Who Let Him Cultivate Immortality

(TL Note: I’ve gone back and changed Miles in a Step -> So Close Yet Worlds Apart. Also going to release the 5 chapters I promised for reaching 100 5-star reviews on NU. Next goal is 125 i guess)

“You can’t say it like that; I’m just making reasonable use of the legal provisions,” the Eighth Elder defended himself confidently.

“Besides, how could I have expected the other party to expose their identity as a demonic cultivator just to report me to the authorities?”

Lu Yang was very curious about what kind of deception the Eighth Elder had pulled off to make someone so desperate that they’d risk revealing their identity as a demonic cultivator just to get him arrested.

Normally, demonic cultivators are the ones most afraid of contact with the authorities.

The Sixth Elder didn’t dwell on the matter: “Alright, I didn’t come here today to discuss who you’ve deceived. We need your help with something related to talismans.”

Peach Blossom Leaf innocently looked at Lu Yang, who understood the meaning in her gaze:

See, you can’t blame me for having the impression that the Eighth Elder is all about trickery and deceit—he practically admits it the moment we meet.

“You should have said so earlier; I’m the most knowledgeable when it comes to talismans!” The Eighth Elder laughed heartily, feeling proud of his expertise in the field.

“What kind of talisman do you need? Offensive, defensive, and how many? Just tell me, Senior Sister, I can handle it all!”

“Tribulation Crossing and Half-Immortal level talismans are challenging, but I can easily create Unity level talismans.”

The Sixth Elder shook her head: “We don’t need talismans of such a high level. My disciple has an idea that requires you to implement it using talismans.”

The Eighth Elder looked at Peach Blossom Leaf with great interest: “Let’s hear it.”

Peach Blossom Leaf explained the discussion she had with Lu Yang.

The Eighth Elder’s eyes lit up as he listened, and he grew more and more fond of Peach Blossom Leaf: “What an innovative idea! So, how about it? Would you be interested in becoming my disciple?”

“After all, it seems you haven’t done much research on your Feathered Immortal Physique. If you’re not interested in developing it, there’s no need to remain under your master’s tutelage. Your illusion techniques would be perfect for assisting me in my deceptions.”

Someone with such quick thinking would be well-suited to be his disciple.

He knew that Lu Yang was also quick-witted, but he didn’t dare to poach him from Yun Zhi.

Peach Blossom Leaf was startled, immediately resolving to start researching her Feathered Immortal Physique as soon as she returned, to avoid any possibility that her master might decide to hand her over to the Eighth Elder.

“Alright, Eighth Junior Brother, stop scaring her. Let’s talk about the talismans. Can you make them?”

The Eighth Elder stroked his chin and chuckled: “Senior Sister, you don’t trust me. Making these talismans is no big deal—I could draw them with my eyes closed.”

Lu Yang added two more requirements: “It would be best if they could be mass-produced and sold at a low price.”

“And they shouldn’t harm ordinary people.”

If an illusion is too powerful, it could leave ordinary people confused and unable to distinguish between the illusion and reality, even after escaping from it.

The Eighth Elder looked troubled: “Not harming ordinary people is easy, but mass production is a bit tricky.”

“Do you know much about talismans? So far, no one has been able to mass-produce them. Even the simplest strength talisman can’t be mass-produced.”

“My friends and I have studied this problem. Our initial idea was to use woodblock printing, like printing money, to produce talismans. This would significantly reduce their cost.”

(TL Note: Woodblock printing or block printing is a technique for printing text, images or patterns used widely throughout East Asia and originating in China in antiquity as a method of printing on textiles and later on paper. Each page or image is created by carving a wooden block to leave only some areas and lines at the original level; it is these that are inked and show in the print, in a relief printing process. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodblock_printing)

Anyone who could discuss talismans with the Eighth Elder must have been an expert in the field.

“But we found that this doesn’t work. When writing talismans, every stroke needs to be infused with essence, energy, and spirit. This alone stumps 99% of those who want to become talisman makers. And using woodblock printing to create talismans requires even higher precision—it demands infusing one’s essence, energy, and spirit into the gaps of the printing template.”

“It’s not that no talisman makers can do this, but the number who can is too small to allow for large-scale production.”

“We also considered using puppets to create talismans, but puppets lack essence, energy, and spirit, so they can’t make talismans at all.”

“In short, we tried many methods but didn’t succeed, so we set the matter aside.”

“Niece Peach Blossom’s illusion lasts between half an hour to an hour. This is a large-scale illusion, and high-level talismans can achieve this, but they can’t be mass-produced.”

