Cultivation: From Servant to Revered Immortal

Chapter 692: Chapter 48: Return to the Immortal City, Spirit Gu Odd Skill!

A giant beast, easily over a hundred zhang in size, was slowly flying by, carrying on its back an ancient-styled courtyard.

Behind the giant beast followed several beams of spirit light.

These were Zhou Xun, Wang Lingfeng, and others who had completed the South Sea mission.

Four months ago, the main body and incarnation met once more, giving the Thousand-Answering Insect to the incarnation, after which they parted ways.

During the subsequent four months, Zhou Xun cultivated within the Celestial Secret Cave Mansion.

"Senior, the Immortal City has arrived!"

Wang Lingfeng respectfully came outside the Celestial Secret Cave Mansion to report to Zhou Xun.

Upon hearing the news, Zhou Xun slowly opened his eyes and stopped his cultivation technique.

Inspecting himself internally, four months of arduous cultivation had significantly advanced his cultivation, bringing him closer to the peak of Early-Stage Nascent Soul!

With a hand seal, his figure flashed, appearing in the air the next moment.

"Greetings to Elder Zhou!"

Seeing Zhou Xun’s figure, everyone respectfully saluted.

"It is rare indeed, after several months of journeying, we finally return safely!" Zhou Xun sighed, gazing toward the distant giant city.

Then, with a wave of his hand, he stored away the Celestial Secret Cave Mansion.

Feng Chong sensibly transformed into human form, following Zhou Xun’s lead, and together they landed at the city gate.

At this moment, guarding the city gate was a Late-Stage Core Formation cultivator.

"Junior Profound Jade, pays respects to Elder Zhou!"

"You recognize me?"

Zhou Xun asked curiously, while simultaneously retrieving his identity token and handing it over, for even as a Nascent Soul cultivator, the procedure was unavoidable.

"Elder Zhou’s slaying of the Black Island Demon Emperor of the South Abyss Royal Family is renowned throughout the world, known by all. Furthermore, this junior is also a friend of Fairy Jiang, thus recognizes you!"

Master Profound Jade received the token, carefully verifying it before respectfully returning it with both hands.

"Ah, so you are Wanning’s friend. Feel free to find me if anything arises in the future!"

Zhou Xun said with a smile and accepted the token, proceeding into the city with Wang Lingfeng and others.

Witnessing the impressive aura of Zhou Xun and his group, other cultivators at the city gate showed expressions of envy.

"This is the prestige of Nascent Soul cultivators; this is how a man should be!"

...

Returning to the city, Zhou Xun arrived non-stop at the Sea Suppression Hall to submit the mission.

"Greetings to Elder Zhou!"

Seeing Zhou Xun’s figure, the guards at the door bowed, for those serving as guards here naturally required some discernment.

"Where is True Monarch Qianchuan? Quickly report that Zhou Xun is visiting!"

"Yes!"

Shortly thereafter, True Monarch Qianchuan hurriedly exited from within.

Upon seeing Zhou Xun’s figure, True Monarch Qianchuan appeared immensely delighted.

"After a year apart, my brother has finally returned. Was this journey smooth?" True Monarch Qianchuan asked with concern.

"Though there were some bumps, it was generally smooth!" Zhou Xun replied.

Following this, the two chatted as they headed towards the guest hall in the side palace.

After sitting down,

Zhou Xun handed over the Communication Jade Talisman to True Monarch Qianchuan while informing him of all experiences encountered along the way.

"From this, it seems the demon race has been relatively well-behaved during this period!" True Monarch Qianchuan nodded.

"How are things at the Sea Suppression Immortal City?"

Zhou Xun asked back, urgently needing to understand the current changes in the situation after leaving for a year.

"It has been peaceful, yet according to informant messages, the demon race continues to increase their forces. Likely soon, an earth-shattering war will erupt,"

"its scale feared to be much larger than the last, akin to the one thousands of years ago, where even great cultivators might face peril of death!"

True Monarch Qianchuan’s tone revealed deep worry.

"Regardless, this war is beyond our control. Daoist Brother, it’s best to take things lightly!"

Zhou Xun consoled.

"Indeed, but you and I need to be well-prepared, for it may be crucial to our survival in the future!" True Monarch Qianchuan nodded.

With official matters discussed, Zhou Xun started speaking about his own concerns.

"By the way, Daoist Brother, I have two matters to consult with you!"

"Feel free to speak, anything I know, I’ll surely share without reservation!"

"Do you know the news about the Qinglei Demon Race?"

As the City Lord of the Sea Suppression Immortal City, True Monarch Qianchuan was likely second only to the Three Great Alliance Leaders in terms of news fluency.

With centuries at that location, his understanding of the demon race should be unmatched.

"Qinglei Demon Race?"

