The Forbidden Path to Immortality - Chapter 31

Chapter 4 Making Friends

In the days following his injury, Li Xun kept a low profile. Reliable information indicated that the five members of the Tianxing Jian Sect had not yet left, and if they were accidentally encountered, it would be very troublesome. He had also been visiting the palace less frequently…

Of course, the most important reason was that he needed to think carefully!

The battle with the Tianxing Jian Sect, and the process of drawing essence from Concubine Qin, especially the latter, had brought about a series of inexplicable changes that required time and careful consideration.

After seven or eight days of intensive reflection, Li Xun finally reached a preliminary conclusion.

First, his cultivation had skyrocketed by at least 30%! Besides the benefits of drawing essence, the biggest factor was probably the strange liquid within the crystal bottle. It was like a super-powerful tonic, and just the smell of it gave him a host of benefits. Of course, the medicinal properties were a bit too strong!

Next, he began to cultivate the Blood God Son. The blood nightmare that had plagued him for nearly a decade had truly vanished, and at the same time, his heart, as Yin Sanren had predicted, had undergone a strange, demonic transformation.

Ordinary external blows could no longer damage his fundamentals. Even a sharp attack like Yin Sanren’s could withstand it!

The demonization of his heart could be considered the first step in the advancement of the Blood God Son cultivation technique. However, this generation of demonic skills certainly requires more than just physical changes. It also brings with it the so-called “unmoved in chaos, unrested in the midst of it, free from worries, and without emotions.

” This is the “heartless heart” that is the first step towards a cultivator’s demonic possession! It’s said that this “heartless heart” also affects the cultivator’s personality. Of course, this influence is a long-term process, and Li Xun can’t detect it yet.

But something has already made him uneasy.

First, the demonization of his heart, then the disruption caused by Yin Sanren’s heart-shattering blow, has caused the Yin Fire within his heart to become unstable. As he cultivates, the terrifying energy within him is constantly threatening to burst forth, threatening to reduce him to ash one day! The situation is truly dangerous.

Even if Mr. Ghost had left a message that the Yin Fire would not explode for a hundred years, who could trust him beneath the perilous wall?

It was not until this moment that Li Xun truly understood the true meaning of the threat left by Mr. Ghost.

However, Li Xun had become numb to this kind of thing. It seemed that the kind of stress-free and relaxed days would never be his. The Demon Phoenix spared him, but he ran into Yin Sanren again; the Blood Nightmare was gone, but he was troubled by the Yin Fire again!

If he wanted to live well, he had to break these shackles that weighed on him one by one, but this was so far away…

He sighed, picked up the pen and drew a stroke on the paper.

At this time, he was writing in a small pavilion in the National Master’s Mansion.

Of course, Li Xun did not have the attainments of calligraphy and painting like the Immortal Master Zhong Yin, nor did he Wouldn’t have the leisure time like him. What Li Xun was painting at this time was not mountains, rivers, bamboo, rocks, people, flowers, birds and animals, but something that looked like a ghost’s talisman in the eyes of outsiders.

The maids around did not have any surprised expressions. Perhaps in their eyes, it was natural for Taoist priests to draw talismans.

The only thing that was inconsistent with the rumors was that Li Xun did not use cinnabar yellow paper to draw talismans, but ordinary rice paper with ink and brush.

The horizontal, vertical, and zigzag strokes on the paper were neat when seen separately, but when put together, they looked like a child’s random scribbling, without any rules at all.

But if it is seen by someone who has an in-depth study of the way of prohibition, it is different. Another idea – the strokes are branches and leaves, and the divine will is the truth.

If it were on ordinary days, Li Xun would naturally value the changes in the restraints, thinking about how to make the limited true energy more powerful. But at this time, his writing was different.

He almost gathered all his energy and spirit into the tip of the pen. With one stroke, it was equivalent to swinging a sword with all his strength. While adhering to the rules, he had to protect the fragile paper under the tip from being cut. His attention to the control of true energy has reached his limit.

Under such conditions, Li Xun found the subtle feeling he wanted.

This is the biggest gain Li Xun got from thinking for a few days!

It seems that the pen has exhausted its strength. , the true breath is exhausted, but by turning the momentum and pausing the pen, new strength can be regenerated. At this critical point that seems to be neither ended nor born, there is a vague and ethereal Qi in his whole body that is sensed.

