Chapter 59: Returning Empty-Handed

Early the next morning.

Chen Luo set off promptly for the academy.

After attending his lecture, the group of named disciples, initially unconvinced by him, were astounded, regarding him as transcendent. The power of just one immortal script was enough to create a significant gap between Chen Luo and these disciples.

Through teaching, he also discerned their limitations.

Their spiritual roots were weak, allowing each disciple to comprehend only a portion of the knowledge within the immortal scripts. Some applied this knowledge to formations, while others utilized it for equipment forging. In their respective fields, they could be esteemed among mortals, but in the world of immortal cultivation, they had strayed from the path, destined to remain untalented throughout their lives, with little chance to grasp the Dao.

To them, even a single immortal script mastered by Chen Luo encompassed vast realms of understanding. Regardless of their area of study, during Chen Luo’s teachings, they invariably gained insights relevant to their own pursuits.

Upon completing the lesson, Chen Luo did not rush to leave.

“I seek blue gemstones for my cultivation journey towards the Dao. If any Shidi or Shimei have connections that can help procure them, please assist me. Those who resolve this matter will earn my gratitude.”

These junior disciples hailed from influential backgrounds, making it far easier for them to find what he needed compared to his own efforts.

This plan had been formulated by Chen Luo before going to sleep the previous night.

He aimed to leverage his resources effectively, saving himself considerable time.

“Elder Brother Chen, are you referring to blue spirit stones?” asked a young man from within the crowd.

Dressed extravagantly with a jade belt adorned with dragon patterns at his waist, he appeared to be a member of the imperial family.

“Indeed,” Chen Luo confirmed without hesitation.

It would be easier if they were familiar with spirit stones.

“If it’s spirit stones, that might prove challenging. The Yue Kingdom has scarce reserves, and they are typically used immediately upon discovery. Even the Imperial Palace lacks any significant stockpile.” The prince’s expression showed disappointment.

It seemed unlikely he could earn this favor after all.

“Storing spirit stones is inherently difficult; no one would foolishly keep them around. Instead, they absorb and utilize them right away.”

Cannot be stored? That complicates things.

Chen Luo furrowed his brow, realizing what he thought would be easily resolved was now proving troublesome. Recalling his experience with the spirit stone mine raid, he began forming some conjectures. As the Yue Kingdom is known as the ‘Land of Lost Spirituality,’ if spirit stones are not promptly utilized, the vast tomb rapidly drains their spiritual energy.

It seemed only those with knowledge of spirit stone storage techniques would be qualified to preserve such resources.

“I heard about unusual phenomena near West Mountain, suggesting the emergence of spirit stones.”

“Similar rumors circulated in Qingya County not long ago.”

Realizing this could earn them a favor from the future immortal elder, all his fellow disciples eagerly offered suggestions. Regardless of their usefulness, it was a prime opportunity to strengthen their connections with Chen Luo.

“West Mountain?”

Chen Luo made a mental note of the location.

After exchanging a few more words with his brethren, he took leave.

Upon exiting the academy, Chen Luo immediately instructed the coachman to drive towards West Mountain.

Whether the rumors were true or not, a visit would reveal the truth. Besides, it wasn’t too far and wouldn’t waste much time.

Relying solely on morning and evening Qi Refinement sessions was too slow. Chen Luo had no intention of spending over a decade just to accumulate ‘a small amount’ of spiritual energy.

“Chen-gongzi, we have arrived at West Mountain,” the cautious voice of the coachman spoke up from the front.

This coachman belonged to the Tiger Might Escort Agency, personally assigned by Chief Ruan Jianglong to serve Chen Luo. In secret, Ruan Jianglong had emphasized Chen Luo’s status to the coachman, instructing him to follow Chen Luo’s directions without question, under any circumstances.

“Wait here for me.”

Chen Luo gathered his thoughts and placed the Records of a Hundred Immortals back into his robe.

After stepping down from the carriage, he swiftly leaped onto the treetops. Sensing the general direction, he lightly bounded southeastward. There was a hill nearby where his perception would be clearer.

The group of fellow disciples at the academy, being nobles’ offspring, often shared rumors with some basis in truth.

Upon reaching the hill, Chen Luo closed his eyes.

The power of immortal script manifested between his brows. Within his pitch-black inner world, a circle of white ripples appeared, spreading outward like a scanning radar. Instantly, it covered an area spanning over a thousand meters.

This was one application of the immortal script that Chen Luo had recently learned.

Longevity Daoist’s claim about the vast capabilities of the immortal script was no exaggeration, as Chen Luo now experienced firsthand.

“It really exists?”

With a swift movement beneath his feet, Chen Luo channeled the power of the immortal script into his inner qi. His body instantly became as light as willow catkins, effortlessly harnessing even the mountain winds to his advantage.

With each gentle touch on the tree branches, the wind carried him swiftly towards the sensed location.

“A true immortal!”

The coachman below was utterly astounded.

As someone trained in martial arts and proficient in the blood qi realm, he had encountered numerous bodyguards skilled in Inner Training, including witnessing Chief Escort Ruan Jianglong engage in combat on several occasions. However, seeing Chen Luo effortlessly take flight with just a tap of his foot was entirely new to him.

Upon reaching the destination, Chen Luo swiftly located the source of his perception.

“A grave?” He descended, somewhat surprised.

He had expected another mine shaft like before, not realizing it would be a tomb. Judging by its appearance, it seemed quite old.

“The spiritual energy fluctuations indeed emanate from within,” Chen Luo confirmed confidently.

No noble family or their disciples could have found this location as quickly as he did, thanks to his use of immortal script for searching. For ordinary individuals, locating this place would require substantial resources, effort, and a fair amount of luck.

“It’s been a while since I’ve done this.”

With one swift motion, Chen Luo split a nearby dead tree in half, shaping one piece into a makeshift shovel. After spitting onto his hands, he began digging. With few people around West Mountain, there was no need to wait until nightfall to excavate the grave.

Infusing his palms with the power of immortal script, he dug at remarkable speed. In no time, Chen Luo broke through the structure beneath, revealing a dark tunnel leading downward.

“Someone has already been here?”

Chen Luo tossed aside the makeshift wooden shovel he had hastily crafted and leaped down.

Below the tunnel was an underground chamber of approximately ten square meters. The traps and obstacles had been destroyed, and the stone coffin placed at its center lay open. The skeletal remains were scattered everywhere, with the skull crushed underfoot, and not a single burial item remained intact.

Following his perception, Chen Luo approached the coffin and noticed a recessed slot inside.

Unfortunately, the spirit stone that once occupied the slot had been removed, leaving only residual traces which caused the earlier disturbance he sensed.

“What a pity,” Chen Luo murmured to himself, feeling dissatisfied.

He searched the area again, confirming that the spirit stone’s location indeed matched this spot.

“If the grave owner was buried with spirit stones, they might have possessed some aptitude.”

Determined not to leave empty-handed, Chen Luo picked up half of the skull discarded by the tomb raiders, hoping to glean any missed information.

‘Contact with deceased brain waves: Degradation 100%, unable to retrieve.’

Not even remnants of the brain could be salvaged!

This outcome greatly disappointed Chen Luo.

After ensuring there was nothing else of value, Chen Luo swiftly ascended through the tunnel, filled it back for the grave owner, and departed without success.