[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-path-of-immortality":3,"chapter-the-path-of-immortality-the-path-of-immortality-chapter-515":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},2271665,4436,"Chapter 515: Breaking the Seals","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-515",515,"\u003Cp>Not long after, as the wind-blown sand settled, heaven and earth gradually revealed their clear original hue, and Yuan Fayan’s eyes deepened with further gravity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the foot of Flowing Sand Mountain, a humanoid creature, eight zhang tall, its entire body bright and translucent, as if forged from molten iron, lay sprawled upon the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its eyes stared straight upward, pupils dull and scattered, utterly motionless—its life force completely extinguished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around the humanoid creature stretched a blazing, dazzling sea of fire, igniting the spiritual energy in the void, burning without ceasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the divine might of the Five Elder Celestial Officials’ Palm Seal had just struck and extinguished much of this fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now that Chen Hang had withdrawn his technique, the fire sea slowly regained strength, rising bit by bit, crackling and flashing erratically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even from afar, a rolling heat surged forth like tidal waves, formidable in its force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the flames leaking from the corpse could produce such a spectacle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, when this humanoid creature was still alive, its power must have been beyond measure!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet as Yuan Fayan fixed his gaze, he saw the humanoid creature bore but a single sword wound, centered on its brow—no more than half an inch long, insignificantly tiny compared to its eight-zhang frame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this minute wound had utterly stolen its life, extinguishing all vitality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this the Fire Virtue Celestial Puppet of Fa Sheng Tian? Did Chen Hang just eliminate it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given Yuan Fayan’s status, he naturally recognized the origin of the eight-zhang creature, and thoughts stirred within him regarding the situation of Flowing Sand Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The method to forge the Fire Virtue Celestial Puppet was created by Xia Ji, master of Fa Sheng Tian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides Fire Virtue, there were four other types: Water Virtue, Metal Virtue, Earth Virtue, and Wood Virtue—collectively known by Fa Sheng cultivators as the Five Virtue Celestial Puppets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the reign of the ancient Great Zhao Emperor, Xia Ji himself was the Supreme Seal Master of the Heavenly Craft Bureau, commanding countless celestial and divine officials under the bureau, possessing profound wisdom and unparalleled insight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was deeply trusted by the Great Zhao Emperor, a true and unchallenged minister of the Dao Court!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Divine Infant Master who now forcibly seized Shou Shi Tian, ruthlessly exterminated several celestial and divine lineages of that realm, and forged this celestial domain into his external embodiment, had once studied under Xia Ji, learning the Dao of Creation—and still showed him the utmost reverence today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, across the vast expanse of the myriad heavens, the Five Virtue Celestial Puppets of Fa Sheng Tian were naturally among the most formidable types of puppet spirits—never to be underestimated!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, in Flowing Sand Mountain, a creation from Fa Sheng Tian had appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed the creation within Flowing Sand Mountain was no easy prize to claim—it would require fierce combat to obtain…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The five sand currents—Chen Hang just destroyed one. Is that related?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Fayan gazed at the remaining four sand currents, still stacked vertically and circling Flowing Sand Mountain slowly, silently pondering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he pondered, Shen Xingcui scanned the seven True Person Jin Dan cultivators present, his eyes brightening, a sharp ambition rising unconsciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yuchen, Xie Tan of Chi Ming, Wang Xiu of Xuan Feng, Guo Shaomi of Wen Huang, Zhang Ping of the Primordial Demon Sect, Pei Hanzhang of Jiu Zhen, Tian Fang of Shen Yu…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Add himself and Yuan Fayan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half of the elite talents from the Eight Sects and Six Clans had gathered here—truly a gathering of phoenixes and dragons, a hall filled with crowned dignitaries!