Chapter 54: The Great Tomb

“What is this?”

Chen Luo stared at the character held by Daoist Changqing, but no matter how long he looked, he couldn’t memorize its shape.

Each time he glanced at it, the form of the character seemed to change. It felt as if the character were alive, making it impossible to remember through rote memorization.

“A mark of failure.”

Daoist Changqing retrieved a white jade slate from his robes and, with five fingers pressed against it, imprinted the character onto the stone.

Once the imprinting was complete, the golden glow surrounding the character faded away. Chen Luo noticed that now he could clearly discern the shape of the symbol—a ‘Ji’ (极) character.

“The selection process for disciples at White Immortal Cave is extremely stringent. On the surface, everyone gets three chances, but in reality, there’s often only one true opportunity.”

Daoist Changqing spoke with a hint of nostalgia, as if reminiscing about something.

“Isn’t your teacher an immortal from the White Immortal Cave?” Chen Luo curiously asked.

From their first meeting, Daoist Changqing had always exuded an enigmatic aura. His abilities seemed distinctly different from those of a cultivator; they were not discernible by mere observation. Unlike the straightforward power evident in a cultivator, Daoist Changqing’s prowess resembled a mystical presence hidden deep within mountains—visible yet unfathomable.

“I’m not sure if it counts or not.”

Daoist Changqing placed the white jade slate down and picked up another jade booklet, meticulously extracting the text within. Unlike the script from Nineteenth Prince’s jade pendant, the ‘immortal script’ in this jade booklet shimmered more brilliantly. Apart from its golden glow, there was also a faint aura of purity hidden within.

Raising his index finger, Daoist Changqing examined the immortal script closely.

“Hmm? It has been activated before.”

A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes as he studied the text. Eventually, his gaze settled on Chen Luo, immediately understanding the situation.

“I inadvertently triggered it once,” Chen Luo explained promptly, realizing that Daoist Changqing had noticed the activation. He briefly recounted how Old Daoist Li Chen had pursued him earlier.

“It seems you were quite fortunate; the power of immortal script is not something everyone can withstand.”

Smiling, Daoist Changqing did not delve further into the matter and continued their conversation.

“In comparison to the true immortals of White Immortal Cave, I am merely a novice seeker of immortality.”

After finishing the inscription process, Daoist Changqing summoned a small monkey to prepare cups of tea for both himself and Chen Luo.

“The true immortal of White Immortal Cave has long since vanished. I stumbled upon a cultivation technique amidst its ruins and unexpectedly became a wandering cultivator. If you consider it that way, I can indeed be seen as loosely affiliated with White Immortal Cave.”

“Ah?” Chen Luo felt bewildered.

After exerting so much effort, he discovered that the person he met was not the genuine immortal from White Immortal Cave. Would this jade booklet then prove to be useless? His heart tightened at the thought, instinctively glancing towards the jade booklet.

“Don’t worry too much; these immortal scripts were released by me. To you, I am truly an immortal from White Immortal Cave,” Daoist Changqing reassured him with a smile. “Now, let’s return to the main topic.”

With casual conversation concluded, Daoist Changqing began imparting the true inheritance to Chen Luo.

“You’ve already witnessed the power of the immortal script once before. What were your impressions?”

“It’s incredibly fearsome. Before such power, even Zongshi masters seem as fragile as ants,” Chen Luo replied carefully after considering his words.

“Zongshi represents the pinnacle of mortal martial cultivation, their essence, qi, and spirit unified. In direct combat, truthfully, I would not stand against a Zongshi master,” Daoist Changqing explained.

“How is that possible?” Chen Luo expressed disbelief immediately.

He had witnessed the power of ‘immortal script’ before; the burst of pale blue energy within the mine was like an abyssal ocean, instantly engulfing anyone caught in its grasp.

Even Old Daoist Li Chen, a top Zongshi, could not resist the might of the immortal script and was swiftly annihilated.

