Ninety-seven years of time had been nothing short of brutal.

  Endless cultivation and absorption of spiritual power.

  And study.

  The knowledge Yun Xian originally possessed had been far too shallow.

  Even the information obtained from games had been nothing more than skimming the surface.

  I devoted myself to cultivation all day, and in the remaining time, I read the Cultivation Encyclopedia.

  Because knowledge was power.

  Thus, for ninety-seven years, I did not rest for a single day.

  …Well, it wasn’t like I had anything else to do anyway.

  The rabbits and spiritual herbs I released into Yun Xian Garden grew vigorously.

  Time in the subspace flowed four times faster than outside, after all.

  By the time fifty years had passed, I could hunt and eat one rabbit a week without issue.

  It was perfect for replenishing spiritual power.

  It tasted good too.

  Baizi, who had shown resistance at first, had now become a Jade Ear Rabbit fanatic in a different sense.

  What a hypocrite.

  I continued learning formations as well.

  Based on the formations recorded in the jade slips, I researched and dismantled every formation I possessed.

  As I designed new formations, I felt grateful for my talent in Formation Art.

  The process of fitting everything together was truly fascinating.

  Proficiency and levels rose with each passing day.

  …Limited to Dao Arts and formations, though.

  Strangely enough, my basic level did not increase.

  It did rise little by little, but it was still only Level 1.

  Well, it didn’t matter.

  My spiritual power had increased smoothly, and the levels of my Dao Arts and formations had risen just fine.

  …I also had a rough idea why.

  And now.

  I was finally about to advance to the next stage.

  Hoo…

  After taking a deep breath, I fixed my gaze on the Human-Faced Flower in front of me.

  This grotesque monster used illusions.

  To advance to the next stage, it was something I absolutely had to kill.

  To hide the fact that I was immortal, I needed the item this thing possessed.

  My hands began to tremble.

  But I couldn’t avoid it.

  For the sake of safety, no matter how arduous, I had to do it.

  The Human-Faced Flower let out a shrill scream.

  -Guueeeek!

  I screamed back.

  “Waaaaaagh!”

  I could see the Human-Faced Flower panicking.

  That was only natural.

  It was a condensed roar containing all the stress I had built up over the years.

  The Human-Faced Flower spewed out five-colored clouds.

  I bit my finger and squeezed out blood.

  The pain made my scalp tingle.

  I repeatedly stimulated the injured finger while chewing and swallowing Seven-Leaf Immortal Spirit Grass.

  Maintaining consciousness was more important than anything else.

  The five-colored clouds persistently chased after me.

  It was the Human-Faced Flower’s specialty—illusion.

  The scene of my parents being murdered appeared before my eyes.

  Within it, I was being brutally attacked together with Ginger.

  My eyes widened.

  I bit down on my injured finger until a crunching sound rang out.

  Pain dragged me back to reality.

  “…That won’t work. I see that scene every day in my dreams.”

  I sneered as if mocking it.

  When the illusion failed, the Human-Faced Flower advanced directly.

  Its massive body writhed as it moved.

  The first change.

  Phase One had begun.

  Entangled stems and vines lashed out toward me, shaking the ground.

  Petals covering its hideous face flew in like daggers.

  Standing in place, I scattered the pre-drawn protective talismans in all directions.

  I blocked the front with the enlarged jade slip.

  Please, jade slip!

  The sturdy jade slip did not disappoint me.

  It endured the Human-Faced Flower’s ferocious attacks well.

  The protective talismans also shone with light as they absorbed the impacts.

  “That’s it? Is that all you’ve got?”

  A provocation.

  Words I would normally never say.

  The enraged Human-Faced Flower charged forward.

  It began transitioning into Phase Two.

  This too was exactly like the game.

  Of course it was. I was the one who had summoned it.

  This was the second beginner quest, following the altar that had given me the Subspace Ring.

  Unlike before, when offering sacrifices had been enough, this time I had to kill it.

  The fortunate part was that it had a clear weakness.

  -Guueeeeee!

  The Human-Faced Flower leapt into the air, trying to crush me beneath its weight.

  I stared straight into its eyes and grinned.

  Sensing something wrong, the Human-Faced Flower trembled.

  But it was already too late.

  -Kkyu!

  Baizi stood upright on two legs with imposing dignity.

  It firmly grabbed the exposed roots of the Human-Faced Flower with its front paws.

  And then, it began gnawing at them at a ferocious speed.

  The Heart-Eye, the very core of the Human-Faced Flower.

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  As its Heart-Eye was eaten away, the Human-Faced Flower twisted its entire body.

