Immortal of the Nine Realms

Zhu Kui didn’t notice the unusual expressions of the three and continued speaking to himself, ”I’ve heard that the Ancient Immortal Road has a total of three hundred immortal sects, all of which are top-tier sects in the immortal realm.

”If we become Immortal Seedlings, our status will be higher than that of ordinary disciples in these sects, allowing us to directly enter the inner sect and become core members. After all, not every cultivator born in the immortal realm can comprehend immortal intent.”

”Old man, do you know what these three hundred immortal sects are about? From your words, it seems you’re quite familiar with them,” Bu Qingyu asked nonchalantly.

Fang Yunmeng appeared indifferent, but her ears perked up slightly.

Zhu Kui chuckled lightly. ”How would I know? Those who became Immortal Seedlings went to the immortal realm, and those who didn’t only heard some rumors related to the sects. Whether they are true or not, who knows? We should only think about it to pass the time.

”If you want to know, you’ll learn of everything when you become Immortal Seedlings and enter the immortal realm. That’s better than guessing in vain here.”

The two women pondered for a moment before smiling and nodding. ”Yes, once we become Immortal Seedlings and go to the immortal realm, we’ll naturally find out.”

Zhu Kui yawned and displayed a hint of a bitter smile. ”I’m feeling tired; I’ll take a nap first.”

He stood up and left, his steps a bit unsteady.

”It seems that Zhu Kui’s lifespan has reached the limit of the Golden Core Realm. Now that he has become a mortal, if he doesn’t escape soon, he might exhaust his lifespan and die,” Fang Yunmeng remarked.

Bu Qingyu nodded lightly. ”That’s right; we must leave this place as soon as possible. Although our lifespans are relatively long, we can’t afford to waste time like this.”

The two women also got up to leave. Fang Yunmeng was currently working for a wealthy family, doing needlework to help with expenses. Bu Qingyu had also found a way to make money; she was now reading fortunes at the city god temple in River Stone County. With her professional skills and some knowledge of physiognomy, it was easy for her to deceive mortals, and she was now affectionately called Immortal Lady Bu by some.

During this period, Zhao Hu continued to come for training, undeterred by the weather. He would arrive in the morning for four hours and again in the afternoon. After teaching him some fist techniques, Fang Chen would often leave the courtyard to explore various places in River Stone County. Sometimes, Zhao Hu would accompany him to show him around.

As the weather grew noticeably colder, Fang Chen stood not far from the city god temple and gently touched his cheek, feeling the icy chill. White flakes were slowly falling from the sky.

”Master, it’s going to snow! Dad said the weather has been nice this year. I want to go up the mountain to pick snow tea when it snows; it’ll sell for a high price next year,” Zhao Hu said, looking up at the sky with excitement gleaming in his bright eyes.

Nearby, many children were already shouting excitedly, as if for them, the snow was a thrilling and joyous event.

Fang Chen smiled and nodded. ”Since winter has arrived, you don’t need to come in the afternoon. The four hours in the morning are enough.”

Zhao Hu nodded eagerly. ”Got it!”

”Immortal Lady Bu, remember to come to my house tomorrow to take a look at my wife and see whether it’s a boy or a girl in her belly.”

”Immortal Lady Bu, my husband has been having nightmares lately. Could it be that he’s been cursed? When you have time, please come and check on him.”

”Immortal Lady Bu...”

Before long, Bu Qingyu finished dealing with the people and made her way to Fang Chen. ”Daoist Ji, did you discover anything today?”

Fang Chen shook his head lightly.

Bu Qingyu sighed and glanced up at the drifting snowflakes, her voice low. ”It’s been several months....”

”Let’s go. We need to prepare some charcoal for winter,” said Fang Chen.

Bu Qingyu nodded. Now that they were mortals, they needed charcoal to endure the cold weather; otherwise, they would risk getting sick, and there weren’t many skilled doctors available here.

With snowflakes falling, Fang Chen’s daily routine included not only teaching Zhao Hu fist techniques but also clearing the snow at the entrance of the courtyard. He wore two thick cotton jackets that Fang Yunmeng had bought from the money she earned from her needlework to help everyone through the winter.

As night fell, a bonfire was lit in the courtyard, casting flickering light on everyone’s faces.

Bu Qingyu looked serious. ”Recently, I’ve made several deliveries and traveled to very distant places. This illusion... it feels too real. Sometimes I doubt this place is not an illusion at all.”

Fang Yunmeng nodded slightly. ”The details here are indeed too intricate. But if it’s not an illusion, then what is this place? Could it be another world within the Ancient Immortal Road?”

Bu Qingyu fell into deep thought.

Zhu Kui, wearing a thick cotton hat, had his hands tucked into his sleeves, with half of his face buried in his scarf, leaving only his two eyes peering at the bonfire. ”Since this is the Ancient Immortal Road, it wouldn’t be surprising if another world exists inside it. I just can’t figure out what it wants us to do.”

”I regret coming here now. Had I known, I wouldn’t have made this trip,” Bu Qingchen said with a wry smile. ”Being a carefree Golden Core Realm cultivator, even without walking this Ancient Immortal Road, I would have a sixty percent chance of condensing my Nascent Soul in the future. At that time, I could go anywhere in the world. Why would I be trapped in this place?”

The group fell into silence, no longer speaking.

Fang Chen suddenly smiled. ”Since we’re here, we might as well make the best of it. Perhaps this place is teaching us how to be mortals. If we can’t even manage to be mortal, what right do we have to become immortals?”

”Mortal beings are like ants; If we want to ascend to become immortal, we need to avoid such thinking. I believe there is a deeper meaning here,” said Bu Qingchen, shaking her head and disagreeing with Fang Chen’s perspective.

Winter soon passed, and spring arrived.

Zhao Hu had grown taller. Furthermore, he had already mastered about thirty to forty percent of the fist techniques Fang Chen taught him.

Blacksmith Zhao would occasionally bring two bottles of liquor to Fang Chen and Zhu Kui while Zhao Hu was practicing martial arts when he had no work to do. Zhu Kui’s face was flushed red from drinking, and a slightly drunken smile appeared. Glancing at Zhao Hu, Zhu Kui said, ”Blacksmith Zhao, it’s a pity that Little Hu can’t learn my techniques. Otherwise, I could teach him a thing or two.”

Blacksmith Zhao was surprised. ”Oh? You know martial arts, old man?”

”I don’t know martial arts, but I know...” Zhu Kui furrowed his brow, muttering softly, ”Huh, what is it that I know, actually...? Why can’t I remember all of a sudden? I am really becoming more forgetful day after day....”

Fang Chen was slightly taken aback and looked at Zhu Kui. ”Old man, can you think a bit harder?”

”I don’t want to think anymore. It’s giving me a headache. Come on, let’s drink!”

Zhu Kui laughed and clinked glasses with the two, then took a sip of liquor. He picked up a peanut and popped it into his mouth, chewing with a satisfied smile.

That night, the four stood in front of Zhu Kui.

Whenever they mentioned cultivation and the Ancient Immortal Road to Zhu Kui, all that showed on his face was confusion.

Bu Qingyu’s eyes turned red as she buried her head in Bu Qingchen’s embrace, seemingly terrified.

Fang Yunmeng murmured, ”Will we one day... forget who we are?”

”No! We definitely won’t! The old man is just getting confused because his lifespan is running out,” Bu Qingchen said with a resolute expression.

Fang Chen remained silent, lost in thought.