Chapter 161: Lu Yang, I Want to Go Out and Play

Arhat Fist is considered one of the supreme martial arts of the Golden Buddhist Nation. It is said that mastering it to the highest level allows one to achieve the status of an Arhat. However, this remains theoretical, as Lu Yang has never heard of anyone successfully cultivating this technique.

Lo Han Guo Fist, a technique created by an immortal, bears a name strikingly similar to "Arhat status," differing by only a single character. Its effects are to clear internal heat, moisturize the lungs, soothe the throat, and enhance the voice.

Considering the origins of these techniques, Lo Han Guo Fist clearly appears to be the more formidable.

However, the crucial point is that this technique was created by the Immortal Immortaless.

“No need to practice it,” Lu Yang commented, “I can tell what it does just by its name.” The Immortal Immortaless stomped her foot, feeling belittled. “Hey, hey, hey, what’s that expression for? Lo Han Guo Fist was created by *me*, a true immortal! It’s an authentic immortal-grade technique. That Arhat Fist isn't even worthy of comparison with mine!”

“It’s not that I’m underestimating you,” Lu Yang replied, “but the name of your technique is simply hard to describe. It just doesn’t sound powerful at all.”

“What do you know?” she retorted. “Do you learn martial arts just to show off, fight, and be aggressive? No, the most crucial aspect of martial arts is health preservation.”

The Immortal Immortaless lectured Lu Yang, correcting his misguided notions. “Isn't the purpose of immortal cultivation to live a better life? And what’s most essential for living is your physical body.”

“To that end, I specifically created a series of health-preserving martial arts. These include Lo Han Guo Fist, which clears internal heat, moisturizes the lungs, soothes the throat, and enhances the voice; and Fennel Fist, which dispels cold, alleviates pain, regulates Qi, and harmonizes the stomach, among thousands of others.”

“If you cultivate a healthy body, why would you ever worry about not becoming an Arhat?”

“Should you master all thousands of these techniques and then integrate them seamlessly, you will then be able to learn my supreme martial art — the Immortaless Fist!”

The Immortaless Fist was the very technique the Immortal Immortaless used to brutally beat the Immortal Immortal, whose astonishing power left him scrambling for cover, utterly dishevelled and embarrassed.

“Well, what do you say? Will you learn it?” The Immortal Immortaless thought it was time to impress Lu Yang, to prevent him from continuously doubting her status as an immortal.

As the leader of the Five Ancient Immortals, how could she possibly be an imposter? “I have absolutely no desire to learn it,” Lu Yang replied, directly refusing.

Meanwhile, in the real world, the old turtle climbed out of the lake, his head still reeling.

A single punch demonstrated such immense power. If they were to fight seriously, it was likely that few Golden Core stage cultivators could withstand them.

Although the other person hadn’t made a move, their combat prowess appeared to be in no way inferior to this junior named Meng.

What powerful faction could have cultivated such talents?

With this thought, the old turtle ceased his objections and agreed to help the two find suitable opponents.

The old turtle broke off a branch and began sketching a map on the soft earth, first drawing an irregular oval.

“This is our current location, by the small lake,” he explained. “Ten li south from here, you’ll find a black leopard with a white spot on its forehead. It’s exceptionally ferocious and possesses an ancient bloodline. Although it’s only at the early Golden Core stage, even mid-Golden Core cultivators would face difficulties in a fight.”

“Further south of the black leopard lives a pack of Moonshadow Wolves. Most of the pack are at the late Foundation Establishment stage, with their wolf king at the peak of the early Golden Core stage. They never hunt alone; encountering a single Moonshadow Wolf signifies a large pack is concealed nearby, so you must exercise extreme caution.”

“To the east, there are…” “To the west, there are…”

True to his reputation as one of the lake’s five overlords, the old turtle possessed a vast amount of information.

“Little Eagle and his five companions know the exact locations; you can have them guide you there.” The old turtle needed to remain by the small lake. Otherwise, he feared that if he left for ten days or half a month, his territory would be completely divided among the other four half-step Golden Core stage creatures.

