The Path to Immortality Begins as a Sect's Menial Servant

“Senior Sister Xu!”

Li An was greatly surprised, his face lit up with joy. “Please, come in—come in!”

He immediately welcomed Xu Qiuhui into the shop and called inside, “Qingxue, come out quickly! Senior Sister Xu is here—”

…

Before long, the three of them gathered in the main hall of the Talisman Shop, where Tan Qingxue had personally prepared a fine table of dishes and wine.

Having not seen each other for over a decade, Tan Qingxue was clearly excited, chatting with Xu Qiuhui nonstop, while Li An sat quietly to the side, occasionally smiling and answering with a few words.

Back when Li An had just entered the Talisman Hall, Xu Qiuhui and Tan Qingxue were evenly matched in beauty—both among the most stunning women. At that time, Tan Qingxue had been a bit younger, even more youthful and radiant.

But now, more than ten years later, while Tan Qingxue had broken through to the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining through dual cultivation with Li An, her progress had been slow. Time had already left faint marks on her face. Though still beautiful, her allure had become that of a mature woman—a wife—with more charm than purity, unlike the ethereal presence Xu Qiuhui still possessed.

It was as if the two had swapped roles—Tan Qingxue now looked more mature, while Xu Qiuhui appeared even younger.

After all, Xu Qiuhui had build her Foundation and gained a greatly extended lifespan—she was no longer someone Tan Qingxue could be compared to.

“I was the one who introduced you two all those years ago. Who would’ve thought it would lead to such a match?”

Xu Qiuhui smiled teasingly. “I suppose that makes me your matchmaker.”

Li An and Tan Qingxue both chuckled.

“Junior Brother Li, you and Qingxue are both over forty now. Have you not considered continuing your line?”

Xu Qiuhui asked casually.

Clearly, Tan Qingxue must have mentioned this in their correspondence, which is why she brought it up.

Li An let out a long sigh. “The world is in chaos, and I’m being watched by a powerful demonic cultivator. I could die at any moment—how could I dare raise children now?”

Xu Qiuhui paused—that was his reason?

Her gaze settled, but she said nothing further. Clearly, she didn’t believe him. Still, if Li An was unwilling, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator like her couldn’t force anything for Tan Qingxue’s sake.

“Junior Brother Li, no need to worry. That Horse Face of Death has committed countless atrocities. The Clear Sun Sect has dispatched us to bring him to justice.”

Xu Qiuhui then shared some news—

Since the attack on Market over ten years ago, Horse Face of Death had committed numerous heinous acts. He had annihilated two cultivation clans affiliated with the Clear Sun Sect, and five years ago, he ambushed and killed a Foundation Establishment female cultivator from the sect.

His crimes were beyond redemption.

Only recently had the sect uncovered clues to his whereabouts. Now, elite inner sect members had been dispatched, with even a Fake Core Elder overseeing the operation in secret—they were determined to eradicate him.

To that end, the sect had issued a bounty:

Whoever killed Horse Face of Death would be rewarded with one Foundation Establishment Pill and a High-Grade Yellow-Rank Technique.

Clearly, the Clear Sun Sect was resolved to eliminate him this time.

“That’s wonderful… Once that demon is dead, Li Lang won’t have to live in fear anymore. You don’t know, Sister, these past years, Li Lang hasn’t dared take even a single step outside the market. I was starting to go crazy.”

Tan Qingxue sighed.

Xu Qiuhui laughed. She’d heard of the infamous "Black-Hearted Talisman Master" who’d offended the Demon Sect and holed up in the market for over a decade.

She actually knew more than she let on. In the early years, the Demon Sect had stationed people outside the market, waiting to ambush Li An. But Li An didn’t step outside for thirteen whole years. The demonic cultivators eventually gave up and left.

The Clear Sun Sect had discovered these demonic cultivators outside the market and spent years tracking them. Now they were finally ready to strike.

So, Xu Qiuhui actually admired Li An.

If he’d been careless and left the market, only Tan Qingxue might still be alive today.

