Lingyuan Immortal

Chapter 979 Amidst Changing Winds and Clouds, a Slow Struggle to Cross the River
Fortunately, this delicate stalemate did not last long.

Just as Murong Xuxu was pondering whether to leave a message and return another day, a sudden change occurred.

Both the man and the bird felt the surrounding天地元气 (heaven and earth energy) suddenly stagnate!
Immediately afterwards, with Huiyan Peak as the core, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth within a radius of a thousand miles suddenly became violent and turbulent.

An invisible wind suddenly rose up, no longer an ordinary mountain wind, but a spiritual tide carrying the rich essence of water.

This spiritual tide initially flowed like a babbling brook, but in an instant it transformed into a surging river, with each layer higher than the last.

At the same time, a vast aura of water essence permeated the air; taking a breath of it seemed to cleanse the soul and refine the foundation of one's cultivation.

"This is……"

Murong Xuxu's eyes suddenly lit up, realizing that it was better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early.

Above the summit, the once clear sky suddenly became as deep as an abyss. Endless water vapor condensed out of thin air and instantly transformed into a vast, boundless ocean, its power so immense that it seemed to threaten to overturn the heavens and the earth.

And right in the center of this illusory blue sea, a faint, profound light suddenly shone.

Om-!
Accompanied by a deep, ancient sound, a phantom image of a giant, ancient cauldron with three legs and two handles slowly emerged from the endless shimmering water.

The cauldron is not a solid object, but it is covered with dark gold patterns that are more dazzling than the stars. Countless tadpole-shaped ancient inscriptions float and flicker on the cauldron wall, emanating an indescribable innate Daoist charm.

The mouth of the cauldron was shrouded in a misty haze, like the primordial chaos. Every slight tremor of the cauldron's illusory form caused the illusory image of the vast ocean below to rise and roar, as if it were the core of this water world and the source of all waters!
Chen Lan was completely engrossed in watching.

As a water-type bird demon, the manifestation of this pure and ultimate water-based primordial Dao was nothing short of a profound and enlightening baptism for her. Her demonic essence flowed freely within her body, and many things that were previously obscure suddenly became clear.

Murong Xuxu was also deeply shaken, secretly marveling, "Is this the aura of the Dao Fruit he unleashed upon breaking through the Profound Gate? Truly... unfathomable!"

As the illusory image of the Ze Ding trembled for the last time, emitting a long, resonant hum that seemed to solidify the universe, the illusory image of the giant cauldron suspended atop the peak, along with the boundless blue sea, slowly receded and dissipated like the tide.

The strange phenomena disappeared, the wind stopped, the clouds dispersed, and the world returned to clarity, as if the breathtaking scene had just been a dream.

Only the still rich and pure watery air, which made people feel comfortable all over, and the lingering sound of the cauldron, which seemed to be imprinted deep in the soul, silently told the truth of the sublimation of the Dao fruit and the breaking of the Xuan Gate.

Murong Xuxu and Chen Lan remained suspended in the air, their minds still immersed in the lingering charm of the vast Water Path, unable to return to their senses for a long time.

Just then, the layers of restrictive spiritual light that enveloped the cave at the summit of Huiyan Peak, like a curtain of water being parted by an invisible hand, quietly flowed and parted to both sides, revealing the path leading to the cave at the mountain peak.

At the same time, a clear and peaceful voice entered their ears, carrying a hint of gentle laughter from someone who had just broken through a barrier:
"Fellow Daoist He has come from afar. I am sorry for not welcoming you properly. Now that you are here, please come in and have a chat!"

The voice belonged to Chen Mu.

Having broken through two major barriers, everything fell into place naturally.

This is thanks to the immense causal power of Qizhen Temple, and even more so to his own solid foundation in Taoism and his more than ten years of arduous cultivation.

At this moment, his primordial spirit was clear and his Daoist aura was harmonious and perfect.

The Ze Ding is now more stable than ever before. Its body is as black as night, containing the flowing stars within. Every movement it makes contains the power of heaven and earth. It has truly undergone six reshaping processes...

"Now that my skills have stabilized, it's the perfect time to hone and refine my abilities."

"The cause and effect of Qizhen Temple has been resolved, and the noise of the outside world has temporarily subsided. It is a good time to take advantage of this tranquility. First, we can carefully comprehend the mysteries of the new realm and solidify our foundation in the Dao. Second, we can deduce and refine several Daoist techniques to cope with future changes. Thirdly..."

