Immortality begins with meditation puppets

West Sea.

The blue waves stretch endlessly, and beyond the deepest reaches, there are even deeper and deeper places.

Langya Immortal Island is already several dozen days' journey by a Nascent Soul cultivator, even if they flew there without sleep. The area that the Western Sea cultivators call the Sea of ​​Absolute Breath is more than two million miles southwest of Langya Immortal Island.

Upon hearing the location of the person Su Qing wished to save, the group of cultivators behind Su Qing all changed color in shock.

The Sea of ​​No Breath is a nightmare for cultivators of the Western Sea, a territory that even sea demons and evil spirits dare not set foot in.

Legend has it that there is a perpetual sea fog there, from which even sunlight cannot escape. Endless darkness is accompanied by endless silence, and no one knows what secrets lie within, for it is a desolate place where no one has ever survived.

After following Su Qing out to sea, the cultivators who looked out to sea saw Su Qing rampaging ahead while they cheered from behind, reaping considerable benefits. They couldn't help but feel a little ashamed. They had originally been prepared to go to great lengths for Su Zhenren if he was in trouble, but this time they would help Su Zhenren even if they didn't want any benefits. Even if that old Foundation Establishment cultivator named Helian Xian was tied up and taken to Penglai, they would still dare to follow Su Zhenren to the heavens and the island to rescue him.

But it is precisely a place of utter despair.

"Fellow Daoist Tong, you didn't miscalculate, did you? It's not that I doubt your expertise as a Celestial Master, it's just that your method of calculating celestial secrets is rather novel... No, no, no, it's not that I don't believe you, I'm just saying, wouldn't it be better to calculate it again? That Land of Absolute Breath is still too ruthless. Wouldn't it be a waste to miscalculate and trap True Person Su?"

"What kind of relationship does Fellow Daoist Helian Xian have with True Person Su that would make True Person Su take such a risk? In my opinion, everyone has their own destiny. He should just go back to the Temple of Punishment and Killing and offer incense to him. True Person Su is of inestimable value; how could he risk his life for a Foundation Establishment cultivator!"

"Master Su still insists on going? Then Master Su, please take care! I will not be traveling with you this time. A message has come from home: my daughter, your brother Delong's wife is about to give birth!"

"I'm sorry, Master Su. Tian'ai introduced a sister-in-law to my brother before she came. Everyone wants her, and I'm afraid she'll run away if I go back too late. I really can't be with you this time."

"The woman the Duan family mentioned is my wife. I need to go back quickly and divorce her to avoid delaying the Duan family's affairs..."

Seeing that they couldn't dissuade Su Qing and that he was determined to go to the Land of No Return to his death, the cultivators who were looking towards the sea admired Su Qing for his bravery and willingness to risk his life for his old friend, unlike them who were just making empty promises. At the same time, fearing that Su Qing would call them to join him and ask them to risk their lives for him, they made excuses and tried to slip away.

Su Qing was also aware of the dangers of the Land of Despair, but regardless of Helian Xian's life or death, Tong Chang's words about the Land of Prisoner of the Ox and the Abyss of Hidden Dragons were too attractive to him. He had to go and see it no matter what. If it was really dangerous, he would at least offer incense to Helian Xian when he got there. If he didn't even go to see it, his Dao heart would be flawed!

"The Land of Despair is rumored to be a place where even Nascent Soul cultivators get lost. I have my reasons for going there, but I am truly ashamed to ask you fellow cultivators to risk yourselves with me."

"This trip to Langya Immortal Island has been fraught with danger for you all. It's time to return and enjoy the fruits of your victory. I only hope that the future of Haixian City will not be as peaceful as before. I urge you all to make good use of what you've gained on this journey, transforming it into resources for further advancement in your cultivation. Here, I wish you all eternal progress on your path to immortality and everlasting blessings!"

The young man's handsome yet dignified face, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, exuded sincerity and warmth. As soon as he finished speaking, some cultivators were moved by his words and wanted to risk their lives to follow Su Qing and his group. However, before they could even open their mouths, their companions covered their mouths.

"Brother Wang, what are you doing? Master Su has treated us so well. Are we really going to abandon Master Su and leave? Would we still be human?"

The big-nosed youth, whose mouth was covered, shouted at his companion in embarrassment and anger.

"I don't care if we're human or not, all I know is that if we go to that Land of No Return, we definitely won't be able to live as humans anymore!"

His companion, also an ugly-looking cultivator with a large nose and crooked mouth, wiped the snot off his hands in disgust and said calmly.

"If it weren't for Master Su, we would have died long ago. What's wrong with sacrificing our lives for him now!"

"If you die, you won't be able to marry my second sister! And I won't be able to marry your third sister! You wouldn't want my second sister and your third sister to be married off to those two members of the Wei family, would you?"

"Alas, even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman. I'm willing to die for Master Su, but alas, you scoundrel have ruined my Daoist heart with your second sister!"

