The Long Journey to Immortality

"Upon arriving at the location, we discovered that fellow Daoists from the Seven Mountains Alliance were already there conducting an investigation."

"After we revealed our identities, the fellow Daoists from the Seven Mountains Alliance took the initiative to tell us some information they had gathered."

Upon hearing this, Daoist Yunmin's expression changed slightly, clearly finding it somewhat unbelievable.

The Seven Mountains Alliance's relationship with the other two major sects in the Central Plains was only so-so, so such enthusiasm naturally aroused his suspicions.

The Wine Pot Daoist also noticed this and quickly explained, "Sect Master, there's no need to worry. We have checked and verified the information provided by those Seven Mountains Alliance Daoists one by one since then, and there is not a single error. It should not be false information deliberately released to mislead us."

Yunmin Daoist nodded, trusting Jiuhu Daoist, "Junior Brother, please continue."

"Based on the information provided by the other party, we quickly found the entrance to the secret realm."

"The entrance to the secret realm is located in a canyon formed by the earthquake that day. The canyon is a hundred meters deep, and the portal to the secret realm is at the bottom of this deep canyon."

"There is a stone tablet in front of the portal, which records some information about the secret realm."

Master Yunmin wanted to ask a question, but hesitated to speak.

The Wine Pot Taoist understood Yunmin Taoist's thoughts and said, "The Purple Bamboo Fairy is an expert in appraising magical artifacts. She appraised that stone tablet, and it turned out to be a magical artifact of the level, at least 50,000 years ago or even 100,000 years ago."

"Therefore, the stone tablet was not placed there by someone after the secret realm was created."

Purple Bamboo Fairy is the only female cultivator among the five. She is skilled in some unorthodox methods and is a formation master in the "reconnaissance team".

Only then did Daoist Yunmin speak, "What is written on that stone tablet?"

With a wave of his hand, the Taoist priest with the wine jug at his waist released murky wine that floated in the air, arranging and combining to form nearly a thousand characters.

Many cultivators involuntarily raised their heads to look at the words floating in the air.

"These are the inscriptions on the stone tablet," the Wine Pot Taoist said, touching the wine pot at his waist. "I've summarized them, and this is roughly the meaning."

"They say the secret realm was left behind by the ancient cultivators Fang Lin and Wang Han from 100,000 years ago."

In the ancient times of cultivation, people didn't like to adopt a literary Taoist name to embellish themselves as they do now.

Judging from their names alone, none of the ten ancient cultivators seemed like top-tier masters standing at the pinnacle of the cultivation world.

Most of the cultivators present knew these two names. If there were cultivators in their families or they were involved in the path of cultivation, these Golden Core cultivators must have heard their families tell many legends about ancient cultivators when they were young, when they were still Daoist children or Qi Refining cultivators.

Even so, the Wine Pot Daoist still kindly offered a few words of advice to the few Golden Core cultivators who looked puzzled.

"These two ancient cultivators are two of the four ancient cultivators who were active in the Central Plains during the ancient cultivation era. Senior Fang Lin is considered the master of many sword cultivators. Among the ten ancient cultivators, Senior Fang Lin is the most skilled in using spirit swords."

"Senior Wang Han is proficient in divination. Legend has it that in the ancient cultivation era, without Senior Wang Han's divination to help the human race predict good and bad fortune and point out the way, even if ten more ancient cultivation-level figures emerged, the human race would not have been able to survive in that cruel era and ultimately stand at the top of the world."

After finishing his explanation, the Taoist in the wine pot continued to summarize the contents of the thousand-character stone tablet.

"Senior Wang Han predicted that in 100,000 years, the human race will likely face a calamity that will lead to the destruction of the race."

"That's why the two seniors deliberately left behind this secret realm and set up restrictions, allowing it to emerge more than 100,000 years after the ancient cultivation era, waiting for a destined person to enter and take away the magical treasures, pills, spiritual plants, and cultivation techniques within, so as to enhance the strength of the human race and enable it to overcome calamities."

Upon hearing that a calamity was about to occur, most of the Golden Core cultivators looked rather grim.

The world has been stable for a thousand years, and the long-lived high-level cultivators cherish this peaceful time even more.

However, Daoist Yunmin had considered similar matters long ago. He was not too surprised, nor did he feel the slightest bit flustered.

He pressed on, asking, "Does the stone tablet state whether the secret realm is open, when it will open, and how we cultivators can enter it?"

