Deer Calls in the Verdant Wilds, Life Is an Uphill Journey

In the Western Altar of the Profound Teaching, on a certain True Disciple mountain.

This mountain is shaped like a deer antler, covered in lush greenery, and possesses a mysterious, Immortal cultivator quality. From time to time, the melodious calls of deer can be heard from the mountain, and the Immortal cultivator who come and go are quite unrestrained and carefree.

They mostly rode white deer, blue deer, and various other kinds of deer, traveling back and forth among them.

The True Disciple who lived on this mountain had a nickname: "Deer Lover".

Besides his fondness for raising various kinds of spirit deer, this True Disciple also frequently drinks wine with deer antler, venison, and deer liver, and is extremely skilled at brewing a spirit wine using deer blood.

Therefore, various Immortal cultivator within the sect, knowing its preferences, would often offer their services with various spirit deer, hoping to gain the favor of this Deer Lover's True Disciple.

On this day, herds of elk, sika deer, and other mythical creatures lined up and waited by a stream.

However, they did not intend to drink the water from the stream.

Moreover, the stream water was a deep red and pungent color, flowing with blood. As for its source, it was the spirit deer that were walking above the stream, being bled one by one.

When they arrive at this place, their antlers are still tender. They will bite off each other's antlers, hang them in the forest, and then lower their heads to drip the blood into the stream.

Those with old and hard antlers will repeatedly ram their heads against the rocks in the stream, knocking off their antlers and piling the hardened antlers to one side, like a pile of firewood.

On a stone bridge over the stream, large urns were steaming, and the firewood burning inside was made from ancient deer antlers.

Servants continued to come from the bridge, fetching sacred water and deer blood from the stream and pouring it into a large vat to refine the medicinal herbs.

This scene is exactly what one often sees brewing in Deer-Horn Mountain.

The wine produced there became the unique Deer-Blood Wine of Deer Lover True Disciple. However, at present, the process of making it did not require Deer Lover True Disciple to do it personally; it was done by his servants and disciples in the mountains.

Among the spirit deer queuing to have their blood drained, there stood one with a bluish-green color, a robust build, and a height of at least ten feet.

Moreover, its eyes are different from those of other spirit deer; they have black pupils and white irises, giving it a human-like appearance, or rather, it has two human eyes.

Its eyes were numb, and it was still unconsciously chewing on the grass and leaves in the mountains. Its behavior and habits were just like the deer around it, and there was nothing unusual about it.

Even though its aura was extraordinary, when it reached the stone bridge over the stream, the Immortal cultivator priest guarding the deer herd would still shout and curse, and then strike it down with a deer tail whip, tearing its skin and flesh.

The Immortal cultivator boy, growing impatient, shouted, "Go away! Such a big fellow, don't block the way! Go upstream to bleed him out!"

Upon hearing this, the spirit deer numbly lowered its head, then slowly walked to a little further upstream in the stream, found a blood-stained boulder, and began to kowtow on it repeatedly.

Because its horns were so sharp and hard, it took over a hundred knocks before a piece of one horn was broken off.

This scene displeased the Immortal cultivator priest, who immediately walked over and cursed, "You old fool, you're always the same, always needing someone to help you."

While cursing, the other party was also shouting for reinforcements.

They hung their whips on tree trunks by the stream, then hoisted the old deer up and ordered it to tilt its head down, before slamming it to the ground with a thud.

As a result, the old deer was smashed in the head and bled profusely, and its antlers broke even faster.

But this still didn't satisfy the Immortal cultivator disciples, who muttered, "Why does Master insist that we use such a stupid method? Even if we have to break the deer's antlers, why not just cast a Law Technique, fly into the sky, and then throw it down?"

"Shh, keep quiet. This is an essential step in brewing wine at Benshan; it cannot be defiled by Law Technique."

Apart from the old deer, the other spirit deer were also by the stream, constantly banging their antlers together.

Its clanging and tinkling sounds, like the chopping of logs, sometimes dull and sometimes crisp, echoed the chanting of Immortal cultivator drinking and making merry in the mountains.

The chanting, in fact, sounded quite pleasant to the ear.

This scene had been going on on the mountain for a hundred years. Just when the group of Immortal cultivator disciples thought they could call it a day, a group of people suddenly broke into Deer-Horn Mountain.

Their presence was quite impressive, immediately attracting the attention of the Immortal cultivator disciples.

"Hurry, hurry!" the visitor shouted.

The few Immortal cultivator disciples who were holding the old deer looked at each other in bewilderment.

Because the group of people who suddenly broke in, after looking around, suddenly focused their attention on their location and took out a diagram from their hands.

After comparing them carefully, their faces immediately lit up with joy, and they rushed towards them.

As they approached, the Immortal cultivator disciples discovered that the group was composed entirely of inner disciple of the Profound Teaching Sect, with the leader wearing the sect's direct lineage robes.

As soon as they approached, the Immortal cultivator disciples quickly bowed and greeted them, wanting to inquire what business they had.

