Chapter 8

Stepping onto the white silk, Zhu Ganglie held a thick section of the Peach Spirit Wood, feeling a great sense of satisfaction. In his haste just now, he had only managed to cut this section of the Peach Spirit Wood, but this section was the main trunk. With a bit of refinement, it could become a magical artifact, and now he felt he had gained a great deal.

The white silk quickly darted through the forest and soon flew into the cave, returning to the side of the immortal maiden.

"Thank you, Immortal Maiden, for your assistance. Otherwise, I would not have obtained this Peach Spirit Wood."

Zhu Ganglie composed himself and bowed slowly, not minding the spirit of the Peach Spirit. If it weren't for the Immortal Maiden's intervention, he wouldn't have even obtained a section of the Peach Spirit Wood.

"I didn't expect that this remote place would nurture the spirit of the Peach Spirit. With the help of this spirit and the Coiled Dragon Jade, my cultivation can be restored to some extent. When that time comes, I will leave this place. During this period, I will guide you in your cultivation. Work hard and don't waste your time. The Zhen Gang Sect doesn't even have the Golden Core cultivation method. There's no need for you to go there, as it would only waste your time. After I leave, you should hide your cultivation and find a major sect to cultivate the methods that can grant immortality."

The Immortal Maiden in the cave made the white silk disappear and spoke calmly.

Hearing these words, Zhu Ganglie immediately sat cross-legged on the ground, with no resistance in his heart. The many cultivation techniques taught by this Immortal Maiden, the strength she displayed, and her explanations of cultivation far exceeded those of Changchunzi from the Zhen Gang Sect. He had finally received her personal guidance and would not miss this great opportunity.

Although he felt a bit reluctant to leave the Zhen Gang Sect where he had lived for several years, seeking the path to immortality was a matter of one in a million. If he harbored any attachments, he would likely end up like an ordinary person, aging, falling ill, and dying, buried in a mound of yellow earth, burying his talents and wasting the opportunity of his reincarnation.

"This green peach tree has existed for six thousand years, having endured dozens of lightning strikes, containing immense pure yang energy. I will help you refine it into a Primordial Yang Ruler."

Seemingly sensing Zhu Ganglie's determination, the Immortal Maiden's aura in the cave gently moved, and the section of the Peach Spirit Wood that Zhu Ganglie was holding flew away.

"Thank you, Immortal Maiden. I will work hard in my cultivation."

Zhu Ganglie's eyes lit up with joy. The Tianxing Sword Pill he had received from the Immortal Maiden was casually refined and had immense power, surpassing many of the magical artifacts of the Zhen Gang Sect. If the Immortal Maiden fully refined a magical artifact, its power would be even greater.

With excitement and anticipation, Zhu Ganglie slowly composed himself, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth, strengthening his divine soul, and nurturing the four spirit forces he had already refined.

Two days later, Zhu Ganglie was awakened by a vibration and saw a purple-golden ruler floating in front of him, his eyes instantly brightening.

Holding it in his hand, he felt it was smooth and delicate, like jade, but extremely heavy, almost making him drop it.

Examining it closely, one side of the ruler was engraved with nine golden lotus flowers in flames, and the other side was engraved with strange runes, intricate and mysterious.

"This Primordial Yang Ruler has been fused with the Firewood of the Departure Flame, the Crimson Flame Purple Iron, and the True Gold of the West, making its pure yang energy even stronger, as heavy as a thousand catties, and as hard as iron. It has two layers of space, and I have refined two layers of restrictions. You can refine it with the Nine Heavens Seal Restriction Method to activate it, which will also facilitate your travels.

One side is engraved with nine Doushuai Golden Flowers, which can release Doushuai Fire. Although it is not as powerful as the Three Pure Fires, it can still melt iron and refine gold.

The other side is the Shangyuan Eight Scenic Symbols, which I have engraved with my power, similar to a talisman artifact but comparable to the power of a ninth-layer magical artifact, sufficient to protect you as you cultivate to the Golden Core stage.

The material of this Primordial Yang Ruler is excellent, and you can refine it into a magical artifact."

While Zhu Ganglie was examining the Primordial Yang Ruler, the Immortal Maiden's voice came calmly from the cave, explaining the power of this magical artifact in detail.

