Free Web NovelChapter 14: Chapter 13: The Book Immortal of Langhuan Tower
Xuzhuang flew up to the third floor. This floor was reserved for True Disciples, but its furnishings were no different from the first two floors.
The moment Xuzhuang set foot on this floor, however, he saw an indigo dragon with four claws on its belly spiraling through the air. It was chasing a streak of golden light that darted about with incredible speed and agility. The light weaved up and down around the dragon, as if teasing it. The dragon, struggling to catch its quarry, grew frantic. It opened its great maw to roar, but suddenly, a massive, earth-yellow hand descended from the heavens. It clamped around the front half of the dragon, five fingers gripping its mouth shut and silencing it. The scene was oddly reminiscent of Xuzhuang’s own capture of the Flame Dragon a few days prior.
Countless other gleaming lights also zipped through the air, and various exotic beasts and rare treasures frolicked playfully...
’This...’ Xuzhuang was bewildered. He could vaguely tell the scene before him wasn’t entirely real, yet it was certainly no Illusion Technique. Before he could get a closer look, a detached voice drifted down from above. "Audacious!"
With a WHOOSH, everything in the air instantly scattered, transforming into streaks of light that flew back to the shelves lining the walls, reverting to their original forms as inscribed scrolls and slips.
Xuzhuang followed the streaks of light with his eyes. The great dragon had transformed into a Golden Jade Scroll, upon which were inscribed three words in draconic script: "Dragon Power Art". He then looked at what the golden light and the hand had become. They were scrolls titled "Celestial Roc’s Cross-Directional Escape Technique" and "Tome of Thick Earth: Great Dragon-Capturing Hand".
Before Xuzhuang could ponder this, another voice called from above. "Xuzhuang, come forward."
It was the voice of Master Yuanhua. Xuzhuang flew toward the sound, landing on a floating platform. There, he saw an old and a young Daoist engrossed in a game of Go, their black and white stones locked in a fierce but joyful battle. The elder, who was naturally Master Yuanhua, sat cross-legged before the board. He held a black stone, pondering for a long time before finally making his move. The younger Daoist, dressed in white robes, was half-reclined on a cloud-like couch. He held a Daoist Scripture in one hand, seemingly lost in its pages. Without even looking at the board, he would casually place a stone with his free hand right after Master Yuanhua made his move.
Xuzhuang was secretly astonished. ’Master Yuanhua is the revered Sect Leader of the Tai Su Sect, a Primordial Spirit True Man, and the eleventh-generation patriarch. For this young Daoist to be so casual in his presence... I wonder which senior patriarch he could be.’
He glanced at the chessboard again. Normally, the Chess Dao was merely a test of calculation and numerology; never mind a Primordial Spirit True Man, even Xuzhuang himself could calculate all its possible variations. But as the two masters placed their stones, the small board seemed to transform. It became a world of surging winds and clouds, of battling dragons and tigers, a place where the principles of oceans turning to mulberry fields were woven together. Before he knew it, he was completely captivated.
An unknown amount of time passed before a white stone clicked into place, jolting Xuzhuang from his trance. He felt as though he had gained countless insights that he needed time to process, yet at the same time, it seemed many profound, mysterious principles had vanished with the game’s end. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of loss.
"Alas! It’s been a long time since we played the Chess Dao, my friend. I had hoped to surprise you, but it seems I’m still one step behind!" Master Yuanhua lamented with a laugh.
"Hahahahaha." Only then did the young Daoist deign to look up from his Daoist Scripture. "Yuanhua, you’re behind by more than just one move," he said smugly. "If you want to beat me, go study for another five hundred years!"
His gloating done, he turned his gaze to Xuzhuang, looking him up and down. A faint, knowing smile played on his lips. "Tsk, tsk," he clicked his tongue. "So this is today’s new True Disciple? Not bad."
