The Forbidden Path to Immortality - Chapter 170

Chapter 6: Feather

Li Xun had many more things on his mind, but he couldn’t say them. He could only suppress them, his chest clashing violently with the poisonous fire.

He’d spent over seventy years cultivating the Dao, half his time focused on revenge. Yet, until now, most of his thoughts had remained in his head. Previously, Li Xun had believed he was beyond his ability. Now, his nemesis, Qing You, was right before his eyes, practically at his mercy. Yet, he had even entertained such thoughts.

This didn’t go according to plan.

According to his established thinking, he should have adopted Yin Sanren’s suggestion and transformed Qing You into a Youxuan puppet without hesitation. It would have been fascinating to imagine Yao Feng’s expression upon seeing his former best friend turn against him.

Not only that. If he so desired, he could even use Qing Ying as a threat, presenting Yao Feng with the most brutal choice, forcing that arrogant woman to choose between her daughter and her best friend.

Regardless of success or failure, he could torture Yao Feng to madness. Under his deliberate indulgence, countless vicious thoughts sprang up like mushrooms after rain. Unlike before, with his current strength, these thoughts weren’t just spinning in his head; they were highly feasible.

But what did it matter? Li Xun closed his eyes, and those malicious thoughts vanished. He suspected he couldn’t save face for Shui Dielan and the Qingdi Remnant. But he knew better, no matter how many excuses he made, the root of the problem lay within himself.

He didn’t care about hatred or forgiveness, or good or evil. His problem wasn’t this clichéd contradiction, but a seemingly absurd mindset.

How had revenge become so simple? As if all obstacles could be dispelled with a simple wave of his hand. But not long ago, it had been a burden as heavy as a mountain, one that had weighed on him for seventy years. What was this? It was as if the glutton had only one last bite left of their delicious meal, or as if the earth beneath Yugong’s feet had leveled the ground with a single shovel. He felt no joy at the prospect of success, only the dread and uncertainty of not knowing where to go.

The glutton’s life was about delicious food, just as Yugong had value in moving mountains. So, was revenge the only real meaning in his life? He refused to admit it, but after all, he had been immersed in hatred for so long that he hadn’t noticed the change in his body. Earlier, he had pursued fame and fortune, but now, while not entirely disregarding them, they held little appeal, and so-called spiritual cultivation seemed more like a joke. At that moment, he finally understood why Shui Dielan always cursed “Damn Heaven.” He looked up, suddenly wondering what future the thief heaven had planned for him. Would he forever live in uncertainty like today? When he finally emerged from his deep depression, he discovered that Shui Dielan had vanished without a trace. Only the old banyan tree beside him remained, keeping him company. Beneath his knees sat Qing You’s body, its fate uncertain.

Seeing his gaze shift, the Qing Emperor’s elder said, “Jian’er has gone to the side to heal her wounds. I personally inhabit every plant and tree here, sensing their growth and decay. The pure energy they radiate will be of great benefit to her injuries.” Li Xun was startled. This meant that all the plants and creatures Li Xun had seen so far were nurtured by the Qing Emperor’s elder, spirits, demons, and clones. Roughly speaking, the Green Emperor’s legacy wasn’t a winding path to secluded seclusion, but a winding path to secluded seclusion was no different from the Green Emperor’s legacy.

Li Xun finally understood why he had felt so dizzy upon entering. It wasn’t just the shift in space, but also the collision of the fundamental energies of his and the Green Emperor’s legacy, each possessing a different quality.

This unique method of cultivation truly opened Li Xun’s eyes.

