[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-path-of-immortality":3,"chapter-the-path-of-immortality-the-path-of-immortality-chapter-514":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},2271664,4436,"Chapter 514: Sands of Flowing Sand","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-514",514,"\u003Cp>Above the clouds stretched a boundless azure void, where a sun, as real and tangible as the heavens themselves, hung suspended at the center—seemingly close enough to touch with a gust of wind, yet forever out of reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the clouds flowed a thousand-li river, white crests churning emerald waves, surging with immense force and swift current.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No fish, shrimp, or spirit creatures broke the surface; the river appeared desolate and barren.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only upon reaching this remote, uninhabited wilderness did Sima Xiu, having fled three hundred li, relax her vigilance slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet recalling the moment she had locked gazes with Chen Hang, Sima Xiu remained shaken, deeply perplexed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Born of the Tangting Sima clan among the Twelve Great Clans, she later entered the Divine Reins Sect, carving her path through mountains and rivers until she attained her present status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With her divine abilities, Sima Xiu ranked among the foremost True Persons of this age; otherwise, she could never have defeated the numerous Golden Core True Persons of the Divine Reins Sect to enter this corner of the Imperial Ancestral Map.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet few in the world knew that Sima Xiu not only mastered the core arts of the Divine Reins Sect, but had also learned the Hidden Abyss Eight Transformations of Pure Scenery Art, a scripture long unattained by any of the Tangting Sima clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What are the Eight Transformations of Hidden Abyss?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First: Conceal Form and Hide Shadow; Second: Ride Emptiness and Command the Void; Third: Vanish and Soar Through the Heavens; Fourth: Exit Being, Enter Nonbeing; Fifth: Spirit Soar in All Directions; Sixth: Dissolve Form and Transform; Seventh: Reverse Dawn and Turn Mystery; Eighth: Hide Scenery and Dance in Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the supreme art of concealment, meticulously crafted by the former Xudu Heavenly Sovereign, Xie Gongzai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tangting Sima clan possessed only the first six transformations; the remaining two—“Reverse Dawn and Turn Mystery” and “Hide Scenery and Dance in Heaven”—were acquired by the Hongguang Xiao clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The complete scripture survived only in the scripture halls of the Changyou Xie clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was said that mastering all eight transformations not only rendered the practitioner invisible to others, but also granted divine favor from the unseen cosmic order, drawing blessings upon them!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sima Xiu knew that among the Golden Core adepts present, Wei Lingjiang had mastered the Dispersed Scenery and Concealed Form Art, a technique personally created by the Immortal Jie Zu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This too was a concealment art, ranked among the very top in the “Hidden Abyss” section of the Earth Palace Golden Chapters, just like her own Hidden Abyss Eight Transformations of Pure Scenery Art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet in Sima Xiu’s view, if true concealment skill were judged, Wei Lingjiang still fell short of her by a margin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the Dispersed Scenery and Concealed Form Art was wondrous beyond measure, it had been crafted long ago by the Immortal Jie Zu to guide Kongkong Daoist before he fully attained the Dao, as an auxiliary technique to the Great Formless Eternal Merging True Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, unless one’s foundational cultivation was the Great Formless Eternal Merging True Qi, even possessing the Dispersed Scenery and Concealed Form Art would yield greatly diminished results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lingjiang’s foundation was the Purple Pure True Qi, which bore no relation whatsoever to the Great Formless Eternal Merging True Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Sima Xiu’s self-proclaimed mastery of concealment was by no means baseless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Chen Hang had merely glanced casually and pierced her concealment—this left Sima Xiu truly startled and unsettled even now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have fully mastered ‘Conceal Form and Hide Shadow’ and ‘Ride Emptiness and Command the Void’ from the Hidden Abyss Eight Transformations of Pure Scenery Art. Even when casting, I can completely mask my qi signature—yet Chen Hang…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of contemplation passed through Sima Xiu’s bright eyes:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could the supreme divine art he has mastered be the Jinghong True Eye from the Twenty-Five Correct Methods of Yuchen, capable of perceiving the six lines of yin and yang, their constant flow? Is that why my concealment failed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The true powerhouses among the Golden Core adepts here had either entered the realm of supreme divine arts or mastered sword techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, Xuan Yin had perfected Hu Zhao’s “Dregs-Clearing Through the Boundaries,” while Xie Tan had attained Chi Ming’s “Great Fire Heaven’s Possession.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sima Xiu herself had entered the Divine Reins Sect’s famed “Summoning and Subjugating Ten Thousand Spirits Seal,” nearly its very sect-preserving orthodox art!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet as for Chen Hang…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this thought, Sima Xiu felt a pang of headache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After achieving a Grade-One Golden Core, Chen Hang departed into the outer void; when he returned to Xiao Ming Great Marsh, he had already reached Golden Core Third Reckoning, his Inner Scenery complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his exploits from the outer void had trickled back—defeating Cui Ju, battling Lu Shen, and others—offering glimpses of his prowess,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>hearsay could never match firsthand observation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As to which supreme divine art of Yuchen Chen Hang had cultivated, not only Sima Xiu was baffled—even the other Golden Core True Persons present were utterly clueless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just now, Xuan Yin unleashed ‘Dregs-Clearing Through the Boundaries,’ yet Chen Hang seized the moment and evaded it in time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if he has not mastered any supreme divine art, his combat prowess is utterly undeniable…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sima Xiu sighed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, she ceased further speculation, merely thought briefly, then lightly swept her sleeve. Beneath the river, a hundred-zhang dragon, previously holding its breath in stillness, was suddenly gripped by an invisible force, violently thrusting through the water and flying helplessly into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Roar!