“This is merely an unfulfilled wish of my former master, something that could only be accomplished after his ascension.” The Crab Daoist nodded slightly and said no more.
At that moment, the five-colored cloud mass in the sky grew even larger, exuding an indescribably solemn aura.
“Fellow Daoists, please step back for now. I shall begin my tribulation!” Han Li raised his head to glance at the sky, narrowing his eyes as he spoke.
Mo Guang and the others naturally had no objections. In an instant, their escape lights flared, and they shot away from the desolate island.
Simultaneously, Han Li flicked his sleeve, and a golden streak shot forth. Within it, a faintly visible bald, eyebrowless purple-golden figure flashed past and vanished into the sky.
It was none other than the Golden Devouring Beetle King.
Only then did Han Li calmly sit down cross-legged.
After a few flashes, Mo Guang, Huo Xuzi, and the others reappeared high above the opposite side of the desolate island. They halted their escape lights and turned to gaze toward the island’s center.
A thunderous roar echoed from the distance as a massive black hole abruptly appeared within the five-colored mist. A howling wind, grayish-white in hue, swept downward.
At first, it was merely a small gust, but the moment it left the black hole, it transformed into a vast, overwhelming tempest that crashed down with a deafening hum.
“The Heavenly Tribulation Wind has appeared. It seems the ascension tribulation has truly descended,” Huo Xuzi chuckled upon witnessing this.
“Though formidable, this Heavenly Tribulation Wind is nothing to fear for Fellow Daoist Han, who has long prepared countermeasures,” Mo Guang remarked calmly.
As soon as he finished speaking, a blue lotus bloomed at the island’s center. Initially the size of a house, it swiftly expanded to cover several acres. With a swift rotation, azure sword light erupted from it, slicing apart everything nearby.
Despite the raging winds and flying debris outside, the blue lotus remained motionless in the low sky, steadfastly shielding everything beneath it.
The Heavenly Tribulation Wind raged for several hours.
For an ordinary Mahayana cultivator, this wind alone would have been enough to drain their energy, leaving them unable to endure the subsequent, even more terrifying tribulations.
But for Han Li, this expenditure of energy was but a drop in the ocean.
A dull thud resounded!
With a flash of radiant light from the black hole, the tempest abruptly ceased. A wave of scorching heat surged forth, and the edges of the black hole expanded slightly, releasing countless crimson-red runes.
Each rune was palm-sized, shimmering with a crystalline glow, faintly traced with golden patterns.
With a series of muffled pops, the runes drifted beneath the black hole before exploding into bursts of crimson light.
The next moment, a torrent of molten rain poured from the sky, dyeing most of the heavens a fiery red.
Even though the desolate island was vast and far from the molten rain’s reach, the intense heat and sulfurous fumes reached those standing at its edges. Their expressions shifted as they hastily summoned defensive treasures to shield themselves.
The Ink Spirit Holy Boat trembled briefly before enveloping itself in a thick black barrier, protecting everyone aboard.
A flicker of concern crossed the faces of Nangong Wan and the others.
Standing here, they were merely brushed by the molten rain’s residual power, yet they already felt overwhelmed.
How much worse must it be for Han Li, who stood directly beneath it, enduring forces a hundred times greater?
What worried them more was that this was only the beginning of the tribulation!
A clear cry rang out from the giant blue lotus as a colossal silver bird burst forth.
Initially only a few zhang in size, the bird spread its wings defiantly against the molten rain, its feathers turning a pale gold as it expanded to a thousand-zhang behemoth. A wave of extreme cold radiated from it, instantly freezing the surrounding thousands of li into a glacial wasteland.
…
Three days and nights passed as tribulations of various forms rained down, each calmly deflected by Han Li within the blue lotus.
By now, the desolate island had long been obliterated by the tribulations, leaving only the lotus atop a glowing formation.
The nearby sea level had dropped by several zhang, half frozen into a crystalline ice sheet, the other half churning with molten lava.
Apart from a few Mahayana cultivators like Ice Soul and Silver Moon, the others had retreated even further to wait.
…
When the black hole in the sky flickered and dissipated, clusters of purple lightning began coalescing within the five-colored mist. The most dreaded phase of the tribulation—the thunder tribulation—had arrived.
But Han Li, well-prepared, merely raised a hand. A gray mountain materialized above the lotus, spinning once before transforming into a towering peak ten thousand zhang high.
A resonant hum echoed as rings of gray light radiated outward in all directions.