Qi represents the depth of the interaction between the cultivator and the vital energy that circulates between the heaven and the earth.

Every additional Qi controlled means a deeper understanding of the heaven and the earth. At the same time, one will also face more changes in Qi that have never been seen before, or even imagined.

Generally speaking, cultivators sense, manifest, and control Qi in accordance with their own methods of practice, and improve their cultivation step by step, so that the perception of Qi gradually becomes clearer, which is conducive to smoothing and controlling.

Just like Li Xun can only perceive the subtle changes in Qi in the forbidden area where he is most proficient; and at the level of inner cultivation, he will have a preliminary understanding of Qi only when he reaches the state of “the bright moon rising from the sea”.

But Li Xun has practiced all the wonderful methods of the Tongxuan Realm, which include both good and evil, and are not subordinate to each other. On the one hand, it creates conditions for him to sense and control more Qi; on the other hand, it is very likely that the complexity and confusion of Qi will lead to obsession.

However, what he recently felt is completely different.

This is Qi, a Qi that Li Xun vaguely sensed, but temporarily unable to figure out and control.

This Qi is by no means simple! This It is based on the formula of the Six Imperial Yin and Yang Transformations, and it was captured at the moment of life and death with superb comprehension and incomparable luck. Li Xun found that this Qi can have the most direct reaction with most of the Qi in his body, which is unusual!

According to the “Records of the Netherworld”, Li Xun learned that if a new Qi can attract the induction of a lot of Qi, it proves that it is closer to the origin of the Tao.

Therefore, Li Xun attaches great importance to this newly discovered Qi.

He named this Qi in his heart – the limit of life and death!

It can be imagined that when he can fully master the “limit of life and death”, he will have great progress and great changes in all aspects, which is truly… The improvement of realm!

He had this premonition, this confidence, and even more this perseverance!

Just when he was writing for the hundredth time, the servant came to report that Prince Fu wanted to see him. Before he could make a comment, Li Cong came over with a smile, and shouted “Brother Daoist” from a distance, and he seemed to be in a good mood.

Li Xun used his eyes to signal the maids to retreat. Only after the maids retreated far away did Li Cong enter the pavilion and immediately changed his address: “Brother Wang, you are in a good mood…”

When he saw the ghostly talismans written by Li Xun, he could no longer say the second half of the sentence. His face turned red, but he couldn’t help laughing after all: “Brother Wang, what kind of talisman are you drawing!”

Li Xun said half-truthfully: “The talisman of life and death! “

He crumpled the poorly drawn paper into a ball, and with just a rub, it turned into ashes and flew away. This crude Taoist method was enough to make Li Cong astonished. He looked at the black ashes that dispersed in the wind with envy or jealousy. After a while, he retracted his gaze and said to Li Xun, “Brother Wang, are you free now?”

Li Xun responded vaguely, and Li Cong took it as his acknowledgement.

“You’ve been cooped up in the mansion for too long. The New Year is approaching, and you haven’t even come home for a walk. The old concubine is nagging you!” He was just being polite, and the next thing was the key point: “It’s better to go out today than to wait for a day. How about we go out for a walk today? I’ll introduce you to some friends.”

Li Xun was about to refuse, but was stopped by Li Cong’s words.

“Brother, you’ve already refused twice. Today I came to invite you in person. How about you give me some face?”

Li Xun was a little embarrassed, but it was rare for his brother to be so kind, and it was hard for him to refuse. However, he didn’t forget that there were people from the Tianxingjian Sect in the capital!

But this hesitation was only for a moment. Li Xun didn’t want to show hesitation in front of his brother because it would undermine his dignity. So, in just a moment, Li Xun agreed.

Li Cong seemed very happy: “Then let’s go! Several of my friends are very interested in you, the ‘little imperial tutor’!”

Li Xun, however, didn’t care much and just accompanied him with a smile.

The two brothers rode their horses from the mansion all the way to the east city gate. Li Cong said they were going there to meet up with some friends, and Li Xun let him go.

But for some reason, Li Xun always felt a little hesitant. Seeing Li Cong smiling and leading the way, the feeling of something wrong became stronger.

