The Path to Immortality: Starting with an Analysis of Basic Concepts

"They've all been sent away..."

"Um?"

Dong Biwu, the "White Dragon King", Wanyan Hong, the "Green-Eyed Ghost", and Yan Shu, the "Grand Elder", were all taken aback upon hearing this.

Why did they send "Wu Ping'an" away? What trouble did he get into?

What about the eight hundred sworn siblings?

Something doesn't sound quite right about that.

"Elder" Yan Shu looked at "Sword Saint Dugu" who was looking down at the fish tank as if it contained something valuable, hesitated for a moment, and then said:

"Sect Master, Wu Ping'an entered the Dao by chance, and there's a slight chance he'll break through to the Six Realms of Immortality in the future, isn't that right...?"

"Take him in as a personal protégé and focus on training him?...

The emphasis was slightly higher when it came to "personally taught".

"A personal disciple?" Dugu Sword Saint glanced at him and said indifferently, "I don't have that kind of luck."

"Elder" Yan Shu's eyes lit up with joy. He opened his mouth to say something, but then he heard Dugu Jiansheng's calm voice.

"The people around Taihu Lake have long suffered from the bandits. Let's send 'Wu Ping'an' with his eight hundred sworn brothers and sisters to suppress them."

"Bandit suppression? Lake bandits?"

Upon hearing the words "Taihu Lake bandits," not only did Elder Yan Shu's expression change slightly, but even the White Dragon King Dong Biwu and the Green-Eyed Ghost Wanyan Hong's eyes also changed.

"Taihu Lake".

Located in the heart of Dayu, it is the largest lake in the region, without exception. It covers an area of ​​nearly 90 million mu, with unknown depths, turbulent undercurrents, and is shrouded in smog year-round. It is said to harbor countless demons and monsters.

Its waterways are intricate and complex, radiating to the three prefectures of Chongzhou, Yuzhou, and Huiyazhou. It is also one of the key waterway transportation hubs of Dayu, with a large number of boats traveling back and forth from Taihu Lake every year.

There are no fewer than ten million people who make a living from this.

This precious land, though nominally belonging to "Da Yu," was actually controlled by river bandits, rebels, cults, and others...

Three of them are the most famous.

One is the "Thirteen Strongholds of Taihu Lake", a powerful force composed of thirteen groups of water bandits. Each stronghold leader is a "Five Realms" expert. Among them, the chief stronghold leader, known as "Huyan Taibao" and nicknamed "Overturning Clouds and Rain", is ranked seventh on the "Top Ten Villains List" of the Great Yu Dynasty.

Secondly, there are "evil god cults" and "Taiping Society".

The "Cult of Evil Gods" has few followers, worships "evil gods from beyond the realm," and has caused many disasters. Each member is an extremely dangerous person with a crazy personality, and everyone in "Da Yu" hates them.

The Taiping Society is a newly emerging rebel force less than a thousand years old. Its slogan is to overthrow the Great Yu and recreate the world. Because it absorbed much of the legacy of the White Lotus Sect, it quickly suppressed the White Lotus Sect and became the largest rebel force in the Great Yu.

Besides.

Even the "White Lotus Cult," now reduced to just cats and dogs, still has some scattered small factions, murderers, fugitives, prisoners, and so on...

The forces within Taihu Lake are complex and intertwined.

Let alone the lowly "Wu Ping'an" who is only at the second realm, even those who have reached the "fifth realm" would not dare to utter the word "bandit suppression" in "Taihu Lake".

Sending Wu Ping'an to suppress bandits is tantamount to sending him to his death...

"This…"

The "Grand Elder" Yan Shu didn't know how Zhu Yu had offended the "Sect Leader" and wanted to say a few words of advice, but he sensed the increasingly oppressive atmosphere in the air and knew that the "Sect Leader" was trying to get rid of him.

Knowing his domineering nature, Yan Shu hesitated for a moment, sighed, clasped his hands in a salute, and turned to leave the bamboo house.

Although "White Dragon King" Dong Biwu and "Azure-Eyed Ghost" Wanyan Hong did not learn the information they wanted, seeing "Sword Saint Dugu" so calm, they knew that "Da Yu" wanted to rely on "Outer Domain". They were somewhat relieved, clasped their hands in a salute, and left.

We left the courtyard.

As Yan Shu walked along the secluded path, pondering how Zhu Yu had offended the "Sect Leader," he suddenly heard "White Dragon King" Dong Biwu exclaim in surprise. Looking over in confusion, he saw a strange expression on Dong Biwu's face as he said:

"If I remember correctly, the 'Sword Saint Dugu' said that Wu Ping'an had eight hundred sworn siblings? ...Eight hundred?..."

These words were spoken.

Grand Elder Yan Shu was taken aback, then seemed to realize something, his expression incredulous, and he said somewhat absentmindedly, "No...it can't be, can it?...

"Blue-eyed Demon" Wanyan Hong clearly didn't believe him. He glanced at him and snorted, "Eight hundred sworn siblings? I have eighty thousand sworn siblings!"

After saying that, he strode away.

