The Forbidden Path to Immortality-Chapter 243

The coughing finally died down. Li Xun started to speak, but the Underworld Flame Yama waved him off. Then he sagged into the chair, all slack and leaking breath, like a busted bellows. His throat felt empty, hollowed out.

Off to the side, Yin Jin let out a sigh, fished a jade bottle from her chest, and poured out a few pills, handing them over. Li Xun’s eyelids twitched watching.

If he wasn’t mistaken, these pills should be Corpse Pills, right? Stuff that’s as deadly as it is life-extending.

Maybe noticing his look, Yin Jin pinched her thin lips and let out a weary, dragged-out sigh.

“He’s been using this stuff to keep himself alive for thirty years now. No one knows how much longer it’ll work… Truth is, half his body barely listens to him anymore. Life like that... it’s rough.”

“The Sect Master has dedicated his whole life to the sect. I truly admire him,” Li Xun said quietly, bowing to the Underworld Flame Yama.

At last, he understood. If the Underworld Flame Yama were to die, there’d be no one left who could hold everything together. People like him… there just aren’t many in this world.

“I didn’t call you here to admire me,” the Underworld Flame Yama said, his voice weaker now. If Li Xun hadn’t been listening closely, he might not have caught it.

But Li Xun could see it clearly: in the Underworld Flame Yama’s sunken eyes, tiny sparks still flickered. They looked ready to go out at any moment, yet somehow, you couldn’t bring yourself to underestimate him. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

The two of them locked eyes. This time, it was the Underworld Flame Yama who looked away first. Staring into the gray, lifeless surface of the water mirror, he murmured, “Bishui and Junior Sister Yan are both beyond change now. But you, your time hasn’t come yet. You are the future of the Shadow-Devouring Soul Sect.

“Bishui bears a growing grudge against you. He’s narrow-minded, can’t tolerate anyone... never mind. As for Junior Sister Yan, she’s your master in name and still relies on you quite a bit. Tell me, will you help her?”

This wasn’t something a sect leader should say to a disciple. It was a blunt division of interests. If the Underworld Flame Yama truly meant it, Bishui was already out of the game.

Li Xun folded his hands, stayed silent for a moment, then finally said, “It’s my duty.”

“Good.” The Underworld Flame Yama let out a long breath, as if a great weight had been lifted from him. “I know you have your own thoughts about all this. I’ll hold on a while longer. Go back, take some time to think things through, settle your mind. When you’re ready, come see me again.

“When that time comes, I’ll tell you about certain secret vaults and hidden records. Things only the sect master is allowed to know. And if you ever intend to compete for the position of sect master yourself… what, am I wrong?”

Li Xun couldn’t hide the strange look that crossed his face. He opened his mouth, wanted to speak… and found he had no idea what to say. He turned to look at Yin Jin, only to find her eyes half closed, already dozing off.

He frowned. “You sound awfully sure things will end up that way, Sect Master.”

“You’ve never thought about it yourself?”

“No,” Li Xun replied calmly. “At least, not right now.”

“The saying ‘when the birds are gone, the bow is put away.’ I don’t need to explain that to you, do I? Even if that weren’t the case, with the speed of your cultivation, a hundred years from now, do you really think Junior Sister Yan would still be able to control you?”

The Underworld Flame Yama spoke like he was talking about the weather. So casually, it made your skin crawl. “Of course, the ideal outcome would be for Junior Sister Yan to lead the sect, and for you to fill in the gaps and balance her out. That would be… harmonious.

“It’s a pity, really... most things in this world don’t go the way we want. Eight or nine times out of ten, they don’t. So it’s always wise to think a few steps ahead.”

Li Xun looked at him, then suddenly smiled and shook his head. “You’re right about that. But now that we’re on the subject… there is something I’d like to ask for your help with, Sect Master.”

“Go on.”

“How do I get to the Yin-Transforming Pool?”

…

“Old fox!”

Li Xun strode out of the underground hall, sweeping away the annoying mist outside. He moved a little too forcefully, and a few ducks by the lake squawked in alarm, flapping off toward the center.

He sure as hell didn’t feel like he’d gotten away with anything.

So far, he still couldn’t sniff out any real conspiracy, but the way the Underworld Flame Yama had steered every conversation and quietly took control of the situation... it's like being sliced up by a soft knife. And how many cuts had Li Xun taken without realizing? And of course, he wore that “I’m only doing this for your own good” face “I won’t be around much longer” look. Made Li Xun furious… and utterly unable to do a damn thing about it.

“Damn old fox!”

He couldn’t help muttering it again. Back then, he’d been thrown off balance by Yama’s show of openhearted sincerity, but once he’d had a little time to breathe, his head cleared soon enough.

No matter what state the Underworld Flame Yama was in now, or what he truly thought of him, there was no way that old fox, who’d managed to hold the reins of the sect with a broken body, would bet everything on one person. He’d never take the “I’m leaving it all to you, do as you see fit” approach. Impossible.

So then…

Suddenly, Li Xun sensed something. He abandoned his thoughts and looked up.

Through the drifting fog, a faint silhouette stood across the lake. Someone seemed to be watching him.

He paused for a heartbeat, then a smile curved across his face. He nodded toward the figure and, almost like strolling through a garden, walked across the lake. “Senior Sister Cai’er,” he called with a cheerful lilt, “what an honor, you came all this way just to wait for me?”

The figure across the lake was none other than Yan Cai’er.

