Several dozen days after Zhang Jingmo was abducted, Lu Guijiu finally received the paper crane left by Zhang Jingmo.

The paper crane had six words written on it: "Don't slack off, wait for your master." Looking at the paper crane in his hand, Lu Guijiu's expression revealed a sense of ruthlessness. He gently tucked the paper crane into his bosom, then went to find the sect leader, only to receive a meaningless answer.

The sect leader said he would investigate, but didn't say how long it would take, nor could he guarantee Zhang Jingmo's safety. Just thinking about the possibility of his master being in danger, Lu Guijiu felt a raging fire burn in his heart.

Lu Shu originally thought that given Lu Guijiu's age, it wouldn't be surprising if he made a scene in front of the sect leader. But to his surprise, not only did Lu Guijiu not make a fuss, he was also very obedient.

He seemed to have listened to the sect leader's advice and returned to his cave abode alone. His senior brother Ji Jinglun had also just heard the news and rushed over. Seeing the silent Lu Guijiu, he hurriedly asked what had happened.

Lu Guijiu said, "Master was abducted."

Ji Jinglun's expression changed. He asked, "By whom?"

Lu Guijiu shook his head, then pressed the spot on his chest where he had placed the paper crane.

Ji Jinglun saw Lu Guijiu's gloomy expression and said, "Are there any clues..."

The paper crane could be considered a clue, but Lu Guijiu had no intention of telling Ji Jinglun. He only said, "No, I plan to go out and investigate..."

Hearing this, Ji Jinglun exclaimed in shock, "You want to go out and travel now?"

Lu Guijiu nodded.

Ji Jinglun said, "But you're only at the fifth level of Qi Refining. Isn't it too dangerous to go out alone?" When he and his junior sister left Lingxu Sect back then, they had both reached the eighth level of Qi Refining.

Lu Guijiu said, "I know my limits."

Ji Jinglun wanted to say more but stopped himself. Seeing Lu Guijiu's cold expression, he didn't want to say anything else. He could only sigh, "Don't be impulsive, think it over carefully."

After saying that, he left on his flying sword, apparently going elsewhere to gather information.

Seeing Ji Jinglun leave, Lu Guijiu clenched his fists tightly and squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth, "I'm so angry."

Lu Shu asked, "What are you angry about?"

Lu Guijiu suddenly drew his sword and stared at the sharp blade. He said, "I'm angry at myself." As he spoke, the sharp blade was enveloped by a layer of purple flames. The flames grew more and more intense, gradually melting the sharp blade.

Seeing this, Lu Shu was startled. Before he could say anything, Lu Guijiu muttered to himself, "I said I would protect my master, but I acted like a coward. Master paved the way for me, but in the end, I can't help at all..." After saying that, he threw the melted sword on the ground.

Lu Guijiu then said, "Lu Shu, since you claim to be a thousand-year-old monster, you should have more experience than others, right?"

Lu Shu asked, "What do you want to do?"

Lu Guijiu sneered, "I want to establish my foundation before I'm a hundred years old."

Lu Shu sighed, "Aren't you just daydreaming? Successfully establishing your foundation within a hundred years old, how is that possible?" Take Ji Jinglun for example. He was already considered a genius in Lingxu Sect, but when he built his foundation, he was already over 250 years old.

On this path of cultivation, the further you go, the harder it gets. It may have only taken you a little over twenty years to reach the fifth level of Qi Refining, but each subsequent level takes almost twice as long.

Establishing a foundation at three hundred years old is not considered too late.

Lu Guijiu actually boasted that he would successfully build his foundation within a hundred years old. Even Lu Shu felt he was being reckless.

Hearing this, Lu Guijiu coldly said, "Others can't do it? I can't do it? Since I've said it today, I will go and do it."

Lu Shu sighed, "I can only do my best to help you."

Lu Guijiu coldly said, "You better do your best to help me."

Hearing Lu Guijiu's tone, Lu Shu inexplicably shuddered. He also knew that Lu Guijiu was deeply affected by Zhang Jingmo being abducted, but he never thought that Lu Guijiu would set such an almost impossible goal.

Having made up his mind, Lu Guijiu began packing his bags to go out and travel. He didn't have much to bring, only some elixirs, talismans, and every spiritual tool Zhang Jingmo had given him.

Ji Jinglun came to see Lu Guijiu again later. This time, he didn't try to persuade Lu Guijiu. He only gave Lu Guijiu a talisman, saying that if Lu Guijiu encountered danger, burning this talisman would allow him to return to Lingxu Sect.

Lu Guijiu also knew that Ji Jinglun meant well. He was very clear about the value of this talisman. He didn't thank Ji Jinglun but solemnly bowed to him, finally treating him as a senior brother, although in his heart, he was still somewhat reluctant.

