Fantasy: Immortality Begins with Absorbing Demons

Chapter 159 Lantern Festival

"It seems I'm still not good at pretending. After all these years of eating salt and crossing so many bridges, you actually saw through me at a glance... Did you already guess something?"

After a long silence, Bai Sanren suddenly gave a bitter laugh.

"I'm not an idiot. All this food I've wasted on, all these deliberate actions—how could I not remember them...?"

Han Yi smiled calmly and said jokingly.

"Speak, Master Bai, what is the purpose of doing all these things? Please speak freely!"

"Hey kid, to be honest, ever since I met you and went through all that together, I've come to regard you as my own nephew. All my actions weren't for any other reason..."

"Young man, you must know that severing all emotions is not the right path! Love between men and women is human nature and a matter of natural ethics! Young man, do not become obsessed with cultivation and forget the true nature of human emotions and desires!"

Bai Sanren said solemnly.

Just as I expected...

At that moment, a sudden realization dawned on Han Yi: why Bai Sanren always urged him to go out more, to get out and about, and not to stay cooped up in his thoughts...

"Yes, I will remember!"

Then, Han Yi's expression turned serious, and Bai Sanren's words truly resonated with him.

In his past life, when he watched many movies and TV series and read novels, there was a saying that one could become an immortal only by being emotionless and without desire. He always scoffed at the idea that Mao Gugu Gou GG.

Humans are not plants or trees; how can they be without feelings? It is precisely because humans have emotions that they are called human. Without emotions, what is the difference between them and wood or stone? Moreover, if you are without feelings, desires, or wants, would you still want to become an immortal?

"Master Bai, please rest assured, I, Han Yi, did not rise from the outer sect to become an ascetic who neglects worldly affairs and is devoted to cultivation. I am well aware of these matters and act according to the rules..."

Han Yi chuckled softly and added.

"That's good, that's good. I can finally rest assured that you've opened your heart to me and expressed your feelings today!"

Otherwise, this matter will weigh heavily on my mind like a boulder, truly troubling me. I'm really afraid you'll end up like…”

Bai Sanren's brows relaxed, and after listening to Han Yi's words, he nodded repeatedly and responded with a smile. Suddenly, he paused again, as if a fishbone was stuck in his throat, and he could hardly say the remaining few words.

"I'm truly afraid you'll embark on a path of no return..."

Bai Sanren turned his back and, after a long while, pretended nothing had happened and calmly finished speaking.

But Han Yi, standing behind him, could clearly hear the choking in his voice and the distinct mist in his eyes.

Han Yi learned from Huang Ze that Bai Sanren seemed to have a relative who was obsessed with cultivation and eventually met an unfortunate end. This matter was from a long time ago and was a sad memory for Bai Sanren.

Therefore, given the circumstances, since Bai Sanren was unwilling to discuss it further, Han Yi also felt it inappropriate to delve into it further…

"Hey, you two, did you come here to have fun or to fight? Why do you both have such gloomy faces!"

Come over here and help me pick out some jewelry. See which piece suits you best; I want to bring a few back for my mother!

Just then, Qianxue, who was buying jewelry from a small vendor, looked up and called out to the two of them, saying that there were so many kinds of jewelry here, and the styles were so beautiful that she was overwhelmed by the sheer variety.

"Here they come, here they come..." Han Yi and Bai Sanren exchanged a glance, their faces beaming with smiles, and quickly walked over. "Hmm, how about these two hairpins?" Han Yi glanced at the jade bracelet and skipped over it, but these hairpins, although carved from wood and worthless, were finely crafted and looked more exquisite.

"This hairpin is carved from green sandalwood. It has the effects of regulating the body and prolonging life, making it most suitable for elders in the family. The other one is made of peach wood. Peach wood hairpins symbolize blessings and warding off evil. Most importantly, I don't know if you've heard the poem 'A face and peach blossoms reflect each other', but peach wood hairpins can nourish the skin, fight aging, and enhance charm, making them especially suitable for beautiful young women like you..."

This shopkeeper is indeed a businessman. Han Yi only asked one question, and he rattled off a whole bunch of praises, describing the hairpin as incredibly beautiful and extraordinary!

"Good, good, good!

"Take these two!"

Han Yi quickly interrupted the shopkeeper's incessant chatter and handed him the loose silver from his pocket. The shopkeeper took the silver, weighed it with a small scale, showed it to Han Yi, and then gave him the remaining change.

"Alright, have a safe trip, sir!"

He then deftly wrapped the two hairpins in a gift box, presented them with both hands, and saw Han Yi off with a smile.

"Brother Yi, I still want that jade bracelet..."

At this moment, Qianxue tugged at Han Yi's white fox fur cloak and said expectantly.

"Those bracelets are of very poor quality..."

Han Yi shook his head and said.

"But I really want it..."

"I'll buy you an even more expensive, bigger, and shinier one another day... Look, there's a place over there selling candied hawthorns. Come on, let's go buy some candied hawthorns!"

Han Yi comforted him and used a distraction technique.

"Okay, okay!" Qianxue said excitedly, running after Han Yi. But no one saw the sly smile that curled up at the corner of her mouth.

boom!

Just as Han Yi and his two companions were enjoying a string of candied hawthorns each,

Suddenly, several fireworks were lit by the roadside, bursting into the sky in a dazzling display, their light as bright as day. As they dissipated, they illuminated the market under the winter clouds in an instant!

