Chapter 60: Divine Dao Art

The Exquisite Pavilion.

In White Dragon City, the Exquisite Pavilion was far more grandiose than Qingya County’s Treasured Pavilion.

The last time Chen Luo interacted with them was when purchasing information about the White Immortal Path. Back then, he spent a hefty three thousand taels for details on the White Immortal Cave. It was astonishing how such casually sought information could command such a high price, reflecting just how lucrative selling information must be in this world with limited communication.

Chen Luo had investigated the background of the Exquisite Pavilion. Through his influential senior brothers at the academy, he learned about the true proprietor behind it.

It was none other than the immortal elder from the capital.

This individual was undeniably the foremost immortal elder in the Yue Kingdom to date. Both the qi refiners of the southwestern secondary capital and even the Longevity Daoist of White Dragon City were considered weaker by comparison.

“Would the guest like to purchase spirit stones?” Upon hearing Chen Luo’s request, the shopkeeper inside immediately became exceedingly friendly.

Regardless of one’s status, any customer seeking to buy spirit stones was not someone a mere branch shopkeeper could afford to offend.

“My sincerest apologies, but even our esteemed Linglong Pavilion cannot procure spirit stones. If you truly desire them, I suggest visiting the White Dragon Academy and seeking your luck there; many immortal elders reside within, and they might have connections to obtain such resources.” The shopkeeper kindly offered Chen Luo this guidance.

However, hearing this ‘guidance’ left Chen Luo utterly speechless.

He had just come from the White Dragon Academy, so if they had spirit stones, why would he need to inquire elsewhere?

‘Seems like my only option is to approach my teacher.’

Chen Luo sighed deeply.

Cultivating was challenging.

But he never anticipated it would be this difficult. Even at the initial stage of entering the path, he faced numerous obstacles.

‘It may be due to the unique circumstances of the Land of Lost Spirituality. Once I leave the Yue Kingdom, hopefully, poverty won’t be such an issue.’

Three days later.

The Longevity Daoist emerged from his seclusion, looking refreshed and invigorated, clearly having made significant progress during his time in isolation.

“Teacher.”

Chen Luo traversed the bamboo-lined path, arriving at the mountain valley where the Longevity Daoist had been secluded.

“What brings you here? Are you encountering difficulties with the Records of a Hundred Immortals?” Upon seeing Chen Luo enter, Longevity Daoist paused his cultivation practice and asked with a smile.

Nearby, noticing this exchange, a small monkey promptly stood up to boil water and serve tea, displaying a keen intelligence surpassing that of many humans.

“I’ve grasped a Qi Refinement technique and wanted your guidance, teacher.”

Chen Luo took a seat nearby and casually picked up the spirit tea brewed by the little monkey.

These tea leaves were grown within the mountain valley itself, making them highly sought after outside with no price too high for their rarity.

“Oh?” Longevity Daoist was somewhat surprised. The “Records of a Hundred Immortals,” strictly speaking, cannot be considered as a cultivation secret manual but rather a collection of various notes. It had taken him three whole months just to comprehend an immortal script’s technique from it. He didn’t expect Chen Luo to gain insight so quickly, within mere days.

“Your aptitude truly surpasses mine.” Longevity Daoist sighed, well aware of the difficulties in cultivation.

In his pursuit spanning over two hundred sixty years, he faced countless hardships. Yet, despite all that, he remained at the initial stages, unable to glimpse the higher realms’ vistas.

“The Qi Refinement technique I comprehended is called ‘The True Immortal Classic’.”

Without hesitation, Chen Luo revealed the Qi Refinement technique he learned from the ‘White Immortal.’ As his mentor, Longevity Daoist undoubtedly possessed greater knowledge and experience, which might help Chen Luo find a path suitable for his own cultivation.

“I am familiar with this Qi Refinement technique.”

Longevity Daoist glanced briefly at it and then looked away.