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Given this situation, it seems Flowing Sand Mountain has undergone some change—now is not yet the time for all of them to fight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Xingcui muttered under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After greeting Yuan Fayan beside him, he quickly chose a familiar face, sent his sword-light soaring, and headed straight for Guo Shaomi of Wen Huang Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Shen Xingcui was a swordsman from Zhongyi, he differed greatly from his fellow disciples—he was lively and unrestrained, fond of making friends and traveling the mountains and seas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had indeed inherited the common flaw of worldly sword cultivators: a passion for dueling and debating sword arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But unless facing truly vicious and ruthless foes, Shen Xingcui never struck to kill in duels; he always left his opponent some face, ensuring the scene wouldn’t become too disgraceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if he lost, he didn’t grow angry—he simply smiled it off, and would seek another match next time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For this reason, among the forty-two True Person Jin Dan cultivators present, several were indeed his closest friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Shaomi of Wen Huang was one of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing the full story from Guo Shaomi, Shen Xingcui fell silent for a moment, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Flowing Sand Mountain has five layers of seals, each corresponding to one of the five surrounding sand currents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each time a seal is disturbed, a ferocious creature emerges to block the way—only when all five seals are fully broken and all five sand currents dissolved can the creation buried beneath the mountain be revealed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief pause, Shen Xingcui grew solemn and spoke to Yuan Fayan, who had just arrived:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Fire Virtue Celestial Puppet just now was the first creature blocking the path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Chen of Yuchen subdued and slew the Fire Virtue Puppet and destroyed the corresponding sand current—the first seal has already dissolved. Four remain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Fayan nodded in acknowledgment, then exchanged greetings and thanks with Guo Shaomi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Yuan need not be so courteous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Shaomi, clad in a green skirt and plain blouse, her aura refined and elegant, smiled gently, then shook her head slightly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In truth, once you reach the foot of Flowing Sand Mountain, your heart-field will sense it naturally—you’ll know all this without effort.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Five seals—what exactly is their nature? Will the remaining four creatures each be stronger than the last? If so, the creation beneath Flowing Sand Mountain may require the combined efforts of all to obtain.” Shen Xingcui shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Fire Virtue Puppet was already formidable enough…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Fayan murmured in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following Yuan Fayan’s gaze, Shen Xingcui and Guo Shaomi saw Chen Hang holding a Zhengyang Zhen Sha, refining the spiritual essence within it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, Chen Hang had not emerged from his earlier display unscathed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Shen Xingcui sensed an odd atmosphere and silently shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the situation plainly, all cultivators present—whether Daoist or Demon Sect—were each other’s rivals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had not yet fully clashed because the creation lay before them, and the Fire Bell Copper Fish had not yet fully emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since conflict was inevitable, the more powerful among them would inevitably draw others’ attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Chen Hang…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Xingcui suddenly shifted his gaze to Xie Tan and Wang Xiu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was the true heir of Chi Ming, the other of Xuan Feng—both seasoned Jin Dan masters with long-standing reputations, no easy opponents!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Shen Xingcui’s view, both had entered the realm of Supreme Great Divine Techniques, ranking among the upper tier among the forty-two True Person Jin Dan cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if sensing Shen Xingcui’s gaze, Xie Tan, clad in hemp robes with long, unkempt hair, standing atop his cloud-chariot and feathered canopy, suddenly turned his head—his eyes shimmered with crimson auroras, blazing fiercely, radiating overwhelming might!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Tan likely guessed Shen Xingcui’s thoughts, but merely smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a purple smoke rose, roaring like tidal waves crashing against the sky, vast and tumultuous!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above the purple smoke stood a thin, dark man clad in black-gold Eight Trigrams Daoist robes, smiling as he nodded to Chen Hang:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Master Chen. I, Zhang, shall break the next seal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the Primordial Demon Sect’s Zhang Ping’a prepare to act, Chen Hang had no intention of competing over such trivial matters or stealing his spotlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He merely flicked his sleeve, releasing a clear qi to collect the remnants of the Fire Virtue Puppet, then summoned a sword-dash and retreated to a distant cloud, sitting in meditation alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Chen Hang gone, Zhang Ping’a wasted no time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exhaled gently, and a few wisps of smoke drifted from his nostrils—just one flick, and the second sand current sank deeply inward; then, light flashed, and a monstrous serpent with a thousand wings appeared out of thin air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The serpent’s eyes were like blood-jade, its head crowned with two massive ox horns; it fixed its gaze solely on Zhang Ping’a, who had triggered the seal, uttered no word, roared, and lunged with its mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they were nearly ten li apart, at the serpent’s movement, Zhang Ping’a was instantly teleported to its jaws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking up, he saw rows of sharp fangs, dripping thick saliva, reeking of foul stench!