Amidst the crisp sounds resembling spring thunder, the entire city faced the bleak, cold wind and looked up at the sky. Some timid children, the elderly, women, and children even covered their ears.

Today is Lunar New Year, the most important day of the year, a day for family joy and reunion.

On this special day, all the markets and wards in An'yan City were unusually open, and the curfew was lifted.

The guards, no longer displaying their usual stern expressions, stopped demanding entrance fees and cheerfully returned the greetings to the passing people. Meanwhile, many families from nearby villages, along with their elderly and children, arrived in oxcarts to enjoy this once-a-year spectacle of bustling activity.

The sky was ablaze with colorful lights, and sparks scattered sparsely in all directions before disappearing again. Then another firework burst open in the sky, reflecting the smiling faces of the people.

Brilliant fireworks burst in the sky, making the originally dark sky even more colorful.

After a brief period of deafening noise.

Immediately, a surge of people appeared, and cheers resounded...

'I hope I can break through to the Meridian Opening stage soon!'

At this moment, fireworks blazed in the sky, contrasting beautifully with the red lanterns on the ground, and the lights shone brightly. Han Yi made a wish in his heart.

"Qianxue, what did you wish for?"

He glanced at Qianxue, who was standing to the side with her hands clasped together, muttering to herself, and asked curiously. "Hehe, I won't tell you!"

A hint of playfulness appeared on Qianxue's delicate face, and the last embers of the fireworks reflected a unique brilliance in her beautiful eyes.

"oh……."

Han Yi drawled out his words, speaking with a deeper meaning.

"Could it be that the dwarf wished to grow taller quickly next year?!"

"Han Yi, you!"

"Ah, it hurts!"

No sooner had Han Yi finished speaking than Qian Xue delivered a heavy punch, causing him to clutch his stomach and feign pain.

"Hmph, serves you right for trying to put me down..."

Qianxue said smugly.

"Stop dawdling! There are still some acrobats coming up ahead!"

On the street far away, a burly man was patting his chest and shouting to his companions to put the large stone on it. Then, his companions raised a huge iron hammer and rubbed their fists together.

Beside them, a short, thin old man, resembling an ape, held a leather whip and shouted commands, directing the monkeys in the open space to perform various difficult maneuvers. At this moment, the old man was baring his teeth because the monkeys refused to jump over the ring of fire.

Looking up from the sky, one sees singing and dancing, the clamor of carriages and horses, and a cacophony of sounds stretching for dozens of miles. Colorful clouds shine brightly, casting a silvery glow, creating a magnificent spectacle that illuminates thousands of homes stretching as far as the eye can see.

Looking closely, one sees gold plating and colorful decorations, leather balls twirling, monkeys performing a hundred acts, and fish leaping over knife gates. Regardless of their social standing or profession, everyone is putting on a show, creating a joyful atmosphere and trying to earn money.

The various scenes were ingenious and unforgettable, refreshing and delightful.

Behind Han Yi and Qian Xue, Bai Sanren quietly watched their playful antics, stroking his beard and smiling without saying a word.

"system!"

As dusk deepened and all was quiet, the crowds at the lantern festival gradually thinned out. Seeing that it was getting late, Han Yi and the other two sat cross-legged on the bed and silently recited a phrase.

Name: Han Yi (17/121)

[Realm]: Mid-stage Blood Refining (60/100); Sword Realm: One Kill in Ten Steps; Blade Realm: As Heavy as a Mountain

[Techniques]: Yang Yuan Gong (Incomplete, Trait: Rejuvenation, Minor Success 12/50, can be improved); Golden Muscle Jade Bone Gong (High-grade Yellow Rank, Proficiency 6/20, Trait: Iron Wall, can be improved)

[Martial Arts]: Thunderclap Palm Technique (Yellow Rank, High Grade; Characteristics: Shattering Stones and Splitting Earth, Frenzied Strike; Minor Success (7/50); Upgradeable); Flying Swallow Kick (Yellow Rank, Low Grade; Characteristics: Gale; Minor Success (11/50); Upgradeable); Dual Blade and Sword Killing (Mysterious Rank, Low Grade; Characteristics: Concentration, Dual Wielding, Proficiency (8/30); Upgradeable); Body Transformation Technique (Yellow Rank, Low Grade; Major Success; Characteristics: Bone Shrinking and Disguise) [Elemental Power Value]: 66

He looked closely and the first thing that caught his eye was his own age; he had changed from sixteen to seventeen!

"Alas, I am truly a stranger in a strange land, a wanderer to the ends of the earth, my heart breaking..."

For some reason, in the dead of night, when all is quiet, I feel particularly sad. No wonder the ancients said that it is best not to have a thousand thoughts before going to sleep.

The loneliness of midnight filled Han Yi with a faint sense of sadness.

But then, he touched the small jade Buddha hanging on his chest, his whole body...

Han Yi casually picked up the small jade Buddha, feeling its smooth and warm texture, and a slight coolness seeping into his body, which invigorated him.

The chaotic thoughts brought on by loneliness in the dead of night were instantly swept away!

"No matter what, let's get some rest first! We still need to take Qianxue home tomorrow!"

Today, after the lantern festival ended, Bai Sanren reminded Han Yi of this matter, saying that Qianxue should also go home to visit tomorrow.

With nothing to do, and the black market he was in charge of closed for the time being, Han Yi set his schedule for tomorrow.

Outside Anyan City, at the Hidden Moon Martial Arts Academy!