The Mysterious Immortal, the Everlasting Lamp

Watching the departing Uncle Chixin and his disciples carry away the bodies of their three senior brothers, Lu Wenze felt a cloud of gloom settle over his heart.

Wen Yuliang said in a deep voice, "Seventh Junior Brother, I saw ashes and clear shoe prints in front of your door. Did you really not encounter anything strange last night?"

Under Wen Yuliang's stern gaze, Lu Wenze felt his scalp tingle and his mind went completely blank.

Second Senior Brother Liu Bai said with a solemn expression, "Seventh Junior Brother, you weren't the only one who encountered strange things last night; Senior Brother and I also encountered them."

Lu Wenze then came to his senses.

If both the eldest disciple Wen Yuliang and the second disciple Liu Bai encountered strange things, does that mean that all of Master's disciples encountered strange things last night?

"There was indeed someone knocking on the door last night. The voice of the person knocking was Master's, but I remembered the three rules that Master had taught me when I entered the sect, so I did not open the door."

Lu Wenze recounted everything that had happened the previous night in one breath.

Wen Yuliang and Liu Bai exchanged a solemn look.

"Senior Brother, could it really be Master's demonic shadow?"

Liu Bai's cultivation level has reached the seventh level of the Dao Embryo Realm, placing him among the top few disciples of the Fire Dragon Academy.

Dao Demon Shadow?

Lu Wenze strained his ears, looking at his senior brother Wen Yuliang, hoping to learn the true origin of the strange statue outside the door from him.

Wen Yuliang could clearly feel the curious gazes of his two junior brothers.

Wen Yuliang did not answer immediately, but turned to look at his fourth junior brother's room. The body had been moved away, and the room looked particularly deserted.

"The third brother went out on business and never returned. Master has already said that he was murdered." Liu Bai's tone was filled with endless sorrow. He had the best relationship with the third brother in the Fire Dragon Academy. "Now the fourth, fifth, and sixth junior brothers have all been murdered."

Liu Bai's eyes brightened, his emotions tinged with agitation: "You're the boss, do you really want to just watch me and Xiao Qi become cold corpses and be carried out of the room?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Wenze felt a chill run down his spine and his face turned slightly pale. He had long known that the Fire Dragon Academy was not behaving normally. Could this matter really involve his master?

For a disciple like him who has only been in the Fire Dragon Academy for half a year, his biggest support in the Fire Dragon Academy is his master.

If the source of the death crisis is his master, this situation is very unfavorable to him.

It was a situation where almost everyone was on the verge of death.

"The most important step in advancing the Dao Embryo to the Dao Core Realm is to lock the Dao Embryo with three thousand Dao Patterns, and then condense the Dao Core with three thousand Dao Patterns, so that the Dao Embryo is as primordial as a golden core."

"This is the origin of the saying 'The Dao Embryo is like a Golden Elixir, with three thousand Dao Patterns locking the Elixir Body'."

Senior Brother Wen Yuliang finally spoke, slowly explaining the profound mystery of advancing from the Dao Embryo realm to the Dao Core realm.

Liu Bai and Lu Wenze were unusually serious.

Wen Yuliang was their senior brother.

The saying goes, "An elder is like a father."

Master often goes into seclusion.

The Chi Huo lineage is all supported by their eldest brother, Wen Yuliang.

Many of the wonders of cultivation originate from Wen Yuliang's teachings.

But what does this have to do with the so-called Daoist Demon Shadow?

Although Liu Bai knew of the existence of the Demon Shadow, he was unaware of its mysteries.

"What is the relationship between Dao Moying and Master?"

Liu Bai hurriedly asked.

"The truth of the matter has not yet been investigated. Junior brother, do not associate last night with Dao Moying and do not be misled by Uncle Chixin's words." Wen Yuliang glared at Liu Bai with a slightly reproachful look.

Liu Bai shrugged: "But the person standing outside the door last night was indeed Master. I didn't mistake his figure, voice, height, or even scent."

Lu Wenze agreed with his second senior brother's statement.

He firmly believed that the person standing outside the door was his master.

