A Mortal's Journey to Immortality: Starting as a Sword-Forging Servant and Ascending to Immorta

"Sir, how is the situation?" Zhou Lingxuan stood up at the right moment and cupped his hands in greeting.

The dark-faced man glanced coldly at Zhou Lingxuan but did not answer his question.

"Seal off the abandoned hall; no one is allowed to enter or leave."

The dark-faced man turned to give orders to the other two deacons.

"You two stay here and keep watch. I'll go back to the inner sect and report to the elders immediately."

After saying that, he summoned his flying sword, which transformed into a streak of light and soared into the sky, instantly disappearing into the night.

The two deacons who remained walked to the main entrance of the abandoned hall and stood on either side, like two door gods, without saying a word.

Zhou Lingxuan watched this scene and sat back down in his armchair.

The deacons' reactions confirmed his suspicions.

The extent to which the subterranean fire spiraled out of control has far exceeded the capabilities of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

They can't even get close, let alone suppress.

This matter requires intervention from the sect's higher-ups.

The night grew deeper.

The fire in Pit 3 not only did not weaken, but instead burned even more fiercely.

One violent roar after another, causing the entire floor of the abandoned hall to tremble slightly.

The smell of sulfur in the air was so strong that it stung people's eyes.

The servants huddled in twos and threes in the corner, not daring to breathe.

Zhou Lingxuan sat in the armchair, closing his eyes to rest.

He was not worried that the underground fire would completely erupt and engulf the ruins.

The Heavenly Sword Pavilion has been established for so many years, and its foundation is unfathomable.

A mere runaway earth fire vein cannot shake the foundation of a sect.

What he's considering now is what kind of chain reaction this will trigger.

The earth fire went berserk, and the Weapon Hall and the Pill Hall were the first to be affected.

These two workshops require a large amount of earth fire every day for refining artifacts and pills.

Now that there's a problem with Pit 3, the other fire veins will definitely be affected as well.

Li Yuan just tampered with the Frost Shield, and now the Earth Fire is causing trouble again.

How will Chen Baichuan take advantage of this opportunity?

Will Zhang Qian seize this opportunity to smear him, this useless steward?

Zhou Lingxuan tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of the chair.

there is always a solution to a problem.

As long as he doesn't reveal that he forged the Wind and Thunder Sword, no one can pin the blame on him.

The long night is finally over.

The eastern sky began to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

The firelight in Pit 3 appeared even more dazzling under the morning sun.

The people in the abandoned hall had stayed up all night and were all listless.

Just then.

A deafening whooshing sound suddenly echoed through the air above the abandoned hall.

The sound was so loud it was almost tearing one's eardrums apart.

Zhou Lingxuan suddenly opened his eyes and looked up.

Two long rainbows, radiating terrifying pressure, tore through the morning clouds and crashed straight into the courtyard of the abandoned hall with overwhelming force.

The pressure from the Nascent Soul stage cultivator was unleashed without reservation.

The dozens of laborers in the front yard who had been working all night didn't even have time to utter a sound before they all collapsed to the ground.

Old Sun was pressed against the floor tiles, trembling so badly he couldn't even lift his head.

Lei Yang stood behind Zhou Lingxuan and suddenly bent his knees.

The young man gritted his teeth, his bones cracking, trying to stand upright against the oppressive force. His right hand had already reached for the hilt of the Wind and Thunder Sword.

A withered hand pressed down on Lei Yang's shoulder.

Zhou Lingxuan didn't turn around, but exerted a little force in his hand, forcefully suppressing Lei Yang's impulse to draw his sword.

"Lower your head," Zhou Lingxuan instructed in a low voice.

Lei Yang loosened the hilt of his sword and obediently lowered his head.

Zhou Lingxuan himself stood ramrod straight.

His body had been repeatedly struck by heavenly lightning and the Heaven-Forging Hammer, so the pressure from the Nascent Soul stage was at most a slightly stronger draft to him.

The light dissipated.

Two figures appeared.

The man on the left, dressed in purple robes, had a somber expression. He was none other than Liu Quan, the Third Elder of Earth Sword Peak.

