Top-Tier Perception Starts From Basic Fist Techniques

Chapter 179.2: Lu Changsheng Enters Immortal Dao Territory For Spirit Flowers! (II)

Meanwhile, in the Flowing Cloud Sect, Xia Feilong himself sat quietly inside his cave residence. Standing before him was a true inheritor disciple of the Flowing Cloud Sect.

"Senior Brother Xia," the disciple began in a low voice, "the Dao Foundation Candidate List was updated today. Lu Changsheng of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect, who wasn't even on the list before, has taken your place. He now ranks number one above every Divine Treasury martial artist."

The disciple spoke carefully, as though afraid of provoking Xia Feilong. However, Xia Feilong did not react. In fact, he remained perfectly calm, which was at odds with his usual demeanor.

"Lu Changsheng was able to kill Lei Tiandu. That alone proves his strength already stands at the highest level among Divine Treasury martial artists," Xia Feilong remarked. "Furthermore, when Lu Changsheng was still in the Divine Fortification Realm, he could already challenge Divine Treasury experts, something neither Xiao Wuji nor I could do in our time."

"Right now, countless people are probably hoping I will challenge Lu Changsheng. They want to watch either him or me make fools of ourselves. Ridiculous. Do they take me for some circus monkey?

"And besides, what value is there in being ranked first on the Dao Foundation Candidate List? No matter how glorious it sounds, it is still only for those in the Divine Treasury Realm. I'm already prepared to enter the Dao Foundation Realm. In fact, Junior Brother, you may take your leave now. I'm going into seclusion to forge my Dao Foundation now."

The true inheritor disciple widened his eyes in shock. He had not expected this kind of reaction from Xia Feilong. Instead of flying into a rage and immediately challenging Lu Changsheng, Xia Feilong chose a different path instead. He intended to prove his power by becoming a Dao Foundation Expert.

"Understood, Senior Brother Xia." The disciple bowed and quickly left Xia Feilong's cave residence.

***

Across the Ancient Region, those Divine Treasury cultivators who enjoyed stirring up trouble were quietly gossiping among themselves. They speculated on whether Xia Feilong would challenge Lu Changsheng.

Most people in the Ancient Region knew what kind of person Xia Feilong was. He could not stand anyone of the same level being stronger than him. For ten full years, he had held the top spot on the Dao Foundation Candidate List, and now Lu Changsheng had appeared from nowhere and leapt straight over him. Given Xia Feilong's temperament, many people found it hard to believe he would simply let the matter go.

Even Lu Changsheng himself had heard plenty of stories regarding Xia Feilong's past deed, to the point that he also suspected Xia Feilong might come looking for him.

But three days later, word arrived from the Flowing Cloud Sect that Xia Feilong had forged his Dao Foundation, and he was no longer a Divine Treasury Realm. This caused the entire Ancient Region to erupt into an uproar once more.

"Xia Feilong actually forged his Dao Foundation?"

"As expected of Xia Feilong. Instead of challenging Lu Changsheng, he proved himself in this way. Whether he's first on the Dao Foundation Candidate List or not makes no difference to him now."

"Incredible. He simply decided to forge his Dao Foundation, and then he actually succeeded. That's really impressive."

"Now Lu Changsheng's position at the top of the Dao Foundation Candidate List is completely secure. Since Xia Feilong has already broken through to the Dao Foundation Realm, Xiao Wuji will likely do the same. Among the remaining Divine Treasury martial artists, no one can truly threaten Lu Changsheng's position anymore."

Throughout the Ancient Region, many Divine Treasury cultivators could not help but feel disappointed. The battle they had eagerly anticipated had vanished before it could even begin.

***

Inside his cave residence at the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect, Lu Changsheng was currently hosting a true inheritor disciple named Zhang Kong.

Zhang Kong smiled and said, "Junior Brother Lu, news arrived from the Flowing Cloud Sect not long ago that Xia Feilong has successfully forged his Dao Foundation. Now that he has stepped into the Dao Foundation Realm, you can rest assured he won't challenge you.

"As for Xiao Wuji, he has always been cautious, and he's not quite as strong as Xia Feilong anyway. He definitely won't come after you either. Your position as number one on the Dao Foundation Candidate List is secure. You could hold it for over ten years without any trouble, just as Xia Feilong did."

