Affairs of the Immortal Dynasty

Bai Shaoyou pondered for a moment, picked up his teacup, and took a sip before saying, "If we're talking about surviving ancient legacies, Void Abyss Floating Li is indeed the best place. Legend has it that this mountain drifts outside of time and space, unaffected by the erosion of years..."

His tone shifted, and his brow furrowed slightly.

"However, even with the profound mysteries of Void Abyss, its appearance has changed. And I've heard that there used to be a mountain lord, so it's likely there were already many legacy ruins within, which is why later generations flocked there. After tens of thousands of years, even if there were legacies, they've probably been taken by predecessors."

Bai Shaoyou paused, sighed, and lamented, "After the Immortal Dynasty collapsed, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth became increasingly scarce. Let alone ordinary magical artifacts and texts like the Flowing Cup Sword, even the remains of Heavenly Demons and treasures of Immortals are hard-pressed to resist the erosion of time. The legacies of predecessors and ancient Cave Mansions nowadays can at most trace back a few thousand years; being able to reach ten thousand years is already rare, which is why ancient legacies are so precious."

He put down his teacup and tapped the table.

"I once consulted the secret archives of the Merchant Alliance. The records mention that legacies left by ancient cultivators are extremely rare, often requiring items like Star Core Profound Iron and Great Void Azure Jade as carriers to have a chance of lasting for ten thousand years."

"Star Core Profound Iron... Great Void Azure Jade..."

Chen Qing frowned upon hearing this.

He had heard of these two items before. Star Core Profound Iron was extracted from the core of extraterrestrial meteorites and tempered by true fire, making it indestructible through countless tribulations. Great Void Azure Jade was produced deep within the Nine Nether Earth Veins and could form a small world of its own, isolating it from the passage of time.

He shook his head and suppressed his thoughts, continuing to study the Jade Slip.

Although Bai Shaoyou found it strange, he thought that given the other party's identity as an ancient legacy holder, it was normal for him to act a bit peculiar, so he let it go.

The latter half of the Jade Slip recorded strange anecdotes from the middle and late periods of the Immortal Dynasty:

[After the Heavenly Craft Workshop was sealed, the remaining evildoers built a "Wooden Kite" carrying a hundred people and rebelled. They were shot down in the Western Wilderness by a Thunder Department Divine General.]

[The Northern Cold Continent presented the Ice Soul Profound Maiden, who gained favor for a time. Due to colluding with foreign enemies, she was imprisoned in the Cold Prison, where she gave birth to a child who was born holding ice crystals.]

[In the eight-thousandth year of the Immortal Dynasty, the South Flame Continent presented the "Crimson Flame Heavenly Net," which was woven into a Fire Phoenix Feather Robe. It was impervious to water and fire. The Eastern Spirit Continent presented the "Nine Orifice Exquisite Tree," which bore fruit like an infant. Eating it could extend one's lifespan by a hundred years. It was planted in the Imperial Garden but later withered.]

[In the middle period of the Immortal Dynasty, the Western Wilderness Sword Mound appeared, with one hundred thousand ancient swords resonating for three days. The Immortal Dynasty sent envoys to collect them and cast the "Ten Thousand Swords Platform" in Jade Capital, which was later destroyed by a Heavenly Tribulation.]

[In the twenty-thousandth year of the Immortal Dynasty, the Mirage City appeared in the Western Wilderness desert, guarded by Golden Armored Divine Beings. The Immortal Dynasty sent troops to conquer it, but all who entered the city went mad. In the East Sea, an island sank, revealing an Underwater Altar with seven Bronze Lamps suspended above it. The lamp oil was not yet exhausted, and the flames still burned.]

[In the late years of the Immortal Dynasty, a volcano erupted in the South Flame Continent, revealing a Red Copper Giant Coffin bound by nine fiery chains. The Immortal Dynasty sent an envoy to investigate, but the entire delegation perished. A Star Official observed the celestial phenomena at night and saw the Ziwei Star fall. He submitted a memorial advising caution, but was instead imprisoned on the Star Gazing Platform.]

Chen Qing's gaze was sharp, but he could no longer find any mention related to his dream.

Upon reaching the end, he specifically reread the preface and noted the inscription "Written by Jade Pivot Daoist during the Meteor Era." He then closed the Jade Slip and sighed, "A pity I didn't see Ancestor Chen's records."