Chen Mu's gaze swept across the cave, and Chen Lan's aura of awe and reverence was clearly discernible. "Chen Lan is exceptionally gifted. If I give her more guidance, it may help her to attain enlightenment sooner, which will benefit both her and me."

Just as they were pondering this, the cave's restrictions were lifted.

Chen Lan led Murong Xuxu, who was still somewhat shocked, into the room.

Murong Xuxu peeked out, her bright eyes curiously surveying the simple yet elegant Taoist-inspired layout of the cave. Her pale yellow skirt swayed gently with her movements, revealing a hint of awkwardness and restraint from their long-awaited reunion.

Chen Mu sat cross-legged on the futon, his body radiating a clear inner light, his aura as deep and profound as the sea, much stronger and more refined than when he was in the Three Immortals Valley.

Seeing this, he smiled slightly and said gently, "Fellow Daoist He, there's no need to be so formal. Did you come here on my senior sister's orders?"

Seeing that his demeanor and tone were as gentle and peaceful as ever, without any arrogance arising from his breakthrough in cultivation or rise to fame, Murong Xuxu felt somewhat at ease.

She dared not delay, and quickly curtsied, presenting a warm jade slip with both hands: "True Lord guessed correctly, Master does indeed have important matters to discuss, and specially ordered Xuxu to personally present this jade slip."

Chen Mu remained expressionless, raised his hand to take the jade slip, and immersed his divine sense into it.

The jade slip was short, but every word carried immense weight.

The selection of celestial envoys, the struggle between celestial sects, the opportunities in the upper realm, the competition among the outstanding talents of Xuandu... everything that Murong Xi knows and worries about is contained within it.

A thousand thoughts flashed through Chen Mu's eyes.

Although the contents of the jade slip were very brief and some key points were ambiguous, seemingly even his senior sister did not know the details, he still quickly picked out the key points.

He pondered for a moment, no wonder his senior sister lingered in Xuandu for so long, it turned out she was after such an extraordinary opportunity.

To be fair, the selection of celestial envoys was indeed a "ladder to heaven" that cultivators at the initial stage of the Profound Gate realm would never dare to dream of, since it involved the legendary upper realm. Once they achieved even a little success, the rewards would certainly be extremely generous.

But for him...

A barely perceptible hint of alarm flashed deep in Chen Mu's eyes.

He remained silent for a moment, his expression returning to calm. A faint light flashed at his fingertips as he quickly inscribed his reply on the jade slip, then handed it back to Murong Xuxu.

"Thank you for your trouble, Fellow Daoist He." Chen Mu's tone remained calm.

Murong Xuxu took the jade slip, her curiosity unable to be contained, and couldn't help but ask, "True Lord... what is your reply?"

Chen Mu did not hide anything and said frankly, "Please reply to Senior Sister, I have just broken through to the next realm and my foundation still needs to be honed. In addition, my spirit pet needs guidance in its cultivation. I am busy with many matters and cannot spare the time. I appreciate your kind invitation, but I have no intention of participating."

Upon hearing this, Murong Xuxu's eyes widened instantly, filled with disbelief.

Too many things to do? This...this is hardly a reason to refuse such a tremendous opportunity.
Although she was a demon, she deeply understood what cause and effect, opportunity and chance meant to cultivators. Why did Chen Zhenjun...?

She was completely baffled, and her regret was almost palpable.

Chen Mu's expression was calm and composed, clearly indicating that his mind was made up and that this was not just a polite excuse.

She dared not ask any more questions, and could only suppress the doubts and regrets churning in her heart, and respectfully bowed: "Xuxu... I understand, Xuxu takes her leave."

As Murong Xuxu, filled with confusion, vanished in a streak of light, Chen Lan, who had been standing by her side, was also filled with turbulent emotions.

She looked back several times, but finally couldn't hold back any longer and asked in a low voice, "True Lord... that opportunity with the immortal envoy... has it really been... given up like this?"

Although she didn't understand the intricacies, she knew it must be an incredibly valuable opportunity that countless cultivators would fight tooth and nail for.

This time, Chen Mu did not use the excuse of "being too busy".

