NOVEL NEXT Chapter 33: Chapter 33: What is Immortal
Zhang Hao stood on the training ground, sweat trickling down his forehead and falling onto the parched earth. He closed his eyes, striving to recall the spiritual energy that had awakened during the battle, but try as he might, that energy seemed to have vanished without a trace, and his heart no longer fluttered again.
"Could it have been just a fleeting moment? Damn it," Zhang Hao couldn't help but feel disappointed, but he didn't give up. Instead, he redoubled his efforts, hoping to touch that mysterious realm once more.
Despite the daily toil, Zhang Hao felt refreshed, invigorated, and brimming with energy. He sensed changes in his body; his movements grew lighter, and each breath seemed to draw in more fresh air. Every cell in his body seemed to rejoice, as if reborn.
"How have you been lately, Zhang Hao?" A familiar voice echoed in his ear.
Zhang Hao's eyes snapped open to see the mysterious little boy standing before him, his eyes filled with approval.
The boy's sudden appearance surprised Zhang Hao, but more than that, it filled him with joy. He knew the boy's arrival meant guidance would follow.
"You're finally here. You have no idea how long I've been waiting," Zhang Hao's voice carried a hint of anticipation.
The boy gazed at Zhang Hao quietly, as if seeing through his thoughts. He stepped forward and nodded, his eyes deep and piercing, as if to look into Zhang Hao's soul: "Your progress is significant, but remember, there are no shortcuts on the path of cultivation. Only continuous effort and perseverance will lead you forward."
Zhang Hao nodded earnestly, understanding the truth in the boy's words. He asked, "What's going on with my heart?"
The boy offered a faint smile, as if he had anticipated the question. "Have you ever heard of immortals, Zhang Hao?" the boy inquired.
Zhang Hao's eyes sparkled at the mention of immortals, a concept he knew well from his previous life—beings who could fly through the skies and perform incredible feats. Yet, in this world of the Investiture of the Gods, he had yet to hear of any immortals.
"Immortals live for a very, very long time, never dying, never needing to eat, so they can't starve. They can fly, high and fast, reaching places in the blink of an eye," the boy explained, his hands making grand gestures to illustrate his words.
Listening to the boy, Zhang Hao felt an inexplicable excitement. He was right; this world was more mysterious and vast than he had imagined, filled with secrets he had yet to uncover.
"But the immortals are gone, and even people have begun to forget their existence," the boy's thoughts drifted far away, as if reminiscing about something.
"Where did they go?" Zhang Hao asked, intrigued.
"One night, they all vanished, and no one knows where they went. Gradually, even the people forgot about them," a tinge of sorrow flashed through the boy's eyes.
"Zhang Hao, listen well. The so-called immortals cultivate unity of body and mind. They are connected to all things, breathing with nature, sharing its fate. Their spiritual energy emanates from the heart, and the unity of body and mind grants them an unending power. With a mere gesture, they can summon storms, and a light touch can overturn rivers, move mountains, and fill seas, displaying unparalleled might. Their existence has transcended ordinary imagination."
The boy's voice turned solemn, "The cultivators of today only practice fragments of the techniques left behind by the immortals. Their path is strictly divided into stages, from the initial Body Refinement and Orifice Opening, to the Golden Core and Infant Soul, and finally to the Spirit Transformation. Each advancement comes with immense challenges and risks. Cultivators gradually perceive and absorb the spiritual energy between heaven and earth, aiming to transcend the cycle of life and death, becoming true immortals with endless life and boundless power."
"But the incompleteness of the techniques dooms the current cultivators. Now, do you have an answer to your heart's question?" The boy raised an eyebrow, looking at Zhang Hao.
Zhang Hao was captivated by the boy's words, understanding the profound implications they held. His heart, that spiritual energy, might be the key to connecting with the cultivation methods of the immortals. Zhang Hao felt a surge of joy, finally finding his unique "golden finger" in this world.
"In my previous life, I read novels every day where the protagonist would have their own golden finger, becoming the best in the world, with everything they could desire. Now, it's finally my turn," Zhang Hao couldn't help but get excited at the thought.
He knew he must not only cultivate his body but also his mind, achieving the state of unity of body and mind. Only then could he truly reach the heights that the vanished immortals had attained. He might even uncover the secrets behind their disappearance.