I'm Not An Immortal (The Adventure of Jian Chou) - Chapter 10
Chapter 10
The long night had not yet passed.
Fudao Shanren knew that it wouldn’t stop anytime soon.
He leaned against an old tree nearby, sitting down and holding the still-sleeping big white goose in his arms. He gazed at Jianchou, who was deep in her cultivation, his mind still in a daze.
Had he ever seen such talent before?
No, he hadn’t.
There were rumors of people in the world known as “Children of the Dao,” prodigies who were rare and hard to come by on the path of cultivation.
These individuals, because their minds were free of distractions, were naturally close to nature and in harmony with heaven and earth.
If they didn’t step onto the path of cultivation, it was one thing, but once they did, they could progress unimpeded.
A single day of their cultivation was equivalent to a hundred days for others.
As for Jianchou before him…
He had only opened her spiritual eye, allowing her to sense the presence of spiritual energy in the surrounding heaven and earth.
Yet, she had somehow managed to start absorbing and circulating it on her own.
Or rather, it wasn’t that Jianchou had figured it out herself, but that the spiritual energy, the heaven and earth, had taken a liking to her, willingly flowing through her meridians on its own.
Humans and heaven were naturally connected.
But Jianchou’s connection…
Was terrifyingly strong.
As Fudao Shanren thought about this, he couldn’t help but feel a chill run down his spine.
How long had it been since he had seen such a beautiful sight?
Tiny specks of spiritual energy continuously flowed into Jianchou’s body through the acupoints all over her body. After circulating, they scattered out as starlight, landing on the Battle Disk, where they were collected by the Kun lines and then converged into the Tianyuan point at the center.
The Tianyuan point was growing larger.
Ten days to build the foundation?
Fudao Shanren thought of the old monster Hengxu’s disciple and Jianchou’s question about how long it usually took for an ordinary person to build their foundation.
He remembered boasting that his own hundred-day foundation-building was already impressive, but now, with this disciple of his…
Even if she couldn’t build her foundation in ten days, she wouldn’t be far off.
However, there were differences between foundations. If one had the assistance of spiritual medicines or formations, the foundation could be even more perfect. Moreover, their sect was somewhat unique, and if Jianchou built her foundation outside, it might not be ideal.
For now, Fudao Shanren only hoped that Jianchou’s cultivation session wouldn’t last too long. Otherwise, he would have to intervene and stop her.
Starting cultivation without any foundation and without proper guidance, there was a risk of going astray or even suffering a deviation. That would be a lifelong regret for Fudao Shanren.
He had already made up his mind. Once Jianchou finished this session of cultivation, he would immediately take care of that matter and then quickly bring her back to the sect, hoping she could make a breakthrough in one go.
How long had it been?
How long since he had felt such excitement because of one person?
Fudao Shanren couldn’t remember.
Perhaps geniuses were always the most thrilling?
Just like he had been back in the day.
Unconsciously, Fudao Shanren’s thoughts drifted to the past, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
The night continued to deepen.
Beneath Jianchou, the Myriad Phenomenon Battle Disk slowly rotated. In the night sky, the pale moon was hidden, and only the stars dotted the heavens, their light twinkling.
Heaven above and earth below echoed each other.
The stars.
A faint mist seemed to wrap around Jianchou, swirling gently.
At this moment, the Tianyuan point in the center of the Myriad Phenomenon Battle Disk had gradually filled up, reaching the size of a baby’s fist. Inside, it was a chaotic and hazy space, with starlight-like specks of light drifting within, full of vitality, as if alive.
The chirping of insects and birds only emphasized the silence of the place.
Down the mountain, the Qingfeng Temple was also shrouded in darkness, with only a few scattered lights flickering here and there.
No one knew that someone was cultivating here.
The eastern sky gradually began to lighten, and Fudao Shanren’s gaze remained fixed on Jianchou, not wavering for a moment.
The stars in the sky, overshadowed by the gradually brightening dawn, slowly disappeared as the sun rose from the sea.
A line of light suddenly poured out from the distant sea.
At this moment, the Tianyuan point on Jianchou’s Myriad Phenomenon Battle Disk seemed to sense something. It trembled violently, and a brilliant light burst forth, flooding into the surrounding Kun lines.
