Chapter 84: The Sincere Li Chengfu

“For the sake of the immortal path, I have traversed the world, traveling more than countless millions of miles.

Through the changing seasons, the ebb and flow of yin and yang, I have crossed mountains and rivers, witnessing the passage of time.

I have also borne witness to the transformations of this world over a hundred years.”

An old man with white hair sat upon a reclining chair, his gaze distant as he looked up at the sky.

His voice was slow, recounting the story of his life.

He recalled the days of his birth and thought of the body he now inhabited, as fragile as rotting wood.

“Is it truly impossible for those with mortal aptitudes to approach the Great Dao?”

The aura of decay around him grew heavier.

“In this life, I have only cultivated the methods of others, yearning to become immortal, to be an ancestor among men.

If there is another life, I will surely forge my own path of cultivation.”

Mumbling these words, the old man drifted off to sleep.

In a hazy dream, he lived his life once more.

Yet this time, unlike before, at the end of the dream, he used all he had seen, learned, comprehended, and felt to create a blood and qi foundation technique, stepping directly into the Returning Void realm.

At that moment, the old man’s frail body began to change, and the blood and qi foundation technique he had forged in the dream instantly reached the state of unity between mind and intent.

Riding the momentum, he cultivated the technique he had long prepared, stepping into the Returning Void realm in one stride.

The world shattered, and Xu Chen returned.

Within the Holy White Space, Xu Chen’s expression was tinged with surprise.

“That’s it?”

“Enlightenment in a dream—truly mysterious.”

No sooner had he spoken than a torrent of insights surged into his mind.

As his consciousness returned to his body, before he could even process it all, a wave of drowsiness overtook him.

He lay down and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

In his dreams, Xu Chen became a wanderer, journeying across the dreamworld.

Time in the dream was indeterminate; it felt as though decades had passed.

When Xu Chen finally awoke, he immediately took out his disciple's token to check the time, only to find that just three days had gone by.

“Thank goodness.”

In his home’s training grounds, Xu Chen felt the surging power of blood and qi within him, overjoyed.

The Seven Forms of Heavenly Evolution had reached the state where form and intent were one. Though he had not yet manifested a blood and qi avatar, he could feel that this breakthrough had improved him more than any previous foundation technique.

His blood and qi had increased by the equivalent of three tigers, and now Xu Chen’s power had soared to that of two dragons.

Most crucial was the enhancement to his combat strength. Xu Chen felt that his control over internal force had reached its peak.

His practical combat prowess had increased by an untold magnitude.

In the training ground, Xu Chen leisurely practiced the Wave-Turning Palm.

Each slow and measured movement sent force shooting dozens of yards away, maintaining its shape and spirit.

After thoroughly testing his abilities, Xu Chen felt confident he could defeat ten of his former selves.

Having finished a round of Wave-Turning Palm, Xu Chen intended to enter the Holy White Space and tackle the Ninefold Vajra.

“No rush—daytime is for cultivation,” he reminded himself.

Out on the small square beyond his door, Xu Chen began to practice the Ninefold Soul Refinement.

At that moment, a luxurious spirit vessel descended from afar, and Li Chengfu leapt down from Ningzhou, rushing toward Xu Chen.

“Brother Xu, I finally get to see you!” Li Chengfu’s expression was urgent.

“Come on, let’s talk at home.”

In Xu Chen’s courtyard—

“What brings you to me in such a hurry?” Xu Chen asked curiously.

“I had some business recently and traveled far,” Li Chengfu replied. “When I got back, I nearly found my house cleaned out by that rascal Changshou.

Brother Xu, you and I have the deepest bond.” Li Chengfu’s eyes were wide and glistening.

“Uh, Senior Brother, just tell me what you need. No need for all this preamble.” Xu Chen felt a little uncomfortable under Li Chengfu’s gaze.

“It’s like this: in a year, there’ll be a great opportunity, right in the sea between the frontlines and the Holy Spirit Celestial Court.

The Holy Spirit Celestial Court is a grand alliance of foreign races, their strength on par with our own people.

As for this great opportunity—it’s an ancient battlefield of the myriad saints, located at the sea’s center. Due to the chaos of the Dao’s laws, only those at the blood and qi stage who have never cultivated any techniques may enter.

Within a year—perhaps even less—our people will gather their strongest blood and qi cultivators to enter and seek out primordial treasures or inheritances.”

Li Chengfu poured out everything he knew in one breath.

“Senior Brother Li is refreshingly straightforward,” Xu Chen remarked, sipping his spirit tea, the confusion on his face dispelled.

“That’s how it should be—sincerity is key to any friendship.

When the time comes, we can form a team—well, let’s add that sly Zong Changshou too, he’s perfect for scouting and treasure-hunting.

My father sent word from the Imperial Dao Continent: to even withstand the aura inside, one needs at least the strength of three dragons.”

“To reach the power of three dragons within a year—I can manage that,” Xu Chen nodded.

“So can I. The foundation technique I practice is at a bottleneck; if I break through within the year, my blood and qi will surpass even three dragons,” Li Chengfu replied, brimming with energy.

“About that ancient battlefield of the myriad saints—are there any particular risks?” Xu Chen asked.

“There are. Our people have already come into contact with the Holy Spirit Celestial Court, and their attitude toward us is openly hostile.

Some of their races even harbor ambitions to wipe us out.

Apparently, they were the first to discover the ancient battlefield, and have been preparing for a long time, nurturing many blood and qi prodigies ready for battle.

If we go in, we’re bound to clash with their elites—it’ll be a fight to the death,” said Li Chengfu.

“If it’s so dangerous, I notice that neither you, Senior Brother Zong, nor Sister Bai have any thought of shrinking back,” Xu Chen observed. By Li Chengfu’s account, those who had just reached three dragons were little better than cannon fodder.

“Before entering, everyone leaves a wisp of their soul behind. If disaster strikes, you can rely on the Human Dao’s power to reincarnate. Your talent will be diminished and your cultivation lost, but you’ll live.

Of course, this consumes the power of the Human Dao and requires great merit or the aid of a Golden Immortal or higher to redeem.

Still, in the face of such opportunity, the price is worth paying.

Brother Xu, if you team up with me and something truly goes wrong, my family will find a way to resurrect you.”

“Alright, let me think it over,” Xu Chen replied with a slight nod.

“Alright, I’ve said enough for today. Take your time, Brother Xu.

No matter what you decide, our friendship won’t change,” Li Chengfu said, then took his leave.

“Reincarnation and starting over…” Xu Chen murmured softly.

To be honest, he wasn’t particularly tempted by this so-called great opportunity.

With his external aid, as long as he progressed steadily, he was sure to secure his place among humanity’s future heroes.

He didn’t fear starting over—what worried him was that reincarnation might sever his connection to his external aid.

“To go or not to go?” Xu Chen mused, stroking his chin.

“Forget it, there’s no need to dwell on it. Better to finish conquering that other avatar first.”

Inside the Holy White Space, Xu Chen pushed open the gate to the Ninefold Vajra.

Standing before the avatar that resembled a tortoise shell, Xu Chen merely smiled.

Now that I’ve mastered my skills, no shell is too thick for me to break!