I was a mineral prospector in Chengdu, who transmigrated into the body of a mortal sword immortal.

The Azure Lotus Sword's unusual movement lasted only a few breaths, yet it exploded like a thunderclap in Li Bai's calm cultivation state. The sword returned to silence, hovering an inch above the pool's surface, but the southeast direction its tip pointed to seemed to be branded deep within his consciousness. The lingering echo of the sword's resonance in the air carried a peculiar frequency, causing the Azure Lotus Dao Foundation within his dantian, which had just been stabilized, to tremble slightly, as if in response.

"This is by no means a coincidence."

Li Bai took a deep breath, and the dense, almost misty spiritual energy from the Sword Pool surged into his lungs, carrying the ancient and gentle aura unique to the Bronze Divine Tree. He reached out and grasped the Azure Lotus Sword, which obediently flew back into his palm. The blade felt slightly cool to the touch, as delicate as jade, but a subtle "desire" and "direction" he had never felt before was clearly transmitted through the hilt.

Without further hesitation, he moved, and several fine cracks silently appeared on the bluestone ground beneath his feet—his physical strength, still at the Foundation Establishment stage, had not yet fully adapted. He restrained his power and sped towards the bamboo hut where the old man of green bamboo was located. The wind whistled in his ears, and the exotic flowers, rare herbs, and cascading waterfalls on both sides became blurry streaks of color. His speed was several times faster than that of a Qi Condensation stage cultivator. His true essence flowed like a river within his body, exchanging with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth with each breath, bringing an inexhaustible sense of power.

The three-mile distance was covered in the blink of an eye.

The bamboo hut remained nestled among the verdant bamboo, serene and tranquil. An elderly man sat cross-legged on a blue stone before the hut, eyes closed in meditation, a section of emerald bamboo in his hand, dewdrops glistening on its tip in the dappled sunlight filtering through the bamboo leaves. Hearing the whooshing sound of wind, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze falling on Li Bai rushing towards him. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, quickly turning into understanding.

"Foundation establishment is complete, aura is stable, and the quality of the Dao foundation... is quite impressive." Qingzhu's voice was calm. "What's the matter that you're in such a hurry?"

Li Bai stopped three zhang away from the bluestone, clasped his hands in a salute, and said calmly, "Senior, just now the Azure Lotus Sword suddenly moved strangely, its sword sound was clear and melodious, and its tip pointed straight to the southeastern depths of the secret realm, as if there was a strong call from something of the same origin. I was surprised and puzzled, so I came to ask for your guidance."

He presented the Azure Lotus Sword with both hands. The sword was quiet at this moment, but the lingering, directional "intention" had not completely dissipated.

Qingzhu didn't take the sword, but instead focused his gaze on its blade, staring at it for a moment before his brows furrowed slightly. He extended his withered fingers and made a few light taps in the air towards the Azure Lotus Sword, a pale blue light swirling around his fingertips as if he were probing something. The air was filled with the fragrance of bamboo leaves, mingled with the faint lotus scent emanating from the sword.

"As expected..." Qingzhu withdrew her finger, her expression turning solemn. "Although the sword spirit has not fully awakened, it has already become sentient. The place it pointed to... is 'Ruins'."

"Ruins?" Li Bai's heart skipped a beat.

"The secret realm of the Western Mausoleum Divine Kingdom is not complete," Qingzhu said slowly, her voice low. "In ancient times, the divine kingdom had a vast territory with three cores: the first was 'Mausoleum,' where we are located, where the divine tree is worshipped and the lineage is orderly; the second was 'Ruins,' a place for sacrifices, battles, and sealing evil spirits, located deep in the southeast, which has long been destroyed in many dramatic changes in the world, with disordered spacetime and numerous dangers; the third was 'Gate,' a passage and observation node connecting to the outside world, most of which have been destroyed."

He paused, then looked at Li Bai: "The Azure Lotus Sword in your hand is a national treasure, but according to the oldest and most incomplete records, it is not complete. Swords are born in pairs, and their manuals are divided into upper and lower parts. The Azure Lotus Sword Manual you obtained is only the upper part, which focuses on cultivating sword intent, sword heart, and the foundation of swordsmanship. The lower part records the true killing sword techniques, sword control supernatural abilities, and even... the method of breaking through the void with a sword. That lower part of the sword manual, as well as another sword or scabbard that may be paired with the Azure Lotus Sword, was enshrined in the core altar of the 'Ruins' in ancient times."

Li Bai's breath hitched. The complete inheritance! The second half of the sword manual! The sword pierces the void!

Any single word could drive any cultivator mad. Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant—if he could obtain the second half of the Sword Manual, his combat power would undergo a qualitative leap; if he could pierce through the void with his sword, would that mean… one day, he could truly break through the barrier of space and time?

But Qingzhu's next words were like a bucket of cold water poured over him.

