Life-Substitution Bead

"A hefty reward is offered for the services of two Nascent Soul Early Stage cultivators? What did they do?"

Lin Qing asked curiously.

"I don't know. All I know is that they escaped from the hands of Barbarian Race cultivators at the Nascent Soul Late Stage and even killed several other Barbarian Race cultivators at the Nascent Soul Realm stage. The Golden Crow Tribe offered a Spirit Treasure as a reward. I didn't expect the Barbarian Race to be so useless. Two Nascent Soul Early Stage cultivators entered the heart of the Barbarian Race territory as if it were empty."

As Lu Qingshan finished speaking, a look of disdain appeared on his face.

"What? Nascent Soul Early Stage escaped from Nascent Soul Late Stage and even killed several Nascent Soul Realm Barbarian Race cultivators?"

Xu Mei exclaimed in surprise.

"Chu Buyu possesses a treasure, infused with the Essence Soul of a fourth-tier Red Fire Flood Dragon. It can transform into human form to attack with immense power. That male cultivator's physical body is strong, no less than that of Barbarian Race cultivator of the same tier."

Lu Qingshan said.

"His physical body is stronger than that of Barbarian Race cultivator of the same level? That's quite rare."

Xu Mei was somewhat surprised.

"It's nothing. Barbarian Race cultivators are naturally strong in body. We Human Race cultivators can temper our bodies with the help of external objects, such as pills, treasures, heavenly materials and earthly treasures, Formation, Spirit Wine, Cultivation Method, Spirit Meal, and so on."

Lin Qing disagreed.

Lu Qingshan nodded and said, "Yes! When it comes to the Hundred Arts of Cultivation, our Human Race cultivators are far superior to the Barbarian Race cultivators. I'm not concerned about how powerful these two are, but rather that the Barbarian Race have declined to such an extent that two Nascent Soul Early Stage cultivators can penetrate deep into Barbarian Race territory as if it were their own backyard."

"This shows that the Barbarian Race are becoming increasingly weak. Who would have thought that a million years ago, the Barbarian Race almost wiped out the Human Race in the East Hua Cultivation World? The wheel of fortune turns."

Lin Qing sneered.

"You haven't been in the Nascent Soul Realm for long, go back and cultivate first!"

Lu Qingshan said.

Lin Qing and Xu Mei responded and got up to leave.

······

Golden Crow Grassland, Golden Crow City.

In a magnificent palace, Wu Yan sat on the main seat, his face ashen.

Bi Xin stood to the side, her eyebrows furrowed.

"Useless! These guys are all useless, especially Bai Sheng, the High Priest of the Ice Bear Tribe. He's Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivator with a powerful physical body, yet he couldn't even capture the enemy. He's a disgrace to our Barbarian Race."

Wu Yan cursed angrily.

The Barbarian Race Nascent Soul Cultivator mobilized, forming a team to intercept and kill two Nascent Soul Early Stage cultivators, but the two escaped.

"Chu Buyu possessed a treasure infused with the Essence Soul of a fourth-tier Red Fire Flood Dragon, which allowed it to transform and attack, which is why they were able to escape."

Bi Xin explained.

"I don't want reasons, I want results. Even if these two are successors of major Human Race sects, they are only at the early Nascent Soul Realm. They broke into our Barbarian Race territory and escaped unscathed. What do you expect the Human Race to think? They will take us even less seriously."

Wu Yan's tone was heavy.

The matter is settled, and there's no point in saying anything now. As a result, the Barbarian Race need a Heaven-Piercing Spirit Treasure even more, otherwise, if the Human Race launches another war, it will once again end with the Barbarian Race backing down.

"Are we still keeping the bounty?"

Bi Xin asked.

"Of course we should keep them; it's a matter of principle. By the way, have we found out their purpose?"

Wu Yan asked.

"The Golden Ape Tribe discovered a damaged Formation in a mountain cave. The cave's owner is likely Master Yellow Sand. Years ago, he invaded our Barbarian Race territory and killed several Nascent Soul Realm stage members. We organized a manpower to capture him, but the matter was dropped. It is estimated that he was severely injured and hid on the outskirts of the Golden Ape Mountain Range to heal, but his injuries were too severe, and he died."

Bi Xin spoke slowly.

"Master Yellow Sand, I remember this person comes from the Western Desert Cultivation World! Why did he venture deep into our territory to ambush and kill our people? Did those people possess anything particularly valuable?"

Wu Yan pressed for an answer.

