Undying Life

20  Chapter 20: Nightmare

As Zhongshan looked at the Ethereal Pearl in his hand, his mind was already made up. His weapon of choice was a saber, a form he had long envisioned. Gripping the Ethereal Pearl, Zhongshan followed the method Tianling'er had taught him. He used the blade to cut a small incision on his hand, letting the blood fill the Ethereal Pearl.

Once filled with his blood, the Ethereal Pearl seemed to establish a spiritual connection with Zhongshan. Under his mental direction, the shape of the Ethereal Pearl gradually changed, elongating until it took the form of a large saber.

Standing at about six feet tall, Zhongshan's saber extended to five feet, appearing extremely aggressive. The blade had large grooves, and the back was adorned with six massive spikes aligned with the saber's edge, giving it an exceptionally fierce appearance, much like Zhongshan himself.

But for now, it was just a transparent mold.

Next, it needed to be infused with metal.

Glancing at his current saber, Zhongshan didn't hesitate. He merged it into the mold. As soon as it touched the mold, the saber seemed to be absorbed, melting and fusing with the energy within the mold.

The metal wasn't sufficient, so Zhongshan took a sword from his pavilion and added it to the mix. He also found an axe and threw it in, finally filling the mold completely.

Now, it was a basic first-grade magical weapon. From here, it would need to be tempered with true energy and true essence, nurtured with his spirit, to develop a consciousness and continuously advance in grade.

Looking at his first magical weapon, a trace of sadness flickered in Zhongshan's eyes.

"Liangtian Crown Prince, this saber will become your nightmare. From today, it shall be called 'Nightmare,'" Zhongshan said, stroking the blade.

"Zhongshan, are you back?" Tianling'er called from outside.

Zhongshan opened the door to see Nan Batian and Tianling'er approaching the pavilion.

"Whoa, you've already refined it? This saber looks fierce," Nan Batian exclaimed, staring at the weapon in Zhongshan's hand.

"Yeah, it looks really fierce. You look fierce, and this saber's shape is just as fierce," Tianling'er added.

"Have a seat. I'll get something to drink," Zhongshan said.

The three of them sat at the stone table by the small pond outside the courtyard.

"Zhongshan, you were amazing today. A third-level innate cultivator defeating a fourth-level one? That guy must be fuming," Tianling'er said.

"Yeah, I heard that among the four fourth-level innate cultivators, he was the second strongest. It's unheard of for someone to defeat a higher-level opponent like that," Nan Batian added.

"Who says? Senior Brother can also challenge higher levels. Didn't he say he killed someone with higher cultivation than him last time?" Tianling'er argued.

"You didn't see it yourself," Nan Batian replied skeptically.

"Senior Brother wouldn't lie!" Tianling'er insisted, growing agitated.

Watching them bicker, Zhongshan didn't interrupt or mind. Fighting and defeating stronger opponents wasn't difficult, as life-and-death situations often involved many schemes and tactics. However, being with these two brought Zhongshan great comfort. Though they had higher cultivation levels, they were younger and more naive, almost like younger siblings to him.

"The Sect Leader mentioned meeting again in fifteen days. What does that mean?" Zhongshan suddenly remembered Tianxingzi's words from earlier.

"Oh, you don't know? This time, we can go out and experience the world," Tianling'er said excitedly.

"Experience the world?" Zhongshan frowned.

"Yes, it's a chance to gain real-world experience, to test our skills and grow stronger. It's a significant opportunity," Tianling'er explained.

Understanding dawned on Zhongshan, and he nodded slowly. This was a chance not just for growth but for him to take a step closer to his ultimate goals.

"Indeed, it's time for some real training. Last time, my father took me out, but he barely let me do anything before we returned. This time, I finally have the chance to go out on my own. No more looking at his stern face, hmph!" Tian Ling'er wrinkled her small nose, looking adorably defiant.

"Who's going? Am I supposed to go too?" Zhong Shan furrowed his brow.

Zhong Shan didn't want to go. He understood that the spiritual energy outside wasn't as abundant as in Kaiyang Sect, and he had found a small cave where his cultivation progressed much faster than it would outside.

