Chapter 220: The Path to Seeing an Immortal

The moment the word “little friend” left Mu Chunqiu’s lips, Lu Yan instinctively recalled the entity behind the Longevity Version, causing a brief loss of composure.

Though Mu Chunqiu had no connection to that entity, the phrase stirred a memory buried deep within Lu Yan’s soul.

Yet it was Mu Chunqiu’s next sentence—”I’ve seen those eyes before”—that sent a chill crawling up Lu Yan’s spine.

Due to the cross-version nature of their existences, Mu Chunqiu might not remember the details, but Lu Yan remembered everything clearly.

That phrase originated from when Lu Yan stood as the agent of Heaven, and Mu Chunqiu had resisted bowing to the image of the Emperor. At the time, Lu Yan, wielding the power of the Heavenly Dao, had merely cast a fleeting glance in Mu Chunqiu’s direction, and the overwhelming majesty of Heaven had forced the man into submission.

What Lu Yan never expected was that Mu Chunqiu would remember that fleeting moment and mention it now upon meeting again in the Immortal Cultivation Version.

Lu Yan worked to calm himself. The Supreme Dao Foundation suppressed the fluctuations of his soul, concealing his emotions from external senses. On the surface, he displayed a trace of surprise before replying, after a calculated pause:

“Senior Mu, we’ve only met once before. For you to remember me is truly this junior’s honor.”

His reply was flawless, cleverly shifting the focus to their previous encounter.

Mu Chunqiu’s brows furrowed slightly, a hint of displeasure rising in his otherwise calm gaze. He felt, inexplicably, that this wasn’t the answer he wanted.

At that moment, He Dongsheng interjected.

“Ever since the last exploration of the Northern Mang Tomb, Master has been secluded here for over a year to comprehend the Longevity Immortal Law. How could you have met Brother Lu in that time? Could it be… another illusion you saw while meditating on the Longevity Immortal Law?”

He Dongsheng’s explanation eased Mu Chunqiu’s doubts. After hesitating for a few moments, the peak Nascent Soul True Lord finally nodded.

“Perhaps it was just a hallucination, as Dongsheng says.”

With that, the issue was laid to rest. Lu Yan, expression composed, silently breathed a sigh of relief.

Only now did he begin to observe Mu Chunqiu carefully.

Lu Yan had encountered many people who had traversed different versions—Ji Xingyao, He Dongsheng, Li Hao… Even with the transition between versions, their identities and essence remained relatively consistent. The only significant variation had been with Li Hao in the Demon Version, whose form had changed due to the influence of demonic cultivation.

But Mu Chunqiu was a different case entirely. The Mu Chunqiu in the Urban Version and the one in the Immortal Cultivation Version were practically two different people.

In the Urban Version, Mu Chunqiu was an elegant middle-aged man who maintained a youthful appearance despite being over a hundred years old. Here, in the Immortal Cultivation Version, he appeared directly as a youthful cultivator.

Upon reflection, it made sense. In this world, Nascent Soul cultivators had lifespans that exceeded a thousand years. At just over a hundred, Mu Chunqiu was essentially in the prime of youth.

Yet appearances were trivial compared to what he had just said.

Back in the Urban Version, Lu Yan had already noticed Mu Chunqiu’s extraordinariness. A hundred-year-old man with the appearance and agility of a middle-aged master—it defied the rules of that version.

Later, during the rise of spiritual revival, when the world was shaken by the appearance of two great spirits—Blood God and Giant Spirit—only Mu Chunqiu remained calm and even displayed a trace of innate arrogance toward them.

Now, in this cultivation world, Mu Chunqiu’s behavior was even more unusual. To mention Lu Yan’s eyes in such a cryptic way hinted at something deeper—perhaps tied to some residual memory or imprint that transcended versions.

Lu Yan didn’t have time to dwell on it further. Mu Chunqiu, seated at the center of the spiritual pool, suddenly spoke again.