"According to our investigation, Master Yellow Sand most likely intended to seize the Seven-Star Glazed Fruit that Fellow Daoist Tu and his companions were escorting. Fellow Daoist Tu changed his route, and Master Yellow Sand killed the wrong person."

Bi Xin said.

The Seven-Star Glazed Fruit can assist Nascent Soul Cultivator in breaking through to the Spirit Transmutation Realm, making it extremely precious.

Wu Yan suddenly realized and nodded, saying, "I see. This matter cannot be left like this. Give the order to strengthen security. I do not want any more Nascent Soul Early Stage Human Race cultivators coming and going freely in our territory."

"Yes, Fellow Daoist Wu."

Bi Xin agreed and left.

······

Three years passed quickly.

Qin Kingdom, Spirit Control Sect.

Golden Roc Peak, Shen Long, and Chu Buyu sat in a Cyan Stone Pavilion, sipping tea and chatting.

Chu Buyu took the pills refined by Shen Long and rested for a period of time; he was fine afterward.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, I've troubled you for a long time. I must take my leave now. I won't thank you enough. If you need my help when you visit the North Sea Cultivation World another day, please don't hesitate to ask."

Chu Buyu promised.

Shen Long smiled calmly and said, "It's nothing. I have a small matter I'd like to ask Fairy Chu for help with."

"Fellow Daoist Shen, you want me not to publicize this matter, and to change my appearance when I leave, right?"

Chu Buyu said.

Shen Long nodded and said, "That's right, I don't want to be targeted by the Barbarian Race high command."

He entered the Barbarian Race territory using a false appearance. If he transformed into Flood Dragon, Shen Long would destroy the enemy. If he Body Integration with the Golden-Winged Wind Peng, he would only focus on escaping. In this way, the Barbarian Race had no idea of Shen Long's true identity, only that he possessed a heavy Spirit Treasure and a fourth-tier Spirit Bird.

The Sun and Moon Palace is located in the North Sea Cultivation World, Chu Buyu Sun and Moon Palace its successor. He is not afraid of the Barbarian Race retaliation at all. The Spirit Control Sect is located in the East Hua Cultivation World, so we must be wary of it.

"Understood, don't worry! I'll keep this a secret. Just be careful. If you can't stay in the East Hua Cultivation World, you can go to the North Sea Cultivation World."

Chu Buyu suggested.

"Thank you for your kindness, Fairy Chu. I would like to ask another question: are you really traveling to the East Hua Cultivation World?"

Shen Long asked, puzzled.

Chu Buyu was traveling in the East Hua Cultivation World, how did he end up deep in the heart of the Barbarian Race territory, and by such coincidence discover an Ancient Cultivator Cave Abode?

"The Heavenly Mystery Rogue divined my fortuitous opportunity, and the divination indicates that I have a great fortuitous opportunity in the East Hua Cultivation World, which I estimate is Spirit Treasure."

Chu Buyu said.

"What does it mean that the divination doesn't indicate a great fortuitous opportunity? Or does it specifically refer to Spirit Treasure?"

Shen Long asked, puzzled.

Of Hundred Arts of Cultivation, divination is the most mysterious and also the most difficult.

"Nothing is displayed. A great fortuitous opportunity doesn't specifically refer to Spirit Treasure; it could be elixirs, Spirit Beast, Secret Talisman, precious items, or even Spirit Wine."

Chu Buyu said, then, as if remembering something, added, "It could also be a person."

"People are also a great fortuitous opportunity? You don't mean me, do you?!"

Shen Long joked with a smile.

Chu Buyu smiled slightly and said, "Perhaps! I'm leaving."

"I'll take you there! I'll visit the Sun and Moon Palace another day when I have time."

Shen Long said.

Chu Buyu changed her appearance, and Shen Long personally escorted her out of the Spirit Control Sect.

He had just returned to Golden Roc Peak when Lin Sen came to report, "Grandmaster Shen, Grandmaster Lin has contacted his disciples, saying that the item you requested has been refined and that Grandmaster Lin requests your presence at Ice Silkworm Valley."

Shen Long nodded and arrived at Ice Silkworm Valley, where he met Master Ice Silkworm.

"Here are the Life-Substitution Bead you requested. The materials are plentiful, so I crafted two for us; one for each of us."

Master Ice Silkworm took out a Red Round Bead the size of a pigeon egg and handed it to Shen Long.

The Red Round Bead shimmered with a spiritual light, crystal clear, as if they were crafted from fine jade.

"Thank you, Master."

Shen Long thanked him and accepted the Red Round Bead.