No!

He reined in his horse and stopped, wondering where the strange feeling came from.

When did Li Cong become so enthusiastic?

The two brothers hadn’t seen each other for nearly ten years. They definitely couldn’t say they had a deep brotherly relationship, let alone the warmth of blood. In the imperial family, this was simply a joke!

In front of others, Li Cong naturally wanted to get closer to him in order to show the close relationship between the Prince of Fu’s Mansion and the Imperial Tutor’s Mansion. But when the two were alone, he always kept a certain distance. It was obvious that the younger brother was very wary of him!

So what had happened today?

Hearing Li Xun rein in his horse, Li Cong turned in surprise, only to be met with Li Xun’s sharp, calm eyes, which held only the clarity that penetrated the human heart.

Li Cong felt he couldn’t laugh anymore. Fortunately, he didn’t have to.

The air trembled with the sudden change. Li Xun turned his gaze to the center of the most violent tremor—in the center of the street ahead. A tall, straight scholar in a royal blue Confucian robe raised his head. His slightly thin face was defined by the sharpness of a knife. His dignified and serious gaze bore down on him.

Li Xun’s heartbeat went from slow to rapid, then from rapid to slow, and finally returned to its usual state.

The same reaction echoed from the side, from behind, and even from the sky.

Li Xun knew he was surrounded by five men, each with a cultivation at least twice his own!

The Tianxing Jian Sect!

This was an accident, a conspiracy. What surprised Li Xun even more was that he himself did not feel nervous at all!

He instantly figured out 70% to 80% of the cause and effect of the matter.

He slowly turned his gaze back to Li Cong, what a good brother!

Li Cong’s expression was a little stiff, but he still tried his best to squeeze out a confused look, and avoided Li Xun’s gaze by looking at the people surrounding him.

When he saw the blue-shirted scholar in front of him, he shouted in astonishment: “Brother He! What are you doing…”

Li Xun did not want to listen anymore, and there was only one thing on his mind.

What do these people think of me?

Thinking about this most critical question, he secretly took a long breath and said to Li Cong in a gentle voice: “Is this the friend you introduced me to, brother?”

Li Cong did not expect Li Xun’s tone to be so gentle, and he was really stunned this time.

He didn’t understand why Li Xun, who had clearly seen through something, still maintained such an attitude. He also pointed out their blood relationship, which was still relatively secret, without hesitation. In panic, his expression became even more unnatural, and he could only nod stiffly.

Not only him, but even the scholar in front of him seemed a little surprised after hearing what Li Xun said. His eyes swept between the two Li Xun brothers, and when he looked back at Li Xun, his eyes didn’t seem so stern anymore.

Li Xun felt a surge of ecstasy in his heart. He understood many things from the change in the scholar’s expression. He began to feel that the situation before him didn’t seem to be out of control. He

thought so in his heart, but his face couldn’t change accordingly.

He smiled bitterly, then sighed, jumped off his horse, and walked towards the scholar. As he approached, he bowed deeply and offered a long salute. As he stood, tears welled up in his eyes. “I am Li Xun, a disciple of the Mingxin Sword Sect. May I ask what your name is, brother?” “

Mingxin Sword Sect?” The scholar was clearly bewildered by the title, perhaps even more bewildered by Li Xun’s calm demeanor.

But he was no child after all, and he quickly suppressed his bewilderment. He returned the salute and said calmly, “He Mulan, from the Tianxing Jian Sect!”

As soon as the other person spoke, Li Xun knew it was the “senior brother” who had injured him that day. Meeting him today, he was indeed quite impressive!

He had also heard of the name He Mulan. Lan Junzi, one of the “Four Gentlemen” of the Tianxing Jian Sect, held the same status in the Tongxuan Realm as Wenhai.

So, naturally, a look of “So it’s you!” flashed across his face. “So it’s ‘Lan Junzi,’ Senior Brother He…”

He was about to offer a compliment, but was interrupted by He Mulan mid-sentence.

This imposing man’s eyes held an uneasy, menacing presence. Even though his gaze wasn’t hostile, it still put immense pressure on Li Xun. “Perhaps I can call you Junior Brother Xun!”

