What is an immortal?

A few days later, within the borders of Daze Country, the wind and rain were as gloomy as dusk.

The rain poured down in torrents, pelting the eaves of the dilapidated temple with large raindrops, making a crisp "pitter-patter" sound, as if the sky was venting endless sorrow.

At this moment, on the horizon, three tunneling lights pierced through the dark clouds, like meteors streaking across the sky, finally landing steadily in front of the temple's weathered gate.

"Brother Cao, this place is desolate; why don't we go directly to River City? Why stop here?" A female cultivator with peach-blossom cheeks frowned at the surroundings and asked puzzledly.

"Junior Sister, the person we rescued mentioned that the situation in River City is unclear, and there may be demons running amok. Although this temple is in disrepair, it lies outside the city and sees few visitors, making it a suitable place for us to temporarily take shelter." The leading man in black said softly.

Beside him, a long-faced male cultivator nodded in agreement.

So the three of them walked into the temple, but their steps instantly became stiff.

In the main hall, a clay statue covered in dust and cobwebs stood solemn and mysterious.

It was a statue of a female Daoist, her eyes slightly opened, her expression dignified, invoking awe in onlookers.

This statue seemed to have been chopped by swords and knives, covered with sword cuts and knife marks, as if it had endured a fierce battle, appearing somewhat battered and incomplete.

At this moment, a man in blue stood silently before the statue, looking up as if searching for something.

His silhouette appeared so lonely and desolate, as if he didn't belong to this world.

Brother Cao looked at the man before him with vigilance.

Before landing, he had used his divine sense to probe the temple, confirming it was empty. Only then had he landed confidently, yet now a mysterious man suddenly appeared.

Although this man exuded not the slightest aura of mana, Brother Cao dared not be careless.

After many years of cultivation, he understood that many people in this world concealed profound abilities, some even able to conceal their aura entirely, appearing as ordinary mortals.

"We are disciples of the West Valley Sect in Shanglong Country. We didn't know that a senior was meditating here. We apologize for the intrusion and ask for your forgiveness." Brother Cao cupped his hands in a respectful salute.

The man in blue heard the words, turned around slowly, and his gaze calmly swept over Brother Cao and his companions.

"West Valley Sect? A name I've never heard. What is the cultivation level of the patriarch in your sect?" he asked lightly.

Brother Cao was startled and quickly replied, "Senior, our sect's patriarch, Master Qi Yang, is a Returning Void Great Power, renowned throughout the land."

The West Valley Sect in Shanglong Country, neighboring Daze Country, was considered a significant sect, quite reputable. Yet this man in blue appeared to know nothing about it, surprising Brother Cao.

He thought to himself that although the man in blue seemed ordinary, his calm demeanor in front of cultivators like them suggested he was a high individual deeply concealing his capabilities.

"A Returning Void Great Power? Very well, you mentioned outside that River City had become a den of demons. What is going on?" the man in blue asked with a gentle smile.

Brother Cao was even more shocked upon hearing this.

This man in blue seemed unaware of the situation in River City, confirming he wasn't from Daze Country.

After a moment's thought, he took a deep breath and explained the recent events in Daze Country: "Senior may not know this, but we also knew little about the situation in River City. During a recent training excursion, we inadvertently rescued several individuals from an evil cultivator's cave mansion. One of them was from Daze Country, who told us that a sect called 'Yuxuan Sect' had appeared in Daze Country, quickly expanding its influence. Within merely a few months, it reached the point where everyone believed in it."

"It seems that a soul cultivator intends to use Daze Country as a springboard to gather believers and expand its power. But what does this have to do with River City becoming a demon lair?" the man in blue asked Brother Cao, curiosity evident in his brows.

"The path of soul cultivation is not forbidden, but the rise of a new power always raises doubts. According to that Daze Country resident, Yuxuan Sect used human sacrifice as a ritual, selecting a city as the sacrificial site. River City is their next target. The three of us traveled thousands of miles to prevent this human sacrifice." Brother Cao pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly.

"Aside from that man's words, do you have any other evidence?" the man in blue nodded and asked again.

"No, which is why we intended to use this place as a base to secretly investigate, verify the truth, and plan our next move." Brother Cao said honestly.

"Oh? What do you think, fellow Daoist? Is this matter true or false?" the man in blue suddenly raised his head to look behind them.

Brother Cao and his companions were startled, quickly turning around to see an elderly man in flowing robes walking slowly through the rain— their master, Xu Yousan, a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

"Master, what brings you here?" Brother Cao asked in surprise.

"I followed you discreetly upon hearing about it. That person's words should be true, but Daze Country is usually isolated, and little news reaches Shanglong Country. Whether Yuxuan Sect exists, I am also unsure." Xu Yousan shook his head slightly.

Brother Cao couldn't shake the feeling that his master's attitude seemed somewhat respectful.

"Do you recognize me?" The man in blue also noticed this and promptly asked.

