I only want immortality.

"Uncle-Master Chen, the spiritual energy of this mountain is weak, making it unsuitable for long-term cultivation. Even ordinary rogue cultivators might not find it appealing. Does that Grandmaster Uncle really live here?"

The mountains are as green as ink, shrouded in clouds and mist.

Two figures were climbing the mountain path, one with a long beard and dressed in brocade and silk, the other with a handsome face and dressed in flowing white robes.

The mountain path was steep, but the two walked as if on flat ground, their expressions unchanged.

Perhaps because they had been walking for a long time, the young man in white, Lin Yang, finally couldn't suppress his doubts and asked.

Chen Xu paused, looked up at the distant mountain peaks hidden in the clouds, then turned back and gently shook his head.

"I don't know either. It's just that the old sect leader left a will before his death, asking us to come back and assist the young sect leader. Even if he's not here, we still have to make the trip."

Lin Yang hesitated slightly, but still asked again:

"But... it's said that my grandmaster was already eighty years old when he left the sect. Now, more than twenty years have passed, he might not still be..."

"To be precise, he was eighty-seven years old when he left the clan."

Chen Xu interrupted calmly.

Then, a sigh arose:

"As the saying goes, few people live to seventy. We cultivators, though we nourish our qi and refine our essence, still have our golden sea not yet dried up and our foundation for cultivation not yet established. In the end, our lifespan will not exceed one hundred years."

"Master Li is a scholar of extraordinary learning and talent. Most of the improved spells in the sect are his work, and his reputation is known throughout the five surrounding countries. Unfortunately, he was ultimately burdened by the evil soil of our 'Song Kingdom' and could not hope to build a foundation for his cultivation. However, when he left, he was already at the ninth level of Qi Refining. If he had taken good care of himself and had not fought with others, he might still be alive today."

"Nine levels of Qi Refining..."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yang was even more confused:

"It's not that I'm being presumptuous, but... even if my grandmaster were alive, the ninth level of Qi Refining is second only to a few people in the sect, yet he couldn't control the overall situation, could he?"

"You don't understand."

Faced with his disciple's questioning, Chen Xu did not rebuke him, but said softly:

"Your grandmaster is highly respected and has connections with various sects in the past. Now, the young sect leader has only recently taken over. He may have the ability, but his reputation is not known to outsiders, so he is inevitably looked down upon. Moreover, there are people within the sect as well... Putting all that aside, if your grandmaster were willing to come down the mountain and take charge of the sect, all sides would surely give him some face. At least while your grandmaster was alive, their behavior wouldn't be too ugly."

"That's exactly what I wanted to ask. Even if my grandmaster is in good health, he is still quite old. Judging by his age, he is probably over a hundred years old now. In the mortal world, he would be considered a centenarian. Even in the cultivation world, those who can reach such a lifespan are probably few and far between. How many more years can he remain in charge?"

Lin Yang said, "This disciple is arrogant and presumptuous. This disciple truly does not know the meaning of our arduous journey here."

"You are indeed arrogant."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xu offered a light rebuke, then shook his head and sighed softly:

"The current situation is turbulent, and with the young master newly established, there is unease within the sect. Even just a few years of peace would make a world of difference."

"Otherwise, why would we have come here?"

"But... alas, we need to find your grandmaster to discuss this further, otherwise it's all just empty talk."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yang quickly replied "Yes," and then asked:

"Deep in the mountains and dense forests, it's difficult to find anyone. Out of respect, neither of us dares to travel through the air. How could we possibly find our grandmaster?"

"Then it all depends on fate."

Chen Xu sighed softly.

Lin Yang remained silent.

The two said no more and continued up the mountain path and stone steps. However, the more they walked, the more desolate it became. When they reached the edge of a ravine between two mountains, where it seemed like there was no way out, they suddenly saw the path turn around and the scenery brighten up. A stone pavilion stood beside the stone steps and cliff, with the name "Canglang" written in ancient and simple characters.

"Canglang?"

Lin Yang had not yet grasped its meaning, but Chen Xu's eyes lit up immediately upon seeing the two characters on the pavilion, and he was overjoyed:

"It was your grandmaster's work! He's right here in these mountains!"

"Is this truly my grandmaster's handwriting?"

Lin Yang asked in surprise.

"No, your grandmaster was once known as the 'Master of Canglang.' This place is deep in the mountains, with no one coming and going. There is also the Canglang Pavilion, which must have been built by him. Let's go and continue forward."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yang perked up, and the two of them, without taking a break, continued their journey up the stone steps.

