The Immortal Venerable Used Me and Then Abandoned Me - Chapter 2

The sword intent carried a palpable murderous chill. Without a second thought, Jian Zhu yanked up his veil, spun around, and bolted.

Romance was all well and good, but it was predicated on actually staying alive.

Leaving Cang Mountain behind, he fled into a desolate wilderness under the cover of night. Shadows of trees loomed like ghosts as the wind grew increasingly violent.

Crr-ack! A sturdy tree snapped in half.

Jian Zhu lunged sideways, narrowly avoiding a wave of sword intent that surged like a breaking tide. Just as he cleared the path of one strike, Huai Wang’s silhouette materialized right in front of him.

It seemed the man had already retired for the night; his silver hair cascaded loosely down his back, and he wore only a snow-white inner robe with an outer coat draped carelessly over his shoulders. With a bright moon hanging above his head, his presence managed to outshine even the moonlight itself.

Huai Wang’s features were cold and remote, his face like polished jade. A length of forearm extended from his sleeve, the veins on the back of his hand bulging as he swept his sword forward.

“Who dares trespass upon my Cang Mountain!”

Jian Zhu dodged the blade’s edge, tossing out high-grade magical treasures and formation talismans as if they cost nothing to stall Huai Wang’s attack, which was coming down as dense as a rain of needles.

He disguised his voice. “An old friend.”

Clang! Clang! Clang! Magical treasures that would make countless cultivators green with envy shattered inch by inch, destroyed in an instant—a testament to how mercilessly his opponent was striking. “If you are an ‘old friend,’ why not come through the front gates openly?”

Jian Zhu curled his lips into a smirk. “Because we’re having a secret affair.”

“Nonsense!” Seemingly enraged by these words, a killing blow arrived in the blink of an eye.

With his movements restricted and nowhere to retreat, the distance between them closed rapidly. The frigid tip of the sword was about to pierce his chest.

Jian Zhu’s breath hitched. Huai Wang truly didn’t recognize him.

Hum—

A “Six Hexagrams” array surged out from his silver hair ribbon, suddenly enveloping him. The Heaven-tier spell forcibly held back Huai Wang’s Mahayana-stage sword intent.

Looking at that face so close to his own, Jian Zhu felt a knot of frustration in his chest. Suddenly, he laughed out of sheer exasperation and reached out to press his palm against the other man’s chest.

It was a person’s vital point, yet his touch carried not a hint of malice.

In the split second where Huai Wang froze in shock, Jian Zhu let his voice trail off with a playful lilt: “I heard the Immortal Venerable has mastered the Path of Emotionless Retribution?”

The chest beneath his palm rose and fell sharply. Frost and snow gathered in the depths of Huai Wang’s eyes. “What is that to you?”

Boom! The Six Hexagrams array shattered as blades and spells rained down simultaneously. Another treasure, the “Vajra Shield,” was summoned from his storage bag, managing to stall the Mahayana cultivator just long enough.

Jian Zhu seized the opening to manifest his spirit and tear himself away. Before leaving, however, he flicked his fingers.

Rip—

The belt gave way. The snow-white inner robe billowed open under the moonlight, fluttering wildly to reveal Huai Wang’s perfect, firm torso.

Paired with that frigid, god-like expression, he looked like a fallen deity.

Before the Vajra Shield could be hacked to pieces by Huai Wang’s sword, Jian Zhu had already fled hundreds of miles away.

The belt swayed twice in the night breeze.

That felt good, he thought.

________________________________________

Inside a City Inn

Creak. The door to the guest room opened and shut.

With a flick of his finger, the candle on the table sparked to life, illuminating Jian Zhu’s face. His veil had been removed, and he was idly twirling a silk belt around his finger.

The snow-white belt wrapped around his slender fingers took on a trace of ambiguity under the warm candlelight.

And Huai Wang would have to return home with his robes hanging wide open.

Jian Zhu let out a mischievous, wicked smile.

The overly dramatic grin tugged at a wound on his waist. He hissed, sucking in a breath as he stuffed the belt into his storage bag. He walked to the bed, sat down, and began unbuttoning his own collar.

In the dim candlelight, a red gash stretched across his waist. Contrasted against his black clothes and pale skin, it was as jarring as red plum blossoms in the snow.

The cultivation techniques of Cang Mountain were overbearing and bone-chilling. Between resisting the pressure of a Mahayana-stage cultivator and confronting Huai Wang head-on, he had reached his absolute limit just by forcing himself to escape.

