Chapter 1, Fateful Encounter
Lu Yun pondered for a moment and softly said: "You are the eccentric hermit spoken of by the common folk, the cultivator mentioned by fortune tellers, aren't you?" After speaking, she fixed her gaze on the strange man, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes.
Zhang Huafeng quietly looked at her husband and softly said: "Yun'er has been exceptionally intelligent since childhood, mastering everything he learns at once, but unfortunately, his health is too weak. I never expected him to have such a fate; perhaps all of this is predestined. I hope he can live a peaceful life, and then I will be at ease. In the western Shu region of Qinchuan, where the mountains are enchanting and the waters are beautiful, there is infinite wonder. I hope that here, I can find a way to extend my son's life."
Standing quietly in front of the cave, Lu Yun looked at the eccentric person who had taught him martial arts and profound skills for ten years, feeling a deep sense of gratitude towards him. In Lu Yun's heart, he was his master, having imparted countless lessons to him. These were things that ordinary people could not learn even in a hundred years, yet Lu Yun had mastered them.
Upon returning home, Lu Yun said to his father: "I plan to retrieve the item you mentioned in two years. For now, I will continue to learn from my master. My master possesses extraordinary and mysterious skills, and so far, I fear I have only grasped five levels of his teachings. Therefore, I intend to study diligently over the next two years, striving to master all of my master's abilities before I depart."
Lu Wenyu looked at his son, a hint of encouragement in his eyes. He gently patted his shoulder and said softly, "Rest well, you need to go learn your craft tomorrow." After speaking, he exchanged a glance with his wife and left Lu Yun's small room
The strange man looked at the child and slightly furrowed his brow, saying: "At such a young age, to face life and death with such composure is truly remarkable. Unfortunately, the illness you bear is likely beyond the cure of anyone in this world. As for who I am, that is not important. Who are you? Why have you come here?"
The blazing flames on Lu Yun's body, under the enveloping of the five-colored radiance, gradually compressed, expanded and contracted, occasionally swelling up, yet were suppressed by that five-colored light. As time passed slowly, the blood-red flames on Lu Yun's body erupted seven times in succession, all of which were subdued by the mysterious five-colored radiance of the strange figure, ultimately dissolving slowly into Lu Yun's body, vanishing without a trace
Upon hearing this, the strange person trembled all over. Indeed, for those who cultivate the Dao, who among them is not fighting against fate? Since we have encountered this, perhaps it is destined. If that is the case, then I shall contend with the heavens. At worst, it will just be the Nine Heavens Thunder Tribulation; it is not as if I have never seen it before. I will treat it merely as a way to exercise my bones. Can the heavens truly do anything to me?
Looking at Lu Yun, the strange man smiled and said, "Good, you have ambition. Starting tomorrow, I will teach you a miraculous martial art that will allow you to contend with fate. Although ten years is a short time, as long as you put in the effort, you will achieve certain results. One thing you must remember is that you cannot easily use what I teach you, nor can you pass it on to others"
Zhang Huafeng stood at the door, gazing at her son's distant figure, her eyes revealing a hint of smile and affection. When will he be able to grow up, free himself from illness, and live a happy life? Perhaps, no one can say for certain
The child looked at the strange person and said softly, "Alright, thank you. I will come here every day and not tell anyone. I want to live well, to fight against fate, and let the heavens and the earth know that I, Lu Yun, will not be easily defeated by you." In his childish voice, there was a strong courage; he was determined to challenge the heavens.
The child smiled faintly and said: "My name is Lu Yun. I came here with my father. My father is a high-ranking official in the capital, and our family has served in the court for generations, with each generation producing scholars, which can be considered quite illustrious. This time, my father chose to resign voluntarily, unwilling to be complicit with others, and brought me to the West Shu to seek medical treatment. I have seen all the famous doctors in the capital, but none have been of any help. Later, a fortune teller told my father that the Qin River in West Shu has nurtured countless wonders since ancient times and is home to many extraordinary individuals, perhaps they might have a way to cure my illness. Thus, my father brought me here. I have been here for a month, and due to my poor health, today is the first time I have ventured out. I did not expect to encounter you; it truly feels like fate."
The strange person looked at Lu Yun, a hint of joy appearing in his eyes, and said softly: "It has been ten years, and you have not disappointed me. Although the time has been too short, you have learned quite a few of my skills, which is remarkable. What are your plans now? Will you continue to learn the mysterious arts from me, or will you leave this place?"