Now, Daoist Changqing claimed that he wouldn’t be a match for a martial dao Zongshi in direct combat. Such a statement would be utterly unbelievable to anyone. Not only did Chen Luo find it hard to accept, but no one in White Dragon City would believe it either.

“I’m referring to a head-on battle.” Smiling, Daoist Changqing extended his hand and handed the completed slate to Chen Luo. After carving both characters, they unexpectedly formed the same character: 极 (Ji).

“Although a Zongshi’s abilities are formidable, we exist on different levels. If I wished to kill a Zongshi, standing right in front of them, they wouldn’t even see me.”

As he spoke, he gently tapped the slate, causing the two ‘极’ characters to come alive instantly.

Seated across from him, Chen Luo felt the scene before his eyes transform, as if he had returned to the perilous escape in the mine, with Old Daoist Li Chen closing in rapidly behind.

‘Illusion,’ the external mind promptly relayed, immediately bringing Chen Luo back to reality.

“Now tell me, could any Zongshi touch your master?”

“An illusion?” Chen Luo felt somewhat disappointed.

Daoist Changqing’s display shattered his romanticized vision of the immortal path. In his dreams, cultivators wielded swords amidst the wind, freely traversing heaven and earth. This mere use of illusion magic seemed no different from jianghu sorcerers to him.

“Naturally not possible. The vast realm of immortality is divided into various stages. If you were to achieve the legendary Golden Core, then indeed, you could soar on clouds, command winds, and control lightning,” Daoist Changqing explained with a smile.

He had only intended to demonstrate a minor ability to Chen Luo, not realizing it would lead to such misunderstanding.

However, it mattered little. The path of cultivation is inherently long and arduous; its mysteries unfold naturally as one progresses. As a teacher, his duty was to impart knowledge, guide practice, and clarify doubts.

“How are the realms for cultivators defined?”

“The focus varies greatly, each path has its own principles. Yet despite myriad differences, they ultimately converge into one way. Broadly speaking, there are Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, and Pill Formation.”

“And what realm does my teacher belong to?”

“Me? I suppose you could call me a Qi Refiner.”

A hint of melancholy flickered in Daoist Changqing’s eyes.

To the elite of White Dragon City, he was a lofty immortal, capable of establishing a force as powerful as the Tiger Might Escort Agency with just a word. However, within the cultivation world, he was merely a beginner—an aspiring one whose path seemed blocked.

Cultivating in the Yue Kingdom was arduous. Long ago, there were indeed cultivators on this land, but over time, they vanished for various reasons.

The most prevalent rumor suggested that they had left.

As the Yue Kingdom became increasingly unsuitable for cultivation, those who relied on spiritual energy naturally sought places with abundant resources.

Daoist Changqing had once considered departing himself, but his cultivation base couldn’t sustain him across the vast ocean. With his lifespan gradually diminishing, the hope of leaving grew ever fainter. By now, he virtually held no expectation and instead focused solely on passing down his knowledge before his eventual demise, ensuring his years of cultivation did not go entirely in vain.

“Over these years, I have been taking on disciples. Do you know why?”

“I do not.”

Chen Luo found it peculiar, considering Daoist Changqing’s capabilities.

“The land we inhabit is no longer suitable for cultivators, and my lifespan is nearing its end.”

No longer suitable? A Land of Lost Spirituality?

“Why?” Chen Luo sensed something ominous.

“Because this very ground beneath our feet is a tomb—a vast burial site. This immense tomb has absorbed all the spiritual energy from the surrounding area, transforming it into a Land of Lost Spirituality.” Daoist Changqing shared with Chen Luo the findings from his years of investigation, hoping that when Chen Luo seeks to escape in the future, he might avoid unnecessary detours.

“A tomb?”

A sudden realization struck Chen Luo, giving birth to an unprecedented thought.

If it’s a tomb, there should be a controlling mind within…