Whoosh.
One of the Kun lines, centered on the Tianyuan point, began to light up bit by bit!
The originally dull gray color gradually turned into a dazzling white!
It was lit!
The first Kun line!
At the same moment, Jianchou seemed to sense something and opened her eyes. A radiant light shone from her pupils before disappearing.
This cliff was the highest point in the area, and from here, one could see the vast, endless sea to the east.
A red sun was now rising from the distant horizon, slowly climbing higher.
The dazzling light spread across the sparkling sea, and for a moment, the deep blue ocean seemed to ignite along with this brilliant glow.
As far as the eye could see, everything was ablaze.
Jianchou had never seen such a magnificent sunrise before and was stunned for a long while.
Footsteps sounded behind her.
Then came Fudao Shanren’s voice: “Beyond the sea, there are immortal mountains, hidden among the clouds. People say that where the sun rises, immortals reside.”
“Is the place where the sun rises part of the Nineteen Continents?”
Jianchou’s mind was captivated by the scene before her, and she didn’t turn around, only asking instinctively.
Fudao Shanren chuckled and shook his head, “No, it’s not.”
Only then did Jianchou turn around, looking at Fudao Shanren in surprise.
A night had passed, but Fudao Shanren hadn’t changed at all. However, the absurd and eccentric demeanor he usually displayed had mostly faded away. Bathed in the golden light, he now exuded an air of transcendent wisdom.
If someone were to call Fudao Shanren a charlatan now, Jianchou would believe it.
“Master, I…”
“Thankfully, only one night has passed.”
Fudao Shanren rolled his eyes unceremoniously and snorted.
“I didn’t expect you to be a genius.”
Or rather, he hadn’t expected her to be such a prodigy.
Jianchou was stunned for a moment, only now remembering the strange state she had fallen into last night. She had no idea how to cultivate, but those floating things in the air, which seemed to be “spiritual energy,” had guided her as if on their own.
Unconsciously, she had been drawn in, following her instincts.
Only after Fudao Shanren’s reminder did she quickly stand up and look down.
Beneath her, a Myriad Phenomenon Battle Disk slowly dimmed as it rotated, but Jianchou could still see it clearly!
A Tianyuan point half a feet in size!
A snow-white Kun line!
And even…
She faintly sensed that the Battle Disk itself seemed to have grown slightly larger.
“This…”
Jianchou was dumbfounded.
She remembered that ten days ago, these things had seemed like a dream to her.
But now, they were right beneath her feet!
As her focus wavered, the Battle Disk beneath her feet flickered once before disappearing.
Fudao Shanren chuckled and walked around Jianchou twice, stroking the sparse beard on his chin as if he were examining some rare creature.
“Little girl, how about it? Surprised, aren’t you?”
“Please enlighten me, Master.”
Teaching and guiding were part of a master’s duties, and being a master wasn’t easy.
When it was time to ask questions, Jianchou wouldn’t hold back.
Fudao Shanren didn’t plan to keep her in the dark either. He said, “You entered a state of harmony with nature, merging with heaven and earth, and gained immense benefits. Even I, your master, am envious. Did you feel the spiritual energy guiding you, circulating through your meridians on its own?”
“Yes.”
Hearing that Fudao Shanren seemed familiar with this situation, Jianchou felt much more at ease.
Fudao Shanren continued, “That’s right. Perhaps it’s because you have a naturally non-utilitarian disposition, so they took a special liking to you. This kind of unexpected gain from merging with heaven and earth is generally called ‘sudden enlightenment.’ But for those just starting on the path of cultivation, we usually call it ‘Heaven’s Favored Child of the Dao.’ In other words, this person is favored by heaven, someone the Dao deems most suitable for comprehension.”
His voice suddenly turned sour.
Fudao Shanren began pacing around Jianchou again, as if he wanted to carefully examine her.
“You, with your simple background, no parents, and having been married—or more accurately, having been a wife—should have long passed the age of being close to nature. Why is it like this? I really don’t understand. No wonder those old guys often complain, ‘Heaven is unkind.’ Damn it, I’ve really seen it now!”
Sigh.
Fudao Shanren looked at her with melancholy.
“Could it be that in the future, we in the Nineteen Continents will have to take in more disciples who are already married or even mothers?”
