"From then on, we, the disciples and their disciples, grew disheartened and ceased to pursue Ascension to Immortality. Several elder disciples even renounced their vows and started living ordinary lives, leaving only our lineage to persevere desperately."
"Once my disciple learned that our sect forbid Ascension, he harbored resentment and defected to the Tianyi Teachings," sighed the Old Daoist Priest, his words filled with desolation. How could one not sigh at such a decline from a once famous sect?
Lin Fang, after listening to the Old Daoist Priest, was lost in thought. The decline of this small sect hid such a terrifying truth. If Ascension to Immortality were indeed a sham, what role then were those lofty immortals in the heavens playing? At this thought, Lin Fang felt a chill run down his spine. He looked around fearfully; the area was desolate, with only the persistent chirping of insects, a symphony unique to nature itself.
Suddenly, feeling something beside him, he quickly looked down and saw the Old Daoist Priest handing over a yellowed book.
"Fellow Taoist, what's this?"
"Ah! I'm old and without a disciple to pass on the lineage of the law. This art of Paper figures, which our founder obtained and perfected over three generations, would be too great a loss if it disappeared. Seeing that you possess a reserved mana, I estimate you are a dedicated practitioner. Today, since we have addressed each other as master and disciple, I shall give you this book as a keepsake," said the Old Daoist Priest, his aged hands caressing the book's cover. This book had accompanied him through countless springs and autumns, witnessing his journey from a vibrant young man to a waning old man. Now, the time had finally come for them to part.
Looking at the Old Daoist Priest, whose face was marked with a twilight of life, Lin Fang couldn't help but sigh. Perhaps there was a time when the Old Daoist Priest shone brightly, but those days had been eroded away by the harsh weather of life, and he, unable to achieve eternal life, had eventually faced his late years.
"I will preserve it well," Lin Fang said solemnly as he took the book.
Upon hearing this, the Old Daoist Priest showed a radiant smile, those deep wrinkles forming a mosaic of kindness. However, Lin Fang noticed a fleeting sadness in his eyes.
How could he not feel sad? To seek immortality all his life, only to learn that Ascension was but a mirage, was utterly cruel.
Perhaps the Old Daoist Priest had always hoped that his founder was wrong. Yet, after seeing the state of the founder of the Tianyi Teachings, he became utterly disheartened, and the only motivation supporting him collapsed. Lin Fang could feel his spirit breaking.
"Should you ever visit Xuantian Temple and see an old pine tree beside a solitary grave, that will be mine. Then you must come to burn some fine incense for me, and of course, don't skimp on the paper offerings," the Old Daoist Priest said with a smile.
Lin Fang smiled. This Old Daoist Priest, even at such a time, pretended to be cheerful, unwilling to show his sorrow.
"Well, mountains won't shift, rivers will forever flow. Old Daoist, I shall now return to Xuantian Temple, no need to see me off!" After saying this, the Old Daoist Priest patted the dust from his clothing and headed east along the road, his stooped figure somehow appearing carefree.
"Ah, life!" Lin Fang couldn't help but lament. He, including his past life years, was already a middle-aged man. Witnessing the Old Daoist Priest's end was inevitably saddening, evoking a sense of life's impermanence. Fortunately, his own learning in the Righteous law, which emphasizes the dual cultivation of body and spirit, spared him from despair over the issue of Ascension.
"Perhaps this is also why the Righteous law is seldom transmitted, and the Feather Transformation Method has become widespread," Lin Fang speculated silently.
However, he was still just a minor figure in the Three Realms, mere ants in the eyes of all immortals, even knowing these secrets was powerless to change anything.
Finally, glancing at Gao Lao Village not far away, and still faintly sensing the strong Demon Qi carried on the wind, Lin Fang shook his head slightly and headed west.
Upon leaving the territory of Gao Lao Village, the population thinned out, and the landscape became dotted with towering mountains and dense forests, home to wolves, tigers, and leopards, and teeming with Mountain Spirits and Wild Monsters.
Such terrain would naturally be unnavigable for an ordinary person, but Lin Fang, being a monster and now practicing the Righteous law, advanced his cultivation so rapidly that he considered these creatures mere trifles.
He walked leisurely through the wilderness, occasionally picking a brilliantly blooming wildflower, inhaling its sweet scent, and feeling very much at ease.
Wild rabbits and wolves darted past him from time to time, but none noticed Lin Fang's presence.
This was because Lin Fang, having locked his Vital Essence, Qi, and Spirit firmly within his body, showed not a trace of leakage. This symbolized the Leakless great accomplishment and was the greatest gain Lin Fang had made in recent times.
Since learning the reason behind Zhu Bajie revealing his true form, Lin Fang had acutely realized the importance of being Leakless. Not only did it enhance his mana cultivation, but it also strengthened his ability to conceal himself. Today's monsters were universally hunted; hence, concealing his own Demon Qi was crucial for Lin Fang.
Thankfully, hard work paid off. After relentless effort, Lin Fang had finally turned the Leakless state into his instinct, maintaining it at all times.
Just then, Lin Fang keenly sensed some movement nearby. Since his Transformation, and having undergone the celestial tempest that refined his marrow, his senses had become incredibly sharp, easily detecting disturbances from afar.
Slowly parting the waist-high wild grass, Lin Fang saw a running figure.
It was a young boy, with delicate features, rosy lips, and white teeth, and an almost feminine face. If not observed carefully, one might easily mistake him for a girl.