The Long Journey to Immortality

"What a pity..."

Four Foundation Establishment cultivators worked as boatmen, taking turns three times, and the spirit boat flew non-stop under their control.

As they were about to reach their destination, the five people who were having breakfast unknowingly started talking about Liangzhou Moyu City, which they were about to arrive at, the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the two major sects, and other forces of all sizes in the cultivation world.

These stories from the cultivation world were quite appealing to Yuan Fei, who was leaving his sect for the first time. "Could any senior brother tell me about the power of the sects? I'd like to broaden my horizons."

When these "interesting" things were mentioned, Feng Bailu felt he had nothing to say and focused his attention on controlling the spirit boat.

Long Qian, who frequently visited sects, engaged in business, and mingled among cultivators from small sects and independent practitioners, became the instructor for the course.

[Author's Note] My new book is uploading. I hope you can add it to your favorites and vote for it every day to give me some support during this crucial new book release period.

The update schedule for this book continues the same as the previous book: at least 4000 words per day, updated at 9:30 AM daily.

Happy Dragon Boat Festival to everyone!

Chapter Two: The Mortal and Immortal Landscape, Daoist Lineage and Cave Dwellings

The Central Plains region is divided into north and south by the Yuan River, a major river that spans half the continent.

The north and south of the source were each ruled by a different country.

Because the river was swift, it was difficult for ordinary people and soldiers to cross it on a large scale. Therefore, although the Northern and Southern Dynasties changed hands many times, the territories controlled by the two dynasties never changed even once, not even involving a single city.

In addition, the Central Plains region was far wealthier than the Southern Xinjiang and Western Regions, so the rulers of both countries did not have a strong desire for territory and resources.

Therefore, in the end, during the nearly two hundred years between the Northern and Southern Dynasties, not even a small conflict occurred.

The cultivation world in the Central Plains region was roughly divided along this great river.

To the south, Zhengyi Gate, where Feng Bailu and others were located, was venerated by the Jin Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties, while Xuanyang Valley to the north was a guest of honor of the Wei Dynasty of the Northern Dynasties.

In addition, numerous smaller sects occupy the gap between the two sects, taking root in the wilderness.

In terms of strength, Xuan Yang Valley ranks first, and Zheng Yi Sect is not far behind, ranking second.

However, if you ask a few cultivators to name the third-ranked sect in the Central Plains, you'll likely get a completely different answer.

Near Liangzhou's Moyu City, there are three small sects that have "occupied the mountains and become kings," opening their own gates and recruiting disciples. But even the strongest of them, the Moyu Sect, which has some influence from the Southern Dynasty, is at least a hundred times weaker than the two major sects.

Fortunately, the two factions control each other's abundant cultivation resources. Although the cultivation of their disciples is much more difficult than it was ten thousand years ago, they no longer need to fight over a spirit stone or a pill.

Otherwise, no matter how vast or turbulent the source water is, it cannot stop the cultivators' spells and magical treasures.

Compared to the peaceful Central Plains, the Western Regions and Southern Frontier, which lack population and have few cultivation resources, are much more chaotic.

The situation in the southern border region is relatively good. Several sects share the same origin in their signature techniques, so there is no open conflict between the sects, only covert struggles. They also maintain restraint when engaging in warfare.

However, in the Western Regions, small sects disappear almost every year. Grasslands, populations, and spirit stone mines change hands every few years.

If it weren't for the seven great mountains separating the Western Regions and the Central Plains, and the seven sects within those mountains forming a fairly united and powerful alliance of cultivators—the Seven Mountains Alliance—the Central Plains, several times richer than the Western Regions, would not be as peaceful as it is now.

To the east of the Northern and Southern Dynasties lay an ocean. Countless islands, large and small, dotted the ocean, a paradise for wandering cultivators.

Legend has it that there are other countries and cultivator forces to the east of the ocean and to the west of the Western Regions, but these are things that four ordinary, elderly cultivators cannot explain.

"That's about it," Long Qian said, having given a general account of the story. Finally, she turned the conversation to Moyu City, which they would be arriving at in less than a quarter of an hour. "The peaceful environment of the Central Plains has made Moyu City, which is close to the source water, the best place for cultivators from the north and south to exchange ideas."

"A large amount of cultivation materials are traded here."

"Within the city, there are official markets operated by the Jin state. Near the cave dwelling of Xiaoyaozi, a new small market has also been formed because of that Daoist cave dwelling."

"The city has a wider variety of goods, and the transactions are more transparent."

"The market outside the cave is more suitable for experienced people to find bargains and exchange expensive goods for fewer spirit stones."

Before heading to Xiaoyaozi's Daoist cave, I can take you, junior brother, to stroll around the market outside the cave.

