Cultivating To Immortality

Chapter 727: Leisure

He gripped his fists tightly, feeling an endless surge of strength throughout his body, his blood flowing like an unceasing river.

For some reason, a very absurd thought surfaced in Song Yan’s mind.

Next time he saw Li Yi, he would fight him bare-handed and test the true limits of his Physical Body’s strength.

However, this thought was quickly dismissed.

Unlike his own Physical Body, which was built up with Heaven And Earth Treasure, Li Yi’s martial physique was forged through real battles on the battlefield since childhood.

It was better not to seek trouble for himself.

At the same time, Song Yan also began to consider learning some fist and palm techniques to practice in his leisure time.

The reason was simple, as stated in the nameless mantra.

The Yao blood Body Refining method could only absorb the energy contained within the Yao Race’s essence blood into the body effectively.

In this process, due to the significant disparity in Physical Body strength between human Cultivators and Yao Race Cultivators, there was an immediate and noticeable improvement.

However, most of the Yao power would still remain in the Cultivator’s limbs and bones, and could only be rapidly absorbed as the Cultivator engaged in fierce battles, suffered injuries and healed, or practiced some Body Refining martial arts.

He wondered if Li Yi or Han Yuan might have such things; when he returned to the Sect, he could ask them.

At worst, he could spend some Spirit Stones or exchange for whatever they needed.

After tidying up the room, he settled his mind and focused.

Finally, he summoned the masterless spirit, in the form of a crow, from the Liangyi Realm.

The crow landed on his shoulder, tilting its head to look at him.

Song Yan sat cross-legged in the center of the quiet room, with the Unmoored Boat resting horizontally on his lap.

He closed his eyes and meticulously recalled the key techniques for refining a masterless spirit from the Spirit Transformation Chapter.

He dared not be careless with this.

Even in this Spirit Transformation Chapter, descriptions of masterless spirits were extremely scarce, only stating that they were rare encounters.

The vast majority of Sword Cultivators, even after Breaking Through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, still needed to rely on fate for the birth and nurturing of their Sword Spirit.

He slowly opened his eyes, no longer hesitating.

His left hand, forming a sword-finger, lifted, and a wisp of spiritual light slowly drifted out from the Flying Sword.

The spiritual light was as fine as a wisp of silk, yet condensed and substantial, gathering and coiling around his fingertip, emitting a clear, ringing sword hum.

At the same time, his right hand lightly touched his glabella, and a wisp of formless and insubstantial Qi was drawn from his ancestral aperture, slowly merging with that wisp of Lifebound Flying Sword.

The crow stood silently, the purple-black Sword Qi surging at the edges of its wings turning into scattered crow feathers that vanished.

Song Yan held his breath and focused, slowly guiding the wisp of Lifebound Flying Sword Intent from his left fingertip towards the crow.

The crow, which had been very calm, suddenly raised its head and cawed.

"Caw—!"

The speed at which its surrounding crow feathers fell off accelerated.

This masterless spirit was called masterless, but in reality, it was only because its master—Senior Bai Tao—had already passed away before it was officially born.

Therefore, although it was a masterless spirit, it still possessed a trace of the Crying Moon Flying Sword’s Sword Qi.

To refine it, these Sword Qi also needed to be refined.

Fortunately, Song Yan’s Divine Sense was strong enough, so both processes could proceed in parallel without any pressure.

The Sword Qi from the Zhen Dao Sword Mansion slowly surged out.

The crow also gradually quieted down.

Until a certain moment, that divided wisp of Lifebound Flying Sword finally completely merged into the crow’s glabella.

Its messy feathers were peeling off one by one, Sword Qi surged, and then new, shiny black down feathers sprouted.

A faint white pattern appeared on its glabella.

Although this white was striking and noticeable, it was not abrupt, as if it were a natural part of it.

It was as if it had been transformed from the Unmoored Boat.

"It’s done."

He hadn’t expected this process to take so long.

When the last old feather fell off, the reborn Sword Dao spirit suddenly spread its wings.

It flapped its wings and flew around the room for a while, then lightly landed on the hilt of the Unmoored Boat.

It tilted its head and met Song Yan’s gaze.

The crow’s size was a bit smaller than before, but it had gained much more agility.

When refining this masterless spirit, a Sword Cultivator could actually shape the Sword Spirit’s manifested form according to his preferences.

However, Song Yan didn’t find anything wrong with the crow’s appearance; it was just right, as Xiao He swam on the ground and the crow could fly in the sky.

There was nothing bad about it.

The nascent Sword Spirit was formed; next, it would be continuously nurtured with his own Sword Qi until the Sword Dao spiritual body was completely stable.

Once a Sword Cultivator reached the Foundation Establishment Realm, it could become a complete Sword Spirit.

If a Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator possessed a nascent Sword Spirit, it could quickly mature completely.

He had acquired it early.

Song Yan let out a long breath, and a golden light surged into his eyes as the Insightful Void Sword Eye activated.

He wanted to see what state the crow, now a Sword Spirit, was in under the Guan Xu.

