Entry: I Secretly Cultivate Immortality in the Martial Arts World

171: Chapter 171 A True Friend is Hard to Find!Yingluo was playing her flute, immersed in her own melody and completely losing herself in the music.

However, as she played, she noticed a slight anomaly.

Within the flute’s song, another sound from a vertical flute had blended in at some unknown point.

That xiao sound was deep and distant, like an ancient stream in the deep mountains or the wind through pines under the moonlight.

Far from clashing with her flute, it echoed it, complementing her perfectly.

Yingluo’s heart stirred. Her hands didn’t stop playing, but she diverted her focus to sense the origin of the xiao sound.

Eight hundred miles away, in the back mountains of the Azure Wave Sect.

The xiao sound was coming from that very direction.

She played as she walked slowly forward, the flute and xiao melodies intertwining across the mountains and wilderness.

At times, they were like two streams merging; at others, like two birds competing in song.

Yingluo had cultivated the Dao of Music for many years, and she believed that in the Spirit Realm, those who could surpass her on this path were few and far between.

But at this moment, she had a faint feeling that the musical attainment of the person playing the xiao was not inferior to her own.

This filled her heart with both shock and joy.

She was shocked that after ten thousand years, such a figure had appeared in the Spirit Realm.

She was joyful that, on the path of music, she was finally no longer walking alone.

She quickened her pace.

In the back mountains of the Azure Wave Sect, You Hun sat cross-legged in his Immortal Cave, holding a bamboo xiao and playing.

Over these years, he had nothing to do in the Spirit Realm. His True Body Gu Yan didn’t pay much attention to him either, making his days truly boring.

To pass the time, he had researched quite a few hobbies.

Zither, Go, calligraphy, painting, poetry, Alchemy, Talismans, Formations, and Restrictions—he dabbled in anything that could kill time.

And the Dao of Music was the one he put the most heart into.

For no other reason than the fact that this stuff consumed the most time.

When one song ended and the Concept was not yet exhausted, he would play another.

Song after song, and a day would pass.

If he were to play an ensemble with someone else, it would be even more endless.

Right now, he was playing with great interest because he had sensed that flute melody from eight hundred miles away and couldn’t help but harmonize with his xiao.

It wasn’t out of any ulterior motive, but purely because his skills were itching for a challenge.

It was like a Go player who had been setting up boards alone for a long time, suddenly hearing someone placing stones nearby and being unable to resist wanting to play a match.

You Hun’s xiao and the flute melody called and answered each other, questioning and responding, showing a surprising amount of rapport.

Outside the Azure Wave Sect gate, Yingluo stopped. She could now clearly perceive the source of the xiao sound.

It was inside the Sect ahead, somewhere in the back mountains.

She put away her jade flute, and the xiao sound ceased along with it.

Silence returned to the mountains.

Yingluo stood in place, broke into a smile, and stepped forward again toward the Azure Wave Sect.

Before the Azure Wave Sect gate, the gate-keeping Disciples saw a white-robed figure approaching from afar. Just as they were about to step forward to question her, a voice rang in their ears:

”Let her in.”

The gate-keeping Disciples were stunned, then recognized it as Grand Elder You Hun’s voice and quickly stepped aside.

Yingluo entered the Azure Wave Sect. Without needing a guide, she walked straight toward the back mountains.

Before long, she arrived in front of a quiet Immortal Cave.

Outside the Immortal Cave was a small bamboo forest, with swaying shadows that were serene and pleasant.

In the bamboo forest stood a stone table and two stone chairs.

A black-robed young man sat cross-legged on one of the stone chairs, holding a bamboo xiao.

”Fellow Daoist has come from afar. Please, have a seat.”

You Hun gestured with his hand.

Yingluo was not formal and gracefully took a seat.

The two looked at each other, neither in a hurry to speak.

After a moment of silence, Yingluo spoke first. ”Was that xiao melody just now played by you, Fellow Daoist?”

You Hun nodded. ”Indeed.”

”Your musical attainment is the highest I have ever seen in my life,” Yingluo said.

”Ten thousand years ago, there were still a few old fellows in the Spirit Realm who could exchange pointers with me in music.”

”Waking up ten thousand years later, those people are long gone.”

”I thought there were no more fellow travelers in this world, but I didn’t expect to meet you today, Fellow Daoist.”

You Hun smiled slightly. ”You flatter me. I was merely playing a few songs at random because I had nothing to do. I don’t deserve such praise.”

Yingluo shook her head. ”The Dao of Music is the hardest thing to deceive people with.”

”In your xiao sound, there is tranquility, there is clarity, and there is an understanding of all things in heaven and earth.”

”This is not a Realm that can be achieved by playing at random.”

Hearing this, You Hun felt a bit more favorable toward this woman.

It wasn’t because she was beautiful, although she certainly was.

But more so because of her seriousness regarding music.

How should he describe this feeling?

It was like a modern person playing a game; after solo-queuing for a long time, they suddenly met a teammate of equal skill, with perfect coordination and telepathy. That feeling was more comfortable than winning a hundred ranked matches.

”I am You Hun, Grand Elder of the Azure Wave Sect,” You Hun said, cupping his hands.

Yingluo paused and said, ”My name is Yingluo, of the Spirit Race.”

”Fellow Daoist Yingluo has come from afar. If you don’t mind, why not stay here for a few days?” You Hun invited.

”We can exchange musical pointers and have some company.”

Yingluo thought for a moment and then nodded in agreement.

She did indeed want to communicate more with this person.

