Therefore, she began to consider these external means to aid her cultivation.

However, with no one else around to discuss with and no mentor or friend to guide her, when faced with confusion, she could only hesitate on her own.

Now that she encountered someone whose mere sound of the zither could naturally elevate her cultivation base, she naturally had to seize the opportunity to seek guidance.

Chen Kuang had a strange expression; life’s encounters are indeed fascinating—it was now his turn to give lessons to an Earth Spirit Daoist Monarch, teaching her how to cultivate...

This so-called "Path of Outer Alchemy" essentially refers to consuming Elixirs to promote cultivation or directly forcefully elevating one’s cultivation base.

Although Chen Kuang had never ingested Elixirs, in fact, within the Mud Golden Sculpting Technique, there were records of Elixir formulas that complemented cultivation.

It’s just that he didn’t need them at all.

These well-developed and stable Elixirs were beneficial and harmless to cultivators, as long as one diligently cultivated and fully refined the medicinal power within.

Situations where Elixirs are harmful to people are rare; generally, it’s either because the Elixir’s effects are quite extreme, or it’s due to long-term consumption without sufficient cultivation, leading to an accumulation of medicinal power that blocks the meridians.

The former are relentless individuals, the latter lazy ones, neither of which concerns Lv Zhexiong.

Chen Kuang coughed lightly into his hand, explained the situation roughly, and added:

"The good or bad of the Path of Outer Alchemy lies in the heart. As long as you are not lazy in usual times, refining the medicinal power in full, there would be no harm."

"If you were a sect disciple, upon entry, someone would explain this principle to you."

Lv Zhexiong looked embarrassed: "I’m just a Loose Cultivator, with average talent, so no sect is willing to take me in..."

Chen Kuang asked out of curiosity: "Have you tried the Mystic God Daoist Sect? I’ve heard that Fuli’s disciples focus more on character."

Lv Zhexiong shook her head: "I went to the Fuli Immortal State, took a glance from afar... Later I learned that Mystic God Daoist Sect doesn’t accept disciples over thirty who haven’t set foot on the Tower Ascension ladder."

"At that time, I was just at the Innate Void Force."

Goodness...

The Mystic God Daoist Sect of this era is even more demanding in accepting disciples than in later generations!

Under thirty and in the Tower Ascension Realm, that means at least being in the top two hundred of the younger generation.

In other words, only those ranked within the top two hundred of the younger generation are eligible to be accepted as disciples by the Mystic God Daoist Sect. Truly, it’s the best of the best.

If the rules remained the same in later generations, the Mystic God Daoist Sect certainly wouldn’t gather forty thousand disciples.

I wonder... if the Mystic God Daoist Sect in later generations knew that, due to high demands, they had dissuaded their own second-in-command, how awkward the scene might be.

Chen Kuang, holding back laughter, said with a stern face: "That was the Mystic God Daoist Sect not recognizing talent."

"A person like you, loved by Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, cherished by the forces of creation, appearing once in a millennium, even I am amazed; why underestimate yourself?"

Upon hearing this compliment without reservation, Lv Zhexiong blushed more deeply, feeling embarrassed inside and wanting to lower her head and put back on the hat she had just taken off.

This... this is simply too mushy.

In Lv Zhexiong’s view, the other party couldn’t possibly be complimenting her talent; after all, someone in their thirties at the First Level of Tower Climb could only be considered average.

To ascend the twelve heavens, each level has its own challenges, as insurmountable as a thousand mountains... not merely words.

The difficulty of advancing in the Tower Ascension Realm is even higher than combining the opening of Apertures and Innate stages!

She only broke through to the Tower Ascension Realm at thirty-four, so even in the most optimistic scenario, reaching the twelfth level would take at least eighty to ninety years!

And by then, she’d be nearing the end of her lifespan...

At this pace, it’s uncertain whether she can break through before her lifespan runs out.

That’s why Lv Zhexiong is so eager to seek guidance and help in her cultivation.

Also...

At this moment, Chen Kuang’s praise, in Lv Zhexiong’s mind, could only mean one thing—

He was complimenting her appearance.

Previously, while in her boudoir, with no point of comparison, she didn’t think much of her looks while gazing in the mirror daily.

But later, continually encountering unscrupulous people, she learned how to protect herself and naturally realized how much of a trouble her appearance was.

Others coveted her looks greedily, which made Chen Kuang’s genuine admiration all the more precious...

