Cultivation: From Servant to Revered Immortal

Chapter 562 - 171: Reunion with True Monarch Iron Mountain!

At the cave mansion of Master Qianfu on Celestial Talisman Island,

"Daoist Brother has finally returned from this trip!" True Monarch Qianfu showed a relieved expression,

During Zhou Xun’s absence, he was under significant pressure!

Without Zhou Xun as a backing, even his position as the Commander seemed slightly unstable.

After all, his current status was entirely reliant on Zhou Xun’s support. The Core Formation Elders of several other sects had long coveted his position as Commander.

He cautiously asked:

"Daoist Brother, now that you’re back, you shouldn’t be leaving again, right?"

Seeing Cao Feiyu’s demeanor, Zhou Xun couldn’t help but chuckle, though he understood the pressure he was under.

He smiled and reassured him:

"Rest assured, after this outing, I shouldn’t be leaving for several decades!"

Master Qianfu was delighted to hear this,

"That’s excellent, Daoist Brother. During your absence, I’ve been on edge for quite some time!"

"Oh, could it be that someone dared to bully our disciples from Celestial Talisman Island?" Zhou Xun asked in surprise.

"Certainly not, but during this period, the Demon Race organized another attack. Fortunately, True Monarch Iron Mountain was here to push them back!" Master Qianfu replied.

"With Daoist Brother Iron Mountain here, unless the Demon Race would send multiple Tier Four Great Demons at once, we shouldn’t have any issues!"

Then, Zhou Xun turned his attention to Li Daniu and Wenn Yue, concernedly asking:

"During this time, have you two adapted well here?"

"It’s wonderful here, much better than where we were before. We owe it all to you, Brother, for recommending us!"

Wenn Yue respectfully bowed and said softly.

"That’s good. You two should cultivate well here. Currently, the situation between humans and demons is tense, though it’s been somewhat peaceful in recent years,"

"but when I went to Sea Suppression Immortal City, I noticed the number of cultivators increasing, which clearly indicates that both sides are merely temporarily ceasing hostilities,

"and are continuing to build their strength. There will inevitably be another battle, and undoubtedly, this battle will far surpass the previous ones!"

"It might even be the decisive battle for the future of the South Sea Cultivation Realm!"

"Under such circumstances, you and I are like ants, and we must improve our cultivation as much as possible before then!"

Zhou Xun recalled what he had seen in Sea Suppression Immortal City and sighed softly.

Of course, for Zhou Xun, if things reached an irretrievable point, he could still retreat to the Secret Realm.

"Thank you, Brother, for the reminder!"

The three people from Master Qianfu’s side heard these words and became more solemn, expressing their gratitude.

This kind of information was extremely precious, and knowing it in advance allowed them the opportunity to prepare, which could one day save their lives.

Afterward, the group continued their feast,

during which Zhou Xun discussed some minor cultivation tricks and taboos with the three,

although the three of Master Qianfu’s cultivation levels were only Early-Stage Core Formation,

having cultivated up to the Core Formation stage, they naturally had their unique insights, and the exchange was quite helpful to Zhou Xun as well.

In the evening, after the feast concluded, Zhou Xun returned to his cave mansion.

...

Upon returning to the cave mansion, he went to the Spiritual Spring at the front of the hall,

The Grand Elder’s cave mansion on Celestial Talisman Island naturally occupied the Spiritual Eye of the island,

and thus, there was a naturally occurring Spiritual Spring here,

which Zhou Xun planned to transform into a habitat for the "Phoenix Butterfly."

After all, the spring of the Spiritual Eye could somewhat be considered Spirit Liquid, though its level and purity of Spiritual Qi were somewhat low,

yet it was suitable as a permanent abode for the Phoenix Butterfly.

With a wave of his hand, a Tier Three Middle-Grade Spiritual Essence Vine appeared in his hand, and after a simple weaving, a nest of three to four inches in size took shape,

"Though it’s a bit ugly, it’s useful enough!"

