I only want immortality.

"This Li Pinghe, a mere Qi Refining cultivator, actually manages to stand against a Foundation Establishment cultivator... The Chun Jun Sect must not be touched again for at least ten years!"

The mountains and rivers on both sides swept past rapidly. Yang Xingkong and Lu Mingchen moved with lightning speed, not daring to hold back even a little bit of strength, for fear that if they were a step too late, they would be wiped out by the Dao Foundation True Cultivator.

Both men received a warning from Wen Yao at the very beginning of the great battle and fled north in panic.

Even now, Yang Xingkong felt a rare sense of lingering fear. The scene of Li Pinghe forming an array to fight against Wen Yao was truly astonishing. Looking back now, if they had really provoked Li Pinghe at Chun Jun Sect, they might not have had the chance to join Qinghe Sect.

They are becoming increasingly wary.

I'm also relieved.

"Fortunately, he probably won't live much longer. Is he 112 or 113 now?"

"At his age, other cultivators would have long since passed away. Even if he is still relatively healthy, this fight against a Dao Foundation cultivator has probably exhausted his last breath."

"At most a few years, until he passes away..."

……

"Hatsutsugi, is that you?"

The once magnificent Stone Forest is now just ruins.

Upon hearing Li Pinghe's whisper, the lotus seedpod trembled slightly.

Under Li Pinghe's complex gaze, the lotus seedpod illusion gradually dissipated, revealing the figure of a beautiful young woman, as white as a lotus root.

He wore a Taoist robe that was as white as lotus petals, his hair was as black as ink, his eyebrows and eyes were like paintings, and his temperament was aloof. It was as if time had not left any trace on him.

Standing there, she resembled a lotus flower, graceful and elegant.

Gazing at Li Pinghe, a hint of resentment still lingered in her eyes, as if she wanted to speak but hesitated, just like when the two parted many years ago.

Upon seeing this woman, Li Pinghe was also taken aback, and after a long while, he sighed softly:

"It really is you... I haven't seen you for decades, and you haven't changed at all."

After saying that, he laughed at himself:

But I am already old.

The woman remained silent for a moment, then finally parted her lips slightly, her voice flowing like a spring:

"Li Lang, are you upset that I kept it from you?"

She looked at the other person.

Li Pinghe shook his head and smiled faintly, seemingly carefree:

"What's so strange about it? Back then, you asked me to stay in Lotus Valley with you, and that was my own choice... I'm sure you had your own reasons."

His tone was casual and relaxed, yet that distant memory, almost forgotten, resurfaced at this moment, bringing with it a unique flavor.

At that time, he had been lying low for many years with the help of the yellow gourd in his sea of ​​consciousness, and finally succeeded. He then traveled to various sects in the Song Kingdom and was riding high.

While passing through Lotus Valley, they naturally crossed paths with Ye Chutong, a disciple personally taught by the master of Lotus Valley at the time. They initially exchanged their cultivation experiences, but later, the two developed feelings for each other and gradually considered becoming Daoist partners.

However, outsiders are not allowed to stay in Lotus Valley for long. If they want to become Daoist partners, Li Pinghe must enter Lotus Valley, and male cultivators are not allowed to go outside.

At that time, he was in his prime, full of vigor and high spirits. How could he be willing to be confined to the small Lotus Valley? He resolutely refused.

The two parted ways, exchanging only occasional letters, and never saw each other again.

Now, it is the first time the two have met since they parted ways many years ago.

Hearing Li Pinghe's words, Ye Chutong seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. She tilted her head slightly, unsure of where to begin. After a long while, she murmured to herself:

"Lotus Valley has always had a foundation for Dao."

Li Pinghe couldn't help but show surprise, but he didn't ask any questions and listened carefully.

"Many years ago, a major sect from the north went south to plunder spiritual caves in the borderlands. Among them was a member of the same clan as the founder of my Lotus Valley sect, namely the Ye family of Yingchuan. He was a close relative of the founder and could not bear to forcibly seize the spiritual caves and damage the founder's foundation. Therefore, he only took half of them and concealed the truth."

