Pilgrimage

"Brother, we aren't walking the immortal path. Why are we going there?" Wu Yaozu asked. "A stone from another mountain can polish jade," Qin Ming replied. Feixian Academy lay in the neighboring district and was renowned across the territory of Kunling. It recruited exclusively immortal path disciples, admitting only a limited number each year. It could be said that over the years, this was one of the prime choices for top-tier geniuses who lacked background, sat for the unified examinations through the standard process, and yearned desperately to tread the immortal path. "Feixian District is seriously impressive!" Wu Yaozu marveled. In this territory, sky-piercing towers rose tall, seeming to vanish straight into the clouds. It was said that on rainy days, they could draw down lightning to gather outer heavenly light. Furthermore, streaks of golden rosy mist could be seen tracing across the night sky at any given moment. Even over bustling market streets, such radiance was never lacking. Those were conscious spiritual lights tinged with pure yang qualities, belonging to accomplished immortal path cultivators whose spirits had left their bodies. Wu Yaozu said in shock, "Brother, look over there! Like a comet tearing through the curtain of night, piercing between heaven and earth!" Qin Ming's expression turned solemn as well. Across the pitch-black celestial dome of the night sky, an exceptionally dazzling ray of light cleaved through the clouds and plunged toward the ground. "That's a senior at the Pure Yang level. Was he wandering in spirit, ascending above the dark clouds to collect celestial essence before returning? Or was he using outer heavenly light to temper himself?" "Looking at where he's descending, it's Feixian Academy." Nearby, many people lifted their heads, looking accustomed to such sights. Watching with eager admiration, Qin Ming sighed, "The methods of the immortal path are truly extraordinary. To be so free and unfettered, able to ascend the nine heavens at any moment to pluck prime essence." Beside them, someone else murmured, "Roaming the North Sea at dawn, Cangwu at dusk." Wu Yaozu sent a voice transmission: "Our rainbow transformation path can reach up there too. Brother, no need to envy them. Your heavenly light force can leave your body as well, though at your current stage you still need someone to yank you out. Once you reach the Outer Sage level, I reckon you'll be able to step out on your own." "Drop the topic," Qin Ming cautioned him. Once they reached their destination, they could not speak carelessly. Though Feixian Academy was located in the core area of the district, rolling hills rose within it amidst swirling white mist, possessing the distinct aura of an immortal dao sanctuary. Qin Ming and Wu Yaozu entered smoothly without anyone stopping them. Furthermore, like them, many people from other academies had rushed over upon catching wind of the news. Across this land, streaks of flowing light continually darted through the night sky, most of them the conscious spiritual lights of the academy's students. "As expected of a top-tier immortal path academy backed heavily by an outer pure land—it's a gathering place of geniuses," an outsider marveled. An open clearing, its ground inscribed with runes and puffing with mists of light, served as Feixian Academy's arena. Today, it was packed black with people. A venerated senior was going to preach the Dao here. Qin Ming and Wu Yaozu had arrived relatively early, yet the place was already a sea of heads, packed with people everywhere, and even more were still streaming in. Little Wu grumbled, "What's going on? Why are there so many people?" He felt as if the crush of the crowd was about to lift his feet off the ground. What surprised him most was that many young women were wild with excitement, struggling forward with all their might, completely unfazed by the jostling. Someone asked in astonishment, "Don't you know who's coming? Senior Sun Taichu! One of the authorities of the outer pure land! His cultivation is fathomless, looking down upon the entire world of night mist! He is gracing this place in person. Who with ambitions for the immortal path wouldn't want to come hear his teachings?!" Wu Yaozu looked completely baffled, itching to ask: *Who the hell is that old bird? Never heard of him!