Immortal Travel of Longevity

Wu Daozi said, "If I could truly turn lifeless objects into living beings, I would not be troubled by the problem before me."

Breathing life into brush and ink was no different from creating a spirit. Scarcely a single cultivator in the world was capable of such a feat.

If Wu Daozi truly possessed such an ability, he would have made a name for himself in this world long ago. Just as he said, his path would not be hindered by the blooming mountain flowers beneath this thick fog.

Chen Changsheng sat down and said, "Even so, it has still opened This Chen's eyes. It is clear that Fellow Daoist has profound attainments in the Art of Painting."

Wu Daozi shook his head and sighed softly. "What does it matter how high my attainments are? I used this to enter the Dao, but by the time I did, I was well past the age of vigorous youth. In many respects, I fall far short of other cultivators. I lack the energy to push further, and I have lost the chance to reach the upper realms."

Chen Changsheng said, "Fellow Daoist, it is a mistake to think that way. Cultivation has nothing to do with age. It is just like studying—mastery is what puts one ahead. By stepping onto this path, one's strength is replenished, and one's energy will always return to its peak. There are countless people who have reached the Great Dao through years of quiet accumulation. Why should Fellow Daoist be discouraged?"

Hearing this, Wu Daozi chuckled and said, "May your words come true."

He let out a breath, opened his hands, and asked, "What else would Fellow Daoist like me to draw?"

Chen Changsheng thought for a moment before saying, "Fellow Daoist draws objects and landscapes, but have you ever drawn a person?"

"Why is that?" Chen Changsheng asked. "Is Fellow Daoist not curious?"

Wu Daozi shook his head. "It is not a matter of curiosity. The deeper one's attainments, the heavier the shackles. There are unseen signs guiding what can be drawn and what cannot. It is just like cultivators who practice divination—the more profound their mastery, the more terrified they are to divine certain matters."

"I see..."

Chen Changsheng roughly understood what he meant.

Simply put, there was no harm in drawing trivial things. But drawing certain subjects would damage one's own foundation. Without good reason, no one would deliberately draw something they knew they should not.

Yet Chen Changsheng was still confused. He asked, "But the things Fellow Daoist draws are not living creatures to begin with. If you can draw flowers and birds, why can you not draw a person?"

Wu Daozi said, "I have never drawn one, so I do not know the answer either."

Chen Changsheng's curiosity swelled, but realizing he would not get an answer from Wu Daozi, he temporarily set the thought aside and went back to drinking fine wine with him.

"This Chen is particularly interested in the Art of Painting. I wonder if I might intrude on Fellow Daoist for a few days?"

Wu Daozi stared blankly for a moment before agreeing. "This place is desolate. Having Fellow Daoist here will add a bit of liveliness. Why would I refuse?"

"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist."

And so, Chen Changsheng took up residence at the foot of the mountain.

He spent his days watching Wu Daozi paint. He did so partly out of curiosity toward the wondrous Art of Painting, and partly to calm his mind. He found that immersing himself in these mountains and rivers always brought peace to his heart, especially when viewing that Painting Scroll.

Chen Changsheng would occasionally pick up a brush to try it himself, but he could never capture the essence. He could not reach Wu Daozi's level of turning the false into reality. He simply lacked the talent for it, or rather, his Cultivation in this path was insufficient.

Everything slowed down.

...

"Fellow Daoist Bufan! Help me!"

A loud shout rang out.

Kong Ru's legs had been ensnared by a tree demon, leaving him hanging upside down in midair.

In response to his cry...

A streak of cyan light swept past, accompanied by the booming resonance of a Buddhist chant.

The branches trapping Kong Ru were instantly severed.

Ning Bufan caught him steadily, his expression grave as he shouted, "Run!"

The two of them scrambled outward, fleeing for their lives.

The tree demon lashed out, sweeping its branches toward the fleeing pair.

Fortunately, they were fast enough on their feet to narrowly escape disaster.

Kong Ru collapsed onto the ground, gasping heavily for breath. He said, "Fellow Daoist Bufan, you have saved my life again..."

Ning Bufan looked at him in exasperation. "What is wrong with you? You take a piss by the road and a malevolent ghost sneaks up on you. You go to buy a horse and run into an evil demon. You pick up a piece of wood in the forest and get tangled up by a tree demon. Do you naturally attract these monsters and spirits?"

Kong Ru looked rather sheepish. "Fellow Daoist Bufan, I do not know what is going on either. It never used to be like this. Perhaps my luck has just been a bit poor lately."

Ning Bufan let out a long sigh. "Do not go wandering off from now on. Just stay close to me, or else you might end up dropping dead on the road."

Kong Ru cupped his hands and said, "Fellow Daoist Bufan, a drop of kindness received in need must be repaid with a surging spring. When I achieve success in my Cultivation in the future, I will never forget your kindness today."

"Give it a rest."

Ning Bufan waved him off and sat down. "I am going to rest for a bit. Stay right here beside me. Do not go running off anywhere."

"Oh..."

Kong Ru scratched his head and sat down obediently.

Ning Bufan felt his head spinning dizzily. Logically, they needed to get out of there as fast as possible, but there was nothing he could do. His headaches followed no discernible pattern, and whenever they struck, he would always pass out completely.

His expression was calm, but panic was brewing in his heart.

He was terrified that the tree demon would catch up to them.

Thud...

The next moment, Ning Bufan's vision went black, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Startled by the sudden collapse, Kong Ru hurriedly rushed over to prop him up. "Fellow Daoist Bufan? Fellow Daoist Bufan? Why did you faint? Fellow Daoist Bufan?!"

But no matter how much he patted him, Ning Bufan showed absolutely no reaction.

Panicking, Kong Ru hastily checked his pulse.

Yet after a thorough examination, he could not find anything wrong.

"What is going on...?"

Kong Ru was utterly baffled.

But while he was lost in thought, a branch had quietly crept up behind the two of them.

The branch slowly lowered itself, as if ready to snatch them away at any moment.

Right at that moment, an intense Buddhist light suddenly erupted from Ning Bufan's body.

Hum.

In an instant, Kong Ru was startled and fell back onto the ground.

The branch stirring behind them sizzled under the radiant Buddhist light.

Rustle!!

The branch shuddered violently, billowing white smoke as if scorched by a raging fire. A second later, it burst into flames.

"Ah!!"

Kong Ru shrieked in terror.

The burning branch instantly fled in a panic, not daring to come close again.

A moment later, Kong Ru snapped back to his senses and finally looked at the unconscious Ning Bufan.

"Fellow Daoist Bufan!"

"Fellow Daoist Bufan?!"

As he called out, a clap of thunder suddenly echoed from above.

Rumble!!

Kong Ru trembled and looked up just as heavy raindrops began to pelt down, soaking them both.

While Kong Ru was still in a daze, Ning Bufan's hand suddenly grabbed him.

Stunned, Kong Ru turned to look.

"Fellow Daoist Bufan, you are awake!" Kong Ru said in delight.

Ning Bufan's eyes were incredibly calm. He stared at Kong Ru and said, "You cannot die."

Kong Ru found Ning Bufan's words completely baffling.

Kong Ru opened his mouth and said, "I am not dying. Fellow Daoist Bufan, what are you talking about?"

Ning Bufan kept staring right at him and said, "No matter what happens, you cannot die. Survive. Keep living. Remember this poor monk's words."

Kong Ru met his gaze.

He could not help but part his lips, feeling an inexplicable sense that Fellow Daoist Bufan had suddenly become an entirely different person.

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