Painting of the Nine Immortals
chapter-532

Gulp.

The man gulped with difficulty. Inside this deadly silent forest, the sound of his nervousness was distinct and clear.

His expression was sluggish and emotionless. The way he stared at the young man before him, who's entire body was soaked with blood, was full of astonishment.

Just a soft wave of the hand ended the lives of the two foundational leveled cultivators. How could this man not feel surprised. He did not doubt, not even a little bit, that if the attack landed on him, then what awaited him would be the same as what happened to his two friends.

He was not the only one feeling shocked. Yu Xun Zhen reacted the same way. She really did not think that the powerful enemies she was trying so hard to hide from were killed so easily and so casually by Ling Xian.

However, recalling back to nine years ago, when Ling Xian slayed so many foundational leveled cultivators in one go, she accepted reality.

"Master Ling is truly powerful." Yu Xun Zhen stared at Ling Xian deadly in the eyes. Her eyes shone with light of respect.

"I won't kill you right now. You should just stay here and be quiet."

Ling Xian said softly and pushed the stunned man on the forehead with his finger. Immediately, that person froze right where he stood. Then, with great difficulty he walked towards an old tree at the rear.

"Xun Zhen, follow me."

"Yes, Master." Yu Xun Zhen nodded lightly and grabbed onto Ling Xian's arm. She led him towards an old tree.

"Ehem, ehem…"

Ling Xian coughed up two mouthfuls of blood. He leaned against the giant tree and checked out the beautiful woman before him. He stayed silent for a while and croaked, "Xun Zhen, telling me what happened from beginning to finish. Why are those people pursuing you and trying to kill you?"

"Master, I…"

Yu Xun Zhen hesitated. The secret she was carrying with her was of utmost importance. She was especially scared of the fact that after she reveals all the dark events she experienced, she will fall into a state of fear and stay there.

"If it troubles you too much, you can choose not to say it." Ling Xian said with a warm smile. He realized that Yu Xun Zhen was troubled by this, and thus did not want to force her.

Once again seeing the warm smile on his face, Yu Xun Zhen felt a little dizzy. It was as if time had turned back to nine years ago and she once again returned to the warm days.

Without a doubt, those warm days were given by Ling Xian.

Therefore, after Yu Xun Zhen regained herself, she chose to believe in Ling Xian and told him her entire situation from beginning to end.

The truth was that three years ago, she became the apprentice of an admirable Master and followed him to the City of Qing Faction. There, she began to display an extraordinary amount of natural talent. In just three years, she reached the intermediate stage of the foundational level.

In addition, she only arrived at the foundation level after reaching the undefeatable realm of the meditational level.

If she followed the normal course, she would've passed the test and became the true definition of being a Heaven's Favorite. Sadly, just half a month ago, her Master suddenly died, and her secret was revealed.

Because she lost the protection her Master had been offering her, Yu Xun Zhen lost her normal glory and became a servant to the City of Qing Faction.

Originally, she was considered to be a genius with extraordinary talent and she should be nurtured and taught by a powerful force. Yet her secret weighed heavier than her potential-filled future.

Even Ling Xian and the demon, both individuals with great determination and collected mentality, fell into silence upon hearing Yu Xun Zhen's secret.

Never even in their dreams did they think that Yu Xun Zhen would have the legendary Body of the Immortal Path!

There were nine different powerful physical properties the humankind could have. They were also known as the nine sage bodies. Every single type was highly favored by the Gods, and if one belonged to one of the nine types, it meant they possessed an unimaginable amount of natural talent and an undefeatable amount of insane capabilities.

In other words, the nine sage bodies were the strongest physical properties the humankind could have. Geniuses blessed with god given inheritance, geniuses born with devil given talents, or even geniuses who activated a pair of inner eyes, were all worthless in front of the nine sage bodies!

It was well known that the humankind was born weaker than other kinds and could not be compared to the foreign kind. Yet those with the nine sage bodies overrule this law. In terms of spiritual energy or the physical body, these bodies do not lack next to a foreign kind of the same level!

The Body of the Immortal Path is one of the nine sage bodies. Since the history of times, it only appeared a few times and was considered to be extremely rare but also extremely powerful.

In the long history of Taoism, other than the unfortunate cultivator who died young, the rest of those with the sage bodies all entered the realm of being undefeatable. All of them became unmatchable in terms of strength and thus dominated the world.

Other than the heaven-defying battling abilities, the Body of the Immortal Path had another special ability. An ability that could drive any cultivator insane.

The ability is that every single drop of blood from someone with this body contains an unimaginable effect that surpasses all spiritual medicine!

The value of spiritual medicine does not need to be explained. Every single type of medicine is extremely useful and sought after by a cultivator. As for a drop of blood from the Body of an Immortal Path, the effects of it surpasses the effect of any spiritual medicine. What a heaven-defying quality?!

Because of this, those with the Body of the Immortal Path had another nickname.

Human-shaped medicine!

Every drop of blood is equivalent to a spiritual medicine, and such heaven-defying physical property is truly deserving of this nickname.

It was because of this, Yu Xun Zhen was trapped by the City of Qing Faction after her secret was revealed. The Faction's intention was for her to donate her spiritual blood and have them used on everyone else.

Though Yu Xun Zhen, if properly raised and trained, would definitely become a powerhouse in the future, how big of a price did the Clans have to pay for her to succeed? The City of Qing Faction was not a prominent faction and they did not have a lot of resources to give her.