Lu Wenyu sighed softly, saying: "You are eighteen years old this year, and in two years, you will be twenty. Time really flies. No wonder people often say that the years in the mountains pass easily, while the splendor of the world lasts a thousand years! It is truly like a fleeting cloud, turning to emptiness in the blink of an eye. You have grown up, and your mother and I no longer have any worries about you. You just need to remember to retrieve what belongs to you. Your future path is still long, and we will not interfere with your future; we only hope that you take care of yourself." You have grown up, and your mother and I no longer have any worries about you. You just need to remember to retrieve what belongs to you. Your future path is still long, and we will not interfere with your future; we only hope that you take care of yourself.
In the western Shu region, near the Qinchuan area, the terrain is perilous, characterized by towering mountains and steep ridges. Wild beasts frequently roam the area, and human presence is rare, making it an extremely desolate place. Beneath the Cangfeng Ridge, an eccentric individual has appeared, though it is unclear when he arrived. He is a most peculiar person, dressed in tattered clothing that is indistinguishable as either a Daoist robe or a monk's garb. This person has taken refuge in a cave, remaining there regardless of the onslaught of wind and rain, steadfastly refusing to leave.
The strange man chuckled and said: "You need not pay too much attention to my identity; I have done many things in the past. To put it simply, I was a Taoist for three years, listened to Buddhism for three years, acted as a deity for three years, and played the role of a demon for three years. Hehe, that is all there is to it."
Looking at his parents, Lu Yun promised, "Father, Mother, you can rest assured, I will carve out a world of my own and will not bow to fate." In the tranquil little room, Lu Yun's voice resonated in the air, like a vow, as if he wanted to proclaim it to the heavens and the earth
The night breeze rises, and the faint sounds of insects chirping echo in the mountains, carrying a wave of drowsiness, accompanying people into their dreams, slowly helping them forget all unpleasant matters. In the morning, amidst the melodious sounds of birdsong, Lu Yun wakes up, hastily eats the breakfast that his mother has carefully prepared for him, and then sets out alone.
Lu Yun smiled and said: "He mentioned many things and also brought up my illness. He said that ordinary people have three souls and seven spirits, but I was born with one soul and one spirit less, so this illness cannot be cured. It is already a miracle that I have lived to this point, and because of this, he plans to teach me methods to prolong my life, instructing me to start learning from tomorrow." Upon hearing this, Lu Wenyu's expression changed drastically, and he was filled with shock. Zhang Huafeng looked at her husband, not understanding why he suddenly changed so much, wondering what had happened, which was truly strange.
The child's bright eyes revealed a hint of wonder as he smiled slightly and said: "You are quite perceptive; you can tell at a glance that my life is not long. I have known this for a long time, so I do not mind. Life and death are merely moments; what does it matter whether one lives or dies? Perhaps those who have not experienced it will never understand. What is there to fear? What is your name? Can you tell me about *Tu* and *Shu*?" Life and death are merely moments; what does it matter whether one lives or dies? Perhaps those who have not experienced it will never understand. What is there to fear? What is your name? Can you tell me about *Tu* and *Shu*?
The child solemnly promised, "I will remember, you can rest assured. I actually know who you are, because someone once spoke to me about people like you, those extraordinary individuals."
Upon hearing this, Lu Yun's expression subtly changed, and a peculiar light flashed in his eyes. He smiled slightly and said, "It seems you have done everything. No wonder over the past ten years, the cultivation methods you have passed on to me encompass the ultimate techniques of the five sects: Daoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, the Demon Sect, and the Ghost Sect. Truly, nothing is excluded. So you have indeed tried your hand at everything, huh? Hehe, that shows promise. In these last two years, could you impart to me some more formidable techniques? It would save me from embarrassing you in the future when I go out!" A hint of inscrutable amusement lingered in Lu Yun's eyes, his demeanor calm yet shrouded in mystery, leaving one with an elusive impression.
The strange man looked at Lu Yun, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes, and said with a light laugh: "You clever little one, I’ll give you half credit for that. The reward will come in the future; giving it to you now would be of no use. Once you have learned a bit of skill, it won’t be too late to give it to you then. Now come over here, and let’s have a good chat." After saying this, he waved his hand, and Lu Yun's body instantly appeared beside the strange man, which was quite peculiar.
