This Human Immortal Is Too Serious-Chapter 478 - 476: Life is But a Few Autumns

Old Qiu found himself unable to get out of bed and walk.

Just as the bustling heat of summer can suddenly and without warning give way to the stark chill of autumn.

"The Liuli God personally opens a class."

"Gathering all the geniuses of the Luili Realm from the past hundred years to discover your potential and guide you to continuously charge toward the highest realms of Martial Arts."

"This isn't just about the grand competition anymore. Being guided by the Divine Spirit, your life is destined to be extraordinary!"

"So..."

「In Old Qiu's home, within his bedroom.」

Qiu Li and Dong Gao looked up in unison at Wu Wang, who was seated beside them.

Although Wu Wang had known this would happen, he still asked cooperatively, "So, I should attend that small class?"

Qiu Li smiled and said, "Why would you call it a small class? It's called Earth Class!"

Dong Gao's eyes shone brightly. "The Liuli God will teach personally. This is an immense opportunity! Moreover, Senior Sister Chun Luan is already working to secure a recommended spot for you. However, this recommendation is just a chance to participate in the Liuli God's grand examination; it doesn't mean that once Senior Sister Chun Luan secures it for you, you're guaranteed a spot."

Grand examination?

This actually makes sense. It's an opportunity to filter out suspicious individuals and prevent spies from infiltrating again.

Wu Wang nodded calmly, looking towards the bedridden elder, his eyes revealing a hint of reluctance.

His teacher's time was almost up.

Spiritual Power left him every day, and the vitality within his body diminished day by day. Perhaps he had at most a few months left...

"I will see my teacher off first, then think about the grand examination," Wu Wang said earnestly. "If I am shameless enough to ask for a makeup test, given my current strength and age, I should be able to get in."

Qiu Li and Dong Gao exchanged glances, each seeing a hint of conflict in the other's eyes.

Qiu Li said, "The examination is one month from now. It will take at least seventeen days to travel to Liuli City, even with the fastest carriage we can find for you. And that's assuming nothing unexpected happens along the way."

"Once you get to Liuli City, you'll need to find a place to stay. Senior Sister Chun Luan is currently stationed at the frontier and unable to return, so you'll also need to adjust to being on your own."

Dong Gao added, "You must leave within seven days at the latest."

Wu Wang remained silent, his gaze fixed on the old man's withered face. He whispered, "It should be possible to make it up; there's no need to rush."

His senior brother and sister didn't say anything, only letting out soft sighs.

Having lived together for several years, they understood Qing Shan's temperament. He seemed easy to talk to but was actually incredibly stubborn.

Trying to persuade Qing Shan would take more than just the two of them.

Just then, the old man lying on the bed seemed to open his eyes, his lips quivering ever so slightly.

"Go... you must go..."

Wu Wang fell silent. A faint smile appeared on his face as he nodded in agreement.

How could he explain to his teacher, senior brother, and senior sister that the Liuli God's guidance truly didn't matter to him? What he really wanted to do now was to accompany his teacher through the last few months of his life.

Wu Wang subconsciously grabbed the old man's arm, thinking of transferring Spiritual Power into him. But his teacher, with a sudden burst of strength from nowhere, gently shook off Wu Wang's hand.

A few months earlier, when his teacher's condition was not so dire and he could still speak normally, he had said with a smile,

"When I'm at my end, none of you should waste your cultivation trying to prolong my life; it's useless. I've heard it's quite painful when one is close to death, so if you try to extend my life, you would just be prolonging my suffering. In the end, having you all here with me is enough."

"Teacher," Wu Wang asked softly, "what would you like to eat today?"

Old Qiu moved his hand slightly. His Adam's apple quivered a few times before he closed his eyes, as if falling into a deep sleep.

After a moment, Qiu Li and Dong Gao took Wu Wang to the courtyard. The three members of the Sect were mostly silent, and the light breeze in the yard aptly conveyed a sense of desolation.

Qiu Li looked at the young junior brother in front of her.

Over the years, Wu Wang had changed rapidly, day by day. Though he still looked somewhat youthful, his actions and behavior were quite mature and sophisticated. In those eyes that always sparkled, there was now also a touch of wisdom.

Overall, her little junior brother had grown into a mature and reliable young man... probably.

