Painting of the Nine Immortals

Chapter 477: These Days

Translator: _Tat_ Editor: Fish_Creek

It has been nearly nine years since Ling Xian first started his cultivation journey at 14. This amount of time isn't considered long, but it's not considered short neither.

Back then, he was a mortal who couldn't cultivate. To some people, he was even considered a handicap. Luckily, he coincidentally encountered the Painting of the Nine Immortals, which helped him jump start his journey. Then, he began his journey courageously and bravely until he became the completion levelled cultivator today!

Though the glory he has today is very much interlinked with his natural talent, it is also the result of his hard work. If he didn't train very hard and pay with sweat and blood, how could he have achieved everything he has today?

In these past nine years, Ling Xian has been constantly training. He has also encountered many powerhouses and thus, he has always lived with alertness. Even though at the end of the day, he has always defeated the strong enemy he faced and climbed over mountain after mountain, he was simply too tired.

After all, he was a human, not an omnipotent god.

Thus, after he selected a spiritual peak, Ling Xian did not go straight into training like he's always done. Instead, he completely relaxed. After all, his cultivation now makes him powerful enough to look down on others in his generation. He has now surpassed much of the older generation since he was now titled the Core Elder!

He has earned the right to rest for a while.

Every morning, just as the Sun is about to rise, Ling Xian would come out of his palace and admire the rising Sun.

Then, he steps down the mountain and enjoys the sceneries in the Wan Jian House before finally, he comes back to his house, and tends the flowers that were growing on his mountain peak.

Only after the Sun sets, does he return to his mountain peak and watch the sunset and the moonrise. Finally, he returns to his palace after that. He doesn't train, he doesn't sit around, he straight away sleeps.

That became his typical day.

There were no noises about war, no exhaustion from training – his days passed by leisurely.

Every day was filled with different flowers, some alcohol, sceneries of the different parts of the Wan Jian House, and the setting of the moon and the Sun.

After spending his days in such a manner, Ling Xian completely relaxed and completely let himself forget all about training.

Just like that, time passed by little by little and three months have gone by.

Even though in these three months, Ling Xian's cultivation had no advancement, his mentality improved a lot. He was now even more at ease, more calm, and the aura about him was now even more profound.

In general, he learned a lot. Even though he never purposely tried to enlighten himself, by observing nature and watching sunrises and sunsets, he learned a lot about the world.

If it weren't for the visit of an old friend, Ling Xian wouldn't have snapped out of his casual living condition.

It was a beautiful lady who could barely be considered an old friend. It was the daughter of the mayor of the City of Qing, Ye Xiao Tian's daughter.

Ye You Lan.

Back then, Ling Xian promised the mayor that he would help this girl during her attempt to enter the House of Wan Jian. However, because he never formally entered the House, he wasn't able to help her.

Right now, the Sun was just starting to set.

Inside the bright palace, Ling Xian sat in a lotus position, smiling at the pretty lady, he said, "I can't believe I would be seeing you here."

"I, Ye You Lan, pay my respect to you, Elder Lin."

Ye You Lan wore a long white gown. She bowed down to Ling Xian shyly and cautiously.

What could she do? With Ling Xian's current identity and capability, nobody in the entire Wan Jian House would dare to treat him with disrespect. Even though Ye You Lan was now a member of the House, which meant her position was rather special in the community, compared to him, she was still many ranks lower.

"No need to be so polite."

Ling Xian brandished his hand, "After so many years, you are looking even more bright and radiant now."

"Hmm?"

Ye You Lan frowned and hesitated, "I… I think this is the first time you are meeting me?"

"Oh about that…"

Ling Xian chuckled, shaking his head. He did meet Ye You Lan once before, but that time, he hid his face, so she doesn't even know. He thought about it, "I guess there is no reason to hide it anymore. The person who detoxed you back then was me."

"What?"

Hearing this, Ye You Lan almost shouted. Her beautiful eyes were full of disbelief.

Even though it's been eight years, she doesn't dare to forget the savior who saved her life.

"You don't believe me…" Ling Xian grinned and instantly called out to the Flame of Purity.

The entire palace became heated. Ye You Lan believed him.

She clearly remember that the only reason she is still alive today is because of this strange silver flame. Thus, when she saw Ling Xian with the Flame of Purity, she believed him.

She was thankful and somewhat shocked.

"Now you believe me." Ling Xian softly smiled and diminished the flame.

"I believe you. I cannot believe that the one who saved my life back then is Elder Lin." Ye You Lan's lips parted. Though she has accepted this truth, she was still surprised.