Lv Zhexiong quickly shook her head: "The rules of the Mystic God Daoist Sect are strict. If I don’t meet the requirements, naturally, I can’t go in. If I did enter, it wouldn’t be fair."

"Such a Mystic God Daoist Sect is not the one I wish to join."

Chen Kuang finally couldn’t help but laugh:

"Don’t look at how it is now; maybe in the future, they’ll drop their pride and invite you to join."

Lv Zhexiong took it as a joke but was amused, trying hard not to giggle.

She said: "Even though I have no fate to join the Mystic God Daoist Sect, if in the future I can’t remain a Loose Cultivator, maybe, if possible, they could slightly lower the cultivation requirements as you said, prioritizing those with good character."

Lv Zhexiong murmured softly: "May the world have fewer Loose Cultivators like me, who make mistakes due to lack of guidance."

Hearing this, Chen Kuang was taken aback.

Could it be that Mystic God Daoist Sect’s future expansion decision was Lv Zhexiong’s doing?

Well, that is a good thing.

He then chatted with Lv Zhexiong about some cultivation insights, advising her on Elixir consumption and even gave her several Pill Formulas.

—Although he couldn’t provide the Mud Golden Sculpting Technique’s formulas, over the years he had obtained many recipes from Xi Mengquan and sold them.

Xi Mengquan was almost a jack-of-all-trades, even learning alchemy on his own; if it weren’t for Chen Kuang spending almost five years with him under the same roof, he’d think Mengquan might have an old grandfather’s knowledge.

Isn’t that the true child of destiny?

After Lv Zhexiong bid farewell and left the courtyard, she heard the sound of the zither behind her, first joyful, then wistful in parting.

Lv Zhexiong couldn’t help but smile as she heard it. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

She donned her hat again and walked towards her newly built Daoist temple.

...

In the following months, Lv Zhexiong visited Chen Kuang almost daily to seek insights into cultivation.

Initially, Lv Zhexiong was quite reserved, seeing Chen Kuang as a senior in her heart.

But as they became more familiar, Lv Zhexiong gradually relaxed, smiling more often. With the surrounding area so quiet, she no longer hid her face behind a hat and veil.

Until one day, shortly after she broke through to the Second Level of Tower Climb.

Feeling impetuous, she whimsically found a piece of bamboo and crafted a bamboo flute.

After that, when Chen Kuang’s zither could be heard from afar, Lv Zhexiong would take up her bamboo flute and secretly answer back, albeit awkwardly.

In her mind, her skills were nothing but inadequate in front of Chen Kuang. Each time his zither paused, she blushed and stopped playing immediately.

She raised her hand, pressing the bamboo flute against her chest mightily, feeling an accelerated rhythm, murmuring to herself:

"So embarrassing. If he found out..."

If he discovered it, then what?

Lv Zhexiong herself didn’t know.

She only knew that she somewhat hoped Chen Kuang would point it out.

This continued for nearly a year.

Lv Zhexiong actually broke through to the Third Level of Tower Climb!

Something unthinkable for her in the past!

That day, feeling the exuberant Spiritual Qi within her, Lv Zhexiong looked out from the window of the Daoist temple towards the house at the foot of the mountain, unable to contain her joy.

She murmured, "It’s been a year of guidance from Mr. Deting Jun, and yet I haven’t presented any suitable gift..."

Though Chen Kuang always said it wasn’t necessary, it seemed too discourteous not to give anything at all.

Resolving this, Lv Zhexiong pondered briefly and decided to leave the temple for the city to buy a valuable Spiritual Treasure at the nearby commerce association.

Daoist Nun put on the dust-laden hat, adjusted her Daoist Robe, soared into the air, turning into a stream of light.

There was only one large city in the area.

Lv Zhexiong had already scouted it out; inside, there was a Baotong Commerce Association with reasonable prices and trusted transactions.

Her savings were limited, but enough to purchase a "Star"-grade Spiritual Treasure.

Little did Lv Zhexiong realize that as soon as she walked into the commerce association, two cultivators had their eyes on her.

One squinted his eyes: "Celestial Charm Body... is that her?"

The other nodded: "Yes, two years ago, she escaped from Beishuo Ancient Demon and sought our Bi Yun Sect’s help. I happened to catch her; when we just killed that demon, she instinctively fled."

"Never thought she’d hide in that western suburb for a year!"