Immortality: Starting with the Fruit of Taiyin

"I see... "

In front of the courtyard gate, Chen Yao waited quietly for a reply.

Standing before her, Wang Xuan suddenly realized something.

Only then did he understand.

It turns out that there was no change in the sect's affairs, but rather that Chen Yao, who clearly harbored a hidden opportunity, was finally eager to explore the 'new map'.

In the parlance of traditional Chinese novels, it would be that the "protagonist" has already explored the starting village and opened all the treasure chests that were supposed to be opened.

So regardless of whether the starting village exists or not, she's going to run away with her bucket.

Before leaving, perhaps out of consideration for their childhood friendship, she found an ordinary male supporting character from the previous story and prepared to invite him to join her in exploring new lands.

"call……"

With the matter clarified, Wang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

It's good that things haven't changed, otherwise all his preparations would have been in vain.

However, while he felt a little relieved, new problems also arose before him.

Should I accept Chen Yao's invitation?

"...Junior sister's kindness is appreciated."

He remained silent for a moment, pondering the matter repeatedly.

Looking at Chen Yao in front of him, Wang Xuan sighed inwardly.

It was impossible for him to agree, because although the matter seemed simple, it actually had great hidden dangers... However, even if he refused, he could not directly reject it.

So, is it time to test acting skills again?

But I don't seem to have any acting skills...

Feeling helpless, Wang Xuan stepped forward.

"Junior Sister Chen."

Looking into Chen Yao's eyes, he took the initiative to close the distance between them.

"It's been six years since we started learning this.

"some."

Chen Yao nodded silently, unsure of what Wang Xuan wanted to say.

"Yes, that's true... but how many six-year periods does one have in a lifetime?"

"After six years of training together, my junior sister and I can be considered half friends."

Shaking his head and smiling, Wang Xuan slowly said.

"So over the years, I've actually long sensed my junior sister's true ambitions and talents."

"!"

A slight thought stirred within him, but his expression remained unchanged.

With a slight pursing of her lips, Chen Yao knew that while her behavior might have been a bit more obvious lately, it was by no means too outrageous.

However, based on this alone, even high-level cultivators would at most suspect that she was preparing some kind of spiritual body or Dao body related to heavenly secrets, and would not make any more outrageous guesses...

Shaking her head inwardly, dispelling her unnecessary worries, Chen Yao realized she was overthinking things... However, what Wang Xuan said next was completely different from what she had expected.

"Junior Sister Chen, in my opinion, you are a true genius, a 'protagonist' who embodies the destiny of an era. The past few years have merely been a period of hidden potential."

"For you, perhaps the Nanhua Sect is just a small place... As the saying goes, with exceptional talent and extraordinary comprehension, when Shao Kang ascended the throne, no one could aspire to the Dao in Xichuan?"

"For example, if one entrusts a sword to the Jade Terrace, it clarifies the mind and purifies the will; but if one roosts a crow in the Valley of Tang, how can one expect the Emperor to live a long life in the east?"

"So my junior sister's departure this time must have been planned in advance... If I choose to leave with my junior sister today, I might indeed encounter some difficulties."

"But I'm afraid there will be no danger of death, and you might even gain a lot of opportunities."

"As for the danger my junior sister mentioned, she was merely asking if I had the heart to seek the Dao even at the cost of my life... I am naturally aware of all this."

"I--"

The passage is full of quotations and praise.

On the surface, Wang Xuan appeared to be acting with ease, but in front of him, Chen Yao couldn't help but feel breathless, her fingers tightly clasped around her waist.

According to the elders, Yaotai was the Xihua Taoist temple, and Xuandi was another name for Xuannü.

If you don't have a certain level of education, you probably wouldn't understand what the other person just said, but Chen Yao is naturally an exception.

The five allusions mentioned by Wang Xuan are all stories from ancient and medieval times.

If she had met him at another time, she would probably have praised his literary talent.

However, nowadays, this is actually used to describe her.

Am I really that amazing?

Feeling bewildered, Chen Yao had never known that her display of only a small amount of prophetic ability had already made her so highly regarded in Wang Xuan's eyes.

Looking at the white-clad youth who was only two steps away, Chen Yao seemed to want to say something.

