75: Chapter 75 The Wish for Immortality

"Is it true that you can absorb the earth vein qi just by circulating spiritual power nearby?"

Crimson Rainbow pulled on Xu Changsheng's arm and walked over to the gushing spring.

The latter's hand, however, pulled away almost imperceptibly.

"Fellow Daoist Xu?"

Crimson Rainbow's expression was filled with confusion.

"Am I really that ugly? You can't even look me in the eye."

"Of course not. Fairy Ni's beauty rivals that of a Heavenly Immortal; yours is a face that would make the moon hide and flowers blush."

"Then why?"

Xu Changsheng walked over to Xie Wantang and naturally took her jade-like hand in his.

"Because I already have a Dao Companion."

Xie Wantang twisted her wrist reproachfully, only to find she couldn't break free at all.

"Husband Xu, what are you doing?"

"Tanger, I know you didn't want to expose our relationship because you were afraid of putting me in danger."

"I..."

"But now that there are only the three of us here, and Fairy Ni is no outsider, there's no harm in speaking openly."

Only then did Crimson Rainbow piece everything together.

She slapped her forehead: "I was wondering why Sister Tang insisted on bringing a man along. So he's Sister Tang's lover!"

She stepped forward and circled the two of them several times.

Her porcelain doll-like face sported two small dimples, her expression full of gossip.

She stared until Xie Wantang's cheeks turned bright red.

"Sister Ni, what are you looking at?"

"Nothing much."

"I just didn't expect that Sister Tang, known as the Jade Begonia of the Ancient Wood, already had a master for her flower. You two hid it far too well."

Xie Wantang retorted: "No, we haven't. He hasn't married into the Xie Family yet, so how can he be considered my Dao Companion?"

After saying those words...

Her heart couldn't help but darken slightly.

It was impossible for Xu Changsheng to marry into the Xie Family. One day he would leave for the broader Immortal Realm; this was the agreement between them.

Crimson Rainbow shook the silver bracelet on her hand and turned to walk toward the earth-surging golden spring.

"Don't worry, I won't try to steal Sister Tang's man."

With that said...

She circulated her spiritual power throughout her body.

A magical scene occurred.

The surrounding spring water seemed to sense something and began to leap.

After curving in mid-air, it poured into her protective spiritual light, the faint golden glow cutting off Xu Changsheng's Divine Sense.

It didn't last long.

The spring water gradually dissipated.

Xu Changsheng stepped forward to ask: "Fairy Ni, do you feel anything?"

"I only feel a magical aura entering my Meridians. That should be the earth vein qi."

Xu Changsheng and Xie Wantang exchanged a glance and, under Crimson Rainbow's envious gaze, walked forward hand-in-hand.

Indeed, there wasn't much of a sensation.

He only saw golden water flash before his eyes, and then a steady aura entered his limbs and bones.

Boom!

Before they could experience it for long...

A loud crash drew the attention of the three.

Chifeather's hair was entirely white and her face was haggard as she stumbled out from the Illusionary Beast Cage space.

She immediately saw the three people standing on the high platform.

Her clouded eyes trembled: "Sister, why?"

Crimson Rainbow was stunned for a moment, then immediately realized her sister had used the Blood Burning Secret Art.

As she walked down the platform, she said with concern:

"Oh my, my dear sister, how did you end up in such a state?"

Chifeather asked hesitantly: "You didn't use the Blood Burning Secret Art?"

Crimson Rainbow shook her head like a rattle: "Heehee, of course not. It's not that I didn't want to, but that thing reduces your lifespan. It's bad for the body."

The last shred of conviction in Chifeather's heart suddenly collapsed.

"How is that possible! Without the Blood Burning Secret Art and without the Yin Pupil Bone Fragment, how could you deal with that strange moth so quickly!"

She then pointed at the two on the platform.

"And even if you dealt with the moth, how could you be so fast while carrying those two deadweights!"

Crimson Rainbow approached and leaned her head in: "Want to know why?"

Chifeather looked up sharply, her eyes full of longing.

"The reason is... I'm not telling you!"

"You!"

Watching her sister's receding figure, she suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.

It took her a long time to catch her breath.

Knowing she had been utterly defeated, she could only suppress her emotions.

