I forge immortality with a pagoda.

"Formless and without appearance, mysterious and profound, it existed before heaven and earth, independent and unchanging, circulating without ceasing... Its energy is like the first melting of spring ice, like the autumn moon reflected in a pool, pure and white, radiant and perfectly harmonious."

"This is the Primordial Mystery."

Shen Yu sat in the deep cave for half a year, his body surrounded by spiritual energy as misty as a fog.

At this moment, the primordial energy within his body was as solid as mercury, circulating endlessly in his dantian, his spiritual energy overflowing, having reached the perfection of the Kaiyuan realm.

With just a slight thought, one can refine true qi and break through to the long-awaited realm of qi refinement.

However, at this moment, he frowned deeply, gently stroking the golden seal script on the scroll, his face showing hesitation.

The scroll in my hand, "The Immortal Lord Mingju Xuanze's Discourse on the Primordial Mysterious True Scripture," was left behind by my master, Daoist Yunhui. At this moment, I only opened the title page and dared not continue studying it.

In the darkness, a cold gaze seemed to descend from the infinite heights, like a thorn in one's back or a sword hanging overhead.

Shen Yu knew that once he began to practice this scripture, he would surely face a great calamity.

"Oh shit!"

Shen Yu hurriedly closed the book, couldn't help but curse under his breath, and paced back and forth in the cramped cave, his anxiety spreading like wildfire, impossible to suppress.

Having such a supreme skill right before your eyes but being unable to cultivate it is like a thirsty person facing a delicious feast but unable to swallow it; anyone would be extremely anxious.

He would sometimes pause to gaze at the Taoist scriptures, and sometimes look up to the sky and sigh, his heart torn between heaven and man.

After a long while, he suddenly stopped, a resolute look flashing in his eyes.

The path of cultivation is inherently defying the heavens. If one gives up opportunities out of fear, it would be better to have remained a mortal in the first place.

He sat down cross-legged again, took a deep breath, and resolutely opened the Taoist book.

The moment the pages were turned, high above the heavens, beyond the celestial barrier, in the vast void of the universe, a celestial being's image, hundreds of thousands of feet tall, suddenly appeared.

The immortal wore a lotus-shaped golden crown and a crimson celestial robe. He held a precious jade whisk in his hand. His immortal face was shrouded in seven-colored celestial clouds, as radiant as the rising sun, making it impossible to see his face clearly.

Although he could not see the face, Shen Yu felt a terrifying pressure descending from the sky.

It was as if the entire mountain trembled violently, the cave ceiling collapsed, and rocks fell.

Shen Yu's knees immediately went weak, and he almost knelt down to worship this supreme being.

He gritted his teeth, blood seeping from between his lips, as he struggled against the oppressive force.

The next moment, an irresistible force, separated by the boundless void, firmly held him in place.

Shen Yu stood frozen in place, unable to move even his fingertips, as if countless golden chains were wrapped around his body in the void.

Shen Yu knew he was in trouble. If he surrendered, he would probably die on the spot.

He immediately activated the Xuanqiong Pagoda with his primordial spirit, and countless profound runes appeared on the pagoda's body, enveloping him in a hazy, clear light.

The moment the clear light appeared, the celestial image in the sky suddenly blurred, and the suffocating pressure receded like a tide.

Shen Yu's divine sense immediately cleared, and he discovered that the temporary cave dwelling was intact, with no signs of the previous collapse.

"Just as I predicted, this pagoda is even more powerful than I thought!"

Shen Yu was overjoyed.

The reason he dared to forcibly cultivate forbidden techniques was that he was certain that the Xuanqiong Pagoda was of a high enough level to save his life.

...

The azure sky is filled with golden clouds.

Ten thousand golden clouds support a thousand palaces, and the Divine Law Hall of the Yunxu Sect stands majestically on the heavenly steps.

Inside the jade palace, two figures sat facing each other.

The young Taoist on the left is dressed in a plain white robe with cloud patterns and wears a crown with seven treasures. He has a calm and composed demeanor, as steady as a mountain.

He suddenly opened his eyes, a clear light flashing in them, and raised his sleeve to bow to the old Taoist priest with white hair and a youthful face beside him: "Master, I just sensed that someone has violated the law again."

