I Seek Immortality Through Serendipity

”The Bian Family?”

Gu Yuan raised his eyebrows slightly, suddenly recalling that cheerful wealthy woman.

”The Bian Family is one of the five great surnames, a Golden Core family, with a Tier Three Spirit Island in the clan, and within it lies a thousand-year-old Spirit Garden.”

”The rare thousand-year-old Golden Yi Bamboo within it has at least five stalks. If junior brother can acquire one, I will definitely upgrade the Golden Bamboo Sword to a high-grade Spiritual Sword!”

Shenn Futu patted his chest, promising firmly.

”I will give it a try!”

Gu Yuan pondered slightly, speaking uncertainly.

As far as he knew, Bian Chuyao had been sent by the Bian Family Ascendant to some secret realm for trials and had yet to return.

Besides Bian Chuyao, he knew no one in the Bian Family, and wasn’t sure if he could obtain the Golden Yi Spirit Bamboo.

However, he decided to give it a try.

Gu Yuan bid farewell to Shenn Futu, agreeing to meet again when the cauldron is open, then used his Escape Light to fly towards the Bian Family.

This time, Lvu Zijin did not accompany him but returned ahead to the Red Moon River.

...

Gu Yuan’s Escape Light was swift, and he arrived at Yunxuan Island in no time.

Yunxuan Island was still shrouded in mist, like a Treasure Boat hidden in clouds, unseen by ordinary people.

”Gu Yuan of Heart-breaking Island, daringly comes to pay respects to the island, and requests the elders of the Bian Family to show themselves!”

Gu Yuan stood outside the mist, speaking loudly.

He had neither a visiting card nor acquaintances, so he could only directly speak to visit the island.

If successful, it would work; if not, he’d have to think of another way.

Yunxuan Island, being a Tier Three treasured island with a Golden Core on guard, didn’t worry about an attack, so there was no guard at the entrance, only a few coquettish Shell Maidens hiding in the mist, peeking out.

Upon hearing Gu Yuan’s voice, the Shell Maidens’ ears perked up, ready to fetch the Command Sword to ask the clan.

But at that moment, a secret yet vast Divine Thought emanated from the depths of the island, making the Shell Maidens tremble and then respectfully salute.

”Guest, the clan invites you in, please follow me!”

The leading tall Shell Maiden stepped out of the mist, giving Gu Yuan a graceful bow, speaking softly.

”Thank you!”

Seeing someone emerge from the mist, Gu Yuan felt slightly joyful, bowing to the Shell Maidens.

The Shell Maidens quickly stepped aside, not daring to accept the bow.

The leading Shell Maiden then took out a Token, sending it into the mist outside Yunxuan Island, which split open into a gap two people wide, revealing a Cloud Path.

”The road is a bit far, I will drive the clouds to escort the guest!”

The leading Shell Maiden softly spoke to Gu Yuan, and a cloud rose under her feet, lifting the group, transforming into a stream of light, flying along the Cloud Path towards the island’s depths.

This Shell Maiden had only a Qi Refining cultivation, yet the cloud beneath her feet was solid and gentle, moving extremely fast, not much inferior to Gu Yuan’s full-speed Escape Light.

”It must be aided by the island’s array formation strength.”

Gu Yuan guessed to himself.

As he pondered, the mist gradually dissipated, revealing a temple constructed of cyan jade.

This temple stood before a series of connected lakes; neither majestic nor imposing, but with eaves raised and golden bells hanging, it was exquisite and elegant.

Wisps of water mist floated in the air.

As he stepped through, his clothes remained dry, feeling refreshed and with a sense of ethereal transcendence.

This wasn’t water mist, but Spiritual Qi condensed into mist in a tangible form.

”This is...”

But what shocked Gu Yuan most wasn’t the Spiritual Qi, denser than a Tier Two Spirit Island, but the presence within the temple, thick like a Great Sun.

It was as if a massive fireball burned fiercely inside the Cyan Jade Hall.

The searing heat, even from a great distance, caused Gu Yuan’s skin to ache.

Golden Core!

Within the temple was a Golden Core Cultivator!

”Guest, please enter the hall quickly, do not let the Ascendant wait long.”

The leading Shell Maiden, looking upon the Cyan Jade Hall, showed fear in her eyes, bowed to Gu Yuan, then, leading the other Shell Maidens, quietly retreated, disappearing into the mist.

Gu Yuan was left alone at the scene.

”Hah!”

He couldn’t help but exhale a breath of turbid air.

He didn’t expect it would be the Bian Family Ascendant personally inviting him to the island.

Gu Yuan’s emotions were stirred, unsure what important matter the Ascendant wanted him for, yet he couldn’t refuse the Ascendant’s invitation.

Even if a sea of fire awaited him, he had to accept the invitation.