The sect leader also knew that Lu Guijiu was leaving. He didn't come in person, but sent his disciple.

When Lu Guijiu arrived at the mountain gate, he saw Gong Huaiyu and Gong Yujin in Lingxu Sect's attire, as well as Su Yu, who Zhang Jingmo never liked.

The twins both showed smiles when they saw Lu Guijiu. They strictly followed the rules of the cultivation world - the strong are respected. After Lu Guijiu won first place, they completely changed their attitude towards him.

Lu Guijiu didn't know the three of them were looking for him. He just walked on his own, but was stopped.

Gong Yujin politely said, "Junior Brother Lu, are you going out to travel?"

Lu Guijiu nodded.

Gong Yujin then said, "What a coincidence, the three of us are also going out. I wonder if Junior Brother Lu would like to travel together with us?"

Lu Guijiu glanced at him, then at the eager Su Yu standing to the side. After pondering for a moment, he still refused.

Gong Yujin was not surprised by Lu Guijiu's answer. He just sighed and said he wished Lu Guijiu a smooth journey, not insisting further.

Lu Guijiu's first priority on this trip was to improve his cultivation; his second was to search for materials for the Foundation Establishment Pill. If he traveled together with those three, although his safety would be guaranteed, if he encountered the materials for the Foundation Establishiment Pill, he wouldn't know how to split them.

Stepping out of the mountain gate alone, Lu Guijiu left. The next time he returned would be decades later.

Zhang Jingmo did not know that Lu Guijiu had already left the Lingxu Sect. He was now trapped in the Kuchan Valley and would likely have no chance to escape for several decades.

Tianlu and Tianwan were not easy to deal with, so Zhang Jingmo had to be cautious at every step, deeply afraid of making a wrong move.

After capturing Zhang Jingmo, Tianwan and Tianlu met with him once, then left him alone in the room. Zhang Jingmo was locked in a formation, with his range of activity limited to a small stone chamber. If he tried to go out, he would be stopped by the disciples of Kuchan Valley.

Zhang Jingmo knew very well what these two were scheming. They simply wanted to make him anxious to reduce his resistance. But with Zhang Jingmo's temperament, if he was impatient, he would have gone crazy long ago from the countless reincarnations. So Tianwan and Tianlu's actions actually suited his intentions. He was too lazy to struggle, and simply cultivated on the stone bed every day. In the blink of an eye, more than a year had passed.

Zhang Jingmo could sit still, but Tianwan could not. She originally thought that after a few days, Zhang Jingmo would ask to see her, but she didn't expect this alchemist to be so patient, sitting for a whole year.

When Tianlu learned about this, he actually laughed and said, "This Zhang Jingmo is quite interesting."

Tianwan said, "Interesting? What's so interesting... In my opinion, he's just a fool." She sighed, "We can't keep stalling with him. He can endure it, but Tianfeng can't."

Tianlu nodded, "How are the Yin Pearls you prepared?"

When Tianwan heard the words "Yin Pearls", worry showed in her eyes. She said, "They're not so easy to prepare. I've already slaughtered tens of thousands of people, but only obtained two."

Hearing this, Tianlu frowned, "Didn't I tell you to look for them elsewhere? Why did you start killing on your own?"

Tianwan said impatiently, "Look? Where to look? The ancient battlefields are not so easy to find. In these hundreds of years, not a single secret realm has appeared... If we keep waiting, who knows when that will be."

Tianlu knew his sister had a weak and gentle appearance, but her temperament was even more impatient than his. Not only was she impatient, her methods were also unscrupulous. He would advise her when he could, but if he couldn't, he could only let her be.

Tianwan said, "With two Yin Pearls, it should be enough, just don't know if..."

Tianlu said, "Two are not enough."

Tianwan said, "How are they not enough?"

Tianlu said, "No one has ever refined the Heavenly Core Yellow Spring Pill before. With only two Yin Pearls, you can only fail twice..."

Tianwan said coldly, "Twice is already giving him enough face. If he fails both times, I think this person... can be replaced."

Tianlu sighed, "Your temperament is just too impatient. Even if he refines one, do you dare give it to Tianfeng to take? So no matter what, we must refine two Heavenly Core Yellow Spring Pills before this matter can be considered finished."

Tianwan also knew her brother could no longer endure any more setbacks. Hearing Tianlu's words, she could only let out a long sigh and say, "Alright, I'll go look again. But these next few days, you should put some pressure on that Zhang Jingmo. Don't let him really think he just changed places to cultivate."

Tianlu grunted in assent. Then he saw Tianwan turn and leave. After some thought, he turned and walked into another room filled with formations.