I'm Not An Immortal (The Adventure of Jian Chou) - Chapter 26
Chapter 26
They’re fighting!
The moment that sword cry resounded across Yashan, the entire, previously desolate Lingzhao Peak instantly became lively.
Someone excitedly shouted, “Come out quick! Uncle Shen drew his sword against Uncle Qu!”
“Hurry, come out and see!”
“They’re about to fight, quick!”
…
Jian Chou was utterly dumbfounded.
Subconsciously, she looked up at the cliff face.
On this sheer cliff, there were many cave dwellings, some close, some far apart.
Many people had opened their doors to peek down below.
This Yashan cliff was practically a natural viewing platform!
Now she understood.
Moreover, when something like this happened, everyone’s first reaction was actually to come and watch the spectacle, as if it were completely normal.
This left Jian Chou somewhat astonished.
After taking his stance, Shen Jiu’s entire demeanor turned wild and unrestrained.
He provocatively eyed Qu Zhengfeng, who stood mid-air in the distance.
“I’ve heard that Senior Brother Qu has now reached the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, just a step away from the Soul Formation stage. Today, I’ll ask for your guidance!”
With that, the hand resting at his waist slowly drew out.
A dazzling silver light was now gripped in his hand—Peerless Saint’s Consort.
That should have been a sword, but Jian Chou couldn’t make out its exact shape.
All she could see was a vast expanse of silver radiance.
As for Qu Zhengfeng, he remained unhurried, leisurely stepping on the “Haiguang Sword” he had once introduced to Jian Chou.
“Junior Brother, your temper is far too narrow. You still need more training.”
Heh.
More training?
So he could lose a few more treasures and be played for a fool?
Shen Jiu absolutely refused.
Clenching his teeth, he imagined his Shuoyue Sword transforming into a cleaver, hacking Qu Zhengfeng into pieces.
The hot blood flowing through his veins suddenly sped up.
Shen Jiu felt an unprecedented excitement, his eyes widening as the silver light around him grew even more intense.
Though it was daytime, it was as if he had draped the starry sky over himself!
At the moment the silver light became too blinding to look at directly, Shen Jiu shot forward like a meteor, the silver streak arriving before Qu Zhengfeng in an instant.
Qu Zhengfeng hadn’t expected Shen Jiu’s sword to come with such ferocity.
Slightly startled, he reacted swiftly, raising his sword to block lightly.
“Ding.”
A perfectly ordinary sound, yet as it spread, it struck deep into the hearts of all who heard it!
That swift silver streak was accurately deflected!
“Not bad.”
Qu Zhengfeng flicked his wrist and offered a word of praise.
This junior brother had never crossed swords with him before, simply because Shen Jiu never drew his blade against those stronger than himself.
Qu Zhengfeng’s cultivation surpassed his, yet he rarely made a move.
Thus, few truly knew his real strength.
Among the seven disciples of Fudao shanren, this was Yashan’s greatest mystery.
Their master was often absent from the mountain.
Even when present, he only offered guidance when they were most perplexed.
The rest of the time, their cultivation relied entirely on themselves.
Thus, the seven of them walked entirely different paths.
Perhaps they all wielded similar magic artifacts, yet the same artifact yielded different effects in different hands.
Everyone knew the cultivation levels of these seven—Qu Zhengfeng at the peak of Nascent Soul, Shen Jiu having just stepped into mid-stage Nascent Soul.
But cultivation level did not equate to combat prowess.
On the surface, the strongest in battle should be Shen Jiu, the fourth disciple, who frequently drew his sword in Yashan and had never once been defeated.
Yet some said the third disciple—the sword fanatic who spent 364 out of 365 days a year in seclusion—might be the stronger one.
As for Qu Zhengfeng, his temperament was gentle, his conduct like a spring breeze and rain.
Few ever pondered his combat strength.
Only the observant noticed that while Shen Jiu had drawn his sword against others, he had never done so against Qu Zhengfeng.
A battle between mid-stage Nascent Soul and peak Great Perfection Nascent Soul?
Those who understood were practically salivating!
In the entire Nineteen Continents, Nascent Soul cultivators were figures capable of sweeping entire regions.
Even in a place like Yashan, they were exceptionally formidable.
A Nascent Soul cultivator could topple mountains and dry up rivers with a mere gesture.
Now, confined to Yashan, they couldn’t go all out—at most, it was a “friendly spar.”
