A Fleeting Glimpse, The True Face of the Immortal Sect

The colossal tower ship glided past overhead above the floating giant sword, casting a shadow that blotted out the sky and sun.

Everyone held their breath instinctively, watching wide-eyed as the mountain-like behemoth drifted in and out of view through the mist.

“The Splendid Platform has arrived. Go greet them at once. Junior Brother Fu, stay behind.”

Qiu Jiusi flicked her long sleeves, and the zither vanished without a trace. Her entire figure transformed into a streak of shooting starlight, vanishing from everyone's sight in the blink of an eye.

“Senior Sister Qiu, wait for me!”

Feng Guiyuan of the Hehuan Sect hesitated for a moment, stamped his foot, and gritted his teeth before retrieving a fist-sized pearl from his robes and presenting it to Qin Yue:

“Little lass, this is a Deep-Sea Giant Clam Pearl, fished up by the people of the Yaksha Nation using Sea Dragon Eyes. Wearing it on your person will keep your spirit platform clear and bright, shielded from distracting thoughts and inner demons.

“Consider it a greeting gift from me. I only hope that when you see that direct disciple and Ma Guniang in the future, you will put in a few good words for this Master.”

With that, Feng Guiyuan turned away without looking back, transforming into a speck of azure light to chase after her, vanishing within breaths.

“Hehe, little girl, that thing is quite a treasure. Senior Brother Feng was certainly destined to meet you today!”

Fu Laogou’s tone carried a faint hint of envy:

“Across the Three Great Sects and Thirty-Six Lineages, only thirteen True Immortals have emerged in the past ten thousand years to guard the Miaoling Secret Realm of the Ten Directions Mountains. And now, there will be one more: True Immortal Mu of the Demon Suppression lineage.

“You are truly blessed with profound fortune to have the opportunity to study under Ma Guniang. In the future, your path in the immortal dao will surely be smooth, and your martial arts will flourish.”

“Senior...”

Qin Yue knew full well she was merely riding on the coattails of Nan Zhi and Ma Guniang. Merely speaking a name had been enough to make three high-ranking cultivators of indeterminate strength treat a mere Qi Refinement practitioner like her with immense caution, going so far as to offer treasures by way of apology.

It seemed that the status of the Demon Suppression Division—and that of True Immortal Mu—was far higher than the authorities had ever anticipated.

Catching the envious and yearning gazes of her companions around her, Qin Yue displayed not the slightest hint of pride, only growing more polite:

“Thank you, Senior, for clarifying my doubts. What happened today was merely a misunderstanding; I will not speak carelessly of it.”

“Good, very good.”

Fu Laogou nodded with increasing satisfaction, looking around with a chuckling smile like an ordinary old farmer:

“I ought to send you all away, but rare opportunities do not come easily, and meeting Old Dog today is also your destined luck.

“Since it coincides with the Demon Suppression Division's return to the sect, I might as well let you all broaden your horizons.”

With that, Fu Laogou waved his sleeve. The surrounding clouds and mist gathered of their own accord, coalescing into a screen of light displaying the scene of the tower ship, the Splendid Platform.

The projection of the immense tower ship slowly sailed through the clouds. Atop the vessel were pavilions, towers, billowing silk and satin, mountain scenery, flowing streams, splendid jade, and magnificent carvings. At the prow, giant banners flapped in the wind, exuding sharp majesty.

This gargantuan treasure ship was scarcely smaller than an aircraft carrier.

Yet such a massive behemoth could soar through the open sky.

A faint, lustrous white luminescence radiated from its hull like a luminous pearl.

It spontaneously evoked the image of a bright moon rising above the sea, radiant moonlight illuminating all with its serene brilliance.

Everyone present was utterly captivated by such a wondrous treasure, staring blankly while involuntarily imagining how thrilling it would be to stand aboard it, riding the wind into the boundless void!

Resonant chimes of a heavy bell rang out from a precipitous, perilous mountain peak too steep for birds to cross and shattered clouds to traverse. The reverberating echoes rolled out, striking heavy blows upon the hearts of everyone present.

The chime was intensely penetrating, yet far from dull; instead, it refreshed the spirit and completely swept away all grogginess.

On the light screen, as the flying boat drew near to the airspace above the sect gate, bells boomed, and suddenly, from bottom to top, a golden-yellow “giant dragon” soared into the sky!

No, it was not a living creature.

Wind rose and leaves stirred; across mountains and plains, golden ginkgo leaves took flight with rustling murmurs. Cluster by cluster, leaf by leaf, they gradually assembled into a radiant golden avenue stretching beneath the treasure ship, breaking open a light gate through the mist!

