Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 813 - 796: Longevity Tea and the Discourse on Ascension

"Allow me to introduce," Du Chongyang began, "this is Fellow Daoist Thunder Feather, the newly-promoted Thunder Roc True Spirit among the Demon Race. Currently cultivating in the Broken Cloud Mountain Range within the Liuyun Continent's Cultivation Realm, I took the liberty, after encountering him in the Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm, to invite him over here on Fellow Daoist Kumu's behalf to join this gathering. I hope Fellow Daoist Kumu and all fellow Daoists can forgive the presumptuousness."

"As for this Fellow Daoist Zhou, if any of you have been following the Human Race Cultivation Realm's affairs in the past few centuries, you should have heard of the name 'Qianyang Treasure Body' Zhouyang. Back in the Beiting Continent Cultivation Realm, I was able to defeat a Holy Demon Avatar thanks to Fellow Daoist Zhou providing the Vermilion Bird Fan, a Fire Attribute Tier Seven Immortal Artifact. I happened to meet him this time, so I brought him over to broaden his horizons."

Inside the treehouse palace, after Master Withered Wood spoke up, Du Chongyang readily introduced the origins of Thunder Feather True Spirit and Zhouyang to everyone present in the hall.

However, the reputation of Master Qianyang couldn't be brought up in front of these true "zhenrens," so he substituted it with the name 'Qianyang Treasure Body.'

Compared to Spirit Body Cultivators who occasionally appear across various Cultivation Realms, Treasure Body Cultivators are less renowned as they aren't guaranteed to become high-tier cultivators like Spirit Body Cultivators are. Therefore, those who do gain fame in this way are more easily remembered.

As soon as Du Chongyang finished the introductions and when the eyes of several Tier Seven existences turned to Zhouyang, they slightly increased their regard for him.

A treasure like a Tier Seven Immortal Artifact can indeed move the hearts of such existences in this realm. That Zhouyang, a mere Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, possesses such a treasure indeed drew their attention.

However, despite their interest, they wouldn't lower themselves to seize Zhouyang's Immortal Artifact.

Not to mention that doing so might incur the ire of the world's Heavenly Dao Will, the tacit rules among Tier Seven existences of different races also deter them from taking such risks.

After all, at their level of cultivation, even possessing one more Immortal Artifact would only provide an edge in magical combat; it wouldn't enable them to kill their opponent.

Thus, it wasn't worth breaking the tacit agreement that such existences had maintained for tens of thousands of years for just one Immortal Artifact.

"The Demon Race already has three True Spirits, not counting the old immortal Red Abyss Spirit Saint who has lived for tens of thousands of years. Now that Fellow Daoist Thunder Feather has ascended to a True Spirit, it seems like the Demon Race, after being suppressed by the Human Race for ten thousand years, is about to rise again!"

The hideous old hag let her gaze linger on Thunder Feather True Spirit for a while, then gave a sinister smile, trying to incite discord between the Human and Demon Races with her peculiar tone.

Hearing her words, Du Chongyang and the middle-aged man in green both had slightly somber expressions, a trace of indignation flashing in their eyes.

This very issue worried Du Chongyang since he discovered the newly promoted Thunder Feather True Spirit.

In today's "Spirit Realm," the strongest power undoubtedly belongs to the Human Race, which occupies the most fertile and vast territories. Next comes the Demon Race, dispersed across various regions.

Natural animosity and competition for living space have made the Human and Demon Races age-old enemies and competitors.

The currently strong-humans and weak-demons situation arose because the Human Race surpassed the Demon Race in past competitions, leading to their current prosperity.

However, as the Human Race begins to weaken at the top compared to the Demon Race, a reversal might be in the cards.

Being True Immortals of the Human Race, Du Chongyang and his peers were naturally worried and uneasy about this.

Only Master Withered Wood, the oldest existing True Immortal of the Human Race, smiled faintly without changing his expression, saying, "Granny Wan, you're jesting. Upon achieving True Immortal or True Spirit status, we've already transcended worldly affairs. Be it humans or demons, they're all part of this world's multitude of beings. Who's strong and who's weak is all mandated by fate!"

"The Dao operates in its way. Wantonly meddling in the Heavenly Dao's operations and attempting to reverse destiny has been recorded through the countless failures of past pioneers among all races, Granny Wan, you should be aware of this."

At the end, Master Withered Wood gave the ugly old hag a pointed glance, as if implying something.

The hideous old hag's face turned when she heard this, a mixture of fear and resentment flashing in her eyes, causing her to lower her head silently without speaking further.