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puff—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the instant the fangs descended, Zhang Ping’a shook his shoulders, and a black wind enveloped him completely, forcibly repelling the fangs—no matter how hard the serpent strained, it could not bite true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Catch!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Ping’a released his hand, and a black iron chain shot forth first, growing rapidly with the wind, soon weaving into a stern iron cage that trapped both him and the serpent in midair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before the cage could contract inward, the serpent’s thousand wings flapped in unison, instantly teleporting Zhang Ping’a and his technique away—leaving the killing move to strike empty air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Primordial Divine Beast—Ran Jiao?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang’s mind flashed, and he recalled the name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky suddenly darkened with dense clouds, wind howling—Zhang Ping’a and the Ran Jiao were locked in fierce combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Constantly, demonic shadows shot forth, wrapped in flame, illusory and real, making it hard to distinguish truth from deception; the Ran Jiao, though possessing teleportation ability, dared not use it lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After roughly fifty rounds, Zhang Ping’a realized he could not swiftly defeat it, unlike Chen Hang’s clean annihilation of the Fire Virtue Puppet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt his pride wounded and finally unveiled his true power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He roared, chanted a spell, and a small bell flew from his chest, shattering several mountains summoned by the Ran Jiao from afar; then he pointed his finger, and a thick, oily green spiritual light shot forth, dense as grease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This attack came with overwhelming force, yet the Ran Jiao showed no fear—its thousand wings flapped, preparing to teleport the attack away once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the battle, Zhang Ping’a, relying on his vast combat experience, had repeatedly rushed close to the Ran Jiao, unleashing heavy blows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But whether weapon or technique, each strike was always teleported away just before contact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What should have been a quick victory had been dragged into a war of attrition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, it was different…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Ran Jiao easily teleported the green spiritual light, a faint green glow quietly spread across its body, flowing like water toward its skull, making its head unnaturally heavy—as if an iron mountain pressed down upon it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Ping’a smiled inwardly, continuing to chant and form seals—still using this same technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After three or four repetitions, the Ran Jiao’s body shimmered faintly with green light, as if something was forming within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, several True Person Jin Dan observers understood the outcome was sealed, their expressions varying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Tan, even less interested, suddenly turned his body, meeting Wang Xiu of Xuan Feng Cave in a silent, distant gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though their positions differed and they rarely interacted, at this moment, they seemed to have reached an unspoken understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought the five seals grew stronger with each layer—but apparently not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Xingcui shook his head: “If so, I’ll step in for the next one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In front of so many eyes, aren’t you afraid someone will see your techniques?” Guo Shaomi teased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can the outcome of a magical duel really be decided solely by this? There is indeed the principle of surprising victory, but if your cultivation is insufficient, no amount of concealment will help—it only becomes a joke.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Xingcui spread his hands out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides, I’ve debated sword arts with countless others; the few sword techniques I’ve learned have long been exposed. What’s there to hide?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re not able to channel magic yet, are you?\" Yuan Fayan suddenly said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I could, I’d certainly keep a little secret,\" Shen Xingcui clapped his hands and laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Ran Jiao, burdened as if carrying a mountain, struggled to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Zhang Ping’s slow approach, he wished to activate his movement and shifting technique once more—but was utterly powerless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ultimately, a wild creature with no cultivation of destiny—such a natural talent, reduced to this pathetic state.