A Divide Between Immortals and Mortals

In the transfer carriage where the train was boarding, a black cat named "Treading on Snow to Find Plum Blossoms"—a black cat that was entirely black except for its four white paws—was lying on the cushion in front of Zheng Zetian, constantly licking its paws and washing its face.

Accompanying the cat were two Discipline Masters from the Discipline Institute, their heads covered with iron masks, wearing armor with mountain patterns underneath and black gauze robes on their backs, carrying Black Sword on their backs. The two True Lords stood on the left and right, their iron-masked eyes and two brilliantly polished black lenses reflecting light, like two fickle evil spirits guarding the cat.

Meanwhile, Lu Qi and Bao Er, the two Railway Warden, stood on either side of Zheng Zetian, guarding the doors leading to 'first class' and 'economy class' respectively.

Zheng Zetian looked up at this, then at that, and then looked down at the cat.

That looks like... just a cat... What the heck? You guys bring pets to work? And you even remember to give it a cushion??

"We are the law enforcement officers of the Ink Bamboo Mountain Discipline Institute, but you're the one who filed the report? What's the matter? Tell us the truth."

"Yes, disciple Zheng Zetian. Yesterday, when Lou Guan City exploded, I heard that someone had sneaked onto the train intending to commit a crime, so I volunteered to come and stop them..."

Zheng Zetian, expressionless, repeated what he had told Lu Qi, omitting the matter of the heads. After he finished speaking, the carriage fell silent. The four men didn't look at him, but instead focused their attention on the cat.

The cat looked at Zheng Zetian and licked its paws.

Zheng Zetian: "... I'm done speaking."

The cat lowered its head and continued washing its face.

The two law enforcement officers looked at each other. "It seems you're telling the truth."

Huh, huh?? You believed that already??

Then Lu Qi stepped forward with a grin, and pulled a blood-stained cloth bag from his sleeve.

"As Junior Brother said, all the suspicious individuals who boarded the train in Lou Guan City are here. Please have the two Senior Uncles take them back to verify their identities."

"Thank you for your help, sir."

The law enforcement officer took the cloth bag, thought for a moment, and then, holding the bag, said to the cat...

"The explosion yesterday was not caused by these people."

Cat, "Meow."

The official nodded. "Alright, it seems this case can be closed."

Zheng Zetian, "??????"

Sensing Zheng Zetian's gaze, the law enforcement officer, fearing others would think their Discipline Institute was a joke, quickly offered an explanation.

"This fox is a rare creature from outer space. Although it's not a Divine Beast, it can distinguish between loyalty and treachery, determine cause and effect, ward off evil, and bring wealth... It's raised by Dean Wei, and will be used as a reference when solving cases."

"Eh..."

Why are there so many strange and bizarre things appearing from outer space...?

After washing its face, the black cat came over and nuzzled Zheng Zetian's hand, wiping the drool off its face onto his hand.

Ugh, it's filthy, covered in hair...

"It seems it quite likes you. Junior Brother Zheng is a fortunate person. If you're interested, once you reach the Golden Core realm, you can consider coming to my Discipline Institute to serve as a servant fox and enforce the law."

The law enforcement officer cleared his throat and said seriously,

"Zheng Zetian, you have made a great contribution by assisting our Discipline Institute in solving the Lou Guan City bombing case, apprehending the fugitive suspect, and preventing future incidents, thus ensuring the safety of the railway. We will report this matter and record your achievements in the Lou Guan Tower. Your reward will be calculated when you renew your railway pass or collect your salary next time."

The other person spoke up, "Do you have any other questions?"

Zheng Zetian looked at the cat, then at the human head, and opened his mouth.

"... What time is it now?"

Lu Qi quickly calculated with his fingers, "It's almost 9 AM."

"Oh, my master is about to emerge from seclusion. Could you two please take me Qingting Peak?"

The law enforcement officer nodded, "Of course."

Zheng Zetian glanced at Lu Qi. The Discipline Institute was praising its own cat so highly, as if it were a paragon of justice. If he asked a few more questions, he wondered if this cat could see through Senior Brother Lu's disguise.

This guy noticed immediately and asked with a smile,

"Junior brother, is there anything else? You've been a great help to your senior brother, I really need to thank you properly, please feel free to speak."

... No, forget it. This person is too cautious. He's probably worried that I'm just a pawn with someone else behind me. This time, although he had murderous intent several times, he didn't take any direct action. Instead, he cut off all the clues.

This incident alerted the enemy, and the man surnamed Lu was already on guard. Moreover, the two law enforcement officers from the Discipline Institute who came were summoned by the Leopard Ear Town garrison via telegram from the train, so they shouldn't be the 'cheating code' that the Grand Master mentioned.

