"The Six Celestial Emperors of the Profound Mysteries..."

Bai Qi hadn't completely uttered the words when his vast sea of thoughts suddenly trembled, as if mighty waves surged across the sky, crashing against the embankment.

His brows furrowed sharply, and he quickly fell silent:

"The name of the Daoist Monarch, even to mention it is forbidden, as if there is a great restriction, is this what it means to speak reverently of the Venerable?

No wonder generation after generation of the Grand Historian never mentioned the Twelve Immortal Heads again."

Bai Qi sat calmly among the boundless mountain of bookshelves, silently organizing these ancient records that seem timeless until today.

Back in the primordial chaos at the beginning of the world, the Four Saints once spread the Dao.

They took twelve disciples altogether, bestowing upon them the name "Immortal Heads", entrusting them to govern the Dao Court and establish the laws of the Infinite Ten Thousand Heavens.

In the end, the Four Saints vanished, the Dao Court collapsed, the Twelve Immortal Heads fell into internal strife, fighting fiercely amongst themselves.

Then the Turbid Tide erupted, severing all contact across the Infinite Ten Thousand Ways.

The situation became like a scattered flock of ants, as if a heap of loose sand.

"No wonder the fragmented copy of 'A Family's Words of the Grand Historian' I found earlier depicted Dragon Court's disrespect for the Four Saints as a grave sin.

If the Dao Court still existed, it could have been a terrifying catastrophe involving the 'execution of the entire clan'."

Bai Qi glimpsed the grandeur and might of the Dao Court from the countless scrolls within.

It was indeed the sole giant governing the Infinite Ten Thousand Heavens, akin to the supreme ruler of a unified human empire, deciding life and death in a single thought.

Furthermore, those Twelve Immortal Heads Daoist Monarchs, whose names remain unknown, each governed hundreds of heavens, continuously launching campaigns to conquer and expand, using means often described as terrifying.

For example, it's said that the Peacock Division State, presided over by a Venerable from the Buddhist Sect, was invaded by the Daoist Monarch for their disrespect towards the Four Saints and the Dao Court, directly triggering the Nine Yang Tribulations, causing the sun and moon to diminish, and the seas to sink as the land submerged.

In just twenty years, that part of Lu State broke apart, nearly exterminating all beings.

After capturing the Venerable, he was ground into golden sand, shattered from the lotus seat, and suppressed within the sea eye of the Dao Court's great prison, enduring fifty thousand years of suffering from cold and heat.

"According to the Grand Historian's classification, the Infinite Ten Thousand Heavens might refer to Lu State, or the universe, or the Upper Realm.

Red County Divine Land is undoubtedly Lu State.

Desolate land... haha, this tone is like that of the disciples of the Celestial Water Prefecture, reduced to Black River County, it's just a rural place."

Bai Qi smiled in relief, through the Void Inner Scenery of this Guardian Vault, he finally glimpsed the majestic scenery beyond the Red County Divine Land.

"Dao Court, Immortal Heads, counting by tens of thousands of years, seems like a mere moment.

To these incomprehensible existences, ordinary people are indeed like ephemerals and ants, born in the morning and dying at dusk."

He couldn't help but ponder, perhaps only by stepping into the Longevity Secret Realm, could one break free from Lu State, wander the Grand Thousand World, and become a truly Carefree Immortal.

"Speaking of which, where exactly is Ah Di? Is the Inner Scenic Land he went to different from mine?"

...

...

Bai Ming's ears buzzed, and his mind felt like a fallen yellow leaf spinning endlessly in a river.

After a dizzying struggle, he staggered to the ground, a burst of refreshing fragrance filled his nose, invigorating his spirit.

"Where... is this place?"

Bai Ming rubbed his head. Although he hadn't broken through to the Third Realm of Dao Skill, gathering each thought into a Divine Soul, in the Inner Scenic Land, he still appeared in his true form.

He looked around, lush green grass spread across the land, it was clearly a place of abundant fertile soil.

"What a giant tree!"

Bai Ming looked up to see a colossal canopy, like wings stretching to the sky, spanning millions of miles, with a towering stance!

The breeze brushed his face, lively and spirited, and he couldn't help but take a deep breath, feeling a delightful sense of ease and comfort in his once tired spirit.

"Could this be the 'spiritual essence' the Sparrow Immortal mentioned?"