Each bolt of purple-gold lightning that descended shrank upon contact with the rings. These rings contained a law power specifically countering heavenly thunder.
Some purple-gold arcs dissipated mid-air after being struck by over a dozen rings.
Yet the remaining arcs ignored the mountain’s massive form, phasing through it as if intangible.
Witnessing this, Han Li’s eyes blazed with blue light as he abruptly stood.
A long roar pierced the heavens!
A colossal three-headed, six-armed demonic form flashed into existence within the lotus. One hand grasped empty air, summoning a massive dark-green sword.
Ignoring the sword, the demonic form roared, enveloping itself in a solid-seeming golden barrier. Its six fists struck upward in unison, unleashing a series of earth-shaking explosions. A massive golden vortex materialized above it, spinning slightly before releasing a terrifying force.
Most of the descending purple-gold lightning was swept into the vortex. The few remaining arcs struck the golden barrier, causing it to shudder violently but not shatter.
This was one of Han Li’s immortal realm secret techniques—the “Primordial Barrier.”
The purple-gold lightning rained down for over half an hour before slowing. Within the five-colored mist, phantom images of purple-gold thunder dragons emerged.
As they opened their maws, house-sized thunderballs plummeted downward.
…
With a thunderous crash, the demonic form’s barrier shattered under the assault of over a dozen purple-gold lightning serpents.
The five-colored mist churned violently as the thunder subsided. A massive, expressionless face that had formed within it gradually blurred.
Behind the face, a blinding purple flash preceded the slow opening of a white rift, from which faint Buddhist chants emanated.
“The Gate to the Immortal Realm!”
The demonic form, now reduced to a tenth of its energy, rejoiced inwardly. With a hand seal, Han Li reverted to human form, gazing excitedly at the milky-white rift.
But just then, the nearly vanished face suddenly opened its mouth again.
A thunderclap later, a seven-colored lightning bolt, starkly different from before, flashed down. In an instant, it pierced through the mountain and lotus, appearing above Han Li’s head.
“Not good!”
Startled, Han Li clapped his hands and hurled a volley of golden thunderfire skyward. He then brandished his dark-green wooden sword, sending a dark-green streak upward to meet the bolt.
A deafening explosion lit up the entire ocean as a dazzling halo formed in the sky, only to shatter under waves of law fluctuations.
The dark-green sword light flickered back as Han Li staggered, now pale and charred, his wooden sword broken in half.
Glancing at the shattered sword and then the vanishing face, he finally exhaled in relief.
“Heh, congratulations, Brother Han, for overcoming the tribulation. You shall soon ascend to the immortal realm.”
A black formation flashed nearby as Mo Guang, Huo Xuzi, the Crab Daoist, and the golden figure appeared. Mo Guang chuckled softly.
“Indeed, the ascension tribulation is finally over. Soon, I shall become a true immortal,” Han Li murmured in reply.
As Mo Guang smiled, about to speak further, the milky-white rift erupted in radiant light. A colossal beam of milky-white energy shot down, enveloping Han Li and the others in an instant.
Within the beam, countless golden runes surged forth as an overwhelming immortal law fluctuation spread across the Spirit Realm.
Mahayana cultivators sensed this and immediately closed their eyes in enlightenment.
Mo Guang and Huo Xuzi exchanged delighted glances. One transformed into black mist, merging into Han Li’s body, while the other became a fireball, vanishing into his sleeve.
The Golden Devouring Beetle King and the Crab Daoist, as an immortal puppet and spirit beast respectively, had no fear of the beam. At Han Li’s gesture, they vanished into a spirit beast ring on his wrist.
Distant whooshes heralded the arrival of over a dozen figures speeding toward them.
But it was too late.
Han Li barely glimpsed Nangong Wan’s anxious face among them before feeling weightless. Wrapped in golden light, he shot upward along the beam into the rift.
Upon entering, his body stiffened, his head grew heavy, and he lost consciousness.
…
After an indeterminate time, Han Li awoke to a cooling sensation, opening his eyes to see the strikingly handsome face of a young man.
The man smiled, revealing pearly white teeth.
“I am Gao Sheng. Welcome, Fellow Daoist, to the Northern Glacial Immortal Domain!”
(End of Book)
Afterword
“Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality” has finally concluded.
As I wrote the final word and set down my pen, I felt both relief and an indescribable emptiness.
This complex emotion, I believe, is shared by many readers who have followed the story to its end.
