First achieve immortality, then cultivate immortality.

On this day, Xu Mu used an illusion technique to conjure up a younger version of himself out of thin air.

The two sisters were immediately surprised and reached out to touch it, but the object passed right through them, like a wisp of mist that was about to dissipate.

"Hehe, it's just an illusion, not a clone technique," Xu Mu said with a smile.

"Young master lied and said this person is his apprentice, so what about us?" Li Zhihua asked.

"Of course you are also disciples, but it's too strange for two female disciples to live in seclusion in the mountains with an old man like me."

Upon hearing this, the two sisters blushed and laughed.

They were not two little girls, but two young women, some even already possessing the charm of married women.

An old man and two women living in seclusion in the mountains... It's obvious there's something fishy going on; it's morally reprehensible and damages the image of an old immortal.

Rather than doing that, it would be better to fabricate a male apprentice; that would be easier to explain.

"I had already planned to take this apprentice. After all, I once took you to the county town in this disguise to avoid being seen through by someone with ulterior motives."

"After a few more years, I can die and my apprentice can take over, which will make my story seem plausible."

Ultimately, the reason he initially used the appearance of an old Taoist priest was simply to facilitate his interactions with the villagers. Now that he has established himself, it doesn't matter whether he is an old Taoist priest or not.

"Alright, you two get ready too, we'll be heading up the mountain soon." Xu Mu said, taking the sisters' luggage and belongings out of his storage bag.

They were already at the foot of the mountain where Peach Blossom Temple was located, and it would be time to part ways after they climbed the mountain.

The two sisters nodded gently and picked up their luggage.

This was a short-term move, and both of them brought their own clothes and personal belongings.

When they carry bundles on their backs, hold long zithers in their arms, and let their hair down, they look quite elegant, thus concealing their youthful charm and avoiding the need to explain ethical relationships to others.

At home, they are charming and delicate, as if they have no bones.

But once outside, they are dignified ladies from noble families, to be admired from afar and not to be profaned.

Looking at the two women, Xu Mu felt even more reluctant to part with them than they did, and he truly wished he could live with them forever, carefree and unrestrained...

After everything was ready, the "four" went up the mountain to Peach Blossom Temple.

The illusion of young Xu Mu is so convincing that ordinary people can't detect any flaws unless touched, but its biggest weakness is that it can't speak.

Therefore, Xu Mu did not dare to linger. After sending the two sisters to the Taoist temple and personally handing them over to Qingfeng Taoist, he hurriedly left.

The two sisters could only watch him and his "senior brother" descend the mountain with heavy hearts.

It will probably be two years before we meet again.

……

Time flies, the road is long, and the journey is slow.

More than four months later, the Qinglan Mountains in the distance became clearly visible.

Around the Sui Kingdom, only the directions of the Dalian Mountains and the Qinglan Mountains bordered the cultivation world; the other directions were the territories of other dynasties in the mortal realm.

Among them, Dalian Mountain is the border, while Qinglan Mountain Range is the location of the Qinglan Sect's mountain gate, which is far from the border.

I had heard from my senior brother that there was a trading place for independent cultivators on the east side of the Qinglan Mountains, which was the place he had originally planned to go to.

Later, I learned about Nanlian Valley, a large and well-established market town, from the Imperial Advisor, so I went there.

Now that there's a pit in Nanlian Valley, he's going back to his original plan and coming here to look for that not-so-formal market.

……

"Senior Sister Mo, we can begin testing your spiritual roots now."

The voice of an outer disciple pulled Mo Yao back to reality.

She looked at the square, which was bustling with people, all of whom were adults bringing their children to have their spiritual roots tested.

Looking into those hopeful eyes, she recalled the days she spent teaching her junior brothers and sisters in the Transmission Hall.

She still works in the Hall of Transmission and Merit, while also handling some of the work in the Hall of Welcome.

The sect was losing many outer disciples, so it placed great emphasis on recruitment. She was good at dealing with newly recruited disciples, so she took on this task.

What she truly misses is that peaceful period when she could focus on her cultivation and do her own thing without having to worry about too much.

More importantly, with that guy around, and him as a role model, I don't need to be too anxious.

"Then..."

Suddenly she paused, and saw that familiar figure outside the crowd.

"You guys begin, I'll be right back."

After saying that, she turned and walked away without making a sound.

"Yes," the two outer disciples replied respectfully, and then organized the village children to begin the test.

There are many mortals in the cultivation world, most of whom are descendants of cultivators, multiplied over generations, and are an important source of disciples for sects.

This is the "outer village" of the Qinglan Sect, which is already the size of a town and is under the jurisdiction of the Qinglan Sect.

Their task was to produce food, cloth, and children, providing sustenance and offerings.

Some became menial disciples of the sect, serving the sect and responsible for doing odd jobs.

Since cultivators in the Qi Refining stage on the immortal mountain only need to eat one meal, and cultivators above the Foundation Establishment stage do not need to eat, their food needs are very low. Therefore, their taxes are not high and are enough to support themselves and their families.

So despite their low social status, they were able to live and work in peace and contentment.

If you're lucky, your spiritual root will be detected.

So even if someone has poor aptitude, they can still rise to the top and become a phoenix, instantly becoming superior to others and no longer just an ordinary person.

Today is the day to test one's spiritual roots. Children of the appropriate age who have not been tested before have all come to the square, hoping to gain a destiny with the immortals.

Xu Mu was standing outside the square when he unexpectedly saw Senior Sister Mo Yao.

As a result, Mo Yao turned and left. He was a little disappointed, scratched his head, and then left as well.

Judging from the looks of it, my senior sister has successfully established her foundation and become an esteemed being. She has already widened the gap between them, so it's normal that she no longer has any interaction with him.

Calculating the time, it has been 13 years since he left the sect.

In the mortal world, 13 years is enough for a little girl to grow into a young woman, but in the cultivation world, it seems that not much changes.

So he didn't know whether 13 years was a long time or not, but it seemed understandable that it turned two people who were originally close into strangers.

With a helpless sigh, he turned and headed towards the inn to have lunch.

There's no such thing as excluding independent cultivators in this village; that's how he entered the Qinglan Sect in the first place.

The village also has restaurants and inns to entertain guests, making it an important part of the cultivation world. Rogue cultivators would come to these places to satisfy their food needs.

Moreover, silver is used here, unlike Nanlian Valley, which is so greedy that you have to use talisman money to eat a meal.

He hadn't gone far when he suddenly smelled a fragrance.

His expression shifted, and after looking around, he walked into a secluded alley.

Mo Yao appeared out of thin air in the alley, turned around, looked him over calmly, and snorted lightly, "You're not dead yet."

Xu Mu smiled, cupped his hands, and said, "Senior Sister, it's been a long time! How have you been? Seeing you from afar, you're still as young and beautiful as ever, with an even more ethereal air than before. You must have successfully established your foundation?"

The woman before him, Mo Yao, was wearing a light green dress, her long hair flowing, and her appearance was even more beautiful than before.

After reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, one's lifespan increases by at least two hundred years, and the body regains its youth. Thus, the ninety-year-old woman transformed into a beautiful young woman.

Mo Yao snorted, gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, and said calmly, "It's been so many years. A thick barrier has grown between us. What should you call me from now on?"