[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-path-of-immortality":3,"chapter-the-path-of-immortality-the-path-of-immortality-chapter-80":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},2271230,4436,"Chapter 80: The Martial Man","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-80",80,"\u003Cp>Over the once crystal-clear expanse of ten thousand li of sky, a hundred-zhang-long deep azure gash now burned into it, curling and contracting like a living thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faintly, one could see within the gash countless jagged mountains, rivers, sands, and stones; waves crashed against the heavens with roaring clamor, and the scenery was magnificent and awe-inspiring, stirring the heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the gash lay hidden another world entirely—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vast and majestic, exquisitely beautiful!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though Huaiwu Cave is a low-grade magic treasure, it offers little in offensive power, yet it possesses the ability to manifest an inner landscape…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing beside him, Wei Lingjiang also gazed at the gash in the sky and said softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard this artifact can draw in spiritual essence from all directions, giving birth to living creatures—beasts and birds—within itself. Seeing it today, though somewhat exaggerated, the rumors are not without truth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Magic treasure…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang’s eyes flickered slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking out, the entire sky was filled with canopies, colorful pavilions, pavilions and corridors, countless flying boats and chariots glittering with spiritual light, crowds of people bustling about, voices calling to friends and companions, loud and lively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today was the day the restrictions on Huaiwu Cave were lifted, to determine the top three rankings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether from major or minor sects, or countless cultivators and small clans, all had gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the previous incident of the magic treasure’s explosion, which had destroyed nearly ten islets and claimed countless lives…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet so many observation delegations had already arrived; they would not retreat because of this disturbance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the culprit, the Old Monster Miao Nan, and the Five Directions Rising Sun Flag had both perished, utterly annihilated in the moment of the explosion—the calamity had long since settled into dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And to soothe the terrified hearts of the people,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Lord of Huaiwu Cave had spared no expense…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only had he scattered countless spirit coins, but every attendee had received a vial of Huangcang Pill, capable of consolidating the root and nurturing the origin, activating blood and qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This pill was mild in nature and potent in nourishment, beneficial not only to those in the Breath Condensation stage, but even offering some effect to cultivators at the Ninefold Qi Refinement realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was merely the ordinary gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for those cultivators who had perished due to the magic treasure’s explosion, it was said the Lord of Huaiwu Cave had offered additional compensation to their families, though the specifics were beyond Chen Hang’s knowledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had this old man not been tainted by the Demon Lord and harbored evil intentions, merely this act alone would have moved Chen Hang somewhat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with the Lord of Huaiwu Cave’s lavish expenditure,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the number of observers had not dwindled due to the explosion; instead, drawn by the generous gifts, more and more had arrived, drawn by word of mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lord of Huaiwu Cave’s reputation for benevolence and generosity had been amplified by this event, and nearly everyone praised him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at this moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>suddenly a piercing bell tone rang through heaven and earth; with this chime, the gash in the sky curled sharply, then twisted into a vast, swirling portal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The time has come, young cultivators—proceed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a small islet at the center of Fuyu Lake, the Lord of Huaiwu Cave’s light laugh echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the swirling portal, an immense suction force erupted at once; countless Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment cultivators were drawn in, like weary birds returning to the forest, faces alight with joy, their forms vanishing into the Huaiwu Cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Chen Hang was about to move, Wei Lingjiang suddenly reached out and grabbed his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Huaiwu Cave trial has always permitted only Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment cultivators to enter, with a three-day limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the top three, only one is a true Foundation Establishment cultivator; the other two are from the Qi Condensation realm, totaling three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Foundation Establishment cultivators cannot directly attack Qi Condensation cultivators with force, or they would violate the pact and be expelled by the artifact’s spirit,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>subtle sabotage and underhanded tactics are inevitable…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, even with the artifact’s spirit watching, with hundreds of cultivators clashing across the battlefield, even the spirit cannot oversee everything—over the years, deaths during the Huaiwu Cave trial have been common, nothing unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether killed by beasts and birds born from the eight-directional spiritual essence, or by fellow cultivators of the same realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once inside Huaiwu Cave, though under some protection, one’s life and death are no longer entirely in one’s own hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And to compete for one of the top three rankings, the danger increases further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Lord of Huaiwu Cave already gave us Hetan Pills—he’s targeting us…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless cultivators had already transformed into swift lights, drawn into the Huaiwu Cave; the sky was filled with radiant rainbows, and the surrounding pavilions and canopies stood empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lingjiang held Chen Hang’s sleeve, unusually hesitant, and whispered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I cannot enter Huaiwu Cave with you—it’s certainly extremely dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why not… just give up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The top three are the Lord of Huaiwu Cave’s carefully prepared demonic vessels—he intends to use demonic arts; drawing attention from the artifact’s spirit is inevitable, and to secure a ranking, combat is unavoidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her Ziqing True Qi is of the highest rank; if she were to use it, even if concealed, she could not hide it from others—so the plan to act as bait would be meaningless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What if the Hetan Pills are merely a trivial, optional move, and the Lord of Huaiwu Cave only intends to turn the top three into demonic vessels, leaving you and me alone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How?” Wei Lingjiang shook her head: “That sounds highly unlikely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But there’s still some possibility, isn’t there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang looked at her, smiled: “Didn’t we already agree that I would be the bait to draw out the Lord of Huaiwu Cave’s crimes? That way, I rid myself of my worries, and you fulfill your sister’s opportunity—isn’t that perfect?