This is my first completion note, but it certainly won’t be my last.
A glance at the records shows:
First upload: February 20, 2008.
First paywall: August 1, 2008.
Completion: September 23, 2013.
Spanning five years and seven months, with over seven million words, though it may not rival some prodigious works on the site, this novel embodies immense effort.
The conception of “Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality” took nearly three years.
When I first began writing, I hesitated long before committing to the path of an author.
As a debut novelist, I couldn’t compare to seasoned writers, facing numerous challenges and distractions.
The mere act of typing on a computer, the most basic task, nearly deterred me initially.
Before writing “Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality,” I only knew the most basic computer operations and had never typed seriously, relying on the “hunt-and-peck” method.
A chapter of a thousand words, though fully formed in my mind, took four painstaking hours to complete.
Yet, upon finishing it, I felt an unprecedented sense of accomplishment—a feeling that sustained me.
But the true driving force behind my perseverance was the love and support of “Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality”‘s devoted readers.
Over five years of unwavering dedication forged deep bonds between many readers and the story, and allowed me to meet many kindred spirits.
To these readers and friends, I extend my heartfelt gratitude once more!
The joy of being recognized and acknowledged is, I believe, what all authors crave most.
Compared to the original outline, the completed work includes many additions but also omits certain elements.
These elements, deemed unnecessary for this story, are reserved for another xianxia world in a new book.
The new book’s title is revealed here: “Demon’s Destiny,” planned for release in November.
This story has also been conceived for some time. Though not yet written, I believe it will be equally captivating. I hope you will enjoy it as well.
Hehe, I’ll also try to write more drafts during this month-long break so everyone can enjoy a good binge-read later!
Alright, that’s all for my thoughts!
The next time Forget Words meets everyone will likely be in the book *Tales of the Demonic and Immortal*.
Wishing everyone good health and a happy life!
*Mortal’s Side Story: Immortal World Arc* — Part One
“Northern Glacial Immortal Domain?” Han Li blinked, only now realizing he was lying in a square pool no more than a few zhang in length and width. The milky-white water was warm, giving off a cozy sensation.
“Hehe, the Northern Glacial Immortal Domain is one of the four major immortal domains in the northern part of the Immortal World. Fellow Daoist has just ascended here, so you’ll naturally come to understand the situation of this domain in time. But may I ask your esteemed name and which lower realm you ascended from? This Ascension Platform is located in a remote area, and it’s rare to see fellow Daoists ascending directly here,” the young man said, straightening up with a smile as he inquired.
“I am Han Li, ascended from the Spirit Realm. So this is the legendary Ascension Platform? Aside from you, Fellow Daoist, there doesn’t seem to be anyone else.” Han Li lightly pressed a hand against the water and flew out of the pool in an instant. A flash of cyan light later, not a single drop of water remained on him.
By now, he had already confirmed that treasures like the Heavenbearing Vial and the Five Extreme Mountain were all safe within him, though figures like Mo Guang remained unresponsive inside the spirit beast pouch.
The place appeared to be a simple high platform, with the pool at its center and a layer of azure light enveloping its perimeter.
Beyond the light curtain, flurries of snowflakes danced in the air—outside was a crystalline world of ice and snow.
“So it’s Fellow Daoist Han. The Spirit Realm, huh? That’s a bit of a headache. Among the lower realms, two or three out of ten go by that name. Never mind, I’ll just register you casually. The higher-ups rarely check these things anyway.” Gao Sheng frowned briefly but quickly shrugged it off.
He then reached into the air with both hands, summoning a crystalline jade book and a pale silver brush, swiftly writing something on it.
Though inwardly surprised, Han Li showed no expression and simply stood still, quietly observing the other’s actions.
After a moment, light flashed in Gao Sheng’s hands, and the jade book and brush vanished, replaced by a thin, purple-gold jade plaque, which he handed to Han Li with a smile.
“This is?” Han Li didn’t immediately take it, instead asking calmly.
“This is your Immortal Plaque. Every ascended immortal registered in the records receives one. With this, you can enter major immortal cities without any inspection and access certain special places without paying fees. Hehe, this is a privilege only ascended immortals like you enjoy—us native immortals don’t get such treatment,” Gao Sheng explained with evident envy.
“Oh? Why is that?” Han Li finally showed a hint of surprise.
