Under the night moon, the fishing line descended, and another scripture arrived, quickly hovering above the bamboo boat.
Wang Xuan gripped his short sword, not surprised but frowning instead. Had the other party truly set their sights on him? After the emergence of the Lost Lands, the presence of transcendent energy indicated that the Lost Moon predated even the Celestials.
"What kind of monster could be up there, fishing on the moon?" Wang Xuan's expression shifted between shadows and light.
The scripture hung above the bamboo boat, radiating a celestial glow. Before it was even opened, hundreds of mysterious symbols burst forth, displaying an extraordinary aura.
"Is this the Inner Landscape scripture?" Wang Xuan gazed intently, wondering if this was related to the Inner Landscape. He felt a strong attraction; he didn't know much about the Inner Landscape, and every time he accessed it, it had been a passive experience. He was curious if this scripture could provide detailed insights about it.
"What do you think of this scripture?" Wang Xuan asked the ferryman.
"It's remarkable; it can be considered a secret classic of Daoism. Very few writings are documented; it's traditionally passed down orally from master to disciple."
The ferryman offered high praise, which stirred Wang Xuan's interest. He weighed his short sword in hand, studying the scripture again.
"In terms of the Inner Landscape scripture, where would this rank?" he couldn't help but ask.
The ferryman replied solemnly, "It has unique insights on the Inner Landscape; I estimate it could at least rank within the top seventeen."
"Not even in the top ten? This shabby scripture, with its appearance alone, can't attract my interest!" Wang Xuan took a step back, refusing to touch it.
"Does Old Zhong's library have something better?" the ferryman anticipated this question, already guessing Wang Xuan's response.
Wang Xuan nodded, then watched as the scripture flew away again. He couldn't help but shout, "This scripture is so mediocre; it's not even worth a glance compared to a decrepit old man's collection in the mortal realm!"
The ferryman couldn't take it anymore. "Tell me, who is this Old Zhong, and what scriptures does he have? I don't believe that his collection could overshadow the Inner Landscape scripture!"
"He's a health enthusiast, a collector, and an archaeologist. To care for his children, he had to focus on health and has grayed due to his grandchildren. His collection is vast; he has all sorts of ancient texts, from Earth Spirit paintings to Ascension scriptures, Celestial manuscripts, and ancient wonders—all housed in his library. He has a decent literary taste, appreciating ancient artifacts daily to cultivate his character," Wang Xuan reflected with high praise.
"Wait a minute, where did he get all those items?" the ferryman asked sternly, finding it a bit absurd that a mere mortal could possess such secret texts.
"I already mentioned he's an archaeologist. You know the Old Earth, right? He and some other old-timers have nearly excavated it clean," Wang Xuan explained.
"How is that possible? Even Earth Spirit cave dwellings can't be accessed without hiding within the void; how could he find them?!"
The ferryman was skeptical. If this so-called Old Zhong had really done that, then his own belongings might have been taken as well.
"Senior, times have changed. No one can cultivate on the Old Earth anymore; there's no transcendent material left. All ancient texts can only be studied as artifacts now. Those so-called underground palaces and ruins are quite ordinary; while some are dangerous and abnormal, they can still be blasted open with battleships," Wang Xuan asserted, presenting some facts.
The ferryman was stunned, then sighed, lamenting, "That reflects the lowest point of transcendent energy. When transcendent planets decline, all methods decay; every supernatural phenomenon becomes a shadow! Even the celestial dwellings have become mere mazes, stripped of divine authority, as all extraordinary elements fade... the methods rot!"
Otherwise, according to his reasoning, even Earth Spirit dwellings could remain hidden in the void for years; how could mortals ever touch them? Let alone the dwellings of the Ascended; just the thought of approaching them would result in a lightning strike that could obliterate a battleship.
"The problem is, Old Zhong has excavated even the Celestial ruins," Wang Xuan said flatly.
The ferryman was lost in thought, mumbling, "I have a place on the Old Earth too; surely he hasn't actually dug it up?"
"I suspect he has," Wang Xuan nodded. Even the small temple near his home in Dahei Mountain had been dug up, not to mention other locations.
For instance, in the renowned Qingcheng Mountain, even the edges had been excavated, extending deep underground beyond any bounds.
"This is excessive; that's the root of the Celestials! If someone from beyond comes back, this Old Zhong... humph!" Evidently, even the ferryman couldn't remain calm anymore; he began to snicker.
He added, "If this Old Zhong is discovered by those within the great drama, he will surely become a... celebrity."
In the depths of the Secret Realm, Old Zhong inexplicably sneezed nine times in a row, feeling a bit puzzled and then alert. He read through everything, quickly seeking augury for himself, and then lost his composure. How was this a divine augury? There was no solution?!
