The Forbidden Path to Immortality - Chapter 169

Chapter 5

Whose communication style did this resemble? Li Xun’s mind flashed, and his thoughts returned to the present moment. So, the Qing Emperor’s remnant was actually just this old banyan tree. Compared to a naturally-occurring species like the Water Butterfly Orchid, it was quite common, of course. Li Xun didn’t let this cause him to despise her. He bowed and replied respectfully, “Not bad… I’ve met the Qing Emperor.” His opening was a little awkward, but the rest of the conversation was much better. He hadn’t even raised his head yet. Suddenly, the Water Butterfly Orchid beneath the tree let out a choked laugh. He looked over in surprise, only to see the demon woman turn her head away, acting nonchalant, her expression clearly suppressed.

Li Xun was momentarily baffled.

Then, the old banyan tree’s branches rustled, forming a clearer message: “Oh, didn’t Jian’er tell you before I came?” “Jian’er?” Was that the Water Butterfly Orchid’s nickname? Li Xun looked over, unsure of what expression to use, when the demon woman glared back, “Jian’er is always so mischievous in my presence. I’m the one who should apologize.” The old banyan tree’s notes became clearer, perhaps because it had been a while since she’d played this tune. After a few sentences, it felt familiar again.

Listening closely, the undulating chorus of the wind through the treetops, combined with his slow, gentle voice, was actually quite melodious, reminiscent of the sounds of nature.

It was at this moment that Li Xun finally remembered the source of his familiar feeling.

This method of communication was so similar to the way Netherfire Yama used all his joints and muscles to combine their voices during the Nine Netherworld Devouring Realm! The only difference was the difference in body structure: one effortlessly, the other risking his life. The difference was a world of difference.

Li Xun sighed and said, “I dare not.” Then he heard these words: “Actually, the person you see before you is not my true self…” Ah Shui Dielan smiled silently beneath the tree, yet her pale blue lips moved in a highly visible lip-syncing pattern that strained Li Xun’s patience to the limit: “Fool, fool…” Here, she truly was a child. Li Xun wasn’t annoyed at all, but instead chuckled to himself, a low laugh. The old banyan tree’s voice carried through the wind.

“I am a spirit nurtured by the energy of Eastern Yi Wood. Born without support, I am naturally attuned to plants and trees, so I often cultivate within them.

This banyan tree is where I first took up residence. I cultivated for ten thousand years, ultimately realizing the way of living beings. Therefore, this tree is no different from my clone. Most of the rumors about me in this world are related to this tree. Your actions are not inappropriate.” Shui Dielan finally took up the topic and said something serious: “Old Qing entered the Dao with his spirit and never practiced the art of transforming. Unlike us, we can walk the world in a physical body. You must remember this. We are not disrespecting you.” “When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Besides, I have gained some experience.” “Li Xun was still a little troubled even as he spoke. He had no concept of the so-called “entering the Dao with the true spirit”, so he could only assume that it was a spirit that had

left the body. With this thought in mind, he focused his eyes again and really caught a faint spiritual light from the old banyan tree. Following his knees and feeling the melon, he finally felt that the flow of vital energy just above the old banyan tree was slightly abnormal. Thousands of spiritual energy flowed from that position and injected into the old banyan tree.

Even so, Li Xun still could not determine the exact location of the Green Emperor’s remnant. This was probably because the other party was too closely integrated with the vital energy of heaven and earth in this place, and there was no obvious boundary.

Feeling that it would be a bit rude to explore further, Li Xun stopped the air detection.

At this time, the wind between the branches and leaves was stronger, blowing the treetops to shake. Li Xun thought about it and realized that this was probably the way the Green Emperor’s remnant laughed.

“Your attitude is strange.” The Green Emperor said with a smile. “I have the grace to raise Jian’er, and it is natural for her to respect me. But you and I have never met before. Why did he still put on such an air? This statement was so different from his previous tone, which was full of eldership. Li Xun had the absurd thought, “Is he testing my son-in-law?”