Hearing this, Yuan Fei nodded slowly and thanked him, "Then I'll have to trouble Senior Brother Long."

Before they could finish speaking, Mo Yucheng had already appeared not far away.

The cave is located about five miles east of Moyu City.

Feng Bailu, eager to reach the Daoist Cave and seek his fortune, did not communicate with his companions and directly controlled the spirit boat to continue traveling in the direction marked on the map.

Long Qian wanted to say a few words, but after thinking about it, she kept her mouth shut.

Yuan Fei saw through Long Qian's thoughts and took the initiative to say, "It's alright. Senior Brother Long, didn't you say that it's easier to find good things in the market outside the cave? If we didn't find the talismans and magic treasures we wanted, it's not too late to go to the city for a stroll."

The spirit boat landed a hundred meters away from the small market town that formed around the cave.

After everyone disembarked from the spirit boat, Yuan Xin immediately took out a storage bag embroidered with the words "Zhengyi Sect" and carefully put the spirit boat away, afraid of bumping or damaging it and causing unnecessary trouble when returning it to the inner treasury.

Feng Bailu walked in front, followed by Yuan Xin. The five of them entered this market area, which had been spontaneously established by the cultivators, in a manner almost like ordinary people.

"So, should we go straight to the cave, or wander around first?" Although Yuan Xin was the organizer, he still asked for the opinions of the others.

"Let's take a look around first, and then we can find out more information about Xiaoyaozi's cave." Feng Bailu replied without pausing for a moment.

Feng Bailu's idea was the same as everyone else's, so no one discussed it further.

The formation changed, with Feng Bailu now at the very back, while Long Qian and Yuan Fei were at the very front.

Long Qian is using her limited talents to help her junior brother Yuan Fei, who is leaving the Zhengyi Sect for the first time to venture into the world of cultivation, to solve his problems.

Because they were wearing the uniforms of the Zhengyi Sect, the cultivators selling their "treasures" were more willing to talk to the five of them, hoping that the "wealthy and powerful" Zhengyi Sect cultivators would buy the treasures in front of them.

The five of them strolled around, stopping frequently to browse the numerous stalls in the market.

Six months later, the sect will hold its grand competition once every five years. Everyone wanted to buy some good things to take back, so as not to be ranked last in the competition and have a few spirit stones deducted from their monthly allowance for no reason.

However, everyone's focus was different. The four people, including Yuan Fei, were more focused on the talismans and magical treasures that could immediately enhance the combat power of cultivators.

Feng Bailu, who was lagging behind at the back of the group, was focused on getting the pills and secret manuals.

Compared to the other three older cultivators, Feng Bailu can be considered highly skilled. In the competition against cultivators of the same realm, he would easily secure a high ranking, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Therefore, since he was single-mindedly seeking truth and enlightenment, he was naturally more interested in external objects that could improve his realm and assist in cultivation.

After walking around, the group found that they had fewer spirit stones in their storage bags but more of their favorite treasures.

After shopping, led by Yuan Xin, the five of them arrived at a teahouse with a view of the cave dwelling and sat down on the second floor.

Yuan Xin and Long Qian chatted idly with the waiter at the teahouse, inquiring about the situation of Xiaoyaozi's cave.

Yuan Fei noticed Feng Bailu, who was flipping through ancient books.

Yuan Fei looked at Feng Bailu and asked curiously, "Senior Brother Feng, I've noticed you've been lagging behind the line. What did you buy?"

Feng Bailu temporarily shifted his gaze from the ancient book in his hands.

He didn't hide what he had bought; he took it out openly: "An ancient book about ancient elixirs, and a newly printed booklet introducing Xiaoyaozi and his cave."

Yuan Fei moved closer and saw a picture of a pill called "Soul-Suppressing Pill" on the unfolded page of the ancient book.

Yuan Fei read aloud, "Soul-Suppressing Pill, medium-sized pill, shaped like a pitted sphere, blue in color. If a cultivator takes it, it will weaken their soul; if an ordinary person takes it, they will be unconscious for at least ten days."

Upon seeing this, Yuan Fei couldn't help but complain, "What's the use of this pill? Who would be so bored as to eat this stuff?"

Feng Bailu pointed to a passage at the end of the ancient book and said, "This is a pill for the enemy. The cultivation world in Zhongyuan a thousand years ago was not as peaceful as it is now. Conflicts often occurred between sects."

"So this pill is for prisoners of war?" Yuan Fei reacted quickly, but when he said the somewhat unfamiliar word "prisoners of war," he stumbled a little.

“That’s right,” Feng Bailu nodded and commented, “A rather interesting pill.”

