[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-path-of-immortality":3,"chapter-the-path-of-immortality-the-path-of-immortality-chapter-96":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},2271246,4436,"Chapter 96: Differences","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-96",96,"\u003Cp>Incense mist curled, water murmured softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thin strands of smoke rose slowly from the gaps in the pavilions, damp mist clinging to the face, gentle and wispy, clear and jade-like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You want to test me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang had long since replaced his embryonic breathing with the phase of “Dingjin true qi” from his Qi Condensation stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His innate nature was sharp and metallic, piercing and keen; even the flicker of his gaze seemed to produce the grating sound of sand grinding against blades, harsh and unbearable, forcing itself upon the eyes and ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His blood and vital essence had also been largely concealed by the Scatter-Form Concealment Technique, leaving only about half remaining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, he appeared no more than a gifted youth from a minor sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When his aura was released, though bold and unrestrained, fierce and roaring, it lacked the essential root of the Mystic Gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a high-cultivation cultivator were present, a single glance would suffice—no further scrutiny needed—to know this was merely outward strength with inner emptiness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a pillar propped inside a wall, or a lump of clay at the kiln’s mouth, clearly uninitiated into the true Dao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might display fleeting prestige, but could never endure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without being forged by fire and water, tempered by cold and heat, should a day come with torrential rain and flooding rivers, not even a moment would pass before the house collapsed and the roof vanished—weak foundations, unfit for supreme immortality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those gifted disciples of minor sects—such as Zhou Xingling of White Crane Cave, Qin Xian of Blood Lotus Sect, or Yan Zhen of Xuanzhen Sect—all bore this same facade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nine-grade, thirty-six-rank true qi differed vastly between each rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disciples of great sects and those of minor sects, merely by differing in their first-step Qi Condensation methods, already stood as far apart as heaven and abyss…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since uncovering Huaiwu’s hidden intentions, Chen Hang had always presented himself before others as possessing the Xuanzhen Sect’s “Dingjin true qi,” concealing his true inner nature of “Taishi Yuanzhen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even within Huaiwu Cave, when fighting the Blood Lotus Sect cultivators, he deliberately restrained his aura, preventing any leakage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, there would be no need for the Tai Su Jade Body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merely his embryonic breathing, comparable to ordinary true qi, would suffice as a cover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Chen Hang’s gaze flickered, he remained wary, but now the arrow was already on the string—he had no choice but to fire; hesitation would only provoke Huaiwu’s suspicion and ruin the plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, after a brief pause, he strode forward, sweeping his sleeves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to part the pavilion’s door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the colorful-robed maids, a leader—her forehead adorned with pear-blossom makeup, her features enchanting and lovely—suddenly bowed gracefully and spoke to Chen Hang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Honored guest, please wait a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang glanced at her, halted his steps, and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Allow us, your maids, to change our garments first, before attending to your bath.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman who spoke appeared around twenty, her skin whiter than snow, lips like vermilion; unlike the other maids, she wore a brilliant, radiant pearl at her waist, its ripples of light marking her distinct status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She cast him a glance, half-shy, half-irritated, her eyes flowing with seductive charm, and giggled softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Lü Zhu. I wonder what style of clothing the honored guest prefers? During your bath, my sisters and I can change into any attire you wish to admire—and more—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I require no servants.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Lü Zhu could finish, Chen Hang cut her off coldly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Huaiwu is about to deliver his discourse. Within my elder’s sacred ground, how could I possibly indulge with his maids? Leave at once, and say no more!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Honored guest, there is no disrespect intended—our serving you is a direct order from Master, it is—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the cooked duck about to fly away,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Zhu grew anxious, forgetting decorum, reaching out to grab his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the moment her jade-like fingers moved, Chen Hang glanced at her, expressionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, her skin felt as if scraped by knives, each patch aching painfully, unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweat poured like rain, her body stiffened as if stalked by a predatory beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after a long while did she regain her composure, realizing her robes were soaked, her makeup smudged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It seems my humble, withered form simply fails to meet the honored guest’s taste—or perhaps you prefer men?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the first time in her life she had been so bluntly rejected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Zhu’s face flushed and paled in turns; finally, she forced a smile and flashed a wooden token.