The seven senior and junior disciples searched all over but initially found nothing. No one knew what kind of place Fierce Bird Mountain in the Nine Heavens was.
As time passed, the news of the Fierce Bird Mountain event gradually spread, and scattered information started trickling down.
Sima Hanchuang and the others finally discovered that Fierce Bird Mountain was actually the dojo of the newly ascended Fourth Realm 'Dongning Venerable' in the Nine Heavens.
They were instantly stunned.
They knew very well that this 'Dongning Venerable' was the same person who once grievously injured their master in a battle over the 'Nine Treasures Glazed Tower,' leaving him in a sorry state.
For a moment, all the disciples thought they had fallen into the hands of their sworn enemy.
They spent more than ten years on edge.
Not until a few years ago did they finally piece together the happenings in Fierce Bird Mountain, only to discover that their esteemed master and this former enemy had become Daoist companions—a union envied by countless Upper Immortals in the Nine Heavens.
Was it the old saying—"No acquaintance without a fight"?
Or did hatred give rise to love?
Though still wary, the seven disciples, assured that their master resided in Fierce Bird Mountain, reunited and without much hesitation set off for the mountain.
They thought they at least needed to verify whether their master had genuinely found true love or if there were hidden circumstances forcing his hand.
But as soon as they arrived, they were greeted by an Eight-Pattern Immortal, who gave them a stern welcome.
"A hundred years in the mountain, unlike the mortal world!"
The Eight-Pattern Immortal was none other than Chihong Immortal.
After spending a century in secluded cultivation within Fierce Bird Mountain, he finally made a breakthrough to the mid-stage Dharma Body. Upon emerging from the 'Fire-element Origin' to express his gratitude to the couple dwelling in the mountain, he cheerfully prepared to return to the Yu Ming Immortal Court.
Spotting the seven Upper Immortals lurking outside the mountain, Chihong Immortal, still in good spirits from his recent breakthrough, was not angry. Instead, he kindly warned them, "This is a Heavenly Venerate's Dojo; no trespassing is allowed."
Without waiting for their response, he then rode away on a cloud.
"I come from the mountains, carrying orchids in my hands..."
A faint, joyful melody echoed from the clouds.
"..."
"..."
Sima Hanchuang and the other six exchanged bewildered glances, still caught in a daze.
Amid the misty rain veiling the mountain path,
a ferocious-looking female immortal appeared, her voice sharp as she scolded, "The Mountain Master has summoned you inside—why are you all standing around like fools?"
A menacing aura surrounded her.
A killing intent was palpable.
It was enough to strike dread into any cultivator's heart.
"So fierce?"
"Could this place really be safe?"
"Our esteemed master..."
Seeing the hostile immortal, the seven disciples felt their hearts sink. They exchanged hesitant looks, but ultimately gritted their teeth and, as if marching to their doom, resolutely stepped into the mountain.
...
Fierce Bird Mountain.
Tuota Peak.
"Go explore and familiarize yourselves,"
Chen Jichuan and Wang Yan, having met the seven disciples, arranged for the Nine Immortals to show them around Fierce Bird Mountain.
With the disciples gone, only the couple remained on the peak.
"Tch!"
Watching the disciples leave, Wang Yan chuckled, "Husband, these disciples of yours are truly filial. The way they looked at me earlier made it seem as if I—a so-called wicked immortal lady—was greatly mistreating their old master."
Sima Hanchuang and the others' thoughts were plain to Wang Yan.
Chen Jichuan laughed heartily in response, "They've just arrived and don't yet realize how inseparable their master and I are. And besides, the Nine Immortals in the mountain are all fearsome figures. Just earlier, the 'Water Immortal' certainly didn't show a kind face—her words, tone, and mannerisms were all nasty. It's only natural for my disciples to be extra cautious."
"Having seen the 'Water Immortal,' they probably imagine their esteemed 'master's wife' to be just as harsh."
"Perhaps they're thinking I kidnapped their beloved master to make him the mountain's kept lord!"
Wang Yan shot Chen Jichuan a playful glance and teased, "Don't think I didn't notice the look your lead disciple gave you earlier."
"They're simply being filial,"
Chen Jichuan responded, completely earnest.
To dare stand up for their master—even at the risk of offending a Heavenly Venerate—
these disciples were indeed remarkable.
"Most of them have followed me since childhood. When I choose disciples, character comes first. Those who can ascend to become Upper Immortals are naturally upright and virtuous."
Chen Jichuan, back in the Eight Extremes Holy Hall and Mishen Island days, had cast a wide net to select promising disciples.
Sima Hanchuang and these seven Upper Immortals were the cream of the crop.
In turbulent times, he had scattered his disciples to protect them. Now, seated firmly in Fierce Bird Mountain and with a wife who was a Fourth Realm Venerable, he summoned them all back.
A strong ally needs strong support.
The couple was indeed formidable, and with Yu Ming Immortal Venerable as a trusted ally,
but relying too much on an outsider—no matter how close—was not ideal. Nor could they personally handle every single matter. They needed disciples and followers to manage mundane affairs.
Take, for instance, the collection of worldly thoughts needed to refine the 'Seven Emotions and Six Desires Map.'
If the two of them were to gather these themselves, it would be an enormous waste of time.
But when handed to Sima Hanchuang and the others, the results after sixty years were flawless.
