Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

The pursuers were like dogs, their noses incredibly sharp.

Xu Ming thought he had shaken them off, but they managed to catch up once again. He couldn’t figure out how they kept tracking him.

However, Xu Ming was different from Shi Xin. Shi Xin might spare their lives, refusing to kill them no matter what. But Xu Ming? He would send them straight to the King of Hell—if they even had the chance to meet him. Xu Ming preferred to ensure their complete obliteration, body and soul.

At first, Shi Xin would still try to plead, saying things like, “Spare their lives, stop taking lives unnecessarily.” But Xu Ming never listened.

Xu Ming wasn’t some saint, and even if he were, no saint could be so infinitely compassionate. His philosophy was simple: repay kindness with kindness, and repay enmity with justice.

Eventually, Shi Xin stopped trying to persuade him, knowing it was futile. Shi Xin would only step in afterward, performing rituals to help the deceased move on. Xu Ming didn’t care about that.

“If someone wants to kill me, and I kill them instead, that’s my business. If Shi Xin wants to help them afterward, that’s her business.”

Besides, Xu Ming thought those rituals were meaningless. He destroyed not only their physical bodies but also their very souls. Without even a shred of a soul left, what use was there in Shi Xin’s rituals?

The assassins sent after Xu Ming weren’t even strong enough to seriously injure him. So, after five days of intermittent fighting, Xu Ming had almost fully recovered.

Xu Ming had noticed a pattern with the system. When it came to one-on-one battles or small skirmishes, the rewards were given out quickly. But if he killed dozens or even hundreds of enemies, the rewards would be delayed until the system determined he was truly out of danger or capable of surviving.

[System Notification]

[Detected battle between host and Qingyun Ranking’s top cultivator—Yang Yang of the Northern Wastelands: Sword Intent +20, Sword Qi +20, Perception +10, Blood Energy +30.]

[Detected battle between host and the strongest of the younger generation from the Southern Demon Kingdom—Cui Jian: Sword Intent +20, Sword Qi +15, Sword Skill +15.]

[Detected host obtaining immortal-grade spiritual fruit—Main Fruit of the Blood Bodhi Tree: Rewarding host with “Bodhi Gatha.”]

[Bodhi Gatha: The host can inscribe this verse onto a standard Qi-enhancing talisman. When the talisman is dissolved in water and consumed, the drinker will experience:

Spirit +30%

Attack Power +10%

Spiritual Energy Concentration +10%

Martial Qi +10%

Endurance +20%

(Can also be used by others)]

[Achievement Unlocked: First Immortal Fruit Obtained: Host’s affinity for immortal-grade spiritual fruits +50. When consumed, their efficacy increases by 20%.]

[Detected Host’s elimination of Zeng Rong and others: Sword Qi +100, Sword Intent +100, Blood Energy +100, Defense +30.]

As the system’s voice faded, Xu Ming’s spiritual sense gradually cleared.

Looking at the rewards this time, Xu Ming felt quite satisfied. The “Bodhi Gatha” was especially useful—not only could he use it himself, but others could benefit from it too. Its simple application and low cost meant it could even be used by an entire army.

Imagine three thousand Dragon-Leopard Iron Cavalry or the Blood Asuras drinking this talisman water before a battle—it would be like unleashing a small-scale battlefield rampage.

However, Xu Ming also realized that defeating weaker cultivators hardly gave him any points anymore. Sometimes, it didn’t even reward him at all.

“What’s wrong?”

Shi Xin, standing nearby, blinked and softly asked as she looked at the dazed Xu Ming. She had noticed that he had zoned out for quite a while and was worried something might be wrong with his injuries.

“It’s nothing,” Xu Ming shook his head. “By the way, let me tell you a story.”

Looking at the Bodhi Gatha, Xu Ming was reminded of a story. He felt it wouldn’t shake Shi Xin’s devotion to Buddhism but might instead inspire her to think deeply. Giving her this Bodhi Gatha was also a way of expressing gratitude for her help during his recovery.

“A story?” Shi Xin tilted her head curiously. “What kind of story?”

After thinking for a moment, Xu Ming said, “It’s a story about Buddhist teachings, set in a distant, ancient, and glorious land.”

Shi Xin nodded, her curiosity growing.