  -Kyaaaaaaagh!

  A scream that felt like it would tear my eardrums apart.

  Its body writhed violently as petals cascaded down.

  Bloody tears streamed from its eyes.

  But there was nothing it could do.

  After devouring the Heart-Eye, Baizi belched with a satisfied expression.

  -Gurp

  …It must have been delicious.

  The Human-Faced Flower’s stems and roots turned to ash and scattered away.

  Ash-gray rain fell from the sky.

  If I hadn’t known its weakness, I’d be the one dead.

  All hail the game!

  Clutching my aching hand, I approached.

  Atop the piled ashes lay a mask.

  A repulsive mask that looked as if it recreated human skin.

  It resembled the Human-Faced Flower.

  “…I finally got it.”

  My body trembled so hard with joy that I could barely stand it.

  And then.

  [You have defeated Lv. 19 Human-Faced Flower.]

  [Level up.]

  [Level up.]

  [Level up.]

  [Level up.]

  [Level up.]

  As if it had been waiting, my levels began to rise.

  Holding the mask, I returned straight to the cave.

  ***

  I was unbelievably happy. My level had become 6.

  I had gained five additional points as well.

  This was why leveling up was so addictive!

  I rewarded Baizi, the hero of the victory, with two spirit stones.

  Baizi hugged the spirit stones tightly and ate with relish.

  Leaving that sight behind, I put the mask on my face with a trembling heart.

  The moment it touched my skin, the mask melted smoothly into it.

  I focused my mind.

  An ordinary face, an ordinary build. Late twenties. A low, husky voice. Realm: Qi Refinement 6th Stage. Quadruple Spiritual Roots.

  My body began to change.

  My bones shifted and my muscles rearranged themselves.

  It hurt a little.

  But it was bearable.

  Even my cultivation, which had reached Qi Refinement 8th Stage, was lowered to match the 6th Stage.

  No matter where you went, hiding one level of strength was necessary.

  From now on, I planned to always pretend to be at a lower realm.

  Baizi, who had been sitting on the bedding, sprang up in shock.

  Its whiskers stood straight, claws fully extended.

  Seeing that, I was certain.

  Even my appearance and aura had completely changed.

  “It’s me, you idiot.”

  I lightly tugged on the soul bond.

  Baizi’s small mouth fell open.

  It cautiously approached and rubbed its face against my feet.

  It even let out a sigh of relief.

  I picked it up and put it into my pocket.

  “Let’s go.”

  I looked back at the familiar hideout.

  Ninety-seven years flashed by like a panorama.

  My personal sanctuary.

  My beloved nest.

  I had to leave this safe place.

  There was no choice.

  My cultivation had stagnated long ago.

  After reaching Qi Refinement 8th Stage, I could no longer advance.

  I had hit the limit of solitary cultivation.

  It had been expected.

  With Quadruple Spiritual Roots and almost no cultivation resources, it was inevitable.

  If not for immortality, my cultivation life would have ended here.

  Foundation Establishment pills only worked before the age of seventy.

  But I had infinite lifespan.

  Time was on my side.

  Still, it was time to use other methods.

  And there was Elder Haoranzi’s warning as well.

  I glanced at the mark hidden on the back of my hand.

  The timing to move was perfect.

  Despite living in the cave for ninety-seven years, I had almost no luggage.

  Everything I owned—spiritual herbs and Jade Ear Rabbits—was inside Yun Xian Garden.

  Leaving behind my lingering attachment, I exited the cave.

  There was a lot to do.

  I left Sacred Spirit Mountain and headed toward the cultivation village.

  Thanks to the mask, my appearance and aura were completely different, but I had no intention of showing myself to others yet.

  After leaving the mountain range, I took Baizi out of my pocket.

  “Do as I explained. You understood, right?”

  It just squeaked with a sulky face.

  …This bastard was pretending not to understand.

  I had no choice.

  I took out a spirit stone from my pouch.

  Seeing it eat the spirit stone like a snack made my heart ache.

  This thing had already surpassed Qi Refinement 9th Stage.

  And it still ate spirit stones like that.

  ***

  Damn bloodline advantage.

  I had 345 spirit stones left.

  I’d used many during cultivation.

  Baizi had taken a good share too.

  With this, it’d be hard to buy even one proper artifact.

  I’d have to sell spiritual herbs once I reached the city.

  That made the upcoming operation extremely important.

  After devouring the spirit stone, Baizi eyed my pouch.

  “Hey, no more. You’ll turn into a pig.”

  It pointed at its own belly with its front paw and shouted.

  So it knew its belly was bulging.