"I also can't believe that I would run into you here." Ling Xian smiled, "It seems that your father's request back then was excessive."

"No, I should still be thanking you, Elder Lin."

Ye You Lan's face was pink out of embarrassment, "I am not naturally talented. Originally, I was eliminated during the trial but because the judge for the trial was Elder Si Tu, he let me pass."

"I see."

Ling Xian chuckled, knowing that Elder Si Tu must've let her pass to give Ling Xian face. Thus, the guilt he felt vanished.

"This is why I came today, to thank you." Ye You Lan smiled brightly.

Seeing the woman smile, Ling Xian's eyes flickered. "Are you really here just to thank me?"

"I…"

Ye You Lan grinned out of embarrassment. She came today to thank Ling Xian and also in hope of getting on his good side. After all, he was now a Core Elder. If he can take care of her, then it would work greatly in her favor.

She couldn't believe that this little tactic of hers was so easily seen through by Ling Xian. She was somewhat embarrassed.

"I understand. As long as you aren't doing this out of ill intentions." Ling Xian waved his hand, "Since we came from the same city, I naturally have to take care you. How about this, if you ever need anything, come to me."

Hearing this, Ye You Lan was ecstatic, "Thank you, Elder Lin."

To her, Ling Xian was a reliable giant tree that can protect her from all the bullies in the Wan Jian House. Thus, how can she not be happy?"

"Okay, I have something to do. You can leave first." Ling Xian asked for her to leave.

"Yes, of course." Ye You Lan nodded and left.

Watching the woman leave, Ling Xian shook his head. The reason he made that promise just now was purely because they both came from the City of Qing.

Or else why would he agree to take care of her?

"I really didn't think that there would come a day when I would be the tree that shades others."

Sighing, Ling Xian found himself exclaiming. He didn't think that as time went on, he would be such an important figure in the Wan Jian House and would be protecting others.

"The world sure works in mysterious ways. Back then, Elder Si Tu promised me the position of being a descendant. I cannot believe I ended up being a Core Elder." Ling Xian revealed a faint smile.

It was true. To be a descendant was already an honor, but it is nothing compared to being the Core Elder.

On top of that, Dao Wu Ji has already stated his intention of making Ling Xian the next leader. How great of a prestige this is!

Of course this also meant he now has more responsibly on his back – a responsibility that not everyone can do. Only someone like him, who has integrity and abilities, can be entrusted with this.

"Okay, now that she's gone, I can continue enjoying my leisure time."

Grinning, Ling Xian walked out of his palace and returned to his relaxed state. However, this time, other than the tasks he must do, there was now something else.

He now has to read the thousands and thousands of books in the Tipitaka Pavilion.

Since Dao Wu Ji granted him this right, he naturally had to use it. Or else it would go to waste.

Just like that, Ling Xian's life now composes of two destinations and one journey. This meant that everyday, after he enjoys the Sun rise, he would come to the Tipitaka Pavilion and enhance his knowledge.

Of course, he wasn't going to let go of the specialty techniques of the many peaks. However, he understood that too much information is not as useful as fully understanding something. Thus, he didn't try to learn everything of the 12 peaks in one go – he chose to prioritize the inheritance of the Slay Sword Peak.

Out of the 12 peaks, the most offensive peak was the Slay Sword Peak.

All techniques related to this peak are offensive in nature. The art of the sword, defined by this peak, is to kill the enemy in one attack. It is ruthless but highly effective. Of course, this peak's knowledge is the hardest to master.

Thus, Ling Xian began his training again.

Every time he finished everything he wanted to in the day, he would study the books and train according to the instructions. He turns the Qi in his body into spiritual swords and attempted to materialize his Qi into fatal blades.

This process, without a doubt, is very slow, and extremely painful. After all, the idea of forming a sword using your body's composition is terrifying.

But what kind of person was Ling Xian? The reason he made it this far today was not only because of his shocking talent. It was partially linked to his work ethics and determination.

Thus, he didn't fear hardships. He began his journey of materializing swords.

Just like that, time went by little by little and another three months passed. Ling Xian had finally enlightened and could now somewhat form a small blade with his Qi. Though the strength of it was still a little weak, it was an achievement.

It won't be long until he will fully understand this inheritance of the Slay Sword Peak. However, just as he planned to continue his training, the Supreme Headmaster arrived and forced him to pause his training.

What Dao Wu Ji brought with him was something that forced Ling Xian to step out of his leisure life and resume his busy schedule.