Zhou Xun self-mockingly smiled, then placed it above the spring of the Spiritual Eye, followed by a pat on his waist on the Spirit Insect Bag,

A flash of light, and a blue shadow flew out, happily circling around Zhou Xun,

then landed on Zhou Xun’s fingertip, transforming into a two-inch blue Spirit Butterfly, gently flapping its wings.

Zhou Xun gently stroked it with his fingers and then commanded it to reside in the nest above the Spiritual Spring.

The Phoenix Butterfly flapped its wings and flew over, landing on the woven nest above,

Immediately, the Phoenix Butterfly sent a faint sense of joy, clearly very satisfied.

Seeing this, Zhou Xun couldn’t help but shake his head,

He wondered what kind of environment the Phoenix Butterfly had previously lived in to be so delighted with this simple spring of the Spiritual Eye!

With a sigh, Zhou Xun sent out a Sound Transmission Talisman, instructing Luo Yuancheng to bring a batch of Tier Two Spirit Liquid.

This Spirit Butterfly had an extraordinary origin, yet it was only a larval stage equivalent to a human Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

It would need to be nurtured slowly.

Besides that, there was Zhou Xun’s Thousand-Answering Insect, which could also be cultivated,

If it could be nurtured into a mature Thousand-Answering Cicada, it would rank ninth on the Alien Insect List!

However, it was currently being nurtured by Song Yiqing.

"Well, next time, I’ll bring back this "Hundred Insects Scripture"!"

Soon, Luo Yuancheng arrived!

"Greetings, Master!" Luo Yuancheng respectfully offered a grand salute!

Zhou Xun, scanning with his Divine Sense, assessed Luo Yuancheng’s situation and nodded slightly in approval,

"Hm, not bad, you haven’t been slacking off during this time. I imagine you’ll soon step into the Ninth-Layer Foundation Establishment!"

"It’s all thanks to the Master’s nurturing!" Luo Yuancheng said respectfully, then took out five jade bottles and placed them in front of Zhou Xun.

"Here are all the Tier Two Spirit Liquids stored in the sect’s storage, a total of five types!"

"Hmm!"

Zhou Xun nodded and waved his hand, causing all five jade bottles to fly up and follow him to the Spiritual Spring.

Luo Yuancheng subsequently looked over, only to see an exceptionally beautiful dark blue Spirit Butterfly flutter up and land in Zhou Xun’s palm, which made him click his tongue in wonder.

"This was acquired during my recent excursion and is named the ’Phoenix Butterfly’!" Zhou Xun seemingly noticed Luo Yuancheng’s gaze and explained.

Then he picked up a jade bottle and removed the stopper.

Instantly, a fragrant scent wafted out,

and the Phoenix Butterfly beside him, upon smelling this, excitedly flapped its wings. Seeing this, Zhou Xun smiled slightly and gently poured a drop of Spirit Liquid into his palm!

The Spirit Butterfly immediately extended its proboscis, dipped it into the drop of Spirit Liquid, and greedily began to suck it dry.

In just a moment, it had consumed that soy-sized drop of Spirit Liquid, and the Spirit Butterfly conveyed a sense of satisfaction.

"Go!"

Zhou Xun gently sent it on its way, and the Spirit Butterfly immediately flew back to its nest to start digesting this drop of Spirit Liquid!

Zhou Xun then put the stopper back on and looked towards Luo Yuancheng, clapped his hand, took out a green-black token, and tossed it over.

Luo Yuancheng took the token in his hand, revealing a puzzled expression, unsure of Zhou Xun’s intentions with this act.

"This is the Deputy Token to my Cave Mansion; it grants you access to my Cave Mansion. From now on, every month, come here to feed this ’Phoenix Butterfly’ a drop of Tier Two Spirit Liquid!"

Zhou Xun instructed.

