Becoming an immortal against the will of heaven

The place where the white crane landed was a lush, green mountain forest.

In the heart of the forest stood a dilapidated wooden hut, and the white crane had settled beside it.

As soon as Chen Tian and the old madman jumped off the crane's back, the giant bird instantly shrank, reverting to the wooden bird it had been, and flew back into the old madman's palm.

The old madman tucked the wooden bird into his chest pocket and led Chen Tian into the wooden hut.

As soon as they opened the door, a mixed odor of wine and mildew rushed out.

Chen Tian frowned and covered his nose.

He knew this wooden hut must be the old madman's dwelling.

"Hehe… I'm sorry for the sight. This old man hasn't been back for years, so I haven't cleaned it," the old madman said, smiling apologetically to Chen Tian.

"It's nothing, disciple. When I was little, I lived in places even more rudimentary than this. Compared to then, your place, Master, is like paradise," Chen Tian said with a smile, stepping inside.

The old madman was surprised for a moment, then quickly followed him in.

The old madman gently wiped the dust off the wine jar, then took out a wine gourd, broke the seal on the jar, and began to pour wine into the gourd.

Once the gourd was full, the old madman stopped, waved his hand, and the wine jar quickly shrank, disappearing into his sleeve.

The old madman then handed the wine gourd to Chen Tian and said, "Remember, drink a mouthful of this wine every three days. It will greatly benefit your cultivation. But don't be greedy and drink too much at once, or it will greatly affect your foundation. Understand?"

Chen Tian nodded upon hearing this, took the wine gourd, and said gratefully, "Disciple will remember Master's teachings."

The old madman smiled with satisfaction, then clapped his hands and said, "Alright, you stay here for now. I have some things to do and will be leaving for a while."

"Huh? Master, are you leaving so soon?" Chen Tian asked, surprised.

A hint of tenderness appeared in the old madman's eyes as he looked at Chen Tian and said, "If I could, I would naturally want to stay here with you for a while. But as you know, breaking through to the凝海境 (Ning Hai Realm) in a short time requires a lot of天地灵丹 (Heaven and Earth Spirit Pills). One海王丹 (Sea King Pill) is far from enough, so I have to put aside my old face and continue to search for other heavenly materials and earthly treasures for you."

Although the old madman spoke simply, Chen Tian was instantly moved. He knew that the people the old madman would be seeking out were definitely at the level of the blue-robed elder.

To extract heavenly materials and earthly treasures from these old monsters who had cultivated for tens of thousands of years, the old madman would surely have to pay a great price.

Yet, even so, the old madman had never complained to Chen Tian, which showed that he truly regarded Chen Tian as a disciple and was wholeheartedly nurturing him.

Thinking of this, a trace of warmth welled up in Chen Tian's heart. He wanted to say something to the old madman, but after opening his mouth, he bowed deeply and shouted, "Disciple respectfully sees off Master, may Master return soon!"

The old madman nodded with a smile, "Alright, I'll leave this place to you. I'll be back soon."

With that, the old madman's feet generated lotus flowers, turning into a streak of light and flying into the distance, disappearing in a short while.

Only after he could no longer see the old madman's figure did Chen Tian stand up again and sigh softly.

After a while, Chen Tian turned around and looked around the wooden hut. This chaotic environment was definitely not fit for human habitation, so he lightly flicked his sleeve, and a gentle breeze instantly swept away the mold and moss from the room.

In a short while, the originally dirty room was transformed, the windows were opened, and the entire room was bright.

However, Chen Tian did not rush to rest at this time, but went outside and built a blacksmith shop again with yellow mud.

After lighting the firewood, scorching heat instantly rose from the stove. Chen Tian flipped his right hand, and a piece of iron ore appeared in his palm.

After the stove temperature rose a bit more, Chen Tian put the iron ore in.

The flames roared, and the bright light illuminated Chen Tian's face, making it appear uncertain, but Chen Tian's expression was firm, and he stared at the changes in the stove without moving.

For Chen Tian, his journey of mortal transformation was far from over, or rather, from today onwards, it was truly beginning.

To break through, one must first transform into a mortal!

After the old madman's guidance, Chen Tian had a clear path in his heart. He believed that as long as he firmly walked down it, he would one day be able to break through to the凝海境 (Ning Hai Realm).

'Little Dragon, wait a little longer, Tian-ge will soon go back to save you.'

A gleam flashed in his eyes, Chen Tian seized the opportunity, instantly took out the red-hot iron block from the stove, and hammered it on the stone platform beside him!

The 'ding-dang' sound echoed in this silent mountain forest, startling the surrounding birds to flee in fear.

But who knew that within this sound contained Chen Tian's understanding of the Dao of Heaven.

In the sky above this mountain forest, the red line that had temporarily disappeared reappeared, but this time, it had become as thick as a human arm, and a terrifying aura radiated wildly from it.

… … … … … … … … … …

Spring goes and autumn comes, a fleeting glance, but another ten years have passed!

During these ten years, in this desolate mountain forest, the 'ding-dang' sound of hammering echoed every moment.

The sound was melodious, spreading in all directions, as if integrated into the world!

Those little birds who were originally panicked by it had now become calm.

They knew that there was no dangerous aura in these sounds, and the longer they listened, the more peaceful they felt.

So, over time, whenever the hammering sound rang, a large group of birds would fly in from all directions, gathering on the bushes beside the smithy, closing their eyes and quietly listening to this 'heavenly' knocking sound.

And in the smithy, Chen Tian was bare-chested, his expression firm and focused as he hammered a strange long knife in his hand.