Immortality: Grinding Experience Starting as a Paper Craftsman

Chapter 69 Listening to the Rain on Green Bamboo, A Plan for Transformation

The rain at Qingzhu Peak was soft and fine.

Raindrops filtered through the dense bamboo forest, pattering on the bamboo leaves and gathering into clear streams that meandered down the mountain rocks.

The concentration of spiritual energy here is many times higher than that of the noisy and crowded servants' quarters.

In a secluded cave nestled deep within lush bamboo groves, Gu Yan lay on a warm, smooth jade bed, listening to the rain outside. The tension that had gripped him for days finally eased.

This is the treatment given to inner disciples.

He no longer needs to risk his life for a few spirit stones, nor does he need to be mindful of the manager's mood. He has his own cultivation space, and the spiritual energy of the entire mountain is there for him to breathe in.

"How are you feeling? This Jade Bed has a calming and soothing effect, which is very beneficial to your internal injuries."

Shen Youwei stood at the entrance of the cave but did not come in.

She changed back into a simple white robe, typical of a disciple, and tied her long hair up with a jade hairpin. She appeared aloof and otherworldly, blending seamlessly with the rain-soaked atmosphere of Green Bamboo Peak.

Gu Yan hurriedly made a gesture to get up and bow, but was pressed back down by a gentle spiritual force.

"I will never forget your great kindness, Senior Sister. If it weren't for your kind words to the Sect Master, someone of my talent would probably never have had the chance to set foot in this cave in my entire life."

Gu Yan's tone was sincere, and his eyes revealed just the right amount of gratitude and awe.

Shen Youwei looked at her cautious junior brother and sighed softly.

"This is a reward you earned with your life, there's no need to thank me. Although the sect values ​​talent, it's not heartless. You've performed a great service this time, and the sect leader has a very good impression of you."

She paused, then took out a blue storage bag from her sleeve and placed it on the stone table.

"Here is a thousand spirit stones, along with several bottles of healing and foundation-strengthening pills. Rest well for the next three days and get yourself into peak condition. The Dragon Transformation Pool will open at noon three days from now; that will be your only chance to change your fate."

When the words "change fate" were mentioned, Shen Youwei's eyes showed some complexity.

She was well aware of the domineering nature of the Dragon Transformation Pool. For those with good aptitude, it was a transformative experience, but for those with poor aptitude, the immense energy was nothing short of torture.

But she didn't want to undermine Gu Yan's confidence, so she spoke her mind.

"Don't worry, senior sister, I will do my best." Gu Yan nodded vigorously.

"Alright, then you can rest now. If anything happens, just let me know."

Shen Youwei nodded, turned and walked into the rain, her figure quickly disappearing into the depths of the lush bamboo forest.

Once he confirmed that Shen Youwei's presence had faded away, Gu Yan's honest and weak expression vanished instantly.

He sat up in bed with a swift movement, showing no signs of serious injury.

"This jade bed is indeed excellent; even my spiritual senses circulate faster when I lie on it."

Gu Yan patted the jade bed beneath him, then got up and began to survey his new territory.

Although this was the inner sect of the Liuyun Sect, which should have been extremely safe, he was used to having his fate in his own hands.

With a flick of the finger, several paper figures, as thin as cicada wings, silently slipped down and disappeared into every corner of the cave, into the cracks, and even into the soil at the entrance.

He can detect anyone approaching immediately.

After doing all this, Gu Yan sat back down on the bed and picked up the storage bag.

A thousand spirit stones—it's not a lot, but it's not a little either.

"This amount of money is still not enough."

Gu Yan shook his head, his thoughts already drifting to the Dragon Transformation Pool three days later.

According to Qingyunzi, the Dragon Transformation Pool was formed by the convergence of spiritual energy from the earth's veins.

That is a very high-level energy, perfect for the creation of all things.

However, the process of refining one's spiritual root is bound to cause a great stir.

If he were to create any earth-shattering phenomena in the pool, such as the appearance of five-colored divine light flying around, or by absorbing all the spiritual liquid in the pool, he would definitely be discovered by the guarding elders, or even by Qingyunzi himself.

How will he explain it then?

Could it be that I am the chosen one, and have suddenly had an epiphany?

Such nonsense might fool outer disciples, but it's tantamount to suicide when facing a Golden Core cultivator.

We need to find a way to cover our tracks.

Gu Yan closed his eyes and pondered, his master-level insights into the "Evergreen and Withering Technique" flowing continuously in his mind.

Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck him.

"A withered tree turning into a shadow... Since I can turn my body into a shadow, can't I also cover my body with a layer of illusion?"

At the master level, the art of paper-making emphasizes the interplay of the real and the unreal.

He could use the paper-crafting technique to form a special skin on his body, which would simulate the fluctuations of spiritual energy absorption during normal cultivation. Underneath the skin, his real body would frantically devour spiritual liquid, undergoing a process of marrow cleansing and bone tempering.

It's as if you're wearing an unassuming raincoat, but inside there's a raging storm.

"With the left hand, we use paper to conceal the secrets of heaven; with the right hand, we seize the cycle of life and death. This plan is feasible."

A smile appeared on Gu Yan's face.

Now that we have a solution, all that's left is to wait.

He separated a wisp of his divine consciousness, which traveled thousands of miles to connect with his clone at the Blood River Sect.

……

Blood River Sect, Council Hall.

The atmosphere was so oppressive it was suffocating.

The Blood Swordsman, clad in a blood-red robe, sat high on the bone throne that originally belonged to True Immortal Blood River, radiating a terrifying pressure from someone at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment.

Below the stage, more than a dozen Foundation Establishment stage elders and deacons knelt on the ground, trembling.

"Since none of you have any objections, from this day forward, I shall be the acting sect leader."

The Blood Swordsman toyed with the blood-jade ring on his finger, a symbol of his patriarch's power, his voice icy, "We must avenge our ancestor. But before that, we must recuperate and build up our strength."

"We will obey the decree of the late Emperor!" the crowd shouted in unison, daring not to show any disrespect.

After all, this is the only disciple personally taught by the patriarch, and he brought back the sect's elites in the chaotic battle. His strength is overwhelming, so who would dare to disagree?

As for Li Tianxing, the young master of the Blood River Sect? He knows too much; the only solution is to pretend he knows nothing...

"very good."

The Blood Swordsman nodded slightly. "Also, compile a catalog of all the spiritual herbs and ores in the storeroom for me. I need to go into seclusion to study the secret techniques left by the Ancestor, and no one is allowed to disturb me."

"yes!"

As everyone withdrew, the Blood Swordsman leaned back on the bone throne, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.

"While my main body is playing the good boy over there, I'll be the local tyrant here. From now on, all the resources of the Flowing Cloud Sect and the Blood River Sect will belong to me."

……

Inside the cave at Qingzhu Peak.

Gu Yan withdrew his divine sense. The rain was still falling outside the window, but the fog in his heart had dissipated.

Three days later, at the Dragon Transformation Pool.

That will be the moment when Gu Changsheng truly sheds his mortal form and transforms from a cocoon into a butterfly.