A flicker of disappointment flashed through Bai Shaoyou's eyes, but he quickly became energetic again. "It's fine! Since there's a clue, why worry about not finding it? Why not tell me more anecdotes about your ancestor? I'll see if there are any clues in other collections."

"Alright." Seeing Bai Shaoyou's obsession with the old tales of the Immortal Dynasty, Chen Qing put down the Jade Slip and said, "According to the sect's records, after Ancestor Chen gained the Princess's favor, he entered Xuan Du Mountain and had the fortune to hear a Daoist in White preach the Dharma."

Bai Shaoyou's eyes lit up, and he leaned closer, "Was that Daoist a true immortal?"

"The records state that when this Daoist preached, ancient cypresses turned into spirits and stones gained sentience, but whether he was an immortal was not mentioned."

Seeing Bai Shaoyou's disappointed expression, Chen Qing continued, "After the sermon, Ancestor followed a female cultivator into Jade Capital. However, the Sixth Prince of the Immortal Dynasty, under the guise of rewarding him for his strategy, confined him to the Treasure Pavilion in Jade Capital under the pretext of letting him choose treasures."

"As expected of a noble sect's ancestor; those he interacted with were either immortals or princes. He was clearly a high-ranking figure in the Immortal Dynasty! It's a pity the records are incomplete; I don't know how high his later achievements were! But he must have been an extraordinary powerful being of the Immortal Dynasty!" Bai Shaoyou listened intently, his breathing lightened. "What happened next?"

Chen Qing's eyelids twitched at the description of an "extraordinary powerful being of the Immortal Dynasty." He paused for a moment before saying, "While trapped, he discovered a fragmented cultivation technique carved on the wall of the pavilion..."

He paused again, contemplating whether he should use Bai Shaoyou's help to investigate the origin of that cultivation technique. Some profound methods could not be casually passed on. Practicing it as a dream-self in a dream was different from passing it on to disciples in the real world and having them use it outside. Without clarifying its origin, rashly imparting it could instead harm people.

Bai Shaoyou, however, praised, "Finding a treasure in peril! Isn't that just like the plots in those legendary storybooks? Your ancestor truly has great fortune!" He then eagerly pressed, "What was the name of that cultivation technique?"

"Primordial Chaos Qi Scripture," Chen Qing uttered these five words, watching Bai Shaoyou's reaction.

"Primordial Chaos Qi Scripture?" Bai Shaoyou frowned. "The name alone sounds extraordinary! But I've never heard of it." He was clearly very interested in cultivation techniques. "It's fine! We can send people to investigate! The library of the Five Qi Pavilion might have clues, or at the very least, we can ask people at home or at the Mystic Chess Academy!"

With that, Bai Shaoyou waved his hand on the spot. "Old Zhou, go and investigate if there's a cultivation technique called Primordial Chaos Qi Scripture! Start with the Compilation of Ancient Cultivation Techniques, and then ask those old scholars!"

Steward Zhou took his orders and left.

Bai Shaoyou turned back, unable to hide his excitement. "Fellow Daoist Chen, do your sect's records contain the content of the cultivation technique?" As soon as he spoke, he chuckled self-deprecatingly, "I'm being presumptuous. If it were recorded, it would be an ancient legacy, not something to be easily revealed!"

"The cultivation technique was lost long ago," Chen Qing answered decisively. He was merely using his ancestor's name to gain prestige; why would he court disaster for a false reputation?

Bai Shaoyou's heart was pounding with impatience. "Then what happened next?"

Chen Qing continued, "Ancestor also obtained a treasure in the Treasure Pavilion."

"What treasure?"

"That's unclear," Chen Qing shook his head and sighed. "When the Immortal Dynasty collapsed, the sect suffered calamity, and many legacies were lost. This treasure was also gone... Alas!"

"Alas!"

The two sat in silence.

After a while, Bai Shaoyou anxiously asked again, "That's it? What happened next?"

Chen Qing picked up his teacup and slowly took a sip before saying, "Please forgive me, Fellow Daoist, but the records end here. After all..." He put down the teacup and said meaningfully, "Due to several great calamities, many of the sect's texts have been lost."

He deliberately left a blank space, allowing Bai Shaoyou to imagine it himself.

"Oh no! It really ends there?" Bai Shaoyou suddenly stood up and paced back and forth. "This... this is even more captivating than those legendary storybooks!"

