Chapter 27: Walking the Path of Immortal Cultivation Together

“You…” Chen Jin stared at Ji Ning in shock. The Ji Ning before him had once been a clear-eyed, courteous youth, but now the killing intent in the young man’s eyes was undisguised. “If I don’t swear the oath by the Dao of Heaven, he will definitely kill me, definitely!”

Yes.

Ji Ning had indeed formed the intent to kill. He would never allow his tribe, the Ji clan, to be destroyed—whether for his father, for the clansmen who had moved him, or for the sense of belonging he felt in this life. He would do everything to protect his tribe.

“Even if it means harming a fellow disciple and violating the sect’s rules, I accept it!” Ji Ning thought to himself.

Although the sect forbade disciples from harming one another, if it actually happened… the sect would determine the punishment based on the circumstances. For instance, if another disciple tried to kill you, could you not fight back? Thus, the rule against harming fellow disciples was merely one of the sect’s regulations, and the punishment was decided by the sect.

Chen Jin wanted to destroy the Ji clan… If Ji Ning killed him, there were extenuating circumstances. He wouldn’t have his Zifu crippled, but facing the wall in meditation for three hundred years would likely be the lightest punishment.

“Which path do you choose?” Ji Ning stared at Chen Jin.

In the distance, Fire Celestial was also filled with dread: “This Ji Ning can actually launch a soul attack. He must have reached the divine sense level long ago, and his strength is this formidable! Now Chen Jin is in his hands; he could kill him with a single thought. Even if I wanted to save him, it’s too late.”

He had some confidence in dealing with Ji Ning.

But… after all, his strength was only slightly greater than Ji Ning’s; they were already on the same level. It was clearly impossible to rescue Chen Jin from Ji Ning’s grasp.

“I, I…” Chen Jin’s body trembled faintly, filled with pain and humiliation, as he uttered words he would never forget: “I am willing to swear the oath by the Dao of Heaven!”

“Hoo.” Fire Celestial breathed a sigh of relief.

Not far away, Nine Lotus, who had been watching the scene, also relaxed. She had been extremely tense, because this matter had largely been caused by her. Although she was innocent, she still felt guilty and anxious.

“I’ll say it first. Swear the oath by the Dao of Heaven exactly as I say, not a single word wrong!” Ji Ning gripped Chen Jin’s neck and said coldly, “Listen carefully: I, Chen Jin, hereby swear, with the Dao of Heaven as witness…”

“I, Chen Jin, hereby swear, with the Dao of Heaven as witness…” Though unwilling, Chen Jin repeated word for word.

An invisible fluctuation descended.

It was the fluctuation of the supreme Dao of Heaven. The oath was acknowledged by the Dao of Heaven. Once violated, one would face the punishment of the Dao of Heaven! Even an Immortal who violated an oath by the Dao of Heaven would immediately suffer backlash. If the oath had stated ‘soul scattered and spirit destroyed,’ then that would indeed happen instantly.

“If I break this oath, may I, Chen Jin, have my soul scattered and spirit destroyed, never to be reborn for all eternity.” Chen Jin gritted his teeth as he spoke, looking at Ji Ning. “Junior apprentice-brother Ji Ning, are you satisfied?”

Ji Ning gave a cold smile and waved his hand.

Whoosh.

He flung Chen Jin far away. Chen Jin steadied himself in midair and stared coldly at Ji Ning.

“If you want to deal with me, go ahead. Whatever strong experts you can bring, I, Ji Ning, will be waiting here.” Ji Ning looked at Chen Jin. “But when you come for me, be prepared for my retaliation!”

“Ruthless enough.” Chen Jin gritted his teeth.

Of course he wanted to kill Ji Ning, but he couldn’t!

After all, he was merely a relatively influential disciple within the Chen clan, not even the next leader. His father was only a Primal Daoist… Even if Chen Jin had enough face to invite an Immortal from the tribe, how could a tribal Immortal go after ‘the disciple of Immortal Diancai’ or ‘the monstrous genius of the Black-White College’?

For a tribe to survive, it absolutely could not indulge in reckless aggression. Such a tribe would not last long!

“Let’s go.” Fire Celestial flew to his side.

Chen Jin glanced at Fire Celestial. Though his heart burned like fire, he had no choice. He nodded: “Alright.”

“Ji Ning.” Before leaving, Chen Jin looked at Ji Ning and said in a low voice, “Let me give you some advice. Nine Lotus is the next leader of the Dongyan clan, and that has already been decided. The Dongyan clan is an ancient tribe even more powerful than the Black-White College. The Dao-companion of the next leader of such a tribe is not something just anyone can become. Even I find my background somewhat insufficient and have to train desperately. As for you… hmph.”

“That’s none of your concern.” Ji Ning said calmly.

“Hmph.”

Chen Jin and Fire Celestial then mounted a fiery red cloud, quickly turning into a streak of light that vanished into the distant horizon.

Above Serpentwing Lake, only Ji Ning and Nine Lotus remained.

“Ji Ning.” Nine Lotus stood to the side, her face full of guilt. “It’s all because of me that you’ve gained this enemy.”

That was how people were.

Before this, Ji Ning and Chen Jin had been unfamiliar fellow disciples. But in an instant, Ji Ning had become Chen Jin’s greatest inner demon, and Chen Jin, by threatening to destroy the Ji clan, had been deemed an ‘enemy’ by Ji Ning.

