The Forbidden Path to Immortality - Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Life

Among the lower-level disciples of the sect, the following news began to spread: “Do you know Li Xun?”

“Are you talking about the young prince who just came up the mountain?”

“That’s him! He’s been possessed recently!”

“Possessed? So serious?”

“Don’t get me wrong, I mean the way he’s practicing now, it’s as if he’s been possessed! That look, tsk tsk… is simply self-abuse!”

“How could this be? Isn’t it time for him to start training yet?”

“Yes! However, Lingji said that Immortal Master Qingxu said a few words to him, as if he was very stern. He was scared like this, and he became like this!”

“But he’s too… serious to be like this!”

“Seriously? He must be crazy! I’ve also seen Li Xun before. He was a very friendly kid, how could he become like this? Immortal Master Qingxu is really something, he went into seclusion right after he finished speaking, forcing others to hurt themselves here… Oh, isn’t that Li Xun?”

Li Xun ran across the mountain path, panting, carrying two iron buckets. This was his fifth trip back and forth today. The big vat for storing water in his residence on the mountain was already full, but he didn’t stop. He just poured the water and went down the mountain again.

There were not many people on the mountain, so even if he occasionally met someone on the road, he didn’t care. Although he would greet them, he ignored the strange looks from others.

This is also true. His life is about to be lost, what else can he do?

The place where he fetched water has also changed. It is much farther than the original distance and the situation is several times more dangerous. He uses this cruel method to temper his body and will.

Even though he knew this method was meaningless, after suffering such a devastating blow, he could only use this almost self-abuse method to maintain outward calm and suppress the despair in his heart.

Although desperate, he did not give up. Secretly, he also used all his connections in the mountains to collect information about the Lingxi Jue.

With only a year left, even though the hope was slim, he had to cling to this life-saving straw.

However, the highest level of contact he had was just Shan Zhi, who had just joined the sect.

When interacting with Shan Zhi, his attitude could not be too arrogant, nor could it be too servile. This balance made him quite uncomfortable.

Li Xun did not like to interact with Shan Zhi. But ever since their meeting by the pond, Shan Zhi liked to come to him and brag about his daily experiences and show off his new skills.

Occasionally, when Li Xun asked about the Lingxi Jue, he would speak incoherently and try to keep up appearances, repeating himself over and over again, but there was no valuable information.

Li Xun was vexed, even viewing Shan Zhi as a formidable threat, yet he couldn’t turn his back on him. Nightfall became a more arduous time of day than his arduous training.

The days passed one after another, and in a flash, another two months had passed.

Over the past few days, Li Xun had grown over half an inch taller, his body remarkably resilient. He could carry a bucket filled with water up and down the mountain path as if it were flat ground, yet he still looked like a young man. This was perhaps the wonder of inner cultivation.

Having reached a certain age, Lingji had recently been preparing to “open the mountain.” Perhaps because his carefree days were coming to an end, or more likely because he pitied Li Xun’s plight, Lingji became even more talkative, often engaging him in conversation until midnight every night.

One day, as Li Xun finished washing and dragged his exhausted body to bed, Lingji leaped up and sighed beside him.

Li Xun turned over and was about to pretend to be asleep and escape, but Lingji was already sighing: “Junior Brother Xun, seeing you practicing like this, how did you manage to hold on? Think about it, in a dozen days, I will have to suffer like you every day for the next ten years. I even want to run away!”

“Don’t you think I would be willing to do that? How about you also try the feeling of the blood nightmare gnawing at your heart?”

Li Xun complained in his heart, but of course he couldn’t say it on his face, but he encouraged: “Suffering is just a habit. Senior brother may be sad in the first few days, but in the long run, it will be the same thing.”

He paused and said, “Even if I want to suffer in the future, I’m afraid I won’t be able to do it!”

Lingji was silent for a while, and suddenly said: “Could it be that what Master Qingxu said can’t be changed? “

Xun couldn’t help but feel curious when he heard Lingji’s tone.

