Chapter 63: Reunion

Upon entering the bamboo forest, the surroundings became significantly quieter.

As usual, Chen Luo approached the bamboo house, where a group of named disciples had been waiting for him.

The young man with a jade belt is likely a Zongshi; calluses on his thumb suggest he may specialize in using a blade, based on the angle.

The woman on the far right is the eldest daughter from Shanghe Town’s Ouyang Family. The pouch at her waist bears the Ouyang family crest, indicating her age and rank.

Not only had Chen Luo improved, but even his external minds underwent significant changes. From this distance, they observed details previously unnoticed. With just one glance, several keen-minded external brains swiftly analyzed the backgrounds and origins of these disciples.

“Elder Brother Chen.”

As soon as the named disciples saw Chen Luo enter, they rose to greet him.

“Senior Brother, have you embarked on the Dao?”

A few perceptive named disciples noticed the change in Chen Luo, with the eldest daughter of the Ouyang Family directly asking about it.

“Just fortunate enough to take a step ahead,” Chen Luo nodded in response.

His words elicited expressions of shock and envy among all the named disciples.

Tian Yonglu, the named disciple who had entered the bamboo forest with Chen Luo, felt this disparity most acutely. His temperament and character had significantly changed; he no longer held himself arrogantly or spoke excessively. It seemed the experiences within the bamboo forest, likely due to his interactions with fellow disciples, had humbled him.

“Congratulations, Elder Brother.”

Everyone bowed respectfully towards Chen Luo.

This was truly entering the Way! In their understanding, once someone entered the Way, they became akin to an ‘immortal,’ marking the beginning of transcending the mundane world.

With a smile, Chen Luo acknowledged their gestures of respect and began today’s lecture. After achieving entry into the Way, teaching became even more effortless. Delivering the same content using true essence made it remarkably easier for them to comprehend.

To these named disciples, there now appeared little difference between Chen Luo and Longevity Daoist. Their limited perspective could not discern the vast gap between the two, as the levels of cultivation were simply too disparate.

After completing the lesson, Chen Luo traversed the narrow path through the bamboo forest and once again entered the mountain valley where Longevity Daoist was in seclusion.

“You’ve already entered the Way so swiftly?”

Upon entering the valley, Longevity Daoist immediately noticed the change in Chen Luo.

The speed at which Chen Luo entered cultivation completely surpassed his imagination. Based on Longevity Daoist’s estimation, it should have taken Chen Luo at least three days to achieve this milestone.

Guiding Qi into one’s body for the first time often involved potential failures, with very few succeeding on their initial attempt. Typically, after several attempts and learning from these failures, the body gradually adjusted and corrected itself. Subsequently, during subsequent Qi guidance, practitioners would utilize the Qi Refinement Arts to enhance their cultivation progress.

“During your entry into cultivation, how much of the Qi Refinement Art did you employ?”

”…Can the Qi Refinement Art be used in segments?” Chen Luo asked, perplexed.

This question left Longevity Daoist momentarily speechless.

Did I not follow the correct method when entering cultivation myself?

“You utilized the complete Qi Refinement Art on your first attempt?!”

“That’s not how it’s supposed to be practiced?”

“Forget it.”

Longevity Daoist decided against further questioning; he feared doubting his entire understanding if he continued.

“You’ve arrived earlier than expected. The channel won’t open for a few more days, and my two old friends are still en route.”

Feeling slightly overwhelmed, Longevity Daoist pondered briefly before instructing Chen Luo to bring out the Records of a Hundred Immortals. He then began teaching him the second immortal script.

Time flowed swiftly, and three days passed in the blink of an eye.

As agreed, Longevity Daoist’s two old friends arrived at the mountain valley, accompanied by five young qi refiners. Similar to Chen Luo, these individuals were disciples taken under the tutelage of the seasoned qi refiners.

“Old ghost Changqing, haven’t you managed to find any disciples again?” asked a qi refiner clad in fiery red robes, entering the valley with laughter.

“It wouldn’t surprise me; this old fellow’s standards are too high. He deserves to go without apprentices for life,” teased a blue-robed female cultivator, joining in the jest. Their jovial banter revealed their close camaraderie.

“Jade Bamboo Fairy, Heartflame Old Ghost, it’s about time you both arrived.”

