I forge immortality with spiritual treasures.

Chapter 119 Old Friend
Guarding the Primordial Stone Mine.

It turns out that this strange stone, which was born with a hollow and empty cavity, actually contains a whole mineral vein inside the gate.

No wonder Wei Yun said that in the whole world, only the disciples of the Xuandu Sect can each have a Primordial Stone.

What surprised Ying Chan even more was that the record clearly stated that the Primordial Stone Mine was located in the Nine Heavens.

Wouldn't that be the void beyond the heavens?

The heavens of this world are round and the earth is square, which is completely different from the heavens and earth that Yingchan had previously known.

Therefore, he once wondered whether the void beyond the nine heavens and the stars in the void were still as he knew them.

Ying Chan embarked on the path of Taoism because he had an indescribable desire to explore all the wonders of the world.

Suddenly, I have the opportunity to go to the outer void and gaze at the starry sky.

He couldn't help but be tempted.

However, the task of guarding the Primordial Stone Mine is far too long, taking a full year to complete before one can return to the sect.

Ying Chan wasn't afraid of the tedium, but he was currently in a period of accumulation, with daily lessons to do and the need to constantly study new spells.

If someone suddenly passes away, it will only hinder progress.

"That's all."

Ying Chan pondered, “While gazing upon the Milky Way is my desire, it would not be worthwhile to abandon my cultivation. I can go again another time if I have the opportunity.”

It doesn't matter if there's no opportunity.

If one day he can cultivate the Daoist arts that allow him to travel through the void, he will be able to leisurely gaze upon the starry river.

Thinking of this, Ying Chan no longer hesitated and cupped his hands, saying, "Please, Daoist, grant me the task of guarding the Azure Nether Heaven-Supporting Array."

"good."

The old Taoist closed the book, then took out an exquisite jade token and said, "Young friend, just take this talisman and head to the Azure Sky Heaven-Supporting Formation."

"Thank you, Daoist Master."

Ying Chan accepted the jade plaque as a gift.

It was late afternoon, but it was not yet time for quiet to settle down.

Ying Chan left the Capital Affairs Office and headed straight for the clouds. He flew eastward at high speed for about 35 minutes, and finally saw a magnificent building amidst the vast clouds.

The main building is shaped like a jade ring, stretching over ten thousand feet in length and width, seemingly endless, suspended in the clouds, a truly magnificent sight.

Above it stands a grand hall and many dark chambers, all of which are empty except for a vast expanse of mist. From a distance, it appears normal, but up close it seems to reach the heavens. Looking up, one sees flowing light and colors that resemble a painting.

This is the Azure Sky-Supporting Formation.

Ying Chan descended to the jade ring at the edge of the great formation and found the main hall.

The main hall was quite deserted, with only one Taoist priest on duty reading Taoist scriptures. He seemed so engrossed that he didn't even notice Ying Chan entering the hall.

Upon seeing this scene, Ying Chan couldn't help but smile slightly, thinking to himself, "It seems that I did not make a mistake in choosing this duty."

He quickened his pace and approached, but the other person was not completely oblivious and soon noticed Ying Chan's approach, raising his head to look at him.

"I've met senior brother."

Ying Chan first bowed, then took out the jade token: "I am in the Ministry of State Affairs, where I am responsible for guarding the Azure Sky Heaven-Supporting Array. That is why I have come here."

"You're very polite. So you're the junior brother who's taking over."

The Taoist priest returned the greeting with a cupped hand and said, "Junior brother, please give me the jade token."

It should be explained that one should readily accept good advice.

The Taoist took the jade token and went to the back of the hall. He returned to the front hall shortly afterward and said, "I have presented my junior brother's jade token to the elder. From today onward, junior brother will be on duty in the hall."

“There are very few trivial matters in this Azure Sky-Supporting Formation. I still have a few days left in my term. It’s not too late to explain things to my junior brother later.” “In that case, thank you for your trouble, senior brother.”

"It's a trivial matter."

The Taoist smiled slightly and then explained some taboos to Ying Chan.

The rear hall is where the elders cultivate in seclusion, and the various mystical dwellings are where the senior brothers of the sect gather and refine the Heavenly Qi. Neither should be disturbed at will.

Aside from that, I'm quite free. As long as I don't neglect my duties, I can read books and cultivate myself freely. Of course, if I'm practicing magic, I mustn't make too much noise...

Ying Chan remembered everything. When the sun set and all was quiet, the Taoist said, "It's getting late. I'll head back to the temple now. Junior brother, don't linger. Come back tomorrow to report for duty."

Having said that, he gracefully left the hall, truly elegant.

Ying Chan did not linger, and left the palace, disappearing into the clouds on the sound of the silent bell.

……

If one can endure loneliness, guarding the Azure Sky-Piercing Formation is truly a tranquil and leisurely affair.

A few days later, the Taoist's term of office came to an end, and Ying Chan completely took over the responsibility from him.

Although it's called a responsibility, in reality, after clocking in each day, all that's needed is to conduct a routine inspection, and that's basically it.

After that, he spent his time reading, cultivating, and studying magic. Except for not having time to attend lectures at Xuancheng Mountain, he did not fall behind in any of his studies.

Such leisurely travels have taken their time, and a month has passed in a flash.

That day, Ying Chan, as usual, made his weekly inspection. Before returning to the main hall, he was still pondering the sword manual he had copied from Cangming Cave Heaven the night before.

Since losing to Xuan Ying in the last sword competition, he has been determined to catch up. Therefore, he often studies swordsmanship. Unexpectedly, the more profound the sword principles he came into contact with and the more scenery he saw, the more his enthusiasm for swordsmanship gradually returned.

"Refining swords into silk, refining swords into silk, so there's such a method..."

It may be called a method, but it can also be considered a kind of attainment. However, the way of the sword is profound and mysterious. Whether it is seeking change, killing power, or extreme speed, it is an endless matter. Therefore, there is no clear distinction between different levels of attainment.

The so-called "forging a sword into silk" refers to refining the sword energy to be both hard and soft, flexible and straight, thereby generating greater power and more versatile variations.

The essence of this is beyond words.

"Although what I have learned is not the Great Yin Yang Immortal Evolution Sword Technique, I cannot directly generate sword energy with magic power."

"However, swordsmanship is not something that only sword cultivators can pursue. If I can master 'Refining Swords into Silk,' I can fully display its wonders, regardless of whether it is Gengjin Yuanfu sword energy or sword energy generated by flying swords..."

"Huh?" Ying Chan stepped into the main hall, pondering, and suddenly realized that there were people in the hall.

He had been on duty at the Azure Sky-Supporting Array for nearly a month, and this was the first time he had seen anyone arrive, so he couldn't help but let out a soft exclamation.

"Is it the senior brother who intends to enter the formation to gather the Heavenly Qi?"

Ying Chan changed his mind, stepped forward to pay his respects, and was about to speak.

But just then, the man noticed Ying Chan's arrival and turned around abruptly, causing Ying Chan to pause in his speech.

"Brother Chen Dao?"

"...Brother Ying?"

The Taoist priest, turning around, was surprised, but a slight smile appeared on his face: "It has been a long time."

"Truly, fellow Daoist."

Ying Chan was overjoyed: "Since I entered the Immortal Abode, I have often inquired about your whereabouts, but to no avail. I have never met you on Xuancheng Mountain."

"I never expected to meet you here."

Chen Xiang smiled faintly: "After joining our sect, I began to cultivate in seclusion and only recently emerged from seclusion."

"During that time, I did have little contact with my fellow disciples, so Brother Ying naturally couldn't find out any news about me."

(End of this chapter)