Chapter 8: Aspiring to Immortality

Compared to Li Ji'an's surprise, the other four were utterly stunned! Even Zhu Linxian, the quiet girl who had kept silent throughout their journey, found it hard to believe and demanded an answer: "Brother Li, are we really in the right place? Is this truly the world of cultivation? Tell me, it can't be like this, can it?"

This group of would-be cultivators was now reduced to five: aside from Li Ji'an and Zhao Shuyao, there was Dong Jiangling, Zhang Tiezhu, and Zhu Linxian.

Dong Jiangling was the adopted son of a eunuch who held the imperial seal in the Immortal-Bestowed Dynasty. Having grown up in close proximity to the royal family, he had a special dependence and affection for the imperial line. This was also why, ten years ago, when he entered the Immortal Palace at the age of thirteen, he instantly fell for the Ninth Princess, Zhao Shuyao.

Zhu Linxian was the cherished daughter of the Zhu family, a bloodline clan that rose to prominence after Prince Yun's ascension to the throne. However, after her beloved mother died young, her character grew withdrawn and taciturn, and she rarely voiced her own opinions along the way.

Zhang Tiezhu was the most unusual among the current generation of hopeful cultivators—a young man from a farming family, discovered by chance to possess the physique of a dragon and elephant, taken into the Immortal Palace, and advancing vigorously with remarkable promise.

Li Ji'an had long since noticed that, among the other four, Zhu Linxian harbored the deepest obsession with cultivation. Thus, she now felt the greatest sense of disappointment.

"What do you think the world of cultivation should be like?" Li Ji'an did not answer but instead posed a question.

Zhu Linxian looked somewhat lost and hesitantly ventured, "In our clan, they say there is a gulf between mortals and immortals. Immortals... immortals..."

Halfway through her sentence, she found herself at a loss for words. After all, Li Ji'an's slaying of the immortal had thoroughly shattered her previous understanding.

Li Ji'an smiled faintly and picked up where she left off: "Immortals should look down on all living things, should treat all beings as nothing, should remain lofty and untouchable, and should be worshipped by mortals, is that it?"

Zhu Linxian's gaze flickered, which proved that Li Ji'an had spoken the truth. She could hardly be blamed; such ideas had been instilled in her since childhood. Although her view of the immortals' supreme status had already been shaken on the journey, she still clung to lingering notions about cultivation.

"A gulf between mortals and immortals? Ha! They're just practitioners who have yet to transcend and ascend—what kind of immortals are they? Moreover, so-called mortals are simply those who have not set foot on the path. If that distinction alone creates a divide, then when we entered the martial path in the Immortal-Bestowed Dynasty, wouldn't we also be different from the common people who never practiced? And if that makes us different, are we no longer human?"

Li Ji'an laughed freely, feeling a sense of release.

"But... even so, shouldn't there be some dignity among cultivators? To behave like this, so openly..." Zhu Linxian still found it hard to accept.

Li Ji'an understood their disappointment. They had thought that entering the world of cultivation would mean something grand, only to find these so-called cultivation clans engaged in such mundane things: recruiting husbands, hiring strongmen, seeking people to test medicines... It all seemed so lowly.

What Li Ji'an wanted to say was that not everyone enjoys putting on an inscrutable face, pretending to be aloof. Profundity and detachment can't simply be put on by keeping a stern expression. Besides, if cultivation meant always keeping a straight face, what joy would there be in it?

More importantly, acting profound and detached would not help a cultivation clan prosper, nor would it bring in resources for cultivation.

But he didn't say this outright; some things they would have to understand for themselves. If they could never come to terms with it, never lower themselves, never integrate or accept that these behaviors exist for a reason, then their days ahead would be hard indeed.

"Hey, fate is funny, my friends—I swear I didn't follow you this time! It's just a coincidence." Just as they stepped out of the square and the four were still digesting Li Ji'an's words, a hearty and familiar laugh rang out.