But he didn’t need to dwell on such matters. He just said whatever was on his mind. “I have my own judgment on what attitude to adopt, but I mostly act on instinct.” He didn’t need a reason to be respectful to an elder in person. Of course, if he had to find a reason, it would probably be to give Shui Xianzi some face. “Who asked you to give me face?” Shui Dielan interrupted with a smile. Then, she raised her head slightly and said to the void above, “It’s not too late to chat after we meet the old neighbor. For now, please help me figure out what’s going on with Qingying. Qingying was now lying flat at Shui Dielan’s feet. Despite these days of delay, her body hadn’t changed at all. Her hands were still in that strange seal at her feet. Occasionally, they would shift with movement, but they would return to their original shape in a flash, as if guided by invisible threads.

Now, she lay flat with her eyes closed, her expression serene. Li Xun actually felt that Qingying was closer to him.

Just as he was sighing, the Qing Emperor’s elder said, “I already know about this matter. There’s a cause and effect. Let’s not discuss the cause, but the effect is up to you.” Li Xun was stunned. Could it be that the Qing Emperor’s elder before him actually possessed the legendary supernatural power of knowing the past and future, predicting past lives and future generations? Otherwise, why was he so certain the moment Shui Dielan started? Shui Dielan frowned, thinking, “It’s just that her thoughts were completely different.

Her insight wasn’t inferior to the Qing Emperor’s. After a moment’s consideration, she came to a conclusion. It was then that she noticed Li Xun’s thoughts! With a smile, she said, “It’s widely rumored that a winding path leads directly to Xuanhai Youming City. Now that Elder Qing is here, why don’t you ask?” The jump between the two topics was too big. Li Xun was momentarily stunned, then realized there must be a crucial connection. He smiled. “No secrets?” “It’s not something shameful.” Shui Dielan acted completely indifferent, but Li Xun couldn’t take it lightly. He thought for a moment. Tentatively, he asked the person before him, “Master Qing, look…” The old banyan tree’s branches rustled in the wind. His voice was clear, but his emotions were a little hazy. “You have half your background in the Ghost Devouring Shadow Sect. Over at Ghost Gate Lake, there’s another Nine Nether Devouring Realm. You’re already involved. How could I hide it from you?” “Involved?” Li Xun pondered the term for a moment, then suddenly realized. “Master Qing also knows about the Nine Nether Devouring Realm.” There was a grammatical error in his words. The Nine Nether Devouring Realm wasn’t a noun, but an event—the event that occurred a few days ago at Ghost Gate Lake. The winding path to the secluded place is located on the shores of the East China Sea. It’s practically at the polar opposite ends of the East and West, thousands of miles apart. If this information hadn’t been passed on by Shui Dielan, then the power of the Qing Emperor’s remnant would be truly incredible.

Somehow the Green Emperor’s elder mastered his demeanor, understanding Li Xun’s thoughts with such precision. He chuckled upon hearing his words, “There’s no such thing as a magical power capable of sensing thousands of miles away in this world. The only reason I can sense something is due to this place’s unique location. Come forward…” Li Xun followed his instructions and reached out, grasping a hanging branch of a water orchid. The water butterfly orchid, standing beside him, watched with a smile. Li Xun’s smile gave him a chill. Just as he was about to say something, he felt the gentle breeze around him suddenly stop. Then he was lifted up. The so-called lifting was undoubtedly an illusion. Li Xun carefully sensed it. It felt like the entire ground was being lifted up.

In a trance, he seemed to see a vast fissure, like a giant crater, deep beneath the earth. As the ground lifted, its true form slowly revealed itself. This was the image the Green Emperor’s elder had guided him to “see.” But more direct information, like a red-hot iron, imprinted itself directly into his brain without even needing to be seen.

A familiar yet still powerful surge swept past, a grayish-white wave of air nearly engulfing him.

Li Xun gasped and leaned back unconsciously, waiting for his senses to return. He realized he had unknowingly ripped the branch from his body. The water butterfly orchid beside him lost her smile. She stared at Li Xun with a stern expression, looking at the two-foot-long, lush green branch in her hand. She felt awkward, too. She apologized hastily, but her mind was still largely preoccupied with the previous scene.