On the bamboo boat, Wang Xuan quickly tried to mitigate the situation. "Senior, you mustn't speak recklessly; the mortal world has changed. You can't fault the younger generations. Old Zhong is not unique; he represents a group of people; the Qin family, the Song family, they have all excavated!"
"Alright, I've noted that!" The ferryman said, a hazy face appearing from within the raincoat as he silently recorded.
"If Old Zhong invites me to his library in the future, I'll take over his affairs; ultimately, it's the mortals who should decide what belongs to the mortal realm!" In this place, Wang Xuan remained low-key, not daring to claim authority over the mortal realm.
After a longer pause this time, as the two spoke, there was again movement on the moon; the fishing line descended, and a scripture swiftly landed.
It radiated five colors, surrounded by mist, with a five-colored golden elixir swirling, carrying the blue sky and exhibiting an astounding atmosphere!
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Just a book, and yet it emanated the grandeur of the golden elixir Dao!
"The Five-Color Golden Elixir Technique? Claimed to be the ultimate secret classic of the golden elixir realm, once formed, it can transcend to the next level!" Wang Xuan looked at the scripture and offered that assessment.
This was Chen Tuan's technique, a figure he was quite familiar with. The book that Zhong Cheng had given him included not only Xiao Zhong's biography but also excerpts from Chen Tuan's scriptures.
Additionally, not long ago, he had learned of Chen Tuan's recent activities under the Wutu Tree in the west, where he had perfected the nine-colored golden elixir Dao.
Therefore, he looked down upon this scripture, saying, "The Five-Color Golden Elixir Technique is outdated; the nine-colored golden elixir technique has already emerged!"
The ferryman felt he was being too picky, raising his standards too high. "What exactly does Old Zhong's library have that raises your expectations so much?"
"It has golden bamboo slips from the pre-Qin period," Wang Xuan responded.
Upon hearing this, the ferryman was shocked, feeling disbelief. "You all... mere mortals have had access to such things?"
"What's the problem with that?" Wang Xuan asked.
The ferryman was completely unsettled, saying, "Golden bamboo slips have only ever existed in a handful of copies since ancient times. Even I have never studied them, let alone laid hands on them. Old Zhong has one in his library, just sitting on a shelf?!"
Wang Xuan noticed the way he was acting and understood that the golden bamboo slips held significant meaning for a strong individual like the Ferryman, who took them very seriously. He decided that after returning to the New Star, he would find a way to visit Old Zhong's study. Otherwise, if he waited too long, he might miss his chance, especially with someone like the Keeper of Contracts keeping an eye on things.
In three years, there would surely be a major change; some of the Celestial Immortals might return, and this golden bamboo slip could mysteriously vanish in the future.
"How about this, senior? Why don't you accompany me to the human world? There are all sorts of ancient texts to be found. I even have a golden bamboo slip that depicts a creature with a human head and a serpent's body, but there are no written explanations, so I can't understand it."
Wang Xuan's words provoked the Ferryman. He was shocked that even this kid had a golden bamboo slip! Times had changed, and it left him speechless and somewhat alarmed!
In the Ferryman's view, the current state of the Old Earth was like a treasure trove!
Wang Xuan indeed possessed a golden bamboo slip, which he received from Qingmu when he chose to join the Secret Path Exploration Organization. Unfortunately, he only had one, and he was still missing dozens or even hundreds to complete a set.
"What scriptures are there in the human world? If I put my mind to it, I will eventually see them all," Wang Xuan said, looking at the fishing line and scripture that had yet to depart. "So, there's no need to show me these so-called profound secret teachings; they are far too inferior. If there's no supreme scripture that would make the Celestial Immortals envious, then don't send them down to me; I won't be impressed!"
Although the Ferryman felt unsettled, he could only remain silent. This kid was standing at the top of the disdain chain, looking down on the fishermen on the moon!
The scroll of scripture departed without lingering.
Wang Xuan added, "Oh, and Old Zhong's study has a Five-Color Jade Book as well; I hear it's quite extraordinary."
In an instant, the scroll accelerated away and vanished into the night sky.
"I forgot to mention, this is just the study of a frail old man; I estimate there are at least a dozen similar studies elsewhere," Wang Xuan shouted towards the night sky.
For a long time, there was no movement on the moon; no scripture fell.
At that moment, Wang Xuan began to shed his skin, starting from his face and continuously peeling downwards—this was the Golden Body Technique advancing!
He immediately executed the Golden Body Technique, combining it with his breakthrough. Soon after, he shed a layer of extremely tough skin, revealing a body that sparkled brightly. With a slight exertion, he burst forth with a powerful golden light!
