1: The path is blocked, the lone sword departs from the mountain.

[In this book, Reincarnation is not Possession; it is the reconstruction of the body through a primary seal, though it requires some Bloodline assistance.]

Six years.

Qi Yuan had been stuck at the Peak of the Qi Refining Sixth Layer for a full six years.

This was his fifth attempt to break through to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer.

He was already fifty-two years old this year; his Medicinal Pills were exhausted, and his contribution points were at rock bottom.

If he failed this time, there would be no more chances.

The moment his aura climbed to the critical point.

"Pfft!"

Blood sprayed out, and his aura dissipated like a gale.

His body swayed, his face turning as pale as paper.

Slowly opening his eyes, only deep, dark exhaustion remained in his gaze.

It had been forty years since he transmigrated to this world.

With the most mediocre Low Grade Five Spiritual Roots, he never accepted his fate and cultivated bitterly without ceasing.

To preserve that strand of primordial yang, giving himself one more chip when striking at the Bottleneck.

For forty years, he had abstained from women, pouring all his heart and effort into bitter cultivation.

Now, white hair was beginning to show, yet he couldn't even break through to the Late Stage Qi Refining.

Forty years of bitter cultivation and forty years of persistence had only earned him the phrase "nothing more than this."

He looked down at his trembling hands and suddenly felt it was incredibly laughable.

Deep within his Sea of Consciousness, that speck of green that had been silent for thirty years trembled slightly.

Qi Yuan was stunned.

He focused his mind to look inward, but the green speck had returned to normal. It was like light yet not light, like an object yet not an object, floating quietly, unresponsive to any probing.

"An illusion?"

He murmured to himself and shook his head.

This green speck had existed since his Spiritual Sense first emerged; he had searched through all the Sect's ancient texts but could find no record of it.

He once thought this was the "Golden Finger" brought by his Transmigration, but for over twenty years, it had remained quiet and unchanged.

It was probably due to his heavy injuries and unstable Spiritual Sense.

He didn't think much of it and stood up to clean up the mess.

...

The next day, the bells rang.

Qi Yuan walked out of his Immortal Cave, returned the rental fee, and summoned his azure spirit sword.

The sword light wobbled as it rose.

The spiritual beauty and steepness of Cangyun Peak below receded, and Qixia Peak appeared before his eyes.

This Peak had thin Spiritual Qi and was covered in stone houses with curling smoke, making it look more like a Mortal village.

Just as he landed on the mid-mountain platform, a mocking voice called out:

"Oh, Senior Brother Qi is out of seclusion? Failed again?"

The speaker was slightly chubby, named Liu Yan.

In the early years when Qi Yuan was weak, he suffered plenty of bullying from him. Later, when Qi Yuan toughened up, he actually made Liu Yan suffer a few losses.

Now that Liu Yan's cultivation had grown, he naturally wanted to get his revenge.

Qi Yuan ignored him and walked straight toward the stone house on the mountainside.

Behind him, Liu Yan spat and cursed under his breath:

"What's with the attitude? A piece of trash with Five Spiritual Roots, still putting on airs when death is at your doorstep."

Qi Yuan paused for a moment, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, but he ultimately didn't look back.

His cultivation was currently stagnant, and the hidden injuries in his Dantian had not healed; he wouldn't gain anything from a conflict with Liu Yan.

What's more...

He had already made up his mind to leave the Sect.

...

Soul Lamp Hall.

The lights in the hall were dim, with thousands of jade lamps lined up on the wall shelves.

"Outer Sect Disciple Qi Yuan, applying to leave the Sect."

The receiving Elder looked up, seeing through his stagnant cultivation and decaying vital energy.

"Qi Refining Sixth Layer, and not young anymore. Have you thought this through?"

"This Disciple understands."

Qi Yuan lowered his head.

Of course he had thought it through.

Thirty-six years ago, when he was tested to have Low Grade Five Spiritual Roots, the Longquan Sect taking him in as a servant was already a great kindness.

He was grateful and worked hard.

But after five failed attempts to break through to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer over six years, his Medicinal Pills were exhausted, and his contribution points were zeroed out.

What chilled his heart even more were those former rivals.

The likes of Liu Yan bullied the weak and feared the strong. Back then, he was tough and suppressed them.

But now, some had already broken through to the Late Stage Qi Refining.

If he stayed in the Sect, he would have to complete missions to accumulate contribution points.

At that time, if someone intended to trip him up, they would only need to tamper with his missions.

Getting injured, missing deadlines, offending people—any one of those would be enough to cause him a world of trouble.

The grudges formed in his youth would now have to be repaid with his life.

It wasn't worth it.

Moreover...

He thought of his parents in this life—that pair of farmers with blurred faces.

When he was sixteen, his Spiritual Roots were tested, and when he left home for the Longquan Sect, they were both joyful and fearful.

Twenty years ago, the two Elders passed away one after another from illness.

Before they died, their final wish was not for him to bring honor to the family or achieve Immortal Ascension, but only that he would continue the Qi family line.

This wish was insignificant, even laughable, on the immortal path.