His gaze fell upon the vast sea of ​​clouds beyond the cave, his eyes seeming to hold a swirling galaxy, yet also an unspeakable depth. Finally, it dissolved into a barely audible sigh, he shook his head, smiled gently, and said softly:

"The opportunity may be good, but it may not be suitable for everyone. Do not mention this matter again. Go down and carefully contemplate what you have gained from the strange phenomenon. Do not waste this opportunity."

This matter was indeed tempting, but one limitation extinguished all his thoughts.

That involves the upper realm...

No one knows what connection Chen Mu has with the Upper Realm, but he himself will not forget it.

If someone with ulterior motives discovers this, then utter destruction awaits them!

He was unsure whether the so-called selection of "He Xian Shi" would leave any trace of him, and he was unwilling to take the gamble.

After all, he was only a Dao Seeking cultivator at the moment, while the person who wanted to capture him was already at the pinnacle of this realm and even the upper realm... Although Chen Lan was still confused, seeing that the True Lord had no intention of discussing it in depth and that there seemed to be a deeper meaning in his words, he dared not ask any more questions, respectfully replied "Yes," and withdrew with full respect.

Stepping out of the cave, a mountain breeze caressed my face.

Chen Lan's mind raced: "The True Lord... he can even give up such an opportunity in the upper realm for us? He must be worried that if he leaves before I have completed my cultivation, there will be no one to protect our path!"

The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Overwhelmed with emotion and a surge of feeling, her already firm resolve to pursue the Tao burned even brighter.
"The True Lord's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain! I, Chen Lan, will definitely cultivate diligently and tirelessly, and within a hundred years, I will surely break through to the fifth level of the Dao Inquiry Realm! I will never fail the True Lord's grace of giving me a second chance and the kindness of giving up this opportunity today!"

If Chen Mu knew about her simple yet firm "misunderstanding," he would probably be both amused and exasperated.

However, he wouldn't point it out.

Chen Lan's progress in cultivation was indeed in line with his path of cultivation.

This beautiful misunderstanding became her motivation to move forward, which is a good thing after all...

……

The ancient pavilion of the Si tribe, the moonlight still shines.

Murong Xuxu, transformed into a crane, arrived in an instant and landed steadily in the courtyard, revealing her human form. She presented the jade slip to Murong Xi, who had been waiting for her.

"Master, the True Lord has replied."

Si Xuan Shuang was also present; she had sensed something and arrived ahead of time.

Seeing Murong Xuxu's complicated expression, Si Xuanshuang's heart sank, and her delicate brows furrowed slightly. Could there really be someone who could resist the temptation of such a great opportunity?
Murong Xi took the jade slip, and before probing it with her divine sense, she subconsciously asked, "What did Junior Brother say?"

Murong Xuxu frowned slightly, her tone filled with undisguised regret: "True Lord... Master, you should see for yourself."

Murong Xi said no more and focused her mind on the jade slip.

After a moment, she slowly withdrew her divine sense. Her face showed little surprise, only a faint understanding and a barely perceptible sense of loss. She then fell silent.

"Sister Xi, how is it? Fellow Daoist Chen, he..."

Seeing her silence, Si Xuanshuang grew even more anxious.

Murong Xi said in a low voice, "Junior Brother declined, saying that he had just broken through to the Dao realm and needed to calmly hone his Dao foundation and comprehend the Dao. In addition, there are still spiritual pets in the mountains that need his guidance in cultivation, and he is unable to be in two places at once."

Si Xuan Shuang's face was immediately filled with disbelief and astonishment: "This... Sister Xi, such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity... Could it be that Xu Xu failed to explain the significance of the opportunity and its implications?"

She looked at Murong Xuxu, who quickly shook her head and waved her hands, looking aggrieved.

Si Xuanshuang turned to Murong Xi: "How about... Sister, you go to Huiyan Peak yourself? Perhaps Fellow Daoist Chen will only listen to your advice?"

She wasn't lying before; Chen Mu's reputation is currently at its peak, and if he volunteers, he has a very high chance of being selected.

In this way, their side would have gained an extra ally, which would bring them many benefits in their future struggles against the Thunderous Ancient Pool and the Dancing Sword Tomb.

But why...

To her surprise, Murong Xi gently shook her head.

She gazed in the direction of Huiyan Peak, her eyes deep, as if piercing through endless space, and saw that familiar figure.

"Sister, there's no need."

Murong Xi's voice was soft, yet carried a knowing calmness, "Junior Brother's mind is made up, and it is by no means an excuse. He always plans carefully before acting, and his thoughts are far-reaching. Since he says he has no intention, there must be reasons that we cannot fully understand. Forcing it... would not be good."