Lingji said slowly: “In fact, since the day when Immortal Master Qingxu ordered you to go down the mountain, I have been paying attention to you… I’m not afraid of you laughing at me, but I feel that you and I are destined to be together, and I always want to find a way to let you stay…”

“… Thank you very much, Brother Lingji!” Li Xun couldn’t help but feel sad when he heard Lingji’s words.

Although his voice was a little hazy and not very clear, the choked ending made Lingji feel warm in his heart, and he quickly cheered up and said: “No way! Since we brothers have a destiny, we should help each other… Where were we just now?

Speaking of finding a way, it was something that Immortal Master Mingyan said, and it has a lot to do with you! “

Xun’s eyes flickered in the darkness, sometimes brighter and sometimes dimmed.

Lingji chuckled softly, “That time, Sun Wan mentioned you by chance, saying how hard you worked. Master Mingyan laughed and said that you have great strength, even stronger than us poor kids. I wonder if you can climb up to the Zuowang Peak.”

“Zuowang Peak? How can you have that ability? “Li Xun is still very self-aware. According to

the old sayings, there are three realms in the world, namely the human world, Tongxuan and the fairyland.

It is said that the Zuowang Peak of Lianxia Mountain is the place where the Tongxuan Realm leads to the fairyland, which is one of the so-called Four Pillars of Tongtian, and there are great mysteries in it.

The so-called mysteries are not accessible to these little ghosts like them, but they have seen the height of Zuowang Peak.

It is said that even if the sect master Qingming flies on a sword, it will take a day and a night to go back and forth to the top of the peak!

Some immortal masters in the sect have caves on the peak, which seems to be good for diligent practice.

Li Xun also thought about practicing there, but the residence of the lower-level disciples is dozens of miles away from Zuowang Peak by mountain roads, and it takes two or three hours to go back and forth, so he suppressed the idea.

Lingji heard Li Xun show weakness and sighed, “I think so too. However, the following is the key point. Immortal Master Mingyan said that there is a rule within the sect: if a junior disciple can, through great perseverance, climb to the summit barehanded, they will become the master’s personal disciple. Even if they climb halfway up, they will be admitted into the sect’s direct lineage! “

Upon hearing this, Li Xun sat up abruptly and muttered, “Really?”

Lingji, startled by his reaction, sat up as well. “My little prince, you don’t really want to climb, do you? I’m not saying this to get you killed! I just thought, from what Immortal Master Mingyan said, there might be some similar rules within our sect.

” “Let’s pester Immortal Master Mingyan a few more times and ask him to give you some advice. That’s one idea. As for Zuowang Peak… even if you climb halfway, it’s still hundreds of thousands of miles! A climb of ten or eight years, with its perils, could kill you ten thousand times over!

” Immortal Master Mingyan also said that this rule is designed to harm people. Since the founding of the sect, many have actually attempted it, but only one has managed to survive and return alive! “

Li Xun asked: “Who?”

“Who else could it be? The third generation leader of our Mingxin Sword Sect, the already ascended Immortal Master Qi Zhong! It is said that it took him seventeen years to climb to the top of the mountain, and on the way up, he obtained the teachings of a certain immortal, and mastered several magic formulas, so his skills improved greatly.

“Tsk tsk, at that time, he was recognized by the world as the number one in the Tongxuan Realm! Our Mingxin Sword Sect is ranked as the number one sect in the East, and it is also his credit… So all the immortal masters go there whether they have something to do or not, probably thinking of getting some of the immortal’s grace.”

After speaking, Lingji noticed the gleam in Li Xun’s eyes, he slapped himself hard, and grabbed Li Xun’s arm: “Junior Brother Xun, listen to my advice, don’t do anything stupid! You are a prince, even if you can’t become an immortal, you can still enjoy wealth and glory.

“But if you’re truly determined to climb the mountain, you’ll be in a desperate situation, with nine out of ten chances of survival! If anything happens to you, I, Senior Brother, will be devastated for the rest of my life!”

But Li Xun couldn’t hear what Lingji said next. He responded halfheartedly, a plan already forming in his mind, but it still needed to be carefully planned…

For the next few days, Li Xun behaved very well. At least, in Lingji’s eyes, he had no intention of committing suicide on Zuowang Peak, as if that night had been a mere impulse.