Lu Yun looked at his parents and smiled, saying: "Today, I encountered a remarkable person, the eccentric individual mentioned by the uncles in the village. I spent the entire day talking with him and gained invaluable insights. He told me that he could impart a method for prolonging life, but I must go to him every day to learn, and I am not allowed to tell anyone else except for my parents. I have already agreed to this, and I will start learning from him tomorrow. Please do not worry; this remarkable person is indeed the immortal practitioner referred to by the fortune-teller in the capital, possessing extraordinary skills. I wish to learn from him diligently, and perhaps he can cure my illness."
The western region of Shu is mountainous, concealing countless demons and monsters. In pursuit of peace, the people have built mountain god temples in various locations to seek the protection of the mountain gods. Years have passed, and the number of mountain god temples has gradually increased. Perhaps it is the mountain gods exerting their power, for in the past one or two hundred years, the people of this land have rarely encountered misfortune, leading to an extraordinary level of respect for the mountain gods.
The strange person slightly frowned, asking, "Is it fate? Perhaps. Looking at Lu Yun, the strange person smiled faintly and said, 'Your illness is incurable. Ordinary people possess three souls and seven spirits, but you are missing one soul and one spirit. This is truly unique in the world. From your appearance, it seems you were born this way, with congenital deficiencies, which is extremely rare, almost a once-in-ten-thousand-year occurrence. But it is strange why you have survived until now. Generally, someone like you would not live past their first year; even those with strong vitality would only live to about three years at most. Yet you appear to be around seven or eight years old now, which is quite miraculous.'
For many years, every woodcutter ascending the mountain would often see his figure. They would observe him playing with the monkeys in the mountains, using fruits to satisfy his hunger. Initially, people were somewhat afraid of him, but as time passed and nothing unusual occurred, they became accustomed to his presence, treating him as if he were nonexistent. Time passed unknowingly, and it is unclear how many years have gone by, yet this peculiar man still resides there, unwilling to leave.
When Lu Yun awoke, it was already dusk. The sky was painted with evening clouds, and the world was clear and bright. Stretching his body, Lu Yun suddenly stood in mid-air, emanating a powerful aura that instantly caused the surrounding plants to bow their heads. A dark blue light rose from Lu Yun, enveloping his body in an instant. Following this, the dark blue light transformed into golden light, which then changed to red, red to white, white to black, and finally back to dark blue, repeating in cycles. The five colors of light continuously transformed, exuding an extreme sense of mystery and strangeness. A dark blue light rose from Lu Yun, enveloping his body in an instant. Following this, the dark blue light transformed into golden light, which then changed to red, red to white, white to black, and finally back to dark blue, repeating in cycles. The five colors of light continuously transformed, exuding an extreme sense of mystery and strangeness.
The strange person glanced at the horizon and fell into deep thought. After a long while, he finally spoke: "I can find a way to extend your life, but you must promise me that you will not tell anyone about this, except for your parents. No one else should know. Furthermore, for the next ten years, you must come here to see me every day. If you cannot do this, then go back; do not agree lightly. I do not like people who do not keep their promises." As he looked at the horizon, a faint sigh escaped from his eyes. Perhaps this was the wrong thing to do, was it not?
Lu Yun looked at the inch-long humanoid ginseng in the strange man's hand, a glimmer of surprise flashing in his eyes. The strange man glanced at him and said softly, "Do not underestimate this ginseng. Although it is only an inch long, it has an extremely rare origin. This is the essence of a ten-thousand-year ginseng king that I inadvertently saved many years ago. Later, that ginseng immortal achieved enlightenment, and in gratitude for my help, he gifted me this essence as a token of appreciation. This ginseng king is a rare treasure in the world, far beyond the ordinary thousand-year ginseng. Generally, a thousand-year ginseng and a thousand-year fo-ti can strengthen the body and prolong life for ordinary people. For martial artists, consuming it can increase their power by thirty years, while for cultivators, it can enhance their cultivation by a full cycle of sixty years, making it a rare spiritual item. However, the ginseng king in my hand is invaluable for cultivators because it is the essence of the ten-thousand-year ginseng king, which has already achieved enlightenment and ascended. Therefore, consuming this ginseng king can increase one's cultivation by ten cycles of sixty years, a truly unique treasure in the world. I hope that after you consume it, you will achieve success in your studies within two years, so that our bond as master and disciple will not be in vain." With that, he handed the ginseng king to Lu Yun.