Securing a small lake as a territory within the dense forest was no easy feat.

“While these demonic beasts with fixed territories are manageable because their habits are known, you must be especially wary of those that roam the dense forest without a fixed lair. These particular beasts are exceedingly cunning and can even assume human forms. They delight in ambushing and preying upon humans; I’ve witnessed no fewer than fifty people perish by their fangs.”

Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou thanked the old turtle and set off with the Five Eagle Mountain Heroes toward the black panther's territory.

“Lu Yang, Lu Yang, can we discuss something?” A rare hint of coaxing colored the Immortal Immortaless’s tone.

“What is it?”

“How many days are you planning to stay in the dense forest?”

“At least five days, I suppose,” Lu Yang calculated. Fighting various demonic beasts and conducting night battles for too short a period wouldn’t yield the desired tempering effect.

His and Meng Jingzhou’s plan was to continuously engage in battles within the dense forest to enhance their combat experience and consolidate their cultivation. Finding an opportunity to form a Golden Core here would be an added bonus.

The Immortal Immortaless counted on her fingers as she spoke to Lu Yang, “Look, I spend every day in the spiritual space, either eating, sleeping, or watching you two fight. It’s quite boring.”

“They say the meaning of life lies in movement. Don’t you think I should go out and explore a bit?”

“So, Immortaless, you want…”

“Could you create a Bodhi Tree clone for me to use?” The Immortal Immortaless smiled ingratiatingly.

“Of course, if you really don’t want to give it to me, I understand. But if you could, it would be absolutely wonderful!”

Seeing the Immortal Immortaless's hesitant yet remarkably eager expression, Lu Yang couldn’t help but chuckle.

“What are you laughing at?”

“Nothing, nothing,” Lu Yang said, trying his best to maintain a serious expression.

“I can give you a Bodhi Tree clone, but you must behave yourself in the dense forest. Don’t cause any major disturbances, and make sure you return before Meng Jingzhou and I head back to the city.”

“Absolutely no problem!” the Immortal Immortaless vowed confidently. “My divine sense extends far and wide; I can find you anytime.”

“Good then.”

In the real world, Lu Yang halted.

“What’s wrong?” Meng Jingzhou and the Five Eagle Mountain Heroes were puzzled, assuming Lu Yang had detected some danger.

“Nothing,” he replied, “I just want to use a clone to explore other parts of the dense forest.”

“A clone?” The Five Eagle Mountain Heroes exchanged bewildered glances; only Meng Jingzhou seemed to grasp what was happening. Lu Yang held a Bodhi Tree seed, performed an earth-burrowing technique, sinking into the soil. Then, he cast the 'Tree Planting Art,' and from the ground, a Bodhi Tree rapidly grew, producing two identical Lu Yangs.

Both Lu Yangs simultaneously broke free from the Bodhi Tree’s restraints. Lu Yang’s main body remained rooted to the spot, while the Immortal Immortaless possessed the clone. As soon as the clone landed, it darted away, much like the mythical Ginseng Fruit, which is said to vanish upon touching the ground.

The Five Eagle Mountain Heroes stared, their eyes nearly popping out of their heads, their mouths agape for a long time.

“A c-clone?!”

Not only had they never heard of a Foundation Establishment cultivator possessing such a skill, but even among Golden Core cultivators, this technique was unheard of.

“These are merely minor, unremarkable spells, hardly worth mentioning,” Lu Yang said, feigning humility, which only served to deepen the Five Eagle Mountain Heroes’ admiration.

“Young Hero Lu, can you control your clone?”

Lu Yang waved his hand. “There’s no need for control; the clone can move on its own.”

“In that case, your clone should be careful,” one of them warned. “I’ve heard that some cultivators enjoy ambushing isolated individuals, and several have gone missing.”

“They… they shouldn't encounter any, right?” Lu Yang felt a flicker of unease, picturing the Immortal Immortaless’s blithe expression.