Fellow Daoist! That scoundrel has written a new book again.

Xu Yicheng continued reading.

Upon hearing that cultivators were surging in, and knowing his own weakness, Zhang Xuan decided not to think further, Zhou Fa nodded and commented:

"This is a prudent move. If one lacks the strength but is greedy for treasure, disaster will befall them."

Zhao Huaiyi, however, did not think so:

"We cultivators should have lofty ambitions. Zhang Xuan has already shown a desire to escape before even encountering a crisis. How can he possibly stand out in the struggle for the Great Dao?"

Zhou Fa sighed slightly and did not argue with him.

As you continue reading, while everyone else is vying for treasures, Zhang Xuan notices a mortal drowning and even uses his protective magic weapon to save him.

Zhou Fa's brows relaxed, showing a hint of agreement. He too was born a commoner and had not forgotten how hard it was to survive when his family was poor.

A flood could destroy years of hard work and even cost lives.

Even if one is not a particularly virtuous person, one should still admire those who, when a flood comes, extend a helping hand with a sense of righteousness.

But then he heard Zhao Huaiyi's sneer.

"Zhang Xuan was never very talented. It's one thing for him not to fight for the rare treasures in front of him, but he actually used his own protective item to protect ordinary people."

"Let's see how he protects himself when his spiritual power is exhausted."

Not long after he finished speaking, Xu Yicheng read that a rare treasure had been born.

When Zhao Huaiyi heard that the extraordinary treasure had not chosen any of the many powerful contenders, but only Zhang Xuan, who had come to his rescue, his expression turned somewhat grim.

Xu Yicheng's heart skipped a beat, fearing that Uncle Zhao would be angry.

But honestly, he also felt a little smug.

After all, both he and his master supported Zhang Xuan!

He continued reading without showing any emotion. This extraordinary treasure was indeed powerful, enabling him to escape unscathed from the numerous people surrounding and robbing it. Although he was repeatedly pursued, Zhang Xuan managed to overcome each obstacle.

Upon entering the secret realm, he displayed divine power, single-handedly repelling enemies of higher cultivation levels, seizing spiritual herbs to refine pills, and breaking through his cultivation level.

That was truly exhilarating!

Unfortunately, although Zhang Xuan's cultivation level gradually improved, this extraordinary treasure known as the "Zhaoming Lamp" gradually became covered in dust.

For some reason, it turned grayish.

Xu Yicheng felt a little regretful.

But it doesn't matter. As Zhang Xuan's cultivation level increases, he also accumulates more treasures. Losing one won't hurt him!

Zhao Huaiyi, however, had his own interpretation:

"Haha, it must be this 'Illuminating Lamp' that feels it has followed the wrong master and is no longer willing to display its divine power!"

Zhou Fa, standing to the side, secretly shook his head.

He seemed to have realized something, and felt a sense of melancholy.

Zhang Xuan, you've lost your true self!

The "Zhaoming Lamp" originally valued his pure kindness, but as his strength increased, Zhang Xuan became accustomed to fighting and gradually forgot the way he came.

What does "it doesn't matter if one is missing" even mean? How can I forget my true feelings!

As they continued listening, Zhang Xuanguo's cultivation level had indeed stagnated, remaining unchanged for a hundred years, and even his mental state had gradually withered away.

His time was drawing near.

Faced with life and death and having no other options, Zhang Xuan finally ended his seclusion.

He wanted to revisit the world to see the changes in those familiar places and people over the years, and after he left, it would be the time for him to pass away.

Xu Yicheng sighed inwardly at the pity.

As he continued reading, perhaps guided by some unseen force, Zhang Xuan found himself in the town where he had once saved someone.

Recalling the past, he sighed slightly and took out the "Zhaoming Lamp," intending to return this treasure to this place before passing away.

Zhang Xuan concealed himself and entered the temple, his gaze fixed on something—

He saw the statue on the altar, and it was none other than himself!

