CHAPTER 212: MU WANXUAN FORMS THE CORE

The lake and mountains blended into a single, breathtaking view, with clouds rising like mist and glowing beneath the azure sky.

Standing before the floor-to-ceiling window in the third-floor bedroom, Wang Sheng gazed at the small lake nearby, then at the distant snow-covered mountains. His heart swelled with emotion. Ever since his half-immortal big sister had started following him, life had reached a whole new level of luxury.

They were currently somewhere on the eastern side of the Tibetan Plateau. Twenty villas similar to the one they were in were scattered throughout the forest, some near and some farther away. However, only theirs was occupied.

Behind him, Mu Wanxuan and Xi Lian repeatedly exclaimed in amazement as they toyed with the modern appliances in the room. Mou Yue smiled faintly and took on the role of an earnest real estate agent, touring them around the place.

"This mountain villa has three floors. The third floor has three bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, while the second floor has a meditation room, study, and gym. The living room, kitchen, dining room, and entertainment area are on the first floor. As Daoist Master Wang had requested, the rooftop pool was converted into a fixed qi-gathering formation, but the sunbathing area was kept. Would you like to go upstairs and take a look?"

"Let's go, let's go," Xi Lian said cheerfully as she pulled Mu Wanxuan out of the room and toward the elevator. Wang Sheng followed with his hands behind his back.

Aside from the three bedrooms, the third floor also had a small tearoom with a clear view of the scenery next to the elevator. It was rather elegant.

As they walked, Mou Yue continued introducing the layout. She mentioned the wall-mounted temperature control system; perimeter defense system; a small, fully covered regional network; and high-tech wardrobes that could even clean clothes.

Mu Wanxuan asked a key question. "Internet?"

Mou Yue smiled. "Of course. Daoist Master Wang just has to activate the external network access. The internet speed here is more than enough for your usual needs."

Mu Wanxuan and Xi Lian's eyes lit up.

Mou Yue added in a hushed tone, "I don't know which programmer designed this, but there's also a parental control setting on the network. Daoist Master Wang can disconnect or reconnect it as he pleases."

Wang Sheng gave a thumbs-up. He felt as though his status in the household would be getting a boost. Then again, he wasn't sure he had the courage to cut off the half-immortal fox's internet. The sting of Xi Lian's whip still lingered vividly in his memory.

When he stepped onto the rooftop, the vast and crisp sky made him want to take flight and soar freely across the blue heavens. The drifting clouds felt within reach. With arms wide open, he felt as if he could embrace the whole world.

"Mortals in this era really know how to enjoy life, far more than those of a thousand years ago," Xi Lian gently commented. "Cultivation was passed down from immortals, but mortals explored technology on their own. Who knows what kind of magical abilities it could lead to one day."

Mou Yue smiled. "It's actually just a different focus. I once heard a great scholar who studied the foundations of cultivation say that this system of civilization emphasizes unlocking the potential of life itself, allowing life to tap into various energies in the universe.

"Technology, on the other hand, isn't that advanced yet. It relies on tools to harness energy. If you think about it, though, modern science is also moving toward using energy and elevating the human condition.

"The most basic desire of life is to survive. Once we control limitless energy, the next step is the pursuit of endless existence. If the civilizations on Earth had developed without the influence of cultivation, they would eventually have evolved toward abandoning their physical bodies and becoming a collective consciousness.

"Starting with network sharing and the interconnection of all things, they would advance through several stages, gradually evolving toward energy sharing and interconnected minds. In the end, it would all lead to a different form of immortality and collective transcendence.

"Of course, this is just an imagined blueprint for now. As science keeps advancing, our understanding will also naturally change. The ultimate end of technology could even be the beginning of the path of cultivation."

Mu Wanxuan nodded solemnly. She didn't really understand much of it, but she figured this was the right response to give.

The half-immortal fox seemed to be in thought, as if she had grasped something.

Smiling, Wang Sheng took a more practical approach. "How's the development of the universal cultivation technique going? Since Senior Xi Lian has the highest cultivation among us, why not ask her to take a look?"

Mou Yue gave Wang Sheng a grateful look and smiled. "If you're willing to help, Senior Xi Lian, that would be perfect."

"What did you just call me?" Xi Lian narrowed her eyes playfully.

Mou Yue stuck out her tongue. "Big Sister..."

"That's more like it. So, what is this universal cultivation technique you mentioned?"

"Let's head downstairs and talk. It's a little chilly up here," Mou Yue said with a smile. "There are still lots of fun gadgets to explore. Once I finish explaining them all, my job here will be done."

The three women left. Wang Sheng originally planned to start meditating, but he remembered that Mu Wanxuan would probably want to use the internet. Hence, he decided to go down and explore their new home a little more.

When he later asked why the government built all the villas, Mou Yue explained that the villas had been built for cultivators like Qing Yanzi, who had made great contributions to the authorities. Once his master and the mistress retired, they could live here peacefully in their later years. Naturally, there were other locations available as well.

The reason left him quite moved. He and Mu Wanxuan were truly riding on Xi Lian's coattails.

When it was time to assign bedrooms, Wang Sheng was about to offer the one with the best view to Xi Lian. Before he could, though, she had already chosen a room with elegant furnishings.

