[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-path-of-immortality":3,"chapter-the-path-of-immortality-the-path-of-immortality-chapter-109":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Path of Immortality",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2271259,4436,"Chapter 109: The Abyss Map Scroll","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-109",109,"\u003Cp>Two days later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fuyu Lake, Jiyang Island.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a private room of a tea house, Luo Zhang held a cup of clear tea in hand and sat still on a plain wicker chair, yet his expression was deeply uneasy—he alternated between lowering his head to mutter to himself and unable to suppress soft sighs, his brows knotted in sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His already dark face had aged considerably, new wrinkles and fine lines etched into his skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After no more than a few dozen breaths, Luo Zhang could no longer bear it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly rose from the wicker chair, leaned past the screen to peer far off, then pulled his neck back in disappointment, resuming his sighs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pacing and frequent sighs from him had been watched by the other man in the room for some time, until he finally could not help but speak up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Luo, Brother Luo, don’t be so agitated—it’s barely noon, just now reaching noon!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hao Qingyan, still clad in his purple robe, slowly stirred his teacup, took a sip, and gazed at Luo Zhang before speaking with resignation:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Chen has already promised you—what is his status? How could he possibly break his word to you? Your restlessness and inability to calm your spirit—if Brother Chen sees this, won’t he look down on you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, this undermines your own standing…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can one remain calm when disaster strikes from heaven?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brother Hao, you’re outside the storm, so you can be leisurely and carefree, sleeves fluttering lightly—but I’m truly in the midst of fire and water; one misstep and I’ll be burned to ash.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Luo Zhang gave a bitter smile, forced himself to steady his composure, and shook his head:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Had Brother Chen not spoken up for me at the Flower God Mansion, I wouldn’t have just lost my life savings—I’d have lost my life too, taken casually by the officials there. Brother Chen has saved me as if granting me rebirth; if I cannot meet this man who gave me new life and express my gratitude, how can I ever find peace?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were excessively fawning, full of obsequious flattery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Hao Qingyan, who had spent years navigating the business world and prided himself on being utterly slick and impassive, couldn’t help but twitch his lips slightly, revealing a sneer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly raised his white porcelain teacup to his face, brought it to his lips, and lowered his wide sleeves to conceal the mocking expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The main person isn’t even here—what good is all this groveling? Isn’t it like throwing a flirtatious glance at a blind man?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hao Qingyan thought to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took another sip of clear tea; the spiritual energy rolled down his throat into his organs, then spread through his limbs and bones, bringing instant calm and comfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Luo Zhang sighed heavily, his spirit drained:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now that Master Huaiwu is dead, the brothers tainted by demons were immediately slain by the Jin Dan True Person of Yu Yuchen’s sect; as for the rest of us, like myself, we’re merely low-talent individuals—how could we possibly sustain such a vast legacy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Huaiwu lineage is now despised by all—within a few more days…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A trace of grief surfaced in Luo Zhang’s eyes; he lifted his sleeve to cover his face and murmured:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It will soon scatter like wind and clouds…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Luo, why speak so despairingly? You’ve barely survived—your duty now is to rise again, not to sink into despair!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhang’s mournful sigh moved Hao Qingyan deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly set down his teacup and spoke soothingly, his own heart filled with countless thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Huaiwu lineage had truly been finished…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two days ago, Sima Lingzhen summoned all the Dongxuan Alchemists and harshly rebuked them, demanding they eradicate any remaining traces of Heavenly Demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first to suffer were the surviving disciples of Master Huaiwu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the management of the Flower God Mansion and the Five Lights Sect, every single one of them was arrested and imprisoned—even those who had been traveling outside Fuyu Lake at the time of the incident could not escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to what Hao Qingyan had heard, the actual Heavenly Demons had already been slain on the spot by Sima Lingzhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this current behavior—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>first, it was to strictly obey the Jin Dan True Person’s orders and eliminate any possible survivors;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>second, it was merely an opportunity for the sects to use this pretext to eliminate Huaiwu’s disciples, legitimizing the seizure of all their wealth and the territory of Fuyu Lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the imprisoned Huaiwu disciples, they were first stripped of all their wealth, then subjected to soul-searching and torture by members of various sects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when they truly knew nothing would they be released.