The Qing Emperor’s elder voice remained unchanged, unfazed, “Dear guest, do you understand?” “The winding path leads to the Nine Netherworlds?” Li Xun’s heart was still filled with doubt, but his mind was still clear. He rejected the absurd words as soon as they were spoken: “No, that should be a rift connecting the two realms. But how big is this rift?” Amidst his sighs, he remembered something else. He hurriedly said, “Old Qing, please call me by my name. It’s too formal to call me honored guest.” “Well, I’ll call you Fellow Daoist Li.”

That’s a bit polite… Although it still feels a bit awkward, Li Xun’s mind became clearer after this buffer. He quickly thought that since the winding path connected to the Nine Netherworld, could there be a way or a shortcut to connect Xuanhai Youming City and Guimen Lake? He asked this question out loud and received a positive response. “Under this place is the largest naturally generated currency road between the Tongxuan Realm and the Nine Netherworld. It is six miles long and four miles wide, only two miles away from the ground. However, it is precisely because it is too large that it often disrupts the order of the two realms. As early as the beginning of the chaos, a ground vein broke here, gathering the energy of the nine lands to seal the crack.

“The two have the same origin but different natures. The blockage is virtual, while the channeling is real. Over the years, the area around this place has been full of the vitality of heaven and earth, and various spiritual veins and acupoints are distributed around it. There is the richness of the southeast forest sea and the beauty of the seventy-two islands of the East China Sea.

“Due to the unique nature of this rift, it naturally possesses a tremendous pulling force. Under the Xuanhai Sea, within Guimen Lake, and even within Lihentian, home to the Ghost-Eating Sect, there are also natural rifts leading to the Nine Netherworld. These three areas are far smaller than this place, but due to similar properties, they all rely on the Nine Netherworld and are influenced by it. There are countless connections between them, and even after tens of thousands of years, I haven’t been able to fully understand them.

“However, some particularly strong reactions, like the large area of the Nine Netherworld Devouring Domain being sealed off near Guimen Lake, and the violent impact of three or five powerful beings, I can still sense them from here.” “So that’s how it is!!” Li Xun began to understand the principle behind the Corpse-Exorcism Puppet Collapse Technique. The method of teleporting puppets over long distances using the Nine Netherworld is similar. This means that the idea of reaching Xuanhai Youming City from the winding path through the secluded area is not groundless. The Qing Emperor’s elder suddenly fell silent. The wind continued to blow through the branches and leaves, but the rustling sound was simply natural, not the expression of the great demon.

Li Xun wondered if he’d accidentally said something he shouldn’t have. He looked at the Water Orchid Demoness, who merely shrugged without expressing any disapproval. As the two exchanged body language, the Green Emperor’s elder finally spoke again.

“That’s right. There’s a tremendous pull between the four rifts. Theoretically, as long as one can survive for a short period of time in the Nine Netherworld, one can reach the other three locations through the rifts, regardless of the spatial distance within this world…” In theory? Li Xun chuckled dryly. As far as he understood it, the so-called theoretical equivalent of impossible. Just a glance at Qingying’s fate would show that a normal being, no matter how powerful, would have no chance of survival if they entered that place of deadly energy.

However, the Green Emperor’s elder quickly added, “There’s another way.” That way was discovered by Mi Xuancang, the last patriarch of Xuanhai Youming City.

Before becoming patriarch of Xuanhai Youming City, Mi Xuancang had spent considerable time studying the spatial connection between the Nine Netherworld and the Tongxuan Realm.

Starting from the void fissures in the Wood Sect, he traced the path to the vast and terrifying rift beneath the winding path, leading to the Nine Netherworlds—or, more accurately, the deep cave.

Back then, the winding path wasn’t even called the winding path, but simply a patch of mountainous terrain between the Southeast Forest Sea and the East Sea, unremarkable aside from the lush vegetation.

However, the Green Emperor’s elder admired the abundant vital energy there and had cultivated there for nearly twenty thousand years.

A chance encounter led them to become friends, and their shared personalities quickly led to him. The Green Emperor’s elder used his familiarity with the area to assist Mi Xuancang in his research.

While his cultivation level far surpassed Mi Xuancang’s, as a living being entering the Dao, he was most wary of the stagnant auras of the Nine Netherworlds. As for the sealed abyss below, he wasn’t as clear-sighted as Mi Xuancang.

