Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 819 - 802: Retiring from the Jianghu!

A duel considered rare in a millennium ended with victory in just one move, leaving many of the cultivators who traveled from hundreds of thousands of miles to watch greatly disappointed.

In this battle just now, aside from Fengyang Old Monster charging and activating the Nine Yang Sect's Inheritance Spiritual Artifact [Nine Yang Treasure Pearl] and displaying the Great Divine Technique [Nine Yang Flowing Fire Technique] in a manner that matched other cultivators' expectations and fantasies for a Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortal" cultivator's power.

The divine technique Zhouyang used to defeat Fengyang Old Monster left many of the Nascent Soul Stage cultivators watching utterly baffled and unaware of its principle.

This feeling of knowing it's powerful, yet unable to articulate exactly why, left many hearts distressed beyond measure.

Coupled with the chest strike by a darted Fengyang Old Monster, the curiosity about how Zhouyang emerged unscathed from the colossal explosion was doubly unsettling.

The most troubling part, however, was that the spectators were aware that they couldn't expect any answers to these questions from Zhouyang himself.

In the Cultivation Realm, no cultivator would publicly announce the details of their ace techniques, much less a cultivator at the Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortal" Realm such as Zhouyang.

They didn't even dare to ask!

Zhouyang naturally disregarded the thoughts of those observing.

After launching the Tier Six High-Grade Spiritual Artifact [Black Dragon Dart] to hit Fengyang Old Monster, he made no further moves, just standing with hands aside in mid-air, waiting for Fengyang Old Monster to recover from the [Fire Lotus Eye] attack. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Only after Fengyang Old Monster regained consciousness did he calmly state, "Fellow Daoist Fengyang, accept it!"

"Cough cough cough…"

Fengyang Old Monster coughed violently, with blood continuously oozing from his mouth alongside his coughing.

Yet he had no intention of wiping it away.

He stared fixedly at Zhouyang, using all his strength to shout, "Impossible! How did you manage to come out unscathed? Have you ascended to immortality?"

Shock!

Apart from Master Cyan Yang and others familiar with Zhouyang's situation, the rest witnessing Fengyang Old Monster's words were equally stunned, shocked by the message conveyed within.

Originally, these should have been baseless claims, and anyone uttering such would be met with ridicule.

But now, from Fengyang Old Monster, a Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortal" cultivator, such words carried undeniable weight that couldn't be ignored, making it difficult to easily dismiss them.

Instantly, everyone's focus shifted to Zhouyang, waiting for his reply.

"If Zhouyang has truly ascended, why would he lower himself to challenge you? Has Fellow Daoist Fengyang lost his mind from Primordial Spirit damage?"

Zhouyang answered Fengyang Old Monster's query with an indifferent expression, his tone dripping with disdain and ridicule, enraging Fengyang Old Monster to the point of coughing up several mouthfuls of blood.

"You…"

He pointed at Zhouyang with a flushed face, trying to speak, but as Zhouyang raised his hand to retrieve the [Black Dragon Dart] still lodged in his body, his words were immediately choked back as blood flooded from his chest wound.

Before he could suppress his internal injuries and speak again, Zhouyang, having retrieved the artifact, lightly commented again: "Fellow Daoist Fengyang, don't take offense. Zhouyang's strike was fierce, but it wasn't intentional. Zhouyang didn't expect Fellow Daoist Fengyang to be so feeble, not even able to withstand a single blow!"

Upon hearing this, Fengyang Old Monster opened his eyes wide and spat out a large mouthful of blood, almost dying of anger!

Zhouyang, with his words unfinished, continued: "Fengyang Old Monster, even at your age, you're still easily angered. However, Zhouyang must remind you, Zhouyang's [Black Dragon Dart] is highly poisonous and hard to cure. Were Zhouyang in your place, he would immediately retreat to his abode for closed-door healing, rather than delay outside for even a moment!"

"Good, well done [Master Qianyang]! Today's defeat, I admit, is deserved. You are formidable!"

Fengyang Old Monster, trembling all over, raised his hand to point at Zhouyang, shouting, finally transforming into a crimson flame, flying away from the battlefield, heading directly back to the Nine Yang Sect's mountain gate for secluded recovery.

Seeing this, Zhouyang glances over, dropping his focus onto the cultivators accompanying Fengyang Old Monster.

