Chapter 75: Chapter 70: Encounter

In a few short months, first by using Nourishing Spirit-destroying Spring, then entering the Spiritual Spring Realm, he had even crossed realms to slay a cultivator in the Entry Dao Realm.

Such monstrous legends had last appeared ten thousand years ago.

Such news often spread extremely fast, and the truth became increasingly distorted as it was passed on.

Rumors quickly became various and complex; some said he had suddenly awakened a special physique and was a late bloomer, or that he had been possessed by some powerful being.

There were even claims that Fu Quanliang had received the inheritance of a True Immortal and held an Immortal Treasure in his hand, which was outrageous.

This news, in just a few days, reached the ears of Chu Zheng and another.

......

......

Zishi Dynasty, the imperial capital, within a courtyard.

Under the moonlight, beside a pond with weeping willows, tree shadows danced.

Chu Zheng sat cross-legged by the pond, aspirating Yin Qi, balancing the blazing Divine Fire within his body.

This mouthful of Divine Fire replenished his Yang Essence; the advancement in his Qi-refining Technique was even faster, complementing each other well.

After refining the fire seed of the Earth Fiend True Flame, his mana had increased significantly. The speed of transforming Spiritual Energy had clearly improved.

Additionally, taking Spirit Pills, in just half a month, his cultivation had risen a level, entering the Mid Spirit Spring Realm, and his mana surged.

Correspondingly, his own status panel had changed, displaying a new notification.

[You have overdosed on elixirs, your foundation is unstable, and your body contains a massive amount of elixir toxins, lifespan reduced by more than half, now a severe issue. (Repairable)]

Repairable meant it was not a serious issue, but the bad news was that the supply of Spirit Pills was becoming increasingly tight.

Out of desperation, Chu Zheng had once tried dividing a single elixir into several parts, and then attempted to repair them again.

Unfortunately, the panel did not grant his wish; after the elixir was repaired, the remaining Broken Pills immediately turned to ashes.

Rustle—

Noises came from the room, Fu Quanliang slowly walked out, already having changed his appearance, his face now visibly wrinkled, and even sporting a circle of beard around his jaw, appearing more than twenty years older, almost fifty.

"What are you doing?"

Seeing him this way, Chu Zheng couldn't help but feel puzzled.

"A tall tree catches the wind, I naturally need to disguise myself well, how can I show my face recklessly?"

Fu Quanliang's expression was calm, the rumors were rampantly spreading, and his portrait had been distributed everywhere; it was extremely dangerous.

He always knew his own limits well.

He didn't know the Invisibility Technique, and without the trump cards that Chu Zheng held, once pursued, he would have nowhere to hide, and face certain death.

"Fair enough."

Chu Zheng nodded, the corners of his mouth slightly curling up, "Then, I am Fu Quanliang now."

At these words, Fu Quanliang squinted his eyes, "At Tianhe Sect, you did it on purpose; what exactly do you want to do?"

This had always puzzled him, as Chu Zheng was filled with too many inconsistencies, not fitting in with this world.

Ordinary cultivators, upon receiving an Immortal Ascension Method, would never share it with others, yet Chu Zheng did just that.

He would not overestimate his own place in Chu Zheng's heart; with someone else, planting a Life-link Seal, Chu Zheng would have done the same.

The only explanation was that the Immortal Ascension Method was not important in Chu Zheng's eyes.

So, what did Chu Zheng truly desire?

"I have told you, my purpose in this life is to achieve great things."

Chu Zheng's expression was tranquil as he spoke slowly:

"The power of time is terrifying, the glory and disgrace of our lives won't concern many, and after you die, after a hundred or a thousand years, there will be no trace of you left in this world."

"In this world before you, there have been True Immortals and even those stronger than True Immortals. Where are they now? Just nameless individuals."

"Everyone desires something; I seek everlasting fame, regardless of good or evil, cultivation is merely a means to that end."

"What's the point of leaving a legacy for future generations?" Fu Quanliang felt this was utterly absurd.

"Until I find something more meaningful than this, it is more important than everything else."

"After becoming an immortal, one achieves eternal life, so why bother leaving a legacy?" Fu Quanliang questioned.

Cultivators seek eternal life; why care about the opinions of mortals, mere ants they are.

"Where is the Immortal? I've seen the Immortal Bone before."

Chu Zheng shook his head, "Are there truly undying people in this world? I don't believe so."

If there were truly undying individuals, the world would not be as it is today.

The activities of life require the intake of energy; cultivators do not consume ordinary food but still need spiritual energy to survive.

As cultivators progress in their cultivation, the energy they consume and exhale with each breath is vast like an abyss.

How much energy must be expended to sustain such powerful beings in this world?

Living forever, even if it were the entire universe, would it be enough to sustain them?

"Being an Immortal naturally involves eternal life..."

Fu Quanliang whispered softly but without much confidence.

He could vaguely feel that what Chu Zheng said might be right.

Regaining his senses, Fu Quanliang couldn't help but harbor new doubts:

"Then why don't you just use your own name?"

Chu Zheng shook his head repeatedly, "My current power is insufficient to protect myself; I need to experiment."

"You are walking the path I originally wanted to take. I want to see how it ends for you before I decide whether to follow it or not."

Fu Quanliang's face stiffened slightly, as Chu Zheng's words were as straightforward as ever.

If he were to fail halfway, Chu Zheng would remain incognito, trying another path and, by the way, burn more paper money for him.

Chu Zheng took a deep breath, slowly stood up, walked up to Fu Quanliang, looked earnestly, and heavily placed his hand on his shoulder, his eyes full of expectation:

"So... you must diligently cultivate, grow stronger quickly, and accompany me further on this journey."

Under the weight of a great reputation, if one couldn't withstand it, they would be crushed by it.

Seeing Fu Quanliang's distracted expression, Chu Zheng reassured:

"Don't worry, if you die, I will mention your name in my biography, allowing you to linger in this world for a little longer."

"There's no need, living just this life is enough for me."

Fu Quanliang clenched his teeth and silently took out a Spirit Pill and stuffed it into his mouth; he truly could not comprehend Chu Zheng's bizarre way of thinking.

Crazy.

"Stop eating, let's get on the road."

Chu Zheng turned and walked toward the courtyard entrance.

"Where to?"

Fu Quanliang spat out the Spirit Pill in his mouth, put it into his storage bag, and quickly followed. Searᴄh the Nôvel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"First, I'll help you find a Fire Seed, and then... go near the battlefield to assess the situation."

With the battle imminent, such an unprecedented event naturally warranted his observation, and he might as well scavenged what he could.

......

......

The two set out from the Zishi Dynasty towards another small sect.

However, before they arrived, they encountered an ambush en route.

A group of more than ten people, dressed in Phantom Spirit Sect attire, were surrounding and killing several cultivators.

The individuals being attacked were dressed differently, and at a glance, it was obvious that they were loose cultivators.

"Is it Night Light Pavilion again?"

Chu Zheng couldn't help but be surprised; there seemed to be too many from Night Light Pavilion recently, so brazen near a great battle.

"No..."

After scrutinizing more closely, Fu Quanliang's expression changed slightly:

"This time it really is the Phantom Spirit Sect... The leader is an Outer Sect Elder of the Phantom Spirit Sect, Ji Fanglong."

"Ji Fanglong?"

In an instant, Chu Zheng felt a pang of familiarity, took out a notebook and flipped through it, then his expression cleared.