[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-path-of-immortality":3,"chapter-the-path-of-immortality-the-path-of-immortality-chapter-81":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},2271231,4436,"Chapter 81","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-81",81,"\u003Cp>Huaiwu Cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within a mountain valley stream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive beast resembling an eagle-hawk, its head crowned with a single horn, suddenly flared its wings and soared into the sky; its yellow pupils flashed with savagery as it opened its mouth and let out a thunderous infant’s cry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yiya…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tall trees shook violently; the stream in the ravine surged skyward with a roar. This strange infant cry carried immense power, even shattering and scattering boulders like sudden rain and gale, lashing forward in a torrent of debris!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing this furious assault, Chen Hang made no move to dodge or evade; instead, from beneath his moon-white Daoist robe, the fitted inner armor he wore suddenly emitted a ring of dark, somber light, enclosing him at its center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether sound waves or the countless splintered logs and shattered stones swept along with them, all were firmly blocked by the dark light shield—though the display was impressive, it could not pierce the armor’s defensive capacity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seizing this opening, Chen Hang formed a hand seal; the Qinglü Sword abruptly leapt upward like an arrow released from a bow, piercing straight into the heavens, and in an instant arrived before the eagle-hawk beast, poised to strike down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the beast drew its wings together; in that hair’s-breadth moment, it flashed away several zhang into the air, barely evading Qinglü Sword’s slash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing this flying sword’s next strike, it clearly remembered past pain and knew its danger, so it dared not meet the blade head-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relying solely on its incredibly tough body and winged mobility, it continuously dodged and fled, beginning a prolonged duel with Qinglü Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At intervals, it sought openings to dive from the clouds and crush Chen Hang beneath its claws—but each time, Qinglü Sword intercepted it, preventing success.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This thing looks like a Gu Diao, but it’s merely a hollow imitation—lacking true spiritual essence…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the Qiankun pouch, Fu Can Laozu belched wine and muttered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If this were a true Gu Diao, its cry just now wouldn’t have merely split mountains—it would have shattered your spirit if you hadn’t protected your soul with an advanced visualization technique. One cry, and your essence would have fainted, becoming its blood meal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s a primordial divine ability—far stronger than that broken parrot you encountered in Baoju Zhai!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your method of refining sword intent through combat, though self-taught, does resonate with a sliver of true meaning. You’ve heard of the Zhongyi Sword Sect in Donghun Province, right? That sect is the most troublemaking among the Eight Mystic Sects—comparable even to the Yuanchen Sect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those Zhongyi Sword Sect disciples love stirring up trouble in the outside world—they’re nothing like my Tai Fu Palace! They deliberately seek endless battles, refining their sword intent through life-and-death struggles to elevate their sword realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gu Diao-like beast let out another screech; its single horn suddenly shot out a dazzling thin filament, which in the blink of an eye crossed thirty zhang and struck straight for Chen Hang’s third eye!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The armor Chen Hang wore again expanded a radiant aura—but this time, after only a few breaths, it shattered with a thunderous “Boom!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very moment the armor broke, Qinglü Sword, arriving from behind, intercepted the dazzling filament just half a zhang before Chen Hang’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant they clashed, countless metallic clangs rang out, scattering sparks like falling star-dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within moments, the dazzling filament was completely worn away by the flying sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, the Gu Diao’s eyes finally flickered with fear; it flared its wings, abandoning its nest entirely, and fled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Chen Hang, of course, would not let it escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pinched two fingers together; Qinglü Sword, fueled by its full embryonic breath, transformed into a blazing green rainbow, streaking forth to kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just a few flashes, it intercepted the Gu Diao midair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This slash was as swift as lightning; even though the Gu Diao’s entire body was armored in scales, it nearly lost half its wing, shuddered violently, and nearly lost its balance in the clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your sword cultivation must be nearing ‘Ten Steps, One Kill.’ If you could enter the sword realm and acquire a sword scripture, slaying this thing wouldn’t require such effort.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching from the sidelines, Fu Can Laozu lounged, legs crossed, shaking his head:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But in this backward, wild southern region, there’s probably no high-grade sword scripture—chances are, you won’t learn one anytime soon…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t speak of sword scriptures—even ‘Ten Steps, One Kill’ isn’t something I can achieve easily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man was endlessly chattering—even if a rabbit ran past, he’d ramble for hours. Chen Hang replied casually and ignored him further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Qinglü Sword and the Gu Diao had clashed over thirty rounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monstrous bird, with a wingspan nearing seven zhang and resembling a black cloud looming overhead, had lost all its earlier ferocity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One wing was broken; most of its scales had fallen off; its body was crisscrossed with countless sword wounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the beasts and birds within Huaiwu Cave were all formed from the essence of spiritual energy from all directions—not living flesh—they naturally did not bleed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even so, the Gu Diao’s state was unmistakably desperate and broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The time has come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Chen Hang’s eyes flashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spurred Qinglü Sword, coldly barked a command, and the blade’s radiance exploded—CRACK!