Painting of the Nine Immortals - Chapter 148

Chapter 148
Ling Xian was not born a killer .


He killed every last of the followers because he was afraid of future retaliation against the villagers . Of course, if he could stay here with them, he’d just let them come if they dared .
But he was leaving the Vast Mountains . So he had no choice but to annihilate them all . Each one of them appeared to hover around the seventh realm . Their power was enough to wipe out this and many other villages like this .
So Ling Xian had to kill them and get rid of any future threats . The mythical power of the Flame of Purity awarded them each with a swift death .
A gentle breeze danced across the air and dissipated the unmistakable odor of burnt corpses .
The villages had yet to snap out of this dream . They looked at Ling Xian, unable to move or speak . They were paralyzed . They were not paralyzed by fear, even though Ling Xian had just slaughtered more than a dozen men in cold blood . These villagers were men of nature . Their lives were intertwined with killing and being killed . So they understood .
To survive in the vast wilderness of the Vast Mountains, skills must be complemented by a killer instinct .
Backstabbing is almost customary in these mountains .
They were paralyzed by his grandeur, by the word ‘foundational’ . This word hovered over them like a mountain . They couldn’t breathe . In this village, the most skilled cultivator was merely of the seventh realm . A foundational level cultivator was to them a myth, an immortal .
And how old was he?
Roughly the same age as Su Zi .
The villagers simply couldn’t believe this to be true . But they couldn’t dispute what they saw . Killing a ninth realm cultivator with a wave of his arm, how frightening?!
This was a feat only a foundational level cultivator could accomplish .
"Why, you don’t recognize me?"
Ling Xian responded to this stunned reception with a tender smile . His white robe danced with the wind, not tainted by a single drop of blood .


Perhaps it was the tender smile that rekindled the villagers’ memory . Their expressions softened, and their eyes sparkled . As they looked at this white-robed youth with a clearer perception, the air suddenly turned tense .
Foundational level!
A foundational level cultivator was standing amongst them . Even if he was still the same youth they knew and loved, they couldn’t risk angering him with an over-exaggerated welcome reception .
This was true, especially for Su Zi . She knew Ling Xian was far out of her league . Now, they were never going to happen . She sighed softly and disappeared amongst the crowd .
The chain reaction that often accompanied growth . The higher one rises, the lonelier he becomes .
Ling Xian frowned as he noticed Su Zi’s disappearing shadow . He wanted to chase after her . But his legs felt as though they were rooted to the ground . Exhaling loudly, Ling Xian said, "Please, relax, I’m still the same person . "
The air relaxed in an instant . The villagers burst into joy and rushed forward to greet him .
"Ha ha, I knew it . He won’t forget his roots even if he reached the completion level . He’ll be just as kind and caring as he’s always been . His attitude towards us will never change . "
"Yes, indeed, always smiling, not a hint of haughtiness . "
"Ok stop with the flattery . Let’s just thank Ling Xian first . If he hadn’t arrived in time, perhaps we’d be lying here as corpses by now . "
"True, true, Ling Xian, come have dinner at my house . I’m the best cook here . I guarantee it’ll be the best meal you’ve ever had . "
Ling Xian looked around at the chattering crowd . A soft feeling of warmth filled his heart . He pressed both hands down to gesture the villagers to be quiet then responded, "I thank you all for your warm hospitality . But tonight, I am going to visit the home of the mayor . "
"That’s right, Ling Xian did indeed save the entire village, but he was here to save Su Zi . So, stop fighting with me," the village mayor echoed . His face was no longer pale . Evidently, he had already covered some of his lost energy .
The crowd nodded, some unwillingly . But this was the wish of both Ling Xian and the village mayor .


"Right, I recovered a bit of fate this time . It’s of little use to me, why don’t I leave it with the village . " With a gentle swing of his arm, dozens of spiritual Dans appeared amidst the crowd . Suspended in midair, the Dans exuded a magnificent aura accompanied by a magical scent .
"My goodness, my eyes must be fooling me, so many Dans… must be worth a lot . "

