Chapter 118 : The Path to Immortality

Chapter 118: The Path to Immortality

Low-rank Demon Realm?

Li Qingqiu frowned.

The first thing he sensed was danger—but after a moment’s thought, he realized that Fortuitous Fate would only guide him toward places without threats, and those places would instead bring him great benefit.

What could demons bring?

Materials for alchemy or crafting artifacts?

What Li Qingqiu was more curious about was where exactly this so-called Demon Realm was.

Could it be one of those eerie forbidden zones spoken of in mortal legends?

He had encountered demons before.

The Thousand Spirit Tree was a tree demon that hid deep in the mountains—proof that demons indeed existed in this world.

There just weren’t that many of them, and they didn’t pose a major threat to mortal dynasties.

Li Qingqiu immediately accepted the guidance of Fortuitous Fate, and his consciousness was drawn into a dream.

An hour later—

Li Qingqiu opened his eyes, his tightly furrowed brows finally relaxing.

The so-called Demon Realm also lay hidden deep in the mountains, isolated by some kind of formation.

The beasts within were not especially powerful—merely stronger than ordinary wild beasts.

A cultivator at the Second Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm could handle them easily.

The reason the Demon Realm had remained undiscovered was that opening the formation required spirit stones—something mortals could hardly find, let alone use.

It was not dangerous; he could bring Li Dongyue along.

For a place that could nurture demons, the spiritual energy inside must be extraordinary—and he had even seen many spiritual plants there.

This Fortuitous Fate was far more valuable than the previous ones, and since the Demon Realm lay within Guzhou territory, it was not too far.

Although not far, if trouble arose, there would be no way to deliver messages instantly.

That made Li Qingqiu all the more eager for a teleportation formation.

Of course, it was only a thought.

In the short term, the Clear Sky Sect could not yet create such a formation, but he was in no hurry.

At present, the Clear Sky Sect was already capable of handling internal troubles of the dynasty.

This gradual process of building a sect and exploring the world fascinated him—it felt truly enjoyable.

As the moon fell and the sun rose, early the next morning, Li Dongyue had already prepared breakfast, waiting for Li Qingqiu to come out.

Li Qingqiu stepped out wearing his Sect Master’s blue robe, Tianhong Sword hanging at his waist.

He sat down at the wooden table, enjoying the meal she had prepared.

As his cultivation grew higher, he found his need for food growing less.

He could now sustain his body purely on vital energy—eating had become a matter of taste rather than necessity.

“Senior Brother, where are we going today?”

Li Dongyue walked to his side and asked curiously.

Li Qingqiu replied, “I sought the guidance of an immortal in my dream. He pointed me toward a blessed land that could aid in the development of our sect.”

“So mystical?”

Li Dongyue exclaimed softly, though inwardly she didn’t quite believe it.

She guessed that Li Qingqiu had discovered something on his way back from Martial God Pass and needed help, so he brought her along.

“Should we bring a few more trusted people?” Li Dongyue asked.

“No need for now. Let’s scout it first. If all is well, you can bring others later—the blessed land will fall under your Spirit Finance Hall’s management anyway.”

Li Qingqiu spoke casually.

Having already seen the Demon Realm in his dream, he was not particularly excited at the moment.

After breakfast, he did not set out immediately for the Demon Realm.

Instead, he went to the Heavenly Works Hall to inspect Mingguang’s Spirit Gathering Formation.

Seeing the Sect Master arrive, Mingguang was so excited that he stammered while answering Li Qingqiu’s questions.

The formation was rather simple, but from its speed of gathering spiritual energy, it could effectively increase one’s cultivation speed.

A day of cultivation inside was equal to a day and a half outside—no small feat, which left Li Qingqiu quite satisfied.

After encouraging Mingguang a few words, Li Qingqiu left.

……

The Demon Realm lay deep in the northern mountains of Guzhou—on the other side of that mountain range was Eastern Tomb Province.

Li Qingqiu and Li Dongyue rode on Little Eight.

It was Li Dongyue’s first time looking down at the vast land from the sky; she was thrilled, like Li Sijin, peppering Li Qingqiu with endless questions.

He had decided to bring her along because she rarely left the mountain.

Knowing her curiosity toward the vast world below, he wanted to give her a chance to relax.

As for Li Sijin, he hadn’t brought her because she wasn’t as calm as Li Dongyue.

There would be other opportunities for her later.

After flying for half an hour, Li Qingqiu had Little Eight land between the mountains.

He and Li Dongyue dismounted, while Little Eight spread its wings again, quickly vanishing beyond the peaks.

Li Dongyue turned back but could no longer see Little Eight.

She sighed softly.

“Senior Brother, I feel like Little Eight has developed human-like intelligence—just like Sixth Senior Brother’s qilin.”

“After all, it’s cultivating too.”

Li Qingqiu walked forward, following the route from his memory.

Li Dongyue followed curiously.

“Senior Brother, even non-humans can cultivate the Primordial Unity Scripture? Is it really a martial art?”

“It’s not martial arts. What is it, then? Could it be a cultivation method for immortals?”

“Don’t say that. Before, I wouldn’t have believed it—but now, I’m starting to.”

“Haha, then just believe it.”

They chatted as they walked.

The Demon Realm was still dozens of miles away, and since it was early, Li Qingqiu decided to stroll around.

Going straight there would seem too deliberate—better to “discover” it by chance.

