Chapter 1602: Old Woman Seeks Immortal Secrets

In every corner of Xuanyue City, Bai Shuyue had deeply buried various poisons she had collected from across the world. The most crucial of these was the "Blooddrop," a poison brewed primarily from human essence blood.

Once triggered by an explosion, it would violently erupt into a sky-filling blood mist.

Indeed, after fifty years of research, Bai Shuyue had arrived at an astonishing conclusion. The reason she had always been unable to absorb spiritual energy from spirit stones was not that the spiritual energy itself was toxic.

Instead, humans would experience a strong repulsive reaction to spiritual energy, akin to a virulent poison. Its toxicity far surpassed that of any other poison in the world. Bai Shuyue had verified this through a series of experiments.

"I just wonder how effective it will be against immortals."

As the immortals' conversation drifted down from the sky, Bai Shuyue silently committed every word to memory.

"Land of Immortal Seclusion, Core Formation Method."

"Immortal-Mortal Miasma..."

"It's merely a desperate grasp for a sliver of hope!" Amidst a burst of frantic laughter, a fire dragon descended from the sky, engulfing Xuanyue City.

Continuous explosions reverberated through the sky, and the vast Xuanyue City was instantly reduced to ruins, as if it were merely a toy.

Even though she had known beforehand what would transpire, the sheer power displayed by the two immortals still made Bai Shuyue tremble with awe and trepidation.

Concurrently, the Blooddrop's effect proved to be unexpectedly potent!

Amidst crimson hues and fiery glows, a dense blood mist instantly billowed upwards. It seemed to embody the resentful spirits of hundreds of thousands of innocent citizens from Xuanyue City, ascending into the heavens!

Dao Xuanzi and Kou Hong, caught completely off guard, were enveloped by vast swathes of blood mist, both letting out muffled groans.

Bai Shuyue observed with bated breath.

Moments later, two figures, one following the other, burst forth from the blood mist and fled westward!

"Their speed is significantly slower than before! And..."

"They appear to be on the verge of collapsing!"

Bai Shuyue was not in a hurry to give chase. Although the immortals were severely injured, their fleeing speed was still unmatched by a mere mortal like herself. However, she had already established a network of informants throughout Da Xuan, ensuring that as long as the immortals remained within the territory, she would surely locate them.

These individuals, whom Bai Shuyue had saved through her medical practice over the past fifty years, were loyal and dependable.

After waiting for half a day, a carrier pigeon arrived from the horizon, bringing news of the immortals' whereabouts. A horse-drawn carriage, carrying Bai Shuyue, slowly set off, following the immortals' trail.

Three months later.

"Madam Bai, according to our brothers' investigation, the two immortals ultimately vanished into this mountain forest."

"However, Blackwater Mountain spans hundreds of miles and is completely uninhabited. Our brothers have done their utmost, but they still haven't..." A man in black, kneeling on one knee with a look of guilt, reported to Bai Shuyue.

"It's fine," Bai Shuyue said, gazing at the deep, dark forest ahead and interrupting the man in black.

"Let them all return. From now on, I'll search on my own." The man in black was momentarily stunned, watching as Bai Shuyue stepped, one by one, into the forest.

After a moment of hesitation, the man in black ultimately decided not to follow. He knew that Madam Bai was always resolute in her decisions. Furthermore, the task of tracking immortals truly instilled fear...

With her medical skills having reached their zenith, Bai Shuyue had no difficulty surviving in the wilderness.

More importantly, she could clearly sense the spiritual energy fluctuations left by the two fleeing immortals. In this boundless forest, these fluctuations indicated a clear direction.

"They haven't emerged from this mountain forest for a prolonged period, meaning they are either severely injured or recuperating. Who knows when their injuries might fully recover..."

"I must make haste."

A resolute expression flashed across Bai Shuyue's brow as she swallowed a black pill. A few breaths later, an unusual flush appeared on her cheeks. This was a method to significantly enhance her mobility at the cost of consuming her life force.

Following the direction indicated by the residual spiritual energy, Bai Shuyue advanced swiftly.

Fifteen days later, three hundred li deep into Blackwater Mountain, she arrived at a mountain canyon.

"The spiritual energy traces abruptly cease here."

"And ahead... there's a spiritual energy fluctuation."

As she was truly about to confront an immortal, Bai Shuyue couldn't help but feel a surge of apprehension.

Yet, in an instant, she suppressed the hesitation in her heart.

She slowly approached.

The river flowed gently. A man sat cross-legged with his eyes closed beside a tomb not far from the stream.

Bai Shuyue recognized him immediately as Kou Hong, one of the two immortals.

However, he no longer appeared as a middle-aged man; his hair was white, and his face was covered in wrinkles. He seemed to be on the brink of extreme old age!

"Is this the effect of the Immortal-Mortal Miasma?" Bai Shuyue was secretly startled, simultaneously glancing at the tomb beside Kou Hong.

"It can not only harm immortals but also slay them?"

The approach of a mortal naturally did not escape Kou Hong's perception.

He instantly opened his eyes and fixated on Bai Shuyue.

In that instant, Bai Shuyue felt her body stiffen, unable to move.