The old Taoist priest nodded slightly. "Good, I also sense something."

"Our Yunxu Sect has become increasingly magnanimous in recent years, yet so many people disregard our sect's dignity and forcibly study forbidden books."

"Do you really think the rules of the Yunxu Sect are just for show?"

In the end, the old Taoist's demeanor changed.

The boundless magical power was released in just a wisp, and the entire golden palace instantly shone brightly, emitting a buzzing sound.

The seventy-two hanging peaks outside the palace trembled in unison, and the churning clouds outside the palace stirred up a spiritual energy that nearly shook the cranes soaring in the distance off the sky.

The twelve young Taoist disciples standing before the white jade steps bowed their heads, their foreheads pressed against the cold jade floor tiles, not daring to even tremble.

Before the old Taoist priest, a clear pool of water shimmered, its ripples outlining the contours of mountains and rivers, like a chessboard encompassing all the heavens and the myriad worlds.

His gaze fell on the Taixu Yanxiang Pool in front of him, watching the rapidly flashing golden light spots.

"Have Nianyu retrieve the Golden Crimson Banner and capture the person who stole the martial arts technique."

The old Taoist pointed his fingers into the air, and a decree pierced through the void and took shape, bearing dragon and phoenix script, magnificent and awe-inspiring.

The young Taoist priest rolled up his wide sleeves and took the decree into them, but did not leave immediately.

He stared at the golden light, puzzled, and asked, "Master, this place is far too remote. How did our sect's supreme cultivation technique end up here?"

The old Taoist priest narrowed his eyes slightly, as if he had thought of something, but in the end he simply waved his hand: "In any case, the forbidden technique must not be passed on. Nian Yu is at the third level of the Golden Core stage, which is more than enough to handle it."

He turned his gaze to the young Taoist, his tone becoming stern, "Ling Yun, if I remember correctly, you have been stuck at the third level of the Golden Core stage for quite some time now."

The Taoist called Ling Yun immediately sat up and said solemnly, "Master's eyes are infallible. This disciple is dull and has been lingering at the third level of the Golden Core stage for a hundred years."

The old Taoist priest looked displeased. "Your elder brother has now formed a Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul. In the future, he may well have a chance to compete for the position of Dao Child."

"Ling Yun, you must not slack off in your cultivation, or you will never catch up with your brother."

Upon hearing this, Ling Yun pursed his lips, knowing that his master was urging him on.

He felt extremely bitter, but dared not utter a word of rebuttal, and could only nod solemnly in agreement.

The old Taoist chuckled upon seeing this, "It seems I've been too lenient with you lately."

"After delivering the imperial edict, you should go to the Hua Lie Xu Yun Cave Heaven to hone your skills!"

Ling Yun was taken aback, and couldn't help but think of something.

That Hua Lie Xu Yun Cave Heaven was a cave heaven created by the Great True Lord Yang Shen within the sect.

It is used exclusively for the disciples of the sect to cultivate on ordinary days, and it contains elements of burning fire and howling north wind.

Although this cave can help me solidify my magical power and improve my cultivation, the suffering within is not something I can easily endure.

This cave is nothing short of a secluded paradise.

If I were to actually enter this grotto-heaven to cultivate, I fear I wouldn't be able to enjoy a single good day.

However, since his master had already spoken, he had no choice but to obey.

Ling Yun gritted his teeth and agreed, saying no more, and left the Golden Palace.

After Ling Yun left the Golden Palace, the old Taoist stared blankly at the shimmering golden light, muttering to himself, "Could it be you? Yun Hui..."

Just as he was lost in thought, the shimmering spots on the water suddenly dissipated.

"What?"

The old Taoist priest raised an eyebrow, a sense of surprise rising in his heart.

"The magical restrictions left by the patriarch have actually failed!"

Who can break the magical restrictions left by the patriarch?

Could it be that this cultivation technique has fallen into the hands of an immortal lord?

But how could someone like a Celestial Lord possibly be interested in this Qi Refining Technique?

Unable to contain himself any longer, the old Taoist priest suddenly stood up, rolled up his sleeves, and vanished from the spot in an instant.