The strange man chuckled and said, "In these past two years, if you wish to learn all my skills, you might as well forget about sleeping. Even if you master them all, without a hundred years of cultivation, it would still be in vain. Cultivating the Dao is different from martial arts; in martial arts, one can achieve minor success in ten years and major success in twenty. However, in cultivation, it often takes ten years to enter the path, a hundred years to achieve minor success, and to attain major success, it depends on each person's fortune. I remember the day you guessed half of my identity; I once promised you a reward, and now I suppose this is close enough." After saying this, the strange man took out a jade box from his bosom, slowly opened it, and immediately a fragrant aroma wafted out, utterly enchanting.
Lu Wenyu slightly raised his head, murmuring in astonishment: "I never expected it, truly unexpected. The legend of the Lu family, passed down for generations, actually has some truth to it. Perhaps this is fate. Yun'er, you should go learn from that extraordinary person tomorrow. Remember to work hard; your mother and I will fully support you. No matter what the future holds, you must live bravely and face everything with strength"
The child was walking slowly when he suddenly heard the call of a monkey and couldn't help but turn his head to take a look. Not far away, he saw a cave, at the entrance of which stood a disheveled figure. With long hair cascading down, the person's face was obscured, but a pair of exceptionally bright eyes could be faintly seen, observing him. The young child was momentarily taken aback, yet there was not a trace of fear on his face as he turned and walked towards the strange figure.
The strange person laughed mockingly and said, "You little brat, having gained an advantage, you still shout recklessly. Quickly take the ginseng king; I will help you refine it. Otherwise, with your current cultivation level, you won't be able to wake up within a month." Lu Yun smiled indifferently, sat cross-legged, and slowly consumed the ginseng king. Before long, Lu Yun's entire body was engulfed in a fiery red blaze, a raging flame burning fiercely, enveloping his body within.
Lu Wenyu exchanged a glance with his wife, Zhang Huafeng, and said, "What did he say to you today? Can you tell us? Was there anything regarding your illness?"
The mountains and rivers of Xishu remain beautiful, and the clear waters of Xishu continue to flow ceaselessly. The young man Lu Yun, who was born with a disability, is still learning skills from the eccentric. Two years have passed, often unnoticed, and the great tides of the world have undergone earth-shattering changes due to Lu Yun's emergence. What secrets are hidden in Lu Yun's life, and what unknown mysteries lie within the centuries-old legend of the Lu family? Perhaps no one can provide a clear answer. What secrets are hidden in Lu Yun's life, and what unknown mysteries lie within the centuries-old legend of the Lu family? Perhaps no one can provide a clear answer.
The eccentric man looked at his disciple, who had been learning from him for ten years, with a hint of approval in his eyes. Gazing at Lu Yun in mid-air, the eccentric man said: "It seems the results are quite good, and you have made progress. However, although your cultivation has greatly increased now, the true essence of a cultivator is to cultivate from nothing to something, and then from something back to nothing. Only then can one traverse the heavens and earth, and roar across the seas. While you may appear powerful on the surface, your true cultivation is still far from sufficient. In the next two years, you must refine all your cultivation to reach the state of returning to simplicity. You must not let others see that you know the techniques of the Mystical Gate; only then can it be considered a slight achievement. Continue to work hard; your journey is still long ahead."
Lu Yun looked at his father and nodded slightly, saying, "I will do it. I will fight against fate, so you can rest assured that I will not give up easily." In Lu Yun's young heart, there was a maturity and determination that surpassed his age. Having been plagued by illness since childhood and having resisted death countless times, he had forged a strong will, which endowed him with a thinking ability that was different from that of ordinary people
As dusk fell, Lu Yun left there with a smile, heading home. Upon returning home, Lu Yun's parents looked at their son with affection, their eyes filled with tenderness. Lu Yun's father, named Lu Wenyu, and his mother, Zhang Huafeng, were both exceptionally good-looking individuals of outstanding character. Lu Wenyu asked with a smile, "Yun'er, how many places did you visit alone today, and did you see anything unusual?"
The strange man smiled and said, "I hope so. Many things you will understand in the future are not as easy as you imagine. Meeting me is a stroke of luck for you, so your cultivation is easier than that of ordinary people. But when you encounter a true master, you will understand that many things require time to accumulate. Cultivation itself is against the natural order, and encountering such luck is even more so; therefore, you must be mentally prepared, for there will come a day when you will understand. Alright, it is getting late, you should return now, and we will continue tomorrow!" After saying this, the strange man turned and went back into the cave. Cultivation itself is against the natural order, and encountering such luck is even more so; therefore, you must be mentally prepared, for there will come a day when you will understand. Alright, it is getting late, you should return now, and we will continue tomorrow!" After saying this, the strange man turned and went back into the cave.