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon struggled fiercely, yet could not fully break free; in terror, its fury surged. It hollowed its belly and spat forth a torrent of venomous flame!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, blazing emerald-green fire surged forward, roaring and crashing, mingled with a foul, fishy stench impossible to describe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merely inhaling it slightly made one’s mind reel and head swell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This venomous flame was the dragon’s signature art, forged over years of devouring flesh and souls, blending accumulated toxins with its own dragonfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though this corner of the Imperial Ancestral Map held no human inhabitants, its wild demons and spirits were countless—nearly rampant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That the dragon had survived intact and claimed dominion over this stretch of river clearly indicated formidable strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Sima Xiu, facing this assault, showed no expression, nor did she weave seals or dodge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when the venomous flame neared within ten zhang did she casually toss out a luminous, smooth pearl, encircled by swirling crimson light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the dragon’s stunned gaze, the moment the venomous flame touched the pearl, it recoiled as if encountering a primordial predator. No matter how desperately the dragon struggled to reverse course, it was useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the venomous flame reversed and engulfed the dragon itself, scorching its flesh black, its thick scales offering no resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In desperation, the dragon shattered the cloud veil and broke free of Sima Xiu’s binding art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before it fled ten li, countless pure, radiant petals rained down, as if a celestial maiden had upended a basket of blossoms into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon sensed danger, yet the petals had already blanketed miles around, leaving no chance to escape quickly. Moreover, these petals—what art were they?—harder than black iron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it slashed at them, though some shattered, they emitted metallic clangs, startling the dragon inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, distant petals flickered densely, coalescing into a colossal crystal sphere that trapped the dragon at its center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This flame had some real substance. Had I not won this Fire-Repelling Pearl from Sima Wenjun, capturing this dragon would have required more effort.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sima Xiu gestured with a finger, retrieving the Fire-Repelling Pearl, and smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paid no further heed to the violent commotion within the distant crystal sphere, merely caressing the pearl with her jade fingers, lost in silent thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After roughly half an hour, the crystal sphere suddenly shattered, the countless petals dissolving into wisps of green smoke, scattered by the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, the hundred-zhang dragon leapt forward, bowing humbly beside Sima Xiu, head lowered, its submission unmistakable—no trace of its former ferocity remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My Lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My Bi Fang is equivalent to a Nascent Soul True Person, and under the Great Assembly’s rules, it cannot enter this corner of the Imperial Ancestral Map. For the next few months here, you shall serve as my steed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sima Xiu glanced at the dragon and said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How dare I refuse?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon, now mentally subdued, was overjoyed—as if hearing an unimaginable blessing—and hurriedly pressed its body forward, nodding repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Sima Xiu mounted its back, at her command, the dragon flicked its tail and vanished into the deep heavens in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its direction was unmistakable: following the river upstream, avoiding Chen Hang, taking another route toward the Sands of Flowing Sand indicated by the small jade tablet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sima Xiu knew that Chen Hang’s encounter with Xuan Yin had not been mere chance—it was because both sought the Sands of Flowing Sand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Fire Bell Copper Fish appeared, Sima Xiu had no desire to face Chen Hang alone—that was why she had fled three hundred li at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But once at the Sands of Flowing Sand, it would be different…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the small jade tablet had specifically marked several places of transformation—like the Sands of Flowing Sand—the total number was few; even counting the Sands of Flowing Sand, there were only four.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Excluding the already eliminated Xuan Yin, there remained forty-one Golden Core True Persons present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether to vie for transformation or to seize the chance for slaughter,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Sands of Flowing Sand would surely draw a gathering of heroes—no scenario of merely one or two contenders!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With so many present, opportunities multiplied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps then…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this thought, a cold glint flashed in Sima Xiu’s eyes as she rode the dragon’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She repeated Chen Hang’s name several times in her mind, then lowered her eyelids, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half a day later, in a region of towering boulders and cascading waterfalls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sima Xiu suddenly sensed something amiss and instinctively activated the Hidden Abyss Eight Transformations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew she was now close to the Sands of Flowing Sand; to avoid drawing attention, she considered briefly, then recalled the dragon beneath her into a Beast-Containment Ring before continuing forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, not long after, she saw faint swordlight piercing the sky and black water surging everywhere, colliding and churning like tidal waves and mountain collapses, shattering nearby boulders into dust with ease!