Before they could even utter a sound, the Profound Teaching disciples swarmed around them like radishes, bowing respectfully. "We are late, please forgive us, fellow Daoist."

"You've suffered, senior."

The shouts rang out, leaving the Immortal cultivator disciples of Deer-Horn Mountain looking at each other in bewilderment.

They looked at each other, trying to figure out who among them was worthy of the grand gesture from these Profound Teaching disciples.

After staring at each other for a while, their gazes slowly fell on the old deer, who was kneeling on the ground, panting heavily.

An unbelievable thought popped into their minds, "Could it be that old geezer?"

The next moment.

After completing the formalities, the Direct Disciple who arrived quickly stepped forward, showing no disgust at the old deer's dirty clothes, and personally helped the old deer up, taking off his own robe and draping it over the deer's body.

He spoke softly and was quite polite.

Buzzing.

This left the Immortal cultivator disciples present momentarily stunned, their ears filled with a chaotic noise, unable to hear what the Direct Disciple was saying.

When they finally came to their senses, they saw another face of the Direct Disciple.

The other party stared coldly at the group, holding an imperial edict in his hand, and shouted, "Although Fellow Daoist Che Lu Che has fallen into the clutches of the sect, he came here as a guardian spirit beast under the True Disciple of Deer Lover. Why have you allowed Fellow Daoist to mingle with these beasts?"

But someone is secretly seeking revenge and trying to harm fellow cultivators!?

The shout left the assembled Immortal cultivator disciples completely bewildered, momentarily speechless and unsure how to respond.

The Direct Disciple's voice grew even colder. "We have received Fang Shu True Disciple True Disciple Deer Lover, and are here to clear Lu Fellow Daoist Che's name. You will all follow me into the Profound Altar later for a thorough investigation!"

Thump.

The still-stunned Immortal cultivator disciples immediately threw themselves to the ground, crying out, "Injustice! We only know this old deer is a deer; we have no idea about its origins!"

"Grandpa Deer, please put in a good word for us."

They were so frightened by the words of the Direct Disciple that they trembled all over.

It should be noted that the Profound Teaching has strict rules, and in the past, they relied on being True Disciple in the mountains, so how could they possibly be clean?

Once thoroughly investigated, even if nothing is found, there will still be something wrong.

Even if things didn't end well for them, they would still be stripped of their Profound Teaching affiliation and kicked out of the mountains.

Before them, the old deer surrounded by the crowd still looked dazed and confused, its eyes glazed over. It didn't look like Immortal cultivator at all, but rather like a beast.

It wasn't until the Direct Disciple noticed something amiss that he pondered for a moment, then suddenly bowed to the old deer and said, "Fellow Daoist, please forgive me."

The man took out a small knife from his sleeve and plunged it into the old deer's neck, then sliced along its four hooves and spine one by one.

The glaring blood immediately flowed all over the ground, but surprisingly, the old deer's body suddenly shrank, rolled on the ground, and then transformed into a human figure.

The Direct Disciple quickly wrapped the robe in his hand around the other person's body.

When he swayed to his feet, he was revealed to be an Immortal cultivator immortal with a deer's head and a human body, and a powerful aura of Foundation Establishment emanated from him.

The Immortal cultivator who were crying out for justice suddenly fell silent, like chickens or ducks whose necks had been grabbed.

Their eyes widened in shock, completely surprised that the old deer they had regarded as a fool was actually a Foundation Establishment Immortal cultivator, and judging from its cultivation level, it seemed to be at the Foundation Establishment Third Tribulation!

Seeing this, the others all bowed to the Deer-Headed Immortal cultivator who had transformed into human form. "Congratulations, fellow Daoist, on your liberation from worldly defilement."

Upon hearing this call, the Deer- Immortal cultivator's numb eyes slowly regained their luster.

Although he didn't understand why he had been released and returned to human form, he still managed to clasp his hands together, wanting to thank those who had saved him.

But when he tried to speak, his throat gurgled, and he couldn't utter a coherent word; all he could make were the cries of a deer.

Wow!

Upon hearing his own words, the Deer-Headed Immortal cultivator burst into tears. His tears mixed with the blood on his head, making his face look disheveled, like a theatrical performer with painted makeup.

Yo-yo!!

Unable to contain himself, the Deer-Headed Immortal cultivator broke down in unrestrained weeping and wailing. His hands were trembling, his words incoherent.

The sound and color of the cry were like the cry of a newborn fawn and the wail of an old deer on its deathbed, echoing through the stream and never ceasing.

The Immortal cultivator who came to offer their congratulations were all deeply moved upon hearing this, feeling a profound sorrow in their hearts, unsure of how to respond.

If Fang Shu, or the old Immortal cultivator of the Five Viscera Temple, were present, they would recognize him at a glance.

This hunched and gaunt deer- Immortal cultivator immortal is none other than the once spirited and enigmatic Deer Cart Earth Immortal who once resided in the temple.