"You need to store the Life-Substitution Bead within your body and nurture it with your True Essence essence for a period of time before you can use it."

"Master Ice Silkworm said."

Shen Long nodded, about to say something, when he took out a Communication Disk that was flashing red light, entered a spell, and Su Changfeng's voice rang out. "Master, your disciple has advanced to the Foundation Establishment Realm."

"Alright, in three days, we will hold a formal apprenticeship ceremony to formally accept you as our disciple."

Shen Long's face lit up with joy.

He is currently Nascent Soul Cultivator, so his disciple must be at least Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

"Yes, Master."

Su Changfeng agreed.

"It seems today is a double celebration; I'm going to become a grandmaster!"

Master Ice Silkworm said with a chuckle.

"By the way, Master, has your Life Spirit Insect not yet advanced to the fourth rank?"

Shen Long asked.

"I obtained a fourth-tier Golden Jade Silkworm Demon Core. It fell into a deep sleep after consuming it and failed to advance to the fourth tier. One fourth-tier demon Demon Core is still too little; it may need to consume several more. I plan to make a trip to the Southern Border, where there are more fourth-tier demonic insects."

"Master Ice Silkworm said."

After chatting for fifteen minutes, Shen Long said goodbye and left.

Three days later, Shen Long held an apprenticeship ceremony at Golden Roc Peak. This was his first disciple, and he attached great importance to the event.

Master Ice Silkworm, Chen Xiao, Qian Dafu, Ning Qianqian, Xu Feng, Ye Yutang, and others were all present to witness the event.

Shen Long and Master Ice Silkworm sat in the main seats, with a portrait of Master Azure Silkworm hanging directly in front of them.

Su Changfeng first offered tea and kowtowed to Shen Long, then offered tea and kowtowed to Master Ice Silkworm, and then paid respects to Master Azure Silkworm, formally becoming Shen Long's disciple.

"Congratulations, Uncle-Master Shen, on the arrival of your beloved disciple. Junior Nephew Su is also an Alchemist. With Uncle-Master Shen's guidance, Junior Nephew Su's future is limitless."

Chen Xiao said with a smile.

"A good teacher produces outstanding students. With Uncle-Master Shen's guidance, Junior Nephew Su will surely be able to refine High-Grade Medicinal Pill as well."

Qian Dafu echoed.

Ning Qianqian and the others offered their congratulations. As Shen Long's eldest disciple, Su Changfeng naturally held a high position in the Spirit Control Sect.

"Alchemy is a skill, but cultivation is fundamental. Don't put the cart before the horse."

Shen Long instructed.

"Yes, disciple will remember Master's teachings."

Su Changfeng readily agreed, his expression solemn.

After chatting for a while, the cultivators left one after another. Master Ice Silkworm and Han Yuwei planned to go to the Southern Border Cultivation World, while Lin Yutong stayed at the Spirit Control Sect.

Shen Long, Lin Yutong, and Su Changfeng personally saw them off before returning to their residence.

Shen Long led Su Changfeng to the Alchemy Room, Alchemy Room there was a red cauldron.

"From today onwards, I will personally teach you alchemy, hoping that you will be able to refine High-Grade Medicinal Pill as soon as possible."

Shen Long spoke, his expression solemn.

"Yes, Master, I will definitely learn from you."

Su Changfeng said seriously.

"You refine a batch of Beast Spirit Pill first, and I'll watch from the side to see what your shortcomings are."

Shen Long gave the order.

Su Changfeng responded, sat cross-legged on a Red Prayer Mat, lit a Calm Heart Incense stick and placed it in the Incense Burner, and began to meditate and cultivate his mind.

Half an hour later, Su Changfeng opened his eyes, took out the alchemy materials, and began to refine pills.

He lacked Spirit Flame and relied on Innate True Fire to refine pills.

Su Changfeng opened his mouth and spat out a stream of Crimson Flame, which landed at the bottom of the Red Tripod Furnace. After a while, the Red Tripod Furnace was burned to a deep crimson. He opened the lid, threw the ingredients into the cauldron, and closed the lid.

Shen Long summoned a Shadow-Returning Crystal to record Su Changfeng's process of refining the Beast Spirit Pill. He watched quietly without saying a word.

After Su Changfeng finishes refining the pills, Shen Long will point out Su Changfeng's shortcomings. The Shadow-Returning Crystal can replay the pill refining process, making it easier for Su Changfeng to correct them.

A short while later, a faint medicinal fragrance wafted out of the cauldron.