The Path to Immortality Begins with the Life-Extending Lamp

Chapter 251 The Eve of the Competition
With nothing to do all day, Li Qing rested for a long time and was quite alert. Taking advantage of the still-dawn light, he went down the mountain stream to splash water and admire the flowers. At times, he would ride the clouds and wander among the mountain cliffs, wanting to take in all the sights of this land of nine mountains and eight rivers.

Since entering the Dao, Li Qing has also been to the boundless outer sea and the far west of Baqiu, but only for various unavoidable reasons, and has not really had much leisure time to visit them.

With several hours to go before the Immortal Sect Grand Competition, the contestants from all sides were still preparing for the final battle. Li Qing rolled up the Immortal Gathering gold invitation into his sleeve and took the opportunity to enjoy the first rays of dawn in this blessed land of the Three Emperors.

This immortal sect, situated in a blessed land spanning thousands of miles, boasts countless disciples. It is only through six generations of diligent work that it has amassed such a vast fortune.

Of the four supreme Daoist sects, the Three Sovereigns Dao is the most ancient, a lineage that has never been broken since the age of ghosts and gods.

As Li Qing walked up the steps of this ethereal mountain, shrouded in mist and frost, he was surprised to find that there were quite a few people who shared his thoughts.

As the morning mist gradually dissipates and the thin clouds do not yet appear, groups of two or three figures have already ascended the clear, ethereal peaks to absorb the pure and spiritual energy of the Dao and to observe the sea of ​​clouds and the rising sun over the nine mountains.

For the wandering scholars and shamans in the countryside, the blessed land of immortals is probably a rare opportunity to visit and witness the ceremony only a few times in their lives. Being able to climb the mountain early in the morning with two or three friends, and on a whim, compose poems and sing lyrics to express their feelings, is an unforgettable and fortunate event.

Those rogue cultivators who lack the means to achieve immortality and the skills to cultivate cherish this opportunity even more. Some stay around the market, willing to guide and serve others, seeking only a single technique or method; others climb the eastern cliff in the morning and perch on the western peak, absorbing the spiritual energy of this immortal mountain, comparable to medicine and food, hoping to increase their magical power.

All beings are different in their own way, but when it comes to spiritual practice, everyone has their own choices!

Walking in the wilderness at dawn, Li Qing's understanding became increasingly clear, yet his mind was fickle and unpredictable, while his Daoist heart was extremely pure.

What do the myriad aspects of human life have to do with me?

Everyone has their own path to walk, and the choices each person makes are not open to outsiders. Whether one lives or dies, lives on forever, or ends up as a handful of dust—it's all up to them…

With his mind at ease, Li Qing gazed at the horizon and flicked a mysterious light from his sleeve. A piece of white paper was folded and piled up in the wind, instantly transforming into an extremely simple oil-paper umbrella.

As she opened the paper umbrella, a soft shadow obscured Li Qing's eyes and blocked the desolate morning mist in the mountains.

Only this solitary figure could be seen walking among the celestial peaks, carrying a simple paper umbrella and wearing elegant cloud-patterned clothes. Step by step, he came from the distant mountains, walked across the wilderness, and brushed past two or three passersby, just like any other ordinary person.

Gradually, without anyone noticing, a figure suddenly appeared under the paper umbrella. The figure was tall and slender, with delicate eyebrows and fair skin. She wore an ancient-style robe with flowing clouds and jade-like wrists, looking like a figure from a painting leaning against the paper umbrella, which seemed extremely unreal.

"You came?"

Li Qing walked through the morning dew and looked at the figure that suddenly appeared beside her. She saw that the paper umbrella had been raised slightly so that the two of them could be sheltered under it at the same time.

The woman beside him remained silent, but took a small step to the left, getting even closer to Li Qing...

This is not a projection of the primordial spirit, but a Yin spirit that is as solid as the primordial essence!

After attaining enlightenment, Ghost Mother Cui Qu'er gradually ceased to be merely a background figure from another world. She was able to break free from the constraints of the Qishan Domain's rules, even distorting the so-called ironclad laws, and actively roaming through various worlds. She even spread the true name and faith of ghosts in the mortal world, much like some veteran ghost lords.

The faint response was almost nonexistent, but Li Qing seemed to still hear that mosquito-like murmur.