The strange person smiled and said, "Little brat, it seems you are quite clever. So tell me, who am I? If you get it right, there will be a reward."
Mother Zhang Huafeng said: "Yun, your life is filled with changes and uncertainties; no one can predict what your future will be like. Your father and I only hope that you will live a safe life, and that is enough for us. Over the past ten years, although your illness has not improved, it has not relapsed either. I believe that if you continue to practice like this, one day you will recover. For this reason, we no longer worry. After you have spent two years mastering your skills, you can venture into a career of your own. We will always support you"
Time flies; in the blink of an eye, spring turns to autumn, and just like that, ten years have passed. Over the course of these ten years, Lu Yun has transformed from a frail child into a handsome young man. Although his physique is still somewhat slender, he has not fallen ill during this decade. His health improves day by day, and he is becoming increasingly intelligent, learning things at an astonishing pace.
The strange person wore a hint of confusion on his face, gazing slightly at the horizon. Was what he was doing right? Perhaps humans were meant to contend with fate, were they not? Looking at Lu Yun, a faint smile appeared in the strange person's eyes as his right hand gently hovered three inches above Lu Yun's head. Suddenly, a stream of multicolored light flowed from the palm of his right hand, instantly enveloping Lu Yun's body in a beautiful and magical radiance.
Lu Yun looked at him and smiled, saying: "It seems you are more capable than those doctors; just by glancing at me a few times, you have discerned so much. Truly remarkable. Could you take a closer look at my condition and see if there is any hope? Although I do not care much about life and death, I know that if I were to die, my parents would be very saddened."
The strange man looked at the child, a hint of a sigh appearing in his eyes, as if he had sensed something faintly. The child approached the strange man, and a clear, youthful voice softly emerged: "Are you the strange man those uncles speak of? I heard you have been here for a very long time. Can you tell me why you stay here? Why don't you come live in our village?" The child's eyes held a trace of curiosity as he quietly gazed at the strange man. Why don't you come live in our village?" The child's eyes held a trace of curiosity as he quietly gazed at the strange man.
Lu Yun said softly: "My father told me something. He wants me to go to a place, either now or in two years, to retrieve something that belongs to me. I plan to study with you for another two years, hoping to make significant progress during this time, so that our connection will not be in vain. After all these years, you still haven't told me who you really are, what you used to do. Can you tell me now?"
Lu Yun gently took it and smiled at the strange person, saying: "Thank you, Master, for bestowing this upon me. After so many years, today you finally agreed to accept me as your disciple. It has truly been a long wait!" After speaking, she smiled slightly, her expression somewhat resembling that of the strange person.
The stranger said softly: "You are not from here, are you? Your accent suggests you are from the capital. Why have you come here? Your health is poor, and you probably do not have much time left. Why not stay with your parents and spend a little more time with them?"
On this day, beneath the Cangfeng Ridge, a young child of about seven or eight years old approached. From a distance, he appeared quite handsome and charming, endearing to all. Dressed in fine garments, it was evident that this child did not come from a poor family. However, upon closer inspection, one could discern that the child's complexion was somewhat dark, with a pallor that hinted at a trace of ashen hues.
In the night breeze, Lu Wenyu gazed at the bright moon in the sky and softly said: "I remember the ancestral records of the Lu family, which document a magical legend passed down through generations. It is said that among the descendants of the Lu family, there will appear a disciple who is inherently missing one soul and one spirit, marking an unpredictable mutation for the Lu family. No one can clearly define his fate; his life will be filled with legends. The ancestral teachings of the Lu family state that if such a person appears, he must return to the ancestral grave of the Lu family to retrieve something that only he can unlock, which is likely to change the course of his life. I never expected that Yun'er would be the descendant mentioned in the legend. I plan to tell him when he turns eighteen or twenty, urging him to return and retrieve what belongs to him."
Lu Yun slowly descended, looking at the strange person with a calm expression, and smiled, saying: "Thank you, Master, for your teachings. I, Lu Yun, will work hard. In the coming two years, I will not disappoint your expectations and will strive to master all the techniques you have imparted, working diligently to meet your requirements"