Because this vast spatial rift had existed for so long, despite the divine might that severed the earth veins and sealed it, it posed no threat to the very foundations of this world. However, the long years still inevitably impacted the surrounding environment and even the space that supported it.

The abundant vitality and numerous spiritual veins surrounding the rift are one type of influence, while another effect is not felt elsewhere. However, in Xuanhai Youming City, a region also experiencing a void rift, the reaction is far more intense.

After numerous deductions and experiments, Mi Xuancang concluded that the prolonged pull of this massive void rift caused a certain degree of distortion in the space both here and within the rift beneath the Xuanhai.

These two distorting forces, originating from the same source, were pulled together by the pull, and after a long period of interaction and transformation, a path, independent of the two realms, akin to a mezzanine, was formed.

The concept of the mezzanine was particularly easy for Li Xun, who possessed the Youxuan puppet. It is the place where the puppet resides before reaching the stage of permanent preservation.

Relevant texts refer to it as the boundary between the Tongxuan Realm and the Nine Netherworld. This facilitates the puppet’s ability to penetrate the void and maintain its form, while also absorbing the Nine Netherworld’s earth energy without the risk of the puppet exerting significant pressure on the controller.

The cultivation methods of Xuanhai Youming City and the Ghost Devouring Shadow Sect are almost identical, and the underlying principle is likely similar.

“Now that this has been discovered, Mi Xuancang will naturally make use of it. After obtaining my consent, he spent nearly fifty years using forbidden techniques to gradually stabilize this rain path, making it a place where ordinary cultivators can enter and exit freely.

“After he became the sect leader, this rain path became a secret circulated only among a few high-ranking officials in Xuanhai Youming City, as a magic weapon for emergency response and survival in special times. He gave this path a name, and the name was called… Winding Path to a Secluded Place. Li Xun took a long breath, and finally had a vague outline of the whole thing in his mind and continued. The old man of the Green Emperor made this outline clear in a calm tone.

“About seven hundred years later, it was the Nine Nether Devouring Realm. At that time, Xuanhai Youming City had a huge talent gap. Among the tens of thousands of disciples in the sect, only three or five reached the True Person Realm. They were suppressed by all sides and people were in panic, and it was difficult for them to achieve anything. Mi Xuancang was completely desperate and was determined to squeeze out the sect’s potential with that extreme method.

“I couldn’t persuade him. He was framed and forced to swear to guard this area after the Nine Nether Devouring Realm, ensuring that this well was unaffected by it. The cultivators emerging from this coin path must be at least at the True Person Realm, otherwise… otherwise… The rubbing of the old banyan tree’s branches and leaves seemed to sink. “Here, beneath the soil and water, there are 1,726 skeletons of cultivators from Xuanhai Youming City.” Li Xun was at a loss for words. Fortunately, Shui Dielan interjected, “At least half of them here were killed by me. I’ve also seen Mi Xuancang. He’s first-rate in research and scholarship, but he’s okay at governing. But his governance is appalling. If Xuanhai Youming City hadn’t been truly deserted at the time, how would he have become a sect leader?” Listening to Shui Dielan’s fierce criticism of his old friend, the Qing Emperor’s remnant, he remained silent.

Shui Dielan understood his feelings and predicted the outcome for him: “A thousand years later, I went inside once, and the cultivators there were almost all dead. Only ten who had reached the True Person Realm remained, hesitant and cowardly, afraid to leave. I led them out of the coin path.” Later, these people lived outside Xuanhai Youming City and became gravekeepers. The story of the winding path leading to a secluded place probably originated with them, but over time, it gradually distorted its meaning. People only believed it to be a secluded place, unaware that it was actually a path. “Is that so…” Li Xun could only sigh.

Without the explanation of the two demons who had experienced it firsthand, the cultivators outside probably couldn’t understand the inside story even if they racked their brains. Those greedy souls who dreamed of entering Xuanhai Youming City to obtain its treasures were actually entering a cage they would desperately try to escape. Nothing in the world could be more absurd than this. However, Shui Dielan didn’t give him much time to sigh. In just a few breaths, the demon woman shouted angrily, “Mr. Li, where did you digress? I was just talking about Qingwan. Your training skills are poor!” Li Xun muttered inwardly but continued to cooperate, “It was Mi who changed the subject first. And unless you explain what happened earlier, I simply can’t understand what Mi and Elder Qing are saying.” Shui Dielan snorted, her eyes full of smiles. She turned to the remnant of the Qing Emperor and said, “Can Elder Qing and Qingyuan be saved?” “No.” The old banyan tree’s crown swayed gently, as if it hadn’t yet recovered from its previous emotions. The rustling sound was like a sigh.