“The Immortal World is boundless, with countless native immortals, but those who ascend from lower realms are exceedingly rare. Yet among high-ranking immortals in each domain, the numbers of ascended and native immortals are roughly equal. What this implies, Fellow Daoist should understand.” Gao Sheng smiled knowingly.
“I see. Since the Immortal World has such rules, I won’t stand on ceremony.” Han Li nodded in realization, then reached out and took the plaque. Glancing down, he saw a lifelike full-body image of himself engraved on it, alongside his name and the words “Ascended” in golden script.
With a flick of his sleeve, the plaque vanished. He then asked with a smile,
“From your tone, Brother Gao, the Immortal World seems quite orderly. But who exactly do you mean by ‘higher-ups’?”
“No need to ask further, Fellow Daoist Han. Once you review the contents of this memory stone, you’ll have a general understanding.” Gao Sheng didn’t elaborate, instead tossing over a blue-glowing crystal.
“Then I thank you, Brother Gao.” Han Li caught the crystal, expressing gratitude before pressing it to his forehead. After grasping its usage, he channeled a spell and immersed his divine sense into it.
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Han Li exhaled softly and removed the crystal, saying slowly,
“So it’s like this. The Immortal World is now divided into countless domains, each overseen by an Immortal Palace. Interesting—oversight without rule?”
“Fellow Daoist truly understands. In that case, let me explain the current state of the Immortal World. Would you care to hear a bit?” Gao Sheng’s expression turned peculiar as he asked.
“Please enlighten me, Brother Gao.” Han Li cupped his hands, his expression growing solemn.
“No need for courtesy, Fellow Daoist Han. The Immortal World’s situation is indeed unique. While domains nominally defer to Immortal Palaces, many possess forces rivaling or even surpassing them. However, the various Dao Ancestors require the Immortal World to maintain order to prevent chaos, hence the nominal dominance of Immortal Palaces. Of course, these palaces are themselves major powers; otherwise, they couldn’t command respect. Their leaders are also tactful, avoiding conflicts with other major forces, so the Immortal World remains relatively peaceful. As long as you don’t violate certain taboos, you can live freely here.
“As an ascended immortal, your situation differs slightly from native immortals. Though you’ve undergone the tribulation and your essence has begun transforming to accept immortal spiritual energy, full conversion may take centuries. If I were you, I’d align with a faction first, completing the transformation before considering other matters. Otherwise, as a newcomer, even daily expenses like immortal spirit crystals could be substantial.” Gao Sheng spoke candidly.
Han Li listened thoughtfully.
“Thank you for the guidance, Brother Gao. From your tone, you’re not from an Immortal Palace, are you?” Han Li suddenly asked with a smile.
“You’ve noticed. Indeed, I’m not from an Immortal Palace but from the Stone Chime Hall. I’m only here handling duties assigned by the palace. But if you’re willing to join our hall now, I’d warmly welcome you. The Stone Chime Hall offers all the benefits other factions do, and I can even arrange for you to freely select a high-tier immortal cultivation technique from our Heaven Ascension Pavilion.” Gao Sheng replied without hesitation.
*Mortal’s Side Story: Immortal World Arc* — Part Two
“Immortal cultivation techniques?” Han Li narrowed his eyes.
“These are techniques designed for true immortals and above. Only by cultivating them can one truly refine immortal spiritual energy and advance step by step. However, most low- to mid-tier techniques can only elevate one by a few realms before requiring replacement. Only the high-tier methods treasured by major sects enable true immortals to reach lofty realms. Such techniques are rarely circulated outside—what little exists are common goods.” Gao Sheng seemed to sense Han Li’s doubt and proactively explained.
“Oh? Are there techniques leading directly to the Dao Ancestor realm?” Han Li asked slowly.
“Dao Ancestor? Haha, Fellow Daoist Han’s ambition is extraordinary. But alas, even the legendary Ten Great Divine Canons of the Immortal World lack such a method. The known hundreds of Dao Ancestors each endured countless tribulations and unimaginable fortunes to reach their heights. Even the most profound techniques can only take one to the Great Unity Realm below Dao Ancestor—beyond that, it’s entirely up to oneself.” Gao Sheng wore a strange expression but laughed and explained.
“So achieving Dao Ancestor is a distant dream. But how many realms lie below Great Unity?” Han Li showed no surprise, nodding before asking further.
