The Quest for Immortality

Once missed, we may part ways, each cultivating until our paths vanish with our lives.

Zhang Lan felt an infinite sense of melancholy rising in his heart.

After some thought, he said to the others, ”You all go ahead and wander around, I’m going to see a Taoist friend.”

The others were a bit puzzled, but didn’t ask much, instead nodded, some calling him ”Brother Lan,” others ”Uncle Lan,” and said:

”Go early and come back early, stay safe.”

Zhang Lan nodded, then bid farewell to the Zhang Family.

He wanted to find Mo Hua, but the problem was, he didn’t know where Mo Hua was. After pondering for a moment, he thought since Mo Hua was a disciple of the Taixu Gate, he should have returned there after the Sword Discussion.

”Taixu Gate...”

Zhang Lan hired a carriage, asked for directions, and headed towards the Taixu Gate.

The Carefree Sect and Taixu Gate both belonged to the Eight Great Gates and weren’t far apart.

Also, between major sects, there were dedicated roads for fast travel, with carriages moving like dragons, making journeys convenient.

About an hour later, Zhang Lan arrived in Tai Xu City, then, consulting a map, passed through the city streets and along mountain stone steps, all the way to the gate of Taixu Gate.

But at the gate, he was stopped.

It happened to be during a Sword Discussion Conference, and the Qian Learning State Boundary was crowded with people, with cultivators from all sides pouring in, making a mixed crowd.

Wherever there are many people, trouble tends to arise.

Therefore, most sects in the Qianxue Sect strictly enforced entrance policies, refusing all outside visitors.

Without a Sect Token or a letter from an Elder, one simply couldn’t enter the gate.

Zhang Lan was thus stopped outside the gate.

Of course, he wasn’t alone; some others wanted to enter Taixu Gate to visit relatives and friends or to witness the sect’s grand occasion, but they too were refused entry.

Someone spoke with the disciples guarding the mountain, claiming to know certain elders or guest elders, but it was futile.

These were the rules, not up for explanation.

Zhang Lan stood outside the gate for a long time, helplessly sighed.

One cannot force encounters in life.

This might also be predestined by karma.

The sky gradually darkened, the sunset descended, and the evening glow vanished.

Zhang Lan’s gaze dimmed, he could only turn around and walk step by step down the long mountain path.

Step by step, moving away from Taixu Mountain.

...

Meanwhile, inside Taixu Mountain.

Mo Hua, having finished a day of Sword Discussion, was walking with Situ and several others back to the Disciple’s Residence. As they walked, an inexplicable sense of familiarity surged in her heart.

Mo Hua stopped in her tracks.

Situ Jian asked, ”Junior Brother, what’s wrong?”

Mo Hua shook her head, extended her palm and calculated with her fingers, then said to Situ and the others: .

”You all go back first, I have something to do.”

Situ Jian and Cheng Mo exchanged looks.

Without waiting for them to respond, Mo Hua waved her hand and set off towards the mountain gate on her own.

At the mountain gate, there were many cultivators crowded at the entrance, causing some commotion.

Mo Hua stood on the high steps, looking into the distance, and saw a gradually receding, somewhat gloomy figure.

This figure, clad in green clothes, was very familiar.

Mo Hua was momentarily stunned, finding it hard to believe at first, but then her eyes grew brighter, and a radiant smile spread across her face as she excitedly called out:

”Uncle Zhang!”

This crisp shout crossed the high steps, reached the mountain below, and also reached the ears of Zhang Lan, who was descending the mountain.

Zhang Lan froze, slowly turned around, and looked back to see the vastness of Taixu Mountain, wrapped in clouds and mist, exuding an ethereal aura.

The mountain gate was wide, the mountain terrace quaint and charming.

At the end of the mountain terrace, a boy as clear as a painting, was happily waving at him.

It was already dusk, the glow low.

But the boy’s eyes were bright as stars, his smile as clear and brilliant as the rising sun.

Compared to the child in his memory, much seemed to have changed, yet somehow, it also felt as if nothing had changed at all.

A warm stream flowed through his heart.

The joy of reunion, like the refreshing rain after a drought, nourished his heart.

Zhang Lan couldn’t help but smile, his gaze free and full of reminiscence:

”Mo Hua, long time no see...”