Chapter 33: What is a Pure Immortal

"What is a Pure Immortal Body?"

Gao Huan's physique seemed to be very special, prompting both Shi Jiuzhai and Cang Li, two figures with unfathomable cultivation, to react with surprise. Li Weiyi couldn't help but ask.

Zhao Zhizhu explained to Cang Li, "They haven't undergone formal cultivation of martial arts or magical techniques; they've figured everything out on their own. As for young brother Gao Huan, it seems he recently had a fortuitous encounter, which led to his transformation into a Pure Immortal Body."Cang Li had no doubts.What trouble could a person who asks such a basic question possibly cause?

He explained to Li Weiyi, "The world has always been unfair; people are divided into different classes. Mortals, Aberrant Humans, and Pure Immortal Bodies are the three main human types."

"The number of Aberrant Humans is roughly one-tenth that of Mortals. Some inherit their traits from previous generations, while others consumed the blood of ancient immortal beasts, leading to the growth of certain beast-like features on their bodies. For instance, some grow wings, others claws, or tails...""Not only does their appearance change drastically, but their physique also often becomes extraordinarily large due to the influence of ancient immortal beast blood.""Therefore, at the same cultivation level, Aberrant Humans are often significantly stronger than Mortals."

"The number of Pure Immortal Bodies is approximately one ten-thousandth that of Mortals, or perhaps even fewer. In the entire Lizhou region, among the younger generation aged fifteen to thirty, there aren't even a hundred Pure Immortal Bodies in total. Each one is renowned and synonymous with being a favored child of heaven."

"The birth of a Pure Immortal Body can be due to bloodline inheritance, the consumption of rare herbs or spiritual medicines, another outcome of drinking the blood of ancient immortal beasts, or even cultivation within immortal soil... There are many reasons leading to the creation of a Pure Immortal Body. Some even become a Pure Immortal Body simply by breaking through a realm, without doing anything special or consuming anything."

"Pure Immortal Bodies possess skin like fine jade, or resembling glazed glass or silver. Women are as beautiful as celestial maidens, and men are as handsome as saints. They are the darlings of heaven and earth, with flawless bodies, skin like jade, remarkable bone structures, and undoubtedly top-tier cultivation talent."

"Any Pure Immortal Body is inevitably sought after by major sects as disciples and by prominent families for marriage alliances. This is not only because of their outstanding appearance and cultivation talent, but also because their descendants have a certain chance of being born as new Pure Immortal Bodies."

"At the same cultivation level...""There are countless examples of Pure Immortal Bodies defeating Mortal cultivators who practice martial arts or magic across cultivation realms; it's almost the norm. Failing to achieve this feat across realms would actually make them a laughingstock in the Immortal Forest."

"The Immortal Forest is a circle exclusively for Pure Immortal Body martial artists or Spirit/Divine Sense Masters."

"To put it this way: among the top-tier powerhouses in the world, the number of Pure Immortal Bodies and Aberrant Humans is only slightly less than that of Mortals.""In other words, the cultivation talent of Aberrant Humans is nearly ten times that of Mortals. For Pure Immortal Bodies... saying ten thousand times might be an exaggeration, but the difficulty for them to become top-tier powerhouses is indeed thousands or tens of thousands of times less than for Mortals."

The Cang Li tribe suffered significant losses in the battle of Burial Immortal Town, with many promising martial artists killed in action.But unexpectedly, they found such a pleasant surprise here.Cang Li was truly overjoyed!

If Gao Huan's cultivation had been very high, Cang Li might have harbored some doubts, but his complete lack of cultivation traces was simply ideal.

Cang Li said to Li Weiyi, "The Cang Li tribe has one last spot remaining, and I intend to bring him into the Nine Li Daoist Academy for cultivation, in preparation for the Mang Mountain Grand Sacrifice in six months. The prerequisite, however, is that he must first join the Cang Li tribe and become an official member. Could you please ask for his opinion on this?"

Li Weiyi understood that the other party deliberately emphasized "one last spot" for his benefit.He believed Cang Li wouldn't intentionally deceive him, but he couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed.Was the gap between Mortals and Pure Immortal Bodies truly that immense?

In an instant, Li Weiyi's disappointment vanished, replaced by a renewed fighting spirit to face all of life's challenges. Cang Li had mentioned that among the top-tier powerhouses, the number of Mortals was still slightly higher than that of Aberrant Humans and Pure Immortal Bodies.The path was simply more difficult.It wasn't as if the path ceased to exist.

The two conversed in their "hometown dialect."

"Of course, I'd be delighted to join the Cang Li tribe," Gao Huan said, quite excited. He then asked, "What about you? Shall we cultivate together at the Nine Li Daoist Academy? Can cultivation make me as powerful as you?"

Li Weiyi smiled, "What little cultivation I have means nothing. You are a Pure Immortal Body; in the future, you'll at least reach Shi Jiuzhai's level, or even surpass it."

Gao Huan's heart burned with excitement, and he found it difficult to suppress his surging emotions.

Li Weiyi said, "I can't go right now! I need to return to the bronze vessel first and pick up the research team members. Once everything is settled, I'll bring the first mate and the others to Nine Li City to see you."

"Then I'll go with you, pick up the research team, and then we can go to the Nine Li Daoist Academy," Gao Huan said.

