To Cultivate Immortality, You Need Luck

Chapter 1: Two Years of Waiting for an Opportunity

"Junior Brother Kong Jiao, I want to borrow this book."

In front of a table filled with various old books and scrolls, a burly man held out a yellowed sheepskin scroll towards the young man sitting inside the table.

The young man had a pale complexion, as if he hadn't seen sunlight for a long time. His long hair was tied up, and he leaned back on the rocking chair behind the table, engrossed in a booklet he held in his hand.

Upon hearing the man's words, the young man lazily glanced at the scroll in his hand and said, "One spiritual crystal for borrowing the 'Miscellaneous Theory of Spiritual Grains,' with a borrowing period of one month. If you want to extend, you'll need to pay one spiritual crystal per month."

The man, who had clearly borrowed before, tucked the sheepskin scroll into his embrace and carefully took out a thumb-sized crystal from his pocket. The crystal was milky white with some yellowish streaks, and he placed it on the table.

Without even looking back, the young man swept his palm across the table, and the crystal disappeared without a trace.

Neither of them said much. The man hugged the "Miscellaneous Theory of Spiritual Grains" and hurriedly left.

It wasn't until the man's figure was about to disappear at the entrance that the young man named Kong Jiao finally put down the booklet and stared at the man's back.

Just under three inches above the man's head, there was a mist that only Kong Jiao could see.

The mist was fist-sized, completely gray, and rolled like clouds, occasionally revealing a thick black color.

"All living beings are chaotic, only those with three inches of white mist above their heads have opportunities. This Brother Mu, who has been cultivating spiritual grains in the sect for more than twenty years, is truly a struggling and unfortunate person among all living beings."

"And it's gray with a hint of black. He must have encountered some difficulties recently, borrowing the 'Miscellaneous Theory of Spiritual Grains' again. It's probably an issue with the Spirit Field."

Kong Jiao muttered to himself, shaking his head and pondering the man's recent fortune.

After speaking, Kong Jiao took a pen and recorded the man's name and the borrowed book in the account book.

After completing all this, Kong Jiao no longer had the intention to look at the booklet. His face, which had been fairly decent, suddenly became clouded with worry.

"It has been two years, and the opportunity I've been waiting for still hasn't arrived!" Kong Jiao's gaze swept across the crowded space of the bookshelves, filled with countless books and scrolls, his expression filled with sorrow.

Staring blankly for a while, Kong Jiao suddenly closed his eyes.

In his mind, a cloud-patterned white jade stele automatically appeared in the depths of his consciousness.

On the surface of the jade stele, clear words were engraved.

"Joining the Ashen Parasol Sect grants Opportunity Value+1."

"Already joined the Ashen Parasol Sect, Opportunity Value+1."

"Choosing to study the 'Falling Frost Wheel-Nurturing Scripture' grants Opportunity Value+2."

"Already chosen to study the 'Falling Frost Wheel-Nurturing Scripture,' Opportunity Value+2."

"Obtaining a position in the Miscellaneous Book Pavilion grants Opportunity Value+2."

"Already obtained a position in the Miscellaneous Book Pavilion, Opportunity Value+2."

Two years ago, when Kong Jiao had just transmigrated to this Immortal Cultivation World, he was guided by this cloud-patterned white jade stele in his deep consciousness to join the Ashen Parasol Sect.

Then, he chose to study the 'Falling Frost Wheel-Nurturing Scripture' in the Wheel-Nurturing Realm.

And he schemed to obtain a position in the Miscellaneous Book Pavilion.

Kong Jiao almost thought he was about to soar to the sky and become an unparalleled genius.

Until he spent two whole years in this lifeless Outer Sect Miscellaneous Book Pavilion.

Time has made Kong Jiao see reality, and the enthusiasm in his heart has faded.

The fact is that Kong Jiao, who came to the Ashen Parasol Sect based on the guidance of the Cloud Veined Steele, is no different from the other outer disciples who entered at the same time.

At least that's how Kong Jiao feels.

The total of five Opportunity Values obtained from the Cloud Veined White Jade Stele did not make Kong Jiao feel any different.

Perhaps the only change is that the mist above Kong Jiao's head has changed from a grayish color to a slightly whitish gray.

That bit of white mist is not noticeable if you don't look carefully.

Just slightly stronger than those ordinary seekers of the Dao.

"But that little bit doesn't seem enough to change my luck," Kong Jiao thought, feeling a bit disappointed.

In the beginning, Kong Jiao thought that since the Cloud Veined Steele guided him here, it must mean that there are opportunities in this Miscellaneous Books Tower.

So, Kong Jiao worked hard and read through all the books in the entire Miscellaneous Books Tower, almost straining his eyes.

But he didn't find any clues at all.

So he began to suspect whether the opportunity was hidden in this Miscellaneous Books Tower.