Qiu Li said, "Qing Shan, let your senior brother take you to Liuli City. It'll be fine for me to stay home and look after Father."

"I should be able to make up for it."

Wu Wang opened his left hand. It bore no calluses, and his fingers were not thick or burly. But as he turned his palm into a claw, a clump of Spiritual Power within transformed into a whirling, orange-red flame, making the small courtyard suddenly feel a bit icy cold.

"Senior Brother, Senior Sister, just trust me."

The two exchanged a glance.

They, two 'experts' of the Martial Soul Realm, had no idea how Wu Wang had managed the feat he just demonstrated. Wasn't their junior brother's realm the seventh grade of the Martial Master Realm? However, it was normal for one's comprehension of Martial Arts to be inconsistent with their current realm. After all, their junior brother... for the past two years, hadn't asked them any Martial Arts-related questions and would occasionally even give them pointers on their cultivation.

Qiu Li and Dong Gao instinctively brought a hand to their foreheads.

The Luili Realm seemed to have no reason to reject a young person like their junior brother...

"It's up to you."

Dong Gao smiled and said, "It's good that you have your own plans."

Qiu Li, however, sighed softly and slowly leaned on Dong Gao's shoulder, her eyes mostly filled with sadness.

After all, the teacher was also her father.

「At twilight, Wu Wang left his teacher's home.」

His mood wasn't overly melancholic, but he felt slightly stifled.

Scenes from the years he had spent with his teacher surfaced in his mind.

This was a flesh-and-blood being, one who also enjoyed teaching his juniors. When talking about Martial Arts cultivation, he was extremely serious. When he could still move around, he would occasionally tease his disciples. An old treasure, an old child—that was Old Qiu. I have ways to extend my teacher's life, but I cannot go against his will. The story of this Martial Spirit Realm Martial Artist was drawing to a close. Old Qiu had long been prepared and had even sent his blessings to his disciples. Forcibly extending his teacher's life would just be a form of self-satisfaction.

Ahead, Wu Wang saw the familiar white steam and turned towards it, greeting the stall owner with ease. He ordered ten meat buns but received twelve.

Wu Wang had interacted with most of the familiar faces on this road.

People knew he was the old martial master's disciple, and there were rumors that he would venture out to make a name for himself as he grew older.

They didn't know about Wu Wang's talents or realm. Even the few so-called martial masters in the town had no idea about the cultivation realms of Old Qiu's three disciples, only recognizing them as 'great recluses.' They wouldn't disturb them, let alone provoke them.

But the townsfolk knew that this young man had a promising future.

And he was very handsome.

So much so that when Wu Wang walked through the streets now, a few young women from the town always cast 'fluttering glances' his way.

Wu Wang, of course, was unperturbed by this. He practiced his cultivation according to his own pace and only interacted with a fixed group of townsfolk each day.

Someone had already gone to Aunt Qing to propose a match for him, only to be tactfully rejected.

Little Jin Wei seemed to have strong opinions on this but didn't say much.

After buying the meat buns, picking up two roasted beast legs, and getting two jugs of mountain fruit wine for Uncle Shan and Aunt Qing, he had thus solved the dinner problem for his family for the day.

Turning the corner of the familiar alleyway, the torch-lit gate of his home appeared right in front of him. The figure standing quietly at the door, illuminated by the torchlight, brought a slight smile to Wu Wang's face.

She seemed preoccupied, not noticing Wu Wang's approach. She stood quietly against the wall, her small hands clasped behind her back, her right foot also resting against the wall, heel lifted.

Her slender and still somewhat frail figure, accentuated by the knee-length dress she wore, already hinted at a woman's soft beauty.

Only the slight swell of her chest indicated she still had a few years before she was fully grown.

"What's wrong?"

Wu Wang's voice startled the daydreaming girl, but it also brought immense comfort to Jin Wei's heart.

She looked up at Wu Wang. Her palm-sized face showed some hesitation, but she still managed a slight smile.

"Brother."

"Hmm?" Wu Wang laughed. "Why have you started calling me 'Brother' again? Didn't I get upgraded to 'Hey,' 'Uh,' and 'That Guy' before?"