At this point, Ye Chutong suddenly asked, "Do you know about the Earthly Immortal Path?"

Li Pinghe raised an eyebrow slightly: "A method to establish a foundation for Dao through spiritual acupoints?"

"Exactly."

Ye Chutong glanced at Li Pinghe in surprise, then slowly said:

"There are many benefits to cultivating the foundation of the Tao through this method. It does not require innate talent for the Tao, nor are there any limitations set by predecessors. It all depends on one's own ability."

"There are only a limited number of spiritual caves in the world, and only a limited number of Dao Foundation cultivators can be supplied with them. Although the earth's energy can nourish the spiritual caves and they can slowly recover, it often takes hundreds or thousands of years."

Li Pinghe continued, "So, the major sects of various countries do not want ordinary people to know about this Earth Immortal Dao method, to prevent others from vying for the spiritual burial sites?"

Ye Chutong nodded and said, "Yes and no. The more important reason why the sect seals off the method of the Earth Immortal Path is that the Dao foundation that cultivators build with spiritual caves is convenient for cultivation. Even if the spiritual caves grow, true cultivators can also make progress. However, they are also bound by it. Once the spiritual caves are damaged, the Dao foundations of the many true cultivators they support will also be damaged."

"This Earthly Immortal Path actually has such a significant flaw?"

Li Pinghe was slightly taken aback; he rarely saw such a surprise.

Ye Chutong nodded: "Cultivation is inherently defying the heavens. The three paths of Heaven, Earth, and Man all have their flaws. Compared to the Human Immortal Path, which is either subject to possession by others, has limited limits, or is a matter of life and death, and the Heavenly Immortal Path, which is obscure and difficult to understand, the Earthly Immortal Path is already a broad and promising road."

After a moment's thought, Li Pinghe had no choice but to nod in agreement.

The biggest problem for cultivators of the Earth Immortal path is that they are bound to the spiritual cave, where they share in the glory and the loss. However, if they can protect the spiritual cave, they will have no disadvantage.

Of course, it wouldn't matter in peaceful times. Each sect would protect the stability of its own spiritual sites, and anyone who tried to break this balance would be attacked by all sides.

However, with the current turbulent situation, many sects are too busy to take care of themselves, and some smaller sects may even attract enemies because of their own spiritual sites.

The Three Sects of Wuling are the best example.

While pondering these thoughts, Ye Chutong spoke again:

"Because there are only a limited number of spiritual caves in the world, even in major sects, many Dao Foundation blood relatives have no chance. Although the spiritual cave in Lotus Valley can only support one person, if others find out about it, it will be a great disaster."

"Therefore, the patriarch decreed that future disciples must never reveal the information about the spiritual site, for fear that the Ye family of Yingchuan would not remember their past friendship."

She looked at Li Pinghe, her eyes seemingly filled with a myriad of emotions:

"Could Mr. Li understand these things?"

Upon hearing this, Li Pinghe fell silent. Now that things had come to this, how could he not understand that Ye Chutong had said so much in order to tell him what the unspoken suffering she had endured in the past truly was?

"And now?"

Li Pinghe spoke up, asking in return:

"What could not be spoken of before, why tell me now?"

Ye Chutong remained silent for a long time before finally choosing to be honest:

"With the Qinghe Sect heading south, Lotus Valley will inevitably be exposed sooner or later. I... do not want you to die with resentment."

Upon hearing this, Li Pinghe was momentarily at a loss for words. He shook his head and then asked:

"What about Xianyu Qiong? Is he in the same situation as you?"

"It shouldn't be."

Seeing that Li Pinghe had only mentioned it briefly, Ye Chutong replied, "The Nine Yang Sect's spiritual cave was probably destroyed back then, but this place was originally the most fertile area in the Song Kingdom. After years of nurturing, it is normal that the spiritual cave has recovered to some extent."

