Chapter 1722: Qi Cultivator

**Chapter 1725: The Qi Practitioners**

The mountain was not high, and the small Taoist temple was very dilapidated. With its green stone, grey tiles, and rotting rafters, an old grape vine next to a sickly tree, it presented a desolate scene.

Behind the small temple was a lush green vegetable patch and an ancient-looking well.

This place was ordinary, unremarkable in every way, much like the Taoist priest himself. Without a closer look, he seemed just an old mountain Taoist, possessing no divine powers or immortal roots.

Ye Fan cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, Daoist Priest."

The old Taoist returned the greeting politely, without any pretense. Only then did Ye Fan realize that the other party was a Quasi-Emperor of the Sixth Heaven, similar to himself, a powerful master of the Taoist sect.

What was most peculiar was his ability to conceal his aura. Had Ye Fan not approached him closely, he might not have noticed him even from a distance, which was truly remarkable.

However, this was mainly because Ye Fan had not activated his Origin Heaven Immortal Pupils, feeling it would be impolite to scrutinize him.

"Daoist Priest, why did you address me that way just now?"

"Patron, please forgive this humble Taoist for being presumptuous," the old Taoist replied. He explained that an ancient venerable of the Taoist sect had once made a prophecy: a 'similar flower' would appear, perhaps in this very era, resembling the Heaven's Emperor.

"Although this humble Taoist lives in seclusion in these mountains, I have heard of some of Patron Ye's accomplishments and past deeds. I mistakenly believed you to be that 'flower,' but now that I've seen you and observed carefully, I feel it may not be you after all."

"A 'similar flower' might appear?" Ye Fan was quite surprised.

"The future is elusive; even the prophecies of ancient venerables do not always come true," the old Taoist explained.

"May I ask your esteemed name, Daoist Priest?"

"This humble Taoist once went by the name Ge Xuan," the old Taoist replied.

Ye Fan was startled. Even with some psychological preparation, his heart still surged. He had finally met a cultivator from ancient China, one who was incredibly powerful and of extraordinary origin.

Who was Ge Xuan? He was one of the most important figures in Taoism, revered by later generations of the Lingbao School as the patriarch of the Gezao sect, known as Immortal Ge.

The Lingbao School revered the Supreme Purity (Shangqing), also known as the Celestial Venerable Lingbao. It was one of the most significant Taoist schools, and Ge Xuan was a patriarch who transmitted its teachings during an era, so his status was clearly immense.

Furthermore, he was honored as one of the Four Heavenly Masters of Taoism, holding a lofty position, which was also evident from his title, Immortal Ge.

"Greetings, Senior!"

Ye Fan bowed, his emotions complex. In the past, he had only known of such figures through ancient texts and hadn't quite believed they could fly or burrow through the earth. Later, he unexpectedly embarked on the path of cultivation. Now, having truly met one, he was filled with endless emotion.

"Patron, please sit," Ge Xuan invited him to sit on a meditation cushion.

Ge Xuan himself was not only extraordinary, but he also had a grandnephew named Ge Hong, who authored the book *Baopuzi*. Ge Hong was even more remarkable, having once become a leader of Taoism during the Eastern Jin Dynasty.

During their conversation, Ye Fan naturally brought up Ge Hong. This person had mentioned the Nine Secrets in his writings, asserting that by continually chanting nine characters, one could ward off evil and protect the body.

Ge Xuan admitted frankly that his grandnephew's cultivation surpassed his own, proving the saying "the student surpasses the master." He was indeed remarkable.

"Immortal Ge, may I ask why you are secluded here?" Ye Fan naturally inquired. The fact that ancient Chinese Qi practitioners had all come to this place was truly a mystery.

"To absorb vital energy and partake in dew, to pursue the Dao throughout one's life—all of it is for immortality," Ge Xuan said. Then he shook his head and sighed, "But in the end, everyone's bones are buried in the yellow earth. They cannot achieve true fortune."

Ye Fan was moved. This group of people had come here in search of immortality. Why had they chosen this place instead of Beidou (the Big Dipper) back then?!

He sought confirmation and indeed received an affirmative answer: the Qi practitioners all believed there was an immortal path here.

Not all Imperial Dao experts believed Beidou was the correct place for ascension to immortality. Some also thought it was on Feixian Star, right here.