It also reminded him that the Green Emperor’s legacy and Shui Dielan, as the world’s most formidable Grandmasters, possessed a depth and breadth of cultivation far beyond the reach of Li Ju’s current abilities. They must have encountered this before, wondering if they could enlighten him. Thinking deeply, Shui Dielan left at the right moment. Was it because she had sensed his current dilemma and didn’t want to affect his judgment, that she was being so cautious? His thoughts remained unspoken. Amid the rustling of branches, the Green Emperor’s elder spoke slowly, “I’ve cultivated for so long, only a few people have left a lasting impression on me. Among them are you, Mi Xuancang, and Qu Zhuoyu, the previous owner of Wuyinxuan. We’ve been neighbors for about twelve hundred years…” “You three actually have one thing in common: you’re all very reserved and thoughtful. Excluding you, both of them once asked me something. Would you be interested?” Li Xun was slightly startled, then smiled and nodded.

Laughter could clearly be heard from within the old banyan tree’s canopy. “Actually, it’s not just them. Many people have asked the same question, but I don’t remember any of it. I only have a passing recollection of the question.” They asked me, “With your level of cultivation, why don’t you practice the art of transformation?” Li Xun blinked, and suddenly a thought crossed his mind. If the most senior demon among the Seven Demons of the Universe were to get out, the cultivators of the Tongxuan Realm would likely drop their jaws.

Why? “It seems you’re curious, too.” The Qing Emperor’s remnant’s attitude grew increasingly friendly, as if he didn’t consider him an outsider. Did Yao Feng and Qing Ying travel the mountains and rivers, enjoying a leisurely life? Why did Catch-Winged Flying Tiger practice vegetarianism and chant Buddhist scriptures, content with a simple life? “And why does Baihuan Butterfly tirelessly hide from various sects and collect mantras?” Understanding their reasons would also clarify mine. “Do you understand, Fellow Daoist Li?” Li Xun smiled wryly and shook his head.

The Qing Emperor’s remnant didn’t rush to respond, but instead said leisurely, “People seek immortality and longevity. Fellow Daoist, do you think it’s easy?” “Not bad,” Li Xun thought, thinking of the cultivators of this realm. Even the most humble have lifespans of several hundred years. The answer was obvious.

“How many people can ascend to heaven through immortality?” “Only one in ten thousand” why is it so? “This… opportunity, character, and root elixir are all indispensable. How can everyone have all three?” “Opportunities can be sought, character can be tempered, and there are many ways to transform one’s bones. How can they not be possessed?” Old man, you are arguing with me, right! Li Xun was at a loss for words for a moment and had to answer: “These are too vague and uncertain.” “No. Since all cultivators in this world can achieve immortality, if one year fails, then ten years can be used! If one year fails, then a hundred years, and then thousands and tens of thousands of years. There will always be a time when everything is ready. Then you can naturally ascend.” Li Xun’s confused thoughts were shattered by the strange words of the Green Emperor’s remnant. He wanted to laugh but couldn’t hold it back: “How many people in the world can live as long as the heaven and earth like you, old man?” The branches and leaves of the old banyan tree laughed: “If you can’t ascend to the upper realm, you can’t stay in the water, it’s just false immortality, not true immortality. There are very few people in the world who can achieve true immortality. Cultivators in the first realm can barely be considered immortal. For the rest, no matter a hundred years or a thousand years, when the time comes, they will still turn to ashes. How can it be considered immortal?” For those who are false immortals, there is no reason to retreat since they want to achieve immortality. However, the road to immortality is long and arduous, and even if they try their best, they may not be able to leap to it in one leap. One wrong step will lead to eternal damnation. Therefore, one must be single-minded and unwavering in all one’s thoughts. All actions, while claimed to be seeking immortality, are in reality merely a quest for survival.

True immortality is different. Those who reach this realm are but a single step away from ascending to heaven. Their indestructible dharma bodies, impervious to weapons, fire, and water, possess an immense lifespan, and are indestructible to all inner and outer forces. Therefore, the heavens have decreed a 3,600-year catastrophe, constantly pressing upon all karmic fires.

“You can survive once, but not twice, or three times. Only by departing the world and ascending can one escape.” Therefore, even among those in this world, no matter how high their cultivation, few survive beyond 3,600 years. Li Xun thought of the old woman Yin, who sacrificed herself to perish alongside the demon Luohou in Ghost Gate Lake. She was the only old monster he had ever encountered who had cultivated for 5,000 years, and her fate was truly heartbreaking.