Bai Ming guessed, and immediately applied the Qi Observation Technique taught by his elder brother. Indeed, he saw wisps of differently colored energy clusters, shifting and merging, containing indescribably peculiar qualities.

Instinctively, he opened his mouth wide, trying to absorb more, nourishing each of his crystalline, concentrated thoughts.

Hiss ha! Hiss ha! Hiss ha—

Before long, Bai Ming rubbed his stomach, his little face full of frustration.

"I'm stuffed! My appetite is too small!"

His belly was round and taut like an elastic balloon, and finding standing too tiring, he lay down under the towering giant tree.

One by one, the plump and round exotic fruits, larger than the stone rollers used in the Martial Arts Hall, and branches as sturdy as coiling dragons swayed with glowing clouds and radiant flames, even with dragon sparrows flying, bringing vibrant rainbows dozens of yards long in their wake.

"The dwelling of the Immortals, could it not be like this?"

Bai Ming's eyes revealed a look of intoxication; just a few breaths of the rich spiritual essence equaled ten days of seated meditation, refining his thoughts.

"Huh, why is there a big tree stump with an axe stuck on it?"

After resting for a moment, Bai Ming circled the immense root of the tree and immediately made a discovery.

He grasped the wooden handle with both hands, pulled hard, and lifted the axe.

Then, the large tree stump suddenly displayed a big word.

"Chop!"

Chop what?

Doubts popped up in Bai Ming's mind.

"Swing the axe to fell the tree thirty times, and you may obtain one Immortal Peach."

The tree stump changed again.

"Could I get struck by lightning? This giant tree is enormous, it might have gained sentience, or like Lady Willow God, nurtured spiritual light.

If I use the axe to chop it..."

Bai Ming wasn't blinded by the potential benefits and instead stepped back cautiously.

His elder brother had told him, there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world, and one must always consider the pros and cons of every situation.

"A Divine Tree reaching the heavens... the chopper is unharmed..."

The stump of the tree seemed anxious.

"I don't believe it."

Bai Ming put the axe back, intending to clearly discuss with his brother after leaving this Inner Scenic Land and ask for his opinion.

One should not greedily seek opportunities, nor rashly take risks.

This was the repeated advice from his brother during fishing.

Because small boats like theirs simply couldn't withstand the ravages of the wind and waves.

"Foolish! Clumsy! Stupid! Dull!"

The stump was so angry that it cursed, but regardless of the words it displayed, Bai Ming remained unmoved, lying on the soft grass, gazing at the canopy of the Divine Tree that covered the sky.

...

...

Inhale!

Exhale!

At the He Family Mansion, He Jingfeng intertwined both hands, skillfully employing the "Qi Eating Technique" that only Dao School students could learn, swallowing refined red ochre and stalactite core powder bit by bit between breaths.

His originally strong muscles and bones were washed by the fierce medicinal effects, crackling instantly as if metal and iron were rubbing against each other.

After about half a stick of incense, He Jingfeng's sitting body suddenly trembled, as he stretched his shoulders, chest, and back, each bone emitted cracking sounds like growing bamboo joints, and the Qi Blood surged like a blazing furnace, fiercely rising several feet.

"First Realm of Dao Skill, Eating Elixir and Avoiding Grain! Finally perfected!"

He Jingfeng slowly withdrew his stance, excitement showing on his face, looking at Uncle Yang beside him:

"The cultivation technique from the Dao School is indeed powerful! It can nourish the spirit and avoid grain, circulate elixir and qi, and also temper Qi Blood, strengthening muscles and bones!

Once I crossed the threshold of Dao Skill, my realm broke through, and my physical form grew robust. Now, I'm no different from those Martial Artists who've reached the Second Bone Training Barrier!"

Uncle Yang praised sincerely:

"The Seventh Young Master has exceptional talent, mastering the Eating Elixir and Avoiding Grain with profound skill. Once you enter the Dao School and learn higher-level techniques, advancing to the Second Realm and Third Realm, Entering Meditation and Embracing the Embryo, Wandering Deity, you should be able to achieve great opportunities, truly not squandering the lady's effort."

He Jingfeng felt quite proud, expressing gratitude:

"I must thank Brother Bai too. Last time, when listed by the Hidden Pavilion, I wrote a letter and had my father mediate, although permission was not granted, the regular expenses for cultivation increased by about twenty percent, otherwise I would have had to endure for another three or four months."

