Mortal: The Path to Immortality

Stepping out of the main hall, Lu Nanzhu clutched the mission token tightly, his expression grave.

He looked north. According to Han Yunsong's previous information, after Yanjiabao defected, the north of Yue Kingdom had become a sieve with leaks.

And this so-called "Northern Mine" is right in the eye of the storm.

"It just so happens to be this kind of place," Lu Nanzhu thought to himself.

If I go on this mission, I will inevitably face several life-or-death battles against the elite of the demonic path. At that time, let alone cultivation, even survival will be a luxury.

But if he didn't go, he would be accused of disobeying the sect's orders, and he wouldn't be able to explain himself.

What intrigued him even more was that the Nascent Soul Grandmaster was so attentive to him, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, both personally imparting opportunities and bestowing treasures upon him.

There's no such thing as a free lunch, and these details only convinced Lu Nanzhu that this trip was no small matter.

"I'm afraid it's more likely to be bad news." Lu Nanzhu took a deep breath and unknowingly flew to the front of his cave.

Back in his cave, Lu Nanzhu didn't waste a moment.

Just in case, he decided to pack all his accumulated wealth over the years—spirit stones, puppets, pills, and so on—into his storage bag.

In the end, he left behind only a very simple concealment array.

He had a vague premonition that this departure might be his last.

Before leaving, Lu Nanzhu ascended into the air and took one last look at the valley that had been with him for more than ten years.

"This is a humble abode, but my virtue makes it fragrant." Lu Nanzhu said with a wry smile, "Farewell, old friend."

As soon as he finished speaking, he had no more regrets and turned to fly away from the place on his magical artifact.

……

Several days later, a blazing red beam of light suddenly crashed into the sky above Spirit Beast Mountain and landed hastily in front of the sect's main hall.

The light dissipated, revealing Elder Wang, who looked somewhat tired.

He didn't bother to straighten his slightly disheveled Taoist robe, but steadily stepped over the threshold and went straight into the main hall.

The hall was filled with smoke, and only the Nascent Soul elder sat cross-legged, as if waiting for him.

"Bingyan greets Martial Uncle." Elder Wang took a deep breath, stepped forward and bowed. Although his tone was respectful, it carried a hint of unconcealed anxiety. "Martial Uncle's emergence from seclusion this time must mean that his cultivation technique has reached its peak. This is truly a blessing for our sect."

"Hmm, it's Bingyan." The Nascent Soul elder slowly opened his eyes, his tone surprisingly calm. "How is the battle at Jingu Plain? As the frontline leader, how come you have time to return to the sect today?"

"The situation at the front is deadlocked, and casualties are heavy. We need to continue to send more men from within the sect," Elder Wang said bluntly, skipping the pleasantries.

"I rushed back this time hoping to take a few of my disciples with me for some training. However, I searched the valley but couldn't find my youngest disciple, Lu Nanzhu. I wonder if my martial uncle has seen him?"

The old man was silent for a moment, his withered fingertips lightly stroking the robe on his knees, and finally said slowly:

"That lad has been sent by me to guard the 'Northern Mine'. Judging by the days, he should be here soon."

"The Northern Mine?" Elder Wang suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with astonishment and disbelief.

"That place is devoid of spiritual energy, its mines have long been abandoned, and it's now a major area infiltrated by demonic forces. Why send him to such a place?"

"Bingyan." The old man slowly stood up, and an invisible pressure spread throughout the hall.

"Your disciple is burdened with karma. The nephew of Liu, the deputy sect leader of the Yuling Sect, died at his hands."

His cousin was a rising star in the Liu family. Even if Vice Sect Master Liu didn't care about this matter, how could the entire Liu family let Lu Nanzhu off the hook?

Now that Vice Sect Master Liu has just emerged from seclusion, the entire Liu family is already at loggerheads with him. To maintain his clan's power, he has no choice but to seek an explanation from me.

The old man sighed and looked directly at Elder Wang: "For the sake of the peace and tranquility of the thousands of disciples of my Spirit Beast Mountain, I have no choice but to resort to this desperate measure."

A deathly silence fell over the hall.

After a long pause, Elder Wang squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth: "Bingyan... I understand. This disciple takes his leave."

He suddenly turned around, his spiritual power surging, and was about to transform into a streak of light and fly away.

But just as he was about to step out of the palace gate, a thick golden barrier instantly formed, violently bouncing him back.

"Your temperament is exactly like your master's; you're too impulsive." On the high seat, the old man pointed with two fingers, his expression calm, clearly having been prepared all along.

"Uncle-Master!" Elder Wang turned around abruptly, his eyes wide, and roared righteously.

"As a teacher, how can I stand idly by and watch my disciple fall into a deadly situation? I, Wang Bingyan, cannot bear it! Please, Uncle-Master, lift the restrictions and let me leave!"

"You really have inherited my junior brother's true skills." The old man shook his head helplessly, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes.

"Back then, in order to protect you and your junior brother Lin, your master did not hesitate to fight against a powerful enemy with his crippled body. Not long after he returned, he was seriously injured and passed away."

I personally promised him that I would protect both of you.

Now that Junior Nephew Lin has perished, how can I allow you to risk your life for a Foundation Establishment disciple?

Elder Wang clenched his fists, but gradually slumped under the old man's gaze.

"Alright. That kid Lu might not be in a hopeless situation. I only promised Fellow Daoist Liu that life and death on the battlefield are determined by fate, and I will not interfere."