Jin Wei's cheeks turned slightly red. She bit her lower lip and pouted, saying defiantly, "Then I won't call you that anymore!"

"Go on, call me that," Wu Wang said, lifting the roasted meat he was holding. "Let's go eat."

Yet Jin Wei's attention wasn't on her favorite treat. Instead, her gaze was fixed on Wu Wang's eyes, and she seemed hesitant to speak.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Jin Wei said, turning her head as she entered the courtyard. "Let's eat. Uncle Shan and Aunt Qing have been waiting for you for a long time."

Wu Wang sniffed.

The air still carried the scent of Senior Sister Qiu Li's cosmetics; she must have visited earlier.

Sure enough, during the meal, Uncle Shan and Aunt Qing casually found an excuse to ask Wu Wang about the Martial Arts class opened by the Liuli God.

Wu Wang briefly explained the Twelve Realms Competition and the troubles of the Luili Realm to them, concealing the bloody undercurrents of the competition.

"That's a good thing," Uncle Shan said with a smile. "I heard from your senior sister that as long as you go there, you'll definitely be qualified. Go on! What future is there in this small place? You're meant to venture out eventually."

Jin Wei, who was slowly chewing on a strip of meat, suddenly felt the roasted meat in her mouth lose its flavor.

But she didn't say much, just kept her head down and continued eating.

The CRACKLING sound of wood fibers splitting in the fireplace echoed from the corner. Wu Wang calmly finished his steamed bun and said softly, "Teacher isn't doing well. I'll accompany him for the last part of his journey."

Uncle Shan sighed.

"Your senior sister mentioned that; it's just a matter of scheduling. Qing Shan, it doesn't mean you're being unfilial or disloyal by not being with Old Qiu in his last days. Everyone knows how important this opportunity is for you, and no one will blame you. Look at your eldest senior sister; she can't come back due to official duties, right? As long as you can succeed, Old Qiu would definitely feel comforted deep down..."

"This opportunity isn't important."

Wu Wang looked up at Uncle Shan. His voice wasn't loud, but his tone was firm and unyielding. "This opportunity isn't important to me. Martial Arts cultivation depends on oneself; no one can reach the pinnacle just by being guided."

Uncle Shan said anxiously, "Why are you still so stubborn? The Martial Arts class by the God isn't the same! It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

Aunt Qing frowned and said, "Xiao Chong has his own thoughts. Let's just listen to him."

"This..."

Uncle Shan rubbed his forehead and sighed. "Qing Shan, Little Bug, I know you value loyalty, but if you miss this opportunity, it's gone for a lifetime!"

"I have a plan. You don't have to worry, Uncle."

Wu Wang smiled and picked up a steamed bun. Jin Wei came over with a handkerchief and gently wiped the corner of his mouth.

Uncle Shan looked at Wu Wang, unsure what to say, and could only sigh deeply.

"Fine, fine, we'll listen to you. There's no use for your aunt and me to worry if you're not worried," Uncle Shan said, waving his hand. "How about a couple of drinks tonight?"

"No drinks. I still have to cultivate."

"Ah, to be able to cultivate is really nice."

「The next morning seemed to arrive earlier than usual.」

Wu Wang opened his eyes on the bed, his Spiritual mind returning to this incarnation from the Heavenly Dao. The Spiritual Power within his body had circulated on its own overnight, becoming slightly purer and stronger.

The main house had three rooms: a central hall for eating, with Wu Wang's and Jin Wei's bedrooms on either side.

Aunt Qing and Uncle Shan had been living together for a while, though they hadn't yet held a banquet to formally declare themselves husband and wife.

Wu Wang used his Divine Thought to sense Jin Wei's room. The Spiritual Power-concealing Formation he had set up was operating normally. Inside the delicate mosquito net, the beautiful girl was sound asleep, the thin blanket having slipped mostly off her.

This Spiritual Power Formation was something Wu Wang had learned from Old Qiu. It wasn't strange for the Martial God, who had once followed Big Brother Suiren, to have some understanding of Formations.

Just seeing her brought Wu Wang inexplicable joy, making his breathing feel a bit smoother.

Over the years, Wu Wang had even experienced moments when he forgot about the great calamity looming ahead. During those moments, he would immerse himself in the joy of her company.

