Entering the Dream Book

After reading Han Sha's letter, Chen Qing's brow furrowed deeply.

Chen Qing's senior brother had taken two disciples. Han Sha was the first, and due to his good aptitude and intelligence, he was seen as the hope for Hidden Star Gate's prosperity.

"It seems he does have some cleverness after all," Chen Qing put down the letter. "The formation is down, and I didn't bother using talismans for night watch, which allowed him to slip away."

In the letter, Han Sha stated directly that Hidden Star Gate was merely a legacy of rogue cultivators, with no connection to Central Spirit Continent. Furthermore, the Life's True Solution Sea and Mountain Scroll they worked so hard to build a foundation for was incomplete. It not only made it difficult to live long but was also detrimental to cultivation and even physical health. Now that the sect leader had passed away, the sect was on the verge of collapse with no future prospects. Only by seeking opportunities elsewhere could one truly embark on the path of cultivation.

Finally, he emphasized that only by truly embarking on the path of cultivation could one be considered to have inherited his master's dying wish!

"Truly embark on the path of cultivation?"

Seeing this, Chen Qing secretly shook his head.

Secret techniques and true inheritances are rare in the mortal world; the Dao is like metal and stone, requiring the furnace to temper it.

Moreover, if his senior brother hadn't saved him, Han Sha, an orphan from a fishing village, would have struggled to survive, let alone cultivate. Where would he have had the chance to encounter profound secret techniques and Life's True Solution? If the remnant scroll wasn't precious, how could Hidden Star Gate have been established?

One must know that cultivation methods often undergo hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of years of refinement. Even those created recently have a lineage, accumulating the wisdom and attempts of past cultivators. Every word and sentence is refined from the blood and tears of past trial and error. What appear to be a few words are actually gems, containing centuries of wisdom and annotations.

"To cultivate the Sea and Mountain Remnant Scroll to the Great Perfection of Soothing Harmony Foundation Establishment, the second realm's Great Perfection, one's lifespan can reach two hundred years, which is considered long life. It can also increase blood and qi, and strength. Besides this, Grandmaster also left behind a scroll of secret techniques, saying it could impact higher realms, but it requires greater talent. The old man wouldn't lie to me about this..."

Thinking of this, Chen Qing suddenly became alert.

"However, while what he said is true, many of the insights in the letter are beyond Han Sha's current understanding. It seems someone else has already contacted him. I wonder if they are trying to lure him away because of his extraordinary talent and aptitude, or if they have ulterior motives and malicious intentions."

As he was contemplating this.

"Uncle-Master, is what Han Sha said in his letter true?"

A simple question from the honest young boy interrupted Chen Qing's thoughts.

This boy was Fang Da'ao. Chen Qing's second senior brother had rescued him from a tsunami. Due to a head injury that caused amnesia, he was renamed, took his master's surname, and was accepted as a disciple. This child had mediocre talent but a pure heart. His cultivation progressed the fastest, and after three years, he had laid a solid foundation and was about to formally practice the Sea and Mountain Scroll.

At this moment, he asked in a low voice, crestfallen: "I often bragged to the villagers about our sect's heritage. If it's all fake, how can Master rest in peace in the netherworld? How can I face the world?"

Your train of thought is a bit off, and your Dao heart is also a bit fragile!

But after all, he is the descendant left behind by my senior brother, and he is still young, having gone through successive misfortunes...

Chen Qing thought to himself: "Qu Xiaoyao is young, so it's understandable. But Fang Da'ao, hearing the truth at this moment, might cause trouble. Precisely because of his pure heart and stubbornness, he often sticks to his own logic. Master, oh Master, if you had just explained things honestly from the beginning, with Da'ao's personality, he might have been able to accept it. But now it has come to this."

Fine, I'll stabilize them first and sort things out slowly later. Otherwise, as I've just become the sect leader today, the sect might fall apart.

As he was thinking, a flash of inspiration struck him. He thought of the Dao Mark compilation method mentioned in the Grand Void Dao Evolution Record.

"Since Da'ao and Xiaoyao are disciples of Hidden Star Gate and also my grand-nephews, they can be considered my students. Perhaps I can test the efficacy of that Grand Void Dao Evolution Record? And also comfort Da'ao and alleviate his sorrow."

With this thought, Chen Qing said, "If there is a heritage, it exists. It is said to be related to Central Spirit Continent."

Qu Xiaoyao breathed a sigh of relief.

