"Crossing the sea within one's heart is difficult."
Upon hearing Qin Tang's words, some of the cultivators present seemed lost in thought, as if they had grasped something. Others seemed indifferent, paying no attention.
And so, the second day quickly passed.
Early on the third day, Qin Tang, as usual, appeared before the eyes of everyone.
However, this time, he didn't drink. He appeared sober, much more spirited than before.
"Today is the final trial," Qin Tang assessed the cultivators present with a serious expression.
"On the path of cultivation, you will always encounter countless challenges and temptations. Will you be able to persevere and stay true to your initial intentions?"
"Let me wait and see."
In Qin Tang's words, everyone felt a sudden darkness before losing consciousness.
...
In a small village amidst the mountains and fields, Li Fan lay on the roof, watching the setting sun. He had a feeling that he had forgotten something.
Growing up in this mountain village, he led a simple and happy life, working with the sunrise and resting with the sunset every day.
It was a plain and fulfilling life. If he continued like this, it didn't seem bad at all.
But there was a vague restlessness in his heart, a feeling that he shouldn't end his life so ordinarily.
"Fan, Fan, where are you? Come home for dinner!"
Li Fan remained unmoved by his mother's call.
He looked up at the sky, at the birds soaring freely, at the sun and moon, ancient and steadfast, not subject to human will, lost in thought.
He spent the whole night like this until dawn was approaching. Suddenly, it seemed like he had a realization.
In a swift motion, he jumped down from the house.
He rushed into the house and loudly said to his still-sleeping mother, "Mother, cancel the marriage arrangement with the girl next door."
"I'm not getting married. I want to cultivate immortality!"
His mother was alarmed by the abrupt statement, thinking her child had gone mad, and hurriedly got up to hold Li Fan's hand. "What immortal are you talking about? There's no such thing as immortality! Wake up, my child!"
Li Fan pulled away from his mother's grip, his youthful face full of determination. "I don't know where the immortals are, but I will definitely find them."
With that said, he, in the midst of his mother's tears, packed his belongings and strode out of the door.
Six months later, while exploring in the mountains, Li Fan tragically fell into a tiger's mouth and lost his life.
...
In front of the dilapidated Taoist temple, amidst the flickering fire and the cries of the people, Li Fan felt lost.
"Senior Brother, Master is dead. What should we do after we leave Ascending Clouds Sect?" A timid voice asked by his side.
Li Fan was about to speak when he heard angry voices from all around.
"What else can we do? Of course, everyone should divide the things in the temple and leave the mountain!"
"We thought there was a real immortal on the mountain, that's why everyone endured hardships to come up. Who would have thought this old Taoist was an out-and-out fraud!"
"Yeah, can a real immortal suddenly fall ill and die like this?"
As everyone got more and more agitated, Li Fan didn't know how to explain, so he let them plunder and empty the Ascending Clouds Sect.
After a while, only Li Fan remained alone on the mountain.
He collected his master's ashes and buried them. Li Fan thought about the look in his master's eyes before he passed away.
Unwillingness, regret, sorrow, hope...
Was his master a fraud?
Was the "Ascending to the Clouds" scripture he imparted just a fabrication?
Li Fan felt that perhaps it wasn't what everyone thought.
Perhaps, immortals truly existed.
In the end, Li Fan still didn't leave the mountain.
He spent the latter half of his life alone in the Taoist temple, watching the clouds change and the days pass.
He spent his days comprehending the "Ascending to the Clouds" scripture.
He was over fifty years old, but he couldn't make any progress.
He passed away with regrets.
...
In the imperial palace.
Li Fan looked at the wooden plaques on the golden plate in front of him, filled with names, and a trace of impatience appeared in his eyes.
"Take them away. Tonight, I still want to cultivate."
"Your Majesty, you haven't visited the palace concubines in three months..."