Transaction Between Immortals and Mortals

Chapter 6 007~008: A Transaction Between Mortal and Immortal

Even when Xiantian Grandmasters crossed hands, they rarely fought to the death, often stopping at a touch to avoid mutual destruction—unless the gap in strength between them was obvious.

But between Chen Dengming at the seventh layer of Xiantian and Nangong Shuo at the eighth, Nangong Shuo was clearly the superior.

Even in a life-or-death battle, Nangong Shuo would have the greater odds.

Yet the outcome was the opposite.

What was more, even Hu Lei, who had struck at Chen Dengming alongside him, had died.

The result of this battle was staggering. The key to victory lay in Chen Dengming's Gu poison.

If Nangong Shuo and the others had not pressed him step by step, Chen Dengming would not have been willing to reveal this trump card.

But the two insisted on walking to their doom, deaf to all persuasion. Chen Dengming had no choice but to kill them ruthlessly and settle the matter once and for all.

He had always been one to avoid trouble if possible. But when the tree craved stillness yet the wind would not cease, and trouble insisted on finding him, then he could only do his utmost to cut through the knot with a swift blade, exterminating every threat and leaving no root of disaster behind—this was the experience and lesson he had accumulated over eighty-plus years of surviving in this martial world since his transmigration.

Any womanly softness would only invite calamity upon himself and those around him.

Thus, both Nangong Shuo and Hu Lei died. Because Chen Dengming was about to depart for the Cultivation World, and only by eliminating these two could he prevent them from striking at the Chen Family he left behind in the mortal realm.

And without these two, with the Snake Gu and death warriors he had left for his family, the Chen Family would be secure for a hundred years.

At this moment, however, the deaths of Nangong Shuo and Hu Lei struck Shao Yu Feng the hardest.

Chen Dengming's strength overturned his understanding, even stirring a guilty, thief-like fear and sense of threat within him.

Thus, when he heard the immortals above discussing matters related to youth preservation, Shao Yu Feng seized the opportunity. He clasped his fists respectfully and humbly toward the five immortals floating overhead.

"Esteemed Immortal Masters above, please accept this humble one's bow.

This humble one dares to answer the question you were just discussing. In truth, the reason Chen Dengming has preserved his youth is that rumor has it he once obtained the remains of an immortal in his early years, among which was a Youth Preserving Pill. As for whether there were other items, this humble one does not know."

"Oh?"

The five cultivators had been conversing via divine transmission. At these words, they all looked toward Shao Yu Feng.

In an instant, Shao Yu Feng felt as though every secret thought within him had been laid bare.

Under the piercing gazes of the five cultivators, his body seemed to be dissected, unable to conceal any intention.

As terror flooded his heart, the Female Cultivator Luo among them spoke indifferently, "So he obtained a Youth Preserving Pill. That does explain it. What a pity—such a precious pill wasted on a mortal. I wonder if he has any more?"

Shao Yu Feng's heart relaxed, and he had just begun to feel elated.

The next moment, the Female Cultivator Luo's gaze turned sharply severe. She swept a glance at Shao Yu Feng and snorted coldly. "But... when we are conversing, how dare a mere mortal like you eavesdrop and interrupt? Utterly senseless!"

Shao Yu Feng's face went pale. That single cold snort and lightning-like glance struck his heart like a thousand-pound hammer, filling him with a palpitation and helplessness he dared not resist. In an instant, his mind was wounded, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as he staggered backward.

The other four cultivators either wore cold expressions or sneers of mockery.

They could easily see that Shao Yu Feng intended to use their hands to deal with Chen Dengming.

But though they were willing to hear this mortal's explanation, that did not mean they were willing to be used by a mere mortal.

Such foolish behavior from a mortal felt like an insult to them, and punishment was naturally unavoidable.

Seeing Shao Yu Feng suffer, the five immortals seemed less easy to deal with, their moods capricious.

The other eight people were all struck silent as cicadas in winter. Even the Nangong Family disciples, who had been wailing, hurriedly stifled their grief, terrified of angering the immortals.

Just then, Chen Dengming finally flew up, guided by the invitation talisman, and landed on the massive teleportation platform.

He first looked up at the five cultivators floating high above. Feeling their indifferent gazes and the intense pressure, he immediately lowered his eyelids to play it safe and clasped his fists in salute.

"Junior Chen Dengming pays respects to the five Immortal Masters!"

When no response came, he inwardly remained on guard, lowering his head to observe the others around him.

His gaze swept past the Nangong Family disciples glaring at him in fury, then lingered for a moment on several old monsters reeking of deathly aura. He was greatly shocked.

He had already guessed the identities of these old monsters, and was equally stunned that they could actually live so long. The oldest among them was likely approaching his own Lifespan Limit.

But he had only lived so long because his cultivation extended his lifespan.

These old monsters, on the other hand, must have relied on methods like tortoise hibernation, ice sealing, or some demonic blood-drinking techniques to cling to life. Each of them exuded a sinister and terrifying aura.

Still, everyone's lifespan limit was different. Some could live at most seventy years, while others could reach a hundred and ten—it could not be generalized.

