Death, for any living being, is the ultimate destination. However, for the unique group known as Cultivators, death signifies more than an end; it signifies a state of utter failure.

Pursuing immortality only to meet death is a negation of their lifelong pursuit. Yet, for most Cultivators, death is an inescapable reality.

From the beginning of cultivation, Cultivators battle against their lifespan, hoping to prolong their existence as much as possible. They have three opportunities.

The first comes at the onset of cultivation, when they reach the Long Breath Realm through the movement of energy. Their mortal bodies transform, attaining True Breath, extending their lifespan by nearly sixty years, to a total of about one hundred and fifty years. This is the foundation of Cultivation. Anyone who can be called a Cultivator has undoubtedly passed this stage, just like Yu Ci.

Compared to the first opportunity, the second is not available to everyone. It requires crossing the Acupoint Developing and Nature-Connecting realms, all the way to the Achievement of Golden Elixir. This unifies body, mind, and spirit under the control of the Golden Elixir, leaving no room for dissipation. On this basis, a Cultivator's lifespan can double to three hundred years, which is the limit of human potential. Among ten thousand Cultivators, perhaps not even one can reach this level.

The third opportunity is even rarer. It requires breaking through the Golden Elixir Stage, walking the Vacuum to the Outer Realm of the Nine Heavens, absorbing the "Mysterious Truth" - the purest spirit of the universe - and refining one's Physical Spirit to gradually increase lifespan. This increase is indefinite, ranging from a few years to hundreds, even thousands. But the ultimate goal is to break through the Thunderbolt Tribulation, achieve Taoism Immortal, and theoretically attain eternal life. Among billions of Cultivators, only a handful have ever reached this point.

The Long Breath, Golden Elixir, and Vacuum Walking realms offer three opportunities, like three steps or platforms on the perilous path to immortality. Only by climbing them can one find respite. Now, Yu Ci is just starting, but he is young and has plenty of time to climb. As for Old Daoist Yu Zhou, despite being only a hair's breadth away from the third step, his energy is nearly depleted after three hundred years of life, and he no longer has the strength to reach out.

In terms of actual age, Xie Yan is older than Yu Zhou. But judging by appearances, Xie Yan is in his prime, while Yu Zhou is white-haired and decrepit. The stark contrast highlights the cruelty of the Cultivation path.

Recalling how the Old Daoist often mentioned "I am getting old" and "the road ahead is blocked", it seems he is resigned to his fate, waiting for death with a clear mind. Yu Ci can't fully comprehend this state, but it fills his heart with sorrow.

In contrast, Xie Yan is determined: "In two or three years, his lifespan will be exhausted. Given his current state, even if he enters the Vacuum Walking Realm today, ascends to the Outer Realm of the Nine Heavens, and absorbs the Quintessential Mysterious Truth, he can only extend his life by twenty years at most, which is meaningless. I heard that this time, the Random Heart Pavilion has purchased a Golden Bone Jade Disc from the Western Buddha Land. It is made from the skull of an enlightened monk and contains Golden Body Spiritual Blood. If implanted into the body, it can rejuvenate and extend life by at least fifty years. I am determined to obtain it!"

Xie Yan gripped the black-sheathed long sword in his hand, pointing with the hilt in a threatening manner. His eerie pupils exuded a chilling aura. "The cultivation method I practice is too fierce. My body, the True Sha, can hardly endure the Fish-Dragon. It's unsuitable for me to practice the Soul Controlling Method. That's why I need your help, and you'd better not screw it up for me!"

Despite his harsh tone and demeanor, Yu Ci perceived it differently. Just as the Old Daoist had said, he, Xie Yan, Elder Jie Liang and others shared a bond forged in life-and-death situations. Perhaps Xie Yan's temperament was indeed abhorrent and unlikable, but there was no doubt about their profound camaraderie.

Although he still disliked Xie Yan's attitude, he refrained from further comment, quietly accepting the Jade Slip of the Soul Controlling Method. He focused his consciousness into it and began to learn.

Just as Xie Yan had mentioned, the Soul Controlling Method was easy to learn. The Fish-Dragon, simple-minded and greedy for spiritual energy, was actually easy to control when not provoked. Following the instructions in the method, Yu Ci used his Primordial Qi to form a bait to nourish the Fish-Dragon, quickly luring it over and keeping it entertained.

Practicing this Soul Controlling Method was a constant drain on one's Primordial Qi. The Fish-Dragon, despite its slender body, was a 'big eater'. Even if Yu Ci could feed it with mixed external spiritual energy, the consumption of Primordial Qi was still rapid. Given his current state of having condensed into a Yin Spirit and the massive release of potential energy, it was a bit more than he could handle.

In the days leading up to the Treasure Exchange Banquet, let alone making progress in cultivation, he might even regress a bit.

However, Yu Ci didn't mention this. Instead, he asked, "With the Golden Bone Jade Disc, can the Temple Master pass this hurdle?"

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Xie Yan didn't directly respond, instead staring at the Fish-Dragon circling around Yu Ci. After a long pause, he finally spoke, "Did he ever tell you about the Way of the Fish-Dragon?"

Yu Ci was taken aback, then realized that "he" referred to Old Daoist Yu Zhou, and the "Way of the Fish-Dragon" was the path of give-and-take on the road to immortality. He nodded in understanding, only to hear Xie Yan's cold sneer, "Second-hand wisdom."

