Chapter 156: Return

“This is it.”

After extensive searching along the edge, utilizing the perception from a Foundation Establishment array master’s mind and guidance from the mummified brain, Chen Luo successfully located a vulnerable spot.

The breach in the Great Mausoleum had been caused by an unnatural phenomenon.

As if defying nature itself, this flaw opened up in the otherwise perfect structure. The entry point Chen Luo found was precisely where the breach extended; it was through here that Longevity Daoist and his companions had fallen initially.

Taking precautions, Chen Luo retrieved a spirit talisman from his bag of holding.

Infusing spiritual energy into the talisman, it promptly ignited, and moments later, a small paper figure, about the size of a palm, emerged amidst the ashes.

A dao soldier.

This divine ability, discovered in Divine Lake Peak’s library, possessed modest strength, making it ideal for reconnaissance.

Controlling the tiny paper figure with magical power, Chen Luo cautiously guided it along the edge until reaching the breach. With a gentle leap, the paper figure attempted to cross from one platform to another.

Fwoosh!

Mid-flight, the paper figure burst into flames. In less than a blink, it turned to black ash, completely consumed by the formation.

“Hisss”

Despite being aware of the formation’s danger, Chen Luo didn’t anticipate it to be this extreme.

A single misstep resulted in instant incineration, as if his infused spiritual energy had no effect whatsoever, effortlessly disregarded by the formation’s power.

“Again.”

Chen Luo retrieved another spirit talisman and summoned a dao soldier using the same method. A new miniature figure emerged from the black ash. This time, Chen Luo exercised utmost caution. After navigating through several perilous points, he finally managed to successfully land on the opposite platform. However, just upon arrival, those familiar black flames reappeared once more.

“The formation’s landing points vary, and the channel positions change over time.” Staring at the burned paper figure, Chen Luo pulled out yet another spirit talisman.

The third paper figure, then the fourth…

By the ninth paper figure, with his spiritual energy nearly depleted, Chen Luo finally discovered a safe path. After testing two additional figures sequentially, he felt reassured.

Approaching the platform’s edge, he suppressed his spiritual aura and silently counted the time in his mind.

At the precise moment, Chen Luo’s figure flickered as he soared through the air. Within mere breaths, he reached the opposite side with effortless grace. It appeared simple, but each landing point had been meticulously tested numerous times beforehand.

Only after landing on the new platform did Chen Luo truly let out a sigh of relief.

Having avoided the damaged nodes, reaching this platform ensured his safety. He scanned the area, finding it identical to the previous one; at first glance, it seemed like an exact replica, even down to the stone patterns on the ground.

Wasting no time, Chen Luo approached the nearby tomb entrance and gently pushed.

With a series of clicks, the tomb door opened.

“Hm?!”

Standing at the threshold, Chen Luo abruptly halted. The preparation chamber looked just like before, its structure and layout mirroring the one across from him perfectly. Even the oil lamps on the walls and the prayer mats below were identical.

What truly astonished Chen Luo was the corpse within the tomb. This body closely resembled the mummy he had encountered earlier, as if he had returned to the opposite platform and entered the original preparation chamber.

Out of caution, Chen Luo approached for a thorough examination, even employing his divine sense.

He discovered that this mummy was identical to the one across from it.

“Completely the same? How is this possible?”

For a moment, Chen Luo found himself perplexed. Given his current strength and realm, making such an error was absolutely inconceivable.

First, let’s examine it!

Despite not understanding the reason, Chen Luo decided to proceed with testing. Wearing deer-hide gloves, he stepped forward and placed his hand on the mummy’s head.

‘Contacting dead brainwave.’

The familiar energy signature emerged in his mind, but then, as expected, a familiar lag occurred. Before Chen Luo could react, a thread of gray energy flowed along his arm into his body. In the next instant, the half-dead mummified brain materialized in his thoughts, actively absorbing the incoming energy.

“Gone?”

Chen Luo waited anxiously but received no further information. He withdrew his hand and sensed the state of the mummified brain. Whether it was psychological or not, he felt a slight increase in its ‘activity.’

‘Could they have originally been part of the same entity?’

A conjecture emerged in Chen Luo’s mind.

To confirm his suspicion, he spent another two days traveling back and forth between the two platforms multiple times, ultimately reaching a conclusion.

The mummies on both sides were indeed from the same person!

This realization was chilling, prompting him to instinctively look up at the sky. The vast and endless grave cluster still floated there, resembling a constellation with each point representing a tomb. If all these tombs contained parts of the same individual,

what realm could this person have reached while alive?

“Let’s wait until Core Formation before revisiting this place; Foundation Establishment might not be enough.”

Gathering his thoughts, Chen Luo returned to the breach in the formation and began examining the array within the Great Mausoleum once more. However, regardless of whether he relied on his own knowledge or that of the Foundation Establishment array master’s brain, the outcome remained unchanged.

He couldn’t comprehend the formation at all.

“It must be at least a fifth-stage array,” Chen Luo speculated, albeit haphazardly based on his current understanding. Unfortunately, the mummified brain provided no feedback; otherwise, he would have considered making this place his residence.

Chen Luo, standing at the Foundation Establishment level, could only make wild guesses without any concrete understanding. Unfortunately, there was no feedback from the mummified brain; otherwise, he might have considered making this place his residence.

After pondering for several more days and burning over a hundred paper figures, realizing it was beyond his grasp, Chen Luo completely abandoned the idea of reaching the third platform. Standing below the tunnel entrance, he took one last look back at the vast grave cluster behind him.

