Chapter 57: Observing the Book

Chen Luo felt as if he were wandering through a dream. Unlike before, this time he was taken to the White Immortal Cave and became its official disciple.

Was it a dream or reality?

Looking around, he noticed no significant changes; the oil lamp on the table continued burning, with hardly any decrease in its fuel.

‘Nothing out of the ordinary.’

The Imperial Brain and Nineteenth Prince’s brain promptly provided feedback. Similarly, the remaining ninety-plus brains echoed the same response, detecting no anomalies during that moment.

Taking a brief moment to compose himself, Chen Luo lowered his head and once again focused on the book page.

As he did so, his heart suddenly skipped a beat.

He realized that the ‘Hundred Immortals’ depicted in the book seemed to be looking back at him. Sensing his gaze, the figure within the pages even smiled and nodded slightly.

‘I detect the aura of immortal script.’

Finally, one of the brains observed something different and offered immediate feedback.

Immortal script?

Chen Luo’s mind stirred, and swiftly, his fingers traced patterns on the table, invoking the recently mastered immortal script.

With the completion of the immortal script,

the energy accumulated within him for days was consumed by more than half. Qing Qi radiated from his fingertips, cleansing the entire room. The previous hazy atmosphere dissipated, replaced by an unprecedented freshness.

“Phew!” Chen Luo let out a breath.

“Not bad aptitude, worthy of inheriting my White Immortal Cave’s legacy.”

A voice suddenly echoed in Chen Luo’s ears, and upon looking around, he noticed an unexpected figure standing nearby. It was none other than ‘White Immortal’ Qing Yi, as described in the book.

‘Someone is here.’

‘Emerged from the book.’

These two thoughts simultaneously flashed through Chen Luo’s mind.

In the next instant, the pages of the book on the table began to turn by themselves, releasing vast amounts of Qing Qi that swiftly filled the room within the blink of an eye.

As Chen Luo came into contact with this energy, his head felt heavy, and the world spun before his eyes. When everything settled, the room had vanished, replaced by a mountain valley strewn with falling leaves—a scene of autumn.

Mountain valley. Autumn hues. A humble straw hut.

Unbeknownst to him, he found himself seated at a stone table, deep in thought, holding a black chess piece between his fingers.

Has he been pulled into the book again?

‘No, wait!’

Chen Luo attempted to sense his external minds, hoping for any differing perceptions. However, he discovered that all his external minds had merged completely with him, experiencing identical sights and sounds.

“Only true disciples of the White Immortal Cave can access the contents of the Records of a Hundred Immortals. Since your name has been entered, you may now learn our sect’s introductory breathing technique for cultivation.”

The figure clad in azure robes across from him spoke.

With two fingers extended, he placed a white chess piece on the board.

The game concluded.

Chen Luo lost, without even a chance to make his move.

Watching this opponent, Chen Luo wondered, Is this how people play chess?

At that moment, he found it increasingly difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion.

Knock, knock, knock!

A series of knocks echoed outside.

Chen Luo, momentarily dazed at the table, abruptly snapped back to awareness. He swiftly stood up, cold sweat streaming down his forehead.

Is this still just a book?

He looked down at its pages, noticing that the account of ‘White Immortal’ Qing Yi’s life had transformed into a brief hundred-word cultivation mantra—the very method of cultivating qi that Chen Luo had been desperately seeking!

“Incredible. Is this the power of cultivators?”

Gradually, Chen Luo composed himself, all previous disappointment towards cultivators vanishing in an instant.

With such unpredictable abilities, he would dare to face a hundred Zongshi if necessary.

“Senior Brother, it’s dinner time! Tonight, the kitchen is serving chicken legs, but if we’re late, my dad will finish them all!”

Ruan Xiaohu’s voice echoed from outside.

The knocking Chen Luo heard earlier was Ruan Xiaohu tapping on the window, inadvertently helping him.

Had he remained completely engrossed in the book, who knows what might have happened? The ‘White Immortal’ depicted within seemed rather sinister.