After organizing his thoughts, Xu Ming slowly began:

“This story begins with Master Hongren, the Fifth Patriarch of Chan Buddhism in Central Lands. He wanted to select a disciple who could inherit his lineage and continue the tradition of Chan Buddhism. To do so, he gave his disciples an assignment: to compose a verse that would reflect their understanding of awakening and self-enlightenment.

Among his disciples was Master Shenxiu. Shenxiu had followed Hongren for many years and, at over fifty years old, was highly accomplished in Buddhist teachings and deeply respected. Many believed he was the most likely candidate to inherit the patriarchal robe and bowl.

Meanwhile, there was another disciple at the monastery named Huineng. Huineng was illiterate and had once been a woodcutter. He happened to hear the Diamond Sutra one day and was inspired to learn Buddhism. He traveled from his hometown to Dongshan Monastery, where he met Master Hongren.

Huineng told Hongren that he was willing to work in the kitchen, cooking and chopping wood, as long as he could learn Buddhism.

Although Huineng was eligible to participate in the verse-writing challenge, no one paid him any attention. After all, who would notice someone who worked in the kitchen?

At that time, Master Shenxiu composed the following verse:

The body is a bodhi tree,

The mind a mirror bright.

Constantly polish and clean,

So dust cannot alight.

After reciting these four lines, Xu Ming paused.

Shi Xin lowered her head, contemplating the verse carefully.

Seeing her reaction, Xu Ming smiled. “What do you think of this verse?”

Shi Xin nodded. “This humble monk thinks the verse is well-written, but… something about it feels a little off.”

Xu Ming chuckled, thinking, As expected of the disciple of a master from Leiming Temple. “What do you think is off about it?”

Shi Xin shook her head, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. “This humble monk… can’t quite say.”

Xu Ming retracted his gaze and continued telling the story.

“At the time, everyone praised the verse, but Master Hongren remained silent after reading it. He later summoned Shenxiu to the main hall and evaluated his verse. He acknowledged that Shenxiu had some understanding of Buddhism but had not yet grasped its true essence. Hongren asked Shenxiu to compose another verse.

Shenxiu returned to his quarters but couldn’t come up with another verse after several days. He was perplexed—how had he failed to comprehend the true essence of Buddhism?

One day, Huineng came across Shenxiu’s verse. Unable to read and write, he asked a fellow monk to write down his own insights beside Shenxiu’s.

When the monks in the temple read Huineng’s verse, they were astonished.

Later, Master Hongren also came to see it and was deeply impressed. Upon learning that Huineng had composed the verse, he was even more delighted. Hongren thought, For someone illiterate to achieve such profound awakening is truly extraordinary.

Hongren then passed the patriarchal robe and bowl to Huineng, making him the Sixth Patriarch of Chan Buddhism.

Huineng’s verse went like this:

Bodhi is not a tree,

Nor is the mind a mirror bright.

Since originally there is not a single thing,

Where could dust alight?”

After Xu Ming finished his story, Shi Xin’s eyes suddenly lit up, only to quickly turn vacant again.

She followed Xu Ming dazedly, her steps mechanical. Behind her, faint traces of Buddhist radiance shimmered, and around her, illusions of golden lotuses—symbols of Buddhist purity—seemed to flow and flicker.

Xu Ming knew that Shi Xin had entered a state of enlightenment.

He didn’t disturb her, continuing forward as usual. Shi Xin simply followed in a trance, walking behind him.

Half an hour later, the light in Shi Xin’s eyes gradually returned, and the golden halo behind her head dispersed with a ripple of spiritual energy.

The sound of Buddhist chants resonated through the mountain forest, spreading in every direction.

Xu Ming could clearly sense Shi Xin’s spiritual energy condensing, growing ever more concentrated until it finally took on a tangible form, floating within her dantian. This entity, known among cultivators as the Golden Core, had successfully formed.

“With the formation of your Golden Core, Master Shi Xin, you’ve truly joined the ranks of esteemed cultivators. Congratulations,” Xu Ming said with a smile.

Shi Xin blinked and replied, “It’s all thanks to you, benefactor. This humble monk owes you a debt of gratitude.”

Xu Ming shook his head. “Not really. I just casually told a story. The fact that you could break through—using your Buddhist terms—is entirely due to your own fortune.”

He wasn’t being modest. He had merely shared a story. If Shi Xin hadn’t understood its deeper meaning, she would’ve just had to contemplate it slowly on her own.

