Immortal Druid

Three years had passed since the talks with the Willow Order had concluded. During that time, preparations had been made in secrecy across the continent. Information had been gathered. Formations had been refined. Artifacts had been collected. Everyone had been working toward a single goal.

The destruction of the Dark Order.

I arrived at the designated meeting area the Willow Order had specified. The location rested beside a vast lake whose waters stretched to the horizon. Sunlight reflected across its surface, causing countless ripples of silver to dance upon the water.

Adjacent to the lake stood a wide clearing where dozens of cultivators worked tirelessly.

Massive spirit stones had been arranged across the ground in a complex pattern. Some were larger than houses. Spiritual light flowed between them through countless engraved channels, creating a formation array so large that it covered nearly the entire clearing.

The moment I arrived, a sea of black wings filled the sky.

Thousands of crows emerged from nearby trees and circled overhead.

Mab stood beside me.

"My lord," she said, folding her hands behind her back. "Should I accompany you?"

I shook my head.

"I'll be fine."

Her expression remained calm, but I knew her well enough to recognize the concern hidden beneath it.

"Protect the forest in my stead," I said. "If anything happens while I'm gone, I'd rather have you there than standing beside me."

Mab nodded.

"As you wish. I shall do so."

I smiled.

"Good. Then goodbye for now."

"Goodbye?" She raised an eyebrow. "See you soon would sound considerably better."

I laughed.

"Fine. See you soon."

She narrowed her eyes.

"My lord seems awfully eager to get rid of me."

"That's not true."

"It is."

"It isn't."

"It absolutely is."

I rubbed my forehead.

"You're being a worry-wart again."

"I am a very accomplished worry-wart."

"Just go already."

Mab rolled her eyes.

"One day, my lord, you shall miss me terribly."

"I doubt it."

"You will."

She sounded completely certain. The next instant, her figure vanished. I stared at the empty space she had occupied and released a sigh. Sometimes I genuinely felt as though I had a mother sending me off to school.

It was embarrassing.

I couldn't even explain why.

Mab simply possessed a strange presence about her. People reacted to her differently. Even powerful cultivators seemed unable to maintain their composure around her. The last time I had visited Leafhome City-State, Li Qing's reaction to Mab's presence had been explosive enough that I still remembered it vividly.

Shaking my head, I approached the cultivators gathered around the formation.

There were over fifty of them. Most wore the white-and-green robes of the Willow Order. Among them, I recognized several familiar faces. Many had accompanied me during the years spent hunting Dark Order members across the continent.

Before I could get too close, a young cultivator stepped forward.

"Stop right there!"

His voice was sharp enough to make several nearby cultivators glance over.

The young man pointed at me suspiciously.

"State your identity! This operation is highly confidential. Unauthorized individuals are forbidden from approaching!"

The tone alone made it sound less like a request and more like a threat.

Immediately, another cultivator smacked the back of his shoulder.

"What nonsense are you spouting?"

The second cultivator hurried forward and cupped his fists toward me.

"Sage Wo Li, please forgive him. He's only recently been assigned here."

I waved dismissively.

"It's fine."

Unfortunately, the offender didn't seem convinced. His brows furrowed. "Nothing is fine. We should be strict with ourselves and stricter with outsiders. Whoever he is, he should leave immediately."

Several nearby cultivators winced. The young man clearly wasn't lacking courage. What he lacked was common sense. Before anyone else could respond, a figure silently appeared behind him.

Smack.

A hand struck the back of his head. The cultivator yelped and nearly stumbled forward.

Guo Yupin glared at him.

"You idiot."

"Senior Guo—"

"Apologize."

The disciple looked conflicted.

Guo Yupin's glare intensified.

"Now."

The disciple visibly struggled for several seconds before finally lowering his head.

"...I apologize."

I smiled.

"Accepted."

Only then did Guo Yupin nod in satisfaction.

"Good. At least you're still teachable."

A moment later, two familiar figures approached. One was Steel Sky Sect Leader Xing Mei. The other was Serenity Cliff Sect Leader Ding Yahui. Both wore Willow Order robes as opposed to there sect clothing. Seeing sect leaders dressed as ordinary members felt somewhat surreal.

The two cupped their fists respectfully.

"Sage Wo Li," Xing Mei greeted.

"It has been some time," Ding Yahui added.

I returned the gesture.

"Sect Leaders."

Ding Yahui sighed.

"This old man apologizes for the behavior of my sect’s disciple."

His gaze drifted toward the unfortunate young cultivator. The disciple looked as though he wanted the ground to swallow him whole.

I chuckled.

"It's a small thing. My ego is not so fragile that I'd lash out over something so minor."

The disciple looked surprised.

I continued.

"Forgive and forget."

The tension immediately eased. As we exchanged greetings, I noticed that quite a few cultivators present didn't originally belong to the Willow Order. It seemed the Willow Order had recruited experts from both the Steel Sky Sect and Serenity Cliff Sect for this operation.

That made sense.

When immortals were involved, every available expert mattered.

I glanced toward the enormous formation.

"How is the formation spell progressing?"