Under the Profound Teaching Rule, apart from the sudden sound of deer cries echoing from Deer-Horn Mountain.

From other True Disciple mountain peaks, the sounds of cattle mooing and sheep bleating also rang out in turn.

But unlike the deer's call, after a few moos from the ox, a hearty laugh rang out, "Hahaha, I, the old ox, have finally turned the tables!"

The owner of the cry shook off his saddle and bridle, spat out the nose ring from his mouth, and in the blink of an eye, transformed into a burly, strong man.

The bleating of the sheep was always filled with terror.

Even if the owner of that cry were to be restored to human form, he would still remain prostrate on the ground, still considering himself a sheep, and dare not get up.

This day.

Fang Shu felt he was ready to go to the Profound Teaching to take his oath, so his Avatar once again separated from his main body and stood before him.

He then multitasked with his own mind, using the Spirit Vein of the mountain to set up an array to isolate his aura, and concealed his true form under the Divine Treasure handkerchief.

After careful consideration, Fang Shu's Avatar opened the secret chamber, walked out alone, and ended his seclusion.

As soon as he emerged from the pass, he keenly sensed that there were many familiar and unfamiliar scents in the mountains.

Fang Shu instantly understood that this was something he had asked someone to help him with, and it had already been taken care of.

Those old friends from Mount Lu who were sent to the Profound Teaching have already arrived in the mountains.

Without any hesitation, he transmitted his voice through the mountains. "I, Fang, have emerged from seclusion. I cordially invite all fellow Daoists from Mount Lu to gather at the top of the mountain."

These words reached the ears of every Immortal cultivator in the mountains, immediately sparking discussions and joy.

Everyone stopped what they were doing, even those who were in seclusion hurriedly finished their training and rushed towards the mountain.

Soon enough, Fang Shu spotted Jiao Lulu, Deer Cart Earth Immortal, Ox Cart Earth Immortal, and a group of old acquaintances he had met once before on the mountaintop.

With just one glance, he noticed that something was wrong with everyone present, especially Deer Cart Earth Immortal and Yang Che Sheep Cart Earth Immortal, who sat there blankly like a wooden figure.

Without much thought, among this group of old friends from Mount Lu, some, like Jiao Lulu, were accepted as disciples within the sect due to favorable circumstances, while others, like Deer Cart and Sheep Cart, ended up imprisoned or suffered misfortune.

As Fang Shu observed these people, their expressions visibly tightened.

Those who used to be high and Three Capitals in Mount Lu are now all meek and submissive, not daring to meet Five Sects Fang Shu's gaze at all.

This situation was to be expected, and Fang Shu accepted it calmly.

But for some reason, he sighed inwardly. Aside from the slight sense of pride in showing off in front of others, he felt more that fate was playing tricks on him.

It was Chu Qingxuan, who had also climbed to the mountaintop, who broke the silence of the gathering with her voice.

The woman chuckled softly, "Today is the day when True Disciple Fang is reuniting with his old friends, so why is True Disciple sighing?"

The old Mr. Chu, standing to the side, also chuckled and said, "Indeed, we should be happy."

Upon hearing this, Fang Shu recited. "As the ancients said, meeting an old friend in a foreign land is a great joy."

But today, as I meet you all again, I see that some are old, some are injured, and some are disabled. It makes me realize that life is like a journey, and the world is full of uncertainties.

Upon hearing this, the Chu Household father and son, along with the lively Immortal cultivator from Mount Lu at the table, immediately began to comfort Fang Shu, saying, "We are already extremely fortunate to have been saved by True Disciple Fang; how could we possibly hope to return to the way things were before?"

"Please do not belittle me, but True Disciple!"

Even the silent Deer Cart Earth Immortal spoke up to offer advice.

Fang Shu looked around at the group, scrutinized each of them, and then smiled.

He suddenly plucked a flower, and drops of spiritual liquid appeared in his hand. The liquid was golden-white, like the essence of the sun and moon, and also carried a medicinal fragrance.

The spiritual liquid flew out, landing, in drops or a few drops, on all the old friends from Mount Lu.

This sudden action surprised and puzzled everyone present.

Immediately afterward, they heard Fang Shu's carefree laughter. "You all are too attached to appearances. Life may be like a journey, but we are Immortal cultivator, not travelers."

The words had barely left his mouth.

The Immortal cultivator of Mount Lu discovered that the accumulated poison in their bodies, the disabilities in their limbs, the hidden injuries in their souls, and even their aged appearance suddenly began to fade or even disappear!

Especially the dazed Sheep Cart Earth Immortal, whose gray eyes finally regained their luster and he suddenly woke up.

The first thing the Sheep Cart Earth Immortal saw upon waking was a group of familiar, cheerful faces.

Especially his two old friends beside him, a deer and an ox, were just as vibrant and energetic as they had been in Mount Lu.

"Huh----" The Sheep Cart Earth Immortal felt a sense of disorientation, as if he were dreaming.