The Forbidden Path to Immortality - Chapter 179

Chapter 4: Breaking the Army

Time seemed to pass incredibly quickly on Langhuan Island, yet in reality, it felt incredibly long. For the cultivators on the island, day and night were practically nonexistent, and aside from brief periods of meditation during required rest periods, nearly every moment was consumed with the endless tasks at hand.

Due to their respective responsibilities, the Mingxin Sword Sect’s gathering lasted only a short time before the cultivators dispersed. Now, a problem loomed. Everyone was occupied, but Li Xun, a junior who hadn’t been part of the original plan, was left idle.

Given his abilities, this seemed a bit of a waste.

Li Xun looked eagerly at Minggong, hoping his fourth uncle would make some arrangements so he could take advantage of the opportunity to do something shady.

Mingji paused for a moment, then asked tentatively, “Would you like to go to Master Xuanhua and help design the island’s forbidden magic?”

Li Xun was about to nod when Mingji shook his head, “That’s not a good idea. The arrangements there are nearing completion, and you wouldn’t be much help going there. It’s better to go to Lu Yang. We need to discuss the future arrangements for you youngsters.”

Mingji couldn’t help but think about things she wasn’t quick to act. Simply leaving them to others to deal with seemed irresponsible.

“Fourth Master!” Li Xun’s words had barely left his mouth when he sensed his tone was more like a coquettish one, a realization that greatly embarrassed him. A moment’s pause allowed Mingji to escape, and in a rush, he heard only the words, “I’m going to the Hundred Crafts Hall.”

Li Xun realized Mingji was probably trying to get rid of him, which hurt him greatly. But he couldn’t really chase after her, so he had no choice but to follow his earlier plan and go find Lu Yang and the others.

Perhaps for safety reasons, this unplanned group of juniors were placed in the area closest to the center of the island, well within the control of the six True One Grandmasters. While others might have felt reassured, a dozen or so people gathered in the courtyard, chatting freely. Li Xun, however, felt uneasy.

Luo Yuji, who shared his sentiments, had just escaped a scolding from her father and, before Mei Jie and Gu Pin’er, had yelled, “I can’t handle it!” The three bright-looking female cultivators gathered in a small circle, laughing and radiantly chatting. Who wouldn’t be attracted to someone present who wasn’t genuinely as sincere as Shi Shui?

So, when Li Xun inquired about the “Hundred Crafts Hall,” the Three Emperors Sword Sect disciple Shaoying across from him lost his focus, forcing him to ask again, louder and louder.

This time, not only did the man hear, but Luo Yuji also turned to look.

“Baigongtang? That’s a great place,” the female cultivator continued with a smile. “I heard it’s a shop jointly opened by Qianbao Pavilion and Qianfan City, right here on our Langhuan Island. We just moved here, and it was established a few hours ago. They sell elixirs, immortal swords, magic weapons, and other consumables that are needed in the short term, and they can even order them.”

“A shop?” Li Xun stared blankly. Luo Yuji also piqued her interest and clapped her hands, suggesting, “We’re all free now, so why not go to Baigongtang and have a look? Who knows, we might find a magic weapon somewhere.”

Some responded, while others declined. Those who declined were mostly experienced and prudent figures like Lu Yang and Yuan Chen.

Mei Xue also wanted to decline, but Luo Yuji took her hand, so she had no choice but to accept. As for Gu Pin’er, she looked up and saw Li Xun didn’t say anything, so she remained silent, which Luo Yuji took as her consent. It went without saying that

the three beauties wanted to protect the emperor and the beauties, and in the end, ten out of the fifteen people agreed.

After reporting their preparations to the head immortal master, the group departed in

a mighty procession, heading towards the west side of Langhuan Island. Once outside, Li Xun felt a wave of regret. The group’s chatter and laughter didn’t seem like those on business, a stark contrast to the island’s atmosphere. The occasional immortal masters hurried by, giving him odd looks.

Fortunately, the island wasn’t very large, and even without wielding a sword, the journey took less than half an hour.

It was already night, but Li Xun’s view was ablaze with lights.