With his cold laughter, the black-sheathed long sword in his hand hummed and vibrated within its scabbard, as if in response. Amid the sound of the cold laughter and the humming sword, the Fish-Dragon in the night sky became more lively, and with its increasing activity, its attraction to spiritual energy also grew. It was as if it had been imprisoned for a long time and was now feeling hungry, thus it started to feed voraciously. On its trajectory, distinct ripples began to form one after another.

Yu Ci took a deep breath, suppressing the slight discomfort brought about by the Fish-Dragon's consumption of the Primordial Qi. He remembered that the Old Daoist had once candidly stated that the "Way of the Fish-Dragon" was about learning from the successful experiences of others, to which Xie Yan had his own sarcastic commentary:

"He speaks so freely about the Way of the Fish-Dragon, but has he ever told you about his own path?"

Xie Yan and Yu Ci ascended to the sky for their conversation, leaving those on the ground behind. Li You, who was used to this, went back to sleep with a smile. The people of the White Sun Mansion weren't so fortunate. Immortal Xie Yan had made a rare visit to Cinnabar Cliff and had specifically asked to see Mansion Master Jin Huan. This was not a request that could be neglected. Under the command of Lu Yang, the highest-ranking person present, Cinnabar Cliff quickly became a hive of activity.

Regardless of how busy the scene was, there were always those who had nothing to do, and Kuang Yan Qi was one of them.

Since Lu Yang hadn't assigned him any specific tasks, Kuang Yan Qi stood idly for a while. Finding it uninteresting, he informed Lu Yang and left directly.

Gradually leaving the crowd and the chaos behind, Kuang Yan Qi felt somewhat emotional: The Mansion Master was usually so heroic, but under the summons of Immortal Xie Yan, he would definitely have to rush back for a meeting. This was the difference in status. Regardless of Xie Yan's Cultivation Level, his identity as a "third-generation direct disciple of the Lichen Sect" alone made him an existence to be looked up to by the entire Cliff City.

This was an aspiration that Kuang Yan Qi had yet to achieve, so he was very envious. But upon further reflection, he also felt very uncomfortable.

He hadn't forgotten that he should still be at the Lichen Sect's Mountain Gate for cultivation. However, due to the turmoil in Sky Rift Valley, he and Jin Chuan were given the title of "mediators" and were sent back to the mansion. If it were just that, he should be returning to the mountain now that the unrest was almost over. But in reality, that day seemed indefinitely far away.

Jin Chuan, that fool!

Back in the Still Heart Temple, Jin Chuan, out of resentment towards Yu Ci for destroying several elites of the White Sun Mansion, had deceitfully borrowed Li You's "Thousand Knot Yin Thunder Net" in an attempt to harm Yu Ci. However, he was caught red-handed by Li You and Meng Wei and was now awaiting severe disciplinary action. According to the rules, a year or half a year of solitary reflection was inevitable, but all things considered, his cultivation time on the mountain was only a year.

Therefore, Jin Chuan had no desire to go. He feigned indifference and chose to remain in the mansion, assuming that the Lichen Sect would not take issue. Surprisingly, his decision received Jin Huan's approval!

If Jin Chuan did not go, how could Kuang Yan Qi, with his status, return alone?

Both were embarking on a journey of cultivation in the mountains, yet their goals were vastly different. Jin Chuan aimed for the White Sun Mansion, while Kuang Yan Qi's ambition was far more lofty. However, faced with reality, this dream was shattered just as it began to take shape.

He wandered back along the mountain path in a daze. Under the interplay of moonlight and distant lights, the sparse trees cast bizarre shadows on the rocky ground, ceaselessly swaying in the night wind.

After walking a dozen steps more, Kuang Yan Qi suddenly felt a chill down his spine, unconsciously halting his steps. Despite his cultivation progress being stagnant during his months at Lichen Sect's Mountain Gate, the subtle influences of the Immortal Elders had heightened his spiritual senses.

Something seemed amiss.

Kuang Yan Qi, being a meticulous man, paused and swiftly scanned his surroundings. The cold wind of the winter night rustled through the bare branches, creating a cacophony of sounds. Despite these distractions, he remained composed.

After all, what dangers could there be in the White Sun Mansion? Merely shadows?

Kuang Yan Qi identified what had triggered his senses. Amidst the chaotic shadows of rocks and trees, an unmistakably human silhouette had appeared, even swaying slightly in the wind. It was certainly not his shadow!

His scalp tingling, he swiftly turned his head, only to see a faint, almost transparent human figure floating in the night wind.

This was a classic encounter with a ghost on a lonely road at night. However, Kuang Yan Qi was not frightened but rather elated. There was only one person in the mansion who could be in such a state:

"Elder Tu, you have come out of seclusion!"

The White Sun Mansion had suffered heavy losses in the Sky Rift Valley. A third of their elite forces had been worn down by Yu Ci, even Tu Du had returned severely injured. Now, the same enemy had come to Cliff City under the banner of the Lichen Sect, clearly intending to undermine the prestige of the White Sun Mansion. During this time of unease within the mansion, Tu Du coming out of seclusion was like a much-needed reassurance.

Kuang Yan Qi held great respect for the chief elder. He quickly stepped forward, bowing in greeting. He then smiled and began, "Elder, is your body..."

His words abruptly cut off.

He suddenly remembered something: Could there be a shadow in the Yin Spirit State?

Then he saw it. Under Tu Du's feet, the elongated shadow twisted and transformed, instantly turning into a layer of black fog, rising from the ground!

Ah, remember this person? Brother Fishbone's friends are increasing, and so are his enemies. The storm they are causing is getting bigger and bigger. I sincerely ask for your support, please save and vote, don't miss anything!

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I have also posted the following more chapters [All free] on: https://www.readgates.com/article/74a39e