Chapter 266 : Three Hundred Years of Age
Chapter 266: Three Hundred Years of Age
In the dim first level of the Celestial Prison, the prisoners in the cells along both sides of the corridor all shouted out their grievances upon hearing footsteps approaching.
Chen Ming and his companion turned a deaf ear to it all.
Tang Shouzheng spoke with a mysterious expression, “I heard even the Palace Lords were alarmed. Last night, there were violent fluctuations in aura from both the Samsara Palace and the Heaven-Observing Palace. Those two Palace Lords have been in seclusion for years.”
While wiping cold sweat secretly, Chen Ming said regretfully, “It’s a pity I was immersed in the Visualization Diagram at the time, with no perception of the outside world. I missed such a once-in-a-millennium spectacle.”
“There will be more chances. Since the Ninefold Heaven has been opened once, it means it now has a new master. It’ll surely open again in the future.”
“I wonder who this new master of the Ninefold Heaven is?” His tone carried a hint of envy.
“In any case, His Majesty the Emperor probably couldn’t sleep last night. Word is, he summoned the court for a morning assembly at first light. Even the two Palace Lords who had just exited seclusion were summoned by an imperial edict.”
Chen Ming said, “No matter what, the Ninefold Heaven is just a Secret Realm. Can it really make the Emperor so anxious?”
Tang Shouzheng replied, “Since the ancient Three Sovereigns, every dynasty held at least one of the Ninefold Heavens. That was until two thousand years ago, when the Jing Dynasty fell. All the tokens to the Ninefold Heavens were lost. From then on, the world entered an era of contending warlords. Now, a new master has appeared for the Ninefold Heaven — that’s no good omen.”
There were things he didn’t say aloud: if the Ninefold Heaven had a new master, could it mean chaos would soon descend upon the world?
Chen Ming said, “Talk of fate and destiny is just baseless nonsense. I don’t believe someone could become the ruler of the world just by gaining control of one of the Ninefold Heavens.”
Tang Shouzheng said, “Honestly, I don’t really believe it either. The world is relatively peaceful right now. Life isn’t too bad — who’d want to throw themselves into chaos?”
Chen Ming thought to himself, in a world where martial prowess reigned supreme, that wasn’t really aligned with the people’s perspective. Personal strength was far too overwhelming — these mighty individuals were the true factors that swayed the tides of the world.
In any case, he had no interest in becoming emperor. Once his strength grew, living freely and unrestrained sounded far better.
…
As usual, Chen Ming spent several hours challenging all eighteen First Grade prisoners. Compared to yesterday, he earned only half the reward — around a million experience points — which was still quite decent.
As they were leaving, Tang Shouzheng suddenly remembered something. “It’s strange — after we visited that cultivator who sat motionless for fifty-seven years, he died and turned to ash. At first, I thought he had used some technique to escape, which gave me quite a scare. I hurriedly called someone from the Celestial Master Residence. In the end, it was the Little Celestial Master who came over and confirmed that the old man had indeed died.”
“That much of a coincidence?” Chen Ming’s expression changed slightly. “I’ve heard that such cultivators are full of strange tricks, impossible to guard against. Should I get someone from the Celestial Master Residence to inspect me?”
Seeing him speak like this, Tang Shouzheng visibly relaxed and quietly warned, “We absolutely must not let the Celestial Master Residence know we went to see that old man yesterday. Don’t go looking for trouble. Better fewer complications.”
“You’re right, Big Brother. But why is the Celestial Master Residence so concerned about that man?”
“Well, the old man hadn’t committed any crimes. He was captured and imprisoned by the Celestial Master Residence. He probably offended someone there.”
“I see.”
After leaving the Celestial Prison, Chen Ming thanked Tang Shouzheng and departed alone.
“That old Daoist really is lucky.”
He sighed in his heart. Truth be told, he had been a bit worried. If the old man escaped, would he be implicated?
But he couldn’t bring it up himself — that would raise Tang Shouzheng’s suspicions.
Now he could finally relax. Tang Shouzheng didn’t want the responsibility either and took the initiative to cover up that they had visited the old man.
This way, the Celestial Master Residence would think the old man had truly died and wouldn’t suspect him.
…
Upon returning to the Duke of Jingguo’s Residence, Chen Ming went straight to his courtyard, intending to confront the old Daoist for some answers.
Just as he stepped through the door, a voice full of grievance called out, “Young Master.”
He looked up in surprise. “You?”
It was none other than Xiao He, the maidservant of Gu Xianyu.
He had completely forgotten about her, so her sudden appearance was naturally unexpected.
The young maid looked even more pitiful, her eyes brimming with tears.
“Seeing you safe puts my heart at ease,” Chen Ming comforted. “When I didn’t see you in Xiazhou City, I thought… well, thank goodness you’re alright.”
Xiao He finally smiled through her tears and recounted what had happened after their separation.
It turned out, when the news of Chen Ming’s disappearance reached Xiazhou City, Xia Mudan had just been taken away by her mother. The Xia Family was in disarray and no one could deliver a message on her behalf.
So, she had to travel on her own to inform Gu Yuyin of the news.
Then, she returned to Xiazhou City and learned that the Young Master was safe and already headed to the Capital. She then followed the trail, arriving in the Capital ten days later than Chen Ming.
Judging by her appearance, she had endured much hardship along the way.
In the end, Xiao He said, “As long as Young Master is safe, this servant can rest easy.”
“Mm.”
