Is there anyone in this world who wouldn't want to cultivate immortality?!
There was.
Right in front of Li Chengxuan stood one such person.
"Why?!"
Li Chengxuan was not angry. On the contrary, a sense of curiosity and intrigue welled up within him. "Is cultivating immortality not good?"
Duanmu Ren was worldly and adept in human nature. Sensing Li Chengxuan's tone and attitude, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief and answered earnestly, "Flying on swords like immortals, soaring through the azure skies.
"At the North Sea in the morning and Mount Cangwu by evening.
"Such untamed freedom and ease is naturally beyond wonderful.
"Not to mention the ultimate fantasy of mortals—immortality!"
Li Chengxuan nodded slightly.
Next would come the pivot.
"However..."
Duanmu Ren's expression turned complex. "I've tumbled in the mortal world for thirty years, and I have never seen a thing that carries only benefits without drawbacks.
"I've also read a few web novels about cultivating immortality.
"Without exception, every single one of them depicts a cruel dog-eat-dog world.
"Even with a cheat system and the author's backing, the protagonists still endure endless tribulations and narrow escapes from death.
"I don't consider myself to be that kind of protagonist."
Duanmu Ren paused before asking, "May I ask, Daoist—if I go with you to cultivate immortality, will I truly be blessed with divine help and become an immortal with ease?!"
Li Chengxuan disdained lying to Duanmu Ren and shook his head. "Naturally not."
Duanmu Ren nodded slightly and continued, "Furthermore, from what I've seen in those transmigration web novels, the protagonists are either orphans or died suddenly from working overtime. At their core, they are all people dissatisfied with their lives.
"Liu Zhijian, whom you mentioned earlier, Daoist, is even more so.
"He's all alone in the world, traveling around the country fishing.
"To put it nicely, he's uninhibited, enjoying his own solitary pleasure.
"To put it bluntly, he's nothing more than a pitiable person abandoned by mainstream society.
"Having had nothing to begin with, he not only calmly accepted starting from scratch in another world, but was even filled with anticipation.
"I, on the other hand, am completely different from them—polar opposites, in fact."
Li Chengxuan scrutinized Duanmu Ren carefully, feeling somewhat moved.
He had long been assimilated into the cultivation world, accepting its logic and taking cultivation for granted.
He truly had never considered matters from this perspective.
"This too is tempering the heart in the mortal world..."
Li Chengxuan felt a layer of dust wiped clean from his state of mind, rendering it even more luminous and clear. He nodded and said, "Very interesting. However, if you pass up this opportunity, won't you regret it in the future?"
Duanmu Ren froze for a moment, falling into a slight trance, before snapping back to his senses a moment later. "Daoist may not know, but someone actually asked me this exact question many years ago."
"Oh?"
Li Chengxuan was genuinely curious now. "I would love to hear the details."
Recalling the past, Duanmu Ren sighed. "Back when I had just graduated and started working, over half of my classmates went abroad to that prosperous and affluent free world.
"I was unwilling to go, choosing instead to voluntarily work in a harsh, underdeveloped region.
"When seeing my classmates off, someone asked me that very question.
"Looking back at them now, though a few of those classmates achieved success and built happy lives, most of them are still rushing about to make a living and support their families.
"Some are even destitute, their whereabouts unknown.
"By the logic of this world, none of them live as well as I do."
Having made up his mind long ago, Duanmu Ren said frankly, "Daoist, your offer to take me to another world to cultivate immortality is essentially the same as my classmates urging me to go abroad back then.
"It's merely that the floor is lower, and the ceiling is higher.
"Back when I had nothing to my name, I was unwilling.
"Now that I hold great power and a boundless future, standing above others, I am naturally even less willing."
Hearing this, Li Chengxuan grew even more satisfied with Duanmu Ren.
He truly lived up to being one who gathered a grand aura.
This lucid and resolute Dao Heart was truly admirable.
Li Chengxuan pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "Since County Magistrate Duanmu is unwilling, I naturally will not force your hand."
Although the 【Two-World Bead】 was profoundly mysterious and unpredictable...
...if Duanmu Ren resisted in his heart, Li Chengxuan could not forcefully take him across worlds.
"Thank you for your magnanimity, Daoist."
