A Dialogue Across the Ages

The volume Chen Chuan had pulled out was recorded primarily on bamboo slips. He leafed through it. There was no specific year noted, nor was the content systematic; it appeared as though disciples or descendants had gathered and compiled a predecessor's notes and reflections into one place. The writing on the slips had not been altered in any way, preserving even the traces of additions, deletions, and corrections. Judging by the style of phrasing and terminology, it dated roughly to after Middle Antiquity, some seven or eight hundred years ago. He reflected for a moment. That era had been one of tumultuous upheaval, yet the Xuan Sect had produced several patriarchs who founded their own traditions, ultimately compelling the Chan Sect to cross the sea eastward to spread its teachings. From the contents revealed within, this scroll had very likely been left behind by a Xuan Ancestor who walked the path of the Visage of Man. Pity was, though a spirit remained attached to it, perhaps because it was not a formal treatise, one could not communicate with it. The text did not describe methods for cultivating the Visage of Man, but rather explored how the path of the Visage of Man ought to be walked. Thus, he deduced that it was most likely left behind by a Xuan Ancestor before breaking through to higher-tier power. In truth, this volume was of no small value. He had learned from Heavenly Master Lu that the path of the Visage of Man required little instruction from others. Consequently, a volume like this suited his inclinations all the more, allowing him to examine and observe this path from a different perspective. Even though the bamboo slips were rather ancient, he had not yet encountered many classics on the road to seeking higher-tier power, nor did he harbor illusions of reaching the heavens in a single bound. Thus, he was able to maintain a relatively pure and open mindset. Seeing a seat nearby, he walked over, sat down, and perused the slips at a leisurely pace. Since there was no direct mental absorption to be had, reading and comprehending in this manner was his only option. The archaic characters were obscure, requiring patient rumination. As he read on, he discovered that when the author penned these words, they had also been in the phase of exploring the road ahead—somewhat similar to his own current situation. They knew a little, yet had no clear direction on how to cultivate specifically. What this predecessor had done was also much like what he was doing: perusing the classics of contemporaries and predecessors. The materials available to that person had likely been no fewer than his own, from which they recorded their insights and realizations. As Chen Chuan delved deeper into the reading, ideas gradually took shape in his mind. Hm? Just then, he suddenly noticed that the writing left by the author had actually grown slightly more numerous than before. He turned the slips and saw that his eyes were not playing tricks on him. There were indeed several new sentences, seemingly responding directly to his thoughts. At the same time, the spiritual power attached to the slips appeared to have diminished slightly. His heart stirred. It seemed the spirit upon the slips was not incapable of communication; it merely required the proper channel and approach. When he concentrated his attention and articulated his thoughts just now, he had touched that layer of spirit, triggering its autonomous feedback. In that case... After a brief thought, he began consciously projecting his thoughts and intentions. And so, two figures from different eras—both standing at the pinnacle of their respective realm—used this medium to hold a dialogue across time and space. As their exchange unfolded, an entire night slipped by unawares. By this time, Chen Chuan noticed that only a fraction of the spiritual power remained on the slips. After a moment's consideration, he chose not to continue, proactively breaking off the connection. He wished to preserve this wisp of spirit so that once he found the answers, he could return to inform this predecessor. Closing the bamboo scroll, he returned it to its original place. He had intended to call it a day, return to digest his insights, and resume reading the next day. Yet as he turned around, he discovered that the scripture library did not end here; there seemed to be another door further in. Wait. His gaze flickered. That door should not have been there; it had only materialized after resonating with the elixir bead in his pocket. He considered the matter. With Heavenly Master Lu's realm, nothing occurring here could escape his notice. There was no need to worry about wandering into places he shouldn't, so he walked straight inside. Passing through the door, he found another corridor-like scripture repository. However, it held no scriptures or texts, appearing completely bare. Instead, ancient murals lined the walls on both sides, stretching roughly a hundred meters from beginning to end. Approaching them, he found scenes similar to what he had seen previously—Xuan Ancestors engaged in battle beyond the heavens—depicted in even greater detail. Looking closely, each mural carried wisps of attached spirit. Shifting his gaze, he located the Xuan Ancestor who had performed the Demon-Subduing Form. What he saw here differed once again from the last time. The patriarch sat cross-legged high atop the clouds, expression solemn and severe, hands forming an incantation gesture. Circling around him were countless demons of grotesque forms, constantly shifting and mutating. A long mace hovered in the air above him, casting down streams of cloud-mist; demons could be seen flying out from within his body, only to be scattered and shattered by the radiant light upon the mace. Chen Chuan gazed at it for a while, sensing the spirit attached to it, and discovered that this was yet another combat technique. If the previous Demon-Subduing Form was aimed at tangible demons, then this Fiend-Subduing Form was targeted at