Young master, why not become a corpse immortal?

Chapter 80 Ceremony
“Every year, Ta Yunxia holds such a grand ceremony, which lasts for thirty-six days. When the Cloud Gate opens, heroes from all over the world can drink together. Over the past ten years, it has left some names in the martial arts world.”

Fang Xuanzi pointed around:
“Some of these heroes came from as far away as the Western Desert, traveling day and night.”

"Is this grand ceremony just an invitation to all sorts of martial arts figures, just to show up on the mountain and give a shout-out?" Lin Jiang was quite curious about this.

There are quite a few of these江湖客 (jianghu ke ke), all gathered here just to join in the fun?
"How could a grand ceremony lasting thirty-six days be just for showing up?" Fang Xuanzi said with a smile. "The first twelve days of the ceremony are reception days. All the martial arts practitioners who come here can get some good food and drink from the mountain. Some people come specifically for this."

"The middle twelve days are for martial arts competitions. We will prepare some prizes, and any skilled warriors can come up on stage to test their abilities."

"And today is the last day of the twelve days in between, and the final battle will take place this afternoon."

"What about the last twelve days?"

"The last twelve days are for sermons. The sect leader will hold a special meeting to explain the wonders of the Cloud-Stepping Technique and will also accept a few talented disciples on the spot, who will then join the Cloud-Stepping Technique."

Niu Man's eyes lit up when he heard this.

Wasn't he here to join Ta Yunxia and learn her skills?

It just so happens that he is preaching and accepting disciples. Isn't this a great thing?
He then tapped his own nose repeatedly:
"Taoist Master, look at me, see if I'm any good enough?"

“The young man is very spirited. If he is sincere in seeking the Dao, he can naturally join our Ta Yunxia Sect.” Fang Xuanzi spoke sincerely, without any intention of deceiving anyone.

Niu Man was overjoyed and clenched his fists.

After such a long time, we've finally seen a glimmer of hope.

Lin Jiang was more curious about another point:
"I've heard that some people ascend to immortality by treading on clouds and mist. Is that true?"

"Absolutely true." Fang Xuanzi's eyebrows gleamed with pride, and his tone became impassioned.

"Ten years ago, during the sect's grand ceremony, a senior figure saw through the secrets of heaven and ascended to the heavens. It is because of this event that people in the martial arts world value the Cloud Ascension Ceremony so much. To this day, four senior figures have ascended to immortality and entered the clouds."

Fang Xuanzi's voice was a little loud, attracting the attention of the surrounding martial arts practitioners. However, he was telling the truth and was the host of the place, so everyone just laughed it off.

Lin Jiang was also intrigued:

"Those predecessors who ascended to immortality, how many levels of skill did they possess?"

"Our sect's cultivation does not follow the conventional martial arts system of dividing realms; it focuses solely on a clear and tranquil mind. Those whose minds are free of attachments can naturally attain enlightenment and ascend to immortality."

Lin Jiang blinked.

Can one ascend to immortality solely through one's character?
There are countless people of excellent character in the world, yet why do we not see them all ascending to immortality?
Is the Cloud-Stepping Technique special?

After finishing their meal, and seeing that it was almost time, Fang Xuanzi called out to Lin Jiang and Niu Man:

"Would you two like to go up the mountain to witness this final duel?"

"of course."

Lin Jiang was still very interested in martial arts duels among江湖人 (jianghu people).

After a hearty meal, climbing the steps felt like walking on flat ground. Travelers from all walks of life strolled along the mountain path, and occasionally, bamboo sheds were set up on flat spots to sell miscellaneous goods and food.

The atmosphere seemed familiar. After thinking for a long time, Lin Jiang finally remembered the scenic area where people climb mountains during holidays.

Upon reaching the summit, a majestic Taoist temple came into view.

This Taoist temple is enormous, with walls that stretch to the abyss beside it, and the temple's layout is also very prominent.

Passing through the main gate, one sees a crowd surging around the central martial arts arena like boiling water, the cacophony of voices like the buzzing of a swarm of bees.

There were many people in the audience, and the noise was chaotic. Lin Jiang looked around and felt that something was not quite right.

Before I could think it through, the final performer of the day revealed himself:
The two combatants were quite different. The middle-aged man, who looked to be about the same age as Chen Dajiang, was carrying a knife, while his opponent was a young man dressed in cloth, holding a sword in one hand and a willow branch in the other.

Fang Xuanzi introduces below:

"The man with the knife is a swordsman from the Western School named Hu Chenxing. He is roughly at the third level of cultivation, just one step away from the inner hall. He is nicknamed 'Thousand-Mile One-Knife,' which refers to his solo journey to the Western Regions and his return alone. He learned a set of amazing Western Region kung fu and used fire-breathing techniques to force back the leader of the Southern Water School. He is a master."