“Though lower realms call us all ‘true immortals,’ in truth, the True Immortal Realm is the lowest among immortals, with Void Spirit, Clear Origin, and Great Above realms above. Each major realm’s cultivation takes millions of years, further divided into upper, middle, and lower tiers. Even within the same realm, tier differences create vast disparities in power.” Gao Sheng replied without hesitation.
“What realm are you in, Brother Gao?” Han Li asked pensively.
“Shamefully, I’ve been a true immortal for millions of years but remain stuck at the upper tier. Without extraordinary fortune, this lifetime may end here.” Gao Sheng smiled bitterly.
Han Li’s expression shifted slightly.
He couldn’t gauge the other’s strength at all, yet this was only the upper tier of the True Immortal Realm.
“So a newly ascended immortal like me would be at the lower tier?” Han Li murmured.
“Lower tier? Barely. Fellow Daoist Han’s immortal essence isn’t fully converted yet. Only after centuries will you truly enter the lower tier.” Gao Sheng chuckled.
Han Li fell silent for a long moment before asking,
“From your tone, Brother Gao, besides true immortals, there are many ordinary cultivators in the Immortal World?”
“Indeed. Even with our powers, we can’t ensure our descendants reach immortality. Those who can’t absorb immortal spiritual energy have limited lifespans, marrying and bearing more mortals. The cycle continues, their numbers vast.” Gao Sheng seemed dismissive of these mortals.
“I see. A high-tier immortal technique is indeed crucial for us.” Han Li nodded, pondering.
“Our Stone Chime Hall values ascended immortals highly. No other faction offers better terms. You can start as an outer guest elder. If after centuries you find us unsuitable, you may leave freely by offering something equivalent to the technique—we won’t hinder you.” Gao Sheng seemed to address Han Li’s last hesitation.
“Such terms exist? Very well, since you speak so highly of it, I’ll visit your hall in person.” Han Li’s eyes flashed as he decided.
As the other said, his priority was converting his immortal essence and solidifying his True Immortal Realm foundation. Aligning with a major faction to gradually understand the Immortal World was a sound choice.
Delighted, Gao Sheng assured Han Li he wouldn’t regret it, then flicked his sleeve. A shadow split from his back, coalescing into another silver-robed “Gao Sheng.”
“Stand in for me here while I escort Fellow Daoist Han to the Stone Chime Hall.”
“Return quickly. If the overseer of this region discovers this, I can’t cover for you long,” the silver-robed Gao Sheng replied impassively.
“Don’t worry. This Ascension Platform is so remote—overseers rarely come. The last visit was centuries ago. Besides, I’ll return in days or weeks at most.” Gao Sheng waved it off.
“Just don’t drag me into trouble.” The silver-robed Gao Sheng said no more, sitting cross-legged by the pool and meditating.
Han Li watched with slight surprise.
“Apologies for the spectacle. This is a Clay Body double I cultivated. Though weaker than me, it’s more than enough for a lower-tier true immortal. With it guarding this post, I can leave with peace of mind. Come, I’ll escort you to the Stone Chime Hall.” Gao Sheng explained with a smile, then pointed a finger at the light curtain.
With a *puff*, a person-sized circular passage opened.
Gao Sheng strode out, Han Li floating closely behind.
The moment they left the platform, a blizzard engulfed them, and a bone-chilling wind swept over them.
Even with Han Li’s formidable physical strength, he couldn’t help but frown slightly.
Beside him, Gaosheng witnessed Han Li’s reaction, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
The Northern Glacial Immortal Domain, as its name suggested, was already bitterly cold under normal circumstances. During snowy weather like this, the extreme chill in the air was unimaginably intense.
Even low-level immortals native to this domain had to wear one or two specially crafted cold-resistant artifacts to brave such snowstorms. Yet Han Li, a newly ascended immortal, remained unfazed, treating the snow as if it were nothing. How could Gaosheng not be secretly astonished?
His thoughts raced, but his hands never stopped moving. Suddenly, he cast a white incantation downward, and from beneath the thick snow came several clear, melodious cries.
Amid the swirling snowflakes, two enormous, pure-white peacocks burst forth from the snow.
“Fellow Daoist, please!”
Gaosheng stepped onto one of the snow peacocks and gestured to the other with a smile, inviting Han Li.
Han Li smiled faintly and, with a flicker of his figure, appeared atop the other peacock.
At Gaosheng’s command, the two immortal birds spread their wings and soared into the sky, piercing through the crystalline snowflakes.
Thus began Han Li’s journey in the Immortal Realm.