"When the three thousand Dao patterns lock the core body, the demonic obstacles within the body will overflow, forming a demonic shadow similar to that of a cultivator, also known as the Dao Demon Shadow."

"This is also the Pill Tribulation for advancing to the Dao Pill Realm."

"The Daoist Demon Shadow severs worldly desires and extinguishes humanity."

Wen Yuliang clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms.

Liu Bai and Lu Wenze felt a chill run through their bodies.

Master went into seclusion precisely to advance to the Dao Dan realm.

"Some people say that the Dao Demon Shadow is a secret technique that can be mastered without a teacher and is comprehended on one's own during the process of advancing to the Dao Core Realm."

"This is a method to perfect one's Dao heart, and it is also the best secret method to advance to the Dao Dan realm without disaster or misfortune."

"Severing the karmic ties of the mortal world will improve the quality of the Dao Pill, thoroughly cleanse the demonic obstacles within the body, and bring clarity to the Dao heart."

With a deep look in his eyes, Wen Yuliang explained the mysteries of the Demon Shadow to his second and seventh junior brothers.

"Could it be that only by killing us can Master's Dao Pill be flawless and his Dao Heart be clear?" Liu Bai murmured, his face pale.

"Not so. The overflowing demonic obstacles form a demonic shadow, which won't last long. For those who are advancing, it's not really about severing ties with the mortal world and cutting off karma."

Wen Yuliang gave a wry smile.

"Fourth Junior Brother, Fifth Junior Brother, and Sixth Junior Brother are breaking the rules. If the strange events of last night really were the Shadow of the Demon, we must be careful."

"The more souls of the three junior brothers it absorbs, the longer the Dao Demon Shadow will remain."

Wen Yuliang patted Liu Bai and Lu Wenze on the shoulders with both hands: "Moreover, Master is not the only one in the Fire Dragon Academy who is undergoing the Three Thousand Dao Pattern Locking Body procedure."

"The truly eerie thing about this Fire Dragon Academy doesn't just stem from the Demon Shadow."

After saying this, the eldest disciple, Wen Yuliang, left on his own.

Liu Bai opened his mouth, staring at his senior brother Wen Yuliang with a complicated expression.

The eldest brother has already reached the ninth level of the Dao Embryo Realm, and can also lock his own Dao Embryo with Dao Patterns to prepare for advancing to the Dao Core Realm. A sense of helplessness suddenly rose in Liu Bai's heart.

"Senior Brother, your explanation only makes me more uneasy," Lu Wenze thought to himself.

He now feels that the Fire Dragon Academy is too dangerous, and he needs to be more careful in his actions from now on.

Liu Bai's expression was solemn as he looked at the young-faced Lu Wenze: "Junior brother, did you hear that? From now on, when you cultivate in the Fire Dragon Academy, don't wander around. Go back to your room when it gets dark. The Fire Dragon oil lamp will always be lit. If you hear any sound, no matter who it is—Master, Senior Brother, or even me knocking—absolutely do not open the door or invite them in."

"Yes, Second Senior Brother, I will remember." Lu Wenze answered solemnly. Through Second Senior Brother Liu Bai's eyes, he observed a hint of despair from the bottom of his heart.

Could there be other issues at play? Something that made Senior Brother Liu Bai wary, and even caused him to feel an irresistible despair?

Lu Wenze's heart sank.

Liu Bai patted Lu Wenze's shoulder lightly, left the corridor, returned to the room, and closed the door tightly.

No, we must do everything we can to exchange for more Fire Dragon Oil, Azure Silkworm Lampwicks, and Brass Essence as soon as possible.

Only by upgrading one's natal magic weapon to a superior magic weapon can one have the power to protect oneself.

The demonic shadow feared the light ignited by the fire dragon oil.

Lu Wenze thought to himself.

She looked up and unconsciously glanced into her fourth senior brother's room.

On the long, square table in the center of the hall, there was a fire dragon oil lamp. The lamp still contained half a fire dragon oil, and the wick showed signs of burning rapidly.

Something's not right.

Lu Wenze sensed something was wrong, but couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"The lamp is on."

Lu Wenze knew this so clearly because he had encountered his fourth senior brother exchanging for Azure Silkworm Lampwicks at the Treasure Pavilion yesterday while exchanging for Fire Dragon Oil.