Li Weiyi shook his head. "Firstly, Young Clan Leader Cang Li and his group are departing this very noon; they can't wait.""Secondly, to conceal the existence of the bronze vessel and our true identities, you must leave with them first. Otherwise, I believe they might send experts to secretly protect you, which would also mean tracking us.""Thirdly, for so many of us, establishing a foothold in a foreign land won't be easy. If you make a name for yourself at the Nine Li Daoist Academy, won't we also be able to stand taller within the Cang Li tribe? We each have our roles; let's work together."

Gao Huan found Li Weiyi's words reasonable, and the phrase "make a name for yourself" resonated with his most sensitive inner aspirations.

He shoved all the money bags he had scavenged from the bodies into Li Weiyi's hands. "I'll be with the Young Clan Leader, so I definitely won't need these. Take them all. How does that saying go? 'No longer beasts of burden, nor sheep for slaughter; we'll meet again at the peak!'"

As they departed, Li Weiyi and Zhao Zhizhu sat on either side, outside the carriage.

"For us to become superior, we'd need decades of arduous cultivation to even have a chance. But Pure Immortal Bodies are born superior."Zhao Zhizhu cracked his whip at the horse, glancing at Li Weiyi, and asked, "Feeling very disappointed, aren't you?""I was at first, but now, I feel even more motivated!" Li Weiyi replied with a smile.

Regardless of whether Li Weiyi was being truthful or forcing a smile, Zhao Zhizhu helped Cang Li explain, "The conditions for entering the Nine Li Daoist Academy are extremely strict. The quotas for the nine major tribes have long been set."

"Because of the Mang Mountain Grand Sacrifice on the ninth day of the ninth month, six months from now, those entering the academy now are all individuals chosen by their respective tribes for a final push.""During these six months at the academy, the benefits are numerous! Guidance from renowned masters and unrestricted access to ancient texts are secondary. Most importantly, cultivation resources are provided to saturation, with no upper limit.""It can be said that everyone within the Cang Li tribe is envious, as each spot is fiercely contested.""A spot only opened up because some selected individuals tragically died in the battle of Burial Immortal Town.""And of course, most importantly, any Pure Immortal Body is guaranteed to achieve a certain outcome in the Mang Mountain Grand Sacrifice, securing benefits for the Cang Li tribe. Where else could one find such a good opportunity?"

"Elder Zhao, you know so much about the Nine Li Daoist Academy?" Li Weiyi found it surprising that Zhao Zhizhu, who had only opened two springs and thus had such cultivation, seemed to have access to information about the academy.

Zhao Zhizhu let out a bitter laugh, as if recalling something, with a hint of pride. "In my youth, I, too, was selected to cultivate at the Nine Li Daoist Academy. During that year's Mang Mountain Grand Sacrifice, I even helped the Cang Li tribe achieve excellent results, becoming a source of tribal pride. But later... never mind, why bring up sad memories? *Hoo... hoo...*"He clutched his chest, gasping a few times, before continuing, "Otherwise, why do you think this old man can speak with the Young Clan Leader and Miss Ling?"

Li Weiyi suddenly understood, confirming his own speculation.Zhao Zhizhu had indeed suffered great setbacks and hardships, which was why he had become so despondent, devoid of fighting spirit, timid, and prone to exaggerating difficulties.

After much deliberation and organizing his thoughts, Li Weiyi said, "Elder Zhao, life is difficult, but as long as you keep moving forward, you'll always overcome all obstacles. Cultivation isn't actually that hard... at least not as hard as you think. Why not start over?"

Zhao Zhizhu listened to Li Weiyi's words but merely nodded with a smile.If not for his strong willpower and choice to re-embark on the path of cultivation, how would he have opened two springs within his body?

Seeing Zhao Zhizhu's despondent and pained expression, Li Weiyi realized his previous words had been a bit too presumptuous and couldn't be smoothed over. He quickly changed the subject and asked, "Elder Zhao, have you heard the names Chan Hai Guan Wu and Yu Tuo Nan?"

Zhao Zhizhu looked thoughtful.Li Weiyi added, "They should be two ancient figures, not from this era."

"If you're talking about ancient figures, then it matches!"Zhao Zhizhu said, "A thousand years ago, there was indeed a supreme expert named Chan Hai Guan Wu, who was the Palace Master of Lingxiao Palace and the strongest individual in our region. Her disciple, Yu Yaozi... never mind, it's better not to mention that name. It's quite taboo, and the current decade of chaos began because of her."

Li Weiyi was moved, surprised that Chan Hai Guan Wu held such an imposing background. He immediately asked, "What about Yu Tuo Nan?"Zhao Zhizhu thought carefully, then shook his head, indicating he hadn't heard the name.That shouldn't be right!Judging by Yu Tuo Nan's tone on the bronze vessel, he didn't seem like someone weaker than Chan Hai Guan Wu in life.

After purchasing a batch of food in Yaoguan City and loading it onto the carriage, Li Weiyi and Zhao Zhizhu parted ways by the Sui River.

Zhao Zhizhu asked, "Are you sure you don't need this old man to accompany you to pick up your people?""You have both old ailments and new injuries, Elder. It's better to stay in Yaoguan and rest. I'll meet up with you once I've picked up my classmates, and then we'll go to the Cang Li tribe together."

Li Weiyi had requested two favors from Cang Li. The first was regarding the civilian status of his dozens of fellow refugees. The second was cultivation texts.

The first matter was simple for Cang Li; he entrusted it to Zhao Zhizhu.The second item, the cultivation texts, was handed to Li Weiyi at Zao Mei Manor.