Mountain Venerable and Sea Immortal

The black mist surged like ink-black waves, transforming into countless ferocious claw shadows, carrying a bone-chilling cold aura, tightly surrounding Lin Yan and Yun Xi on the reef. The pungent sea breeze, carrying the black mist, rushed towards them, the sinister energy corroding their bones and minds. The surrounding surging blue sea air was slightly stained and dimmed, and the reef under their feet, touched by the black mist, developed a layer of cold black frost. The once clear sea surface was also murky and polluted by this evil mist.

Lin Yan shielded Yun Xi behind him, his back still straight. The clash with the black-robed elder had left his chest heaving, the blood still fresh at the corner of his mouth, and his palm, gripping the peach wood sword, was sweating profusely. He was merely a novice at the first level of Qi Refining, having just stepped into the Artifact Control Realm, not even touching the threshold of the Qi Control Realm. Yet the black-robed elder before him possessed a thick, sinister aura, far surpassing the Artifact Control Realm. The black mist and shadows he casually unleashed were enough to overwhelm even with his full strength. The spirit turtle beside him had already cowered in a crevice in the reef, trembling and emitting soft whimpers, utterly powerless to resist.

Yun Xi's pretty face was pale, the white light from the longsword in her hand grew increasingly faint, and the spiritual energy within her body was constantly being eroded by the evil black mist, making its circulation sluggish and difficult, even her fingertips felt icy cold. She bit her lip tightly, forcing herself not to collapse, and raised her hand to unleash a weak sword aura, deflecting the approaching black shadow. Her voice trembled slightly but remained firm: "Lin Yan, you recover your breath first, I'll hold them off for a moment!"

Lin Yan gritted his teeth and shook his head, staring intently at the approaching black-robed elder. He once again condensed pale blue sea energy at his fingertips, drawing his peach wood sword to hover before him. He frantically recalled the incantation of the *Laoshan Sea-Watching Technique*, but the elder's power was too overwhelming. His own energy and aura were utterly fragile before the elder's black mist. Another black shadow attacked. Lin Yan hastily activated his peach wood sword to parry. With a crisp clang, the sword trembled violently. His arm went numb, and he staggered back several steps, his inner energy nearly dissipating.

The old man in black robes cackled, his withered hand once again condensing black mist, transforming into a black beam several meters long, which slashed straight down: "You mere cultivators at the Nascent Soul Realm dare to resist? Today, I'll make sure your souls are annihilated!"

The black light, carrying an aura of world-destroying destruction, instantly approached. Lin Yan's pupils constricted, and he instinctively pulled Yun Xi behind him, holding the peach wood sword horizontally in front of him as a shield, channeling all the remaining sea energy within his body into the sword. An overwhelming sense of resentment surged within him. He had just embarked on the path of cultivation, just begun to experience the profound mysteries of the "Laoshan Sea-Watching Technique," and hadn't even had time to refine his cultivation before he was to perish here, taking Yun Xi with him. This despair made his fingertips tremble slightly.

Suddenly, a Daoist voice resounded across the sea, like a morning bell and evening drum, dispersing the surrounding sinister black mist. The sharp black light suddenly froze in mid-air, unable to advance even an inch further.

"This evil creature dares to harm people within the territory of Laoshan! How dare it!"

A streak of azure light appeared on the horizon, like the warm sun rising over the sea. An elderly man with white hair and a long beard walked through the air, riding the waves. He wore a plain Taoist robe with patterns of Laoshan clouds and sea embroidered on the hem, and a purple sun crown on his head. His face was kind yet dignified, and he was surrounded by pure and vast spiritual energy. He was none other than the Enlightened Elder of the Taiqing Palace in Laoshan. As he lightly touched the waves with his toes, layers of pure energy spread out. The black mist of the old man in the black robe dissipated upon contact, and the chilling aura that made one's heart tremble was instantly cleansed by more than half.

The black-robed elder's expression changed drastically, extreme fear flashing in his eyes. He turned to flee into the deep sea's black mist, but Elder Wudao lightly waved his sleeve, and a pale golden Taiqing spiritual energy transformed into a net of light, instantly binding all the black mist around him. The elder let out a shrill scream, struggling desperately. Under the purification of the Taiqing spiritual energy, the black mist around him rapidly dissipated, turning into a pool of black water in an instant, merging into the sea and disappearing. The surrounding black mist also completely dissipated, the sea returned to its clear state, and the sea breeze became gentle again.

Lin Yan, supporting Yun Xi, stared blankly at the Enlightenment Elder standing in mid-air, his heart filled with shock and gratitude. He struggled to bow in respect, but due to his severe injuries and depleted spiritual energy, his legs gave way and he almost knelt down. The spirit turtle carefully crawled out from the crevice of the reef and rubbed against Lin Yan's ankle, as if to comfort him.

"Many thanks to the immortal for saving my life! I, Lin Yan, am deeply grateful!"

"Thank you for saving my life, Immortal." Yunxi also bowed slightly.

Both spoke with utmost sincerity. Elder Wudao slowly stepped onto the reef, his steps light and steady, the seawater beneath his feet parting automatically. His gaze swept gently over the two, first looking at the injury on Lin Yan's chest, then at the peach wood sword in his hand. With a light tap of his fingertips, two streams of warm and pure spiritual energy were injected into Lin Yan and Yun Xi's bodies respectively.

A warm sensation instantly flowed through his body, relieving the pain in Lin Yan's chest. His scattered true energy gradually condensed, and his stagnant meridians became clear. Yun Xi's complexion quickly regained its rosy hue, and the spiritual energy corrupted by the evil energy was completely purified. Lin Yan was deeply grateful and quickly held the peach wood sword, bowing again: "Immortal, you are merciful. We two juniors just wandered into a dangerous situation, but were fortunate to be rescued by you, otherwise we would have perished here."