"Xianyu Qiong dared not make a fuss, probably because he was afraid that outsiders would take notice of the Jiuyang Sect's spiritual cave. If I'm not mistaken, there are probably only a handful of people in the Jiuyang Sect who know of its existence."

Li Pinghe nodded, then couldn't help but ask curiously:

"I know about the Human Immortal Path and the Earth Immortal Path, but what about the Celestial Immortal Path?"

Seeing that Li Pinghe, even in his current state, was still concerned about the path of cultivation, rather than her, Ye Chutong could not hide her disappointment, but still replied earnestly:

"After completing the Heavenly Immortal Path, there is actually not much difference between it and the Human Immortal Path or the Earthly Immortal Path. The only difference is that one can be unrestrained and free from all constraints. As for the methods of cultivation, I have no way of knowing them, I only know that each person is different..."

Li Pinghe couldn't help but show regret; he really wanted to see if he had any hope of becoming a celestial immortal.

Just then, Ye Chutong tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and asked in a relaxed tone, seemingly casually:

"Yes, Li Lang, you were unwilling to stay in Lotus Valley back then, but now, are you still willing to grow old with me in Lotus Valley?"

Li Pinghe was taken aback, gazing at the exquisite face that remained as beautiful as ever. He sighed, realizing that time had indeed not diminished her beauty, and chuckled to himself:

"Even if I were willing, now that I'm old and frail, a skeleton in a tomb, would you still be willing to stay with this old man?"

"I do!"

Ye Chutong instinctively agreed immediately, then realized her mistake and nodded slightly under Li Pinghe's surprised gaze.

"I... I am of course willing, otherwise I would not have come today."

Then came the anxiety of gaining and losing:

"Are you really willing to come to Lotus Valley?"

Li Pinghe fell silent once again.

Under Ye Chutong's expectant gaze, he said softly:

"Chu Tong, I am truly happy that you have not forgotten me after all these years. But I am old and only want to try to build my foundation for the Dao again in the rest of my life."

Ye Chutong had already sensed the rejection in his words, but she still tried to salvage the situation:

"You want to walk the path of immortality? You can do that in Lotus Valley. I'll find a way to gather the magical treasures you need."

"Don't worry, no one in the valley can stop us now..."

No, it has nothing to do with anyone else.

Li Pinghe felt a pang of pity, but he still interrupted her, his tone firm:

"It is my own unwillingness to do so... After sitting in seclusion in the mountains for more than twenty years, I have come to know what I seek—"

"All I want is to live forever."

Ye Chutong was stunned and lost in thought, then asked:

"If one could attain immortality, yet have no friends or acquaintances by one's side, becoming utterly alone, what joy would there be?"

Li Pinghe remained silent for a while, then asked in return:

Why isn't Chu Tong here?

Upon hearing this, Ye Chutong was shaken to her core, as if struck by lightning, and was unable to utter a word.

Li Pinghe said slowly, "Since you have already forged your Dao foundation in the Lotus Valley spiritual cave, you are far superior to others. Why not cultivate diligently? If we cultivators can achieve immortality, why should we care about a day or two?"

"If I cannot achieve immortality, then all of this is out of the question. Do you agree, Chu Tong?"

Ye Chutong seemed to awaken from a dream, looking at Li Pinghe with a newfound light in her eyes, and said earnestly:

"I've remembered everything you said."

"My love, if we ever live forever, let us never forget each other!"

The Dao Foundation Lifespan is two hundred years, which is more than twice that of an ordinary person, but it cannot be considered immortality. Only the Golden Elixir Primordial Saint can exist for thousands of years with a single thought. However, how few Golden Elixir Primordial Saints are there?

Ye Chutong's words have made his intentions clear.

Li Pinghe looked pleased, knowing that she understood what he meant.

Lotus Valley is a haven of gentle pleasures. He is not a hero, yet he cannot resist the affections of a beautiful woman. Once he becomes increasingly complacent, with only a few years left to live, there is absolutely no hope left.

