Chapter 157: Transformation

Upon receiving his nephew, Chen Dahe was overjoyed and momentarily forgot about his burial duty. Leaving his three apprentices behind, he eagerly pulled Chen Luo towards Chen Village.

Beyond the mountain forest lay a lush emerald wheat field. Under the warm breeze, the swaying grains resembled ocean waves, creating a magnificent sight. At the entrance, officials from Qingya County, informed of their arrival, were waiting patiently.

With Chen Luo flying on his sword, anyone from Qingya County who wasn’t blind would undoubtedly spot him.

“Aiyo, Third Uncle, why did you go burying bodies again?”

A middle-aged man dressed in official robes hurried forward, his tone more affectionate than addressing his own father.

“Move aside, I’m quite busy today, Third Uncle!”

Third Uncle had no time to entertain these people; all he wanted was to bring his nephew back to the village. The old patriarch’s health deteriorated each year, and seeing his eldest grandson before departing this world would surely bring him great comfort.

“Immortal Master Chen, Third Uncle’s temper…” The county magistrate approached with a fawning expression, feigning disappointment.

He rushed here hastily, fearing that Chen Luo might misunderstand.

“No worries.”

Chen Luo shook his head, fully aware of the magistrate’s concerns.

“I’ve prepared a banquet at the Green Cloud Pavilion…”

“That won’t be necessary.”

Chen Luo declined his invitation. He had no desire to waste time on trivial matters. At this stage, he scarcely cared about ordinary people, be they county magistrates or common folk; all were equal in his eyes.

“In that case, I shall not disturb you further.”

Hearing this, the county magistrate promptly retreated.

This was an Immortal Master, far beyond his reach. His primary concern was avoiding offense; as for ingratiating himself, it wasn’t yet within his league.

After dismissing the group of officials, Chen Luo and Third Uncle climbed onto the donkey cart, swaying like any other villagers as they made their way towards Chen Village.

Chen Luo could have flown back with his uncle, but he chose not to, respecting Third Uncle’s usual habits.

“Your father has certainly prospered these past years. Someone from the capital came and bestowed upon him the title of Marquis. He took your mother there, becoming a high-ranking official. Now, he rarely returns. According to the younger folks in the village, your father remarried twice and added three more siblings to the family,” Third Uncle chattered incessantly about the changes over the last five years as they rode in the donkey cart.

Five years is ample time for significant transformations.

Listening to Third Uncle’s chatter, Chen Luo felt transported back to many years ago when his uncle first took him up the mountain to bury bodies. Back then, just like now, they had traveled in a similar small donkey cart.

The journey back to the village was not long.

Following the winding dirt road, the donkey cart slowly entered the village.

It looked just as Chen Luo remembered: low mud walls with bamboo fences nearby, and small paths filled with puddles from recent rain that had yet to dry up completely. A large yellow dog, presumably belonging to one of the villagers, barked fiercely at the approaching donkey cart.

This familiar sight brought a sense of calm over Chen Luo.

Here was where he grew up.

As soon as they entered the village, someone greeted Third Uncle.

“Hey! Isn’t it Third Master Chen? Back again? Are you off to see Widow Tian?” The speaker was Aunt Ma, a distant relative of Chen Luo’s age, dressed in coarse clothing while plucking feathers from chickens. Her words carried a teasing tone, reflecting the typical assertiveness of rural women.

“Nonsense! Who would be interested in Widow Tian?” Third Uncle blushed, feeling embarrassed in front of his nephew and eager to regain some dignity.

“If you’re not interested, then why were you scaling her wall late at night?” Aunt Ma continued her jesting, leaving the thick-skinned Third Master Chen visibly defeated.

“Who’s behind you there? This handsome young man seems unfamiliar.” Only now did Aunt Ma notice Chen Luo on the other side of the donkey cart.

Today, Chen Luo wore a light blue robe. Although made of ordinary fabric, it shimmered with spiritual energy, remaining untouched by dust—a clear sign that he was no ordinary person.

“Ma Aunt, it’s me, Chen Luo,” he greeted as he jumped down from the donkey cart.

“Chen Luo, the Immortal Master from the Chen family?” Ma Aunt was taken aback and immediately set down the freshly slaughtered hen, her demeanor becoming noticeably more reserved than before.

