Chapter 15: Not for the Sake of Immortality

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When Li Ji’an listened to Ning Sujin’s words, instead of doubting her, he asked with a hint of excitement, and Ning Sujin felt a sense of recognition she had never experienced before.

“I’m not certain whether I can truly avoid misfortune or attract good fortune. It’s just that when I encounter certain people or events, I inexplicably sense different things in my heart.”

Li Ji’an could neither verify nor needed to verify what Ning Sujin said.

With his perspective as someone who has lived four lifetimes, and five years of acquaintance with Ning Sujin, he was fairly certain it was true.

He wasn’t sure whether it was some kind of supernatural ability to avoid harm, or something even more mysterious, but he knew now that Ning Sujin was no ordinary person.

He also understood how her character had been shaped.

“And… your cousin?” Li Ji’an sifted through the key information related to the immortal seedlings.

Ning Sujin shook her head. “He was taken away by the immortal master, and there’s been no news since.”

“Perhaps the immortal master helped him avert disaster.”

She shook her head again. “I don’t know. I hope so, but that’s all.”

Li Ji’an pressed further, “The immortal masters have been selecting immortal seedlings for over a hundred years. Has any seedling who was taken away ever sent back news?”

“The immortal master said that mortals and immortals are different. To validate the Great Way, one must sever all emotions and desires, cut off mortal ties.”

“Mortals and immortals are different!” Li Ji’an fell into deep thought…

After a moment, Li Ji’an returned to himself, and the gaze he cast upon Ning Sujin unconsciously grew warmer.

If he could rely on her ability to avoid harm, his own safety would greatly increase!

From then on, every conversation he had carried a touch of emotion, focusing on understanding her and being there for her.

He also understood Ning Sujin’s ambition: not to become an immortal, but simply to confirm whether her cousin was safe.

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Three days later, on the official road from Chong’an Prefecture to the Imperial City.

Apart from the twenty mysterious experts led by the Imperial City’s Immortal Seeking Palace’s envoy, who had come to deliver the imperial edict, there were five hundred elite guards from the Marquis’ estate for close protection, and the Immortal Seeking Institute also sent ten experts of blood-changing rank or above, all trained in superior external martial arts, mingling within the ranks.

The Immortal-bestowed Dynasty was vast, yet only the emperor could directly interact with immortals, and only he received their blessings. Naturally, many sought to replace him.

The best method was to sabotage the pact between the emperor and the immortals, making the emperor incur their displeasure.

Every ten years, the Immortal Seedling Ceremony, especially the seedlings traveling from all over the land to the Imperial City, always became the target of those lurking in the shadows.

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Though there had been no incidents of immortal seedlings being killed in recent years, precautions were still necessary.

This was why, once confirmed, the seedlings had to depart within three days—to prevent any unexpected complications.

When Li Ji’an learned of this, his first thought was whether Ning Yutan’s ominous sign pointed to disaster on this journey.

He became ever more cautious.

Yet, Ning Sujin had assured him that there was no danger ahead, which eased his mind somewhat. Along the way, he quietly practiced the blood-changing technique.

Compared to bone-tempering, blood-changing required greater mastery of internal energy and the circulation of vital essence, though it demanded less in sheer volume, focusing more on gradually replacing mortal blood.

“Such a pity, time is too tight. I didn’t get to see my senior brother even once.” When his energy was finally exhausted, Li Ji’an ended his practice and couldn’t help but think of the person closest to him in this life.

Last night, he had sent a letter to his senior brother, explaining his situation.

The news that he was heading to the Imperial City’s Immortal Palace to become a candidate immortal seedling would surely bring joy not only to his senior brother but the entire Purple Mist Temple. From now on, Li Ji’an’s name would be their strongest support in Shangyi County.

“Xiao Wu, that rascal, put some thought into it… Heh, some habits never change, but at least he’s stayed true to his original intentions.” Seeing Xiao Wu’s insistence on stuffing a money pouch into his hands, Li Ji’an smiled slightly. Yesterday, he finally fulfilled his promise and visited Xiao Wu’s home, meeting the sister-in-law who had been praised to the heavens. Indeed, she was impressive.

“Brother Li, I’m coming in.”

Suddenly, Ning Yutan’s voice rang out unexpectedly.

