Cultivating To Immortality

Xiao He emerged from the water, her snake-like eyes fixed on Song Yan’s expression.

"What’s wrong? Is Alchemy not going well?"

"...No, it’s not that."

Song Yan rubbed Xiao He’s head: "Xiao He, our family is broke now, do you know?"

Xiao He tilted her head: "What does ’broke’ mean?"

Song Yan thought for a moment and said: "It means... we don’t have money to eat."

"What’s the big deal about that?"

"You don’t really need to eat, and as for me... I’ll go find field mice to eat."

Xiao He flicked her snake tongue.

She thought it was something much more serious.

"Didn’t Grandpa say that when you’re poor, you live like a poor person?"

"..."

Song Yan nodded in agreement: "You remember Grandpa’s words quite well."

"Of course."

What Xiao He said was not wrong; he had managed to survive before by picking up scraps in Fire Worker Village.

He began to ponder.

"All the Qi Nourishing Pills refined over the past three months can be sold."

"Keep a few bottles of Huang Ya Pills, and keep all the Qi Condensation Pills."

"Use the Spirit Stones from selling pills to buy a few Small Spirit Gathering Arrays... breaking through to Level 8 Qi Refining, I’m quite confident."

Once he broke through the Bottleneck, he would first go to Bei Ya Mountain to find Liang Feng.

If it was truly as he said, and he could obtain multiple moon-bearing ancient lotus seeds, then he could hide his identity, sell one or two in the black market, and have Spirit Stones.

How could he travel without some Spirit Stones for expenses?

As Song Yan was pondering, a thought suddenly struck him.

"...Hm?"

Outside the Immortal Cave’s courtyard, someone had come to visit.

Song Yan stepped out of the warm pool, dried himself, casually put on his Daoist robe, and went out to greet the guest.

Ever since the Sword-Wiping Tournament ended, many unfamiliar fellow Disciples would often come to visit.

Some sought guidance or wanted to spar in Daoist techniques. Others came to offer gifts and build closer relationships.

There were even those who subtly hinted at Dual Cultivation.

However, after such a long time, especially after being in seclusion for Alchemy for so long, there had been no visitors for a while.

"It’s quite a coincidence that I’ve just come out of seclusion today, and someone visits."

Song Yan walked out of his Immortal Cave and saw a familiar face outside the courtyard.

"Senior Brother Lin Qing..."

He had very little interaction with Senior Brother Lin on a daily basis. During the Sword-Wiping Tournament finals, Senior Brother Lin had directly forfeited when he encountered him, so they hadn’t fought.

"Senior Brother Lin, please come in."

Song Yan waved his hand to remove the Restriction and welcomed Lin Qing inside.

Lin Qing still had that calm and composed demeanor: "Junior Brother Song, you’ve been well. Since we parted on the day of the finals, your demeanor remains as impressive as ever."

"Senior Brother Lin, please don’t flatter me."

Song Yan waved his hand: "Let’s talk inside the Immortal Cave."

Lin Qing stepped into the Immortal Cave, his gaze subtly sweeping towards the Alchemy room, a gentle smile on his lips: "I apologize for disturbing Junior Brother’s cultivation."

"Senior Brother, you exaggerate." Song Yan led him to a seat and brewed a pot of spiritual tea.

This was given to him by a Junior Sister who visited a few days ago. That Junior Sister came from Panning, a region famous for its spiritual tea.

"Even when we were in the outer Sect, Senior Brother Lin took good care of me. There’s no need to be so polite between us."

Lin Qing was startled by these words, feeling a little guilty.

He had only been testing this Junior Brother before, but he didn’t expect the other party to see it as care.

"Senior Brother, may I ask what brings you here today?"

Amidst the fragrant tea, Lin Qing picked up his teacup and took a light sip, saying casually: "Haha, actually, it’s nothing much." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Junior Brother’s performance in the Sword-Wiping Tournament was astonishing, and I haven’t had a chance to congratulate you. So, I came to visit."

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. My Aptitude is mediocre, and it was a stroke of luck to enter the inner Sect. I will naturally cultivate diligently in the future and not let down the Sect’s nurturing."

"Junior Brother, you are too modest." Lin Qing chuckled: "Now, everyone in the Sect knows your name."

"By the way, Junior Brother, have you decided to join Demon Subduing Peak?"

Song Yan nodded upon hearing this: "Yes, I’ve already decided."

"It’s just that I’ve been busy with various matters recently and haven’t had time to change my Disciple token."

"I see."

Lin Qing seemed to have something to say but didn’t know how to begin, his fingertips gently tapping the rim of his teacup.

"Diligent cultivation... Junior Brother, the path of Cultivation cannot be achieved by hard work alone."

"Resources and backing are both indispensable."

A hint of doubt flashed in Song Yan’s eyes, but he showed no expression and didn’t respond, just listening quietly.

Lin Qing suddenly lowered his voice and asked.

"Junior Brother, you are a Disciple of Elder Qin Xijun, do you have any thoughts on the Qin Family Immortal Clan?"

Song Yan was slightly startled.