The Wine Pot Taoist raised his hand again and highlighted the key lines in the Thousand Character Classic that were related to the question posed by Yunmin Taoist, for everyone to read.

[Author's Note] As usual, it will be available for purchase on Friday. I will update it in the afternoon after I get off work on Friday.

Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Truth Behind the Strange Phenomena

Survival was difficult in the ancient times of cultivators, and cultivators spoke concisely and succinctly.

In just three lines, the question posed by Daoist Yunmin was answered clearly.

"This secret realm will be officially opened 720 days after its creation."

"At that time, only Qi Refining cultivators will be allowed to enter this secret realm to seek opportunities."

"There are many resources left behind by me and Fellow Daoist Fang in the secret realm, waiting for the right person to take them."

"I hope that we, the younger generation, can maintain a heart that yearns for the Dao, use the resources in the secret realm to improve our realm and strength, and enable the human race to successfully overcome the impending calamity."

"The secret realm will be closed within 30 days after it opens to prevent human treasures from falling into the hands of other races."

Upon hearing and seeing that only Qi Refining stage cultivators were allowed to enter the secret realm, some Golden Core stage cultivators showed expressions of disappointment.

Meanwhile, Golden Core cultivators like Jin Xianren and Piaomiaozi, who had taken on many outstanding disciples in recent years, showed delight on their faces.

Those disappointed Golden Core cultivators had thought that this earth-shattering secret realm not only contained endless treasures, but also an opportunity for them, as Golden Core cultivators, to show their skills.

Meanwhile, Jin Xianren and Piaomiaozi immediately figured out how to operate in order to maximize their benefits from this treasure trove built by the ancient cultivators.

Of course, the sect leader, Daoist Yunmin, had also thought of this.

After a moment of contemplation, Daoist Yunmin asked again, "Is the information recorded on that stone tablet accurate? After all, more than 100,000 years have passed; even the most powerful restrictions cannot withstand the passage of time."

At this moment, Fairy Zizhu stood up from her seat.

The Purple Bamboo Fairy was dressed in a purple gauze dress, with a blue short sword at her waist. She had delicate features, and if it weren't for her neat black short hair, ordinary mortals would call her a fairy even if they didn't know that she was a Golden Core cultivator.

"Sect Master," Fairy Zizhu bowed first, "I have some knowledge of restrictions and formations."

“The restrictions and formations of the ancient cultivators are slightly different from those of today. Although I cannot unravel them, I can still discern some clues and understand the function of these restrictions and formations…”

"There are three restrictions on the legendary gate in the deep valley."

"One of the restrictions was dissipating at a relatively slow pace when we were exploring the deep valley. According to my judgment, this restriction will completely disappear in more than seven hundred days, as stated on the stone tablet."

"The other two restrictions are, one is used to limit the cultivation level of the cultivators who enter the manual, and the other is used to limit the identity of the cultivators who enter the manual."

"Identity?" Upon hearing this word, a Golden Core cultivator sitting next to the Purple Bamboo Fairy couldn't help but ask.

Fairy Zizhu added, "It would be more accurate to describe it by race. Only Qi Refining cultivators of the human race can pass through the restrictions to enter the secret realm."

"If you doubt someone, don't use them." Daoist Yunmin arranged for Fairy Zizhu and four other cultivators to investigate, naturally placing absolute trust in the results they reported.

"Since that's the case..." Just as Daoist Yunmin was about to make the next arrangements, he suddenly remembered something else. "By the way, have you seen any fellow Daoists from Xuan Yang Valley?"

"Yes, I saw it," replied the Wine Pot Daoist. "Xuan Yang Valley also sent four fellow Daoists to that deep valley to investigate the truth."

One of the cultivators, who had been listening to his two fellow disciples without saying a word, suddenly interjected, "Later, three more cultivators from the Western Regions arrived at the bottom of the valley."

"Cultivators from the Western Regions? Did you have a conflict with them?"

“No,” the Wine Pot Daoist shook his head. “Those cultivators from the Western Regions and the Golden Core cultivators from the Seven Mountains Alliance seemed to be acquaintances. The two groups were chatting and laughing.”

"After examining the stone tablet and learning about the inscription, the Western Region cultivators felt even more at ease staying in the deep valley."

Whether they are cultivators from the Western Regions, the Central Plains, or the Southern Barbarians, they all belong to the human race.

It's understandable that Western Region cultivators would appear there wanting a share of the spoils.

