Slaying Demons: Starting with Upgrading my Calligraphy-Chapter 383 - 349: 20 Years

"Tao Guyun."

A gentle call snapped the contented Tao Guyun back to reality as he watched several young Tao children who had just landed on the ground.

Surprised, he turned around and saw the imposing figure standing atop the lightning. Tao Guyun’s expression paused for a moment, and he quickly went to greet him.

"Immortal, you’ve left your seclusion?"

With a respectful bow, Tao Guyun cautiously raised his head to steal a glance at Qi Xiu in front of him. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

The majesty of the Immortal Peach is indeed extraordinary. The Immortal’s lifespan must have increased by at least 3,000 years.

Qi Xiu’s Hunyuan Myriad Laws Immortal Body possessed the talent of Divine Luster Inward Concealment. Tao Guyun couldn’t see through his current cultivation.

But the Taogong Clan’s mysterious abilities allowed him to sense a huge increase in Qi Xiu’s lifespan. Such an uplift in life essence couldn’t be hidden from his eyes.

Noticing a few Tao children playing not far away, their foreheads prominently bulging, Qi Xiu softly asked:

"It seems that your Taizu Holy Tree is recovering well."

"Thanks to the great favor of the Immortal, the Taizu Holy Tree has regained its vitality. In at most twenty years, the newly born Tao will be enough to activate the inter-dimensional formation. You will then be able to return to the Tianyuan Main Realm."

With a humble response, Tao Guyun conscientiously told him about the time needed to send Qi Xiu back to the Tianyuan Main Realm.

He also knew that Qi Xiu’s appearance at this time was for this matter.

"Twenty years?"

Qi Xiu stood with his hands behind his back, gently rubbing the Golden Cry Jade Beads on his wrist, contemplating.

Twenty years is not a long time for any cultivator. He was still worried about how his sudden disappearance would be received by his sect. But for now, apart from waiting, he had no better options.

"Tao Guyun, how about we make a deal?"

Since he couldn’t return for the time being, Qi Xiu naturally wouldn’t waste these twenty years and turned to look at Tao Guyun who stood beside him.

"Please speak, Immortal. This humble old one will surely cooperate."

With a look of sincere deference, Tao Guyun repeatedly bowed respectfully.

Qi Xiu spoke with a tranquil voice, but Tao Guyun’s mind was as clear as a mirror. This Immortal had consumed the Immortal Peach, and his cultivation must have reached the Blood-Stained Peak Realm. Now, he alone was powerful enough to sweep through the entire Longevity Star Realm single-handedly. No one would be his match, including Tao Guyun himself. So, although Qi Xiu’s manner was courteous, Tao Guyun couldn’t take this courtesy at face value. Otherwise, the hard-won opportunity for the Longevity Star Realm might be destroyed by his own hands, and the entire Taogong Clan wouldn’t be able to escape unscathed either.

"The Longevity Star Realm is small and impoverished, but these spiritual peaches you cultivate are remarkable. Let’s make a trade. I would like to purchase all of the spiritual peaches you have. You can name your price, how about it?"

Hearing that Qi Xiu wanted to purchase the spiritual peaches, Tao Guyun’s gaze flickered with shock, evidently not having expected this request from the Immortal.

After recovering from his surprise, Tao Guyun responded directly:

"So that’s it. The Immortal saved our Longevity Star Realm and salvaged my Taogong Clan. The spiritual peaches are nothing. If you wish to take them all, you may. However, these spiritual peaches cannot be stored for long. It’s best to pluck them when you are about to return to the Tianyuan Main Realm, as that would preserve them longer."

"Heh, no need for such trouble. When I want them, I will come to get them. There’s no need to pluck them all at once," Qi Xiu said with a slight smirk, flipping his palm over.

"Come to get them? What do you mean by that..."

A bit perplexed by Qi Xiu’s words, Tao Guyun’s eyes revealed a hint of bewilderment.

"Do you recognize this?"

Spreading open the palm of his right hand, the barely visible imprint of the Immortal Peach was suddenly on full display to Tao Guyun.

"That is... a realm mark? You’ve actually been granted a realm mark!"

Unable to contain himself, Tao Guyun took two steps forward in shock, gazing at the Immortal Peach mark in Qi Xiu’s palm.

A realm mark! The Divine Marvel that allows free entry into the Longevity Star Realm! Possessing it is like holding the keys to the gates of the Longevity Star Realm. To have such a mark signifies that Qi Xiu has completely earned the recognition and trust of the Heavenly Dao Will in the Longevity Star Realm.

Such an honor has been granted only to two clan chiefs in the history of the Taogong Clan.

One was the first Tao in the history of the Longevity Star Realm. He was the one who nurtured and grew the Taogong Clan.

The other was the thirty-ninth clan chief, whose contribution was his unrivaled natural talent and comprehension. He observed the Taizu Holy Tree for 1,200 years and ultimately discerned the Taogong Clan’s method for cultivating spiritual peaches, integrating it into the clan’s lineage to become the inherent Divine Marvel passed down through generations.

Besides these two clan chiefs, no one else in the entire Taogong Clan has ever received a realm mark.

And after countless years, the realm mark has reappeared, this time belonging to someone from the Tianyuan Main Realm’s Human Race.

"I’ll buy up all the Longevity Star Realm’s spiritual peaches. You can set the price, and as long as it’s fair, I will not bargain."

Withdrawing his hand, Qi Xiu spoke calmly.

In recent years, thanks to selling divine soul medicines, Yunti Peak had become one of the wealthiest entities within the Shenxiao Sect. Additionally, during the chaos in Dianchuan, he had traveled, fought, and killed many Demonic Evil Cultivators, from whom he had also scraped together a decent amount of Dao Gold. Although not considered truly wealthy, he possessed a modest sum.