The boundless night sky shimmered with countless stars.

Who would have imagined such a sight concealed within a tomb?

Climbing up through the tunnel, he quickly reached the fake burial site above. The stone coffin he had seen earlier remained in its place, but the nearby white bones were gone. Upon emerging, Chen Luo also found two spiritual slips nearby, carrying the auras of Xie Shuang and Du Jian.

Presumably, seeing that he hadn’t returned after a long time, they couldn’t wait and left ahead of him.

“Senior Brother, I’m heading back to Bamboo Valley. If you need anything, feel free to send a message.”

“Elder Brother Chen, I’m returning to the capital to meet our master. If you’re ever free, do visit the capital.”

Chen Luo read the two spiritual slips, finding them filled with messages from Xie Shuang and Du Jian, just as he had expected. Tucking the slips into his sleeve, Chen Luo leaped upward, emerging from the fake tomb.

Back on solid ground, the long-awaited sunlight streamed down upon him.

Standing at the entrance to the tomb, Chen Luo took a deep breath. The fragrance of grass and trees infused his body, evoking a familiar sense that had been absent for too long.

He was finally back.

Once outside the Great Mausoleum’s influence, Chen Luo could clearly feel the drain on his spiritual energy. The sky above the Yue Kingdom seemed like a funnel, siphoning away all cultivators’ power. No wonder Longevity Daoist referred to this place as the Land of Lost Spirituality.

The presence of the Great Mausoleum instilled despair in every cultivator. Fortunately, Chen Luo’s cultivation base was robust; his Foundation Establishment strength allowed him to endure, and he could still employ divine abilities, albeit cautiously managing his spiritual energy consumption to avoid damaging his foundation.

“First, return to Qingya County.”

Chen Luo thought about Third Uncle, his father, Master Cripple Ma, Big Uncle-Master Ruan Jianglong, and others from his past. He wondered how they were faring now.

With a wave of his hand, a magical sword emerged from his sleeve, transforming into a streak of light that circled around him. Chen Luo leaped lightly, and with a soft hum, the flying sword carried him as they became a beam of brilliance disappearing into the horizon.

This was true immortal flight, soaring on a sword.

Below him, the breathtaking landscapes swiftly receded as Chen Luo effortlessly glided atop his flying sword, feeling utterly carefree.

Shortly after,

Chen Luo arrived over Qingya County, gazing at the familiar sights below. He guided the flying sword downward, reaching the distant Qingya County in just half a day’s journey.

“Dig carefully; there’s still much you need to learn about this trade, young ones.”

At Desolate Mountain Ridge outside the County Office,

Chen Dahe leaned against a large tree, supervising three young men who were huffing and puffing while digging graves nearby. It had been over five years since Chen Luo left, and during this time, Chen Dahe had visibly aged.

The Chen family was no longer what it once was. Since producing an ‘immortal’ like Chen Luo, they now enjoyed protection from influential figures within the Yue Kingdom elite. The family patriarch, Chen Dachuan, had even been bestowed the title of Marquis, elevating their status dramatically overnight.

Initially, Chen Luosan had accompanied his family to the capital city. However, he couldn’t adapt to life there and returned to Qingya County, resuming his work as a grave digger.

Having been busy all his life, suddenly finding himself idle felt quite unnatural.

“I wonder how that rascal is doing now.”

As he watched his obedient and diligent apprentices nearby, Chen Luosan couldn’t help but think of his own nephew.

He was well aware why these three individuals sought to learn the lowly trade of grave digging from him—it was undoubtedly to leverage his connections for their families’ benefit.

“Perhaps the outside world has its charms too; maybe that lad is busy exploring alleys right now.”

Recalling past experiences of taking his nephew on alleyway adventures, a hint of smile appeared on Chen Luosan’s face.

“Is Third Uncle thinking about one of his mistresses again?” a voice suddenly chimed in.

“Bullshit! Your third uncle here is upright and virtuous,” Chen Luosan instinctively retorted, only realizing halfway through his response who it might be.

“Little Luo?”

“Third Uncle, long time no see.” Seeing the noticeable increase in white hair on his uncle’s head, a warm smile spread across Chen Luo’s face.

This feeling could only be evoked by someone close to him.

Unlike Chen Luo’s father, his third uncle had lived as a bachelor all his life and practically raised Chen Luo like his own son. The bond they shared over these years was not superficial.

“How did you end up back here? Did you struggle too much in the cultivation world and get chased away?” Initially surprised, Third Uncle then asked with suspicion.

Chen Luo felt torn between laughter and tears.

“I’m doing quite well out there; I returned primarily to visit my family.”

As Chen Luo conversed with Chen Luosan, the three disciples who were digging graves paused their work. Their faces lit up with joy at the sudden appearance of Chen Luo.

A Chen Family Immortal!

They had heard countless tales about Chen Luo, almost to the point of tedium, yet despite knowing his name, they rarely saw him in person. To their surprise, they now found themselves face-to-face with the legendary figure himself.

“Before leaving, I remember arranging for someone to look after you,” Chen Luo said, puzzled, observing Third Uncle’s worn clothing.

If not for scanning the area with his divine sense earlier, he would have completely missed spotting his third uncle.

“The city life is too pampered for your old third uncle; it doesn’t suit me. I’m accustomed to hard work, and idleness just feels uncomfortable.”

Third Uncle Chen patted Chen Luo’s shoulder, fully understanding what his nephew was thinking. He pulled him along and said, “Come on, let’s go see the old man first. He’ll be overjoyed to know his precious grandson has returned.”