"The universe can be divided into Yin and Yang. Perhaps Beidou and Feixian Star are symmetrical Yin and Yang locations, both leading to the immortal realm. However, the battle more than three hundred years ago proved that the path there was impassable. Therefore, Qi practitioners have come to believe even more strongly that the path lies on Feixian Star."

They sought only to achieve immortality.

Ye Fan sighed. In the ancient history of cultivators, almost all disputes and large-scale bloody battles had stemmed from the pursuit of immortality.

Longevity was an eternal topic, the Dao fruit all cultivators yearned for. Yet, after so many years, they were still searching for immortality, unable to attain it.

"Is there truly an immortal path in this place?" Ye Fan asked, seated on the meditation cushion, as he engaged in a long discussion with Ge Xuan.

"According to some ancient venerables, an immortal path will appear within the sealed lands of Feixian Star, in what is known as the mythical era's forbidden zone," the old Taoist replied. Everyone was waiting for an opportunity but dared not break the seal.

Ye Fan fell silent. How many people had been trapped by the pursuit of immortality? All cultivators throughout history had strived for it, and even the so-called "immortals" in historical records and anecdotes were still merely on this path.

It wasn't just them; others, such as Sakyamuni, had also arrived at this star and established their sects. However, their traces were now indistinct, and it was suspected they were searching in other realms.

"Where is Young Immortal Ge?" he asked about Ge Hong.

While the number of Qi practitioners wasn't exceedingly large, it was certainly not small. Many among them should have been household names, renowned in ancient China.

Ge Xuan stated directly that while some were in seclusion on this star, more were traveling externally, visiting ancient sites of ascension one after another, seeking methods for longevity.

Among those currently alive, the most powerful cultivators were naturally Laozi and Sakyamuni.

Everyone was waiting. They believed that even if the immortal path in Beidou had failed, it didn't mean this place would also prove futile. Sooner or later, the "Feixian opportunity" would reappear.

"The sealed land on Feixian Star is definitely peculiar. If it's opened and one attempts to venture inside, there will undoubtedly be immense tribulations," Ge Xuan said.

If living beings were indeed sealed within, and had not perished to this day, then the immortal path would certainly be seized by them first, allowing them to break through.

According to common speculation, there might be a massive rift to the immortal realm here. In ancient times, immortal beings fought great battles, even clashing with ancient venerables, leading to this place being suppressed and sealed.

"Is Feixian Star truly as its name suggests?"

Later, Ye Fan and the old Taoist discussed many topics, naturally including the Kunlun remnants, which largely aligned with Ye Fan's own conjectures.

The Kunlun remnants also understood the secrets of Feixian Star. They needed to recover the Immortal Bell and even wished to relocate the Kunlun Immortal Mountain to suppress this place, thereby ascending to immortality.

"The Immortal Bell and Desolate Pagoda are incredibly ancient. Some say they were born from the creation of all things, nurtured by heaven and earth. Others say they are connected to the Immortal Dynasty, or even that a true Heavenly Emperor once existed."

These were old tales. Presumably, only those from the era of the Kunlun Ancestor and the Heaven's Emperor might have known something. In this current era, one could only speculate due to a lack of evidence.

The two conversed rather congenially, engaging in numerous discussions ranging from anecdotes to cultivation.

The old Taoist was regarded by the Lingbao School as a patriarch who transmitted its teachings, having rediscovered the ancient Celestial Venerable's legacy. He naturally possessed extraordinary qualities, and it was his guidance that shaped Ge Hong's later path.

"This humble Taoist has had some fortunate encounters. I once obtained some Dharma scriptures and inheritances."

Ge Xuan and Ye Fan discussed the Dao, touching upon the meanings within the scriptures. Both agreed that among the various scriptures of the Celestial Venerable Lingbao, the "Scripture of Salvation" was the most mysterious and unfathomable.

Ge Xuan recited a part of it, a secret text not seen by the world. Ye Fan then took out his human-faced ghost lamp and also recited a part. The two were similar and mutually corroborative, making the scripture even more enigmatic.

"Having read the orthodox scripture and then comprehended the ghost lamp's imprint, this scripture can be considered complete," Ge Xuan said.

Ye Fan nodded in agreement.

