Chapter 723 |
“Did she really break through?”
When the laws of heaven and earth descended and the spiritual energy of the world enveloped Madam Wei, everyone was utterly stunned.
To turn a frail centenarian who had never cultivated into a Precelestial Realm cultivator—granting her two hundred extra years of life—was nothing short of a divine miracle.
Lu Qing’s actions could truly be called seizing heaven’s fortune; even an immortal would pale in comparison!
Wei Xinghe and Wei Zian were beside themselves with joy.
No one was happier than the mother and son—except perhaps the husband who watched his wife ascend to the Precelestial Realm.
The dense spiritual energy shrouded Madam Wei completely, and Lu Qing stood beside her, protecting her during the process.
The fluctuation of the heavenly rules had no effect on him whatsoever.
After all, this was only a Precelestial breakthrough—such minor divine power was no more than a gentle breeze to him.
When she appeared, everyone gasped in awe.
A faint aura of innate vitality surrounded her. Her once white hair was now jet-black, the wrinkles on her face had vanished, and her skin was smooth and radiant.
She looked to be around thirty years old—exactly as she had been when Lu Qing first met her and Wei Zian years ago.
Not only had Madam Wei stepped into the Precelestial Realm, she had even regained her youth!
“Mother, how do you feel?”
Wei Zian looked at her, half in disbelief.
Wei Xinghe, for his part, was utterly dumbfounded as he stared at his rejuvenated wife.
“I feel… wonderful,” Madam Wei said softly, still in shock herself.
Before taking the pill, even though she was at the Internal Organs Realm, her body still carried the marks of age—her dwindling vitality was hard to conceal.
But now she was brimming with life. The vitality in her body surged like a river; it was as though she had been reborn into a new vessel.
When her newly-formed innate true qi circulated, she could feel power she had never imagined before.
“So this is true qi… The power you all possess—it’s so mysterious,” she murmured in amazement.
“Madam Wei has just broken through,” Lu Qing said with a smile. “You’ll need some time to stabilize your cultivation.”
“But… but I don’t even know how to cultivate,” Madam Wei said hesitantly.
“That’s fine. I’ll teach you a simple Qi Refinement Technique. It’s not difficult and doesn’t require special talent. As long as you practice regularly, you’ll make progress.”
As he spoke, Lu Qing extended a finger and gently touched her brow.
Instantly, a stream of information flowed into her consciousness, causing her to close her eyes and comprehend instinctively.
Her innate true qi began to move on its own, following the pattern of the new technique.
When one full circulation ended, Madam Wei opened her eyes in wonder—she had memorized the technique’s route perfectly.
Without realizing it, she began to repeat the process, refining her qi again and again.
By then, Lu Qing had already withdrawn his hand.
After nine full circulations, a faint trace of spiritual power formed within her dantian.
“Ah Qing, this is…?”
“Congratulations, Madam Wei,” Lu Qing said with a smile. “You’ve mastered the Evergreen Technique and have become a true Qi Refiner.”
“The Evergreen Technique?”
“Yes. The technique I imparted to you is called the Evergreen Technique. It’s a method focused on nourishing the body. Simple, easy to learn, and steady to cultivate.
It strengthens vitality, grants longevity, and maintains youth.
The only drawback is that its power is limited—it’s not very effective in combat.”
“To prolong life and stay young forever?” Madam Wei’s eyes lit up.
Even Hu Zezhi’s expression shifted slightly at that.
Lu Qing nodded. “If you cultivate diligently and reach the peak of the Qi Refinement Realm, you can even extend your lifespan by fifty more years. But remember, its spiritual power is gentle—it’s not suited for battle.”
“That’s more than enough! I don’t fight anyway,” Madam Wei said with joy.
Then she stood and bowed deeply. “Ah Qing, thank you for granting me a second life. I can never repay such kindness.”
“Indeed, Brother Lu,” said Wei Zian, bowing as well. “Thank you for helping my mother break through.”
Wei Xinghe also clasped his fists and bowed deeply. “Many thanks, Young Master Lu, for saving my wife.”
“You’re all too polite,” Lu Qing replied with a faint smile. “It was just a small effort—it cost me nothing.”
He wasn’t being humble; helping Madam Wei truly hadn’t consumed much energy.
The pill he had given her was not ordinary—it was the Absolute Immortal Pill.
Its primary function was to help a Postnatal cultivator forcibly open all their meridians and reach the Precelestial Realm.
However, it came with a severe drawback.
As its name implied, “Absolute Immortal”—those who took it severed their path to immortality.
Afterward, they would find it almost impossible to advance beyond the Precelestial stage.
It was said that the pill was invented by a Nascent Soul Realm alchemist in a minor world long ago.
That alchemist was a man of deep affection. Before stepping onto the path of cultivation, he had a mortal wife whom he loved dearly.