He's capable of guarding that kind of workshop; if a fight broke out, all the people in this vehicle combined wouldn't be enough for him to kill alone.

Zheng Zetian nodded seriously.

"Senior Brother Lu, I boarded the train in a hurry and bought a ticket to Moshan. Can I get a refund? Also, I haven't had my first-class meal yet. Could you pack one for me to take home?"

So when Song Dayou came out of the pass at noon, he found an extra table of dishes in the hall. These were the dishes from the set meal, such as pepper-flavored snowflake beef, mandarin fish with lime juice, stir-fried scallops with asparagus and white jade, king oyster mushrooms and pork neck, assorted seasonal vegetables, and two very large fresh sea bream, one sliced raw and the other steamed. The meat was pink and tender, crystal clear, and looked quite good.

"Oh my god! What's going on here?! Ze Tian, did you rob the restaurant?!"

"Oh, I went to Lou Guan City for a visit and happened to help the Discipline Institute catch some thieves. They gave me some rewards, and these are what I bought to offer to my master. Please enjoy them."

Zheng Zetian cautiously stood guard at the entrance of the cave when he saw Tu Lou rushing over like a madman. With quick eyes and hands, he grabbed the lamb by the neck, threw it over his shoulder, and pinned it to the back, locking its throat to prevent the beast from rushing over. He even overturned the table that he had just set up.

"What?! A gift to me?! Sigh, this is really..."

Song Dayou at a loss for what to do.

"Master, you don't need to be so polite. It's all what I should do. Besides, I can't eat meat. Don't waste this good food. Oh, and there's some fine rice wine too. You must try it."

While explaining, Zheng Zetian fought with the Tu Lou, finally subduing it with a combination of beatings and kicks. He then dragged it outside the cave, tied it up, and gave it some grass to eat.

When Song Dayou returned to his cave, he had also calmed down.

"Ze Tian, I appreciate your kindness, but you don't need to do that in the future. It is the responsibility of cultivators to spread the righteous path and teach all sentient beings. Even without these formalities, I will still teach you diligently."

I, Song Dayou, am just a mortal who is not qualified to cultivate. If it weren't for my master's favor, I would never have had the opportunity to come into contact with the Great Dao. Looking back, when I was seeking immortality and visiting the Dao, I thought my master didn't think much of me. There were several times when I almost gave up. In the end, I realized that they were all my master's tests. I almost let him down.

"Alas, although my aptitude is poor and my comprehension is low, I haven't learned much of the sect's true teachings and haven't been able to break through the tribulation yet, my basic skills are still solid. I will definitely teach you well! By the way, don't delay, let's quickly go and ask the Grandmaster for permission to pass on the true teachings to you..."

Zheng Zetian hurriedly said, "... Um, I forgot to tell Master, when I went out for a stroll just now, I think I received a teaching from Grandmaster Qingtingzi."

Upon seeing Zheng Zetian bring out a whole host of lightning and escape techniques, Song Dayou was overjoyed.

"Oh, so Master was prepared all along! He really foresaw everything! Ze Tian, your destiny with the immortals is truly enviable. Don't let us down!"

Song Dayou probably rarely this happy, so he ate and chatted with Zheng Zetian, and on the spot opened the scriptures on the table and taught him the essence of the Qingting Peak Thunder Technique.

What does it mean to have a solid foundation? It means that even with his eyes closed, Song Dayou could recite these scriptures and secret manuals from memory. He knew every detail and every key point like the back of his hand, and he was also very familiar with all kinds of notes, algorithms, and mnemonic devices.

What does it mean to lack qualifications? The law not working is due to lack of qualifications.

Yes, even with such hard work, such diligence, constant reading, and fluent memorization, it's still difficult.

If the law doesn't work, it simply doesn't work.

Aside from some basic lightning techniques and lightning escapes that he could barely use with the help of talismans, Song Dayou couldn't use any of the superior secret techniques, escape lights, lightning spells, or incantations, no matter what.

Having been stuck at the Golden Core stage for so many years, Song Dayou probably already understood his limits.

The so-called distinction between immortals and mortals, the so-called talent and karma, is so cruel. A person's limits are determined from birth.

That invisible threshold cannot be overcome simply by making an effort or shouting to defy fate.

So what?

Can't mortals cultivate immortality? Can't mortals change their fate?

Even if ordinary people can't do it no matter what, and the magic doesn't work, it's okay to have some fun!

It's still possible to pass on teachings on behalf of one's master!

For a teacher, seeing their students succeed is enough, isn't it?