Over time, Lingji stopped caring about the matter, but he still frequently visited Immortal Master Mingyan to help Li Xun explore various possible ways to stay on the mountain.

However, these days would only last a dozen days or so, because Lingji was leaving to open up the mountain. He would move to the “Wanxiantai” (Ten Thousand Immortals Terrace), hundreds of miles away from his original residence, where he would undergo at least ten years of cultivation and foundation-building. From then on, his chances of meeting Li Xun would be almost nonexistent.

Before parting, he embraced Li Xun, forced a smile, and said, “I hope to see you again at Wanxiantai someday…”

Li Xun smiled, and now he had to admit that this simple-minded child, only a year older than him, had already left a favorable impression on him. Perhaps they could even be called friends…

He replied, “If I don’t, wait until you’ve completed your apprenticeship and return to the mortal realm to find me. By then, I may no longer remember you, but you still must give me elixirs and magical medicines so that I can live a long and prosperous life.”

Lingji finally couldn’t hold back his tears, and he left, looking back almost every step of the way. He left behind his innocent childhood, filled with beautiful memories, and temporarily parted from the friend who had influenced his life.

Watching Lingji’s back disappear down the mountain path, Li Xun looked up at the distant, towering Zuowang Peak. The smile on his face gradually faded, and he said solemnly, “Now, I’m relying on you!”

From the next day on, many disciples noticed that Junior Brother Xun, who had “gone astray,” had once again changed his cultivation methods.

He no longer carried water up and down the mountain dozens of times a day. Instead, he carried two large buckets and traveled dozens of miles to the foot of Zuowang Peak, returning only at dusk with his water.

This exertion was far greater than before, prompting others to lament, “Not allowing Li Xun to open up the mountain is truly a waste of his talent!”

This also alienated Li Xun from his former circle. Although his demeanor remained his usual affable, his long absence from his old friends, with only a few casual greetings when they met, inevitably strained his relationships.

Li Xun no longer cared.

His life now had only one goal: Zuowang Peak!

The unattainable Zuowang Peak!

As time progressed, knowledge of Li Xun’s dismissal by Immortal Master Qingxu spread to the public. The supervising Immortal Master loosened his grip on him, freeing him from the daily task of carrying water up the mountain. He even occasionally missed a day or two without reprimand.

Li Xun, secretly delighted, gradually tested the limits of the Supervising Immortal Master. After confirming that he was almost free, he accelerated his exploration of Zuowang Peak.

Spring passed, autumn arrived, and in the blink of an eye, more than half of the year had passed. His first winter on Lianxia Mountain had already arrived.

And Li Xun was confident that this winter would not be his last!

One day, at the foot of Zuowang Peak, Li Xun climbed a huge rock and surveyed the surroundings from a high vantage point.

Standing on the rock, he looked up at the giant peak. Near the house, the trees were worn down, but in the distance, a line of deep green appeared, as if there was a different kind of vitality above the distant snow line.

Li Xun had recently focused all his energy on exploring the world above the snow line. Only when he reached there could he truly experience the true face of Zuowang Peak.

The vegetation and animals there were often species Li Xun had never seen, or even heard of, and their distribution patterns were elusive. After spending countless hours circling the peaks, Li Xun finally gathered a few vague clues.

His goal for the next few days was to climb higher, verify his findings, and refine them as necessary.

Li Xun reached the snowline, checked his equipment, and then set out, entering a wondrous world unimaginable to mortals.

The air was thin, and he relied on his inner breath to draw upon the vital energy of heaven and earth, replenishing his depleted strength. His footsteps on the snow were lighter than those of a civet cat, leaving behind shallow footprints that vanished in the cold wind.

Li Xun now resembled a snowy ghost, his snow-white “cloud robe” his perfect camouflage. The garment Shan Zhi had sent him truly lived up to its name as a “spiritual object.” Not only was it impervious to swords, fire, water, and water, it also emitted a subtle, ethereal aura, saving Li Xun considerable effort.