Fang Da'ao hesitated for a moment and then asked, "Uncle-Master, even if there is a heritage, my talent is dull, and Junior Sister Xiaoyao is still young. Han Sha was the most talented among us, and he has left. Can our sect ever rise again in the future?"

Our sect has never truly risen before, how can we talk about rising again?

But since I've opened the door, Chen Qing decided to continue, "Since ancient times, even with depleted family fortunes, one can recover. Even after a nation is destroyed and its family broken, it can be revived. Our sect's cultivation methods are still here, and our disciples are still alive. Why can't we?"

Fang Da'ao's eyes lit up, but he misunderstood: "Uncle-Master, are you saying that when our Hidden Star Gate established its mountain gate in Central Spirit Continent, there was also an ancestor who revived the sect?"

When did I ever say that? I haven't even started to make it up, and you've already imagined so much?

But seeing Fang Da'ao's renewed spirit, and considering it a supplement to the story's setting, Chen Qing went along with it and said, "Perhaps there was." He secretly thought: If there are no changes in the Grand Void Record, I can't continue fabricating ancestors next time.

"I knew it! Our mountain gate has immortal lineage! The Sea and Mountain Scroll hides the foundation for longevity! Han Sha's unannounced departure will surely make him regret it!" Fang Da'ao looked outside the mountain gate, regaining some of his spirit. "Grandmaster-Uncle once said that those who lightly abandon immortal fate will only end up like carving a boat to seek a lost sword, leaving only regret, even if they burn incense and pray."

Qu Xiaoyao asked softly, "With Senior Brother Han leaving like this, won't the sect's true solution be leaked?"

"Oh dear!" Fang Da'ao suddenly realized, "That's right! We have to chase after him!" Saying this, he was about to set off.

"No need." Chen Qing waved his hand to stop him. "The Qi Guiding Technique he learned is not unique to our sect. However, since he learned it from Hidden Star, we should naturally bring him back. But, with so many things to deal with now, you should rest first. Once things are sorted out, I will go find him myself."

He secretly pondered: Han Sha's sudden departure is likely suspicious. I wonder if he has come into contact with anyone. Perhaps it is related to the Sea Abyss Temple he mentioned. I absolutely cannot let my two grand-nephews take any more risks.

"Besides, the formation needs to be reset, but there are only nine Spirit Marrows left. Even if we use them all, it won't last a month. Also, the South Sea blood tax is approaching, so we need to reserve some. As for Han Sha..."

He narrowed his eyes slightly.

"I can't let him be an ungrateful wretch. If he doesn't maintain his dignity, I, as his Uncle-Master, will have to help him maintain it."

With this thought, Chen Qing went to the main hall and set up his master's spirit tablet.

Then, he looked at the four tokens on the altar – those of the Ancestor, his two Martial Uncles, and his master. He bowed and said, "Disciple Chen Qing, in the position of Hidden Star Gate's sect leader, hereby expel Han Sha from the sect for leaving without notice and seeking other opportunities! I ask the past ancestors to bear witness!"

After speaking, he took out paper and brush and wrote an "Expulsion Notice."

"Your Uncle-Master is quite cautious."

At the foot of Misty Gorge Mountain, several figures lingered. The scrawny young man Han Sha stood among them, looking terrified. Before him stood a man in white robes, gazing up at the mountain with a greedy expression.

"It's a pity we didn't lure him down the mountain, otherwise, we could force him to reveal the cultivation techniques and seize the medicinal resources," the white-robed man licked his lips. "Misty Gorge Mountain's accumulation over decades should be quite substantial."

A woman in green beside him chuckled, "Senior Brother, are you worried about the formation on the mountain? It's just a rogue cultivator sect that has lost the protection of a second-realm cultivator. Isn't it easy to break the formation by asking an elder to intervene?"

"Foolish! If an elder intervenes, what will be left for you and me?" The white-robed man chuckled and shook his head. "Besides, we Southern Shore sects are all subject to the Crimson Flame Blood Alliance. Misty Gorge Mountain has paid its blood tax, so it's not appropriate to directly attack the sect." Speaking of this, he smiled sinisterly. "However, since there is someone willing to surrender, we will seek it after we understand the true situation of this mountain." He then glanced meaningfully at Han Sha.

Han Sha trembled, "Didn't Lord Liu previously say that he saw my good aptitude and couldn't bear to see it wasted, so..."

