Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 829 - 812: 300 Years

[Donglai Immortal Island] is undoubtedly an excellent place for secluded cultivation.

This location is protected by a Tier Seven Immortal Array, ensuring absolute safety. It boasts beautiful mountains and clear waters, rich in Spiritual Qi, without any external disturbances.

After residing in seclusion here for a hundred years, Zhouyang fell in love with this lifestyle and even considered living here indefinitely.

It is absolutely safe here. Every day, he practices the [Three Treasures Ruyi Technique], extracting his Essence, Qi, and Spirit to refine "Three Treasures Ruyi," which takes only half a day to complete, leaving the remaining time free for other activities.

Due to the extraction of Essence, Qi, and Spirit, he is not in the best state for pondering Laws or using large amounts of Magical Power. Thus, his time is mostly spent on activities that relax the mind, such as reading, brewing tea, fishing, and barbecuing.

Having cultivated for one thousand eight hundred years, this prolonged period of leisure is a first for Zhouyang.

One must admit, this lifestyle is actually quite pleasant.

There's no pressure from cultivation, no threat from enemies, no internal stress; he can simply do whatever he desires.

This lifestyle is his ideal of a carefree immortal existence, the life he truly yearns for.

Sometimes he even thinks that, even if he cannot become immortal, living happily for thousands of years like this would mean this life was not in vain.

Of course, these thoughts only occasionally occur to him during breaks and do not truly affect his diligent pursuit of the Dao.

A century has passed, and his "Three Treasures Ruyi" is roughly one-third complete, aligning with his expectations. It will likely be completed in two hundred more years without issue.

Meanwhile, the five [Dragon Blood Holy Jade Fruits] on the [Dragon Blood Holy Tree], under the careful tending of two Flood Dragons, have turned purple, and are not far from full ripeness.

Furthermore, Qin Yue'Er, who has been cultivating in seclusion on the island, has successfully reached the sixth layer of the Nascent Soul Stage.

Qin Yue'Er possesses a [Profound Yin Spirit Body], a top-tier talent and aptitude in the realm, and the environment at [Donglai Immortal Island] is very conducive for her secluded cultivation. Hence, her cultivation level has advanced rapidly.

As for Xiao Ying, after using many Tier Six Demon Pills and Spirit Elixirs that Zhouyang brought back from the Dragon Taming Family to refine a batch of Tier Six Spirit Pills, she is currently in seclusion, striving for the sixth layer of Nascent Soul.

Zhouyang naturally dotes on his Dao Companion. Not only does he frequently use [Qianyang Immortal Light] to help her refine her body and remove Erysipelas, but he also regularly aids her cultivation through the Dual Cultivation Technique.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou seems very pleased with this secluded lifestyle. I thought someone like you, used to the battlefield and single-mindedly pursuing the Dao, would never get accustomed to such a life!"

One day, Zhouyang was fishing and reading by a Spirit Lake on the island when Qin Yue'Er's clear, melodious voice like a spring stream rang in his ears.

He put down the Jade Scroll in his hand, turned his head, and saw Qin Yue'Er suspended in mid-air beside him in a white dress, looking at him with curious eyes, like a Moon Palace Fairy.

Seeing this, he couldn't help but smile and shake his head, saying, "Fellow Daoist Qin, you jest. Who wouldn't enjoy a carefree life like this? My struggles and dedication to the Dao were precisely for the sake of living such a life. How could I not be accustomed to it?"

Qin Yue'Er, hearing his words, slightly frowned and asked softly, "Now that Fellow Daoist Zhou has achieved this life and few in this realm threaten you, why do you still strive so diligently to cultivate that Secret Technique? Aren't you worried that after three hundred years of hardship, you'll have gained nothing, wasting your effort?"

Zhouyang shook his head again, somewhat amused, replying, "Fellow Daoist Qin, Crossing the Tribulation and becoming immortal is the greatest goal in cultivation for us cultivators. Now that I am just a step away from achieving it, standing at the doorstep, how can I not try every means to attempt it? Even if, as you say, I fail in the end, at least I won't have any regrets!"

Then, he looked at Qin Yue'Er with a hint of surprise and asked, "From what Fellow Daoist Qin says, you don't seem to have expectations for Crossing the Tribulation and becoming immortal. Why is that?"

As for Qin Yue'Er, Zhouyang didn't know her very well.

The Qin Yue'Er he knew before and the Qin Yue'Er now were the same person, yet their personalities were entirely different.

