Chapter Seventy: Stepping onto the Road of Immortals

This silent lecture lasted for an indeterminate amount of time. Even after it ended, it took a long while for Xu Chen to return to himself.

“So this is the Sacred Sun?” Xu Chen murmured, lost in thought.

“How do you feel?” Li Chengfu stepped into the arena.

“To hear the Way at dawn…” Xu Chen softly uttered.

“That’s good!” Li Chengfu nodded approvingly. “I just received a notification—Senior Sister Bai Ningxue has logged in and is currently challenging the Path of Immortal Ascension in the Blood and Qi Realm. Would you like to try it?”

“The Path of Immortal Ascension is an endless road, filled with various trials. Passing them yields rewards, some greater, some lesser.”

“It suits you. Are you interested?”

“Let’s go see,” Xu Chen agreed.

Li Chengfu pointed lightly at the void, and a glowing screen appeared before him. On it was a densely marked map, each place labeled with a name. After a brief manipulation, a teleportation array appeared before them.

Stepping onto the array, they were instantly transported to an expansive plaza paved with white jade tiles, seemingly boundless. The plaza was studded with countless small teleportation gates.

“The gates that haven’t lit up with spiritual light are entrances to the Path of Immortal Ascension,” Li Chengfu explained, just as a strange voice echoed in both their minds.

“You’ve become too engrossed in the Human Realm; the time to celebrate the Wei family patriarch’s birthday is approaching. We’ll return when we have the chance.”

With that, Li Chengfu placed a hand on Xu Chen’s shoulder, and their consciousnesses snapped back to their bodies.

Just then, the sun was rising, and a beam of morning light shone upon Xu Chen.

“So warm…”

At that moment, Xu Chen felt his body like a dried sponge, greedily absorbing the sunlight.

“Does cultivating the Sacred Sun’s Bodily Aspect require entry-level practice?” Unable to resist, Xu Chen found a spot bathed in sunlight and sat cross-legged.

“How long until the Wei family patriarch’s grand birthday?” Li Chengfu asked a nearby guard.

“One hour. That’s when the Wei family’s relatives pay their respects,” the guard responded respectfully.

“Then we’ll wait a bit longer.”

Xu Chen’s body rapidly absorbed the sunlight, his very soul basking in its rays.

He didn’t know how long he spent there, but eventually he felt his blood and qi replenished.

“Did I delay us?” Xu Chen slowly opened his eyes.

“There’s still a quarter of an hour, plenty of time,” Li Chengfu replied, sitting nearby with unhurried composure.

“Good!”

Upon exiting, they found a beast-drawn carriage waiting. As soon as they boarded, the driver began cracking his whip, and the carriage shot forward, covering five miles in less than the time it took to finish a cup of tea.

By then, the gate of the Wei family residence was crowded with guests. The direct descendants of the Wei family wore smiles as they welcomed each visitor.

Li Chengfu and Xu Chen disembarked, and a member of the Wei family’s main branch hurried over. Upon seeing Li Chengfu, his eyes brightened.

“Young Master Li! I never expected you’d come today. The patriarch will be delighted to hear it,” he said, his tone full of respect for Li Chengfu and those behind him.

“You’re too courteous. By seniority, I should call you uncle,” Li Chengfu replied. “My parents and elder brother are far away in the Human Emperor Continent and can’t return, so I’m here on their behalf to offer congratulations.”

A red spatial wooden box appeared in Li Chengfu’s hand, reserved for gifts.

“This is the birthday gift entrusted to me by my parents for the patriarch. May his immortal fortune flourish and may he soon step into the Profound Immortal Realm.”

Li Chengfu spoke flawlessly.

Xu Chen stood behind Li Chengfu like a transparent shadow, silently recalling the contents of his parents’ letter, wondering if there was any mention of a birthday gift.

The Wei family member accepted the red spatial box with both hands, and led Li Chengfu and Xu Chen to the main hall of the Wei family estate.

Only members of the main branch and important guests were allowed here.

Since the two had arrived late, the hall was already filled with guests.

A new table was added for them alone.

Xu Chen glanced around the hall, feeling as though he were attending a wedding banquet without offering a gift, only to be seated at the center table for a free meal.

“When it’s time for the relatives to pay respects to the patriarch, we’ll go over, bow, and once the banquet ends, we’re done,” Li Chengfu whispered to Xu Chen.

“Alright. Never thought following you would land me at the center table,” Xu Chen replied with a smile.

“Haha, that’s the advantage of family ties. Next time there’s an event like this, I’ll bring you along for another feast,” Li Chengfu chuckled.

Xu Chen looked around at the guests; he could sense that most of those seated in the main hall had already embarked on the path of immortality.

Outside, in the plaza, the Wei family patriarch appeared. Li Chengfu and Xu Chen left the main hall to observe from the periphery.

The patriarch, dressed in robes with a childlike face and white hair, exuded a kindly demeanor, but his eyes betrayed years of battlefield experience and a fierce disposition.

This was Xu Chen’s first time seeing the Wei family patriarch.

He began with an opening speech, recounting the family’s glories over the years, and then expressed gratitude to the guests.

Afterward, the main branch paid their respects and offered birthday wishes to the patriarch, followed by the side branches, and finally the relatives.

Xu Chen and Li Chengfu joined the relatives in offering birthday congratulations, then returned to their table for the banquet.

“Clearly not the protagonist’s fate,” Xu Chen mused. If he were the protagonist, the Wei family would surely look down on him first, then the relatives would, and finally he’d rise up and slap faces all around.

“How oddly smooth this is.”

This thought persisted until the dishes were served, and then his uncle—his mother’s elder brother—appeared before him.

“Chen’er.”

Xu Chen was startled by the familiar name, then realized it was directed at him.

“Uncle.” Xu Chen stood and bowed.

“No need to rise, sit.”

“After the banquet, come visit me. It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other,” Wei Chaoqing said, his face showing the gentle concern unique to elders.

“Alright, Uncle,” Xu Chen nodded.

Wei Chaoqing departed, and Li Chengfu leaned over, gossiping, “How’s your relationship with your uncle?”

“My uncle’s words to me usually total less than one character per year.”

“Thanks to you, now it’s up to three characters annually.”

He wasn’t a child anymore; clearly his uncle had received some news and made a special trip to the main hall to see him.

“That’s not bad. Maybe he’ll make up for the lack of affection over the years,” Li Chengfu said, smiling.

“If so, I’ll treat you to a meal at the sect.”

Just then, the banquet began, and each dish was so fragrant it made one’s mouth water, but Xu Chen dared not touch his chopsticks, afraid that one wrong bite might overwhelm him.

“Our table’s dishes are specially prepared, with much of the spiritual energy extracted, so those in the Blood and Qi Realm can safely eat.”

“Go ahead, eat all you want, and pack up the leftovers.”

Hearing this, Xu Chen’s eyes lit up.

He grabbed his chopsticks and began to feast with abandon.