Stronger from Earth-Chapter 123: Senior Brother

The outside world sees Hefang Mountain as only about eight hundred zhang tall, yet Chen Qingniu took Wang Xuan on a walk for an hour, explaining the functions and taboos of various areas along the way.

Chen Qingniu pointed to the palace halfway up the mountain, where a few boys could be seen walking out and bowing to the two.

"This is where several contributors reside. They usually cultivate here and don’t like to be disturbed, so it’s best not to intrude without reason."

Hefang Mountain also has contributors, some skilled in artifact refining, others in alchemy, or are masters of arrays. Most possess cultivation levels of the True Immortal First Realm.

These contributors were originally loose cultivators but settled here following He the Sixth, serving Immortal Martial Mountain to obtain protection and cultivation resources.

A mountain valley below the waist of the mountain, shrouded in mist, echoed with the roars of beasts. Wang Xuan saw birds spreading their golden wings and heavy spirit elephants of the field, coexisting in the same area without fighting over territory.

"That is the spirit beast area, where some spirit beasts are reared. Some are used as battle pets, others are bred specifically for consumption. I remember there’s a flood dragon, a celestial demon who the third senior brother has always wanted to subdue but hasn’t succeeded."

Disciples of the mountain gate love to keep battle pets, which can be used in combat, guarding the mountain gate, or as mounts.

"This area especially cannot be trespassed; you need to carry a token, or you will trigger array restrictions because it’s planted with many immortal elixirs, so defense is stringent."

Spirit and immortal medicines can be used in alchemy and are important cultivation resources for cultivators.

A single pill can sometimes directly help cultivators break through realms, recover from injuries, or accelerate cultivation technique practice.

From the mountain top to bottom, Wang Xuan noticed the area he saw was far larger than the mountain should accommodate, likely due to spatial arrays.

Everywhere on the mountain are arrays. If one tries to forcefully enter, they may easily become trapped in the array, lost within it, or directly killed by attacking arrays.

At the bottom of the mountain, looking up, is layer upon layer of clouds, and looking far ahead, there are unobstructed views to see mountains rising tall and short.

"Let’s go, I’ll show you the residences of several senior brothers." Chen Qingniu traveled with the wind, with a carefree and easy style that truly resembled an immortal’s liberty.

Wang Xuan, unable to fly, could only rely on running. Luckily, his physique was strong enough to leap a hundred meters at a time, soon seeing the peaks ten li away.

The mountain is indeed tall, densely forested, but the specifics of the scenery are unclear, likely isolated by arrays.

"The All Heavens Peak of the first senior brother is this one. Quite a few people are up there, only listening to the instructions of the first senior brother.

The current first senior brother in the True Immortal First Realm is already a hundred years old, though still considered young, there is a significant disparity between us and him."

Chen Qingniu’s words resonated with Wang Xuan. Although they are all disciples of He Fang, they were accepted over decades, age doesn’t represent cultivation level, but cultivation time often does mean cultivation level.

"First Senior Brother Wu Zhutian has already reached the True Immortal Realm. If he encounters children with good talent, he might also take on disciples to expand Immortal Martial Mountain." Wang Xuan remarked.

"Indeed, it is so. At the True Immortal First Realm, he’s already qualified to take on disciples at Immortal Martial Mountain." Chen Qingniu laughed. "First Senior Brother’s dao companion, Fairy Qingfeng, has been married to him for many years, who knows when they’ll have children, likely earlier than taking on disciples."

When cultivation level is high, it’s not impossible to have children, but it indeed takes more time and effort, a labor of night and day.

This was something Wang Xuan didn’t know, surprised that the first senior brother already had a dao companion, reflecting that this was a very normal situation. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

True Immortals over a hundred years old usually already have marriage agreements, or found their dao companions.

Of course, there are also cultivators who are single all along, distracted from romance for the sake of cultivation, neither inclined to find a woman nor considering continuing the family line, believing that living alone until the sea dries up is good.

Relying on one’s own strength to be single, why look for a dao companion?