The group of cultivators from Wanghai prepared reasons for not allowing Su Qing to sail with them, and under the leadership of Yingjue Shen, they summoned their treasure ships, and the entire fleet began to return towards Wanghai Immortal City.

Su Qing watched the fleet disappear at the horizon. Only after Xiong Er, who had been diving to escort the fleet, turned around and confirmed that no beings above the fourth rank were watching the fleet did he feel relieved and turn back to release his Dragon Island Bixi.

"Fellow Daoist Su has really changed. With your past personality, I thought you would bring this Wanghai Fleet, and even invite the cultivators of my Langya Immortal Island to adventure with you."

Tong Chang waited for a long time but never received an invitation from Su Qing to travel together, so he couldn't help but feel a little puzzled.

Su Qing smiled freely, glanced at Liang Haishun, Qinghe, Li Hailang, and the few others following beside her, and stepped directly onto the Bixi statue on Dragon Island before turning her head and waving:
"The Celestial Master can calculate the secrets of heaven, but he cannot see through the human heart."

I, Su Qing, was able to lead these cultivators from the Sea of ​​Hope to this Langya Immortal Island because I need their help, and there are also benefits waiting for them. It was the same when I received help from my fellow cultivators in Baiyun Immortal City back then.

The saying goes, "All the world's hustle and bustle is for profit; people gather for profit, and disperse when there is no profit to be made. I won't force anyone to stay, nor will I stoop to deceiving them into risking their lives to pave the way for my personal gain!"

"Oh, then why doesn't Master Su think that the Prisoner's Land would also be beneficial to me, Tong Chang? Perhaps I, Tong Chang, could go there?"

Tong Chang, holding his wife's hand, asked loudly.

"Because if you really wanted to go, I don't need to tell you, you're already on the ship!"

As soon as Su Qing finished speaking, she turned around and saw that Tong Chang was already standing next to her.

"Is there something you desire in the Land of Despair?" Su Qing asked with a smile, knowing that Tong Chang was not the kind of shallow person who would go to great lengths for his brothers.

“There is something extremely important to me, and Master Su also recognizes it—it's Brother 17 and Brother 260.” Tong Chang spoke quickly and directly. Now that his shackles were removed, he no longer had the air of a pretentious charlatan. “You thieving old Taoist, you dare say my Brother 260 and Brother 17 aren't human? No, you're saying my Brother 260 is also trapped in the Land of Despair?!”

Li Hailang, who was practicing his staff techniques with the Arhats and Buddha Bears on Dragon Island, was surprised to hear his brother's name and learn that his brother was an object rather than a person. Immediately afterward, he was filled with worry for his brother.

Li Hailang had many brothers, who came and went, but in the end only his 17th brother and 260th brother survived. Hearing that they were in danger, he was truly willing to go to great lengths for them.

Su Qing knew long ago that the 260th brother's absurd ability to avoid disaster, which even he couldn't match with his cheat codes, could not be explained by simple physical instincts.

Upon hearing that it had some connection with the Celestial Master, or that it was transformed from the Four Imperial Dao Patterns that the Celestial Master had sought but could not obtain in the past, his doubts were immediately dispelled, and he understood that only such a reason could make sense.

"So, Brother 260 and Brother 17, although they are brothers in the same lifetime, in reality, when they combine, they form a Four-fold Dao Pattern. One is for seeking profit, and the other is for avoiding harm. The Dao Pattern of seeking profit and avoiding harm is something that cultivators of the Daoist path dream of?"

That’s so reasonable!

Look at that Demon Buddha. He also has four Dao patterns. Although he turned evil, everyone can understand that turning evil makes you three times stronger. But even if you hadn't turned evil, you wouldn't be in such a miserable state! You're not even a Foundation Establishment cultivator yet. Is this what you call four Dao patterns?
Of course, the most miserable one is Li Hailang. He has two generals under his command, one who seeks profit and the other who avoids harm, but he has ended up working for Su Qing. It is unknown whether his fate is too bad or whether the two marks of seeking profit and avoiding harm are fake.

"Master Su, you may not know this, but this Dao pattern may have sensed that the calamity had begun and was afraid that it would be taken advantage of by evil energy like other Dao patterns. That's why it split in two and turned into living beings. Although they will suffer the same calamities of birth, aging, sickness and pain as living beings, it is much better than being turned into evil patterns."

This is also a way of seeking advantage and avoiding harm, which is much better than those other Dao patterns that have been sealed or corrupted, such as the Four Imperial Dao Patterns or even the Three Pure Dao Patterns.

The old Taoist priest went to find them to protect the two brothers, concealing their existence with celestial Dao patterns to prevent them from being controlled by the evil sea monsters and becoming their tools.

Tong Chang said with a worried expression, "As the saying goes, if you want to wear the crown, you must bear the weight. Originally, I, Tong Chang, roamed the world freely and was carefree. Now that I have broken free of my shackles and become the only Celestial Master in this world, I will have to travel around for the sake of all living beings, just like a real Celestial Master."