Why would Senior Brother Lin Qing suddenly bring up the Qin Family to him?

"The Qin Family Immortal Clan is powerful and has a profound heritage, so I naturally admire them."

Lin Qing detected a subtle tone in Song Yan’s words.

He didn’t say "admire" but "respect."

There was a sense of keeping a respectful distance.

However, he didn’t point it out, merely continued speaking: "To be honest, I have already accepted the Qin Family’s invitation and will be visiting the Qin Family’s ancestral land soon."

"Hm..."

Song Yan’s heart sank.

His Senior Brother Lin Qing seemed to have already sided with the Qin Family.

Now, perhaps at the Qin Family’s behest, he was making a final emotional appeal, hoping to win him over.

However, he already resisted the Qin Family because of Qin Xijun, and coupled with Yang Wenxuan’s inexplicable "surveillance" earlier, he intensely disliked the Qin Family’s conduct.

"I see. Alas, unfortunately, Junior Brother, I am accustomed to being unrestrained and plan to travel outside in a few days..."

Song Yan politely declined Lin Qing’s probing.

The implication was that there was no need for further persuasion.

Lin Qing nodded.

It seemed this Junior Brother was indeed as his secret investigation had revealed, not on good terms with the Qin Family.

This, in turn, put his mind slightly at ease.

Lin Qing picked up his teacup and took a sip.

Song Yan always felt that Senior Brother Lin’s visit this time was about something important, but so far, it had all been indirect hints and repeated probing.

Finally, he couldn’t help but ask: "Senior Brother Lin, did you come this time to discuss something important...?"

"Junior Brother Song."

Lin Qing nodded, put down his teacup, and his gaze became distant.

"Do you believe in this world..."

"...that Rebirth is a real thing?"

What?!

Song Yan stiffened all over, the teacup in his hand almost slipping.

Lin Qing looked at the other party, but his thoughts had already flown back to before the Flower Festival on Bei Ya Mountain... behind Dragon Head Peak, in the Forbidden Land valley.

"Interesting..."

Daoist Lijun examined a small jade carving in his hand with great interest.

"Rebirth? Or just a fleeting dream..."

"Disciple... Disciple’s cultivation and insight are low, so I do not know."

Chen Linyuan’s eyes flickered: "I was killed by the Demonic Path, and Cave Abyss Sect was annihilated."

"...That sounds unbelievable."

Lin Qing dared not say more, just listened quietly.

"Seeing as all your actions were for the Sect, I will spare your life."

Chen Linyuan casually tossed the jade carving back to Lin Qing.

At the same time, a Sword Qi burst from Chen Linyuan’s fingertip, transforming into a golden light that submerged into Lin Qing’s glabella.

Everything happened too fast for him to react.

"Since that is the case, from now on, the task of investigating traitors within the Sect will be entrusted to you."

Seeing that the Sect Master still maintained that nonchalant, playful attitude, Lin Qing felt a bitter taste in his heart.

Originally, he had only wanted to do his best, but now that the Sect Master was overseeing it, things were completely different.

"Sect Master, Disciple... Disciple’s cultivation is low..."

"If your cultivation is low, won’t you strive to improve it?"

Chen Linyuan’s expression was calm, but his words left Lin Qing with no thought of resistance.

"Yes... yes."

"Disciple will definitely not show off and will find the Demonic Path’s informant for the Sect."

"No, no, how can being inconspicuous work?"

However, Chen Linyuan seemed to have his own ideas.

"If you think the Qin Family has problems, then you should stand out in the Sword-Wiping Tournament, let them try to win you over, and use that to infiltrate the Qin Family."

"..."

"You said that in the previous life’s Sect, there were no such people as Song Yan and Shao Sichao."

"Yes."

"Heh heh." Chen Linyuan chuckled lightly: "This Lord thinks you are overwhelmed by yourself, and your current cultivation is insufficient to handle it."

"So, how about I arrange a helper for you?"

"..."

Lin Qing was somewhat puzzled; he looked up at Chen Linyuan.

Daoist Lijun calmly said: "Song Yan is a good Heart-Nature, and not a person of the Demonic Path."

"You can tell him everything you know, including your ’previous life.’ "

"Use this to gain his trust and have him cooperate with you."

"Sect Master?! This is probably..."

Lin Qing’s heart was shaken. Rebirth was his biggest secret; how could he casually tell others?

Chen Linyuan sneered: "What? You weren’t afraid to use it to scheme against me, a Golden Core Cultivator, but now you’re afraid to confide in a Qi Refinement junior?"

Lin Qing felt a wave of sorrow and bitterness.

He felt as if everything was slipping out of his control.

Sect Master Chen was decisive and aggressive, completely contrary to his own ideas.

He was practically putting himself on a hot seat... So be it.

As things stood, the situation was not something a Qi Refinement Stage Cultivator like him could influence.

"...Yes."

...His thoughts returned.

Lin Qing had always hesitated, completely unclear why the Sect Master wanted an insignificant junior to get involved in this mess.