intangible fiends. He observed carefully, committing the methods and techniques to memory. Whether it was the earlier Demon-Subduing Form or the Fiend-Subduing Form he saw now, they were different from typical esoteric arts; so long as one possessed the necessary foundational requirements and a specific weapon, one could execute them after a degree of adjustment and practice. In other words, those capable of using it only needed to grasp the key knacks once to wield it naturally; for those incapable, no amount of studying would avail them, for whether these two techniques could be unleashed depended entirely upon one's innate conditions, something that could not be made up for later. As for the depictions of other Xuan Ancestors, he did not look at them, nor did he intend to, as those paths did not suit him. Thus, having finished looking, he turned around and glanced toward the murals on the opposite wall. At that moment, a voice suddenly drifted in from outside: "Is our honored guest here?" Hearing the call, Chen Chuan looked out to see Real Man Long Xian glowing with faint light, appearing nearby. Long Xian looked around, somewhat astonished, and said with a smile, "To think our honored guest would discover this scripture cave! Because it was previously disused and held no texts, our sect had sealed it off. It seems you truly share a karmic bond with our Xuan Sect." Chen Chuan glanced back at the wall, finding no portal whatsoever; Real Man Long Xian had simply arrived here as a wisp of spirit qi. Seeing that the man was completely unconcerned with how he had entered, Chen Chuan did not dwell on the matter either, asking instead, "What brings you here, Real Man?" Real Man Long Xian said, "There is a vast multitude of scriptures and books here. Fearing they might be difficult for our honored guest to navigate, I came by to see if you needed any assistance." "Then my thanks to you, Real Man," Chen Chuan replied. "No trouble at all, no trouble at all." Real Man Long Xian waved his hands repeatedly. Looking at the murals opposite Chen Chuan, he explained, "What is depicted on these two walls—one shows our Xuan Sect ancestors subduing demons and fiends, while the other is the Chart of Ancient Deities, listing roughly a hundred and eight named deities. "All these deities hailed from beyond the heavens, treating this world as their own nesting ground. They once joined forces to repel certain later demons and monsters, and in search of allies, imparted various esoteric rituals to the mortals of that age. Hence, in earlier times, various sects more or less gained benefits from their hands. Among these deities, the more renowned are the Three Ancient Lords. One of them is Lord Qiutong." Chen Chuan looked in the direction he indicated and found a figure clad in the garments of an ancient noble scion, possessing delicate, elegant features and seated atop a boulder. However, Chen Chuan noticed that beneath the hem of his lower robe, more than a dozen wolf legs protruded. Real Man Long Xian pointed to another deity beside him. "This is Lord Yulu." Chen Chuan looked: this deity had the image of a goddess, depicted in motion. Lifting her sleeves and billowing her skirt, she had her back turned to them, showing only half of her profile. Yet one could notice that the arm reaching upward from her sleeve was fair as jade lotus root, while the other arm wrapped behind her waist, forming a graceful mudra, was made entirely of stark white bone. Real Man Long Xian now pointed to the left of Lord Qiutong. "And another is one our honored guest has encountered: Lord Anshi." Chen Chuan looked over and saw that the sixteen jointed arms behind Lord Anshi were clearly insect appendages, rather than the slender form they had displayed previously. Real Man Long Xian said, "These are the ancient visages of these deities, and their true forms. Only later, when appearing before mortals, would they often disguise themselves slightly." Chen Chuan asked, "Do these three ancient deities still exist today?" Real Man Long Xian said, "They should still be around. I heard the Heavenly Master mention that most of them, along with other deities, now hide within the Confluence. These Three Ancient Lords are very likely enshrined and worshipped by the former imperial house today." Chen Chuan considered this and nodded. Given its particular nature, the former imperial house was bound to enshrine and worship deities; otherwise, they could not survive within the Confluence at all. Enshrining those ancient deities was extremely probable. Real Man Long Xian added, "Furthermore, within the Confluence over the past several millennia, there have also been remnants of earlier dynasties who cultivated divine bodies, achieved godhood, and came to be worshipped by later generations." Chen Chuan gave an affirmative sound. If the Visage of the Divine or the Visage of the Aberrant was cultivated to its zenith and embraced higher-tier power, it would indeed look just like an immortal or a god. He looked closer and discovered that spiritual power was likewise attached to certain depictions of deities. He could not help asking, "May I ask, Real Man, what are these?" Real Man Long Xian said, "These? These two walls of murals were moved here from elsewhere by our Tianji Sect, and no one knows which Xuan branch was responsible for them. As for what lingers upon them, according to the Heavenly Master, they are the spirit qi and memories left behind by Xuan Sect seniors who once interacted with the Three Ancient Lords. Since our honored guest has found his way here, you are one fated to encounter them. If you are inclined, why not take a look?" Hearing this, Chen Chuan nodded slightly. In that case, he did not wish to miss out. It seemed these deities resided in the Confluence and shared close ties with the former imperial house; sooner or later, he would have to deal with them. If he could glean this information now, it would save him a great deal of trouble in the future and greatly enhance his combat efficiency.