The End of the Immortal Path

Old Huang first examined the Storage Treasure and found it wouldn’t be easy to open.

"This is no ordinary lock, but it shouldn’t be too hard to open. Just go find Ji Hao," the Old Yellow Ox said.

Jiang Man nodded. Now that he was back, it was only natural that he would seek out Mr. Ji. After all, he was counting on him to help him get his hands on ancient artifacts.

He was surprised the lock was so difficult to open, though.

Afterward, Old Huang began to examine the Evil God’s Technique, which would take some time.

He offered no comment on the special Sword Intent.

Only then did Jiang Man take out the Evil God Token.

He decided to go inside and see why he was being summoned.

Jiang Man then lay down and successfully entered the ruined temple.

This time, he appeared directly inside the ruined temple.

The candlelight brightened at his arrival.

He looked toward the stone tablet, but there was no new writing on it.

But soon, he heard the sound of footsteps.

’He’s here.’

Clad in a black robe, Chen Shi stepped into the ruined temple and said respectfully, "Greetings, Messenger."

"You were looking for me?" Jiang Man asked.

"Yes, a situation has arisen among our ranks," Chen Shi said, looking at Jiang Man. "As the Messenger and our leader, you must be the one to make the decision."

Jiang Man was taken aback for a moment. "From now on, you can make the decisions. You have my full support."

Chen Shi: "..."

He had guessed this would happen before he came. ’As an informant, Jiang Man couldn’t care less about us believers of the Immortal Spirit.’

Still, he took a deep breath and continued on his own, "There are two matters. First, because the Immortal Spirit is slumbering, the shackles on our Heart Spirits are growing ever tighter. If the Immortal Spirit doesn’t intervene, I fear many of us will develop Heart Demons from the strain and go insane."

Hearing this, Jiang Man frowned. "Don’t you practice the Visualization Skill?"

"It’s no use," Chen Shi sighed. "With our Heart Spirits shackled, the Visualization Skill has little effect."

Jiang Man thought of the Visualization Skill Mr. Ji had created, then said, "Give me some time. I will pass down a Visualization Skill that should provide some relief."

’The Visualization Skill is meant for Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment. It might not be useful for these people.’

’But I can’t just do nothing. They are all my reserve of Spiritual Sources; it would be a shame not to save them.’

Chen Shi was somewhat surprised, but before he could ask, Jiang Man told him to move on to the second matter.

Chen Shi could only continue, "The followers of a mysterious Immortal Spirit wish to cooperate with our Ling Hua Immortal Spirit. But they have one condition: they want to meet the Messenger first to gauge his strength."

"Only then will they decide whether to cooperate."

"What they offer is a way to help our Immortal Spirit awaken sooner."

"The meeting place is within the mists."

At this, Jiang Man expressed some surprise. "Followers of a mysterious Immortal Spirit?"

"Yes. The Immortal Spirit they serve is unknown," Chen Shi replied.

Jiang Man mused for a moment. "Do they have any distinguishing features?"

Chen Shi shook his head.

After a moment’s thought, Jiang Man said, "Tell them to wait for word from me. If they can wait, they wait. If they can’t, then we won’t cooperate."

Chen Shi paused, then said, "They may have information on some of our members. They could be reported."

Jiang Man was stunned. ’Trying to steal my Spiritual Sources?’

’All the more reason to make them wait, then.’

’Give in to one threat, and you’ll just face another.’

’Looks like I should write a letter to the Law Enforcement Hall. I’ll tell them I might be anonymously reporting Ling Hua members soon.’

’That should cover my bases. If they dare to report them by name, they’ll expose their own identities.’

’Even better.’

"Rest assured," Jiang Man said, looking at the man before him. "It is their honor to be sacrificed for the Immortal Spirit. That’s the message you’ll give them."

Chen Shi: "..."

————

「In a bustling city.」

A woman frowned. "The Ling Hua Envoy is playing that tough? Is he really not afraid I’ll report them? He’s telling us to wait for his notice? Do we have no other choice?"

A deep voice emanated from an ancestral Spiritual Tablet in front of the woman. "We have no choice. The Ling Hua Immortal Spirit may be weak, but her fortune is good. Her ability to reside in that place means no one else can bring me the same benefits she can."

The woman sneered confidently. "Then we’ll wait. The moment we meet, he won’t escape my sight. All his secrets will be laid bare."

"And once we awaken the Ling Hua Immortal Spirit, it will be time for a new Messenger."

"He can’t escape my grasp. All it will take is one meeting."