Chapter 149: Ten Enter the Dragon Gate, Three Ascend to Immortality

Li Rui's pupils contracted slightly.

"Ten enter the Dragon Gate, three ascend to immortality!"

What Jiang Yan said was a brand-new version he had never heard before.

"That's becoming an immortal."

Attaining the Dao, ascending to immortality, proving the path to eternal life, living as long as heaven!

A three-in-ten ratio isn't just high—it's outright defying heaven.

Ancient legends speak of immortals, but those who ascended were exceedingly few; even during the peak of the Immortal Court, their numbers were negligible compared to all living beings.

Later, spiritual energy scattered, and the Immortal Court fell into ruin.

Since then, no immortals have walked the world; later generations could only desperately seek traces left behind by the ancients, as mere memories.

Jiang Yan withdrew her gaze from the shallow pool and turned to Li Rui:

"My father told me I should linger longer in the top three ranks, ideally cultivating multiple forms from condensed qi, or at least two forms—perhaps then I might have a sliver of a chance."

Jiang Yan did not continue.

What chance?

Of course, the chance to become an immortal.

"Legends say those ten elders all cultivated two forms—or even multiple forms—at the Willow Vein stage; while not necessarily a direct link, there is certainly a pattern to be found."

Li Rui nodded: "Thank you, Miss Jiang, for your guidance."

Had Jiang Yan not mentioned it, he would never have known this ancient lore.

Jiang Yan smiled faintly: "I merely saw these fish and recalled that the elder had both orthodox and deviant forms fully formed, making it easier to cultivate dual forms than ordinary cultivators—that's why I mentioned it."

"Father only mentioned it in passing; you needn't take it too seriously."

Cultivating dual forms.

Aside from talent, you need a spiritual guide—something no seventh-rank cultivator can afford.

When my father was seventh-rank, he could only manage two forms.

The other five forms came later, slowly gathered.

Even with Jiang Linxian's extraordinary talent, he nearly suffered qi deviation during one attempt to form qi shapes.

Only those with exceptional talent and great fortune can succeed.

Jiang Yan suddenly felt regret.

Telling Li Rui this only adds worry and breeds inner demons, with no real benefit.

She had heard it before.

Li Rui forcibly generated a thread of true qi through the Qi Flow Chart and a stroke of luck with dragon blood, allowing him to break through to the Willow Vein.

Pure luck, a shortcut.

But the consequence is this Willow Vein foundation is too thin—he'll likely spend most of his life making up for the gaps; his foundation is unstable, let alone cultivating condensed qi or the next level of dual forms.

Li Rui's heart stirred slightly.

He would never reveal that he had already cultivated dual forms.

And not just any dual forms—Dragon Immortal dual forms, with a foundation so solid, rare in the world.

If Jiang Yan's words were true, he could try forming the dual forms at the Willow Vein stage.

As for three forms, or more…

Li Rui was no greedy man; possessing dual forms was already exceedingly rare—Jiang Linxian himself only achieved dual forms at seventh rank.

Greed makes a snake swallow an elephant.

It will only choke itself.

Dual forms are more than enough; more would invite heaven's envy.

Didn't Jiang Yan say? The three ancient immortals all had dual forms—and that was enough to ascend.

First perfect the dual forms; if energy remains, then proceed gradually. If you start greedy, you'll waste time chasing lofty goals.

At that moment,

a golden carp, spurred by Jiang Yan's words, suddenly surged forward—

and landed on the grass beside the pond.

Out of water.

It thrashed violently on the ground, and would soon die from lack of moisture.

Leaping past the Dragon Gate to become a dragon is glorious, but behind every dragon lie countless skeletons.

Jiang Yan could not bear it; she knelt, cupped the carp in her hands, and returned it to the pond.

But to her astonishment,

the moment the carp touched the water, it mustered all its strength and swam upstream again, utterly forgetting its near-death ordeal.

She let out a soft laugh:

"Even fish behave this way—how much more so humans?"

Though the martial path is arduous, martial artists still flood the world like carp crossing a river, one wave after another.

Jiang Yan suddenly felt her heart grow clearer.

Her eyes brightened.

This night out was well worth it.

"Senior Li, the hour is late—I'll return to my room."

"Go in peace, Miss Jiang."

Li Rui watched Jiang Yan leave, then turned and returned to his room.

The small courtyard was pitch-black, utterly silent.

Indeed, Tan Hu and the Running Tiger Riders had no intention of returning last night.

Li Rui didn't mind.

Young people enjoy themselves—it's natural. Unlike this old man, who cherishes only eternal life.

The night passed without incident.

When Li Rui opened his eyes again, dawn had just broken; the dim light and shadow made distant hills faintly visible, offering a quiet charm.

Li Rui rose slowly and took a deep breath.

The crisp mountain air flowed through his lungs.

"Refreshing!"

No wonder some martial masters prefer to dwell in the mountains—it makes sense.

Not to mention anything else.

At least you're less likely to get lung disease.

Li Rui washed his face with cold mountain spring water; since Tan Hu wasn't around, he decided to practice his sword in the courtyard.

Even on a mission, one mustn't neglect sword practice.

The Barrier Sword whirled, silver blades instantly encircling Li Rui's body; had one not seen his face, who would believe this was a man over seventy?

He trained for a full hour.

Daylight fully broke.

Li Rui was drenched in fine sweat when he finally sheathed his sword.

