Chen Xia was surprised to see the prompt for the Turtle Breathing Art to upgrade to Great Turtle Breathing Art appear in his mind. He quickly dove his consciousness into his mind to check out the Great Turtle Breathing Art.
The biggest difference compared to the Turtle Breathing Art was that Great Turtle Breathing Art had the words Primordial Infant Realm added after it. This meant that the Great Turtle Breathing Art was a cultivation technique that could cultivate all the way to the Primordial Infant Realm!
Its specific effects were not too different from the Turtle Breathing Art. The only enhancement was that the cultivation efficiency increased by 20%. If it originally took 100 years to cultivate to the Golden Core Realm, now it would only take 80 years.
Chen Xia felt that rather than sacrificing longevity, it was more like taking out a loan on his longevity. It forcefully compressed the time needed to cultivate to the Golden Core Realm from a maximum of 300 years to just 100 years.
Logically speaking, it was a gain. After all, a Golden Core added 500 years of longevity, so using 100 years to cultivate the Golden Core that originally needed 300 years, there were still 200 years of longevity left, which was better than being a low-level cultivator.
But why were there so few people cultivating these kinds of techniques?
Chen Xia thought about it briefly and figured out the reason.
It was because everyone had different aptitudes. Not everyone needed 300 years to cultivate to the Golden Core. Some only needed 200 years, and some geniuses didn't even need 100 years to form their Golden Core.
In comparison, this Turtle Breathing Art was too mediocre. Anyone with a bit of aptitude wouldn't cultivate it.
What about those with no aptitude? Chen Xia thought for a bit - those with no aptitude probably wouldn't even embark on the path of cultivation.
And even if they did, the Turtle Breathing Art had another hidden drawback, which was that you would age faster than normal people.
After all, you were borrowing 200 years of cultivation attainment from the heavens, while returning 200 years of longevity.
So it was possible that while your peers were still vigorous and energetic, you would already be decrepit and aging quickly without even forming your Golden Core, because of cultivating the Turtle Breathing Art.
It really wasn't worth it at all.
This was also why ever since this type of technique was created in the cultivation world, very few people cultivated it.
It could be said that this type of technique was custom-made for Chen Xia. Other than Chen Xia, no one else was suitable for it.
With his infinite longevity, he was a perfect match for the Turtle Breathing Art.
Ever since Chen Xia became famous in Weixi Town, many people from the Jianghu had come to visit, asking only one thing -
To take him as their master.
Because they had heard the rumors that Chen Xia had already become an immortal, these people from the Jianghu all wanted to come and learn from him.
Of course, Chen Xia rejected them all without explaining anything, only leaving them with one sentence - "I don't teach."
With this one sentence, he dashed the hopes of these Jianghu people who wanted to take him as their master.
But these Jianghu people thought it was because their sincerity was lacking. They believed taking an immortal as a master wouldn't be so simple, so most of them chose to settle down in Weixi Town, hoping to move Chen Xia with their sincerity.
Chen Xia felt they were overthinking things, but seeing how they stimulated the economy of Weixi Town, he didn't say anything.
He was just a bit annoyed by these Jianghu people. Every time he went out for a walk, he would run into several people who directly kneeled and kowtowed, asking him to take them as disciples.
Each of them had different backgrounds.
There was the young master whose clan was destroyed by evil demons, who wanted to cultivate to take revenge.
There was the lady whose marriage was arranged by her parents, unwilling to go along with it and wanting to get back at the clan.
There was the martial arts prodigy whose talents declined overnight, abandoned by his clan, and wanting to cultivate to get back at them.
In short, each story was more tragic than the last.
But Chen Xia didn't know how to teach, and didn't understand cultivation. He was just a health cultivator, getting stronger year after year. So he rejected them all.
In a newly opened restaurant in Weixi Town...
A few people from the Jianghu were sitting around a table discussing. A man wearing a conical hat raised his wine cup and asked first.
"Everyone, is this Weixi Town mayor Chen Xia really an immortal?"
The other Jianghu people looked at each other, not having a definite answer, only vaguely saying.
"He should be right? I've heard people close to Chen Xia say his appearance hasn't changed for 20 years. Other than an immortal, who else could have this ability? Even with disguises, it definitely wouldn't have this effect."
"Also, a woman who was close to him was chosen to ascend by an immortal previously. He must have benefited greatly from it as well."
The man in the conical hat seized on the key information. He took a sip of wine and smiled as he asked.
"The woman close to him was chosen by an immortal, so why wasn't he chosen?"
The other Jianghu people still shook their heads. "We don't know about that."
"Hmph." The man in the conical hat sneered disdainfully and said, "It's nothing but exaggeration that Chen Xia is an immortal. I reckon it's mostly hype. After all..."
He looked around and pointed out, "You see, Weixi Town is so prosperous now, and we've all contributed quite a bit, waiting to be chosen by Chen Xia as disciples."
