The Forbidden Path to Immortality - Chapter 65

Chapter 6: Confession

Li Xun could never recall a bustling Lianxia Mountain.

Since the beginning of December, numerous sects and independent cultivators have flocked to the mountain to pay their respects and stay the night. In just two days, the mountain’s population has swelled to over ten thousand, and the number is still rising.

This surge of activity stems from a single reason: Immortal Master Zhong Yin’s Ascension Ceremony.

As a third-generation disciple, no one can afford to be idle; practically everyone is on hand to entertain the endless stream of spectators.

Under these circumstances, Li Xun’s leisurely nature is truly remarkable.

He wasn’t deliberately slacking off; he had been personally appointed by Immortal Master Zhong Yin as his personal disciple to care for his daily needs during these final days. After returning from the North Sea, he’d barely even warmed up when Qingxu whisked him up to Zuowang Peak.

Qingxu mentioned a number of pressing matters down below, adding that Zhong Yin’s ascension was imminent and he couldn’t interfere. He then dropped Li Xun at the summit and flew back down.

Li Xun knew that these old men were very sensitive about the matter of ascension, so it was not surprising.

Moreover, he wholeheartedly hoped that Qingxu would leave soon!

He was now full of questions and guesses, and wanted to get answers from Zhong Yin – if he didn’t ask him now, how could he have another chance?

Li Xun even wondered if Zhong Yin knew what he was thinking, so he gave him this opportunity?

However, when he arrived at the bamboo hut surrounded by green smoke, Zhong Yin was not there.

“Sixth Uncle?” Li Xun walked around the bamboo hut and didn’t see anyone. Only in the alchemy room, he saw green smoke curling above the alchemy furnace, as if he was refining the elixir. After being

with Zhong Yin for such a long time, this was the first time Li Xun saw him practice this kind of alchemy technique, and in this case, it was even more impossible for people to stay away!

Just as he was about to call a few more times, he suddenly felt something in his heart. He was stunned and immediately understood that this was Zhong Yin reminding him.

He did not dare to delay, and simply controlled his sword and flew towards the place where he felt the sensation – he was very familiar with that place, it was the Linyuantai where Qingyin met him that day.

From a distance, he saw Zhong Yin sitting on the edge of the cliff, facing the sea of clouds, wondering what he was doing.

When he flew closer and took a look, even though he was full of thoughts, he couldn’t help laughing.

“Master, are you… fishing in the sea of clouds?”

Li Xun couldn’t help but laugh, Zhong Yin’s image was indeed a bit strange now.

He was wearing a casual robe, holding a green bamboo pole in his hand, with a thin thread on the top of the pole, and the tail of the thread hung down into the thick “through the sky clouds”

. At first glance, he really looked like a scholar who was free to fish for fun. However, in the vast sea below, there were no surging sea water, but rolling clouds and mist.

After laughing, Li Xun became a little suspicious.

Is there any deep meaning in the abnormal behavior of this sixth uncle?

Just thinking about it, Zhong Yin turned his head on the cliff and said with a smile: “You come here and sit! “

He patted the ground beside him. Li Xun knew his temperament and responded without hesitation. He walked over and sat down, but moved a little back to show respect.

The green bamboo pole in Zhong Yin’s hand did not move, and the thin thread on it swayed in the strong wind outside the cliff.

He smiled at Li Xun and said, “Today, I need a small insect in the clouds and mist to make medicine. This insect will turn into a medicine in three breaths when it sees the wind. It’s very troublesome. You are here to help me!”

Li Xun thought about it and responded in a low voice.

I saw Zhong Yin casually scooping in the “Sky-penetrating Cloud”, and he gathered a handful of clouds and mist like tearing off a piece of cotton. I don’t know what method he used, but water vapor settled in the mist, and the waves flickered, and the light was reflective.

“Water Mirror Technique? “

Li Xun’s eyesight at this time was not as good as usual. He had seen the most authentic water mirror technique from Yan Shuiyue, so he knew the details at a glance.

