The Radiance of the Immortal Path

Li Jiudao held his brush, ink and colors, and Tai Hua Mountain stood tall and majestic, shrouded in swirling clouds and mist. He meticulously depicted it on the rice paper.

The profound and majestic aura of the mountain manifested layer by layer as he painted, leaving Wen Wuyou in awe and astonishment.

Was this Tai Hua Mountain?

The Tai Hua Mountain Li Jiudao painted seemed to have engraved the entire mountain onto the paper, perfect in every detail, not missing a single nuance.

But... it seemed different in some way.

"It's different inside!"

He was struck by the realization that there was something distinct about it, not in its appearance but in its essence.

A subtle radiance refracted, invisible on the surface but hidden deep within the mountain, running through Tai Hua Mountain. It was the finishing touch that made Tai Hua Mountain in the painting seem as if it were actually before everyone.

"Indeed, he's a senior master!"

Wen Wuyou couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. Li Jiudao's exceptional skill had left him in awe. The indiscernible radiance, called 'Tai Hua' by them, was the foundation of their practice in Tai Hua Sect.

The founder of Tai Hua Sect had stumbled upon Tai Hua Mountain by chance when a unique radiance emanated from it. This radiance contained incredible spiritual insights. The founder was enlightened by it and grasped the 'Tai Hua' path, but the moment was fleeting, and the enlightenment limited.

Now, Li Jiudao seemed to have imprinted the 'Tai Hua' radiance on the paper, revealing all of its spiritual insights. For Tai Hua Sect, this was an invaluable treasure. With this painting, they could perfect their 'Tai Hua' path.

"What kind of radiance is this 'Tai Hua' light? It's incredible!"

Wen Wuyou was deeply shaken. Li Jiudao had not even finished the painting, and the full depth of the 'Tai Hua' radiance had not been revealed. Yet, even now, he sensed its unparalleled spiritual insights. 'Tai Hua' light was not ordinary light, and 'Tai Hua' path was not an ordinary path.

He felt that when the full essence of the 'Tai Hua' light was unveiled, it might rival or even surpass the cultivation techniques of some sacred places.

"Tai Hua Sect is truly blessed!"

Lu Liang couldn't help but envy and admire. He, too, could feel the astonishing 'Tai Hua' spiritual insights within the painting. Tai Hua Sect could make a qualitative leap with this artwork. If things went smoothly, Tai Hua Sect would become the most powerful force in Yanzhou, on par with the sacred places, if not surpassing them.

Yanzhou was vast, with numerous sects, divided into five regions: East, South, West, North, and Central. The strength of these regions varied greatly, with the Central region being the strongest.

Tai Hua Sect and Falling Cloud Sect were among the top forces in the Eastern region, but if placed in the Central region, they would not even be considered top-tier sects.

Sacred places, on the other hand, were dominant forces that could easily overshadow Tai Hua Sect, Falling Cloud Sect, and others with a simple move.

"Such a superpower!" Lu Liang couldn't help but feel envious. He knew that the 'Tai Hua' light contained profound spiritual insights. Tai Hua Sect could achieve great heights with this painting.

Lu Liang was also considering the possibility of surpassing Tai Hua Sect with this newfound knowledge.

However, he was uncertain if he should ask the senior master for the painting. Lu Liang was torn, worried that it might be inappropriate and show ingratitude toward the senior master who had saved him and helped him improve his cultivation.

Lu Liang thought about the senior master's numerous favors, from saving his life to healing his injuries and enhancing his physical condition with holy medicine. The senior master had even allowed him to stay in the shop to break through his cultivation. Later, when he saw Lu Liang's unstable cultivation, the senior master had given him Immortal Wine to help consolidate and elevate his cultivation further.

"If I ask for the painting, would it seem ungrateful, as if I don't appreciate his kindness?" Lu Liang hesitated and couldn't decide.

Unaware of the thoughts racing through Wen Wuyou and Lu Liang's minds, Li Jiudao continued to speak.

"Is this really Tai Hua Mountain?"

Li Jiudao muttered to himself as he looked at the completed painting. He marveled at the beauty of Tai Hua Mountain and lamented his inability to practice as an ordinary mortal.

However, what Li Jiudao said was entirely different from what Wen Wuyou and Lu Liang interpreted.

"Tai Hua Mountain... an immortal mountain? 'Tai Hua' light, the light of the immortal path?"

Wen Wuyou's heart was pounding. The words about the mountain being an immortal mountain and the distinction between heaven and earth resonated with Tai Hua Sect and their pursuit of the immortal path.

Tai Hua Sect was situated on Tai Hua Mountain.

Seeking immortality and understanding the path of immortality was indeed a challenging journey for them. Despite being founded over three thousand years ago, Tai Hua Sect had been unable to grasp the deeper mysteries of the 'Tai Hua' path.

"A mountain separates heaven from earth, with heaven being the realm of immortals and earth being that of mortals!"

Wen Wuyou was deeply moved. 'Tai Hua' light was the light of the immortal path, and if they couldn't comprehend its mysteries, they couldn't grasp the secrets of the immortal path. In the presence of true immortals, they were merely mortals.

"No wonder the founding ancestor of Tai Hua Sect gained significant insights from the 'Tai Hua' light when he passed by Tai Hua Mountain. He founded Tai Hua Sect based on the 'Tai Hua' path. I never imagined that the 'Tai Hua' light was actually an immortal light!"

Lu Liang's thoughts were in turmoil. He had never realized the profound connection between Tai Hua Sect and the 'Tai Hua' light.

This was also why Li Jiudao was unaware of what was going on in their minds. If he had known, he would probably have given them a good scolding. How could they interpret his musings about not being able to cultivate as him actually discussing the 'Tai Hua' light and the immortal path?

He had just expressed his regrets about being unable to cultivate and could only lead an ordinary life. Yet, these two old fellows had interpreted it as a discussion about the 'Tai Hua' light and the immortal path.

Did they really have such vivid imaginations?

Xia Yan, on the other hand, remained in a state of bewilderment. She couldn't understand what Li Jiudao was saying, but she was deeply impressed by his knowledge. Immortal mountains and realms of heaven and earth—how could he not be impressive?

"Thank you, senior, for your help with the painting. We've already taken up too much of your time today. We won't disturb you any longer. Farewell."

Wen Wuyou smiled and bid farewell to Li Jiudao, pulling Lu Liang along as they left the shop.

Xia Yan also approached Li Jiudao to say her goodbyes before following them out.

"Thank you for assisting me with the painting. I hope you succeed in joining Tai Hua Sect," Li Jiudao said as he watched Xia Yan's departing figure.