As expected, he dug almost three feet into the ground, surveyed every mouse hole at least ten times, and still found nothing.

For two whole years, Kong Jiao has completely given up.

"Oh, Cloud Veined Steele! Cloud Veined Steele! In order to obtain this position, I even contributed half of the one-month Spirit Crystal reward to the outer sect affairs, just to fill the vampire's stomach."

"Two years have passed, not only did I not find any opportunities or clues, but I'm also as poor as a church mouse."

Kong Jiao's nagging voice echoed in his mind.

After a while of nagging, he slumped onto the rocking chair like a deflated balloon, expressionless.

Obviously, this is not the first time Kong Jiao has been nagging in the past two years.

"It's comforting to know that as a disciple with only two Spirit Apertures, I have reached the third realm of Wheel-Nurturing, and I haven't been left too far behind by those geniuses."

The first realm of cultivation is called Wheel-Nurturing, nurturing the Spirit Wheel, using Spirit Gathering Qi Absorption.

This realm has a total of nine small realms, and Kong Jiao is currently in the third small realm.

In fact, with Kong Jiao's talent of only having two Spirit Apertures, it is indeed thanks to the "Falling Frost Wheel-Nurturing Scripture" that he has reached the third small realm in two years.

After all, disciples with two Spirit Apertures who entered at the same time as Kong Jiao are basically in the second realm of Wheel-Nurturing now.

Only Kong Jiao has reached the third realm of Wheel-Nurturing.

His cultivation speed is almost on par with the group of outstanding disciples who have opened three Spirit Apertures.

The number of Spirit Apertures in the body is related to the cultivator's talent.

After all, they need to breathe in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and all of it has to pass through the Spirit Apertures. The more Spirit Apertures there are, the faster the breathing of spiritual energy.

The human body has a total of nine apertures, which are usually automatically closed at birth.

Only a few people with the talent for cultivation can retain a few Spirit Apertures.

Having two Spirit Apertures at birth is just an ordinary talent.

Having three Spirit Apertures can be considered as excellent talent.

The four spiritual apertures can make one a genius.

The five spiritual apertures directly enter the inner sect and become immortal seedlings.

As for those above the six spiritual apertures, Kong Jiao has never heard of them, at least not in the Ashen Parasol Sect.

It's strange to think about it. There are many people in the Ashen Parasol Sect who cultivate the "Falling Frost Wheel-Nurturing Scripture," but only Kong Jiao's cultivation of this technique has remarkable effects.

It's unclear whether it's because this technique is highly compatible with Kong Jiao's physical spiritual apertures, or because of the blessing of the Cloud Veined Steele.

"Sigh, actually, I'm already stronger than most people. It's really disheartening how greed can corrupt people." Thinking about his cultivation realm, Kong Jiao's melancholic mood was slightly comforted.

The Cloud Veined Steele indeed has a mysterious power. It not only allows Kong Jiao to see the fortunes of others but also always accurately locates opportunities.

If Kong Jiao hadn't entered the Ashen Parasol Sect, it would have been impossible for him to cultivate the "Falling Frost Wheel-Nurturing Scripture."

With his talent and aptitude, he would probably end up like that priest senior brother who cultivates Spirit Fields, honestly farming in the Ashen Parasol Sect.

After all, in this world, strength is the ultimate truth.

"Wait another year! If I can't wait for an opportunity, I really can't stay in this library of miscellaneous books anymore." Kong Jiao gritted his teeth and set a deadline for himself.

Cultivation emphasizes the method of wealth companionship. Without spirit crystals, he cannot improve his cultivation speed.

Pills, Dao techniques, Law Weapons, none of them are free.

With Kong Jiao's earnings in the library of miscellaneous books, which were mostly deducted by the outer sect tasks, he simply couldn't quickly improve his strength.

While Kong Jiao was planning his future cultivation path.

A tall figure stepped into the library of miscellaneous books.

Without even looking at the appearance and figure of the person, Kong Jiao glanced at the color of the person's fortune above their head and was already certain of the person's identity.

That hazy mist, whiter than snow, symbolizes that this person possesses opportunities far beyond ordinary people.

And Kong Jiao had only seen this kind of fortune on one person in the entire outer sect.

"Senior Brother Shangguan, what book do you want to read today?" Kong Jiao's face, which was just disinterested a moment ago, suddenly filled with sincere joy as he looked at the young man walking towards him.

With a towering figure, sword-like eyebrows, and star-like eyes, his face exuded a maturity and sophistication far beyond his sixteen or seventeen years.

This person is none other than the newly rising genius of the outer sect, the most popular disciple, Shangguan Yuzhou.

He and Kong Jiao entered the sect at the same time, and now he has already reached the fourth realm of the Wheel-Nurturing stage. He is also the first genius among that group of disciples to break through the fourth realm.