This discussion was very fruitful for him. The old Taoist passed on an ancient formula called the "Supreme Purity Golden Liquid Divine Pill Scripture," rumored to be a legacy of the Celestial Venerable Lingbao.

Ye Fan was surprised. He had long heard of this Taoist alchemical scripture, but all the versions available in the world were for mortals. He had never obtained the cultivator's chapter until now, seeing the true scripture.

For seven days, they sat in meditation, conversing freely, exchanging many insights, and discussing numerous secrets.

Finally, Ye Fan rose, bid farewell, and departed. As he walked on Feixian Star, he felt a sense of bewilderment. Having embarked on this path and grown to his current standing, he was now considered a peerless master. Yet, looking back, much had changed. The Qi practitioners, whom he once thought so powerful, like figures from mythology, he now found to be merely trudgers on the path to longevity.

Unconsciously, Ye Fan walked through many areas and encountered another old man, who introduced himself, saying, "This humble Taoist is Jiang Ziya."

Ye Fan was startled, then sighed again. He was truly meeting figures from ancient China one after another. Although not many, it filled him with mixed emotions.

"The God-Beating Whip was left by you, Senior, wasn't it?"

"Indeed. I encountered some trouble in Beidou back then, so I left the whip behind for those who are fated to find it," the old man said. He added that the wooden whip should not be underestimated, as it was a piece shed from the Heaven's Emperor's immortal tree, possessing infinite divine effects.

Ye Fan bid farewell and resumed his journey, feeling a sense of melancholy. Were it not for the immense pressure from the Underworld and other forces, which compelled him to raise his cultivation to protect his family and friends, he might have found the end of the cultivation path to be truly illusory and ethereal, and would not have wished to continue.

"What's happening? After arriving at Feixian Star, why do I feel somewhat empty? I've met Qi practitioners from ancient China, yet I feel no great excitement, only this emptiness."

Ye Fan was silent for a long time, then suddenly raised his head. This was not his usual character; he seemed to be under the influence of some force.

"Origin Heaven Immortal Pupils, see through all falsehoods!" he cried out loudly.

The next moment, the magnificent mountains and rivers vanished. Before him lay a vast expanse of bones, white as snow, weathered and brittle everywhere.

There was no vegetation, no divine waterfalls, no immortal mountains; all scenery had disappeared. Only death remained here.

It was strange indeed!

Unbeknownst to him, he had come close to the sealed land, and its strong influence had almost caused him to lose his way.

"Surely the Ge Xuan and Jiang Ziya I just saw weren't fake, were they?"

He turned back and traveled away, indeed seeing large areas of ruins. Most of the Qi practitioners' dwellings had long been destroyed, with rubble everywhere.

However, the low mountain was still there, and the small Taoist temple also remained on it.

But Ge Xuan was no longer there.

Ye Fan kept his immortal pupils open, his eyes gleaming. As he walked, he entered another area where Qi practitioners resided and found some Taoist priests, to whom he posed his questions.

"At least half of the Qi practitioners died. It was very strange and terrifying back then. Some people's physical bodies perished, but their lingering obsessions didn't dissipate and could still manifest, making them believe they were still alive, and others found it hard to detect. It's said that immortal demons sealed underground were causing mischief, truly reproducing everything about those people."

The young Taoist explained, drawing a boundary and stating that those areas were forbidden and had long become ghost domains.

Ye Fan felt a chill throughout his body. The Ge Xuan and Jiang Ziya he had just seen were in those very areas. Had he been conversing with their spirits, with their lingering obsessions?

"Immortal Ge Xuan and others indeed perished many years ago. Immortal Master Ge Hong is still alive, traveling in external realms."

He had his answer. Terrifying beings sealed underground were orchestrating all of this, seeking to take his spirit as well. He had just tangled with creatures from the forbidden zone of the mythical era!

If not for the sealing power, he would have been in great trouble.

Ye Fan sighed. He believed that what the spirits of Ge Xuan and Jiang Ziya had said was true, but they were merely lingering obsessions being manipulated, not the actual individuals themselves.

Cultivating the Dao was truly cruel. For the sake of longevity, many people ultimately found their efforts futile, a bloody and empty endeavor.

Ye Fan traversed most of the area, witnessing many dead zones. A great many Qi practitioners had perished, leaving only a small fraction, and most of the strong ones were traveling abroad.