“The Great Xia officials have named the ruins the Everlasting Ruins.”

“The Everlasting Ruins are located in a small mountain near the Great Yan County. Locals call this mountain the Wasteland Mountain due to its scarce resources and mediocre scenery, which means it’s not a popular destination.”

“Initial explorations suggest that these ruins date back to the late ancient period.”

Before heading to the ruins, Yun Zhi gave Lu Yang and Everlasting Fairy a brief introduction about the site.

Modern understanding of the ancient period is largely dependent on past records, about 70%, and the excavation of relics from the Great Qian Dynasty, about 30%.

Because of the anonymous ancient person’s refining of stars, there are very few ruins from the ancient period, and most are severely damaged, offering little useful information.

Lu Yang, however, is different. His understanding of the ancient period is entirely based on Everlasting Fairy.

After hearing Eldest Senior Sister’s introduction, Lu Yang hesitated and then spoke up.

“What is it?”

“Do we really need to discuss the ruins while eating hotpot?”

In front of Lu Yang, the hotpot was bubbling away. The table was filled with plates of beef, and according to the restaurant, these included different parts of the cow such as tenderloin, sirloin, shank, brisket, and a mixed offal platter. Lu Yang hadn’t realized one could divide a cow into so many distinct parts.

Across the hotpot, the fairy-like female cultivator watched Lu Yang eat with an expressionless face, making him feel quite pressured.

This was like an execution. He would rather just go straight to the Everlasting Ruins.

The beef hotpot was famous throughout the land, attracting many diners. However, Eldest Senior Sister’s ethereal and transcendent aura was completely out of place in the lively hotpot restaurant, drawing many curious glances towards Lu Yang and Yun Zhi. Observant people would notice that although they were talking, they couldn’t hear a word. This wasn’t due to a simple soundproofing formation but rather a more profound technique, closer to an illusion.

Yun Zhi picked up a piece of beef from the pot, dipped it in sa cha sauce, and delicately placed it in her mouth. Her graceful movements made it seem like she was eating a rare and precious delicacy rather than hotpot. (TL Note: Shacha sauce is a savory, slightly spicy Chinese condiment used in Min Nan cuisine. It is made from soybean oil, garlic, shallots, chilies, Chinese brill, and dried shrimp. It is also sometimes sold as “Chinese barbeque sauce”. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shacha_sauce)

“Beef hotpot is a specialty of the Great Yan County. Since you rarely come here, you should try the local cuisine to broaden your experiences. Your lively nature indicates that you are destined to follow the path of worldly cultivation, and this is part of your training.”

Yun Zhi paused, then continued, “It also serves to celebrate your successful advancement to the Golden Core Stage.”

She raised her teacup and clinked it against Lu Yang’s.

Lu Yang, feeling honored, carefully lifted his teacup.

After the meal, the two left the restaurant. Lu Yang was still savoring the taste of the hotpot. He had to admit, it was quite delicious.

Just as Lu Yang was about to ask where they were heading next, he felt Eldest Senior Sister grab his collar.

She took a step forward, and space distorted around them. The scene changed from the restaurant entrance to the desolate Wasteland Mountain.

“Now this is Shrinking Earth into Inches!” Everlasting Fairy exclaimed excitedly.

Having spent so much time with Lu Yang, she had almost forgotten that true Shrinking Earth into Inches was a spatial technique, not just digging through the earth.

…

On the Wasteland Mountain, soldiers had set up camp and were on high alert. These were the elite troops of the Great Xia Dynasty, all cultivators capable of forming a battle soul array to face enemies.

The Everlasting Ruins, being the origin of the Undying Sect, commanded great attention from the court.

“Is that Daoist Yun Zhi?”

A veteran general clad in heavy armor approached, each step he took producing a resounding clank.

The old general had received prior notice that Dao Seeking Sect would send someone to explore the Everlasting Ruins.

He commanded this elite army, capable of fighting even cultivators at the Tribulation Crossing Stage, holding a significant position in the court.

Yet, he dared not flaunt his authority in front of Yun Zhi.

The reason was simple: he had witnessed Yun Zhi in action.

At the same time, he wondered, by inviting Yun Zhi here, did the court intend to explore the Everlasting Ruins or dismantle them?

Yun Zhi nodded without saying much.

The general’s gaze lingered on Lu Yang, a junior cultivator who had just formed his Golden Core. He couldn’t fathom why Daoist Yun Zhi brought him along.

The general didn’t question it. Since Yun Zhi had brought him, there was no need to interfere.

Could he stop Yun Zhi anyway?

“This way, please.” The general gestured respectfully, inviting Yun Zhi to enter the Everlasting Ruins.

The soldiers witnessing this scene speculated about the visitor’s identity, causing the general to treat them with such respect.

A princess? A high-ranking noble? A great cultivator at the Tribulation Crossing Stage?

The soldiers were highly disciplined. Despite their curiosity, they did not show it and remained focused on their duties, practicing battle techniques.

The general led the two to a cave, dark and deep. “This is the place. According to the followers of the Undying Sect, more than ten thousand years ago, the first Undying Sect Sect Leader was inspired by Everlasting Celestial. In a dream, he came to this place and saw two old men playing chess. One was Everlasting Celestial, and the other was an ancient nameless immortal.”

“The first Sect Leader was captivated by the game. When the game ended, the two old men and the chessboard vanished. The Sect Leader awoke to find himself at the entrance of the Everlasting Ruins.”

“However, our investigation suggests that this story was fabricated to elevate the Undying Sect’s origins. The only factual element is that the protagonist was the first Sect Leader.”

“The reality is, the first Undying Sect’s Sect Leader was illegally logging here to sell the wood. He was caught by the court and imprisoned for fifty years. After his release, he reflected on his criminal past, improved his methods, and learned the ‘Tree Planting Technique.’ He would plant trees and then harvest them, quickly mastering the technique.”

“One day, he uprooted an ancient tree and discovered a deep, mysterious cave beneath it. He was intrigued and bought an accident insurance policy before venturing into the cave.”

“There, he discovered the Everlasting Ruins, learned about Everlasting Celestial, and obtained several celestial treasures. Inspired, he realized that running a cult was a faster way to earn spirit stones than logging.”

“This is also reflected in the criminal code: the former leads to the death penalty, while the latter results in a fixed-term imprisonment.”

“Founding the Undying Sect was fraught with difficulties, such as lack of funds and manpower.”

“He overcame financial constraints by taking loans and recruited members from prisons. After surmounting numerous challenges, he finally established the Undying Sect.”

“…How did you uncover such detailed information?” Lu Yang was amazed at the first Undying Sect’s Sect Leader’s rich experiences, enough to write a book.

The court was impressive, managing to investigate in such detail.

“Oh, investigating this wasn’t difficult since he wrote an autobiography.”

The general pulled a book from his robe, “This is it. I’ve been reading it as a novel recently. It’s quite entertaining.”

Lu Yang: “…”

You really think you’ve achieved something, don’t you?

The general added, “Later, the second Sect Leader usurped power, killed the first Sect Leader, and claimed his insurance payout.”