"Naturally, I value you," the white-robed man suddenly grabbed Han Sha's chin, forcing him to look up. "But if you don't spill all the secrets of Misty Gorge Mountain's heritage, how can I teach you according to your aptitude?" He abruptly let go. "Also, from now on, I am your master. Respect your master, understand?"

Han Sha stumbled back.

The man in the white robe said indifferently, "Remember, you are now a person of Sea Abyss Temple, much nobler than those mountain bumpkins! You need to have some vision! Understand?"

"I understand, I understand..."

"Very good."

The man in the white robe nodded in satisfaction. After a bit of scolding, he offered a sweet reward: "In a few more days, a distinguished expert from Mystic Chess Academy will come to Nanbin. This person enjoys guiding the younger generation of cultivators. As the saying goes, 'True teachings are in a single sentence, false teachings fill ten thousand books.' You've been on Misty Gorge Mountain for years, and all you have is this meager skill. But if you can receive their guidance once, it will save you at least five years of hard work! Perform well, and you'll have a chance."

"Yes! Master!" Han Sha's face immediately flushed red again, his eyes full of anticipation.

"The mortal world is a disturbance, hindering cultivation."

Night had fallen. Chen Qing, after a busy day, gazed up at the bright moon, sighed, then forced himself to sit up and meditate. He cast aside worldly distractions, visualized mountains and seas, and absorbed the moonlight.

"Breathing the essence of the world into the dantian, swallowing saliva and inhaling qi to circulate through the six viscera..."

Soon, a faint light emanated from three inches below his navel. A "rustling" sound echoed throughout his body as his blood and qi surged, and a refreshing scent of grass and wood emanated from him.

The Yellow Court suddenly flashed with golden light, and his blood and qi surged like mercury.

This was the mark of a perfect First Realm.

The Yellow Court states: "The inner person of the Yellow Court wears brocade robes, with purple flowing skirts of cloud-like silk."

The Yellow Court Palace is the lower dantian. Cultivating the First Realm requires opening and nourishing the lower dantian. Upon reaching perfection, the body's blood and qi surge, capable of drawing in the acquired qi from all parts of the body and gathering it in the dantian to "raise the cloud silk," which is the brewing of true breath, or inner qi.

Ever since the world changed and the Central Continent sank, the spiritual energy and resources in the world have become increasingly scarce. Outer path cultivators, lacking spiritual meridians and acupoints, can only borrow the convergence of the sun and moon to accumulate meager spiritual energy within their bodies for refinement.

The circulation of the heavenly cycle slightly eased his fatigue.

"The Yellow Court cloud silk is formed, but to break through to the Second Realm, 'Soothing Harmony Foundation Establishment,' Five Elements spiritual items are still needed. The sect only has wood and earth elements remaining; three more are needed."

As he thought, he lay down but immediately sat up again. He took out a yellow talisman, formed a hand seal, and chanted, "The stars patrol the heavens, warning signs are clear! Haste!"

The talisman flew into the courtyard, its vermilion patterns glowing faintly, illuminating the area.

"This talisman can last for three hours. Wake me up then."

With arrangements made, he lay down again and slowly fell asleep. He once again entered the misty white fog, intending to carefully consider the day's events and deduce future developments. Besides that, he also needed to check if there were any changes in the Grand Void Dao Evolution Record.

Upon reaching the stone platform, Chen Qing immediately opened the book and flipped through it quickly. He first noticed that seven ink marks on the first page were gone, leaving ten remaining. After flipping from beginning to end, he turned back to a middle page because a new line of text had appeared:

"Once, an Ancestor ■■, during the sect's decline, single-handedly held up the crumbling edifice, re-established the Dao lineage, and rebuilt the foundation for eternal life, revered by later disciples as the Ancestor of Revival, eternally worshipped with incense."

This content looked incredibly familiar. Wasn't it exactly the same as the Ancestor of Revival that Fang Da'ao had imagined!

"My deduction was correct!" Chen Qing suddenly realized. "It really works this way with the brush! I make it up, he believes it, and it consumes seven Dao marks, weaving together seven life nodes to string together the biography of a fictional character!"

Chen Qing had previously suspected that this was a profound method for cultivating life and nature through dreams. Now that the conditions were met, his heart leaped with joy. Without further ado, he eagerly extended his fingertip, lightly touched the text, and silently recited, "I wish to enter the dream."

Instantly, a fierce wind arose, engulfing his dream-self and pulling him into the words and sentences of the book.

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