Lu Changsheng made no comment on that, as he had already heard the news. In any case, being able to hold the top spot for ten years was of little interest to him. No matter how glorious that position seemed, it still represented only the Divine Treasury Realm. That list could not possibly compare to becoming a Dao Foundation expert.

Lu Changsheng had never cared much about being first on the Dao Foundation Candidate List in the first place. Still, he did not bother explaining himself. Others envied him for obtaining the top position, so if he claimed he did not care about it, it would only sound hypocritical. Rather than waste words, he preferred to let his actions speak for him by forging his Dao Foundation within a year.

Looking at Zhang Kong, Lu Changsheng asked calmly, "Senior Brother Zhang, you did not come here solely to congratulate me, did you?"

"Of course not." Zhang Kong smiled. "I came to discuss something with you. I have information about peculiar items that can expand the Mind Space. The question is whether you, Junior Brother Lu, would dare compete for them."

A glint of interest surfaced in Lu Changsheng's eyes. "Is there something I would not dare compete for?"

At present, Lu Changsheng was recognized as the strongest Divine Treasury martial artist in the entire Ancient Region. With his current strength, what could possibly make him hesitate?

"There is a peculiar item known as the Spirit Flower," Zhang Kong said slowly. "Each stalk can expand the Mind Space by one li. According to the information I obtained, there are at least twenty stalks growing in Spirit Gathering Mountain."

The moment Lu Changsheng heard the name of the location, he immediately understood why Zhang Kong had asked if he dared compete for this peculiar item.

Spirit Gathering Mountain was the territory of Immortal Masters—a place where martial artists did not usually operate. There was no explicit rule barring martial artists from entering, just as there was no rule barring Immortal Masters from frequenting martial artist territory, but few ever crossed those unspoken boundaries. Those who did would inevitably face hostility and trouble.

So, if Lu Changsheng and Zhangkong were to compete for rare natural treasures in Spirit Gathering Mountain, they would definitely provoke numerous Immortal Masters at once, and Immortal Masters were far from weak.

In terms of cultivation realms, Immortal Masters stood on the same level as Divine Treasury martial artists. However, Immortal Masters possessed far more techniques and resources. In battles between those of the same realm, Immortal Masters were often stronger than ordinary Divine Treasury martial artists.

Even for Lu Changsheng, who currently stood at the top of the Dao Foundation Candidate List, entering Spirit Gathering Mountain to compete for Spirit Flowers would still be extremely risky.

As for Zhang Kong, if he entered Spirit Gathering Mountain alone, he would most likely never make it back alive. But if Lu Changsheng accompanied him, then things would be different. At the very least, they would stand a chance.

For a moment, Lu Changsheng said nothing, and the cave residence fell silent. Then he suddenly looked up at Zhang Kong with a faint smile in his eyes. "Senior Brother Zhang, there is something you forgot to mention."

Zhang Kong's expression shifted slightly.

"The Spirit Flower is no ordinary natural treasure," Lu Changsheng went on. "If I remember correctly, one of the core ingredients required to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill is the Spirit Flower. Without it, the pill simply cannot be refined."

Zhang Kong was taken aback by the extent of Lu Changsheng's knowledge.

Truth be told, the ingredients of the Foundation Establishment Pill were not some great secret among Immortal Masters. Most cultivators of the Immortal Dao knew about them. Martial artists, however, generally paid little attention to such things. Lu Changsheng himself had only learned of it by chance through information gathered with his Sense Domain.

"Junior Brother Lu, you are truly well informed," Zhang Kong remarked with a smile. "Indeed, the spirit Flower is one of the primary ingredients used to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill. For Immortal Masters, the Foundation Establishment Pill is the key to stepping into the Foundation Establishment Realm. Only those with a Heavenly Spirit Root might do without, but Immortal Masters born with a Heavenly Spirit Root are a once-in-a-millennium rarity.

"That is why once news of the Spirit Flower spreads, countless powerful Immortal Masters will inevitably gather at Spirit Gathering Mountain, especially those supreme Immortal Masters at the top of the Foundation Establishment Candidate List. Their methods are strange and unpredictable, and their strength is terrifying. If it were only me, I would never dare enter Spirit Gathering Mountain.

"But Junior Brother Lu, you are different. You're now first on the Dao Foundation Candidate List, and with you beside me, perhaps we'll have a chance to gather some Spirit Flowers. If we secure more than fifteen stalks, I'm content with just five. If we fail to get even fifteen, I'll take nothing."