I Seek Immortality Through Serendipity

In short, the further he needed to be from the Fire Cloud Sect, the better, so far that no Golden Core could hunt him down.

The Soul Lamp of Wan Linshan wouldn’t last much longer.

”Let’s go, head to Ten Thousand Laws City first!”

Gu Yuan took out the ”Divine Wind Shuttle” he obtained from Elder Lux, carrying the two of them swiftly towards Ten Thousand Laws City.

Though the Divine Wind Shuttle was only a middle-grade spiritual artifact, it was more exquisite than the Golden-winged Cloud Gauze of the Golden Toad, capable of covering a thousand miles, taking only an hour.

...

...

Two hours later, a red-haired youth was led by a chubby elder into a dimly lit compartment.

”If it were just any ordinary cultivator coming here, there naturally wouldn’t be any spots available.”

”But since the Young Sect Master of Wan has personally come, Ten Thousand Laws City will certainly give some face.”

”In this compartment, there are a few cultivators, with clean backgrounds and credible origins, heading to the Outer Realm merely to earn Spirit Stones. If the Young Sect Master offers a high enough price, I imagine they would be willing to give up their spots.”

The elder led the way, speaking with a smiling face.

The red-haired youth followed behind, upon hearing those words, broke into a smile, unobtrusively handing a small storage bag to the elder in front.

”Thank you, Steward Lin!”

With Divine Sense, he probed the storage bag, seeing the two thousand Spirit Stones neatly arranged within it, the smile on the elder’s face grew even wider.

”It’s nothing, the Young Sect Master is too polite. In that case, I will not disturb the Young Sect Master further, you all can negotiate amongst yourselves!”

The elder, smiling warmly, led the red-haired youth into the compartment, then turned and left.

The red-haired youth looked at the compartment ahead, adjusted his robes, and walked in confidently.

...

After a cup of tea, three figures emerged, their faces beaming with bright smiles.

”Young Sect Master, here is the talisman for the Teleportation Array, please keep it safe!”

A tall Foundation Establishment cultivator with a scar on his forehead handed three silver talismans to the red-haired youth in the compartment, then clasped his fists and departed.

The price of a spot for the Teleportation Array was nearly ten thousand Spirit Stones, quite costly.

Had it not been for the unique ”Sea Spirit Immortal Grass” from the Western Sea Realm, allowing them to fetch an additional six to seven thousand Spirit Stones by selling it in the South Mountain Domain, they would have never considered paying for the Teleportation Array spot.

And here comes the Young Sect Master of the Fire Cloud Sect, offering fifteen thousand Spirit Stones for a spot, an act of sheer extravagance.

Naturally, they wouldn’t oppose the Spirit Stones.

Without any hesitation, they sold the spot on the spot.

”Take care!”

Watching their departing backs, Heart-devouring Insect also manipulated Wan Linshan to smile.

Then, he quietly exited Ten Thousand Laws City, flying towards a secluded forest outside the city.

...

After a moment, in a forest, Heart-devouring Insect descended with Escape Light, arriving in front of a cliff, handing over the three talismans to a young Daoist on the cliff.

”Master, the mission is successfully completed!”

”Though there is a Golden Core stationed in Ten Thousand Laws City, the Golden Core is merely in the Spiritual Pavilion for secluded cultivation, uninterested in mundane affairs. All matters fall on the Foundation Establishment cultivators.”

”Moreover, this body’s original self happened to know one of the Foundation Establishment Stewards, and I, spending tens of thousands of Spirit Stones, successfully obtained three spots!”

Heart-devouring Insect proudly said to the young Daoist.

Living under the guise of others, mimicking their behavior, was his constant joy.

Seeing those ignorant cultivators being deceived by his identity was his proudest achievement.

”Well done!”

”As long as we endure this final hour, clear skies await!”

Gu Yuan took the talisman, his face also breaking into a smile.

Throughout this journey, he had been on edge, unable to find a moment’s peace, fearing a sudden appearance of a Golden Core that would swat him dead.

Upon nearing Ten Thousand Laws City, his vigilance heightened, not daring to enter lightly.

After all, a Golden Core resided in this city; they might discern the anomaly of the Heart-devouring Insect, stirring up trouble.

Hence, he and Cen Qingqing remained outside the city, arranging for the Heart-devouring Insect to manipulate Wan Linshan’s shell to scout and purchase the spots.

If the Heart-devouring Insect failed to return, he’d immediately flee far with Cen Qingqing.

But fortunately, all went smoothly.

”Rest assured, Master. I am Heaven-Earth Exotic Species, rarely seen in the mundane world; unless the Divine Sense of a Golden Core personally probes this body, it is impossible to detect any anomaly.”

