Chapter 201
by fanqienovelChapter 201: The Path to Immortality
"Daoist friend Su, don’t you want to take a look?" Ye Xu laughed.
"It holds no meaning."
Su Miao Zhen gave a light shake of her head. She had no intention to sneak into immortality, reasoning that seeing the path to immortality would likely shake her Dao heart, bringing harm with no benefits.
Since that was the case, why needlessly complicate matters?
"Friends, farewell until we meet again in the Yuan Realm."
Su Miao Zhen’s figure gradually dissolved, leaving only an echo behind.
"Brother Yu, Daoist Friend Lin, do you want to see it?" Ye Xu smiled. "If willing, we can go together."
Both shook their heads.
Great Emperor Ziwei’s thoughts mirrored Su Miao Zhen’s.
As for Lin Qianmo, having arrived from the Immortal Realm, its circumstances were all too familiar to her. There was no need to take risks.
"Brother Ye, since you wish to observe the path to immortality, we will depart first," Nangong Zhandao said, cupping his hands in farewell. "May we reunite in the Yuan Realm one day."
"Farewell!"
After bidding them farewell, Ye Xu journeyed alone to the end of the Jianmu divine tree.
Though the human ancestor had warned him that something was amiss in the Immortal Realm, Ye Xu still yearned to see the path to immortality. Otherwise, wouldn’t this entire trip have been in vain?
A stick of incense later, Ye Xu arrived at the summit of the Jianmu divine tree.
At its zenith lay a swirling vortex.
Wisps of immortal spirit energy seeped through the vortex, promising that one might reach the Immortal Realm by passing through it.
Emperor Venerable Yama, Emperor Venerable Mi Luo and others had long gathered before the vortex.
"The path to immortality!"
Emperor Venerable Miao Fa felt his blood surge, trembling with excitement.
Even White-browed Buddha struggled to maintain calm; complex emotions flickered across his aged face—a lifetime of cultivation finally culminating before this sought-after gateway to immortality.
Stepping through that vortex meant attaining immortality.
Emperor Venerable Mi Luo retained a shred of rationality. As he stared at the vortex, his heart roiled, yet hesitation lingered deep within.
He questioned: Was the Immortal Realm truly behind that vortex?
"You, come here!"
Emperor Venerable Yama glared savagely at one Great Emperor—the lone Great Emperor among them, insignificant as an ant here.
"Senior…" Even as Emperor Yama spoke, the Great Emperor immediately understood.
He was to be the sacrificial scout.
None knew with certainty whether the Immortal Realm lay beyond the vortex.
If not, it could very well be a perilous death trap instead.
This group were all sharp-witted persons; none wanted to become cannon fodder before they were certain.
"Sect Master, save me!"
That Great Emperor turned toward Emperor Venerable Miao Fa. He belonged to the Mystic Law Sect, and at this moment, only Emperor Venerable Miao Fa could save him.
With a cold gaze, Emperor Venerable Miao Fa remained silent.
Someone had to scout the path, and since this disciple’s cultivation was the weakest, he was the best candidate.
All eyes stared fiercely; should he utter one word of refusal, the Mystic Law Sect would immediately be annihilated.
Seeing Emperor Venerable Miao Fa’s indifferent expression, that Great Emperor instantly showed a look of despair and smiled bitterly.
"I’ll count to three," Emperor Venerable Yama said coldly.
"I’ll go."
The Great Emperor raised a condition, announcing sternly, "I only hope that after I safely pass through this vortex, the esteemed seniors will spare my life and let me leave."
"That goes without saying."
Emperor Venerable Yama smiled with satisfaction.
If that place truly was the Immortal Realm, he would achieve immortality.
With eternal life secured, why would he trouble himself over a mere ant?
"Many thanks, Senior."
The Great Emperor took a deep breath and walked actively toward the vortex.
"Heaven bless me."
He silently prayed in his heart. The power of the Great Dao enveloped him, the strength of his Dao fruit fully unleashed as he stepped into the vortex.
Whoosh!
In an instant, the vortex swirled and churned, and the Great Emperor vanished from everyone’s sight.
"Hmm?"
Emperor Venerable Yama frowned slightly and turned to Emperor Venerable Miao Fa, "Is he dead?"
"No."
Emperor Venerable Miao Fa held a lamp—it was the soul lamp belonging to that Great Emperor. The lamp still burned bright, proving the Great Emperor remained among the living.
Yet, for some reason, he couldn’t be contacted.
