for travel.

He had no immediate need for them.

Having reached the peak of Inner Qi in reality, Meng Nan's current goal was to frequently enter the future timeline multiple times, push his True Essence to its limits, until he could skillfully advance to Qi Condensation, and even dominate within the Qi Refining Stage.

During this process, he would also improve his Alchemy and Artifact Refining skills.

Differentiating priorities.

Therefore, the sense of smell came first.

In the True Essence Stage, Sense Imprint realm, each additional Sense Imprint grants an extra six years of lifespan.

The fifth life.

Meng Nan only had one Sense Imprint, less than a tenth of a year.

Early Immortal Calendar year 130.

Forty thousand li west of Peach Blossom Market.

There lies a 'Star Mountain,' and within it resides a master, known as 'Master Cao.'

On this day.

Meng Nan ascended Star Mountain, gazing afar, taking in the magnificent scenery.

Then, standing on the summit, he took a deep breath and shouted, "Master Cao! Master Cao!"

His voice boomed, echoing through the mountains.

After a long while, there was no response.

Meng Nan sighed helplessly and continued—

"Cao Baoju!"

"Little Baoju!"

"My son!"

His voice rolled like thunder, clear enough to be heard by the dozen or so surrounding peaks of varying heights.

"Good heavens!"

"Does this person not want to live?"

"Could he be here to provoke the Master because his lifespan is nearing its end?"

"Such audacity! Such ignorance! What kind of person is the Master? What methods does he possess? Even on the brink of death, he can flay your skin, strip your sinews, and light your soul, making you wish you were dead and yet unable to die!"

"This fellow—"

There were few rogue cultivators around, scattered here and there in groups of three or five. They all began to move, intending to climb higher for a better view, to witness how this person would meet his end.

Meng Nan was also anticipating it.

He cursed loudly, yet felt no shame.

Though he cursed.

He was indeed in the wrong.

But he was willing to atone with his life afterward.

If anyone could do what he was doing, Meng Nan would willingly accept their scolding.

However.

Even after his foul-mouthed insults towards the Master, there was still no reaction from Master Cao in the mountain after some time.

The wind on the mountain was strong.

The chilling breeze pierced to the bone.

Meng Nan pondered for a moment, then changed his approach, preparing to find new ways to continue his curses.

However, this time, before he could even open his mouth.

A point of starlight shot up from below the mountaintop. Meng Nan instantly felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, his entire body turning cold.

He was unable to move!

The next moment.

A star-like glint flashed past, piercing his brow.

Meng Nan died instantly. As he died, he saw the star-like glint resemble a flying sword. The sword's light swept up his corpse and flew away, disappearing without a trace.

The immortal master was not seen, but his life was lost.

The fifth life ended here.

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