Immortality Begins With Internal Breathing

Deep inside the demon cave, almost every stable space-time node was heavily guarded by numerous powerful cultivators. They were there not only to protect the node and prevent too many strong yao from the demon realm from coming through but also to use the site as a training ground. Lin Zheyu visited several such outposts in succession before ultimately leaving.

Among those outposts, he sensed the aura of experts from the Woo Family. Lin Zheyu still carried the Woo Family's bloodline curse mark, and his purpose in coming here was to deal with that curse. If he got too close to members of the Woo Family and they sensed the curse aura on him, things could become troublesome.

As for the newly emerged low-level space-time nodes guarded by terrifying experts, Lin Zheyu could no longer enter them. It was not because his cultivation had advanced into the Shackles realm.

The real issue was that the identity he publicly used had already reached the Shackles realm. Entry into those nodes required proof of identity, and once he presented it, his publicly acknowledged cultivation level would disqualify him from entering. Yet concealing his identity was not an option either. An unfamiliar cultivator of unknown origin attempting to enter could easily be blasted to death by the experts guarding the area. Great strength came with its own set of troubles.

At the current time, Lin Zheyu could only enter space-time nodes that lacked powerful guardians, or conceal his identity and slip into nodes while the two worlds were in the midst of merging. Other than those options, he could only seek out stable nodes capable of supporting the passage of cultivators in the Golden Core realm and above.

Lin Zheyu gazed at a space-time node ten kilometers away and murmured softly, "This place will do."

His powerful perception spread outward, sweeping through the cultivators within the space-time node. There were no cultivators from the Woo Family present here.

"Stop right there!" As soon as Lin Zheyu approached, he was stopped by a guard cultivator. "Please present your identification!"

Lin Zheyu remained calm. A token representing his status within the Martial Alliance flew out from his storage pouch and hovered before him.

The two Foundation Establishment realm cultivators on guard bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Senior Xiao. Please come in!"

Although most immortal cultivators looked down on crude martial cultivators, the two Foundation Establishment realm cultivators did not dare show even the slightest disrespect toward a Shackles realm expert like Lin Zheyu.

"I need to use the node passage here," Lin Zheyu said calmly.

"Please wait inside for a moment, Senior. I need to report this first," the man on the left said respectfully.

"Mhm." Lin Zheyu nodded lightly.

He was not here on an official mission this time, but merely to temporarily make use of the node passage, so reporting his arrival was perfectly normal. Under the guidance of another cultivator, Lin Zheyu was led to a reception hall to rest. Before long, a powerful spiritual sense swept over him. It belonged to a Golden Core realm cultivator. The probe was restrained and courteous, stopping after a brief inspection while conveying a measure of goodwill.

A hearty laugh rang out. "So it is Fellow Xiao. My apologies, I was somewhat neglectful earlier."

A refined and handsome young man emerged from the void with a smile. He was a complete stranger. Lin Zheyu searched his memories and found no recollection of ever meeting him.

Lin Zheyu cupped his fist in greeting and said with a smile, "I am Xiao Yu of the Martial Alliance. May I ask who you are, Fellow Friend?"

"Haha, I completely forgot to introduce myself. I am Ji Weifang, Ziyang and Zitong's cousin. I've heard them speak of you before. They praised you to the skies, saying that you possessed astonishing talent and are the most monstrous martial artist they have ever encountered. Given enough time to grow, you are certain to make a name for yourself in the cultivation world before long. Now that I've met you in person, I can see they weren't exaggerating!" Ji Weifang said with a smile.

"So you're Fellow Ji. It's been several years since I last parted ways with Fellows Ziyang and Zitong. Are they here as well?" Lin Zheyu asked with a smile.

"They didn't come. Advancing to the Golden Core realm is different from martial cultivation, and the techniques cultivated by our Ji Family are even more troublesome. Not long after attaining the Golden Core realm, they entered a family secret realm for further cultivation. They should be able to come out sometime next year," Ji Weifang replied with a smile.

This was one of the advantages of having the backing of a powerful esteemed family. For ordinary cultivators, merely gathering the resources required to attain the Golden Core realm was already extraordinarily difficult. Having access to a family secret realm afterward to consolidate one's cultivation was an even greater luxury.

"I see. If you happen to meet those two, I'd appreciate it if you could pass along my greetings," Lin Zheyu said with a smile.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the two finally moved on to the matter at hand.

"I heard you wish to make use of this node passage?" Ji Weifang asked.

"Indeed. Fellow Ji should know that the path of martial cultivation reaches its end at the Shackles realm. What comes afterward must be explored by martial artists themselves. I've recently gained a few insights and need to enter the demon realm to conduct some experiments," Lin Zheyu explained with a smile.

The fact that martial cultivation had no established path beyond the Shackles realm was common knowledge throughout the cultivation world. Every martial artist who broke free from all seven shackles had to forge a path of their own. If successful, they could attain strength comparable to that of a Nascent Soul realm cultivator. If fortune favored them, it was even possible to continue advancing along that self-created path and eventually grow into a powerhouse comparable to those of the Deity Transformation realm.

The current leader of the Martial Alliance was said to have reached a realm analogous to the Immortal Dao's Deity Transformation realm. In terms of combat prowess, he was already comparable to a Deity Transformation realm cultivator.