Before him was a building, not very tall, yet quite spacious. Its vermilion wooden pillars, supporting the outer corridors on the first floor, stretched for half a mile, a truly impressive sight.

Li Xun couldn’t see the signs of recent renovations, but he could sense a hidden aura within. It seemed as if the entire structure was a magical artifact, possessing a special power.

Looking at the bright lights, both inside and out, and the intricately painted plaque above the main entrance, inscribed with the inscription “Hundred Craftsmen,” Li Xun felt that calling it a shop was a bit of an understatement.

Before reaching the steps, two brocade-robed monks, standing outside, greeted him with a beaming smile. Their words were instantly captivating: “What may I do for you, gentlemen?”

In that moment, Li Xun felt as if he had traveled back seventy years, back to the bustling streets of Songjing, receiving attentive service from a shop assistant. When he regained consciousness, besides the giggling Luo Yuji and the others, he

saw the two brocade-robed monks, their smiles undimmed. Li Xun could see that their cultivation was quite impressive, both at the level of Divine Infant, comparable to anyone else here except himself and Gu Pin’er. Even so, several elite disciples reacted with a sullen apprehension, and the atmosphere became awkward for a moment.

The two brocade-robed monks, however, were well-trained, their faces devoid of any expression, as they enthusiastically ushered the group inside. Seeing this, Li Xun felt deeply moved.

Looking at the building before him, he felt a surge of power. He realized then that he had underestimated the rebellious power of the Four Sects Alliance, a determination to break away from their past spheres and carve out a new world.

What happens when a monkey suddenly stops thinking of itself as a monkey, and what will be its ultimate fate? This is precisely what the Four Sects Alliance is experiencing and proving.

Looking at the enormous “Hundred Craftsmen” character again, Li Xun took a deep breath, his attitude subtly shifting.

“Ah ha, a distinguished guest has graced our humble home! Come on, please!”

Li Xun’s brows immediately furrowed as he recognized the person. Why is this guy here again?

He knew that this Hundred Craftsmen Hall was the first major undertaking of the Four Sects Alliance, and it would be strange if Fatty Ji wasn’t here to oversee it. But seeing the smiling face of the head shopkeeper approaching him, Li Xun felt a chill in his heart, and

he even suspected a deeper conspiracy. A cultivator who could remain unfazed by the personal greeting of a sect leader alone, at least in this small circle, didn’t exist.

The elite disciples were all well-informed and well-informed. They were well aware of the fat man’s identity. He showed remarkable fortitude not to flee after being called “honored by this humble place.” Luo Yuji, Mei Xue, and others, led by bowing, saluted, “Master Ji.”

“How can that be so? No guest in the world ever bows to a waiter. The cultivators of the Nine Righteous Sects are all good, except for their excessive formalities. Had I known, I would have switched places with Master Tu and gone to Shuanggu Island.”

Ji was quite talkative and cheerful, a truly affable man. In just a few words, he revealed two crucial pieces of information: one, that Master Tu Jin of Qianfan City had already arrived in the East China Sea; the other, that Tu Jin was currently on Shuanggu Island, arguing with the Western Alliance sects.

This was a good way to demonstrate neutrality. Li Xun even wondered if a branch of Baigongtang had opened in the western base of the Loose Cultivators’ Alliance.

The fat man’s sincerity was so profound that he placed him on the same level as the younger generation. Even so, the elite disciples’ instincts prevailed, their desire to retreat undiminished, their urge to escape unabated.

Seeing the situation before them, Ji realized he had made a mistake and rolled his eyes, clapping his hands. “You’re all here to see Fairy Mingji practice swordsmanship, right? Master Qianfan City exorcises evil spirits and impurities. It’s a rare sight to see him. Come on, Zhang Shun, lead the guests to Room A-3 to observe Master Gongshu’s divine skills.”

With that, he abandoned his tormenting smile and, with another greeting, walked forward with his hands behind his back, seemingly strolling, but he passed by everyone, cutting off their retreat. Luo Yuji and the others exchanged glances, resigned to their fate, and followed Zhang Shun inside.