She paused, a knowing smile playing on her lips: "Everyone has their own ambitions and chooses their own path. His path... may not be within the storm stirred up by He Xianshi."

Si Xuan Shuang opened her mouth, looking at Murong Xi's calm yet undeniable expression, and could only let out a sigh full of regret:

"Alas... What a pity! What a pity! Fellow Daoist Chen... He is truly perplexing, and also... admirable."

This expression of "admiration" was truly heartfelt.

To be able to so decisively reject overwhelming temptations and steadfastly uphold one's principles—this level of mental fortitude is truly extraordinary.

……

Chen Mu, who had declined his senior sister's invitation, thought he could finally calm down and enjoy a pure time of mountain retreat and spiritual practice.

However, the tree wants to be quiet but the wind keeps on.

The cloud-patterned invitation from Qizhen Temple was quickly delivered to Huiyan Peak along with auspicious clouds.

Once, twice, three times... his words became more and more earnest, and his manners more and more thorough.

At this time, Chen Mu already knew how much effort Qizhen Temple had spared in promoting him during the opening ceremony.

Upon careful consideration, how could one not know the other party's intentions?

This is clearly a case of ulterior motives, with the real intention being to target the Azure Tide Pavilion behind it...

But where does he get the authority to represent his sect?
Qizhen Temple's "taking without asking" behavior has already put him in a precarious position.

Now that they've borrowed the name, they still want the person in question to personally go and support them, to solidify this reputation, and even maximize their benefits.

"Mutual benefit and leveraging each other's strengths are common sense. I used Qizhen's karma to break through the barrier, and Qizhen used 'my' name to intimidate all sides. So we're even."

Chen Mu looked at the gold-embossed invitation in his hand, a faint, distant smile appearing on his lips. "But this kind of pushing and shoving, this insatiable greed, is a bit... unethical."

How could Chen Mu be a puppet to be manipulated and used as a facade?
Therefore, no matter how warmly Qizhen Temple invited him, Chen Mu always politely declined, giving reasons such as "it is important to consolidate his realm in seclusion," "it is important to comprehend the Daoist teachings," and "it is inconvenient to travel far in the mountains for quiet cultivation." His attitude was gentle but revealed an unyielding determination.

After several attempts, even the slow-witted Qizhen Temple finally began to understand.

Chen Mu seemed unwilling to be too closely associated with Qizhen Temple, and even disliked their excessive promotion of their reputation.

Realizing this, Qizhen Temple felt regret and a little embarrassed, but also understood the principle of moderation and dared not truly offend this young Zhenjun with boundless potential.

As a result, subsequent invitations gradually became less frequent, until they eventually stopped bothering me.

With Chen Mu's polite refusal and the Qizhen Temple's silence, coupled with the fact that the selection of the "He Xian Envoy" who stirred up the storm was still far off, Huiyan Mountain, Qizhou, and even the entire Xuandu cultivation world quietly entered a rare state of "calm and peaceful".

The undercurrents and discussions that arose because of Qizhen Temple and Chen Mu's fame gradually subsided, as if a grand play had come to an end and the world had returned to peace.

What Chen Mu sought was precisely this tranquility.

He sits peacefully atop Huiyan Peak, feeding cranes and listening to the pine trees on sunny days, and watching waterfalls and brewing spiritual tea on rainy days.

In his spare time, he would deduce the changes of the sea by looking at the clouds and sea, and combine the "Eastern Bright Candle Illumination" supernatural power with his own water magic to study the deeper mysteries.

When busy, he would carefully guide Chen Lan's cultivation, leading his water-attribute demonic essence to a purer and deeper realm, helping him comprehend the Great Dao.

Occasionally, when he felt something, he would draw upon the true water of the spiritual pivot, causing the sea to rise and fall, and the cauldron to sink and float within the cave, silently refining his solid foundation of the Dao, which had already reached the sixth level of the Profound Gate.

Beyond the mountains, the winds and clouds shift and change; the path to immortality is long and arduous, requiring constant struggle.

Within the mountains, there is only one person, one bird, one cauldron, and one stream. In this small, sacred mountain, they live a life of their own, following the natural way, and they live a fulfilling and carefree existence.

As for Chen Bai, he is far inferior and should not be included...

……

(End of this chapter)