The snowy terrain is teeming with spirit beasts, and even though there are fewer ferocious creatures, Li Xun doesn’t dare risk provoking them. He avoids them whenever possible, slowing down his pace considerably. As the sun sets, he’s only covered a little over ten miles beyond his previous limit.

Li Xun now lies sprawled in the snow, hidden behind a cold pine tree, his face drenched in sweat. He’s been there for half an hour, daring not to move.

About thirty steps ahead, a snow leopard, like him, lies motionless in the snow. However, this one is actively lying down, its eyes fixed on a massive bear not far away!

This bear is the largest beast Li Xun has ever seen above the snow line. Standing tall, it stands over five feet tall, possessing immense strength and a fiery temper. It’s a beast not to be provoked.

However, the snow leopard before Li Xun is unlike any other leopard in the world. Its movements are lightning-fast, its claws and fangs are razor-sharp, and it seems to possess some special abilities.

Li Xun had witnessed a snow leopard swoop down from a tree, gliding hundreds of paces through the forest like a bird, before swooping down on a rabbit, a sight that had left him stunned.

So, the moment he sensed danger, he immediately restrained his breath, sealing even his pores to conceal any trace of body odor. He also huddled himself tightly in the snow, narrowly avoiding detection by the two beasts.

Li Xun dared not breathe, concentrating on his surroundings, ready to flee at any moment. After all, while watching a fight unfold might be a good idea, it’s not worth it to risk the consequences!

But the bear was merely circling a dead tree, seemingly drawn to its location by something. Apparently, the bear had also spotted the snow leopard and began growling.

With a roar, the snow leopard seized the opportunity and pounced, initiating the battle.

The snow leopard’s speed was so fast that Li Xun only saw a flash of white shadow before blood splattered all over the bear’s head and it roared in pain.

But the snow leopard did not gain any advantage. Its waist and abdomen were grazed by the huge bear paw. Although it did not hit it hard, it started to limp when it ran again.

The two beasts turned around, roared at the same time, and rushed forward to wrestle each other again.

Li Xun looked at the postures of the two beasts. It was clear that they were determined to fight to the death. This was a gift from heaven, which benefited him as a fisherman.

He wished that the fight would be a hundred times more intense, and it would be best if both beasts fell at the same time, so that he could get some benefits.

Just as he was thinking about how to deal with the two beasts, two sharp whistles broke through the air from far away and approached, and instantly reached his head. Li Xun only felt two lightning flashes, the momentum was like thunder, and the aftermath swept past, shaking his blood.

Li Xun could not help but be shocked. It turned out to be a master of cultivation who came on a sword!

“Are they here to catch me?”

But as soon as the thought came to his mind, he smiled bitterly to himself: “As the saying goes, a thief is always guilty. The ancients were right.”

As soon as this shocking force arrived, the ferocious beasts in the forest, which had been fighting for their lives, became more docile than pet cats and dogs. They had already separated and lay on the ground, holding their heads and not moving. Li Xun was dumbfounded.

Sword light flashed in the sky, as if circling this area.

The sword light was particularly bright and dazzling in the dark night, and the wave after wave of sword energy pressure was endless. The two beasts in the forest could not withstand the oppression of this powerful force. They howled, turned around and ran away, and disappeared in a flash.

Li Xun almost suffocated on the spot. He never expected that the duck that was about to be caught would fly away like this!

Just as he was fuming, a man’s laughter reached the air, “Junior sister, you’re still kindhearted. This beast has slaughtered countless smaller beasts on a daily basis. Today, it’s finally met its mortal enemy and deserves its fate. Why are you being so lenient?”

Li Xun felt the voice was unfamiliar; it must belong to a direct descendant of the sect, someone he had never seen before. Then, a woman’s whispered voice rang out, “It’s never good to have blood

splattered five steps away. Now that we’ve seen them, separating them is a piece of cake, so why not?” The man laughed heartily and landed on the branch first, followed by his female companion, who landed beside him. Just twenty steps away, Li Xun lay dormant.

He knew there was no harm in letting them see him, but he didn’t want to show his disgrace to anyone. He tried to hide his feelings, even closing his eyes, fearing the two would notice. Yet, he could hear every word of their conversation.