Moreover, due to certain reasons, he has always intentionally avoided being alone with Qin Yue'Er, avoiding any interaction unrelated to serious matters.

If it weren't for Qin Yue'Er seeking him for conversation today, he would never have actively sought her out.

However, the conversation piqued his curiosity about Qin Yue'Er, this woman of tumultuous experiences.

Despite possessing an incredible talent and the opportunity for Crossing the Tribulation and becoming immortal, why doesn't she seem interested?

Faced with his question, Qin Yue'Er responded with a question of her own: "What is Fellow Daoist Zhou seeking in Crossing the Tribulation and becoming immortal? Is it to ensure the prosperity of the Zhou Family for ten thousand years? To be invincible in this realm? Or merely for extending lifespan by a few millennia?"

"Yes, all these reasons are part of it, but Fellow Daoist Qin, my reasons for Crossing the Tribulation and becoming immortal go far beyond these!"

With a serious expression, Zhouyang looked at Qin Yue'Er, as if addressing her, yet also seeming to speak to himself, voiced solemnly, "I wish to Cross the Tribulation and become immortal. I want to understand the difference between True Immortals and Mortal Cultivators, to journey to the Upper Realm, to witness the legendary Immortal Realm scenery, and even to harmonize with the Heavenly Dao, becoming a Harmonious Celestial Immortal with endless life, living as long as the heavens!"

"Indeed, you have many reasons supporting your desire to Cross the Tribulation and become immortal. You've worked hard for over a thousand years towards this goal, and you naturally wouldn't be willing to stop at the Door of Immortality!"

Qin Yue'Er nodded slightly, agreeing with his words, her face filled with emotion.

Then, in a self-dialogue manner, she continued, "But in contrast, I am different from Fellow Daoist Zhou. I have no clan or family needing care or protection, nor any enemies requiring revenge through enhancement of my cultivation. Consequently, I am now confused about why I should keep striving to cultivate."

"Previously, I could have said it was to assist Fellow Daoist Zhou and repay the life-saving favor, but now with your cultivation level and strength, there seems little that I might aid you with, and my lifespan doesn't seem destined to surpass yours!"

"So, Fellow Daoist Zhou, can you tell me why I need to strive in cultivation? Why anticipate Crossing the Tribulation and becoming immortal?"

Her gaze turned to Zhouyang as she spoke, filled with perplexity.

Zhouyang, upon hearing her words, was momentarily speechless, uncertain of how to respond.

From Qin Yue'Er's remarks, Zhouyang could discern that her state of mind posed a problem, but how to help her resolve it was something he could not determine immediately.

Just as Qin Yue'Er stated, she lacks any driving force compelling her to cultivate diligently or pursue higher realms.

Despite being a Sixth-Layer Nascent Soul Cultivator and nearly two thousand years old, her heart remains as childlike in simplicity and purity, without pressure or troubles.

This is related to her unique experiences; after coming from the [Kunxu Realm], she already possessed Nascent Soul Cultivation, but at that time, she had effectively rebirthed, losing all past memories.

Under such circumstances, even though she later often traveled the Cultivation Realm, it mostly served merely to broaden her knowledge. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

She had no enemies because no one with eyes would bother a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator.

Even if she hid her cultivation and encountered troublemakers, she could easily solve the problem once she revealed her cultivation.

She lacked upward motivation because she had extraordinary talent and no shortage of cultivation resources, easily reaching the Nascent Soul Stage.

However, the advancement in cultivation didn't bring her any excitement, as she actually missed a chance to prove her efforts.

"Maybe, let her go out and find a cultivator or Demon King stronger than her to have a fight?"

"Or let a stronger cultivator and Demon King mock and insult her, giving her motivation to become stronger for revenge?"

Zhouyang's mind was flooded with various ideas, but they were all impractical ones that made him shake his head.

Qin Yue'Er was simple-minded, not stupid, and didn't enjoy conflict at all.

Deliberately sending her to challenge powerful Demon Kings and Cultivators, even if she agreed, might not achieve much effect.

And to have stronger cultivators and Demon Kings mock and insult her is even harder; with her being a Sixth-Layer Nascent Soul Cultivator, how many stronger ones would be willing to offend her like this?

Besides, even though Zhouyang was powerful, he couldn't forcefully handle this matter!

After pondering for a long time, he finally shook his head slightly and said, "Fellow Daoist Qin's problem is beyond Zhou's ability to solve, but since Daoist is used to cultivation, just keep cultivating. Let nature take its course, which is pretty good; or perhaps Daoist could read more books daily, and maybe someday you might have a flash of inspiration and gain enlightenment."