Judging by their actions, this White Immortal Cave likely wasn’t a reputable or righteous sect.

“Alright.”

Ensuring no Qing Qi escaped, Chen Luo carefully closed the book and, just as Longevity Daoist had done before, meticulously sealed it and placed it in his robe.

Stepping out of the room, a cold breeze hit him.

Chen Luo shivered; since reaching the Bone Tempering Realm, he hadn’t felt such chill for a long time.

‘My inner qi is depleted, and nearly half of the pale blue energy has vanished.’

This thought flashed through the Imperial mind.

“Such heavy consumption?” Chen Luo’s expression turned grim.

Both peculiar illusory realms drained his strength significantly.

Using one’s own power against them—truly the methods of cultivators. No wonder Changqing Daoist confidently claimed that even a Zongshi wouldn’t spot him during combat.

“Senior Brother, we really can’t delay any longer! My dad and others eat more than pigs do. If we’re late, there won’t be any meat left, only chicken claws to gnaw on.”

Beside them, Ruan Xiaohu gazed longingly at Chen Luo. For a voracious eater like him, nothing was more agonizing than watching others dine while he couldn’t partake. If not for his father’s insistence on bringing Senior Brother along, he would already be feasting at the table. Imagining those succulent, shiny drumsticks bursting with flavor as he bit into them made saliva drip from Ruan Xiaohu’s mouth.

This sight brought amusement to Chen Luo, momentarily dissipating the lingering effects of being pulled into the illusory realms by the Records of a Hundred Immortals.

“Come on! I’ll take you for some delicious treats.” Chen Luo picked up Ruan Xiaohu, channeled his strength, and instantly soared into the air. With graceful steps on leaves scattered across the courtyard, they swiftly headed towards Ruan Jianglong’s residence.

At present, in terms of techniques alone, Chen Luo had surpassed ordinary Grandmasters significantly. Having Old Jiang’s wisdom within him allowed him to draw upon vast experience, making the secrets of the Grandmaster realm readily accessible.

Chen Luo moved swiftly, reaching Ruan Jianglong’s courtyard in mere moments with Ruan Xiaohu in tow.

As his mastery of immortal script deepened, his control over power became increasingly profound, subtly imbuing him with a presence akin to Longevity Daoist’s.

“Honored Nephew, hasn’t Xiaohu been too noisy?”

As soon as they landed, Ruan Jianglong approached with a wide smile. This uncle-master truly had no qualms about showing favoritism. Ever since Chen Luo became Longevity Daoist’s disciple, Ruan Jianglong shed all pretenses and even started addressing Chen Luo as his “worthy nephew” instead of “nephew-disciple.” Each day, he would go to great lengths to foster their relationship, much to Cripple Ma’s embarrassment. Eventually, unable to bear it further, Cripple Ma decided to pack up and return to Qingya County.

There, he still had another apprentice, Chen Luo’s shimei He Min, providing him an opportunity to leave gracefully and preserve some dignity as a master.

Now that the situation in Qingya County was gradually stabilizing, Cripple Ma sought a token from his senior brother Ruan Jianglong, planning to establish a branch of the Tiger Might Escort Agency there.

“No need for such courtesy, Uncle-Master,” Chen Luo replied with a smile as he put down Ruan Xiaohu. “Xiaohu has been a great help; tonight, I’ll make sure he gets extra chicken legs.”

“You little glutton, always thinking about food,” Ruan Jianglong chided Ruan Xiaohu, but the grin on his face grew wider.

After all, he had been sending his son daily to grow closer to Chen Luo, aiming to build a strong rapport with this future immortal elder.

Ruan Xiaohu finally savored the long-coveted chicken legs, burying his head in the bowl with sheer delight.

The meal concluded with both guests and hosts thoroughly satisfied.

After dinner, Chen Luo didn’t linger long. Exchanging a few brief words, he returned to his room, ready to study the breathing techniques outlined in the book.