After all, since she woke up, this was the first time she had met someone who could rival her in music. It would be a pity to just leave like this.

Thus, Yingluo stayed at the Azure Wave Sect.

You Hun specifically had another Immortal Cave opened up next to the bamboo forest, less than a hundred steps from his own, for easy visits.

From then on, You Hun’s days were much more comfortable.

Every morning, the two would sit opposite each other in the bamboo forest, one playing the xiao and the other the flute, performing several ensembles.

Sometimes You Hun would play melodies he had heard in his past life, and Yingluo would harmonize with her flute, creating a unique charm.

In the evenings, they would stroll through the mountains, either discussing music or chatting about things they had seen in the Spirit Realm.

The days were leisurely and fulfilling.

You Hun sometimes thought that living like this for a hundred years wouldn’t be too much.

Unfortunately, good things don’t last.

One day, after You Hun and Yingluo finished an ensemble in the bamboo forest, Yingluo put away her jade flute and said, ”Fellow Daoist You Hun, I should be going.”

The bamboo xiao in You Hun’s hand paused, and he glanced at her.

Yingluo explained, ”Since I woke up, I haven’t had a good look at the current Spirit Realm.”

”I planned to travel everywhere to see what the world has become ten thousand years later.”

”Now that I’ve stayed in the Eastern Continent for some time, I’ve seen some of its sights.”

”Next, I want to go to the Northern Plains and the Western Barrens to take a look.”

Hearing this, You Hun felt a bit reluctant, but he also knew he couldn’t force her to stay.

Although he acted as he pleased, he wouldn’t do something as ridiculous as imprisoning someone just to play with him.

It was just that this musical partner he had finally found was leaving, and his heart felt a bit empty.

”In that case, I won’t force you to stay.” You Hun put down the bamboo xiao.

”However, the Northern Plains and Western Barrens are not as peaceful as the Eastern Continent. You must be careful on your journey.”

Yingluo raised an eyebrow slightly. ”Are you referring to that Heaven Burning Demon Venerable and the Great Peng Demon King?”

You Hun nodded. ”Exactly.”

”The Northern Plains’ Heaven Burning Demon Venerable and the Western Barrens’ Great Peng Demon King are both not kind sorts. They have ruthless methods and many experts under them.”

”Although your cultivation is extraordinary, you should still be cautious if you encounter them.”

Yingluo smiled indifferently. ”Don’t worry, Fellow Daoist. I’ve heard that both of them are at the Tribulation Crossing Peak.”

”I am now at the ninth level of Tribulation Crossing and can ascend to the Immortal Realm at any time.”

”If I really run into them and can’t win, I can still get away.”

You Hun felt speechless after hearing this.

He couldn’t exactly say that while those two were at the Tribulation Crossing Peak, they had Immortal King-level existences from the Immortal Realm standing behind them, could he?

Could their Tribulation Crossing Peak be the same as a Loose Cultivator’s Tribulation Crossing Peak?

But he couldn’t say that clearly.

You Hun thought for a moment, took a Talisman from his sleeve, and handed it to Yingluo.

The Talisman was pale gold all over, carved with dense patterns.

This was a little gadget he had carved in his spare time, of the same style as the dragon talisman.

Although it was just a casual creation, the means contained within were enough to handle not just trouble at the Tribulation Crossing Realm, but even the Heavenly Immortal Realm.

”Fellow Daoist Yingluo, I give this Talisman to you as a parting gift,” You Hun said, handing over the Talisman.

”It’s not anything valuable, but at a critical moment, it might keep you safe once.”

Yingluo took the Talisman and examined it closely, a flash of surprise in her eyes.

With her eyesight, she could naturally see the extraordinary nature of this Talisman.

This wasn’t something that could be brushed off as ’not anything valuable’.

But she didn’t ask more; she just put the Talisman away solemnly and then took a jade xiao from her sleeve, handing it to You Hun.

”Fellow Daoist gave me a Talisman, and I have nothing to give in return.”

”This xiao was personally crafted by me using spirit nurturing heavenly sound stone. While it may not be a great treasure, it contains some of my heart’s blood.”

”I hope you won’t mind it.”

You Hun took the jade xiao and tried playing a note. The sound was clear and resonant, lingering in the air.

”A fine xiao,” You Hun praised sincerely.

Seeing that he liked it, Yingluo nodded slightly and then stood up.

”Fellow Daoist You Hun, we part here.”

You Hun also stood up and cupped his hands. ”Take care on your journey.”

Yingluo turned and left, her white clothes fluttering as she drifted further away.

Before long, her figure disappeared at the end of the bamboo forest.

You Hun sat back down on the stone chair, playing with the jade xiao in his hand.

He was silent for a long time before sighing, placing the jade xiao on the stone table, and looking up at the sky.

He had heard people say before that a soulmate is hard to find.

He had always thought those words were melodramatic.

It was just finding someone you could talk to; how hard could it be?

Now he finally understood.

The difficulty wasn’t in finding one, but in having found one only to lose them.

This feeling was like his True Body Gu Yan playing games in his past life; he finally found a teammate with perfect coordination, played together to rank up, and won dozens of matches in a row, only for the other person to suddenly say they were quitting and wouldn’t play anymore.

That sense of loss was not something losing a few matches could compare to.

You Hun looked toward the direction Yingluo had left and murmured to himself, ”The soulmate is gone, but the melody lingers.”

”But for how many days can this lingering sound remain?”

Forget it.

If it’s fate, we will meet again.

If it’s not meant to be...

Then so be it.