Shen Xiuhan exhaled slowly, shifting his gaze from the withered skeleton to the scroll of paper on the stone table.
He activated the 『Muxu Eye』 once more, thoroughly inspecting every inch of the area surrounding the stone table.
Only after confirming there was no danger did he step toward the stone table.
The paper scroll on the table was not thick—just a thin stack of about ten pages. The cover was plain, with no writing on it.
Although the pages were made of high-grade jade-paper, they had grown brittle over the countless years, rustling softly at the slightest touch of his fingers.
After a moment of thought, Shen Xiuhan drew the 『Bone-Corroding Blade』 tucked at his waist and carefully flipped open the first page.
On the title page, there was only a single line of vigorous, powerful handwriting:
“I, Xiao Yan, am a ninth-generation core disciple of the Diaohai Pavilion!”
Seeing this line, Shen Xiuhan furrowed his brow. He flipped through a few more pages, and the hope lingering in his heart finally died.
For...
Inside this scroll, everything written was merely the daily journal of this Diaohai Pavilion core disciple.
The handwriting went from neat to sloppy, clear to messy, with varying shades of ink. It was clearly written at different times, reflecting vastly different states of mind.
Entering an ancient pool, exploring a cave dwelling, obtaining a legacy... The script had been perfectly laid out.
But even if the book on the table wasn't some divine ability manual, shouldn't there at least be some outline of profound techniques?
What on earth was this weekly journal?
Shen Xiuhan pursed his lips. Although he felt somewhat helpless, a sudden surge of curiosity welled up inside him.
Everyone possessed a curious streak. He also wanted to see what this Diaohai Pavilion core disciple did in his daily life and how he had ended up in such a state.
Composing himself, he continued reading.
...
【Qiyuan Calendar, Year 31, Cold Dew. At dawn, a heavy fog rises over the lake, obscuring anyone beyond ten paces.】
It has been over a month since I obtained the Diaohai legacy, and my cultivation has progressed by leaps and bounds. Yesterday, I broke through to the Anjin Rank. The internal force within my body is like a rising tide, surging without end.
During my midnight meditation, the 《Four Seas Heart-Linking Disc》 at my waist suddenly vibrated and hummed, flashing with blue light. Someone was actually summoning me through the spiritual disc.
This disc is a token of the Diaohai core disciples, and it once belonged to one of the four great core disciples of the ancient Diaohai Pavilion. There are very few holders of this treasure in the present age. For the other party to find me using such a treasure, they must be no ordinary person.
But having just obtained the legacy, I was highly vigilant and did not dare to be careless, so I did not venture to respond rashly.
...
【Qiyuan Calendar, Year 31, First Frost. Opening the window in the morning, I see thin ice beginning to form on the lake surface, the chill piercing to the bone.】
After hesitating for several days, the other party seemed to harbor no ill intent. Ultimately, I followed the guidance of the spiritual disc and went to meet that person.
His name is Dou Jiao, and he claims to be the successor of the Nanxiang Blessed Land. He shares the same origin as my Diaohai Pavilion, both inheriting the legacy of the 《Heavenly Ren Mystic Hidden Sea-Overturning Daoist Monarch》.
This man is of dignified appearance and extraordinary speech, with a heroic air between his brows that seems to look down upon the world.
He informed me that the Nanxiang Blessed Land is about to open, and he wished to invite me to enter it together. We would obtain legacies, recruit disciples, establish sects, and rebuild our former glory.
I have no such intentions.
The martial path is long. What our generation seeks is merely to reach the absolute peak and catch a glimpse of the true Dao. Establishing a sect and taking in disciples to preach is not my desire, so I politely declined.
Upon hearing this, Dou Jiao's expression darkened slightly, seemingly displeased. However, he did not say much in the end, only remarking that everyone has their own aspirations and he would not force me.
...
【Qiyuan Calendar, Year 31, Minor Snow. As the first light of dawn appears, there is no wind on the lake.】
With the Nanxiang Blessed Land opening soon, Dou Jiao sent someone with another letter, inviting me to travel with him.
During this period, he has made quite a name for himself outside, making friends and gathering followers. He already has dozens of people under his wing, living a very lively life. Although I cultivate in seclusion in the middle of the lake and ignore worldly affairs, I still frequently hear of his reputation.
But my mind is made up: until I enter the Heavenly Gang Rank, I will not step out into the mortal world.
The mortal world is noisy, and the human heart is unpredictable. Getting involved too early will only disturb one's Dao Heart.