In Chen Village, Chen Luo’s status as a cultivator was no longer a secret. The entire village had benefited greatly from his favors, including Ma Aunt’s household. In the past, they could hardly afford to eat an old hen, reserving such luxuries only for special occasions or holidays. Now, these delicacies were part of their everyday fare, reflecting a significant change in their circumstances.

“Aren’t you supposed to be cultivating?”

Ma Aunt cautiously asked, her tone markedly softer compared to earlier, almost unrecognizable.

“Just came back to visit,” Chen Luo replied with a smile.

Meanwhile, Third Uncle Chen, tired of engaging with this assertive woman, grabbed his nephew and headed straight for the Chen family residence.

After Chen Luo began his immortal cultivation, Third Uncle arranged for the renovation of the ancestral Chen home. Now, it stood as the most impressive dwelling in all of Chen Village. Upon arrival, Chen Luo found the old patriarch sitting in the courtyard, basking in the sunlight.

“Look who I brought back, old man,” Third Uncle Chen announced loudly as soon as he entered.

Patriarch Chen’s attention snapped to his grandson, his face filled with excitement. Holding Chen Luo, they reminisced about countless childhood memories.

Chen Luo subtly assessed the patriarch’s condition.

His days were numbered.

A profound sense of emotion welled up within him.

Birth, aging, sickness, and death - these are the natural course of life.

Later that night, observing the sleeping Patriarch, Chen Luo discreetly left two Blood Nourishing Pills in the room. With the patriarch’s vitality nearly depleted, the pills could only slow down the inevitable but not extend his lifespan.

“You’re leaving already?” Chen Dahe suddenly spoke up.

“I thought you were asleep?” Chen Luo was taken aback; earlier, he had checked on Third Uncle, whose steady breathing indicated he should have been asleep.

“What secrets can a young lad like you keep from me?” Third Uncle wore an expression that conveyed his deep understanding of Chen Luo.

“I’m planning to visit the capital first and then check on my masters.” As Chen Luo looked at his visibly aged third uncle, a realization dawned upon him.

From the moment he embarked on the path of immortal cultivation, he ceased being an ordinary person.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator enjoys a lifespan of five hundred years. Witnessing countless events can harden one’s heart. His master on Wu Dao Peak, Daoist Wuwei, remained indifferent to the fate of ordinary disciples not out of apathy but due to having seen too much.

“Go ahead.”

Third Uncle patted Chen Luo, his gesture akin to a concerned elder’s advice.

“Don’t forget to take some of what I left behind; share it with the old patriarch as well.”

“I will,” Chen Luo assured him.

Interrupting Chen Luo’s unnecessary words, Third Uncle added, “Be cautious out there. Although I don’t know much about the cultivation world, whether it’s pursuing immortality or venturing into the jianghu, preserving your life is paramount. Remember those travelers we buried, each with their own dreams.”

“Only by living do you have a tomorrow.”

Chen Luo fell silent, reflecting on the wisdom imparted by his third uncle, which was also the most valuable lesson he had learned from him.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

With these parting words, Chen Luo did not linger any longer. With a flick of his sleeve, the magical sword emerged and carried him away, transforming into a streak of light disappearing into the night.

“An immortal! Who would’ve thought my nephew, young Chen, could become an immortal.”

Standing in the courtyard, Third Uncle remained silent for a long while.

In the capital city,

lights shone brightly everywhere.

It felt like another world compared to the darkness of Chen Village at night. Hovering above, Chen Luo gazed down upon the bustling canal below. Decorated pleasure boats, adorned with lanterns, formed a serpentine line along the river. On these vessels, courtesans performed enchantingly, their music echoing through the air, captivating the visitors. Wealthy merchants lavished fortunes here, while scholars and poets enacted tales of heartbreak one after another.

Compared to the outside cultivation realm, the Yue Kingdom seemed more grounded.

There were indeed cultivators here, but they were all in the early stages of Qi Refining, having minimal impact on the mortal kingdom. Everything operated according to the empire’s established rules.

After a brief moment, Chen Luo used his divine sense to locate his father, Chen Dachuan, within a particular courtyard.

As he approached, waves of animated conversation reached him from inside.

“Lord Chen, a spot has been reserved at the academy. As soon as your son reaches the appropriate age, he can enroll immediately.”