Zhong Yin smiled and said, “Yes! Alchemy pays attention to the temperature of the fire. I have to catch the fog salamander and watch the fire at the same time. It’s really hard. You are here, so help me watch the temperature!”

As he spoke, the scene in the bamboo hut alchemy room flashed in the water mirror, which was very clear.

Zhong Yin pointed out some key points of the furnace temperature to Li Xun, and taught him how to control the water mirror. Thanks to Li Xun’s intelligence, he quickly got the hang of it.

Zhong Yin was not stingy either. After praising him, he said, “You helped me refine the medicine today, and I can’t ask you, a hungry soldier, to do it. I might as well pass on the water mirror technique to you! It may be useful in the future. “

Li Xun didn’t think the Water Mirror Technique was anything special, but he certainly didn’t show it on his face. He just responded with a grin.

Zhong Yin looked at his expression, smiled slightly and said, “Of course, my Water Mirror Technique can’t compare to the magic of the Water Mirror Sect. Forget about the magic of seeing a thousand miles away. However, I think it’s quite safe. If there are some advance arrangements, it will be difficult for anyone to sense the fluctuations of the Water Mirror.”

Li Xun’s heart moved, and he suddenly remembered that the Water Mirror mechanism arranged by Yin Sanren in the Forbidden Palace was discovered by He Mulan.

However, Zhong Yin seldom promoted himself like this. Is there any deep meaning in it?

But when he looked over, he didn’t find anything.

Zhong Yin only told him the formula for arranging the Water Mirror, which also included some prohibitions and laws, which were not too complicated.

But…

“Three hundred changes in Qi in an instant, and it has to be done with Yin Hand?”

Li Xun is now a master of prohibition techniques. He saw the key at a glance. At this time, he could only smile bitterly.

“Master, do you think too highly of your disciple? This kind of method is something that my disciple is willing to do but lacks the ability to do. I am afraid that it will take hundreds of years before he can do it! “

“Is that so?”

Zhong Yin seemed very surprised. He thought about it and smiled: “Indeed, this method is indeed difficult to do without reaching the realm of a real person. But you should not underestimate yourself. With your talent and the strengths of several schools, it won’t take you too long to reach the realm of a real person…

“Before that, you can practice with the arrangements in my bamboo hut.”

Li Xun smiled bitterly at first, but in the blink of an eye, his smile froze on his face.

He swallowed and looked at Zhong Yin.

Zhong Yin did not look back, but Li Xun always felt that there was an all-pervasive gaze that penetrated through his many barriers and reached the most private part of his heart.

He froze for a moment before saying, “The strength of several families…”

Zhong Yin didn’t respond to the question, but simply said leisurely, “Don’t be distracted, watch the fire carefully. This elixir is at a critical moment, and the medicinal ingredients cannot be missing!”

At this moment, Li Xun grinned bitterly.

As expected… all his speculations became reality.

He should have panicked, or even jumped off this Linyuan Terrace!

However, his mood calmed down almost for no reason.

He glanced at Zhong Yin’s thin back, and then, following Zhong Yin’s words, stared at the fire in the alchemy furnace in the water mirror.

As the smoke from the furnace rhythmically oscillated, his breathing gradually lost its distinction between inhalation and exhalation, becoming like a thread, finally severing. “

That’s it!”

With his confirmation, Zhong Yin shook his long rod, sending the thin thread swinging wildly in mid-air. Li Xun then saw the lid of the furnace in the water mirror slightly open and close, even hearing a soft explosion.

“That’s it!” Zhong Yin casually tossed his fishing rod off the cliff and stood up.

Li Xun also climbed to his feet, but just as he straightened his knees, a thought struck him.

His upper body remained upright, but his knees bent and he knelt again. He wanted to say something, but the words were on his lips and he swallowed them back—why would he say more in front of Zhong Yin?

He lowered his head, not knowing what Zhong Yin’s expression was.

He only heard him speak in his usual tone: “The fire was just right this time refining the elixir… You’re not bad either, observing the timing and the fire perfectly! “

Sure enough, he knew everything!