One day, a wandering immortal discovered his exceptional potential and forcibly took him as a disciple, promising that if he reached Foundation Establishment, he could reunite with his wife.
Driven by love, the young man cultivated tirelessly. Decades later, he succeeded—and even excelled at alchemy. But when he finally returned home, his beloved wife was old and dying.
Heartbroken, he brought her back to his sect and devoted himself to studying alchemy, determined to restore her youth.
He nearly succeeded—but before he could complete the pill, she passed away.
Grief consumed him. Overnight, his hair turned white.
After burying her, he shut himself away in cultivation. Perhaps it was that heartbreak that shattered his final mortal attachment—his cultivation soared.
Within a short time, he broke through to the Golden Core stage, and two centuries later, he became the youngest Nascent Soul cultivator in his sect.
His master—the same immortal who had taken him away—was overjoyed, believing that his cruel decision had forged a peerless disciple.
But one night, tragedy struck. The entire sect was wiped out—disciples and elders alike were found poisoned.
The killer was none other than that very alchemist.
He had spent years perfecting a poison infused with his alchemical knowledge—one that not even Nascent Soul cultivators could resist.
After killing his master, he destroyed himself, leaving behind only a jade slip that explained everything and contained all his life’s work.
That was how the Absolute Immortal Pill came to be known to the world.
Lu Qing had read about this story in a Nascent Soul cultivator’s alchemy records.
Even now, he could not judge the man—only sigh at the tragedy of fate.
The pill might not be of high grade, but it was extremely valuable and required rare spiritual herbs to refine.
The one Lu Qing possessed had come from the collection of a Nascent Soul master.
Unfortunately, only those with sufficient vitality—at least Postnatal late-stage cultivators—could withstand its power. Ordinary mortals would die from its force.
Hence, someone like old Zhang Dabo could never take it.
Lu Qing sighed inwardly. He wasn’t omnipotent, after all.
“Regardless, Brother Lu,” said Wei Zian, his eyes full of gratitude, “our Wei family owes you too much already. We can never repay it.”
Lu Qing chuckled. “We’ve known each other for years. Think nothing of it.”
Then he rose. “I’ve done all I came to do—it’s time I returned. Zian, keep cultivating. When you reach the Golden Core Realm, I’ll have a gift for you.”
“Brother Lu, let me see you off,” Wei Zian said quickly.
But Lu Qing waved him off. “No need. It’s not far.”
With that, he turned into a stream of light and vanished into the sky.
“Ah Qing, he still leaves just like that…” Madam Wei murmured with a sigh.
“He’s always hated formalities,” Wei Shanhai said, smiling faintly. “Some things never change.”
The Wei family lingered a while longer before finally departing.
When they returned home and the servants saw the rejuvenated Madam Wei, the entire household fell into a stir.
But by then, Lu Qing was already back at his own residence.
He found Xiao Yan and Han Lingshuang just awakening from meditation.
“You’re both awake? Good timing—I have something for you.”
“Brother, what is it?” Xiao Yan asked, her eyes shining.
“I refined some pills these past few days.”
Lu Qing took out several jade bottles.
“These two contain cold-attribute pills to enhance your cultivation—they’ll suit your ice-element techniques perfectly. And this one”—he handed it to Han Lingshuang—“is a pill that can enhance your Golden Core’s quality.”
“Cold-attribute pills?” Xiao Yan exclaimed happily. “So that’s what that fragrance was! You were refining pills!”
“Such valuable pills, I dare not accept,” Han Lingshuang said nervously.
“It’s fine,” Lu Qing said calmly. “They’re of no use to me now. It’s better they help you grow stronger.”
He placed the jade bottle firmly in her hand before she could refuse again.
“Then… many thanks, My Lord,” she said, bowing gracefully.
“No need for formalities,” Lu Qing replied. Then he added, “Xiao Yan, I’ll be entering seclusion again soon. I might not cook for a while.”
“That’s okay, Brother. I’ll use the time to refine the pills you gave me,” she said brightly.
“Good. Just don’t rush it. Even with the Mysterious Ice Cold Flame protecting you, don’t refine too many at once. You might build up pill toxins.”
“I know,” she said obediently.
After giving a few more instructions, Lu Qing headed toward the Jade Transformation Chamber for his retreat.
Before he could enter, Xiao Li leapt onto his shoulder, insisting on joining him.
Lu Qing smiled and didn’t refuse.
Soon, he and the little creature disappeared into the depths of the cave.
Seated in meditation, Lu Qing calmed his spirit completely.
This time, all his affairs were finally settled. His mind had returned to its peak state.
It was time to focus entirely on cultivating and comprehending the divine ability—Phantasm—and elevate it to the level of a Major Divine Ability.
As he entered deep meditation, his consciousness once again touched the boundless Sea of Laws.
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