Chapter 46: What is an Immortal?—1
Chapter 46: What is an Immortal?—1
Hearing that Li Fan had agreed to accept the two artifacts, Fire Spirit and Mu Qianning were overjoyed, believing that they had finally done something that aligned with Senior Li’s wishes…
However, they did not expect Li Fan to give them away to Zi Ling and Nan Feng immediately?
They were both extremely surprised.
But then again, after some thought, they both came to terms with it.
What kind of person was Senior Li, after all? Why would he need mere Immortal Artifacts?
They were only suitable as gifts for his disciples to use…
With this thought in mind, they couldn’t help but feel full of envy for Zi Ling and Nan Feng.
Although they too could receive some of Senior Li’s favor, how could it compare to learning at his side?
Being able to follow Senior Li was the true Supreme Immortal Path!
"Thank you, thank you, Teacher!”Nan Feng and Zi Ling both spoke excitedly!
They took the pen and the zither respectively.
With the Immortal Artifacts in hand, they both felt somewhat dazed, unable to believe it.
How many people had the Three Absolutes Holy Land sent into the Cangli Mountain Range in the past? Countless, yet in the end, all had met with failure without even a bit of news reaching back.
And now they had obtained them so effortlessly…
Following Teacher, many things had indeed become so much easier…
” By the way, Senior, there are several seniors outside who also took part in this matter. They wish to meet you, would you be willing to see them?”
At this time, Mu Qianning asked.
Upon hearing this, Li Fan instantly understood.
It seemed that giving Fire Spirit and the others calligraphy and paintings had indeed attracted certain attention at the exhibit.
Therefore, more people were willing to come…
Was this also considered gaining some fame?
He felt a touch of joy in his heart and said,
“Since they have come, let them in.”
Fire Spirit promptly performed a salute and then withdrew.
"The three of you, Senior Li has agreed to meet you.”
She addressed the three waiting outside.
Immediately, joy appeared on their faces.
The Senior was willing to meet them!
They all approached excitedly.
Stepping into the courtyard.
"Such a fearsome aura… It’s as if every corner is filled with peerless terrors, making one feel like an ant…”
Spirit Transcendence Venerable muttered, sensing the faintly surging Dao rhythms and principles.
"This… this place… is hiding so many…”
Primordial Yang Venerable glanced around, and when he saw the flock of Earth Chickens and the goldfish in the pond… he was dumbstruck and couldn’t utter a single word.
And the white-haired woman had already stopped dead in her tracks.
She seemed completely entranced.
"Immortal Path… Supreme Immortal Path…”
"It is here…”
She stared blankly at Li Fan, and suddenly, she fell to her knees with a thump!
Seeing this, Spirit Transcendence Venerable and Primordial Yang Venerable were both shocked.
This was an Almost Immortal… and she had knelt down so suddenly?
What kind of background did this person have?
After exchanging glances, without any hesitation, they too knelt down!
Li Fan was instantly flustered.
Ni Ma, what is this rhythm?
Kneeling upon meeting?
These calligraphy and painting enthusiasts were truly more extravagant than the last!
Fire Spirit and the others beside her involuntarily gaped.
The identities of these three people were among the highest in the Xuantian Realm… An Almost Immortal, two Great Saints!
They had actually knelt upon meeting.
Their expressions were complicated.
Everyone present was extremely surprised, but Li Fan finally came back to his senses and said,
“There’s no need for such formalities, please get up!”
In the ears of the three, Li Fan’s words sounded like a Supreme Edict, as if there was an invisible force that made them get up unwillingly.
“…Senior’s accomplishment in the mysteries of creation, a piece of calligraphy has made us kneel in worship. Now that we have seen the senior, even in death, we have no regrets!”
Spirit Transcendence Venerable spoke sincerely.
"In heaven and on earth, it is hard to find another like the Senior. To have the fortune to meet you, how blessed we are, how blessed we are!”
Primordial Yang Venerable spoke as well.
Li Fan smiled and said,
“You overpraise me, sirs. I only have some slight mastery over minor aspects, and I dare not accept such high praise from you.”
Upon hearing this, both were even more filled with admiration.
This is a true peerless master indeed, living in seclusion amidst the dust of the world, detached and at ease, humble and amiable.
Even the Dao, which immortals themselves cannot touch, in the eyes of such extraordinary beings, is but
“a little path.”
