What is an immortal?

Elder Eight Sufferings frowned, raising his hand to form a seal.

Suddenly, the thorns around him transformed into spirit light, merging into his body.

At the same time, the right half of his face rapidly returned to its original form.

He stood up, flashed, and arrived outside the Cave Mansion.

In midair, a burly man with coarse eyebrows, eight feet tall and clad in jade armor, stood with arms crossed, looking coldly at Elder Eight Sufferings who appeared before him.

"Ning Yu, what madness is this, coming to my Upper Cloud Sect?" Elder Eight Sufferings' expression slightly darkened as he directly questioned.

"How dare you ask! My direct disciple was murdered in River City, and when I arrived, I discovered it was your subordinates' doing! You must give me an explanation for this!" Immortal Ning Yu's face was ashen, glaring in fury, pointing at Elder Eight Sufferings.

"My subordinates? Who exactly? If this is true, I will certainly give you an explanation." Elder Eight Sufferings' brows furrowed tightly, he said in a deep voice.

"The perpetrator was already slain by me, how would I know his name?" Immortal Ning Yu snorted coldly.

"So you have no evidence, yet you accuse my subordinate of killing your disciple based on mere hearsay? Ning Yu, aren't you bullying me too much!" Elder Eight Sufferings couldn't help but sneer coldly.

Just then, a crisp female voice suddenly echoed: "I advise you, Fellow Daoist Eight Sufferings, not to act rashly, but to properly explain to Ning Yu. Otherwise, I will have to preside over justice."

Everyone turned towards the voice, only to see a female cultivator, garbed in red like fire, with a valiant demeanor, slowly revealing herself beside Immortal Ning Yu.

It was Zhi Yan Fairy from Perch Phoenix Valley.

Upon seeing her, Elder Eight Sufferings' anger instantly dissipated by more than half, replaced by an inexplicable doubt.

At this moment, the right half of his face suddenly transformed, revealing the appearance of a woman.

That woman's face twisted, grinning hideously, she said: "Fool, can't you see? They have already discovered our plot!"

Immortal Ning Yu and Zhi Yan Fairy's expressions turned grave immediately.

Immortal Ning Yu spoke in a deep voice: "Water Jelly Immortal, it's you!"

"Ning Yu, Zhi Yan, don't spout nonsense! I have nothing to do with this woman!" Elder Eight Sufferings' expression changed, shouting angrily.

"Eight Sufferings, stop making excuses. The Soul Cultivation Method on you was clearly given by Water Jelly Immortal. You dare to collude with the Three Realms Sect demons to cultivate such a wicked art! If we hadn't stumbled upon it by chance, you would have completely deceived us!" Zhi Yan Fairy said coldly.

"It's pointless to say more, since you both know our secret, don't think of leaving alive!" Water Jelly Immortal chuckled sinisterly, saying.

"Do you think we would fear you? We've long heard of your divine skills, able to split souls and reside in others' bodies. Yet in this state, you can only exert less than thirty percent of your power. Even with Eight Sufferings' help, you are not our match!" Immortal Ning Yu showed a flash of fear in his eyes, yet still gritted his teeth and insisted.

"Oh? Is that so? What if my true body is here?" Water Jelly Immortal smiled coldly.

Upon hearing this, the three present were instantly filled with uncertainty and suspicion.

Elder Eight Sufferings widened his eyes, watching his mouth utter those words while his heart was filled with dread.

At this moment, Immortal Ning Yu and Zhi Yan Fairy suddenly felt a chill behind them, as if something was approaching them.

They instinctively wanted to turn around, but a powerful force fixed them in place.

"Turn around, look into my eyes!" A charming female voice rang out behind them, filled with undeniable power.

The two were shocked in their hearts, but their bodies turned involuntarily.

When they clearly saw the person behind them, their faces changed drastically—standing behind them was none other than Elder Eight Sufferings' closed-door disciple, Ji Kanqing!