"However, the 'Ruins' is no longer a safe place," Qingzhu said solemnly. "There, fragments of time and space intertwine, the killing intent, resentment, and remnants of ancient battlefields are everywhere, and powerful seals suppress certain... indescribable things. Even the people of my divine kingdom, those whose cultivation is below the Golden Core stage, dare not easily venture into the core area. Moreover..."

He looked intently at Li Bai: "The collapse of the 'Ruins' was not entirely natural. An external force intervened, tearing apart part of the space. The traces left by that force bear a resemblance to the aura of another, even more ancient and mysterious ancient site in Shu—the 'Sanxingdui Secret Realm'."

Sanxingdui!

Li Bai's pupils contracted slightly. Having been a geological engineer in his previous life, he was naturally familiar with the Sanxingdui civilization. Those bronze sacred trees, the masks with protruding eyes, the sun wheel… they were all shrouded in mystery. In this world, it was also a secret realm? And connected to the Xiling Divine Kingdom?

"You mean the lower half of the Azure Lotus Sword's inheritance might have ended up in the Sanxingdui Secret Realm?" Li Bai asked in a deep voice.

"It's not just possible, it's highly likely." Qingzhu nodded. "In some areas of the 'Ruins,' the spatial structure is unstable, and there are weak connection points with the Sanxingdui Secret Realm. At the end of the ancient era, the divine kingdom suffered a great calamity. Some ancestors may have carried important items such as the lower half of the Sword Manual and attempted to enter the Sanxingdui Secret Realm through the 'Ruins' to seek refuge or help, but their whereabouts are unknown. What the Azure Lotus Sword is sensing now may be the lingering aura of the same origin in the 'Ruins,' or it may be the faint call from its original body located in the Sanxingdui Secret Realm, transmitted through spatial rifts."

The amount of information was enormous. Li Bai remained silent for a moment, digesting these shocking secrets. The "Ruins" deep in the southeast connected to the even more dangerous and mysterious "Sanxingdui Secret Realm," and the complete inheritance might lie in any one of them.

Opportunity and danger coexist, and the danger can be fatal.

"If I wish to go and investigate..." Li Bai tentatively asked.

"Nine out of ten will die." Qingzhu bluntly stated, "Even if you have already established your foundation, you might be able to protect yourself on the edge of the 'Ruins,' but to delve into the core or find the spatial connection point, your cultivation level must be at least Golden Core, and you must have a profound understanding of the Dao of Time and Space. As for the Sanxingdui Secret Realm... the seal there is even stronger, and the rules are bizarre, beyond the common sense of this world. The divine kingdom's records about it are extremely scarce, only that it is a place that is older than the Xiling Divine Kingdom and closer to the remains of 'gods,' and the level of danger is immeasurable."

Li Bai remained silent. Golden Core? He was only at the early Foundation Establishment stage. The Dao of Time and Space? He had absolutely no clue. It was a matter of nine deaths and one life, or even ten deaths and no chance of survival.

But... the allure of the complete inheritance lingered in his heart like a devil's whisper. With the second half of the sword manual, his confidence in rescuing Yang Guifei and his strength to resist the tides of history would greatly increase.

As his heart churned with emotion, weighing the pros and cons, another image suddenly flashed into his mind—not the bronze sacred tree, not the Sanxingdui mask, but a beautiful, ethereal face tinged with a faint sorrow. Yang Yuhuan. No, Yang Xiaohuan. Those eyes, surrounded by burly men on the streets of modern Chengdu, yet filled with endless resentment and helplessness.

My heart felt like it was being squeezed tightly by an invisible hand, sending a sharp, piercing pain through me.

The longing and worry for his loved one instantly overwhelmed his desire for great power.

He came to Mount Shu, entered the secret realm, and diligently cultivated his foundation—all for what? Wasn't it to gain power, return to Chengdu, change Yang Yuhuan's fate, and rescue her from the doomed palace? If he were to greedily pursue the complete inheritance now, risking his life in this perilous place, and perish, everything would be for naught. What would become of Yang Yuhuan? What would become of Yang Xiaohuan? What would become of that unforgettable obsession and promise that spanned three lifetimes?

"I..." Li Bai raised his head, his eyes regaining their clarity and determination. "This junior has decided to return to Chengdu first."

Qingzhu looked at him, her eyes showing no surprise, but rather a hint of approval: "Only by staying true to your original aspirations can you achieve your goals. Power is good, but if you lose yourself in it, it will become a source of disaster. Since you have made your decision, then go. As for the clues to 'Ruins' and Sanxingdui, you can explore them when your cultivation is sufficient and your will is stronger."

"Thank you for your guidance, senior." Li Bai bowed deeply.

"Go, the High Priest should already know. She is waiting for you in the Temple of the Divine Tree." Qingzhu waved her hand, closed her eyes again, as if entering a meditative state.