The man on the right, dressed in a blue robe, had his brows furrowed and his face full of worry. This was the sect's fifth elder.

Liu Quan's gaze swept across the entire room, lingering on Zhou Lingxuan for a moment.

His gaze revealed undisguised disgust.

Liu Quan didn't say anything and simply turned his head away.

The Fifth Elder didn't even look at the people in the courtyard; his mind was entirely on the firelight on the back mountain.

"This temper..." The Fifth Elder's face was grim as he strode toward Pit No. 3.

Liu Quan stood still, his hands behind his back.

Zhou Lingxuan stood quietly beside the grand master's chair, serving as a mere decoration.

Half an incense stick later.

The Fifth Elder retreated from the back mountain.

A large area of ​​the hem of his blue robe was scorched by the heat, and his forehead was covered in sweat.

"No." The Fifth Elder shook his head at Liu Quan. "The fire veins below are completely in chaos. The yin fire is mixed with yang energy, and the two forces are intertwined below. I just tried to suppress it with the Kui Water Technique, and I almost suffered a backlash."

Liu Quan frowned.

"Even you can't control it?"

"We can't control it." The Fifth Elder sighed. "If this fire were to erupt completely, not only would the ruined hall be destroyed, but half of the outer sect would be burned to the ground."

The two were talking.

The Fifth Elder turned his head and his gaze fell on Zhou Lingxuan.

He was taken aback for a moment, then looked Zhou Lingxuan up and down a few times.

"You old man..." The Fifth Elder pointed at Zhou Lingxuan, his tone tinged with surprise, "I remember you. You were the one who triggered the manifestation of the Heavenly Sword that day, weren't you?"

Zhou Lingxuan cupped his hands in greeting and bowed.

"Yes, Elder, it is indeed this old man."

The Fifth Elder took two steps closer and circled Zhou Lingxuan halfway around.

That's strange.

The Fifth Elder marveled.

"The day I saw you, you were exhausted and half-dead, practically buried in the earth. How come you're not only alive today, but you're even wearing a manager's uniform? You look even healthier than you were that day."

The Fifth Elder's words were not malicious.

He was simply curious.

It's astonishing that an old mortal man nearing the end of his life could thrive in such a toxic place as the abandoned hall.

Zhou Lingxuan tugged at the dough, revealing an honest, simple smile.

"Thanks to the sect."

Zhou Lingxuan spoke respectfully.

"That day, the Heavenly Sword manifested. Although I didn't gain any great fortune, the ancestral master showed his power and left some sword energy in my old bones."

Zhou Lingxuan paused for a moment, then continued rambling.

"Working in the abandoned hall these days, sweating every day, and having that bit of sword energy flow through my meridians have actually suppressed the old injuries from years ago. Plus, Elder Chen was kind enough to promote me to a manager position, so I don't have to do heavy work anymore, and my body has naturally recovered."

These words were perfectly watertight.

The Heavenly Sword is a sacred artifact of the sect, and no one can verify what the residual sword energy of the Heavenly Sword actually does.

After listening, the Fifth Elder nodded thoughtfully.

"I see." The Fifth Elder didn't delve any further. "The Heavenly Sword is an ancient divine artifact. Even if it's just a trace of its residual power, it's still a tremendous opportunity for a mortal like you. You old man, you're quite resilient."

Zhou Lingxuan climbed up the pole.

"Fifth Elder," Zhou Lingxuan pointed to the towering flames on the back mountain, "what exactly is going on with this fire pit? I've been in the abandoned hall for so many days and have never seen such a spectacle."

The Fifth Elder sighed.

"The earth's veins are in disarray." The Fifth Elder looked at the red light. "This earth fire vein was captured by our ancestor using his great divine power to refine heaven and earth. Now the energy within it is out of balance and has gone berserk."

Zhou Lingxuan pretended to be full of worry.

"What should we do? If this fire gets out, all of us servants in this abandoned hall will be doomed. Since it was created by refining the techniques of heaven and earth, could we ask a Nascent Soul expert from the sect to take action and suppress the fire?"