Fortunately, seeming to discern that Bai Shuyue was merely a mortal and posed no threat, Kou Hong soon closed his eyes again.

"Mere mortal, why do you pursue me to this place?"

As a healer, Bai Shuyue detected a lack of vitality in Kou Hong's voice. Nevertheless, he was not someone a mere woman like herself could contend with.

After a moment's consideration, she took out the last small piece of spirit stone, bowed her head, and whispered, "This old woman's lifelong aspiration has been to cultivate immortality and achieve longevity. However, I have searched the world in vain for true immortal methods. A few days ago, I was astonished to learn that two immortals appeared in Xuanyue City..."

Kou Hong showed no interest in Bai Shuyue's explanation, his gaze fixed intently on the spirit stone in her hand.

He levitated it to himself, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "A high-grade spirit stone?"

After examining it, a look of pleasant surprise appeared on his face: "Although only this small remnant remains, it's enough for me to barely recover from my injuries."

He looked at Bai Shuyue and asked, "Where did you find this spirit stone?"

It was evident he had begun to believe Bai Shuyue's words.

"Reporting to the Immortal, this stone was obtained by this old woman from a mountain tomb," Bai Shuyue answered truthfully.

"Aside from this spirit stone, were there any other items?" Kou Hong quickly inquired.

"Uhm..." Bai Shuyue feigned recollection.

After a long pause, she finally replied, "There seemed to be no other special items. Oh, that's right, there was also a jade slip. However, it had no inscriptions and lacked the peculiar aura of this stone."

Kou Hong was overjoyed: "Where is that jade slip?"

Someone capable of possessing a high-grade spirit stone would undoubtedly carry an extraordinary jade slip.

"Indeed, surviving a great disaster ensures future blessings! Although I was severely wounded by the Immortal-Mortal Miasma in this conflict, as long as I can break through to the Core Formation stage, I can extend my lifespan by hundreds of years!"

He immediately ceased meditating and flashed to Bai Shuyue's side.

Bai Shuyue was a mix of excitement and apprehension: "Reporting to the Immortal, that jade slip is not as useful as the spirit stone, so I did not carry it with me. It is stored at this old woman's home..."

Kou Hong raised an eyebrow: "Take me there."

He seized Bai Shuyue, ascended into the air, and said in a deep voice, "Lead the way!"

After several reincarnations, ascending into mid-air for the very first time, Bai Shuyue's mind instantly went blank.

Only under Kou Hong's urging did she slowly regain her senses and point out the direction.

Riding the wind, they soared freely through the heavens.

Kou Hong carried Bai Shuyue as they flew through the sky.

"Your aptitude..."

"It's actually quite good." Along the way, Kou Hong examined Bai Shuyue's body and remarked with some surprise.

"It's just a pity that you are too old, and the Immortal-Mortal Miasma is deeply entrenched. The path of cultivation is hopeless for you."

Upon hearing this, Bai Shuyue's face betrayed a look of disappointment.

"However, rest assured, for the sake of this spirit stone and jade slip, I shall bestow upon you a method. Though it won't allow true cultivation, extending your lifespan will be no trouble at all," Kou Hong said.

"Many thanks for the Immortal's benevolence!" Bai Shuyue exclaimed with gratitude.

A distance of several thousand li was covered in less than half a day!

"This old woman's home is directly below!"

The appearance of an immortal caused panic among the people below, who promptly knelt to the ground.

Kou Hong descended with Bai Shuyue into a courtyard, and his divine sense swept through, quickly pinpointing the location of the jade slip.

He strode in and eagerly examined its contents: "Minor Five Elements Art?"

"It actually leads directly to Dao Integration?" Kou Hong exclaimed in shock.

"Immortal, this old woman has a nephew..." Realizing the extraordinary nature of the jade slip she had presented, Bai Shuyue seized the opportunity to inquire.

Having unexpectedly acquired a Dao Integration method, Kou Hong was in excellent spirits. After a moment of contemplation, his divine sense reluctantly withdrew from the jade slip: "Take me to see him."

Overjoyed, Bai Shuyue led Kou Hong to Li Fan's bedside.

Kou Hong examined him for a moment: "Hmm?"

His brows furrowed.

"Does the Immortal have any insights?" Bai Shuyue asked, full of hope.

"Uh... this..." Kou Hong hesitated.

Bai Shuyue naturally understood Kou Hong's implication and found it hard to accept: "Even an Immortal cannot cure my nephew's strange illness?"

Kou Hong coughed lightly: "It's not that it cannot be cured, but rather that its origin is unknown. If I were to infuse him with spiritual energy, his illness would naturally dissipate. However, all mortals possess Immortal-Mortal Miasma within them. Before the miasma is dispelled, infusing spiritual energy would only harm him."

"I beg the Immortal Master to bestow upon me the method for dispelling the miasma..." Bai Shuyue knelt and pleaded.

The "Five Spirits Sensing Qi Method" was not a secret, so Kou Hong had no objections.

"However, being in this Land of Immortal Seclusion, even if one manages to dispel the miasma from their body, without the support of spiritual energy, they cannot embark on the path of cultivation," Kou Hong warned.