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even after passing soul-searching and spirit-examination, even if declared innocent and freed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>their entire fortunes were already gone, and half their lives had been taken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damaged spiritual souls, if not promptly healed, would render any future cultivation achievements utterly impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet medicines and materials capable of restoring the primordial spirit and soul were always the most precious—only those of the Zi Fu high realm could afford them; ordinary Foundation Establishment or Qi Condensation cultivators had no hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Luo Zhang’s talent was unremarkable and he was not valued within the Huaiwu lineage,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he had nonetheless once listened to lectures under Master Huaiwu and was formally his disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had assumed he too would be caught, living in constant terror—until, unexpectedly, no one came to arrest him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gathering courage to inquire, he learned that Chen Hang had mentioned his name to Xie Tan of the Flower God Mansion, and thus he had been spared by chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon learning that Chen Hang had visited Baoyu Zhai several times and was at least acquainted with the manager Hao Qingyan—enough to recognize his name and face—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>today, Luo Zhang had invited Hao Qingyan to accompany him, specifically arranging this private tea room to meet Chen Hang and thank him in person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Hao Qingyan’s kind words of comfort, Luo Zhang finally managed to suppress his sorrowful expression, bowed respectfully, and sat back down on the wicker chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Luo, you’ve really bled heavily this time—this tea is rare White Hair tea; just this one pot costs ten talisman coins! How generous!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hao Qingyan took another sip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the spiritual energy surge toward his acupoints, causing a faint pricking sensation like needle stabs, he felt joy and immediately began silently activating his spiritual practice to refine it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as his cup was nearly empty, Hao Qingyan hurriedly refilled it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was deeply absorbed, nearly forgetting himself, a hand suddenly reached out and firmly held the silver-clay teapot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hao Qingyan looked up, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhang, no longer sighing, now fixed his gaze on him and gave a sheepish smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Manager Hao, drinking too much tea fills your body with spiritual energy—it’ll make your belly swell uncomfortably. Why not pause for a while and try something else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he summoned several tea masters to replace the tea with a fresh pot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This brat! How stingy! How big is my stomach, anyway? How much could I possibly take from you?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The new tea, though carrying a different subtle fragrance, had far less and murkier spiritual energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hao Qingyan grumbled inwardly, but his hands didn’t stop—though a mosquito is small, it’s still meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He merely smiled, nodded, raised his sleeve, and drained the cup in one gulp, unable to resist smacking his lips twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the two sat chatting, footsteps approached, and through the screen stepped a tall, elegant Daoist, his complexion like polished jade, strikingly outstanding in beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes gleamed with sharp brilliance, as if holding two razor-edged swords; merely glancing at him caused eye pain, yet in the flutter of his wide sleeves and flowing robes, he carried an ethereal, celestial demeanor, utterly detached from the mundane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Chen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hao Qingyan and Luo Zhang, mid-conversation, immediately rose to greet him, their expressions deeply respectful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve waited long—greetings, both of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang returned the bow with a faint smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under invitation, the three took their seats, host and guests arranged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, servants brought fruits, teacups, and two jars of fine wine; under the deliberate flattery of Hao Qingyan and Luo Zhang, the atmosphere grew lively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Midway through the feast, slightly drunk, Luo Zhang raised his cup to Chen Hang and said earnestly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Had Brother Chen not spoken up for me before Xie Tan of the Flower God Mansion, I would never have survived. I toast you—first drink, I’ll empty my cup!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid Hao Qingyan’s enthusiastic cheers, Luo Zhang raised his full jade cup and drank it dry; when he showed the empty bottom, more applause erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wonder what connection Brother Chen has with that alchemist of the Flower God Mansion—how did he earn his favor? Truly enviable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hao Qingyan, unable to wait, drained his remaining wine, immediately refilled his cup, and also poured more for Chen Hang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face beamed with smiles as he probed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you planning to join the Flower God Mansion? If so, that would be an immense fortune! Should you rise in status one day, don’t forget your old friend Hao, who stood by you in humble times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come! Come! I’ll drink another cup—first drink, I’ll empty mine too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was no wonder they acted this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Master Huaiwu’s death, the Fuyu Lake marketplace had been split between the Five Lights Sect and the Flower God Mansion—other sects could only scavenge the scraps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If one could attach oneself to either of these two giants, even if not soaring to the heavens, one’s business would surely become far smoother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Hao Qingyan’s assumption was slightly off: though Chen Hang had received the folding fan gifted by Xie Tan, no master-disciple bond had yet formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That alchemist was unwilling to defy Ai Jian’s face—everything would wait until Chen Hang returned alive from the Abyss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for saving Luo Zhang, it was merely due to the Wanli Zhaojian Talisman; Xie Tan had summoned Chen Hang these past two days to question him, and Chen Hang had casually mentioned Luo Zhang’s name afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the matter was settled, Chen Hang mentioned it in passing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Chen Hang smile but remain silent, refusing to clarify his connection with Xie Tan,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hao Qingyan, though brushed off, was not discouraged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kept urging wine, gulping cup after cup like a cow drinking, making Luo Zhang’s eyes twitch and his heart bleed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>after a while longer, seeing Luo Zhang’s face flushed with five parts drunkenness, Chen Hang finally set down his teacup, gave a slight bow, and smiled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Luo, might I see that map scroll you mentioned earlier?