Cultivation: Become Stronger by Returning to Mortality

As an utterly ordinary rogue cultivator in the world of immortal cultivation, Ji Ling had kept his head down, swallowed his pride, and acted with utmost caution ever since he was lucky enough to embark on the path to immortality. He repeatedly risked death to explore secret realms and ancient ruins, racking his brains to improve his cultivation. He even resorted to stealing treasures and pills, setting up fellow cultivators, and robbing and killing people. He would stop at nothing, yet his talent was limited. After 260 years of cultivation, he had only just reached the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, and made no further progress over the next twenty-odd years. With his lifespan nearly spent and no hope of forming a Golden Core, Ji Ling could only return to his hometown. He set up a cave dwelling in the mountains and left behind a legacy, hoping that one day someone would inherit his teachings and fulfill his long-held wish. Unexpectedly, just as he was about to die, an object from beyond the heavens suddenly streaked toward him in a rainbow of light and vanished into his Violet Palace. At the same time, a voice rang out from the void, as melodious as Buddhist chants and celestial music: “Congratulations, fellow Daoist. You have been chosen by the supreme immortal artifact, the Red Dust Treasure Mirror, and are now its newest Keeper of the Brush.” “After undergoing eighteen trials of the mortal world, the Keeper of the Brush can shed the mortal body and become an immortal, living forever and shining as brightly as the sun and moon.” “When each trial of the mortal world ends, you will condense a Red Dust Dao Fruit. Refining it will increase your cultivation, and countless other generous rewards await.” “Please begin your first journey into the mortal world now.” “Reward: a Heavenly Dao manual for forming a Golden Core, along with the corresponding cultivation method and spiritual materials.”