Beyond that, Chen Dengming also noticed the blood at the corner of Shao Yu Feng's mouth. Connecting it to the solemn, even tense atmosphere, he made some guesses and grew even more vigilant.

At this moment, the Female Cultivator Luo finally spoke again. She gazed calmly at Chen Dengming and said, "I have heard that you once encountered an immortal's remains in your early years and obtained a Youth Preserving Pill. Is this true?"

Chen Dengming did not need to look up to feel the five pairs of eyes above him fixed on him like knives, as if trying to see through his thoughts. Any deception would likely lead to an unpredictable outcome.

But he had long prepared for this.

All along, though he had harbored hopes for the so-called descending immortals of the Ascension Convention, he also knew that immortals were not necessarily symbols of goodness, nor were they necessarily free of desires.

They might even be just a group of cultivators slightly stronger than Xiantian.

A group of such strong individuals selecting the weak to go to the Cultivation World—what was their purpose? Could it really be that good?

In other words, even if it were truly that good, one must still guard against others. Thus, he had prepared many trump cards for self-preservation.

Now, he answered truthfully and respectfully, openly revealing everything he had obtained in the past—the Youth Preserving Pill and even the immortal's Gu techniques.

He even detailed the location of the immortal corpse he had encountered back then, holding nothing back.

This frank attitude satisfied the five cultivators who were reading his mind.

They could see that Chen Dengming wasn't lying; even though they hadn't asked about the Gu arts, he had honestly confessed to them.

Female Cultivator Luo's tone softened into calmness. "What a pity, there was only one Youth Preserving Pill. Otherwise, Junior Liu and I would have made a deal with you, a mortal, to trade for it. A shame."

At these words, the envy in the others' eyes shifted to schadenfreude and relief.

Chen Dengming clasped his fists, but before he could speak, another Old Cultivator with an immortal bearing chuckled. "Fellow Daoist Luo and Junior Liu are interested in the Youth Preserving Pill, but this old Daoist, with his weathered face and skin, has no interest in it.

However, I am quite intrigued by the Gu arts this mortal has obtained. Let me ask you—the Gu spell you cast earlier seemed colorless, odorless, formless, and intangible. Is there a particular method to it?"

The other four cultivators' expressions flickered as they turned to Chen Dengming.

Chen Dengming respectfully clasped his fists. "This is indeed the most superior method of casting Gu. According to the Gu arts I obtained: 'To release Gu, one need not rely solely on food. A breath of air, a glance of the eye, can all transmit the poison to a person. Using food is the inferior method of Gu.'"

"Good, good..."

The Old Cultivator looked at Chen Dengming with a smile. "I wonder if you'd be willing to trade the Gu arts with this old Daoist?"

Chen Dengming said honestly, "This junior is naturally willing, and would even gift it to the Immortal Master."

"Ah!"

The Old Cultivator waved a hand, speaking flatly. "This old Daoist only trades; I do not accept gifts from mortals, nor do I take on such unearned karma."

Chen Dengming fell silent.

In that moment, hearing the immortals repeatedly refer to "mortals," "mortals," he felt the vast chasm between immortals and mortals, the superiority and pride these immortals held, so stark and overwhelming.

Even a mortal Xiantian Grandmaster didn't even have the right to offer a gift to a cultivator.

He suppressed his emotions and continued respectfully, "In that case, this junior will presume to make a trade with the Immortal Master.

But for now, this junior is still unclear about where he will go after this Ascension Convention, so I do not yet know what to trade the Gu arts for."

The five immortals understood, but their expressions carried a mix of emotion, sighs, and mockery. The Old Cultivator said meaningfully, "I almost forgot the main business of the Ascension Convention."

With that, he exchanged glances and silent communication with the other four cultivators, his expression turning indifferent and lofty as he looked down at the three old monsters waiting below with anticipation.

"You three have little lifespan left, your days numbered. Even if you have spiritual roots, it's hard to cultivate immortality. Go on your way."

At these words, the three old monsters froze, their eyes dazed for a moment, as if all hope had suddenly been shattered.

One of them immediately fell to his knees, wailing and begging the Immortal Master to give him a chance.

"Silence!"

The old Daoist frowned and snorted, suddenly forming hand seals and flicking his horsetail whisk. A surge of overwhelming wind swept up the three old monsters, blasting them off the platform.

Having done this trivial deed, the old Daoist's gaze turned to Shao Yu Feng, speaking flatly, "You are also old. Go on your way."

Shao Yu Feng froze, his lips trembling as he suddenly looked up at the Old Man, only to feel that lofty gaze above him, like a cold bolt of lightning carrying a frosty blade, piercing into his heart, chilling him to the bone.

He let out a bitter laugh and leaped down from the platform himself, feeling that all his previous efforts, schemes, and relentless pursuits were now utterly ridiculous.

What did being fourth among the Xiantian Grandmasters matter? What did flawless planning matter? It was all in vain. Even with spiritual roots, what of it?

A mortal spends a lifetime striving to reach the peak in pursuit of an Immortal Destiny, only to be denied at the finish line by an immortal's casual remark about being too old, shattering all effort into a single result—failure!

Shao Yu Feng's heart wasn't the only one that turned cold; Chen Dengming's did too.

