A Thousand Li

Long Wu Ying never expected to join a Sect or become a real cultivator. His days were spent studying, planting rice on the family farm, and spending time with friends. But when the army arrives and conscripts him, he is given the opportunity to join the Verdant Green Waters Sect. Wu Ying must decide between his pedestrian common life and the exciting, blood-soaked life of a cultivator — and take his first step on a thousand li journey toward immortality.

As an inner sect member of the Verdant Green Waters, Long Wu Ying must navigate cultivator customs and choose his secondary occupation — from immortal alchemists and blacksmiths to physicians and martial specialists — one that defines and contributes to his dao. Outside, the drums of war continue to beat as the Sect is pulled deeper into the battle for supremacy between states. Wu Ying must accept his place in this new martial world, put aside his past, and strive for the future.

Winter has passed, taking with it the hope of peace. The state of Wei deploys an increasing number of cultivators and soldiers, intent on taking over the state of Shen — and caught between the armies is Wu Ying's village and all those he cares about. Advised to keep away from the approaching war, Wu Ying must decide what matters more: his journey to immortality, or the mortal ties he still holds. Or perhaps there is a third way, one that balances the needs of Heaven and destiny with the karmic ties of family.

Wu Ying's idle winter is thrown awry when his Master and Elder Yang return injured. The Three Seasons poison fills Master Cheng's veins, slowly killing the powerful Elder — his only hope a rare antidote whose ingredients are scarce and located in the deepest wilds. Wu Ying and Elder Yang embark on a Second Expedition to acquire the necessary materials — a dangerous journey through the State of Wei made more treacherous by enemies in the shadows waiting to finish the job.

Wu Ying saved his master but was gravely injured in the process. His body has changed, his bloodline awakened, and his cultivation compromised — physicians at the Verdant Green Waters can do nothing for him. Forced to travel to a new sect for healing, Wu Ying might find opportunity in his distress. But the dark sect is not done with him, and caught up in the winds of war, Wu Ying and his friends must continue to balance their journey to immortality against the pull of mortal politics.

Two years have passed and the war between Shen and Wei rages on. The dark sect moves in the shadows, striking against the noble Verdant Green Waters Sect — and among the victims is Fairy Yang, Wu Ying's martial sister. On a desperate quest to retrieve her, Wu Ying finds himself caught up in inter-sect politics and headed straight for a trap. Tragedy awaits, but some paths a man must walk, no matter the cost.

Long Wu Ying has been banished from the Verdant Green Waters Sect for defying the orders of the Elders. Forced to prove himself in the outer world before he is allowed to return, he begins a journey through old haunts and a new kingdom. Amidst new cultivators, new politics, and new challenges, Wu Ying must find the center of his dao and rise to the challenge — or be forgotten on the steps to immortality.

As Wu Ying travels the lands beyond the kingdom of Shen, he encounters disparate forms of government among kingdoms, villages, immortal sects, and mortal governance — each with their own interpretation of Heaven's will. Chasing the traces of the Heaven's Wind and grasping at the truth it dangles before him, Wu Ying must also contend with his own place under the Heavens — or among them.

As corruption seeps from the southern kingdom of Nanyue, Wu Ying sets out on a dangerous journey to uncover its source. Spirit stones have become corrupted with twisted daos embedded within — if left unchecked, this corruption threatens to spread across the world. With the guidance of the wind of heaven, Wu Ying travels across the exotic kingdom, confronting powerful daos and perilous threats, aided by companions new and old as he battles to stop the corruption before it is too late.

Returning to the Verdant Green Waters sect over a decade after his exile, Wu Ying finds his position in flux. Strong enough to be an Elder but not having achieved his rank via normal methods, he has jealous and worried rivals to contend with. Wu Ying must find his own place in the sect or leave it once and for all. Cultivation wounds received in the south trouble him, requiring time and resources to stabilize before he can continue his climb to ascension.

The war-mongering kingdom of Cai has begun to stir, a widespread drought pushing the long-held peace to the brink. The neighboring kingdoms of Wei and Shen must ally to deal with the Cai, or see the flames of war spread across both nations. Wu Ying is brought into the negotiations for his reputation and strength, but the former farmer is a fish out of water in these political waters. Between kingdoms, cultivators, and the demands of an all-consuming dao, he wonders whether peace can ever be won without the edge of a blade.

The half-Immortal tyrant of Cai has been defeated, but at a devastating cost. Wu Ying has sacrificed both his chance at immortality and his greatest treasure. Now gravely injured with his cultivation path shattered, he must rebuild with the help of his friends. To find his true destiny, Wu Ying must question everything he once knew, retracing his journey from the beginning — but this time with a broken body, racing against time before his injuries claim him.