"Unbelievable, Ling Xian, where did you go? Such incredible rewards . "
"Mother of God, there are at least 30 here . Can you feel the magical energy? Every Dan is worth a fortune . Each one is of at least the seventh realm . "
The crowd went wild . It’s true they lived in close proximity to spiritual Dans of the wilderness . But each was guarded by a magical beast . The Villagers rarely have the opportunity to go near one .
Thus they were stunned by the count of Ling Xian’s batch .
"I’m glad you like them . They are my gift to you . They can help elevate the position energy here and help with healing if one of you is injured . " Ling Xian smiled brightly . He was genuinely touched by the warm reception and the visible gratitude he had received here .
These spiritual Dans were obtained after breaking through to the foundational level, and during the half-month he wandered and explored inside the Ruins . He mixed these Dans with gifts he received after being named the most skilled cultivator in the City of Qing .
He didn’t have much use for them . So why not gift them to the villagers . To them, these Dans were invaluable lifesavers .
"Ling Xian, are these… are these really for us?" A silver-haired elder asked in a trembling voice .
"Right, these spiritual Dans are worth a fortune . "
Ling Xian threw them a smile and responded, "Correct, rest assured, I won’t go back on my word . "
"Ha ha, very good . These Dans will enhance the positive energy of this village and help us become stronger . "
"Exactly, perhaps many years later, we’ll have a foundational level cultivator of our own . "
"But more importantly, these Dans will save lives . "
The crowd of villagers celebrated . Some elderly villagers quietly shed tears of gratitude .
To them, Ling Xian had not merely given them spiritual Dans that could elevate one’s speed of development as a cultivator, but a second chance at life .
How could they not cry out of joy?
Seeing that the villagers had sunk back into jubilation, Ling Xian signaled again for them to quiet down . He smiled and continued, "Ok, let’s put these spiritual Dans away . I’ll check on Su Zi now . We’ll catch up later . "
He backed up through the crowd as he talked . Soon, he arrived at the house of the mayor, located right next to a quiet stream .
"You’ve come . "
Su Zi sat on top of a giant rock, face inside her palms . She watched the water in silence, deep in thought .
"I will soon leave here . I came back this time to bid you farewell . " Ling Xian walked up to the girl and sat next to her . He sighed as he sat down .
"I know . When you revealed your foundational powers, I knew you’d be leaving us very soon . " Su Zi felt her heart ache, but went on and feigned disinterest . She let out a bright smile, albeit with difficulty, and continued, "That’s for the best . Your world is the outside world . That world will allow you to expand your wings and conquer the nine Heavens . "
"I’m grateful that you understand . I will always be an outsider . " Ling Xian’s heart sank deeper into his gut . The relationship between him and Su Zi was complicated, not quite a relationship between siblings, but not a complete friendship either . After two months together, Ling Xian had developed feelings of attraction for her . If not for the other woman who continued to tug on his heartstrings, Ling Xian could perhaps return Su Zi’s affections .
So for now, this had to be dealt with, cleanly and swiftly .
Letting these feelings simmer and stew could only result in pain for both of them .
"Right, you and I belong to two different worlds, why force ourselves to be together?" Su Zi whispered as she held back tears . Then she asked, "Can you tell me where you’re going?"
"House of Wan Jian," Ling Xian responded .
"Ok, I’ll remember it . If one day I leave the Vast Mountains looking for you, don’t be a stranger," Su Zi said wishfully, carving the name Wan Jian onto her heart .
Seeing that Su Zi was smiling, Ling Xian let out a sigh of relief and replied, "Rest assured . You are my little sister, how could I ever see you as a stranger?"
"Good, if you see me as a sister, I shall give you a gift for saving my life . Would you accept?" Su Zi beamed forcibly . A shadow of disappointment flashed across her eyes but vanished instantly .
"I dare not refuse!"
Ling Xian beamed back . The decade spent inside the Fantasy Territory had taught Ling Xian much about life, but not about matters of the heart . Hence, he failed to detect Su Zi’s disappointment .
"You said it, not me . "
Su Zi stood slowly, then, with a speed that exceeded lightning, she bent over . Before Ling Xian could react, he saw her lips approach and felt a deep, fervent kiss planted on his cheek . His eyes remained wide open the entire time . As her face pulled away, she turned to leave without a backward glance .
Two fresh streams of tears rained down her cheeks .
Unfortunately, Ling Xian had been completed stunned and would not see her cry .
After a long moment of daze and confusion, Ling Xian finally recovered . Softly touching the spot where Su Zi kissed him, Ling Xian sighed, longingly but haplessly .
"Can’t keep what needs to be severed . It messes up everything . "
With the bitter smile still visible on his face, Ling Xian disappeared into a stream of light and dashed towards the center of the Vast Mountains .
But in his haste, Ling Xian failed to notice that Su Zi had reappeared behind him and followed him toward his destination .