This silly act made him unable to resist smiling, raising his sleeve and pointing his finger in the air in front of him. Under the plain paper umbrella, there was an even layer of spiritual light, blocking the morning breeze that was blowing in his face.

On such a beautiful day, we should naturally take a trip together...

Then one sees in this mountainous wilderness, wandering monks and hermits on pavilions and perilous paths, some holding oil-paper umbrellas in the thin mist, others wearing brocade robes to brave the wind and cold, climbing the heavenly road to view the morning glow, attending grand gatherings and touring the immortal mountains.

The land of immortals is a forbidden path for mortals; this is an opportunity that many ordinary people only have once in their lifetime.

The spectators gathered in twos and threes, admiring the sunset and sketching the landscape with their brushes. Suddenly, they saw a paper umbrella emerging from the morning mist, and under the umbrella, a couple looked like a pair of celestial beings.

The man was handsome, with long, well-defined fingers. When he held the umbrella, he left most of the space beneath it for the woman beside him, causing a layer of glistening dewdrops to condense on his brocade robes. The woman was tall and graceful, leaning against him. With each step she took, she resembled a lotus emerging from the water, a breathtakingly beautiful sight.

Even though the painter on the empty steps and cloud pavilion couldn't see the two people's faces, his eyes still lit up. He gripped his brush, leaned half his body out of the pavilion, and immediately bowed to the couple strolling together with their umbrella:
"Fellow immortal, please wait."

"I was just observing the clouds and seas and trying to paint, but then I saw you two walking on dew, truly like immortals. I was moved and wished to capture your image with my brush..."

"I wonder if that's okay?"

Poetry and calligraphy are arts, and painting is a spiritual art. Among these six arts of the scholar, there are also wonderful unorthodox methods. The scholar in front of us has mastered the art of calligraphy and painting. With skillful brushstrokes, he expresses his spirit and can create paintings that are comparable to magical artifacts.

He originally intended to paint a picture of "A Thousand Miles of Clouds and Mist," but when he saw a Taoist descending to earth, he was overjoyed. The energy of the entire world became gentle with the appearance of the two, as if the heavens bowed their heads and the cloud lords lowered their brows.

With such an extraordinary being, coupled with this sudden flash of inspiration, how could he not recognize the appearance of the Supreme Cultivator?
Li Qing paused slightly as she held the umbrella, then turned and looked down into the cloud pavilion. Sure enough, her deep, star-like eyes, like a kaleidoscope of worlds, instantly sent a chill down the spine of the painter, who thought to himself, "This is terrifying."

There were many scholars on the Cloud Pavilion. When they saw that the Bai family scholars, who had prepared for the Cloud Scroll all night, suddenly changed their minds, they all raised their eyebrows.

The Bai family of Jinling possesses unparalleled painting skills. Although he is only at the Zishi realm, equivalent to the Zifu realm, his paintings are comparable to mid-grade talismans, and he can even unleash various magical powers with his scholarly air.

Many scholars, hearing of his interest in the Nine Mountains and Sea of ​​Clouds, followed him, hoping to offer a large sum of money for the painting once it was completed.

But why is this Bai family member, who is obsessed with painting, suddenly talking nonsense? The umbrella-wielding Taoist who came stepping on the dew was indeed extraordinary, but he clearly came alone. Where is there a second person?
I haven't seen it anywhere, either to the left or right.

The students and scholars of Hongdou Academy, seated among the clouds, all turned their heads to look at the two people whose gazes were meeting, and couldn't help but feel strange.

"You...can see it?"

Li Qing slightly raised the paper umbrella and looked intently at the Bai family man.

The essence of the Yin spirit lies between the innate and acquired, not to mention that the Ghost Mother and his cultivation far surpass that of ordinary people; it shouldn't be something that ordinary cultivators could foresee. "I have long studied poetry and literature, and am most skilled in painting. My meager cultivation lies in my hands and eyes, of course..."

The scholar surnamed Bai raised his sleeves and bowed to Li Qing and the other person. The Taoist and the woman's beautiful faces were slightly revealed. One was aloof and gentle, the other was stunningly beautiful. They were indeed like their temperament, rare beauties in the world.

Before he could finish speaking, the scholar surnamed Bai suddenly felt a jolt in his mind, and even the pen in his hand became unsteady.

wrong!

Bai Shizi looked up in surprise and found that the woman beside the Taoist was stunningly beautiful. However, when he looked away, he realized that there was nothing beside the Taoist in his memory and in his description.

