Chapter 13: Even a Borderline Immortal Is Still an Immortal

Old Dan nodded slightly and spoke softly, “So many years are enough for me to see through and understand you clearly.”

“You risked life and limb to repay Li Da’s kindness—that is loyalty.”

“When faced with a charging tiger, you did not flee in fear but drew your sword to confront it—that is courage.”

“For sixteen years, you herded cattle daily and discussed the Way with me without a single day missed—that is perseverance.”

“Along the way, you killed every bandit who took life and persuaded those who were helpless—that is kindness.”

“With such character, I can entrust you as my disciple, confident that you will not bring trouble in the future.”

“Therefore, today I offer to accept you formally into my sect.”

Hearing Old Dan’s words, Lu Ge’s sorrow at their impending separation was momentarily subdued.

His cheeks flushed slightly, and he smiled shyly, “Oh, I have so many virtues, do I?”

“You flatter me too much,” he added bashfully.

Old Dan tapped Lu Ge’s forehead and said gruffly, “I’m serious, so be solemn.”

Lu Ge’s expression turned solemn as he bowed deeply to Old Dan.

“Thank you, Master, for your trust. I am honored to become your disciple.”

“I dare not promise to bring glory to the sect, but I will never disgrace your name.”

Old Dan nodded approvingly and smiled, “Very well, you are now officially part of the sect.”

“Rise now.”

Lu Ge stood and sat properly opposite Old Dan once more.

“Since you have joined, it is only right that I explain the path of cultivation to you.”

Lu Ge perked up and listened intently.

“Cultivation is the pursuit by all living beings of self-evolution—from mortal to immortal, and beyond immortality to transcendence.”

“Thus, cultivation is generally divided into two stages.”

“The first is Mortality.”

“This stage’s goal is to attain longevity and achieve the immortal way.”

Lu Ge couldn’t help but ask, “Since I have attained longevity now, am I already immortal?”

Old Dan nodded, “Indeed.”

Lu Ge was a bit stunned, feeling that apart from longevity, he hadn’t changed much. Could this really be considered immortality?

Yet after some thought, it made sense.

What does it mean to be immortal?

Lu Ge’s first impression was eternal life, vast divine powers, boundless magic, roaming the Northern Sea by day and the Blue Mountains by night.

And himself?

First, he had attained longevity—the most fundamental quality of an immortal.

As for vast powers... well...

Though not quite there yet, he at least had some abilities.

With the foundation of immortality, he would surely master more powers over time.

Regarding boundless magic, his use of divine abilities was driven by thought alone, evolving the great Way without any consumption.

How could that not count as a form of unlimited magical power?

Thinking this through, Lu Ge felt the only thing he lacked was the ability to fly.

After pondering, he concluded he was not much different from an immortal.

At worst, he was a fledgling immortal with weak combat strength.

Meanwhile, Old Dan continued.

“Under the immortal path, cultivation branches into many categories.”

“For example, Qi Refinement cultivators cultivate innate primal energy, vast righteous energy, pure Qian energy, and turbid Kun energy.”

“When perfected, if the Qi does not disperse, the person will not die, thus attaining longevity and entering the immortal path.”

“Then there are Body Refiners, who seek bodily deathlessness, becoming as indestructible as Vajra, immortal and imperishable.”

“Spirit Refiners first cultivate Yin Spirit, then Yang Spirit, and finally merge both into an undying primordial spirit.”

“Alchemy practitioners use their own bodies as a crucible, refining essence, energy, and spirit with the Samadhi True Fire to forge a Golden Core, achieving longevity after nine cycles.”

“This is the Inner Alchemy Path, along with the Outer Alchemy method.”

“The latter gathers heavenly materials and earthly treasures into one furnace to refine the Golden Core of longevity.”

“No matter the method, all cultivation paths ultimately converge, all seeking longevity.”

“The path you follow—the way of divine powers—is the same.”

Lu Ge nodded.

Old Dan went on, “After becoming immortal, there are nine realms.”

“Human Immortal, Divine Immortal, Earth Immortal, Celestial Immortal, True Immortal, Profound Immortal, Golden Immortal, Great Luo or Taiyi, and Quasi-Hunyuan.”

“Each path has its own method of advancing realms.”

“For you, who follow the divine powers path, progression comes by comprehending more divine powers.”

“When you grasp nine divine powers, you condense the Human Immortal Dao Fruit.”

“Eighteen divine powers bring the Divine Immortal Dao Fruit.”

“And so on, until all 81 divine powers are perfected, reaching the Quasi-Hunyuan realm.”

Lu Ge asked curiously, “What comes after Quasi-Hunyuan?”

Old Dan stroked his beard, “After Quasi-Hunyuan is Hunyuan itself.”

“However, Hunyuan is difficult to attain, not achieved by cultivation alone.”

“To reach each step requires arduous cultivation, supreme merit, boundless fortune, fateful opportunities, the momentum of Heaven and Earth, and the favor of the great Way—none can be lacking.”

Lu Ge asked again, “What is so remarkable about the Hunyuan realm?”

Old Dan smiled, “The Hunyuan is perfect and complete, transcending even the immortal path.”

“Unscathed through countless calamities, untouched by cause and effect, it exists alongside the great Way.”

“When Heaven and Earth perish, I do not perish; when the universe decays, I do not decay.”

“Such mysteries are hard to express in words.”

“If you truly wish to understand, read more prehistoric novels.”

“The descriptions there will give you a glimpse of the profound secrets of Hunyuan.”

“For example, you can read ‘Hongjun Fed Me Spirit Fruit, I Turned It Into Merit.’”

Lu Ge blushed slightly. During their discussions, he had mentioned to Old Dan some novels from the numerous schools of thought of the current era.

He never expected Old Dan would now use that to silence him.

“Although much in those future novels is pure fantasy,” Old Dan continued, “many of the ancient legends they recount are not false.”

“In a way, those novels can be considered unofficial histories.”

“Read more; it will benefit you in the future.”

Old Dan looked at Lu Ge with a smile full of warmth.

Lu Ge’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Before he could react, Old Dan continued, “Once I leave Hangu Pass, you must depart.”

“The places you will encounter often appear in those novels.”

“Though details differ, the grand trend remains the same.”

“I only hope you live peacefully and do not make me an old man who mourns a young one.”

Lu Ge’s heart pounded fiercely.

“You... you already know?”

Old Dan replied casually, “I told you.”

“Sixteen years are enough for me to see you clearly.”

“That ancient mirror, though only a primal spiritual treasure, is also your fated opportunity.”

“But do not become arrogant because of it.”

“After all, some are born with primal spiritual treasures yet die prematurely.”

Lu Ge scratched his head, feeling deeply conflicted.

At this moment, he suddenly felt foolish.

He had thought to keep his last secret from Old Dan.

Unbeknownst to him, Old Dan had long seen through it.

But that was understandable.

If this were the historical Old Dan, Lu Ge might have concealed some things.

Yet this one was evidently different.

He spoke so familiarly of the Hunyuan realm, as if from personal experience.

Lu Ge, a barely fledgling immortal, guarding his secret, probably seemed like a child covering his pocket, insisting he had no candy.