"Elder" Yan Shu nodded in realization, "So this is what a sworn brotherhood is all about..." He paused, shook his head, and thought to himself, "It is indeed a bit outrageous. The 'Peerless Sect' doesn't forbid forming cliques, but eight hundred is too conspicuous..."

He somewhat understood why the "Sect Leader" had asked Zhu Yu to leave.

However, he was more curious about how Zhu Yu had formed cliques. As far as he knew, before the "Inner Sect Competition," his reputation was not good.

Without giving it much thought, he turned and left. He would ask him himself what was going on.

Unlike Wanyan Hong and Yan Shu, "White Dragon King" Dong Biwu thought of Zhu Yu's previous "sworn brotherhood" with the two. If that's the case, his "sworn brotherhood" with eight hundred people, though somewhat fantastical, is not impossible.

Thinking of this, he narrowed his eyes slightly and looked solemn.

"If that's true, they are probably no ordinary person..."

What does it mean to have eight hundred sworn siblings who can entrust their lives to each other? Especially since they are all elite disciples of the "Peerless Sect," if he has so many sworn siblings, and they grow up in the future, then it won't be the "Peerless Sect" sitting atop "Jiujiang," but the Sea Whale Gang...

And once this news spreads...

Whether they become a "legendary tale" or a "demonic path," Zhu Yu and his eight hundred sworn siblings will inevitably gather unimaginable and terrifying "popularity."

Furthermore, he possessed the natural talent to "enter the Tao".

Furthermore, he possessed the natural talent to "enter the Tao".

It seems certain that what's certain isn't the "Five Realms" of Dharma forms, but rather the "Six Realms" of immortality!

"call…"

"White Dragon King" Dong Biwu took a deep breath, suppressed the surging emotions in his heart, took a step forward, and his figure disappeared without a trace.

……

"Wushuangmen" Mountain Gate Square.

After Zhu Yu left, the Inner Sect Competition continued.

Then a dramatic scene unfolded: the two arenas next door were locked in fierce combat, yet the number of fans gathered there was pitifully small.

Meanwhile, two people are on a certain arena.

He kept calling him "Brother Thirty-Six" and "Brother Six Hundred and Sixty-Six," making the fight seem like child's play. He displayed all his skills and divine talent, but his opponent didn't even have his clothes disheveled.

That's it.

The number of people who gathered around him was dozens of times greater than those in the neighboring arena, which made the people in the other arenas furious and jealous. Meanwhile, Zhu Yu's "brothers and sisters" kept laughing and cheering.

One "battle" after another has passed.

The atmosphere on the other two arenas was dull. Those vying for the "true successor" position didn't want to waste time and attacked without mercy. Those who didn't want to compete for the position, seeing that there were few people around and not wanting to be treated like fools, simply gave a perfunctory response and left.

The competition, which was originally scheduled to take at least ten days to half a month, could be completed in just one day.

In this regard.

Neither the arena stewards nor the elders paid any attention; all they wanted to know was how the "Sect Leader" would react to the "eight hundred" sworn brothers and sisters.

Information donors such as "Bai Xiaosheng," "Da Yu Official," and "Jianghu Yiwen" (江湖异闻) opened by "Tianxialou" all sent back this incredible "intelligence information," and repeatedly emphasized below the information that this matter was true.

The chivalrous travelers who came here, seeing the carrier pigeons soaring into the sky, visibly showed envy and jealousy on their faces.

They knew it.

After today, the name "Wu Ping'an" will surely resound throughout the eight prefectures and seventy-two counties of "Da Yu", and will become an existence that they look up to.

The chivalrous heroes of the martial arts world know this.

Zhu Yu's eight hundred brothers and sisters naturally understood this as well. After the hasty competition, they left in high spirits, laughing and chatting, heading towards Zhu Yu's residence.

The inner disciples of the "Peerless Sect" watched them leave with envy, their hearts filled with regret. If they had been assigned to the Zhu Yu Arena, would they too have become one of the eight hundred?

Putting aside other things.

The mere fact that the "Sworn Brotherhood of Eight Hundred" has spread has brought immeasurable benefits. It's safe to say that the "Four Realms" are a foregone conclusion, and the "Five Realms" are a promising future...

But they weren't the ones who regretted it the most.

Rather, they are those who had the opportunity to be one of the "eight hundred people," but missed the chance because of hesitation or leaving early.

"No, I'm going to find Brother Wu. I'm willing, I didn't say I wasn't willing..."

Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted and headed straight for the mountain gate. The others reacted, their eyes lit up, and they quickly followed.

"Hmph, I think they're blind."

Watching him leave, one of the other two arenas snorted coldly and said, "What kind of person is Brother Wu? These indecisive and regretful trash are not worthy of being Brother Wu's brothers."

With that, he quickly caught up with them.

"Indeed, indeed. I once read books with Brother Wu, and I immediately recognized his extraordinary qualities. It's a pity he was too engrossed in his books and neglected his duties..."

"Brother Wu and I are neighbors. That day I saw the bright moon rise in Brother Wu's yard, and I thought I was seeing things. Now that I think about it, he must be an extraordinary person with some kind of supernatural ability..."

"Me too…"

"..."

