Martial Immortality: Starting with the Spirit Beast Scroll

Seeing Zhao Lin lost in thought, Huang Zhusong said no more. He lifted his teacup and sipped it slowly for a moment before speaking again. "There’s actually another reason we don’t discuss cultivation with mortals..."

"Once one begins to cultivate, it is taboo to interfere in the affairs of the mortal world. Otherwise, one becomes too entangled, which not only affects the Dao Heart but can also incur karma."

Zhao Lin was puzzled. These words felt too esoteric and vague. ’Why weren’t there restrictions like this when I practiced martial arts?’ he wondered.

"May I ask, Daoist Master, what is a Dao Heart, and what is karma?"

Huang Zhusong set down his teacup, choosing his words carefully. "The so-called Dao Heart stands in contrast to the mortal heart or a delusional heart. It is, simply put, a resolute heart that seeks the Dao."

"’The heart of the Dao is subtle, while the human heart is full of peril. Be precise and be unified; hold fast to the center.’"

"This saying is a core teaching passed down among us who cultivate. It means the path of the Dao is arduous and easily disturbed by external influences. If one’s will is not firm, one can never achieve the Great Dao."

"Before you begin cultivating, you cannot grasp the true meaning of these words. You will come to understand them in time."

"As for karma, it sounds esoteric and difficult to grasp, but it is very real. We Cultivators absorb the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, and our techniques must comply with the Laws of Heaven and Earth. Our every action is constrained by the Celestial Dao."

"Casually revealing heavenly secrets in the mortal realm or recklessly using techniques on mortals will affect your fortune. In severe cases, you may even face heavenly retribution."

Dao Heart, karma, the Celestial Dao...

Zhao Lin listened, only half-understanding, but he committed it all to memory. As his doubts were dispelled one by one, he was just about to agree to their offer. But as the words reached his lips, he suddenly recalled the threads of fate he’d seen reaching out from his mother when he’d observed her qi a few days ago.

Having lived in this world for over a decade, he had gradually forgotten his identity as a transmigrator, coming to see the parents and older brother of this life as his true flesh-and-blood kin.

They had not only saved him from the brink of death but had also given him their meticulous and unconditional love.

Now that he had the chance to become a Cultivator, he couldn’t just cast them aside like a worn-out coat. He wasn’t capable of doing such a thing.

Thinking of this, Zhao Lin looked up and asked, "If I decide to cultivate, must I part from my family, never to see them again?"

A strange light glinted in Huang Zhusong’s eyes. He leaned forward slightly, and instead of answering, he posed a question of his own. "What? Your Grace cannot bear to part with them?"

Zhao Lin said nothing, only giving a slow, firm nod.

Huang Zhusong and Lv Qing exchanged a glance, then rose to their feet in unison and gave Zhao Lin a respectful bow.

Zhao Lin froze for a moment, then also stood to return the bow, asking in confusion, "What is the meaning of this, you two Daoist Masters?"

Huang Zhusong’s eyes filled with admiration. "I never imagined that Your Grace, despite your high station, would possess such deep sentiment and righteousness," he said, his voice full of emotion. "You have our deepest respect."

"To be honest, our mission as stationed Cultivators is not only to find those with a Spiritual Root but also to observe their character and moral fiber."

"If a person, upon hearing the word ’cultivation,’ would abandon their parents and relatives without a second thought or even the blink of an eye, we would still recruit them into the sect... but we would certainly make a note of it in their record!"

"Then, no matter how outstanding their talent, it would be impossible for them to be given important positions within the sect. Their access to resources for advancement—elixirs, Cultivation Techniques, immortal abodes, and so on—would also be restricted!"

A chill went down Zhao Lin’s spine, but he was also confused. "But didn’t you just say that after one begins cultivating, one cannot interfere in the mortal world?"

"Not at all!"

Huang Zhusong shook his head emphatically. "Not interfering in the mortal world does not mean abandoning one’s own flesh and blood!" he said in a solemn voice. "We Cultivators may seek the Great Dao of immortality, but we must never forget that we are, first and foremost, human!"

