Lingyuan Immortal

Chapter 985 A Warning Sign Arises
A fierce wind cuts through the face, and a thousand mountains are shrouded in white.

Nestled in the Huiyan Mountains, ancient pavilions stand quietly amidst the vast expanse of snow. Inside, a warm and inviting atmosphere prevails, with the fragrance of fine tea mingling with the aged scent of ancient books.

Chen Mu sat casually on a futon, holding a scroll of "The Water Element Universe Micro-Records" in his hands, his fingertips tracing over a line of obscure ancient seal script about "tides influencing stellar power".

His expression was serene, his mind immersed in the profound mysteries of Taoism, as if he had merged with this tranquil snowy landscape.

Suddenly, his fingers, which were turning the pages of the book, paused slightly.

Those eyes lifted, peering through the open window at the clear, pristine sky outside.

Deep within the pupils, two pale golden candlelight phantoms flickered silently for a moment, illuminating a figure traversing the sky high above.

The figure was dressed in an elegant white robe, spotless, and there was no oppressive aura around him, but rather a refined and otherworldly aura flowing from him.

What made Chen Mu's heart tremble even more was that the figure was surrounded by a faint, otherworldly, ethereal aura that drifted in the biting cold wind.

"The tree desires stillness... but the wind never ceases." A barely audible whisper, like a sigh, quietly dissipated into the warm steam of the tea.

Under his divine sense, just by sensing the aura emanating from that person, he knew that this was no ordinary great power like Xuandu.

Combined with the recent undercurrents in Xuandu regarding the "selection of immortal envoys," the identity of the visitor is becoming increasingly clear.

He was puzzled, though. If this person was indeed the Immortal Envoy He, why did he come here alone instead of walking around in front of the three great lineages of Xuandu?
Judging from its determined direction, it didn't seem like it was just passing by by chance...

Just then, the white-robed figure who had been walking through the air seemed to sense something and paused slightly.

He raised his eyes, his gaze precisely fixed on a point in the void where Chen Mu's divine sense was located, a gentle smile playing on his lips, as if he had pierced through the spatial barrier and "seen" the person in the pavilion.

A sense of foreboding suddenly arose in Chen Mu's heart!

This was the first time that a cultivator of the same level had so easily detected his divine sense probing.

Even if He Xianshi's true realm might far surpass his, what is here now is, after all, just a projection clone.

This shows that this person is indeed extraordinary, far surpassing the traditions passed down in this world...

Chen Mu pondered for a moment, the golden flames in his eyes fading, returning to calm.

"Now that we've been 'seen through,' pretending not to know would seem petty."

He stood up, took a step, and his figure appeared like a wisp of smoke on the snow-covered green cliffs at the summit. He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the horizon.

Before long, He Zhiyun arrived, stepping through the air, with clouds rising beneath his feet, drifting gracefully and calmly.

Seeing that the restrictions on Huiyan Mountain had been completely lifted, a Taoist in plain robes stood quietly atop the snow-capped peak, his demeanor calm and composed like a deep pool and a towering mountain. How could anyone not know that the real person was right in front of them?
He immediately descended from the clouds, lightly touching the ground with his toes, and landed about ten feet away from Chen Mu, without sinking into the snow at all.

"Are you Chen Mu, the True Lord Chen?" he asked politely, his smile warm and inviting. "I am unworthy to visit you without permission. I hope the True Lord will forgive me."

"really……"

Chen Mu remained unmoved, returned the greeting with clasped hands, and said in a clear and calm voice: "The presence of the Venerable He Zhenjun is a great honor to our humble abode. The snow has just stopped, but the chill is still strong. Why not come in and have a cup of coarse tea to ward off the cold?"

After saying this, he stepped aside to meet him.

Upon hearing this, He Zhiyun's eyes lit up. He greatly appreciated Chen Mu's humble yet assertive and straightforward manner. Without any hesitation, he laughed loudly and said, "That is indeed my wish. I dare not ask for it and would only disturb the True Lord's peaceful cultivation."

He stepped forward calmly and followed Chen Mu into the ancient-style pavilion and warm room.