The previously stern-faced Du Chongyang and the middle-aged man in green both cast a knowing glance at the ugly old hag, seemingly recalling something, and their expressions turned into sneers.

Then, the middle-aged man in green scoffed, "Master Kumu's words are absolutely right. Though Fellow Daoist Feng attained the Dao relatively late, I've heard of an incident. Initially, the Wilderness Jungle harbored a Barbarian Race Saint. Unfortunately, this person was oblivious to destiny, disrespectful of the Heavenly Dao, and attempted to defy the heavens, exercising forbidden techniques to expand the Wilderness Jungle, ultimately incurring heavenly retribution and being blasted to oblivion by the Heavenly Dao's thunder penalty!"

"Feng Wuji, what do you mean by this? If you wish to spar with this old woman, just say so. No need to insult our Barbarian Race ancestor!"

The hideous old hag, like a cat pounced on the tail, glared furiously at the middle-aged man in green, shouting angrily.

Seeing the two about to exchange blows, Master Withered Wood stepped in, as the host, to mediate, saying, "Please, calm down, Granny Ma. Fellow Daoist Feng, please hold your tongue. We're all old friends of many years; there's no need to let these worldly matters offend us and ruin our relations!"

He then turned to Thunder Feather True Spirit and Zhouyang with a friendly smile, saying, "Fellow Daoists Thunder Feather and Zhou, please have a seat. Let's first enjoy a cup of this 'Longevity Tea' here at my place to soothe our nerves."

Du Chongyang chimed in, "Fellow Daoists Thunder Feather and Zhou, you are in for a treat. This Longevity Tea, specially prepared by Fellow Daoist Kumu, not only boasts unparalleled flavor but, when drunk for the first time, can extend life by fifty years without conflicting with any life-extending elixir. It is unique to these parts, unavailable elsewhere!"

"If that's the case, I'll thank Fellow Daoist Kumu," Thunder Feather True Spirit nodded lightly before sitting down at a newly "grown" wooden table in the hall, showing no concern for the ugly old hag's incitements.

Zhouyang followed Du Chongyang to a wooden table behind, seated as a junior behind him, similar to other juniors brought by various Tier Seven existences.

As they sat, Master Withered Wood waved his sleeve to produce three blue-green teacups on the table and then added what he called 'Longevity Tea' leaves, brewing with a special green-hued Spirit Liquid.

"Come, fellow Daoists, please have some tea!"

The three cups of brewed Immortal Tea were placed before the three new guests. Du Chongyang simply picked up the cup, drank it in one go, and savored the tea quietly with closed eyes.

Following suit with curiosity, Zhouyang and Thunder Feather True Spirit also drank the Immortal Tea.

As the tea settled in Zhouyang's stomach, he immediately felt a surge of vibrant vitality.

This vitality was different from the Rejuvenating Immortal Dew he often used to heal injuries, which only helped restore physical damage. Instead, it permeated every part of his flesh, bones, and hair, comprehensively enhancing his body's vitality.

Even Zhouyang's Primordial Spirit received an infusion of a cool energy, making it feel as though he had consumed some restorative medicine, producing an overwhelming sense of delight, ethereal and on the brink of ascending.

It was then he understood what Du Chongyang meant by the taste being unparalleled. It wasn't the flavor of the tea itself, which had a faint green leafy aroma and slight bitterness, but the effect.

The taste actually refers to the cooling power that acts on the Primordial Spirit, cleansing the soul and inducing a pleasant and relaxed feeling that is much stronger and more stimulating than physical pleasure.

After about half a quarter-hour, the ethereal feeling in Zhouyang's Primordial Spirit finally dissipated, and he awoke from his reverie.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he realized that everyone's gaze had somehow fallen upon him.

"I previously noticed that Fellow Daoist Zhou's Divine Sense was much stronger than that of ordinary cultivators, and now it seems your Primordial Spirit far surpasses that of common cultivators by more than just a little!"

Du Chongyang looked at Zhouyang with a surprised expression, his words leaving Zhouyang somewhat perplexed.

With a slightly puzzled look, he gazed at Du Chongyang, his eyes flickering with understanding, yet he did not immediately speak.

At that moment, another Tribulation Crossing True Immortal from the Human Race, Feng Wuji, suddenly spoke: "Qing Hong, how long did it take you to regain consciousness after drinking the Longevity Tea?"

"In response to Master, it took me nearly a quarter-hour to regain consciousness after drinking the Longevity Tea!"

Sitting behind Feng Wuji, an Eighth-Layer Nascent Soul Cultivator looked at Zhouyang with surprise and envy, answering the True Immortal in a low voice.