The Seven Mountains Alliance was already in an awkward position, so it was only natural for them to try to play both sides between the Central Plains and the Western Regions. As the leader of the Zhengyi Sect, which had seized a considerable amount of the Seven Mountains Alliance's living space, Daoist Yunmin had no right to accuse the other party of "colluding with the enemy."

"And what about the southern barbarians?"

“I didn’t see it. Perhaps after a while, when the heat of this matter has died down, the Southern Barbarians will send people to investigate,” the Wine Pot Taoist said, offering his speculation. “Such a big matter cannot be hidden. Even if the Southern Barbarians don’t send people to investigate, they will definitely find out everything in a month or two.”

Compared to the Western Regions, the Southern Barbarians were weaker and had a worse relationship with the Central Plains, so they naturally dared not venture into the deep valleys when things were at their most dangerous.

Master Yunmin sighed. He felt more and more that the matter was out of control, and even as the current head of the Zhengyi Sect, he could not resolve it single-handedly.

Therefore, from the many plans in his mind, he selected the only one that seemed feasible.

"Well then, the Zhengyi Sect, Xuanyang Valley, and Qiyue Sect all belong to the local cultivation factions in the Central Plains. Broadly speaking, they are one entity."

"Master Wuxin and Master Qingshui," Yun Min said, looking at the two deputy masters sitting on his left and right, "I would like to ask you two to follow Venerable Nanyang's arrangements and make a trip to the Seven Mountains Alliance and Xuan Yang Valley respectively. A month later, our three sects will meet in the deep valley of the secret realm to discuss matters related to the secret realm."

As soon as Daoist Yunmin finished speaking, a paper sword flew from the horizon like lightning and crashed straight into the restrictions of the council hall.

Upon seeing this impolite paper sword, Daoist Yunmin frowned, but still temporarily lifted the restriction and accepted the paper sword.

The paper sword entered the council hall, but unlike ordinary paper swords, it did not fly into the hand of a cultivator.

The sword unfurled directly in mid-air, and a cultivator's voice emanated from it.

"I am Long Zhenren, the Valley Master of Xuan Yang Valley."

“Xuanyang Valley, Zhengyi Sect, and Qiyue Sect all belong to the cultivation sects of the Central Plains region.”

"The matter of the ancient cultivation secret realm is of great importance."

"One month from now, I hope that all fellow Daoists from the Zhengyi Sect will come to the secret valley to discuss important matters with us."

After saying the four sentences, the paper sword seemed to turn into ordinary paper and floated to the ground.

Hearing Xuan Yang Valley send messages remotely via paper swords and issue orders in front of them, all the Golden Core cultivators of the Zhengyi Sect felt insulted.

But what can be done about it?

Master Yunmin took a deep breath and exhaled the stale air from his chest.

He concluded by announcing, "Which fellow Daoists will represent the Zhengyi Sect in a meeting in the secret valley a month from now? I will then finalize the selection."

"Recently, everyone should take a look at which disciples under their names are expected to advance to the twelfth level of Qi Refining in two years, and report their names to Sect Master Qingshui for intensive training."

"This competition will also serve as a selection process for the disciples who will enter the Deep Valley Secret Realm two years from now, to choose suitable candidates and provide them with intensive training."

"We'll talk about other things next time. Meeting adjourned."

Yunmin Daoist was in a bad mood and hastily ended the gathering before leaving.

Having received the order, Master Qingshui took over the leadership of the meeting, further expanding on Master Yunmin's arrangements to make them more feasible.

[Author's Note] Oh dear, Ichikame-chan, this is so predictable! You even guessed the "human" theme. Ichikame-chan: If I didn't follow the formula and wrote foreshadowing and slice-of-life scenes, nobody would read it. (That's about it.)

Chapter Seventy-Nine: The Two-Year Plan of the Zhengyi Sect

Although they are all Golden Core cultivators, there are those with potential and those without.

Those with potential, prestige, and strength, like Daoist Yunmin, will be included in the list of rotating sect leaders of the Zhengyi Sect.

The position of sect leader is held for a term of thirty years, which is just right for a Golden Core cultivator like Daoist Yunmin.

The position of deputy sect leader, which requires handling a large number of daily affairs of the sect, is only filled once every hundred years.

The Golden Core cultivators who hold these two positions would expend a lot of energy on these matters, so they are filled by cultivators like True Person Qingshui who have formed a low-grade Golden Core but lack potential, despite their cultivation level and lifespan.