“You can’t blame yourself, senior apprentice-sister.” Ji Ning smiled. “Don’t worry, senior apprentice-sister. This Chen Jin is just a clown. He may be jumping around now… but that’s all he can do. What can he do to me?”

He was one of only two sword immortals currently in the Black-White College!

One was his master, Immortal Diancai.

The other was himself!

“Right, the third stance of the Three Talents Sword you used earlier, ‘Sword Light Suddenly Appearing’.” Nine Lotus said softly, “If the Black-White College learns of this, their regard for you will certainly rise greatly. The ‘Three-Foot Sword’ is the Black-White College’s most powerful sword art. You are a genius in sword cultivation; the Black-White College will do its utmost to protect you! The Chen clan is on par with the Black-White College, but the Chen clan is in Shangshui Commandery and has very little influence in Anchan Commandery. Moreover, Chen Jin’s status within the Chen clan is ordinary… So you really don’t need to worry about anything.”

Ji Ning nodded.

In midair, Ji Ning and Jiu Lian were very close. When Jiu Lian spoke, Ji Ning could faintly feel her breath.

This stirred impulses in Ji Ning, who had never experienced romantic feelings before. Especially after the earlier battle that drove back his 'rival' Chen Jin, Ji Ning's impulse grew stronger, and he directly reached out and grasped Jiu Lian's hand.

Jiu Lian's hand was very soft, as if made of water.

"Hmm?" Jiu Lian was caught off guard.

"Be my Dao companion," Ji Ning said, looking into Jiu Lian's eyes.

Jiu Lian's heart was momentarily flustered. She had actually been hesitating all along. Over the past year, though she had gradually made up her mind, her personality made her feel she should observe for a few more years. But now, facing Ji Ning's 'advance,' she didn't know what to do.

"The path of immortal cultivation is rough, but at least one has a Dao companion for company," Ji Ning looked at Jiu Lian. "Senior apprentice-sister, are you willing to walk this path of cultivation with me for a thousand years, ten thousand years, or even endless eternity?"

Jiu Lian's heart trembled. Suddenly she made a decision, meeting Ji Ning's gaze and gently nodding.

"Hahaha..." Ji Ning laughed heartily.

"Remember what you said," Jiu Lian looked at Ji Ning. "We will walk this path of cultivation together, for a thousand years, ten thousand years, or even endless eternity."

"Mm," Ji Ning nodded.

Their eyes met.

In the distance, on Brightheart Island, Qiuye watched from afar and also revealed a smile. "The young master has found his beloved."

...

The Black-White College in Anchan City.

Immortal Liuyun 'Chen Jin' returned to his mansion. He sat alone, drinking one cup after another.

"Ji Ning."

"Ji Ning."

Chen Jin muttered again and again, his gaze terrifying.

The woman he loved was taken away, he himself was defeated, and even had his throat grabbed and was forced to swear a Heavenly Dao oath. All of this made Chen Jin hate Ji Ning deeply, but he had no way out. Ji Ning's cultivation time was much shorter than his, yet Ji Ning's rate of progress was astonishing even to him.

"I can't catch up to him. I'm no match for him." Chen Jin couldn't even muster the will to fight.

"What should I do?"

Pain tormented Chen Jin's heart.

"That's it." Chen Jin's eyes suddenly lit up. "Although I can't have Jiulian, this Ji Ning's background is far worse than mine. Even if he's a monstrous genius... for a clan as ancient and vast as the Dongyan clan, why would they care about a monstrous genius? Hmm, presumably the Dongyan clan doesn't yet know about Jiulian and Ji Ning. So I'll give this 'Ji Ning' a hand!"

"As long as the Dongyan clan finds out, they will definitely stop them. Definitely!"

Chen Jin was also from a major clan and knew very well how major clans operated.

Everything... for the clan!

Even the clan leader had to be like this, unless one's status and influence could completely transcend the entire clan, like Ji Ning's position in the 'Ji clan'. Only then could one truly be detached and instead make the clan dance to one's tune.

Clearly, Jiulian alone could not transcend the entire Dongyan clan!

"Let's go."

Swoosh.

Chen Jin transformed into a streak of light and quickly left the Black-White College.

...

The Dongyan clan was an extremely powerful clan. Since it spanned three commanderies, it naturally had a stronghold in Anchan City.

That day, Chen Jin passed the news to this branch.

The person in charge of the branch, a Primordial Daoist, did not dare to be careless, as the news involved the next leader, 'Jiulian'.

Soon...

The news was transmitted back to the Dongyan clan's lair—the Dongyan Mountain Range in Shangshui Commandery. On this mountain range stretching over a hundred thousand miles, countless buildings were densely constructed. The Dongyan clan's members, numbering in the hundreds of millions, lived in this mountain range. Moreover, countless ancient formations were hidden within the mountains. This was, after all, an ancient clan spanning three commanderies. Celestial Immortals had been born in this clan many times. Of course, endless ages had passed, and though Celestial Immortals had infinite lifespans, they could still fall in battle.

Whether the current Dongyan clan still had any living Celestial Immortals, no one knew.

In terms of heritage, the Dongyan clan absolutely surpassed the eight major powers of Anchan Commandery and was close to the Anchan Beishan clan! Perhaps the biggest difference from the Anchan Beishan clan was that it had not been enfeoffed as a marquis.

"Xiaoyun has chosen a Dao companion?"

"What is the Dao companion's name?"

"Ji Ning?"

The news quickly caused a stir among the high-level members of the Dongyan clan.