When his most private affairs were revealed, Li Xun’s heart became calmer, and his heart beat even slower than when he was practicing.

According to etiquette, he bent down and bowed his head, kowtowed respectfully, and uttered every word very clearly: “Please have mercy, Sixth Uncle Master!”

Zhong Yin was silent for

a moment, and said softly: “Get up!” Li Xun kowtowed again, and then stood up.

Zhong Yin ignored him, and walked down the Linyuan Terrace with his hands behind his back. Li Xun followed behind him, keeping silent.

“There are some things I didn’t want to say, but you are very bold and actually thought of using my name. This surprised me!”

He paused, and smiled: “Xingtian Fajian…what a good name! “

No matter how good Li Xun’s mentality was at the moment, he felt a chill in his heart after hearing this.

Zhong Yin could hear the name of “Xingtian Sword”, which meant that…

Zhong Yin obviously saw through his thoughts. He shook his head and said, “You underestimated the eldest brother! He was able to become the head of the sect because of his meticulous and calm mind. He dotes on you, but it does not mean that he turns a blind eye to your various behaviors!

“His meticulousness is different from yours. He can be consistent in his words and deeds. Just like this time, he may not doubt you, but he asked you intentionally or unintentionally, if I don’t cover up for you, how will you cope? In this regard, you are too far behind!”

Li Xun was ashamed and naturally accepted the advice respectfully.

“You still don’t understand… Since the day you returned to the mountain, you have revealed too many flaws!” Zhong Yin ignored Li Xun’s subtle expression changes and went on to say, “Injuries, cultivation, and tendons. These are three injuries that you can never hide!

“First, the injury. You were hit in the chest by a Biling Palm. The Yin fire invaded the inside, which should have damaged the heart orifice, and the strong heart fire damaged the lung meridian. You did a good job on this, but why was the spleen meridian also injured? There is no such passage in the Qi and meridian connection of the Lingxi Jue!

“The second is cultivation. When you left the mountain, your foundation was solid. When you returned to the mountain, although your cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, it was scattered and not condensed. The foundation of the Qi sea was floating, and there was also mixed air in the Huangting Golden Pill. It was clearly a sign of over-tonification or transformation of the quality and Qi.

“If you really practiced step by step, this situation would never happen. If you had an adventure, why didn’t you say it?

“There are also tendons, bones, and veins. You’ve cultivated the art of connecting bones and veins to the heart, so you should be familiar with this… But I must remind you: While the Blood God’s Son is a uniquely magical skill with unique benefits for body cultivation, it’s best not to continue until you can conceal your cultivation.

“It’s fine to reach ‘no evil thoughts,’ but if you advance further, the bloody odor can be smelled from ten miles away, and it won’t benefit the ‘Yin Fire Pearl’ in your acupoint…”

Li Xun was sweating through his heavy clothes before he heard half of it.

Even though he had been prepared, hearing these private matters concerning his life and property being recounted one by one made him dizzy.

Especially since Zhong Yin wasn’t talking about flaws that could only be detected by divine eyes, but rather subtle veins visible to everyone. Li Xun understood the implication clearly.

He stopped unconsciously and stood there in a daze.

Zhong Yin seemed oblivious to Li Xun’s gesture and continued, but he stopped in his tracks.

“These aren’t overly obvious flaws, so perhaps Senior Brother doesn’t mind them. But he’s been meticulous his whole life, and with his deep concentration, he’s sensed them. Small flaws like these, accumulated day by day, might one day spark his suspicion… But you’re clever, using me as a shield!”

Zhong Yin’s tone was different from before, and Li Xun caught the subtle shift. He knew now was the time to come clean.

He took a deep breath and said solemnly, “Disciple, I only just learned today that even before I was unaware of Master’s intentions, Master had already shielded me from numerous disasters. Otherwise, I might not be alive today.

” “But, there’s one thing I don’t understand—Master, you didn’t do this out of some ‘love for talent,’ did you?”