Li Ji’an hadn’t noticed any movement; Ning Yutan had already slipped into the carriage.

“Yutan, Duke Dingguo gave repeated warnings before we set out. This journey is unlikely to be peaceful, and you are the most crucial immortal seedling in the entire group. How can you wander off? Go back quickly, or you’ll cause unrest.” Li Ji’an frowned, immediately voicing his concern.

Ning Sujin had sensed a great disaster awaiting her, and though others didn’t believe it, Li Ji’an did.

That disaster was likely to strike during this trip.

Since he hadn’t yet trained in external martial arts and his combat strength was weak, staying close to the Duke was safest for her.

“Oh, Brother Li, don’t worry. There are so many people protecting me outside—who would dare risk their life? Besides, I got permission from both my father and mother to come play with you.” Ning Yutan seemed completely unconcerned.

Don’t tempt fate!

Li Ji’an grew even more worried.

“Brother Li, my father taught me the ‘Falling Blossom Sword Technique.’ I want to master it before the immortal master descends, and before I leave for the immortal realm, I must give that old woman a good beating, hmph!”

Li Ji’an responded absentmindedly while thinking of ways to persuade her to return to the Duke’s side. “The Duke is letting you practice external martial arts now?”

“Yes, yes! My father said since ascending to the immortal realm is already set, I can temporarily stop training internal martial arts. After all, once I get there, I’ll study immortal arts anyway. It’s better to quickly learn an external technique and understand how to stimulate vital energy—it might be helpful for future immortal arts.”

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“Is the ‘Falling Blossom Sword Technique’ really powerful? The eldest lady’s family’s ‘Floating Willow Step’ is a top-tier lightness skill, and the Su family’s famed ‘Storm Pear Blossom Needle’ is a world-class martial art—she might have learned it too…” Li Ji’an’s mind flashed with inspiration.

Ning Yutan’s emotions were instantly stirred. “Hmph! All these years she bullied me with those sneaky moves, just because I hadn’t practiced external skills. Once I’ve mastered our family’s technique, and my vital energy is stimulated, my senses will be heightened—I’ll be able to sense her movements even with my eyes closed. Then, her skills will be useless.”

“And let me tell you, our ‘Falling Blossom Sword Technique’ is renowned and ranked among the world’s best. I’ll make her flee in defeat.”

As she spoke, Ning Yutan’s voice unconsciously rose, directed at the carriage ahead where Ning Sujin sat.

“Are you sure?” As expected, a cold, indifferent voice sounded abruptly.

In the next instant, Ning Sujin’s spectral figure entered the carriage.

“Ah! Can’t you stop appearing like a ghost?” Ning Yutan’s expression changed instantly and she instinctively drew closer to Li Ji’an.

Ning Sujin rolled her eyes and sat down on Li Ji’an’s other side. “The immortal master will descend within three months. Do you think you can master the ‘Falling Blossom Sword Technique’ and defeat me in that time?”

“I… Hmph, even if I don’t fully master it, I can at least reach a basic level. My cultivation is higher than yours, my vital energy is stronger. Even a basic mastery is enough to beat you. If you dare, don’t use your movement skills against me,” Ning Yutan argued stubbornly.

“Fool!” Ning Sujin sneered.

“Listen closely, I’ll teach you the ‘Floating Willow Step’ right now. I mastered it in a month back then—don’t say I’m bullying you.”

Ning Yutan’s eyes widened in surprise; she never expected her nemesis would teach her the Su family’s signature technique.

But Ning Sujin didn’t give her a chance to speak. “No need for words. This skill was passed to me by my mother, not the Su family, and she refined it herself. It’s not the Su family’s inheritance, so no one will trouble you.”

“Focus your energy in your lower abdomen, move it through your chest, let your blood ignite your organs, gather it at the bubbling spring point…”

Before Ning Yutan could respond, Ning Sujin had already recited the entire movement technique.

Li Ji’an’s gaze sharpened, and he memorized it instantly.

In this world, martial arts were developed by countless masters risking their own vital energy and even their lives, making them exceedingly precious.

Ordinary people couldn’t buy them, no matter how much gold or silver they offered.

Especially the ‘Floating Willow Step,’ which ranked among the top martial arts in the world.

Though he wasn’t in a hurry to practice external skills yet, he knew he would need them in the future.