"I only ask that my nephew's life be spared." Having received the method, Bai Shuyue expressed boundless gratitude.

"The Immortal Master's immense benevolence is a debt I can never repay. Please stay at this old woman's home for a few more days..."

Kou Hong hesitated for a moment, considering that his injuries had not yet fully recovered, and ultimately agreed.

With his spiritual stone reserves still quite sufficient, he spent his days diligently studying the Minor Five Elements Art.

"What a pity. If only I had known earlier that a Dao Integration cultivation method existed here, I wouldn't have fought to the death against Dao Xuanzi."

"However, now that I possess the Dao Integration cultivation method, I can consider selling the Thousand Machine Jade Universal Golden Chapter. There's hope for reaching the Spirit Transformation stage..."

Just as Kou Hong was immersed in his hopeful fantasies about the future,

he remained unaware that Bai Shuyue had already quietly dispelled the miasma from her body.

"It seems it wasn't as difficult as he claimed?"

Bai Shuyue had begun to harbor a hint of suspicion towards Kou Hong.

"There are numerous cultivation realms: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul. That Kou Hong is merely at the Foundation Establishment stage, the most insignificant existence in the entire cultivation world. No wonder he couldn't cure my mortal son..."

Thoughts churned in Bai Shuyue's mind.

During this time, although Kou Hong was engrossed in comprehending the Minor Five Elements Art, Bai Shuyue managed to extract some fundamental knowledge about the cultivation world.

"It appears that to truly save mortals, I must venture into the cultivation world."

"Kou Hong cannot take anyone through the Grand Immortal Seclusion Array, and Fan'er's body is too frail to endure such an ordeal..." After long deliberation, Bai Shuyue finally made up her mind.

She re-infused her body with the prepared essence blood, causing the miasma that had slowly faded to regenerate.

Seven days later.

"What? Another suspected immortal tomb has been discovered?" Kou Hong was both surprised and delighted.

"Quickly, take me there!"

With the earlier high-grade spirit stone and the Minor Five Elements Art as precedents, Kou Hong had no doubt about this.

He even had Bai Shuyue lead the way.

"I have already ordered men to seal off the area around the tomb."

Unaware of Bai Shuyue's unusual behavior, Kou Hong's mind was entirely preoccupied with the immortal's tomb he had yet to see.

Upon reaching the destination, he plunged inside with eager anticipation.

Within the tomb, dozens of men in black were already stationed.

All of them were mortals, no different from ants in Kou Hong's eyes. He paid them no heed, merely sweeping his divine sense over the tomb.

"Hmm? Nothing special, it seems?"

Just as Kou Hong was beginning to feel a hint of disappointment, he suddenly realized that the tomb's "dragon-severing stone" had inexplicably crashed down.

Simultaneously, the men in black around him drew their long blades and frantically attacked him.

While surprised, Kou Hong also found it somewhat amusing.

A flicker of flame swept through, incinerating the dozens of black-clad men in the tomb into ashes.

What he hadn't anticipated, however, was that wisps of blood mist, accompanying the deaths of the black-clad men, surged forth from various parts of the tomb!

"Immortal-Mortal Miasma?!"

Kou Hong's expression instantly shifted. Before he could react, continuous explosions simultaneously erupted from outside the tomb.

A blood-red aura permeated the air, completely enveloping the area.

Three days later.

Inside the dungeon, a dying Kou Hong lay securely bound and locked.

He was so extremely weak that he seemed on the verge of death at any moment.

In fact, had Bai Shuyue not kept him barely alive, Kou Hong would have long since perished.

"Everything I could say, I have already told you."

"Just let me be free."

Being outwitted and imprisoned by mortals was an immense humiliation for Kou Hong. At this moment, his despair was greater than death itself.

Bai Shuyue nodded. With a wave of her hand, all the silver needles embedded in Kou Hong's body instantly returned to her grasp.

Kou Hong's life force slowly withered.

Simultaneously, above the sky, the illusion of a cultivator's demise suddenly appeared.

"Finally..."

"I see hope."

Bai Shuyue's cultivation speed was even faster than she had anticipated.

Relying solely on Kou Hong's spiritual stone remnants, she reached the perfected Qi Refining stage in just three months.

"However, to advance further, I will require rare natural treasures."

"Such things cannot be found in Da Xuan, this Land of Immortal Seclusion."

Bai Shuyue traveled east to the edge of the Void Abyss, gazing into its profound depths without hesitation.

She leaped down.

At the perfected Qi Refining stage, she naturally could not break through the Grand Immortal Seclusion Array on her first attempt.

Bai Shuyue's consciousness vanished within the Void Abyss.

"I truly have you to thank, Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi."

"It's true!" Li Fan's voice echoed faintly.

The Saint Creation Project, Eighth Lifetime!

The revived Bai Shuyue first retrieved the high-grade spirit stone and the jade slip.

She then cultivated at an incredible speed, reaching the perfected Qi Refining stage.

"It's not my imagination."

"This time, cultivation was significantly easier."

Bai Shuyue was left speechless, staring blankly.