He knew his own temperament very well; no matter how firm his resolve was, there would always be times when it would weaken, so he would never give himself that chance.

It's nothing more than burning one's bridges.

Ye Chutong then said, "Give me that real water vessel."

Although Li Pinghe did not understand the meaning, he did not question it. He took it out from his sleeve and handed it to Ye Chutong.

Ye Chutong flicked her finger on the water vessel, and immediately a series of angry curses came from it, exactly the same as Wen Yao's voice. Soon, green smoke rose from it and quickly dissipated.

Ye Chutong then returned the real water vessel to Li Pinghe.

Thank you.

Li Pinghe said politely.

Upon hearing this, Ye Chutong looked up at him, her eyes filled with resentment: "Do we have to be so distant over such a small matter?"

Li Pinghe smiled but didn't say anything more.

Fortunately, Ye Chutong didn't dwell on it. Seeing that everything was settled and Li Pinghe was no longer in danger, she spoke up:

"If you need anything, just send me a message. By the way, are the Longevity Pills ready?"

Without waiting for Li Pinghe's reply, she took out a wooden box from her sleeve and pushed it towards Li Pinghe:

"I happen to have a five-year-old one here, you can take it."

This time, Li Pinghe did not refuse and accepted it.

The longevity pill that Murong Xian found for him was four years old, so it was naturally not as good as the one Ye Chutong gave him.

Seeing that Li Pinghe accepted it, Ye Chutong finally felt relieved. As a Dao Foundation cultivator with nearly a hundred years of lifespan remaining, she naturally did not need to carry such pills with her. The reason she could take them out was simply because she had specially selected them before coming.

"Well then, I'll be going now."

Ye Chutong bit her lip, hesitating to speak.

Li Pinghe saw it all, but pretended not to notice, nodded, and didn't try to stop him.

Ye Chutong left helplessly.

He then slightly turned his head, glanced at a stone peak in the distance to the south, and said softly:

"What are you all hiding for? Come out now."

Behind the stone peak, two figures, one small and one large, flew out stealthily; they were Jin Guang and Lin Yang.

A golden light flew in first, and its eyes shone brightly:

"Was that your master's wife just now?"

"Teacher, you're not good enough for her!"

Although Lin Yang dared not act presumptuously in front of Li Pinghe, she couldn't help but prick up her ears.

Li Pinghe grabbed Jin Guang's ear and said irritably, "Why do you care so much! I told you to escape south, why did you come back!"

"Ouch, ouch, that hurts! Teacher, don't pull! It's going to fall off!"

Jin Guang shouted, and when Li Pinghe finally let go, he rubbed his ears and honestly said, "I was just afraid that you, teacher, couldn't beat him."

"With you in the mix, we'll be able to win?"

Li Pinghe was still somewhat annoyed: "It seems you've forgotten everything I taught you before! 'A gentleman takes revenge even after ten years.' Go back and copy these ten words a hundred times."

Jin Guang said "Oh," then realized, "Teacher, isn't this eight characters?"

"Then two hundred times."

"Oh? I shouldn't have said that..."

Before long, the three people and the ox took to the air and headed straight for the location of the Nine Suns Sect.

With the mournful cries of Jin Guang ringing in his ears and Lin Yang's cautious persuasion, Li Pinghe touched the real water bowl in his sleeve, and felt a gentle breeze on his face. His mood was unusually peaceful.

After going through numerous twists and turns, and even involving four Dao Foundation cultivators, he finally obtained a ticket to the Dao Foundation realm.

However, there is a problem with this ship bound for Daoji.

That is, the possibility of reaching the other side is only 40%. For others, this 40% is enough to take the risk, but for him, it is still not enough.

Are there any other options?

Li Pinghe's eyes flickered, as if he were deep in thought.

There seems to be only one safer approach.

That is the path of the Earthly Immortals.