Xuantian Immortal Cultivation Record

Outside the mountain gate of the Jishishan Hou Tu Sect, beneath a pavilion, stood more than a dozen Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, quietly gazing at the sky in the northeast direction.

Under the azure sky, white clouds drifted, and a black dot slowly grew larger.

"They're here. Let's go up and greet them. It's been thirty years, hasn't it, since the Upper Sect formally sent an envoy to visit? Everyone, put on your best face and make sure the etiquette is impeccable."

Liu Zhenxiong, the Sect Leader of the Hou Tu Sect, surveyed the crowd, his gaze sharp, his words carrying a hint of warning.

Several cultivators, who had initially appeared listless, quickly puffed out their chests and adopted solemn expressions.

The Hou Tu Sect was the most powerful among the many sects affiliated with the Xuan Tian Sect, and also the one with the closest ties. The long-term Foundation Establishment cultivators generally knew a great deal about the upper echelons of the Xuan Tian Sect, and most knew Zhang Yuanjing's name. Therefore, they were somewhat skeptical of the Sect Leader's serious demeanor in personally welcoming him.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, welcome! This Liu is overjoyed by your arrival!" Across ten miles, Liu Zhenxiong's resonant voice, accompanied by profound magical power, traveled far, just the right volume, as if he were speaking nearby.

"Oh, is that Hou Tu Sect Leader Liu Zhenxiong?" Zhang Yuanjing wasn't sure, and said softly to the people in the Wind-Riding Chariot, as if asking a question.

The others looked at each other, but no one answered, because they couldn't see the person's face at all.

Zhang Yuanjing didn't have Liu Zhenxiong's strength, so he naturally couldn't converse across the air.

So, he drove the Wind-Riding Chariot towards the approaching figure. He hadn't met Liu Zhenxiong, but Wu Yuankui had shown him a portrait, so he wouldn't mistake him once he saw him in person.

As the two sides drew closer, Zhang Yuanjing saw the face of the person in the lead. This man looked to be in his forties, wearing a plain crown, with a face like a heavy date, eyes like a deep pool, wearing a dark blue robe, sleeves fluttering, with an extraordinary demeanor. It was indeed Hou Tu Sect Leader Liu Zhenxiong.

He quickly flew out of the Wind-Riding Chariot, and greeted Liu Zhenxiong with cupped fists from afar: "Greetings, Sect Leader Liu! It's truly embarrassing to trouble you to come out!"

"Hahahaha, greetings, greetings, Fellow Daoist Zhang! I heard that you rarely leave the mountain, and even less often visit other sects. This time, you've graced my Hou Tu Sect with your presence, Liu is truly honored."

Liu Zhenxiong laughed heartily, his words of courtesy flowing naturally and smoothly, giving Zhang Yuanjing a feeling like a spring breeze.

Zhang Yuanjing then greeted the other Hou Tu Sect cultivators, and then had the accompanying Qi Refining disciples come forward to pay their respects to Liu Zhenxiong.

The group went straight into the mountain gate and headed towards the main peak.

Jishi Mountain, as its name suggests, had many strange rocks and bizarre stones. Trees and grasses mostly grew among the stone forests and in the crevices of the cliffs, scattered here and there, creating a unique scenery.

Seeing that Zhang Yuanjing was quite interested, Liu Zhenxiong slowed down and introduced him to the names of various places, and the origins of their names, such as Ascension Rock, Welcoming Pine, Jadeite Ridge, Rolling Stone Mountain, and so on, which broadened Zhang Yuanjing's horizons.

Walking and looking, an hour later, they finally arrived at the Hou Tu Hall, located on Sunset Cliff, the main peak of Jishi Mountain.

The Hou Tu Sect's stewards, who had been waiting for a long time, opened the middle door to welcome Zhang Yuanjing and Liu Zhenxiong into the hall, and held a grand welcoming ceremony.

After the ceremony, the two sides agreed to hold an exchange competition for Qi Refining disciples in ten days. Then, a steward took the Xuan Tian Sect's Qi Refining disciples to the guest rooms to rest, while Zhang Yuanjing and Liu Zhenxiong went to a side hall for a private conversation.

"Sect Leader Wu sent a message three months ago, asking me to allow him to pass on the Hou Tu Qi Cultivation Art to you, Fellow Daoist Zhang, and to give you guidance in person. This made me quite flattered, never expecting that the Lower Sect's technique could also be favored by Sect Leader Wu."

Liu Zhenxiong personally served fragrant tea, and said with a smile.

Zhang Yuanjing quickly stood up, stretched out his hands to take the teacup, gently placed it on the low table in front of him, and sat down after Liu Zhenxiong was seated, saying:

"My aptitude is dull. I just broke through to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. Senior Brother Yuankui believes that my original technique is insufficient, so he suggested that I change to your sect's Hou Tu Qi Cultivation Art. To be honest, I'm here mainly for this matter, and I ask Sect Leader Liu to allow it!"

