Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
According to ancient legends, there are immortals in the world. They reside in the deep clouds, live forever, can turn stone into gold, and travel thousands of miles in an instant, possessing the ability to move mountains and shift the earth.
If a mortal is fortunate enough to meet an immortal, the immortal may offer some guidance. With such advice, one could gain immense wealth; those with a connection to the immortals might be taken to the immortal realm, where they would no longer know the passage of time and would live as long as heaven and earth.
Li Hong never expected to become part of this legendary group, but from his perspective, there is a significant gap between legend and reality.
Unlike the legends of the mortal world, the Immortal Sect is an alliance of many cultivation sects. It evolved from several ancient beings and their disciples. They revere heaven and earth, transform yin and yang, manipulate the five elements, refine elixirs, transcend life and death, and exist beyond worldly concerns.
The ancestors of these cultivation sects share a common origin. Although their methods differ, they achieve similar results, thus dividing into nine stages of cultivation: Guarding the Center, Qi Refinement, Prudent Practice, Refining the Heart, Golden Core, Transmutation, Nascent Soul, Harmonizing with Dao, and Crossing Tribulations. Each stage is further divided into three periods except for Crossing Tribulations.
Each sect possesses unique secret arts that have been expanded upon by outstanding disciples over generations. As techniques evolved into more specialized forms, branches emerged within each sect. This ultimately led to the formation of the various sects within the current Immortal Sect.
The Immortal Sect currently comprises around thirty to fifty sects of varying sizes. Some smaller sects have very few members and merely conceal their dwellings using formations while cohabiting with mortals. Very few possess true caves.
The Middle-Earth Nine Great Caves belong to the renowned Nine Major Sects of the Immortal Sect. These caves were opened by the ancestors of the Nine Major Sects during ancient times using great deities. They are rich in spiritual energy and feature breathtaking scenery, with many ancient spirit beasts hidden within.
Although the Nine Li Sect's Nine Li Cave Heaven is not the largest among the Nine Great Celestial Realms, it ranks fifth—just below Kunlun, Emei, Zhao Zhen, and Penglai—and above Kongtong, New Luo, Xuanwei, and Azure Sky Palace. This position mirrors that of the Nine Li Sect within the Nine Major Sects of the Immortal Sect—neither at the top nor at the bottom.
Not all individuals in the Immortal Sect are Taoists; they may marry if they wish. However, most choose dual cultivation partners after reaching the Golden Core Stage. It is a common practice within the sect that once a disciple reaches this stage, they add "zi" to their title as a mark of respect and distinction.
The path to achieving a Golden Core is not easy! Across the universe, there are only a limited number of individuals who can attain it. Therefore, any disciple from the Nine Li Sect who reaches this stage not only adds "zi" to their title but also automatically becomes an elder with elevated status. If they hold no official position, they may choose any location within Nine Li Cave Heaven to establish a cave dwelling for secluded cultivation and enjoy a carefree life thereafter.
The Spirit Stone Taoist is not an actual Taoist; he disguises himself as one while walking among mortals to avoid drawing attention. He is one of the Six Veins of Nine Li Sect's Nine Vermilion Peaks Elder Brother and has reached late-stage Golden Core cultivation. He is known as "Spirit Stone," reputedly a prominent figure within the Immortal Sect.
Spirit Stone kept watching Li Hong.
This oddity, with the Li Fire Aura barely perceptible within him, surprisingly obtained the inheritance of the Six Spirit Salty Ritual. It was truly baffling. But there was no doubt about it; that Great-Granduncle from Golden Lantern Gorge had personally come out of seclusion to inquire about him.
After circling around Li Hong repeatedly, Spirit Stone finally stopped and said, "The Six Spirit Salty Ritual is a major secret of our sect, so I might as well tell you now. Our founding Ancestor is Master Jilianzi. The Ancestor practiced the Li Fire Scripture, which is why our sect's highest cultivation method is the Li Fire Scripture. This Six Spirit Salty Ritual was obtained by the Ancestor by chance in a very strange place, and he believed it to be a miraculous technique left behind by an Ancient Divine Being. Although he could not cultivate this method, he treasured it greatly. Subsequently, this scroll was kept in the most secretive location of our sect's Scripture Repository, and every generation has tried to cultivate it, but no one has succeeded until Three Thousand Years Ago, when a remarkably talented senior finally inherited all the techniques. This miraculous skill was proven to be extraordinarily powerful in his hands. Unfortunately, after that senior, another Three Thousand Years passed, and every generation has tried again, yet no one has been able to inherit it until you."
