[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-path-of-immortality":3,"chapter-the-path-of-immortality-the-path-of-immortality-chapter-41":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},2271191,4436,"Chapter 41","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-41",41,"\u003Cp>The steps were littered with unconscious palace maids; the Empress gave Chen Hang a long, deep look, made no cry for help, only reached out to feel the breath of the maids, and only sighed in relief when she confirmed they were still alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who are you, and why have you intruded into the imperial bedchamber at this hour?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Chen Hang claimed he had wandered in by accident, it would sound like covering his ears while stealing a bell; he felt awkward, but the bamboo-and-wood mask concealed his eyebrows and expression, making him appear utterly unmoved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, with such divine abilities, you must surely have been summoned by the Grand General Tong Gaolu… But could that boy Tong Gaolu really be so lustful, utterly disregarding propriety and ethics?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress suddenly lifted her beautiful face, her voice trembling with sorrow, each word dripping with blood: “Rong State has not yet fallen—yet he dares to have you, sir, seize me, the Empress, and drag me to his mansion? Is such debauchery and tyranny fit for a ruler of a nation?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who told you I take orders from Tong Gaolu?” Chen Hang frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I came here today only to join forces with you to eliminate this Grand General.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir… you… why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because since childhood, I have held the resolve to remain loyal to the monarch and serve the state, a vow I have never forgotten day or night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang had no intention of elaborating further; he shook his head and said, “Summon your cultivation practitioners. Have them come to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress hesitated a moment, then clasped her shoulders, bowed formally, and retreated into the warm chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She emerged fully dressed, her robes elegant and regal, her hair high-coiffed—a truly radiant beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang was led into a hall and seated; the Empress personally poured wine, hoping to glimpse his face beneath the mask—but Chen Hang did not lift the wine cup, denying her wish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty seems to have questions. Please speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir… are you from Rong State?” she asked cautiously, studying his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tong Gaolu is a Level Seven cultivation practitioner. He has also recruited several wandering cultivators as guests. Sir, do you truly believe you can defeat him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then…” the Empress grew anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But won’t you also contribute? With the royal family’s cultivation practitioners aiding you, victory hangs in the balance.” Chen Hang smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This Rong State is not my realm. Do you truly expect me to fight and die for you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before she could speak, a sudden gale howled outside the hall; Chen Hang glanced out and saw two brilliant, elongated auras streaking through the sky like rainbows, plunging violently into the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the auras dispersed, two elderly men slowly retracted their fetal breathing, their qi condensing back into their bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them stood over twelve feet tall, with a wild white beard and hair, his arms hanging so low they nearly reached his knees—immensely powerful, like an aged hunter; merely by his strength and physique, he could tear tigers and leopards apart and crush bears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He now scrutinized Chen Hang with open disdain, clearly mistaking him for a wandering con artist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other man had a lean, refined face, a long beard reaching his belly, his features plump and prosperous—a man of worldly wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Chen Hang once, and his expression turned to shock and doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greetings, fellow cultivators.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the two men’s teleportation auras enter the hall, Chen Hang bowed respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why don’t you remove your mask, you ghost—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The burly old man snorted, ready to mock, but his companion yanked him sharply, forcing him to fall silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Rong Tuo; this is my younger brother, Rong Xuantao. He was born to be a general, and though he luckily entered the path of cultivation, he has never shed his crude nature. Fellow cultivator, please forgive him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man calling himself Rong Tuo offered an apologetic smile, then bowed deeply to Chen Hang, earnestly asking:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I ask which great sect you belong to? Why have you descended to wander among mortals, only to toy with us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the hall was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reaching Level Nine of Qi Condensation, one can cultivate true qi and achieve the first stage of Foundation Establishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though each cultivator’s method differs, and the quantity of fetal breathing required varies greatly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Generally, each advancement in Qi Condensation level and each addition of fetal breathing involves harmonizing with heaven and earth, uniting qi with the true body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Tuo was at Level Eight of Qi Condensation, just steps away from forming true qi and achieving Foundation Establishment; thus, his spiritual perception was especially sharp. One glance at Chen Hang, and he knew this man was extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang’s qi was as light as clouds and mist, yet as heavy as mountains; standing still, he seemed to ripple in harmony with the surrounding heavens and earth, ready to sink into the void, merging seamlessly with the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Qi Condensation realm, only fifteen years ago had Rong Tuo felt such an overwhelming aura—when he and a group of wandering cultivators witnessed a disciple of the Red Ming Sect in “Shuitian Yunluo.