Cultivation: I Can Reincarnate Into Various Worlds-Chapter 590 - 302, join the Emperor’s Son Pavilion, codename Red Bird_2

Although she hadn't reached the Primordial Spirit Realm before her death, her father, the Abyssal Sea Dragon King, was one of the powerful Primordial Spirit experts from ancient times. She knew quite a bit about the secrets of the Primordial Spirit Realm.

"After three thousand years, the chances of breaking through the Primordial Spirit Realm will drastically decrease?"

Xu Xing caught the information revealed in Ao Yuniang's words.

"That's right. Xu Daoist, you didn't know this?" Ao Yuniang asked, her tone carrying a hint of surprise. "In the Cultivation World, there's a saying that once one's age exceeds half the typical lifespan for a cultivator in a given realm, future breakthroughs will become incredibly difficult."

"The Foundation Establishment stage grants a 400-year lifespan, and the optimal age for breakthrough is before 200 years. The Golden Core Realm grants a 1,500-year lifespan, with the optimal breakthrough age before 700 years..."

"For the Nascent Soul Realm, the optimal breakthrough window is before 2,500 years of age. Beyond 3,000 years, the difficulty of advancing further multiplies."

After discussing with Ao Yuniang, Xu Xing composed himself and meticulously recorded the Melting Cloud technique onto a jade slip using his divine sense.

Then, he turned his gaze towards Yan Luanqing.

Using this breakthrough-assisting secret technique would hinder my own Dao path. But it might not be the case for Yan Luanqing. The Melting Cloud technique damages one's foundation in exchange for a forced breakthrough...

Xu Xing hesitated for a short while before steeling his resolve. He decided to give Yan Luanqing the choice of whether to cultivate the Melting Cloud technique, along with the Spirit Slaying Nurturing Soul technique. He included a warning: "This breakthrough-assisting secret technique damages one's foundation. I hope Senior Sister Yan will cultivate it with caution!"

As for the origin of these two secret techniques, he casually fabricated a story, claiming he had accidentally acquired them after vanquishing a foe in the past.

The Melting Cloud technique, the Spirit Slaying Nurturing Soul technique... these two secret arts...

After Yan Luanqing finished reading the contents of the cultivation methods detailed on the jade slip, her expression became complicated.

Deciding whether to cultivate the Melting Cloud technique was indeed a very difficult test for her Dao Heart.

The pros and cons of practicing this breakthrough-assisting secret technique were clearly explained on the jade slip.

The most suitable cultivation path for her seemed to be cultivating the Melting Cloud technique first. Then, after reaching the late-stage Nascent Soul Realm, she could seek other methods to attempt a breakthrough into the Primordial Spirit Realm, thereby increasing her chances of success.

However, making such a decision was often the most difficult.

If her lifespan were nearing its end, she would definitely choose to cultivate the Melting Cloud technique. But her current age was still two thousand years shy of the three-thousand-year "half-lifespan" threshold often discussed for major breakthroughs.

During this time, what if my Dao path takes a turn, and I encounter a fortuitous opportunity that allows me to smoothly reach the late-stage Nascent Soul Realm...

"Junior Brother Chang, why...why are you so kind to me?"

Yan Luanqing put away the jade slip and suppressed the myriad thoughts in her mind. Her usual aloof and serene demeanor, reminiscent of an orchid in a secluded valley, returned as she looked at Xu Xing with scrutinizing eyes.

"Senior Sister Yan, more than ten years ago, when Ancestor Ze Sheng handed over the Cicada Palace Seven Methods to me, he didn't ask for any remuneration..."

"As fellow disciples, we should naturally support each other. Besides, this secret technique is just a cultivation method, not a finite resource. Even if Senior Sister Yan learns it, it doesn't mean I won't be able to cultivate it in the future..."

Xu Xing sighed inwardly, met Yan Luanqing's gaze, and spoke.

With my insight, I've naturally discerned the affection Yan Luanqing has developed for me recently. However, I know her personality; she would never tolerate me having other close female companions. Therefore, I have no intention of deceiving her with excuses. It is best for us to remain as close senior sister and junior brother.

Moreover, Yan Luanqing's aptitude wasn't as outstanding as Dai Ji's.

Even if he were to engage in dual cultivation with Yan Luanqing, though it would aid her cultivation progress, the benefits he himself would obtain would be significantly less than those from cultivating with Dai Ji.

Of course, if Yan Luanqing ever had a change of heart and was willing to have a casual affair with me, I naturally wouldn't refuse. A marriage engagement, however... that I would never dare promise rashly.

"Junior Brother Chang's words are very true!"

Yan Luanqing nodded slightly.

Under her gaze, Xu Xing's eyes were clear, his demeanor as tranquil and detached as an ancient cypress. He showed no signs of harboring romantic feelings.

It seems Junior Brother Chang truly has a carefree mindset, solely dedicated to his duties. I must have been overthinking...

But why did Junior Brother Chang ask me for the 'Yin and Yang Harmony Pact'...? She pondered this endlessly but still couldn't fathom his reasoning.