—
**Extra Story: The Far West**
A seemingly solid stone gate in the far west suddenly exploded inward with a thunderous *boom*.
Amid the flying debris, a young man in a green robe strode in unhurriedly.
His skin was dark, his features ordinary, but his eyes were clear, with a faint blue light flickering in his pupils.
“So this is the lost sanctuary of the Thousand Bamboo Sect from thousands of years ago. It doesn’t look like much. But the restrictions outside were indeed formidable—even mostly decayed, they still took me half a day to break through,” the young man muttered to himself, frowning slightly as he scanned the area.
Beyond the gate lay a spacious chamber about thirty zhang wide. Aside from a simple, gray stone coffin in the center and a dozen or so broken puppets scattered haphazardly around, there was nothing else.
The floor was covered in a thick layer of dust, as if no one had entered for countless years.
The young man paused at the entrance, his gaze settling on the stone coffin.
As for the puppets nearby, his expertise in puppetry allowed him to see at a glance that they were all irreparably damaged, so he paid them no further attention.
“Rumors say this was the final retreat of the Great Yan Immortal Lord. If there’s a coffin here, perhaps there’s some truth to it,” he murmured again.
With a slight sway of his shoulders, his figure blurred and vanished from sight.
A moment later, a faint shadow appeared near the coffin, and the young man materialized out of thin air.
With a flick of his sleeve—
*Whoosh!*
A gust of green wind swept out, clearing the dust from the coffin and revealing intricate spirit patterns densely engraved on its lid.
After studying the patterns for a while and silently calculating, the young man took half a step back without hesitation. He raised his hands, his fingers swiftly weaving incantation seals.
In an instant, multicolored runes flew from his fingertips, transforming into wisps of spiritual flame that swiftly sank into the coffin.
A low hum resonated as the coffin’s patterns flared with light, and layers of crystalline silk threads materialized, forcibly repelling the spiritual flames.
The young man’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Suddenly, he raised an arm and slapped the air before him, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“A mere lifeless object dares to hinder me?”
As his words faded, spatial fluctuations rippled, and a massive cyan palm, several zhang in size, materialized above the coffin and slammed down with crushing force.
*BOOM!*
The crystalline silk threads shattered under the palm’s impact, and the coffin itself cracked apart with a crisp sound.
The contents of the coffin were now exposed.
The young man peered inside and froze in surprise.
Apart from a pale-green humanoid puppet about a few chi long, the coffin was empty.
“This is…”
Narrowing his eyes, the young man reached out and made a grasping motion.
*Whoosh!*
The green puppet trembled and floated into his hand.
Holding the puppet in one hand, he quickly inspected it with the other.
After a long while, he tossed the puppet aside with a disappointed sigh.
“Just a hollow shell, utterly useless. This place isn’t the Great Yan Immortal Lord’s final resting site after all. What a wasted trip—I’ll be returning empty-handed.”
With that, he turned to leave the chamber. But as his gaze inadvertently swept over a dilapidated puppet in a corner, he hesitated, then changed his mind and walked toward it.
The Great Yan Immortal Lord had dominated the far west for over a century, and puppetry was one of his greatest skills.
Though the puppets here were unusable, unlike the hollow one earlier, they were clearly high-tier constructs. If he could take them back and study them, he might advance his own puppetry skills.
With a flicker of movement and continuous waves of his sleeves, he swiftly stored seven or eight puppets into his storage bracelet.
But as he approached a giant ape-like puppet, a sudden change occurred!
The previously motionless puppet abruptly opened its mouth and spat out a streak of seven-colored crystal light, shooting straight for his face.
Startled but not panicked, the young man jerked his head back and waved a hand before him. A small black shield materialized in front of his face.
*Thud!*
The seven-colored light passed through the shield as if it were intangible and vanished into the young man’s brow.
Staggering back several steps, he barely steadied himself, his face now a mix of shock and fury.
“Heh, kid. You’ve been hit by my Seven Emotions Art. Submit to me now, or you’ll soon learn what true agony feels like!”
A thin, whispering voice echoed in the young man’s ears.
“Seven Emotions Art!”
His heart sank at the words, but surrender was not in his nature.
Without hesitation, he flicked his sleeve, and seventy-two cyan flying swords surged forth, swirling in the air to form a protective sword array around him.
He then sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began circulating his energy.
“Tsk, stubborn till the end. Fine, I’ll show you the true power of the Seven Emotions Art!”