Li Bai bowed again, turned around, and flew towards the bronze divine tree in the center of the secret realm.

Inside the Temple of the Divine Tree, the light was soft. The massive bronze branches of the divine tree seemed to cover the entire ceiling, radiating a warm, golden-bronze glow. The High Priest still stood before the relief of the main trunk of the divine tree, his back to the temple entrance, wearing an elaborate priest's robe embroidered with patterns of the sun, moon, stars, mountains, birds, and beasts, which shimmered with a faint spiritual light under the glow of the divine tree.

Hearing footsteps, she slowly turned around. Her face, shrouded in a soft halo, remained calm and profound, her gaze fixed on Li Bai as if she had already seen through everything.

"Qingzhu has already informed you." The high priest's ethereal voice echoed in the hall, "'Xu,' Sanxingdui, the complete legacy."

"Yes," Li Bai replied respectfully. "I have decided to return to Chengdu first."

The High Priest nodded slightly: "It makes sense. The tribulations of the mortal world arise from emotions, and should also be returned to emotions. If you abandon her now to seek power, your Dao heart will surely be cracked, and even if you obtain the inheritance, you will find it difficult to ascend to the Great Dao."

She stepped forward slowly, and in her hand appeared a palm-sized cyan jade box and a pure white jade talisman engraved with simple cloud patterns.

"This box contains three 'Azure Lotus Rejuvenation Pills,' made from the seeds of Azure Lotus from Sword Pool mixed with various spiritual herbs. They can heal flesh and bones, and restore health from severe injuries. As long as there is a breath left, they can keep you alive and allow you to slowly recover. There are also nine 'Spirit Gathering Pills,' which can quickly replenish your depleted true essence and spiritual power." The High Priest handed over the jade box, which was warm to the touch and had a faint medicinal and lotus fragrance emanating from it.

Li Bai accepted the box with both hands; it felt heavy in his hands, and he could feel the pure spiritual energy contained within the pills.

"This jade talisman," the high priest handed over the luminous white jade talisman, "is engraved with the mark of the divine kingdom. If you encounter a life-or-death crisis that cannot be resolved, you can crush this talisman. The divine kingdom can sense its location and may be able to provide you with protection or guidance. But remember, it can only be used once, and because it crosses spatial barriers, the sensing may not be timely, and the effect is also unknown. Use with caution."

Li Bai solemnly accepted the jade talisman. The talisman was cool to the touch, and there seemed to be a subtle flow of spiritual light inside. The cloud patterns looked simple, but they contained a kind of mysterious rhythm.

"Thank you for your generous gift, High Priest!" Li Bai bowed deeply, his heart filled with gratitude. These gifts were undoubtedly a timely help, greatly increasing his ability to survive and adapt after his return.

The high priest looked at him, his gaze carrying an indescribable depth: "Li Bai, you have already established your foundation, gained the initial recognition of the Azure Lotus Sword, and possess the wisdom of two lifetimes. Such an opportunity is rare throughout history. But precisely because of this, the 'tribulation' you will face will far exceed that of ordinary people."

She paused, her voice growing even more solemn: "Power is a double-edged sword. With the Azure Lotus in your hand, you can slay demons and monsters, but you can also harm the innocent; with knowledge of the future, you can seek good fortune and avoid misfortune, but you can also recklessly manipulate cause and effect. The mortal world is vast and full of temptations—power, beauty, fame, immortality… all can bewitch the heart. I urge you to remember: the sword is a weapon, but the person is the foundation. Do not become arrogant because of power, do not act recklessly because of foresight, and do not lose your mind because of infatuation. Guard your true self, and you will find a glimmer of hope for transcendence amidst the tribulations of the mortal world."

These words struck Li Bai's heart like a morning bell and a evening drum. He recalled his tragic death in his previous life, his obsession with Yang Xiaohuan, and the fleeting impulse he had after successfully establishing his foundation—an impulse to immediately fly back to Chang'an on his sword... The High Priest's admonition was a gem in itself.

"I will remember your teachings!" Li Bai replied solemnly, deeply imprinting these words in his heart.

The high priest said no more, and gently waved his hand: "Go. The gates of the divine kingdom have been opened for you once. If the opportunity arises in the future, you may return."

Li Bai bowed deeply again, then turned and walked out of the hall.

At the entrance of the hall, he stopped and a thought flashed through his mind. The Azure Lotus Sword in his hand emitted a soft hum, radiating a bright azure light. Then, the sword rapidly shrank, transforming into a streak of azure light about an inch long. With a "whoosh," it disappeared into his dantian, hovering above the Azure Lotus Dao Foundation, slowly rotating and being nourished by true essence. A feeling of fullness and close connection came from within his dantian.

He still wore the broken Qingming sword at his waist, as both a visible weapon and a keepsake.