Fortunately, he still had the belongings Huai Wang had given him in the past.

Neither of them could have imagined back then that these high-grade defensive treasures would one day be used to fend off Huai Wang’s own lethal strikes.

Jian Zhu dabbed a bit of ointment onto his fingertip and carefully applied it to the wound. The icy sensation offered a sliver of relief from the pain, though it would take at least five or six days to heal completely.

After applying the medicine, he closed his robes and untied the ribbon behind his head. His ink-black hair slid over his shoulders, cascading down into his collar. Under the dim light of the oil lamp, his hair shimmered like flowing silk or soft jade.

The silver hair ribbon was covered in profound Five-Element runes, with a drop of blood-red jade dangling from the end. The jade was engraved with the character “Cang” (苍), taken from Huai Wang’s mortal alias, “Cang Yu”—to cast aside the vast heavens and remain untouched by hollow fame.

As he probed the ribbon with his spiritual sense, he found that the defensive spells Huai Wang had placed within it were already cracking; they could withstand at most one more hit from a Mahayana-stage cultivator. Meanwhile, the entry pass remained completely unresponsive. It seemed their Daoist Companion Covenant had been severed, causing the medium to lose its effect.

The night wind whistled through the cracks in the window, making the candle flame flicker. The orange light shifted, reflecting in the depths of Jian Zhu’s eyes.

He pondered for a moment, then tucked the ribbon away and extinguished the candle with a flick of wind from his finger.

The room fell into darkness as Jian Zhu lay down on the bed fully clothed.

If the mountain will not come to me, I shall go to the mountain.

…

Two Days Later: The Lin Yuan Sect Disciple Selection

The city began to bustle with the first light of dawn, and street vendors opened their doors early.

As Jiang Chaoyun and his group stepped out of the inn, they saw a figure standing by the entrance.

A wide bamboo hat draped with white silk hid the person’s face, and he wore a set of green robes as plain and elegant as the day they first met. The morning breeze swept through the entryway, causing the white veil to flutter behind him as if he were merging with the distant, pale-green horizon.

The group froze in surprise. The bamboo hat nodded toward them, and Jian Zhu’s voice drifted from beneath it: “Morning.”

“Fellow Daoist Jian Zhu!” the crowd exclaimed in shock.

Jian Zhu replied, “On a whim, I’ve decided to join you all for the selection.”

Jiang Chaoyun and the others were stunned. …Talk about an impromptu decision.

After the initial surprise passed, Jiang Chaoyun expressed his welcome. “Very well, just stay with us. You have no family name and you’re all alone; I’m afraid you’d be bullied if you went by yourself.”

Another companion added, “Exactly. Look at your frame, you’re so frail.”

Jian Zhu: “…”

As they spoke, the sky grew brighter and the streets ahead became lively. A sea of brocades and magnificent robes shimmered in the morning light like clusters of celestial clouds.

“Let’s go,” Jiang Chaoyun called out. “It’s time to head out.”

Jian Zhu set off to follow them, lifting his eyes toward the Lin Yuan Sect.

Hidden amidst the ethereal sea of clouds was the lofty, majestic peak of Cang Mountain. The main peak where Huai Wang resided.

The morning sun broke through the clouds at the horizon, illuminating Jian Zhu’s features through his veil. Under the thin, pale-gold glow, he looked even more distant and unreachable than Cang Mountain itself.

________________________________________

The Mountain Gates

It took over half an hour to walk from Luqi City to the foot of the Lin Yuan Sect’s mountain gate.

As Jian Zhu’s group walked along the suburban road, ornate carriages of gold and jade occasionally rumbled past them. The silk curtains of the carriages would gap slightly during the bumpy ride, releasing a faint, elegant fragrance from within.

Jiang Chaoyun was quite familiar with this: “Those are the carriages of the great clans and sects. Inside are the direct descendants with the highest natural talent. They are escorted by Golden Core cultivators the whole way to ensure their apprenticeship journey goes without a hitch.”

Jian Zhu remarked, “They’d be a perfect fit for the Zen Sect.” They didn’t even need to practice; they were already sitting there like finished Buddha statues.

The group’s gaze toward Jian Zhu immediately turned exceptionally warm. Jiang Chaoyun said admiringly, “You certainly have a way with words.”

Jian Zhu returned the favor: “You aren’t so bad yourself.”

Everyone burst into laughter, and for a moment, the air was filled with cheer.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the Lin Yuan Sect.

