Chapter Thirteen: Yuan Na’s Quest for the Dharma

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PS: I shouldn’t be interjecting in the novel itself, but I still wish to thank Brother RRS, Brother Thin Bones, Brother Zhu Xian Sword, and Brother Wuyou. Since you hope for a quicker pace, from today there will be three chapters daily. The more support I receive from readers, the greater my motivation becomes. Please allow a humble writer to express heartfelt gratitude here. Thank you!

Three years passed in the blink of an eye. Yang Nan was now very different from three years prior; whether in cultivation or temperament, he had changed greatly. The longer he spent cultivating, the more he realized that, apart from the path to immortality, nothing in this world was truly worth holding onto.

The Dao is boundless and supernatural powers infinite. One hundred years of life is but a fleeting moment, and the mortal world is nothing more than a passing illusion. Only the Supreme Heavenly Way is the true, eternal goal!

The deeper Yang Nan’s cultivation grew, the more intense the dignified and ethereal air about him became. Wherever his flying light passed, all the outer disciples and registered disciples among the many peaks of Kunlun bowed respectfully. When he reached the Heavenly Gate, he unexpectedly encountered Yuan Na, whom he hadn’t seen in a year!

Yuan Na looked much the same as he had three years ago, still wearing a bright, hearty smile. He’d grown considerably taller, though he still wore a tattered patchwork robe. He was chatting with the disciple guarding the mountain gate. Yang Nan stopped his flying light, descended to the ground, and came to his side. Noticing that, despite the smile, there was a trace of melancholy on Yuan Na’s face, Yang Nan was surprised. As a registered disciple, why was Yuan Na still dressed in rags? Unable to contain his curiosity, Yang Nan called out, “Yuan Na, what are you doing here?”

Yuan Na turned around and, upon seeing it was Yang Nan, his face lit up with joy. “Yang Nan, it’s you! It’s been three years—how have you been?”

Yang Nan saw that the young monk, despite joining Kunlun, was still as innocent as ever. In a playful mood, he stepped forward, ruffled the monk’s now-grown hair, and laughed, “Aren’t you going to greet your grandmaster? You’re bold indeed! Shall I spank you?” As an inner disciple, Yang Nan was two ranks above Yuan Na, who was only a registered disciple. Having met as children, a little joke at this moment seemed fitting.

Unexpectedly, Yuan Na’s face clouded at his teasing words. “You’re not my grandmaster anymore, and I’m no longer a disciple of Kunlun.”

Yang Nan, seeing that Yuan Na was not joking, frowned and said, “Weren’t you already a registered disciple here? Without reason, who could drive you down the mountain?” If Yuan Na had been wronged, Yang Nan, even if he had lost his influence, would still seek justice for him!

Yuan Na wasn’t like Ai Muyun—how could such a pure-hearted, optimistic youth be expelled from Kunlun?

Seeing Yang Nan’s displeasure, a trace of warmth appeared in Yuan Na’s eyes. He shook his head and said softly, “No one drove me away. I simply don’t wish to stay in Kunlun any longer.”

Yang Nan’s suspicion only deepened. Though Yuan Na’s talent was not outstanding, his will was unbreakable. Three years ago, when they climbed the mountain together, Yuan Na had persevered through countless hardships, climbing the Seven Paths of Calamity on sheer willpower alone—a resolve even Yang Nan couldn’t match. Now, Yuan Na suddenly wished to leave the mountain—there had to be a reason!

After Yang Nan’s repeated questioning, he finally learned that Yuan Na’s departure was due to the troubles he’d brought upon him!

Although Li Changqing had been removed from his post as the chief outer disciple, the Li family still held great influence among the outer disciples. Since Yang Nan had entered the inner sect and seldom left, they could do nothing to him, but Yuan Na, being only a registered disciple, suffered constant exclusion and neglect. For three years, his skills remained low, and his duties were the most menial and exhausting—the tasks no one else wanted.