He calmly looked at them, saying lightly: "Over a thousand years ago, you seized upon the demise of Elder Xuanji from the Profound Purity Dao Alliance to occupy the Dao Alliance's Spiritual Mountain Blessed Land. Now return it all!"

"If anyone finds Zhouyang's words difficult, you're welcome to come to argue anytime!"

With these words spoken, regardless of how unpleasant they found it, Zhouyang immediately flew to the delighted Cyan Yang Zhenren, then left together with the group from the "Celestial Yang Rift."

After leaving the "Celestial Yang Rift," they concealed their cultivation and found a private room in a nearby Immortal City tavern, naturally discussing Zhouyang and Fengyang Old Monster's battle today.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou's might today, defeating the equally powerful Fengyang Old Monster in one move, solidifies the position of top cultivator in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm. Just thinking about Fengyang Old Monster's miserable departure, I feel an immense satisfaction."

Since the duel's outcome was decided, Master Cyan Yang's smile never faded, and speaking of the battlefield situation, he couldn't help but laugh heartily, joy evident on his face.

Agreeing with his sentiment, Liu Yunxiang chuckled lightly, "Fellow Daoist Cyan Yang's words are spot on. Fengyang Old Monster relied on his cultivation to bully others, looking down on fellow cultivators. Today, Fellow Daoist Zhou has thoroughly embarrassed him, avenging us!"

With these words, she waved her hand, producing a jar of Spirit Wine, pouring a cup and offering it to Zhouyang, "Fellow Daoist Zhou defeated Fengyang Old Monster, venting my frustrations, though there's nothing I can offer in return, accept this cup of the Hundred Flower Spirit Wine, brewed five hundred years ago, please don't find it lacking."

"Fellow Daoist Liu, you're too kind. Zhouyang merely did what must be done."

Zhouyang responded politely but didn't refuse Liu Yunxiang's offering, accepting and drinking it fully, then spoke to Master Cyan Yang, "Now that Fengyang Old Monster is severely injured, he won't emerge from closed-door recovery for twenty to thirty years. Today, I notified the Nine Yang Sect and others, hopefully, they'll behave appropriately, fulfilling my promises to Elder Cyan Yang."

Hearing this, Master Cyan Yang's smile instantly vanished, bowing in thanks, "Fellow Daoist Zhou's righteous aid, my sect and I are forever grateful, and will certainly repay in the future!"

Zhouyang saw this and repeatedly waved his hand, saying, "Elder Qingyang, your words are too weighty. Over the years, you have always taken good care of this junior. Now that I have achieved something in my cultivation, it is only natural to repay you."

After speaking, he paused slightly and then looked at the people present, saying, "The only thing is that I, Zhou, will be in long-term secluded cultivation to practice divine techniques and seek the opportunity to break through to the Tribulation Crossing stage. I may not appear in the cultivation realm for a long time. Fellow elders and Daoists, if you want to find me, you might not be able to do so easily."

As soon as these words were spoken, several Nascent Soul stage cultivators changed their expressions.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, at such a young age, you are already thinking of retiring? Isn't it a bit too early?"

Master Qingyang asked in a slightly bitter tone, clearly not expecting him to make this decision suddenly.

Zhouyang seemed to have predicted this question, and with a full expression of emotion, replied, "It's not too early. Precisely because I'm not too old yet, if I focus on pursuing the Dao now, I still have some chance to attain the Immortal Dao. If I squander my years just because I'm not old yet, I will only become further from the great Dao, and perhaps never achieve it in my lifetime!"

These words left everyone present speechless.

Because apart from Zhouyang, the rest of the people no longer had the qualification to ascend to the immortal realm, and the reason they lost this qualification was that their lifespan couldn't support them to cultivate to the ninth-layer Nascent Soul.

Back in the day, Nascent Soul cultivator Shen Menglong from Yuqing Daoist Sect, who traveled with Zhouyang in the Beiting Continent cultivation realm to exterminate demons and protect the Dao, was immediately touched. He couldn't help but sigh and say, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, at such a young age, to have such cultivation, and such determination in pursuing the Dao, truly makes Shen feel deeply ashamed!"

"If Shen had been as dedicated to the Dao as Fellow Daoist Zhou back then, he might not have achieved the same cultivation as Fellow Daoist Zhou, but at least he wouldn't be stuck at such a low cultivation level now!"

Master Qingyang's eyes were slightly dazed, recalling his own experiences.