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I can’t go in with you—you—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lingjiang suddenly grew agitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I still have the Golden Light Talisman—it’s fine. None of these people can harm me. I’ll save the talisman for the final confrontation with the Lord of Huaiwu Cave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang cut off her unfinished words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her pale, radiant face lifted, her exquisite brows slightly furrowed in displeasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gazed at the clear, anxious eyes before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, momentarily stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, without realizing it, he turned his gaze away, falling silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a haze,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he felt as if another pair of equally clear eyes had risen in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lingjiang was still speaking, but he felt as if pierced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his past life, someone had once looked at him this way, holding his hand, saying words eerily familiar…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, you can accompany me for a while—can you accompany me for a lifetime?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several breaths,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang’s gaze flickered, his eyelashes trembled, and he snapped out of his daze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said nothing more, merely bowed and smiled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t want to owe you anything more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the dense pavilions and canopies held almost no one left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a slight bow, Chen Hang no longer resisted the immense suction force emanating from Huaiwu Cave; he raised his Breath Condensation and shot upward as a white light, vanishing into the Huaiwu Cave like the hundreds before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of dizzying disorientation,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang stabilized himself in midair, then his face showed a faint hint of surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This… is the inner landscape?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before his eyes stretched an endless, wild forest; towering peaks rose endlessly into the clouds, stretching beyond sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roars and shrieks of countless beasts and birds echoed in waves; far off, several swift lights darted low across the ground, entangled with a massive golden-feathered eagle, cries and screeches mingling in a formidable din.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang glanced once, then looked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spiritual energy within Huaiwu Cave was two to three times denser than the outside world, extraordinarily abundant; merely by slightly activating his Qi Condensation technique, spiritual energy surged into his body in a frenzy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could drain all this spiritual energy, as he once had emptied the entire Yang Mountain’s essence,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he might even ascend from Xuan Realm Level Five to Level Six—achieving the Tai Su Jade Body state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, suddenly, a crimson streak of fire descended from the sky; Chen Hang remained calm, merely swept his sleeve, and caught the flame in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He examined it closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a small porcelain vial, about three inches long, white as jade, clean and gleaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“According to the Lord’s rules, every beast or bird you slay must have its essence sealed into this vial. At the end of three days, when rankings are decided, for Qi Condensation cultivators like you, your rank depends on the total essence collected in the vial… oh, only one Foundation Establishment cultivator is chosen, and though two Qi Condensation cultivators are selected, the competition is fierce.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, a withered female voice suddenly echoed in Chen Hang’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she finished, she added:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though the essence you harvest is yours to use freely, if you still wish to compete for a top-three spot, don’t waste it recklessly within this inner landscape—when rankings are decided, only the total essence in the vial counts… if you consume it yourself, it won’t be counted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for the advice, Elder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang knew this voice belonged to the Huaiwu Cave’s spirit; he bowed respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such magic treasures, having developed true sentience, spoke and acted nearly like humans—such abilities were not surprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You boy have a fine appearance—truly exquisite!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The withered female voice paused, then suddenly spoke again:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For your good looks, I’ll say one more thing: though I oversee this inner landscape, I cannot watch everything—besides the beasts and birds, you must be wary of other Qi Condensation cultivators like yourself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, she fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That ancient female voice never sounded again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang paused briefly, then directed his swift light toward a mountain in the southeast, landing in a cave hollowed out by past travelers within the mountain’s flank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one knew how long this cave had existed; its chiseled marks were faded, and further worn by rain, making it appear even more ancient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After inspecting the cave and finding no anomalies, Chen Hang used a minor Wind and Mist spell to blow away all the debris, then took a cushion from his Qiankun Bag and placed it down. He then gripped the porcelain vase given by the vessel spirit and began refining it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although this vase was also a talisman artifact, like the Qiankun Bag, it was only of low grade and possessed just a single Heavenly Treasure Great Restriction, making its rank even lower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After only three or four sticks of incense, Chen Hang had subdued its qi and completed refining the vase. He rose, gathering up the cushion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to leave the cave, a sudden shift in energy stirred within his Qiankun Bag, and immediately, Master Fu Can’s voice echoed in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I say, boy, instead of killing these beasts and birds, why not just stay here and wait? On the final day, go straight and seize their porcelain vases.