Lu Yang fell into deep thought. He hadn’t realized the difficulties involved in talisman-making. Suddenly, an idea struck him: “I remember that formations can also induce illusions. What if we combine talismans and formations?”

The Eighth Elder made a noise of surprise and did some quick calculations, realizing that this method might actually work.

“Great idea! By simplifying both the talismans and the formations to the Qi Training level, then combining them, it could work!”

“After simplification, Qi Training Stage cultivators would be able to create these talisman-formations!”

“I’m not skilled in formations, so I’ll have to discuss this with my Second Brother. You two head back, and we’ll let you know as soon as we have a conclusion!” The Eighth Elder, excited by the idea, immediately flew off toward the herb garden.

At that moment, Lu Yang received a message from Eldest Senior Sister.

“Come back; the cultivation technique has been written.”

Lu Yang was delighted. Eldest Senior Sister’s efficiency in writing cultivation techniques was as high as ever—she had completed it in just half a day.

Cautiously, Lu Yang approached the base of Heaven’s Gate Peak, ensuring that the puppet wasn’t waiting to ambush him at the entrance before he felt safe enough to ascend the mountain.

All the way up, Lu Yang remained vigilant against any potential surprise attacks from the puppet, but fortunately, he encountered no trouble.

When he reached the summit of Heaven’s Gate Peak, he found Eldest Senior Sister sitting quietly at a stone table, sipping tea. The puppet was serving tea to Eldest Senior Sister with utmost obedience, a stark contrast to how it treated Lu Yang.

On the stone table lay a brand new cultivation manual: the Enlightenment of Heart and Nature Technique, Golden Core Stage Chapter.

“Try cultivating with it. I made some changes based on your original technique.”

Lu Yang was overjoyed, feeling that Eldest Senior Sister was indeed reliable, much more so than the Everlasting Fairy, who was always talking about teaching him the art of playing dead. Eldest Senior Sister, on the other hand, wrote cultivation techniques for him.

The handwriting on the manual was as meticulous, beautiful, and cold as Eldest Senior Sister herself.

Since the technique was based on Lu Yang’s own ideas, he quickly grasped it. After reading through it twice, he had it memorized and was ready to practice circulating his qi.

Following the theory in the technique, Lu Yang focused his mind on a stream of spiritual energy, guiding it to circulate through his body in a controlled and rhythmic manner.

He soon completed a full cycle of circulation, signifying that he had successfully begun practicing the technique.

Feeling confident, Lu Yang thought, “I really am an extraordinary genius, the strongest there ever was!”

He believed that cultivation was something that came easily to him and that no one could match his talent.

He then turned his gaze to Eldest Senior Sister, who was calmly sipping tea.

Even Eldest Senior Sister wouldn’t be a match for me!

“Wait, something’s not right!” Lu Yang suddenly realized that something was off. No matter how slow-witted he might be, he knew this conclusion—”Even Eldest Senior Sister isn’t a match for me”—was completely illogical.

“It’s the Invincible Core. The Invincible Core gave me an overwhelming sense of invincibility, but I’ve always been able to suppress this feeling with logic. The Enlightenment of Heart and Nature Technique amplified the confidence from the Invincible Core, making me feel utterly invincible!”

Lu Yang’s body moved uncontrollably toward Eldest Senior Sister, while the Invincible Core kept warning him not to act.

“Please commit suicide immediately to maintain a 100% win rate.”

“Please commit suicide immediately to maintain a 100% win rate.”

The Invincible Core persistently urged Lu Yang to ensure a perfect record.

Eldest Senior Sister lifted her eyelids slightly, realizing she had overlooked this particular trait of the Invincible Core when she wrote the technique.

Fortunately, Lu Yang had faced many crises before, and in this moment of danger, he reacted swiftly.

“Turning Beans into Soldiers!”

Lu Yang relinquished control of his body to the Everlasting Fairy, who had been merely observing the situation.

“Huh? Huh??”

The Everlasting Fairy was shocked, suddenly finding herself in the midst of the chaos she had been watching.

She tried to control Lu Yang’s out-of-control body to attack Eldest Senior Sister, but Eldest Senior Sister simply flicked her finger, sending him flying.

Lu Yang successfully maintained his undefeated record.

(TL Note: Should have added this in chapter 179 but the phrase “Turning Beans into Soldiers” comes from Taoism, where it was believed that powerful Taoist priests or immortals could perform miraculous feats through their mastery of magic and the natural elements. One such feat was the ability to transform ordinary objects into soldiers or warriors. Everlasting Fairy’s name is Huang Dou Dou (黄豆豆) which contains the word bean in chinese which is 豆 so he’s basically turning her into a soldier and making her fight for him.)

(End of the chapter)