This time, Chen Zhaohu was accompanied only by his younger brother, a lad of about thirteen or fourteen.

"Brother Chen, my respects," Li Ji'an greeted, no longer keeping his distance.

In a place where everything was unfamiliar, one needed to blend in and find guidance. Compared to others, Chen Zhaohu's words and deeds put Li Ji'an more at ease.

"Ha! Brother Li, anyone who can make it out of the Land Forsaken by Heaven must be extraordinarily lucky and, without doubt, a true prodigy. Your ability to adapt is truly remarkable," Chen Zhaohu exclaimed in surprise.

"You flatter me, Brother Chen."

"Great, great! I like people like you. Come, come, come—no need for formal invitations between friends. There's a place up ahead called Hundred Fragrance House, famous for its flavors. The chef trained under a spirit cook. Let me treat you all as a welcome."

Li Ji'an paused slightly. "Brother Chen, aren't you out hunting today?"

"Ha, after half a lifetime of hunting, can't I take a break once in a while?" Chen Zhaohu replied boisterously.

"Nonsense! He's just obsessed with divination. Every day he insists on casting a fortune before going out, and today it said it was inauspicious to leave the house... Hmph, you haven't even condensed your spiritual sense, and you want to dabble in the most mysterious art of divination in all of cultivation?" his younger brother immediately exposed him.

This put Li Ji'an at ease. How could a burly man obsessed with fortune-telling harbor any ill intentions?

They followed Chen Zhaohu for less than a hundred paces before a two-story stone building came into view. Beside the large sign reading "Hundred Fragrance House" hung an even bigger placard: "Twenty years as apprentice to Spirit Chef Gao Yue."

"Hey, a purple-gold sable—very nice! Are you looking to sell it, sir?" As soon as they entered, a staff member spotted the beast Dong Jiangling was carrying.

Dong Jiangling looked at Li Ji'an.

"Sell it."

"Ah, good, good. But it's been dead more than a day, hasn't it? And look, the pelt's damaged..." The staff member began nitpicking every little flaw.

"Get lost! What, trying to pull one over on your brother Hu?" Chen Zhaohu had just been dragged aside by his brother, and arrived a moment too late to see his acquaintance trying to take advantage.

The staff member grinned apologetically, "Oh, forgive me, forgive me—I didn't recognize him, thought he was just a passerby. Sorry, sorry. I'll fetch the manager."

After he hurried off, Chen Zhaohu led the five of them to a private room with familiar ease.

"Judging by the look of you, I suppose you’re not the average sort from the Land Forsaken by Heaven. You might even think this eatery beneath you, but I promise you've never tasted food like this before," Chen Zhaohu said casually.

In truth, he had noticed the faint signs of distaste from Dong Jiangling and the others.

Li Ji'an regarded Chen Zhaohu with new appreciation. He was a thoughtful man beneath his rugged appearance. Of course—if you hunt monsters for a living, you can't afford to be careless.

"Come now, Brother Chen, we've been eating in the wild for days. To dine here is already a great pleasure," Li Ji'an replied.

"Ah, excellent, Brother Li! The more I see of you, the more I like you. How about it? Join me for a hunt," Chen Zhaohu invited again.

Li Ji'an laughed. "Do you really believe I can bring you luck?"

"I do! Remember the first time we met? I did a reading that morning—the signs spoke of virtue arriving, an omen for meeting someone destined to bring fortune."

As soon as the subject of divination came up, Chen Zhaohu grew animated.

"I'm afraid I must disappoint you, Brother Chen. Our ambitions lie in cultivation; otherwise, we wouldn't have journeyed so far and wide to come here," Li Ji'an declined again.

Hearing this, Chen Zhaohu stared at them in surprise. "Hmm? You mean... you haven't figured it out yet? Anyone coming out of the Land Forsaken by Heaven can pretty much give up on the idea of cultivating immortality!"

"What?!"

"Impossible!"