Little Jin Wei was becoming increasingly radiant and bore only a slight resemblance to her true self, Jingwei.

This must have been a protective measure taken by Zhong.

"Good morning."

Wu Wang greeted her as usual, then tied bindings around his wrists and ankles, climbed over the wall, and began his usual slow jog.

He bought some breakfast and quickly finished a bowl of thin porridge on a street corner—his fuel for the morning's cultivation. Then he hurried to the hillside outside town.

He would practice his Martial Techniques there until noon. The other side of the hill was now covered with a layer of crushed stones—all his handiwork.

As per his daily routine, Wu Wang performed a set of basic boxing techniques. Then, he raised his hand to summon a thin mist to shroud the area and began practicing some advanced Martial Techniques that had not yet been fully developed.

He had not only fully grasped the two sets of Martial Techniques from the Martial God but had also developed his own understanding of them.

For the past six months, Wu Wang had been pondering how to achieve "victory without moves." Bluntly put, this concept involved performing various ingenious maneuvers with his own Spiritual Power.

For example, using qi for Sword Control, or transforming the Destroying Cloud Technique into something like the "Seven Channels Divine Sword."

Immersed in the process of developing these Martial Techniques, Wu Wang found joy and satisfaction in the continuous 'leveling up.'

In the Human Domain, his advancement had been like ascending to heaven in a few steps; he had even broken through cultivation realms in his sleep. There was no sense of accomplishment, which made it quite uninteresting!

Before he knew it, noon arrived. Wu Wang's stomach growled a few times, and he felt as if he could already smell the delicious aroma drifting from his teacher's courtyard.

He would spend the entire afternoon by his teacher's side, taking over from his Senior Brother Dong Gao to let him rest for a while.

Raising his hand to disperse the surrounding mist, he grabbed a short shirt hanging nearby and put it on.

By now, Wu Wang could control whether he sweated. His body barely contained any impurities. However, his skin wasn't as exceptional as his original body's, being slightly rough from daily exposure to the sun and rain.

Yet, as Wu Wang ran down the hillside, he suddenly paused. He looked towards the shade of a tree ahead, his gaze slightly shocked.

Soon, the shock in his eyes turned into an undeniable resignation, which he quickly suppressed.

In the shade, a lean old man was enjoying the cool air. He was dressed in a long robe, fanning himself with a cattail-leaf fan, and smiling warmly at Wu Wang.

"Teacher," Wu Wang said with a smile, "what brings you here?"

"I came to see you," Old Qiu said with a smile. "Have you been neglecting your cultivation recently?"

Wu Wang said, "No, I've been very diligent."

"That's good. Among my disciples, you're the youngest and the most diligent," Old Qiu said, his complexion rosy and his voice surprisingly firm. "You must attend the Martial Arts class offered by the Liuli God."

"Teacher..."

"It's a rare opportunity," Old Qiu said earnestly. "Have you forgotten what I taught you? A Martial Artist must protect their home, family, and friends, and stand up for the weak. Your ability to become stronger is never just about you alone. You must cherish this opportunity and be humble."

"Mm," Wu Wang replied with a smile. "I will remember."

"So, will you go?" Old Qiu asked, leaning in.

"Yes, I'll go in seven days," Wu Wang said. "I'll take Little Jin Wei with me and have Senior Brother Dong Gao take us there."

"Then I can rest assured."

Old Qiu smiled and slowly stood up.

Wu Wang instinctively moved to help, but Old Qiu just smiled and waved him off. He took another look at Wu Wang, then said, "I'm going on a long trip... Take good care of yourself, and tell your senior brother and sister to do the same."

With that, the old man turned and walked down the path on the hillside, heading away from the town. He gradually grew distant and slowly disappeared from sight.

Wu Wang stood quietly by, watching the old man's receding figure. Eventually, he simply raised his head to look at the clouds above.

In the distance, Dong Gao came rushing over, calling out from afar,

"Qing Shan! Qing Shan, come back quickly! Teacher suddenly... he's not doing well! He said he wants to see you!"

Wu Wang responded and quickly followed, his head down.

「Celestial Court.」

In the land enveloped by the Heavenly Dao, Wu Wang's true face trembled slightly. Ultimately, it was just a soft sigh of resignation before he returned to tranquility.