He sealed off the entrance and exit of the fishpond.
Li Zhuo squatted by the bank.
He picked up the vine tied with the tiger snake's internal organs.
Slowly, he pulled it up.
Then...
“My two good sets of offal have been completely eaten?!”
Li Zhuo stared blankly at the bare vine.
He looked at his small fishpond again.
And then he started to laugh.
In the fishpond.
The previously calm water surface seemed to be boiling.
Upon closer inspection.
It was the fish and shrimp, stirred by the vine, thrashing about.
There were quite a lot of them!
“One, two, three, four...”
Li Zhuo counted on his fingers; there were more than ten large fish, each weighing three to four catties or more.
The number of other small fish and shrimp was even greater!
Faintly.
He could even see a few old softshell turtles at the bottom, blowing bubbles.
“With this small fishpond, food is taken care of~”
Li Zhuo held a long stick, sharpened with a stone.
He aimed it at a large fish in the pond.
“I remember I need to aim a little lower...”
He gently moved the tip of the long stick, aiming half an inch below the large fish.
He thrust it down suddenly!
Pfft!
The large fish was pierced straight through!
“Hehe, success~”
He found a sharp stone to stun the large fish.
Removed the scales and internal organs.
Cleaned it thoroughly.
Drilled wood to make fire and started to roast the fish.
“Making fire every day is too troublesome...”
Li Zhuo spat out a fishbone and muttered.
He began to forge his body.
He opened 《Divine Ox Body ★》.
Following the guidance of the cultivation method, Li Zhuo began to guide the ball of warmth in his dantian.
“Starting from the dantian, guide the warmth into the limbs... Not bad, still very simple~”
He closed the cultivation method.
Li Zhuo closed his eyes and felt it carefully.
In a few breaths.
He could feel the warmth flowing through his limbs.
Nourishing his limbs.
Li Zhuo felt the power emanating from within his body.
Then he walked to the lakeside and picked up a tiger bone.
He gripped both ends with his hands and exerted force suddenly.
Crack!
The tiger bone snapped in response!
He threw the broken bone into the fishpond to feed the fish and shrimp.
Li Zhuo looked at his hands.
Somewhat in disbelief.
Recalling the memories in his mind.
When his great-grandfather was instructing his original body in body forging, he would mumble about the young geniuses of nearby sects.
His face was filled with longing.
That young genius was indeed formidable.
After only three months of body forging, he could contend with tigers and bears.
His former self was completely incomparable.
But now.
Li Zhuo knew.
He could also defeat tigers and venomous snakes now.
“I only used... one day.”
He murmured softly.
Li Zhuo felt no complacency.
He knew.
His current strength had nothing to do with him personally; it was all thanks to the marvel of the cultivation method.
And when it came to exquisite cultivation methods.
Would there be a lack of them in those high-grade sects or sacred lands?
The most top-tier body-forging techniques, elixirs, formations, various body-tempering treasures...
Coupled with the peerless talent of disciples from major sects and sacred lands.
The physical strength of those individuals had probably already reached the level of demonic beasts.
They were the true favored children of heaven, the future pillars of the cultivation world.
As for himself.
Just a small novice.
He patted the dirt off his backside, but Li Zhuo's mood wasn't low.
He had a very clear understanding of himself.
He was inherently no match for those favored children of heaven.
Being able to live a stable life was already quite good.
He cheerfully selected some leafy branches.
Then tied them together with vines.
A new broom was made.
While guiding the warmth to circulate in his limbs, he swept the core area.
This time, nothing interrupted him.
He kept sweeping until the sun was high in the sky.
Li Zhuo ate some roasted jerky and two fruits.
Then he lay on the bed for a short nap.
Only then did he pick up the broom and continue sweeping.
Due to body forging, Li Zhuo had great strength.
His work efficiency was naturally high.
After giving himself another meal.
The core area beneath the tree canopy was thoroughly cleaned.
“The leaves must not fall down, okay?” Li Zhuo instructed.
The Dao-born Green Veined Banyan was still gentle: “Yes~”
After a while.
The gentle voice continued: “An immortal’s actions are truly unrestrained and unpredictable~ How interesting~”
The Dao-born Green Veined Banyan believed Li Zhuo was an immortal.
In its view.
All of an immortal's actions had profound meaning.
It couldn't fathom them.
Which meant its cultivation was not yet sufficient!
“Hehe, that’s right!” Li Zhuo boasted shamelessly.