But ironically, he was able to witness that perfect couple with his own eyes!

How could this be so terrifying, so bizarre?
In an instant, the scholar surnamed Bai was terrified. An incomprehensible horror crept onto his shoulders, almost suffocating him.

The scholars and rogue cultivators who had been leisurely waiting in the Cloud Pavilion gradually noticed something was wrong and all got up to look over.

Meanwhile, several fellow students from the Red Bean Academy in the distance looked on in astonishment. Standing in the Cloud Pavilion, they kept glancing at the Bai family scholar while also scrutinizing the umbrella-wielding Taoist.

Is it him? The Li family... Erlang...

Ten years have passed, and his appearance has not changed much, except that he has become more sharp. However, the scholars in the academy who had studied with Li Qing no longer dared to approach him.

"No need. Fellow Daoist, your mind is enlightened by painting. You should paint the vast rivers and mountains on paper and record the fleeting beauty for eternity."

"This humble Taoist priest will not take up any more ink and brush; I shall take my leave now!"

Li Qing picked up the paper umbrella, pointed her left hand into the air, and used it to remove the calamity from the white scholar who was affected by the dark and gloomy energy, before politely declining.

The appearance of Yin spirits is beyond the comprehension of ordinary people, let alone those of ghosts or Yin spirits.

Li Qing disliked having her portrait hung up high for people to look at every day. Besides, even the white scholar couldn't paint the Ghost Mother. Once the gaze was taken away, no one could remember what the Ghost Mother looked like, as she lingered outside the memories of all living beings.

Such an imperfect writing style makes it pointless to even begin!
After exchanging pleasantries with the scholar, Li Qing's gaze swept across the Cloud Pavilion, and unconsciously lingered for a moment on a few figures. They were his classmates from his youth, long-forgotten memories.

After exchanging glances with the few scholars from the Red Bean Sect and giving them a barely perceptible nod, the Taoist priest turned around, holding his umbrella, and once again departed amidst the clouds and mist.

Arriving with the morning dew and departing on the clouds, they come and go freely and unrestrained, truly embodying the carefree path of immortals.

But the rogue cultivators in the Cloud Pavilion were all in an uproar.

Someone exclaimed, "Soaring through the clouds and mist, unable to enter mountains—this is an extremely profound escape technique in the immortal path."

"This is actually a high-ranking immortal from a cultivation sect?"

"So young, so unfamiliar..."

"This person was not seen in the Immortal Sect Competition either!"

Among the rogue cultivators, there were also those with the Purple Mansion realm, and the number of scholars in the Southern Academy was not small either. Upon witnessing Li Qing's unseen methods, their hearts were stirred with even greater emotions.

This is definitely a highly skilled immortal cultivator, probably already a first-rate disciple of an immortal sect, with the foundation for longevity!

"Young Master Bai, what happened just now?"

Scholars from Jinling approached with suspicion, gazing at Bai Shaojun, who was renowned throughout Jiangnan for his unparalleled mastery of painting.

Just now, he suddenly stopped the conversation with the umbrella-wielding Taoist, and everyone who heard it was confused. What did he mean by one person or two people? What did he mean by seeing or not seeing? It sounded like he was talking nonsense, leaving everyone who heard it completely bewildered.

"This..." The scholar surnamed Bai hesitated. The Taoist priest had acted quite gently, and he did not want to offend him.

But the doubts and fear in his heart made him uneasy, so he could only smile bitterly:
"The handsome Taoist priest had a female companion beside him, who seemed extremely beautiful, so stunning that she was unreal."

"I was about to memorize their appearances, but my memory of the woman was completely blank."

It seems, it seems, that this person doesn't exist at all!
"Female companion?"

"Wasn't that Taoist priest all alone? Where did he get a female companion? You..."

Some scholars were filled with doubt and uncertainty. Thinking back to the elusive Taoist priest, a sense of panic immediately welled up in their minds.

Upon hearing this, Bai Shaojun's eyes narrowed, his expression changed drastically, and after confirming with everyone several times, he became even more anxious.

Three or four scholars from the Red Bean Academy stood frozen in place, their eyes meeting, all lost in the look in Li Qing's eyes as she left.

Sure enough... it was him!
"It's alright, this isn't some strange tale from the mountains, there's no need to be afraid."

"Perhaps you will see this person again..."

(End of this chapter)