Volume 1 Chapter 12

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Volume 1 Chapter 12: The Immortal’s Departure

Just as Xu Qingfan hurried to the main hall of Changchun Residence, he discovered that the flowers, grass, and trees that had been lush for over ten years around the hall had withered away without him realizing it! What made him even more anxious was that two long white silk ribbons and several white flowers were hanging at the entrance of the main hall!

These are things that only appear when someone has died and a mourning hall is set up!

Could it be that someone has died in Changchun Residence?

Xu Qingfan’s heart began to race with panic.

Because Lu Huayan longed for immortality and was naturally reclusive, only four people lived in Changchun Residence: Xu Qingfan, his master Lu Huayan, his senior brother Yue Qingru, and the newly arrived junior brother Nangong Qingshan.

It shouldn’t be Nangong Qingshan who died; he had just turned twenty. His practice of "The Formula of Wither and Flourish," after several revisions by Lu Huayan, was now quite different from what Xu Qingfan practiced and much safer. Moreover, even if he had died, his status couldn’t justify hanging three long white ribbons at the door.

Could it be senior brother Yue Qingru? That also seems unlikely. Although Yue Qingru was now one hundred twenty-five years old, with his current late stage of the Inedia Stage cultivation, he had not yet reached the limits of life. Additionally, he practiced the "Changchun Grand Method," said to be the strongest in vitality, and as he was well-read, he understood health preservation. Logically, he shouldn’t pass away so soon.

Could it be the master? Xu Qingfan suddenly recalled Yue Qingru saying that the trees around Changchun Residence were planted by the master’s wife two hundred years ago. The reason they remained so lush until now was all due to his master Lu Huayan nourishing them with his abundant Wood-type Spirit Qi. But now, looking around, there was not a trace of vitality in those giant trees. Remembering how old and frail his master looked before his retreat, Xu Qingfan’s heart became unsettled. Yet, he instinctively refused to believe it.

"My master has profound skills; how could he easily die?" Xu Qingfan tried to comfort himself, holding back his panic. Yet, thinking of how aged Lu Huayan appeared last time, the ominous feeling in his heart grew stronger and stronger.

Thinking of this, Xu Qingfan no longer dared to think further. Hesitating, he walked towards the hall, wanting to deny the bad thoughts in his mind, yet afraid that the truth would be as terrible as he feared.

But when Xu Qingfan entered the main hall, what he saw made his heart sink. He saw a purple wooden coffin placed in the center of the hall, while his senior brother Yue Qingru, dressed in white, was arranging the decorations with a sorrowful expression. His junior brother Nangong Qingshan was lighting white candles beside the coffin. Next to the coffin stood a strong old man, who also had a face full of grief.

Behind the coffin, there was a spirit tablet inscribed with the words "The Position of Jiuhua Gate Lu Huayan" in large characters!

Seeing all this, Xu Qingfan felt a great noise ringing in his head, and his eyes stared blankly at the tablet, frozen in place.

Lu Huayan, his powerful master, the one who had given him hope in desperate times, was gone?

Xu Qingfan could not believe his eyes, but the truth before him left no room for doubt. He wished he were dreaming, but since he began cultivating, he hadn’t dreamed in a long time.

"Master…" Xu Qingfan unconsciously took one step after another towards the coffin in the center of the hall. Inside the coffin, Lu Huayan lay quietly, his face aged and colorless, lacking the usual dignity and solemnity. He knelt slowly before Lu Huayan’s coffin, wanting to say something, but choked up and could not speak.

When Xu Qingfan first became Lu Huayan’s disciple, he had various negative thoughts about him due to the experiments Lu Huayan had conducted on him and felt some reluctance. But after ten years of companionship, under Lu Huayan’s teaching and care, the dissatisfaction he had at the beginning had long disappeared, leaving only deep respect and love for his master.

It was Lu Huayan who saved him from despair, personally bringing him into the cultivation world. The serious expression on his face when carefully guiding his practice, the smile on his lips when bestowing magical tools, felt like it was just yesterday. Remembering those moments was still so vivid, but now, he was really gone?

Xu Qingfan had experienced life and death before, because a Nine-leafed Spirit Mushroom and a Blue-eyed Cloud-hoofed Beast had destroyed his home, killing all his family members, including his parents. But since he did not see it with his own eyes, though his heart was sad, he could still control it.

But now, seeing his master die right before his eyes and remembering his parents and family who had died many years ago, Xu Qingfan could no longer control his grief.

"You came too late, second junior brother; you couldn’t see master one last time," said his senior brother Yue Qingru, his voice full of sorrow as Xu Qingfan couldn’t help but choke up.

"When did master pass away?" Xu Qingfan asked, holding back his pain.