If that boy truly survives this calamity and returns alive, I guarantee he will be safe in the future.

Seeing that Elder Wang had stopped struggling, the old man patiently instructed him, "I will have Boya go to Jin Gu Yuan on your behalf."

As for you, stay in the palace and cultivate in seclusion for the time being. Don't let these trivial matters ruin your cultivation.

Before he finished speaking, the old man's figure vanished like smoke, and the doors of the main hall slammed shut, leaving Elder Wang alone, trapped there with a bitter expression on his face.

Meanwhile, Lu Nanzhu, along with a Foundation Establishment mid-stage senior brother surnamed Qi, and more than a dozen Qi Refining disciples with tense expressions, were traveling swiftly across the northern wilderness on their magical artifacts.

Along the way, Lu Nanzhu made a point of making friends with this Senior Brother Qi, who was also a talkative person. The two chatted and laughed, and even exchanged some tips on raising spirit beasts, which brought them closer together.

As they got closer to their destination, the faint smell of blood in the air made everyone's hearts leap into their throats.

The noise in the ranks had long since disappeared, replaced by a suffocating sense of vigilance.

"Wait a minute!" Senior Brother Qi's face darkened, and his gaze swept towards a pile of rocks diagonally below.

Two disheveled figures were seen running towards them desperately, their clothes tattered and their faces covered in blood.

Without saying a word, Senior Brother Qi moved swiftly and blocked the two Qi Refining cultivators who were about to flee, instantly stopping them in their tracks.

"Where did you two come from? Why are you in such a panic?" Senior Brother Qi asked.

"I...I report to my two senior uncles, I am a disciple of the Qingxu Sect!" One of them collapsed to the ground in fright, crying out in a trembling voice.

"We were originally tasked with guarding a spirit stone mine, but who would have thought that those scoundrels from the demonic path would suddenly attack us."

Their moves were extremely strange; they could even summon a blue fireball.

That fireball was incredibly powerful; any magical artifacts we held that came into contact with even the slightest bit were instantly incinerated… We couldn't stop it at all! The two Foundation Establishment senior uncles leading the group are probably already…”

"A blue fireball? That's the 'Azure Sun Demon Fire' of the Demon Flame Sect!" A glint flashed in Lu Nanzhu's eyes. Instead of being frightened, he showed great interest.

He stepped forward, staring intently at the cultivator, and demanded, "Who was leading those people? And where did they go?"

Another Qingxu Sect disciple appeared more composed; although his face was pale, he answered clearly and logically:

"The leader was an extremely beautiful female cultivator, whose fire-attribute cultivation technique was truly superb."

During their battles, those demonic cultivators treated her with utmost respect, holding her in the highest esteem.

Within a radius of a hundred miles, only in the northeast is there a relatively large spirit stone mine still guarded by fellow disciples. It is said that a considerable amount of spirit stones are still stockpiled there and have not yet been transported out. I guess... after they finished clearing the battlefield, they must have headed there!

After listening to their descriptions, Lu Nanzhu's vague guess instantly became a fact: the female cultivator at the high level of the Demon Flame Sect, coupled with her signature domineering fire skills, must be none other than Lian Feihua, the sect leader's daughter!

If you follow her, there's a very high chance you'll stumble upon that "abandoned mine" that contains an ancient teleportation array.

He continued to press the two for other information, such as whether there were any Core Formation cultivators and the exact location of the mine.

After clarifying some important information, Lu Nanzhu felt that this was a good opportunity and that they might actually be able to find the ancient teleportation array.

He decided to take the gamble!

"Senior Brother Qi, the situation is urgent! Our fellow disciples in the northeast mine are in imminent danger, and I plan to go to their aid!"

Lu Nanzhu turned around, solemnly cupped his hands in greeting to Senior Brother Qi, and said, "You can lead the team to the Northern Mine to complete the handover first, and we will meet there."

Upon hearing this, Senior Brother Qi immediately became anxious, grabbed Lu Nanzhu's sleeve, and whispered to persuade him:

"Junior Brother Lu, have you gone mad? We've already reached the border vortex, and survival should be our top priority."

Although the northern mines are devoid of spiritual energy and offer little profit, they are not of interest to the demonic path, so we can stay there safely.

"If you go back alone now, those mines in Northeast China will probably have become a den of monsters. Even if you are highly skilled, how can you possibly turn the tide alone?"

"I appreciate your guidance, Senior Brother." Lu Nanzhu said resolutely, having found an excellent excuse.

"However, Nan Zhu does indeed have a sworn brother who is guarding that place. If I were to sit idly by and watch him suffer, it would be a betrayal of my principles. Senior brother, take care!"

Seeing that he was determined to leave, Senior Brother Qi sighed and slowly released his grip:

"Since you value loyalty and righteousness so much, I won't stop you. If you manage to escape, remember to return to the Northern Mine for a cup of tea. Take care!"

After saying that, Senior Brother Qi led the group of Qi Refining disciples and hurriedly headed to the "Northern Mine".

Lu Nanzhu watched the crowd depart, then took a deep breath, and a burst of azure light erupted from his body.

Bu Tiange activated his full escape technique, and like a streak of blue lightning, he swiftly traversed the wasteland in the direction indicated by the Qingxu Sect disciple, striving to reach the mine before the demonic cultivators arrived.