"His continued survival proves the other side of the vortex is no trap," said the Palace Master of the Holy Mother Palace.
"That isn’t necessarily true,"
Emperor Venerable Mi Luo countered, "What if beings beyond the vortex deliberately spared him to lure us in?"
Everyone’s expression turned solemn.
Emperor Venerable Mi Luo’s words held merit.
"Then we wait."
White-browed Buddha folded his palms together and sat down cross-legged.
Ye Xu furrowed his brow.
The far end of the Jianmu divine tree appeared shockingly crude. This so-called "path to immortality" held not a trace of divine wonder, filling him with immense disappointment.
"It truly seems like a smuggler-like place," Ye Xu thought to himself.
In truth, he understood inwardly that beyond the vortex must lie the Immortal Realm.
Otherwise, the human ancestor wouldn’t have specifically spoken to stop them from entering.
But Emperor Venerable Yama and the others remained unaware.
Reaching this critical point, Emperor Venerable Yama grew increasingly cautious and careful, terrified that a lifetime’s effort would culminate in ruin.
One hour passed.
Three hours passed.
The soul lamp still burned brightly.
"They’re still alive," muttered Emperor Venerable Miao Fa, brow deeply furrowed, but it was truly strange that no one had sent a message back.
“The hope of attaining immortality is right before us. Whatever happens, we must take the gamble.”
Suddenly, one Emperor Venerable stepped forward—the Hall Master’s Elder from the Taihao Heavenly Sect.
Knowing what he now knew, he couldn’t possibly stay within the sect any longer.
Otherwise, Dao King would surely eliminate him.
Without using magical power, the Hall Master’s Elder leaped into the vortex as though marching to his death.
Swish!
The vortex suddenly trembled violently. A flood of immortal spirit energy surged out, a powerful suction pulling the Hall Master’s Elder in, instantly swallowing him whole.
“The old man spoke true.”
Another Emperor Venerable steeled his resolve and strode towards the vortex.
“If I don’t take this step now, I shall remain stuck at this level for the rest of my life.”
With these words, he transformed into a streak of light and shot into the vortex.
One by one, the Emperor Venerables threw themselves into its depths.
“Rou’er, let us achieve immortality together.”
The Palace Master of Empress Nuwa Palace tightly grasped her companion’s delicate hand. Their gazes unwavering and full of affection, they vanished together into the vortex.
Time flowed on. Only Emperor Venerable Yama, Emperor Venerable Mi Luo, Emperor Venerable Miao Fa, and the Palace Master of the Holy Mother Palace stayed vigilant, making no move.
“So much time has passed, and Zhong Nanting remains unharmed. It seems safe to say that lies the Immortal Realm,” Emperor Venerable Miao Fa declared, his eyes fixed relentlessly on the blazing flame within the soul lamp. “The legends are not wrong.”
“You lot can keep waiting. I’m done waiting!”
Bracing himself, Emperor Venerable Miao Fa charged into the vortex.
The Palace Master of the Holy Mother Palace and Emperor Venerable Yama exchanged a look, then flew in as well.
“Friend, why haven’t you gone?” Ye Xu inquired, stepping into view as he regarded the solitary Emperor Venerable Mi Luo.
“Daoist Friend Ye.”
Surprise flickered in Emperor Venerable Mi Luo’s eyes. He countered, “Why haven’t you?”
“Entering the Immortal Realm or not… it makes no difference to me,” Ye Xu replied lightly.
“You needn’t doubt. Beyond that vortex… it truly is the Immortal Realm.”
Ye Xu added another sentence.
Emperor Venerable Mi Luo’s body shuddered; his expression was one of utter shock.
“How do you know?”
“The human ancestor said so himself,” Ye Xu stated with a slight smile.
“Is this truly accurate?”
Ye Xu nodded.
Simultaneously thrilled and astonished, Emperor Venerable Mi Luo realized a path to immortality confirmed by the human ancestor could hold no deception.
“Daoist Friend Ye, thank you for your insight.”
Emperor Venerable Mi Luo expressed his gratitude. “If a day comes when we meet again, I shall repay you.”
With all his doubts erased about the destination across the vortex, Emperor Venerable Mi Luo prepared to act.
“Farewell.”
Ye Xu watched as Emperor Venerable Mi Luo walked into the vortex.
He slowly turned around.
After today, the top-tier powerhouses of the Mortal World would vanish, creating a chasm. This would inevitably lead once more to a violent storm and bloody rain.