He suddenly turned around.

"Fellow Daoist Chen! Your sect's legacy has such a grand origin. If there are any other anecdotes about your ancestor, name your price!" With that, he pushed the Immortal Dynasty Anecdotes towards Chen Qing. "I'll have someone make a copy of this Immortal Dynasty Anecdotes and send it to you later! If you need anything else, just say the word."

He had realized that Chen Qing was different from those people who traded spiritual marrow for legendary storybooks. Those people, with even a little bit of something, would broadcast it to the world. But Chen Qing, despite having knowledge, was deliberately withholding it!

"Is this the composure of an ancient legacy holder?"

Seeing that Chen Qing remained lost in thought, Bai Shaoyou gritted his teeth and said, "How about this: you tell me about Ancestor Chen's past, and I'll be responsible for verifying the clues. If we find any ancient inheritances or the like, we'll split it fifty-fifty. What do you say?"

Chen Qing finally nodded slightly. "Very well, Fellow Daoist. With such sincerity, let's agree to it! However, I must state upfront that my ancestor's past involves many widespread matters, and some secrets cannot be spoken of freely. Furthermore, much of it is secret knowledge, hidden very deeply..."

"I'll keep it secret for you! I won't pressure you! I absolutely have no ulterior motives!"

"Indeed!"

With their cooperation decided, the atmosphere immediately became more cordial.

However, the dream sequence had only progressed to the treasure vault's house arrest, and Chen Qing truly couldn't reveal more. Before long, he took his leave.

"Wait a moment!" Bai Shaoyou suddenly took out a brocade pouch from under his desk and thrust it into Chen Qing's hand without further ado. "Three Spirit Marrow, two Earth Marrow. Consider it a deposit!"

As Chen Qing was about to refuse, Bai Shaoyou lowered his voice. "How can these worldly possessions compare to even a fraction of what you've spoken of, Fellow Daoist? If you don't accept them, I won't be able to rest easy."

Chen Qing's heart softened, and he had no choice but to accept the substantial sum. At the door, he suddenly paused and asked, "Fellow Daoist Bai, in the records you've found, was there any mention of what happened to Ancestor Chen in the end?"

Bai Shaoyou was taken aback and shook his head. "The records are incomplete, only fragments remain. Do your sect's records not mention it?"

Chen Qing shook his head. "The years are too long, they've long since been lost."

"The early days of the Immortal Dynasty, that must be forty to fifty thousand years ago, right?" Bai Shaoyou sighed. "It's already remarkable to have even a few scattered words left behind."

"Forty, fifty... thousand years?"

Chen Qing sighed and finally departed.

Bai Shaoyou still leaned by the window, watching Chen Qing's figure disappear around the street corner.

"Young Master, do you really believe Chen Qing?" Old Zhou approached, holding a teacup, his brow furrowed.

"Does it matter if I believe him or not?" Bai Shaoyou took the teacup and took a sip. "The records of Chen Xu are undeniably real. Have you ever seen someone weave a story that aligns so perfectly with ancient texts?"

Old Zhou hesitated to speak. "But the Hidden Star Gate nowadays..."

"Only a few young ones are left." Bai Shaoyou placed the teacup heavily on the table and suddenly lowered his voice. "Old Zhou, what do you think? With the Hidden Star Gate's current situation, if I were to propose having Chen Qing take disciples on behalf of his master..."

Old Zhou's expression changed. "Young Master! If our Lord hears of this..."

"Just a joke." Bai Shaoyou waved his hand. "Although I'm obsessed with ancient inheritances, I'm not a fool. Chen Qing is only in the early stage of the second realm; he's not even qualified to be my senior brother."

As he spoke, Bai Shaoyou suddenly lowered his voice again. "Old Zhou, why don't you go to the Mystic Chess Academy and check their library? See if there are any records of Chen Xu and 'Primordial Unity Qi'."

Old Zhou bowed to accept the order but couldn't help but say, "Young Master clearly believes him by seventy percent already."

"He knows too much." Bai Shaoyou narrowed his eyes. "The sect leader of a remote minor sect, able to reveal secrets that even the Five Qi Pavilion cannot find... either he truly has an inheritance, or..."

"Or what?"

"Or he has a secret even more astonishing than an inheritance." Bai Shaoyou turned to look out the window. "Whichever it is, he's worth befriending."