"The spiritual peaches are not a problem. After all, we only keep them as snacks during leisure. But the price..."

With a troubled look, Tao Guyun appeared conflicted.

Having wandered in the Tianyuan Main Realm for over 800 years, how could he not know the value of spiritual peaches? In the Longevity Star Realm, they were merely considered fruit for eating or offerings for the Taizu Holy Tree. In the Tianyuan Main Realm, they were rare treasures, especially the Longevity Peaches. Such a lifespan-increasing treasure would incite a frenzy as soon as it appeared. The value of the spiritual peaches was thus self-evident. It was precisely for this reason that he hesitated to set a price, fearing that asking for too much would annoy this Immortal. He was also afraid that insisting on not naming a price would anger this Immortal.

Seeing Tao Guyun stammering and not speaking, Qi Xiu’s gaze shifted slightly. His intelligent mind quickly understood the old man’s hesitation and concerns.

"How about this? You’ve been in the Tianyuan Main Realm for so many hundreds of years, you must surely know what things are useful to you. Make a list for me, and I will decide how many spiritual peaches those items can be exchanged for. How does that sound?"

"Ah, if that’s the case, then it would be disrespectful of me to refuse." Laughing heartily, Tao Guyun nodded repeatedly.

Although the Longevity Star Realm could cultivate treasures such as spiritual peaches, it is not wealthy itself. However, the Tianyuan Main Realm has many Spiritual Objects beneficial to the growth of the Taogong Clan. If those could be transported to the Longevity Star Realm, it would significantly shorten the growth period of the Taogong Clan. The more adult members of the Taogong Clan, the more spiritual peaches could be cultivated. With enough spiritual peaches, they could be offered to the Taizu Holy Tree, allowing the holy tree to conceive and nurture more members of the Taogong Clan. Such a virtuous cycle would allow the Taogong Clan to grow stronger.

"If that’s the case, then it’s settled. Twenty years is enough time for you to think carefully about what you want."

In just a few words, Qi Xiu had turned the Longevity Star Realm into his own peach garden. He looked out into the distance where countless peach trees swayed with the breeze, and each delicate spiritual peach shimmered with endless halos.

After reaching an agreement with Tao Guyun, Qi Xiu returned to the small mountain range.

He planned to use these twenty years to refine his cultivation level and enhance the levels of his Dharma Gates.

"My cultivation has reached the Blood-Stained Peak, and I have cultivated a wondrous spirit body. The next step is to integrate my personal Dao into this spirit body to become a Daoist Spirit. Elder Shui once said that the Great Tribulation of Dao Body I will face in the future will be unprecedentedly challenging, probably leading me to a situation of certain death. How to break through the tribulation is also a problem."

Sitting cross-legged in the mountains, Qi Xiu looked thoughtful. He then took out a Sea Blue Colored Glass Pearl from the Golden Cry Jade Beads. It was crystalline and translucent, and the slightest shake would cause it to emit the endless sound of ocean tides.

This Glazed Pearl was likewise a gift from Elder Shui, containing secrets on how to pass through the Great Tribulation of Dao Body.

But since acquiring this pearl, he had tried various methods to refine and open it. Yet, to no avail.

"Perhaps the time has not yet come..."

After playing with the Sea Blue Colored Glass Pearl in his hands for a while, Qi Xiu put it away and then waved his hand to scatter a handful of soybeans.

Divine Light shone brightly, and spiritual fog surged.

Over a hundred Yellow Turban Strongmen appeared and, following a gesture from Qi Xiu, flew away. In no time, they were carrying posts and huge stones to build a dwelling for Qi Xiu atop the mountain summit.

Compared to the world’s artisans, the efficiency of the Yellow Turban Strongmen was astonishing.

Within just three days, a tranquil and elegant courtyard with front and rear quarters was presented before Qi Xiu. It was complete with a study, an alchemy room, an art studio, and even rockeries, flowing water, as well as flowers, grass, and trees as adornments.

Nodding lightly, Qi Xiu pushed open the door to the study. After a casual look around, he stepped toward the desk, lightly lifted his Taoist robe, and took a seat. He then took out his writing materials to begin copying scripture one word at a time.

Now that his Hunyuan Apertures could autonomously cultivate various Dharma Gates, he poured all his energy into Mysterious Abilities like calligraphy, alchemy, and painting.

These skills had been with him for a long time, especially calligraphy, which could be considered his primary method.

As their levels increased, the enhancement from each upgrade of these Mysterious Abilities was extremely significant.

「Twenty years passed.」

Qi Xiu immersed himself in a simple yet not monotonous rhythm of life.

Every day at dawn, as the first rays of sunlight pierced through the window grilles, he was already beside the inkstone, splashing ink where each stroke condensed his understanding of the Dao.

In the alchemy room, flames danced, and the aroma of herbs filled the air as he refined the essence of life before the crucible, every drop of elixir containing the breath of life and the laws of heaven and earth.

As night fell and the stars twinkled, he drew the universe on his canvas, mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas vividly portrayed under his brush strokes, as if one could hear the wind’s chant and feel the water’s flow.

As time silently slipped by and seasons cycled from spring to harvest, he seemed to exist outside of time. His focus and perseverance deepened his demeanor.

His eyes were bright and profound, like the starry sea, and each movement, each breath, was filled with a transcendent rhythm, as if embodying the deepest wisdom of the heavens and earth.

In this daily, yearly immersion, a masterful presence gradually coalesced around Qi Xiu, radiating an awe-inspiring light.