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhang froze in surprise; only when Hao Qingyan subtly nudged him did he snap out of it, rising in deep embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My apologies, my apologies—I’m truly no match for the wine. I’ve embarrassed myself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My apologies, my younger brother truly cannot hold his liquor—forgive the show!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he pulled a yellowed scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Chen Hang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Chen, this is the map drawn by my ancestral grandfather after he returned alive from the Earth Abyss—exactly the kind of thing your esteemed eyes should judge!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang reached out, took it, and unrolled it; his gaze swept across it, and his heart stirred slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As time passed and Chen Hang’s expression remained utterly calm, Luo Zhang grew increasingly uneasy, nearly unable to resist reaching up to wipe his sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He owed his narrow survival to Chen Hang’s words before Xie Tan, so as soon as he heard this news, he repeatedly asked Hao Qingyan to arrange a meeting—but was repeatedly turned down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when Hao Qingyan casually mentioned in conversation that Luo Zhang’s ancestors had once been wealthy, and that his great-grandfather had even entered the Earth Abyss and left behind a map as a legacy, did Chen Hang finally soften—and thus today’s banquet came to be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one knows one’s own affairs best…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This map merely depicted some terrain features, interspersed with marginal annotations left by Luo Zhang’s ancestor—only fit for idle appreciation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It contained no record of heavenly treasures or earthly essences, nor any hidden layers or anomalies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was merely an ordinary geographical map, nothing of value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, seeing Chen Hang’s unchanged expression, Luo Zhang was already in great panic, fearing that Chen Hang, deeply disappointed, might become angry and take out his fury on him, bringing down a fatal disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was growing frantic and restless,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang suddenly tucked the scroll back into his sleeve, then bowed slightly and smiled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Brother Luo, for this scroll. I shall soon enter the Earth Abyss; having this in my possession gives me a little more confidence. To take what your ancestor left behind is my rudeness—but if I am fortunate enough to escape the Earth Abyss, I shall return it to you with both hands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need! No need!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhang, startled and delighted, stepped back several paces and waved his hands frantically:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This scroll is just an ordinary thing—not even a treasure. Many copies were made and sold back then. Brother, just keep it, no need to—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Hao Qingyan shot Luo Zhang a sharp, furious glare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhang realized his mistake, but the words were already out; he could only offer a forced smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I shall unceremoniously accept it. As for what I said before Master Xie Tan, it was merely an offhand remark—meant only to repay the kindness you showed me by letting me stay in your room. No need to dwell on it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The banquet has been thoroughly enjoyed. I’ve lingered at Fuyu Lake long enough—it’s time for me to return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he exchanged a few more polite words with the two, then bowed and took his leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hao Qingyan, still hoping to strengthen their bond, pleaded with him earnestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the day of entry into the Earth Abyss was drawing near; Chen Hang had already resolved to depart, wishing to return to Yang Mountain for quiet cultivation in these final days, seeking further progress in his practice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had it not been for Master Xie Tan’s summons and this scroll of the Earth Abyss in Luo Zhang’s hands, he would have already taken to the clouds and left—why waste time here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems Brother Chen has a very tight mouth—he didn’t reveal his true relationship with that alchemist from the Flower Goddess Mansion. What a pity, what a pity…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below the teahouse,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>they watched as a pure white cultivation light vanished into the void, instantly disappearing into the high heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hao Qingyan sighed, clapped his hand, and turned back toward the teahouse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Manager Hao, the banquet’s over—why are you going back in?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhang grabbed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s still some spiritual wine and fruit left uneaten—how wasteful to leave them! I’ll go collect them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hao Qingyan stroked his beard and smiled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Saving them for tonight’s snack is perfectly fine!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhang stared, speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And nearby,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>beneath a weeping willow,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>another young Daoist withdrew his gaze from the sky, looking at the branch of Qian Su flower in his hand, shaking his head slightly, his demeanor listless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well? You’ve watched this boy for days—do you find him worthy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a playful voice sounded in the young Daoist’s ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s acceptable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young Daoist gazed at the Qian Su flower in his hand, murmuring to himself:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too bad—he has no master-disciple affinity with this incarnation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>",2614,"2026-06-19T22:29:59.276Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a926146a742f08aba3c7fa5c6806a8703a150c326f700cd18667a0c257cd13a2","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-110","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-108",545,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-path-of-immortality-cover.jpg"]