Unintended Immortality-Chapter 514: A Hidden Realm Within the Qingtong Forest

“Daoist priest...”

“Hmm?”

“When you turn into a swallow, can you not open your mouth? Meow?”

“...” Song You’s expression instantly tensed. He silently fixed his gaze on her.

“What are you planning?”

“Nothing!”

The little girl answered without hesitation, her expression sincere—so sincere it was almost convincing.

“When I transform into a swallow, my mouth naturally cannot open, and my body cannot move freely either,” Song You said leisurely. “Lady Calico, don’t try anything reckless.”

“I was just asking...”

“Good.”

“Since you won’t eat rat porridge, what will you eat?”

“There are still two leftover biscuits from yesterday.”

“The biscuit isn't tasty anymore after being left out overnight.”

“As long as it fills the stomach, it will do.”

“The rat porridge I made is delicious! Half cured rat meat, half porridge—steaming hot, salted, and flavorful!” The little girl earnestly began advertising her dish. “And the cured rat meat is properly prepared! The skin, tail, and head are all removed, washed until completely clean! Everyone who eats it says it’s good!”

As she spoke, she secretly glanced at him from the corner of her eye, as if trying to see whether he was tempted.

However, the Daoist’s expression remained calm and unmoved.

“No thanks.”

“Then what will you eat?”

“Biscuit.”

“Biscuit...?”

The little girl muttered the word softly, as if she couldn’t comprehend his choice. Then, squatting down, she added firewood to the stove while asking, “Did you find that demon, meow?”

“I did.”

“What did it say?”

“I haven’t met it yet.” The Daoist took out his biscuit and placed it by the stove to warm it. His tone remained composed. “We’ll rest for the night, and tomorrow, we’ll set out to visit it.”

“Alright.”

The little girl began ladling porridge into a bowl.

The rising steam carried a rich, savory aroma that wafted through the air. Just the scent alone was far more enticing than the cold, dry biscuit in Song You’s hand.

***

Early the next morning...

Song You had already packed up his belongings, preparing to move down the mountain with the two little demons.

Over the past few days, a certain small creature had tirelessly run up and down the mountain, hauling an excessive amount of supplies up. Now, a single trip wasn’t enough to carry everything back down. Lady Calico and the swallow had to transform into their human forms so they could help transport everything down the mountain together.

“Let’s go.”

Song You secured his travel pack onto the horse’s back, then picked up his bamboo staff and strode forward without looking back.

Behind him, Mount Tianzhu still stood tall, unwavering in the wind.

They descended the mountain and continued north.

For hundreds of li, the road through the green mountains stretched on intermittently. This vast, desolate land was home to countless demons, spirits, and ghosts—almost devoid of human presence.

A lone Daoist with a bamboo staff, a jujube-red horse, a calico cat, and a swallow soaring above. When they were tired, they would find an abandoned house or a ruined estate to rest in. When hungry, they would build a fire and cook wherever they stopped. When thirsty, they drank from mountain streams. If there was a mountain, they crossed it; if there was water, they waded through it.

Just like years ago, he once again traveled alone through this barren land.

Yet a heart full was never truly lonely.

Song You did not feel solitude, nor did he fear the demons and ghosts lurking in the mountains. Instead, he enjoyed the scenery along the way, conversed with the cat, and found joy in every moment.

Gradually, they arrived in the northern region of Yuezhou.

The dense fog and miasma here were just as thick as they had been years ago—just as they had appeared from above when he had seen them days before. The mist covered hundreds of li, making it difficult to distinguish directions.

“Sir, the place where we couldn’t fly that day... it seemed to be northeast of this Qingtong Forest,” came the swallow’s voice from the side.

“It doesn’t matter.” Song You stopped, raising his head to gaze into the distance.

That day, when he had looked down from above, he had already memorized the spiritual resonance distribution of this Qingtong Forest.

Besides, this time, he was not here to seek out the legendary divine bird, nor was he here to admire the unique landscape.

He was here to find the great demon lurking in the shadows—the one manipulating the wars in the north and using the chaos of the mortal world as a means to advance its cultivation. This journey was different altogether.

Taking a deep breath, he raised his bamboo staff. Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he gathered his thoughts.