Interrupting his lesson on immortal script, Longevity Daoist rose from his seat and headed towards the entrance to greet them. Chen Luo followed suit, sensing that the moment to open the Great Mausoleum had arrived.

During these past three days, he had found an opportunity to visit Third Uncle and his parents. Besides leaving them a sum of money, he used spiritual energy to cleanse their bodies’ impurities. Additionally, he entrusted several named disciples from the academy to look after them.

With these worldly matters settled, there was less cause for concern.

With the connections he had established, the people of Chen Village would now live prosperously, and his little sister would no longer endure hardships.

News of Chen Luo becoming a qi refiner had already spread among Yue Kingdom’s elite, leading to the emperor bestowing upon him the title of Immortal Master of Yue. This honor brought glory, wealth, and privilege to his parents and Third Uncle, effectively elevating their social status.

In many ways, the world is often this straightforward. What one struggles relentlessly for at the bottom can be resolved with just a word after ascending to a higher class.

“Come, come, let me introduce you both to someone remarkable. Meet my newly accepted disciple, Chen Luo—a true prodigy among prodigies!” Longevity Daoist, seemingly excited during his conversation with two old friends, abruptly pulled Chen Luo over.

“Greetings, uncle-masters,” Chen Luo bowed respectfully to them and then exchanged introductions with the disciples standing behind them.

“Already on the path of cultivation, quite impressive.”

Daoist Heartflame, clad in red robes, nodded with a smile and presented Chen Luo with a token of greeting - a sealed spirit stone.

“To catch the eye of our esteemed Daoist brother Changqing, he must indeed be extraordinary.”

The Jade Bamboo Fairy also gifted Chen Luo a token, which turned out to be a talisman. Surprisingly, she was a talisman master! Although it was only a basic Mind-Clearing Talisman, such treasures were rare even in the Yue Kingdom.

“Let’s go. After waiting for so many years, this day has finally arrived.”

Daoist Heartflame stood up, signaling the end of their casual conversation.

“You’ve packed everything, right?” Jade Bamboo Fairy asked, seeking reassurance.

“Naturally, I wouldn’t forget.” Longevity Daoist patted the nearby iron chest, indicating they had nothing to worry about.

With all preparations complete, the trio wasted no more time and departed.

Upon exiting the mountain valley, Chen Luo spotted three horse-drawn carriages parked outside, laden with numerous boxes, bags, and luggage, as if they were moving house.

This sight instantly shattered his lofty impression of these immortal masters, bringing it crashing down from its pedestal.

‘They actually traveled here by carriage; no wonder it took them several days.’

After giving it some thought, he understood. Both Longevity Daoist and his two friends were merely low-level qi refiners. While Longevity Daoist was stronger at the third level of Qi Refinement, his uncle-masters’ cultivation bases were one level lower, only reaching the second level. With such capabilities, aerial flight was not feasible for them.

“Elder Brother Chen, when did you become an apprentice? Three years ago, when I visited, Uncle-Master Longevity was still alone,” said one of the five young disciples, clearly intrigued by Chen Luo.

This wasn’t their first visit to Longevity Daoist; previously, whenever they accompanied their master here, he was always alone. Named disciples did not have the privilege to enter the mountain valley, so they initially assumed it would be the same this time. To their surprise, there was now another disciple, Chen Luo, piquing their curiosity.

What kind of aptitude could pass the stringent test set by the rigid Longevity Daoist?

“I became his disciple not long ago.”

Just three years earlier, Chen Luo was still working as a grave digger in Qingya County, living in a completely different world compared to these young immortal elders’ disciples. Now, he found himself casually chatting with them inside a carriage—a testament to life’s unpredictable encounters. Indeed, no one can foresee what tomorrow may bring.

As they conversed along the way, they grew more familiar with each other.

Once the carriage left the mountain valley’s perimeter, it continued westward.

Looking back, Chen Luo realized that Longevity Daoist’s secluded abode was actually situated outside White Dragon City. The entire valley was concealed by a formation, showcasing one of Longevity Daoist’s few notable accomplishments.

The carriage swayed gently, soon reaching West Mountain.

The path ahead felt increasingly familiar.

“Could it possibly be that ancient tomb frequented by tomb raiders?” A ludicrous thought crossed Chen Luo’s mind.