Elder Wudao's gaze fell on the peach wood sword, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He then sighed softly, "This sword contains the initial sword intent of the Laoshan Guanhai Jue (Laoshan Sea-Watching Technique). Though simple and unadorned, its Dao heart is pure, showing a deep connection with Laoshan. Is the Laoshan Guanhai Jue that you cultivate?"

Lin Yan was startled and quickly nodded, "Your wisdom is profound, Immortal. I have been diligently cultivating the 'Laoshan Guanhai Jue' and have only just entered the Manipulation Realm. My cultivation is still shallow, and I was almost defeated by the evil spirits just now." "You were able to establish a solid foundation in the Manipulation Realm with only the first level of Qi Refining, and use Qi to manipulate objects to resist powerful enemies. Your temperament and comprehension are both excellent." Elder Wudao nodded slightly, then looked at Yun Xi, "Your spiritual root is pure, and your sword heart is clear. You are also a good seedling for cultivation."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yan's heart stirred slightly. He cupped his hands and asked, "This junior has been exploring cultivation since childhood, without any renowned master to guide me. I have many doubts about the cultivation methods. I wonder if the immortal could enlighten me on what orthodox methods there are for cultivation in Laoshan?"

Elder Wudao stroked his beard and smiled, gazing at the distant, mist-shrouded main peak of Laoshan Mountain. He slowly spoke, "The fact that you two encountered calamity at the Laoshan seaside today, and that I happened to pass by and rescue you, is no accident, but rather a predestined fate. I am Elder Wudao of Taiqing Palace, in charge of the recruitment of disciples for Laoshan Academy. This Laoshan Academy was jointly built by Taiqing Palace and various immortal sects of Laoshan, specializing in the transmission of orthodox cultivation techniques and nurturing young disciples with Daoist hearts and spiritual roots. The once-in-a-century recruitment ceremony will begin in three months."

"Laoshan Academy?" Lin Yan murmured to himself. When he was diligently cultivating the "Laoshan Sea Viewing Technique", he heard that the technique originated from Laoshan. Laoshan was a sacred mountain in the sea and a holy land for cultivators. However, he had never known how to enter the orthodox immortal sect. Now, upon hearing this, his eyes instantly lit up.

"Indeed." Elder Wudao nodded and continued, "The 'Laoshan Guanhai Jue' you cultivate is the foundational core technique of Laoshan Academy. You already have the foundation of the Yuwu Realm. If you can enter the academy to cultivate, you can gradually advance to the realms of Qi Control and Sword Control, open your meridians, achieve the Great Circulation, and reach the realm of Sword Meridian Unity. This female sword cultivator has outstanding talent. After entering the academy, she can also learn orthodox sword cultivation techniques, which will complement each other perfectly."

He paused, looked at Lin Yan, and said in a gentler tone, "That evil spirit just now was a Yin spirit cultivated in the deep sea, which deliberately disturbed the Laoshan area. If you hadn't held fast to your Dao heart and used the peach wood sword to control your Qi, your soul would have been invaded long ago. You two are both very talented and have this opportunity to become immortals. It would be a real pity to miss it."

Lin Yan's heart was filled with excitement. He had always longed to embark on the orthodox path of cultivation and refine his skills in the "Laoshan Guanhai Jue" (Laoshan Sea-Gazing Technique). Now, the opportunity was right before him. He immediately bowed respectfully, his tone unwavering: "This junior wishes to go to Laoshan Academy to participate in the disciple recruitment assessment. I humbly request the elders' permission!"

Yunxi quickly and obediently followed suit, her eyes full of expectation: "Junior Yunxi is also willing to go together and devote herself to cultivation!"

Elder Wudao nodded in satisfaction and took out two pale blue jade talismans from his sleeve. The talismans were engraved with patterns of clouds and seas of Laoshan Mountain, and felt warm to the touch, containing pure spiritual energy. He handed the talismans to the two of them and said slowly, "These are the Laoshan Recruitment and Guidance Jade Talismans. Only those who possess these talismans can enter the Laoshan assessment area. Each talisman contains a trace of my spiritual energy. If you encounter any ordinary demons or evil spirits along the way, activating the talisman will protect you."

Lin Yan and Yun Xi carefully accepted the jade talisman, kept it close to their bodies, and bowed to the elder again to express their gratitude.

"The path to immortality is long and arduous," Elder Wudao said, looking at the two of them and then at the peach wood sword in Lin Yan's hand. "This sword will accompany you into the realm of material control. In your future cultivation, you must use the sword to protect your heart and use your qi to nourish the sword in order to go further. Three months from now, at the summit of Laoshan, I will be waiting for you to come."

As soon as he finished speaking, Elder Wudao was surrounded by pure energy. His figure slowly rose into the air and walked away on the clouds. He soon disappeared into the sea of ​​clouds in Laoshan, leaving only a faint Daoist charm lingering on the surface of the sea.

Lin Yan gripped the peach wood sword, his palm still warm from the sea air merging with the sword. The guiding jade talisman in his bosom felt cool and reassuring; the life-or-death situation just moments before had instantly transformed into an opportunity for immortality. He turned to Yun Xi beside him, his eyes filled with determination: "Yun Xi, for the next three months, we will diligently cultivate the *Laoshan Sea-Gazing Technique* together, solidifying our foundations at the Artifact Control Realm. After three months, we will journey together to Laoshan and embark on the true path of cultivation! What do you say?"

Yunxi nodded emphatically. Sunlight pierced through the clouds and shone on the two of them. The sea rippled and the spirit turtle poked its head out, letting out a light cry. The previous gloom and crisis had completely dissipated.