“Jian’er’s recent gentleness is truly unprecedented, which is good. However, Daoist Qing’an understands that death is irreversible. Since she’s already prepared for it, why should I interfere?” But now she’s clearly gone awry! Shui Dielan frowned.

“The outcome of the Transcendental Transformation of the Heavens is definitely not like that. This method is perfectly suited to her. This immortal bird body of the upper realm, upon successful completion, will transcend reincarnation and ascend directly to the upper realms, save for the erosion of her consciousness, which is no different from ascending to heaven. Unlike now, where she’s stuck between heaven and earth?” “If you follow my current meaning, this is helping her, not saving her.”

Shui Dielan was both pleased and surprised by the Qing Emperor’s change of tone. “What’s the difference?” Compared to Shui Dielan’s impatience, the Qing Emperor replied calmly, “There’s no difference, but it’s because of Jian’er Mi’s thoughts. Mi’s rescue is about saving life and returning to life. This goes against the great path of life and death, hence the saying ‘no rescue.'”

“Then, I’ll settle for the next best thing and accept Fellow Daoist Qingying’s wish to help him complete the Ancestral Transformation. This is just the beginning, and that’s when the opportunity arises.” Shui Dielan wasn’t overly excited by the Qing Emperor’s softening tone. Instead, she sneered.

Ying Qingying’s intention? Who would resort to such a method unless they were completely desperate? Ancestral Transformation sounds good, but if one’s spirit is completely lost, then ascending to the upper realms is no different from death. Anyway, I don’t count on that one in a billion chance of spirit resurrection. “Why worry about the dead?” “The old man of the Green Emperor seemed to be laughing in the swaying of the branches and leaves. (Mobile reading) “For Qingying, sleeping without waking up, without thoughts or feelings, means the extinction of her consciousness. What does it have to do with her! Flying? Even if her consciousness is revived ten thousand years later, it is just waking up without pain or difficulty. And the pain of separation and reunion during this long time should be borne by the living. The ones who should be worried about are old friends like Miwo and Qixia.” “I’m not that sentimental.” Shui Dielan said, but her brows were much more open. “If I want to feel sad for her, Qixia and her precious daughter are enough.” After a pause, she suddenly woke up: “Why have I said so many ways? If I don’t save her, the method of helping her to complete the art of feathering will become a door. The old man of the Green Emperor slowly said: “The Nine Netherworld is where the dead air gathers, which is very different from the three realms. Even if Qingyang has a body of immortal bones and a true fetus, it is squeezed in the body and cannot be released. And the original spiritual consciousness that leads to the feathering process is also locked in it and cannot be easily freed.

“Her immortal body has become a cage that binds her. The key to helping her complete the art of the Transcendental Transformation of the Heavens lies in breaking the constraints of her body and her pure, ethereal energy, directly touching her original consciousness and providing sufficient stimulation for her to react. Once again, guide this art to complete it on its own.” Shui Dielan was, after all, a Grandmaster. Once the Green Emperor’s remnant pointed it out to Guan Yizhu, she suddenly understood. She lowered her head in thought for a moment, then suddenly raised her eyes and looked directly at him.

Li Xun was initially bewildered, but quickly realized. Before he could say anything, Shui Dielan clapped her hands and said, “That’s right, it’s you.” “Me?” Li Xun tried to play dumb. “Me?” “It’s you, that’s right. Isn’t your Soul Controlling, Spirit Refining, and Heart-Connecting Art the best method?” The more Shui Dielan thought about it, the more it seemed appropriate.