They rode horses across the mountain, and even with their own strength, they walked for half a day without seeing any human trace. Instead, the mountain was shrouded in mist, making it impossible to see the stone path above. All they could see was the lush green moss on the steps beneath their feet.

"Uncle-Master, could it be a coincidence?"

After resting for a while, Lin Yang couldn't help but ask again.

"There are no coincidences. Just keep going."

Chen Xu shook his head and urged him on.

"Can……"

Lin Yang was about to speak when Chen Xu suddenly shushed her:

"listen!"

Lin Yang quickly focused his ears and heard a faint sound coming from deep within the mountain mist. The sound was clear and youthful.

Upon closer listening, the sound could be heard coming from afar:

"...Selling firewood to buy wine, laughing wildly to amuse myself. On the high autumn path, I rest my head on a pine root under the moon, and wake up at dawn. I recognize the old forest, climb cliffs and cross ridges, and cut withered vines with an axe. I gather a load, sing as I go to the market, and exchange it for three liters of rice. Where I meet, they are either immortals or Taoists, sitting quietly and discussing the Yellow Court Classic."

"What a wonderful meditation and discourse on the Yellow Court Classic!"

Chen Xu's eyes gleamed, he exclaimed in admiration, then lifted his robes and strode quickly toward the depths of the clouds and mist, with Lin Yang following closely behind.

After walking for a short while, the clouds and mist gradually dissipated, and a large pine tree stood on the left side of the road. Under the pine tree, a boy carrying a bamboo basket was leaning back on the back of a black water buffalo. The water buffalo was grazing, while the boy had his legs crossed, seemingly half asleep and half awake, leisurely reciting to himself.

The two looked at each other in bewilderment.

Lin Yang couldn't help but step forward and ask, "Hey, kid, do you know where the Master of Canglang is?"

The boy, however, seemed not to hear and began reciting another chapter.

Lin Yang was immediately annoyed and was about to speak when Chen Xu stopped him with a gesture. He then stepped forward, bowed to the boy, and said:

"Chen Xu, Head of the External Affairs Hall of Chun Jun Sect, greets you, young friend. I misspoke just now and offended you. Please forgive me."

"Chun Jun Sect?"

The boy's ears twitched, but he couldn't pretend to be asleep any longer. He scrambled up from the ox's back, straddled its stern, his legs spread wide, his hair in two pigtails, his lips red and teeth white. He tilted his head and sized up the newcomer, saying in a clear voice:

"Big Beard, who are you?"

Chen Xu quickly replied:

"Young friend, you may not know, but Master Canglang comes from the Chun Jun Sect. I am Master Canglang's junior disciple. I have come here specifically to pay my respects. May I ask who you and your senior master are...?"

"Are you the teacher's junior apprentice?"

The boy scratched his pigtails, examining them from head to toe, seemingly not quite believing it.

"teacher?"

Chen Xu and Lin Yang were both surprised. Chen Xu immediately cupped his hands in greeting:

"So it's Junior Brother Lin Yang. Come quickly to see your Martial Uncle."

"this……"

Lin Yang hesitated for a moment, but still braced herself and stepped forward to give a half bow: "Lin Yang greets Junior Uncle."

Upon hearing this, the boy beamed with joy and looked at Lin Yang, saying, "Then you're my junior disciple?"

"Exactly."

Knowing Lin Yang's proud nature and fearing he might ruin things, Chen Xu took over the conversation, then flipped his hand and pulled out an object from his sleeve, which he presented to the boy—a jade flute.

"Since I didn't bring any suitable gift when we first met, I'll give this to you."

The boy took the flute, turned it over and over, overjoyed, and exclaimed:

"Okay, okay!"

It is clear that he likes it very much.

Lin Yang saw the flute and hesitated to speak.

Seeing this, Chen Xu felt relieved and pressed his advantage, asking:

"I haven't yet asked my junior brother for guidance; where is my senior master now?"

"The teacher has gone to gather herbs."

The boy was busy playing with his flute and said casually.

My senior brother is indeed still alive!

Although Chen Xu had guessed some of the reason, he was still overjoyed to hear the boy's words and quickly asked, "Where is Uncle-Master gathering herbs? Let's go find him right now."

The boy said, "I don't know, but it's somewhere in these mountains."

"In the mountains?"

Chen Xu and Lin Yang exchanged a glance and couldn't help but look towards the cliffs and streams not far away.

All that could be seen was a vast expanse of mist and clouds, and the insignificance of human power.

But it is indeed:

Under the pine tree, I asked the boy, who replied that his master had gone to gather herbs, for he was in this mountain, where the clouds were so deep that I did not know where.