Immortality Begins With Internal Breathing

”Origin Returning Art...”

The first, second, and fifth elders turned their gazes to the small manual, where the three words ’Origin Returning Art’ were written on its cover. The first elder took the manual and impatiently opened it to read. The second and fifth elders couldn’t resist leaning over to look at the contents as well. This was an immortal cultivation secret art, the kind of legendary technique said to grant one the path to Immortality!

”Sensing the spiritual qi of heaven and earth... drawing spiritual qi into oneself... refining it into spirit power... Return to the origin... return to the origin... Incredible... truly incredible...”

As the first elder read the cultivation method of the Origin Returning Art, a gleam of light flashed in his eyes, and his body trembled uncontrollably with excitement.

An immortal art! This was true immortal art. A secret cultivation method that could grant one the Dao and immortality!

Pa.

The first elder restrained his urge to keep reading and attempt cultivation on the spot, closing the Origin Returning Art manual firmly.

Hoo, hoo...

Three deep breaths sounded in unison. The three elders of the Xing Family exchanged glances, each seeing uncontained excitement in the others’ eyes. They felt that this was a fortune. An immense, heaven-sent fortune!

”Thank you, great priest!” The first elder clasped his fists toward the priest and said, ”The Xing Family will fulfill the promise we made to you with our utmost effort!”

”Good. Remember my warning. If anything goes wrong during cultivation, you may come to me. However, if you wish for my help, you must be prepared to pay an equivalent price,” said the priest calmly.

After speaking, he waved his hand, signaling the three elders to leave. As they stepped out of the divine temple, sunlight spilled across their faces, and their eyes shimmered brightly beneath its glow.

”What did the priest mean by those words? Could he have deliberately given us a fake immortal cultivation technique?” the second elder asked worriedly, recalling the priest’s warning.

”Unlikely. He still needs our cooperation. There’s no reason for him to hand us a false technique. According to the ancestral records, these immortal cultivation methods often contain certain flaws. But the notes left by our forebears describe ways to avoid those hidden dangers and cultivate them successfully. When we return, have someone test the technique first. If there’s anything wrong with it, we’ll know soon enough,” said the first elder.

After a brief pause for thought, he added, ”I’ll take the item back first. Once you finish your task, return together with the others.”

”Yes, first elder,” the second and fifth elders answered in unison.

***

Outside Lion Valley, Lin Zheyu lay flat on a tree branch, his eyes fixed on the entrance below. The Xing Family group had entered the valley more than 2 hours ago and had yet to emerge.

They’re coming!

A flicker of movement caught Lin Zheyu’s eye as he turned toward the entrance. A lone figure darted out from within Lion Valley, moving with astonishing speed. In just a few breaths, he had passed beneath the tree where Lin Zheyu was hiding.

Why only one person?

Lin Zheyu froze for a moment, watching the man disappear into the distance. He hesitated but chose not to give chase. That person’s strength was formidable, and Lin Zheyu couldn’t see through it at all. The man’s aura was faint yet suffused with danger. Had the others been present, Lin Zheyu could have used them as distractions, forcing the man to divide his focus. But with the man alone, Lin Zheyu admitted to himself that he was no match.

What a pity. That one might’ve been carrying something valuable.Since the strongest one has left alone, the rest won’t be leaving this place alive...

Of the two who remained, one was at the second transformation of blood qi, while the other was at the first. Together, they still weren’t his match. Lin Zheyu would never show mercy to those who harbored ill intent toward him. He lived by the principle of eliminating all threats in their cradle. If anyone intended, or even might intend, to harm him, he would strike first and remove them without hesitation! Lowering himself again, he concealed his body among the thick leaves.

Buzz, buzz, buzz.

The hum of insects, likely poisonous, filled his ears. Fortunately, Lin Zheyu had sprinkled himself with insect-repelling powder, enough to ward off most of them.

Rustling sounds spread through the forest. About an hour later, more figures appeared. Lin Zheyu narrowed his eyes toward the entrance. It was the same group from the Xing Family.

They finally came out!

A flicker of intent crossed Lin Zheyu’s eyes as he quietly tailed the Xing Family party. This was still near the entrance of Lion Valley; if he acted, it might draw the attention of powerful figures inside. The forest path was rugged, and the burly men leading their horses moved at a slow pace. It took them nearly two hours before they finally emerged from the mist-covered woods.

”Finally out. That damn forest isn’t meant for people to walk through,” one of the men in front complained.

In the past, they only needed to deliver goods outside the forest, and the bandits from Lion Valley would come out to receive them. But this time was different; the cargo seemed far more valuable, enough that even the first elder had come personally.

”Stay alert, and keep watch on all sides. Although I—wait, something’s wrong! Hold your breath!”

The second elder’s face suddenly changed mid-sentence as he shouted in alarm, but it was already too late. Everyone except the second and fifth elders, men and horses alike, swayed dizzily and collapsed to the ground. The two elders quickly drew close to each other. Back-to-back, they each pulled out a pill from their robes and swallowed it.

”It’s the Zhao Family’s Nightshade Orchid!” said the fifth elder gravely. He had studied poisons to some extent, and as their rival, he recognized several of the Zhao Family’s signature toxins.

”Hmph! Since you’re here, why not come out and face us!” said the second elder coldly, his loud voice echoing through the forest.

No one answered. The forest was deathly silent, save for the distant chirping of insects.

Whoosh.

Suddenly, cold gleams flashed, and five throwing knives shot out from the forest like streaks of silver lightning, aimed straight at the fallen men.

Clang, clang, clang!

The second and fifth elders reacted without surprise. With a flick of their wrists, they launched their own hidden weapons, intercepting the knives midair.

Bang!

At the very instant the two elders acted, a figure burst out from the forest. Lin Zheyu charged forward with his long saber in hand, moving at blinding speed. A burst of immense power erupted beneath his feet, blasting mud and leaves into the air.

Whoosh!

A cold gleam flashed as the blade howled through the air, slicing toward the fifth elder’s neck with a piercing whistle.

A whip lashed out, splitting the air with a sharp crack. A black whip shot forth from behind the fifth elder as if anticipating the attack, coiling tightly around the incoming blade before it could strike his neck.

”Hmph!”

The second elder sneered coldly. With his wealth of battle experience, there was no way he could be taken by surprise so easily. He tightened his grip on the whip and yanked fiercely, attempting to rip Lin Zheyu’s saber from his hand. Tremendous force surged along the saber, locking it firmly in place and making it impossible for Lin Zheyu to move it.

At the same moment, the fifth elder’s face twisted into a savage grin as he unleashed his blood qi and threw a powerful punch straight at Lin Zheyu’s chest. The two elders moved with perfect coordination, needing no words to execute their counterattack.

Boom!

A dull thud echoed, followed by the sickening crack of breaking bone. The grin on the fifth elder’s face froze, replaced by shock and disbelief. Lin Zheyu’s left fist had struck out, meeting the fifth elder’s blow head-on. A frightening force burst out of Lin Zheyu’s punch, shattering the fifth elder’s arm bones in an instant, his entire right arm now hung limply at his side.