How many Cultivators severed their Mortal ties for the sake of the Dao, viewing Mortal Bloodlines as a burden.

But at this moment, this wish he had suppressed in his heart for twenty years was like a seed sprouting green in the barren field of his mind.

The path to the Dao is severed; better to return home.

The dark gold silk scroll unfurled, and the runes of the Spiritual Oath flowed.

Qi Yuan used his spiritual power to imprint his soul mark.

Not to leak core Cultivation Techniques, not to harm fellow Disciples, and not to use the Sect's name for evil.

Somewhere on the wall shelf, a green lamp quietly extinguished.

"Go then."

The Elder closed his eyes.

As he stepped out of the hall, Qi Yuan's Spiritual Sense stirred slightly.

It seemed like a gaze was cast from the low mountain opposite.

Focusing his investigation, there was only the soughing of the pines.

...

Behind a pine tree on the low mountain, Qian Lian stood with his hands tucked into his sleeves, squinting at the receding azure sword light.

He pulled a Communication Talisman from his sleeve and whispered a few words. The Talisman turned into a streak of light and disappeared into the night.

"Senior Brother Qi, thirty Spirit Stones are still Spirit Stones."

What a pity.

If Qi Yuan's Aptitude were a bit better, he would surely have become a First-Rank High-Grade Talisman Master, which would have been a great help to him.

He took one last look at the receding sword light, turned, and walked down the mountain with light steps.

...

Two days later, at dusk.

Qi Yuan flew his sword over a desolate mountain range.

After traveling continuously, his spiritual power was more than half consumed, and just as he was about to find a place to adjust his breathing—

His heart suddenly skipped a beat!

Spiritual Sense warning!

Although he perceived nothing out of the ordinary, this baseless sense of crisis had saved him many times over the decades!

Spiritual power surged wildly, the azure spirit sword shrieked, and the sword light expanded as he frantically fled toward the Mortal town in the east!

...

"Wang Yu! What kind of rubbish is this 'Three Talents Spirit-Hiding Formation'? Even an old piece of trash in the Mid-Stage Qi Refining could see through it?!"

At the moment Qi Yuan's sword light turned, a ripple appeared in the mountain forest below, and three figures emerged.

The leader was none other than Liu Yan.

His face was currently livid as he cursed at a thin Cultivator holding a Formation Plate beside him.

"Chase him!"

The three of them rose on their artifacts, turning into three streaks of light, their speed significantly faster than Qi Yuan's.

Qi Yuan's Spiritual Sense swept behind him—Qi Refining Seventh Layer, Qi Refining Seventh Layer, Qi Refining Sixth Layer.

Two at the Late Stage Qi Refining, one at the Mid-Stage Qi Refining.

Liu Yan had indeed broken through long ago, keeping it hidden just for today!

"Liu Yan!"

Qi Yuan shouted sternly, "Aren't you afraid the Sect will investigate?"

"Hahaha!"

Liu Yan laughed wildly. "An abandoned Disciple who signed a Spiritual Oath—who would care if you die outside?

Your good friend Qian Lian sold out your itinerary completely for just thirty Spirit Stones!"

Qi Yuan's heart turned cold.

Qian Lian—the fellow Disciple whose technique cultivation he had carefully guided.

It was actually him.

A calculating glint flashed in Liu Yan's eyes, his voice filled with pride:

"Old man Qi, it's a pity to waste your Talisman-making skills on a piece of trash like you.

Why don't you come back with us and honestly draw Talismans for us?"

Qi Yuan's heart sank suddenly.

Talisman Slave—legs chopped off, imprisoned in a secret room, drawing Talismans day after day until spiritual power is exhausted and the mind is drained.

This was the most cruel way to treat a Talisman Maker in the cultivation world; he never expected it would one day befall him.

Liu Yan didn't want his life; he wanted his hands.

"Old man Qi, surrender quietly, and you can suffer less!"

Liu Yan raised his hand and cast a Fire Dragon Technique, the scorching heat waves distorting the air.

Qi Yuan backhandedly threw out two Wood Shield Talismans; the wooden shields held for a breath under the fire dragon's impact before exploding.

The residual flames swept across his back, causing a sweet taste to rise in his throat.

He couldn't just defend. And he absolutely couldn't be captured alive.

Qi Yuan suddenly turned around, his hands flicking repeatedly.

They were no longer defensive Talismans, but Gold Needle Talismans and Poison Swamp Talismans!

Fine gold needles shot toward the trio's faces like cow hair, and the ground below instantly turned into a muddy swamp.

"Paltry tricks!"

A Qi Refining Seventh Layer Cultivator flicked his sleeve, and an earthy yellow small shield flew out, blocking all the gold needles.

The Magical Artifacts under the trio's feet flickered with spiritual light as they forced themselves higher to avoid the poison swamp.

But that momentary delay was exactly what Qi Yuan wanted.

He took a deep breath, and his remaining spiritual power surged into the azure spirit sword; the blade shone with brilliant green light, and his speed increased by another thirty percent.

