From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 108 Trapped in a Fog and Struggling

Master Lingxu stood outside the door, exuding an air of otherworldly wisdom and the demeanor of a grandmaster. "Junior Sister Xiao Yao, it seems your cultivation has encountered some obstacles?" His gaze was clear, as if he could see through everything.

I gave a wry smile and nodded. "This disciple is dull-witted. This 'Mysterious Heaven Immortal Manual' is far too profound. I have studied it repeatedly, but I still cannot grasp its essence." I handed the manual to Daoist Lingxu. The dense runes and mysterious characters on it looked like a tangled mess to me at that moment, and the more I looked at it, the more my head ached.

Master Lingxu took the manual, casually flipped through a few pages, and then handed it back to me. "The path of immortality lies in the state of mind. Only when the mind is as still as water can one comprehend the profound principles of heaven and earth. Your mind is currently in turmoil, so it is naturally difficult for you to grasp its true meaning."

"A calm mind..." I murmured to myself, recalling the jumbled thoughts that had just surged into my mind, the lingering fear and unease. Having transmigrated to this strange world, how had I, without any spiritual roots, managed to get to where I am today? Only I know the hardships and fears I've endured. To achieve a calm mind—how easy is that?

I looked up at Master Lingxu, my eyes filled with confusion. "Master, I understand this principle, but how can I achieve a state of perfect tranquility?"

Master Lingxu stroked his long beard and smiled, “Everyone’s path of cultivation is different, and their inner demons are also different. Suppressing inner demons is not something that can be done overnight; it requires continuous cultivation and enlightenment. I have a Heart-Clearing Pill here, which may be of some help to you.”

He took out a crystal-clear pill from his sleeve and handed it to me. The pill emitted a faint, pleasant fragrance. I quickly took the pill, thanked him, and swallowed it. The pill melted instantly in my mouth, and a cool sensation flowed through my body in an instant, gradually calming my previously chaotic thoughts.

I picked up the "Mysterious Celestial Manual" again. This time, the complex runes and profound characters no longer seemed so difficult to understand. I felt as if a trace of spiritual energy from heaven and earth was flowing within my body, and a wondrous feeling arose spontaneously.

However, this feeling only lasted a moment before disappearing. A sense of disappointment washed over me. Did I really not have the talent for cultivating immortality?

Master Lingxu seemed to have read my mind. He gently patted my shoulder and said, "The path of cultivation is long, so don't be impatient. You need to find a method that suits you and proceed step by step to achieve something. Fairy Meng has a lot of experience in cultivating one's state of mind. You can go and ask her for some advice."

I nodded, thanked Master Lingxu again, and turned to leave the room. I decided to go find Fairy Meng, hoping to get some guidance from her.

As soon as I stepped out of the room, I saw Senior Brother Qingfeng standing not far away. When he saw me come out, he quickly walked over and asked with concern, "Junior Sister, are you alright? You don't look too good."

I shook my head and forced a smile. "I'm fine, I've just encountered some bottlenecks in my cultivation."

After a moment of contemplation, Senior Brother Qingfeng said, "I've heard that the spiritual energy around Tranquil Lake is very rich, which is helpful for calming the mind and focusing the spirit. Why don't I take you there for a walk? Perhaps it will be helpful."

I nodded and followed Senior Brother Qingfeng towards Tranquil Lake. The scenery by the lake was indeed beautiful; a gentle breeze carried a delicate fragrance. I sat by the lake, closed my eyes, and tried to clear my mind. However, those distracting thoughts clung to me like maggots, impossible to shake off…

“Junior sister, look…” Qingfeng pointed to the lake and suddenly said.

Following the direction Senior Brother Qingfeng pointed, I saw lotus flowers slowly blooming on the calm lake surface. Their petals were crystal clear, emitting a faint golden light under the sunlight, a truly beautiful sight.

"So beautiful..." I couldn't help but exclaim softly. Senior Brother Qingfeng smiled slightly, "Yes, the lotus flowers in Jingxin Lake only bloom once a year, making them extremely precious. Legend has it that those who see the lotus flowers in full bloom will receive good luck."

I gazed at the blooming lotuses, yet my heart remained restless. Good fortune? What I needed wasn't good fortune, but power—the power to protect myself, the power to survive in this cruel world of cultivation.

Before I knew it, Senior Sister Xuan Yu had also arrived at the lakeside. She quietly stood guard beside me, noticing my furrowed brow and worried expression. "Junior Sister, are you still unable to let go?"