“Little friend, do you know why I asked Dongsheng to bring you here?”

Lu Yan set aside his musings and responded respectfully, “This junior does not know.”

Mu Chunqiu gazed at him, eyes filled with a complex emotion.

“Over a year ago, we met once. Dongsheng said you saved his life, so I made a promise—to let you choose a treasure from my treasury as thanks for saving him.”

“But what I didn’t expect was that soon after I made that promise, the Northern Mang Tomb opened. I gained the opportunity to explore it and broke through to peak Nascent Soul, standing on the verge of stepping into the Spirit Severing realm.”

“To take that final step into true transformation, one must sever all worldly karma. But due to the haste of my breakthrough, many karmic threads remain unresolved.”

“And the most significant among them is the promise I made to you.”

As he spoke, Mu Chunqiu raised his right hand.

It was a hand that seemed to contain a world of its own. In his palm, countless ornate treasure pavilions appeared, layered like a dreamscape.

Some were weathered and ancient, exuding the weight of time. Others shimmered with dazzling light. Within those pavilions were ancient jade swords with blood-stained edges, crystal pendants pulsing with faint Dao light, and even a broken mirror that reflected unfathomable darkness.

Thousands of such treasures glittered across the miniature world. Their ancient auras surged like tides.

For a moment, Lu Yan felt that these treasures weren’t merely items, but fragments of forgotten histories buried within tombs and ruins.

“These are the fruits of my century-long exploration of countless tombs and ruins. Some I’ve successfully appraised—their functions are labeled. You may choose freely.”

“Others even I cannot identify. Some may even be pseudo-Spirit Severing treasures, but without matching techniques, they cannot be used.”

“You may test your luck—perhaps you’ll rise with one step, or lose it all in a single gamble.”

Mu Chunqiu looked on with interest, waiting for Lu Yan’s choice.

Lu Yan scanned the treasures. Each was at least at the pinnacle magic artifact level. Some clearly surpassed the Nascent Soul tier.

Among them, he spotted a half-completed divine statue in one broken pavilion—an unfinished incense-path idol made from incense clay and merit gold, representing the authority of a genuine spirit.

Though unfinished, it was all the more valuable for its malleability. If one reshaped it into a deity of the Underworld and nurtured it with incense offerings, it could become a god of the underworld.

In another pavilion, Lu Yan found a damaged ruyi scepter exuding faint merit energy. It was undoubtedly a merit treasure. Though broken, it could be repaired with Heavenly Dao merit.

Even if it wouldn’t reach the level of something like the Imperial Banner of Humanity, it was still a rare treasure.

Just a cursory glance made Lu Yan’s heart race.

He had to forcibly calm himself, take a deep breath, and banish the allure of the treasures from his mind.

No matter how valuable, they were not what mattered most right now.

He bowed toward the lotus throne.

“Senior Mu, this junior has no intention of claiming a treasure. I wish to exchange that promise for your assistance.”

“Oh?” Mu Chunqiu showed a rare trace of surprise.

With all these treasures—some even capable of tempting Spirit Severing cultivators—Lu Yan, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, actually resisted the temptation.

Mu Chunqiu gave him a fresh look.

“Let’s hear it.”

Lu Yan bowed again and said solemnly, “I wish to meet the Immortal of the Grand Unity Sect. I ask Senior for guidance!”

Mu Chunqiu fell silent.

Only after a long pause did he say, full of emotion, “Quite the ambition, asking to meet the Immortal of Grand Unity. Do you know what an immortal truly is?”

“This junior does not.”

Mu Chunqiu looked up. Night had fallen. Moonlight and starlight danced in the sky.

“Fools think ‘immortal’ is merely a realm. But even if one reaches Crossing Tribulation or Mahayana, without understanding the essence of immortality, it is all in vain.”

“Immortals and mortals are no longer of the same kind. They think and act on levels beyond comprehension.”