Looking at the spotless core area, Li Zhuo was extremely satisfied.
The only thing that made him a little unhappy was.
Neither the fish he had just eaten nor the dead branches and fallen leaves in the core area.
Had any spiritual energy.
They were considered miscellaneous items.
Not worth him using the 【All-Things Modifier】 at all.
Fortunately, Li Zhuo hadn't held much hope for these things anyway.
It would be strange if dead branches and fallen leaves had spiritual energy.
His use of the 【All-Things Modifier】 to investigate was purely due to his hoarder mentality.
He didn't want to miss any item with spiritual energy.
Seeing the sunset, Li Zhuo turned his attention to the shrub area.
These past two nights, there had occasionally been one or two points of light in the northern shrub area.
Initially, Li Zhuo thought they were the eyes of small beasts.
However, those one or two points of light always appeared in fixed positions.
This indicated that there must be plants with spiritual energy in the shrub area!
“What kind of treasure will it be this time~”
According to the cultivation requirements of 《Divine Ox Body ★》.
After the warm energy mass completely opened up the limbs, one could use various attributes for body forging to improve the body's resistance to various attribute damages.
Of course, for most lower- and middle-tier cultivators like Li Zhuo.
They would not temper their bodies in this way, but would quickly draw spiritual energy into their bodies once their physical bodies could withstand it.
Entering the Qi Refinement realm.
The reason was simple.
Lower-tier cultivators simply couldn't access treasures with attributes that could aid in body forging.
Moreover, for them.
The allure of realm advancement far outweighed a strong physical body.
What's more.
As cultivation improved, magic power naturally nourished the physical body, enhancing its strength and various resistances.
Although the effect was generally modest, it was enough to satisfy lower-tier cultivators.
Only disciples of major powers would meticulously refine their realms.
They had no worries about survival, only pursuing the supreme immortal path.
Naturally, they strived for perfection.
Even in the Body Forging realm, which was between mortals and cultivators, they would do their best to achieve the utmost.
Li Zhuo had no interest in the supreme immortal path; he just wanted to live.
A stronger physical body naturally brought him more inner security.
For safety.
Li Zhuo made two preparations.
One was to build Longevity Mountain into an absolutely safe zone.
The other was to improve his strength to ensure his own safety.
As the saying goes.
Both hands must be grasped, and both hands must be firm!
Only in this way could he feel at ease.
Truly feel safe!
“Hope it can help me forge my body~”
Saying with a smile, Li Zhuo walked into the shrub area to observe carefully.
Because this area was still within the safe zone.
Therefore, Li Zhuo wasn't too worried.
The plants in the shrub area were numerous and varied.
Red osier dogwood, false plumbago, pittosporum...
Various rare and common shrubs intertwined.
Dense and without any clear paths.
Of course, this didn't faze Li Zhuo.
Because the warm energy in his body made him very strong.
Clearing paths through mountains was no problem.
This time, he didn't even need to clear a path through mountains.
Luck was on Li Zhuo's side.
After passing two miscellaneous shrubs, Li Zhuo placed his hand on a very lush rose bush.
The panel in his mind unfolded accordingly.
【Individual Information: Plant Type — Tranquil Rose】
Level: 6
Blood Qi: 246
Age: 7
Friendliness: 0 (Low-grade spirit plant, no sentience or emotions)
【Special Effects】
Qi Condensation and Tranquility: The fragrance of the Tranquil Rose can calm the mind of living beings, keeping them relaxed and joyful.
【Five Elements Attributes】
Metal: 3
Wood: 17
Water: 6
Fire: 2
Earth: 6
【Special Attributes】
Poison: 4
Impurities: 6
【Allocatable Attribute Points】 0
“Although it doesn't have a star rating, the effect is pretty good, perfect for transplanting by the bed~”
He commented cheerfully, then Li Zhuo began to dig the soil.
The soil in the mountains was firm, a mixture of earth and rocks.
Even with Li Zhuo's strong physique and a sharp stone in his hand.
It still took him quite some time to dig.
The moon was bright, and the stars were sparse.
Li Zhuo wiped the sweat from his forehead.
He smiled as he looked at the completely dug-out Tranquil Rose.
He was extremely satisfied.
Li Zhuo was about to go back to the core area to dig a pit.
He looked up.
And saw a faint glow under the moonlight not far away.
Li Zhuo's eyes lit up: “I found it!”