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From afar, a pavilion suddenly opened, and a group of handsome men emerged, clad in sheer veils, their beauty alluring and provocative, nearly bare-chested and bare-bellied; at Lü Zhu’s call, they stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These men wore girls’ makeup, their attire bold and daring, baring skin; they waited for Lü Zhu’s command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Honored guest—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Zhu had just mustered a smile, about to speak,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she saw Chen Hang turn away without expression—the door opened and closed, and he was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face darkened further; she clenched her teeth, her lovely features twisting in fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She waved the token again, dismissing the men back to the pavilion, said nothing, and turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when she had gone far, entering a side hall, did she order the maids to shut the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Zhu then tore the ink painting on the wall to shreds, smashed numerous jade plates and fine porcelain, screamed and raged, finally releasing her fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, this man is to be turned into a demonic consort today, just like us—why are you so agitated now? Why fly into such a rage?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A maid who knew Lü Zhu gently embraced her hand and soothed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once he becomes a demon folk, he’ll be overwhelmed by the seven emotions and consumed by the six desires. Sister, you are the Crimson Makeup Demon, born directly from the Lady’s blood—your lineage far surpasses his. What would he dare refuse you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, not even sleeping with him would be enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if you ordered him to bark like a dog and beg for your favor, would that be difficult?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the other maids covered their mouths, and Lü Zhu’s expression softened slightly, a faint smile appearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pinched a corner of her face, the half-mask dangling loosely by her cheek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carefully, she leaned toward the mirror, applying layers of waxy, greasy ointment until it stuck firmly, hiding the writhing maggots and flies beneath, masking the stench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re right! I am the Crimson Makeup Demon, born from the Lady’s blood, destined to bear the Master’s bloodline—my lineage far surpasses his! How could he defy me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Zhu smiled coldly, pressing hard on the half-mask she had removed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In my rage, I nearly tore this fine face apart—my mistake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gave another order, and several colorful-robed maids stepped out, returning moments later with several robust men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men made no resistance as they were brought in; though their bodies were powerful and full of blood, their faces were blank with foolish joy, drool dripping from their mouths, clearly mindless, utterly pliable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a pity I was born too recently—I can only consume mortals and embryonic breath, not Qi Condensation cultivators.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Zhu sighed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The key to the Crimson Makeup Demon’s advancement is human essence, regardless of gender—gather enough, and the blood elixir succeeds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she was still newly born; even the faint embryonic breath of a Qi Condensation cultivator was hard for her to digest, let alone the stronger Qi Condensation cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once I ascend, Master and Lady will surely value me more. My Crimson Makeup Demon and the Young Master’s Power Deviant Demon are no ordinary types—out of kindness to me, they’ll surely grant my small requests.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she pondered, Lü Zhu climbed onto the bed, gestured, and drew a robust man toward her, then lowered the gauze curtain, thinking:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That man was male, and rude, yet how beautifully handsome! I was so envious I longed to bed him on the spot!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it won’t be easy to keep him by my side…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I fear even the Lady will covet him and try to take him from me—that would be a headache.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With these thoughts, the bed shook violently, gasps rising and falling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only dozens of breaths passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the deep green gauze curtain stirred, a figure flew violently outward, rolling across the floor until it struck the threshold and stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The once lion-tiger-strong man was now merely a thin skin stretched over bones, breath faint as a thread, his oily skin as thin as a cicada’s wing, revealing the dark red, writhing organs within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In mere dozens of breaths, he had aged sixty years—hair turned white, and after one final short gasp, his head lolled, life gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, amid Lü Zhu’s satisfied laughter, another large man lifted off his feet, drawn helplessly toward the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the bedchamber swayed with tangled silks and fluttering curtains,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elsewhere,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang, now dressed in new robes, was led by other colorful-robed maids toward Huaiwu’s altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just now, a spiritual sense kept sweeping over you. That demonic aura—it’s almost certainly the Evil Wrath Yin-Sheng Demon… Fortunately, your Scatter-Form Concealment Technique hid your embryonic breathing well, so it didn’t detect anything—otherwise, trouble!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his mind, Fu Can’s ancestral voice suddenly spoke:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why did you bathe and change clothes first? I understand—it’s because they feared you wore an inner armor or carried hidden protective talismans!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that, your Qiankun Bag was thoroughly scanned inside and out—your entire fortune was exposed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can heavenly demons even perceive what’s inside a Qiankun Bag?