This is what an immortal should be like

Chapter 9 Is he really mentally ill?

In Yinxian Valley, in the school today, the children first recited "Encouraging Learning" on their own, while Zhuang Lin sat with Liu Hongyu in front of the door of the side room outside, making tea and chatting together.

After all, this place exists because of Liu Hongyu, so it is normal to give him some preferential treatment.

Of course, in Liu Hongyu's heart, he felt that this was due to the special treatment he enjoyed as an outsider.

Hot tea was poured into the pottery kettle on the charcoal stove. Zhuang Lin took a sip of the tea and it was slightly bitter before it became fragrant. After swallowing it, his stomach felt slightly warm.

Life here is so comfortable!

Master Zhuang was not as serious as imagined. He was obviously the most knowledgeable person, but Liu Hongyu felt that communicating with Master Zhuang was the most comfortable, and he would not ask a lot of questions that would overwhelm him.

At this moment, Liu Hongyu felt that he had become more familiar with the teacher.

Seeing the teacher's relaxed look, Liu Hongyu also learned to drink tea from him. After drinking, he asked the questions he had prepared long ago. After all, there are many things that perhaps only this teacher can answer.

"Mr. Zi'an, this place is called Hidden Immortal Valley. There must be a reason for it, right?"

Liu Hongyu finally asked this question.

Zi'an is Zhuang Lin's courtesy name in Yinxian Valley. Although the script follows the rules of natural evolution, in the basic framework, Zhuang Lin, as an important character, has a courtesy name. Zi'an is also Liu Shihao's psychological sustenance for the changes in his son's condition.

Of course, other people can also have courtesy names, and they can choose whatever they like, but they need to sort out their identities before the performance, at least to let the villagers know.

As a teacher, Zhuang Lin is definitely an important role, and he will inevitably have a lot of interactions with Liu Hongyu, so he naturally has important psychological guidance responsibilities.

It can be said that the doctor in public of Yinxian Valley is Mr. Mu, and the doctor in secret is Zhuang Lin.

After hearing Liu Hongyu's words, Zhuang Lin put down his teacup, smiled calmly, and then spoke.

"When the ancient sages sought this place out to ward off disaster, they found it pleasant all year round, with abundant crops. It was a place blessed by the spirits of heaven and earth, and a truly secluded place. Many of the refugees were extraordinary individuals, and if they could find refuge here while preserving the legacy, it would be a truly idyllic escape. Hence, the name was given, the Valley of Hidden Immortals!"

Liu Hongyu nodded and frowned at the same time, and looked at Zhuang Lin again, as if he had thought of something.

"Mr. Zi'an, I know you're holding back when facing an outsider like me. This place is called Hidden Immortal Valley, so it must have a deep meaning. The ancient sages must have left behind important words!"

Zhuang Lin glanced at Liu Hongyu.

"There is nothing special about the inheritance, whether it is written or oral."

"Of course there is! My presence here is the best proof!"

Liu Hongyu said this with certainty.

Zhuang Lin grinned, and now he seemed to be in a somewhat mentally ill state.

"I don't know what Master Liu is referring to. It's true that no outsiders have been in the valley for ages. But since the ancient sages were able to find this place when they were warding off disaster, it can't be true that no one will come back in the future, right?"

Liu Hongyu didn't know how to explain to the person in front of him, and his mind was extremely confused.

"Mr. Zi'an, you don't understand! You don't know how I got here! I actually..."

"Actually what?"

Liu Hongyu looked at Master Zhuang, paused, and then continued after hesitation.

"Actually, I know that Hidden Immortal Valley must have a mission, or in other words, there must be a legend left behind!"

Zhuang Lin smiled, then asked with a puzzled look.

"What kind of mission is it?"

Liu Hongyu's expression was very serious. He looked towards the school, then looked up at various places in the valley, his sight extending to the sky, and finally returning to Zhuang Lin.

"Hidden Immortal Valley has been waiting for someone, a destined person who is capable of inheriting the mission of the immortal way!"

"Master Liu, you are not trying to say that you are the destined person, right?"

Zhuang Lin restrained his smile and asked this question, while Liu Hongyu answered seriously.

"Yes, I am the destined one!"

After this, the two looked at each other in silence. Zhuang Lin looked at Liu Hongyu's firm and serious eyes, and after a long silence, he grinned, and his slight smile gradually turned into overwhelming joy.

"Hehehe, hahahahahahahahahahahahaha"

Zhuang Lin sat beside the coffee table, laughing so hard that he couldn't sit up straight. He held the table with one hand, and the tea in the teacup on it was swaying.

"Mr. Zi'an, stop laughing, Mr. Zi'an. Stop laughing, stop laughing, Master Zhuang! Stop laughing!"