—as if a heavenly rainbow had pierced the daylight!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gu Diao had been preparing another demonic cry to repel Qinglü Sword—but all it saw was a green rainbow hurtling toward it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a daze, its scales and flesh were torn open; searing pain surged through it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heaven and earth spun; its head and body split apart!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In midair, the giant Gu Diao slowly lowered its neck, then its massive head tumbled down first, landing in the stream with a splash of water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Followed by its headless body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Chen Hang smiled faintly and summoned Qinglü Sword to his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Gu Diao’s death, deprived of its physical form, the white-serpent-like, agile essence within it manifested visibly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang first grasped it in his palm, briefly examining it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder this beast rivals a newly established Foundation Establishment cultivator—this single essence alone surpasses all my previous gains combined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He withdrew a porcelain bottle from his sleeve pouch and sealed the essence inside, his gaze sharpening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this battle, he had used only Qinglü Sword—no other techniques, such as the Tai Su Jade Body, had been activated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the use of his armor was merely for show—to impress the Huaiwu Cave’s spirit, and whoever might be watching from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, with his current physical strength, had the Gu Diao dared approach, why would he need Qinglü Sword to defend and counter? He could have seized it in his palm and crushed it to death—effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though this Gu Diao rivals a newly established Foundation Establishment cultivator, it is still a beast, born of essence—far inferior to a true Foundation Establishment cultivator. But I’ve yet to use my full arsenal. Whether I can truly match a Foundation Establishment cultivator, I must test firsthand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within Huaiwu Cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Foundation Establishment cultivators were forbidden from bullying Qi Condensation cultivators—if they did, the spirit would instantly expel them, and they’d lose all essence they’d collected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the hearts of outsiders are endless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A little caution is never wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, though the Yizhen Fa Jie possessed unfathomable divine power, it could only simulate cultivators of equal realm—it could not cross a major realm to summon a Foundation Establishment Daoist into the realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Embryonic Breath simulated Embryonic Breath; Qi Condensation simulated Qi Condensation…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And not everyone was Xu Zhi, who had suffered a broken Dao path and held no suspicion or caution toward him, making it easy to draw him into the realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To know exactly how I differ from a true Foundation Establishment cultivator, I need only fight one within the Yizhen Fa Jie—why guess so much?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang no longer dwelled on it. He grasped Qinglü Sword, which had been circling his body, leapt upward, and vanished in a flash of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On a patch of yellow earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep in the wild woods, a large white-tiger with glowing eyes and a white brow still slept—when suddenly a sword flashed past, plucking its head off as easily as plucking a leaf or a flower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several breaths later, a white aura streaked from afar, casually collecting the essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a river bend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of green cranes were encircled by a single green rainbow; within moments, all were cleanly sliced in half—not one escaped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A golden-scaled ancient ape suddenly split open across its chest and belly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before it could react, another flash of green light whirled around, shredding its entire upper body into fragments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>River valleys, mountain peaks, stream gullies, open plains—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After nearly half a day of flight, Chen Hang had casually slain countless beasts and birds, collecting countless essences—but the boundary of Huaiwu Cave remained untouched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a vast, clear inner realm surprised even Chen Hang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huaiwu Cave isn’t just for gathering spiritual essence and trapping enemies—it’s likely also an excellent place to forge arrays. These beasts and birds, born from essence, are at least equivalent to Embryonic Breath cultivators; the stronger ones rival Foundation Establishment…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On a cloud-capped peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang descended his aura and halted beside a massive boulder, surveying the surroundings, thinking inwardly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve heard both Mystic Sects and Demon Sects possess methods to forge Dao-Bing puppets. If these beasts and birds of Huaiwu Cave were forged into Dao-Bing, even a hundred or a thousand capable of fighting Foundation Establishment cultivators—would force even a Purple Mansion Third Layer high adept to avoid direct confrontation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huaiwu Cave might conceal even more—perhaps even beasts capable of rivaling Purple Mansion cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If so…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Chen Hang’s gaze flickered as he turned toward a peak in the northwestern direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his keen hearing, he faintly caught a few nearly imperceptible roars and shouts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he not been concentrating, even his senses would have missed them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Killing for treasure? Only a few days in, and it’s already begun?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang withdrew his thoughts—but before he could act, the commotion grew louder, the shouts and cries rising in intensity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a dozen breaths, even without deliberate focus, the noise was clearly audible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gazed northwest and saw a white immortal crane, nearly ten feet tall, flapping desperately, its back bearing a man with a severed arm, his Dao robe torn to rags.