“That Horse Face of Death—might he appear in the market soon?”

Li An asked sharply.

Otherwise, why would the Clear Sun Sect be here?

“Yes,” Xu Qiuhui said. “The sect has laid out a trap. Soon, a shipment of herbs will arrive from another region. That shipment contains something Horse Face of Death needs.”

Li An suddenly understood.

This was a deathtrap set by the Clear Sun Sect.

“It’s getting late. I have some things to attend to. Junior Brother Li, could you walk me out?”

Xu Qiuhui smiled.

Li An’s heart stirred. “Qingxue, tidy up the house. I’ll walk Senior Sister Xu out.”

…

After leaving the main hall and entering the front shop—

“Senior Sister Xu, is there something you wish to say to me?”

Li An asked directly.

Xu Qiuhui nodded calmly. “Junior Brother Li, I’ve always known you aim high. But sometimes, aiming too high is pointless. Accepting reality may be the better path.”

Li An frowned. “What do you mean, Senior Sister?”

Xu Qiuhui replied, “I don’t want to see Qingxue end up alone. Give her a child. It will be a comfort for her and a hope for you. In this world, no one knows which will come first—tomorrow or misfortune.”

Li An’s face changed instantly.

What was she implying?

Could it be… I'm in danger?

That I might die?

So she was urging him to leave behind a child—to accompany Tan Qingxue and carry on his line?

His mind raced.

The Clear Sun Sect was targeting Horse Face of Death.

But somehow, that might threaten Li An’s life?

Xu Qiuhui had come specifically to warn him and persuade him to leave behind an heir.

So the key question was: How would the operation against Horse Face of Death endanger Li An?

According to Xu Qiuhui, the trap had already been laid. What did Li An have to do with it?

Unless… Li An was part of the trap?

But why would they need someone like him—a low-level cultivator?

“Senior Sister Xu, what exactly is going on?”

He stared at her.

Xu Qiuhui hesitated. Clearly, this was a sect-level secret.

“Senior Sister, even if I’m to die, let me die knowing the truth… For Qingxue’s sake, please tell me.”

At last, Xu Qiuhui nodded and sighed. “Fine. You would have found out anyway.

The demonic technique Horse Face of Death cultivates is the Yin-Yang Demonic Furnace Technique. The Clear Sun Sect obtained a copy over a decade ago.

After extensive analysis by the inner sect elders, they found the technique has one fatal flaw: when advancing spiritual roots, the original body collapses.

In other words, with each advancement, the cultivator must replace their physical body.

And unlike ordinary body possession, this technique transfers the spiritual root along with the soul—making it far more difficult.

Before each body transfer, two conditions must be met: a Grade-Three spirit herb… and no inner demons.”

She stopped there.

Li An instantly understood…

The spirit herb Horse Face of Death needed must be in that shipment.

And he, Li An…

“I’m the inner demon of Horse Face of Death?!”

He was utterly stunned!

Was this a joke?

You're a powerful demonic cultivator—was it necessary to hold a grudge this long?!

Just because I sold you a few fake talismans back then?!

“Horse Face of Death is elusive and hard to defend against. The only time he suffered a major loss was at this market. Can you blame him for holding a grudge? He was in the middle of a critical breakthrough and failed to seize the Second-Rank spirit vein—his plan was ruined…”

Li An’s face darkened. He felt utterly helpless.

The chain of cause and effect—utterly unavoidable.

Xu Qiuhui gave him a meaningful look. “Junior Brother Li, I arrived here three days before the others. That means you have three days. In three days, I’ll arrange for Qingxue to leave your side. You’re a smart man. What to do—you must decide for yourself

Oh, and during these three days, I will be monitoring you. To prevent escape or leaks. But I trust you won’t do something foolish. Staying in market is still safer than leaving.”

With that, she turned and left.

Li An remained standing in the shop, his heart turning cold.

He had spent so long hiding and surviving—only to be cornered by this calamity.

…

(End of Chapter)