Farming to Cultivate Immortality – CH35

Chapter 35 – Meeting Cang Yi

Xia Yi sat up, put on the shoes at the foot of the bed, threw on an outer robe, and stepped outside.

The courtyard was silent, bathed in cool moonlight filtering through the bamboo shadows. Last time, he hadn’t stayed long enough to take a good look around. Now fully awake, he walked through the round archway and left the courtyard.

Beyond the courtyard lay a bamboo grove, and in the distance, a few young disciples were chatting and laughing. When they saw Xia Yi, they froze for a moment before bowing, “Greetings, Senior Brother Xia.”

Seeing that they weren’t surprised by his sudden appearance, Xia Yi returned the greeting, thinking to himself that the people of the Qishan Sect must be used to popping in and out like this.

Not wanting to disturb their fun, Xia Yi turned and walked in the opposite direction, saying, “I’ll go take a look around the back. You all carry on.”

Following the path along the edge of the bamboo forest, Xia Yi eventually reached the foot of a celestial mountain.

Calling it a “celestial mountain” was no exaggeration.

The mountain was shrouded in mist, ethereal and otherworldly. Even at night, Xia Yi could make out the lush, strange trees and plants dotting the landscape. At the foot of the mountain lay a pool of water, its surface dotted with lotus flowers, and occasionally, a golden fish would leap out of the water.

The fish weren’t afraid of people; when they saw Xia Yi standing by the pool, they swam over eagerly, as if used to being fed.

Having nothing on him to offer, Xia Yi felt a bit guilty and quickly left the pool, following a stone path up the mountain.

As he walked, Xia Yi marveled at the beauty around him—every tree, flower, and herb seemed unique and extraordinary. Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks, realizing something.

Wait, this is nighttime. Why can I see everything so clearly, as if it were daylight? I don’t have a lantern, a candle, or a flashlight, but everything’s as bright as day.

Could this be some sort of built-in buff in the cultivation world? A beginner’s perk?

“179, 179, are you there?” Xia Yi called out, though he didn’t expect a response. That useless system always malfunctioned whenever he entered this world.

As expected, there was no reply from 179.

Since he could see clearly, Xia Yi had nothing to fear. He continued up the stone steps, aiming for a pavilion perched halfway up the mountain, suspended in the clouds. It looked like the perfect spot to sit and take in the world, like a recluse, perhaps play a melody or chess, enjoying the solitude of a celestial master.

The path ahead suddenly became blurry, flickering in and out like a low-resolution image from a phone camera.

Xia Yi cautiously halted.

What’s going on? Am I about to time travel again? He looked around, but nothing seemed to have changed. What is this?

When encountering something strange and unclear, never be curious. Turn back immediately.

That’s what they always do in movies—don’t do anything reckless, and you won’t get into trouble.

Xia Yi instantly turned around, but in the blink of an eye, the road behind him vanished too. The scenery before him changed, the lush trees and green mountains faded away, and in their place stood an ancient, elegant courtyard.

Damn, is this a fox spirit’s lair?

This felt straight out of ‘Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio’.

Next, I’ll probably knock on the door, explain how I got lost, and be warmly welcomed by an old man. We’ll share a meal and conversation, and then he’ll insist on marrying me to his youngest daughter. The daughter will be both beautiful and delicate, but when I bring her home, I’ll discover she’s actually a fox spirit, right?

Haha, no way. I’m not going in. I’ll just stand outside the courtyard all night.

Xia Yi looked around, planning to find a large rock to sit on for the night.

After all, this was Qishan Sect territory. No matter what spirits or monsters were lurking, they probably wouldn’t dare harm a disciple of the sect’s head.

Speaking of which, I haven’t even met my cheap master yet. He’s probably still captured by those antisocial demons, right?

As Xia Yi scouted for a flat rock, he suddenly heard the courtyard gate creak, slowly opening behind him.

Oh crap, what kind of monster is coming out now? You saw that I wasn’t falling for your trap, so now you’re trying the “retreat to advance” strategy, huh?

Xia Yi spun around, staring intently at the courtyard gate, his heart pounding.

Whatever spirit or monster it is, as long as it doesn’t look too grotesque, I can handle it.

Hopefully, it’s something cute, like a Gourd Baby or a Ginseng Baby.

At the gate, a corner of a dark-patterned green robe came into view.

As soon as Xia Yi saw the Qishan Sect uniform, he let out a long sigh of relief. Scared me to death—it’s not some spirit or monster, just someone from the sect.

The person stepped out of the courtyard and into the moonlight. Tall, straight, and elegant, with his hair tie and robe sleeves gently swaying in the mountain breeze. If Liu Siqian and Meng Wanzi looked like immortals, this man was an immortal among immortals.

He walked slowly toward Xia Yi, and their eyes met.