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, you're too polite! I wouldn't dare to say whether I allow it or not." Liu Zhenxiong waved his hand gently, indicating that Zhang Yuanjing didn't need to be so formal. "Back then, when I met with Sect Leader Wu, I mentioned this technique unintentionally, and he was quite interested, so I gave him a copy. Naturally, I don't mind your sect's fellow Daoists practicing this technique. However, regarding this technique, I would like to say a few more words."

He paused, probably considering his words, before continuing: "This technique is an incomplete version, without techniques above the Core Formation stage. Few of my Hou Tu Sect disciples practice it. The first to fourth layers of this technique can be cultivated by Qi Refining disciples, but it's almost useless. Only from the fifth layer onwards does the effect gradually become stronger.

"The fifth layer of the Hou Tu Qi Cultivation Art can stimulate the growth of sixty-four years of spiritual-grade medicinal herbs in a year, and it can already play a good role for low-level herbs. But the fifth layer requires Foundation Establishment cultivation.

"Most disciples who can advance to Foundation Establishment still want to pursue the Great Dao and are unwilling to stop at the Foundation Establishment stage.

"In addition, the effectiveness of the Hou Tu Qi Cultivation Art also has many limitations, such as no effect or minimal effect on some spiritual herbs that grow in extremely cold, extremely Yin, or dark and other special environments. Even some spiritual medicines that grow in special soils usually have a greatly reduced effect.

"Therefore, Fellow Daoist Zhang still needs to consider carefully whether to practice this technique. Otherwise, if it delays your Great Dao in the future, I will be greatly guilty!"

Zhang Yuanjing had received Wu Yuankui's guidance, so how could he listen to these words? He smiled and said, "Sect Leader Liu, you don't need to worry. I have already considered it clearly and am determined to practice this technique."

Saying that, he stood up, took out a white jade bottle, took two steps forward, placed it on the tea table in front of Liu Zhenxiong, and said:

"Sect Leader Liu, this is what Senior Brother Yuankui asked me to bring to you, a Yuan Emperor Pill, a unique spiritual pill from a great sect in the Central Earth, which is said to be of great benefit to cultivators who practice earth-attribute techniques and can help cultivators break through great realms."

Liu Zhenxiong's expression froze, his gaze swept over the jade bottle, and he quickly stood up and said, "This kind of generous gift, Liu will be grateful and remember it for life. Since Fellow Daoist Zhang is determined, my Hou Tu Sect will naturally do its best to help."

He hesitated slightly, lowered his head and looked at the jade bottle again, gently brushed his storage bracelet, took out a jade slip, and said:

"Back then, when my Hou Tu Sect's founder obtained the Hou Tu Qi Cultivation Art, there was also a 'Hou Tu Cultivation Notes', which recorded many tips, techniques, and taboos about practicing this technique, as well as some anecdotes.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang might as well refer to it, it should be of some gain. Of course, some of the cultivation methods in this notes are from ancient times and are not suitable for today's cultivation environment, so please don't try them casually."

In the following days, Zhang Yuanjing, in addition to attending various banquets held by the Hou Tu Sect, closed himself in his room to read the "Hou Tu Cultivation Notes", while pondering the first layer of the Hou Tu Qi Cultivation Art.

Zhang Yuanjing had cultivated the earth-attribute technique Yellow Dragon Qi Condensation Art for nearly two hundred years. Although his talent was not high, he understood the principles and characteristics of earth-attribute techniques thoroughly.

Therefore, even though the Hou Tu Qi Cultivation Art was of a much higher grade than the Yellow Dragon Qi Condensation Art, he understood the first five layers of this technique with almost no obstacles.

However, the greatest difficulty for Zhang Yuanjing in practicing this technique was not in his talent and understanding, but in his spiritual roots.

The prerequisite for practicing the Hou Tu Qi Cultivation Art was to have earth and water spiritual roots, emphasizing the cultivation of spiritual herbs with water-containing soil. Zhang Yuanjing had earth, water, and fire three spiritual roots, one more fire than pure earth and water spiritual roots. If it were metal or wood, the problem wouldn't be too big, but it was fire, which caused many discomforts in the operation of the technique.

In addition, the more difficult part was that his spiritual root attributes were weak in earth and strong in water and fire, and water and fire were average. Weak earth meant that the speed and quality of comprehending and absorbing earth spiritual power were slow and low; average water and fire meant that the absorbed water spiritual power and fire spiritual power offset each other, and it was impossible to refine water-containing earth spiritual power.

Zhang Yuanjing had no solution, so he had to study the "Hou Tu Cultivation Notes" all day long, hoping to find a solution. If there was no similar record in the notes, he would have to ask Liu Zhenxiong for help again.

Two days before the two sects' disciples' competition.