Normally, Li Xun had two ways of addressing her. When he called her “Senior Sister Yan,” it meant business. But when he used her given name, “Cai’er,” like he did now, that was meant to rile her a little.

Yan Cai’er could tell the difference, of course. She snorted, ready to snap back with something, but the words stalled on her lips. After a brief hesitation, she changed tack. “Mm… Master asked me to tell you that your friend’s been settled at the Liuxin Pavilion. She’s with her right now, keeping her company.”

She gestured for him to follow. The two of them started walking at an easy pace.

Li Xun could sense that something in her manner had changed. Maybe it was because of what had happened recently, or perhaps it was Madam Yan’s guidance... but Cai’er wasn’t speaking as freely as she used to. It didn’t fit her usual temperament, sounded a little off… but Li Xun didn’t think much of it.

he said, “That Li woman’s got quite the temper. Strange one, really. Even Madam might get a headache dealing with her. Still, her cultivation is impressive. If we play it right and win her over, she could turn out to be a real asset to Madam’s cause.”

“Oh? That your idea?” Yan Cai’er just couldn't stay composed for long. She shot Li Xun a sideways glance. “Well, well… it’s rare these days to see you sweating so much over Master.”

Li Xun brushed it off with a half-smile. “The sect’s situation worsens by the day; none of us can just stand aside. If even you can’t stay out of it, Senior Sister Cai’er, what makes you think I can?”

Yan Cai’er snorted and let it go. “Fine, fine,” she said offhandedly. “So what have you been up to lately?”

“Plans?” Li Xun echoed. “Ah, yes… I’m planning to go into seclusion for a while.”

“Seclusion?”

Yan Cai’er’s eyes widened in surprise. Li Xun smiled. “That’s right. I’ve been running around nonstop these past few years. Too many things left half-done. Lately I can feel my foundation starting to waver, and that’s never a good sign. Better to take the time now to steady myself while I still can.”

“That’s the right path. True progress in cultivation comes from that!”

Those weren’t Yan Cai’er’s words.

Li Xun turned to see Madam Yan emerging from the grove, walking side by side with Shui Die Lan. It was she who had just spoken.

When Madam Yan appeared, Yan Cai’er quickly called out, “Master!” and hurried over, standing obediently behind her.

Smart girl, Li Xun thought with a slight smile. She knew her place well. He nodded and greeted, “Madam.”

Madam Yan was chatting easily with Shui Die Lan, all smiles. Not the quiet, composed side Li Xun was used to seeing.

After acknowledging them both with a nod, she turned to Yan Cai’er, still smiling. “Cai’er, this is something you should learn from Hundred Ghosts. Our sect’s methods may not follow the rigid, step-by-step ways of the orthodox sects, but we must never neglect our foundation. Even as Hundred Ghosts advances in cultivation, he takes care to strengthen his base. That mindset, in itself, puts him well ahead of you.”

What could Yan Cai’er say? She just mumbled a quiet “mm” and turned away, shooting Li Xun a glare over her shoulder. Li Xun only smiled in response.

Shui Die Lan stood with her hands behind her back, lips curved in a faint, almost mocking smile. Their eyes met for an instant before both looked away.

Madam Yan turned to Li Xun. “It’s good that you’re planning to go into seclusion. Still, these are troubled times. You must think everything through carefully.”

“You’re absolutely right, Madam,” Li Xun replied with a smile. “That’s why this time, my retreat won’t last long. And as for where I’ll do it… it won’t be at Ghost Gate Lake.”

“Oh?”

“Ghost Gate Lake’s too unstable; you know how it is. The Sect Master’s health gets worse by the day, and when profit’s on the line, there’s no telling when some fool might show up looking for trouble. Better to be cautious. So, I’m planning to go to Tenghua Valley instead.”

“That is a good place,” Madam Yan replied thoughtfully, her eyes distant with calculation.

Li Xun’s plan wasn’t what she’d expected. No doubt she didn’t want to lose someone as useful as him, especially now, when her fight for power was entering a critical stage.

But Li Xun was confident she couldn’t refuse. After all, Tenghua Valley had been the foundation of Madam Yan’s influence for centuries. It was the heart of her power. With him stationed there, using his unmatched mastery of forbidden techniques, the valley would become an unbreakable fortress.

“How long will you need?” she finally asked.

Her question was as good as a yes, and Li Xun seized the moment. “No more than a hundred days,” he said quickly. “Maybe even less.”

For cultivators who measured time in centuries, a hundred days in seclusion was nothing. Madam Yan had no real objection. She nodded slowly.

“A hundred days might be a bit short,” she said after a pause. “Since it’s a closed-door cultivation, don’t rush it. But remember, the ancestral ceremony next year is of great importance. You must be present. As long as you finish your cultivation before then, that will do.”

Li Xun’s heart gave a slight jolt. He glanced at her, catching the subtle shift in her expression, then simply nodded. “Of course,” he said.

Seeing that Li Xun knew when to stop pushing, Madam Yan looked quite pleased. Then she turned to Shui Die Lan. “Daoist Li, while the Hundred Ghosts Sect is in seclusion, you…”

“I’ve no interest in keeping him company,” Shui Die Lan interrupted. “Might as well take the chance to look around. The Shadow-Devouring Soul Sect should have plenty of hidden palaces and secret chambers. Perfect for a bit of exploration.”

She spoke nonchalantly, but who in their right mind would dare let someone with unknown strength like her just wander around for fun?

A slight look of unease crossed Madam Yan’s face. And Li Xun caught it immediately. He gave a small cough and said, “Madam Li, might I have a word with you in private?”