The other Jianghu people frowned and pondered for a bit, before nodding repeatedly, feeling he had a point. But someone still brought up,
"It's said that 20 years ago, Chen Xia killed a band of bandits barehanded."
The man in the conical hat sneered again. "Let's not discuss whether this rumor is true or not. Just killing a group of bandits, many in the Jianghu can accomplish it."
"Not to mention, just 100 li from here, there is an Immortal Sect."
The Jianghu people all looked at each other, feeling what he said made some sense, but still frowned and hesitated.
"But we don't know if it's true or not."
The man in the conical hat chuckled and tapped his fingers on the table, saying arrogantly,
"Then let's test him a little and see, is he a dragon, or a worm."
...
The weather today was great.
Chen Xia, who had been in seclusion for many days, lazily crawled out from his room. Looking up at the sky, he decided to take a stroll around town.
Weixi Town was extremely bustling nowadays due to the influx of people.
Not only were there people from the Jianghu, but merchants had also moved in, making it even livelier than the town 10 li away.
However, because there were so many Jianghu people, conflicts and chaos often broke out in town.
To deal with this, the government had brought in experts from the Patrol Bureau to be stationed in Weixi Town.
Even so, fights still happened frequently, though they were all grudges between Jianghu people without involving civilians.
The Patrol Bureau experts turned a blind eye as long as the commoners were unaffected.
Since it didn't involve the residents, Chen Xia was too lazy to manage their fights, as long as they didn't damage public property.
As town mayor now, he should at least do some basic things, otherwise he might as well not do it at all.
Chen Xia walked along the riverside. He stretched lazily and yawned, feeling the warm sunshine was really great today.
Many residents who saw him would smile and greet "Town mayor!". Chen Xia would also wave back as he continued on.
Wherever he passed, these Jianghu people didn't dare fight. They would also greet Chen Xia.
But it was different today.
In a very rare sight, two groups were confronting each other in the marketplace, scaring the civilians into fleeing and hiding.
Chen Xia frowned, thinking these Jianghu people were getting too arrogant. If you want to brawl, at least hide from me!
The two sides were still shouting loudly.
"You bastard, daring to yell at your grandfather? I'll chop you up in two slashes with my Iron Plate Blade!"
"I spit on you! With your Iron Plate Blade only fit for killing pigs, you still want to kill people? Kneel down and kowtow to me twice, and I may spare your dog life!"
The two sides hadn't started fighting yet, but the shouting was intense. They had smashed some tables and chairs, scaring civilians into hiding.
The two groups got more and more excited as they yelled, even frequently chopping up tables and chairs, about to start brawling.
"Don't go crazy here."
A shout came, interrupting the shouting and cursing of the two groups.
The leader of one group turned to look and saw it was Chen Xia. He frowned slightly, pointing at the other side saying,
"Mayor Chen, they provoked us first, you can't be biased!"
The other side retorted, "It was clearly you dogs who came to make trouble, yet you dare to blame us!"
Seeing both sides about to start arguing again...
Chen Xia raised an eyebrow. He slowly walked in between the two groups.
The two groups frowned, not knowing what he was doing.
Chen Xia stopped in front of the broken furniture. He sat down steadily on a stool missing a leg, picked up a fallen teapot, and casually grabbed a teacup.
He poured himself a cup of tea.
Chen Xia turned and nodded towards a little girl hiding behind a pillar.
"Little lady, go on home first, don't be scared."
The little girl was around 5 or 6 years old. Caught in the middle when the fight started, she didn't have time to escape and was stuck at the pillar.
Seeing Chen Xia speak to her, she hurriedly nodded and ran out.
Chen Xia watched the little girl's back as she left, gently sipping his tea. He shook his head at the two groups.
"Really now, if you want to fight, can't you find a place outside to do it? Scaring the little lady like that, where are your manners? Don't you feel ashamed?"
The Jianghu leader nodded. "You're right, I was too hotheaded and didn't consider carefully. I can reimburse the cost of these broken tables and chairs afterwards."
The other group also nodded. "We can also pay compensation."
"Good." Chen Xia nodded, a smile on his lips. He spread his legs and placed his hands on the broken table, striking a gangster boss pose. Grinning at them, he said,
"You know I'm easygoing. Just pay for the damages, and I'll let this slide. Afterwards, as long as you don't fight in town, I won't bother with you either."
But the Jianghu leader directly shook his head. "We can pay for the damages, but that's not how grudges in the Jianghu are resolved. In the Jianghu, once a grudge is formed, it must be settled before one can feel at ease. Otherwise if we let this drag on, won't we be laughed at when going out?"
"That's right." The other group also nodded in agreement.
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Chen Xia's eyes narrowed, "Have you got something wrong here..."
He tapped his fingers lightly on the broken table, making a crisp clink, his tone turning two degrees colder, and continued.
"This is not the martial world."
The leader of the martial artists frowned and retorted, "Where there are people, there is the martial world!"
After arguing for a while, the onlooking crowd grew larger.
