The Terrifying Path of Immortal Cultivation

Li Qing listened to the old man's words with a solemn heart.

"This guy knows the art of survival very well."

"He is truly a role model for us. I must learn from him."

The old man continued, "Moreover, you are a very good actor, with deep city planning. You keep your emotions in check and are a capable person."

"Just now, I deliberately introduced you to the cooking methods of those dishes to see if you would get angry."

"To see if you would show it, if you would hold a grudge against me."

"But throughout the process, your expression remained unchanged, not even a hint of a heartbeat."

"This kind of self-control, in a 15-year-old, I have never seen before."

"Not bound by fate, a path of unlimited potential, with the demeanor of a hero. If you possess any of these traits, it would be difficult not to succeed."

"If I don't choose you, who else can I choose?"

Li Qing was increasingly shocked by the old man's words.

This guy seemed to have thoroughly examined him from head to toe.

"It seems that you, Dragon King, have already thoroughly understood my details."

"How can I not agree?"

A mysterious smile appeared on the Dragon King's face, "Good, your agreement is all I need."

"Long'er, give the Essence Pearl and the token to Uncle Li. From today, he is your uncle."

"Where you will be in 200 years will depend on how much help Uncle Li can provide you."

Ou Long'er was very obedient, picked up the two items, and unsteadily walked to Li Qing.

With a cute smile on her chubby face, she said, "Uncle Li, here you go."

Li Qing reached out and took the two items, tucking them into his arms.

He reached out and patted Ou Long'er's little head, "Good girl!"

Ou Long'er didn't seem the least bit unhappy, instead, she enjoyed the pat and then hopped back to her grandfather's embrace.

The Dragon King looked at Li Qing and said, "Our fate ends here."

"In the future, I will not intervene in anything that happens to you, because if I do, it will bring you even greater trouble."

"Remember my experience, only by hiding well can you live longer. To be old but not die is to be a thief."

Just as Li Qing was about to say something, the Dragon King waved his sleeve, and everything before his eyes twisted and disappeared.

Li Qing suddenly woke up and looked around. He found himself still on the boat, covered with a thin blanket, with Zhou Qingming beside him. It seemed like everything that had just happened was just an illusion and a dream.

But he could feel the two items in his arms, and with narrowed eyes, he took them out.

There was a gray Essence Pearl and a black token.

"It looks like it's real."

Muttering to himself, he infused Essence Qi into the Essence Pearl.

The pearl suddenly flashed and disappeared from his hand.

When it reappeared, it was now at his brow, and he could feel a dark space with an additional gray pearl.

This pearl emitted a wonderful aura that quickly covered his entire body.

To his surprise, his own aura had disappeared.

Even when Essence Qi circulated, there was no unusual light or fluctuation. He felt as ordinary as a mortal, without any hint of a cultivator's aura.

"What an amazing thing."

...

In the Dragon Palace under Pujiang.

Ou Long'er looked at her grandfather with a puzzled expression.

"Grandpa, didn't you make a blood pact with him? Can you really trust him? The Essence Pearl is very precious."

The Dragon King patted Long'er's head.

"Long'er, humans are different from us."

"Sometimes they value benevolence, righteousness, and morality, things that we beasts do not have."

"So to gain his trust and make him willing to help you in the future, we cannot bind him with a contract."

"I have observed this person all the way. Although he is unscrupulous, fundamentally, he has a bottom line."

"He is more trustworthy than most people in this world."

"Since he has agreed, as long as he has the ability in the future, he will not go back on his word."

"Such a person is hard to come by. If not for this, I wouldn't have approached him."

"I just wanted to see what kind of person he really is."

"Ever since the chaos of the heavenly secrets ten years ago, it seems that a great disaster is looming over the world."

"I can sense a future filled with bloodshed, and I don't know how many people will perish."

"This person, who is beyond fate, may be your only hope."

"That's why I never let you eat human flesh, to leave you with a glimmer of hope."

"Man is the spirit of heaven and earth, and eating human flesh has its karmic consequences."

"You have never eaten human flesh, so there is room for reconciliation between you and him, and a chance for him to save you."

"I achieved enlightenment in the wilderness, born from the slaughter of a loach."

"Countless karmic consequences of bloodshed are now affecting you."

"In 200 years, when my life ends or I achieve enlightenment, there will be enemies at our door."

"For these 200 years, you must cultivate diligently. Grandpa can only shield you from the storm for these 200 years."

Ou Long'er nodded slightly. As the only heir of the Monster Race in the Dragon Palace of Pujiang, she had received the strictest education from a young age. She understood that the future of the Dragon Palace in Pujiang was very worrying.

Countless Great Monsters in the river had already shown signs of rebellion, and many Dragon Palaces were also eyeing each other.

No one could guarantee that he would have a future.

"Grandpa, don't worry, I understand."

A determined look flashed in Long'er's eyes.

...

Time always passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was early the next morning.

Li Qing was already standing on the deck, enjoying the misty Pujiang River.

Footsteps sounded behind him, and Zhou Qingming emerged from the cabin, yawning.

"Brother Qingshan, are you up so early?"

Turning to look at him, Li Qing smiled and said, "I don't really like to sleep in."

"I see."

"Both of you, breakfast is ready. Please come and eat."

The two of them walked over, and the fisherman had already set up bowls, chopsticks, and dishes in the cabin.

In the middle was a steamed river fish, two bowls of white rice, and a plate of pickled vegetables.

The fisherman apologized, "Gentlemen, I only have simple food and tea here. Please bear with me."

"Tomorrow morning, we will arrive at Sanchuan City."

Li Qing waved his hand and said, "It's fine, this is more than enough."

The fisherman nodded quickly, "Alright, I'll start the boat. Please enjoy your meal."

The fisherman went to the stern, picked up his pole, and began to row the boat.

Li Qing and Zhou Qingming sat in the cabin and started to enjoy their simple breakfast.

The steamed river fish was delicious, and paired with pickled vegetables and white rice, Li Qing was quite satisfied.

After finishing, they were served a bowl of clear fish soup, which made him feel very comfortable.

His Essence Qi had already filled 1/10 of his body, bringing him one step closer to perfection.

Li Qing pondered silently, "My Essence Qi accumulation seems to be faster than others."