Having possessed the “Records of a Hundred Immortals” for over two hundred years, he had studied it countless times. No one knew better than him the number of Qi Refinement techniques contained within.

However, amidst myriad methods, not every technique was suitable for practice. One must find the approach best suited to themselves.

“It is indeed among the top-ranked Qi Refinement techniques in the ‘Records of a Hundred Immortals.’ The fact that you comprehended it on your first attempt indicates it’s the most fitting method for your path towards cultivation.”

With these words, Longevity Daoist set down his teacup and smiled.

“You’ve come to me seeking spirit stones, haven’t you?”

“Davosky sees all,” Chen Luo replied straightforwardly. Seeking support from his teacher seemed like the optimal choice.

This concept aligns with the principle of lineage succession; otherwise, why bother having a mentor if everything relies solely on oneself? Immortal abodes, spiritual training grounds, and academies all follow this model. A teacher hopes their students will surpass them, reaching greater heights and witnessing landscapes they themselves have never seen, serving as a form of fulfilling their own unfulfilled aspirations.

“Yes, I do possess spirit stones.”

Longevity Daoist fell silent, seemingly deep in thought.

Seated nearby, Chen Luo remained silent.

In the Yue Kingdom, spirit stones were scarce resources, with only three known qi refiners possessing them. Among these three, the only one he had any connection to was his teacher, Longevity Daoist. Without this opportunity, Chen Luo could still pursue Qi Refinement and embark on the path, but it would take significantly longer than using spirit stones.

It might require years, possibly even decades.

Spending such a prolonged time at the initial stages could have substantial consequences. If unable to progress smoothly in cultivation, the delay of ten or more years might ultimately hinder his chance at reaching Qi Refinement Foundation Establishment, potentially severing his path to the grand Dao altogether.

“I can give you this spirit stone, but I need your assistance in return.”

As Longevity Daoist mentioned this, his expression turned much more serious.

If Chen Luo hadn’t shown understanding of the Qi Refinement Art, Longevity Daoist likely wouldn’t have bothered after teaching him for some time. The journey to immortality is long; having lived over two hundred years, Longevity Daoist had encountered various types of disciples.

Including Chen Luo, he had taken only three apprentices throughout his life. He had high hopes for the first two, but unfortunately, they both passed away before him. Although they achieved entry into the Dao, their aptitudes fell short compared to his own, leading them to reach the end of their natural lives around a hundred years each.

However, Chen Luo felt different to him.

This difference extended beyond mere aptitude; it also encompassed his comprehension.

When teaching Chen Luo the immortal script earlier, Longevity Daoist discovered that his disciple seemed to have already mastered all the foundational knowledge within the Scripture Pavilion.

This revelation greatly astonished him.

Although the knowledge in the outer Scripture Pavilion was basic, it would typically take an ordinary person forty or fifty years to fully comprehend just one subject. To master such a vast array of fundamentals, even he would require over two decades. This realization prompted Longevity Daoist to make a bold gamble.

After all, he didn’t have much time left.

“Please speak, Master.”

Chen Luo promptly stood up.

Throughout their interactions, Longevity Daoist had always treated him with sincerity, imparting wisdom and guiding him along the path. Chen Luo could not forget this kindness. Within the limits of his abilities, he was more than willing to assist his mentor.

“No need to be so formal.” Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Longevity Daoist smiled and gestured for Chen Luo to sit back down.

“Do you remember what I told you about the land we live on?”

“A massive mausoleum,” Chen Luo replied, his spirit lifting at the mention.

Any information related to the Great Mausoleum piqued his interest significantly.

“Yes, indeed it is above a great mausoleum. During my prime when my cultivation was at its zenith, I ventured into the mausoleum once.” A hint of nostalgia flickered in Longevity Daoist’s eyes as he spoke about it.

“At the heart of the mausoleum, I discovered a hidden chamber where I obtained a unique technique—the Divine Dao Art—requiring no spiritual energy to cultivate.”