The Terrifying Path of Immortal Cultivation

"Even if it's possible, once my presence in a certain city is known."

"That city is afraid it will be wiped out."

"The power of the world's Dao, not to mention just slaughtering a city, even annihilating a province, in order to find me, they will not hesitate to do so."

"Supreme foundation, immortal demeanor."

"Just these eight characters are enough to drive countless people crazy."

"After obtaining everything, I may have to consider changing my identity again."

"Traveling as a wanderer of the world."

"Then change my form, hand the jade token to the shadow paper person, and hide myself."

"Quietly observe, to determine if anyone has noticed my identity."

With a pensive mind, Li Qing perfected his plan, pondering if there were any flaws.

The wind and rain outside eventually ceased, and three days passed in the blink of an eye.

This incident finally came to a close, and Jixia Academy returned to tranquility, with some unfamiliar faces disappearing.

Li Qing quietly made some preparations, reasonably presenting reasons to showcase his cultivation.

Every evening, he would bring fine wine and engage in conversations with Mr. Xu and Mr. Zheng, subtly gathering various information.

Among them, the mysterious Foundation Building cultivator was mentioned, and Mr. Xu and Mr. Zheng were also unaware of the truth behind it.

They only mentioned that orders had come from above to find this person, and there would be a substantial reward.

At this moment, Li Qing was chatting with Mr. Xu, the two sitting in the library hall, sipping wine and eating peanuts.

In the eyes of outsiders, there were only the two of them.

But in Li Qing's eyes, there was also a woman in white standing beside them.

With disheveled hair, her eerie voice lingered continuously in his ears.

The murmurs could never penetrate Li Qing's mind, firmly kept at bay.

Li Qing had gradually grown accustomed to the presence of this woman.

He was currently seeking solutions from the six volumes of the world's comprehensive knowledge.

The two conversed, with a strange phantom audience beside them, creating an inexplicably bizarre scene.

It was already evening, and the academy had closed, allowing the two to enjoy their wine.

Mr. Xu said, "By the way, didn't you mention last time that your friend was crossing the Human Tribulation?"

"How is the situation?"

Li Qing shook his head and said, "Unfortunately, my friend didn't make it."

"He was caught in the conflict that night and perished in the mouths of monsters."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Xu sighed, "The path of cultivation is fraught with tribulations. If it weren't for the master's careful planning that night, I might not have escaped the calamity either."

"Having saved my life, I plan to retire to my hometown."

"I no longer wish to meddle in the path of cultivation in this world. I only have another twenty or thirty years left."

Mr. Xu sighed with emotion, "To live to old age is already a blessing bestowed by the heavens."

Li Qing's expression showed a slight surprise upon hearing this, then he fell into a brief silence before saying, "Then I wish you a smooth journey, Mr. Xu."

"Haha, thank you for your kind words." Mr. Xu seemed unconcerned about Li Qing's momentary silence, wearing a smile on his face.

However, a glint appeared in the corner of his eye, as if it were a tear.

Perhaps he didn't truly want to leave the world of cultivation, but he no longer had the opportunity. With old age and stagnation in cultivation, as well as lingering injuries, what else could he do but retreat in resignation?

The two drank their wine, and Li Qing said, "By the way, I want to apply for the right to view the True Law Mirror tomorrow."

"You've made a breakthrough?" Mr. Xu's face showed a hint of surprise.

"By chance, I went to the outskirts yesterday. There's a place called Dragon Fishing Pool, said to be a good spot for fishing."

"Some old men like to fish there."

"I've also taken a liking to fishing recently and often go there."

"Yesterday, two strange creatures suddenly emerged and nearly scared me to death."

"Although I was drawn into it."

"Fortunately, I was a step ahead and managed to slay them."

"After that, the aura of the Human Tribulation on me inexplicably disappeared."

A trace of lingering fear appeared on Li Qing's face.

Li Qing was not lying. He had been fabricating ways to fake his passage through the Human Tribulation these days.

The Human Tribulation was a means for the heavens and earth to restore order, and the strange creatures were a form of chaos. In recent days, he had been using the shadow paper person to find suitable targets.

The day before yesterday, he had encountered two strange creatures in the wilderness, seemingly vying for territory, which he had conveniently used to "pass" the Human Tribulation.

Yesterday, during the day, he had gone out to engage in a fierce battle, leaving countless traces behind. No one could find any issues upon investigation.

Mr. Xu's expression became complex as he said, "Congratulations on your entry into the True Law. It marks the beginning of your cultivation."

"Thank you for your kind words. Cheers!"

With that, the two raised their peach blossom wine, and Mr. Xu also raised his glass, and they both drank it all.

...

Slightly intoxicated, Li Qing left the place, while Mr. Xu sat at his desk, his gaze suddenly becoming somewhat uncertain.

In fact, he had long been suspicious of Li Qing. All of Li Qing's traces had made him doubt, and it was he who had transcended the Tribulation that night.

Today, Li Qing had demonstrated his cultivation in crossing the Human Tribulation, further unsettling Mr. Xu.

Questions arose in his mind, along with a hint of restlessness.

"If it's really him, I could report it. If the Dao confirms it, I might receive a huge reward."

"Perhaps I could even obtain a Life Extending Pill? Or even restore my injuries and continue on the path of the Immortal Dao?"

"But what if it's not him? With my current status, once I report false information, I might lose all my credibility."

"My grandson is clever and talented. He might still have a chance to embark on the path of immortality."

At this moment, Mr. Xu was torn between conflicting thoughts. He wanted to report it but was afraid to do so. His expression darkened slightly as he slowly got up and disappeared into the darkness.

He arrived at the city gate of Dragon Path City, presented his identity, and walked out through a small door at the city gate.

As a teacher at Jixia Academy, they still had some privileges. The curfew and entry and exit restrictions only applied to ordinary people.

Mr. Xu quietly left the city gate and headed towards the Dragon Fishing Pool.

Having lived here for decades, he naturally knew the place well.

He did not notice a silent figure following behind him, the shadow paper person.

Li Qing never relaxed for a moment.

Fifteen minutes later, he arrived at the Dragon Fishing Pool outside the city.

A serene light flashed in Mr. Xu's eyes, and the entire world appeared as bright as day to him.

He quietly observed his surroundings and soon noticed a shattered area.

Walking over, he carefully examined it and found two black traces.

They were the corrosive marks left behind by the corruption of the strange creatures.

Upon seeing this, Mr. Xu pondered slightly.

"At least two fully cursed-level strange creatures. It seems Li Qing wasn't lying."

"These creatures of this level could have dealt him a fatal blow."

"To be able to single-handedly kill two strange creatures and seemingly sustain minimal injuries, this person has accumulated profound strength."

Suddenly, Mr. Xu turned around abruptly. "Who's there?"