Song Dayou had probably already figured it out. Even though what lay before him were divine martial arts manuals that he had studied for a long time but was not even qualified to learn, he still shared his insights and experiences over the years with his disciples, explaining each volume and each method in detail.

Zheng Zetian could also see that his master had indeed done a deep study of thunder magic over the years, but he just lacked the aptitude to use it.

But for mortals... there's no solution...

In fact, since long ago, cultivation has been monopolized by the powerful clans and aristocratic families of the Immortal Palace, and it was never something that poor people were qualified to consider.

Later, with the emergence of the Three Great Sects, the sects would not waste resources. They would also specially select Dao seeds Dao Seed children with superior aptitude and top rank to cultivate. The so-called transmission of the Dao was just breaking down barriers and passing on the Dao of Immortality from the hands of the Immortal Palace and aristocratic families to qualified Dao children.

Initially, the vast majority of ordinary people with mortal bodies had no opportunity to come into contact with the path to immortality.

But now, Ink Bamboo Mountain is different.

Not only Tai Su Dao, but that giant has created too many new things, and he spreads both the old and the new at the same time. Taiji Heaven, Tai Su Beyond Heavens, everything is printed, published, and thrown out. There are also countless Devil Embryo fetuses, beast meat, spiritual fruits, immortal pills, and Void Jade gems supplied to the market. Almost anyone who can read and write, and anyone who can work hard to earn some money, whether immortal or mortal, has the opportunity to embark on the right path.

But this also created a new conflict, an even more insurmountable chasm: the difference between immortals and mortals was laid bare before everyone.

The difference between immortals and mortals seems to be predetermined from birth.

Some people are just naturally gifted; they learn quickly, understand immediately, and their methods work instantly. If you ask them why, they don't know why either.

Most ordinary people, though blessed by the Grand Master, are able to glimpse the veil of immortality, but they can only see it, not touch it, and can never reach it no matter how much they beg. This feeling of entering the gate but being unable to climb up is probably more Affliction than never having had the chance to enter at all in the first place.

In the parlance of Daoism, it's because they lack the necessary understanding and affinity.

In the words of the tycoon, it's because they lack the necessary authority and the necessary genes.

You asked Zheng Zetian what solutions he could offer.

Zheng Zetian was helpless, and even Ancestor Luo back then couldn't do anything about it.

After all, in his era, mortal fools were all drawn to the Black Lotus Sect from the very beginning. Those who could Luo Sect were all extraordinary, exceptionally talented individuals, belonging to one of the Three Great Sects. Even so, they still died in droves while trying to read the Heavenly Book...

Of course, Zheng Zetian wasn't the kind of person to spoil the fun, so he wouldn't provoke Song Dayou by saying that these so-called orthodox transmissions of thunder magic and secret incantations were really nothing special. Once you've read them once, you can learn them all. The rest is just about adapting to local conditions and getting used to them. You can just pick a few powerful ones to use, and there's really no need to study every single one of them so deeply.

After all, he was the reincarnation of the Ancestor Luo. He hadn't invited Song Dayou to this feast today for the sake of coveting the Qingting Sect's offerings. Rather, he had seen that his master was a decent person and treated him sincerely. Since the two were destined to meet, and he had no other ability to help Song Dayou break through to the mortal realm, he could at least help him get through this life-threatening ordeal, or at the very least, make him happy.

Yes, isn't it enough to have good wine, good food, and a successor? After a lifetime of hard work and struggle, having a younger generation by your side to drink with and listen to your boasting—what more could one ask for?

Zheng Zetian may not remember those days, but he remembers that humble and modest wish.

So Zheng Zetian added wine at the right time, offered praise at the right time, and asked questions at the right time, always playing the role of a junior and not interrupting this ordinary old man who was lost in memories at the table, enjoying one of the few happy days of his life.

Fortunately, the meal lasted past dusk, and Song Dayou didn't choke on a fish bone or get any rice wine. Zheng Zetian breathed a sigh of relief.

Regardless, having survived the near-death experience of the last time, this time it truly can be considered defying fate, right?

Of course, to be on the safe side, we should still confirm with that big shot who sings terribly.

"Master, it's getting dark, I 'Moon Worship."

"Oh, so diligent, good. Go on, go on. The old man's drunk and babbling on and on; he won't interfere with your cultivation."

Can rice wine really make you drunk? It's not the wine that intoxicates, it's the person who gets drunk.

"Yes."

So Zheng Zetian packed up the leftovers and went out to feed the sulking Tu Lou a meal. The lamb then bleated, wagged its tail, and licked his hands, making up with him.

Zheng Zetian followed the mountain path all the way to the minefield at the Qingting Peak, recalling his experiences and choices this time, reviewing and confirming whether he had missed any details.