She walked onto the platform and absorbed a portion of the earth vein qi.

With only four people having absorbed it...

The flowing water in the earth-surging golden spring had decreased by more than half.

From the looks of it...

It was only enough to support seven or eight people.

The way Xu Changsheng and Xie Wantang addressed each other returned to normal.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, why don't you come with me to the Hongyun Spirit Spring? Last time I entered, I was searching for treasures for the Family and haven't experienced this spring yet."

"Alright."

Using the Wind Control Art, the two arrived before the bronze door engraved with the spirit spring.

Each produced a secret realm key.

They walked inside.

"I'm going too!"

Crimson Rainbow hurriedly followed.

After all, this was the most cost-effective wonder in the Ancient Wood Secret Realm.

With just one key, it could increase the probability of Foundation Establishment by twenty percent. It was simply Heaven-Defying.

Not long after, Chifeather also entered the door.

The place soon became empty once more.

At this moment...

Behind an ancient tree, unnoticed by anyone...

A handsome figure stepped out.

...

As time passed...

Chen Xuan and his companion finally entered the Secret Realm by exploiting a checkpoint.

They saw two fierce-looking Cultivators already standing on the platform.

"So it's Fellow Daoist Chen of the Chixiao Sect. Your reputation precedes you."

Chen Xuan's expression tightened.

The Black Fiend Twin Eagles were a pair of notorious evil Cultivators in the Ancient Wood Mountain Range, as famous as Lu Yuanze.

Not daring to be presumptuous, he cupped his hands toward them.

"I have no intention of causing conflict with you two. Please allow me and my Dao Companion to enter and obtain the earth vein qi."

"Fine, but there's only one portion of the golden spring left."

The thin one of the Twin Eagles cupped his hands and left with the fat one, heading toward a 'Black Wind Forest' Secret Realm and entering it.

Seeing them leave...

Chen Xuan and Su Xiaojing rushed forward.

They saw that the flow of the golden spring had basically stopped, nearing exhaustion.

Su Xiaojing looked at Chen Xuan, her eyes full of longing.

She had stolen that key from Xu Changsheng and given it to Chen Xuan; otherwise, the latter wouldn't have been able to enter the Secret Realm at all.

However, in the next moment...

Chen Xuan's words were like a bucket of cold water over her head: "Jinger, let me have it. Once I reach Foundation Establishment, I will look after you."

Su Xiaojing's expression turned bitter. She hadn't expected that after abandoning her Dao Companion and offering her body, she still hadn't won Chen Xuan's heart.

She bitterly agreed: "Alright."

Without the slightest hesitation, Chen Xuan stepped forward and absorbed all the remaining spring water.

Su Xiaojing watched, her heart a whirlwind of emotions.

...

In a corner of the Hongyun Spirit Spring.

Water vapor hung thick, and mist rose in billows.

Xu Changsheng was holding Xie Wantang, his hands wandering restlessly.

"Don't."

The latter gently slapped his hand away.

"Sister Ni is still over there watching."

The two looked over.

As if sensing them...

Crimson Rainbow pushed down the surrounding splashes of water.

Her beautiful body, with skin like ice and jade and exquisite curves, was revealed in its entirety.

She leaned back slightly...

And raised her long, snow-like legs.

"Sigh."

Xie Wantang gave a soft, almost inaudible sigh.

"What's wrong?"

Xu Changsheng pulled her into his embrace.

"Once you leave the Ancient Wood Mountain Range in the future, the Xie Family will no longer be able to protect you."

"Thinking about it that way, if you were to get together with Crimson Rainbow, it wouldn't be a bad thing."

Xu Changsheng said righteously: "There's no need. The world is vast; if I always need someone to protect me, then why bother seeking immortality?"

Xie Wantang's heart stirred: "Speaking of which, Husband Xu, you are the person with the deepest obsession with immortality that Tanger has ever seen. Is immortality really that important?"

"It is. I once heard a saying that left a deep impression on me."

"What saying?"

"In ten years, one can see the coming and going of spring and autumn; in a hundred years, one can witness birth, old age, sickness, and death; in a thousand years, one can lament the change of dynasties; and in ten thousand years, one can see the shifting of the stars."

"I, Xu Changsheng, want to peer into the very end of time."