novelnext Chapter 262 : Lin Xunfeng’s Path in Search of Immortality
Chapter 262 : Lin Xunfeng’s Path in Search of Immortality
After staying in the Heavenly Works Hall for half an hour, Li Qingqiu went to the other halls. After a full day and night of promotion, the achievements of Li Qingqiu and the others in Cangzhou had already spread throughout the sect. Wherever he went, excited disciples stepped forward to pay their respects.It was not only Li Qingqiu. The reputations of Shen Yue, Jiang Zhaoxia, Zhao Zhen, Li Yang, and others also spread widely—especially Shen Yue.
With cultivation at the Ninth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, he had crossed realms to slay an Evil Ghost of the Spirit Perception Realm. Such a record shook the entire sect.
When Xu Ning learned of this, she too was greatly astonished.
Shen Yue’s title of Sword God was once again on the lips of the disciples.
Many said that Shen Yue was the true number one genius of the Clear Sky Sect. It was only because he had entered the sect late that people overlooked this fact. Whether in cultivation speed or real combat performance, Shen Yue stood at the forefront.
His performance also led more and more disciples to wish to enter the Sword Sect.
Li Qingqiu began considering whether to establish a separate title specifically to recognize people like Shen Yue.
He felt it was feasible.
In this way, disciples would be stimulated to strive for such honor.
With these thoughts in mind, Li Qingqiu stepped into the Spirit Finance Hall.
The Spirit Finance Hall managed the sect’s wealth, Spirit Stones, and allocation of Blessed Land quotas. Its status had always been high, though it was less lively than other halls because Li Dongyue did not rush to expand its disciple numbers.
“When Hu Yan comes of age, I’ll arrange for him to work in the Spirit Finance Hall. What do you think?” Li Qingqiu sat in Li Dongyue’s chair and asked with a smile.
Standing nearby, Li Dongyue asked in surprise, “With his level of talent, wouldn’t it be a pity to place him in the Spirit Finance Hall?”
Li Qingqiu replied casually, “What kind of talk is that? Is the Spirit Finance Hall easy work? Besides, working here doesn’t conflict with taking missions in the Tempering Hall.”
Hu Yan’s Righteous Qi of Vast Integrity Fate Trait would be wasted if not placed in either the Enforcement Hall or the Spirit Finance Hall.
Although Righteous Qi of Vast Integrity did not specify personality traits, Hu Yan’s uprightness and hatred of evil had already begun to manifest. He even enjoyed helping others.
Li Dongyue looked at him, thought for a moment, and said, “Then I’ll have to thank you, Senior Brother. With Yang Xuan and Hu Yan, the Spirit Finance Hall will be able to attract talented disciples in the future.”
A gentle smile appeared on her face.
Speaking of Yang Xuan, Li Dongyue realized that all the geniuses in the Spirit Finance Hall had been personally assigned to her by Li Qingqiu.
She did not compete for influence, yet Senior Brother supported her from behind.
“Before we knew it, nineteen years have passed. I wonder where Master is now.”
Li Dongyue suddenly sighed, her voice filled with longing.
Only now did she dare to speak of such things. In the first few years after Lin Xunfeng left, she had not dared to express her yearning for their Master in front of Li Qingqiu.
If Senior Brother had not taken over as Sect Master, he would likely have long since lived the carefree life of a wandering immortal. Why would he be entangled in so many sect affairs, even repeatedly taking the lead in dangerous campaigns?
At the mention of Lin Xunfeng, Li Qingqiu’s smile faded.
In truth, he did not harbor deep resentment toward Lin Xunfeng. He even looked forward to his return. Yet after so many years, there had been no trace of him.
“If he were still within the Nine Provinces, he would have returned by now. Perhaps he truly found some clue to the immortal path and went west,” Li Qingqiu speculated.
At present, heading west was the most likely way to discover immortal traces.
Going south meant crossing the ocean by ship—essentially courting death.
Heading north was too desolate.
“I hope so. If we never see Master again in this lifetime, that would be a regret.”
Li Dongyue sighed.
Li Qingqiu pondered.
Should he post a long-term mission in the Tempering Hall to search for Lin Xunfeng?
What if Lin Xunfeng were still within the Nine Provinces, merely too embarrassed to return after hearing that the Clear Sky Sect had turned to immortal cultivation?
It was not impossible.
Li Qingqiu made up his mind to post the mission later that day.
……
In a vast desert, sandstorms raged as two figures staggered forward.
One was a middle-aged man, the other a young boy.
Their robes were tattered, their bodies covered in dust. From their cracked lips, it was clear they were at the brink of collapse.
“Master… where exactly… is the immortal path…”
The boy, supporting the middle-aged man, asked weakly. He appeared to be only twelve or thirteen years old. His skin was dark, and his eyes had already lost their luster.
The middle-aged man was none other than Lin Xunfeng, Li Qingqiu’s Master.
Lin Xunfeng’s vision was blurred, his body equally weak.
Compared to the spirited and vigorous man who had left Clear Sky Mountain years ago, he was now unrecognizable—haggard, listless, hair graying, sustained only by sheer will.
“It’s… it’s… ahead…”
He answered with difficulty. His eyelids felt heavier than ever. He longed to sleep.
Yet a voice in his heart roared, urging him to persist and not fall here.