I sighed and nodded. "Senior sister, I... I feel like I'm trapped in a net, and I can't break free no matter what I do."

Senior Sister Xuan Yu walked to my side and gently patted my shoulder. "I know you have a lot of pressure on your mind, but you must believe in yourself. You are not a useless person without spiritual roots. You are Xiao Yao, the Xiao Yao who has come to where you are today step by step through your own efforts and perseverance!"

Her voice was gentle yet firm, like a warm current flowing into my heart. I looked at her gratefully, a glimmer of hope rising within me. Yes, I couldn't give up. I still had Senior Brother Qingfeng, Senior Sister Xuanyu, and so many others who cared about me. I couldn't let them down.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I looked at the lotus flowers on the lake, their petals swaying gently in the breeze, as if smiling at me. I closed my eyes, feeling the tranquility around me, the gentle breeze on my cheeks, and the warmth of the sunlight on my skin.

Gradually, my heart began to calm down, and those chaotic thoughts gradually dissipated. I felt like a feather, floating lightly in the air, unrestrained and free.

"Junior sister, are you feeling better?" Senior Brother Qingfeng's voice rang in my ears.

I opened my eyes, looked at him, and smiled slightly. "Yes, I feel much better. Thank you, senior brother."

“We are all fellow disciples, so it’s only right that we help each other,” Senior Brother Qingfeng said gently. “Junior Sister, you don’t need to put too much pressure on yourself. Cultivation is not something that can be accomplished overnight, so just take it slowly.”

I nodded, closed my eyes again, and tried to circulate my spiritual energy. According to the records in the "Mysterious Heaven Immortal Manual," I guided the spiritual energy in my body to circulate along specific meridians.

At first, everything went smoothly, and the spiritual energy flowed slowly under my guidance. I felt like a container being slowly filled.

However, when the spiritual energy reached a certain acupoint, it suddenly stopped. I tried to guide it again, but it felt like hitting a wall, and I couldn't break through it no matter what I did.

A wave of anxiety washed over me, and fine beads of sweat appeared on my forehead. What was happening? Why couldn't my spiritual energy continue to circulate? Was my understanding wrong?

I opened the "Mysterious Celestial Manual" again and carefully studied the relevant chapters. Again and again, I memorized every word and every symbol, trying to find the answer within.

As the sun sets, the sky is dyed a golden-red hue. The lotus flowers on the lake gradually close, as if they have completed their mission for the day.

I remained seated by the lake, repeatedly trying to circulate my spiritual energy, but I was still unable to break through that bottleneck.

"Is...it really not going to work?" I murmured to myself, feeling utterly powerless.

Just when I was about to give up, a kind voice suddenly rang in my ear, "Benefactor, have you encountered any difficulties?"

I looked up and saw an old monk in a kasaya standing in front of me, looking at me with a kind and benevolent expression.

"Master Huineng?" I exclaimed in surprise...

I quickly stood up and bowed to Master Huineng. "Master, I have encountered some bottlenecks in my cultivation. I wonder if you could offer some guidance?"

Master Huineng smiled slightly, "I dare not presume to offer guidance; I only have a slight understanding. Benefactor, please tell me your concerns."

I recounted in detail to Master Huineng the problems I encountered while cultivating the "Mysterious Heaven Immortal Technique," as well as my understanding and attempts.

Master Huineng listened quietly, and after I finished speaking, he slowly said, “Benefactor, the ‘Mysterious Heaven Immortal Technique’ you are cultivating is an extremely profound immortal technique. Its mysteries cannot be comprehended overnight. Your current state of mind is too impatient, which is actually detrimental to your cultivation.”

“What you say is absolutely right, Master. I understand this principle, but…” I hesitated, my anxiety growing stronger. I knew I was too eager for quick results, but I couldn’t bear this feeling of powerlessness, of being stuck in one place, unable to move forward.

Just then, a clear, ethereal voice rang out: "Junior Sister Xiao Yao, are you troubled by immortal techniques?"

I turned my head and saw a fairy dressed in white, slowly approaching on auspicious clouds. Her face was exquisitely beautiful, and her temperament was otherworldly, like a celestial maiden descending from the heavens.

"Fairy Dream!" I exclaimed in surprise. Fairy Dream was the person in the Immortal Arts Pavilion who, apart from Daoist Lingxu, had the most thorough understanding of immortal arts.