Thus, I declined again. Upon parting, I instructed someone to bring a message to him:
“Among the friends and followers around you, there is no shortage of double-dealing individuals. I hope you will be extremely careful.” I do not know if he will take it to heart.
...
【Qiyuan Calendar, Year 31, Minor Snow, Rain. The sky is gloomy, like lead and ink, with a continuous, fine drizzle.】
The matters of Nanxiang have concluded.
As expected, there was treachery involved!
Dou Jiao had only been inside for three to five days when the connection with the Heart-Linking Disc vanished completely. He must have perished within!
His remaining followers were either wiped out or taken away by experts of both the righteous and demonic paths. It seems Dou Jiao's death was more or less related to them!
Poor Dou Jiao, burdened with destiny and blessed with great fortune, yet he met such an end. Alas! How tragic!
...
【Qiyuan Calendar, Year 32, Beginning of Spring. The sky is clear, there is no wind on the lake, and the water is as smooth as a mirror.】
After many days of secluded cultivation, my progress has slowed. Although my cultivation has reached the Great Accomplishment of the Anjin Rank, the Huajin Rank remains difficult to break through.
Perhaps I was too impatient. Thus, I emerged from seclusion to fish and soothe my mind. Casting my rod in the middle of the lake and watching the ripples proved to be quite a leisurely pleasure.
Suddenly, a small boat drifted in. Standing on the boat was a middle-aged man. Seeing me sitting alone in the middle of the lake, holding my fishing rod in silence, he thought he had encountered an extraordinary expert of the world.
He abandoned his boat, climbed onto the reef, knelt, and bowed repeatedly, pleading to take me as his master.
Seeing that this man was in his early forties with mediocre cultivation and talent, I laughed and rejected him.
But seeing him refuse to rise, showing some devotion to the martial path, and considering our fateful encounter, I transcribed a copy of the 《Tongbi Fist Manual》 and gifted it to him.
This technique can allow one to reach the Huajin Rank. If trained to Great Accomplishment, when the Diaohai Blessed Land opens, one can use it to enter Divine General Peak and obtain the inner sect Gangjin Rank legacy. It can be considered a great stroke of fortune.
The man accepted the manual, poured out his endless gratitude, bowed, and departed.
...
【Qiyuan Calendar, Year 32, Awakening of Insects. The first spring thunder rumbles, and all things awaken. The sky is as gloomy as lead.】
I regret it! I regret it! I regret it!
Had I known this man's heart was crooked, I should never have gifted him the manual, let alone informed him of my place of cultivation.
Ever since Bai Qingcang obtained the manual, he has come to the middle of the lake to find me every day. One day he begs for pills, the next he asks for guidance, and the day after he demands weapons.
The first couple of times, I gave him some, treating it as forging a good affinity.
But having tasted sweetness, this man's greed swelled explosively. He pushed his boundaries further and further, demanding things that were more valuable and outrageous each time.
Today, when he came, I refused to see him.
He actually dared to threaten me, saying he would make my secluded cultivation spot public!
Intent to kill has risen, yet I worry about his background.
Bai Qingcang claims to be a descendant of a great clan in the prefectural city, with a Gangjin Rank expert backing his family. If I rashly kill him and provoke retaliation, I fear I will no longer be able to hide.
Let it be! Let it be! Let it be!
I will wait a little longer. Once I break through to the Huajin Rank, I will kill him and flee. The world is vast; where can I not cultivate?
...
【Qiyuan Calendar, Year 32, Tomb-Sweeping Day...】
Hatred!
Immense hatred!
Nothing is more poisonous than the human heart!
Recently, I have felt a premonition of a great calamity descending. I originally intended to flee far away, but suddenly remembered the demonic technique in my cave dwelling.
This technique was obtained by chance. Reading it filled me with disgust; every move and form in it uses the lives of young children as a catalyst, sucking their bones and draining their marrow in a horrific manner. Yet, as it was passed down by an ancient demon monarch, it could not be destroyed by blade or fire, so I could only secretly store it in my dwelling.
Fleeing this time, I worried it might fall into the hands of someone with evil intentions, so I wanted to carry the demonic technique away with me. However, this technique possesses spirituality and actually managed to shield itself from my perception.
Before I could even reach my cave dwelling, I was surrounded and attacked by that thief Bai and his cohort. My regrets are endless!
The rain falls like tears, and the lake wind wails. I am heavily injured and beyond saving. Whoever comes after and obtains my legacy must kill Bai Qingcang to avenge me!
Tomb-Sweeping Day, Tomb-Sweeping Day!
Such suffering! Such misery!
My life ends here!
...
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