Chapter 51: The Secret of "Immortal Aura"

July. The sun blazed fiercely, scorching the earth with its relentless heat.

Since the demonic cultivators had entered the Immortal Ruins, those who lived by plundering—bandit cultivators and evil cultivators—had suffered greatly. The demons, upon their arrival, did not seize cities endowed with spiritual veins, but instead rooted their own spiritual veins in the wilds, transforming wastelands into a city of spiritual veins. Those bandit and evil cultivators who once claimed dominion over mountains were left with no choice but to slink away in defeat. Though they had once acted with impunity, before the formidable power of the demonic cultivators, they could muster not a shred of resistance, and were thoroughly worn down.

In just a few months, this land once inhabited by immortals was seeing more and more demonic cultivators.

As for the changes in the outside world, Li Guanjian knew little. He spent those months studying the “immortal energy” within the Velvetflower Spirit Tree, occasionally visiting the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion to sell pills and talismans, and seeking advice from Manager Liu on cultivation lore.

After all, Manager Liu, a master at the Foundation Establishment stage, had many insights into the strange tales and mysteries of the cultivation world. Naturally, Li Guanjian was not foolish enough to ask directly; instead, he probed for information in a roundabout way, piecing together the answers while observing the changes in immortal energy.

Li Guanjian discovered that immortal energy was complex in composition—it contained energy similar to spiritual energy, vitality, and three other types of energy. Once these energies left the dark space and entered his body, they automatically transformed into spiritual energy suitable for his cultivation, as well as vitality that could prolong life.

Li Guanjian tried to figure out what those three other energies were. When he subtly asked Manager Liu, even he could not say for certain—perhaps only the so-called “Human Immortals” knew.

Human Immortals… That was a matter for after returning to true essence.

Within the cultivation chamber, Li Guanjian’s spiritual awareness sank into the dark space. He watched as immortal energy transformed into pale white spiritual energy, then into a milky white energy, a yellow energy, and a green energy.

“This milky white energy must be what is needed after returning to true essence,” Li Guanjian mused.

Qin Jiyue herself had never seen true immortal energy; so when she sensed the unusual energy from the Velvetflower, she called it immortal energy. Li Guanjian tried to absorb the three unknown energies, but each attempt ended in failure. His constitution simply could not assimilate such energy. If he forced absorption and refinement, his body would crack and risk exploding at any moment.

Li Guanjian concluded that these three energies were perhaps the “spiritual energies” he would need in future cultivation. Without reaching that realm, his body could not endure them. In other words, the components of immortal energy were intricate; they could be converted into energies suitable for his current stage, but when faced with a breakthrough bottleneck, he would still need certain pills and resources to advance.

The thought brought a bitter taste to his heart. He had always believed that dual cultivation alone would lead to immortality and enlightenment. But the path of cultivation was never so simple… Each bottleneck must be experienced firsthand, wisdom gained, and methods found to break through. Only then could one truly attain immortality and the Dao of longevity.

“If only there were a system. Then I wouldn’t need to seek methods and resources—just dual cultivation would bring immortality, saving so much trouble and hardship.”

Li Guanjian sighed inwardly, unable to resist voicing his complaint.

Of course, the Pleasure Spirit Tree was not without merit; it still helped him improve his skills in pill-making, talisman-crafting, puppet arts, and spiritual roots.

“Let’s keep improving these three arts, especially alchemy. That’s the key to whether I can reach Foundation Establishment.”

Li Guanjian cast aside his many thoughts. Matters after returning to true essence could wait. For now, learning to refine Foundation Establishment Pills was paramount.

After all, he was at the seventh layer of Qi Refining and needed to prepare for Foundation Establishment.

...

That day, Wen Rongxin finally broke through to the fifth layer of Body Refining. The power of her punch nearly rivaled the seventh layer of Qi Refining.

But it was only the first punch. The second punch was much weaker, and by the third, her strength returned to normal. For Wen Rongxin, who possessed five inferior spiritual roots, this was already remarkable.

A decade ago, she was merely a mortal martial artist; now, at twenty-eight, she had reached the fifth layer of Body Refining.

“Not bad, not bad. Tonight, you should be able to endure for four hours,” Li Guanjian said with a sly smile, pulling Wen Rongxin into his embrace.

“H-husband…”

Wen Rongxin was both happy and annoyed—she could not outargue him, so she poked his waist with her finger.

Just then, Qin Jiyue, disguised as “Qin Wujie,” returned from outside, wounded and with blood at the corner of her mouth.

Even the Explosive Boy she brought along had suffered some damage.

Li Guanjian and Wen Rongxin hurried over to support Qin Jiyue.

“What happened?” Li Guanjian asked.

“Sister, where are you hurt? Husband, go buy some healing pills,” Wen Rongxin said, both concerned and instructive.

“It’s all right, Sister. Just minor wounds, nothing serious. A month of rest will suffice,” Qin Jiyue replied, her face pale and smile weak.

Li Guanjian picked her up and carried her to the side room, gently laying her on the bed and transferring spiritual energy to her.

A month earlier, the demons had established a second-tier spiritual vein city two thousand miles northwest of Shanggu City, named Silver Maple City.

As a demonic cultivator, Qin Jiyue needed a Foundation Establishment technique, so she left information and traces there, hoping her brother, Qin Wujie, would contact her. She also planned to buy main ingredients and supplementary herbs for Foundation Establishment Pills. The prices there were half what they were in Shanggu City.

Once Qin Jiyue recovered somewhat, she explained: “On the way, I encountered a battle between cultivators—demonic and evil cultivators. I was dragged into the fray and had to feign defeat and escape before I could return.”

“Why don’t we just buy the ingredients and herbs in Shanggu City? The bandit cultivators are rampant outside, and demonic and evil cultivators often clash. Only the city is truly safe,” Wen Rongxin said anxiously.

Qin Jiyue explained, “Sister, there are several supplementary herbs for Foundation Establishment Pills that aren’t available in Shanggu City, only found in North Julu Continent. So I must buy them in the demon-established spiritual city.”

Wen Rongxin sighed softly, knowing that Qin Jiyue was worried her husband might not reach Foundation Establishment before sixty, so she had been searching for treasures to help Li Guanjian break through bottlenecks—including ingredients for Foundation Establishment Pills.

After all, Qin Jiyue was at the eighth layer of Qi Refining, but her combat strength rivaled peak ninth-layer cultivators. With Explosive Boy and a second-tier flying boat, she was relatively safe on the road.

But who would have thought she’d be caught in a battle between demonic and evil cultivators?

“By the way, Husband, I saw the Headmaster of Joy Mountain in Silver Maple City,” Qin Jiyue said. “He seems to be regrouping there, planning to retake Qing’an City.”

Li Guanjian was momentarily stunned—the Headmaster of Joy Mountain had ended up in the demon spiritual city?

...

PS: This chapter explains the energy of the Velvetflower Spirit Tree. My previous omission was my mistake—apologies! Please vote for recommendations!