If nothing unexpected happens, he will also be the first person to enter the inner sect.

"Haha, Junior Brother Kong Jiao, every time I come to the library of miscellaneous books, I have to borrow a book." Shangguan Yuzhou laughed loudly, his tone teasing.

From his casual tone, it can be seen that he and Kong Jiao have a good relationship.

Shangguan Yuzhou loves to read travelogues left by predecessors, and those things are all stored in the library of miscellaneous books.

And Kong Jiao is responsible for registering in the library of miscellaneous books as a dedicated disciple of the sect.

After two years of interaction, they can be considered the most familiar pair in the entire outer sect.

Moreover, Kong Jiao's cultivation speed is not bad. He is only one small realm lower than Shangguan Yuzhou, and they entered the sect at the same time.

The key is that Kong Jiao feels that Shangguan Yuzhou doesn't use his talent to oppress others. Clearly, he is a genius, but he never acts arrogant like the other geniuses in the outer sect.

And Shangguan Yuzhou thinks that Kong Jiao is witty, intelligent, and knows when to advance and retreat.

Various fates brought the two of them together as friends.

"Who doesn't know that Senior Brother Shangguan loves reading travelogues? If you didn't come to borrow a book, then you must have come to find me specifically," Kong Jiao raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing Shangguan Yuzhou's excuse.

"Hehe, today I did come specifically to find Junior Brother Kong," Shangguan Yuzhou chuckled, his expression carrying a hint of mystery.

Kong Jiao raised an eyebrow. Shangguan Yuzhou's two biggest hobbies were swordsmanship and reading.

If it wasn't for a sword fight or borrowing a book, why did he come?

Kong Jiao shrugged helplessly and said, "Senior Brother Shangguan, stop beating around the bush. Junior Brother can't guess."

Shangguan Yuzhou didn't immediately respond. His gaze swept around the book pavilion, making sure there was no one else present, before he composed himself.

Leaning over the desk, he deliberately lowered his voice and said, "If I remember correctly, in the Falling Frost Wheel-Nurturing Scripture that Junior Brother Kong cultivates, there is a technique called Cold Breath."

The Falling Frost Wheel-Nurturing Scripture was only the most basic cultivation method and didn't have much distinction in terms of high or low levels.

Those who cultivated the Falling Frost Wheel-Nurturing Scripture in the Ashen Parasol Sect numbered at least in the tens, so the techniques that could be performed with this cultivation method were not a secret.

Kong Jiao naturally wouldn't deny it and nodded in response.

However, he looked at Shangguan Yuzhou's dark eyes with a hint of confusion.

"Why did he suddenly ask this question?"

Shangguan Yuzhou naturally knew the secret of the Falling Frost Wheel-Nurturing Scripture. He just wanted to confirm it for safety.

After receiving a positive answer, he continued, "Senior Brother has an opportunity here that requires your Cold Breath technique. I wonder if Junior Brother Kong is interested in joining me to obtain it."

"Shangguan Yuzhou is truly a person blessed with luck. He encounters opportunities within two years of joining," Kong Jiao said with an envious expression, but not surprised. After all, Shangguan Yuzhou's exceptional luck, like snow, destined him to encounter opportunities more easily than ordinary people.

The only thing that surprised Kong Jiao was that Shangguan Yuzhou was willing to invite him.

"Don't people usually keep opportunities to themselves? Who wants to share their own opportunities with others?"

Suddenly, a flash of insight crossed Kong Jiao's mind. It seemed like he understood.

Having served in the book pavilion for two years, Kong Jiao had gained Shangguan Yuzhou's trust, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Moreover, that opportunity required the Cold Breath technique from the Falling Frost Wheel-Nurturing Scripture he cultivated.

Kong Jiao's current strength was not weak, second only to the geniuses like Shangguan Yuzhou. At least he wouldn't hold him back.

All the clues connected.

Kong Jiao understood the true purpose of the Cloud Veined Steele guiding him to the book pavilion might be to wait for Shangguan Yuzhou's invitation.

"The Cloud Veined Steele is truly a divine object," Kong Jiao marveled inwardly.

Shangguan Yuzhou didn't know that Kong Jiao's mind was already in turmoil. After finishing his words, he stared straight at Kong Jiao, seemingly waiting for his response.

Kong Jiao, who had already figured out all the causes and effects, didn't make Shangguan Yuzhou wait too long. He raised his head and smiled slightly at the expectant Shangguan Yuzhou, "Since Senior Brother Shangguan has spoken, Junior Brother naturally cannot refuse."

Almost at the same time Kong Jiao responded, he could clearly sense a change in the white inscription monument deep in his consciousness.

"Accepting Shangguan Yuzhou's invitation to break the outer sect's underground formation will grant Opportunity Value +5."

(End of this chapter)