Memories surfaced one after another—training in martial arts with Clear Sky Daoist, holding his son Lin Chuan as he died, carrying his eldest disciple Li Qingqiu back to Clear Sky Mountain.
These images drifted farther and farther away, as though from a previous lifetime.
“Master, I can’t… hold on…”
The boy stumbled. Master and disciple fell together into the desert sands.
Lin Xunfeng’s face buried itself in the scorching sand. He no longer had the strength to rise, nor even to lift his head.
Darkness engulfed his vision. An unprecedented exhaustion surged forth, dragging his will into an endless abyss.
“Senior Sister, these two have been muttering about finding the immortal path. They look like seekers from the east again.”
“Senior Sister, should we really ignore them? They look quite pitiful.”
“Let’s take them back and try. If it doesn’t work out, we can send them down the mountain.”
Lin Xunfeng vaguely heard a gentle, pleasant female voice. If Dongyue and Sijin grew up, perhaps they would sound like this.
Then his consciousness sank into chaos.
……
Lin Xunfeng abruptly opened his eyes, waking as if from a nightmare. He gasped for air, eyes bloodshot and wide.
Above him was a roof beam.
Memories gradually returned. His emotions calmed.
“Master, you’re finally awake!”
His disciple Lin Lingzhou’s voice sounded by his ear, filled with joy.
Lin Xunfeng turned his head with difficulty and saw Lin Lingzhou approaching with a basin of warm water.
He was momentarily dazed. He had never seen Lin Lingzhou dressed so neatly.
Lin Lingzhou wore clean blue robes. Though not luxurious, he looked far more spirited than before—like a different person entirely.
Excited, Lin Lingzhou set down the basin, quickly poured a bowl of water, and fed it to his Master.
The water burned his throat painfully, but he was too thirsty to care. Enduring the pain, he drained the bowl.
Afterward, he felt as if he had come back to life. He had never tasted water so refreshing.
“Where is this?” he asked weakly.
Lin Lingzhou replied excitedly, “Master, this is the immortal land you were searching for. You were right. There truly are immortal cultivators in this world!”
Immortal land!
Lin Xunfeng’s eyes widened, his mind buzzing.
A weight lifted from him. He collapsed back onto the bed, staring blankly upward.
How many years had it been?
After traveling westward for so long, he had finally found it.
He had dreamed of this countless times. Now that it was real, his mind was utterly blank.
Seeing his Master’s dazed expression, Lin Lingzhou panicked and slapped his face.
Lin Xunfeng winced. “You wretched brat! You dare strike your Master?”
Lin Lingzhou trembled, then said in relief, “Master, you nearly scared me to death. I thought you were so excited you’d die on the spot.”
Lin Xunfeng rolled his eyes. Why was this boy so much like Li Qingqiu?
He really should let Li Qingqiu discipline him.
“Tell me everything you’ve learned,” Lin Xunfeng said sternly.
Lin Lingzhou nodded quickly. “Master, when I woke up, I found myself in this room. A girl named Xun’er took care of us. She said a fairy named Fang Shuang brought us here. This place is called the Heavenly Clear Immortal Sect, located in the Azure Dragon Domain. Once we recover, we can test whether we have Spiritual Root aptitude. If we do, we can stay to cultivate. If not, they’ll arrange a place for us to live peacefully.”
Azure Dragon Domain. Heavenly Clear Immortal Sect.
Lin Xunfeng’s heart burned with anticipation. But upon hearing that Spiritual Root aptitude had to be tested, unease crept in.
If he lacked Spiritual Root aptitude, would his entire journey have been in vain?
No!
No matter what, he had to step onto the path of immortal cultivation.
His gaze hardened. In his heart, he silently recited the names of his disciples. He still wished to return and bring them onto the immortal path.
Lin Lingzhou had far fewer worries. He was already imagining immortal life, recounting the wonders he had witnessed over the past two days.
Azure birds with wingspans exceeding ten zhang, flood dragons rolling within seas of clouds, enormous mountain turtles moving through the valleys.
He had seen men like immortal gods riding swords into the sky, and fairy-like women soaring upon clouds.
Each day, stepping outside this room brought astonishing sights.
Listening to his description, Lin Xunfeng too felt longing arise.
If he obtained immortal cultivation methods, he would return and uproot the Demonic Cult entirely!
……
After the New Year, news of the Clear Sky Sect slaying Evil Ghosts in Cangzhou spread across Cangzhou, Weizhou, Beiliang Province, and Zhongtian Province. The story of Great Demon Luo’s attempt to establish the Ghost Dynasty also circulated, letting the world know how vile those Evil Ghosts had been.
This incident elevated the Clear Sky Sect’s standing in the hearts of the people. They believed the sect truly protected the common folk.
Even without speaking of lofty benevolence, Li Qingqiu’s support of Liu Jing in unifying the realm was precisely what the people longed for.
Some even felt the Clear Sky Sect’s actions had come rather late.
While the world marveled at the sect’s righteous deeds, Liu Jing’s campaign to unify the realm accelerated.
Li Qingqiu leading disciples to slay Evil Ghosts not only inspired the people but also motivated sect disciples. Some began voluntarily assisting Liu Jing’s campaign.
Seated in the state capital of Southern Chu Province, Liu Jing received daily submissions of allegiance, leaving him bewildered.
He could only sigh.
Whoever gains the approval of the Clear Sky Sect gains the world!