After the host and guests were seated on the futons, Chen Mu waved his sleeve, and the purple clay teapot on the table poured out two cups of clear, green spiritual tea and presented them to the two of them.

The tea has a refreshing aroma, mixed with the chill of the snow, creating a unique flavor.

They each took a small sip of tea, and the warmth spread through their bodies, dispelling the last trace of chill from the mountaintop.

Chen Mu then put down his teacup and looked calmly at He Zhiyun: "True Lord He, your whereabouts are hard to find and you are busy with many affairs. What brings you to Cold Mountain today?"

He Zhiyun put down his teacup and said with a smile, "True Lord Chen is a man of few words, and I will not hide it from you. I have come here to invite you to join me in planning a great opportunity."

He paused, observing Chen Mu's expression, "The 'selection' that's been circulating in Xuandu lately, I presume True Lord... has already heard about it?"

Chen Mu nodded frankly: "I have heard a little about it. I heard that the True Lord wants to recruit outstanding talents from Xuandu to go to the Upper Realm Immortal Sect for trials in order to seize opportunities."

His tone was calm, revealing no emotion.

"Exactly!"

He Zhiyun's eyes lit up slightly. "This is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity. The trial grounds contain ancient blessings, and the gifts from the immortal sects are even more generous."

"Your Excellency is exceptionally talented and possesses extraordinary strength. If you are willing to assist me, you will undoubtedly be a vital asset on my journey. What is Your Excellency's opinion?"

Chen Mu's expression remained unchanged as he gently exhaled, his refusal clear: "I appreciate True Lord He's kind offer, but my cultivation has just broken through, and my foundation still needs time to be refined and solidified... The trials in the Upper Realm are extremely dangerous and unpredictable, and I'm afraid they are beyond my current capacity to handle."

"I can only politely decline this opportunity."

The reasons remained the same, but they were stated sincerely and frankly, leaving no room for negotiation.

Although He Zhiyun was somewhat prepared, he was still slightly taken aback when he heard Chen Mu refuse so decisively and without any hesitation.

This Chen Zhenjun is truly impervious to reason and his Daoist heart is as firm as a rock.

But he quickly realized what was going on, and his smile widened instead of diminishing: "Why is Fellow Daoist Chen so resolute? The words 'I've only heard a little about it' are hardly enough to grasp the whole story."

"What you are worried about, fellow Daoist, is nothing more than the risks and your own constraints. Why don't you allow me to explain the key points in detail? It won't be too late for you to make a decision after you understand the weight of this opportunity and the reality of this trial?"

Chen Mu's eyes flickered slightly as he met He Zhiyun's eyes, which seemed to reflect people's hearts. After a moment of contemplation, he finally nodded slowly and gestured, "Since the True Lord says so, I would like to hear the details."

He Zhiyun paused for a moment, seemingly considering how to explain the complex background clearly and understandably:
"Fellow Daoist must know that I am from the Upper Realm. However, the Upper Realm is vast and boundless, with numerous Immortal Domains and sects as numerous as stars. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Chen has ever heard of the name 'Nine Peaks Immortal Sect'?"

Chen Mu shook his head frankly: "I know very little about the affairs of the Upper Realm, which are like looking at flowers through fog. This is the first time I have heard of the Nine Peaks Immortal Sect."

He Zhiyun was not surprised and explained in detail: "The Nine Peaks Immortal Sect is the foundation of my sect. In that vast immortal realm, although it is not the most outstanding giant, it has a long history and profound foundation, and can be regarded as a powerful force in the region."

"Within the sect, there are not only several powerful Golden Immortal Ancestors who are renowned throughout the world and govern a region of the Immortal Realm, but also many outstanding fellow disciples who hold important positions and have their own places in the Heavenly Court."

He deliberately paused slightly on the words "Golden Immortal" and "Heavenly Court" to observe Chen Mu's reaction.

"Golden Immortal..."

