Chapter 25: Immortal
Two weeks passed as Zhen Xu trained in controlling the Heavenly Eye, reviewed memories, and listened to Ge Xu Tong's instructions. Eventually, he grasped the essence of how the Eye worked and how to wield it flexibly. It could operate in different modes—there was no need to fully open it. The Eye could observe different layers of reality independently. Internally, it resembled an intricate mandala-like structure. Upon opening, it revealed three "petals," with each new level unlocking three more. In total, it could unfold 108 petals, promising mind-shattering abilities—up to perceiving the past, and even glimpses of the future.
Zhen Xu also mastered the basics of aura and cultivation-level concealment and learned from Ge Xu Tong the techniques he and his spies once used to deceive demons and operate covertly on the continent. As it turned out, things weren't quite so hopeless for cultivators—his sect had developed highly specialized methods of camouflage and deception, including disguising oneself as a demon, a beast, or even a mundane mortal.
From Ge Xu Tong's memories, Zhen learned that the elder's main work on the continent of Yun Du was espionage and intelligence gathering.
One day, Ge Xu Tong finally shared more details about his past:
"In our sect, I served as deputy head of covert operations, leading the southern division on the continent of Yun Du. Essentially, I was a spy. My focus was locating ancient artifacts and ruins left behind by the pre-human races. These civilizations lived on this planet long before us—millions of years ago. Some of them ascended entire cities into the Heavenly Realm. Some migrated to other planet-worlds. Some went extinct, and some devolved into primitive creatures. Over hundreds of millions of years, much has happened.
There are countless ruins and artifacts scattered across the land. Demons try to seize them, but it's not so easy. These ancient races had technologies on par with the demons—and cultivated righteous paths toward immortality. They were well aware of demonic species like the Xue Yue Luo (血月罗) that plague us now and took great pains to ensure their secrets wouldn't fall into demonic hands. Though demons have managed to plunder some ruins, many still remain untouched, and some artifacts circulate in the mortal world, their true value unknown. One of my agents once found a priceless relic from the Ding Luo race being used by a local official... as a flower vase for his cactus!"
The elixir Zhen had been taking no longer forced his Shen-spirit out of his body. By the second dose, it had begun activating his microcosmic orbit, gradually harmonizing his Jing, Qi, and Shen. This was accompanied by phenomenal transformations as his body slowly turned immortal. First, he began to sweat heavily, expelling black grains through his pores. Then, old scars vanished, all moles disappeared, coarse body hair fell out, and his physique grew even stronger, more flexible, and radiant.
After one hundred days of consuming the lesser external elixir and cultivating in the forest outside the cave formation, Zhen Xu finally reached the Gate of Immortality.
"Prepare yourself. Today you'll pass through the Gate of Immortality and receive your first drop of the Inner Small Elixir," said Master Ge. "After that, we'll journey south across the continent and return to the Green Mountains."
"What?!" Zhen was taken aback.
"That teleportation array wasn't placed in the Green Mountains by chance. There's a hidden Qi wellspring there—ideal for forming your core. We placed the teleportation array there specifically to maintain fast access to it. If all goes well, we might even establish a sect outpost under the enemy's nose."
"Is that the only Qi Wellspring on the continent?"
"Of course not. There are many across the planet's acupuncture points. But most are well-known and monitored by demons—or even used by them directly. Forming a core requires time, and sitting in plain sight to do it is practically suicide. So, that option is off the table. We'll have to sneak deep into the mountains and locate the hidden wellspring. You'll form your core there—then we'll return to the Immortals' Island."
"What if the demons already found it? They might investigate after discovering the teleportation array."
"That's possible. But the array isn't right next to the wellspring. Either way, we need to inspect the seal. If the wellspring has been compromised, we'll have to return to the island and try forming the core there."
"Why not go back right away?"
"All the Qi wellspring on the Immortals' Island are controlled by sects, and gaining access is difficult. If you try to sneak in or join one of them, you'll likely be exposed quickly. Every sect performs memory examinations on new initiates. You won't be able to deceive a Golden Core-level examiner. The island is crawling with powerful cultivators—it's like a city under siege. You can't take a step left or right without permission."
"So... there are no independent rogue cultivators?"
"There are, but they cultivate outside the island and only visit for trade. Even then, they're under constant suspicion of working for demons and aren't allowed beyond the merchant districts. The Immortals' Continent is sealed by all kinds of barriers—you won't be sightseeing there."
"Got it. So we're returning to the Green Mountains. What should I do now?"
"Go to the forest and cultivate. Once you pass through the Gate of Immortality, you'll understand. When you become immortal, return here and we'll depart. From then on, you'll need to keep cultivating at small Qi wellsprings and favorable Feng Shui spots. That means constant travel—they exhaust rapidly and require time to replenish."
"They deplete? Interesting... Can larger wellsprings run dry?"
"Ha! That's the root of all the disasters that befell our planet. But more on that later. Go cultivate."
Zhen bowed and left the cave. Venturing deep into the forest, he reached the spot he had prepared for cultivation. He stripped naked, knowing he'd sweat through his clothes otherwise. He drank an entire bucket of water he had prepared earlier and sat in lotus position atop several layers of giant leaves laid over a large stone. Then he recited protective mantras and activated the talismans nailed to the surrounding trees, forming a protective dome—just as Elder Ge had taught him.
Focusing on the key acupoints from the Hidden Yang Fire Forges Elixir technique, he ignited his True Fire and began the process of refining the Inner Small Elixir.
Almost immediately, sweat streamed down his body, and white steam rose from his reddened skin. Soon, a cloud of mist formed around him.
Inside, transmutation was taking place—his Qi, Jing, and even his cells were transforming. True Water and True Fire danced around each other, condensing and dispersing. Finally, after several hours of intense practice, his True Jing completed a full pathway through the microcosmic orbit. His Shen merged with the inner furnace, giving birth to the first drop of the Inner Small Elixir.
Zhen's entire body froze in bliss. His mind merged with his body, and through a translucent veil he glimpsed the Dao. Shen, Jing, Qi, body—all were expressions of the Dao, all interconnected, and the entire universe resided within him. His mind entered deep samadhi of non-action. Everything unfolded naturally. The Dao governed the entire process. The Dao had created the elixir, and the Dao existed within the elixir. A single drop held the seed of an entire world.
The golden light of De, once scattered like sparks, now crowned his head in a steady, flame-like halo. It was the unmistakable sign of sanctity — Zhen had entered the holy ranks of the Human Immortals.