"Last night at the hour of Shen. Not long after you entered closed-door training, master said he had no more time, so he decided to forcefully practice ‘The Formula of Wither and Flourish,’ and as a result, Qi deviation…" Yue Qingru said, his voice starting to choke up as well.

"Why didn’t you come to tell me?"

"As soon as I discovered master’s Qi deviation, I hurried to find the elders in the sect for help, but it was too late. Right before master passed away, I wanted to bring you to see him one last time, but master said you were at a crucial moment in your training and should not be disturbed," Yue Qingru replied.

Hearing this, Xu Qingfan could no longer hold back his deep sorrow, and without realizing it, two streams of tears slowly fell down his cheeks.

"Did master leave any last words before he went?" Xu Qingfan thought about everything involving his master, fell silent for a long while, and suddenly looked up and asked Yue Qingru.

"Before he passed away, Master said he was tired and that he had seen through everything." When Yue Qingru said this, he could no longer hold back and began to cry, covering his face. An elderly man with white hair crying made the atmosphere in the memorial hall even more sorrowful.

"Did Master really see through everything?" Xu Qingfan murmured softly. Hearing Yue Qingru’s words, Xu Qingfan suddenly felt a little better. "That’s good; it’s good to understand. I suppose Master left in peace."

Ever since Xu Qingfan met Lu Huayan, he felt he was always trying to find ways to achieve immortality. He explored every method and used any means necessary. Being naturally reserved, he even took on students at the last moment just to test the effects of the incomplete scroll, "The Formula of Wither and Flourish." Sometimes, Xu Qingfan could clearly see the exhaustion and weariness in Lu Huayan’s eyes.

Many times, Xu Qingfan wondered if Master had given too much for immortality. When he finally realized he had gained nothing, would he feel an overwhelming despair? Thankfully, in the end, Lu Huayan managed to let go and understand. This brought Xu Qingfan great comfort. At least, Master did not leave with a heavy heart.

"Are you Xu Qingfan, Huayan’s disciple?" The elder, who had been standing quietly by the coffin, suddenly asked gently.

Only then did Xu Qingfan notice the elder standing in front of Lu Huayan’s coffin. He was tall and broad, with a kind expression and a gentle tone, exuding the presence of a wise elder.

Hearing the elder refer to Lu Huayan as ‘Huayan,’ Xu Qingfan realized that this elder was not only close to his Master Lu Huayan but also of the same generation. So, after hearing the elder’s question, Xu Qingfan controlled his grief and quickly stood up to respectfully reply, "I am Xu Qingfan. May I ask, what is your name, senior?"

"My name is Xiao Huazhe, and I am Huayan’s senior brother," the elder replied calmly.

"Disciple greets martial uncle." Hearing the elder say this, Xu Qingfan hurriedly bowed in respect.

"Yes, Huayan said before he left that I should take his place and fulfill his promise to you." Xiao Huazhe nodded to Xu Qingfan, seeming satisfied with his politeness, and then spoke gently.

"The promise from my master?" Xu Qingfan replied with confusion, unable to remember any promises Lu Huayan had made to him, feeling a deep sadness.

"Huayan said that because he made you practice ‘The Formula of Wither and Flourish’ so hard, your abilities are not as strong as those of other cultivators. Even with magical tools, your power is still weak. He said that if your strength couldn’t help you avenge your people, he would personally take care of that Blue-eyed Cloud-hoofed Beast for you. That was his promise to you. But now he is gone, and before he left, he wanted me to fulfill that promise for him."

When Xu Qingfan heard the elder’s words, memories of his first meeting with Master Lu Huayan flooded his mind, and the sadness he had barely held back burst forth again.

"Master!" Xu Qingfan knelt again before Lu Huayan’s coffin and bowed three times deeply, grateful that Lu Huayan had still thought of his family’s vengeance at the end of his life.

"The deceased is gone, and you should not be too sad. Since Huayan said he understood everything before he died, he must have left peacefully. Though he will enter the cycle of rebirth again, he is free from the burden of immortality, which is not a bad thing. You, as his disciples, should be happy for him," Xiao Huazhe comforted the kneeling Xu Qingfan and Yue Qingru, who had been crying, while glancing disapprovingly at Nangong Qingshan, who had been watching coldly.

"Yes, I understand, senior." Xu Qingfan replied, still kneeling before Lu Huayan’s coffin.

Before Xiao Huazhe could say more, his expression suddenly changed slightly, and he coldly said, "Someone is coming."

Just as Xu Qingfan and the others were puzzled by Xiao Huazhe’s words in the mourning hall, a commanding and powerful voice suddenly echoed, filling the entire Jiuhua Mountain.

"The Sect Master has arrived."