However, his path was exceedingly difficult to replicate. The martial path he had originally forged had ultimately reached a dead end. Through a series of fortunate opportunities, he had opened up an entirely different road, yet that road could no longer be considered pure martial cultivation.

It could be said that the Martial Alliance leader's original martial path had already been proven wrong. Even so, the strength he now possessed, comparable to that of a Deity Transformation realm cultivator, could also be viewed as a different kind of success.

Yet it was not a success that brought him joy. Those who refused to abandon martial cultivation, refused to switch to the Immortal Dao, and willingly joined the Martial Alliance to continue groping forward along this severed road were almost all fanatics devoted to martial cultivation. They had dedicated their lives to it.

Greater strength certainly brought them satisfaction, but that satisfaction was only temporary. Only by discovering the true path of martial cultivation would they feel genuine ecstasy and a sense that their lives had finally reached fulfillment.

"I see. As it happens, I also have business in the demon realm. The demon realm is fraught with dangers and teeming with powerful yao. Currently, we have three like-minded fellow friends accompanying us, all of them Golden Core realm cultivators whose character is beyond question. Would you be interested in traveling with us?"

JI Weifang's purpose in coming here had been to invite Lin Zheyu. Their previous cooperation had allowed Ji Ziyang and Ji Zitong to witness Lin Zheyu's terrifying talent and potential firsthand. After returning, they had instructed the family to keep an eye on him. As a result, Ji Weifang had a fairly favorable impression of the martial artist known as Xiao Yu. Also, although martial artists were often regarded as crude and uncultured, they were undeniably capable of playing a significant role within the demon realm.

"My apologies, but the experiments I'm conducting this time involve certain personal secrets. I'd prefer to go alone," Lin Zheyu replied, a trace of regret appearing on his face.

Ji Weifang was slightly taken aback. He had not expected Lin Zheyu to refuse. After all, the dangers of the demon realm were well known, and traveling in a group would greatly improve one's chances of survival. However, he quickly recovered and smiled.

"In that case, I won't press the matter further. Would Fellow Xiao like to stay awhile and allow me to play the role of host, or do you wish to enter the node passage immediately?" Ji Weifang asked with a smile.

Lin Zheyu cupped his fists in thanks. "Thank you, Fellow Ji. However, this matter is rather urgent, so I'll head in right away."

"Very well. Then I wish you every success and hope you carve out a martial path of your own," Ji Weifang said with a smile.

"I'll gladly accept your blessing," Lin Zheyu replied with a smile.

With permission granted, he moved and sped toward the space-time node. This was a stable node passage. Outside it was an enormous formation engraved with intricate and profound patterns, designed to prevent invasions by armies of yao. Entering the formation, Lin Zheyu leaped lightly and vanished into the node passage.

"Xiao Yu..." Watching Lin Zheyu's departing figure, Ji Weifang murmured softly, unable to suppress his admiration. "This man truly is extraordinary. I couldn't see through him at all!"

Had he not known that Lin Zheyu had participated in the rule fragments opportunity alongside Ziyang and Zitong just a few years ago, when he had genuinely been at the Divine Repository realm, Ji Weifang might have suspected he was some terrifying old monster in disguise. After all, only a few years had passed. No matter how fast his progress, he should at most have reached the Shackles realm.

When Xiao Yu had stood before him, Ji Weifang had been completely unable to discern his true strength. It was as though the man had been an ordinary mortal without any cultivation whatsoever, emitting not the slightest trace of aura. Such an ability to conceal one's aura was frighteningly powerful.

"When I get back, I'll have Ziyang and Zitong keep in closer contact with him. That girl Zitong still doesn't have a Dao companion. Perhaps it's worth considering..." Ji Weifang muttered while stroking his chin, a thoughtful smile appearing on his face.

***

Within the void of the space-time node, black winds howled as terrifying rule energy raged through the emptiness. Lin Zheyu's golden eye gradually manifested, surveying the surroundings with great interest. This was his first time entering a stabilized space-time node. The rule energy within the stabilized node had become considerably gentler than before, yet it remained incomparably violent.

Even ordinary Golden Core realm cultivators would not dare remain here for long. However, compared to unstable space-time nodes, the violent rule energy within this stabilized void space was clearly divided. The previous sense of chaos and disorder was gone. It was as though an invisible membrane separated the rule energies belonging to the two worlds, maintaining them in a stable equilibrium.

For example, the enormous mass of terrifying energy floating in the void, vast as a lake, was now distinctly partitioned. The side closer to Lin Zheyu's world appeared gray and hazy, while the side nearer the demon realm was black as ink.

"Interesting..." Lin Zheyu said softly with a smile.

After a brief inspection, he suddenly sensed a fluctuation of formation energy coming from the fissure connected to the demon realm. Clearly, the other side had noticed a cultivator entering and had dispatched someone to investigate. Lin Zheyu had no desire to clash with the yao.

Activating the Heaven-Deceiving Art to its fullest extent, he moved and slipped into the clearly divided energy lake below. Though it had changed somewhat, the energy contained within remained incomparably violent. At the same time, it was astonishingly pure.