“Among these truly immortals, we demons and monsters are different. Those born as demons are naturally different from ordinary humans. While ordinary cultivators can achieve enlightenment in a few months or years, we often need tens of millions of years to accumulate experience before even beginning to understand the basics of cultivation, and the various tribulations we face along the way are much more severe.

However, once we achieve enlightenment, our resistance to heavenly tribulations is much greater, so we can easily remain in the world for tens of thousands of years, far longer than others. Strictly speaking, fellow Daoist Blood Shadow, having achieved the ultimate perfection of his demonic body, possesses a supreme celestial demonic body, and therefore belongs to our category.” Fortunately, as it is.

Li Xun’s joke was a bit of a joke, but he also found some satisfaction in being recognized, which made him feel a little better. However, he didn’t understand how all the words of the Green Emperor’s Legacy had anything to do with the previous question. “Of course it is related. Since there are true immortals and false immortals, the two sides naturally behave differently.” The Green Emperor’s Legacy replied slowly, “False immortals have a mentality of walking on thin ice. When practicing, they feel like thousands of rays are at their backs. They follow the rules carefully, fearing to make a mistake; while impatient ones rush forward and take risks, only to be left behind. Overall, they have rules to follow and a path to pursue.

“Because there are true immortals above them, the path to immortality is still vague, but the goal is real. The true immortals stand at the top of the cultivators in this world. Above them is only the vast heavenly way. The rest of us have little to worry about in our thoughts, thoughts, and actions. There’s no fixed formula anymore. “Perhaps past experiences will still have a significant impact on them, but what’s important is how to build a path and bridge between oneself and the vast Dao of Heaven. There’s no fixed formula. It’s not that there aren’t existing paths, but that no matter which path you take, you can theoretically reach the destination. Fellow Daoist Li, do you understand now?” Li Xun would be a fool if he still didn’t understand. Simply understanding is one thing, truly comprehending it is another. So he could only shake his head: “True immortality… can I be considered truly immortal now?” Of course, this isn’t about s*x, but about the level of cultivation. As I just said, opportunities can be sought, the mind can be tempered, and the bones can be transformed. It’s just a matter of time. Since it’s true immortality, the solution is only a matter of time. “Sooner or later…” Li Xun pondered the words carefully, but still felt a veil of confusion lingering in his heart. “I still ask for Elder Qing’s guidance.” “I don’t deserve your guidance, but I do have an ancient saying to share with you, fellow Daoist.” The old banyan tree’s massive crown swayed gently, and the subtle sounds combined into eight words: “Never tire of fine food.” “I never tire of finely chopped meat.” Several miles away, beneath the shade of a tree, Shui Dielan rested her hands behind her head and stretched out her long legs. Leaning against the trunk, she appeared to be asleep, but in reality, she was completely lost in thought.

The conversation between the Qing Emperor’s elder and Li Xun was brief. By this time, there was no sound, and a dark and gloomy aura was gathering.

Li Xun had finally taken action. Whether it was to help Qingying complete her Transcendental Transformation or to directly refine her into a Mysterious Puppet, being able to make a decision was always a cause for celebration.

Shui Dielan closed her eyes, absorbed in the gradually resonating energy fluctuations around her. A key in his body was activated, and he opened his eyes, then jumped up with a jolt.

At that moment, from beneath the old banyan tree in the distance, a powerful, unstoppable wave of air, a humming sound, swept through the entire winding path. The person Shui Die Lan had been leaning against the tree suddenly fell back, nearly being blown to the ground. Suddenly, the waters of Baicao Weir were surging.

Shui Die Lan looked up and saw a line of pale blue light shoot out from under the banyan tree, instantly connecting the sky and the earth. The thin clouds in the air were swept away, and the invisible and colorless air, under the violent turbulence, transformed into a huge, almost visible vortex, stirring the sky. Empty. The sound was like thunder.

