The Path to Immortality: Starting with an Analysis of Basic Concepts

"Huh? Oh..."

Seeing that it wasn't for books, Die Er San's little face showed disappointment. She took the jade slip, and just as she was about to fly away, a sweet and delicious spirit stone suddenly appeared in her arms. Her emerald green eyes widened immediately, and her face lit up with joy.

"Immortal Master, please wait a moment, I'll be right back..."

Encouraged by the spirit stone, the little man immediately perked up, his butterfly wings fluttering behind him, and he disappeared into the depths of the bookshelf in a few teleportations.

"It's somewhat similar to a demonic beast, but also different..."

Zhu Yu watched the little man disappear, suppressed his thoughts, and looked around. The cultivators in the Hidden Dharma Pavilion were frequently coming and going, but there were still many people, all quietly reading books and jade slips.

"There are so many cultivators with spirit stones..."

With a sigh, while waiting for the villain to return, I silently sorted through the information I had obtained at the cost of a thousand spirit stones.

at this time.

It is located in a quiet room in the Tibetan Buddhist Pavilion.

The room was small, only about ten feet in size, but the furnishings inside were all small and exquisite. Incense swirled and lingered on a low table.

Behind them sat an elderly man, about a foot tall, dressed in a Taoist robe. With each breath, faint sparks of reddish fire could be seen emerging from his nostrils, and his exposed skin displayed patterns resembling lava.

Just then.

"Ancestor, Ancestor..."

A commotion came from outside.

The old man took a deep breath, his strange aura receded, and he opened his eyes, a flickering golden flame flashing in his crimson pupils.

boom…

The door opened, and Die Er San flew in, flashing a few times before landing on the table. She took a deep breath of the still-burning incense, and as if she had tasted something delicious, she squinted her eyes in ecstasy and took a big bite of the spirit stone.

Looking at the little figure, the old man's eyes filled with affection. He raised his hand and summoned the jade slip from its hand to his palm. He probed it with his divine sense and suddenly let out a soft "Eh," and chuckled:

"A record of raising demons? It's been so long, and this old demon still hasn't given up his wicked intentions..."

As if struck by a thought, it looked down, its pupils reflecting a handsome face. After a few moments of contemplation, its eyes narrowed slightly. "An interesting little fellow..."

Averting her gaze, Die Ersan lightly tapped the incense and inhaled deeply, seemingly drunk. She then raised the jade slip in her hand and asked:

"What did the young man who gave you this jade slip say?"

"Hehe... Waaah... How much is selling... selling contribution points... worth..."

Die Ersan chuckled twice, speaking incoherently.

"She's quite intelligent."

The old man nodded slightly and then began to consider it.

"The Record of Raising Demons" is undoubtedly a superior method, but after establishing the foundation of the Dao, it does not guide the source of the "Immortal Tomb". Once the cultivation is successful, it is a matter of "different paths", and the result is self-evident.

While it may seem valuable, it cannot be cultivated; yet, it is still a method derived from the Heavenly Dao Sect's foundation by the master of the "Demon Cave" at the cost of his own life force, making it quite valuable for reference.

After some consideration, the old man made a decision. He glanced at the drunken Die Ersan, shook his head slightly, and opened his mouth slightly.

As Zhu Yu was organizing information, a gentle, aged voice suddenly rang in his ears.

"I am Yan Qi, the manager of the Hidden Law Pavilion. Young friend, would you be willing to sell the 'Demon Raising Record' to the Hidden Law Pavilion for a small contribution of 10,000 contribution points?"

"This junior greets the steward."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yu quickly bowed and replied without any hesitation, "This junior is willing."

After saying this, he voluntarily dispelled the spiritual energy restriction within the jade slip.

"Not bad."

Upon learning the information from the jade slip, Yan Qi's eyes brightened slightly. He was even more satisfied with this polite and well-mannered little fellow. After a moment's thought, he opened his mouth slightly, uttered a few words, and then gently carried the dazed and lying Die Ersan back to her room. He then immersed his consciousness in the "Demon Raising Record".