"No need to trouble you, fellow Daoist. Brother 17 and Brother 260 are both my brothers, Su Qing. I, Su Qing, can protect them myself!" Su Qing was generous and magnanimous. He couldn't bear to see the old man Tong Chang so tired. "You can go home and play with your wife. Brother 17 and Brother 260 are not for you to play with."

Tong Chang smiled and shook his head. He had told Su Qing about the origins of the 17th and 260th brothers, so he had no intention of snatching them away from Su Qing.

Given Su Qing's personality, it's hard to say whether these two are his brothers, but it's a certainty that they've become his tools.

But this is still better than being controlled by the demons of the Land of Prisoner Ox.

Thinking of the glimpse of celestial secrets he had obtained while calculating the heavenly secrets, Tong Chang hesitated for a moment before finally making up his mind and explaining it to Su Qing:

"I didn't want to say this, but I was afraid that you would abandon the rescue operation after learning the true threat in that area. After all, Helian Xian's life or death is of little concern to me..."

"It doesn't matter who lives or dies! It doesn't matter who lives or dies. Although my brother Helian is an old rogue and has no ability, how can it not matter? He is also a precious old man, and there are people who care about him!"

When Liang Haishun heard that Tong Laodao didn't care about Helian Xian's life or death, he was immediately displeased. If he died, his cloth would be useless. How could he not care?
“Fellow Daoist Liang is absolutely right. All three of you are my sworn brothers, Su Qing. No matter what dangers may arise in this operation, I will rescue every single one of you. Fellow Daoist, you need not worry that I am cowardly. Please tell me the secret of that place!”

Su Qing was extremely confident. Before coming to Langya Immortal Island, he wasn't this confident. At least, he hadn't thought about rescuing that tomb raider who had been trapped in the sea cave for decades.

But now, Su Qing is different. He has the cultivation of a fourth-level Nascent Soul, cultivates both physical and magical bodies, and has several infant spirits of various attributes in his sea of ​​consciousness. He can change his appearance at any time depending on the situation and the opponent. In addition, he has the reborn Xiong Er and the armed forces of eight dragon ships.

In this vast Western Sea, Su Qingzhen wasn't afraid of many people. Only a handful of fifth-tier beings, such as the Demon Buddha and the Great Sage Overturning the Sea, could make him somewhat wary.

His confidence clearly influenced Tong Chang, and Su Qing encouraged him to speak his mind freely, so he did.

"The reason why the Land of Despair is named is because there is no spiritual energy available for living beings to use. When cultivators fight and practice their magic in it, they can only consume spirit stones. The fog that covers everything makes it difficult for cultivators to escape easily until their spirit stones are exhausted, their spiritual power is depleted, and they die in despair."

Besides, this place was also known as the Howling Sea in ancient times. When the Western Sea was a desert in ancient times, this place was a bottomless sea of ​​bitterness. It was the place where the ancient powerful beings banished the dragon race. Countless true dragons perished here. The resentment of the true dragons has not dissipated for a long time. They have transformed into evil dragons that harbor crazy hatred for any living beings that enter the mist. The inexplicable low roars in the mist are the howls of those true dragons.

Over the years, both Penglai Immortal Island and Thousand Island Immortal Kingdom have organized teams to explore this sea area, but without exception, as soon as the crew members sail into this sea area, it is as if they have fallen into the abyss of hell, and they can no longer appear in the human world.

There are exceptions. The Pirate King Ship, which is the eight Nine Dragon Ships that Fellow Daoist Su now has, is sailed into the Sea of ​​No Return when each Pirate King is completely enslaved by the Pirate King Ship. After these ships sail out again, the Pirate King and his crew also disappear without a trace. Only these Pirate King Ships sail into the sea to find new owners.

This is also why the old Taoist was willing to guide Fellow Daoist Su to the Sea of ​​Absolute Breath. Only the Nine-Dragon Ships can break through the mist of absolute breath, and Fellow Daoist Su is currently the master of eight of these ships. Of course, if this journey goes smoothly, Fellow Daoist Su might be able to collect all nine ships and obtain the complete fortune of the True Dragon!

Tong Chang was clearly still worried that Su Qing would back down, so he spoke vaguely about the dangers of the Land of Despair, but at the end he pointed out that there was a Treasure Ship of the Prisoner Ox there, hoping that Su Qing would go there to explore, even if it meant disregarding the feelings of his three brothers, including Helian Xian, and for the sake of the Treasure Ship of the Prisoner Ox.

After learning about this place, Su Qing immediately understood why the cultivators who looked towards the sea had fled upon hearing the news.

This place has been devoid of life since ancient times, a place that Penglai Island has explored for many years without success.

There are no real dragons in the world, but everyone knows that real dragons are powerful. If you can be associated with a real dragon, how can this place not be dangerous?

But what does Su Qing have to fear?

"Quick! Turn around! Let's not go to the Land of Despair yet!"

On Dragon Island, Su Qing activated his divine sense and issued commands to all the treasure ship puppets. (End of Chapter)