Which Came First, the Immortal Body or the Immortal Heart?

Min Xian's mindset had clearly not yet fully changed, but his body's reactions were already reminding him to face the cruel reality.

He merely glanced outward, but the abyssal sight beyond the summit made Min Xian dizzy. Instinctively, he edged inward, every step exceedingly cautious. There was scarcely any room to maneuver before, behind, left, or right, and the weakness in his body left him profoundly uncomfortable. He feared that one careless misstep would throw off his balance and send him sliding off the cliff.

But Min Xian had clearly overestimated his current sense of balance. His foot slipped, loose stones rolled beneath him, and he immediately pitched forward.

"Ah..."

With a bang, Min Xian crashed into the golden-armored figure ahead. Still shaken with lingering fear, he looked up at the golden armor. The latter did not move an inch, staring ahead with its head raised, merely casting a sidelong downward glance at Min Xian from the corner of its eye. It did not even deign to lower its head. There was no smile, yet the mockery was silent and unmistakable.

"Min was discourteous..."

Min Xian stepped back and bowed. The golden armor remained where it stood, neither speaking nor returning the salute.

Ji Yuan saw every one of Min Xian's reactions, but did not mock or berate him.

"Not to mention that your sect would find it difficult to locate you again—even if they could, even with Heaven-Reaching Ability, you could never step onto the path of cultivation again."

As he spoke, Ji Yuan reached down toward the mountain below. The spirit of spring wood responded, and two branches bearing tender leaves flew up from the mountainside. By the time they reached the summit, their bark and excess twigs had automatically shed away, leaving two smooth wooden rods.

Ji