"Junior has poor eyesight, though unable to recognize senior's true face, this junior is the direct disciple of Master Qi Yang and possesses the Heavenly Yang Divine Eye, capable of discerning spiritual power fluctuations. Senior's Mana is immeasurable, your cultivation must certainly surpass ours." Xu Yousan respectfully replied.

The man in the blue robe nodded slightly upon hearing this, then directly asked, "Do you know which Dharma manifestation cultivators exist in Shanglong Country and Daze Country?"

"Reporting to senior, Shanglong Country has Immortal Ning Yu of the Green Jade Sect and Zhi Yan Fairy of Perch Phoenix Valley, two Dharma manifestation great powers. As for Daze Country, there is only Elder Eight Sufferings of the Upper Cloud Sect." Xu Yousan hurriedly answered, not daring to slacken.

"Have your master find a way to contact those two Dharma manifestation cultivators to come here to see me." The man in blue spoke lightly after listening.

"Senior, my master is only at the Returning Void Realm, how could he compel those two Dharma manifestation great powers?" Xu Yousan was troubled upon hearing this.

The man in the blue robe smiled slightly, casually tossing out a pitch-black token, engraved with the words "Ten Thousand Immortals."

He said lightly, "With this token, they will naturally come. Tell them my surname is Yuan."

Upon receiving the token, Xu Yousan's face changed instantly, and he asked in a trembling voice, "The Ten Thousand Immortals Token, surname Yuan... Are you possibly that legendary figure...?"

In the present-day Chuyun Realm, the only one who possesses the Ten Thousand Immortals Token and carries the surname Yuan, instilling respect in Dharma manifestation cultivators, is that legendary figure.

The man in the blue robe, who was Yuan Ming, smiled and nodded, confirming Xu Yousan's guess.

Overwhelmed with excitement, Xu Yousan quickly and deeply bowed to Yuan Ming, then turned to leave to carry out Yuan Ming's orders.

Meanwhile, Yuan Ming turned his gaze to the three remaining disciples, speaking gently, "Since you three have a fateful connection with me, if you have any doubts in your cultivation, feel free to speak openly, and I can offer some guidance."

...

Elsewhere, deep within the Upper Cloud Sect, the mountains layered lushly, shrouded in mist.

Behind a silent bamboo forest, a simple ancient cave mansion was faintly visible, within which an elder with white hair and beard sat in a lotus throne, meditating with closed eyes.

His face was etched with wrinkles, his eyes carried a faint sorrow and melancholic expression, as if lamenting the misfortune of the world's beings.

His body was tightly entwined with circle after circle of thorns, their sharp tips piercing deeply into his skin, yet no fresh blood flowed from the wounds, instead emitting a faint white spirit light, adding an ethereal quality to his weathered visage.

Suddenly, the elder's face twisted, and the right half swiftly transformed, eventually taking on the appearance of a woman.

Her eyes gleamed with madness, her mouth curving into an eerie smile.

"It's not enough! Eight Sufferings, you are too timid! How can the Desire Power collected from just one Daze Country help you and me reach the Realm of Life Witch!" She shrieked, her voice dripping with frenzy and urgency.

Slowly opening his eyes, Elder Eight Sufferings glanced at the woman and said calmly, "Be patient, Shanglong Country has Immortal Ning Yu and Zhi Yan Fairy, two Dharma manifestation great powers presiding. If we act rashly, it will only arouse their suspicion. If we anger them, we won't even be able to hold onto Daze Country."

Upon hearing this, a trace of unwillingness flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained calmness.

She understood that she could now only inhabit Elder Eight Sufferings' body, relying on his power to achieve her goals.

"Then find a chance to secretly kill them! The blood and essence of Dharma manifestation cultivators can certainly advance your Bloodthorn Compassionate Life Technique greatly!" She tempted.

"I said, don't rush. You have no physical body now, and can only reside within me, you must heed my mind. Otherwise, I don't mind erasing your residual soul completely." Elder Eight Sufferings frowned, but his voice remained calm.

"If you're not afraid of damaging your Nascent Soul and dropping in cultivation, by all means, try!" She retorted with a laugh, her voice full of taunting and disdain.

Despite the irritation in his heart, Elder Eight Sufferings felt helpless.

A hundred years ago, an accident caused him to become entangled with this madwoman from the Three Realms Sect.

Though his cultivation was profound, he couldn't completely shake off this madwoman's interference.

He took a deep breath to calm his mind, then transmitted a command outward.

Soon, a female cultivator with a charming figure came quickly, bowing respectfully to Elder Eight Sufferings.

The female cultivator was Ji Kanqing, Elder Eight Sufferings' closed-door disciple.

Seeing Elder Eight Sufferings' half-male, half-female appearance, she was not surprised, merely lowering her head to inquire, "Master, you called for me?"

"Kanqing, go retrieve the Qi-Blood and Desire Power obtained from the last blood sacrifice in Luowan City." Elder Eight Sufferings nodded, instructing.

Ji Kanqing bowed in acknowledgment without questioning further, then turned and left.

However, just as she turned around, a thunderous shout erupted from outside the cave mansion: "Eight Sufferings! Get out here!"