Chen Mu's eyes flashed as he heard a new term, and he couldn't help but wonder to himself, could this level... be above even a True Immortal? He Zhiyun noticed that although Chen Mu's expression hadn't changed drastically, the fleeting seriousness and contemplation in his eyes didn't escape his notice. Feeling slightly reassured, he continued explaining the key points:
"The root of He's plan lies in an ancient cause and effect within his sect."

His tone turned solemn, "Tens of thousands of years ago, Yunmiao Immortal Lord, a Golden Immortal ancestor of my Jiuyi Immortal Sect who had achieved unparalleled cultivation, resolutely chose the most dangerous path in order to glimpse the supreme Primordial Dao: to sever all past lives and reincarnate to cultivate anew!"

“Such reconstruction is extremely dangerous, no different from walking through the gates of life and death again.”

"To be on the safe side, before the Ancestor was reincarnated, he used his supreme supernatural powers to leave a mark on the soul of his most trusted chief disciple and instructed him: When he is reborn, no matter where he is reborn in the myriad worlds, this mark will surely be triggered, and the chief disciple should immediately follow the trace to protect him as he embarks on the path of immortality again."

He Zhiyun's tone was tinged with heaviness and regret: "However, the ways of Heaven are unpredictable, and the affairs of the world are hard to foresee."

"After the ancestor was reincarnated, his first disciple guarded the sect, waiting and waiting for a full 30,000 years! The sensory imprint remained as silent as death, without any reaction! And then, at the end of that long wait, turmoil broke out within our Nine Peaks Immortal Sect..."

"The patriarch's first disciple unfortunately perished in the infighting among his fellow disciples. The protective oath and the imprint of connection concerning the patriarch's reincarnation were thus passed around several times and ended up in the hands of other disciples in his lineage..."

“Until a thousand years ago, the direct descendants of Immortal Lord Yunmiao’s lineage either exhausted their lifespan, perished in battles, or had their cultivation paths cut off, thus completely severing their lineage.”

"Such a grand Golden Immortal lineage has been extinguished within its sect, and the lost oath of protection has become completely ownerless, hanging in the balance..."

The room fell silent for a moment, with only the soft bubbling of the spring water in the tea stove.

A few breaths later, He Zhiyun changed the subject: "Fortunately! The other Golden Immortal Ancestors of the sect took old feelings into consideration and could not bear to see the Yunmiao lineage completely disappear into the river of time, and could not bear to see its reincarnation wander outside and forever lose its path."

"Therefore, they jointly issued a decree to set up a 'Corridor of Myriad Phenomena' trial within the sect. One of its core purposes was to select a disciple with superior Dao heart, aptitude, and fortune to inherit the mantle of Ancestor Yunmiao!"

"At the same time, it also shoulders the mission that has been sealed for tens of thousands of years—to find and protect the reincarnation of the ancestor and help him return to the path of immortality!"

Hearing this, Chen Mu suddenly understood and said, "So, the reason why True Lord He has gone to such lengths to participate in the trial is to inherit his lineage, understand his karma, and become the successor of Ancestor Yunmiao?"

He Zhiyun met Chen Mu's gaze frankly, his smile revealing undisguised ambition and desire: "The Golden Immortal lineage! The responsibility of protecting the Dao! Such an extraordinary opportunity and supreme glory, if you were in my position, wouldn't you make the same choice?"

He asked a question in return, then sighed self-deprecatingly, his tone becoming pragmatic, "However, I am also aware of my own limitations. Within the sect, there are countless geniuses and outstanding talents."

"In terms of cultivation level, background, and resources, he far surpasses He Mou by countless margins. Without extraordinary merit and assistance, such an opportunity would likely remain unattainable even on the edge..."

"Not to mention, I currently have a shallow foundation within the sect, and am almost... powerless and insignificant."

He spoke the words "powerless and without influence" very lightly, yet they conveyed the full extent of his hardship and helplessness.

Otherwise, why would he have gone all the way to Xuandu in the lower realm to seek help?

He softened his tone and lowered his voice: "The core of this 'Corridor of Myriad Phenomena' trial is located in a remnant of the original world that the Ancestor Yunmiao personally created back then."