It was truly an ascension to the realm of divination. This was the first time that Shui Die Lan had seen the actual scene of the success of the transformation of the heavens. After a few breaths of amazement, she suddenly came to her senses, muttered a curse, and shot over.

At Shui Die Lan’s speed, she had flown less than half the distance of a few miles. Above the nine heavens, a golden snake was already surging, and a thunderbolt struck down. The lightning had not yet faded. Another eight bursts of lightning poured down, and finally, the thunder in the sky. The nine consecutive explosions almost merged into a soul-shaking sound that shook the insides of the body.

A figure suddenly appeared in the void ten feet above the old banyan tree. A shimmer of colorful light blocked the lightning, followed by a humming sound. Someone wondered what method the Green Emperor’s heir had employed. A violent tremor rippled through the air, sending lightning scattering in all directions, yet shielding the area beneath the banyan tree.

The lightning entered the earth, and the entire winding path trembled imperceptibly. Then, even without a breeze, the grass and trees on the ground trembled, and wisps of lifelike aura rose from the air. In an instant, a thin layer of natural mist enveloped the surrounding area.

Just in time, a second wave of lightning struck, but upon reaching the edge of the mist, it vanished silently, without even a ripple.

“After all, when the immortal birds of the upper realms transcend tribulation and transform, the thunder tribulation is merely a formality.” “The voice of the Green Emperor’s remnant was without any fluctuation, as if the increasingly dense Nine Sky Thunders above his head were just a drizzle that did not wet his clothes.

Li Xun thought to himself that he was worthy of being a great demon who had gone through dozens of forty-nine disasters and regarded this magnificent divine power as nothing. However, in his eyes, Lei You’s attack this time was indeed not worth mentioning compared to Zhong Yin’s ascension. Of course, he did not want to be hit by one.

Just as he was thinking about it, Shui Dielan broke through the fog barrier and came in, and asked, “Are you hurt?” Li Xun was very touched by her concern, and smiled and shook his head, “Qingying is more sensitive than I thought. The Youxuan Seal was shattered as soon as it was implanted, but there was no strong backlash. “As he said this, he turned sideways so that Shui Dielan could see Qingying behind him.

As he turned sideways, a clear breeze blew high into the sky, followed by an overwhelming and overwhelming impact.

This was much more powerful than the first wave of air. Li Xun was caught off guard and was swept out. Before he could turn his head, his field of vision was completely filled with dazzling green light.

Shui Dielan’s curses and the sound of branches and leaves of the old banyan tree snapping could be heard in his ears, but that was only a very subtle fragment. At this moment, Li Xun’s five senses were almost completely overwhelmed. What he saw and felt was completely the impact of the green light frenzy.

What was worse was that the green light was surging with pure and extremely clear spirit, which was the nemesis of the blood shadow demon body. Li Xun felt as if his whole body was on fire, smoking and extremely uncomfortable. Fortunately, a row of branches soon fell from his head. It was the remnant of the Green Emperor. He blocked the subsequent impact.

Li Xun closed his eyes tightly and opened them again, using the slight buffer to adapt to the strong light from the outside world.

At this time, the strongest wave of impact had passed, and the six senses gradually returned to normal. The sound of the clear breeze in his ears still completely suppressed the continuous thunder, and when he looked over, he saw a wave of lightning that had just gathered. The blue light beam suddenly expanded to the thickness of his wrist and rushed out, sparks flying everywhere.

The flat ground offered a dazzling light source and finally rose upwards. At first, the momentum was slow, as if there was an invisible barrier against it, but with the sound of tiny bursts of human energy, it was like a thick layer of ice cracking, and the sound merged into one and finally collapsed.

The aftermath of the high-altitude gorge sound had not yet subsided, and the clear melody sounded again. The two sound waves merged into one, with clear layers and harmony from near and far. The surrounding clear air flowed and reacted with the natural vitality. The countless changes in qi made Li Xun and others nearby unable to affected to the same extent.

