Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

Yun Jin's expression was so resolute that even Yue Zhao felt himself wavering.

A heavy sense of helplessness settled over him.

He had crossed into this world as a child. Though it was not his original home, he had spent more time here than he ever had in his past life. Back then, he was a successful businessman. And the most important trait for a merchant was the ability to weigh profit and loss.

If he were still that same person, he would have walked away the moment their master was injured. But he was no longer just a businessman from another world. Now, he was the eldest disciple of their master. The eldest disciple of Tianjian Peak. He had responsibilities. And so, he chose to stay. To fight, in his own way, against the fate that loomed over them.

Even so, Yue Zhao understood better than anyone that everything he had done up to now was nothing more than a futile struggle. When faced with overwhelming power, he and Tianjian Peak had little hope of surviving the final calamity.

Then came his junior sister. Yun Jin stirred the stagnant waters of Tianxing Sect. These past two months had felt more thrilling, more alive, than the past twenty years combined.

Yue Zhao knew, with Yun Jin's talent, if she could just survive this crisis, it would only be a matter of time before she shook the entire world.

He had even made up his mind.

Even if Yun Jin resisted, he would find a way to help her secure a new backing, so she would not be dragged down with Tianjian Peak.

But today, she told him, without hesitation, that she would use her current Golden Core cultivation to challenge the refinement of a seventh-grade pill.

That was no small leap. Even for Yun Jin, it would be unimaginably difficult.

Possibly even deadly.

"Junior Sister, I..." Yue Zhao's voice trembled.

Yun Jin met his gaze. "Senior Brother, if one prospers, all prosper. If one falls, all fall. Let me try."

If one prospers, all prosper. If one falls, all fall.

Yue Zhao fell silent.

Si Wanning and Yu Songnian's expressions shifted subtly as well.

They had sunk along with Tianjian Peak, and that was only right.

They owed their lives to Master Lin Ya. Even dying for their master would not be unjust.

But Yun Jin was different.

Though she had joined Tianjian Peak, they had given her little help. If anything, she had helped them far more. She had lifted Tianjian Peak time and again.

To burden her with such responsibility felt unfair. And unbearable.

"What are those expressions for?" Yun Jin chuckled, her voice calm and steady. "I once knew someone, who, as a mortal, stood equal to the divine. We walk the immortal path. Why fear a challenge?"

A mortal body, equal to the divine.

They stared at her, dazed, as though her calm words carried an overwhelming force.

Why fear a challenge?

If their junior sister did not flinch, how could they?

"One month. We challenge the Bu Tian Dan." Yun Jin stood. "This challenge, I accept. What about you?"

Yue Zhao gave a soft laugh and stood with her. "Count me in."

Si Wanning slapped the table. "Count this lady in too."

Yu Songnian said nothing, but he quietly rose to his feet.

"Then it's settled," Yun Jin said. "From this moment forward, we will believe only in success. No more defeatist talk. We move forward, and never back."

She extended her hand.

Yue Zhao laid his hand over hers. "Agreed."

Then Si Wanning. Then Yu Songnian.

Four hands stacked together, united by a single goal: Bu Tian Dan.

With their goal decided, there was no need for further words.

"I'll go redeem the pill recipe now," Yue Zhao said. "Over the past days, I had the Hundred Herbs Pavilion watch for rare herbs. They've managed to gather quite a bit. Hopefully something in there will be usable."

"That would be ideal. If anything is missing, we'll start planting immediately," Yun Jin replied. "Accelerate it with cultivation techniques if needed. We might still make it."

"Let's not tell Master about this for now," Yue Zhao added with a nod. "Junior Sister, since your initiation, he's barely appeared. It's not because he doesn't want to. His wounds worsen by the day, and he spends all his time suppressing them. It's not that he doesn't want to protect us. He simply can't."

"I understand," Yun Jin said softly. "No need to raise his hopes just yet. Once we succeed, then we can give him a true surprise."

They all nodded.

"I'll go redeem the recipe," Yue Zhao said as he stood.

Yun Jin considered following him, but changed her mind. Her presence drew too much attention. Wherever she went, Zhao Wuji's people followed. Better to let Yue Zhao handle it alone.

In the Scripture Pavilion, Elder Ming basked lazily in the morning sun, half-asleep.

He cracked one eye open as Yue Zhao approached with a respectful bow.

"Where's the little lass, Yun Jin?" Elder Ming perked up.

Yue Zhao gave a small sigh. "She wanted to visit you, but since she toured the Ten Peaks, the sect leader's spies have been watching her constantly. Even now, people are tailing her every move. So she's decided to stay in closed-door cultivation."

Elder Ming scoffed. "A sect leader resorting to such petty tactics. Shameful."

He lowered his voice. "Only a month left before that challenge. How is Yun Jin doing?"

Yue Zhao smiled faintly. "Don't worry, Elder Ming. She's focusing entirely on her training."

The old man narrowed his eyes at Yue Zhao's expression. It lacked anxiety. Curious.

Could it be that Yun Jin... actually had a chance at winning such a one-sided battle?

But if this involved Yun Jin, and possibly Tianjian Peak's secrets, Elder Ming knew better than to pry.

"I'm here to exchange for a pill recipe," Yue Zhao said.

"Which one?"

"Bu Tian Dan."

Elder Ming's eyes flickered.

"You've secured an alchemy master? That seventh-grade pill refiner, Qi Yu, is still in the market, isn't he?"

Yue Zhao shook his head. "Seventh-grade alchemists aren't so easy to move. And why would he get involved in a mess like this?"

"Then who's..."

"If Master cannot win, Tianjian Peak is finished," Yue Zhao said calmly. "If that happens, no amount of spirit stones or contribution points will mean anything. This is just my final attempt at solace."

Guilt tugged at Yue Zhao. He knew Elder Ming was on their side, but this matter was too important. He couldn't tell the whole truth.

Elder Ming stayed quiet for a moment, then sighed. "Recipe for Bu Tian Dan: 8000 contribution points."

Yue Zhao handed over his token.

Elder Ming scanned it. "You have 6367 points. Not enough."

"I'll use top-grade spirit stones to make up the rest."

Yue Zhao passed over a storage pouch.

After checking the amount, Elder Ming's expression changed slightly.

So many top-grade spirit stones... exchanged so casually for contribution points?

Tianjian Peak must be draining its reserves for this.

But just one recipe... what could they do with it?

Elder Ming sighed again and handed over the scroll.

"Don't be too discouraged, Yue Zhao. I may not be able to interfere in matters concerning your master, but if Zhao Wuji truly seeks to destroy everything, this old man will not stand idly by."

"Thank you, Elder Ming," Yue Zhao said sincerely.

After he left, Elder Ming sighed again.

The disciples of Tianjian Peak... all more stubborn than the last.

Don't be fooled by Yue Zhao's calm demeanor. If he were truly left with nothing but shelter under another's protection, he would rather die.

Another sigh escaped the old man.

All he could do now was hope for a miracle.