"I've reached the initial stage of the eighth layer of the Golden Body Technique!" Wang Xuan felt an explosive power within him that seemed inexhaustible. Theoretically, each layer of the Golden Body Technique was extremely difficult to advance.
For example, reaching the seventh layer required sixty-four years, while the eighth layer required one hundred twenty-eight years!
Given the time and energy involved, very few dared to practice it, believing it was not worth the effort!
Wang Xuan traversed the Secret Path, using the Inner Landscape and the Departed Land to elevate the Golden Body Technique to the eighth layer, greatly shortening the cultivation time!
"Is this considered a transcendent body?" Wang Xuan thought that if he encountered those three transcendent beings again, their specially made symbol arrows might not pierce him.
"Your physical body is strong, which is naturally up to par, and your spiritual energy is also remarkable, placing it within the realm of transcendence. However, why isn't there a resonance between your spirit and body, triggering a transcendent transformation?" the Ferryman asked, gazing at him with curiosity.
Quickly, he thought of something and muttered to himself, "Could it be that your body and spirit still have untapped potential, which is why they haven't resonated and you haven't transcended?!"
He showed a hint of surprise. If that was the case, this young man had immense potential? He was certain that this young man's strength was now close to transcendent, and even stronger in terms of physical prowess!
"With a mortal body, can one strike against the transcendent?" He was moved and couldn't help but look up at the moon. Was the reason the beings up there were fishing also related to this?
"Turns out there really is an extreme point in the mortal realm; am I now nearing or standing firm in this position?" Wang Xuan mused.
Then he said, "I feel that my transformation isn't complete; I can still significantly boost my strength tonight."
He sensed that the vitality of his flesh was surging, his metabolism accelerating, and his cells were in an active state. Moreover, his body lacked no energy, and under the radiation of the transcendent, he should still be able to break through!
At this moment, he practiced the body techniques recorded in the Five-Page Golden Book. The first four moves were executed in one go, and he advanced to the fifth move, ultimately completing it.
"I've mastered the fifth move?!" Wang Xuan was overjoyed; this was somewhat unexpected, yet also within reason.
After all, he had advanced the Golden Body Technique, enabling him to practice the more difficult subsequent moves, as the secret methods recorded in the Golden Book required a robust physique as a foundation.
Wang Xuan discovered that even after performing the five moves, his body didn't feel overly heated and didn't require much "cooling" time.
This meant that his attack power would greatly increase!
"Did you see? I'm practicing the body techniques of Zhang Daoling, the founder of Taoism, as recorded in the Five-Page Golden Book. I've seen various cultivation techniques, so please don't send me any ordinary manuals!"
Wang Xuan spoke, and his words were certainly not well-received.
At the very least, even the Ferryman found him a bit tiresome—was this kid trying to swindle scriptures?!
Wang Xuan whispered, "Senior, the Departed Moon is older than the Celestial Immortals; what kind of monsters are up there? If you tell me, I'll give you a golden bamboo slip in return."
"One slip? No way!" the Ferryman replied firmly.
Wang Xuan pouted; he hadn't even seen a complete one himself, so he wouldn't give it!
He pondered that once his second transformation was complete, he would immediately leave; he didn't want to stick around.
At that moment, there was movement on the moon, and a fishing line fell, bringing down a scripture from the sky.
However, this time, there was no astonishing spectacle; only a faint mist covered a stone tablet, silently hovering above the bamboo boat.
"I only want the strongest scripture; otherwise, it's not even comparable to Old Zhong's collection!"
Wang Xuan felt this stone tablet was somewhat ordinary; it was covered with cracks and depicted a humanoid figure with some characters, but only a corner was visible, while the rest was obscured by a special mist, making it impossible to see through.
"This..." The Ferryman was astonished. Looking at the stone tablet, his body trembled, and a blurry face appeared from within his raincoat, his lips quivering.
Wang Xuan immediately sensed that this stone tablet had an astonishing origin, to the point of leaving the Ferryman so flustered.
"Is this stone tablet extraordinary?" he asked quietly.
"Absolutely!" The Ferryman reached out, wanting to touch it, but he restrained himself and said, "This should be what you're looking for."
"If the beings on the moon missed their catch, it would be quite normal, right?" Wang Xuan asked.
He felt that if the beings on the moon had the ability to directly interfere with the Departed Land, they wouldn't have to struggle so much with fishing.
The Ferryman nodded.
"Swish!"
Without saying a word, Wang Xuan decisively swung his short sword, and with a clang, sparks flew as he painstakingly but effectively severed the fishing line!