Chapter 41: Becoming an Immortal Cultivator

“Deal!”

Knife King’s heart raced. Before stumbling upon the ‘inheritance,’ he’d been a third-rate Jianghu bodyguard who’d never laid eyes on such wealth.

Once paid, he handed over his cultivation method without hesitation.

Leaks? If cultivation methods leaked that easily, Immortal Cultivators wouldn’t be so rare.

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“Your generosity honors me, Senior.”

Young Master Wang hadn’t expected such smooth dealings. After skimming the booklet, he tucked it away, exchanged brief pleasantries, and rushed off.

Knife King didn’t bother escorting him—why would a revered master play messenger after being paid?

Young Master Wang knew the drill. Outside the inn, dozens of elite guards formed a protective ring around him, deterring opportunistic Jianghu onlookers. Clan heirs always came prepared.

He traveled nonstop toward Luoshui, yet despite his caution, bandits ambushed him.

In a remote inn, a young official’s daughter—Li Yuanyuan—stood with her entourage, a bald monk (Jie Nian), and an ordinary-looking Jianghu wanderer (Luo San). They stared at the unconscious guards and Young Master Wang sprawled on the floor. These were the same group that survived the Black Forest’s underground palace. Luo San had escaped the forest after gaining a wisp of power from Zuo Meng. No one cared about Jiang Luoyan’s fate anymore.

“This is it?” Li Yuanyuan frowned at the booklet looted from Young Master Wang.

Since the Black Forest incident, she’d obsessed over Immortal Cultivators. She’d searched tirelessly for Zuo Meng, but someone of his power couldn’t be found unless he wished it. Shifting tactics, she’d tracked Young Master Wang’s quest for cultivation methods, setting up this ambush.

“It’s genuine,” Jie Nian said. Having studied at Cold Mountain Temple and met Jie Ming, he recognized authentic methods.

“Then let’s practice!”

“Patience.” Jie Nian made copies for the trio, ignoring Li Yuanyuan’s guards.

“Master, did you truly abandon monastic life?” Li Yuanyuan asked, relaxed now that they had the method.

“I left to settle unfinished business. Leaving the temple isn’t the same as abandoning the path.” Jie Nian’s terse reply discouraged further questions.

“I take my leave,” Luo San said. A creature of shadows, he vanished after securing his copy.

“Shall we try cultivating together? We can troubleshoot issues.” Li Yuanyuan’s eyes sparkled, recalling how Zuo Meng had once flown her across the city. She craved that power.

“Very well.” Curiosity outweighed Jie Nian’s caution.

They bought herbs in town and holed up in a abandoned temple, vowing not to leave until they succeeded.

“This looks… unorthodox.” Li Yuanyuan eyed the cauldron’s brew—herbs mixed with squirming Poisonous Insects.

“Knife King’s ‘Divine Elephant Technique’ requires visualizing a totem. The Great Void Wisdom Scripture describes divine elephants as prison-keepers of immense ferocity. Harsh methods suit such a path,” Jie Nian explained, remembering how Knife King’s strikes had overpowered even Cold Mountain Temple’s welcoming monk.

“I’ll test it.” Feeling indebted for Li Yuanyuan’s resources and Luo San’s poisoning skills, Jie Nian acted first.

He dipped a finger in the black concoction and smeared it on his brow. Following the manual’s instructions, he circulated energy while visualizing the elephant totem.

One cycle. Ten cycles.

At the tenth repetition, heat exploded from his forehead. The mental elephant roared, dragging his consciousness into a primordial void—a realm of towering Totem Era beasts.

*Boom!*

Power surged. Jie Nian collapsed.

“Master!” Li Yuanyuan shook him, but his mind was already drowning in the elephant’s primal might…

Totem Awakening!

Hours later, wisps of gray mist seeped from Jie Nian’s unconscious form. The ‘inheritance’ had chosen him. The monk who abandoned Cold Mountain Temple to chase immortality had finally stepped onto the cultivation path.

Meanwhile, in a Suzhou alleyway shop, Zuo Meng opened his eyes.

“They’ve touched the totems, then.”

He recognized the energy signatures—Jie Nian, Li Yuanyuan, and Zhi Hua in the city. Three acquaintances now bore inherited totems. From his creator’s vantage, any totem memorable enough to catch his notice held formidable potential.

“Things grow interesting.”

Closing his eyes, Zuo Meng returned to his meditative herding.