Having delivered his long explanation, Duanmu Ren relied on his honed political intuition and sophisticated rhetoric to finally appease the mysterious Daoist for the moment, letting out a quiet sigh of relief.
However, now was not the time to relax.
Having been in officialdom for many years, Duanmu Ren knew full well that defying a superior's order was a grave offense.
Even if a superior seemed persuaded on the surface to retract an order, one must never take it at face value.
One had to offer fame and fortune and pledge loyalty to dissolve any lingering resentment as quickly as possible.
Otherwise, the future troubles would be endless.
Duanmu Ren's mind worked rapidly, and he quickly hit upon an idea. "Daoist, managing a sect while also searching for disciples must prevent you from devoting yourself fully to cultivation.
"I hold some authority here in Shiling County.
"Why don't you tell me what kind of people are suitable for cultivating immortality?
"I will send people to search the entire county and bring candidate individuals for you to inspect, which should save you a great deal of effort."
Li Chengxuan naturally had this thought as well, but he still shook his head. "There is no rush for this; we can discuss it later."
If Duanmu Ren had truly taken him as master and bound himself to the 【Two-World Bead】, his life would have rested entirely in Li Chengxuan's hands, making such an arrangement perfectly fine.
Now that Duanmu Ren had refused cultivation, however, it was necessary to be more cautious before making plans.
Duanmu Ren's heart skipped a beat. Realizing he had still offended the mysterious Daoist, he pressed no further and solemnly promised, "Everything shall be according to your arrangements, Daoist.
"Regardless, I will help you find three qualified disciples to express my apologies."
Before I find three qualified disciples, he won't be able to trouble me, right?
Although Li Chengxuan lacked the skill of mind-reading or soul-searching, he could faintly sense selfish motives and stray thoughts. Smiling faintly, he did not press Duanmu Ren further. "Very well."
Duanmu Ren furrowed his brows in thought.
Regardless of the world, the underlying logic shouldn't differ too much.
Recruiting disciples and passing down teachings seemed to be of paramount importance.
Besides that, it ought to be wealth.
Crucially, he could use this to probe the Daoist further.
If this Daoist was merely putting on a show, he wouldn't need to live in fear.
If he truly possessed formidable means, Duanmu Ren could seize the initiative.
Even if he could secure some medicinal herbs or elixir pills from another world, it would still count as a political achievement for him.
Duanmu Ren said sincerely, "Cultivating immortality is of utmost importance for you, Daoist. Though I cannot seek the Dao with you, if there are any mundane affairs, you can leave them to me.
"Shiling County is vast in territory, but has a small population.
"If we can grow some medicinal herbs, perhaps it could help subsidize your disciples' cultivation."
Li Chengxuan chuckled upon hearing this and shook his head. "This world lacks spiritual qi; spirit herbs cannot be grown here."
Slightly disappointed, Duanmu Ren recalled the fish fighting over the elixir pill earlier and probed carefully, "May I ask, Daoist, what was that elixir pill you fed to the fish just now..."
"Mortal wealth and high status are like floating clouds to me."
Li Chengxuan shook his head again, then paused to think before adding, "However, there is indeed one matter I'll trouble you to handle."
Duanmu Ren's expression turned solemn. "Please command as you wish, Daoist."
Li Chengxuan raised his head to look over Lijiawa and spoke softly, "I intend to use Lijiawa as a resting place.
"It would be best to seal off the surrounding area, lest idle folk wander about and disturb my tranquility."
Hearing this, Duanmu Ren nodded repeatedly and agreed without hesitation, "That is easily done.
"Once I return, I will instruct my people to arrange it. I will guarantee your satisfaction, Daoist."
Li Chengxuan nodded slightly.
Feeling that matters were largely settled, Duanmu Ren prepared to take his leave and asked cautiously, "Does Daoist have any further instructions?"
Li Chengxuan glanced at Duanmu Ren and said with a smile, "I have no intention of harming you; you need not be so guarded.
"If I truly wanted to kill you, neither the men hiding in the grass nor those few firearms would be able to stop me.
"Next time you come, there is no need to make such a grand scene and bring so many people."
Duanmu Ren turned pale, rendered speechlessly stunned.
Lifting his head once more, he was even more terrified.
Before him stood an empty expanse—not a single soul remained.
Rate on N.U.