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, a monstrous Zhu Yan demon had emerged, wreaking havoc in the Southern Region, destroying many small sects; a True Person from the Red Ming Sect had arrived with several disciples aboard the Six Geng Nine Cloud Chariot to subdue it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Tuo, of course, had no right to approach the True Person; he merely stood at the mountain’s base, gazing far off—and by chance, he saw a girl on the Six Geng Nine Cloud Chariot, playing with a white fox.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl’s aura was vast and unshakable, like an endless abyss. Though different from Chen Hang’s, it was equally unfathomable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that single glimpse, Rong Tuo’s heart turned to ashes; he truly understood the unbridgeable chasm between himself and great sect disciples, and abandoned his dreams of risking his life as a wandering cultivator. He returned dejectedly to Rong State and never left again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifteen years later, he never imagined he would encounter again this aura, so overwhelming even in the Qi Condensation realm—and his heart trembled with terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Rong Tuo spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did the atmosphere grow heavy, but everyone in the hall was astonished—even Chen Hang was baffled, unsure how he had suddenly been mistaken for a great sect disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he quickly realized: “He must have sensed my fetal breathing. This old man has sharp spiritual perception. If I ever get the chance, I should learn a technique to conceal my qi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his thoughts churned, Chen Hang’s face remained cold and distant, offering no reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never seen how a great sect disciple behaved; speaking more invited error, speaking less minimized risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bamboo-and-wood mask had originally been worn only to prevent the Rong royal family from hesitating to ally, hiding his true face to avoid complications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since Rong Tuo had mistaken him for a great sect disciple, Chen Hang decided to let the error stand—the mask must not be removed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before being tricked by Yan Zhen into entering Xiao Gan Mountain, his former self had been famed throughout the states for his voice and appearance; even his portrait had been fiercely sought after by noblewomen, worth a thousand gold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he removed this bamboo-and-wood mask, his identity would be exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A great sect disciple? That was pure fantasy…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Chen Hang’s cold indifference only deepened Rong Tuo’s belief; great immortal sects were aloof, and their disciples often carried themselves with haughty pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling that he was merely a wandering cultivator, and that Chen Hang had called him “fellow cultivator,” Rong Tuo felt a secret thrill, and his demeanor grew even more respectful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fellow cultivator, as you wander here, is there anything this old man can assist you with?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Tuo bowed slightly, then quickly pulled Rong Xuantao, fearing he might speak out of turn again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I came specifically to help you eliminate a national traitor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang tossed his Qiankun Bag into the air, revealing several talismanic artifacts whose radiant light flickered unpredictably, dazzlingly brilliant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that the Thunderfire Thunder Pearl of Yangshan Daoist? And the Green Bamboo Spike and the Pure Qi Jade… These are Tong Yi’s talismanic artifacts!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Xuantao’s face paled in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How? Are these talismanic artifacts enough to convince you? If you doubt it, Tong Yi still has one arm severed—he’s now imprisoned in a mansion in Yuanjing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang swept his sleeve, retrieving the floating talismans, and smiled lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Tuo hesitated long before tremblingly asking, “Are you truly aiding us? Do you bear a grudge against Tong Gaolu, or do you seek profit from this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Naturally, both.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Tuo grew even more uncertain, silent for a long while; Chen Hang studied his expression, internally sneered, and turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Chen Hang rise from his seat, Rong Xuantao and the Empress paled; Rong Tuo, however, remained frowning, visibly torn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Chen Hang reached the hall’s door, as expected, Rong Tuo hurriedly called out to stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fellow cultivator, forgive me, forgive me—this matter concerns life and death; I must think, I must think carefully!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Tuo repeatedly apologized, blocking Chen Hang’s path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems you need my help?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Naturally, naturally—with your intervention, Tong Gaolu is nothing but a clay chicken and a broken dog, utterly insignificant—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My services are not cheap.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Rong Tuo could finish his flattery, Chen Hang spoke calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the bamboo-and-wood mask, his eyes showed not the slightest ripple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under that gaze, Rong Tuo’s heart lurched violently.\u003C\u002Fp>",1628,"2026-06-19T22:29:59.276Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a2e1ffc31d9eb36cc38f25424fc2ec26618c04add01b9d736023a1aa5ca054b9","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-42","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-40",545,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-path-of-immortality-cover.jpg"]