The moment Xia Yi saw his face clearly, it was as if lightning struck him. He couldn’t help but shout, “Brother Zhu!”

The immortal before him had the same nose and eyes Xia Yi knew all too well. He had just touched this face before going to sleep!

Isn’t this Gu Wenzhu? Who else could it be?

As soon as Xia Yi called out, “Zhu Ge,” the man opposite him froze. He looked at Xia Yi in astonishment, his gaze sweeping up and down, and then hesitantly asked, “Wang Lan?”

Xia Yi was stunned. Wang Lan? Zhu Ge called me Wang Lan? What does that mean?

“Zhu Ge, how did you get here too? Who’s Wang Lan?”

Gu Wenzhu didn’t answer but instead walked slowly toward him, his expression growing serious. “Wang Lan, how did you end up here? Where’s Ze Yuan?”

Xia Yi was completely confused. What’s going on? Who’s Ze Yuan?

He stared at Gu Wenzhu as he approached, trying to read his expression more clearly.

Is Zhu Ge messing with me, trying to make me panic?

No, this isn’t Zhu Ge. Standing far away in the dark, I almost mistook them, but now that he’s closer, I can tell they’re clearly different people.

People close to you are easy to distinguish at a glance.

Zhu Ge’s facial features were sharper, his nose more prominent, and his lips more defined.

Xia Yi scrutinized him critically.

This man’s eyes were rounder, while Zhu Ge’s were more almond-shaped with slightly upturned corners. Although both of them had deep, ocean-like eyes, this man’s gaze held more coldness and melancholy, with a few wrinkles marking the passage of time.

Suddenly, a name flashed in Xia Yi’s mind—Cang Yi Immortal Lord.

Didn’t Cheng Ming mistake brother Ge for Cang Yi Immortal Lord? Could this person be him? I just completed a mission to awaken Cang Yi Immortal Lord. Did I actually do it?

This must be Cang Yi Immortal Lord. Cheng Ming said he’d been missing for years, but he’s actually been here in the sect all along. Too bad the disciples have been searching the world for him while he’s been hiding right under their noses.

My brother Zhu is still sleeping soundly in bed, so this guy must be the legendary Cang Yi Immortal Lord.

With this realization, Xia Yi immediately took two steps back, straightened his posture, and bowed respectfully. “Senior, are you Cang Yi Immortal Lord?”

The man seemed taken aback, his gaze growing more puzzled. “Wang Lan, do you not remember me?”

“Immortal Lord, you’ve mistaken me for someone else. I am not Wang Lan. I’m Xia Yi, a disciple of Qishan Sect,” Xia Yi replied formally, his eyes fixed on the ground.

“Xia Yi.” He stared at Xia Yi, his tone uncertain. “You say you’re not Wang Lan, but Xia Yi?”

“Yes. My father is Xia Zhifu of Huangzhong Prefecture, and I’m certainly not Wang Lan.” Xia Yi mentally wiped the sweat from his brow.

Cang Yi examined him from head to toe, his gaze gradually clearing, while Xia Yi stood perfectly still.

“I see. You don’t remember anything,” Cang Yi murmured, his expression complicated. “You’ve even forgotten Ze Yuan.”

“But, Immortal Lord, I’m really not Wang Lan. Look closely.” Xia Yi gritted his teeth and leaned closer to Cang Yi. “Look at my nose, my eyes. Completely unique.”

Cang Yi gave him a glance before calmly looking away.

Xia Yi wasn’t sure if he was imagining it, but he thought he detected a hint of pity in that glance.

“Wang Lan, it’s fine if you don’t remember the past. From now on, just focus on cultivating and reaching enlightenment as soon as possible,” Cang Yi muttered softly.

Suddenly, he raised a finger and tapped Xia Yi’s forehead.

Xia Yi hadn’t even reacted yet when the cold touch vanished. Cang Yi withdrew his hand and calmly said, “Mid-stage Foundation Establishment. Not bad. Although your innate talent is lacking, with hard work, you can still make some progress.”

What? Foundation Establishment? I’m already in the Foundation Establishment stage? Why do I not feel anything?

Is this the reason why I can see at night, but I don’t feel any other changes? Does being in the Foundation Establishment stage just make me like an owl?

I haven’t cultivated at all, and I don’t know anything about breathing techniques or spiritual energy. Could this be a special gift from the system?

Right, the system!

Earlier, I drank several bottles of Foundation Establishment Elixir from the system like they were just beverages. Could this be because I drank too much of that?

“Seeing that you’re doing well, I’m somewhat relieved,” Cang Yi continued talking to himself. “Zeyuan must be doing fine as well.”

After he said this, he turned his head toward the distance, his expression filled with sorrow, his gaze pained, and his entire figure radiated an air of melancholy that couldn’t be shaken off.