Among them were not a few people from the martial world, very interested in this so-called immortal Chen Xia.
In the martial world, those who dared to use the word "immortal" were few and far between.
At most they were called semi-immortals, while Chen Xia could directly be called an immortal, clearly distinguishing himself from the martial artists.
The word "immortal" alone placed him a head above all martial artists.
But was Chen Xia really an immortal?
The rumors were loud, but no one had seen his skills.
Chen Xia took another sip of tea, a smile emerging at the corner of his mouth. He smiled at the two groups and said,
"It seems you are shameless."
e bizarre and supernatural had descended. The previous emperor was a thoroughgoing tyrant; no longer satisfied with human women, he had set his sights on a stunningly beautiful supernatural entity. He met his end in his bedchamber, drained of all his vital essence. As the legitimate eldest son and crown prince, Wang Hao was thus hastily enthroned, becoming the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No sooner had he awakened the "Imperial Sign-In Intelligence System" than he was assassinated by a Son of Destiny—a classic villain's opening. The Great Zhou, ravaged by the former emperor's excesses, was in national decline. The great families within its borders harbored their own treacherous schemes, martial sects began to defy the imperial court's decrees, and border armies, their pay and provisions in arrears, grumbled incessantly against the central government. Fortunately, the central capital was still held secure by the half-million Imperial Guards and fifty thousand Imperial Forest Army who obeyed the court's orders, along with the royal family's hidden reserves of power, barely managing to suppress the realm. As the Great Zhou's finances worsened and supernatural activities grew ever more frequent, the court sat atop a volcano. Ambitious plotters everywhere dreamed of overthrowing the dynasty, and even some reclusive ancient powers emerged, attempting to sway the tides of the world. At the first grand court assembly, the civil and military officials nearly came to blows, fighting tooth and nail over the allocation of fifty million taels of silver from the summer tax revenues. The spectacle opened Wang Hao's eyes—the Great Zhou's bureaucracy was not only corrupt but also martially proficient, a cabinet of all-rounders. Some officials even had the audacity to suggest the emperor release funds from the imperial privy purse to address the emergency. Wang Hao suddenly felt weary. Let it all burn.
ts me of treason?" "Correct. The host must return to the capital and gradually build up influence." "Wait—I have half a million soldiers, and you want me to go back to the capital to 'build influence'?" "Host, you are currently the Northern Garrison General, loyal to the Great Xia Dynasty." "Of course I am loyal to Great Xia! Absolutely loyal!" "But you keep referring to yourself as 'We'..." "Never mind the details! Summon all the regional commanders and military officers! We suspect treacherous officials are manipulating the court! They shall march with Us to the capital and purge the corrupt!" "......"
s + Rent Collection Wealth】 At the start, he inherited a rundown house in the urban village from his grandfather. The house had no tenants, but the moment he was diagnosed with a terminal illness, a self-proclaimed empress from the Tianxuan Continent arrived as his first tenant. Ye Chuan soon discovered that with every new tenant moving in, not only did he receive massive daily payments, but he also obtained unique items related to their backgrounds. 【Acquired Bai Qianshuang’s related item: Tiger Strength Pill—dramatically enhances physical power!】 【Acquired Bai Qianshuang’s related item: Deer Blood Pill—significantly boosts vitality!】 …… From that day on, all sorts of bizarre tenants began appearing in the house: the empress from Tianxuan Continent, an apocalyptic sorceress from the Magic Realm, a mysterious scientific girl who fell through a spacetime rift… Every single day, he received strange, powerful items and endless money. Then one day, he suddenly realized—he had become invincible. Enough, enough! Stop giving me more!
nd fell into a coma while saving his younger sister from an out-of-control car. He became a vegetable. No one knew that his consciousness had crossed into a world of cultivation. Over the course of sixty years, he began as the lowest kind of mine slave, struggling to survive amid mountains of corpses and seas of blood. By sheer chance, he eventually obtained the complete memories of a fallen Immortal King. Alchemy, medicine, formations, feng shui, physiognomy, artifact forging… Every great inheritance of the cultivation world was now his. But when he opened his eyes again, he discovered that ten full years had passed in the modern world. To pay for his treatment, his father had sold the family’s shop and house, leaving himself covered in lasting injuries and illness. His mother had cared for him day and night, and more than half of her hair had already turned white. His younger sister, who had been only fifteen back then, was now twenty-five. To help repay the family’s debts, she had been forced to lower her head and put on a smiling face in places of glittering lights and endless revelry. Only then did Chen Xuan understand that what he had lost was not merely ten years. He had lost the life his entire family was meant to have. The good news was that he had brought back the memories of an Immortal King’s entire lifetime. The bad news was that his soul had returned alone—his cultivation had not come with him. Spiritual energy was scarce, resources were depleted, and the modern world still had firearms, surveillance, capital, and laws. If he wanted to protect his family, break free from everyone’s control, and become truly invincible beneath the heavens, he would have to start all over again.