Looking back at Li Xun’s gaze, Zhong Yin smiled and nodded. “Yes, I’m past the age of embracing talent!”

“Is it because of Master Qingyin?” Li Xun asked the question he’d been wanting to ask, and Zhong Yin’s face looked surprised.

But there was something else.

Li Xun looked at his expression, and suddenly felt that all the strength in his body was rapidly draining away along with the sweat.

However, what else could he do?

Facing this man who was already a demigod, all his scheming and tricks were useless.

Moreover, more importantly, this was related to Immortal Master Qingyin… Using the most frank attitude to obtain an unknown result was at least a little more commendable “courage” than being cowardly and letting others manipulate him.

Immortal Master Qingyin, will she appreciate my actions?

Zhong Yin looked at him for a long time, and finally smiled again, with a very gentle smile.

“I’m very happy that you can say this! Yes, I did it for her!”

Even though this was an obvious fact, hearing Zhong Yin say it in person still made Li Xun a little overwhelmed.

He could only listen blankly.

“When she brought you to the Blue Smoke Barrier, I knew her intentions. So, I feigned ignorance of Wei Bufan’s declaration of war against you, ignored the fact that you carried Mr. Ghost’s legacy within you, and even ignored your degree of good and evil, or the consequences you might bring to the sect!

“I simply promised her that you would live according to her wishes, that’s all.”

“So what were her intentions… then?”

Even though they both understood each other’s feelings, what they were saying was, after all, shocking and unethical. Li Xun spoke these words, unknowingly draining away countless courage.

He struggled to maintain his composure, but soon realized it was futile.

His heartbeat, his qi and blood, even the opening and closing of his pores, were all in a state of utter chaos, causing even his voice to tremble.

“If I had known, why would I have let her be trapped on this peak for a thousand years?” A hint of sadness crossed Zhong Yin’s lips. This was the first time Li Xun had seen such an expression on his face.

“I can only fathom a tiny part of her heart, and all I have to do is resolve that tiny part, nothing more.”

Was there resentment, resentment, in these words?

Li Xun didn’t dare speculate; that wasn’t what he cared about. He breathed hard to steady his heartbeat, his mouth opening and closing, a finger pointed at his face, for a moment at a loss for words.

Zhong Yin glanced at him again, and Li Xun felt he knew what he was thinking, but the topic had strayed from his intended topic.

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve been with Junior Sister. She’s asked me to do something, and I’ve never refused, nor have I ever failed to satisfy her. But ultimately, there are things I can’t do! You should understand that!”

Li Xun had a vague idea in mind, but it was far from clear.

Zhong Yin didn’t explain, continuing, “In my life, I’ve only ever done one thing to disobey her. Back in the Wuhui Realm… while

my master was still alive, he considered my junior sister’s affair a profound disgrace and ordered me to swear an oath: as long as I live, I won’t let my junior sister leave Zuowang Peak. From that day on, I never saw my junior sister again…”

If Li Xun, like most people, had thought he understood the whole story, he would have been completely baffled.

But now, drawing on his own experience, he had a clear understanding of the general situation.

However, for some reason, he didn’t want to dwell on it, simply lowering his head, taking in Zhong Yin’s rare openness.

In a trance, he suddenly felt that Zhong Yin and he shared some similarities. These similarities revolved around Qing Yin, born in the same place.

Or was it a shared sympathy?

He looked up at Zhong Yin’s face, and the expression there seemed more and more like a reflection of his own: an indescribable bitterness, followed by a lingering, unending feeling.

Zhong Yin didn’t seem to notice Li Xun’s complicated gaze, but he really didn’t want to continue on this topic. He changed the subject: “Do you know why I specifically asked you to come up?”

Li Xun could only shake his head.

Zhong Yin smiled slightly: “Because I want to see… feel the most of her happiness during this time. Only you can do this!”

Li Xun’s eyes lit up, but soon dimmed.

He said bitterly: “But, but she actually…”

“Gu Zhixuan once came to see her.” Zhong Yin interrupted him.

“What!”