The wick showed signs of burning, and the exposed part was completely burned, indicating that Fourth Brother had been keeping the oil lamp lit all night.

"Unauthorized entry is prohibited."

Lu Wenze stepped into his fourth senior brother's room, pulled out the bolt, and examined every line engraved on it.

The fourth senior brother and the others believed the words of the "master" outside the door and opened the door to invite the "master" inside. Therefore, even the Fire Dragon Oil Lamp could not withstand the Demon Shadow.

"This code of conduct contains the most deeply hidden rules."

Lu Wenze thought to himself with lingering fear.

but......

Lu Wenze left his fourth senior brother's room and took the fire dragon oil lamp with him.

The fire dragon oil lamp is made of refined brass.

There is still half a strand of sky-blue silk left.

There is still half a cup of dragon oil left.

In addition, there was also the Fire Dragon Oil that the fourth senior brother had exchanged, stored in a white porcelain bottle.

Neither Master Chixin nor the other disciples cared about the Fire Dragon Oil Lamp?

Then I won't hold back.

Instead of returning to his own room immediately, Lu Wenze took away the fire dragon oil lamps and the stored fire dragon oil from the rooms of his fifth and sixth senior brothers.

In order to collect materials to upgrade his natal magic weapon, Lu Wenze is now willing to risk doing these petty theft jobs.

Anyway, if his three senior brothers are still alive, they will definitely protect him, their junior brother, and they shouldn't blame him for his evil deeds.

Lu Wenze returned to his room and carefully stored away the two fire dragon oil lamps and the white porcelain bottle containing the fire dragon oil.

"receive."

He stored his natal magical artifact deep within his sea of ​​consciousness.

At this moment, Lu Wenze no longer cared about others discovering the existence of his special natal magic weapon.

The fire dragon oil lamp that I casually brought back was placed on the table in the main hall.

Carrying the Daoist text he had copied the night before, Lu Wenze went out and walked to the central courtyard of the No. 2 courtyard of the Fire Dragon Daoist Academy.

"Master, your disciple Lu Wenze has advanced to the Dao Embryo Realm."

Lu Wenze stood respectfully in front of the tightly closed door of the central courtyard and announced his advancement to the Dao Embryo Realm.

"..."

There was no response from inside the room.

"This disciple takes his leave."

Lu Wenze bowed respectfully and left the courtyard, his back already soaked with cold sweat.

He breathed a long sigh of relief.

He walked towards the treasure pavilion in courtyard number five.

Find a familiar steward in the treasure pavilion and hand him the copied Taoist text.

"Senior Brother Lu Yao, please exchange the copied Daoist text for Fire Dragon Oil."

"So it's Junior Brother Wenze."

When Deacon Lu Yao saw that it was Lu Wenze, a smile appeared on his face. He took the bundle of parchment with the Daoist text copied on it from Lu Wenze.

Lu Yao is an outer disciple of the Fire Dragon Academy.

"Have you started copying the 'Guanyin's Free and Easy Immortal Bone Sutra' yet?"

Lu Yao looked at the Taoist inscriptions inside the parchment, a hint of surprise flashing across his face.

"Yes, senior brother, isn't the Daoist text of the *Guanyin Zizai Xiangu Jing* a bit expensive?"

Lu Wenze stared at his senior brother Lu Yao with his bright eyes and asked in return.

"Yes, the price of the Daoist texts in the 'Guanyin Zizai Immortal Bone Scripture' is the highest. In ordinary Daoist texts, one hundred Daoist texts can be exchanged for three taels of fire dragon oil, while the 'Guanyin Zizai Immortal Bone Scripture' can be exchanged for half a jin of fire dragon oil."

Lu Yao explained.

Lu Wenze said with a joyful expression, "Then from now on, I will continue to copy the Daoist text of the Guanyin Zizai Immortal Bone Scripture."

"Junior brother, actually..." Lu Yao leaned closer and lowered his voice, "If you copy a complete copy of the 'Guanyin's Free and Easy Immortal Bone Sutra' and then come to exchange it, the price can be increased by 30%."