He then pointed at the young man:
"That man's surname is Sun, and his name is Sun Xing. He wasn't well-known in the martial arts world before, but he showed off his skills at this conference and defeated many talented young men, which made him famous. He is a second-level cultivator."

"Can someone from the second level of heaven defeat someone from the third level of heaven?"

“Under normal circumstances, he would naturally be no match for him, but since there is only a difference of one level, there are many ways to make up for it.” Fang Xuanzi laughed and said, “There is a saying in the martial arts world: when you are out in the world, three parts depend on your cultivation, three parts depend on your skills, and the remaining four parts depend on your treasures. Although Sun Xing is young, he has a lot of treasures. Whether it is the sword in his hand or that willow branch, they are very useful. Hu Chenxing may not be his match.”

With the Taoist priest's guidance from the sidelines, Lin Jiang was able to understand the current situation on the field.

The human wall was too thick to see the platform clearly, so Fang Xuanzi led the two around to a high platform inside the Taoist temple.

More than ten young cultivators in greyish-blue robes were leaning against the railing watching the battle. Upon seeing Fang Xuanzi, they all bowed respectfully.

"Senior brother."

Fang Xuanzi returned the greeting before introducing Lin Jiang and Niu Man:
"I'm a few years older than them, so I'm considered their senior brother." The young Taoist priests looked at Lin Jiang curiously, mainly at his face, and Lin Jiang responded with a smile to each of them.

Fang Xuanzi glared at them, and the young Taoists awkwardly looked away.

Amidst the rising smoke from the bronze furnace, the fighting had already begun on the arena.

As the Taoist priest waved his command flag, Hu Chenxing suddenly sprang into action, his blade flashing like a waterfall as he aimed straight for Sun Xing's throat.

Sun Xing fought and retreated, the willow branch always gleaming slightly just as the blade touched his body, causing the fine steel weapon to frequently veer off course.

After fighting twice, Hu Chenxing was clearly annoyed. He took two steps back, made a strange hand seal, held his breath, and spewed out a mouthful of fire directly from his mouth.

It covered the entire area in an instant.

Sun Xing used his longsword to slash twice, cutting off the sparks and the flames. Unfortunately, the fire was too big and too fierce. After cutting off three or four parts of the fire, Sun Xing could not hold on any longer. He slipped and fell off the stage.

The duel ended quickly, with Hu Chenxing raising his arms high on the stage.

The martial arts practitioners below were all applauding, and Lin Jiang joined in.

He hadn't learned much martial arts yet, so it wasn't really clear how well the two on stage were fighting, but his final fire-breathing move was truly beautiful.

I don't know how this method was used.

The Taoist priest Ta Yunxia went to congratulate Hu Chenxing, but he was a bit far away and couldn't hear very clearly.

Seeing that nothing else was happening, Fang Xuanzi turned his gaze to Niu Man.

"You wish to join me on my journey through the clouds?"

"Yes!" Niu Man was filled with excitement.

“It’s not too late yet, I’ll take you to see my master.” Fang Xuanzi smiled and patted Niu Man on the shoulder: “My master’s Taoist name is Tai Nanzi. He’s a good person, and he will probably take you in.”

"really!"

"Try it."

Fang Xuanzi then looked at Lin Jiang: "Would you like to come along, young master? For a refined person like you, your master will certainly brew tea to entertain you."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Daoist Master. I happen to be quite curious about the matter of ascending to immortality, so I'll have to trouble you a bit more."

"It's alright, Master likes it this way."

The group chatted and laughed as they entered the inner hall.

As I was walking along the road, I saw several Taoist priests coming towards me, who seemed to be the ones who had been watching from the stands earlier.

Their clothing was quite different from Fang Xuanzi's; they wore purple Taoist robes with gold trim, exuding an air of nobility.

Fang Xuanzi's clothes looked a bit dirty.

Upon seeing them, Fang Xuanzi quickly pulled Lin Jiang and Niu Man aside, then bowed to them.

"Senior brother."

The Taoist priests were indifferent; they simply nodded blankly and left.

"You are inner disciples, and you may have a bit of a temper, so please forgive us."

Fang Xuanzi explained.

Lin Jiang glanced at Fang Xuanzi's clothes, then at the inner disciples:

"There's quite a difference in clothing between the inner and outer sect members."

"You're joking. The inner sect is naturally different from the outer sect."

They stopped talking about it and continued on their way, soon arriving at an ordinary thatched hut in the backyard.

Fang Xuanzi stepped forward respectfully, knocked lightly on the door twice, and then called out "Master".

The room was filled with crackling and chaotic noises.

Fang Xuanzi looked embarrassed: "I don't know what Master is doing..."

An old man's eyes widened in fury:

"Run away!"

(End of this chapter)