The man said gently, “Junior Sister, I asked you to come here to apologize. I just received an order from our Master the other day, ordering me to go to the human world on business. I’m afraid I won’t be able to accompany you to Mount Weiyu.”

The woman sighed softly, “I see. You’re Second Uncle’s eldest disciple, and you have a lot of chores to do. I was wrong to pester you earlier…”

Her voice was gentle and pleasant, and there was a genuine sincerity that, even though it didn’t concern her and she had no other thoughts, Li Xun felt a little bewildered.

However, he quickly realized that this “Second Uncle’s eldest disciple” was probably Wen Hai, the beloved disciple of Luo Nanchuan, the “Xuanming Sword,” the second of the Seven Swords of Lianxia.

Shan Zhi had once mentioned him, saying he had practiced Taoism for over two hundred years, a remarkable feat. And since Lin Ge, the first of the second generation of disciples, the “Tianxin Sword,” had not accepted any disciples, Wen Hai could be considered a disciple of the third generation, holding a high position.

This woman, Qi Bi, was a disciple of Mingru, the “Luoxia Sword,” one of the Seven Swords of Lianxia. She and Wen Hai were recognized as a couple on the mountain. As long as their natal fetuses were stable, they would become a dual cultivation couple, a fact favored by all the elders.

Li Xun secretly cried out in dismay. He had actually come to their secret meeting place. If they were discovered, the embarrassment would be a minor matter, but what if they murdered him to silence him?

He was trying to be a shrewd judge, while the couple were flirting with each other, exchanging sweet nothings that Li Xun couldn’t yet comprehend.

Although Li Xun was young, he had grown up in the royal family and, due to the prevailing customs, was no stranger to the affairs of men and women.

However, he couldn’t understand why the repetitive, trivial conversation between the couple was so endearing. They were both cultivators who had already entered the immortal path, yet they were still lingering on their feelings. Wouldn’t this have any impact on their cultivation?

As he pondered this, he suddenly heard something that made him perk up.

This is what Qi Bi asked: “Brother, what are you doing in the lower realm?”

Wen Hai sighed: “Isn’t it to send back those eliminated disciples! To see if they have any problems due to memory loss. Although this task is not tiring, it is time-consuming. It will take at least several months to return!”

“When will it be carried out?”

“Seven or eight days later. These disciples will be cast a spell by the sect leader one by one to ensure their safety.”

Li Xun’s mind suddenly trembled, and his heart stopped beating instantly. But in just a blink of an eye, he returned to his usual state, and a slight curve appeared at the corner of his lips: “What is coming will come!”

He was in no mood to listen to the conversation after that. After the two of them flew away for nearly an incense stick, he turned over and stood up. It seemed that he could not go up anymore. He was ready to go down the mountain to pack his bags. After

walking a few steps, he suddenly had an idea and hurried to the tree where the bear was circling. After digging a few times, he felt something.

Upon taking a look, it turned out to be a round stone. Its surface appeared artificially polished, yet the lines on it appeared natural.

Li Xun was intrigued. He held the stone in his palm, intending to wipe away the dirt and examine it more closely. After just two rubs, the stone suddenly emitted a brilliant glow, shrouding the area several feet around him in a hazy glow.

Startled by this, Li Xun quickly gathered the stone into his arms. Strangely, the stone’s light couldn’t penetrate his clothes. He held it in his arms, and no light could be seen. When he took it out again, it had returned to its original form. Where was the light?

Li Xun, secretly amazed, knew it couldn’t be ordinary. He simply gathered it into his arms, quickened his pace, and hurried down the mountain.

As he sped, he counted his belongings. A cloud robe, a few elixirs, and a dagger for self-defense—that was all he had, gifts from Shan Zhi, carefully stored away.

Li Xun murmured, “If I survive, I’ll call you Shan Zhi my senior brother, so what?” He

let out a hoarse laugh, his speed increasing by another three points as he raced through the dark forest.

For several years thereafter, no trace of this man—the Prince of Fu, who had come from the mortal realm—was seen on Lianxia Mountain.