"Although that remnant realm has suffered a great calamity, with its laws in chaos and spacetime distorted, it contains the insights of the ancestor's lifelong journey on the path to immortality, as well as the treasures he left behind, and even some of the original mysteries of his path to becoming a Golden Immortal!"

"Its value is enough to drive countless immortals mad, and even though its descendants have enjoyed it to this day, they have not been able to exhaust it!"

He leaned forward slightly and emphasized, "Fellow Daoist Chen, this is a supreme opportunity that truly leads directly to the Great Dao. It is incomparable to the rewards bestowed by ordinary immortal sects. There are certainly risks, but the rewards are so great that it is enough for you and me to risk everything to take a chance!"

Finally, he offered his most substantial reward, speaking sincerely: "If Fellow Daoist Chen is willing to lend me his full assistance in venturing into the 'Corridor of Myriad Phenomena,' aside from all the opportunities and treasures you obtain during the trials, which will belong to you, I hereby promise—"

He held up two fingers. “Regardless of the outcome of this trip, as long as I have a breath left, I will be forever grateful for your help. In the future, if you ever need anything, no matter where I am, as long as you send me a message, I will do my utmost, even at the cost of my life! That is the first point!”

"Secondly!" His gaze was intense, as if he wanted to see into the depths of Chen Mudao's heart. "If I am fortunate enough to inherit the Dao lineage, and if you wish to explore the ultimate Dao and step into a higher immortal realm in the future, I and the entire Yunmiao lineage of the Jiuyi Immortal Sect will be your strongest support and fellow Daoist."

He made a series of promises, each building upon the last, ranging from immediate benefits to long-term prospects, from personal relationships to the support of the sect. He Zhiyun gave almost every promise he could.

The sincerity and determination shown are unmistakable.

Silence fell once again inside the cabinet.

The fragrant aroma of tea reflected on Chen Mu's calm and composed face.

His eyelids were slightly lowered, as if he was digesting the massive amount of information and the tempting promises.

What He Zhiyun said did indeed paint an unimaginable grand blueprint for him.

The legacy of a Golden Immortal, a powerful backer in the Upper Realm, and companionship on the Great Dao... each of these is enough to make a cultivator seeking enlightenment's path feel their blood boil.

However, Chen Mu never relaxed his vigilance.

Involving the upper realm, especially the karma with a Golden Immortal ancestor, the vortex behind it is far deeper than the simple "mutual benefit" that appears before our eyes.

Not to mention his own "hidden dangers," which are like a sword hanging over his head.

One should be aggressive when necessary, but when caution is needed, one must not succumb to greed and impatience...

A moment later, Chen Mu raised his eyelids, his eyes clear and bright, as if he had made a decision.

He exhaled softly, a faint smile appearing on his lips, preparing to speak:
"I am deeply moved by Lord He's sincere intentions, but my path..."

He was about to utter the word "refusal"—

hum!
A sudden change occurred!

Without warning, a chilling and terrifying warning, like millions of ice needles, instantly pierced Chen Mu's soul and consciousness!
His entire body trembled uncontrollably, not from external force, but from a kind of near-destruction tremor originating from the very source of his Dao!

Deep within his consciousness, the "Dongming Candle Flame," which had been burning quietly, suddenly began to sway wildly, its flames surging and turning from pale gold to blinding incandescent white.

Cold sweat instantly soaked Chen Mu's back, and the hairs on his skin beneath the Taoist robe stood on end.

"This...this is?!"

Chen Mu's pupils suddenly contracted to the size of needles, and his mind was shaken.

With his profound foundation in the Dao at the sixth level of the Mysterious Pass, and his subtle perception of "Eastern Brightness Illumination" as he glimpsed the path to enlightenment, such warning signs were by no means unfounded.

It came so suddenly, so violently, so...deadly.

It was as if the moment he uttered that "no," an invisible thread of cause and effect would snap completely...

"Could it be... that this trip... truly concerns my life and fortune? Refusing... means certain death?!"

For a moment, Chen Mu fell into deep thought...

……

(End of this chapter)