”Though Golden Core is mighty, it won’t always keep watch over Ten Thousand Laws City.”

”This city is a metropolis, housing not less than a hundred thousand cultivators. How would a Golden Core have the leisure to pry constantly?”

”Besides, what I possess is not the Golden Core lineage of the Dao Origin Sect; why would the Golden Core here concern themselves with such trivialities?”

Heart-devouring Insect said with a smile.

”Being cautious is wise!”

Gu Yuan gently shook his head.

In face of a Golden Core, he could only proceed with caution.

”Enter the city first, wait at the Teleportation Array, and we’ll be right behind!”

Gu Yuan divided the talismans, then instructed Heart-devouring Insect.

”Yes, Master!”

Though dismissive of Gu Yuan’s ”caution,” Heart-devouring Insect could only comply reluctantly.

He ascended with Escape Light, prepared to advance to Ten Thousand Laws City first.

”Hmm?”

Yet at that moment, he abruptly halted, frozen in place.

The insect imagery in his eyes seemed suddenly to be forcibly dragged back by some existence, his expression menacing, his face cycling through two expressions.

”Master... something’s wrong!”

”You... despicable couple, you shall not... shall not leave!”

The red-haired youth’s teeth chattered, his eyes alternating between menace and anger, two voices interchanging incessantly.

”It’s happening again!”

Seeing this, Gu Yuan’s face slightly changed.

In the past days, Wan Linshan’s soul stirred several times, but because he had left contingencies, each time Wan Linshan’s soul acted up, it was immediately suppressed by his Sword Qi and Divine Sense, without causing a stir.

But after several occurrences, Wan Linshan’s already feeble and intangible soul was on the brink of dispersal.

Gu Yuan sensed this time; an incident might truly occur.

”Roar!”

His Divine Sense surged out, transforming into the Three-Eyed Thunder Flood Dragon, immediately entering the Sea of Consciousness of Wan Linshan.

In the Sea of Consciousness, Heart-devouring Insect continuously spewed blue threads from its mouth, binding a shadowy figure tightly.

That figure, almost insubstantial, was left with only a shadowy form, yet its expression was fierce, full of malice, seemingly having devoted all its soul power to this awakening.

”You dream of leaving!”

Wan Linshan’s soul roared angrily, full of unwillingness.

”Suppress swiftly, avoid complications!”

Gu Yuan shouted solemnly, at the same time releasing rays of lightning from his Divine Sense, striking towards Wan Linshan’s soul.

”Get away!”

Yet Wan Linshan’s last lingering soul was extremely tenacious, constantly struggling, unwilling to submit.

Moreover, each strike of lightning caused the soul of Wan Linshan to dissipate further; if this continued, before Heart-devouring Insect could subdue it, it might have already vanished itself.

”You shall not! You shall not!”

Apparently aware of the outcome, a resolute expression appeared in Wan Linshan’s eyes, with a blood-red glow emanating from his phantom soul body.

”Master!”

Heart-devouring Insect cried out urgently.

Seeing this, Gu Yuan could only sigh helplessly.

”Swoosh!!”

A sharp flash of sword light flitted by, directly piercing through Wan Linshan’s final soul body, vanquishing it.

The Soul Lamp, mystic as it was, not only could ascertain a cultivator’s life and death, but if a cultivator remained unconscious for a prolonged time, it too would manifest anomalies, leading to the Soul Lamp dimming and flickering endlessly.

Therefore, letting a cultivator remain unconscious for long periods was inadvisable as it might attract the attention of those with intentions.

Only the subduing method of the Heart-devouring Insect could barely deceive the Soul Lamp.

But now, even the method of suppression had failed, and with Wan Linshan harboring thoughts of self-destruction, extermination was the only option.

”Hisssissss!”

Heart-devouring Insect continuously hissed, its mandibles widening, rapidly devouring the remnants of Wan Linshan’s soul.

Within this body, the last breath of Wan Linshan disappeared completely.

Henceforth, there was only the Heart-devouring Insect, no more Wan Linshan.

”Go!”

”There is still some time left, quickly head to Ten Thousand Laws City!”

”It’s nearly ten thousand miles from the Fire Cloud Sect here, there’s still time!”

Gu Yuan’s Divine Sense returned to his body, instantly setting off with Escape Light, heading towards Ten Thousand Laws City.

The Golden Core is not invincible; back when Senior Sister Linglong died, even the Sword Fox Immortal returned with empty hands, unable to exact vengeance.

If he could just endure this last hour, he could return to the South Mountain Domain!