The Northern Song Dynasty returned south, seeking the truth of the Dao.

Who would have thought that at the bottom of the dim Huai River, there would be a place like a fairyland? Above them, a transparent barrier, like ripples on water, swayed as if breathing.

As the saying goes, "In drunkenness, one is unaware that the sky is reflected in the water; a boat full of sweet dreams presses down on the Milky Way." The shimmering light of that night pearl shone on the Huai River, making the waves sparkle. It was as if the starry sky had been overturned and the Milky Way had been poured out.

Wang Huanzhen looked up at the breathtaking scenery until his neck ached before he finally came to his senses. He sighed and looked at the rippling water, asking softly:

"Now I can understand why my brother and that benevolent Chen have been so attached to this cave. This dreamlike fairyland is probably only fit for immortals to cultivate here."

"Who says otherwise? This is also the first time I've seen the scenery within this barrier. It turns out that what I attacked earlier wasn't a barrier at all, but just a barrier separating the river." Ao Shuang shook her head and gave a self-deprecating smile.

Upon hearing his words, Wang Zhenhuan was taken aback and turned to ask, "Brother, you're saying that what's above our heads isn't a restriction? What is a restriction? And what is that barrier?"

"The so-called restriction is what we commonly call an array. It is a magic array formed by using magical artifacts or terrain. It has many uses, such as trapping enemies, injuring people, concealing one's figure, and disrupting direction."

The barrier's function is relatively simple; it is formed by individuals with great supernatural powers using their own spiritual energy. Its sole purpose is to protect what lies within the barrier.

As long as one's cultivation level does not exceed that of the caster, it is impossible to break the barrier. Moreover, the barrier cannot communicate with the outside world. Not only can internal sounds not be transmitted outwards.

"Those outside cannot transmit anything in. Some formations have external manifestations, but spiritual energy barriers have no external manifestation. As long as they are not triggered, they are generally transparent," Ao Shuang said.

Upon hearing Ao Shuang's explanation, Wang Huanzhen suddenly remembered something. It was when he met Daoist Luo Puzi earlier, when the Daoist flew onto the white crane and fought with the strange god, that he used an invisible barrier on him and Lin Qingyan.

This barrier also blocked the rain of arrows shot by the Jin people. At the time, Wang Zhenhuan thought it was the Taoist priest Luo Puzi who had cast a spell. Now he realized that it was actually a spiritual energy barrier.

Thinking of this, Wang Huanzhen suddenly felt a pang of doubt and asked Ao Shuang, "Brother, will this spiritual energy barrier persist even if the person performing the ritual isn't nearby?"

"That's natural. As long as the person casting the spell is alive, the spiritual energy barrier will not disappear. Moreover, not only will it not disappear, but a trace of the person's spiritual consciousness will also remain attached to the spiritual energy barrier."

"If attacked, the person will also sense it. It can be said that this is the most convenient and practical method of protection for cultivators. It only requires spiritual energy," Ao Shuang explained.

"Then may I ask, brother, what level of cultivation is required to cast this spiritual energy barrier?" Wang Zhen was somewhat tempted by Ao Shuang's words. Such a convenient method of using spiritual energy would definitely be of great use if he could learn it.

"Don't even think about it. Without transcending the tribulation and entering the Purple Realm, spiritual energy cannot leave the body. In other words, to cast this spiritual energy barrier, one must at least be at the Divine Realm level," Ao Shuang said to him with a smile.

"Oh, is that so? Since the owner of this cave is so powerful, should we go in or not?" Upon hearing Ao Shuang's words, Wang Zhenhuan began to have second thoughts.

An hour had passed since they arrived at the cave, and he had sobered up considerably. The bravado he had displayed upon arrival was gradually fading away with the lingering effects of the alcohol.

"Go in, why not? Since the owner of this cave didn't leave any magic array, it means he doesn't object to people coming here. That spiritual energy barrier is just for isolating the river." Ao Shuang pointed to the top of her head.

Wang Zhenhuan thought about it and agreed. If the owner of this cave didn't want others to come in, they could have simply surrounded the entire cave with a barrier, instead of just blocking the top of their heads like they were doing now.

Since he allowed others to enter, he must have intended to leave behind a legacy. This aligns with what Ao Shuang said earlier: cultivators with masters and disciples usually notify their disciples in advance to handle matters before ascension.

The fact that this cave dwelling was left behind suggests that its owner was likely a solitary person in life. However, he did not want to sever his lineage, so he left the cave dwelling behind.

In other words, there is a high probability that this cave contains a legacy!

Thinking of this, Wang Zhenhuan no longer cared about admiring the scenery. He waved to Ao Shuang, signaling him, "Let's go, brother. Let's hurry into the temple; perhaps this immortal has left behind some legacy."

"Yes, it's not too late to admire it after we come out! Let's go!" Ao Shuang nodded, and then followed Wang Zhenhuan towards the mountain gate hall.

The so-called Shanmen Hall, as the name suggests, is usually the first hall of a Taoist temple, that is, the main gate of the temple. As the face of a Taoist temple, it is naturally magnificent.

Wang Zhenhuan and Ao Shuang walked together up the white jade steps until they reached the platform outside the hall. The main gate of the mountain gate opened by itself, as if to welcome them.

The two exchanged a glance, both feeling a chill. It was as if they had been completely seen through. Wang Huanzhen closed his eyes to sense his surroundings but found nothing unusual.

He felt no pain in his forehead, which meant there was no danger in the hall. So he cupped his hands in greeting to Ao Shuang and said, "I'll go ahead first. If there's nothing wrong, you can follow me, elder brother."

"What are you saying? How can an older brother let his younger brother go first? I'll go in first, and if nothing goes wrong, you can follow later. Besides, the owner of this cave is a deity, at least in name and in fact."

He knew we were coming, that's not surprising. Don't panic." After saying this, Ao Shuang turned and walked towards the mountain gate without hesitation. How could Wang Huanzhen let him go alone? Seeing this, he hurriedly followed.

Although Ao Shuang said he wasn't afraid, his expression was extremely solemn. He arrived at the palace gate, first bowing to the horizontal plaque above the gate, then peering inside and looking around.

Wang Huanzhen noticed that the gesture of cupping his hands seemed somewhat familiar, and couldn't help but ask, "Brother, your gesture of cupping your hands looks familiar. Could it be that you are also a Taoist?"

Upon hearing this, Ao Shuang turned her head and glanced at him, saying, "You're only finding out now? If I weren't a Taoist priest, how would I know so much about the Three Sects?"

"Then you must be from the Shangqing lineage, brother?" Wang Huanzhen asked, referring to what Ao Shuang had mentioned earlier. Only the Shangqing lineage taught without discrimination and did not exclude those who were different. And when he spoke of the Taiqing lineage, his tone was full of emotion.

"That's natural. For us beings of different kinds who wish to enter the Dao and cultivate, the Shangqing lineage is the only choice," Ao Shuang said, stepping into the mountain gate hall. Suddenly, there was silence.

After a while, Wang Zhenhuan was greatly alarmed and was about to go forward to check when he heard him shout towards the door:

"Come in, the owner knew we were coming. Look, he even left us a tombstone!"