“You are very experienced in making Youxuan puppets. A few days ago, you said that the Youxuan seal planted in Qingying’s body was still sensitive. The Soul-Exorcising, Soul-Refining and Heart-Connecting Method directly affects the spiritual consciousness. It can avoid direct confrontation with Qingying’s body. And its yin and turbid nature is exactly what Qingying dislikes the most. It is enough to stimulate her without hurting her…” She suddenly stopped talking and looked at Li Xun, pursed her lips and stopped talking.

Li Xun was also looking at her. The two looked at each other for a long time. Shui Dielan snorted and waved her hand as if to shoo away a fly: “I didn’t say that I must get your help. You don’t have to look at me with such bitterness and hatred. I am your enemy.”

At this point, she suddenly felt guilty. Just half a year ago, the two were fighting for life and death in the Southeast Forest. If she hadn’t used the Heart Knot, one of them would have died. Of course,

their current relationship is not entirely based on the Heart Knot. But in less than a year, even if it becomes thicker, it can be thick enough to drink. Shui Dielan has seen many relatives and friends. The example of old enemies turning into enemies, not to mention the lesson of the demon phoenix, how could she forget the brain that was heated by Qing You’s death, suddenly cooled down, and the rationality of her level finally surfaced. After taking a breath, she finally realized the strangeness of her own mentality.

But in a moment, the demon-like spiritual perception used introspection to review her own words and deeds during this period. The answer reflected in her clear mind made her heart beat heavily.

At this time, she found that the trees and flowers on the other side of the small pond were sending out bursts of fragrance accompanied by the breeze. This fragrance with distinct layers. Li Xun next to her probably only felt that it was refreshing and pleasant, but in front of her first sensitive sense of smell in the Tongxuan world, it had a different meaning.

That was the message sent by Qing Lao in a special way of communication: [Be cautious when love comes… “I know, Qing Lao Rishui Die Lan certainly understood the other party’s good intentions. But the general omen that had just risen in her heart Even someone as powerful as Qing Lao might not have noticed. People as close as Qing Lao, as important as Li Xun, were not as capable and qualified as Zhi Yong.

As for Qing Ying’s affairs, she had also made a decision. Since she and Li Xun were on the same side, they were enemies with Yao Feng and Qing You. Even if things were blurred due to Qing You’s death, Genmu’s position still existed. If she continued to insist on her own way, where would Li Xun be placed? She was the only one who blurred the boundaries here, but Genmu’s position still existed. If she continued to insist on her own way, where would Li Xun be placed? So now that she had fulfilled her obligations as a fellow human, she would not and should not care anymore. Whether Li Xun helped, stood by, or even took advantage of Qing Ying’s misfortune and turned her into a puppet, she no longer had any objections. Perhaps this was Qing Yang’s own destiny. Having made a decision in her heart, Shui Dielan wanted to communicate with Li Xun. However, it was difficult to change her attitude and express herself after having just pushed him back.

Just when she was racking her brains, Li Xun’s voice echoed, “It’s not that I won’t help…” Seeing Shui Dielan’s surprised expression, Li Xun shook his head. “Helping her isn’t a big deal. I’m just looking for a reason.” He was clearly in a bad mood, but it didn’t seem like he was giving in to Shui Dielan.

As he spoke, he suddenly appeared before Qingying. He sat down cross-legged, staring at her familiar face for a long moment. He chuckled, “Enemy!” The taste of his words… I’m afraid even he can’t quite grasp it.

Shui Dielan wanted to ask but forced herself to suppress the thought.

However, Li Xun continued cooperatively, “Perhaps calling him an enemy isn’t quite right. Qingying and I are still separated by the demonic wind. Humph, with her temperament, whether I’m qualified to be her enemy is still a question.” He looked up at Shui Dielan and said, “You’ll never imagine how I managed to escape the demonic phoenix’s clutches. It was a humiliating humiliation… and it took the life of my master with it.”

“That’s not all. Then there are Qing Yin, Gu Yin, Yu San Ren and Zhong Yin. It seems that all the humiliations are gathered together and always come from those people. So I understand that we are natural rivals and enemies. It is natural for them to harm me: my revenge is also justified.” The winding and beautiful environment could not ease Li Xun’s emotions. The old man of the Qing Emperor and Shuidielan remained silent, leaving the whole world to him to bear the anger in his heart. Li Xun lowered his eyelids and fixed his gaze on Qingying for a long time without moving.