It wasn’t yet time for the selection to begin. An inner-disciple of the Lin Yuan Sect, dressed in a dark-green robe, stood before the long stone steps of the mountain gate.

At the base of the steps, a clear divide was visible. On one side were the “favored children of heaven” from the great clans, and on the other were commoners like Jiang Chaoyun’s group. Both sides pointedly minded their own business.

While Jian Zhu was talking to Jiang Chaoyun, a man approached them. He was dressed in exquisite cloud-patterned brocade, and his features were thirty percent similar to Jiang Chaoyun’s, though his temperament was worlds apart.

Jiang Chaoyun’s face darkened. “Jiang Yin, what are you doing here?”

Jiang Yin sneered, “Since the Jiang family refused to send you, you’re actually paying out of your own pocket to cling to this? Aren’t you afraid of losing the face of our Yandu Jiang family?”

“You…” Jiang Chaoyun’s neck turned red with anger, though he didn’t dare speak up.

Jian Zhu, whose waist injury hadn’t healed yet, was forced to watch this “second-hand embarrassment” scene from point-blank range. He chimed in casually, “Let us encourage each other.”

Jiang Chaoyun’s face twisted; he looked like he wanted to laugh but felt it was inappropriate.

Jiang Yin was momentarily choked up by the remark. He immediately turned his spearhead toward Jian Zhu. “And which side-branch do you belong to? Bundled up so tightly on such a hot day. I bet you’re hiding an unsightly face.”

Jian Zhu replied, “But I have a beautiful soul.”

Jiang Yin: “…”

This time, Jiang Chaoyun couldn’t hold back. “Jiang Yin, don’t go too far!”

Jiang Yin gave a mocking laugh and directly released the pressure of his Late-Stage Foundation Building realm. Jiang Chaoyun, who hadn’t yet reached Foundation Building, was caught off guard and stumbled back, slamming right into Jian Zhu.

To Jian Zhu, it felt like someone had merely breathed in his direction, but then Jiang Chaoyun crashed into his waist. “Ugh…” He let out a muffled groan, his brow furrowing in pain.

As if seeing something hilarious, Jiang Yin burst into loud laughter. “With cultivation like yours, you actually expect to pass the disciple selection?”

“Brother Jiang Yin.” Someone from the other side called out to him, signaling with their eyes not to cause too much of a scene, as the Lin Yuan Sect inner-disciples were not far off.

Jiang Yin withdrew his pressure for the time being, spared the two of them a disdainful glance, and swaggered away.

Once he was gone, Jiang Chaoyun clenched his fists, his teeth gritted in a mix of rage and frustration. “I’m the one who dragged you into this.”

Jian Zhu said, “It’s fine, I’m not hurt.”

Jiang Chaoyun shook his head. “But your heart must be wounded.”

Jian Zhu: “…”

He patted Jiang Chaoyun on the shoulder. “Read fewer romance novels, my friend.”

________________________________________

The First Trial

A short while later, the hour of the Snake arrived, and the selection officially began.

The first trial was to climb the ninety-nine long steps before the mountain gate within the time it took for a stick of incense to burn.

Jian Zhu swept his gaze across the steps. He saw that the long staircase was surrounded by unremarkable stones arranged in a Nine-Star formation. The Tianchong and Tianrui stars served as the hidden anchors of the array. As the hour of the Snake pulled the energy into motion, the entire staircase was plunged into a labyrinth of illusions.

He remembered a similar illusory array in an ancient secret realm; it worked by amplifying a trial-taker’s inner fears, forcing them to perish under the weight of a pressure they created themselves. Thus, the first trial had nothing to do with cultivation level. It was a pure screening for those with a resilient heart.

Having deciphered the mystery, Jian Zhu leisurely ascended the steps, pulling Jiang Chaoyun along as they chatted.

The incense stick had barely burned halfway when the two of them reached the top of the stairs. Below them, many trial-takers at the Foundation Building stage were still struggling to climb. Jiang Chaoyun was incredulous. “We made it up that easily?”

Jian Zhu sighed. “It seems we are the chosen ones.”

“…”

When the incense burned out, those who hadn’t reached the gate were immediately disqualified. Among them were several direct descendants of great clans at the Mid-Foundation Building stage.

Jian Zhu watched from the side as a man was pushed out of the gate by the sect’s formation, shouting, “I’ve already reached Foundation Building! On what grounds am I disqualified?”

Jiang Chaoyun whispered to Jian Zhu, “He’s already at Foundation Building and couldn’t even climb the stairs. He’s actually asking ‘on what grounds’?”