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shen Xingcui, Yuan Fayan…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After weaving a seal to summon a circular light, Sima Xiu recognized the identities of the two combatants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She made no move to attack, but instead retreated several li, watching with interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the roaring sounds faded, and the swirling spiritual tides parted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two luminous trails leapt out, revealing the forms of Shen Xingcui and Yuan Fayan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Yuan, your Primordial Heavy Water didn’t disperse my sword flight. As agreed beforehand, I’ve won—you must come with me to the Sands of Flowing Sand!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Xingcui, clearly in good spirits, spread his hands and chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Fayan’s temple twitched slightly; he sighed helplessly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How vast is this corner of the Imperial Ancestral Map? How is it that in less than three days, I’ve run into you again? Besides, you haven’t truly won—I haven’t even used the true art of the Northern Pole Garden. You’ve merely won this round.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, Yuan Fayan frowned:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, why are you going to the Sands of Flowing Sand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, to test my sword!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Xingcui smiled: “The jade tablet marks four places of transformation. The Sands of Flowing Sand is closest to me. The ten Fire Bell Copper Fish haven’t been seized or refined yet, and the refined mist won’t dissipate for a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So rather than wandering aimlessly like a headless fly seeking opponents to test my sword, I might as well go straight to the Sands of Flowing Sand—it should offer me a satisfying fight!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you dragged me along to avoid being surrounded?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Fayan now understood, shaking his head slightly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To my mind, the Sands of Flowing Sand is no good place—it may draw several formidable figures. If they truly arrive, there will surely be a bloody slaughter!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Xingcui paid no mind:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Killing? Isn’t that exactly why I came to the Dan Yuan Assembly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re surprisingly calm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Fazhen paused in thought:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Out of our past friendship, I’ll accompany you to the Flowing Sands Mountain—but I’ll say this plainly: if too many attack you, I won’t risk my life to protect you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though securing a top-ten spot at this Dan Yuan Assembly is no easy feat, I still intend to try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Yuan Fazhen willing to extend this favor, Shen Xingcui had no objection and nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet as they prepared to leave, Shen Xingcui sensed something odd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scanned the surroundings, but found nothing unusual; he shook his head and took to the sky with his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than a day later, Shen Xingcui and Yuan Fazhen arrived at the Flowing Sands Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the two parted the cloud barrier and saw the scene before them, they exchanged a glance—both startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Xingcui gripped his sword, his gaze sharpening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Endless yellow sands stretched in every direction, blurring north from south.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the horizon’s edge rose a towering mountain, entirely murky yellow, devoid of birds, beasts, or vegetation, piercing straight into the clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Xingcui stared closely and saw five streams of sand swirling around the mountain, layered atop one another, whipping up howling gales like five yellow dragons twisting and coiling, breathing clouds and rain, spewing pure yang—vast and awe-inspiring; this was the origin of the name “Flowing Sands Mountain!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet around the Flowing Sands Clouds, it was not empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark clouds hung in the air, golden leaves entwined—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Multicolored magical lights fluttered and glowed, brilliant and luminous, like starlight illuminating the heavens, truly magnificent beyond words!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A rough count revealed six True Persons of Dan Yuan gathered here—rare indeed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet strangely, whether Daoist True Persons or Demon Sect cultivators, all stood motionless in the clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They simply gazed fixedly at the Flowing Sands Mountain, their faces etched with solemnity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Xingcui was about to ask when a deafening roar pierced his ears, like a divine being striking a bell, unceasing and thunderous!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned toward the sound and saw the sky suddenly collapse into a gaping maw, forming a colossal vortex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A five-colored giant hand slowly emerged, like a divine pestle plunging downward, effortlessly parting immeasurable clouds and sands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pressure was immense beyond measure, causing the entire Flowing Sands Mountain to tremble, its rocks cracking apart!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before all eyes, the giant hand slowly gripped the uppermost sand stream, then, as if snapping a dry branch, clamped shut violently!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the band-like sand stream shattered into fragments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another thunderous boom—and one of the five sand streams vanished in an eyeblink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The yellow sands on the ground rose involuntarily into the air; heaven and earth turned murky yellow, dust obscuring vision, the roar deafening!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chen Hang!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the young man standing calmly amid the deep clouds, withdrawing the five-colored giant hand, Yuan Fazhen’s pupils contracted—he faced a dire foe.\u003C\u002Fp>",2544,"2026-06-19T22:30:06.574Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","7116053f8fc1de0b52bc1239925c5cb4ac9a9978d76449b1ff09ee3427f20769","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-515","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-513",545,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-path-of-immortality-cover.jpg"]