Chen Ming thought to himself, “You’d probably have a better life if you ran away halfway.”
Xiao He looked around and whispered, “When I entered the city, I saw Miss Xia’s carriage. I followed it and remembered where it went.”
So Xia Mudan had finally arrived in the Capital.
Chen Ming shook his head. “It’s not appropriate for me to see her now. You just arrived, go rest first. Come serve me tomorrow. I’m going to cultivate.”
“Yes.”
…
“Daoist Wang Chenzi! Daoist Wang Chenzi! Daoist Wang Chenzi!”
After calling three times, Chen Ming’s consciousness re-entered that strange space, where he saw the mysterious old Daoist again.
“Daoist, you’ve caused me no small trouble.”
Chen Ming immediately began to complain.
The old Daoist’s expression grew serious. “Did someone from the Celestial Master Residence find you?”
Chen Ming seized the opportunity to ask, “Daoist, what grudge did you have with the Celestial Master Residence to be imprisoned for fifty-seven years?”
He wouldn’t feel at ease until this was clarified.
Judging from Chen Ming’s expression, the old Daoist had a guess and said, “Very well. Since little friend wants to know, I’ll tell you. It all started with the Longevity Art passed down in my sect. I was young and competitive, wanting to test the divine arts of the Celestial Master Residence — the leader among cultivators. Unfortunately, I exposed myself and thus invited disaster.”
“The Method of Longevity?”
Chen Ming was startled. “Daoist, are you part of the Cult of Eternal Life?”
“No, no.” The old Daoist shook his head vigorously. “The Method of Longevity is not unique to the Cult of Eternal Life. Our sect’s cultivation method is an orthodox Daoist art — a means of avoiding misfortune. All our techniques revolve around evasion. Though not good at fighting, they grant long life.”
“Then, may I ask, how old is the Daoist now?”
“I am unworthy. As of today, I have lived just shy of three hundred years — two hundred and ninety-seven.”
Chen Ming found that hard to believe. A First Grade Expert’s limit was around one hundred and thirty years. Even Divine Repository Realm cultivators rarely lived past two hundred.
Yet this old man, whose cultivation was comparable to a First Grade, had lived nearly three centuries?
He asked, “Why would Daoist reveal such a secret? Aren’t you worried I’d covet your Longevity Method?”
The old Daoist laughed heartily. “Our method is focused on avoiding misfortune, cutting off emotions and severing attachments. It avoids all karma and strife. Can little friend achieve that?”
“…”
Chen Ming really couldn’t. He was an ordinary man with family and friends. If someone wronged him, he’d get revenge. If someone was kind, he’d repay it.
With such a cultivation method, even if one lived long, what joy would there be?
“Daoist truly sees through people.” He sighed. “But I’m still worried. The Celestial Master Residence is said to possess divination abilities. If they trace this to me, how could I resist?”
“Rest assured. Their divination depends entirely on a Celestial Artifact passed down from Sovereign Xi — and that artifact is now in your possession.”
“You mean that tortoiseshell?” Chen Ming sighed. “You really kept me in the dark, Daoist. That tortoiseshell opens Qingwei Heaven, which is one of the Ninefold Heavens, right? Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
The old Daoist smiled. “At the time, you were wary of me. Had I told you, you might’ve hesitated to enter Qingwei Heaven and missed your chance.”
Seeing the Daoist’s gaze so clear and piercing, Chen Ming was shaken and asked, “Daoist, is there a way to avoid the celestial phenomena? If every time I enter Qingwei Heaven, visions appear in the sky, that’s too flashy — not my style.”
“There is. Just inform the artifact before opening the Secret Realm.”
If that was the case, why didn’t he say so earlier?
Chen Ming complained silently, then asked, “It’s said the Ninefold Heavens haven’t opened in two thousand years. Didn’t the Celestial Master Residence know that the tortoiseshell is the key to Qingwei Heaven?”
The old Daoist countered, “If they knew, would that tortoiseshell have ever ended up in your hands?”
Chen Ming thought about it — that made sense.
If the Celestial Master Residence had known its importance, they would never have let it out of their sight, much less lose it.
Which raised a new question — the Celestial Master Residence was the holy land for cultivators, and yet they didn’t know this secret. But the old Daoist did.
He joked, “Daoist, you’re not tempted by such a treasure?”
The old Daoist shook his head. “Anything that involves the fate of the Human Race, I avoid like the plague. Why would I get involved?”
Chen Ming gave a respectful bow. “Thank you for the guidance. I won’t disturb you further.”
Then he left.
…
Back in reality, Chen Ming took out the tortoiseshell and silently recited, “Don’t reveal any celestial signs.” before activating the Secret Realm.
He once again entered the realm.
After a night of effort, he slew eleven ghostly creatures and earned 1.1 million experience points.
His total experience points surpassed five million once more.
Returning to reality, he swallowed a pill to replenish his consumed Gangyuan while meditating on the God-Smiting Thorn.
This secret art was strikingly similar to Sword Intent — the key was refining one’s will to be purely yang and unyielding, which was the hardest part.
The most direct way was to visualize the sun.
In this world, nothing was more yang than the sun.
Unconsciously, dawn broke.
Chen Ming’s Gangyuan had recovered about seventy to eighty percent. The pills from the Gu Family were indeed effective.
“It’s done!”
God-Smiting Thorn was finally initiated: God-Smiting Thorn (First Layer 1/100,000).
This secret art’s first layer only required one hundred thousand experience points?