The Last Immortal's Blade

Chapter 6 The Road to the Eternal Dao Sect

The night was deep, the moon hanging like a silver crescent in the sky, casting its pale light over the winding road that led away from the small town. Su Xuan moved with purpose, his footsteps silent against the dirt path. The encounter at the restaurant was already behind him, a fleeting moment in the grand scheme of his journey. His mind was focused on the trials ahead, the weight of his mission pressing heavily on his shoulders.

The Eternal Dao Sect was one of the most revered cultivation sects in the region, known for its ancient traditions and formidable disciples. It was said that only the most talented and determined cultivators could earn a place within its ranks. For Su Xuan, it was more than an opportunity to hone his skills—it was a stepping stone on his path to vengeance. The sect’s archives were rumored to hold secrets of immense power, secrets that could help him uncover the truth behind the tragedy that had shattered his life.

As he walked, the landscape around him began to change. The flat, open fields gave way to dense forests, the trees towering like silent sentinels in the night. The air grew cooler, carrying with it the faint scent of pine and damp earth. Su Xuan’s senses were alert, his cultivation base humming softly within him, ready to react to any threat. He knew that the road to the Eternal Dao Sect was not without its dangers. Bandits, rogue cultivators, and even wild beasts often lurked in the shadows, waiting for unsuspecting travelers.

It wasn’t long before his instincts proved right. A faint rustling in the underbrush caught his attention, and he paused, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his blade. His eyes, now glowing faintly with the ethereal light of the Nytheris Oculus, scanned the darkness. The swirling shadows within his pupils churned, revealing what ordinary eyes could not see. Three figures emerged from the shadows, their faces obscured by hoods, but Su Xuan’s Soul Sight pierced through their disguises. He could see the faint, flickering auras of their souls—dim and tainted, marked by greed and malice.

The forest was eerily silent, save for the faint rustling of leaves in the night breeze. Su Xuan walked steadily along the dirt path, his senses sharp and his Nytheris Oculus faintly glowing, casting an otherworldly light that only he could see. The faint traces of spiritual energy in the air told him he was not alone.

From the shadows, three figures emerged, their movements deliberate and predatory. The leader, a burly man with a jagged scar running down his cheek, stepped forward first. His voice was rough, laced with mockery and menace.

"Well, well," he sneered, his lips curling into a cruel grin. "What do we have here? A lone traveler, out so late at night. You must be either very brave or very foolish."

Su Xuan stopped in his tracks, his expression calm and unreadable. His Nytheris Oculus activated fully, the starry night motif within his pupils glowing brighter. The swirling shadows within his irises churned, revealing the truth of the men before him. He could see the lingering imprints of their past actions—soul traces of violence and cruelty left behind like stains on their auras. These men were no ordinary bandits; they were murderers, their hands stained with the blood of the innocent.

The leader’s grin widened as he noticed Su Xuan’s silence. "No words, huh? That’s fine. We’ll take your belongings, and maybe, if you’re lucky, we’ll let you live." He gestured to his companions, who fanned out to surround Su Xuan. "But if you try anything funny… well, let’s just say the forest will have one more corpse to feed on."

Su Xuan’s gaze flickered to the man’s sword, noting the chipped blade and the careless way it was held. But his Soul Sight revealed more—the man’s soul was heavy with the weight of his crimes. He could see the faint, flickering images of the bandit’s victims, their faces twisted in fear and pain. The man’s aura was dark, almost suffocating, a testament to the lives he had destroyed.

"You’ve killed before," Su Xuan said, his voice low and steady, cutting through the tension like a blade.