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang asked, surprised, sending a mental reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How surprising? Heavenly demons are Xukong  locusts—especially this Evil Wrath Yin-Sheng Demon. Though the Qiankun Bag is a low-grade talisman with inner-space capability, it’s crude—easily seen through by its eyes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Can laughed heartily:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re utterly destitute—besides those few Dou Talismans, you’ve got nothing! Don’t worry, that fool demon won’t recognize the Dou Talismans’ power, won’t suspect a thing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there no way—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once you achieve the Purple Mansion, you can store items within it—a realm crafted by Heaven itself, utterly impossible to peer into!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Chen Hang could finish, Fu Can guessed his thought and sighed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, only heavenly demons—especially the elite among locusts—can do this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were that so-called Huaiwu Cave Lord, he wouldn’t see a damn thing—don’t overthink it, you’re always seeing ghosts!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang listened, lost in thought, and fell silent for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, the two of them chatted aimlessly about various things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Fu Can was intensely curious about the matter between Chen Hang and Wei Lingjiang, repeatedly trying to probe deeper, determined to get to the bottom of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But unfortunately, this man’s lips were sealed tight; no matter how hard Master Fu Can circled the topic, he could not uncover his true thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Fu Can’s face turned from green to purple, then purple to green, until he finally gave up, dejected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a shame you’re not in a death cell—you’ve got a mouth tighter than a vault, can’t be pried open even under torture!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Fu Can grumbled, about to speak again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But suddenly he frowned, and fell utterly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop sending voice messages—we’ve reached their territory…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After uttering these final words, he fell still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang lifted his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance stood a palace entirely painted in bright yellow, its four gates wide open, eerily empty; at its center stood a three-zhang-three-chi tall altar of water jade, upon which sat a tall, solemn old Daoist in proper robes—Huaiwu Cave Lord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below the altar, three apricot-yellow cushions were arranged in order, two of which were already occupied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, honored guest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The colorful-robed attendant who had led him here gave Chen Hang a long look, then suddenly covered her lips and laughed mysteriously before bowing and withdrawing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greetings, Cave Lord. Greetings, two fellow Daoists.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang did not hesitate; he swept his sleeve and strode forward, bowing calmly before the altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Daoist, you look in excellent health—very good, very good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huaiwu Cave Lord waved his fly-whisk, paused slightly, and smiled: “No need for formalities—please be seated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Daoist, you’ve arrived—please, please.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two others on the cushions also dared not be negligent; they immediately rose to return the greeting, their demeanor deeply respectful…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Yuan Yang had sensed something amiss and fled early using the Feiluo Fruit, his vacant seat had been filled by a Qi-Condensation cultivator from the Blood Lotus Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang, the hermit Lu Yu, and the Blood Lotus Sect’s Qi-Condensation cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That made three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The top three who had the fortune to attend this Dao lecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After exchanging greetings, they said no more pleasantries, each taking a cushion and sitting down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few formalities, Huaiwu Cave Lord cut straight to the point, smiled faintly, and expounded a sublime Dao art: using armor and weapons to alter one’s form, replacing one’s body to escape death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like clouds, like rain, petals rained down in chaotic splendor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Talismans, Qi absorption, elixir arrays, spirit refining, puppets…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke of mystery, debated the Dao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huaiwu Cave Lord revealed nothing, as if determined to give everything without reserve—his voice clear as gold, resonant as jade, speaking in a smooth, captivating manner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The insights and teachings of a Grand Alchemist of the Cave Mysterious Realm—let alone for hermits, even for sect disciples, were an unparalleled opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All below the altar were entranced, utterly immersed, unaware of the passage of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour passed silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Chen Hang’s spirit stirred in warning, and he opened his eyes without reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huaiwu Cave Lord’s deep, soothing voice still echoed in his ears—this time, speaking of the refining method for the Great Yellow Elixir; Lu Yu the hermit and the Blood Lotus Sect cultivator listened with rapt attention, eyes closed, minds sunk deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in Chen Hang’s ears, the ordinary elixir formula grew increasingly absurd and monstrous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood rivers, corpse wax, skulls, rotting flies…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screams, from nowhere, slowly crept out, rising higher and higher!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The empty air before him suddenly parted like a gauze curtain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A skinned blood corpse, wailing, squeezed into the mortal world, flung open its arms, and seized him!\u003C\u002Fp>",2391,"2026-06-19T22:29:59.276Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b370a441680a3be6231172d11d5e61b1f1847e71c6061f26425e6984cd2e2e19","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-97","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-95",545,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-path-of-immortality-cover.jpg"]