At that moment, countless people resolved to avoid this unlucky place after tonight, even at the cost of their lives!

Li Xun’s brow furrowed even deeper. Perhaps just as Ji Buhao turned, and everyone’s gaze followed, a figure flashed by in the front hall of Baigong Hall. Based purely on his memory, Li Xun felt that the figure was tall, strong, and extremely familiar. “

Hmm, if it’s really the Ji Buhao I imagined, he’s quite courageous!”

He temporarily suppressed his thoughts and followed the others into the hallway. He hadn’t noticed that the hallway had been divided into corridors and small rooms by walls of flowers and trees. At the front was an exquisitely decorated hall, visually spacious, connected by corridors that seemed intricate and winding, yet not cramped.

Under Zhang Shun’s guidance, people saw occasional flashes of precious light among the flowers, trees, and fruits adorning the walls. Upon closer inspection, they

revealed themselves to be impressive swords and magical weapons. These priceless treasures, hanging unprotected on the vine wall, evoked the urge to remove them and examine them more closely. These treasures weren’t arranged haphazardly, but were categorized by grade and type, hung in separate lanes.

The vine walls outside only held a hundred or so pieces, as they progressed down the corridor. The actual transactions took place in the compartments at the end, where the shopkeepers of each shop could find the finest pieces.

Zhang Shun explained everything eloquently, “Here are preserved nearly one-tenth of the treasures of my pavilion and the Tianxinghai over the past thousand years. All are masterpieces by masters from various eras. If you’re interested, you can freely view and try them out. There’s also a dedicated martial arts training hall for you to use.”

His words, with the exception of Li Xun, excited the elite disciples. Normally, it would be difficult to even see a single piece of these treasures, but now there were hundreds of them displayed before them for them to choose from. Even if they didn’t buy, they could still enjoy the experience.

“The second floor is where all kinds of magic weapons are customized and repaired. Five craftsmen from Qianfan City are stationed there. Although they cannot make perfect things at the moment due to time and materials, they can customize some small gadgets for you. Although the power is not great, they are quite practical.”

“If the magic sword is damaged during the war, it can be repaired here. For example, Fairy Mingji came to find Master Gongshu to cleanse the sword.”

“Cleanse the sword?”

Zhang Shun smiled and lowered his head at this question: “Please discuss further information with Fairy Mingji. According to the rules, I should not have said the previous words. It’s just that I see that you and Fairy Mingji are of the same kind… please come this way.”

Rules? Li Xun thought for a moment and asked a key question: “The treasures of Qianbao Pavilion and the craftsmen of Qianfan City are all the best in this world. I think the transaction price is also very high, but I wonder how much your hall wants for the transaction?”

Zhang Shun responded fluently: “The Tongxuan world is full of cultivators and they cannot use copper utensils and objects from the lower world. For this reason, our hall has set up an appraisal room in the back, and the respected and learned people from this world are here to evaluate the prices of specialized products in order to ensure fairness. All herbs, pills, minerals, spiritual liquids, swords, magic weapons, rare birds and beasts can be priced and traded, more for one, one for many, or many for many.”

After saying such a long string, he paused for a moment and lowered his voice slightly and said: “Even some cultivation methods and unique sword techniques can be appraised and traded. It depends on whether the guests are willing.”

With a buzz, Luo Yuji and others couldn’t help but exclaimed, and then discussed with each other, and the scene was a little chaotic for a while.

While this kind of bartering is commonplace in this world, it’s perhaps the first time in history that rules and regulations like those of the Baigong Hall have been so openly implemented.

Initially, the elite disciples merely debated the suitability of this method, but later, they all pointed to the novel methods of Qianbao Pavilion and Qianfan City. “Does this even resemble a cultivation sect?”

Amidst the debate, everyone ascended to the second floor. According to Zhang Shun, it looked much more spacious than downstairs. There were only five rooms, where the masters worked and rested. He led them to Room A-2, located in the right corridor, and rang the bell outside.

A child opened the door, startling the crowd. “Why is business so good today?”

