Volume One: The Dragon Rises from the Wilderness Chapter 82: Ascend to Immortality Together

High above, the bright moon hung alone.

Under the hazy moonlight, scattered flames flickered and danced. People wielded torches, threading their way through steep mountain rocks. From afar, they resembled fireflies, driven by desire, reckless in their quest for legendary treasures, plunging into the depths of the boundless mountains.

Tianbao carried no torch, simply following the lights ahead. Behind Renliang and Yuye trailed another string of torch-bearing figures.

They walked for more than an hour.

Gradually, mist thickened, and a distant rumble echoed faintly. Crossing a ridge, a vast valley appeared before their eyes. Thick fog blanketed the valley, shimmering under the moonlight like a sea of clouds.

Amidst that cloud sea, flashes of light occasionally streaked, followed by rolling thunder, as if startled insects were racing or spring storms erupting—a spectacle grand and mysterious.

Everyone stopped to gaze.

Tianbao and Renliang halted on a slope, eyes wide. Yuye accompanied the brothers, just as curious.

The phenomenon in the valley was rare indeed.

Beyond that, while the mountain air was cold, the valley felt almost stifling, as if the seasons had reversed and summer had come early.

Regardless, since they had arrived, they would see something astonishing and broaden their horizons.

Curiosity is innate to all. Yuye felt it, and so did the many wanderers of the martial world. Human nature is much the same; perhaps only differing in a single thought between good and evil.

More and more figures poured onto the ridge.

Moments later, two or three hundred people had gathered on the surrounding slopes. Though most were robust men, there were elders among them, and all wore expressions of anticipation.

Yuye quietly observed the crowd, still noticing nothing unusual. He feared the appearance of cultivators from Qizhou, never letting his guard down. Just as he relaxed, his expression shifted.

The old man who had gambled at the inn was here as well, glancing sharply in their direction before melting back into the crowd and vanishing.

The martial world never grows old—its people never return.

Yuye recalled his encounter at the inn, musing that in a world so vast, the unexpected was commonplace; only by immersing oneself in it could one truly understand its ways.

“When the treasure appears, I’ll snatch it!” Tianbao declared, full of bravado. Renliang, worried, cautioned him—

“Tonight, heroes from all sides have gathered. I fear we brothers may gain nothing!”

“Hmph! Heroes rise in troubled times; it’s all about whose fists are harder, whose blades are faster, whose heart is crueler. We brothers are second to none…”

“Brother, wise words…”

The brothers dreamed of wealth and renown. Though their words were crude, they captured the chaos of the martial world.

Yuye cared less for the treasure than for the valley’s strange phenomenon.

“Jiao’s shadow?”

“Hm, what is this place?”

Calling out, he received an answer in his mind.

“This is Chenling Mountain, said to be transformed from a dragon. Strange events have happened recently, attracting many wanderers seeking treasure…”

Yuye briefly explained, and Jiao’s shadow replied—

“What you see may be caused by the clash of heaven and earth’s energies—what’s called the celestial cauldron and the earthly furnace; when the celestial force shifts, the earthly fire stirs…”

“That sea of mist—could it be an omen of the dragon and tiger?”

“There’s the saying: ‘Clouds follow dragons, wind follows tigers; when the sage acts, all see it.’ But with the spiritual energy here exhausted, a dragon shouldn’t appear…”

“Have you seen a dragon? Can it truly breathe clouds and mist, soar through heaven and earth?”

“The dragon is a spiritual beast yet to become a true dragon—not as miraculous as the legends say, just a four-legged serpent that can fly. True dragons are rare… But why are you lingering here in the southern marsh?”

“Just watching the excitement!”

“Be careful!”

“Mm!”

“Oh! The dragon is emerging—”

As Yuye conversed with Jiao’s shadow, cries of alarm erupted around them.

The valley’s mist suddenly trembled, thunderous rumbling following. The churning sea of clouds lasted a moment, then gradually calmed; even the thunder faded.

Just as disappointment swept the crowd, astonishment returned.

A streak of light shot from the cloud sea, like a meteor rising to the heavens. At that instant, three rays of light appeared in the distant night sky, converging and then spiraling down onto the sea of clouds.

Tianbao and Renliang were struck dumb.

Yuye’s face paled; his curiosity vanished.

The cloud sea lay just below. By moonlight, he could see clearly: four cultivators stood upon flying swords, one of them none other than Buyi.

Four Foundation Establishment masters?

Earlier, only Buyi was present, enough to force him into flight. Now, four such experts had appeared, less than a hundred yards away.

Yuye regretted his luck, longing to escape at once.

Though Chenling Mountain was hundreds of miles from Beiqi Mountain, such commotion and crowds would surely draw Buyi and the Qizhou cultivators.

He had harbored false hopes, which was foolish.

As he turned to leave, his heart sank.

A dozen men had appeared atop the ridge—clearly Qizhou cultivators—blocking all escape from the valley.