Except for the first hundred or two hundred years after he successfully formed his Nascent Soul, when he could focus on cultivation without being distracted by external matters, later, as the Profound Sun Immortal Sect declined, he had to spend much time on sect affairs.

And this delay lasted over a thousand years.

Originally, with his talent, after forming his Nascent Soul, he was highly regarded by Lu Xuanji, Wang Lingxiao, and others, who believed he had a high chance of reaching the late-stage Nascent Soul in the future.

However, distracted by sect affairs, his cultivation was delayed, and as a result, he is still stuck at the fifth-layer Nascent Soul, and it's likely that he will never hope to advance to the late-stage Nascent Soul.

In the past, he occasionally felt regret when thinking of this, but whenever he thought of how the Profound Sun Immortal Sect was thriving under his management, he felt it was worth it.

But today, touched by Zhouyang's words, he couldn't help but have a chaotic mind and feel very unsettled.

Liu Yunxiang was probably the least affected among the group. She was from a sect far less powerful than those of Master Qingyang and Shen Menglong, and being able to successfully form her Nascent Soul was already satisfying for her lifetime.

Hearing Zhouyang's words, she only remained silent for a while, then looked at Zhouyang with sincere admiration and praised, "Only someone like Fellow Daoist Zhou, who is wholeheartedly dedicated to the Dao, truly hopes to attain Immortality."

These words also woke Master Qingyang from his daze. Immediately, he gathered his spirits, nodded, and agreed, "Fellow Daoist Liu's words are very true. Since Fellow Daoist Zhou has such dedication to the Dao, why should he worry about not achieving the great Dao?"

After speaking, he cupped his hands in respect to Zhouyang and said, "I understand Fellow Daoist Zhou's intention. I hereby wish Fellow Daoist Zhou an early ascension to the immortal realm and attainment of the great Dao!"

Shen Menglong quickly followed, saying, "Shen also wishes Fellow Daoist Zhou success in his aspirations and early ascension to immortality!"

The two of them, one representing the Profound Sun Immortal Sect and the other representing the Yuqing Daoist Sect, together could represent the entire Profound Purity Dao Alliance.

Now that the two accepted Zhouyang's retirement, Zhouyang could retreat in peace.

Then, after chatting with the two briefly, Zhouyang directly returned to the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm with Liu Yunxiang.

Back in the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm, the first thing Zhouyang did was release the two Flood Dragons he brought this time, letting them continue the artificial rain task previously done by the Cyan Flood Dragon Green Luo to help the oases occupied by the Zhou Family expand.

The agreement with the two Flood Dragons would last over a hundred years, and Zhouyang naturally wanted to thoroughly exploit them before the end of the term, not letting them go too easily.

After over eight hundred years of planting, the two Flood Dragons had already planted a large amount of Blood Dragon Rice for him, enough for him and the Zhou Family to use for a long time in the future.

Then, Zhouyang did another thing, which was releasing the Demoness Huan Qianqian, whom he had roughly confined for four or five hundred years.

"Originally, I wanted you to spend your life in Dongxuan Pearl, but considering that you have contributed a lot over the years, I give you a chance to experience being human again in the last hundred years of your life!"

"Now, you will sign this Blood Contract, I will seal your cultivation to the Foundation Establishment stage, and you can freely travel in the Desert Sea Cultivation Realm, doing whatever you want!"

Zhouyang looked at the mentally dazed demoness he released and waved his hand. A high-tier Nether Blood Contract obtained from a Nascent Soul stage cultivator was thrown to the demoness.

The content on the blood contract was not much, merely stating that the demoness could not teach demon techniques to others in any form, nor harm others with demon techniques, nor leave the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm, nor actively break the seals he placed.

"Alright, I'll sign!"

Desire for freedom made the demoness agree immediately after glancing at the content of the Blood Contract.

Then Zhouyang personally imposed multiple seals on her, sealing her nascent soul and cultivation, leaving just the magical cultivation of the fifth-layer Foundation Establishment level.

Having completed all this, Zhouyang waved his hand at the demoness and said, "You're free now!"

"Free, huh?"

The demoness deeply looked at Zhouyang, quickly transformed into a faint shadow, and left.

With a calm expression, witnessing the demoness's departure and disappearance, Zhouyang, as if nothing had happened, went straight to the secret realm space where Lan Daoist retreated to meditate on the laws.