To train further would be excessive; more practice over time isn't necessarily better. He had just wiped his sweat with a towel

when Tan Hu burst into the courtyard, cursing: "Damn it, are the Ghost Ming Sect's little devils all eels?"

He crossed the threshold and saw Li Rui, just finished practicing.

He stopped.

Li Rui had clearly heard Tan Hu's words; his brow furrowed slightly: "Ghost Ming Sect?"

Tan Hu nodded fiercely: "Senior Li, I planned to take the boys into town for fun, but halfway we ran into two men fighting. When I looked closer, I realized one of them—I swear—I recognized him."

"Senior, guess who?"

Li Rui was speechless; Tan Hu had learned to tease.

He had no choice but to play along.

"Who?"

=9+ Shu _ Ba

Tan Hu grinned: "It was the big disciple of the Ten-Thousand Ghost Mother—Headless Slave!"

Li Rui's eyes narrowed slightly:

"Headless Slave?"

"Yes! I've crossed blades with that brat before—I recognized him at a glance."

Li Rui's brow tightened further.

That night, Jiang Linxian slew the Ten-Thousand Ghost Mother with a flying sword—he was there.

He had seen Headless Slave's head pierced clean through by Jiang Linxian's flying sword.

"He's still alive?"

Li Rui found it unbelievable.

But he knew Tan Hu's nature—he wasn't the type to lie or exaggerate; if he said it, there was at least a seven-in-ten chance.

Tan Hu was puzzled too: "Senior Li, could I have remembered wrong?"

"I swear that Headless Slave was already dead in Qinghe County."

Li Rui nodded: "He should've been slain by Jiang Lin's flying sword—so where is he now?"

At the mention of this,

Tan Hu grew even angrier: "That demon brat is slippery as an eel—I chased him all night, and still he slipped away."

I didn't get supper, only swallowed a bellyful of cold wind, and ended up letting him escape—how could I not be furious?"

Li Rui pressed:

"Where did he flee to?"

Tan Hu: "He vanished into the northern woods—no trace to be found."

"How long has passed since you lost him?"

Seeing Li Rui's urgency, Tan Hu hurriedly recalled: "Less than half an hour."

"There's still a chance!"

Li Rui murmured, then dashed toward the gate.

Tan Hu instantly called out: "Brother Li, he's already gone! Even if you're chasing him, take me along!"

Then came Li Rui's voice:

"I'm going to summon reinforcements!"

Moments later,

he found Dong Shen.

"Elder Dong, we've accidentally spotted the Ghost Ming Sect's Headless Slave. This man is wanted by Elder Jiang Lin—we beg you to send your Mountain Villa disciples to assist us in searching the mountains!"

In just a few words,

Li Rui laid out the matter thoroughly.

The most crucial points were the names Headless Slave and Jiang Lin.

Dong Shen was a decisive man.

Hearing Ghost Ming Sect and Jiang Lin, he knew Qingfeng Mountain Villa could not stay out of this.

Besides, killing Ghost Ming Sect members was something everyone did—it wasn't making enemies, just lending hands.

Dong Shen didn't even report to the Villa Master before agreeing.

He spun on his heel and left swiftly.

Soon after, Dong Shen gathered over a hundred disciples of Qingfeng Mountain Villa.

Tan Hu stared, eyes wide with shock.

This wasn't Anning Guard—he couldn't just snap his fingers and summon people here. Li Rui had rallied over a hundred men on someone else's turf to search the mountains—remarkable.

Li Rui bowed to Dong Shen with a smile: "Elder Dong, your righteousness is commendable."

Dong Shen smiled:

"The Ghost Ming Sect are heretical devils—everyone must slay them. We cannot refuse. And since this concerns Elder Jiang, we must act swiftly."

The first half was all fluff; the last sentence was the real point.

The meaning was clear:

"I've shown my sincerity—remember to speak well of me to Elder Jiang."

Li Rui chuckled: "Thank you. I'll tell Elder Jiang of Qingfeng Mountain Villa's righteous act. His daughter is here too—she'll remember."

Hearing this, Dong Shen was even happier: "No time to waste—let's move now and capture that villain!"

"Exactly!"

Without hesitation, Li Rui summoned Tan Hu and a few men from the Running Tiger Cavalry and plunged straight into the mountains.

The Huaqing Sect disciples had already returned—he didn't call them.

As for Jiang Yan,

Jiang Lin had said it was training—not suicide. If Jiang Yan were involved in such a dangerous mission and Jiang Lin found out, Li Rui would be in deep trouble.

Li Rui understood this well.

So he never told Jiang Yan a word.

Two watch periods later, the hundred-plus men arrived at the forest where Tan Hu had lost the trail.

Tan Hu looked at the familiar scene and nodded: "Yes—this is it!"

Dong Shen was eager: "Not much time has passed—there might still be traces. Let's search the mountains now!"

Saying this,

Li Rui, Tan Hu, and Dong Shen each led a group into the forest.

Dong Shen was just there to lend strength—he stayed relaxed.

Tan Hu truly wanted to contribute.

But once inside the woods, he was utterly lost; without Qingfeng Mountain Villa disciples who knew the terrain, he might've gotten lost himself.

As for Li Rui,

he led his men straight into the heart of the forest.

Unlike Dong Shen, he truly meant to kill the Headless Slave.

(End of Chapter)