The Path of Immortality: Starts With Creating Water Bear Gu

Hearing this, Long Xuan finally understood her actions.

For a typical Gu cultivator, breaking through to the Spiritual Sea stage is akin to an army crossing a single-log bridge.

But for her, with a mortal body, the difficulty of breaking through to a Spiritual Sea Gu Master is exponentially greater—by at least a hundredfold. It's not something she could accomplish with ordinary breakthrough pills.

She had to seek out those heaven-defying spiritual treasures, as only such miraculous items could allow her mortal body to defy fate and break through.

The treasure that could enable her mortal body to become a Spiritual Sea Gu Master might not be unique, but the one with the lowest risk would likely be the Earth Spirit Fruit Tree of the Teng Clan in Central Lands.

Even though she knew that the Teng Clan was a lair of wolves, jackals, and tigers, she had no choice but to dive in.

"What brings you here? Just speak directly," Di Xin turned his head and asked.

"Oh, it's nothing major. I'm just missing a few materials, so I thought I’d borrow some from you."

With that, Long Xuan took out a thick book from his storage ring and placed it on the map.

Di Xin, who was practically a half-treasure merchant, was the only one Long Xuan could turn to for peak-grade spirit insects; no one else would do.

Looking at the book placed in front of him, Di Xin's eyebrow twitched. "You call this a 'few' materials? And you actually have the nerve to call it borrowing? So you want it for free? The nerve on this guy!"

Di Xin glared at Long Xuan, then finally picked up the book, skimmed through it, and quickly tossed it back onto the map.

"Good heavens, over ten thousand materials again, including countless peak-grade spirit insects. Are you just shearing me like a sheep?"

"How many peak-grade spirit insects have you already gotten from me? And you still need more? Will it be another ten thousand after this batch?"

"Ten thousand after ten thousand—do you really think I’m some wealthy lady?" Di Xin grumbled.

Hearing this, Long Xuan looked embarrassed, realizing there was some truth to Di Xin’s words. He still needed to research and repair the Gu, as well as create a pill based on the Heaven-Mending Fruit to enhance his aptitude.

These projects were serious resource drains, and he’d still need to rely on Di Xin to keep “shearing” resources. He didn’t know how many rounds this would take, or if he’d end up draining Di Xin dry.

"Take it easy, take it easy. I’m really left with no choice; you’re the only wealthy friend I know. If I don’t go to you, who else can I turn to? Besides, we’ve known each other for years. Do me a favor. It’s not like I’m asking for it for free; we always trade fairly. Whatever you want, just name it."

"Of course, if I could get some credit, that’d be even better. Things are a bit tight for me right now," Long Xuan said, thick-skinned.

Di Xin rolled his eyes, shooting Long Xuan a glare. "What would I possibly need? I lack nothing. Who's like you, always lacking?"

"But now that you mention it, there is actually something I need your help with."

Di Xin's eyes gleamed. "Although the Earth Spirit Fruit has a 40% success rate for breaking through, for my mortal body, the odds are still too low."

"Even if I get my hands on a Earth Spirit Fruit, it might not be enough to break through to the Spiritual Sea Gu Cultivator stage."

"So, I need your help," Di Xin said, looking Long Xuan in the eyes. "I need you to create a pill recipe using the Earth Spirit Fruit as the main ingredient." 𝙍₳𐌽ọꞖĘ𝐒

"Eating a Earth Spirit Fruit raw gives a 40% chance of breaking through to a Spiritual Sea stage, but if it’s refined into a pill, the success rate would be at least 80%."

"Then I’d have a good chance of breaking through to a Spiritual Sea stage." Di Xin's eyes sparkled with determination.

"Also, the Teng Clan’s Earth Spirit Fruit won’t be easy to steal, so I need a partner. I need your assistance. You’ll come with me, and we’ll split the loot equally."

"If you agree to help me with these two tasks, I’ll handle the ten thousand materials listed in this book for you."

"But I’ll need some time; a few of these peak-grade spirit insects are rare, even for me."

"Those are my only two conditions. If you agree, we’ll make the deal. If not, you’re free to leave."

Hearing this, Long Xuan grimaced.

The first condition wasn’t an issue; in fact, it was practically a free favor.

Ordinary breakthrough pills were useless for his Ten Absolute Body, and like Di Xin, his only chance was to refine the Earth Spirit Fruit into a pill to break through.

Creating a pill recipe based on the Earth Spirit Fruit was something he’d have to do anyway. Even if Di Xin didn’t mention it, he’d still need to. Other than the Earth Spirit Fruit, he truly didn’t know how else he could break through to the Spiritual Sea stage.

He’d been cultivating at the peak of the Marrow Cleansing stage for a long time; it was time to consider breaking through to the Spiritual Sea stage and start making preparations.

However, the second condition was tricky.

Couldn’t Di Xin just steal all the Earth Spirit Fruits from the Teng Clan, then split them, and let him enjoy the spoils without the risk? Why did she insist on Long Xuan going in person? It was far too dangerous.

Long Xuan was a hundred times unwilling.

Di Xin seemed to see through his thoughts, chuckling. "I know what you’re worried about."