* "Grandmaster Sun's cultivation borders on immortality. Standing high above the clouds, looking down upon the eight wildernesses, he is the ultimate goal of our generation. I have revered him for so long, and came today specifically on a pilgrimage!" "The disciples Senior Sun took in have all become pillars of our immortal path, each more formidable than the last. Even his youngest disciple is an immortal seed." When mentioning Sun Taichu, the faces of those nearby were radiant with reverence. One could see just how exalted his status was and how terrifying his strength, inspiring awe and submission in everyone. "His disciple Cui Chonghe came as well. They say he attained sudden enlightenment at the age of three—a true immortal-adjacent seed!" When Qin Ming heard that name, he finally realized why it sounded familiar. He had known a senior was coming, but he hadn't expected someone of this caliber. He had half a mind to turn around and leave immediately; that old fellow was absurdly terrifying. This was someone who dared to slam the table in Cao Qianqiu's face, an illustrious elder of the night mist world. Qin Ming wanted to squeeze his way out of the crowd, only to find that doing so would draw too much attention. Immortal path disciples were streaming in nonstop, making it nearly impossible to move against the tide. "I reckon nearly everyone in Kunling who walks the immortal path has shown up, from disciples to seniors. No one wants to miss this." "Indeed. People from Taixu Academy, Pure Yang Academy, and Yuhua Daoist Sanctuary are all here too. They're backed by the immortal land, yang land, and calamity land respectively!" In fact, it didn't stop there. Many cultivators from the Newborn path, esoteric sect path, and mutation path had also rushed over, wanting to catch a glimpse of this world-renowned senior's immortal countenance. "Disperse and sit on the ground, everyone. All of you will be able to see Grandmaster Sun," a streak of pure yang conscious spiritual light crossed the night sky, its voice ringing in everyone's ears. "Worry not. Senior Sun will ascend into the void to preach the Dao," another voice echoed. At last, the area became less congested. Many people had already waited for half a shichen. Apart from Qin Ming and Wu Yaozu, who were growing impatient and wishing to leave, everyone else was full of anticipation. Suddenly, a magnificent tremor swept through. The entire Feixian Academy became serene and tranquil as radiant golden mist rippled from deep within the grounds up into the night sky. Next, a great golden sun slowly ascended, its light illuminating the entire area. Cries of astonishment broke out; everyone knew Sun Taichu had appeared. People saw an old man clad in a feathered robe, his broad sleeves fluttering, stepping up into the night sky. Like an immortal being, he radiated golden rosy mist, outshining multiple high-grade Fire Springs across the city. "Back in the day, even a blazing sun spanning the sky was nothing more than this. It truly looks like the heavenly sun has returned!" Even some elders marveled. Everyone knew this was not Sun Taichu's physical body, but his pure yang consciousness manifesting as a life-sized human form standing in the sky. "Rumor has it that Senior Sun had cranes' white hair and a youthful complexion, but since emerging from secluded cultivation, a portion of his white hair has turned pitch-black. His cultivation has indeed deepened yet again," an immortal path master sighed in admiration. Up in the sky, the old man indeed possessed hair mingled with black and white strands. "We have come on pilgrimage to pay homage to the Grandmaster!" "Greetings, Senior Sun!" Many dropped to their knees, paying homage with devout hearts. Qin Ming and Wu Yaozu were left speechless. When everyone else was kowtowing, the two of them standing was conspicuous. Fortunately, further off in the distance, many people also remained standing or merely sat on the ground. After all, many people from the esoteric sect had come as well, and they could hardly kowtow to an elder of the immortal path. Sun Taichu's pure yang consciousness sat cross-legged in the night sky, illuminating Feixian District as bright as day. He spoke calmly, "There is no need to bow to me. Our path speaks of approaching immortality and seeking truth. In the end, even immortality itself may be cast aside. What is the point of bowing to an old fossil like me? To forge ahead and open paths through the world of night mist, one must possess a fearless heart." His voice was gentle, in stark contrast to Cao Qianqiu's style. If Cao Qianqiu were here, with a scarlet sun suspended across the sky, just the natural pressure he exuded would make many masters tremble uncontrollably. Sun Taichu's pure yang consciousness was only magnificent, devoid of tyrannical overbearingness; he was not oppressive, having restrained any terrifying ripples. Naturally, he only mentioned it in passing. If people insisted on kowtowing, he did not stop them either. He first offered a few words of encouragement to the disciples of Feixian Academy, then directly began his lecture on the Dao. Instantly, auspicious mist drifted across the sky, heavy with Dao resonance, while glowing glyphs sparkled continually across the grounds, aiding listeners in comprehending the arts. "This old... senior is seriously something!" Wu Yaozu remarked, swallowing the word "bird." He wondered whether the ancestors on the moon could match this man. Qin Ming marveled inward. Sun Taichu chanted true words, allowing