Uncle Yang's eyes flickered, lowering his voice:

"I heard Bai Qilang befriended two Heterodox Loose Cultivators while ridding demons in Dayu Town, inviting them home for frequent guidance. The Young Master's instruction was indeed foresighted.

Bai Qilang truly couldn't resist, embarked on the path of Dao Skill."

He Jingfeng let out a long breath, shaking his head:

"I was thinking to leverage the He Family's substantial wealth to guide Brother Bai into cultivation, then control him and align with Tongwen Hall.

Looking at it now, my thinking was still too simplistic. Li Yuan took Brother Bai as a disciple, with three kilns and a craftsmanship firm, he might change to the Bai surname, never lacking silver.

Moreover, Zhechong Prefecture's Tao Rong just because he arrested a fish stall attendant, died in the Nu Yun River that night, with Chen Zhao accompanying, their bodies vanished, impossible to investigate.

These master and disciple are like fierce dragons, not bound by a few chains or iron shackles."

Uncle Yang's heart skipped:

"Daoist Xuanji from Zhi Xin Temple concluded that Tao Rong and Chen Zhao encountered a falling meteor, hitting a catastrophe… why does the Young Master suspect Tongwen Hall?"

He Jingfeng squeezed his brow:

"Just a gut feeling. This guy, Brother Bai, when doing things, emphasizes speed, precision, and ruthlessness. If the strength is adequate, seldom hesitates.

Setting up to kill Zhu Shou Rang, later using Feng Shao Ling to bait Hidden Pavilion Assassins, killing dozens of experts, making the destroyed four families never dare to emerge.

Tao Rong sought trouble out of nowhere, do you think Brother Bai would let him leave alive?" 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Uncle Yang shivered, are all Tongwen Hall folks so lawless?

A Zhechong Prefecture Captain has an official status, killing him is equivalent to rebellion!

"Anyhow, staying close with Brother Bai isn't wrong, even if one day he steps into Yihai Prefecture, turns it upside down, it has nothing to do with our He Family."

He Jingfeng smiled faintly, then thought of Feng Shao Ling, immediately his mood soured:

"That bastard like a mangy dog smelling meat, hovering in Black River County, sent several invitations, inviting Brother Bai for meals, truly shameless!"

Uncle Yang pulled out a letter from his sleeve, handing it to the mumbling He Jingfeng:

"Seventh Young Master, this is sent by the Eldest Young Master!"

Upon hearing there's a letter from his elder brother, He Jinghong, He Jingfeng hurriedly reached out to take it, swiftly removing the wax seal, spreading the letter.

"Good news! Eldest Brother experienced Divine Soul Emergence for the first time, wandering the void, taking in spiritual aura, gained an opportunity! Entered an Inner Scenic Land before Taoist Monarch's passing!"

Uncle Yang's wrinkles relaxed, smiling:

"The Eldest Young Master indeed has fortune, worthy as the top Dao School student in Yihai Prefecture!"

Reaching the Third Realm of Dao Skill, gathering the Divine Soul, allows one to peer into the void, wander within.

A person's Divine Soul, in relation to the void, resembles a firefly in the night.

The more profound the cultivation, the brighter the light.

Those outstanding talents appear like travelers carrying lamps in the nocturnal darkness.

During travels through the void, they often attract not owned Inner Scenic Lands, gaining extraordinary rewards.

"It's actually a grave of garments, hiding a 'scripture-level' cultivation technique!"

He Jingfeng finished reading, his eyebrows dancing with joy, as if the one who achieved the encounter was him.

Inner Scenic Lands vary in quality.

Itself is an Immortal transformed from a Ghost Immortal breaking the life and death barrier through lifelong cultivation.

Generally, the stronger the master's power, the more exceptional the quality of the Inner Scenic Land.

Sometimes, there are True Saint Divine Spirits before Taoist Monarch's passing, the Inner Scenic Land they leave remains intact over countless ages, nurturing a wisp of intelligent spiritual light.

"The Inner Scenic Land hiding techniques probably rates as mid-level. If it were the type indistinguishable from the outer world, real without falsehood, autonomously exchanging the void's spiritual aura, that'd be even more impressive."