It was the first time that Li Xun observed and felt the details of ascension at such a close distance. This time, the momentum was far less than that of Zhong Yin. But it was much more detailed than the last time. He could not help but compare the changes in the Qi with those in his memory. Although he had no conclusion, he felt that he had understood.

His mind drifted for only a moment. In a flash, before his eyes, there was a clear and spiritual fairy energy with rich vitality and two wings spread out. It was like a divine bird that stretched its wings from curled up, stirring up the wind and clouds for hundreds of miles and soaring into the sky.

At this moment, Qingying’s immortal body had left no trace and completely transformed into the clear and spiritual fairy energy to protect its original spiritual consciousness and impact the sky. The thunder that was still accumulating in the surroundings was immediately defeated and no longer threatening.

The thief God finally compromised. After the scattered lightning, nine clear airs flowed down in sequence to open the way to ascension. The world was buzzing and vibrating. The rhythm gradually harmonized. The sound of the official’s breathing became clear and melodious, echoing thousands of miles away.

Li Xun heard Shui Dielan sigh beside him, mumbling something in a faint voice. He tried to listen, but she glared at him, then smiled.

It was clear that Shui Dielan’s mood had calmed down a lot, and the tension in Li Xun’s heart quietly relaxed. At that moment, a bright light blazed in the air, as if a blue sun had exploded. The light, far stronger than any other at any time, shone in all directions, yet the surrounding intensity decreased instead of increasing. Li Xun was stunned. He felt a familiar chilling aura lingering around him, a sensation reminiscent of the cold and proud presence of a blue oriole.

He blinked and looked up, facing the glare. The scene in the sky was unclear, only a pair of towering wings could be vaguely seen emerging from the azure light. A slight wave of their wings sent a surge of radiance surging in all directions.

During this period of soaring, the already vaporized Qingying body suddenly coalesced into form again. A third long blast echoed. While the sound wasn’t as clear as the previous two, the waves and the power they contained penetrated the barriers of space in an indescribable way, spreading out.

The force reached Li Xun and Shui Dielan. Li Xun remained unmoved, while Shui Dielan froze in shock. Suddenly, she cried out, “Oh no!” However, it was too late to do anything now. The irresistible shockwaves surged forward, quickly overflowing the boundaries of the winding path. The Qing Emperor’s ancestral power, a power unto itself, seemed to have no effect. The magical barrier separating space shattered like a piece of thin paper.

The winding path, stretching a thousand miles, stretched unobstructed across the vast mountain forest. The sudden shift in terrain was almost like a moderate earthquake.

Li Xun felt it even more acutely. The deep underground caverns leading to the Nine Netherworlds were also affected by the impact, subtly oscillating and stirring the surrounding vital energy, further turbulent the situation.

Even in this situation, the distant shock wave still showed no signs of abating. However, within a few breaths, it exceeded the limits of Li Xun and Shui Dielan’s perception, causing them to look at each other in bewilderment. Seeing this trend, won’t it become known to the whole world? “Ungrateful, really ungrateful!” Shui Dielan cursed under her breath, but there was no sign of hatred on her face.

Li Xun could understand her mood at the moment, and gave a wry smile and raised his head again.

At this time, the strong light weakened, and the strange phenomenon of nine qi flowing was slowly disappearing. Qing You’s figure became clearer, circling around the light column connecting the sky and the earth. Qing Yu’s long feathers controlled the clear air and were covered with rosy clouds. It was indeed a celestial phenomenon. As the altitude rose rapidly, Qing Yu merged with the color of the sky and was no longer clear. Li Xun also sighed, thinking that this was probably the last image of her existence.

“Hey, that…” Shui Dielan suddenly pointed to the sky. Li Xun looked in the direction of her finger, only to see two soft objects floating in the sky, dropping precious light that was unlike any ordinary object.