listeners to resonate with those runes and fall into a state of enlightened contemplation. Such a method was truly remarkable. For nearly a full shichen, auspicious colors rained from above, Fire Springs welled from the earth, and golden runic lotuses manifested in the void. The entire Feixian Academy was enveloped in breathtaking divine wonders. Many gained tremendously. Issues that had troubled them on ordinary days found brand-new understanding under these surroundings. Qin Ming, however, felt little impact. He usually comprehended things rapidly on his own anyway, so right now there was no particular leap forward. At a full shichen, Sun Taichu stopped. Many people snapped out of their trance and immediately cried out in exaltation, "Our gratitude to the Senior for displaying immortal arts and granting us enlightenment!" From within the golden sun in the sky came a voice: "This is merely the unleashing of your own potential. If one wishes to journey far on the immortal path, one must clearly comprehend one's true self." Qin Ming's expression turned solemn. Sun Taichu was so formidable, sitting high above the clouds. Just how powerful had Cui Chonghe become after being taught by him for over a decade? "Dare I ask, Senior, did you grace Kunling in person this time in order to deal with that auspicious beast?" a middle-aged man inquired. He was a master from the esoteric sect. Sun Taichu nodded. "Indeed. This is no secret. At present, danger looms over that plateau; it is no longer as simple as a single auspicious beast. But danger harbors opportunity. For all of you, this may be a chance to alter your fate." Soon, word spread among the listeners: the blood of that auspicious beast could accelerate the pure yang transformation of one's conscious spiritual light, facilitate physical rebirth for the fleshy body, enhance innate endowment, and prolong life. It was a mature, wondrous blood grand medicine. Sun Taichu smiled. "This time, multiple paths will advance together. Everyone will have a chance, and we shall treat all equally. Regardless of which path you hail from, as long as you render sufficient service in clearing the plateau, you may obtain the auspicious beast's blood. In truth, this is merely a rehearsal for the Great Reclamation. You must seize this opportunity." A woman who had transformed from a high-grade abnormal creature asked, "If even in the eyes of an immortal-adjacent figure like Senior, that plateau presents grave issues and is regarded as a crisis... can we really pacify it smoothly this time?" "Have no fear. Strong figures from every path have arrived this time," Sun Taichu said. "May I ask if Senior Cao Qianqiu has arrived? We heard he was injured at Black-White Mountain in the past; we wonder how he fares today?" someone asked. "How do you think my master fares? He will arrive in person!" In the night sky, a scarlet sun emerged. Though it did not shake heaven and earth quite like Cao Qianqiu, it was still considerably overbearing, causing many people's bodies to sway in terror. Cao Qianqiu's eldest disciple, Pu Heng, had appeared, carrying several measures of his master's true bearing. Everyone felt deep trepidation; people of this lineage truly could not be spoken of lightly without them appearing! Pu Heng saluted Sun Taichu. Facing this venerated senior, even he dared not show disrespect. Then, turning to the crowd, he said coldly, "In truth, my pure land lineage alone would suffice. The rest of you are mere numbers to make up the count, hoping for a share of longevity blood for nothing." "What did you say?!" Another blazing sun appeared. This one was peculiar—what boiled within it was actually heavenly light, noticeably different from pure yang light. Pu Heng, within the crimson sun, was utterly aggressive. "So it's the disciple of that old scoundrel Qingtian! How are you still alive? At such an advanced age, buried up to your neck in dirt, what are you doing out here?!" "Pu Heng, are you looking to get blown apart?!" Qingtian's disciple barked. "Heh! I'm not just talking about your lineage—the entire Newborn path is done for! Is your master waiting for auspicious beast blood to extend his life? And the Six Imperials are about to lie in their coffins too! Your path has no future; it's finally coming to an end!" Pu Heng laughed loudly. Suddenly, a golden exotic bird streaked across the sky. Atop it stood a youth clad in coarse hemp clothes, his entire body bursting with heavenly light. With a thunderous boom, he threw a punch across the void straight at Pu Heng. *Pfft!* The red sun formed by Cao Qianqiu's eldest disciple, previously so suffocatingly oppressive, suddenly cracked with fracture after fracture. Then, starting from one side, it rapidly blew apart. Instantly, a clamor erupted across the grounds. Everyone was shocked. With great figures appearing one after another today, this truly was drawing disciples of all paths to a pilgrimage!