However, to Song Yan’s surprise, the crow looked at Song Yan’s eyes.

It blinked its bird eyes.

A pair of identical Insightful Void Sword Eyes appeared in the crow’s eyes!

"Ah!?"

Song Yan was astonished.

The Spirit Transformation Chapter provided very few descriptions of Sword Spirits, only briefly mentioning some important uses.

For example, mutual understanding and controlling the Flying Sword on one’s behalf.

There were also some secret Spells that could only be cast based on the Sword Spirit.

That the Sword Spirit could also cast the Insightful Void Sword Eye that he used was a situation he had never imagined.

"It seems this Sword Spirit is far from simple."

Song Yan put away the Unmoored Boat, beckoned with a finger, and the crow landed on his wrist.

"Now that you are reborn and the Sword Spirit of the Unmoored Boat."

"I’ll give you a name, something easy to call."

"Caw?"

A Sword Dao spirit, like a newborn infant, has its own intelligence and consciousness, but not much.

"You wouldn’t understand a flowery name, so I’ll just call you Xianxian."

Worry-free for years, with a leisurely heart and spirit, that is truly a celestial immortal.

"Caw—!"

...Outside the Star-Gazing Villa.

Three people stood in a line in front of Xiao Ju.

Zhao Huaizhen followed behind the three, looking a bit awkward.

"Don’t give me all that nonsense, hurry up and call out your master."

The three wore Profound Origin Sect Daoist robes, two at the Qi Refining Stage Seventh Level and one at Level 8 Qi Refining.

The person in front spoke aggressively.

"This immortal, my master is still Cultivating; I’ll wait for him to come out..."

"Heh! Cultivating..."

The man sneered, "A Qi Refining Cultivator, what’s he talking about secluded Cultivation for?"

"Are you telling me if he Cultivates here for five or ten years, I should wait here for five or ten years?!"

"Hurry up and move aside, don’t make me act here!"

Although this was within a Mortal City Lord’s Mansion, Ju Luyi also had a cultivation of 3rd Level of Qi Refining, belonging to a Cultivator, so it did not break the rules.

The three were about to barge in.

Xiao Ju’s initial emotion was still fear and timidity.

However, Song Yan’s figure inexplicably appeared in her mind; she was tired of weakness and concession, and another emotion overshadowed her fear.

It was filled with determination.

Her slender figure stood in front of everyone.

"Esteemed Immortals, Seniors..."

"I cannot agree!"

The leader of the Profound Origin Sect displayed a look of disgust and impatience.

Spiritual Qi gathered in his palm, forming a strong gust of wind that surged towards Xiao Ju.

"Get lost!"

He was by no means bluffing; behind him stood the Profound Origin Sect.

This gave him the confidence to act anywhere in Chu State.

Xiao Ju was already fully alert, also gathering Spiritual Qi to protect herself.

She knew this was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, but it could at least buy some time.

"Buzz—"

Just then, a Sword Qi shot out from the pavilion.

It instantly cut down the fierce wind, and then dissipated into nothingness, without affecting Xiao Ju or Zhao Huaizhen.

Rustle.

Everyone looked up, and a black shadow, flapping its wings, flew out from the pavilion and landed on a tree branch.

Upon closer inspection, it was a crow.

The crow stared at the three Profound Origin Sect members, tilting its head slightly.

"Caw—!"

In its golden bird eyes, a faint lotus-petal-like pattern vaguely appeared.

"Where did this beast come from! So noisy, it’s annoying!"

The leading Cultivator waved his hand, and another gust of wind flew towards the crow.

The crow flapped its wings.

Immediately, several crow feathers flew out, transforming into Sword Qi, which completely cut down the gust of wind.

The Sword Qi’s momentum did not diminish and flew towards the Cultivator.

"What?!"

The Profound Origin Sect Cultivator was greatly shocked, his entire body surging with spiritual power, protecting himself, and his Spiritual Artifact was also summoned.

He barely managed to block the Sword Qi.

The other two also looked as if they were facing a formidable enemy, fully on guard.

Only Zhao Huaizhen, a Mortal, was in great trouble; he didn’t know whether to leave or stay, fearing he would be caught in the crossfire.

He could only hide outside the courtyard, watching these immortals fight from a distance.

The young Cultivator’s figure slowly walked out from the pavilion, saying gently, "Xiao Ju, what’s all this noise about?"

Xiao Ju was startled at first, then relieved.

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice.

They saw that the young Cultivator had already appeared behind Xiao Ju at some point.

He reached out to the crow on the tree: "Xianxian, come."

"Caw—!"

The crow on the tree suddenly dispersed, transforming into scattered crow feathers.

At the same time, the crow feathers quickly gathered on the young man’s shoulder, re-forming into the shape of a crow.

Xianxian was the Sword Spirit of the Unmoored Boat, and every Sword Qi it unleashed had the same power as the Sword Qi unleashed by the Unmoored Boat.

Xiao Ju respectfully said, "Senior Song, these are the immortal masters from the Profound Origin Sect, and they want to ask about... Su Li, Devotee Su."