Zhu Ganglie's face showed surprise and joy. He was no longer a novice in cultivation, and the power of this magical artifact was comparable to the Tian Gang Cauldron of the Zhen Gang Sect, with boundless potential. He could refine it into a magical artifact in the future without worrying about finding new materials to refine the Primordial Yang Ruler.

"Thank you, Immortal Maiden. I, Zhu Ganglie, am both grateful and delighted."

Zhu Ganglie released a spirit force into the Primordial Yang Ruler to nurture this treasure, having decided to refine it into his life-bound magical artifact.

Time passed, and Zhu Ganglie cultivated in the cave for six months, drinking clear springs when thirsty and hunting wild animals when hungry. Apart from that, he focused solely on cultivation, making rapid progress without any slack.

During these six months, Zhu Ganglie refined two more spirit forces, bringing his total to seven, nearly completing the nine spirit forces required for the Out-of-Body stage.

Moreover, each of these seven spirit forces was robust, larger than those of ordinary cultivators, almost twice as powerful.

Most importantly, after six months of full refinement, Zhu Ganglie finally mastered the two layers of restrictions of the Primordial Yang Ruler.

The two spaces within the Primordial Yang Ruler were extremely spacious. One space was illuminated by nine burning golden flowers, like nine small suns.

The other space was filled with a huge rune, shining throughout the space.

Furthermore, the Primordial Yang Ruler was extremely heavy, and a light tap could break iron, which made Zhu Ganglie even more delighted.

During these six months, the Immortal Maiden in the cave imparted a lot of cultivation knowledge to him.

The term "imparted" was very appropriate. The Immortal Maiden not only answered all his questions but also explained related knowledge in detail.

This made Zhu Ganglie both delighted and a bit sad, as it meant that the Immortal Maiden was about to leave.

On this day, Zhu Ganglie woke up from his cultivation and found that the Immortal Maiden was no longer sitting but standing quietly, though still with her back to him.

However, her aura had changed greatly, becoming even more transcendent and ethereal. Her faint aura was altering the surrounding environment, as if she were the master of the universe.

"Immortal Maiden, are you leaving?"

Zhu Ganglie bowed, his face showing a hint of sorrow as he stared at her back, his voice filled with reluctance and sadness.

"My injuries have recovered somewhat, and I must leave to avoid being found by my great enemy, which would only increase the casualties. With your help from the Coiled Dragon Jade, I have now imparted the immortal cultivation techniques to you and gifted you a magical artifact, thus resolving our karmic ties. There is no need for you to be sad. You have excellent talent and a good disposition, and you have not disgraced my guidance. To achieve immortality, you must find a great master and a major sect to cultivate the methods of immortality, to do justice to your talent and disposition."

The Immortal Maiden spoke calmly, but her aura became increasingly ethereal, with a faint mist enveloping her, as if she were about to ascend.

"Disciple Zhu Ganglie prays for the Immortal Maiden's name, wishing to venerate her forever."

Looking at the Immortal Maiden about to leave, Zhu Ganglie's reluctance grew even stronger.

Although it was only a few months, these months were more valuable than the years he had spent in the Zhen Gang Sect. During these months, he felt warmth, respect, and the feeling of being cared for and caring for others.

In these three months, he had crossed the boundary between mortals and immortals, becoming a cultivator.

And all of this was due to the Immortal Maiden before him. Once she left, Zhu Ganglie knew he would likely never see her again in his lifetime.

"Cloud mother screens the deep candle shadows, the long river gradually sinks, and the morning star sets!"

The Immortal Maiden softly recited two lines, her voice filled with a faint loneliness and melancholy, and a deep longing.

"Alas, if you achieve perfection in the future and attain the fruit of immortality, perhaps there will be a chance to meet again."

Her words echoed softly in the cave, but the mist disappeared, and the Immortal Maiden left without a trace, leaving Zhu Ganglie with a mix of emotions.

"Chang'e must regret stealing the elixir, with the blue sea and the green sky in her heart every night!"

Zhu Ganglie's eyes burst with intense light and determination as he softly recited.

"Certainly, we will meet again."

Zhu Ganglie clenched his fists, looking up at the sky, speaking both to himself and to the bright, full moon.