He stepped out of the Temple of the Sacred Tree.

Outside the hall, the scene remained the same, a fairyland filled with spiritual energy and blooming exotic flowers. But Li Bai did not linger; he followed the route he remembered from his arrival and headed towards the exit of the secret realm.

Along the way, some citizens of the divine kingdom saw him and cast curious or kind glances, but no one stopped him. When he passed the Sword Pool, the water was still clear, and the "shadow" of the sword at the bottom of the pool had disappeared. The bronze divine tree stood silently, exuding an eternal Daoist aura.

Finally, he arrived at the mountain wall where he had first entered the secret realm. The wall was covered with vines and moss, looking no different from any other mountain wall. But Li Bai could sense that there was an invisible, gentle spatial barrier there.

He circulated his Azure Lotus True Essence and, following the simple incantation Qingzhu had previously instructed him, gently touched a spot on the mountain wall.

hum-

Ripples spread across the mountainside like waves. A portal, emitting a faint light, slowly emerged.

Li Bai turned back and took one last look at this secret realm that had given him new life and strength, then resolutely turned around and stepped into the portal.

A familiar, slight dizziness came over me, and light and shadow flickered before my eyes.

The next moment, the feeling of solid ground beneath my feet came, along with a completely different kind of air—fresh, slightly cool, carrying the unique fragrance of grass, trees, and soil of the Sichuan mountains, and a hint of the desolation of late autumn. The sound of the mountain wind rustling through the pine forest reached my ears, birds chirped in the distance, and further still, I could faintly hear the babbling of a stream.

He came out.

Standing on a cliff platform, with steep mountain walls behind me, vines hanging down, revealing no trace of a gate, I looked ahead at the rolling, verdant mountains. Clouds swirled around their waists, and the afterglow of the setting sun painted the western sky with magnificent colors of gold, red, and crimson. A few rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds, forming beams of light that fell on the distant peaks and forests, creating a scene of interplay between light and shadow, grand and desolate.

Taking a deep breath of the crisp, cool mountain air, my lungs felt refreshed. Although the concentration of spiritual energy was far less than inside the secret realm, the real and expansive sense of nature invigorated me.

Within his body, the true essence of the Foundation Establishment stage flowed naturally, filling his limbs and bones with surging power. In his dantian, the Azure Lotus Dao Foundation rotated steadily, nurturing the short Azure Lotus Sword, emanating warmth and a close connection. His five senses were sharp; he could clearly see the texture of leaves a hundred feet away, hear the faint sounds of squirrels leaping on branches dozens of feet away, and even smell the faint sweet fragrance of wild osmanthus blossoms carried on the wind from several miles away.

This is the foundation-building stage.

That is power.

A surge of heroic spirit welled up within Li Bai, and he couldn't help but let out a long roar. The roar was clear and stirring, containing the pure essence of the Azure Lotus, echoing through the valley and startling a flock of birds in the distant forest.

The whistling stopped, and he determined his direction. Chengdu was to the northeast.

I am eager to go home.

Without further delay, he circulated his internal energy to the meridians of his legs and gently pushed off the ground.

Bang! A muffled sound rang out, and fine cracks appeared in the rocks beneath his feet. His body shot out like an arrow, not leaping, but gliding low over the hillside and treetops! Foundation Establishment cultivators can now break free from the earth's constraints, using their true essence to control the wind, gliding and flying short distances at speeds far exceeding those of a galloping horse.

The wind whistled past his ears, and the scenery on both sides rushed by. He nimbly traversed the mountains and forests, sometimes lightly touching the treetops with his toes to propel himself into the air again; at other times, he released his true energy, forming a weak airflow barrier in front of him to break through the wind resistance. His clothes fluttered in the wind, and his long hair flew behind his head.

Mountains and rivers swept past beneath our feet. The setting sun gradually sank into the distant mountains, dusk settled, the last rays of sunset disappeared on the horizon, and sparse stars began to appear on the deep blue sky.

Li Bai did not stop. His Foundation Establishment stage cultivation made him energetic, and his true essence recovered much faster than that of the Qi Condensation stage. He could see as clearly at night as in daylight.

He had only one thought in his mind: Chengdu, wait for me. Yuhuan, wait for me.

This time, I, Li Bai, am no longer that powerless scholar who could only watch helplessly as his lover was taken away. I am the Master of the Azure Lotus Sword, I am a Foundation Establishment cultivator, I know the course of history, and I hold the power to change destiny.

The sword has returned to its path, pointing towards the city of Chengdu that haunts my dreams, towards the unpredictable figure in the deep palace, towards the calamity and prison that has entangled me for three lifetimes and must be broken by my own hands!

In the darkness of night, a bluish-green figure, like a swift wind or a shooting star, streaked across the vast mountains of Shushan, heading resolutely northeastward.