Chapter 21: Cataclysm of Martial Arts

Unexpectedly, Su Ji Shi, who was known for his temper, was unusually silent at this moment.

After a brief silence, both Su Ji Shi and Chen Xiao Sheng looked at Li Ji An with a hint of peculiarity in their eyes.

“Is your resolve to seek immortality truly so steadfast?”

Their first reaction was not to marvel at Li Ji An’s refusal of an unparalleled martial arts technique, but rather at the strength of his will. At such a young age, to possess such determination in pursuit of immortality! They themselves, being at the pinnacle of martial arts and advanced in years, had seen and heard much about the yearning for immortality, but most of it was superficial—a mere desire for mundane wealth, glory, fame, and status. Yet Li Ji An, even when faced with a peerless technique, remained unwavering, which revealed the depth of his intention.

To seek immortality, to seek transcendence—was that not their own original dream? After all, it was the true escape from the mundane, the possibility of living eternally, sharing longevity with heaven itself. All worldly riches and pleasures, after a hundred years, would be nothing but dust, fleeting as smoke. Especially now, when their own lifespans were running short, this understanding hit deeper. If given a choice, a chance to start over, they would pursue immortality with all their strength, even for a mere sliver of hope.

The older one grows, the more one fears death, the clearer the terror of its approach, the sweeter the gift of life! The more precious that faint hope of becoming immortal becomes.

But alas… life holds no “if,” no repetition.

They were all failures, and had long since given up. Most surrendered after their first defeat at the Immortal Seed Ceremony. They spent decades chasing wealth and family fortunes, only to realize in the end—what comes with birth is not carried into death. Without immortality, all is ultimately emptiness.

At this moment, Li Ji An’s resolve made them feel a subtle sense of shame.

For at his age, they themselves had thought more of glory, status, and even held the belief that life’s height mattered more than its length, preferring a brilliant but brief existence over silent longevity.

“Good!” In the end, both men nodded with a hint of melancholy in their eyes, saying nothing more.

Not only did they not blame Li Ji An for his boldness, they even offered encouragement.

This left Ning Hai Chan, who was prepared to play the role of the kindly mediator, momentarily speechless, his intended words stuck in his throat.

“Well… then… ah, very good, very good. Nephew Ji An, to possess such resolve is a fine thing, a fine thing. Now, you all withdraw, and prepare for your journey…” He was convinced that Li Ji An’s chance of becoming an Immortal Seed in ten years was virtually zero; by then, his thinking would naturally change. There was no need to rush.

Leaving the command tent, Ning Su Jin and Ning Yu Tan gazed at Li Ji An’s carefree figure, warmth flooding their hearts.

“I will wait for you in the Immortal Realm! I believe you will succeed!” Ning Yu Tan’s heart fluttered like a startled fawn, mistakenly thinking that Li Ji An’s rejection of immense wealth was for the sake of reuniting with her in the Immortal Realm.

“Bah! Who cares for you? If others saw your slick, frivolous manner before, I wonder if they'd believe your nonsense now?” Ning Su Jin spat lightly, convinced that Li Ji An’s claim of seeking immortality was merely an excuse to be with her.

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From then on, the journey was smooth.

Half a month later, the party arrived at the imperial capital!

Traveling through the most prosperous and central part of the capital, Li Ji An grew ever more cautious.

Under the emperor’s gaze, dangers lurked everywhere—one misstep, and death could come without warning.

He declined the invitation of Duke Dingguo, and decisively went first to report at the Immortal Palace.

Upon seeing the Immortal Palace for the first time, Li Ji An felt his lingering doubts about the existence of immortals in this world begin to fade.

Compared to the world of his previous life, even the most superstitious feudal rulers, who claimed to be mandated by heaven, never constructed anything as grand as the Immortal Palace of this realm, which stood as the most majestic building in the entire capital.

It occupied the very center of the imperial dynasty.

Its size, location, and scale all surpassed that of the emperor’s own palace!

This alone showed the emperor’s attitude toward immortals.

At the heart of the Immortal Palace stood a colossal golden lacquered stone sculpture, ten fathoms tall.

It depicted an elder with immortal bearing and benevolent features, standing in a pose of universal compassion.

“So this is the immortal master whom the founder of the Immortal-Gift Dynasty encountered?” With reverence, Li Ji An followed the etiquette taught by the Duke on the journey.

As he entered the Immortal Palace, he saw beneath the immortal’s statue hundreds of life-sized figures, all kneeling in repentance.

Upon seeing these “statues,” Li Ji An drew a slow breath, suppressing the shadow in his heart.

For these “statues” were not mere sculptures—they were real people, most of whom had once ranked among the masters of the Immortal-Gift Dynasty fifty years ago, each encased in iron, flesh and blood sealed within.

These iron effigies stood here to warn all martial prodigies entering the Immortal Palace: do not harbor delusions, do not challenge immortal authority!

The turmoil fifty years ago could be considered a catastrophe for the martial world, and Li Ji An had heard of it even in his first life after crossing into this realm.

At the time, he thought it was just a scare tactic by the rulers to intimidate martial artists.

Now, with what he had seen and heard in three lifetimes, he was almost certain of its truth.

It was said that sixty or seventy years ago, some had reached the pinnacle of martial cultivation—perfected vital energy, their bodies as furnaces of blood and qi.

Yet, they could advance no further.

As their lifespans dwindled, death became inevitable.

Having tasted the highest status and glory of the realm, they were all the more unwilling to face mortality.

Especially since they had seen true immortals, and knew that immortality was real, their longing only grew.

But they also knew they had been excluded, denied the chance to become immortal.

So, despairing, some began to seek hope, initially hoping to find another path to the Immortal Realm besides being chosen as an Immortal Seed.

This was also the secret ambition of the royal family, who supported them in secret.

Thus, for nearly twenty years, the elite of the Immortal-Gift Dynasty explored every map and possibility.

After countless attempts, including the largest recorded effort, mobilizing tens of thousands as supply convoys and consuming nearly a third of the nation's grain reserves, they discovered—surrounding the Immortal-Gift Dynasty was endless desert!

The furthest record showed the yellow sands stretching for ten thousand miles.

This brought utter despair!

At last, they believed the immortal master’s words: the Immortal Realm and the mortal realm were not in the same place.

Unless chosen by the immortal master, there was no hope of immortality.

And they had been definitively excluded.

Some despaired, some went mad, some secretly rejoiced.

The royal family, in their despair, also rejoiced, for they were the only mortals ever received by the immortal master, the undisputed leaders of mortals, controllers of martial resources, and agents serving the immortal master, with the hope of gaining rewards. From then on, they devoted themselves to pleasing the immortal master, seeking only favor.

But among the aged, those with little time left on the Masters List, the discontent ran deep. In pursuit of a last chance at immortality, they formed a secret organization and decided to risk everything.

Obeying fate meant death; defying heaven might lead to immortality!

Since they were barred from becoming immortals, they resolved to slay the immortal!

Thus, fifty years ago, the catastrophe struck.

Seventy percent of the masters on the list, hundreds of elite martial artists and thousands more, gathered at that year’s Immortal Ceremony, and launched an attack against the Dust-Transcending Immortal Master…