This token was specially refined to grant access to the hall of the Cave Mansion.

According to the Hundred Insects Scripture, cultivating the Phoenix Butterfly requires feeding it a drop of Spirit Liquid each month,

and as Zhou Xun often retreats into seclusion for years, naturally, this task must be delegated to someone else.

This is why he entrusted this task to Luo Yuancheng, who had served him diligently and with meticulous attention to detail for decades, earning Zhou Xun’s admiration.

"Yes, disciple will surely not fail the Master’s instructions!" Luo Yuancheng bowed and agreed!

"By the way, feeding the Phoenix Butterfly might affect your cultivation, so here is a bottle of Essence Pills, suitable for Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. Consider it your reward!"

Zhou Xun said lightly, then took out a medicine bottle and threw it to Luo Yuancheng!

"Thank you, Master, for the generous gift!" Luo Yuancheng quickly expressed his gratitude.

Although the Essence Pill is rare, as a Core Formation Seed of Celestial Talisman Island and a direct disciple of Master Qianfu, he naturally wouldn’t lack such things.

Luo Yuancheng was puzzled why Elder Wang would reward him with this elixir, but since a gift from a senior cannot be refused, he accepted it!

"Open it and take a look!" Zhou Xun, seeming to notice Luo Yuancheng’s confusion, smiled and said,

whereupon Luo Yuancheng removed the stopper, and an astonishing medicinal fragrance emanated out,

"This... inside here... they’re all... all Premium Pills!"

Luo Yuancheng exclaimed, then became thrilled!

Premium Pills not only have a more potent medicinal effect, but more importantly, they contain very little elixir poison, meaning they can be taken consecutively in a short time.

With this bottle of elixirs, he could halve the time needed to cultivate to Foundation Establishment Peak!

"Haha, return and cultivate well, and don’t forget to feed my Phoenix Butterfly!"

Then Zhou Xun dismissed Luo Yuancheng!

...

The next morning, Zhou Xun didn’t continue to stay on Celestial Talisman Island,

his destination was Ringless Island, guarded by True Monarch Iron Mountain.

With a flicker of his hands, Zhou Xun’s figure instantly appeared above Celestial Talisman Island.

Then, he tapped his Spirit Beast Bag,

A flash of light appeared, transforming into a strange demon beast over ten zhang in size, with a tiger’s head, a leopard’s body, and wings on its back, hovering before Zhou Xun,

it was none other than his mount, the Earth Element Beast!

"Greetings, Master!"

The Earth Element Beast, Feng Chong, lowered its head, with a very respectful attitude, like an old servant who had served for many years,

At this moment, the Earth Element Beast was full of vigor, and its momentum was even greater, it seemed that the last Inner Core had benefited it greatly.

"Old Feng, you’ve made quite some progress!"

Zhou Xun lightly leaped and jumped onto the head of the Earth Element Beast, laughing as he said.

"This is all thanks to the Master’s nurturing!"

The Earth Element Beast’s words truly reflected its heartfelt sentiment.

If it hadn’t followed Zhou Xun, how could it have advanced to Tier Three High Grade so quickly, or even progressed to the Tier Three Peak?

Otherwise, relying solely on itself, it might still be stuck at Tier Three Middle-Grade, nowhere near its current splendor!

Originally, its dream was to advance to Tier Three High Grade and become a Great Demon King,

but now, it believed even becoming a Tier Four Demon Emperor wasn’t impossible!

"Let’s go, to Ringless Island!"

Zhou Xun commanded lightly, then took out the "Sword Array" secret technique that Wang Erniu had given him and began studying it.

"Yes!"

Feng Chong nodded, flapped its wings, immediately transforming into a breeze, and sped towards Ringless Island.

In less than half a day, an island appeared before them,

"Hahaha, Younger Brother Zhou, you’re a bit late!"

At this moment, a tall bald old man flew out from the island, landing in front of Zhou Xun.