Cursed luck!

“No need to panic, everyone!”

A voice rang out, but it was not Buyi’s.

Yuye lowered his bamboo hat, searching for the speaker.

It was an unfamiliar man, in his thirties, younger than Buyi, dressed as a Daoist, with short beard and hands clasped behind his back, standing confidently upon sword-light.

“I am Nanshan, from Qizhou Immortal Sect.”

He spoke his name, likely amplifying his voice with cultivation; it echoed through the valley—

“My sect lost a treasure in the marsh, so disciples were sent to retrieve it. New to your land, we acted rashly, causing sects to collapse, chaos in the martial world, and unrest. Therefore…”

Nanshan paused, then continued, “I have come with two junior brothers to establish the Beiqi Mountain Immortal Sect and recruit disciples, so the Dao may endure and all may find peace. Whether wanderers or disciples of the eight sects, all may join. However…”

“Brother, could we become disciples of the Immortal Sect?”

“It’s a trick!”

“A rare opportunity…”

“But…”

The idea of founding an Immortal Sect in the marsh and the chance to become its disciple surprised the Tianbao brothers, stirring excitement among the crowd.

Yuye too was taken aback.

These Qizhou cultivators had not come to hunt him.

The valley was clearly a carefully laid trap. The so-called dragon’s rebirth and treasure’s appearance were mere ruses.

Such a grand display—was it only to win over the martial world of the marsh?

Establish an Immortal Sect, recruit disciples?

Setting aside the difficulty of cultivation, when had immortality become open to everyone?

As Nanshan spoke, even Buyi, older than him, showed respect.

“However…”

Nanshan’s tone shifted; he smiled slightly. “The Immortal Sect has its rules. Before joining, candidates must be vetted, lest unsavory people slip in.” With that, he gestured—

“Those wishing to join, please step forward!”

At the edge of the cloud sea was a flat slope.

Before Nanshan finished speaking, several men hurried onto the slope, throwing down their swords and wealth to show sincerity.

“Very well!”

Nanshan nodded. “Each of you receives an immortal pill!”

A cultivator leapt from the ridge, bearing a bottle of elixirs. The men snatched the pills and swallowed them, as if instantly transformed.

With leaders, others followed.

More and more wanderers stepped onto the slope, eager to become disciples of the Immortal Sect.

Nanshan welcomed all, continuing, “Cultivation and immortality are different—the former trains the human, the latter the immortal. In time, all shall attain the Dao, become immortal, and live forever!”

His words were seductive.

“Brother, we can’t miss this chance!”

Renliang, unable to restrain himself, urged, “This isn’t the henchmen you spoke of, but Immortal Sect disciples. Wouldn’t it be wonderful for us brothers to ascend together?”

Tianbao hesitated, then nodded firmly. “Wonderful!” Before moving, he beckoned, “Brother Yu, let’s ascend together!”

Yuye stood unmoved, feeling helpless.

Compared to Buyi’s treachery, Nanshan was even more dangerous. After all, who could resist the lure of immortality?

“Come on!”

“Brother Yu—”

Tianbao urged, Renliang even tried to pull him along.

Yuye stepped back, lowering his head, and replied urgently, “Go ahead, please don’t force me!”

The brothers were puzzled.

“Brother Yu, why so distant?”

“Indeed, you’re acting strange!”

My goodness, who’d have thought they’d be so troubled!

To have escaped Buyi’s notice was lucky enough; to show himself would be suicide. With four Foundation Establishment masters and over a dozen Qi Refining experts, no matter his skill, he could never leave alive!

Yuye burned with anxiety, dared not speak, and only retreated, shaking his head firmly.

“Forget it!”

Tianbao waved his hand. “Brotherhood comes first—through thick and thin. Since Brother Yu won’t join, we should stand together!”

“Ah, as you say, brother!”

Renliang, though disappointed, relented.

More wanderers stepped onto the slope by the cloud sea, including the gambling elder from the inn. Nanshan welcomed all, rewarding each with an immortal pill.

Moments later, only three or four dozen remained. Of those who came to Chenling Mountain, nearly nine out of ten had joined the so-called Beiqi Mountain Immortal Sect.

“Heh-heh!”

Nanshan’s laughter echoed beneath the night sky—gentle and carefree. Yet his next words sent chills through the crowd—

“I said the Immortal Sect has its rules. The first commandment of Beiqi Mountain Immortal Sect: those not of our Dao are enemies. Since you refuse to join, you cut yourselves off from the heavenly path!”

The dozen Qizhou cultivators atop the ridge simultaneously drew their flying swords.

To cut oneself off from the heavenly path meant only death.

The remaining three or four dozen wanderers hesitated, panic rising.

Renliang and Tianbao looked at each other, one lamenting, one cursing—

“Had I known, brother, you should have listened to me…”

“Damn it, immortality is a lie…”