The air from his mouth already had a hint of business, but Zhang Shun smiled coyly. “These are the fellows from various sects invited by Pavilion Master Ji to observe Master Gong Yu’s sword-making.”

“Do you think you’re just playing tricks on me?”

the child, seemingly only eleven or twelve years old, said with a tone of pride and prestige. Fortunately, the cultivators who became the new elites of their respective sects possessed considerable Qi cultivation skills and were aware of the complexities and rules surrounding swordsmithing, especially for masters like Master Gongshu.

After a brief exchange, two people immediately suggested going downstairs for a stroll. This call was followed by a chorus of responses. Only the curious Luo Yuji dragged Gu Pin’er with her to accompany Li Xun inside to observe. The remaining seven, under the pretext of covering the snow, were led by Zhang Shun to wander the ground floor, fulfilling their wish and perhaps even buying a couple of magical weapons for the occasion.

The boy, pleased to see that the group had dwindled by half, softened his tone. “Come in, don’t talk too much inside; it’s nothing to disturb the Master. Who can you blame for destroying your uncle’s sword?”

Li Xun immediately recognized this as a figure of his seniority, and he didn’t hesitate to pay his respects before entering with the two female cultivators.

The inner room was simply furnished, yet every artifact had a history. Even the soundproof panels were made of fine pure rhinoceros wood. The room was silent until the boy opened the side door. Someone’s voice emanated.

“…The lingering resentment of this sword’s previous owner, who died a violent death, has settled within it. It has been tainted by the bloody aura of murder and v*olence. Under attack from both within and without, it must be channeled through the art of talismans. However, such a surge of malevolent energy is extremely detrimental to you, the sword wielder.”

After the boy finished speaking, he announced the names of the three people. Only then did Master Gongshu calmly grant Li Xun permission, allowing him to enter.

Inside, he found a quiet room devoid of beds or chairs, only two cushions occupied by Mingji and a middle-aged man with a graying beard.

Mingji had her back to the door, but she turned and, with a faint smile, gestured for the three to sit behind her. Li Xun, without a word, bowed briefly to Master Gongshu and quietly sat down cross-legged. Luo Yuji, obviously acquainted with the Master, sweetly called him “Uncle Master” before pulling Gu Pin’er to sit. Master Gongshu’s serious expression softened slightly, still addressing Mingji, “It’s only natural that you wish to maintain the sword’s unrivaled effectiveness. I can agree to that, but you must understand that emergency measures always have some flaws… You didn’t have to be so anxious.”

Mingji calmly responded, “A war is imminent, so there’s no time to dwell on it. Besides, once we’ve dealt with this battle, we can consult the Master about eliminating the potential risks.”

“A battle is imminent, a matter of life and death. You can’t handle it so easily!” Master Gongshu sneered, and without further ado, he instructed the boy, “The sword has been soaking in the Sanyang Spring for a while now. Go and get it.”

The boy opened the door and left. Mingji bowed slightly, saying, “Thank you, Master.”

Master Gongshu shook his head, but Li Xun, feeling uneasy, ignored the formalities and whispered, “Fourth Master’s sword…”

Mingji also imitated Master Gongshu’s shaking head and added, “It’s okay.”

Seeing Mingji’s hair swaying slightly from his head, Li Xun felt a sense of daze and confusion. An inexplicable feeling, like a dark cloud, silently settled over his heart.

Simply put, it was a deeply ominous feeling.

He felt a sense of unease. This was the first time he had felt such a strong feeling since the incident with the Heaven-Slaying Divine Sword, but he couldn’t figure out the key to it. The foggy confusion and the intense sense of threat combined to make him restless, his heartbeat erratic.

At this moment, Master Gongshu spoke again, “I must remind you that this technique of defacing the sword with bloody murderous energy is no accidental coincidence; it’s the Blood Demon’s deliberate act. Even if the sword were completely intact, it wouldn’t be possible for him to achieve the desired effect with his preparedness.”

“Yes, Master, I understand.”

