Free Web NovelChapter 204: Chapter 204: Immortal Inheritance
Shen Daoxing shook his head.
Ge Ye gazed past the academy toward a distant place. "Because when Huangliang Immortal fell long ago, he left behind a tomb. Within it lies his immortal legacy."
"Long ago, to ensure his legacy would not be lost, Huangliang Immortal scattered a great number of Jade Tokens in the outside world. Anyone who holds a Jade Token can enter the tomb, and if they earn Huangliang Immortal’s recognition, they can receive the legacy!"
"And we of Taoyuan Town are the Tomb Guardians left behind by Huangliang Immortal. For generations, our ancestors have lived here, forming the Taoyuan Town of today. It’s just that over thousands of years, many have forgotten their mission. Only my lineage still remembers."
Ge Ye paused for a moment before continuing, "As a Tomb Guardian, I naturally have a Jade Token as well. Those two from before wanted the one in my possession."
Shen Daoxing had a flash of insight. He finally understood.
He then realized that since so many people could reach this place, the Huangliang Cave Heaven must have other entrances and exits besides the Ghostly Mist Abyss. He no longer had to worry about being trapped.
However, the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi here was abundant, perfectly suitable for cultivation, so he was in no hurry to leave.
"Thank you, Mr. Ge!"
Shen Daoxing clasped his fists and bowed respectfully to Ge Ye. Now that Yi was successfully apprenticed, he could cultivate in peace. The outside world was fraught with danger, and he still faced pursuit from the Celestial Profound Sacred Land. This was the perfect place for him to train.
With that, Shen Daoxing turned to leave.
Ge Ye was a little surprised. He hadn’t expected Shen Daoxing to come here just to ask a few questions, with no ulterior motives.
Ge Ye couldn’t help but stroke his graying beard, his admiration for Shen Daoxing growing even more.
Just as Shen Daoxing was about to walk out of the academy, Ge Ye suddenly called out, "Wait!"
Shen Daoxing turned, looking puzzled. "Mr. Ge, is there something else?"
"You’re different. Not like the others from the outside."
Ge Ye said calmly. With a turn of his hand, a simple, ancient white Jade Token appeared on his palm.
Ge Ye spoke, "You’re more worthy of this Jade Token than the others."
He then tossed the Jade Token to him.
Shen Daoxing reached out and caught it. The small Jade Token was perfectly smooth, with the character for "Huang" carved upon it.
A little surprised, Shen Daoxing clasped his fists and once again bowed to Ge Ye.
"In a little over a month, the Huangliang Tomb will reappear. Everyone with a Jade Token will be able to enter. After that, the Huangliang Cave Heaven will close again, and all of you outsiders will be expelled. You’ll have to wait another ten years before you can come again."
Ge Ye added as a reminder.
’So I only have a little over a month to cultivate here?’
Shen Daoxing’s first reaction was disappointment that his time here would be so short. Then, he expressed his gratitude, "Thank you for the warning, Mr. Ge!"
With that, Shen Daoxing turned and left the academy.
Watching Shen Daoxing’s retreating figure, Ge Ye murmured, "Perhaps this time, he’ll be the one to earn Huangliang Immortal’s recognition."
Since the town rarely saw outsiders, there were no inns.
After leaving the academy, it took Shen Daoxing a while to find a local who would rent him an unoccupied house. He gave it a quick cleaning and moved in.
To better blend in with the townspeople and avoid disturbing their lives, Shen Daoxing changed into the robes of a scholar. He spent his days cultivating in his room, only ever leaving for meals.
To any onlookers, he was just a bookworm who did nothing but read all day.
Only Yi would visit Shen Daoxing, bringing food his sister had made. One moment, he’d talk about how much his sister was thinking of him; the next, he’d complain that some loser "punching way above his weight" had come to their house to propose marriage, only to be rejected by his sister again.
He dropped all sorts of hints, doing everything short of spelling it out for Shen Daoxing.
Of course, Shen Daoxing saw through the boy’s unsubtle intentions, but he gave no reaction. He couldn’t stay in Huangliang Cave Heaven forever.
Time passed, day by day. The Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi in Taoyuan Town was as rich as expected, and Shen Daoxing’s cultivation progressed rapidly.
Meanwhile, more and more outside Practitioners arrived in town.
With the growing population, conflicts in town inevitably grew more frequent. From his room, Shen Daoxing would often hear the sounds of fighting.
One day, just as Shen Daoxing stepped out of his house, he saw a rainbow-like beam of energy soar into the air, exceptionally striking against the vast, cloudless sky.
Following it, three more beams of light shot up, revealing the figures of three young men.
Opposite them was a dashing young woman in red. She had short, shoulder-length hair, and her well-defined features held a unique combination of beauty and valor. With a single, simple sword strike, she forced all three men back, her movements both elegant and powerful.
The four landed on a distant rooftop and engaged in a fierce battle. Countless flashes from their clashing weapons exploded in the sky like fireworks.
Shen Daoxing had grown bored with his constant cultivation, so this was a perfect opportunity to get out and lift his spirits.
He saw that the three young men were decisive, each of their attacks lethal. Judging by their power, they were all masters of the Ninth Cave Heaven. The tall, thin one’s strength was even on par with the Ancient Sword Marquis.
Shen Daoxing had seen most of the great prodigies from across the East Continent back in Ancient Moon City, but he didn’t recognize this man at all.
The young woman facing them was also at the Cave Heaven Realm. Yet, fighting one against three, she wasn’t at a disadvantage in the slightest. She was a master among masters.
Shen Daoxing didn’t recognize her either.
One of the three, a youth with a gaunt face, roared, "Witch, hand over the Jade Token! We can grant you a quick death. Otherwise, we’ll make you suffer!"
As he spoke, he gave the young woman in red a lecherous once-over.
The young woman in red said nothing. She only shot the gaunt youth a cold glance before her sword slashed out with terrifying speed.
Startled, the gaunt youth hastily raised his sword to block. CRACK! The blade in his hand shattered to pieces.
The young woman’s sword, however, didn’t slow in the slightest as it continued its downward path.
The gaunt youth paled, shouting in panic, "Witch, you dare?! Do you have any idea who we are? We’re from the Xu Family of Daqian! My uncle is the Grand Commandant, Duke of Wu’an Xu Xiong! You dare touch me?"
However, the sword in the young woman’s hand didn’t slow down at all. In fact, it accelerated!
"What!"
The gaunt youth’s face drained of color as he scrambled backward in terror.
Seeing their companion in danger, the other two youths hastily swung their own weapons to intervene.
But even so.
With a sickening SLICE, the gaunt youth’s arm flew high into the air.
The other two arrived at his side and engaged the red-clad woman in a flurry of attacks, managing to force her back.
"Aaaargh..."
The gaunt youth clutched the stump of his arm, his eyes wide with fury as he glared at the woman in red. "I’ll kill you!"
"Oh?"
The young woman in red shot him a sidelong glance, a dangerous light flashing in her eyes as she raised her sword once more.
The gaunt youth flinched and stumbled back, crying out in terror, "Quick, kill her! Kill her!"
But the red-clad woman’s figure blurred, and she vanished. In the next instant, she reappeared right in front of the gaunt youth, her sword held high.
"PFFT!"