Upon hearing this, the Fifth Elder's face grew even more worried.

"A Nascent Soul cultivator?" The Fifth Elder gave a wry smile. "Do you think Nascent Soul cultivators are like cabbages, coming at your beck and call?"

The Fifth Elder waved his hand.

"The sect leader took the holy maiden to the Northern Region half a month ago. A great opportunity has arisen there, and all the forces are vying for it. The sect leader won't be able to return anytime soon."

Zhou Lingxuan's heart skipped a beat.

Northern Territory.

Lei Yang's hometown.

It seems that the opportunity that Qin Zhaoyun mentioned earlier, which involved the destruction of the Lei family, has indeed caused quite a stir, with even the sect leader of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion personally getting involved.

"And what about the Grand Elder?" Zhou Lingxuan then asked.

"The First Elder is in seclusion in the back mountain, attempting to break through to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm. Unless it's a matter of life and death for the sect, who would dare to disturb him?" The Fifth Elder shook his head repeatedly.

"Second Elder..."

"Don't mention the Second Elder," the Fifth Elder interrupted Zhou Lingxuan. "The Second Elder is a pill-refining fanatic. He's good at controlling fire to refine pills, but sending him to suppress a rampaging ley line? He'd be a complete waste of time."

The Fifth Elder spread his hands.

"Right now, the highest cultivation level in the sect is only among us few Nascent Soul stage cultivators. But this rampaging earth fire cannot be resolved simply by suppressing it with cultivation. It requires someone who understands the earth's vein patterns and the art of refining the heavens and earth."

The Fifth Elder sighed.

"Currently, there is no one in the sect who can suppress this fire."

The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere in the courtyard instantly plummeted to freezing point.

The servants lying on the ground heard it clearly, and they were all terrified, their faces turning ashen.

If even a Nascent Soul elder can't control them, then aren't they just waiting to die if they stay here?

The Third Elder, Liu Quan, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.

"Alright, why waste your breath on a mere outer sect servant?" Liu Quan said impatiently, his cold gaze sweeping across the entire room.

"Pass down the order." Liu Quan's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

"The fire in Pit No. 3 is raging and could erupt at any moment. To prevent harm to innocent people, the abandoned hall must be completely sealed off immediately."

Liu Quan looked at Zhou Lingxuan.

"Everyone in the abandoned hall, evacuate. Retreat to the outer gate servants' quarters and await further orders. Without my command, no one is permitted to set foot in the abandoned hall. Those who disobey will be punished for treason!"

These words came crashing down.

The servants on the ground were as if they had been granted a pardon. They scrambled to their feet, not even bothering to pack their belongings, and ran out as fast as they could.

For them, leaving this powder keg that could explode at any moment was a godsend.

But Zhou Lingxuan stood still.

His brows were furrowed tightly.

Seal off the abandoned hall?

A complete evacuation?

This decision might be a life-saving escape for others, but for him, it meant losing his livelihood!

If the abandoned hall is sealed off, where will he find baskets of top-grade waste pills to refine medicinal power?

Where can I find free spiritual materials to temper my physical body?

Where can we find such a good earth fire vein to forge iron and swords?

He's currently at the peak of the sixth level of Qi Refining and desperately needs a massive amount of resources to break through to the seventh level. Where will he get these resources after leaving the abandoned hall?

Should we go to the inner gate and rob it?

Zhou Lingxuan was making plans in his mind.

If all else fails, I'll have to sneak back late at night when everyone's asleep.

But if the problem of the rampaging subterranean fire isn't resolved, the ruined hall will eventually be burned to ashes. Then, resources will still be cut off.

Just as Zhou Lingxuan was secretly racking his brains, thinking about how to break the deadlock.

Standing to the side, the Fifth Elder looked at the rolling red light on the back mountain and suddenly stroked his chin.

"However..." The Fifth Elder changed the subject, lowering his voice slightly.

"Even without a Nascent Soul cultivator intervening, it's not entirely impossible to handle..."