At this moment, Ji Kanqing had completely transformed, her mouth curled with a cold smile, her eyes flashing with contempt.

As Immortal Ning Yu and Zhi Yan Fairy met her gaze, they instantly fell into an illusion, their bodies stiffening and unable to move.

"What a waste!" Ji Kanqing shouted angrily, spitting at Elder Eight Sufferings, her eyes full of disgust.

She raised her hand, and the soul splitting entity residing in Elder Eight Sufferings' physical body instantly exited, transforming into a ghostly light entering her palm.

Recalling the past, Elder Eight Sufferings thought he had risked his life for a narrow victory, yet it was merely an illusion she meticulously wove.

She exploited Elder Eight Sufferings' greed and fear, making him willingly cultivate the Bloodthorn Compassionate Life Technique.

This method was actually a secret skill for refining a clone; once Elder Eight Sufferings cultivated to the Realm of Life Witch, he would become her puppet, a mere pawn in her hand.

However, the cultivation of this method was arduous, requiring the devouring of a large amount of Qi-Blood and Desire Power, so Ji Kanqing dared not act openly, only cautiously manipulating everything from the shadows.

She thought her plan was flawless, but unexpectedly, it was abruptively discovered by Immortal Ning Yu and Zhi Yan Fairy today.

Unwilling in her heart, yet helpless, she could only personally appear, subduing Immortal Ning Yu and their group with her thunderous means.

Fortunately, this was within the Daze Country, where Upper Cloud Sect was already under her secret control, ensuring the news wouldn't spread.

She planned to appear in the guise of Immortal Ning Yu, to resolve the trouble while simultaneously annexing Shanglong Country.

But Ji Kanqing knew in her heart that time was pressing.

She couldn't control the thoughts of Dharma manifestation; if any other Dharma manifestation tried to contact Immortal Ning Yu and his group, her identity would be completely exposed.

Just as she was planning her next move, a chilling sensation suddenly crept into her heart.

She turned her head abruptly, only to see a man in a blue robe standing mid-air, with a sincere and radiant smile on his face.

"Got you." As Yuan Ming's words fell, countless runes burst from Immortal Ning Yu and Zhi Yan Fairy, quickly coalescing into a formation that trapped Ji Kanqing and Yuan Ming within it.

Ji Kanqing's face instantly turned gloomy. She only then belatedly realized that she had fallen into a trap specifically aimed at her.

...

An hour later.

Within the main hall of Upper Cloud Sect, Yuan Ming sat on the sect master's throne, gently rubbing a sphere encircled by the roots of the Undying Tree.

Sealed within that sphere was the Nascent Soul of the renowned Water Jelly Immortal of the Three Realms Sect — Ji Kanqing.

In the Three Realms Sect, two immortals were famous throughout the lands: one was Fire Wing Immortal, whose Fire Emperor True Intent was feared across the wilds.

The other was this Water Jelly Immortal, who wielded the Water Emperor True Intent, equally awe-inspiring.

And Yuan Ming targeted her specifically because of this Water Emperor True Intent.

According to the information revealed by the statue, Yuan Ming had long been aware that Ji Kanqing was hiding in Daze Country.

The intel also mentioned that this woman was extremely cautious, fleeing elsewhere at the slightest sign of trouble.

Therefore, Yuan Ming dared not act rashly and cleverly used the chance encounter with Xu Yousan at the ruined temple to lure Immortal Ning Yu and Zhi Yan Fairy.

This plan was meticulously crafted by Yuan Ming after thoroughly inquiring about their situations.

He cleverly utilized the old acquaintance relationship between Elder Eight Sufferings and Immortal Ning Yu to naturally force Ji Kanqing to show herself.

And on Immortal Ning Yu and Zhi Yan Fairy, Yuan Ming had already secretly placed formation devices, which he could instantly activate with a thought to trap Ji Kanqing.

"This time, thank you both for your righteous assistance." Yuan Ming felt grateful in his heart, looking down with eyes full of appreciation.