"I understand, I will consider Fellow Daoist Zhou's advice."

Qin Yue'Er nodded dazedly, clearly not really taking in Zhouyang's words.

Watching her ethereal departing figure, Zhouyang couldn't help but shake his head.

Qin Yue'Er's situation can't be merely classified as purifying heart and reducing desire; she was practically a "Saint," indifferent to external things.

To say she was innocent like a child, she was actually simpler than a child.

At least a child would cry when hungry, hurt, or losing a toy.

But she would neither cry nor smile, like a stone devoid of emotional fluctuation.

Zhouyang reckoned that most likely her condition was related to her Profound Yin Body and the experience of almost being refined into a living corpse by the Celestial Killer Corpse King.

How to solve this problem, Zhouyang didn't know yet.

But this issue stayed with him, until after decades had passed, and his Dao Companion Xiao Ying successfully advanced to Sixth-Layer Nascent Soul and came out of seclusion, he informed her of this matter to see if she could find a solution.

"Actually, I noticed some oddities a long time ago; Yue'Er might seem gentle as water, but her heart is colder than Xue Wei's. Husband, you were often out, so you might be realizing this now!"

Xiao Ying sighed lightly, showing worry on her face.

She had been with Qin Yue'Er for hundreds of years, understanding her situation better than Zhouyang did, yet she too seemed without a solution.

Upon seeing this, Zhouyang waved his hand helplessly and said, "Anyway, Ying'Er, you can have a try, if it doesn't work then forget it; her condition isn't really a problem, at most it would mean her Dao path is severed, and she's hopeless for Immortal Ascension!"

Since she herself didn't care if she could Cross the Tribulation and become immortal, why should he worry for her?

Not caring further about this matter, Zhouyang continued his leisurely and comfortable secluded life.

However, while he could ignore this matter, Xiao Ying truly took it to heart, often consulting with Qin Yue'Er, even involving Qing Luo and Silver Bell, two female Demon Kings, in seeking solutions.

It's unclear what Xiao Ying eventually said to Qin Yue'Er, but her previously dazed and lazy attitude indeed changed, and she resumed earnest cultivation, even accepting elixir gifts from Xiao Ying.

Knowing this, Zhouyang was curious for a while, but when he asked Xiao Ying, she refused to disclose it citing confidentiality, so he didn't press on.

As long as she improved, why seek the details?

Time flew by, and after two hundred years of being on Donglai Immortal Island, the five Dragon Blood Holy Jade Fruits fully ripened, turning into a purple-gold color.

But as he needed to refine the "Three Treasures Ruyi," he couldn't consume them yet, so he picked them and stored them, letting the two flood dragons continue cultivating new spirit fruits, promising them to also use the fruits to enhance their cultivation in the future.

With his promise, the two flood dragons naturally became more invested.

After three hundred years of secluded cultivation on Donglai Immortal Island, Zhouyang finally mastered the Three Treasures Ruyi Technique, successfully refining the complete Three Treasures Ruyi within his body.

This Three Treasures Ruyi exhibited white, red, and golden colors: white for Divine Treasure, red for Essence Treasure, and golden for Qi Treasure, immediately grasped by Zhouyang's nascent soul upon completion.

With the success of the Three Treasures Ruyi refinement, after his Essence, Qi, and Spirit recovered well, he immediately consumed five Dragon Blood Holy Jade Fruits, using their potency to remodel the foundation of the Azure Dragon Body Refining Technique, strengthening his physical body.

After ten years of cultivation, Zhouyang's body finally reached the limit a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator could achieve.

If he entered a half-human and half-dragon state now, his Dragon Scale Defense would be no less than that of a Flood Dragon King like the Ink Flood Dragon King, combined with his Great Success Realm Vajra Indestructible Body, his defense would far exceed the Ink Flood Dragon King.

Having reached the physical and Divine Sense limits, along with successfully refining the Three Treasures Ruyi, Zhouyang had a strong urge to attempt breaking into the Tribulation Crossing Stage right on Donglai Immortal Island.

But he ultimately suppressed this impulse because the place wasn't suitable.

Though Donglai Immortal Island was an Immortal Blessed Land, it couldn't compare to the Dome Heaven Immortal Realm.

Besides, after over three hundred years of seclusion, he wasn't sure about the Zhou Family's current situation; he at least had to return to check before peacefully challenging the Tribulation Crossing Stage.