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tiny old man’s voice sounded exceedingly pleased:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How’s that for a brilliant idea? I learned it from Chen Daozheng, that demonic scoundrel. Back when the Dragon Palace chose a son-in-law, Chen Daozheng used this very trick to trick everyone—including me! He even corrupted me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s hardly a clever scheme. The fact that you’ve remembered such a common trick for so long shows your nature is truly simple-minded.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang said coolly: “But who is Chen Daozheng? A disciple of the Six Demonic Sects?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frustrated that his brilliant plan was being dismissed, Master Fu Can growled: “Chen Daozheng? You’ll meet him soon enough. Then you’ll have to call him elder brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll find out later what ‘elder brother’ means. But…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Master Fu Can suddenly chuckled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“While you were cultivating, I didn’t dare interrupt you—but your good senior sister worried about your safety and urged you not to enter this artifact…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang, I ask you: has your heart grown unsettled?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Fu Can sat cross-legged inside the Qiankun Bag, waiting a long while, but received no reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve got some hidden story, boy. From your expression and tone just now, with my decades of experience, I can tell you’ve suffered a karmic entanglement—specifically, romantic heartbreak!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Chen Hang remain silent, Master Fu Can didn’t feel awkward; he chuckled to himself:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re like… like a yellow dog driven out by its master? No matter how it whimpers, it can’t get back in—only wandering the streets, baked by sun and battered by wind, until its heart turns as hard as iron!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a kind soul pityingly offers you a piece of meat—and knowing your nature, you’d suspect poison hidden in it, and dare not take a bite!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response to Master Fu Can’s endless chatter, Chen Hang merely smiled faintly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re good at guessing—must’ve read countless storybooks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See! I told you so!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Fu Can suddenly grew excited, then puzzled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But how old are you now? How could you have suffered such romantic heartbreak? Could it be from a past life? Wait—you still retain your past-life wisdom?! That’s interesting! Were you perhaps a disciple of some great sect in your last life?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang merely focused, sensing which beast’s qi was strongest, to decide his next move, paying no heed to Master Fu Can’s rambling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know you think I talk too much—I’ll ask just one last question!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having spoken at length to no audience, Master Fu Can licked his dry lips and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You always say a scattered heart is the greatest taboo in cultivation—then just now, did you—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A male buffalo is approaching, Master, be silent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang waved to cut him off, then added:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you don’t stop talking, the wine in your Qiankun Bag may get damaged.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Fu Can’s voice abruptly halted. He blinked, then helplessly shut his eyes and feigned death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crimson buffalo with fire blazing from its hooves had sensed Chen Hang and let out a thunderous bellow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before it could draw near, a green sword-shadow shot from Chen Hang’s sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only one strike!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The buffalo split cleanly in two midair—and instantly died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No blood dripped from the slain buffalo; instead, a wisp of essence took form, ready to flee—but Chen Hang seized it in his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This essence is indeed abundant… If I could gather a few thousand more, my cultivation would advance another level.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After testing it briefly within the True Law Realm, Chen Hang refined the essence, a faint smile appearing on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately after the buffalo’s death, the forest shook violently, dust and smoke erupted, and dozens of powerful, massive buffaloes charged forth, their ferocity overwhelming!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like I’m lucky—I landed right on a beast herd.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang pointed his finger, and the Qinglü Sword, circling in the clouds, let out a clear ring and instantly transformed into a long rainbow of light, slashing down!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, it took half a watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the entire herd lay dead, Chen Hang collected all their essences into the porcelain vase. Finding no further qi disturbances nearby, he soared into the sky and flew onward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after his departure,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several swift lights descended suddenly upon the mountain peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Didn’t you say there was a herd of buffaloes here? Where are they?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, a dashing young man frowned and asked someone beside him:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you mocking me, Yuan Yangsheng, just to save your own skin?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How dare I? How dare I? My fellow sect sister saw it with her own eyes and sent me a message! She was alone and couldn’t handle the herd, so she begged me for help!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man questioned was drenched in sweat, hastily bowing in apology: “Your martial prowess is divine, divine! Even if you gave me a hundred lives, I wouldn’t dare lie!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His flattery was so sycophantic that even his companions turned their faces away, unable to bear looking at him—but Yuan Yangsheng burst into loud laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You immortal cultivators—you once looked down on me as a crude, lowly country martial artist, said I’d never touch the threshold of immortality, let alone become a Martial Saint!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smirked triumphantly, his laughter full of delight:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So why are you now so respectful, now that you’re prisoners?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>",2763,"2026-06-19T22:29:59.276Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","df9590ff78f7742c99d3a2db20a717cb24b11a80876f7f1439d3e1ed88aa3d81","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-81","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-79",545,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-path-of-immortality-cover.jpg"]