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind this fleeing man and crane, two streaks of blood-red aura chased relentlessly; even from miles away, the stench of blood and malevolence could be smelled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man on the white crane had clearly exhausted all his methods; during the escape, he had even panicked and detonated a talisman artifact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was of no use—the two streaks of blood light had already been on guard; even self-destruct talismans had only delayed them slightly, and catching up was merely a matter of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“White crane? That does resemble a disciple of White Crane Cave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang looked again and saw within the two streaks of blood light the figures of a man and a woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man wore a black-cloud blood-patterned great robe, with thick eyebrows and deep-set eyes, his face strikingly handsome; coiled around his waist and abdomen was a massive blood-colored python, its head resting on his shoulder, tongue flickering crimson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman wore a gossamer veil as thin as a cicada’s wing, her arms wrapped in green brocade, her attire lascivious and daring, exposing her rounded belly and thick thighs; yet her frame was twice as broad and sturdy as the man’s beside her—broad-backed and bear-waisted, her body immensely bulky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In motion, she resembled a trembling mound of flesh, radiating an inexplicable sense of oppression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet both the male and female cultivators in the blood light wore a blood lotus pendant at their ears—translucent, radiant, crimson as if dripping—clearly disciples of the Blood Lotus Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the midst of their flight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Crane Cave disciple also spotted Chen Hang from afar; the surprise on his face had barely formed before he sensed the aura emanating from Chen Hang and instantly fell pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Run! Are you stupid? Don’t you want to live? Can’t you see they’re killing?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slapped his white crane, sharply reversing direction; seeing Chen Hang still standing atop the peak, he hastily sent a mental shout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the male and female cultivators of the Blood Lotus Sect also noticed Chen Hang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The female cultivator sneered, rubbing her fingers slightly, her interest subtly stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A Qi Condensation fifth-layer cultivator? Even if I kill him, the essence in the vase won’t amount to much—better not waste time!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The male cultivator glanced at her expression, then impatiently urged:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This White Crane Cave Daoist is Qi Condensation eighth-layer—his essence must be plentiful. We should hurry and process him; Brother Sun is waiting. Don’t delay his important matter!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why the rush? My corpse puppet has been worn out lately, and I’m short a warm, tender companion in bed. Though this Daoist hides his face, he’s surely handsome—could this be fate’s gift?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The female cultivator cursed: “Brother, stop talking nonsense! We’re both Qi Condensation eighth-layer now—do you still think you can control me like before?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The male cultivator snorted coldly, his expression dark, but said nothing further; instead, he split his blood light and advanced straight toward the White Crane Cave disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the distance closed, the female cultivator’s face grew increasingly delighted; she opened her mouth and a luminous, translucent pearl floated out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before she could launch the pearl at Chen Hang, a streak of emerald light shot through the sky, piercing through layers of clouds in an instant, crossing dozens of zhang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scream had barely begun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it abruptly ceased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Lotus Sect male cultivator turned his head—and his body trembled violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the instant he turned, a blinding emerald light flashed like lightning—and then blood gushed like a spring—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sister’s head rolled to the ground like a ripe melon!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Flying sword?! So fast! So fast!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sequence of actions was as swift as a hare leaping or a duck taking flight—in mere blinks, a fine human head lay severed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The male cultivator instinctively slapped his body, expelling a scarlet flame to shield his vital points, utterly horrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Crane Cave disciple also froze, only regaining his wits after a long while, hesitantly halting his white crane in midair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang frowned slightly—not pressing his advantage, but instead swept his sleeve and recalled the Qinglü Sword to his side, shielding himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither the male cultivator nor the White Crane Cave disciple understood his intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until dozens of breaths later, a booming laugh echoed from the clouds above—powerful, vast, like a dragon’s roar, shaking the earth and making all grass and trees tremble violently!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a spectacle! What a fight! How could such a grand drama be without me, Yuan Yang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice’s owner turned toward Chen Hang; his lips parted and closed like two thunderclaps grinding together, sparks nearly leaping forth:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this a mid-grade talisman weapon? A cultivator in the Qi Condensation realm who can wield a mid-grade talisman weapon? Not bad—you’re not bad! Fighting you will be immensely entertaining! Perfect for my Yuan Yang’s desire to test my fists against worthy foes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since I achieved the Dao, I swore to make my name known across the Nine Provinces and Four Seas—so I won’t dishonor my elder brother’s teachings! Daoist, you’ve stumbled right into it—my first fame-making battle begins with you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Martial Path?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang glanced at him, a strange expression crossing his face:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t practice the Immortal Path… you practice the Gangsha Martial Path of Gu Jie Heaven?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combined into one\u003C\u002Fp>",2648,"2026-06-19T22:29:59.276Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f3085006fd6527b6de52f4791791dc23e043e5c2e36199cf217bae78e31c97cd","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-82","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-80",545,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-path-of-immortality-cover.jpg"]