Mortal: The Path to Immortality

A few days later, at the main peak square of Spirit Beast Mountain.

The mountain mist had not yet dissipated, and many disciples had already gathered in the square. Lu Nanzhu, dressed in disciple's robes, was also among the crowd.

The elder leading the expedition to the forbidden area, surnamed Wang, stood with his hands behind his back on the white jade steps. He briefly scanned the dozens of disciples below with his divine sense and spoke in a loud voice:

"The journey to the forbidden area, though a chance for you to establish your foundation, is also extremely dangerous. Within the forbidden area, life and death are preordained, and disciples from all sects will kill each other for medicinal herbs and spiritual materials. If anyone now has any regrets, it is still not too late to withdraw, and the sect will not pursue the matter."

The square was silent; no one answered. Those who stood here were either like Lu Nanzhu, desperately yearning for immortality, or were desperate fugitives nearing their end, contemplating a fight to the death.

Lu Nanzhu tilted his head slightly, glancing at his fellow disciples around him out of the corner of his eye. Most of their faces were extremely unfamiliar; some had sinister eyes, seemingly harboring ill intentions; others had white hair and beards, with a hint of sorrow between their brows.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, Lu Nanzhu turned his head slightly and met the gazes of several fellow cultivators who had been staring at him, including Zhong Wu.

"It seems these demonic spies are in cahoots. Killing Liu Yuanzhen earlier really caused me a lot of trouble. I need to be careful on this trip."

As Lu Nanzhu thought this, he subconsciously touched his storage bag.

Seeing that no one was leaving, Elder Wang grunted and casually waved his hand, sending dozens of golden beams flying out and landing precisely in each person's hand: "This is a map of the forbidden area distributed by the sect, marking the safe routes and herb distributions explored by previous disciples. Although it's some old stuff left by our predecessors, it might save your lives in a critical moment."

Lu Nanzhu took the blueprint and glanced at it briefly. Just as Song Ji had said, this was completely inferior to the secret map he had given him before.

"Set off!"

Elder Wang gave a low shout and flicked his long sleeves, and a crimson roc bird more than ten zhang wide appeared out of thin air. The spirit bird let out a cry that could pierce the clouds and split rocks, its feathers were as clear as red crystals, and it exuded the pressure of a level four demon beast.

Lu Nanzhu followed the others and leaped onto the bird's back. The crimson roc flapped its wings violently, whipping up the remaining mist with a gale, and its huge body instantly soared into the sky, rushing towards the blood-red forbidden land.

On the way, just as Lu Nanzhu was sitting cross-legged, preparing to cultivate, Zhong Wu squeezed next to him.

"Junior brother never forgets his cultivation; he truly has a good heart," Zhongwu praised.

Lu Nanzhu stood up and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Zhong Wu: "Senior Brother is too kind. I was simply doing this out of leisure. May I ask what advice Senior Brother may offer?"

Zhongwu then explained his purpose: "Junior brother, I'll be frank. You and I both know what this Crimson Forbidden Land is, and fighting alone is really not a good idea."

I've already found a few fellow disciples to travel with, so we can look out for each other in the forbidden area. Junior brother, would you like to join us?

Lu Nanzhu hesitated for a moment, then shook his head: "I appreciate your kindness, Senior Brother."

Nan Zhu was originally a rogue cultivator, accustomed to acting alone, and thanks to the care of his friends, he had some means of self-defense, so he was quite confident about venturing into the forbidden area.

There's no need for you to worry, Senior Brother.

"In that case, I wish you a successful journey to the forbidden area, Junior Brother."

After hearing Lu Nanzhu's explanation, Zhong Wu's upturned eyes immediately drooped, and he didn't try to persuade him any further, returning directly to his seat.

......

A day later, the crimson roc landed steadily on the wasteland at the edge of the forbidden area, raising a cloud of dust.

At this moment, on the outpost outside the Crimson Forbidden Land, except for the Hidden Moon Sect which had not yet arrived, the teams from the other six sects had all arrived. Hundreds of Qi Refining stage disciples gathered here, all dressed in colorful sect costumes, making for a rather peculiar scene.

As they approached the camp, Lu Nanzhu seemed to sense something and looked towards the Yellow Maple Valley's camp. At the very back of the crowd, Han Li was also looking down nonchalantly.

At the same time, Han Li also raised his head.

Their eyes met briefly. Lu Nanzhu looked at Han Li with a smile, while Han Li's face also showed a rare hint of surprise.

However, due to the occasion, the two did not exchange words, but nodded slightly in perfect unison, and then looked away and disappeared into the crowd.

Lu Nanzhu searched for a while longer before discovering a white-haired, white-bearded Qi Refining disciple from Huangfeng Valley leisurely pacing back and forth. This person was none other than Xiang Zhili, the number one expert in Tiannan at the time.