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Ping sighed inwardly, then slowly drew from his sleeve a short knife, flawless and pure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After slicing Ran Jiao cleanly in two, he turned and charged toward the second sand current; after several swift passes, the sand current exploded violently, shattering into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the second seal was broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next to take the field was Shen Xingcui of the Zhongyi Sword Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang had heard of this man’s name since his days at the Changying Sub-Abbey, but he had not actually met him until the Ying Jichuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang observed how this man’s sword energy was concentrated, refined to absolute purity; even the Zhongyi Sword Sect’s techniques he employed had long transcended conventional forms, unbound by rigid patterns—his reputation was well-deserved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Shen Xingcui shattered the third seal, Xie Tan inside the cloud-chariot with its feathered canopy tapped the carriage, and slowly drove forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since this one is about to act, Brother Tian, let us not crowd in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xiu of the Xuan Feng Cave, with emerald-green pupils and an unusual appearance, shook his head and whispered to Tian Fang of the Shen Yu Sect beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Fang clearly had a close relationship with Wang Xiu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he wished to enter the arena, after a moment’s thought, he nodded slightly and suppressed his impulse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Xie Tan acted, his power erupted with staggering force, overwhelming and irresistible!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless red flames of all sizes erupted together, brighter than lightning, shimmering with radiant hues, surging high into the sky with a mighty might like collapsing mountains and roaring seas—deafening, piercing straight to the heavens!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monstrous entity within the fourth seal had barely leapt out when the red flames instantly pressed down from all six sides, trapping it in the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A piercing, agonized scream rang out—the creature’s flesh and blood exploded instantly; before it could even unleash its full arsenal, it was dead beyond any hope of revival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After completing all this with casual ease, Xie Tan did not pause—he sent a cluster of fire mist from his palm, continuing to strike the fifth seal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He intended to break through the final seal of the Sandflow Mountain in one decisive push.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, dark light blazed fiercely in the sky; a violent wind suddenly arose, swirling sand and flying stones, blinding all who watched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Xie Tan calmed the turbulent heavens, a wisp of smoke emerged from the Sandflow Mountain, leaping into the clouds, straight as a pillar, stretching a hundred zhang long—a most extraordinary sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, Xie Tan’s footing trembled; his protective crimson aura was struck by some unseen force, deeply indented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his first strike fail, the attacker did not linger—he shifted his gaze instantly toward the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Xingcui sensed something amiss, raised an eyebrow, activated his sword-dashing technique, and narrowly avoided a massive hand by a hair’s breadth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Yuan Fayan’s Yi Yuan Heavy Water also trembled wildly, swaying left and right—but thanks to his strict defense, his formation remained unshaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could it be this thing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xiu’s pupils shot out a sharp gleam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing how Pei Hanzhang of the Jiuzhen Sect was also suddenly attacked, his golden awl forcibly deflected, Wang Xiu’s thoughts flashed like lightning—he understood at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the Golden Core True Persons in the arena were each deploying their own methods, far off on the cloud-tops, Chen Hang opened his eyes, deep in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He flicked two fingers—a blade of qi slashed out, striking with a metallic clang ten zhang ahead of him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hidden attacker clearly recognized the danger and had no intention of wasting his primordial energy in direct confrontation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Chen Hang refused to let him escape—he unleashed twenty-four sword qi strikes in rapid succession, forming a surrounding assault, alternating blows in relentless succession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Icy qi shot forth, blinding and terrifying; within moments, the strikes rotated nearly a thousand times, granting no moment of respite!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, with a sharp sound like tearing silk, a gaunt figure was forcibly revealed, his true form exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>",2777,"2026-06-19T22:30:06.574Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","cbea8c6cc791b12c06ecb98f4d1123a3e114195dc3d1a794ebf4e66b0b7fd9e4","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-516","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-514",545,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-path-of-immortality-cover.jpg"]