Myriads of ginkgo leaves danced through the air like resplendent golden butterflies flying against the wind, their golden hues reflecting off the treasure ship in a spectacle of breathtaking beauty!

The thousands of fluttering ginkgo butterfly-leaves carved out a passageway through the hazy mist, revealing a corner of the world beyond the mountain-guarding formation.

Though it was merely a fleeting glimpse, it was enough to shake one's very soul.

Behind the mountain-guarding formation lay the endless, boundless Ten Thousand Great Mountains. Amidst lush green ridges shrouded in swirling mist stood hundreds of ten-thousand-zhang peaks towering like a forest.

Within them, the scenery of all four seasons unfolded simultaneously in boundless splendor, resembling an immortal realm sketched with rich, vibrant pigments, capturing all the most enchanting colors in the world!

In the Spirit Beast Garden, hundreds of beasts lived in harmony, with elk treading upon clouds and immortal cranes singing high into the air.

A Sibuxiang with snow-white fur lazily trod across the clouds, roaming at an unhurried pace. A one-legged Bifang bird perched atop a tall, flame-like tree, breathing tongues of fire.

The spirit herb garden shimmered with radiant spiritual light, home to countless rare herbs and luminous treasure trees.

Bean-sized red berries hung from branches like clusters of burning flames; azure spirit ginseng floated in the air, stretching their limbs and swimming about like jellyfish; there were also enormous peaches swirling with pink and white, and fire pears as clear and translucent as crystal—hanging heavy on branches and radiating wondrous light.

Carved beams, painted rafters, pavilions, and towers stood amidst verdant bamboo groves swirling with violet qi.

At the end of the golden avenue, immortals draped in ethereal robes stood in quiet repose, soared freely through the sky, stood tall with bound swords, or held horsetail whisks—their silhouettes faint and shifting, forever impossible to glimpse clearly.

Everyone was utterly dazzled, left slack-jawed and speechless.

Even racking their brains, they could conjure no words adequate to praise it!

This was the ultimate Huaxia fantasy of “immortality.”

It fulfilled every romantic yearning for the carefree life of immortals that had been etched into their very bones!

This was what an immortal realm looked like!

This was how immortals were meant to be!

The treasure ship vanished into the mist, and the mountain-guarding formation closed once more.

The bells struck once more, shaking the soul, as an infantile, crisp female voice rang out like the striking of gold and jade:

“Today we gather at this auspicious hour for the Demon Suppression Division’s return to the sect—a blessing from Heaven itself. In past days, when Sky Demons ran rampant, the cultivators of our North Province were scattered and withdrew into secret realms.

“Now, let it be proclaimed to all cultivators under heaven: the Three Sects endure, the Demon Suppression lineage has returned to the fold, humanity's legacy shall never perish, and our Daoist traditions shall prosper together!

“To broaden the immortal path, three months hence upon the full moon, the Ascension Assembly shall be convened. All who hold a token may ascend the immortal path and step upon the Heart-Inquiry Platform. Regardless of background or origin, all who prove worthy shall be admitted into our Three Sects!”

The voice did not sound like it came from afar, but rather detonated beside everyone's ears like a clap of thunder.

Before anyone could react, Fu Laogou let out a soft chuckle, and a gentle breeze swept past. When everyone opened their eyes, they were already outside the secret realm.

The familiar Siberian Plains.

Familiar faces.

Familiar lush greenery.

It was as if the immortal pavilions, divine arts, and splendid treasure ships had all been nothing more than a fleeting dream.

“I want to go back! No, no, no, this place is fake! That was real!”

Under the jarring psychological shock, someone wailed aloud:

“Seek immortality! Seek immortality!!”

“I want to become an immortal! I want to become an immortal!!!”

“Let me go back! Let me go back!”

Countless people were left completely unhinged, weeping and wailing as if they had lost their souls, pounding the ground in agony.

The path to immortality had been right before their eyes.

One step forward was the fantastical immortal realm, yet the opportunity had slipped away.

Having witnessed such magnificent, fantastical wonders that could never be forgotten in a lifetime, how could anyone be willing to return to mediocrity?

That was humanity’s ultimate pursuit of longevity—

—their desperate craving to “attain immortality.”

“Давайте еще раз взглянем! (Just let us look one more time, just one more look!)”

“Эти люди - боги? Это должно быть легендарный Эдемский сад, давайте вернемся! Вернемся! Я готов заплатить жизнью! (Are those people gods? That must be the legendary Garden of Eden! Let us go back! Go back! I am willing to pay with my life!)”

Unable to bear the overwhelming shock, a Russian soldier stared blankly before putting his gun in his mouth and pulling the trigger!