"Our Chenghua Sect and the nine minor worlds it oversees all stem from the same origin. We follow the same rites and morals, upholding loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and integrity!"

"Among all virtues, filial piety comes first. If a person cannot even manage the most basic familial love and filial duty, what use would the Chenghua Sect have for such a selfish, heartless, and faithless individual?"

"One must never forget their roots, let alone their own ancestors! If you lose your humanity, then what kind of immortal are you cultivating to become? What kind of Dao can you possibly achieve?"

"A Cultivator must never forget that they were once human, and will always be human!"

Hearing this, Zhao Lin’s heart warmed. He clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Well said!"

’That’s right,’ he thought. ’A Cultivator is still human. If you start cultivating and stop seeing yourself as a person, what damn kind of immortal are you even trying to be?’

’All that talk about the Great Dao being without emotion? It’s clearly their own heartlessness they’re projecting onto the Dao. The shamelessness is unbelievable!’

"So, you’re saying I don’t have to cut ties with my family to cultivate?"

Huang Zhusong and Lv Qing replied in unison, "You do not!"

Zhao Lin hesitated no longer. "In that case," he said with great solemnity, "I am willing to join the Chenghua Sect!"

Huang Zhusong and Lv Qing both breathed a sigh of relief. They cupped their fists and said, "Congratulations, Junior Brother Zhao. From now on, we shall be fellow Daoists."

Zhao Lin followed their example, also performing a cupped-fist salute. "Brother Huang, Senior Brother Lv."

The three of them exchanged smiles and sat back down, their relationship already transformed.

Huang Zhusong stroked his short, trim beard and continued the previous topic. "The sect has long taken your concerns into account, Junior Brother Zhao."

"New disciples may bring their families to live within the sect, or they may go alone and return to the mortal world periodically for visits. The choice is yours."

Zhao Lin was astonished. "I can bring my family to the Xuanyuan Continent?"

Huang Zhusong smiled. "Of course. You may bring relatives from up to three generations of your family, though the number generally cannot exceed ten people."

"There are many cultivation clans within the sect that have grown to a considerable size over generations."

"If it is not convenient to bring your family, the sect also permits disciples to return home for a visit each year when the Array connecting the minor worlds is activated."

Zhao Lin’s heart eased. He hadn’t expected the sect to be so accommodating, and he felt a great sense of relief.

’Which option should I choose?’

’Bringing Mother and my brother along would be wonderful, but I’ll be a newcomer to the sect. I won’t have even found my footing yet, and I have no idea what the situation is like there. If I bring them rashly and something unexpected happens, I’m afraid I won’t be able to look after them.’

’But if I choose to visit periodically, I’ll have to find a plausible excuse for why I disappear for a whole year.’

’He felt torn.’

Huang Zhusong glanced at Zhao Lin and, seeing his indecision, said, "If you were a commoner, Junior Brother Zhao, I would advise you to bring your family along."

"The Chenghua Sect has a designated residential area for mortals. While it’s no paradise, I can guarantee a life of peace, contentment, and freedom from worries about food or clothing."

"However, you hold a high station in this world, Junior Brother. Your family is accustomed to a life of aristocratic luxury. I fear the change in lifestyle for them over there would be quite a shock."

"Furthermore, for the first few years, you will be studying at the Spirit Dao Institute. I’m afraid you won’t have much time for family gatherings..."

He said no more, leaving the decision to Zhao Lin.

Zhao Lin nodded as he listened. Huang Zhusong’s words struck a chord with him. He hesitated no longer and said, "My mother is getting on in years; it wouldn’t be right to uproot her. I’ll follow Brother Huang’s advice. Once I’m established, I will decide whether to bring them over."

Huang Zhusong smiled. "Very well, then it’s settled. In three months, the Array to the Xuanyuan Continent will be activated. Please settle your worldly affairs as quickly as possible, Junior Brother. When the time comes, you will follow the escorting Cultivator to the Chenghua Sect."

"Three months. Understood."

Zhao Lin sighed inwardly. ’Looks like I’ll have to go ’roaming the world’ myself...’