He was over a decade older than Shao Yu Feng.

Though he had the Golden Finger of a transmigrator and still had plenty of lifespan left, with room for future growth, the five cultivators didn't know that. If they were going to drive him away, it seemed he had no choice but to go.

The Blood Centipede Gu was indeed a trump card that could threaten a cultivator's life, but it required catching them off guard.

And there were five of them. Besides, this wasn't a problem that could be solved by force.

Only now did Chen Dengming understand the cruelty of cultivation and the coldness of immortals—as harsh as reality itself, nothing like the rosy tales in the novels he'd read in his past life.

These immortals had chatted with him earlier only because they happened to have a topic of conversation, not because they placed him on equal footing.

And now, starting with others instead of him was just to make him see 'reality'—to keep him for last, finish the trade, and then send him away.

"Think of something—I must think of something!"

The more nervous Chen Dengming grew, the calmer he became. His mind raced, searching for a solution.

At this moment, the other Xiantian Grandmasters, along with the two Princes from the Imperial Palace and the disciples of the Nangong and Wu families, began to receive the immortals' 'judgment'!

The Xiantian Grandmasters, unsurprisingly, were dismissed like Shao Yu Feng.

Among them, Wang Shiduo, ranked fifth among the Xiantian Grandmasters, was the most regrettable.

He wasn't old, only fifty-eight, but he only had inferior spiritual roots, which didn't meet the admission criteria. He was given a basic cultivation manual and sent away.

However, according to the Scarf-wearing Cultivator, even with a cultivation manual, in a place like Nanxun Kingdom where spiritual energy was nearly depleted, successful cultivation was impossible.

Apart from that, the two Princes were also found to have no spiritual roots and were dismissed.

Though their birthright had granted them the qualifications to attend the Ascension Convention, the threshold for entering cultivation was the same for everyone. Without spiritual roots, there was nothing to be done.

In the end, only the disciple of the Nangong Family turned out to have inferior spiritual roots and could be taken into the Cultivation World.

Ten people received the invitation, yet besides Chen Dengming, only one Nangong Clan disciple who hadn't even entered the innate realm obtained an Immortal Destiny—an irony that couldn't be denied.

Chen Dengming was now utterly calm, but facing the gazes of the five cultivators, he felt as if he were awaiting a final judgment.

The steady state of mind he had maintained for over eighty years was now barely able to suppress his tension.

"Ordinarily, at your age, we wouldn't even need to test you—we could simply send you away."

The Female Cultivator Luo looked at Chen Dengming and said flatly, "Because a mortal's lifespan is at most a hundred years, like those who just now barely survived through various means of extending life—that's all they amount to.

Even if they possessed a High-grade Spiritual Root, stepping onto the Immortal Path now, they would still die before reaching Qi Cultivation Second Level, wasting resources."

She paused, then continued, "However, considering you are eighty years old now, you might still have twenty or thirty years left. If you possess a Low-grade Spiritual Root, you might be able to cultivate to the third or fourth level of Qi Cultivation, living to a hundred and fifty years—nothing more."

"Indeed!"

The Old Cultivator glanced indifferently at Chen Dengming and added, "Everything needs value to be worth paying attention to.

You have a minor Gu technique that we are all interested in. So, if you possess a Low-grade Spiritual Root, we are willing to make an exception and bring you onto the Immortal Path, starting as an outer disciple of the sect. That is the condition of the deal."

A Low-grade Spiritual Root, for someone from a land barren of spiritual energy, was already considered top-tier talent. In the true Cultivation World, it surpassed the vast majority of people. That Shao Yu Feng and others were eliminated was only natural.

After all, even in the spiritually abundant Cultivation World, many mortals had no Spiritual Root at all, not even qualifying as waste for cultivation—that was the real life for most.

Hearing this, the Nangong Clan disciple who had been selected stared intently at Chen Dengming, silently cursing that Chen Dengming must not possess a Spiritual Root, so he wouldn't be taken away.

At that moment, the Female Cultivator Luo formed hand seals and cast a spell to detect Spiritual Roots, landing it on Chen Dengming's crown.

She had previously bet five Mid-grade Spirit Stones, choosing Chen Dengming as her horse.

Thus, if Chen Dengming possessed a Low-grade Spiritual Root and could step onto the Immortal Path, she would win more gambling stakes—though she would need to share some of the profits with her companions.

Because, in principle, even if Chen Dengming had a Low-grade Spiritual Root, his advanced age, limited potential, and waste of resources would disqualify him from selection.

However, the exception was made because Chen Dengming possessed the minor Gu technique that everyone was interested in.

As the spell's power seeped down from the top of Chen Dengming's head, it split into several strange colors.

Different colors floated and shifted above Chen Dengming's head, representing his affinity for various attributes of heaven and earth.

In the end, two faint clusters of light—one cyan and one white—floated above Chen Dengming's head.

Barring any surprises, the contract status should change today. I hope everyone can cast a Monthly Vote to claim a fan spot. After the status change, regardless of word count, there will be two updates daily, with a guaranteed minimum of five thousand words per day, and occasionally six to seven thousand.