"Not necessarily. It's all voluntary. But most people will go because, like me, they've been cooped up here for years and are eager to see the outside world. Some want to return to the mortal realm to see their families," Tian Ling'er explained.

"Hmm." Zhong Shan nodded. Since it was voluntary, he decided not to go.

"Ling'er, Ba Tian, are you both here?" A voice suddenly echoed from thin air.

It was the Sect Master, Tian Xingzi's voice.

"Father? What are you doing here?" Tian Ling'er called out, looking around.

Moments later, they saw the Sect Master, Tian Xingzi, descend from the sky, landing in front of Zhong Shan's stone table.

"Uncle Tian," Nan Ba Tian also greeted.

Tian Xingzi nodded and, without ceremony, took a seat by the stone table. Looking at Zhong Shan, he said, "Zhong Shan, sit down. I didn't expect that with your physique, you've achieved so much in just a year. You must have been training very diligently."

"Of course, Father. You wouldn't believe it. Look at that kiln over there. Zhong Shan built it for his training. He's been fighting with beasts in the mountains to improve so quickly," Tian Ling'er interjected.

Tian Xingzi glanced at the kiln, then at Tian Ling'er and Nan Ba Tian, and smiled slightly.

"You and Ba Tian go over there for now. I need to talk to Zhong Shan," Tian Xingzi said.

"What can't I hear?" Tian Ling'er pouted, unwilling.

"It's very important," Tian Xingzi said sternly.

"Alright." Tian Ling'er nodded reluctantly and walked away with Nan Ba Tian.

With a wave of his hand, Tian Xingzi enveloped the area in a five-meter radius in a cloud of white mist, isolating them from the others.

Zhong Shan frowned, unsure of Tian Xingzi's intentions.

"Zhong Shan," Tian Xingzi said seriously.

"Yes, Sect Master," Zhong Shan replied promptly.

"Relax. To achieve such results in a year with your constitution is astonishing. It shows you are determined and unafraid of hardship. An eighty-year-old mortal body obtaining a Forbidden Pill—regardless of how you got it—I believe your mind is far from naive like Ling'er's. You have wisdom and diligence," Tian Xingzi said.

Zhong Shan remained silent, guessing Tian Xingzi's intentions and waiting for him to continue.

"So, I have a favor to ask," Tian Xingzi said, looking at Zhong Shan.

Hearing this, Zhong Shan frowned slightly, not agreeing immediately but instead looking at Tian Xingzi, "Please, tell me."

Seeing Zhong Shan's cautious attitude, Tian Xingzi smiled with satisfaction.

"Ling'er and Ba Tian will surely go out in a few days. Ba Tian can handle himself; he's a boy and we've given him a life-saving treasure. But Ling'er, I'm worried about her. I hope you can look after her and bring her back safely in a year," Tian Xingzi said solemnly.

"Going out?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"Ba Tian needs to train alone. Ling'er is too naive and is friends with you. With you, I'm reassured. If you bring her back safely in a year, I will personally guide your cultivation," Tian Xingzi said earnestly.

Hearing this, Zhong Shan's eyes brightened. Personal guidance? That would be far better than his blind training.

"Under my guidance, your cultivation will progress much faster. If you reach the Golden Core stage, I'll take you as my disciple. How about it?" Tian Xingzi smiled slightly.

For Tian Xingzi, it was a low-cost promise. If Zhong Shan, with his constitution, could reach the Golden Core stage, it would be worth taking him as a disciple. If not, he wouldn't need to fulfill any promise. Personal guidance only required occasional advice.

But for Zhong Shan, the temptation was immense. Having a master would make his efforts much more efficient and save him from many detours.

A year, just a year. It was worth it.

"Alright," Zhong Shan agreed.

"With that, I am reassured. I trust you," Tian Xingzi said, patting Zhong Shan's shoulder with a smile. With a wave of his hand, the white mist dissipated.

"Alright, continue your chat. I won't disturb you any longer," Tian Xingzi said to the three of them with a smile. Stepping on a cloud, he left.

"Zhong Shan, what did my father say?" Tian Ling'er immediately asked.

"He asked me to go with you," Zhong Shan said, shaking his head slightly.