A Mortal's Journey to Immortality: Starting as a Sword-Forging Servant and Ascending to Immorta

The steady voice, accompanied by the resounding slam of the heavy stone door shut out all the clamor and jeers!

The cramped, enclosed room created a sense of oppression, and the walls were covered with intricate patterns, presumably for soundproofing.

On the table sat a pale blue luminous pearl, emitting a cold light.

The light cast long shadows of the two people as the Second Elder stepped forward.

The moment their steps stopped, the extremely oppressive aura of a Nascent Soul cultivator vanished completely, as if it had never existed.

The atmosphere seemed to have eased considerably, but the Second Elder did not sit down. Instead, he leaned down and pressed close to Zhou Lingxuan.

His gaze was indifferent, yet incredibly penetrating, carrying the scrutiny unique to those in a superior position: "What can you offer to protect him?"

Zhou Lingxuan did not reply.

He slowly pulled out the chair, sat down without fear, and stood ramrod straight.

Such outrageous behavior caught the Second Elder's eye, causing him to raise an eyebrow almost imperceptibly.

interesting.

The mere outer gate servant showed no fear or hesitation in the face of this Nascent Soul cultivator.

His attitude was as casual as if he were talking to a friend.

"Second Elder, a few days ago, a wildfire erupted in the back mountain, and its power was enough to uproot half of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion!"

The Second Elder stood up and stared down at Zhou Lingxuan.

The other person's tone didn't sound like they were talking about something important; it sounded more like they were talking about everyday things.

"so what?"

The Second Elder scoffed, "Chen Beichuan forged the Dinghuo Nails to quell the earth fire. Could it be that you played a part in that?"

Zhou Lingxuan placed his hands on the table with his hands crossed, his voice calm and clear.

"Chen Beichuan, he didn't even touch the stove."

After saying this, Zhou Lingxuan relaxed and leaned back, smiling as he stared at the Second Elder.

After a moment of stunned silence, he was overcome with rage.

An extremely terrifying pressure, like a flood bursting its banks, instantly spread throughout the entire secret chamber.

"absurd!"

The Second Elder's voice was deep and menacing, filled with undisguised killing intent: "Do you know what happens to those who deceive me!"

The Fire-Fixing Nail was something even Nascent Soul stage elders couldn't handle, yet now an old servant with no true energy was telling him that he had forged it!

How ridiculous!

"Do you take me for a three-year-old? You utterly useless cripple, defaming your fellow disciples—your crime deserves death!"

Despite the immense pressure, Zhou Lingxuan remained firmly seated in his chair, without moving an inch.

The true qi of the ninth level of Qi Refining within his body was locked deep within his dantian, remaining hidden and unreleased.

Even with his terrifyingly well-trained body, his bones still emitted faint cracking sounds under such intense pressure.

"It's normal for the Second Elder to be so agitated."

Zhou Lingxuan tapped the table, exuding the aura of a master blacksmith honed over a century, standing firm like a mountain against the oppressive winds and waves.

"Without true qi, it is indeed impossible to forge magical artifacts."

"But when did I ever say that the Fire-Fixing Nail was a magical artifact? It doesn't need to be inscribed with array patterns, nor does it require a refining device, nor does it need to be nurtured with true qi or branded!"

"These nails require nothing more than the top-grade cold marrow iron being hammered in firmly enough to seal the violent aura of the earth fire within!"

The Second Elder's expression changed drastically, but suspicion remained in his eyes.

"You think the other weapon refiners aren't capable?"

"right."

Zhou Lingxuan raised his head high, his eyes revealing an air of domineering arrogance.

He knows more about weapon crafting than anyone else!

"I've been forging blacksmith's tools for a hundred years!"

"The weapon refiners in the Weapon Hall rely entirely on true qi to guide spirituality. But when they encounter unreasonable earth fire, it's a head-on collision—it ignites instantly, and whoever goes in will die!"

Zhou Lingxuan's extreme confidence and composure were not feigned at all; there was not a trace of guilt or panic on his face!

He didn't lie!

Is everything you said true?

Realizing this, the Second Elder frowned deeply.

An old handyman with no true qi managed to forge a fire-fixing nail that even the weapon refiners in the weapon hall couldn't create.

This undoubtedly overturned his understanding of things that he had held for hundreds of years.

In the main hall, Chen Baichuan was willing to cripple his own cultivation to protect the old man, most likely because of the Fire-Fixing Nail.

That madman who only knows how to forge weapons is usually arrogant and looks down on everyone, except for Zhou Lingxuan.

"Words are meaningless; I can't believe you based on just a few words!"

"Prove it with evidence!"

Zhou Lingxuan shrugged. "Hasn't the evidence already been presented to the elders?"

"Chen Baichuan is the evidence! Everyone in the sect knows he has a fiery temper and a straightforward personality; he won't hide anything from me!"

The Second Elder agreed wholeheartedly but did not express his opinion, his gaze sweeping over Zhou Lingxuan scrutinizingly.

"Of course, if the Second Elder doesn't believe him, I have an even more direct way!"

"I'll drive a fuse into your head right here and now!"

Zhou Lingxuan spoke with such certainty that the Second Elder was left speechless.

Withdrawing his aura, the Second Elder sat opposite Zhou Lingxuan, staring intently at him.

Those words forced him to re-evaluate this well-known "useless person" in front of him!

He lost his way because of the many rumors he heard.

From the moment he entered the door, he labeled Zhou Lingxuan.

"Fine, you're the one who hammered the flint!"

"But what makes you think that such ability can protect Chen Baichuan? Do you even know what crime he committed?!"

The Second Elder stared at Zhou Lingxuan, his tone stern, every word sharp and full of the oppressive force of a superior.

"You accuse him of embezzling military supplies and forming cliques for personal gain; according to sect law, this is a capital offense!"

Zhou Lingxuan remained composed, rising and bowing respectfully. "A few nails may not be enough to make up for it, but I want to use this merit to save his life!"

Throughout the entire process, Zhou Lingxuan stood tall like a pine tree, never retreating in the slightest.

Especially his expression, serious and confident, made him seem more like a master than a menial servant.

"He committed a capital offense! If I spare his life, how will the sect uphold its laws and regulations in the future!"

The Second Elder's gaze was like a knife, piercing Zhou Lingxuan's body.

It is both an interrogation and a confession.

If I really didn't want to, the Second Elder wouldn't say that.

Zhou Lingxuan's expression remained unchanged, and his tone was firm: "Although he has committed a capital crime, if the Second Elder trusts me, I have a way to make him receive the punishment he deserves."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire secret room fell silent once again.

You can hear Zhou Lingxuan's breathing, very slow and gentle, just like his steady and strong heartbeat.

The Second Elder leaned back in his chair, staring at Zhou Lingxuan in silence for a long time.

Those shrewd eyes were unpredictable, constantly calculating the gains and losses involved.

The Second Elder sat up straight, his gaze fixed on Zhou Lingxuan.

"brush!"

The Second Elder raised his hand, and a streak of light appeared.

"Bang!"

Something landed heavily on the stone table with a dull thud.

Zhou Lingxuan's gaze followed it.

"Look at this thing..."

The Second Elder tapped his fingertips on the table, asking each word carefully, "Does this thing look familiar to you?"