Zhong Yin didn’t seem to hear Li Xun’s exclamation, and his tone was as calm as always: “At that time, I was standing in the bamboo forest, looking at her back, looking at Gu Zhixuan’s face, I don’t think she was happier when she was talking to Gu Zhixuan than when she was talking to you!

“In fact, she is sometimes… quite simple!”

The last sentence seemed to be meaningless, but Li Xun could hear it, so his face became hot.

Zhong Yin looked at his expression and suddenly sighed: “However, you are different from me! “

Li Xun looked at him blankly, but heard Zhong Yin say –

“I can get happiness from her happiness, but you must get it from your own heart! What will you do if her happiness does not meet your standards?” How could

Li Xun not hear the meaning of Zhong Yin’s words? His face flushed, and he stretched his neck to argue a few words, but suddenly saw the sudden bright and shining light in Zhong Yin’s eyes. Somehow, his heart was empty and he couldn’t speak.

Just like this, emotions that were ten times more intense than before surged in his heart.

He couldn’t, at least not now, let anyone doubt his feelings for Qing Yin, even if this person was Zhong Yin! So, he glared at him fiercely.

Zhong Yin was not angry, he said calmly: “You know your character best. I’m going, and before that, I’ll give you the task of taking care of Qing Yin. Everything else is fine, but this is the only thing I’m worried about! I hope you can put my mind at ease! “

As he spoke, he stretched out a hand.

Li Xun looked at his unfolded palm, and was stunned for a moment before he reacted and stretched out a palm as well.

This is the most solemn form of oath in the Tongxuan Realm. Li Xun did not think there was anything wrong with it. Instead, he searched his mind for some of the most sincere and effective words to form the first and most sincere oath of his life.

Li Xun said aloud: “If I ever have the slightest thought of letting down Master Qingyin in this life, let… let the Master cut off my head with her own hands!”

This is a strange oath. Li Xun can be sure that this was definitely not the thought that flashed through his mind before he said this.

But the moment his palm touched Zhong Yin’s, the words blurted out, mysteriously enough.

A smile appeared at the corner of Zhong Yin’s lips. He retracted his hand and said softly: “That’s good. Go, Qingyin is still waiting for you! “

Li Xun felt a warm feeling in his heart, but when he saw Zhong Yin turning and leaving, he didn’t know what to feel.

Looking at Zhong Yin’s figure that was about to disappear, he suddenly remembered something, and with a shock in his heart, he shouted: “Master Qingyin… does she also know about me?”

Zhong Yin did not answer immediately, but just as his figure completely disappeared, Li Xun heard the answer in his ears: “I don’t think she has the same vision as me… Sometimes, she is very simple! “

This was the second time that Zhong Yin mentioned Qing Yin’s “innocence”.

Li Xun found it hard to understand.

The wind in the middle of the night hit his face, as sharp as a knife. Li Xun controlled the sword, made several turns between the peaks, and carefully landed on this ice peak where the snow had not melted for tens of millions of years.

It was more than fifty miles away from Zhiguan Peak, and only seven or eight miles away from Guantian Peak.

Guantian Peak was the place Zhong Yin chose to ascend.

There, it was seventy miles away from Zuowang Peak and forty miles away from Zhiguan Peak. It was the second highest peak among the seventy-two peaks of Lianxia, after Zhiguan Peak.

The closer to Guantian Peak, the more obvious the chaos of the heaven and earth’s vitality.

In the gaps between the dark clouds in the sky, there was a faint flow of lightning, and each lightning flashed. A flash of light passed, and the vital energy of heaven and earth roared hoarsely. Millions of qi were connected, changing every moment.

When flying with a sword, one could easily trigger a thunderbolt strike, which was extremely dangerous.

When Li Xun landed on the ground, he found that his back was soaked with cold sweat.

However, he didn’t even have time to be afraid. When he saw the lonely figure on the peak, he threw all other thoughts away.

He watched infatuatedly, watching Qingyin’s hair dancing wildly in the wind, watching her slender body standing quietly in front of the bottomless abyss, his heart burning.