Thirty percent? Lu Wenze was tempted.

However, this "Guanyin Zizai Xiangu Jing" is really strange.

"Please provide me with enough parchment, senior brother."

Lu Wenze said in a low voice.

"Alright, the parchment is provided free of charge." Lu Yao laughed, then turned around and picked up a white porcelain bottle, handing it to Lu Wenze. "This is a bottle of fire dragon oil, junior brother, keep it safe."

"Thank you, senior brother."

Lu Wenze took the white porcelain bottle, opened the stopper, and the unique smell of dragon oil wafted out. Coupled with its heavy weight in his hand, he knew what it was all about.

"Wait a moment, I'll prepare the parchment for you right away."

Lu Yao left the counter with a smile, went into the room, and brought out dozens of parchment sheets, placing them in front of Lu Wenze.

"If you are short of Fire Dragon Oil, you can copy down a passage and bring it over to exchange for it, to ensure that the Fire Dragon Oil Lamp will not go out at night. Afterwards, you can make up for it with this passage."

Lu Yao didn't forget to remind Lu Wenze of a couple of things.

"Senior brother, I still have some fire dragon oil in reserve."

Lu Wenze responded in a low voice.

Lu Yao looked around and said in a low voice, "I suggest that you stay in your room and copy the scriptures for the time being. If you don't have anything to do, don't wander around the academy."

"Senior brother, is there any news?"

Lu Wenze responded in a low voice.

"Recently, many people from your three academies have exchanged for Daoist scriptures, presumably in preparation for advancing to the Dao Core Realm." Lu Yao's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz. "Whenever someone advances to the Dao Core Realm, the Fire Dragon Academy will be plagued by misfortunes."

Lu Yao is indeed an outer disciple, but he has been seeking a living at the Fire Dragon Academy for seventeen or eighteen years and knows many secrets of the Fire Dragon Academy.

His words were a reminder to him. Lu Wenze thought gratefully to himself.

Lu Wenze suddenly became interested in this Taoist academy steward.

"Senior brothers, why have you come to the Fire Dragon Academy seeking employment?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Yao's smile turned helpless: "Firstly, the Fire Dragon Academy can provide us rogue cultivators with cultivation resources, and secondly, we can have a place to live and rest in the Fire Dragon Academy. It's not necessarily safer outside than the Fire Dragon Academy."

"Don't be fooled by the strange and inexplicable things that often happen at the Fire Dragon Academy. As long as you follow the three rules set by the Fire Dragon Taoist, it's much safer than outside."

It's those three rules again.

However, as a rogue cultivator who sought refuge in the Fire Dragon Academy, Senior Brother Lu Yao has lived there for seventeen or eighteen years, which shows that he has his own way of surviving.

"Senior brother, if there's anything I don't understand in the future, I'll have to ask you for help."

Lu Wenze's eyes brightened slightly as he respectfully bowed to his senior brother, Lu Yao.

"Haha, of course." Lu Yao seemed to see another question in Lu Wenze's mind. "You have a question in your mind: why am I being so friendly to you?"

"Could you answer this, senior brother?" Lu Wenze still looked a little embarrassed.

Lu Yao said, "All the people with the surname Lu in Qingshan Town come from the same ancestor. You come from Qingshan Town, and so do I."

"ah?!"

Lu Wenze looked at Lu Yao with considerable surprise.

"However, when I left Qingshan Town, you probably weren't even born yet."

Lu Wenze, however, was overjoyed and said, "So Brother Lu Yao and I are from the same clan. That's wonderful!"

Lu Yao quickly stopped Lu Wenze from continuing, saying, "This is something you and I should know. Don't tell anyone else that we both come from the Lu family of Qingshan Town."

"Yes, Junior Brother will definitely not tell anyone about our relationship."

Lu Wenze immediately agreed.

"Junior brother, remember, don't trust anyone at the Fire Dragon Academy, and don't tell anyone too much about yourself," Lu Yao warned Lu Wenze again. "If you have any other doubts, I will tell you if I know, but that's all."

"Even if it's me, you should still be wary."

"This is not a warning, this is an attitude."

Lu Yao said meaningfully.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother."

Lu Wenze responded gratefully.