Liu Hongyu shouted a few times, his voice getting louder, and he felt embarrassed and annoyed.

Zhuang Lin suppressed his smile and shook his head at Liu Hongyu.

"Master Liu, I heard you have amnesia, but I don't think so. You are suffering from hysteria. Since ancient times, there have been countless people seeking immortality and the way of the Tao. Some kings have even given their all for them, but in the end, it is nothing but a waste of their lives, and they only increase their sins."

Zhuang Lin paused, and at that moment he suddenly thought of himself. His existence here was difficult to explain, but he had not thought about it too much for more than a year. Perhaps scientific principles in the future could explain it.

As soon as the thought passed, Zhuang Lin continued speaking.

"There are no gods or ghosts in this world. Although many people believe in ghosts and gods, I have long since become indifferent to these things in the Hidden Immortal Valley. I miss my ancestors more. As for seeking immortality in the valley, it is even more nonsense. Please don't think too much about it, Mr. Liu!"

"I also know that you are not an ordinary person. Whether you come here to avoid disaster or recuperate, it would be better for you to care more about the people around you when you recover from your illness!"

Zhuang Lin's words came from the bottom of his heart, but Liu Hongyu was completely unwilling to listen.

"I don't believe it, Mr. Zi'an, you simply don't trust me, but I, Liu Hongyu, am definitely not an ordinary person. You have no idea where I come from. If you knew, your quest for immortality would be even more exaggerated than mine! You've read a lot of books, but you don't understand the way of immortality. You're just a mortal!"

"Mr. Zi'an, didn't you see the rain and hear the thunder that day? That was heaven's response to the arrival of me, the man destined for heaven!"

The ridicule just now was a bit harsh, and Liu Hongyu, the eldest son of the Liu family, was also provoked. If he had not been in awe of the teacher, he would have definitely cursed him out if it was in Zhonghai City.

Stimulation is also a necessary treatment process.

Zhuang Lin watched the man in front of him approach Hong Wen, thinking that he was probably similar to the keyboard warrior he had fought against online.

"Hahaha, well then, Master Liu, can you tell me what the immortal way is?"

Seeing the teacher's calm face, Liu Hongyu's heart became restless, and he answered immediately.

"The Immortal Path is naturally a path of cultivation that transcends mortals. After attaining the Tao, one possesses all sorts of magical powers. One can fly into the sky and hide underground, control nature, and possess powers that mortals cannot imagine. Naturally, one can also control the life and death of others, achieve immortality, and ascend to a higher realm!"

In contrast to Liu Hongyu's excitement, Zhuang Lin remained calm. "Oh? Is this all the immortal is?"

Liu Hongyu was stunned for a moment.

"Isn't that enough?"

Zhuang Lin just looked at Liu Hongyu like that, and he felt inexplicably uneasy.

"If that's all, then is the one you're talking about an immortal? Or another powerful beast?"

"Of course, there are also things like helping the weak and suppressing evil!"

"Oh? Are you filial to your parents?"

Liu Hongyu was stunned. At this moment, he couldn't help but think of his parents. His memory of his mother was already vague, and his father was...
Liu Hongyu knew his father's reaction to his several suicide attempts, even though he pretended not to know. This time, he was finally engulfed in flames and returned to ancient times. For that man, perhaps it was the loss of a son like me.
Zhuang Lin noticed Liu Hongyu's reaction. It was a good thing that the other party was stunned for a moment.

After a long time, Liu Hongyu calmed down. Perhaps this was the first time he thought seriously about his family since he became obsessed with seeking immortality.

"Then I will need to inherit the immortal way from my immortal master. Only when I cultivate and become an immortal, maybe I can go back. Even if I can't go back, maybe I can wait until that day comes."

Good boy, he's been led back! Zhuang Lin was a little overwhelmed.

However, this is not something that can be achieved overnight. If you want to get rid of the delusions in your heart, you cannot simply avoid this issue.

Zhuang Lin smiled and poured Liu Hongyu another cup of hot tea.

"Let's continue talking about becoming an immortal. I don't believe in immortals, but Master Liu is so sure, so I'm asking for your advice!"

Liu Hongyu was stunned again, and heard Zhuang Lin still talking.

"We, in our pursuit of knowledge, must learn to read and write step by step. Even becoming an immortal must not be achieved overnight. Young Master Liu only thinks about the high things, but has he ever considered the essence?"

"Nature?"

"Indeed, a boat floats on water because the water supports its weight. Imperial power is high, and its foundation lies in the people of the world. The Mohists are overwhelmed by wisdom, while the Confucians rely on morality for education. The Legalists' faith is based on rules and rituals. The Taoists are free and unrestrained, pursuing a natural and inaction-free life. So what about seeking immortality?"