He gathered mana, forming a transparent shield around him, isolating the heat, and slowly walked towards the temple.

”Hmm?”

The presence within the temple let out a soft ”hmm,” stopping their action to withdraw their overflowing aura.

As his mind stirred, a wave of scorching fire surged forward, rolling towards the outside of the hall.

Gu Yuan immediately felt a burning heat surrounding him, as if an ocean of fire had descended.

The magical barrier around his body melted rapidly, and the mana within his dantian thinned in an instant.

He frowned slightly and paused his steps for a moment.

But seeing the sea of fire around him showing no sign of subsiding, he could only increase the output of his mana to continuously maintain the magical barrier, slowly proceeding towards the Cyan Jade Hall.

He cultivated all three paths, his mana was three times that of cultivators in the same realm. Although the flames around him were scorching, he could barely endure it.

”This is interesting...”

The presence within the Cyan Jade Hall murmured softly.

He was just practicing a profound fire technique, and the aura inadvertently overflowed.

The original intention was to retract the overflowing aura as those outside the hall approached, allowing them to enter the hall safely.

After all, for a Foundation Establishment youth, with his status, there was no need for a trial.

Unexpectedly, the other party seemed to misunderstand, actually braving the myriad fire spirits, using mana as a barrier, and stepping towards the hall step by step.

Judging by his appearance, his mana seemed far more substantial than that of cultivators in the same realm; parting water and avoiding fire was a mere trifle.

”Boom!”

His interest was piqued slightly, and another thread of aura overflowed.

Outside the grand hall, crimson firelight, tinged with golden hues like starfire, drifted in the air.

Gu Yuan was immediately drenched in sweat.

As the external temperature rose slightly, the consumption of his magical barrier increased exponentially.

If he wanted to step into the grand hall safely, he had to exhaust all his methods, with mana pouring out without reservation.

But in doing so, many things would inevitably be exposed.

Especially the Three Dharma Celestial Human Diagram.

This True Map was one of his secrets, quite miraculous. Unless a Golden Core cultivator used divine thought to probe deeply into his body, it would remain undiscovered.

He hadn’t even told Sword Fox Immortal, and did not want to reveal it here.

At this thought, he hesitated no longer, immediately abandoning the trial and shouted loudly: ”Disciple Gu Yuan, boldly arriving on the island, shallow in cultivation, please have Ascendant withdraw his divine power, so the disciple may enter and pay respect!”

”A cunning little fellow...”

A voice, filled with an amused sigh, came from within the Cyan Jade Hall.

Soon after, the myriad fire spirits retreated like swallows returning to their nest, flowing entirely into the hall, leaving the air calm in an instant.

The lake breeze blew gently, cool and pleasant, without a trace of heat.

Seeing this, Gu Yuan sighed in relief and quickly stepped into the grand hall.

Inside the Cyan Jade Hall, the decor was elegant and simple, not luxurious, with only a few golden wind bells for adornment.

There was also a large incense burner in the hall, made of red gold with three feet, from which a faint golden fragrance rose, calming one’s heart and spirit.

In front of the incense burner, there was a cushion, and upon the cushion sat cross-legged a young Daoist in a Great Sun Daoist Robe, with a clear and handsome face.

Though the Daoist appeared youthful, his eyes, when they opened and closed, were deep and solemn, holding a hint of ancient wisdom.

Bian Shaowei, the Golden Core ancestor of the Bian Family, known as Master Yanming!

”Disciple Gu Yuan, pays respect to the Ascendant!”

Gu Yuan bowed and greeted respectfully.

”You’re quite cunning, why not exert your full strength?”

The Daoist asked with a light smile.

With his cultivation, it was clear that Gu Yuan had not given his all earlier.

But with the Foundation Establishment youth pleading for mercy, would he persist as his identity dictated? Naturally, he called off the trial.

As for probing the other’s secrets, that would be the strong oppressing the weak, bringing disgrace to himself.

”Ascendant’s divine power is unparalleled, even at my fullest, I can’t compare with a fraction of it. Pleading to the Ascendant, though defeated, yet with honor!”

Gu Yuan bowed his head in response.

”Sharp-tongued!”

”No wonder Yao’er said you don’t seem like a good person!”

The Daoist chuckled softly, seemingly acquainted with Gu Yuan’s personality.

Gu Yuan could only feign a look of terror.

”Speak, what brings you here today?”

Fortunately, the Daoist didn’t probe further, getting straight to the point.

”Disciple has come today, boldly to request from the Ascendant a stalk of thousand-year-old Golden Yi Spirit Bamboo!”

Gu Yuan said respectfully.

”Thousand-year-old Golden Yi Spirit Bamboo?”

The Daoist mused, and then suddenly asked Gu Yuan, ”What do you think of Yao’er?”