"It may seem dangerous to steal the Earth Spirit Fruit Tree from the Teng Clan, but let me assure you, I’m no reckless fool. I wouldn’t attempt something this risky without full confidence."

"I’ve undertaken countless risky missions, but when have any of them ended in mortal danger for me?"

"Stick with me, and you won’t need to worry about safety. I guarantee you won’t be in any danger."

"If you don’t even have the guts for that, then leave. And don’t think you can sneakily hoard a pile of Earth Spirit Fruits while researching the Earth Spirit Fruit pill; let me tell you, that's not happening."

Di Xin easily saw through Long Xuan's scheming and promptly shut down his thoughts.

"Alright, alright, without the Earth Spirit Fruit, I’m afraid I won’t be able to break through, so I’ll go along with you this time. But, let me be clear: your plan needs to convince me that there’s zero risk. Otherwise, there’s no way I’m going," Long Xuan reluctantly agreed.

Long Xuan had no choice but to compromise.

Seeing Long Xuan agree, Di Xin's lips curled up as she added, "Also, don’t think about using your clone to go inside with me while leaving your real body outside as lookout. Don’t even think about it! You already tried that trick on me once, so don’t think you’ll get a second chance!"

Long Xuan's expression froze. That was precisely what he had just been planning, which is why he agreed so quickly.

He hadn’t expected Di Xin to be so cunning and see right through his scheme.

It’s tough working with someone who knows you too well; Di Xin understands him far too well, making it nearly impossible to hide his intentions from her.

After storing the book on the map into her storage ring, Di Xin said, "Give me half a year, and I’ll gather the materials listed for you."

"Anything else? If not, then you can go."

Seeing that Di Xin had given him his marching orders, Long Xuan tactfully took his leave.

Opening the door, he closed it behind him and took a deep breath outside.

If he had to accompany Di Xin on a trip to the Teng Clan in the Central Lands, then once the journey to Sky Island was over, the Shenlong would need to head toward the Central Lands.

He couldn’t help but wonder what kind of world the Central Lands would be.

"Captain, we’ve now entered the Endless Sea. The journey ahead won’t be peaceful, so you should start preparing," Nie Qingcheng’s voice interrupted Long Xuan’s thoughts at that moment.

He was taken aback. Had they entered the Endless Sea so quickly?

Instantly, his guard went up.

The Endless Sea is one of the Forbidden Seas. Before the Endless Jade was discovered, anyone who entered would die without exception; not a single soul had returned alive.

It was only after the discovery of the Endless Jade that humanity had a chance to navigate the Endless Sea.

But even though they could now enter, it didn’t mean there was no danger.

This is still a Forbidden Sea, and most ships entering it are doomed to sink. Ships embarking to explore Sky Island are typically halved in number by the dangers of the Endless Sea.

Every time Sky Island emerges, the majority of Gu cultivators don’t perish within the island’s relics but are instead lost to the countless dangers of the Endless Sea. Many never even catch a glimpse of the island before being killed.

Facing such a terrifying sea, how could Long Xuan not stay on full alert?

He had no time to let his thoughts wander and immediately left the cabin.

However, as he stepped out, he felt a sudden weight on his shoulder, nearly forcing him to his knees.

Long Xuan's face turned pale, and he quickly gathered all his strength to resist the sudden force, narrowly avoiding a humiliating fall.

With a grim expression, he said, "It’s gravity—an unbelievably strong gravitational force in this sea."

"In this sea, even birds can barely pass through, and a feather would struggle to float!"

"There’s no chance of flying here!"

Long Xuan hurriedly went to the deck and looked down at the water, noticing that the Shenlong was already submerged much deeper than usual.

The water level was almost reaching the deck.

Fortunately, the Shenlong is a robust vessel. A regular ship would have already been crushed by the intense gravity here.

Under such terrifying gravity, even the best swimmer wouldn’t be able to resurface once they fell in.

And with such a powerful gravitational force, who knows how terrifying the water pressure might be?

Anyone who fell into the water would likely be crushed into a pulp by the immense pressure, no matter how good a swimmer they were.

Rumor has it that there are sea beasts in the Endless Sea. How terrifying must those creatures be to survive under such water pressure? Long Xuan thought with dread, showing a look of deep apprehension.

He retrieved a wooden board from his storage ring and tossed it into the sea.

As soon as the board hit the water, it instantly sank to the bottom, disappearing without a trace.

Long Xuan felt a chill run down his spine.

Good heavens! Even a buoyant wooden board is instantly dragged down to the bottom by gravity. How could a person survive if they fell into the water?

What kind of swimming skills would you need to even think about surfacing in this sea?

At this time, all the crew members gathered on the deck, gasping in shock at this sight.

"Old Qiu, you’re the best swimmer among us. Could you swim back up if you jumped into this sea?"

Xiong Dali asked in shock, slowly turning to look at Qiu Tiandao.

At this, Qiu Tiandao’s head shook like a rattle.

"Don’t joke around! What does this have to do with swimming? Anyone who falls into this water will die. It doesn't matter how good a swimmer you are…"