Liu Hongyu's eyes lit up when he heard the word Taoism, but he also understood that what the Master said was probably different from what he thought, and was referring to the Hundred Schools of Thought.

What about immortals?

"Of course, becoming an immortal also requires gradual cultivation. First, one must have the guidance of an immortal master, and then one must be able to realize the truth on their own! Cultivating with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, the essence of the sun and the moon. Right, right!"

Liu Hongyu suddenly remembered something.

"Where I come from, the spiritual energy is almost exhausted, but it's not like that here. The world has its own infinite mysteries!"

Zhuang Lin wanted to laugh but had to hold it back. This place is no different from where you came from. Oh, the air is much better!
"The spiritual energy of heaven and earth, the radiance of the sun and moon? The brilliance of the sun and moon is visible, and crops depend on it, but where is this so-called spiritual energy? It cannot be seen or touched. Just like that immortal, how do you know it exists?"

"There is!"

Liu Hongyu became a little excited again, but forced himself to calm down.

"Even though I can't feel it now, it's there! Especially here! Especially when the thunder roared that day, I really felt it for a moment!"

Having said that, Liu Hongyu stood up, raised his head slightly and closed his eyes.

"Although I can't feel it now, I believe I can feel it again, and stabilize this feeling. I will close my eyes, calm myself, and feel the various mysterious auras floating between heaven and earth."

As he spoke, Liu Hongyu opened his eyes and looked down at Zhuang Lin who was standing beside him.

"Mr. Zian, you can try it too!"

Zhuang Lin was amused, so he joined him in the fun, then closed his eyes and took a few breaths of fresh air.

As for the feeling that Liu Hongyu was exaggerating, there is none at all!

Zhuang Lin opened his eyes, smiled and shook his head, and seeing him like this, Liu Hongyu guessed what he wanted to say.

"Mr. Zi'an, you can't feel it because you don't believe it. If you don't believe it, you will deceive your own heart!"

"Well, Master Liu does believe it, but can't you feel it?"

Zhuang Lin’s words made Liu Hongyu a little excited.

"I just stayed in an inappropriate place for too long. I need to adjust and let my body adapt. But it's different for you, Mr. Zian. You are a native of this place! Please try, please try again. I'm not crazy!"

Seeing that Liu Hongyu was obviously getting excited and his mental state was unstable, Zhuang Lin's heart skipped a beat. Fearing that he might have overstimulated himself, he restrained his smile and nodded seriously.

"Okay, I'll try again!"

This time, even if it was just to stabilize Liu Hongyu, Zhuang Lin had to do it more seriously than before.

Then relax yourself and take a deep breath!
Zhuang Lin's heart gradually calmed down. As he took a deep breath, he could feel the cool breeze in the valley. As he relaxed, he felt the air was fresher, as if he had shortened the distance between himself and nature.
But at a certain moment, Zhuang Lin's heart suddenly jumped.

etc! what is that?
In the dimness with his eyes closed, it seemed as if an invisible substance passed by Zhuang Lin with the breeze in the valley!
Because of his curiosity, Zhuang Lin focused his thoughts on the past, and his perception seemed to jump over some kind of boundary in an instant!
In a feeling that was hard to tell whether it was visual or not, Zhuang Lin sensed a difference in the world.

The feeling of the invisible matter around me has also become more obvious.

Like a veil, like a ribbon, or like a subtle wave in the wind, there is even a faint soft and flowing touch on the face.
When Zhuang Lin subconsciously turned his face to follow the feeling, he couldn't help but want to feel it carefully. At this moment, he only felt that colors bloomed in the darkness with his eyes closed, and wisps of smoke-like halo brushed past his face.

Looking towards other places, it seemed as if there were many wisps of aura in the entire Hidden Immortal Valley, floating freely in the valley, as if in harmony with some kind of movement and stillness between heaven and earth.

Zhuang Lin couldn't help but want to listen and touch.

And when he had this thought, everything in his perception seemed to change, as if it was twisting, as if it was vibrating slightly.

Zhuang Lin opened his eyes suddenly, and all the changes disappeared into thin air. He looked around, but there was no hazy halo or any vibration.

But Zhuang Lin's face was filled with shock that he could hardly contain himself, and his three perspectives seemed to have cracked.

Is it an illusion? It's so real!
But how is that possible? I came from another world, and this happened to me too!
"Mr. Zian, what's wrong with you?"

"Uh, nothing. Keep talking."

Zhuang Lin looked at Liu Hongyu, who was standing beside him with a puzzled look on his face, and he was obviously shaken.

Is he really mentally ill?

(End of this chapter)