“They create and destroy with a single thought. They are eternal with the world.”

A hint of sorrow colored his tone.

“I am one of the thirteen branch masters of the Grand Unity Sect, yet I’ve only seen the Immortal once. That single glimpse decided my life’s path. I chose to pursue the immortal road.”

“Yet now, after a century, the further I walk, the more distant the Immortal feels.”

Mu Chunqiu’s sorrow spread throughout the floating island. The lotus flowers drooped. Spirit fish wept. Even He Dongsheng began shedding tears.

Only Lu Yan managed to remain composed, though his eyes stung with sadness.

He Dongsheng choked through tears. “Master, we’re still here!”

Mu Chunqiu came back to himself, and the wave of sorrow dissipated.

“Lu little friend, your soul is quite special—able to resist the emotions of Heaven and Earth.”

He clicked his tongue in admiration.

“But I’m afraid I cannot help you. The Immortal does appear more often than others, but even we branch masters rarely catch a glimpse.”

“Still, if you have something urgent, I can reach out through my connections.”

Lu Yan hesitated, then decided to reveal a portion of the truth.

“This matter involves an Outer Dao Evil…”

Before he could finish, Mu Chunqiu raised a hand.

“Do not speak of it!”

His expression grew grave.

“The Outer Dao uses bizarre methods. Even mentioning them might draw misfortune.”

“I still wish to live a few thousand more years in pursuit of the immortal path. I won’t risk entanglement.”

Mu Chunqiu’s severity made Lu Yan tense.

In Lu Yan’s mind, Mu Chunqiu was the strongest cultivator he had ever met—capable of destroying other Nascent Soul cultivators with ease.

Yet even he showed such fear toward Outer Dao Evil. The threat it posed was greater than Lu Yan had imagined.

Mu Chunqiu rose from the lotus platform, pacing above the spirit pool.

After some contemplation, he finally spoke.

“There is one exception to meeting the Immortal—becoming a true disciple.”

“In our sect, the positions of sect master and elders are largely ceremonial. The true ranks are the thirteen branch masters and the thirty-six true disciples.”

“Every time a new true disciple is appointed, they are allowed to pay respects to the ancestral founder—possibly encountering the Immortal.”

“If your matter truly involves an Outer Dao Evil, then this may be your chance.”

Lu Yan’s eyes lit up. After so long, here was finally a path forward. He immediately bowed.

“Many thanks to Senior Mu for this opportunity!”

But Mu Chunqiu waved his hand.

“Don’t thank me yet. Competing for a true disciple’s position isn’t easy. You’re only at Foundation Establishment—there’s no way you qualify.”

He Dongsheng quickly chimed in.

“Lu Yan isn’t an ordinary Foundation cultivator. He just defeated Mo Yangzi and exposed the corruption of the Outer Dao Evil!”

Now it was Mu Chunqiu’s turn to be surprised.

“Defeating a Golden Core as a Foundation cultivator? That level of talent qualifies for the competition.”

“But you’ll still need a branch master’s recommendation.”

“I have two recommendation slots left, but this kind of favor isn’t cheap. That previous promise won’t cover it.”

“If you can offer something that satisfies me, I’ll help you.”

This immediately drew protest from He Dongsheng.

“You mean to say my life isn’t worth a recommendation spot?”

“We’re the only two left in this branch anyway—just give it to Brother Lu!”

He even shot Lu Yan a wink.

Mu Chunqiu glared at him.

“A true disciple represents the foundation of the Grand Unity Sect. This is no laughing matter!”

Lu Yan was touched by He Dongsheng’s support, but he wasn’t going to rely on it.

He had come prepared.

Looking at Mu Chunqiu’s contemplative expression, Lu Yan solemnly bowed.

“I heard you obtained the Longevity Immortal Law from the Northern Mang Tomb. I am here today to help you comprehend it—and resolve your doubts!”

(End of Chapter)