"Qing Hong is a disciple of mine, and has taken various Spiritual Objects to strengthen his Divine Sense. He has also practiced techniques specifically to enhance it, yet even so, he took nearly twice as long as Fellow Daoist Zhou to recover from the Ascension state induced by the Longevity Tea. Fellow Daoist Zhou's Primordial Spirit is truly astonishing to behold!"

The blue-robed middle-aged man, Feng Wuji, looked at Zhouyang with a gaze full of admiration and surprise.

Indeed!

Zhouyang's heart tightened, knowing he had unknowingly revealed many of his abilities, drawing attention he hadn't intended.

His Primordial Spirit foundation was indeed robust.

Aside from his naturally strong Divine Sense, the Spiritual Objects he consumed to enhance it, the Secret Technique he practiced, the "Void Refining God Technique", and the Primordial Spiritual Treasure refined from a mysterious flower that might be an Innate Spiritual Object were all opportunities unmatched by ordinary cultivators.

With these stacked opportunities, his Divine Sense now overshadowed the entire Nascent Soul Stage, making it difficult to find a cultivator at this stage who could compete with him.

"Tsk tsk tsk, with a robust Primordial Spirit foundation far exceeding peers, and a physical vitality comparable to a Tier Six Flood Dragon, and a lifespan seemingly not yet half of his life's potential, no wonder Fellow Daoist Du exclaimed like that earlier!"

Master Withered Wood's eyes flashed purple, and he assessed Zhouyang, as if possessing X-ray vision, instantly seeing through Zhouyang's physical state and lifespan status.

Such Divine Techniques truly left Zhouyang in awe and fear.

Before these Tribulation Crossing True Immortals, he felt like a peeled orange, with pulp and seeds all visible and nothing hidden.

No one had made him feel this way for many years!

"Ha ha ha, Fellow Daoist Zhou needn't be nervous. With your current cultivation strength, unless we act, hardly anyone can threaten your life. We've all agreed upon this among ourselves: as long as you don't provoke anyone, no one will seek to eliminate you due to your potential for future Immortality."

Seemingly sensing Zhouyang's tension, the middle-aged blue-robed man, Feng Wuji, chuckled and comforted him.

"Thank you, Elder Feng, for your guidance. I apologize for amusing the seniors."

Zhouyang awkwardly chuckled, cupped his hands in gratitude towards Feng Wuji, and genuinely relaxed both his spirit and muscles.

But soon after he calmed down, Master Withered Wood's next words caught his attention.

Master Withered Wood lightly waved his hand, saying: "Alright, let's continue the previous topic. Granny Ma, your earlier mention of Barbaric Secret Realm suspected of having Upper Realm Great Power's arrival is quite baffling, and I'm unable to explain it. Perhaps you can consult the Red Abyss Spirit Saint should you encounter that old creature in the future."

The ugly old woman, Granny Ma, hearing this, responded with a look of chagrin: "That old monster Red Abyss Spirit Saint disappeared completely after showing up over three thousand years ago. I suspect he either found an Ascension Technique and ascended or his lifespan finally ran out, retreating to his prepared Secret Realm space to die. How could we possibly find him to inquire about this?"

"Though that old monster could have followed ancient Immortal seniors to ascend during ancient times, he intentionally remained. I've often asked him about Ascension Techniques, but he wouldn't tell. I believe he likely hasn't left this realm!"

Master Withered Wood pondered briefly, expressing his grievance and judgment.

Zhouyang listened to the conversation between these two Tier Seven beings, feeling his heart race.

He finally understood the origin of the news about the Upper Realm Great Power's arrival in the Barbaric Secret Realm, evident through the conclusion reached by Granny Ma, the Tier Seven Saint secretly protecting the Hundred Barbaric Races after conducting site investigations.

It also became clear that the disappearance of Jiang Fengxian and her daughter was likely related to the arrival of the Upper Realm Great Power in the Barbaric Secret Realm.

He looked at Granny Ma, wanting to ask her how she arrived at this judgment, but ultimately held back.

From this old woman's earlier words, it wasn't hard to discern her malice towards Human Race cultivators.

Young cultivator Zhouyang questioning her would likely end in humiliation.

At this moment, Du Chongyang spoke up.

"Concerning the Ascension Technique, I, Du, have had some initial clues, and intend to discuss them with fellow Daoists during Master Withered Wood's birthday celebration to see if it's truly feasible!"

Swish swish swish!

Instantly, the gaze of the other four Tier Seven beings in the hall focused on Du Chongyang's statement.

Other Nascent Soul Stage cultivators like Zhouyang stretched their necks to look at Du Chongyang, showing considerable interest in the matter.

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