"The Immortal Path is long and arduous, but with Junior Brother Chang's company, this journey doesn't seem so lonely," Yan Luanqing said, a smile gracing her lips.

At this moment, her thoughts were clear. If she couldn't be Xu Xing's wife, then being "spouses" in a different sense would also be acceptable. Spouses, in this context, are not only husbands and wives but can also be friends on the Immortal Path.

"Good."

Xu Xing nodded slightly.

「Time flies.」

In the blink of an eye, three years passed.

Xu Xing, who was meditating in the blessed land of the Immeasurable Sect, sensed the jade token in his storage bag tremble slightly.

He opened his eyes and gazed towards the horizon. A few cold, imposing auras had appeared within the blessed land.

"Finally, the Emperor's Son Pavilion of the Chiming Imperial Dynasty has arrived..."

Xu Xing rose from the jade seat, and with a wave of his sleeve robe, he instantly appeared high above the clouds, confronting the cultivators from the Emperor's Son Pavilion.

These cultivators wore black iron masks, their auras chillingly cold, their cultivation methods indiscernible.

A short while later, Yan Luanqing also emerged, standing beside Xu Xing to face them together.

Both sides unleashed their spiritual pressure, pressing down on their opponents.

Instantly, the blessed land was thrown into disarray, structures crumbling under the immense pressure.

Her spiritual pressure is still at the early-stage Nascent Soul Realm, not mid-stage. It seems Senior Sister Yan hasn't made up her mind to cultivate the Melting Cloud technique. Xu Xing noted Yan Luanqing's aura.

He shook his head with a sigh and released more of his own spiritual pressure, helping Yan Luanqing withstand the opposing force.

Time slowly passed.

One quarter of an hour.

Two quarters of an hour.

...

Both sides constantly probed each other.

Finally, half a day later, Xu Xing and Yan Luanqing could no longer withstand the pressure from the Emperor's Son Pavilion cultivators and were forced back several steps.

The leader of the Emperor's Son Pavilion cultivators, a grey-robed old man, broke the silence. Stroking his beard, he said with a smile, "Not bad. Two mere early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators managing to withstand my spiritual pressure..."

"Ten years ago, your Pavilion expressed interest in recruiting Chang Mou and Senior Sister Yan. What was the meaning behind that?" Xu Xing stepped forward, cupped his fists in a salute to the grey-robed old man, and asked.

"Chang Kun, a cultivator of the Immeasurable Sect," the grey-robed old man began, not directly answering Xu Xing's question. After a moment of reflection, he continued, reciting Xu Xing's renowned achievements in the Nanyan Continent, "Suspected of possessing the Golden Crow Immortal Body. In the battle with Silver Ring Zhai, he eliminated two Dao Lords. At the Nascent Soul Creation Grand Ceremony, he nearly killed Elder Jiu Ling..."

After finishing, he chuckled. "With Daoist Chang's strength and aptitude, joining my Emperor's Son Pavilion offers boundless prospects."

"The Immeasurable Sect is merely a minor school. Its resources and cultivation methods are insufficient to nurture a Primordial Spirit cultivator. But the Emperor's Son Pavilion can!"

This time, Yan Luanqing was merely an incidental recruitment for the Emperor's Son Pavilion; their true target, the one they highly valued, was Xu Xing and his Golden Crow Immortal Body, originating from a minor school.

As his words fell, the atmosphere grew quiet for a moment.

Xu Xing and Yan Luanqing exchanged glances, then nodded and bowed in unison. "We thank the Emperor's Son Pavilion and you, Senior, for your esteem. We juniors are willing to join the Emperor's Son Pavilion."

In their current situation, they were like fish on a chopping block; with their combined strength, Xu Xing and Yan Luanqing were simply incapable of resisting a colossal entity like the Emperor's Son Pavilion.

The only thing they could do was join.

The preceding confrontation had been a calculated display of their value to the Emperor's Son Pavilion, not a genuine attempt at defiance.

"These are Dao Oaths. Swear by them, and you may join our Pavilion."

The grey-robed old man smiled, as if he had anticipated this outcome all along.

Then, he took out two jade slips from his sleeve and tossed one to Xu Xing and the other to Yan Luanqing.

"I, Chang Kun, am willing to join the Emperor's Son Pavilion. If... I violate this oath, may my Dao path be hopeless in this life..."

Upon receiving the jade slip, Xu Xing didn't swear hastily. He first carefully read the contents of the Dao Oath. Only after confirming it contained no excessively harsh conditions did he set aside his worries and begin to recite the oath.

Otherwise, with my strength, escaping from the Immeasurable Sect wouldn't have been difficult. In the worst-case scenario, I could always return to East Huangzhou.

Seeing Xu Xing take the oath, Yan Luanqing hesitated no longer and recited it with him, thus joining the Emperor's Son Pavilion.

At this point, there was no turning back for her.

"From now on, your code names in the Pavilion will be Mysterious Snake and Red Bird."

The grey-robed old man produced two black iron masks. After engraving the seal script characters for "Mysterious Snake" and "Red Bird" on them respectively, he handed one to Xu Xing and the other to Yan Luanqing.