But even a “friendly spar” was enough to set hearts racing.
Silver and blue streaks of light clashed fiercely above Lingzhao Peak, soon landing on the Sword-Drawing Platform.
Perfect.
The more Shen Jiu fought, the fiercer he became, pouring all his anger and resentment into his techniques.
The constellations on the Battle Disk beneath his feet flickered incessantly, each flash representing the activation of a Dao Seed’s corresponding technique.
The silver light of his sword never dimmed.
In contrast to Shen Jiu’s unrestrained ferocity, Qu Zhengfeng was far more composed.
When Shen Jiu attacked, he defended; when Shen Jiu advanced, he retreated.
Yet in this dance of advance and retreat, they gradually reached the edge of the Sword-Drawing Platform.
Just as Shen Jiu swung his sword down again, the air itself seemed to crackle with lightning, stirred by the sword’s momentum!
Qu Zhengfeng finally stomped down hard, sending stone dust flying.
A dark blue battle disk suddenly materialized beneath his feet!
At this moment, Jian Chou, standing high on the cliff, widened her eyes in shock.
A battle disk thirty feet in radius!
Throughout the entire fight, Qu Zhengfeng had never revealed his battle disk, as if holding back.
Now that it was unveiled, the onlookers collectively gasped!
Jian Chou couldn’t help but recall that Fudao shanren’s battle disk was also exactly thirty feet…
She remembered once asking Fudao shanren about his cultivation.
He’d said that three hundred years ago, he was at the “Entering the World” stage, and now he was at “Soul Formation.”
His innate battel disk was one feet.
Now, at Soul Formation, his combat disk was thirty feet.
Then what about this Qu Zhengfeng?
His innate battle disk was unknown, but a thirty feet disk at peak Nascent Soul was undeniable!
Only two possibilities existed: First, his innate battle disk surpassed Fudao shanren’s. Second, his current strength was on par with a Soul Formation cultivator!
Those who could see Qu Zhengfeng’s battle disk naturally reached the same conclusion as Jian Chou.
No one could believe it!
Even Shen Jiu, mid-battle, cursed: “Damn it, we’re fellow disciples! And you’ve been holding back!”
“Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.”
Qu Zhengfeng’s voice carried a faint trace of amusement.
His sword tip pointed diagonally at the ground, where his battle disk rotated—a pattern formed by seven Dao Seeds, a Dao Seal!
As his words fell, the Dao Seal faintly brightened.
A stream of light flowed from the first Dao Seed, then the second, the third…
In an instant, the entire Dao Seal lit up!
Qu Zhengfeng’s figure swayed gently, as if shrouded in mist.
Standing beside him, Shen Jiu felt as though he could hear the roar of ocean waves, the deep currents of the sea surging, bringing a sense of peace and comfort.
His entire being seemed willing to sink into slumber within this tranquil glow.
…
From a distance, one could see the Sword-Drawing Platform suspended in mid-air, engulfed in towering dark-blue light.
Qu Zhengfeng’s figure had long blurred, while the silver light in Shen Jiu’s hand gradually dimmed.
Jian Chou stared intently, a premonition forming in her mind.
The outcome would likely be decided now.
She saw it—within the surging blue light below, the nearly extinguished silver glow suddenly flared, exploding outward as if the dark-blue radiance itself trembled.
Yet in the end, it failed to break free.
“Boom!”
When the two lights collided, a massive shockwave erupted from the Sword-Drawing Platform.
As the force struck the cliff face, a faint cyan light rippled outward like water, dispersing the spiritual energy.
A fierce gale swept over the spectators.
By the time it cleared, the silver streak had already been flung off the platform, crashing to the ground.
Shen Jiu barely managed to plant his dimmed sword into the earth to avoid tumbling head over heels, steadying himself with effort.
Gasping for breath, his face slightly pale, he looked up at the platform.
High above, Qu Zhengfeng stood with his hands behind his back, smiling.
“If you wish to draw your sword against your senior brother, Junior Brother Shen, you’d best weigh your own strength first.”
“Heh…”
Shen Jiu exhaled, slowly rising.
The silver light in his hand vanished the moment he stood, sheathed back into his body.
“Under Yashan’s banner, who fears to draw their sword?”
His gaze burned fiercely, fixed on Qu Zhengfeng with blazing intensity.
“But I never expected Senior Brother Qu to be the one hiding his true strength all along. This defeat is well-earned. Next time, though… hehe.”