Li Xun gave a wry smile and nodded. Then, He Mulan took a step forward, hands behind his back. With that single step, the familiar aura of righteousness emanated from him, filling the entire street.

Li Xun’s cultivation was at least twice as great as He Mulan’s, and with his own hidden agenda, he couldn’t withstand the righteous spirit of someone who stood for the mountains and rivers below and the stars above. But he knew that even if his body couldn’t block the attack, he couldn’t look away. If he did, he would be finished!

He resisted the urge to flee, relying on his remaining courage to confront He Mulan.

Fortunately, the excruciating pain was short-lived.

Just when Li Xun was about to draw his sword and cut his way through the crowd, He Mulan sighed, “Junior Brother Xun, you have an extraordinary talent and a pure cultivation base. If you concentrate on cultivating the Dao, you will surely achieve great things in the future. But why do you stay in this world, using magic to please your superiors, and… relying on your cultivation base to defile the harem!”

When he spoke the second half of the sentence, his tone became harsher, and every word was a piercing remark. When he spoke the last four words, his eyes were even more domineering and sharp, piercing one’s heart.

Li Xun sneered in his heart, but his face showed a bleak look.

Then, he glanced at Li Cong, and said to He Mulan with a wry smile, “Senior Brother He, we don’t need him to be present to discuss our affairs, right?”

He seemed to be avoiding the question, but the meaning behind it was complicated by the subtle expression on his face. He Mulan was not a stupid person, and it was precisely because he was not a stupid person that he was affected by this expression.

“That’s right! In that case, how about we go outside the city to have a chat?” He Mulan’s tone softened unconsciously. He glanced at Li Cong, and when he looked at Li Xun again, there was clearly a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Li Xun nodded, turned around to pull the horse, but heard a clear female voice beside him laughing: Don’t you know how to fly a sword yet? “

Li Xun’s body paused, and then he looked in the direction of the voice. The one who spoke was the only female cultivator among the five. Li Xun had seen her once that night through the water mirror technique, but now that he was close to her, he still had to praise her secretly.

She was a girl full of spirit and elegance. Although her appearance was not on the same level as Qing Yin and Qin Fei, her facial features were delicate and beautiful, especially her pair of curved crescent eyes. When she smiled, she was really as graceful as the crescent moon in the sky, and she exuded some innocence and likability, which was very cute.

At first glance, she seemed to be only seventeen or eighteen years old, the same age as Li Xun.

Her dress was originally a graceful purple, but she tied a small knot on her chest, which swayed gently in the wind, revealing a bit of liveliness.

The way she wore the sword was also different from that of ordinary people. It was hung diagonally slightly below her chest ribs. The sword was only one foot long and a little narrow. It was dark purple all over, and the edge was not exposed. At first glance, it looked like The unique ornament, its true form unclear, complemented the sword’s owner beautifully.

As Li Xun gazed at the female cultivator, a figure suddenly flashed through his mind—Qi Yun! She resembled Qi Yun. Though the cultivator before him was even more beautiful, they both shared a certain innocence and purity untouched by time.

Qi Yun hadn’t made a deep impression on him, and he’d initially thought he’d completely forgotten her. But the moment he looked at her, he couldn’t help but recall the drifting ash that filled the mountain path. He didn’t need to pretend

anymore; his face paled.

The cultivator was startled by his expression, her curved eyes widening slightly as she watched Li Xun raise his head slightly, a bitter smile playing at the corners of his lips. “I can’t control the sword anymore.”

As soon as he finished speaking, his hand suddenly tightened; it was He Mulan who was holding it. Then, a stream of true energy flowed through him. He didn’t resist, allowing him to try.

Their true energy touched slightly, and the other party let go.

He Mulan’s brow furrowed slightly, “Junior Brother Xun, your true energy is so lively, how could you not be able to control the sword?”

Li Xun suppressed the negative emotions that surged in his heart, making his mind work faster and his expression more realistic. He smiled bitterly and said, “It’s hard to explain…”

He Mulan looked at him deeply and nodded. “I’ll take you there!”

He gestured to his fellow junior brothers and sisters, pulled Li Xun, and flew into the sky. The other four also flew their swords and soared into the sky.

Looking at the beautiful sight of swords flying in the sky, Li Cong below opened his mouth wide, speechless for a long time.