At the same time, he scattered a handful of Wood Entanglement Talismans and Mist Talismans; for a moment, vines danced wildly and mist filled the air behind him.

"Damn! How does this old guy have so many Talismans!"

"Don't let him get away! Brother Liu said we want him alive!

Keep those hands of his to draw Talismans!"

The trio's spiritual power faintly connected, and a beam of light merging fire and gold spiritual power blasted forth like an angry dragon.

Its power was close to Qi Refining Perfection!

But they deliberately controlled the force, targeting Qi Yuan's legs.

Qi Yuan's heart tightened as he instantly saw through their intention—they didn't want to kill him; they wanted to cripple his legs!

Without hesitation, he threw out all the defensive Talismans in his Storage Pouch—ten Wood Shield Talismans and five Stone Armor Talismans!

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Layer after layer of shields shattered one after another before the combined light beam.

The residual power slammed hard into Qi Yuan's back!

"Pfft!"

Qi Yuan sprayed blood wildly, his protective spiritual light instantly dimming.

He fell from his Flying Sword like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily into the dense forest below.

His face was deathly pale, blood leaked from the corners of his mouth, and his aura was withered.

The three caught up to him; Liu Yan looked down from above, his eyes full of triumph.

"Qi Yuan, look at yourself now.

You thought you could live out the rest of your life in peace after leaving the Sect? In your dreams!"

He landed slowly, approaching step by step, his tone like a cat playing with a mouse:

"I'll give you two paths.

First, come back with us quietly and honestly draw Talismans.

Second..."

He drew his Magical Artifact, its cold light flashing:

"I break your legs and then drag you back.

Choose."

The other two flanked him from the left and right, cutting off all of Qi Yuan's escape routes.

Qi Yuan, with blood leaking from his mouth, watched the three approaching men. A flash of ruthlessness crossed his eyes, and then—

He suddenly dropped to his knees!

"Senior Brother... Senior Brother Liu! Spare me! I, Qi, admit defeat!"

His voice trembled as he unfastened the Storage Pouch at his waist and held it above his head with both hands:

"All my savings, all my Talismans are here!

I only ask that Senior Brother Liu, for the sake of our past fellowship, spares my life!

I'll draw Talismans for you, just don't cut off my legs... I beg you..."

Liu Yan and the other two paused, glancing at each other with eyes full of greed and mockery.

"Hmph, if you had known this day would come, why did you act like that before!"

Liu Yan snorted coldly, keeping his distance from Qi Yuan while his Spiritual Sense remained locked on him. He reached out to grab the Storage Pouch held above Qi Yuan's head.

"Don't worry, as long as you're honest, I—"

At the very moment his fingertips were about to touch the Storage Pouch.

Qi Yuan, kneeling on the ground, suddenly had a terrifyingly sharp light explode from his eyes!

His left hand slapped his waist with lightning speed.

Hidden there was a Talisman brimming with spiritual energy and faint traces of flowing lightning!

first-tier peak grade—Heavenly Thunder Talisman!

At the same time, his right hand crushed a golden Talisman he had already been holding in his palm.

first-tier peak grade "Heavenly Shield Talisman"!

A solid golden light shield instantly enveloped his entire body!

"Not good! Retreat!"

The Qi Refining Seventh Layer Cultivator was the first to react; his face changed drastically as he roared and retreated frantically.

It was too late.

"BOOM!!!"

Blindingly fierce lightning exploded violently with Qi Yuan as the center!

The terrifying power of thunder instantly swept through the entire valley!

The earth trembled, and the vegetation turned to ash!

"Ah—!"

The greed on Liu Yan's face instantly turned into endless terror; his protective spiritual light and his entire body were charred to a crisp in the lightning!

Until the moment he died, he couldn't understand how a piece of trash at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer dared to perish together with them.

The other two sprayed blood and were sent flying, their fates unknown.

As for Qi Yuan at the center of the explosion, even though the Heavenly Shield Talisman had blocked most of the power.

The backlash of the massive thunder force and the explosive impact were definitely not something a mere Qi Refining Sixth Layer could withstand.

"Crack!"

The golden shield shattered.

He was thrown like a tattered sack, slamming against the mountain wall.

Countless bones in his body were broken, his internal organs felt displaced, and blood continuously poured from his mouth and nose.

A sharp pain came from his right leg.

He looked down; his right leg had been hit by a flying stone and was a bloody mess.

His vision went dark.

His consciousness plunged into a bottomless abyss.

In the darkness, his consciousness was dissipating.

Like a lamp with its oil exhausted, the flame flickered, about to sink into eternal darkness.

Am I going to die?

Forty years.

Transmigrated to this world for forty years.

From a servant to the outer Sect, from the Qi Refining First Layer to the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.

How much hardship had he endured, how many nights had he stayed up, how many Materials had he wasted just to learn Talisman-making and save up that bit of property—

It was all thrown away.

He got nothing in return.

In the end, he couldn't even leave behind an intact corpse.

He was unwilling.

His consciousness grew increasingly blurred, and that weak flame was about to go out.

However...

At this final moment on the boundary between life and death.

Something moved.