  After grumbling, Baizi vanished toward the village.

  It became completely transparent, invisible to the naked eye.

  After sending Baizi off, I used Earth Escape Art to burrow underground.

  The level of my Earth Escape Art had reached 7 before I realized it.

  Its speed was incomparable to before.

  After burrowing deep underground,

  I observed the village through the mental link connected to Baizi.

  Information poured in from all directions.

  The cultivation village I saw for the first time in ninety-seven years felt familiar yet strange.

  The people I used to know were nowhere to be seen.

  Well, Qi Refinement cultivators lived at most around 150 years.

  All the adults I knew were either dead or senile by now.

  Still, people who looked similar to my old neighbors lived in the same houses.

  They must be their descendants.

  Their cultivation levels were all mediocre.

  Few had surpassed late-stage Qi Refinement.

  I let out a sigh.

  Becoming a true immortal by entering Foundation Establishment was indeed difficult.

  Baizi soon arrived at the destination.

  The largest and most luxurious house in the village.

  A skinny old man with a goatee was sitting in the courtyard, playing with a child.

  The Village Head? No… his son, I suppose.

  Time really was merciless.

  That once-ambitious Village Head was gone, and his son had aged like this.

  A plain-looking woman approached the old man.

  “Husband, Qingyun Sect sent word. They say another Heavenly Treasure has appeared.”

  Village Head the Second replied casually.

  “What? Didn’t one appear once when Father was still alive? Heavenly Treasures don’t grow like wild vegetables.”

  “I don’t know. I’m just passing along what I heard.”

  Twisting his goatee around his finger, Village Head the Second sighed.

  “Fine, fine. I’ll gather the people again. Sigh.”

  “Will it be chaotic again this time?”

  “Of course. But there haven’t been any strange phenomena around here, so the trouble probably won’t reach us. Still, we should be careful. When those high-ups so much as cough, it’s chaos… Tch.”

  Village Head the Second stood up.

  The woman followed him out.

  Only the child remained in the courtyard.

  Hurry, Baizi!

  At my urging, Baizi sped up.

  The interior of the house was protected by a defensive formation.

  But it was crude beyond belief.

  Heh, dismantling something like this was easy.

  When I sent the signal, Baizi placed its claws beneath the formation.

  Watching it dismantle the formation with its short front paws was oddly endearing.

  Soon, a small hole appeared at the edge of the defensive formation.

  At a glance, it was nearly impossible to notice.

  Baizi darted inside.

  A moment later.

  Baizi emerged from the hole with a small jade token in its mouth.

  Only the end of the token floated in midair, which looked bizarre.

  Swallow it, idiot!

  After hesitating, Baizi squeezed its eyes shut and gulped down the jade token.

  Since I’d told it to protect it with spiritual power, it wouldn’t be digested.

  It thumped its chest as if uncomfortable.

  Then it came hopping toward me.

  You fool… go around a bit. Why do you always like moving in a straight line?

  Baizi circled the village once.

  Never mind.

  After finishing its village tour, Baizi returned.

  It surfaced from underground and deactivated its invisibility.

  It panted heavily, clearly exhausted.

  “Good work. Here’s your payment.”

  When I offered a spirit stone, it lunged immediately.

  “Hey, give me the item first.”

  It gagged and spat out the jade token.

  I cleaned it using Water Nurturing Art.

  It had been protected by spiritual power, so nothing was actually on it.

  Still, it felt unpleasant anyway.

  I narrowed my eyes and examined the token.

  No doubt about it. It was an Identity Token.

  A blank Identity Token with nothing engraved.

  This was enough.

  Village Head the Second wouldn’t report the loss of a single Identity Token to Qingyun Sect.

  That’d be like spitting on his own face.

  A household that took bribes and exploited orphans wouldn’t have any conscience.

  While staying underground, I analyzed the formation engraved on the token.

  The Identity Token checked two things.

  Whether pure spiritual power was infused.

  And whether the spiritual power matched the owner.

  This was to verify that cultivators entering the city weren’t demonic cultivators.

  It was an era of frequent wars against the demonic path.

  Entering a city without an Identity Token would invite all kinds of investigations.

  There was nothing good about drawing attention.

  If one clean theft could guarantee safe city life, it was a massive win.

  …City life. Not that kind of misunderstanding.

  I infused my aura and spiritual power into the Identity Token.

  A completely different aura emanated from the jade.

  The mask’s effect was perfect.

  That was it.

  From now on, my name was Xuanyuan.

  I put Baizi, stuffed full of spirit stones and sprawled out, back into my pocket.

  It was time to head to Qingliu City.