Incense smoke wafted before the statue, and the sandalwood wafted with a serene fragrance. Believers knelt devoutly on prayer cushions, their palms clasped together.

They are worshipping Zhang Xuan, who saved people thousands of years ago.

After the incense burners left, Zhang Xuan walked to the statue and remained silent for a long time.

He suddenly burst into laughter, seemingly extremely pleased!

Zhang Xuan pointed at his own statue on the altar, acting as if he were both mad and unusually clear-headed, as if struck by a thunderbolt.

"It's you! So it was you!"

He laughed heartily, as if relieved and enlightened, and finally said with a smile, "After searching for the path to immortality for a thousand years, I look back and find myself already an immortal."

With this chant, the Zhaoming Lamp spontaneously ignited without fire, glowing softly until it was clear and spotless, and then it soared into the sky!

This oil lamp, capable of discerning good from evil, finally illuminated once again that pure and immaculate heart.

In heaven and on earth, Zhang Xuan no longer felt any constraints. He had overcome the life-or-death hurdle and reached a state of perfect enlightenment.

When everyone noticed the strange occurrence and rushed over, they only saw a figure drifting away.

The End

Looking at the last three words, Xu Yicheng felt a surge of joy and exhilaration. He almost wanted to burst into laughter and personally offer incense to Zhang Xuan!

Alas, such a character is actually fictional!

How fortunate he was to be able to read this book.

The path to immortality should be like this: traversing the heavens and earth, looking back with sudden realization, experiencing both kinship and enmity, and finding peace and liberation...

When you look back, you should never betray your original intention!

Xu Yicheng was lost in thought, but Zhao Huaiyi felt as if he had been reprimanded and slapped in the face.

He gritted his teeth in resentment, feeling as if the words he had just spoken were a spinning blade, twisting and stabbing into his heart.

Looking up, one could see everyone filled with longing.

He was even more furious!

"Absurd!" Zhao Huaiyi slammed his hand on the table with a "bang," stood up, and said with a grim expression:

"Senior Brother Zhou, I have some things to attend to, so I'll take my leave."

After saying this, without even waiting for Zhou Fa's reaction, he turned and left with the outer disciples.

Watching Zhao Huaiyi's retreating figure, Zhou Fa raised his hand as if to ask him to stay, but then seemed to remember something and simply watched him leave.

Zhou Fa remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh.

"That's all."

"Master, are we no longer going to ask about the rare treasure in Nanli City?"

Upon hearing his disciple's question, Zhou Fa poured himself a glass of wine, as if he had something on his mind and couldn't feel better without drinking it.

He only spoke after finishing the cup:

"Alas, Junior Brother Zhao, upon hearing about Zhang Xuan's actions and behavior in this book, seems to disapprove, unlike you and me..."

Just as he was about to finish saying "fellow believers," Zhou Fa realized that he shouldn't have commented on his senior master's actions in front of his disciple.

Xu Yicheng understood the unspoken meaning, and he nodded secretly in agreement.

Zhou Fa felt the same way.

If you are not on the same path, forcing a collaboration will only damage your relationship.

It's better to just let it go and pretend to have forgotten about it, so that it won't be awkward when we meet again in the future.

After giving his disciple a few pointers, Zhou Fa smiled and extended his hand, saying:

"This book is well written. I will study it first and then return it to you later."

Xu Yicheng silently tucked the book into his pocket, and then saw his master quietly place the "luck-changing talisman" on the table.

Hey!

No wonder that scholar didn't want to sell it for twenty taels of silver!

Let alone twenty taels of silver, Xu Yicheng would have to think twice even if it were twenty spirit stones!

But this "luck-changing talisman" is different; it costs six hundred spirit stones!

Reluctantly pulling out "The Immortal of the Mortal World," Xu Yicheng silently apologized.

Fellow Daoist Zhang Xuan, it's not that I don't admire you, it's just that my master has given me so much...