Before anyone could answer, a familiar old woman approached. Her gray hair was tied neatly into a bun. It was Chen Lin. She cupped her fists in greeting.

"Sage Wo Li."

"Consul Chen."

A faint smile appeared on her face.

"The formation array has already been completed. We have spent the past several days conducting final inspections."

She gestured toward the glowing network spread across the clearing.

"We were only waiting for your arrival."

I nodded.

"Thank you all for your patience."

"There is no need for thanks," Chen Lin replied. "Compared to what awaits ahead, a few days are insignificant."

My gaze swept across the assembled cultivators. Forty-eight Core Formation cultivators. Four Nascent Soul cultivators. And me, an Immortal realm threat. I might not have lack the cultivation that defined the powers of this world, but I’m strong.

"Where is Li Qing?" I asked.

At the mention of her name, Chen Lin sighed.

"The Archon wished to participate personally."

That sounded exactly like Li Qing.

"However," Chen Lin continued, "as Consul, I advised her to remain behind."

It was a wise decision. Li Qing was important enough that risking her life wasn't worth the potential benefits, when they had me. 

Chen Lin's expression grew serious.

"The Archon informed us of the situation."

I immediately understood what she meant.

The immortals.

"Three of them," Chen Lin said quietly. "The Archon revealed that you would likely be facing all three at once."

Several nearby cultivators stiffened. Even after years of preparation, the reality remained terrifying. Three immortals. That was how much threat we were about to face.

“Fortunately, we have not come unprepared."

She pointed toward the formation.

"In the middle of the formation rests an artifact acquired at great cost. Its effect is temporary, but it should be capable of sealing one immortal for a short period. The rest of us will buy time against another. We don’t know how long we can hold back one of them, but we will stake our lives to achieve our objectives. There will be no glory in joining us in this operation, for your life will not just be put on stake, but also your peace."

It didn’t sound promising at all. Joining this fight would barely give me any benefits. Admittedly, I was joining this fight just for the principle of it, and nothing more. Moreover, there simply weren't many choices available. We didn’t even have a Soul Transformation in our ranks, and we were about to attack someone’s main base.

If battle broke out, I wouldn't be able to protect everyone.

Some of them would die.

That reality had already been accepted.

Even resurrection wasn't a practical solution. Reviving the dead required energy, concentration, and opportunity. During a battle against immortals, every fraction of attention could determine victory or death.

I couldn't afford such distractions.

My gaze drifted toward the lake. The water remained calm and peaceful, completely unaware of the storm that was about to descend. Over the past three years, I had trained relentlessly under Mab's guidance. She had pushed me harder than anyone else ever could.

Many times I had questioned whether she was training me or trying to kill me.

In hindsight, perhaps the answer had been both.

Regardless, the results spoke for themselves. I had grown stronger, despite the rules of this world limiting my growth. The old me who fought Lu Jing would lose to the current me without question. If I fought Lu Jing again today, I was confident of a complete victory.

I looked around at the gathered cultivators, taking in the tension hanging over the clearing. Some wore determined expressions while others tried and failed to hide their unease. Considering what we were about to do, I couldn't exactly blame them.

“I want all of you to give me a chance to fight the immortals,” I said. “Well, all of them except the one that you plan to seal. Leave the immortals to me while the rest of you focus on the cultivators of the Dark Order. That will be more than enough trouble for everyone.”

The reactions were mixed.

A few cultivators visibly relaxed, clearly relieved that they would not be expected to stand against immortals. Others appeared even more nervous, perhaps realizing that if I failed, the situation would collapse for everyone involved.

“That sounds absurd,” one cultivator muttered.

“It's also probably our best chance,” another replied.

“We should trust Sage Wo Li.”

“If he says he can do it, then let him.”

Chen Lin folded her arms and nodded. “We will follow your lead.”

Then she pointed toward the center of the formation.

“Before anything else, pick up the treasure in the middle.”

I walked toward the center of the formation array. Intricate runes glowed beneath my feet as spiritual energy flowed through channels carved into the earth. Resting at the exact center was a dark ring that appeared deceptively ordinary.

I bent down and picked it up.

“The artifact is called the Ring of Dark Banishment,” Chen Lin explained. “It allows the wielder to exile another cultivator for a limited period of time. The duration depends on both the strength of the user and the target. Against weaker opponents, the effect can last a very long time. Against stronger ones, the exile period becomes shorter.”

She pointed at the ring.

“Wear it. Consider it a loan.”

“Just a loan?”

“Yes.”

“For a second there, I thought you were giving me something valuable for free. It scared me.”

Several cultivators laughed.

Chen Lin rolled her eyes.

I slipped the ring onto my finger.

“The formation array serves another purpose as well,” Chen Lin continued. “It will transport us directly to our destination. Everyone, enter the formation immediately and take your assigned positions.”

The cultivators moved quickly.

One after another, they stepped into the formation, arranging themselves according to predetermined positions. I remained at the center while the others formed protective layers around me.

As everyone settled into place, I raised a hand.