Chen Jichuan gestured at the seven incense burners before him and said, "Now that the worldly thoughts have been prepared and all other materials gathered, we can formally begin refining the 'Seven Emotions and Six Desires Map.' The earlier a Lifebound Magical Treasure is refined, the better."
"Hmm."
Wang Yan nodded in agreement.
And so, in the coming years, Wang Yan set aside her cultivation to focus entirely on refining her Lifebound Magical Treasure.
Chen Jichuan stood watch by her side, occasionally taking time to guide Sima Hanchuang and the other disciples.
At the start,
when Chen Jichuan took in disciples, he had practical motivations—he sought reliable helpers.
There was also an element of investment involved.
After all, one of these disciples might, through fortuitous encounters, surge ahead in Immortal Dao cultivation and become a Great Power someday. If Chen Jichuan were still struggling in the mortal realm—or worse, enduring calamities—these disciples might return the favor by lending him a hand.
But while intentions are one thing, actions often tell another story.
Chen Jichuan was never a cold-hearted man.
These disciples treated him with sincerity, and after years of daily interaction, genuine bonds naturally formed.
It was hard to say how much of his feelings were still self-serving and how much was heartfelt. The lines had blurred.
Genuine affection exchanged for genuine affection.
Chen Jichuan was more than happy to devote time to teaching his disciples. He was willing to give them opportunities and hoped that they could carve incredible paths for themselves.
Of course, selfish motives lingered.
If these disciples could achieve great things and lend their assistance to the couple, it would obviously be for the best.
Selfishness was inevitable.
But the sincerity was undeniable too.
...
Time ages all, and it spares no one.
After summoning his disciples to Fierce Bird Mountain, Chen Jichuan also called together the remaining Upper Immortals and followers from the former Eight Extremes Holy Hall. Over the years, one by one, the elders like Eight-Armed Immortal, Wan Ming Immortal, and Golden Line Divine Lady passed away.
Even an Upper Immortal cannot escape the grip of mortality.
Having witnessed so much death and separation, one becomes all the more appreciative of the present moment.
Time flew by like a song, and three thousand years passed in the blink of an eye.
Today, Fierce Bird Mountain was no longer a desolate place.
After three millennia, Chen Jichuan and Wang Yan had cultivated it into a thriving stronghold. The core members of their sect were former cultivators of the Eight Extremes Holy Hall, now all Fierce Bird Mountain disciples.
Compared to the dojos of older Heavenly Venerates, Fierce Bird Mountain's foundation was still shallow. The mountain only hosted twenty-three Upper Immortals.
But its growth trajectory was promising.
Chen Jichuan had a vast vision, advancing steadily and methodically. He rarely appeared in public, choosing instead to guide disciples sparingly while spending most of his time in the mountain's depths.
Wang Yan, renowned across the Nine Heavens, remained the stabilizing force of Fierce Bird Mountain.
On this day,
Wang Yan, sword in hand, returned to the mountain.
...
"How did it go?"
In Fierce Bird Mountain, Chen Jichuan stepped forward to greet her.
A few days ago, after spending three thousand years and pouring endless care into refining the 'Seven Emotions and Six Desires Map,' the treasure was finally completed.
This treasure was Fourth-order upon its creation.
Precious materials.
Worldly thoughts.
Inner demons and external adversities.
Extremely potent flames.
Immortal energy fused.
Nurtured by mana.
After three millennia, the 'Seven Emotions and Six Desires Map' was finally forged. Its power was extraordinary. Just days ago, Chen Jichuan destroyed eighty-four Holy Artifacts, extracting three hundred Holy Marks to fuse into the map.
Then Wang Yan, armed with this treasure, ventured to the Immortal Sect to attempt to activate it.
After several days away, she had finally returned.
"No luck."
"It won't budge."
Wang Yan shook her head, frowning, "I felt as though I had the strength but still couldn't move the Immortal Sect. I can't figure out how far we still are or where exactly the problem lies."
Three thousand years had passed. Wang Yan's cultivation had steadily climbed, rising four levels to reach the Heavenly Venerate Ninth Layer Heaven. Holding the 'Seven Emotions and Six Desires Map' with its three hundred Holy Marks, she ventured to breach the Immortal Sect but ultimately returned empty-handed.
This was their first attempt. Though they had anticipated the outcome, it was still hard not to feel heavy-hearted after the actual failure.
"It's alright."
"Even Yu Ming Immortal Venerable is at the Heavenly Venerate Ninth Layer Heaven, and after forty millennia, his 'Worldly Treasure Raft' still only holds 264 Holy Marks."
Chen Jichuan paused for only a moment before lightening the mood.
No matter what, Yu Ming Immortal Venerable had spent forty thousand years—relying on his management of the 'Silver Alliance' and various methods—to acquire 142 Holy Artifacts, including twenty-one provided by Chen Jichuan in recent years.
Altogether, that was just 142.
Without counting Chen Jichuan's contributions, Yu Ming needed around three thousand years to obtain a single Holy Artifact. And even then, he couldn't destroy all the artifacts to extract their Holy Marks; he had to keep a portion intact to equip his Legendary Mages.
Scraping together a pitiful 264 Holy Marks over forty millennia, he still couldn't see even a glimmer of hope.
Little wonder Yu Ming Immortal Venerable would pin his hopes on Wang Yan and Chen Jichuan.
...