These words were more casual than any response. Master Gongshu fell silent upon hearing this. Li Xun felt a pang of pain, as if scratched by a cat. Finally, Luo Yuji, unable to resist her curiosity, asked, “Isn’t Master Mingji’s sword Chuxue? Besides its overwhelming spiritual energy and unparalleled sharpness, what else is so special about it?”

She asked exactly what Li Xun wanted to know. However, before Mingji could respond, the boy had already entered, bearing the sword, and everyone’s attention was focused on the sword with its special properties.

Upon seeing the sword, Li Xun was stunned for a moment, then exclaimed in surprise, “Fourth Uncle Shuai, you changed your sword!”

“Why isn’t it Chuxue?” Luo Yuji was also very surprised.

For a swordsman, the sword is like a second life. It’s a supreme weapon, tempered by one’s own aura, essence, and blood . When tempered to a certain level, no divine weapon can compare.

Even though the Mingxin Sword Sect’s name is “sword-refining,” it’s actually “qi-refining.” For someone like Mingji, suddenly switching swords at the formative stage of cultivation—the incompatibility between the sword and the person—the impact on one’s strength and future cultivation cannot be overstated.

Mingji glanced back and said calmly, “Don’t interfere with Master’s work.”

“That’s fine. I think it’s best to let them persuade you,” Master Gongshu said as he took the sword. Zhong Yu gently stroked the dark scabbard, moving very slowly, as if giving Li Xun and the others time to speak.

Encouraged by this, Luo Tuji’s spirits soared. “I see this sword is thicker than usual. I’m afraid its heaviness won’t suit Master-Uncle’s swordsmanship. I’m afraid Master-Uncle’s Chuxue sword is already excellent. Why would we need to replace it so late? It would be a waste of time and effort?”

The young woman’s argument was quite insightful, but it still fell far short of convincing Mingji. Seeing Mingji’s noncommittal smile, Luo Yuji felt a little frustrated. Then, noticing Li Xun simply staring at the sword without a word, she became furious and punched him. “Junior Brother Lingzhu, you can’t just stay out of this, can you?”

The slightly affectionate punch snapped Li Xun awake. He opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly changed his words: “What sword is that?”

“What sword?” Luo Yuji, reminded by this, realized she had been a bit abrupt. If this sword was some newly discovered, high-grade immortal sword, someone wanted to exchange it for Bai, wouldn’t she still be able to snatch it away? Thinking of this, her face flushed slightly, her eyes fixed on the sword.

At this moment, Master Gongshu also grasped the hilt of his sword, unsheathing it. With a deliberate concentration of energy, the sword’s energy hummed and resonated throughout the room.

The brilliant sword light shone forth, dazzling the eyes. It was then clear that Luo Yuji’s family background was no ordinary novice. She was merely captivated by the sword’s light and cried out, “Pojun Immortal Sword!”

Li Xun’s heart sank. Before he could confirm that Luo Yuji had memorized the sword formula, “The light is like star points, the energy is like a long rainbow, the stars lock the cold edge of Pojun. This is undoubtedly the Pojun Immortal Sword.”

At this point, she was suddenly startled. “The Pojun Immortal Sword should be among the Nine Heavenly Star Swords of the Xingji Sword Sect, right? It seems to have belonged to the late Yunxing. How did this sword end up in the hands of Master Mingji?”

“Pojun Pojun…”

Li Xun muttered the familiar sword name, the temperature of his skin gradually dropping.

By then, Master Gongshu had fully unsheathed the Pojun Immortal Sword, stroking its sharp edge in the cold light that filled the room. The sword’s energy swept through his hands, leaving over a dozen tiny wounds. Slow streams of blood oozed from the wounds onto the blade.

“The Immortal Broken Army Sword is the masterpiece of the great swordsmith Mei Jiu, a master swordsmith from ten thousand years ago. After entering the Xingji Sword Sect and mastering the art of sword control, the master went to Qianfan City to learn the art of swordsmithing. Through these two combined efforts, and with the sword made of Tianxing Iron as its embryo,

he achieved this powerful weapon, bearing the name ‘Broken Army.'” Master Gongshu spoke softly, yet the room was audible. He drew blood and intermittently smeared it onto the sword’s body, forming indistinguishable talismans.

