From waterfowl, it began to transform into the Great Sun Golden Crow.

When asked about the ways of the world, is one truly free from guilt?

Gu Heting simply fell silent.

His speechless words were keenly caught by Jing Li.

Jingli, the river-swallowing fish, kept its mouth wide open for a long time.

But I didn't know what to say. I managed to squeeze out a few words at the very end.

"Keep reading."

Finding the answer in one's heart—how difficult that is!

I have been troubled for a long time, but I have no choice but to make a decision.

To abandon one's wife is unjust. To fail to stay by one's side with one's son in the name of a father is unkind.

I have always considered myself unkind and unjust.

I feel deeply ashamed.

But the immortals sought the Dao, so I had no choice but to go. In the end, I fed my heart and soul to the dogs.

[Pathetic, and pitiful.]

"Alas, he's become foolish from studying the classics; it's truly pitiful. He hesitates so much before doing anything. Now that he's already on the path to immortality, he shouldn't be dwelling on the past." The River-Swallowing Fish said, but then it fell into memories. This inexplicable sigh made it think of many things.

Is it like this immortal?

It was lost in its memories.

Gu Heting didn't say anything; he continued reading. What followed was this senior's journey on the path to immortality.

What does it mean to join a sect?

He spent many years cultivating to reach the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

How many more years did it take him to reach the Core Formation stage? And how did he rise from a novice disciple to become one of the sect's elite? The last few chapters of the diary detail his becoming a direct disciple.

Gu Heting then realized this.

How did this late-stage Core Formation cultivator die?

The wind rose and then stopped; the mistake was made, and I cannot escape blame.

My junior brother has fallen into demonic ways. It's my fault as his senior brother for failing to fulfill my supervisory responsibilities.

I swear to all my senior masters.

I will also bring this junior brother into the Hall of Enforcement.

[I beg you elders, please spare my junior brother's life.]

Upon hearing this, Jing Li couldn't help but shake his head. He felt that this guy's mind was even more active than Gu Heting's.

Those who make mistakes must be punished.

Since he has already fallen into the demonic path, he should be cut down with a single sword.

To even hope that he will turn back is utterly naive.

Gu Heting remained silent, engrossed in reading the remaining pages of his diary. The diary, though only a few pages long, revealed the full extent of his tumultuous life.

Before leaving, I returned to my ancestral hall.

My nameplate is also on the ancestral hall. Above it is my portrait.

I saw a child who smiled and asked me who I was.

At this moment, I don't know how to answer.

He told me that the great-grandmother of the Lü family never married. She raised her son alone, as a lady of high rank. On the day her son came of age, he achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations.

He ultimately rose to the position of Prefect of Cangzhou.

[He was also a fourth-rank official.]

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

They then gave him a peace lock, hoping it would bring him good fortune and protect him throughout his life.

[A drop in the ocean, my son's grave is now a lonely one.]

Cultivation leads to the left, the mortal realm to the right.

[It's impossible to even hope to catch up with them.]

The year's end is uneasy.

Only one line remained: "[I have found my junior disciple who has mistakenly entered the Demonic Sect. From this day forward, we shall set off immediately.]" The article ended abruptly here, and Gu Heting could guess what was going on.

What exactly is the battle between the two cultivations that Senior Jingli mentioned?

It must be that his junior brother had fallen into demonic ways. He fought the demonic junior brother to the bitter end in the name of his senior brother. In the end, his injuries could not be healed, and he died in this cave.

He spent his life seeking immortality and enlightenment.

But this is how it ended.

It truly is like the ever-changing clouds and the vicissitudes of life.

"Child, this immortal was most likely killed by his junior brother. Now that his body is left exposed here, it is a fitting end. Bury him." Tunjiangyu sighed heavily, ultimately lamenting the impermanence of life.

Having already sought immortality and enlightenment, worldly affairs are but a fleeting thought.

Gu Heting nodded.

After closing the diary, Gu Heting discovered a package at his waist. As soon as the package was opened, a spirit ring appeared before his eyes.

There was also a sachet in the package.

Four characters are engraved on the sachet.

[Passing the Imperial Examination]

[Presented to Lü Pingyang by his first wife, Zhu Yuting.]

Nine small characters were engraved around the sachet. Upon seeing these nine characters, Gu Heting's eyes turned dry.

How did this senior cultivator have the courage to abandon his wife?

Gu Heting didn't receive much care before he transmigrated.

If it were him, he probably wouldn't have been able to take that step.

"What's wrong, little one?"

"It's okay, it's just a bit windy."

The small package contained very little: only a sachet and a spirit ring. Gu Heting picked up the ring with his mouth.

He kept glancing at the ring, finding its pattern rather strange.

A bluish light emanated from it, and the sound was faint.

A few wisps of spiritual energy occasionally leaked out. Gu Heting examined the ring curiously, finding it rather peculiar, and asked, "What is this?"

"This is a storage jade ring."

Whale Li's tone remained calm. This little waterbird knew nothing, but he was a seasoned veteran. Its former owner possessed this very storage jade ring, albeit a yellow one.

The cyan jade spirit ring is of the highest quality.

This indicates that the person holds a high position within the sect.

Jing Li suspected that the fallen cultivator might be a direct disciple of a sect.

"Little one, give me that thing. I'll help you break the curse inside."

Storage rings are usually enchanted. Cultivators imprint familiar patterns on them. With their control over spiritual energy, they can open the inside of the ring with a little skill.

It's like encountering a lock on a door in the mortal world.

Breaking the seal was not difficult; for Jing Li, it only required a single thought.

"Forehead......"

Before Gu Heting could speak, Jing Li manipulated water power. The surging water drew two lines.

The water lines, like octopus tentacles, enveloped the ring.

The water flowed along the patterns on the ring, constantly exploring its surface.

Even at the very end, the ring was covered with tiny white bubbles.

"Old Fish, I feel like my spiritual energy is flowing into the ring."

"Calm down and look for patterns," said the River-Swallowing Fish.

A surge of spiritual energy caused the ring to glow brightly with a bluish light.

Then, countless herbs burst forth. The variety of herbs was overwhelming. Along with the herbs came numerous small, emerald-green bottles.

The small bottle occasionally releases a herbal fragrance.

Until the last cyan alchemy furnace appeared before the two of them.

The center of the alchemy furnace was covered in a layer of dust, indicating that it had been used for many years.

"It seems this person is a cultivator specializing in alchemy."

"Why are you so certain, senior?"

This person had a very comprehensive supply of herbs. Each herb was interconnected; for every poisonous herb, there was a corresponding antidote.

The alchemy process had reached a level of meticulous detail.

Aside from those alchemists who are solely focused on cultivating the Dao.

No one else could achieve such meticulousness. Tunjiangyu was certain because this person did not carry a sword.

Moreover, it's a cyan alchemy furnace, clearly a top-grade product.

"Don't ask any more questions, little one. Put on this ring and study this alchemy properly."

"This opportunity is not something ordinary people can obtain."