The young man’s face twitched slightly, but he remained seated, unmoved.
Meanwhile, an obscure and incomprehensible chant began resonating through the chamber.
The young man’s body trembled, but his eyes stayed shut.
With another cold snort, the chant grew several times faster. But as the young man’s eyelids flickered, a strange expression suddenly crossed his face.
“So the Seven Emotions Art targets the Nascent Soul? If that’s the case, you’ve chosen the wrong opponent,” the young man suddenly laughed, opening his eyes and standing up. He pointed a finger and slashed through the air.
A flash of cyan light!
A razor-sharp streak split the giant ape puppet in half, revealing a golden figurine about a chi tall hidden inside.
The figurine’s eyes were crystalline, its body covered in intricate spirit patterns—another rare humanoid puppet.
Though made of puppet materials, its face now bore an expression of disbelief. It seemed about to speak, but the young man had already twisted his body and appeared before it like a ghost. With a mere lift of his hand, an invisible force immobilized the golden figurine.
“You call yourself ‘Immortal Lord’—could you be the Great Yan Immortal Lord who once ruled the far west?” the young man asked slowly, staring at the figurine.
“What if I am? What if I’m not?” After a pause, the figurine’s voice changed, sounding aged and weary.
“If you’re not, since you attacked me, we’ll have to settle this. If you are, I’ve come all the way to the far west specifically to find you, and I’ll treat you with due respect,” the young man replied with a faint smile.
“To find me? Who are you?” the figurine asked in surprise.
“So it really is the Great Yan Immortal Lord—incredible. To think you’ve survived all this time! Let me reintroduce myself. I am Han Li. I stumbled upon your Great Yan Art and traveled here from the South specifically to meet you,” the young man said earnestly, exhaling lightly. With a flick of his sleeve, he released the figurine from its restraints.
“Han Li? You’ve cultivated my Great Yan Art?” The golden figurine was stunned.
“Indeed. I’ve mastered the first few layers but lack the final three, which you’ve kept secret,” Han Li admitted frankly.
“You’ve mastered the first four layers? I don’t believe it. I need to verify,” the figurine said after a moment of contemplation.
“Simple enough. I’ll demonstrate the fourth layer’s techniques, and you can judge for yourself,” Han Li said with a smile.
“Good. Show me,” the figurine replied bluntly.
Han Li formed a seal with one hand, pointed a finger into the air, and uttered, “Soul-Severing Spike.”
The words were soft, but the figurine’s expression changed instantly. A layer of pale silver light erupted from its body, trembling several times before stabilizing.
“Soul-Severing Spike! You’ve even mastered this mental technique. Judging by its power, it’s indeed the pinnacle of the fourth layer. But my Seven Emotions Art was designed to target Nascent Souls—even late-stage cultivators can’t evade it. How are you unharmed?” The figurine looked conflicted, then recalled something.
“The answer is simple. My Nascent Soul wasn’t the one hit—something else took the blow for me,” Han Li chuckled. He touched the top of his head, and a stream of black energy surged out, coalescing into a black Nascent Soul identical to him in appearance, though it looked weary and listless.
“A second Nascent Soul? Impossible! You’ve only recently advanced to the Nascent Soul stage—how could you have the energy to refine a second one so soon?” The figurine was astounded.
“You have sharp eyes. I did indeed form my Nascent Soul not long ago, but I had some unique opportunities that allowed me to refine this one. Now that I’ve answered your questions, might you share the remaining layers of the Great Yan Art?” Han Li asked meaningfully after a light cough.
“The Great Yan Art is my life’s work. You’re not my disciple—why should I pass it to you?” The figurine exhaled, its expression turning cold.
“Given your current state, you’re hardly in a position to bargain,” Han Li said, eyeing the figurine with amusement.
“Heh, if you want to destroy what’s left of my soul, go ahead. I’ve lived long enough. Besides, even without your interference, my soul is too weak to last more than a few years,” the Great Yan Immortal Lord said indifferently.
“Must you be so stubborn? Do you think I don’t know soul-searching techniques?” Han Li’s expression darkened, his voice turning icy.
“Soul-searching? You think I fear such petty tricks? I created the Great Yan Art—do you really think mere soul-searching can break me? At worst, I’ll detonate my soul myself,” the Great Yan Immortal Lord yawned, utterly unfazed.
Han Li was momentarily speechless.
This old monster, though reduced to a mere soul fragment with no power left, was a master of mental techniques. Forcing the issue would likely yield nothing.