As each talisman was completed, the cultivators in the room could sense a sinister aura roaring within the sword, threatening to burst forth.

“The Pojun sword spirit draws the stars. The movement of the stars connects to the qi, blood and muscles of the human body. Those injured by this sword will be visited by evil stars in this life and the next, and the sword will communicate with them from afar. The holder of this sword can follow the injured person like a maggot attached to the bone, and can even find an opportunity to attract the evil stars to help kill the target. It

is truly a deadly weapon among the immortal swords, and it is rare in this world.” “The murderous blood injected by the Blood Demon is extremely filthy. The Blood Demon used this to sever the connection between the immortal sword and the stars. I used the Sanyang Spring water to cleanse the foul air, and used the talisman to attract and stimulate the immortal sword’s own spiritual energy. Most of the rest can be cleared, and the sword master only needs to nurture it for a while…”

Master Gongshu’s voice continued to enter Li Xun’s ears, but he could not hear it clearly. Frustration and regret were like a rising tide, slowly overwhelming all emotions, but his mind still moved by inertia.

At that moment, he finally remembered the source of that sense of dissonance during his battle with Ming Gong on Zuowang Peak. He also finally remembered the meaning of Tianzhi’s incoherent warning…

Watch out, Pojun, get away as soon as possible?

Yes, get away, get away, get away!

It was too late. His painstakingly planned “reunion” seemed only to lead him into this absurd situation.

The situation before him felt like a cruel joke played by fate, and as he furiously tried to shatter it, he couldn’t move a muscle.

The thief heaven proudly declared before him: “Sorry, this is a nightmare, and you have no right to wake up!”

He could only watch, eyes wide open, as Master Gongshu skillfully dispelled the bloody murderous aura within the sword, gradually revealing its true brilliance.

At that moment, he couldn’t breathe!

And at that moment, as his legs threatened to burst from the foul air, a small, cold hand pressed the back of his hand, resting on his knee.

Li Xun turned in shock, only to be met with a pair of profoundly deep eyes. As his gaze shifted to Gu Pin’er, her expression was subtle, yet pure joy and contentment blossomed within them.

The cold blade of the dagger, slowly unsheathed behind her, held a different meaning.

Even Li Xun’s mind took a moment to clear. His body tensed, and he grasped Gu Pin’er’s delicate hand with his backhand. In that instant, the world seemed alienated. The other figures transformed into indescribable streams of multicolored light, illuminating the face of the purple-clad female cultivator. It was as if the female cultivator’s own soul fire had blossomed, blazing and direct.

Instantly, Li Xun contemplated at least two methods of using or even sacrificing the female cultivator to conceal his identity. However, these malicious thoughts were instantly consumed by the flames, reduced to ash.

Gu Pin’er’s face blurred, as if transformed into someone else. Li Xun opened his mouth, but the name, which should not have appeared, finally caught in his throat. With his last remaining strength, he gently patted the back of the female cultivator’s hand and shook his head slightly.

At this moment, Master Gongshu handed Mingji the Broken Army Immortal Sword. Mingji took a deep breath, using the newly learned “Shang Method” to guide her vital energy into the sword. The bloody and murderous aura was gradually driven out, and the sword’s spirit gradually connected with the stars.

Behind her, Li Xun could only see a tiny starlight at the end of the sword. This sharp light was engraved in his eyes, slowly stirring, more cruel than any torture instrument under heaven. The gradually rising humming sound of the sword seemed like Yunxing’s groaning in his tragic death.

In a moment of trance, the groaning seemed to echo within him—a natural consequence, as half of Yunxing’s body was fused to his bones and blood, inseparable.

The groaning gradually turned into a mocking, shrill laugh, reverberating in every corner of his body, tearing at his defenses with all its might.

Li Xun didn’t resist; resisting would have been futile. He simply stared wide-eyed at the faintly flickering sword light ahead, letting his remaining hope dissipate in the blazing light.

Then he stood up!