Being long-lived, some worldly concepts can no longer bind them.

"I guess my sister-in-law is currently on the mountain. I wonder what kind of character Fairy Qingfeng is." Wang Xuan curiously said.

"First senior brother is also there; he entered the True Immortal Realm ten years ago, always comprehending the heavens to stabilize his cultivation level, sometimes sitting for several months, worrying his wife."

Wang Xuan said: "If that’s the case, let’s not disturb them. I’ll formally visit after my apprenticeship."

"That is well." Chen Qingniu also knew that the time of True Immortals is indeed precious.

Second Senior Brother Hou Zhaohua is currently at Jade Platform Peak, said to be climbing the ladder to forge the Immortal Platform, already impacting the True Immortal Realm, with considerable talent.

Third Senior Brother Wan Futu is at the Divine Infant Realm but is not at the mountain gate. He is within the Federation Army, executing tasks in some star domain, and is also a figure bearing the general star.

Wang Xuan stayed for three days, during which he did not see He Fang, nor did the fourth senior sister leave her dwelling, only the fifth senior brother Zhou Wu and sixth senior brother Chen Qingniu frequently appeared.

"Alas, I went to visit the fourth senior sister’s mountain top yesterday, wanting to pay respects, but senior sister ignored me, no one opened the array, leaving me to suffer a closed-door snub."

Chen Qingniu really has been somewhat fervent lately, persistently pursuing fourth senior sister, but unfortunately, the other party remained indifferent, with a heart unyielding to warm.

"Know when to stop; the fourth senior sister is not easily moved emotionally. Doing this only causes her aversion, better a steady flow, prepare for a long-term battle." Wang Xuan advised.

But Chen Qingniu shook his head: "No, I must use my warm heart to move her!" He clenched his fists, declaring resolutely.

Wang Xuan was at a loss for words. These past few days, he even wanted to visit his own mountain top, named Black and White Mountain, but Zhou Wu said it is under renovation, with array placements and palace construction underway. Once complete, they’ll surprise him.

"Alright." All Wang Xuan could do was wait.

At the mountain top, He the Sixth stood overlooking the land, gazing afar at the other two mountain tops, saying to the young man beside him: "Third, you’re back."

Wan Futu, with a handsome face, his long hair tied into a bun, wearing a Taoist robe, appeared as a person nurturing health, but those familiar knew this was just surface, his hands stained with unimaginable amounts of blood.

People outside called him "Blood Slaughter," personally burying many lives.

"How dare I idle when Master summons me. I heard we will be welcoming a new junior brother, curious about what kind of young man he is." Wan Futu smiled.

"Not bad. Originally a loose cultivator, he encountered some fortunate events, returning from the Otherworld with four-colored, nine-foot fate. Perhaps a hundred years later, he will stand shoulder to shoulder with you." He the Sixth said indifferently.

Wan Futu said: "Such a high evaluation, really very high; it seems I must diligently cultivate, lest a junior brother catches up to me, leaving me embarrassed."

"You wish to prove your path through killing, though favored by the origin, you have created too many enemies. Be cautious outside.

Realm elevations aren’t necessarily better when rushed; letting it happen naturally is fine."

Wan Futu nodded, naturally knowing his master referred to the first and second senior brothers, who constantly competed. First senior brother believed that, as the eldest disciple, his cultivation should naturally be superior. Second senior brother believed his talent was greater, aiming to surpass the first senior brother.

Resulting over decades in a fast-paced cultivation competition, with every attempt by the second senior brother to forcibly break through being suppressed by He Fang, allowing enough foundation to settle before breakthroughs.

"Is the apprenticeship ceremony tomorrow? Many should attend, for sure they will honor Master’s face." Wan Futu laughed.

He the Sixth, neither sad nor happy, seemed indifferent: "Let them come if they wish, it’s just a formality."

Though said so, rules are rules, without completing this ceremony, Wang Xuan wouldn’t be considered a True Inheritor of Immortal Martial Mountain nor able to inherit cultivation techniques.