"Fellow Daoist Yuan is too kind. It is an honor for us to help Fellow Daoist capture this Water Jelly Immortal." Immortal Ning Yu smiled, though still somewhat intimidated by the Water Jelly Immortal, she appeared very carefree on the surface.

Zhi Yan Fairy was more forthright, her eyes shining with admiration, she said to Yuan Ming, "Fellow Daoist, your skills are extraordinary, having previously subdued Fire Wing Immortal alone, dealing with this Water Jelly Immortal naturally poses no challenge. We merely assisted from the sidelines and are not worthy of mention."

Yuan Ming smiled slightly, lightly turned his palm, and took out two bottles of elixirs, treasures personally refined by Dian Xiaosan.

He handed the elixirs to the two and said, "I sincerely appreciate your help this time. If there is a need in the future, feel free to find me in White Emperor City. Consider these two bottles of elixirs as a token of my gratitude."

Immortal Ning Yu accepted the elixirs, his gaze involuntarily shifting to the side where Elder Eight Sufferings was sealed with power.

He hesitated for a moment and opened his mouth to ask, "I wonder what plans Fellow Daoist has for handling this Elder Eight Sufferings?"

Yuan Ming's eyes were calm, he said casually, "Elder Eight Sufferings was beguiled by the Water Jelly Immortal, but ultimately, he couldn't escape the calamity of greed. He shall be spared death, but not punishment. I will take him back to White Emperor City to face consequences alongside the Water Jelly Immortal."

In a few words, he decided the fate of this Dharma manifestation Cultivator.

"And what about Upper Cloud Sect and Daze Country, Fellow Daoist, what plans do you have?" Immortal Ning Yu nodded and asked again.

"Considering the distance from the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range and the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals having no expansion intent, I leave Daze Country and Upper Cloud Sect in your care. I only hope you swiftly eradicate the remnants of Yuxuan Sect to bring peace to the people and cultivators here." Yuan Ming pondered for a moment and said.

Having said this, Yuan Ming stood up, politely declined Zhi Yan Fairy's invitation to visit Perch Phoenix Valley.

With a flick of his sleeve, he encompassed Elder Eight Sufferings into the Shura Palace and then gracefully left.

...

Central Continent, Tian Guang Mountain Range, towering mountains shrouded in mist.

"Thief, halt!" A thunderous voice shattered the tranquility of the mountains.

Two tunneling lights intertwined in the firmament, one chasing the other, swift as shooting stars.

Within the front tunneling light, a middle-aged male cultivator with a goatee appeared smug, glancing back with a mocking smirk.

"Jiang Wenjian, how can your Escape Technique compare to mine? This Sky-splitting Golden Mace is destined to elude you." He chuckled, his words full of provocation.

Enveloped by the trailing tunneling light, Jiang Wenjian's face turned grim upon hearing this.

He gritted his teeth, performed a hand gesture, mana surged out, causing his tunneling light to accelerate, closing in.

"Hmph, my Golden Sword Sect has gone all out; even with your supreme skill, don't hope to leave Tian Guang Mountain Range with the Sky-splitting Golden Mace!" Jiang Wenjian spat coldly.

The middle-aged male cultivator laughed heartily, his figure suddenly transformed into a fleeting shadow, dramatically increasing his tunneling speed, swiftly widening the gap with Jiang Wenjian.

At this moment, another tunneling light suddenly sped forward from ahead, disrupting the pursuit.

From the tunneling light emerged a middle-aged scholar in a green robe, with three strands of long beard flowing, exuding an elegant demeanor.

He paused mid-air upon noticing the commotion, his gaze darting between the two.

Seeing this, Jiang Wenjian's eyes flashed with joy, and he promptly called out, "Fellow Daoist, quickly lend me a hand! The man with the goatee ahead is Mo Kongkong, he has stolen our sect's prized treasure. If Fellow Daoist helps us, Golden Sword Sect will surely reward you generously!"