“…”
Hearing that laugh, Jian Chou lowered her head and sighed.
It had all been so stirring earlier, but now…
“Hehe.”
A laugh nearly identical to Shen Jiu’s suddenly sounded beside her.
Startled, Jian Chou turned to see Fudao shanren standing beside her, chicken leg in hand, eyes fixed on the Sword-Drawing Platform as he chewed vigorously.
“Master, when did you get here?”
She hadn’t sensed him at all.
Fudao shanren waved her off, smacking his lips.
“Came when they started fighting. Didn’t expect these two brats to have improved so much. Especially that idiot Zhengfeng—daring to cultivate a battle disk as big as mine! Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!”
Jian Chou had no words.
Earlier, Qu Zhengfeng and Shen Jiu had seemed to settle things with this fight, even bantering afterward as if nothing had happened.
Recalling the tension when they’d first drawn their swords, she found it all rather marvelous.
Fudao shanren spoke with the tone of an elder who’d seen it all.
“This is Yashan. You’ll get used to it.”
This is Yashan. You’ll get used to it.
Jian Chou had heard variations of this phrase more than once.
Yashan was indeed a unique place.
Watching Shen Jiu and Qu Zhengfeng bicker as they walked back, she couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Come to think of it, I always felt that Junior Brother Qu was… not so simple.”
“Obviously.”
Fudao shanren recalled the past with something akin to agony.
“This bunch of idiots—every last one of them is rotten to the core. You know why your master became an irresponsible master?”
“You actually admit you’re irresponsible?”
Jian Chou was stunned that Fudao shanren had such self-awareness.
Fudao shanren nearly choked on his own breath!
Why had he forgotten his own curse?
Every disciple he took in was nothing but trouble!
This girl Jian Chou might seem honest, but she was probably just like that bastard Qu Zhengfeng—white on the outside, black on the inside, utterly rotten!
Thinking of his centuries of tragic disciple-taking experiences, Fudao shanren was overcome with sorrow, even his beloved chicken leg turning tasteless in his mouth.
Silently, he tucked the half-eaten leg back into his sleeve, where it vanished.
Lifting his head, he looked at Jian Chou solemnly.
“Girl…”
Was there something he wanted to say?
Jian Chou tilted her head.
“Master?”
“Over the years, every single one of the seven disciples I’ve taken has, without exception, grown crooked.”
Fudao shanren’s voice was heavy.
Jian Chou’s eyelid twitched.
His tone grew even more mournful.
“It’s all my fault—I trusted them too much, let them run wild. Ever since Qu Zhengfeng turned into a rotten melon, the disciples that followed all imitated him. Even if they didn’t learn his black-heartedness, they came close.”
Really now…
Jian Chou silently recalled that “hehe” laugh earlier.
Shen Jiu’s mannerisms were practically identical to Fudao shanren’s!
So, just who exactly were his disciples learning from?
Was it really fair to pin all the blame on Qu Zhengfeng, the only one who seemed remotely normal?!
Oblivious to Jian Chou’s twitching expression, Fudao shanren wallowed in his sorrow, sighing like a man who’d seen too much of life.
“So, your master has made a very important decision.”
Turning to her, his gaze was serious.
Jian Chou blinked.
Fudao shanren declared, “To prevent you from being led astray by those crooked brats, I’ve decided to personally teach you. I’ll make sure you become Yashan’s most outstanding female cultivator!”
“Uh…”
Jian Chou had the sudden urge to facepalm.
Unable to hold back, she reminded him, “Master, I’m Yashan’s only female cultivator.”
Even without his teaching, no one could surpass her!
Fudao shanren smacked his forehead, correcting himself.
“Fine, then how about this—I’ll make you the most outstanding among Yashan’s current disciples! Even if you’re a woman, you’ll surpass all those male cultivators! Beat those seven idiots into the ground!”
This time, he got it right.
But the way he phrased it still sounded off.
Jian Chou really wanted to tell him: With you around, the chances of me growing crooked are far higher!
Alas, Fudao shanren couldn’t hear her inner cries.
Misreading her expression as moved, he sighed.
“No time like the present. Come with me.”
Flipping his hand, he produced a black jade slip engraved with the character “Jing” (Scripture).
He pressed it against the wooden plaque hanging outside Jian Chou’s dwelling—originally bearing only her name.
Instantly, the plaque transformed, ancient patterns spreading as the words “Scripture Pavilion” carved themselves into the wood.