The shadows of the trees receded behind them.

The stairs slid down from my body.

The night breeze brushed past my ear,

Thunder rumbled from afar

Was it that easy?

Is it that simple?

Is that all it takes to pass the test?

Can this save file just end here?

Zheng Zetian stopped and looked up. On the Revered Heavenly Demon Altar in front of him, the image of the Thunder Master gradually came to life under the moonlight that shone on the world. Its bluish-black scales gradually revealed flesh color, twitching up and down as if it were stretching its muscles and yawning.

Zheng Zetian stood in Thor's shadow, not looking up at the Moon.

In the depths of his being, he had a feeling that if he just looked up and went to the Empty Star, some things in this world would be irreversible.

Yes, something's not right.

Something else seems off.

Song Dayou merely a mortal with limited talent, a mage stuck at the Golden Core realm for many years, barely able to use even the outdated Xuanmen thunder techniques of Qingting Peak. What reason did Lu Qi, the Railway Warden, have to kill him? What was the point of using such ruthlessness? Did he completely disregard the bonds of camaraderie among fellow disciples?

If the goal is to conceal one's own affairs, to sever ties and clues, then dealing with the leopard-eared monster guardian would have been enough in a single move, wouldn't it? For someone like Lu Qi, aren't 'mortals' 'completely not worth wasting time on'?

It was as if the curtain of the sky had been drawn back, and moonlight shone down along the head of Thor, bringing the resurrected Revered Heavenly Demon to the world.

Watching the light and shadow leap like a soaring dragon, Song Dayou's words suddenly flashed through the boy's mind.

"Your master has roamed the battlefields of Yu Mountain, and even eight demonic lads couldn't kill me in an ambush. What kind of situation haven't I seen?"

But with your abilities, why would you need to send eight demon minions to ambush you?

If it were truly necessary... why would I... let you go so easily?

The moonlight shone down on his head, and Zheng Zetian turned and ran down the mountain, the moonlight chasing after him.

In that fleeting moment of shifting light and shadow, Zheng Zetian saw the reflection of the moonlight at the foot of the mountain.

Although it was just a fleeting flash of light, Zheng Zetian still managed to see it.

He had seen similar things before. Yes, Song Dayou's glasses, and the masks of those Discipline Institute protectors, all had similar lenses used to reflect the False Moon!

There are people down the mountain!

"Shenxiao Yuqing Bikong Dunyin!"

A thunderous crack resounded, followed by a flash of blue light. Zheng Zetian appeared instantly, like a bolt of lightning, striking the spot where the starlight had vanished.

Sure enough, there really was someone.

It was an almost transparent humanoid figure, crouching on a tree trunk, hidden in the jungle, gazing in the direction of the Qingting Peak cave on the mountaintop.

His body was covered in some kind of tight-fitting sebum, almost blending into the surrounding vegetation. Moreover, the color of his skin slowly changed with the light. It was unclear what kind of cultivation Cultivation Method he practiced. His aura was probably weaker than that of some birds and beasts. If one did not deliberately search for him, it would be difficult to detect his presence when he stood still.

But he just moved.

The man put on goggles to block out the moonlight shining in his face.

In that instant, he not only revealed his location and vaguely showed his outline, but also failed to notice a bolt of lightning striking the back of his head.

After all, this is Qingting Peak, where thunder roars all day long.

"Bang!"

Zheng Zetian stood on a branch and fired a shot that blew open the back of the transparent man's head, sending the brain matter and bone fragments flying onto the tree trunk.

You know what, this thing is actually quite useful, especially when all the vital Dao Breath in your lungs has been drained by the escape technique, leaving you with no Qi to use your palm thunder.

An invisible person fell from the treetop. The optical camouflage around them, resembling the shadows of leaves, rippled and disappeared, revealing a black, rubber-like suit.

Is it a person?

"Bang! Bang!"

Zheng Zetian fired two more shots, hitting the man between the eyebrows and in the heart, confirming that he was dead. He then jumped down from the tree to examine the body.

No face? No, there were definitely 'eyes' just now, and you can still vaguely make out their outlines, but it seems that as soon as this person died, the sebum on their face melted away like wax, causing the mouth, nose, and facial features to stick together, leaving only a flat patch of white flesh, making it impossible to distinguish their previous appearance...

Is this even human...?

"Beep, beep, beep..."

At that moment, Zheng Zetian heard a faint sound, and then he saw a red light on the chest of the man in black, which flashed three times.

Then a bright light flashed from the other person's chest cavity, as if some lightning and scorching sun suddenly shone from under the skin, illuminating the corpse like a translucent lantern.

Damn it, he escaped without Dao Breath...

"Boom--!!"