"This is my territory from now on. Only Little Xuanxuan and Little Yue are allowed inside.

Wang Sheng was speechless.

Mu Wanxuan typed a few lines. With a concerned expression, she showed them her phone.

Mu Wanxuan: Isn't it a bit wasteful for just the three of us to live in such a big place? We don't usually sleep anyway. We really only need a place to cultivate.

Maybe we could just sleep together... Wang Sheng didn't dare say his thoughts out loud.

Smiling, he gently pushed Mu Wanxuan into the master bedroom. "Senior Xi Lian prefers peace and quiet. Let's just focus on helping the Special Investigation Unit catch bad guys."

"Mm..."

Xi Lian snorted softly. "Hmph! Who said I like peace and quiet? I like excitement."

Wang Sheng snapped his fingers. "Everyone, unpack your things. We'll have a small meeting at dinner. For now, we'll settle here and focus on cultivation."

Smiling, Mu Wanxuan nodded. Xi Lian rolled her eyes, pulled Mou Yue into Mu Wanxuan's room, and shut the door behind her, leaving Wang Sheng standing outside.

He scratched his head, then carried his suitcase into the bedroom across the hall. After tidying up a bit, he tried lying down and sitting in various spots. He was quite satisfied with the villa.

The primal qi here was rich and clear. Moreover, the area was quiet, with no one around to disturb them. Since the Special Warfare Unit also had a training base nearby, they didn't have to worry about corrupt cultivators showing up.

From every angle, this place was the perfect site for cultivation.

Two Special Investigation Unit members living in the nearest town were assigned to deliver vegetables, fruit, and other supplies to the villa every two days. They also handled deliveries, mail, appliance repairs, and other basic services.

Wang Sheng sat on the soft bed and meditated for a while, but there were still many matters to arrange. Hence, he didn't stay in meditation long. Taking care of Mu Wanxuan came first.

He extended his spiritual consciousness and quickly noticed that the villa was empty. The three women had disappeared somewhere. Gently extending his senses further, he detected their presence.

Sniffling once, Wang Sheng opened the door to Mu Wanxuan's room and took a look around. It had already been neatly arranged.

A few traditional dresses and undergarments hung in the open wardrobe, while some ancient books and simple jewelry had been placed on the vanity table. The jade flute that he had given her hung beside her bed; it had become completely translucent and now had a soft spiritual glow.

He walked up to the window and looked toward the lake, spotting the three playing by the water. Before he could turn away, he stopped in his tracks. Wait, why are they suddenly undressing?

Wang Sheng could only smile helplessly, shake his head, and leave the room.

Naturally, he didn't fetch a telescope or anything of the sort. He simply went straight to the rooftop, turned his back to the lake, and stood guard for the three powerful women, who were about to go swimming.

Xi Lian had just taken off her outer robes when she seemingly sensed something. She turned toward the villa and gently raised her eyebrows.

Mou Yue cheerfully said, "Looks like I won, Big Sister. From what I know of Daoist Master Wang, he would never take a peek at us."

"Alright." Xi Lian smirked. "He really is like Daoist Master Qinglin. Little Xuanxuan, you have to act fast. Nothing is more exciting than cultivation for people like them."

Mu Wanxuan smiled slightly and nodded gently.

Mou Yue glanced at Xi Lian, then at Mu Wanxuan. Afterward, she looked down at herself, her lips curving into a slightly bitter smile.

In a hushed tone, she asked, "Can you help dry my clothes using your true essence later, Daoist Master Bu Yu?"

Xi Lian looked puzzled. "Why are you bathing with clothes on? If you're worried about Little Fei Yu seeing you, I'll just set up a barrier around us."

With a graceful wave of her hand, a light mist spread around them. Mou Yue couldn't help but slap her forehead in quiet exasperation. Meanwhile, Mu Wanxuan softly praised the technique.

Before long, Wang Sheng heard their laughter drifting through the wind. His mind involuntarily conjured up some images, making it difficult to focus on cultivation.

Fortunately, Mou Yue would soon leave and return to her work with the Special Investigation Unit. Otherwise, the cultivation atmosphere here could gradually fade away.

Speaking of which, Senior Sister has been stuck at the peak of the Illusory Core Realm for quite some time now. Who knows when she would finally make the breakthrough...

Bzz!

A sudden and intense wave of primal qi surged from behind. Wang Sheng turned around in shock, staring at the mist by the lake that had just parted slightly. The qi of heaven and earth was flowing like a tide, all of it converging on the mist-covered spot.

Did I really just make that happen by thinking about it?

At that moment, Wang Sheng heard Xi Lian's voice in his ears.

—Little Xuanxuan is about to break through. No one must disturb this place. Fei Yu, be ready to guard the area. Forming a Golden Core always involves some risk.

Wang Sheng immediately stood up. With a swipe of his left hand, the sword case of Spiritless flew out from his bedroom window and landed in his grasp. He slung it over his back at once.

Afterward, he stepped onto his flying sword, rose into the air, and hovered above the lake. He spread out his spiritual consciousness to its full range.

He was now on full alert.