“One thing. I'd like my crows to come with us. Will that be a problem?”

Chen Lin glanced toward the murder above us.

“It won't interfere with the formation.”

“Excellent.”

The crows immediately took advantage of the approval. Rather than behaving themselves, they flew around looking for cultivators to annoy. One landed directly on an old Core Formation cultivator's head. Another stole a spiritual fruit someone was about to eat. A third crow somehow managed to untie a cultivator's belt before fleeing.

“You feathered menace!”

“Give that back!”

“Why does it have my talisman!?”

The cawing that followed sounded suspiciously like laughter. I sighed and asked the crows through sound transmission to behave themselves. Eventually each crow found a cultivator to perch on, settling down only after causing sufficient trouble.

The Nascent Soul cultivators gathered around me.

Guo Yupin clenched his fists.

“It’s time for revenge.”

Xing Mei nodded grimly. “The Dark Order has taken enough from us. It's time they paid.”

Ding Yahui shook his head.

“Revenge is dangerous.”

Both cultivators looked at him.

“This won't be an ordinary fight,” Ding Yahui continued. “If you enter battle consumed by personal grudges, you'll make mistakes. Cleanse yourselves of your demons and focus on victory.”

After a moment, both cultivators nodded.

Chen Lin stepped forward.

“We will arrive near the holy mountain of the Dark Order. Once there, we move carefully. No unnecessary risks.”

At the edge of the formation stood several elderly Formation Masters, all of them Core Formation experts. Their robes fluttered as spiritual energy gathered around them. They raised their hands simultaneously.

“Heavenly Paths align.”

“Spatial roots intertwine.”

“By branch and root.”

“By distance and destination.”

“World Crossing Formation, activate!”

The formation erupted with light, space twisted, and the world folded inward.

For a brief instant, everything around me shattered into countless fragments of color and light. The sensation was so abrupt that even my Druidic Insight failed to properly process what had happened.

Soon, the distortion vanished.

We stood in a forest. Birds chirped overhead. A cool breeze rustled the leaves. The transition had been so fast that it felt unreal.

I turned toward Chen Lin.

“Can you tell me more about that formation spell?”

Chen Lin looked pleased by the question.

“The formation works by attaching itself to one of the roots of the World Tree scattered around the world. Once attached, the root serves as a pathway.”

I nodded slowly.

“That sounds ridiculously overpowered.”

“It is.”

“There has to be a catch.”

“There is. The destination requires a spatial anchor. Sometimes that's a location. Sometimes it's an artifact with spatial properties, like the Ring of Dark Banishment.”

“Now you're making me nervous.”

“Good. Don't lose it.”

Chen Lin’s expression became serious.

“Everyone, make camp immediately!”

The cultivators snapped into motion.

“We'll remain here temporarily. Formation Masters, prepare a stealth array. I want this entire camp hidden before sunset.”

The old men acknowledged the order and began unpacking materials.

Chen Lin looked toward me.

“I need to meet our spy.”

Then she looked around at the others.

“Remain alert. We are in enemy territory.”

Finally, she focused on me again.

“Sage Wo Li, come with me.”

Xing Mei immediately stepped forward.

“I wish to come as well.”

Chen Lin shrugged.

“Suit yourself.”

Without another word, she turned and disappeared into the forest, followed by Xing Mei. I watched them vanish between the trees. I looked toward Old Crow. “Handle things here. Do some light scouting while we're gone. Pair one crow with every cultivator. We're in enemy territory, and I'd rather have extra eyes watching there backs.”

Old Crow puffed out his chest proudly.

“Leave everything to this great elder! Nothing escapes my notice!”

“That statement alone concerns me.”

“I am deeply offended.”

“You stole three lunches this morning. You are not getting any younger, Old Crow.”

“That is unrelated.”

Shaking my head, I followed after Chen Lin. Nature's Stride carried me effortlessly through the forest. I eventually found her waiting beside a river path. Water flowed quietly over smooth stones while sunlight filtered through the canopy overhead.

For some reason, she looked nervous.

At first I thought I was imagining it. Chen Lin didn’t look like the type to get nervous, yet the signs were there. There was a slight tension in her shoulders and a subtle stiffness in her posture.

Above us, Xing Mei stood atop the tallest tree in the area, surveying the horizon.

I approached Chen Lin.

“Is there a problem?”

She was silent for several moments before answering.

“I had people performing divinations for this mission.”

My eyebrows rose.

“And?”

“Nine times out of ten, the result was catastrophic.”

That got my attention.

Chen Lin sighed.

“That is the main reason we've delayed for so long. We could have started this operation a month ago.”

I glanced toward her.

“What about now?”

“The latest divinations came back positive.”

“That's good, isn't it?”

“Normally.”

I immediately knew there was a catch.

She looked toward the distant horizon.

“I don't believe it will be that easy.”

Before I could ask more, Xing Mei's voice drifted down from above. “I can't see the holy mountain from here. There is also smoke in the distance.”

Chen Lin nodded. “A formation is probably concealing the holy mountain. As for the smoke, that should be the signal from our spy. Let’s go.”

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