"It's best not to get involved with this old ghost." Lu Nanzhu made up his mind and withdrew his gaze.

A moment later, a hearty laugh came from afar.

Li Huayuan of Huangfeng Valley was with Fuyunzi of Qingxu Sect.

The old Taoist priest, Fuyunzi, was fiddling with his whisk, betting with Li Huayuan on whose disciple would bring back more medicinal herbs. Their animated exchange drew the attention of many disciples around them.

Just after the two finalized the bet, a disheveled old man suddenly emerged from between them. This man was none other than the Old Monster Qiong, who had used the Invisible Escape Technique.

Upon seeing this, everyone quickly bowed and paid their respects.

"Greetings, Senior Qiong."

"As expected of the old monster who created the Invisible Escape Technique, he appears and disappears like a ghost, and no one has noticed him." Lu Nanzhu sighed inwardly.

"What are you betting on? I'm quite interested too," Old Monster Qiong asked hastily.

"Oh my, Senior Qiong, it's you who graced us with your presence. You're the one leading the Hidden Moon Sect this year?" Li Huayuan said somewhat embarrassedly.

The old man turned to Li Huayuan and said, "I'm not going to lead the team! Leave this task to Junior Sister Ni Chang'er. I came here to see the rising stars of each sect."

After saying that, Old Monster Qiong released his divine sense and examined all the disciples present.

Finally, he fixed his gaze on Lu Nanzhu, his eyes seemingly filled with curiosity and confusion.

Old Monster Qiong leaped into the air and landed in front of the Spirit Beast Mountain camp.

"Greetings, Senior Qiong." Elder Wang, who was leading the group from Spirit Beast Mountain, bowed and greeted him.

"Junior Brother Wang, Spirit Beast Mountain has indeed seen a lot more talented young people this year," Old Monster Qiong said politely.

Lu Nanzhu thought disdainfully: This old devil is spouting nonsense. Can't you see all those white-haired senior brothers around me? Where are they young?

Just as he was inwardly complaining, Old Monster Qiong bypassed the group from Spirit Beast Mountain and came to Lu Nanzhu, scrutinizing him as if he had discovered something strange.

"Interesting kid, what's your name? Have you mastered some kind of escape technique?"

"Senior, I, Lu Nanzhu, have indeed practiced some escape techniques," Lu Nanzhu replied respectfully, not daring to be negligent.

"Senior Qiong, is there something wrong with this disciple?" Elder Wang asked with some doubt.

"It's alright, I'm just curious. I've been studying various escape techniques for hundreds of years and have seen many magical bodies and escape techniques."

I find this lad's physique as astonishing, with a hint of 'riding the wind.' If I'm not mistaken, even if young friend Lu's cultivation is only at the Qi Refining stage, his movement techniques should already possess the ability to 'borrow the wind.'"

Elder Wang frowned, somewhat surprised: Could it be that Lu Nanzhu was appreciated by Senior Qiong? Could he really be a genius in escape techniques?

Lu Nanzhu's heart skipped a beat, his expression turned solemn, and he bowed even deeper: "Senior, you flatter me. I only learned a little bit by chance from my ancestor, which I used to save my life."

Although he expressed his gratitude verbally, Lu Nanzhu was actually complaining in his heart: "This old devil should say less. If he continues, I'll become the target of everyone's criticism sooner or later."

"Hahaha! You little rascal." Old Ghost Qiong laughed, but didn't expose him.

Just then, a giant flying ship broke through the clouds and flew over. It turned out to be the Heavenly Moon Divine Ship of the Hidden Moon Sect.

Once the flying boat came to a stop beside the forbidden area, the veiled woman at the head of the boat glanced at Old Monster Qiong and immediately transformed into a streak of light and flew over.

"Ni Chang greets Senior Brother," the woman said respectfully.

"Junior Sister, you've worked hard." After saying that, Old Monster Qiong turned to the Core Formation team leaders beside him and said:

"Were Junior Brother Li and Junior Brother Fuyun making a bet just now? I'm actually also interested in placing a bet myself."

Just as the team leaders were puzzled, he walked to the center of the camp, cleared his throat, and began to transmit his voice to the seven factions' camps:

"Since the young talents of the seven factions have all arrived, I will not keep you in suspense any longer."

Although this forbidden land is dangerous, it is rich in rare flowers, herbs, insects and beasts that are extinct in the south.

Among them is a kind of spirit bird called the "Shadowless Kite".

I've heard that the feathers of the 'Shadowless Kite' are excellent materials for crafting magical artifacts that allow for escape techniques. Could one of my disciples please go and find some for me?