The mountain scenery was beautiful, the slopes gentle, the view wide.

A gentle breeze flowed along the ridges, lifting their spirits.

In a cheerful mood, Li Dongyue began talking about her plans for the Spirit Finance Hall, and Li Qingqiu listened attentively, occasionally giving advice.

Suddenly, Li Qingqiu realized something—this was the first time in his life he had gone out alone with Li Dongyue.

Before, there were always other junior brothers or sisters around.

Among his peers, if Zhang Yuchun was the most patient and capable, then Li Dongyue was the gentlest—never once had she lost her temper.

Often, when conflicts arose between Li Qingqiu and others, she would mediate.

Ever since joining the mountain, she had never asked for anything—always obedient and considerate.

Li Qingqiu still remembered her clinging timidly to Master’s back when she first came.

Years had passed, and she had grown into a graceful young lady capable of managing an entire hall.

In terms of internal affairs, she was second only to Zhang Yuchun—even Jiang Zhaoxia could not compare.

Li Dongyue did not have any particularly outstanding traits, but neither did she have flaws—just like her status among the disciples, always in the middle.

Li Qingqiu suddenly asked, “Fourth Junior Sister, Sifeng seeks a life of brilliance, and I pursue the path of immortality—what about you? What is your goal in this life?”

Walking beside him, Li Dongyue tilted her head and smiled.

“Then I too shall pursue immortality.”

“You don’t question whether immortality truly exists?”

“You already said you’re pursuing it. How can one deny its existence before reaching the end of life’s road?”

Li Dongyue said seriously, quickening her pace.

Pointing to a distant mountain, she said, “Senior Brother, look at that mountain—so tall, existing for thousands, even tens of thousands of years. For mortals, isn’t that immortality?”

Li Qingqiu found unexpected wisdom in her words.

His mood lightened.

If all his junior brothers and sisters only chased fame and fleeting brilliance, he would feel lonely indeed.

“Yes, immortality is everywhere—it’s only a matter of how we attain it,” Li Qingqiu said thoughtfully.

The two chatted freely about everything under the sun, setting aside the sect and cultivation to enjoy the serenity of the moment.

After traveling more than ten miles, they entered a forest shrouded in mist, which made Li Dongyue cautious.

Now at the Fourth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, and with her senior brother beside her, she felt no fear.

“Hey, don’t go any farther!”

A voice called out from afar.

They turned and saw a young hunter standing on a nearby slope.

He looked only fourteen or fifteen, wearing a straw raincoat, a bamboo basket at his waist, and an axe in hand.

Li Dongyue was secretly startled—she hadn’t even sensed his approach.

Her senses were sharper than any ordinary person’s.

Normally, she could detect anyone within thirty paces.

Li Qingqiu smiled up at the youth.

“Why can’t we go farther?”

The young hunter looked down at them and said, “This place is called Silent Heaven Mountain. Beyond this point, the trees grow thicker—you won’t even see the sky. Even if you climb, you can barely poke your head out. Once it gets dark, you’ll lose your way. Many who go in never come out.”

Li Qingqiu asked, “Then why are you here?”

“I live ten miles away with my grandfather. He always warned me not to enter Silent Heaven Mountain.”

“And your grandfather? There doesn’t seem to be anyone around for miles. Why live here?”

“My grandfather died two years ago. Now it’s just me. I don’t know where else to go, but I’m fine here.”

Hearing that he was an orphan, Li Qingqiu and Li Dongyue exchanged glances—both felt the urge to recruit him.

Li Dongyue whispered, “Senior Brother, if he can sneak up on us like that, perhaps he has some talent.”

Li Qingqiu thought the same.

Of course, he had already sensed the boy’s approach—but from Li Dongyue’s reaction, he could tell the youth’s movements and aura were far from ordinary.

“Since you have nowhere to go, would you like to join our Clear Sky Sect? It’s on Clear Sky Mountain, with thousands of disciples. Many are like you—alone in the world.” Li Qingqiu invited gently.

The young hunter froze, hesitation flickering on his dark face.

After a moment, he asked, “Where is the Clear Sky Sect?”

“It’s far away. When we’re done here, we can take you there.”

“What are you doing here? Do you really have to enter Silent Heaven Mountain?”

“We have martial skills. There’s no danger. Just tell me—do you wish to join the Clear Sky Sect?”

“Martial skills?”

The youth’s curiosity was piqued.

“If I join, can I learn martial arts too?”

“Of course.”

“Alright, I’ll join the Clear Sky Sect.”

The hunter immediately agreed and walked toward them.

Li Qingqiu summoned the Dao Lineage interface, searching for the hunter’s portrait.

Soon, he found it.

【Name: Yang Xuan】

【Gender: Male】

【Age: 15】

【Loyalty (to Sect Master / Sect): 62 / 45 (Max 100)】

【Cultivation Aptitude: Excellent】

【Comprehension: Excellent】

【Fate Traits: Mortal Dao Ancestor, Heart of Heaven and Earth】

【Mortal Dao Ancestor: In midlife, one accidentally inherits the legacy of an ancient immortal cultivator and brings the path of cultivation to the mortal realm, later revered as the Dao Ancestor.】

【Heart of Heaven and Earth: Possesses extraordinary sensitivity to all things in nature, able to sense the will of flora and fauna and communicate with unawakened creatures.】