Over these three years, Yuan Na endured repeated insults and difficulties. No matter how optimistic he was, how could he continue in Kunlun?

Hearing Yuan Na’s halting account, Yang Nan’s nameless anger surged, his eyes flashing with murderous intent. Did the Li family really think Kunlun belonged to them alone?

So what if they had the orthodox successor Changxu? Unless one became a Saint of War or an Immortal General—without hope of immortality, what use was any amount of ruthlessness or strength?

To boast now was far too early; only by surpassing them on the path to immortality would justice truly be served!

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While pondering this, Yang Nan said, “Yuan Na, you must understand that the path of cultivation is not smooth. Suffering some grievances is beneficial to the Dao heart. You’ve been implicated because of me—one day, I will make things right for you. Don’t leave the mountain. Come to my cave residence; whether martial arts or Daoist methods, I’ll take care of your training.”

Yang Nan had never been one to meddle, but Yuan Na’s honest nature and willingness to abandon the immortal path because of him stirred a sense of guilt. He decided to take responsibility for Yuan Na’s future. With his status as an inner disciple, obtaining top martial arts manuals and basic Daoist techniques was easy. If Yuan Na was willing to work hard, once he achieved mastery, what Daoist art would be out of reach?

As long as Yuan Na achieved the Great Dao, settling old scores would not be difficult in the future.

Despite Yang Nan’s efforts to persuade him, Yuan Na shook his head resolutely. “Yang Nan, I know your intentions are good, but I’ve lost faith in the Daoist sect. The world has many paths to cultivation—not just the Dao. Even if I joined the Confucian, Demonic, or Buddhist sects, it would be the same!”

Yang Nan felt a wave of sadness. Cultivation depended on fate; if Yuan Na gave up after a few setbacks, perhaps it was destiny. Otherwise, with his temperament, how could he let such small matters make him lose faith in the Daoist path?

He had always called him “little monk,” but never expected that, in the end, he truly would become one.

Yang Nan doubted Yuan Na would become a Confucian scholar, and the Demonic sect, with its cruel and ruthless ways, did not suit his pure nature. Only the Buddhist path remained, with its broad acceptance and teachings that did not require supernatural talents to cultivate.

“Very well. Since your mind is made up, I’ll see you off. Our fates are intertwined; when you have achieved success, we shall meet again.” Yang Nan was decisive by nature. Seeing Yuan Na unmoved, he did not press further. Perhaps Yuan Na would achieve the Dao in Buddhism.

Yuan Na nodded. Though he had learned little after three years on Kunlun, his bond with Yang Nan had deepened. They met on the way up the mountain and again on the way down. Seeing Yang Nan’s sincerity, Yuan Na no longer refused.

The disciple guarding the mountain gate, upon seeing the jade token at Yang Nan’s waist and the order to descend the mountain, respectfully addressed him as “Uncle-Master” and opened the barrier to let them pass.

Ascending the mountain was difficult, but descending was easy. Over the years, how many registered disciples had left after failing to progress? There were thousands upon thousands of cultivators in the world, but how many truly attained immortality?

The Kunlun sect’s protective formation was formidable, and entering or leaving was no simple matter. But with Yang Nan’s order in hand and Yuan Na leaving the sect, the two had no trouble. Outside the gate, the foot of the mountain bustled with people, many hoping to become Kunlun disciples and embark on the path of cultivation. Yang Nan recalled the disheveled state he and Yuan Na had been in a year ago when seeking the Dao, and the memory seemed dreamlike.

At this moment, Yuan Na seemed to share his thoughts. Their eyes met, and they exchanged a knowing smile.

Yang Nan then summoned his Yin Shuttle, taking Yuan Na with him as they flew toward the Immortal Seeker Pavilion.

“Yang Nan, do you know what happened in the end to that black-robed man who ascended the mountain with us?” Yuan Na, experiencing flight for the first time, was afraid but hid it by changing the subject. Though his tone was calm, his hands trembled.