Located on a peak in the Jishi Mountains, above the clouds, a deep gray building stretched along the mountain from bottom to top. Near the top of the peak, there was a majestic palace made of giant stones. On the long, rectangular white jade stone in the center, three golden characters were carved in a flamboyant style: "Zai Wu Hall".

In the hall, an old Daoist with white hair and a rosy complexion sat cross-legged in front of a high wall covered with red characters, meditating with his eyes closed. Liu Zhenxiong stood respectfully behind the old Daoist, with a respectful expression.

After a long time, the old Daoist opened his mouth and asked, "Having observed him for a few days, what do you think of this Zhang Yuanjing?"

"Slow to see things, ordinary immortal talent." Liu Zhenxiong thought for a moment and answered concisely.

"Oh, not good?" The old Daoist's expression did not change, but there was a little more interest in his tone.

Liu Zhenxiong said in a deep voice: "Not good. Slow to see things means that our arrangements must be clear before he will discover them. However, Wu Yuankui is not a fool. He only needs to ask a few more questions to know that there must be something strange.

"And ordinary immortal talent means that there is no potential for cultivation and he is not valued by the sect. In this way, even if he is Wu Yuankui's fellow villager, it will be difficult for him to have a say in sect affairs. Correspondingly, he will not care about sect affairs and will not care about the clues we deliberately reveal.

"These days, this Zhang Yuanjing doesn't ask about anything except the Hou Tu Qi Cultivation Art, and he doesn't even care about the two sects' competition. Obviously, starting with him is not a wise move."

The old Daoist seemed to have finished meditating, and finally opened his eyes. At the moment he opened his eyes, a pure and extremely divine light was reflected on the red characters on the wall, and the red characters seemed to come alive, jumping like flames.

"Then don't deliberately arrange it, just let it be."

Liu Zhenxiong lowered his head even further, but there was still a bit of stubbornness in his words: "It's just that the Demon Sect is closely watching the Shumi Mountain seal. Obviously, they are prepared. If we let it be again, I'm afraid it will be difficult for the Xuan Tian Sect to participate at a critical moment. Without their containment, the Demon cultivators will inevitably take the lead, and most of our calculations will fail. Old Ancestor, should we use the dark chess pieces we have placed in the Xuan Tian Sect?"

"No need! The existence of the Shumi Mountain Void Demon Space determines that the Xuan Tian Sect cannot stay out of it, let alone allow those Demon cultivators to destroy the seal. Their conflict is unavoidable."

The old Daoist raised his head and looked at the red characters at the top of the wall, and said unhurriedly, "The Xuan Tian Sect has a deep foundation. Even if they go into battle hastily, they may not lose to those Demon cultivators by much. Before the game enters the mid-game, the most important thing is that we must not expose our identity as chess players. Otherwise, we can only snatch chestnuts from the fire, but we cannot reap the benefits of the fisherman.

"There is no need to calculate everything so accurately. Many things are always unexpected. As long as you grasp the general trend, things will inevitably succeed. This Zhang Yuanjing, you should still befriend him. As long as it does not involve the core interests of the sect, give him whatever he wants, and release the signal of weakness more strongly. Don't be affected by the emotions of some people in the sect.

"Zhenxiong, you must remember that the sect is just a facade, the family is our foundation."

"This little one understands, please rest assured, Old Ancestor." Liu Zhenxiong's lips moved a few times, wanting to say something, but in the end he did not say it, but respectfully lowered his head and agreed.

The old Daoist ignored him and turned towards the back hall with his hands behind his back, muttering, "Tianmo Abyss, Tianmo Abyss, why are they always staring at Shumi Mountain? How much do they know? How did they know? Alas, it's a headache..."

Liu Zhenxiong knew the Old Ancestor's habit. Once he encountered a problem, he would mutter to himself. He did not say anything, silently saluted, and quietly withdrew from the hall.

Two days later, the two sects' competition was held as scheduled. The eight people who fought for the Hou Tu Sect were the strongest eight Qi Refining disciples, to show respect to the Upper Sect.

The eight people who fought for the Xuan Tian Sect were the top fifty in the sect's competition, and their strength was only stronger than the Hou Tu Sect's disciples.

However, for Zhang Yuanjing, the Qi Refining stage competition was boring. Qi Refining stage cultivators only knew basic spirit control techniques such as fire control and water control in terms of techniques, which were very weak and usually relied on pseudo-spiritual talismans or magic weapons to fight.

Zhang Yuanjing and Liu Zhenxiong sat upright on the viewing platform, looking as if they were seriously watching the competition, and occasionally exchanged views on a certain competition, but in fact they were absent-minded.

Zhang Yuanjing only seriously watched a few matches when Zhou Yuming was fighting. Zhou Yuming had a solid foundation, was good at adapting, and had a strong combat power. He easily won the competition, which made Zhang Yuanjing look at him with admiration.

In the end, the result of the eight matches was that the Xuan Tian Sect won six and drew two, achieving an undefeated record. However, the two draws were actually losses for the Xuan Tian Sect's disciples.