The previous few days had been the happiest time of his life.

He had never been so close to Qingyin for such a long time as he had been during those few days. He watched her every smile and frown, felt her true feelings gradually opening up to him.

Even though their conversations were still rare, and Qingyin’s genuine smiles were rare, Li Xun was already content.

He also felt that Zhong Yin should be satisfied. It

wasn’t until earlier last night, when Qingyin asked to watch the Ascension Ceremony here, that he suddenly realized that today was the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.

“You’re here!” Qingyin greeted her, her tone as cold as usual, with a hint of fatigue.

Li Xun responded, feeling a sense of pride. After all, Qingyin was revealing some of her more hidden emotions, something that would have been unimaginable before.

But today, and the future, was a different story.

However, when he saw the faint figure on Guantian Peak in the distance, his small sense of pride was dispelled.

Today was definitely not the time for complacency!

He took a light step, walked to Qingyin’s side, stepped back a little, and stopped.

Qingyin turned her head slightly and glanced at him: “Why are you so timid again?”

Li Xun didn’t know whether to laugh or not. He twitched his lips, took another step forward, and finally stood side by side with Qingyin.

Qingyin’s gaze moved forward again, forming a straight line with the lonely figure on Guantian Peak. After a moment of silence, he said: “It’s great that you can come today!”

Li Xun wanted to express his feelings passionately, even if you let me take on this sky full of divine thunder, I will go! But he didn’t have the courage after all, so he just smiled and said nothing.

A thunder exploded beside them, and the rumbling sound did not change the expressions of the two men at all.

Qing Yin paused briefly before continuing, “Actually, I wanted to say… thank you so much, do you understand?”

She truly turned her head, looking at Li Xun’s face, flickering in the lightning, yet she also blended her own features into the shimmering sky, a gentle smile etched in the hazy light and shadow.

“Perhaps you prefer it this way?” She reached out to brush away her hair, ruffled by the wind, and glanced at Li Xun’s now completely vacant face. Her smile grew more vivid and genuine.

She had been seeing this expression more and more these days. It wasn’t the first time Li Xun had seen it, but, as before, a strange, stagnant feeling clung to his chest.

He opened his mouth, but only uttered two meaningless syllables before his face flushed crimson.

At that moment, in the distant sky, a streak of lightning, far thicker than any previous bolt, lashed across half the sky like the whip of Thundergod.

The thunder that followed was like the groaning of a collapsing sky. With the thunder, the first torrential downpour of winter began to pour down from the ten-thousand-foot-high sky.

The bean-sized raindrops, whipped by the cold wind from high above, froze into tiny icy particles, raining down on the Lianxia Peaks.

Qing Yin and Li Xun simultaneously channeled their protective Qi to ward off the hailstorm, their attention turning to Guantian Peak.

Only then did Li Xun begin to feel nervous for Zhong Yin: “This situation, won’t it be a problem?”

“Instead of thinking about him, think about yourself!”

Qing Yin didn’t turn back this time, but her voice was crystal clear above the relentless thunder.

“This is seven miles from Guantian Peak. The violent energy of heaven and earth is too much for you to handle. You still have time to leave!”

Li Xun shook his head without hesitation and said, “I’ll stay with you!”

As he finished speaking, massive bolts of lightning struck the sky again.

Judging by its sharp edge, it was clearly aimed at Guantian Peak. However, an invisible force field seemed to be entwined with the peak. The lightning, resembling a divine sword, twisted and deflected just a few inches from the peak, posing no threat to the mountain itself.

Many of these distorted aftershocks of the lightning spread in that direction, but Qing Yin calmly neutralized them.

As if due to this, the fluctuations of heaven and earth’s vital energy intensified. Li Xun heard at least seventy or eighty thunderclaps, their combined roars causing the thick clouds in the sky to shake.

Within the cracks, hundreds, even thousands, of electric snakes swarmed, appearing and disappearing for a moment, yet the effect was terrifying.

Was this the thunder tribulation of ascension?