Then, he swung the staff.

“Whoosh!”

It was as if he were wielding a sharp sword, slashing straight at a giant whale and splitting the sea.

Or as if he held a commanding banner—with a single wave, summoning the winds at his command.

Suddenly, a violent wind arose between heaven and earth.

Like a dragon, it surged forward in an instant—yet not a single blade of grass nor a single tree was harmed. Instead, the wind merely parted the dense fog, opening a clear path through the mountains.

“Ding ding ding...”

The jingling of the horse’s bell echoed softly.

Leaning on his bamboo staff, the Daoist strode forward. The horse and the calico cat followed closely behind, while the swallow glided overhead.

Gradually, the towering parasol trees revealed themselves. As they stepped into the ancient forest, it was as if they had entered a realm of myth and legend, a world unknown and mysterious—where they themselves seemed so small and insignificant.

Though they had reached the northern region of Yuezhou and entered the Qingtong Forest, there were still hundreds of li to traverse before reaching the northeastern corner—the place where they had encountered the strange force that halted their flight.

Even with a rough understanding of its location and the mist now dispersed, finding one precise spot in this vast mountain wilderness still required careful attention.

So, they advanced slowly, patiently searching.

Several days passed.

Finally, in this ancient and mysterious Qingtong Forest, Song You discovered something unusual.

They had stopped at the base of a small mountain. Though the peak was considered small, in comparison to the towering parasol trees, it barely reached their ankles.

The Lady Calico stood beside the horse’s legs, rising onto its hind paws to lift its gaze above the wild grass. Turning its head left and right, it scanned the scene with a serious expression. Though it could sense something off, it couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was wrong. Every so often, it would glance at Song You, filled with silent questions.

The swallow folded its wings and landed.

The mountain before them was littered with scattered stones, seemingly ordinary. Beside it grew parasol trees, just like everywhere else in this forest. Yet, the mist surrounding this mountain was unusually dense—thicker than in other places, resisting dispersion more stubbornly.

There was something hidden here.

At that moment, Song You took a step forward. The horse followed.

The man, the horse, and the swallow perched on the horse’s head took only a few steps before disappearing into thin air.

The cat blinked in surprise. Then, startled, it hurriedly dashed forward to follow.

As soon as it crossed the threshold, a ripple spread across the air.

The rocky mountain—covered in scattered stones and mushrooms growing in its crevices—was gone. Even the parasol tree beside it had disappeared.

In their place was an elegant, picturesque landscape.

Instead of the towering parasol trees, there stood verdant hills covered in ordinary vegetation. Instead of broken stones and rotting tree fruits, the ground was layered with fallen leaves and twigs. The oppressive fog was gone, and a crystal-clear stream flowed merrily down the mountainside, its waters murmuring as they rushed over rocks.

The sound of wind rustling through bamboo and willow drifted through the air.

Amidst the scenery, a glimpse of palace eaves and pagodas peeked out from the mountainside. It was a place of tranquil beauty and immortal elegance.

The cat and the swallow both widened their eyes in astonishment.

Even Song You was slightly taken aback.

Who could have imagined that within this ancient Qingtong Forest, in a land shrouded by mist and miasma, a place so untouched that it felt like the stuff of myth—a hidden immortal mountain and Daoist cave-dwelling lay concealed?

Song You pursed his lips slightly and continued forward.

Though the cat had yet to take in enough of this magnificent scenery—nor had she had time to familiarize herself with this strange new land—seeing that her Daoist had already moved on, she hesitated for a moment before quickly sniffing at the air twice. Then, with a burst of small strides, she hurried after him.

She walked while constantly turning her head to look around.

This place was truly breathtaking.

As they traveled, the landscape unfolded. It was a world of bamboo and willows.

The mountains were filled with green bamboo, forming a vast forest that rippled like the sea, waves rising and falling as the wind passed through. The streams were lined with weeping willows, their countless branches draping in long, green silk ribbons, swaying gracefully in the breeze.

Within the bamboo groves, wild mushrooms sprouted abundantly—especially termite mushrooms, a favorite delicacy of Daoists.

Beneath the willow trees, stacks of neatly piled firewood could be seen, as if waiting to be picked up and carried to Changjing Street to fetch a fine price.