The fairy landed gracefully and smiled at me: "I saw you have been cultivating here for many days, but you still can't find the right method, so I came to take a look."

"Fairy, this disciple is dull-witted and does not know how to comprehend the mysteries of this immortal technique," I said with a face full of shame.

Fairy Meng sighed softly, "The path of immortality lies in enlightenment, and enlightenment lies in one's state of mind. Your mind is filled with too many distracting thoughts; how can you possibly grasp the true essence of immortality?"

As she spoke, Fairy Meng lightly raised her hand, and a pure celestial aura flowed from her fingertips. She slowly demonstrated several key moves from the "Mysterious Celestial Technique," her movements flowing smoothly and seamlessly, as if she had merged with heaven and earth.

I was completely captivated. Every gesture and movement of the Dream Fairy contained profound mysteries of immortal magic. I felt as if I had touched the edge of immortal magic, yet I was always separated by a thin veil, unable to truly comprehend it.

After Fairy Meng finished her demonstration, she said to me, "Junior Sister Xiao Yao, did you understand?"

I shook my head, my anxiety growing. The Dream Fairy's demonstration was so clear and concise, yet I still felt something was missing, like scratching an itch through a boot—I couldn't quite grasp the core of it.

"Fairy, this disciple...this disciple still doesn't understand," I said dejectedly.

Fairy Meng looked at me, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes. "Junior Sister Xiao Yao, it's not that your aptitude is bad, it's just that your mind is too restless. You need to calm down and discard distracting thoughts in order to truly comprehend the mysteries of immortal techniques."

The Fairy of Dreams' teachings echoed in my heart, yet I felt even more powerless. I tried hard to calm myself, but those chaotic thoughts surged like a tide, overwhelming me.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to clear my mind of those distracting thoughts. I closed my eyes and tried circulating my spiritual energy again, practicing repeatedly as the Dream Fairy had demonstrated.

"I must succeed! I can't give up!" I said silently to myself... I suddenly opened my eyes, my gaze flashing with an unusual light.

Sweat soaked my clothes, and spiritual energy surged wildly within me, yet it couldn't follow the trajectory of the *Mysterious Heaven Immortal Technique*. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to clear my mind and focus solely on cultivating the immortal art. The Dream Fairy's words echoed in my ears: "Calm your mind, clear your mind..." But the more I forced myself, the clearer those thoughts became, like countless mosquitoes buzzing in my ears, disturbing my peace of mind.

I felt my mind was not calming down, but rather becoming even more chaotic. The once clear incantations of the immortal technique had become blurry, and I even began to doubt whether I had misunderstood the Dream Fairy's demonstration. I tried changing different hand gestures and adjusting the flow of spiritual energy, but all to no avail. A sense of powerlessness overwhelmed me, and I slumped to the ground, feeling as if a huge rock was pressing on my chest, making it hard to breathe.

"Am I really not good enough?" I murmured to myself, my eyes dim and lifeless. Having lived in this world for so long, I've endured countless hardships and challenges. Through relentless effort and a stroke of luck, I've risen from a useless nobody with no spiritual roots to where I am today. I never imagined I'd stop here. Is my path to immortality truly ending here?

Senior Brother Qingfeng and Senior Sister Xuanyu approached, their faces filled with worry. "Junior Sister, are you alright?" Senior Sister Xuanyu asked with concern. I shook my head, not wanting them to worry, but my pale face and trembling lips betrayed me.

"Don't be discouraged, junior sister. The path of cultivation is full of hardships, and no one can have a smooth journey," Senior Brother Qingfeng comforted her. "You have already worked very hard; it's just that this bottleneck is more difficult to break through."

Their comfort didn't make me feel much better. I knew they meant well, but my anxiety and unease didn't lessen at all. I didn't even dare to look them in the eye; I was afraid they would see the despair in mine.

I got up and silently left the training ground, wandering aimlessly. Before I knew it, I arrived at a lake behind the mountain. The lake water was crystal clear, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds. A gentle breeze rippled across the surface. I stared blankly at the lake, my mind a complete blank.

"Why? Why is it still not working despite all my efforts?" I murmured to myself, my voice filled with bitterness. I looked at my reflection in the lake; the girl who was once full of confidence and hope now looked so haggard and lost.

"Am I really going to give up?" I closed my eyes, letting the tears stream down my face. Just then, I heard a voice...