After saying that, Feng Bailu pushed the ink-printed booklet that had been given to him as a gift onto the center of the table, took a sip of inferior tea, raised his voice slightly, and said to everyone, "I have found a booklet that records information about Xiaoyaozi and the cave dwelling. Everyone, pass it around and take a look."

Just as Yuan Xin was worrying because the mortal waiter knew nothing about the cave dwelling, his eyes lit up.

The group moved their chairs slightly and huddled together.

The booklet is thin, only twenty pages long, and two-thirds of the information recorded in it is about Xiaoyaozi, while one-third is about the Daoist cave dwelling that Xiaoyaozi left behind outside Moyu City.

According to the description in the pamphlet, Xiaoyaozi was a Nascent Soul stage cultivator who was active a thousand years ago.

After exchanging a few words with the group based on the stories described in the booklet, they concluded that Xiaoyaozi was a lone cultivator with an eccentric personality who preferred to work alone.

Bai Chi joked with Feng Bailu, "From this perspective, Senior Brother Feng might be the most suitable successor to Senior Xiaoyaozi."

Feng Bailu's expression remained unchanged. Instead, he took Bai Chi's sarcastic remark about his personality as a blessing and replied, "If that's really the case, then that would be wonderful."

Having gotten into a bad mood on Fengbai Road, Bai Chi pouted and continued to look at the booklet in Yuan Xin's hand.

After several well-known stories about Xiaoyaozi, the cultivator who compiled the booklet concluded, "It is probably because Senior Xiaoyaozi's lifespan is nearing its end and he has always lived a solitary life without any disciples that he left behind a cave dwelling outside Moyu City in Liangzhou, waiting for a destined person to come here to inherit the lineage and carry forward Senior Xiaoyaozi's cultivation techniques and insights."

This is the most common reason given by senior cultivators who generously leave behind their lineage and cave dwellings in the Central Plains.

The remaining pages contain only a few words about the situation inside the cave.

"There are restrictions at the entrance and exit of the cave. Only one person is allowed to enter at a time, and each person is only allowed to enter once in their lifetime."

"The first challenge requires the cultivator to drip a drop of blood into a bowl inside the cave."

"It probably relies on blood tests to determine qualifications such as spiritual roots."

"Over the past century, approximately 50,000 cultivators have entered and exited Xiaoyaozi's cave, but only seventeen have passed the first test."

"There is absolutely no information whatsoever about the second level inside the cave."

“The vast majority of cultivators are thrown out of the cave and lose their memories of the second stage after failing to inherit the skill, but…” Yuan Xin frowned upon seeing this, “there are also two cases where cultivators entered the cave and never returned.”

At the end of the booklet, the author kindly added, "Those cultivators who wish to enter the cave and inherit the lineage of Senior Xiaoyaozi should be extra careful."

Long Qian, who was used to dealing with numbers, quickly calculated the "probability of death" of entering Xiaoyaozi's cave: "4 in 100,000? I hope I won't be the unluckiest one."

Yuan Xin comforted him, "Don't worry, our luck won't be that bad."

After reading the booklet, Yuan Fei had a question: "Speaking of this Senior Xiaoyaozi, he was only a Nascent Soul cultivator in the early stage. So the restrictions in the Daoist cave he left behind were at most Nascent Soul stage formations. Why didn't the Supreme Elder of his sect come to Moyu City to break the restrictions, seize the inheritance, and benefit the sect?"

“Cultivators not only cultivate the Dao but also cultivate their hearts,” the older cultivator Yuan Xin answered his cousin’s question. “Senior Xiaoyaozi is not an evil cultivator, and most of the Nascent Soul stage seniors active in the Central Plains are not evil people either. They would not do something that would destroy the lineage of others for no reason.”

“This is probably an unspoken rule in the cultivation world now,” Yuan Xin continued. “The seniors don’t know if they will need to build a cave dwelling somewhere in the future to pass on their own Dao and their own cultivation methods.”

"A little kindness to others is also a little kindness to yourself."

“Besides,” Yuan Xin said after giving a bunch of lofty reasons, “our Zhengyi Sect and the Xuan Yang Valley of the Northern Dynasty are both large and powerful. Over the course of a year, the number of people coming and going is probably more than seven figures in spirit stones. We wouldn’t risk our reputation for the sake of a cultivation technique or resources in a Daoist cave.”

Yuan Fei nodded slowly and said, "Upon careful consideration, that is indeed the case."

The inferior tea in the teahouse made the five people, who already knew the general information about the cave, lose interest in staying any longer.

Yuan Xin generously placed a small piece of silver on the table and called out, "Check, please."

Five disciples from the Zhengyi Sect slowly walked towards Xiaoyaozi's cave not far away, under the watchful eyes of many rogue cultivators.