The outer room.

Zhu Yu stepped out of the Library of Laws, scanned the identity jade slip with his divine sense, and nodded slightly when he saw the small merit and 10,000 contribution points recorded inside. Then his thoughts fell on what Yan Qi, the manager of the Library of Laws, had said earlier, and his brows furrowed slightly.

"The trial may be unpredictable; focus on your cultivation..."

"Is this a warning sign? Has something happened in the demon's lair or the insect nest? Has it become more dangerous?"

With this thought in mind, Zhu Yu's expression turned solemn. After a moment's thought, he took out a transmission talisman, whispered a few words, activated it with his spiritual power, watched the talisman turn into light and disappear, glanced back at the Hidden Dharma Pavilion, and quickly left.

……

Time flies, and seven days have passed in the blink of an eye.

This day.

"Wishing you well, Junior Brother."

A shout came from outside, waking Zhu Yu from his meditation. He opened his eyes, and a shimmering light flashed by. Hearing the familiar voice, he got up and got out of bed.

They arrived at the courtyard.

A handsome young man in a green robe looked at the small black creature, which was as big as a table, with surprise as it lay in front of the courtyard gate.

"Is that really a buck-toothed insect beast? It's huge..."

"Senior Brother Xiang, why did you come here in person?"

Zhu Yu greeted him warmly and invited, "Come in and let's talk."

Xiang Sui withdrew his gaze, stepped into the house, and exclaimed in amazement, "How did you raise this buck-toothed worm? Its size, tsk tsk... I doubt anyone would believe it's a buck-toothed worm if I told them."

"Little Black has probably mutated."

Zhu Yu casually explained.

Enter the living room.

Zhu Yu poured Xiang Sui a cup of tea and asked, "Did you get any results from the letter you wrote to your senior brother the other day?"

Xiang Sui took a sip of tea, did not answer, but asked instead, "Is what Junior Brother said in his message truly what Steward Yan of the Cangfa Pavilion said?"

"Yes."

Zhu Yu nodded affirmatively.

"This is troublesome..."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Sui's expression turned serious. Facing Zhu Yu's questioning gaze, he explained, "In recent days, I've had people inquire around, and the demon's lair and the insect nest are as peaceful as ever. Nothing has happened, nor are there any signs of trouble..."

"This..." Zhu Yu was taken aback, and hesitated, "Does Senior Brother mean that I'm overthinking things?"

"No."

Xiang Sui shook his head and said cautiously, "According to the records of my clan, the steward Yan, who is in charge of the Library, is a relative of the Yinming True Person. His status is no less than that of a Foundation Establishment True Person. He was able to give my junior brother some pointers, probably because some of my junior brother's actions caught his eye."

He paused, then said firmly:

"It said that the trial would be subject to unforeseen circumstances, so there's a high probability that something unexpected will happen, but I'm not qualified to know for sure."

There was one thing he didn't mention, and he had asked his elder brother to inquire with Kui as well, but still didn't get any useful information.

What it represents is self-evident.

Nine times out of ten, a Foundation Establishment cultivator has interfered with the trial…

As for the purpose, he had no way of guessing, but he was sure he wanted these newly recruited disciples to do something.

Xiang then revealed his guess.

"Real people getting involved?"

Zhu Yu's heart skipped a beat, and a jumble of thoughts rushed through her mind.

What use are these minor cultivators, who haven't even established a foundation, to a Foundation Establishment True Person?

Could it be...weak?

The two looked at each other in bewilderment.

a long time.

Xiang Sui sighed helplessly, "Junior brother, you'd better prepare as soon as possible."

Zhu Yu did not speak, but nodded solemnly.

Another silence followed.

"Oh, right." Xiang Sui seemed to remember something, glancing at the dimly lit room outside, and earnestly instructed, "Changes will occur in the Netherworld in the next few days. Junior Brother, please be careful and do not go out..."