A small path wound its way up the mountain.

Though it was only a dirt trail, stone lanterns lined its sides—each one carved with exquisite craftsmanship, resembling miniature pagodas with tiled eaves that curled skyward. If one looked closely, a soft glow flickered within each lantern.

Occasionally, along the path, stone statues stood tall. Some depicted celestial deities and Buddhas, while others were of auspicious birds and sacred beasts—each sculpture was so lifelike that it seemed as if they might move at any moment.

Beyond the bamboo grove, the air turned cooler.

Wild bamboo parts the misty blue,

A flying spring hangs on peaks so true.[1].

Buildings began appearing along the roadside—palaces and pavilions, all constructed with an ancient, refined elegance. Yet not a single soul resided within them.

Deep in the forest, a deer appears,

By the noon-lit stream, no bells one hears.[2]

“There’s not a single person here,” the cat muttered as she walked, her head tilted back, glancing left and right.

“Lady Calico, stay close to me.”

“There’s so much firewood here!”

“Don’t touch it.”

“Why meow?”

“Just stay close.”

“Oh...”

She pattered along in small steps, staying a little closer, acting surprisingly obedient. But before long, she turned her head toward the bamboo forest again.

“There are so many mushrooms growing inside...”

“Don’t touch those either.”

“Then tonight, you’re drinking mushroom soup!”

“No need.”

“Eh? There's a stone tiger here!”

“Lady Calico, stay close to me.” Song You said calmly. “This place might be dangerous. If someone attacks, we'll have to rely on your quick reflexes to protect us.”

“Oh, right!”

The Lady Calico instantly tensed, withdrawing her gaze from the scenery. Her playful demeanor vanished as she switched to serious mode.

Her sharp eyes flashed like lightning, her stance shifting into that of a vigilant guard. She practically stuck to Song You's heels, scanning the surroundings as they walked. Every movement, every rustle of leaves—she missed nothing.

Suddenly, the sound of a bell rang out.

“Dong...”

The deep, resonant toll echoed through the mountains, making the group instinctively stop in their tracks. They all turned their heads in the direction of the sound.

“Dong...”

Another chime—long and distant.

A gust of wind swept in from beyond the bamboo mountain, as if the sound had carried the wind with it. The entire bamboo grove swayed in unison, bending as if bowing in welcome.

“Hmph...”

Song You let out a soft chuckle and took a step forward.

They crossed the bamboo-covered mountain, and suddenly, the world opened up before them.

A breathtaking landscape unfolded before their eyes—

At the very center stood a stone mountain, covered in lush bamboo and ancient pines. Elegant pavilions and lofty towers were built atop it, adorned with curved eaves and tiled roofs, connected by winding corridors.

A waterfall cascaded down the mountain, resembling delicate silk ribbons, tumbling down into a crystal-clear stream. The stream flowed beneath a stone arch bridge before continuing downward, revealing itself as the very source of the creek they had encountered earlier.

The entire scene was like an immortal paradise.

“Dong...”

The bell chime drifted down from one of the mountaintop pavilions.

Song You lowered his gaze, his eyes following the dirt path beneath his feet, which connected to a paved stone road leading toward the stone bridge.

Beyond the bridge lay the stone mountain itself.

Figures moved faintly atop the mountain, their forms barely visible. Countless watchful eyes had already turned toward them, observing their every move.

“What a beautiful place...”

Song You murmured to himself, a faint smile playing on his lips. Then, he turned slightly, addressing the cat and the swallow beside him.

“Protect yourselves. Do not eat anything they offer you. Your safety is the highest priority.”

With that, he stepped forward, entering the immortal paradise.

1. The couplet "野竹分青霭，飞泉挂碧峰。" is from the Tang Dynasty poet Wang Wei (王维). It appears in his poem 《青溪》 (Qingxi or Green Creek). This couplet beautifully captures a serene natural landscape, where bamboo forests emerge through misty air, and waterfalls cascade down lush green mountains. ☜

2. This couplet paints a peaceful, almost otherworldly image: a dense forest where deer occasionally emerge and a quiet stream where even the sound of temple bells is absent. It conveys a sense of solitude, harmony with nature, and detachment from the bustling world. ☜

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