Chapter Ninety-Nine: Someone Breaks the Formation

Originally, he had planned to leave Luzhou City, but by chance he obtained the Longevity Dao Manual, and then was guided by the Demon Lord of Infinity on the path of Wood and Fire cultivation. Ye Yun’s curiosity was immediately piqued, so he decided to stay in Luzhou City a while longer.

His innately perfect soul endowed Ye Yun with talent and comprehension far beyond the ordinary. This Longevity Dao Manual, which was difficult for others to cultivate, came easily to him; he could grasp it effortlessly and enter its teachings with little difficulty.

Following the mental techniques recorded in the jade slip, Ye Yun took out some spirit stones, drawing in the spiritual energy of the heavens and earth, and transformed it within his body’s meridians into Longevity inner energy.

The quality of this inner energy was nowhere near comparable to true qi, so as soon as the spiritual energy transformed into Longevity inner energy, it was instantly devoured by the ravenous Scarlet Flame true qi within him.

As Ye Yun’s understanding of the Longevity Dao Manual deepened, before long he cultivated it to the second level, giving rise to Longevity true qi. With fire borrowing the force of wood, Ye Yun immediately felt his cultivation speed multiply!

Most cultivators would directly absorb the world’s spiritual energy and transform it inside their bodies into the corresponding attribute inner energy. Yet the Wood and Fire cultivation path required first transforming the spiritual energy into wood-attributed power, then having the fire attribute devour it, thereby accelerating progress.

Just as the Demon Lord of Infinity had said, not everyone could use this method to hasten their cultivation. Those lacking talent or comprehension would find this way less effective than simply absorbing the world’s spiritual energy directly.

But Ye Yun’s aptitude and understanding were both top-tier, so he had nothing to fear on that account.

In just a short time, Ye Yun sensed his Scarlet Flame true qi cultivation rapidly rise to the peak of the early Foundation Establishment stage—just a step away from advancing to the mid stage.

“By cultivating with the Way of Wood and Fire, my speed has increased three to four times. If I’d had this manual before, I would have reached the pinnacle of Foundation Establishment long ago.”

Ye Yun was both startled and delighted. The stronger his Scarlet Flame true qi became, the fiercer the trace of Scarlet Flame essence fire in his dantian grew; his flesh, bones, organs, all were continuously tempered in this essence fire, and his physical body was advancing quickly as well.

Though his cultivation realm hadn’t yet broken through, Ye Yun clearly felt not only the thickness of his Scarlet Flame true qi had increased significantly, but his martial body had also greatly improved, surpassing the quality of inferior magical treasures.

At the same time, Ye Yun noticed several spells recorded in the Longevity Dao Manual.

The Binding Dragon Art, and the Essence of Grass and Wood Art.

The Binding Dragon Art could be learned at the Foundation Establishment stage, but the Essence of Grass and Wood Art required one to reach the Golden Core stage before it could be performed.

As for higher-level spells, the jade slip did not contain them—they had been lost along with the missing chapters of the Dao Manual.

The Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Demonic Arts were extremely domineering. As Ye Yun studied and comprehended the Binding Dragon Art, he soon transformed this wood-based spell into a fire-based art.

Originally, when cast, the Binding Dragon Art would draw in the world’s wood energy to form a verdant dragon that bound the opponent—a restraint so powerful that cultivators of the same stage would struggle to break free.

But after Ye Yun transformed it, it became a fearsome, searing fire dragon. Not only could it bind the enemy, but the Scarlet Flame within it could also kill.

Cultivation required steady progress. Ye Yun sensed he would soon reach the mid Foundation Establishment stage.

However, the closer one was to a breakthrough, the less one could afford impatience. Cultivation should follow the natural course; a forced breakthrough might quickly grant deeper power, but it would harm one’s foundation in the future.

Slowly opening his eyes, Ye Yun exhaled a turbid breath. At that moment, his expression suddenly sharpened—he sensed a faint tremor from the formation that protected his room.

“A Golden Core cultivator!” His pupils contracted slightly, and his whole body tensed, spiritual sense and true qi poised for action.

Though the formation in this inn was not particularly advanced, it was enough to prevent guests meditating in seclusion from being disturbed. Only a cultivator at the Golden Core stage or above could hope to break it.

Ye Yun refrained from probing with his spiritual sense, so as not to alert the intruder.

“Could it be that the Xu family’s expert has arrived so quickly?” He furrowed his brow, ready to strike the moment the formation was breached.

Someone had triggered the formation, and Fang Tuo sensed the barrier unraveling at great speed—clearly the work of a Golden Core cultivator.

With a loud crash, the stone door to the secret chamber was instantly shattered. A figure dashed inside.

“You little brat! You dare lay a hand on your own master?”

The person who burst into the chamber was none other than the Daoist of Longevity. As he broke through the formation, Ye Yun had already summoned the Golden Treasure Bell, sending waves of palpable sound to clash in midair.

“Protective Art!”

A curtain of green light rose around him, blocking all the bell’s waves.

At the same time, the Daoist of Longevity slapped the Golden Treasure Bell, sending the formidable mid-grade magical treasure spinning swiftly back to Ye Yun.

“Oh? So it’s you, Master! Why not use the main entrance? Breaking the formation gave me quite a fright.”

Only now did Ye Yun recognize his visitor. He reached out to retrieve the Golden Treasure Bell, looking at the Daoist of Longevity with a hint of exasperation.

As always, the old man was a mess—his robe was tattered, a chipped wine gourd hung at his waist. Who else could it be but the Daoist of Longevity?

“Without a token, I couldn’t enter the chamber the normal way. I just wanted to surprise you—never thought you’d be so vigilant. I was very careful breaking the formation, yet you still noticed,” the Daoist chuckled.

“Aren’t you afraid you’ll distract me and I’ll fall into madness and lose my life?” Ye Yun glared at him.

For a cultivator, disturbance in meditation could easily lead to deviation—at best, resulting in internal injuries; at worst, descending into madness and a fate worse than death.

Yet this Daoist had sneaked in, claiming it was to surprise him—such nerve was truly beyond words.

Seeing Ye Yun genuinely angered, the Daoist of Longevity scratched his unruly hair, a bit embarrassed. “I was careless, all right? But surely you’re not that petty?”

“I can’t be bothered with you,” Ye Yun replied irritably, sizing up the Daoist before him. Then, with a meaningful smile, he added, “There’s a beautiful lady who keeps pursuing you, Master. Has she taken a fancy to you?”

“Fancy me? Nonsense! Don’t meddle in your master’s affairs,” the Daoist huffed, blowing out his beard and glaring at Ye Yun.

“Fine, I won’t meddle. Did you come for something?” Ye Yun asked with a laugh.

“Of course I did. Though I’ve never taken a disciple before, nor any experience teaching one, since you’ve acknowledged me as your master, I can’t just abandon you,” the Daoist said seriously.

“You’ve been cultivating the Longevity Dao Manual for some time now. How’s your progress?” the scruffy old Daoist asked, stroking his beard.