“Wonderful! Many thanks, Duke Qin.”

Chen Luo stood above the Chen Manor, concealed by dark clouds.

Below, a banquet was underway, and his father, Chen Dachuan, appeared vastly different from Chen Luo’s memories. He sat at the head of the table, adorned in luxurious attire, with numerous people offering him toasts. Two individuals of similar status were seated beside him.

Witnessing his father basking in prosperity, Chen Luo felt a sudden sense of emptiness.

Birth, aging, sickness, death; wealth and honor—

All fleeting like mist.

Only immortality endures forever.

“Daddy, I want a sugar figurine.”

“Waaah!”

Hearing these two voices, Chen Luo turned to see his younger sister as he remembered her. The last time he visited home, she would only cry incessantly, dressed in tattered clothes. Now, she had grown into a young lady, wearing opulent garments and adorned with vibrant hairpins, resembling a maiden from a wealthy household. Nearby, there was a baby lying in a rocking chair, its cries echoing moments ago.

‘A boy?’

Chen Luo descended discreetly from the sky. Recalling what his third uncle mentioned earlier, that their father had remarried twice, this little boy must be the child of one of those marriages.

This was reassuring; he could now leave with peace of mind.

The once crying infant, upon seeing Chen Luo, suddenly displayed a curious expression and reached out with chubby hands, as if wanting his elder brother to hold him.

Chen Luo extended his index finger and gently touched the baby’s forehead.

With a slight perception, he discovered that this younger sibling also possessed spiritual roots, albeit not particularly impressive ones. A mixed seven-attribute spirit root, considered among the weakest aptitudes.

“Since we’re brothers, let me bestow some fortune upon you.”

Chen Luo took out a spirit stone, channeled his magical power through it, and then tapped the infant’s forehead again. Warm energy flowed into the baby’s body, causing him to burst into joyful laughter, feeling akin to being tickled.

“The little master is smiling!”

Seeing the young lord’s happiness, the bustling group of elderly maidservants joined in laughter as well.

Retracting his hand, Chen Luo continued strolling around the Chen Manor.

Next, Chen Luo visited his other two younger sisters and checked on his mother as well as their two aunties. Everyone had adapted to life in the capital and were content with their current circumstances.

Not wanting to disturb them further, he briefly stopped by the imperial palace to exchange a few words with the emperor before departing.

The following day, Marquis Wenxian Chen Dachuan received additional honors, reaching unparalleled influence among officials, becoming one of the most influential nobles in the Yue Kingdom.

After leaving the capital, Chen Luo made a visit to Heartflame Palace.

Using the location provided on the spiritual slip, he found Du Jian within the temple.

“Senior Brother, you’ve come.”

Du Jian sat cross-legged, appearing much more mature than before, shedding his youthful innocence for a sense of grown-up composure.

Master Heartflame had passed away three years earlier during his ascension. Du Jian learned this from the new little junior brother, who was taken as Master Heartflame’s disciple after the four original disciples left. This young disciple had not yet completed his entry into cultivation and remained merely a warrior.

“Ascension can indeed be seen as a fortunate event,” Chen Luo remarked while lighting incense for Master Heartflame.

Born within the Great Mausoleum, they missed their best opportunities. For Master Heartflame’s generation, it must have been deeply disheartening. Had they been born outside, with their aptitudes, they might have truly achieved greatness.

“I understand,” Du Jian nodded. After Chen Luo finished placing the incense, he spoke again. “Senior Brother, I don’t plan to leave.”

“You’ve thought this through?”

Chen Luo was not surprised; he had surmised as much from the moment Du Jian entered.

“Everyone should stand by something they believe in. Now, I somewhat comprehend Eldest Apprentice Brother,” Du Jian said earnestly. “Our master founded Heartflame Palace, and I feel compelled to uphold his legacy. Little Junior Brother alone cannot safeguard such a foundation.”

“Cultivation is also about cultivating one’s heart.”

Chen Luo did not try to persuade him further. After conversing briefly with Du Jian, he met the young disciple whom Daoist Heartflame had taken under his wing.

The child appeared quite young, around seven or eight years old.

Sensing his aptitude, Chen Luo discovered that it mirrored his own - mid-grade three spiritual roots. With such a foundation, the boy would undoubtedly be able to embark on the path of cultivation.