"Devotee Su’s matter?"

The three Profound Origin Sect members looked displeased, and the leader introduced himself.

"I am Zhou Chen of the Profound Origin Sect, and I heard..."

"Weren’t you present at that incident?"

Song Yan completely ignored him: "You said you saw a young girl in Qing Valley kill Devotee Su Li?"

"Uh..."

Xiao Ju was stunned, then subconsciously nodded.

"There’s no need to ask for my opinion on such a matter. Since you know, just send them away yourself."

Song Yan said to himself, completely disregarding Zhou Chen and the other two.

"Your Excellency is too arrogant!"

Zhou Chen shouted sternly, the Spiritual Artifact in his sleeve already glowing with spiritual light: "Although Su Li was only a Devotee of my Profound Origin Sect, we are here today to investigate the Yao disaster in Qing Valley!"

Song Yan then slowly turned, his gaze sweeping over the three.

Xianxian tilted its head on his shoulder, also looking at the three.

"Yao disaster?" Song Yan chuckled: "Your Profound Origin Sect’s Devotee Su Li colluded with the Yao Race, harming countless people. The so-called Yao disaster, wasn’t it caused by you all?"

"What exactly are you here to investigate at my place?"

The short, stout Cultivator beside Zhou Chen couldn’t help but interject: "Nonsense! Devotee Su was diligent and honest; how could he..."

"Was I talking to you?"

Song Yan’s gaze suddenly sharpened, and Sword Qi burst forth from his body.

In an instant, the entire courtyard seemed to be enveloped by an invisible Aura, and even the air became sharp.

The three’s faces changed dramatically, and the short, stout Cultivator even broke out in a sweat, instinctively taking a step back.

"You..."

Zhou Chen tried to speak, forcing himself, but then he saw Sword Qi churning in Song Yan’s sleeve, and the Sleeve Green Snake slithered and rushed towards them.

The three struggled to resist and retreated backward.

Stumbling, as if they were being pushed out of the villa.

"Su Li colluded with the Yao Race and harmed fellow Daoists; his death was well-deserved."

Song Yan walked slowly: "If the Profound Origin Sect has any objections to this, they are welcome to seek an explanation from the Cave Abyss Sect. My name is Song Yan."

"If you have no important matters, please make yourselves at home."

Zhou Chen’s face alternated between green and white.

He had originally intended to use this opportunity to make things difficult for the Cave Abyss Sect Disciple, even using threats and inducements to confuse the public and shift the blame for colluding with the tiger demon onto the deceased Devotee Hu of the Cave Abyss Sect.

But he didn’t expect to hit a brick wall.

The person in front of him was truly peculiar; his cultivation was only Level 8 Qi Refining, just like his own.

Yet the Spells he casually unleashed were surprisingly powerful, and even that strange crow had some tricks up its sleeve.

"Song Yan..."

"Song Yan?!"

Zhou Chen’s heart trembled; he seemed to remember.

This Song Yan was the one who, during Changping, in front of the six Sect Elders and Cultivators, had slain Shen Huai, an Inner Sect Disciple of the Profound Origin Sect!

At the time, when the news reached the Profound Origin Sect, he had only dismissed it as hearsay.

It wasn’t until the Disciple stationed at Changping returned to the Sect that he realized it was true.

Not to mention the Profound Origin Sect’s transcendent status in Chu State.

That was Elder Shen Yu’s relative, and he dared to strike ruthlessly even in front of the Elder, and it was said his methods were extremely cruel... "Let’s go!"

Zhou Chen gritted his teeth and turned around. The other two, as if granted a great pardon, quickly followed.

They hadn’t walked many steps when the short, stout Cultivator, seemingly unable to swallow his anger, said in a blustering tone, "There’s still something fishy about this matter; your Cave Abyss Sect will definitely have to give us an explanation..."

Zhou Chen cursed inwardly, about to stop him.

But then a beam of sword light suddenly shot through the air, easily piercing the short, stout Cultivator’s protective spiritual garment, grazing past his ear.

"..."

The short, stout Cultivator stood dumbfounded, his ears ringing, stumbling backward.

The residual Sword Qi spread and dissipated below his ear, and his mind buzzed incessantly.

His face was pale, and his eyes were filled with terror.

Song Yan smiled gently: "I have killed many people from your esteemed Sect, so adding you to the list wouldn’t make much difference."

"Unfortunately, since I am currently staying at City Lord Zhao’s home, it is truly inappropriate to commit murder here."

He knew in his heart that he and the Profound Origin Sect were already at odds, so adding one more grudge or one less made no difference.

It was just that they were currently within a Mortal city, and it was not advisable to fight fiercely and indiscriminately kill.

Song Yan waved his hand: "Please leave quickly."

"Your cultivation has not been easy for any of you; do not let me meet you on the road..."

These words were not a threat.

Here, after all, was a Mortal city, and acting without cause could easily affect Mortals.

But meeting in the wilderness... that was another matter entirely.