"Senior… may I… follow by your side and listen to your teachings?”
At this moment, the white-haired woman spoke up.
On her normally stern face appeared a look of nervous trepidation for the first time.
Even after becoming an Almost Immortal for countless years, and ascending to the highest and supreme position in the Xuantian Realm, the being she now faced was terrifyingly formidable. She could only look up in awe; thus, she couldn’t help but feel anxious.
Li Fan heard her and his brow furrowed slightly.
Another one wanting to take him as a master.
He really wasn’t interested…
"Senior… this matter, I owe it to her for lending her assistance. In order to seek your guidance, she even gave up a great opportunity…”
Mu Qianning couldn’t help but speak up for the white-haired woman.
It was the white-haired woman who had first entered the Ascension Platform and summoned the True Immortal.
After the death of the True Immortal, she came to pay respect to Li Fan, not even bothering to collect the True Immortal’s Blood.
One could say her devotion to the Dao was extremely resolute.
Mu Qianning simply couldn’t bear to see her rejected.
Upon hearing this, Li Fan sighed, thinking that this one, too, must be obsessed.
He thus said,
“Ido not intend to take disciples for now, but seeing that your devotion to the Dao is steadfast, I shall elucidate a thing or two for you. What would you like to ask?”
The white-haired woman, upon hearing this, felt despondent, yet extremely moved!
She knew that although she couldn’t follow this senior, she had been granted an exceedingly rare opportunity!
To receive answers from such an esteemed figure… What a precious chance!
What should she ask?
She must think carefully!
For a moment, countless thoughts flashed through her mind.
Seeing her hesitate for a long time, Li Fan said with a smile,
“No need to be nervous. To meet is to be fated; simply ask whatever you wish to know.”
He could understand the mindset of this woman. Before he travelled through time, when he was studying and wanted to ask a teacher a question, he would ponder it repeatedly, afraid the teacher might think he was a fool.
This woman, so engrossed in her pursuit, would surely care even more.
The woman nodded, took a deep breath, and finally selected her most pressing question,
“May I ask the senior, what… is an Immortal?”
Immortal!
Upon this question, both the Primordial Yang Venerable and Spirit Transcendence Venerable also paid close attention!
Li Fan was briefly taken aback.
An Immortal?
He wasn’t some cultivator, how would he know what an Immortal is…
However, she surely wasn’t asking about cultivation; obviously, it pertained to the realm of calligraphy and painting.
With this in mind, he smiled lightly and said,
“An Immortal is all living beings.”
Everyone’s expression shifted as they listened quietly.
"Ablade of grass, a grain of sand, a cicada… all are Immortals.”
"To the common eye, everything appears mundane, but the true transcendent, the true Immortal, is hidden within the ordinary.”
"To enter the path, one must first recognize what is ordinary.”
"To comprehend what is white, one must first understand what is black; to know what is right, one must grasp what is wrong.”
"So, to understand what an Immortal is, one must understand what is truly commonplace.”
He spoke with conviction.
In fact, this was the reason why he had Zi Ling repeatedly draw an egg.
One must use their true eyes to see, to uncover the principles hidden behind ordinary things.
Only by doing this, whether in calligraphy or painting, can one truly grasp the essence.
Hearing this, the woman found herself deep in thought.
"To understand what is white, one must know what is black… to understand what an Immortal is, one must understand what is mortal…”
In a daze, it seemed as if she understood something.
Is this why this senior chose to live among the ordinary?
Ever since she became an Almost Immortal, she had secluded herself deep within the Mysterious Ice, thinking that only in this way could she cultivate a pure Immortal’s heart. Could it be that she had been utterly mistaken, pursuing the exact opposite direction?
The more she thought, the more she felt the centuries she had spent were wasted.
"I seem to understand now.”
She murmured to herself, took a deep breath, and said,
“Thank you, senior, for your guidance!”
Li Fan waved his hand, saying,
“It was but a small effort.”
"Let’s not all stand around. As it happens, a few peaches in my garden have just ripened; let me welcome you all with them.”
Li Fan smiled.
The fruits on the peach tree had ripened, just nice for Fire Spirit and the others to have a taste of freshly picked peaches.
Everyone turned to look at the peach tree, only to freeze in place.
He was going to use these peaches… to entertain them?!