Yang Nan chuckled inwardly but replied calmly, “Oh? You mean Ai Muyun? What happened to him?”

Yuan Na gripped his robe tightly and said with emotion, “You stopped me from meddling back then, and it turns out you were right. We only got involved with the Li family because of Ai Muyun. He stayed on Kunlun for less than three months before being expelled.”

“Expelled?” Yang Nan was astonished. “Did Ai Muyun have some kind of problem?”

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Yuan Na nodded. “Exactly. Who would have thought that Ai Muyun was from the Demonic sect? He used some method to conceal his blood energy and sneaked into Kunlun. He tried to enter Green Immortal Peak to steal a Grade-Nine Lingzhi, but was caught immediately. The incident caused quite a stir, but Master Xuanxu was merciful and only expelled him from the mountain.”

Having been in seclusion for three years, Yang Nan knew nothing of these events, but Yuan Na, even as a registered disciple, was aware of such a major incident.

“From the Demonic sect?” Yang Nan suddenly understood. No wonder he had always sensed something odd about Ai Muyun. The man was indeed formidable, able to hide his blood energy, but becoming a registered disciple was one thing—trying to infiltrate the inner sect was a fool’s dream!

To become an inner disciple, one had to pass the Divine Illumination Mirror and the Beast of Judgment. Unless one possessed an innate supreme treasure, it was impossible to remain undetected. Could Ai Muyun have such a treasure?

“I wonder why he wanted to steal the Grade-Nine Lingzhi? Was he trying to save someone?” Yang Nan mused. The Grade-Nine Lingzhi was extremely rare, its greatest power being its ability to bring the dead back to life. For mortals, as long as there was a breath left, taking it would restore them completely. For cultivators, it was merely a precious herb.

Yuan Na shook his head. “I don’t know. Ai Muyun was arrogant and I rarely interacted with him. But when he was expelled, he looked full of hatred. The Lingzhi must have been very important to him. The one who caught him was Li Guo, who is now also an outer disciple.”

Yang Nan sighed softly. Ai Muyun was willing to risk everything for loved ones, daring even to steal from Kunlun—a man of passion, indeed. Yet, in this world, birth, aging, sickness, and death are fate. If everyone in danger ran to Kunlun for miraculous herbs, even if the mountain was planted top to bottom with immortality elixirs, it would never be enough.

Master Xuanxu merely expelled him and spared his life; Kunlun had already done all it could. Li Guo, unable to find Yang Nan in three years, naturally targeted Yuan Na and Ai Muyun—the innocent suffering for the actions of others.

Yang Nan had only met Ai Muyun once, and the man had brought them much trouble. He quickly put him out of his mind and instead chatted with Yuan Na about amusing stories from the mountain. Now, with his cultivation abundant, even carrying another person, his Yin Shuttle flew swiftly and soon reached the outskirts of Immortal Seeker City.

Once on the ground, Yuan Na patted his chest and laughed, “That nearly frightened me to death! Flying through the sky really is something else!”

Yang Nan smiled and said, “Yuan Na, if you’re willing, why not come with me to Immortal Seeker City?”

Yuan Na shook his head with determination. “My path lies to the west. I’ve long heard of a Bodhi Temple in the west and wish to seek the true teachings and realize my own enlightenment. What happened today can wait for another time to recount.”

Yang Nan took some gold and jewels from his Rivers and Mountains Ring and sighed, “We have been through much together. Since you’re traveling alone, these may help you on your journey.”

The two had grown close, so Yuan Na didn’t stand on ceremony. He smiled and accepted the gift, pressed his palms together, and bowed deeply. “Though I am loath to part, fate dictates we must. Yang Nan, take care on your path ahead.”

With those words, Yuan Na waved his tattered sleeve and set off westward. Yang Nan watched his determined figure fade into the distance, sighing with emotion. Yuan Na’s resolve was unshakable, his character impeccable, yet he was never destined for the Daoist path. It seemed as though fate had decreed it, and no amount of effort could change that.