Jian Zhu let out a soft laugh.

Just then, a shadow fell beside them. Jiang Yin glared at the two of them with an unfriendly expression. “Pure luck. Let’s see how long you two can actually stay.”

His brocade robes swished as he walked away, his hem fluttering.

Jiang Chaoyun was already used to his mockery. Once Jiang Yin was far enough away, he turned to encourage Jian Zhu. “Don’t mind him. The tides turn every thirty years. You might be a ‘poor youth’ now, but your future is bound to be grand!”

Jian Zhu clapped. “Another rhyme! Well done, friend.”

“…”

The group followed the inner disciple leading the way into the sect, passing through three middle gates and walking upward for another mile or two.

Emerging from the front courtyard, the view suddenly opened up. Before them was a vast plaza beneath an expansive sky. In the distance, overlapping mountain peaks were half-hidden in the mist, with evergreen pines and the pleasant chirping of spirit birds filling the air.

The plaza was surrounded by spectator stands filled with inner disciples who had come to watch. Directly facing the entrance was a row of high seats. Eight seats were lined up; except for a vacancy in the center, the other seven were occupied by the Sect Leader and the Elders.

Hidden behind his veil, Jian Zhu’s gaze swept inconspicuously past Master Hui Yu among the seats and landed on the empty spot.

Whispered discussions from the surroundings reached his ears:

“Which Master is that empty seat in the middle for?”

“To sit to the right of the Sect Leader, it can only be Immortal Venerable Huai Wang.”

“Is the Immortal Venerable not coming to take a disciple?”

“Sigh, the Immortal Venerable is devoted entirely to the Dao. He surely won’t take a disciple.”

Jiang Chaoyun leaned over to Jian Zhu and whispered, “They all say the Immortal Venerable has mastered the Path of Emotionless Retribution. I believe it now.”

Recalling the biting chill in Huai Wang’s eyes that night, Jian Zhu said numbly, “I’m starting to believe it, too.”

He stood in the center of the field with the others, looking up slightly at the Elders. Their uniform robes were distinguished by silver emblems on the collars; the only exception was the Sect Leader sitting in the center.

The Sect Leader, Master Wei Yi, had a white beard and a kind face, though his eyes sparkled with sharp intelligence. A horsetail whisk rested across his arm as his gaze slowly swept over the crowd below.

Jian Zhu remained still, letting the man scrutinize him while he contemplated how to get close to Huai Wang. If Huai Wang didn’t take disciples, and Jian Zhu didn’t plan on taking a master, coming here would be meaningless if he couldn’t enter Cang Mountain.

He glanced at Jiang Yin, who was standing a few people away.

Dong… A bell tolled. The plaza fell silent, and Jian Zhu withdrew his gaze.

Sect Leader Wei Yi flicked his whisk. His voice poured down like a thunderous waterfall; to those listening, the words felt as though they were clearing their minds and souls.

“It has been over a thousand years since our Lin Yuan Sect split the mountains and established its gates after the Chaos of Tianyuan. We stand at the peak of ten thousand realms, yet we are far from the path of common mortals. We rectify the heart to establish the Dao, and we aid all living beings. If you enter the gates of Lin Yuan, you must have something you seek and something you believe in.”

A shiver went through the crowd.

Jian Zhu looked up slightly at the mountain peaks behind the Sect Leader. Beyond the layers of mountains lay the depths of Cang Mountain.

Master Wei Yi’s gaze swept across the thirty-odd people below. “You seek to join the Lin Yuan Sect. For what purpose?”

After a moment of silence, a voice rang out, “For the sake of all living beings under heaven!”

Seeing Master Wei Yi nod, the others quickly followed suit:

“To cultivate the Righteous Path!”

“To slay demons and exorcise ghosts!”

“For the sake of ascending to immortality in a thousand years!”

Suddenly, a voice joined the fray: “For my ex-husband. He abandoned me.”

The voices stopped abruptly. Everyone turned around in shock.

A figure in green stood at the back of the crowd. The mountain wind swept through the hall, lifting the white veil of the bamboo hat. The silver hair ribbon with its red jade pendant fluttered backward along with his ink-black hair.

The hat was lifted, revealing a face of transcendent elegance. The distant clouds and seas of Cang Mountain seemed to reflect in his eyes; his calm pupils held the natural spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Under the gaze of the entire assembly, Jian Zhu curled his lips into a smile of peerless beauty.