"Oh? It’s rare to hear praise from you, my friend," Master Yuanhua said with surprise. Seeing the young Daoist only smile without elaborating, he turned to Xuzhuang. "Xuzhuang, this is the Book Immortal Taoist. He is the master of Langhuan Tower and manages its entire collection. You should seek his guidance in the future." freewёbnoνel.com
’Book Immortal?’ A guess began to form in Xuzhuang’s mind. He respectfully greeted the Book Immortal Taoist, who just waved a hand dismissively and complained to Master Yuanhua, "They’re your True Disciples, not mine. Stop dumping all your problems on me."
"Hahahaha, my friend, don’t be like that. I still have many sect affairs to attend to. I’m off!" Master Yuanhua laughed heartily, and before either of them could react, his form flickered and dissolved into a wisp of smoke, disappearing completely.
Master Yuanhua had simply shrugged off his responsibilities and vanished. The Book Immortal Taoist, however, seemed entirely unfazed. "Every time a True Disciple from your twelfth generation is promoted," he said coolly, "that little brat Yuanhua pulls this same stunt."
He waved a hand at Xuzhuang. "As is tradition, a True Disciple may peruse the entire collection on the third floor. Feel free to browse on your own. If you have something specific in mind, you can ask me."
Hearing this, Xuzhuang didn’t stand on ceremony. "Thank you, Senior," he said directly. "I wish to start by reading the three great True Inheritances. Could you please tell me where the True Inheritance Daoist Scriptures are located?"
"Oh?" Xuzhuang’s question seemed to remind the Book Immortal Taoist of something. That enigmatic, not-quite-a-smile expression returned to his face. He beckoned with his hand, and three jade slips flew into his grasp as streaks of light. "It is your right as a new True Disciple to be granted the complete True Inheritance Daoist Scriptures," he said with a smile. "The three great True Inheritances are right here. However..."
"Xuzhuang, the Inner Sect records say that as a candidate for True Disciple, you were granted half of the "Tai Su One Qi Scripture". Then, during the Inner Sect’s great examination, you made a name for yourself with your Swordsmanship. You earned an elder’s admiration, received his guidance in Swordsmanship, and were even given a portion of the secrets to the "Tai Su Formless and Material Sword Qi". So, I must ask, which True Inheritance are you actually practicing?"
The Book Immortal’s sudden question was not only unexpected, but it also seemed to defy logic. Xuzhuang felt a rising sense of urgency; the Book Immortal Taoist had seemingly perceived his secret.
Xuzhuang paused for a moment before answering, "I have only practiced some Swordsmanship for self-defense. My primary cultivation is the "Tai Su One Qi Scripture"."
The Book Immortal chuckled. "In that case, I’ll just give you the "Tai Su One Qi Scripture". Why the need to read the other two?"
Xuzhuang retorted, "By rights, a True Disciple can peruse the entire collection. By studying them all, I hope to gain a broader understanding and comprehend the essence of the Tai Su arts. Is there some rule against that?"
At this, the Book Immortal’s brow furrowed slightly. He toyed with the three jade slips for a moment, then his expression relaxed into a smile. "You little rascal. Trying to use the rules to pressure me? Fine, take them!"
With that, he tossed the three jade slips to Xuzhuang. The Book Immortal had intended to ignore him further, already settling back onto his cloud couch. But he lifted the Daoist Scripture in his hand, then lowered it again. "Kid," he said, "making things difficult for you would make me seem petty. Besides, the Tai Su Sect has never made a habit of seizing the fortuitous encounters of its disciples by force."
He propped himself up on one elbow, his eyes burning with intensity. "It’s just... I’ve seen many greedy and insatiable people try to cultivate multiple paths. They never amount to anything. But I’ve never seen a case like yours. Cultivating two paths simultaneously... True Qi and Sword Qi, generated at will? And both seem to be your fundamental arts. I am intensely curious. If you’re willing to satisfy my curiosity, I’ll make it worth your while."
A helpless expression crossed Xuzhuang’s face. ’It’s just as I feared,’ he thought. The Book Immortal Taoist must have noticed his unique nature the moment he appeared.
