The immortal’s name was Qing Chen, and his fame carried the weight of both his reputation and his mysterious origins. It was said that until the age of sixteen, he was nothing more than an ordinary scholar’s son. But after a fateful encounter, he began his cultivation journey. Since then, he had climbed the path of immortality with unimaginable speed, overcoming multiple challenges and achieving mastery in less than ten years—a feat unheard of, even among the most talented cultivators.
He had no master, no disciples, and no familial ties. He traveled the world alone, cultivating with such focus that his success shocked everyone. It was no wonder that today, he stood unrivaled.
Even after his name became widely known, Qing Chen remained reclusive. Few had seen him in person, and fewer still could claim to understand him.
As it turned out, the person I had pinned my hopes on for salvation was none other than him.
I clung to this sliver of hope. Surely, someone as powerful and enigmatic as Qing Chen could help me break free from my cursed body. Or at the very least, he wouldn’t turn me away outright… or so I hoped.
The second senior brother nudged me lightly, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Well…?” he prompted.
I quickly returned to my senses. Bowing deeply, I said, “Thank you, Master!” My voice carried a tone of gratitude as I kneeled before Qing Chen. Even though my actions felt more formal than heartfelt, I hoped to plant a seed of warmth in his heart.
When I looked up, Qing Chen’s expression remained as calm as ever. He gazed at me briefly, his lips curling slightly—not quite a smile, but not entirely devoid of emotion either. Before I could say more, he flicked his finger lightly, and a cool breeze swept past me, closing the door behind him with a soft click.
“Your heart is unsettled,” he said, his voice carrying a faint chill. “You must let go of your desires. Only then will you find peace.”
I stared at him, taken aback. There was a depth to his tone that left me feeling exposed, as though he had seen through all the schemes and desperation I kept buried inside. His gaze was calm, yet unyielding, as if he knew exactly why I was here.
A strange warmth spread through me. It wasn’t his words but the sheer presence of someone so otherworldly and composed that made me feel a flicker of hope. I couldn’t explain it, but for the first time, I didn’t feel completely alone.
Qing Chen turned away, and just like that, the moment passed. I realized then that he wasn’t a savior for someone like me. If anything, he was an observer of the mortal world, untouchable and indifferent.
But there was something else about him. He wasn’t like the other immortals I had encountered, who wielded their power selfishly or with arrogance. Qing Chen’s detachment wasn’t born from pride—it was born from wisdom.
I sighed softly. Perhaps he wasn’t my salvation after all.
Still, I couldn’t help but wonder—if I truly let go of my fears and selfish desires, would I finally be free? Or would I simply be another forgotten ginseng spirit, lost in the flow of time?
In the end, I realized that the people I had hoped to rely on were nothing more than fleeting presences in my life. Just like the countless others before them, they would disappear, leaving me to fend for myself once again.
And so, my journey to escape this cursed existence began anew.
“Are you really human?” the second senior brother teased me again. He tilted his head, looking as if he were deeply pondering the question. With a mocking tone, he said, “You’d better call Master ‘Father’ instead.”
I tried my best to play along, giving a small laugh that didn’t quite reach my eyes. Lowering my head, I muttered, “I’m just… tired.”
The second senior brother raised an eyebrow but didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he glanced at me, his expression unreadable. Then, as if something had amused him, he let out a soft chuckle, muttering to himself: “Cultivation on the mountain isn’t easy… Endure it.”
I looked over at him, trying to gauge his intentions, but he quickly looked away. “I’ll go prepare something. Learn to endure it bit by bit. You’ll be fine,” he said dismissively before leaving.
The youngest disciple beside him, clearly annoyed by his tone, rolled his eyes and muttered, “Hmph,” before slamming the door shut.
I sat there, stunned, realizing that I had just been brushed off. It seemed that earning their favor wouldn’t be as simple as I’d hoped.
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