Jian Chou stared in awe.
Fudao shanren pushed open her door, revealing not the furnishings from last night but an entirely different space.
Beyond that small door lay what seemed like massive gates!
Rows upon rows of bookshelves stood in perfect order beneath a vaulted ceiling adorned with crane motifs.
Jian Chou realized that the moment Fudao shanren placed the jade slip on her plaque, the interior had been altered.
Stepping inside, she wandered through what seemed an endless expanse—shelf after shelf stretching beyond sight.
Each book, whether bound, silk-scroll, or bamboo-slip, had a faintly glowing jade slip floating before it.
“This is Yashan’s Scripture Pavilion. The stronger your cultivation, the more you can see here. Normally, it opens to disciples once a year, but since you’re new, I’m giving you special access.”
Fudao shanren didn’t explain the jade slips, merely strolled through the vast pavilion with his hands behind his back, smug.
“At Qi Refining stage, you won’t be able to access much. Here’s my plan—before Foundation Establishment, it’s all about accumulating power. You don’t need my guidance for that. The Scripture Pavilion is perfect for cultivation. Stay here until you’ve sealed your disk and built your foundation!”
Stay here until Foundation Establishment?!
Jian Chou’s eyes widened.
Was he joking?
“Master, didn’t you say some take three to five years to establish their foundation? Am I supposed to stay here that long?”
“Three to five years is for mediocrities.”
Fudao shanren rolled his eyes. “Like that Zhang Sui you met in Qingfeng temple Secret Realm. But you? You have a ten feet innate battle disk—something others can only dream of! Your talent is exceptional. Just meditate here, light up all the Kun lines you can, and then seal your disk. Simple.”
Was it really that easy?
Foundation Establishment was still a hurdle.
From what she’d gathered, countless people never crossed it.
Yet Fudao shanren made it sound like eating or drinking—as if it were a given.
Then she recalled Shen Jiu’s words: In Yashan, the Cloud Ladder was for beginners.
So… this was Yashan.
Jian Chou finally understood why ordinary people couldn’t survive here.
“Yashan has always had high standards for disciples. It’s a gathering place for geniuses.”
Noticing her expression, Fudao shanren comforted her.
“You’re one of them. But genius alone isn’t enough. Yashan is Yashan not just because we gather geniuses, but because those geniuses work harder than anyone else.”
“Here, geniuses don’t just rely on talent—they grind harder than ordinary people.”
“I once told you I dislike Kunlun’s Hengxu Old Freak. Aside from being my rival, he, like Yashan, understands that geniuses must toil even harder.”
This was a weighty topic.
Jian Chou hadn’t expected Fudao shanren to be so serious.
After a long pause, she nodded.
“I understand, Master.”
“Good.”
Squinting, Fudao shanren added, “Just listen to me and cultivate properly. Your battle disk is ten feet—if you can light up even half, you’ll already stand above the rest. Light up seventy or eighty percent, and you’ll definitely crush those seven idiots outside!”
“I never planned to crush—”
No—
Jian Chou nearly got led astray again.
Catching herself, she corrected, “I hold no ill will toward my seven junior brothers…”
“Enough, enough. Do you think I don’t know you?”
Fudao shanren waved her off, looking as if he’d seen right through her.
“Who was it earlier, watching those two idiots spar with shining eyes? Tch, I should’ve used a memory mirror to capture it. See if you’d still dare deny it!”
“…”
Jian Chou raised a hand, touching the corner of her eye.
Her eyes were beautiful—narrow, with slightly deeper hues at the outer corners, lending them an unusual charm.
Yet their clarity gave them a cold sharpness.
Shining eyes?
Had they?
Recalling the silver and blue radiance on the Sword-Drawing Platform, she smiled.
“Perhaps.”
She didn’t know if she yearned for a life where “drawing swords at the slightest provocation” was the norm.
She only knew…
Right now, she had no reason to refuse Fudao shanren.
In the Nineteen Continents, she needed to grow stronger.
This was no place for the weak.
Here, strength spoke louder than words.
But unlike others, her motivation wasn’t just survival.
Xie Buchen, Nie Xiaowan, Xu Lan’er, Zhang Sui… even Fudao shanren himself—each one made her feel an urgent need to become powerful.
Lowering her hand, Jian Chou folded her arms and bowed deeply.
“I will enter seclusion in the Scripture Pavilion. I will not leave until my foundation is established.”