It wasn’t until Song Yan shone brightly at the Sword-Wiping Tournament that he understood; perhaps the Sect Master had long sensed his extraordinary qualities.

However, why it was Song Yan and not Li Yi, he didn’t quite understand.

In any case, Lin Qing deliberated repeatedly and still decided to follow the Sect Master’s instructions and join forces with him.

However, Song Yan was completely stunned by that one sentence.

Rebirth?

Did he discover his origin... What kind of secret art was this?

His heart was terrified, but he forced himself to calm down: "Senior Brother, what do you mean by that?"

Lin Qing didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he took out a Jade Slip from his embrace and set up a sound-insulating Restriction.

After doing all this, he slowly began to speak.

"What I am about to say might be hard to believe, but please, Junior Brother, listen to me until I finish."

Lin Qing finally began to tell his story in detail.

As he described it, Song Yan’s emotions went from shock to confusion, then to suspicion.

Finally, he fell into deep thought.

"Demonic Path invasion, Sect annihilation..."

At this moment, Song Yan’s mind was buzzing.

The amount of information was simply too vast, making him want to ask something, but feeling there were too many questions to even begin.

However, completely unlike Lin Qing’s worries.

What he cared about was not the authenticity of "Rebirth," but why he was being told.

Lin Qing’s reason was that the "Sect Master" believed he was loyal and righteous, with a pure Heart-Nature.

However, in Song Yan’s opinion, this reason was too simplistic.

Moreover, if this were true, such a significant matter, to be handled by two Qi Refinement Stage Cultivators?

He felt that this esteemed Sect Master didn’t take this matter seriously at all.

Or rather... it was like an insignificant "test."

"Whoosh—"

Song Yan let out a long breath.

After a moment of silence, he finally asked his first question.

"Senior Brother Lin, if you tell me all this, aren’t you afraid that everything will be different in the future?"

Lin Qing was somewhat surprised; this Junior Brother’s acceptance of the "Rebirth" matter seemed a little too fast.

He shrugged, feeling a sense of powerlessness.

"From the moment I discovered you and Shao Sichao appearing in the Sect, many minor details had already started to differ from before."

"But Junior Brother, rest assured, many major events in the Cultivation World have not changed so far."

"Presumably, a major event like the Demonic Path invasion will also be no different."

After Lin Qing finished speaking, he sighed inwardly.

So-called Rebirth... was it really that useful?

He once thought that with his ability of foresight, he would surely be able to acquire exotic treasures and rise rapidly in the path of Cultivation.

But in reality, things that one’s ability couldn’t match never truly belonged to oneself.

If it’s not destined, don’t force it... "I know this is hard to believe." Lin Qing smiled bitterly, "If I hadn’t experienced it myself, I wouldn’t believe in Rebirth either."

It wasn’t hard to believe.

There were simply too many mysterious and profound things in this Cultivation World; a sudden Rebirth was not strange.

And Lin Qing also said that the "Sect Master" believed this might be a "deduction" method of some spiritual object, not a true "Rebirth."

Song Yan took a deep breath, trying to digest this information.

If Lin Qing’s words were true, then his previous repeated probing regarding the "Qin Family" made Song Yan realize something.

"Senior Brother Lin suspects the Qin Family?"

Lin Qing first nodded, then shook his head: "Not certain."

"But the Qin Family’s rapid rise after the Sect’s annihilation is too suspicious."

It seemed Lin Qing was joining the Qin Family’s faction to investigate.

Song Yan remained silent for a long time.

All of this was too bizarre, but every detail of Lin Qing’s story fit perfectly, not appearing to be fake.

Moreover, Yang Wenxuan’s visit earlier had already made him feel the undercurrents within the Sect.

Song Yan looked at the faint golden glow between Lin Qing’s eyebrows. Now, the Insightful Void Sword Eye could faintly see the Sword Qi surging within it.

It was indeed similar to the spiritual essence in the handwritten letter given to him on New Year’s Eve that year.

It was undoubtedly from the Sect Master’s hand.

"Alright."

Song Yan finally spoke: "But, how do we proceed?"

With these words, Lin Qing finally breathed a sigh of relief... The two talked in secret in the Immortal Cave for a long time.

By the time Lin Qing bid farewell, night had already fallen.

Song Yan watched Lin Qing’s figure disappear into the night, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Rebirth, traitors, Sect crisis... all of this was too heavy.

Especially the Demonic Path invasion. Although various signs had always indicated that the Demonic Sect showed signs of making a comeback.

But it was only after being confirmed by Lin Qing that he truly felt an unprecedented sense of pressure.

Strength, strength.

Without sufficient strength, everything was empty talk.

According to Lin Qing’s timeline, in another three years, Demonic Path Cultivators would fully invade the State of Chu.

Logically speaking, when the sky falls, the tall ones bear it; it shouldn’t be his turn to worry.

But if everything Lin Qing predicted was true... then in such a war sweeping across the Cultivation World, he couldn’t possibly extricate himself from the vortex.

The strength of the Qi Refinement Stage was truly insufficient.

Song Yan calmed his mind, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes.

He turned and walked back into the Immortal Cave.