Chapter 55: Passing on Knowledge

“Although it’s indeed a tomb, it’s still too distant for you now. It’s best not to venture there recklessly.”

As if remembering something, Longevity Daoist fell silent and did not continue the topic.

“Focus on your cultivation diligently. I hope one day you can escape this vast mausoleum region and pursue the true immortal path.”

“This disciple understands,” Chen Luo promptly replied, but internally, he took note of the mention of the great tomb.

Suppressing his excitement, he prepared to earnestly study here for some time. Once his strength was sufficient, he would return to grave-robbing.

After all, he had experience in that matter!

“Master, I’ve heard that there are cultivators in the capital as well,” Chen Luo recalled the conversation between Nineteenth Prince and his teacher.

With both Prince Ning and the imperial family backed by cultivators, it became clear that Prince Ning’s ambition grew after encountering an ‘immortal.’ From this, it could be inferred that aside from his own master, there were other cultivators within the Yue Kingdom.

“Yes, there are qi refiners in both the capital and the southwestern city. Their realms are slightly higher than mine, but not significantly so,” Longevity Daoist confirmed with a nod.

“The power dynamics reveal it clearly. In the north, Jing City; in the south, the secondary capital; and centrally located, White Dragon City - these three places represent the domains of the three major qi refiners.”

Instantly, Chen Luo grasped the situation.

It had long been said that the power dynamics of this world revolved around immortals, and now it seemed true indeed. The so-called royal authority and nobility were merely dependents on the ‘immortals.’

“As my disciple, I will naturally devote myself to teaching you. However, whether you can enter the Way depends on your own destiny,” Longevity Daoist explained while observing Chen Luo closely.

“Today, I shall first instruct you in the immortal script from the jade booklet. According to the traditions of the White Immortal Cave, fate surpasses all. Bringing this jade booklet signifies your connection with this particular immortal script.”

“Just one immortal script?” Chen Luo was puzzled.

Was learning a single word going to take an entire day?

“Immortal scripts differ greatly from ordinary writing. By mastering just one, you can harness its power to transform the knowledge you’ve acquired from the Scripture Pavilion into tangible reality. With this, you will transcend the level of mortal Zongshi.”

As a qi refiner, Longevity Daoist had lived for over two hundred sixty years. This extended lifespan allowed him to acquire vast knowledge. The information within the Scripture Pavilion was summarized from his lifetime of learning, deeply rooted in the principles he himself mastered through the Way of Immortal Scripts.

“Yes, Master,” Chen Luo responded solemnly.

Learning the immortal script proved even more complex than Chen Luo anticipated. After the first day, despite exhausting all one hundred twelve minds, he still hadn’t fully grasped the single immortal script; he could barely recall its contours.

Fortunately, Longevity Daoist was patient and not in a rush, teaching with unwavering dedication.

Over the next two months, Chen Luo diligently rose early and stayed late. Apart from his regular breathing exercises, he spent all remaining time studying immortal scripts under Longevity Daoist’s guidance.

Finally, just as three months were nearing their end, he successfully mastered the immortal script from the jade booklet!

Within the mountain valley, Chen Luo demonstrated the newly learned immortal script to Longevity Daoist.

Since accepting Chen Luo as his disciple, Longevity Daoist had increasingly distanced himself from the White Dragon Academy. His full attention now focused on Chen Luo, who indeed did not disappoint, achieving what was expected of him within these three months.

“Excellent, truly remarkable.” The excitement on Longevity Daoist’s face could not be concealed.

The disciples outside, amidst the bamboo forest, possessed only modest aptitudes, barely suitable for cultivation. They fell far short of meeting the entry requirements for the White Immortal Cave, thus being merely named disciples. However, Chen Luo was different; mastering an ‘immortal script’ in just three months marked him as a true disciple of the White Immortal Cave.

“Although you have succeeded, do not become arrogant. You’ve yet to truly enter the path of immortality,” cautioned Longevity Daoist after his initial excitement, ensuring Chen Luo remained grounded and humble.

“I understand, Master,” replied Chen Luo respectfully.

Chen Luo stood respectfully to one side, a gentle smile gracing his face.

At first glance, he clearly embodied the qualities of a devoted and respectful disciple.

“You don’t need to be overly modest; geniuses should possess the pride fitting for their talent.”

As Longevity Daoist observed this disciple, his gaze grew increasingly satisfied.

Picking up Chen Luo’s completed immortal script, he began pointing out its flaws.

“Although this immortal script has taken shape, there are still several issues with your execution. For instance, when you made this stroke, it shows signs of wasted spiritual energy. Such minor inefficiencies might not matter at the initial learning stage, but if you wish to study talismans and formations later, these errors could become the root cause hindering your progress.”

Longevity Daoist extended his index finger, gathering a thread of spiritual energy at its tip.

With a light swipe on the jade token, he effortlessly drew a complete immortal script. Compared to Chen Luo’s attempt, it was noticeably more fluid and contained significantly greater power.

Over the past three months, Chen Luo had come to understand the level of Longevity Daoist:

A qi refiner, proficient in five immortal scripts.

Each of these five scripts possessed unfathomable power. The one Chen Luo learned was the simplest and easiest among them.

According to Longevity Daoist, mastering subsequent immortal scripts becomes progressively more challenging.

The first two characters could be mastered with time and practice, but from the third character onwards, it was entirely dependent on one’s innate talent. Even Longevity Daoist, acknowledging himself as a genius, had only grasped five after living for two hundred sixty years. He had yet to fully learn the sixth immortal script, unable to even outline its shape.

Standing nearby, Chen Luo attentively observed the mistakes pointed out by Longevity Daoist.

These errors were subtle details, easily overlooked. Neither the Imperial brain nor Nineteenth Prince’s mind had detected them, let alone those without any aptitude. For individuals lacking aptitude, during the study of immortal scripts, their role was limited to assisting and memorizing basic outlines.

Longevity Daoist demonstrated these nuances twice.

Chen Luo diligently took note of each detail.

“That’s enough practice for today.”

After covering the lesson’s content and having Chen Luo rehearse twice more, Longevity Daoist decided not to continue further. He turned and walked towards the room behind him.

Chen Luo promptly followed suit.

Inside the room, the little monkey had already prepared tea.

This monkey was personally raised and trained by Longevity Daoist, exhibiting remarkable intelligence. It often brewed the tea consumed by Chen Luo and Longevity Daoist. The tea leaves were collected by the two immortal cranes outside; all three spirit beasts possessed human-like cognition, making them akin to mythical creatures when left unattended.

“Tomorrow, you will represent me and teach those disciples outside,” Longevity Daoist instructed Chen Luo after taking his seat.

“Yes, Master.”

Chen Luo acknowledged with a nod.

Having mastered the immortal script, he had already widened the gap between himself and the ordinary named disciples outside. Teaching them would pose no issue whatsoever.

Although still not yet on the path of cultivation, he could already employ some minor techniques.

“I’ll be spending less time outdoors from now on.”

Seeing that Chen Luo did not question this, a hint of satisfaction flashed across Longevity Daoist’s face. In terms of temperament, Chen Luo’s demeanor greatly pleased him.

“Is the teacher planning to enter seclusion?”

“With recent gains, I may need some time for reflection.” As he spoke, Longevity Daoist rose and walked towards a nearby bookshelf.

Unlike the vast Scripture Pavilion outside, within this mountain valley’s straw hut, there was only one bookshelf containing just a single book.

The saying ‘a thousand volumes of falsehood, a single word of truth’ aptly applied here. The book on this shelf represented the foundational technique of Longevity Daoist, which was also the true inheritance he obtained from the White Immortal Cave.