Besides, Xu Ming felt a little guilty. Over the past few days, he had frequently teased Shi Xin and deliberately tried to challenge her Buddhist convictions. On several occasions, she’d nearly lost her footing in her cultivation because of his antics.

Who would’ve thought that after hearing this story, she would achieve enlightenment and breakthrough? It really was her own good fortune.

“Do Master Hongren, Master Shenxiu, or Master Huineng have any written records passed down through the ages? This humble monk would like to study them,” Shi Xin asked.

To her, all three masters were individuals of great wisdom. There were no true winners or losers among them.

Xu Ming shook his head. “It’s just a story I heard. Whether that dynasty even existed in this world is uncertain—how could there be any ancient texts?”

What a joke! That story is from another world. Where am I supposed to find ancient texts for you?

Shi Xin’s eyes dimmed slightly with disappointment. “What a pity.”

“Indeed,” Xu Ming responded, but he didn’t elaborate. He simply continued walking forward.

Shi Xin followed beside him, quietly regulating her spiritual energy. Having just reached the Golden Core stage, she still needed time to stabilize her internal energy.

“Where is Benefactor Xu heading now?” Shi Xin asked after they had walked for some time.

To be honest, Xu Ming didn’t really know.

His main goal had been to obtain the Blood Bodhi’s main fruit, and now that he had it, he lacked any specific objectives.

“Just wandering,” Xu Ming replied casually.

Since he had no particular destination, he might as well explore aimlessly, see what opportunities arose.

If there was something valuable to seize, he’d take it. If not, he’d simply wait for the passage out of the Rootless Secret Realm to open.

Additionally, he wanted to find Yan Han and Qing Wan.

If they needed anything, he’d help them get it. And truth be told, this place was dangerous—until he saw them again, he couldn’t shake his unease.

“Alright,” Shi Xin nodded.

For her, it didn’t matter where Xu Ming went. Wherever he went, she would follow.

The two continued wandering aimlessly through the forest.

As they walked, Shi Xin suddenly raised her head and asked Xu Ming, “Benefactor Xu, are you really not willing to join the Buddhist order? I truly believe that if you were to enter Buddhism, you would achieve great things.”

It seemed Shi Xin hadn’t given up on inviting Xu Ming to join the Buddhist path.

Xu Ming yawned lazily and replied, “I’ve already told you, if you agree to dual cultivate with me, I’ll go back to Leiming Temple with you and become a monk.”

“…”

Shi Xin lowered her head, remaining silent.

Turning his head to glance at her, Xu Ming noticed that compared to the first time he’d mentioned this, when her expression had been filled with resistance, she now seemed to be genuinely considering the possibility.

“Alright, alright, forget it. Seeing how reluctant you look, I’ll drop the idea of becoming a monk,” Xu Ming quickly concluded, waving the thought away.

After all, if she really agreed and did something extreme—like emulating the Buddha’s tale of feeding himself to the eagle—he wouldn’t be able to handle it.

Not to mention, the abbot of Leiming Temple might personally intervene and suppress him on the spot. Xu Ming had heard that, to the abbot, Shi Xin wasn’t just a disciple but was regarded almost like a granddaughter.

“Anyway, this journey is getting dull. How about I tell you another story?” Xu Ming said, deftly changing the subject to divert her attention.

“What kind of story?” Shi Xin’s eyes lit up as soon as he mentioned storytelling.

At that moment, she resembled an eager child anticipating a bedtime tale, her expression tinged with a rare sweetness.

Of course, this wasn’t because Xu Ming’s storytelling skills were particularly captivating—it was because his stories often carried deep Buddhist philosophies that prompted profound reflection.

“Let’s go with a story about an old monk and a young monk…” Xu Ming mused, pausing briefly to organize his thoughts before speaking.

“Once upon a time, there was an old monk and a young monk. While crossing a river, they encountered a woman…”

Xu Ming began narrating slowly, while Shi Xin listened attentively.

The two figures moved quietly through the forest. Overhead, the sun sank lower, painting the sky with the hues of dusk. The evening clouds bathed the heavens in a deep, inky red, as though the world had donned a scarlet veil.

The crimson glow stretched their silhouettes across the forest floor, drawing them long and thin as they meandered through the fading light.