However, when she took another step forward, as if possessed by an Oscar-winning actor, Wang Xuan didn't give her the chance at all.

"Junior sister, please let me finish."

With a sincere smile, Wang Xuan slowly began to speak.

"I didn't mean anything by saying this."

"I just want to tell my junior sister that you are unwilling to express your good intentions directly, but I have seen it all."

"I……"

"A friend of mine was trapped in a remote place in his youth, and never made it to the Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment stage in his life. In the end, after a hundred years, he was left with only a lonely grave. This is something you don't want to see."

"That's why my junior sister came here today to ask me if I have the determination to do anything in pursuit of the Dao..."

"But I also know that with my meager abilities, I probably can't help my junior sister at all... Even if I get an opportunity, it will only be because my junior sister is distracted and taking care of me."

"Wait, I..."

"However, the path to immortality is inherently treacherous; it is difficult to climb alone, let alone with another person in tow."

"Therefore, I must apologize for not being able to accept my junior sister's invitation."

Going a step further, they could almost feel the other person's rapid breathing.

Maintaining a safe distance, Wang Xuan smiled nonchalantly.

"Junior sister, as it says in the Great Wilderness Mountains and Seas."

"The ancient distinction between immortals and mortals was like that of a dragon-horse carrying a mountain, which made it difficult to cross the Ji River; and a divine tortoise carrying a mountain, which, after more than a year, was stopped by Longbo."

"So instead of wasting your energy on me, junior sister, you should put it into something more valuable."

People of the time do not recognize the towering tree until it reaches the clouds, then they acknowledge its height.

"If one day my junior sister achieves great success in her cultivation and becomes famous throughout the world, even if my senior brother's cultivation is still inadequate, he will look back on today with pride."

"Thinking back to our childhood meeting... I probably feel a sense of pride as well."

His sleeves swayed in the wind, and Wang Xuan's voice was calm, exuding an indescribable sense of freedom and ease.

Having lived two lives, he felt that he had used up all of his remaining emotional intelligence in this one.

As for the results... they seem pretty good.

Standing before him, as his words fell, Chen Yao seemed to be struck by something, and was momentarily stunned.

Before coming to find Wang Xuan today, the girl had considered many possibilities.

Whether they agreed or not, or even scoffed or demanded favors... I never expected to receive such a response.

When memories of the future and a youthful heart are mixed together, Chen Yao doesn't know whether she is a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl or a ruthless sword immortal.

Before she could even sort out her thoughts, Wang Xuan met those somewhat bewildered eyes and didn't hesitate.

He decisively took out all the carefully refined pills from his storage bag and delivered the final, heavy blow.

He knew that Chen Yao definitely didn't need what he had.

However, how could a hundred taels of gold given by a wealthy person compare to two copper coins in a beggar's hand?

Without allowing any refusal, he stuffed the technique into the other person's hand, and silently, Wang Xuan removed the ability to conceal his cultivation technique.

At that moment, her originally handsome face seemed to have an extra layer of filter applied, and under the hazy moonlight, she appeared to overlap with him.

With expectant eyes, Wang Xuan grasped the other's fingertips and said from the bottom of his heart:

"Come, Junior Sister is about to embark on a long journey, but I cannot accompany her. So I can only offer my last token of my affection."

"Take these pills with you, along with your senior brother's expectations..."

"The road to immortality is long; I only wish my junior sister success in achieving the Great Dao."

Wang Xuan was absolutely certain that he meant what he said.

Because he genuinely hoped to meet a true protagonist and forge a bond with them when they were young.

At this moment, even the most shrewd and calculating person would not doubt the truthfulness of his words, and Chen Yao was no exception.

So, holding the still slightly warm jade bottle, the girl opened her mouth again, but this time, she didn't know what to say.

"I...you..."

The sun was setting, but the moon had not yet risen.

But at this moment, in Chen Yao's eyes, the boy in front of her seemed to be enveloped in a layer of white light.

The cold moonlight could not conceal her sincerity, something she had never encountered in the future illuminated by the ancient immortal's divine powers.

Dressed in white, he smiled gently, his eyes more radiant than the bright moonlight.

Seeing this scene, Chen Yao believed it.

Even if she does achieve immortality in the future, when she looks back on the past, she will probably never forget today.

……