Therefore, Yu Xun Zhen's spiritual blood weighed more than her potential-filled future.

"You are telling me that you have the legendary Body of the Immortal Path?!" Ling Xian was a little stunned at this. Though a few moments have passed, he still found it a little hard to believe.

The demon was the same. However, compared to Ling Xian, his reaction was even more exaggeration. He stared deadly at Yu Xun Zhen the same way he stares at an unprecedented valuable treasure. He was almost drooling.

She was a human-shaped medicine. Even real immortals would have wavering intentions, why wouldn't he be having them as a demon? If Ling Xian wasn't here, he would've made his move and tackled Yu Xun Zhen.

"That's right. I only found out three years ago that I am one of the legendary sage bodies."

Sensing that the demon was looking at her like he wanted to eat her, Yu Xun Zhen's fear grew. She felt very much threatened and even her body was shaking.

Seeing this, Ling Xian frowned and hissed, "Demon, you better watch it. Or else I won't act kindly towards you."

The demon's expression turned cold. However, due to his fear towards the Demon Defending Monument, he had to retract his Qi. The passion in his eyes however, never lessened.

"Aye, the Body of the Immortal Path… the human form medicine… the temptation is intense…"

Sighing, Ling Xian calmed himself down and sighed, "I cannot believe that the little dirty faced beggar from years ago would have one of the legendary sage bodies."

"If I had a choice, I'd rather not have it."

Yu Xun Zhen's face had a trace of sadness that was hard to hide. Every time she remembered the pain caused by this sage body of hers, she would feel a rush of coldness washing over her and dragging her into hell.

Hearing this, Ling Xian sighed deeply. He understood why Yu Xun Zhen was sad.

This was something obvious. Every single drop of blood in this sage body possesses the same effects of a spiritual medicine. This could be an extremely favorable thing. However, without proper background or support, it could turn into something extremely unfortunate.

How much spiritual blood did one body contain?

While the blood was not unlimited in supply, there was still plenty of it because blood replenishes itself. In other words, if one could get his hands on Yu Xun Zhen, he would get his hands on an unlimited supply of spiritual medicine!

Therefore, who wouldn't want that? If the news got traveled around, every single cultivator in the world would react!

"Human-shaped spiritual medicine sure is troublesome." Ling Xian shook his head with a bitter smile.

"That's true. Even though I had a hard time growing up when I was a beggar, I could at least guarantee my own safety. But now, I will be spending the rest of my life in a jail somewhere acting like a servant." Yu Xun Zhen was full of sorrow. Remembering the pain she experienced during the time she was trapped, her body began to shake uncontrollably in fear.

"Aye, if you get caught, then that would be your fate." Ling Xian sighed deeply. He originally wanted to console her, but he didn't want to say anything too fake.

Raising and training the Body of the Immortal Path will result in great gain. However, the unlimited amount of resources needed put most forces into hopelessness. Even the 10 dynasties and nine Houses may not be able to provide what is needed.

Because of this, it was normal that the Faction chose to drain Yu Xun Zhen's blood as opposed to helping her grow.

After all, every single drop of her blood was equivalent to a spiritual medicine. This was enough to make sure the Faction itself can remain prosperous and glorious!

"This is why I feel like it's probably better for me to end my own life. It would be better than spending the rest of my life in a cell." Yu Xun Zhen was very much desperate and was considering ending her own life.

However, the moment she saw Ling Xian, she changed her mind. She grabbed onto his hand as two streams of tears rolled down her cheeks. She then made a statement that pained Ling Xian greatly.

"Master, why don't you eat me."

The moment she said those words, the demon's eyes lit up and wanted very much to devour Yu Xun Zhen in one bite.

Ling Xian however, fell into silence.

Master, why don't you eat me.

This statement was full of sadness, Ling Xian felt it. If this person wasn't so determined to die, why would she say it like that? Hidden within this statement was also appreciation. He felt that also.

If she didn't see him as an important person, why would Yu Xun Zhen make such an offer.

However, despite how tempting this offer was, Ling Xian declined.

No matter what, he could not eat a person, who was alive and well, like a spiritual medicine. He also could not, no matter what, just sit and watch this pitiful girl spend the rest of her life in darkness and hopelessness.

Therefore, he made a decision.

"Don't make such dumb statements."

Ling Xian softly grinned and patted Yu Xun Zhen's little head, "Do you remember what I said to you nine years ago? Unless you are in a situation without even a sliver of hope, do not give up."

"I remember. But I am now in a situation without even a sliver of hope." Yu Xun Zhen croaked out a chuckle and her expression turned cold, "Master, just eat me. I'd rather die than giving those people what they want."

"Perhaps to you, you have reached a dead end, and perhaps to you, the entire world is dark."

Ling Xian softly smiled, "However, you are so lucky to have encountered me again. Just like nine years ago, when you first met me, you should act like you saw light in your life."

"Light?"

Yu Xun Zhen was a little stunned as she slowly rose her head and once again saw the gentle but determined smile. She felt like her entire body was engulfed in warmness – the same warmness she felt nine years ago.

"Yes, light."

The corner of Ling Xian's lips curled up. He flicked his finger and a shot of spiritual energy hit the man, disabling the inhibition spell Ling Xian placed on him earlier.

Then, the man heard one statement. A statement that was stern and allowed no questions.

"Go back and tell your Supreme Headmaster that I, Ling Xian, am now the protector of Yu Xun Zhen."