Just thinking about that scene made Fudao Shanren’s scalp tingle.
He quickly pulled out a chicken leg and stuffed it into his mouth.
Oh, Ancestor Luye, I really need to calm my nerves this time. I’m about to scare myself to death!
Throughout the entire process, Fudao Shanren’s gaze was extremely strange.
Jianchou, meanwhile, had been busy recalling the various cultivation realms Fudao Shanren had explained to her earlier.
“You said that once the Tianyuan point is formed, one has truly stepped onto the path of cultivation. Once the Battle Disk is lit, one can seal the disk and build the foundation. Now that I’ve lit up the Tianyuan point and one Kun line, does that mean I’m already a cultivator?”
“That’s correct.”
Fudao Shanren mumbled, gulping down the last bite of chicken leg before letting out a satisfied burp.
Jianchou thought for a moment, then asked, “Then, in Master’s opinion, how long will it take for me to build my foundation?”
“…”
For some reason, after hearing Jianchou’s question, Fudao Shanren felt an urge to strangle her.
After holding it in for a long while, he finally said stiffly, “It won’t take too long.”
“How long is ‘not too long’?”
Why was her master always so vague?
Jianchou frowned and pressed further.
Fudao Shanren was nearly driven mad by his tactless disciple. He jabbed his bamboo staff into the ground repeatedly, sending up puffs of dust, but he didn’t stop.
“‘Not too long’ means ‘not too long’! Why do you need to ask for details? Are you trying to rebel against your master? Do you know how hard it was for me to build my foundation in a hundred days? Do you? Huh? First, there was that ten-day foundation-building guy who pissed me off, and now even my own disciple doesn’t care about her master’s fragile little heart. Just how eager are you to cultivate and trample your master underfoot?!”
“This…”
Jianchou finally understood a little, but…
“But if I don’t trample you underfoot, how can I trample the disciple of that old monster Hengxu, whom you hate so much?”
“…”
Fudao Shanren really wanted to spit a chicken leg in her face!
“This disciple of mine, I can’t teach you anymore! Take this!”
After rummaging through his robes, Fudao Shanren, now fuming with anger, pulled out a tattered little booklet and threw it at Jianchou.
Jianchou was startled, “Master?!”
She hurriedly caught the booklet with both hands and looked down at it. The cover was ragged and greasy, with some words written on it, but Jianchou couldn’t make them out.
Fudao Shanren simply picked up the big white goose and huffed, “This is the cultivation method. Since you want to trample me underfoot, go ahead and do it! I’m going down to take care of some business. You stay here and cultivate properly. If I come back and find you slacking off, hmph, you’ll regret it!”
With that, he turned around and headed down the path behind the cliff.
“Master!”
Jianchou called out in surprise.
Fudao Shanren waved his hand without turning back, “Don’t call me, I’m angry!”
“…”
Jianchou was at a complete loss for words.
She sighed. This master of hers really couldn’t take a joke.
She knew it was probably time for Fudao Shanren to take care of his business, especially since he had stayed up all night watching over her. But…
If you’re going to take care of business, why take the big white goose with you?
As Fudao Shanren’s figure gradually disappeared down the mountain path, Jianchou knew he was off to handle his affairs. Her gaze couldn’t help but drift downward, landing on the sparsely populated Qingfeng Temple below.
What business could a cultivator from the Nineteen Continents have in this mundane world?
Jianchou couldn’t help but feel curious, thinking she would have to ask her master about it when he returned.
As for now…
Her gaze returned to the little booklet in her hands. Jianchou thought it was time to cultivate.
She took out the silver lock with the red string from her sleeve, thinking of her unborn child and the “ten-day foundation-building” disciple Fudao Shanren had mentioned. A burning sensation filled her heart.
Xie Buchen…
Her fingers slowly tightened around the silver lock, pressing it into her palm until it hurt.
Perhaps only this way could she remind herself: she had no right to stop.
She still had to seek justice for herself and for the innocent child who had lost its life in her womb.
She slowly exhaled and sat down cross-legged, placing the tattered booklet on her lap and carefully opening it.
The golden sunlight spread across the land, and on the Qingfeng Cliff, Jianchou’s shadow stood alone.
Page by page.
And another page…