Hearing this, the others couldn't stay still either. They left a message and followed. In a short while, only a few dozen people remained on the three arenas. They looked at each other, snorted coldly, and turned to leave.

"pity…"

Seeing this chaotic scene, someone in the pavilions on both sides sighed in regret, which immediately drew a chorus of agreement and a chorus of sighs.

They longed to be one of those eight hundred people, but unfortunately, after the "Peerless Gate" ceremony, outsiders were no longer allowed to enter the mountain gate.

A pavilion.

Baozi, the maid who was excitedly praising Zhu Yu, suddenly saw several people walking towards the master and servant, and her brows immediately furrowed.

"What is she doing here...?"

The one leading them was a young woman.

She wore a robe adorned with a hundred flowers, her face as beautiful as a peach blossom, and especially her eyes, which were as calm as autumn water. Her dark hair was simply tied up with a wooden hairpin, making her appear exceptionally serene, as if she were a peach fairy who had stepped out of a peach grove.

It was Tao Yao, who ranked tenth on the "Phoenix List" and was known as the "Flower Fairy".

Noticing the maid Baozi's unusual behavior, Wu Pingjun turned around. When he saw Taoyao walking towards him with a smile, he knew why she had come. He narrowed his eyes, but his face was full of smiles as he slowly walked to greet her.

As she approached, the moment she opened her mouth, Tao Yao's smile froze.

"Sister Peach isn't out making friends with heroes from all walks of life, so why is she looking for her younger sister? Has she finished making friends already?...

The words are righteous, but upon closer examination, they always seem to carry a different meaning.

Tao Yao's position on the "Phoenix List" was certainly not due to family background, as the maid Baozi had claimed. She showed no displeasure, stepped forward, took Wu Pingjun's arm, and casually slipped something into her hand. Then, she stepped back, looked up at Wu Pingjun's alluring face, put her hands behind her back, and smiled, saying:

"Didn't you want the calligraphy scroll of 'Sunset Sword Master', sister? Here, I went to great lengths to get it for you from a junior of the Sword Master."

As she spoke, she winked playfully.

"How are you going to thank me now?... "

Wu Pingjun was taken aback. She looked down at the wooden box in her hand, reached out and opened it. Inside was a small roll of white paper. Without even unfolding it, she knew that this "book" was genuine and was indeed written by "Sunset Sword Lord".

The restrained "Sunset Melting Gold" sword intent brightened her eyes a bit. She suppressed the urge to open it and observe it, carefully put it away, and looked up at the smiling Tao Yao.

She knew his purpose, but the calligraphy scroll that could refine her "sword intent" was something she couldn't refuse. After a moment's hesitation, she said:

"I'm really sorry to trouble you this time, sister."

She paused, then feigned helplessness and said:

"I know my sister wants me to introduce Wu Ping'an to you, but I really don't know him well. Last time I went to see him, he wouldn't even let me in the door."

Tao Yao's smile remained unchanged as she said, "Would you mind taking me to his residence, Sister Jun?"

Wu Pingjun couldn't refuse, so she nodded and said, "Alright, but I can only take you to his residence. As for whether you'll be able to see him..."

She shook her head without saying anything more, then waved to the sullen and glaring maid Baozi before turning and heading towards the inner gate of the "Peerless Sect".

Tao Yao's smile deepened. She waved to the men and women not far behind her and strolled after Wu Pingjun.

Because of the relationship between Lord Wuping and Zhu Yu.

The group passed through the entrance gate smoothly and entered the "Peerless Gate". After many twists and turns, they walked for a long time, and gradually, a series of noisy and commotion came from the gate.

"Brother Wu, I wish to become your sworn brother."

"Brother Wu, please take me in, I'm very good at fighting..."

"Don't stop me, I need to see Brother Wu..."

"..."

As the group rounded a bend, they saw a surging crowd ahead, densely packed with people, all shouting that they wanted to see Zhu Yu.

In contrast.

Hundreds of men and women stood in a line, arms crossed, coldly watching the commotion. The people there had come to become sworn brothers with them, not to make enemies, so they didn't cause any trouble.

You say one thing, I say another.

Some displayed their strength, some revealed their identities, and some played the victim; all were doing their best to attract Zhu Yu's attention.

However, very soon.

Yu Lou and Yuan Guang, who was the first to step onto the stage, arrived at the front of the crowd with beaming faces. They looked around at everyone and announced loudly:

"Brother Wu said that brotherhood resides in the heart. If your hearts are as firm as iron, you will naturally become our brothers in the future..."

Having said that, he waved his hand and said:

"Let's all disperse. It would be beneath our dignity to stay here any longer..."

The term "face" came out.

Despite their reluctance, everyone had no choice but to leave.

Before reaching the "Four Realms", face is their key to rapidly improving their cultivation. Once they lose face in the Second Realm, not only will they become just another ordinary person, but breaking through to the "Four Realms" will also become extremely difficult.

Not long after.

After a brief moment of uproar, the crowd had no choice but to disperse.

Just as Lord Wuping arrived in front of the crowd with his entourage.

Inside the courtyard, in the living room.

"Suppressing bandits?... "