"Naturally, I am aware. Speaking of which, among the reinforcements added by the Demon clans this time, there is the Qinglei Demon Race,"

"There are over fifty Tier Four Demon Emperors, making it a significant corps in this Demon clan’s army!"

"Why are you inquiring about them, brother?"

"I have refined a treasure that requires materials from Tier Four Thunder Attribute Demon Birds. If I can learn of their whereabouts, I can hunt them down!"

Zhou Xun did not conceal his intentions. He possessed a wing-type magical treasure, and many people knew about it.

Moreover, he needed True Monarch Qianchuan to help him gather related information.

"I see. Once I have information on such Demon Birds, I’ll have Lingfeng inform you, brother. However, currently the two clans are ceasing hostilities,"

"But if you do take action, brother, you should prepare thoroughly and keep things secretive. Otherwise, if news leaks, the Three Great Alliance Leaders might not spare you!!"

True Monarch Qianchuan advised.

"Thank you, Daoist Brother, I will remember this well!" Zhou Xun expressed his gratitude with a respectful gesture.

"Having discussed the first matter, what about the second one..." True Monarch Qianchuan asked again.

"The second matter concerns Breaking Forbidden Treasure. I wonder if the Treasure Vault possesses any Tier Four Middle-Grade treasures above breaking restrictions, I’m willing to exchange for them at a great cost!"

He said with a hopeful expression.

True Monarch Qianchuan sighed and shook his head:

"It’s truly unfortunate. Originally, the vault had a Tier Four Middle-Grade Forbidden-Breaking Talisman, but five months ago, someone else exchanged it!"

"It would have been better if you’d asked earlier!"

’Five months, such timing?’ Zhou Xun pondered curiously,

He recalled that it had been precisely five months since he discovered True Monarch Celestial Star’s Cave Mansion!

’It shouldn’t be possible, all those aware of the news took a Heart Demon Oath, the information shouldn’t have leaked!’

’It seems to be merely coincidental then!’

Thinking this, Zhou Xun couldn’t help but ask:

"Could you tell me which Daoist Friend exchanged it?"

In five months, that person might not have used the Forbidden-Breaking Talisman, and if Zhou Xun offered a sufficient price, he might have a chance to exchange it back.

"It was True Monarch Yuangu!"

Upon hearing this name, Zhou Xun’s mind flashed with information about this person.

’True Monarch Yuangu, very mysterious origins, suddenly appearing as if from nowhere in Central Continent, first recorded at the Nascent Soul Stage!’

’Now, several centuries have passed, and he’s reached the Middle-Stage Nascent Soul,’

’He is proficient in an exotic technique called "Spirit Gu," extremely eerie and hard to guard against!’

’General cultivators are unwilling to provoke him!’

’Even those few Great Cultivators treat him with considerable respect,’

’In the prior Human-Demon War, Yuangu unleashed several Gu Insects, slaying three Demon Emperors, demonstrating terrifying power, absolutely among the top tier below Great Cultivators!’

"So it was him, thank you for sharing, Daoist Brother!" Zhou Xun expressed his gratitude with a respectful gesture.

"No need for formalities. If I come across news of other Breaking Forbidden Treasures in the future, I’ll send a communication to you!"

Having discussed two matters, Zhou Xun didn’t linger longer, he promptly departed and headed towards his Cave Mansion,

...

Approaching his Cave Mansion, he saw Jiang Wanning and Spirit Turtle Red Noon standing at the entrance to welcome him.

"How did you know I’ve returned!"

"Profound Jade, guarding the city gate, is my friend. Earlier, I had him keep an eye out for your return,"

"As soon as he saw you returning, he communicated the news to me, allowing me to come out to greet you!"

"You both are considerate!"

Zhou Xun nodded slightly, then looked at the Phoenix Butterfly on her shoulder.

At this moment, the Phoenix Butterfly had grown a bit larger, with purple lines appearing on its wings, extremely mystical.

"Has the Phoenix Butterfly advanced?"

"You’re correct in your guess, two months ago, the Phoenix Butterfly suddenly formed a cocoon. When it emerged, it became like this!"

Jiang Wanning answered.

"Excellent, its progress is faster than I expected. The Phoenix Butterfly needs to undergo five transformations at Tier Three level to lay the foundation for advancing to the Nether Illusion Spirit Butterfly."

"In this short time, you’ve worked hard!"

Zhou Xun comforted.

"Serving you, Wanning feels only fulfilled!"

"Haha!"

Zhou Xun laughed heartily, then encouraged Spirit Turtle Red Noon a few words and walked into the Cave Mansion, which excited the turtle greatly, exclaiming that the master had not forgotten him.

Returning to the cave, he shared a tender moment with Jiang Wanning,

The next morning, Zhou Xun set out again with plans to visit True Monarch Yuangu, intending to purchase the Forbidden-Breaking Talisman.