Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

Xu Ming sat on the stone, quietly watching the two of them practice their punches without disturbing them.

Wu Yanhan’s punches were precise and powerful, exuding a heroic aura with each strike. Coupled with her graceful figure, her movements blended with the technique in a way that carried a unique beauty.

Shen Shengsheng’s punches, on the other hand, were a bit clumsy, but it wasn’t a big deal.

After all, she was just starting out and had no prior foundation in martial arts. Even so, Shen Shengsheng was doing her best to mimic Sister Yanhan’s form, trying to achieve the same precision.

This mix of clumsiness and effort was oddly endearing.

Xu Ming felt he could sit there and watch them all day.

As Wu Yanhan turned mid-punch, her gaze happened to fall in Xu Ming’s direction. At the same time, Shen Shengsheng also noticed him.

“Brother Xu~!”

Shen Shengsheng spread her arms wide and happily ran toward Xu Ming.

Wu Yanhan stopped her punching stance, brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, and looked at Xu Ming with her usual calm expression. Following Shen Shengsheng, she walked toward him at a leisurely pace.

Xu Ming squatted down, opening his arms.

Shen Shengsheng immediately dove into his embrace.

“Have you been listening to Sister Yanhan these past two days?” Xu Ming asked with a smile.

“Mm-hmm, I’ve been very good,” Shen Shengsheng nodded vigorously.

“Is that so? Good girl.” Xu Ming gently patted her little head.

Shen Shengsheng lifted her head slightly, pressing it against Xu Ming’s palm, her eyes narrowing with joy.

“You’re back?” Wu Yanhan walked up to Xu Ming.

Xu Ming smiled at her. “Sorry for making you worry.”

“Hmph.” Wu Yanhan turned her head to the side. “Whether you’re alive or dead has nothing to do with me. I was just worried Shen Shengsheng would be upset.”

“Of course, of course,” Xu Ming replied with a smile, unfazed by her little display of arrogance.

“Would you like to come in and sit?” Wu Yanhan asked.

“Sure.” Xu Ming nodded. “I actually have something to discuss with you.”

“Then come in.”

Wu Yanhan turned and walked back into the courtyard. She tidied up the leftover food containers, boiled a pot of water, and brewed tea for Xu Ming.

Shen Shengsheng, knowing Brother Xu and Sister Yanhan had something to discuss, didn’t cling to him. Instead, she ran to the flower bed in the courtyard to watch ants.

“So, where did you go? You can tell me now, can’t you?” Wu Yanhan poured a cup of tea and pushed it toward Xu Ming.

Xu Ming: “Sanshi (Three Stone) Peak.”

Wu Yanhan: “Sanshi Peak?”

Xu Ming nodded. “It’s within Tianxuan Sect. That mountain has three massive stones at its summit, which is how it got its name. When Mo Zhuer sought me out, she told me the Tianxuan Sect Master, Xia He, was planning to perform a blood sacrifice involving half of the sect’s disciples and all the guests.”

“…” Wu Yanhan frowned deeply. “How could that be possible?”

“At first, I thought the same. It seemed absurd. But Mo Zhuer gave me a stone and told me to go to Sanshi Peak myself. She said that if I went there, I’d understand everything.

Given how serious the matter was, I had to see for myself. What if what she said was true?”

Xu Ming trailed off, shaking his head.

“Did you verify it? Is it true or not?” Wu Yanhan asked.

Xu Ming raised his head, looking directly into Wu Yanhan’s eyes. “If I told you it’s true, would you believe me?”

“Yes,” Wu Yanhan answered without hesitation.

Xu Ming smiled. “You believe me that easily?”

Wu Yanhan: “Because it’s you. If you say it, I’ll believe it.”

Xu Ming: “…”

Wu Yanhan quickly realized that her words seemed ambiguous, almost like confessing her feelings to Xu Ming. She hurried to clarify, “What I meant is, you’re not a fool. On the contrary, back when we went on missions together, you were always the one who thought things through the most. So I trust your judgment.”

Xu Ming nodded. “Then it’s true. What I’m about to tell you next—don’t share it with anyone else. When I entered Sanshi Peak…”

Xu Ming recounted everything he experienced at Sanshi Peak in detail, including the astonishing revelation that his body stored a vast amount of spiritual energy, enough to allow him to break through to the Jade Purity Realm in a short time.

Listening to Xu Ming, Wu Yanhan found it all unbelievable. If anyone else had told her such things, she wouldn’t have believed it—because it was too outlandish.

But it was Xu Ming.

And when it came to Xu Ming, Wu Yanhan trusted him almost unconditionally.

“To think the leader of one of the Five Great Sects would be so deranged! How is this any different from the Demonic Path?” Wu Yanhan’s voice was icy, laced with anger, after Xu Ming finished.

Xu Ming chuckled. “In this world, there’s only a thin line between becoming a Buddha or a demon. To advance their cultivation, some people are willing to pay any price, sacrifice everything. People like that aren’t uncommon.”

Wu Yanhan looked at Xu Ming. “Will you become one of those people?”

Xu Ming: “If I ever do, I hope you’ll kill me with your own hands.”

“Hmph!” Wu Yanhan turned her head. “If that day comes, I’ll just punch you awake!”

Xu Ming smiled faintly, saying nothing more.

“So, what do you want me to do to help you?” Wu Yanhan asked.

“Help me?” Xu Ming was surprised.

Wu Yanhan shot him a glare. “You’re planning to seize the Tianxuan Mirror and attack it to the Sanshi Peak, aren’t you?”

Xu Ming shook his head. “Telling you all this wasn’t to ask for your help. Yanhan, I wanted you to understand how serious this situation is and find a chance to leave.

Xia He won’t make his move until the Zixia Grand Ceremony. If you leave now with a reasonable excuse, he won’t stop you. The last thing he wants right now is to raise suspicion.

As for Shengsheng, I’m counting on you to take care of her.”

“You’re underestimating me,” Wu Yanhan said, clearly displeased.

“Uh?” Xu Ming was caught off guard.

“You want me to leave because you think I’m a burden, don’t you?” Wu Yanhan’s tone turned cold.

Xu Ming chuckled and shook his head. “Not at all.”

“Then what?” Wu Yanhan demanded.

“It’s because I care about you.”

“Huh?”

Wu Yanhan froze, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks.

“W-what nonsense are you talking about!” Wu Yanhan was so flustered she wanted to punch him. How could he say something so cheesy!

Xu Ming, oblivious to her embarrassment, sighed and continued, “I’m not a good person. I just want the people I care about to stay safe. That’s why I want you to leave.”

“Well, I’m sorry.” Wu Yanhan took a sip of tea, trying to hide the redness on her face. “I’ll arrange for trusted people to take Shengsheng away, but I’m not leaving.”

Xu Ming sighed in exasperation. “When it comes to a battle between cultivators at the Upper Five Realms, you really won’t be able to help much.”

“So what?” Wu Yanhan smirked.

“When we were kids, I stood by your side.

Now that we’ve grown up, it’s still the same.”

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