“Why be so rigid? I’ve always believed everything in this world can be exchanged—it’s just a matter of price,” Han Li said calmly, his tone softening.
“Exchange? I don’t see anything you have that would interest me,” the figurine retorted, crossing its arms.
“What about this?” Han Li pondered briefly, then flipped his hand. A black light shimmered, revealing a foot-long piece of grotesque wood—charred, rough, and pockmarked, utterly unsightly.
“Soul-Nourishing Wood! You have such a treasure?!” The previously indifferent Great Yan Immortal Lord’s eyes lit up with sheer delight.
“The Soul Nurturing Wood not only prevents the leakage of your soul power, Senior, but also possesses the miraculous effect of gradually nourishing the spirit and soul. It should be precisely what you need at this moment,” Han Li said confidently, lightly lifting the object in his hand.
“Indeed, this wood can delay my demise, but my essence soul has already dissipated too much. Even with its nourishment, I can only live for a few more decades at most. With just this, I cannot impart the later stages of the Great Development Mantra to you,” the miniature figure transformed from the Great Development Venerable hesitated for a long while before shaking his head.
This response clearly took Han Li by surprise, causing him to frown. After a long pause, his eyes flashed as he spoke:
“What exactly do you require in exchange for the mantra? I can see that the Venerable does not seem like someone resigned to death. Aside from this Soul Nurturing Wood, feel free to name any other conditions. As long as I, Han Li, can fulfill them, I will not refuse.”
“It seems you already know the secret of the Great Development Mantra aiding in breaking through cultivation bottlenecks. Heh, in that case, it’s not impossible to pass this method to you. But aside from crafting a soul-nurturing artifact for me using the Soul Nurturing Wood, you must also accomplish two more tasks for me,” the Great Development Venerable chuckled, no longer holding back.
“Please speak, Venerable!” Han Li remained expressionless.
“Judging by your demeanor, you must know quite a bit about me. Then you should be aware that in my lifetime, aside from the Great Development Mantra, I was most skilled in the art of puppetry, even becoming obsessed with it to the point of no return. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have ended up in this state,” the Great Development Venerable said slowly, his expression shifting unpredictably.
Han Li listened without showing impatience, though the words seemed disjointed.
The crux of the matter had yet to be revealed.
“During these years of idleness, I’ve made several breakthroughs in puppetry. Combining my achievements, I’ve developed an ultimate puppet, whose power should rival that of an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator. Unfortunately, due to a lack of materials, I’ve been unable to craft it, leaving it as an unfulfilled wish. After we leave, I hope you can gather these materials and forge this puppet, allowing me to fulfill this lifelong desire,” the Great Development Venerable said solemnly.
“A puppet comparable to a Nascent Soul cultivator? The materials must be extraordinarily valuable,” Han Li thought inwardly, though his expression remained unchanged as he countered.
“Indeed. Hmph, but once the puppet is crafted, it will ultimately belong to you. No matter how expensive, you’re investing in yourself—what’s the issue?” the Great Development Venerable snorted.
“If that’s the case, I can agree. Please state your other condition,” Han Li weighed the matter briefly before decisively accepting.
“The second condition is much simpler. Though I’ve been trapped here for years, I know the Thousand Bamboo Sect has likely changed beyond recognition. Whether it’s still under the control of my former disciples is uncertain. I cannot pass my knowledge to them, but I also refuse to let my legacy die. Thus, I ask you to find someone of exceptional aptitude to inherit my lineage,” the Great Development Venerable said after taking a deep breath.
“Haha, this condition is even less of an issue. I agree to that as well,” Han Li laughed heartily upon hearing this.
“Then our agreement is settled. Once you craft the soul-nurturing artifact, I will impart the first layer of the Great Development Mantra to you, and we shall leave this place together,” the Great Development Venerable said slowly after another deep breath.
Han Li naturally had no objections.
Several days later, Han Li emerged from the chamber carrying a foot-long yellow bamboo tube and strode into the distance.
A gentle breeze carried faint traces of conversation.
“Heh, I never thought I’d see the light of day again.”
“Senior, it’s best to keep your voice down. This place was once the forbidden grounds of the Thousand Bamboo Sect. If your descendants hear you, it’ll only bring trouble.”
“Hmph, with your cultivation, those brats couldn’t lay a finger on you. Besides, are they even my…”
The voices grew fainter, eventually vanishing with the wind.
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