Li Hong was both shocked and delighted; such a huge opportunity had unexpectedly fallen into his lap.
Spirit Stone showed a mocking expression: "Do you think you can rise to greatness just because of this? Dream on! Let me tell you, most people in our Nine Li Sect practice the Li Fire Scripture, and there are countless experiences documented about it. However, for the Six Spirit Salty Ritual, there is nothing! This means you will have to rely entirely on yourself; no one will guide you in your cultivation. Hmph, you might not even know how you died!"
That was a cold splash of water on his head, but suddenly an idea flashed through Li Hong's mind. He exclaimed, "Isn't there still that senior from Three Thousand Years Ago? Did he leave behind any insights or records?"
The mocking look on Spirit Stone's face disappeared as he replied seriously, "He did leave some records, but the issue lies in his foundational methods. You must understand that even with the inheritance, establishing a foundation for the Six Spirit Salty Ritual is extremely difficult. Cultivating this technique requires a blank slate of cultivation but demands a level of Divine Consciousness equivalent to the Golden Core Stage, otherwise you cannot establish a foundation. But isn't that contradictory? If you have the Divine Consciousness of the Golden Core Stage, how could you possibly have no cultivation? That senior once endured excruciating methods to elevate his own Divine Consciousness to the Golden Core Stage, which I consider tantamount to courting death. Besides him, there are hardly any others in this world who could achieve that. As for you? To be honest, you're a decent seedling, but I believe you only have at most a ten percent chance—just ten percent! If you fail, you'll be doomed forever. Now tell me, do you still want to cultivate the Six Spirit Salty Ritual?"
Li Hong's mind raced; Spirit Stone did not seem to be faking it. It appeared that this Six Spirit Salty Ritual indeed had its mysteries. However, having finally entered the Nine Li Sect, with divine abilities right before him, he had to give it a shot.
He resolutely declared, "I am willing! No matter how bitter or difficult it may be, I will try."
"Good! That's what you said." Spirit Stone pulled out a scroll tied with ribbons from his robe; it was something familiar to Li Hong, and his eyes widened—it was his Contract of Indenture.
Spirit Stone said, "As long as you pass this trial, your Contract of Indenture will be returned immediately. If you fail, this will be your legacy." Seeing that Li Hong hesitated to speak, he seemed to understand what was on his mind and continued, "Don't worry; your Cousin, possessing the Li Fire Aura, can cultivate the Li Fire Scripture. He will be left behind."
So it's just me... Li Hong felt bitterness in his mouth. At this point, he truly didn't know whether he was lucky or unfortunate.
The enormous building before him was magnificent.
A vast High Pavilion occupied the entire mountaintop, adorned with intricate carvings and brilliant gold, with layers upon layers that made it impossible to count how many rooms there were. This High Pavilion was not a single structure but divided into four parts. At the front was the grand hall featuring a statue of a "High Being." Behind it stood a towering main building. On each side of this main building were wing-like annexes that curved slightly backward, surrounding the main building in a gentle arc like twin stars accompanying the moon. Each floor of the annexes had long suspended corridors leading to the main building.
Under the blue sky, countless flying eaves of the Vermilion Pavilion glimmered with heavy tiles and green railings.
Upon closer inspection, even the blue sky here was different from the outside world; there were no clouds, yet countless wisps of red clouds flowed like the Aurora in the northern lands, dazzlingly beautiful. Surrounding them were vast and boundless fairy mountains filled with picturesque scenery. In the distance, there was a Gorge that sparkled with golden light for some unknown reason, dazzling like a fallen star from the heavens.
"An immortal realm!" Li Hong exclaimed, his mind flooded with numerous legends from Middle-Earth.
The Spirit Stone Taoist snorted coldly, waving his large sleeve. Li Hong found himself soaring into the sky. The wind filled his ears and nose, and he couldn't shout out; he shot up like a rocket, thrillingly exhilarating as his hair stood on end.
But it felt quite enjoyable. Li Hong smiled slightly. Being a celestial being felt good; he just didn't know how to establish a foundation.
Comment 0 Comment Count