Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 997: Chapter 41: How Could There Be a Path to Immortality in This World (Part 4)

The Stone Ruyi in his hand naturally fractured—of course, if Luo Qiu hadn’t picked it up, perhaps it would have stayed intact.

But fundamentally, this Stone Ruyi had long lost its original function.

That being said, Luo Qiu was not one to break things deliberately. Thus, the dust that had scattered on the ground quickly regrouped in his palm, as if time had reversed, and in just a moment, the shattered Stone Ruyi was restored.

Luo Qiu intended to return the Stone Ruyi to the hand of the man in the yellow robe inside the stone coffin.

Only at that moment, the man in the yellow robe, lying calmly in the stone coffin, suddenly opened his eyes… An ordinary person would probably be half scared to death at this sight.

“When we entered, a gentleman in our group said this is an excellent Feng Shui location.”

Luo Qiu, however, was not alarmed. He simply pried open the man’s hand and placed the Stone Ruyi back in its original position, continuing, “Since you are here to nurture your Divine Soul, it’s better not to wake up before it’s fully nourished. I bear no malice, just curiosity, and…”

Luo Qiu looked into the middle-aged man’s eyes and said indifferently, “I don’t plan to reveal your existence to anyone actively.”

Only then did the stern-faced man slowly close his eyes again, and simultaneously, Luo Qiu gestured with his hand, causing the coffin lid to fly back from the ground and cover the stone coffin in its original place.

“Times are changing,” Luo Qiu said calmly, “Even though you were once a king, even if you wake up, what can you change? This world is no longer that world.”

The man left in the stone coffin is perhaps just a pitiful soul trapped in unrealistic fantasies…

Luo Qiu shook his head. The Song Ancestral Mansion might indeed be a Feng Shui treasure spot, but if one hopes to use its power to keep a soul that should have long dispersed, or even resurrect it… it’s nothing but a hopeless dream.

A life that has already vanished cannot be easily brought back.

The soul inside the stone coffin, enduring for a thousand years without dispersing, is already incredibly difficult.

…

Luo Qiu did not take anything from the stone chamber, only leaving everything as it was.

He came and left no trace.

Later, when he returned outside, Mo Mo was feeding Zhan water, and the three corpses that were originally placed here were nowhere to be seen; it seems they have been properly dealt with by Mo Mo.

“Senior!”

Seeing Luo Qiu emerge from inside, Mo Mo quickly stood up and asked with concern, “Was there any danger inside?”

Luo Qiu casually replied, “Since you’re not planning to explore the things inside either, does it really matter if it’s dangerous or not to you?”

Mo Mo gave a sheepish smile… although he had resolved not to recklessly venture inside, he was still curious. Yet, from the tone of this senior, there seemed to be a hint of warning?

“When you went out to dispose of the bodies, did you encounter anyone you knew?”

Unexpectedly, Luo Qiu suddenly asked.

“Someone I know?” Mo Mo was startled, but at the same time, something clicked in his mind, and he quickly turned around, then was shocked, “When… who are you?!”

At the entrance of the passage leading to the bottom of the ancient well, a figure had already appeared at some unknown time!

The figure at the entrance slowly walked in. They were slim, wearing a black Tang suit, with a bronze mask on their face.

The mysterious figure with the bronze mask tilted their head slightly, directly gazing at the yet-to-awaken Zhan.

Mo Mo immediately frowned and blocked the mysterious figure’s sight, saying in a deep voice, “Who are you? What is your purpose in following us?”

But the mysterious figure said nothing, only shifting their gaze to Luo Qiu… as if silently staring, still speechless.

Mo Mo was already prepared for confrontation, extending his hand with a yellow sigil clasped between his fingers.

“You are very special,” suddenly, the mysterious figure spoke slowly, with a hoarse and deep voice, seemingly deliberate, “I didn’t know of your existence or that you would be here before I came… How did you manage that?”

Mo Mo looked at the revered ‘Senior’ in astonishment.

Luo Qiu pondered for a moment, then curiously asked, “So, you didn’t know of my existence or that I would be here… In other words, you originally could know who was here, is that what you mean?”

The mysterious figure remained silent, their gaze behind the bronze mask never leaving Luo Qiu… After a while, the figure shook their head and said indifferently, “Never mind, one more or one less makes no difference. Mo Mo, do you know my purpose here?”

“It’s obvious,” Mo Mo sneered, “The previous guy was despicable but dared to show his true face. Yet you, hiding and sneaking… Come on! If you want the Imperial Edict, you’ll have to get past me first!”

With that, Mo Mo’s mana surged, a golden flame emerging in his palm, which then infused into the yellow sigil clasped between his fingers.

The mysterious figure snorted coldly, “Indeed, the Taoist Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain has true skills, but you haven’t reached the highest level of the Yin-Yang Celestial Master. Don’t struggle needlessly; you can’t protect this child’s destiny. Give up early. I’m just taking the Imperial Edict, not his life.”

“Enough talk, let’s prove it with action,” Mo Mo gritted his teeth. The yellow sigil in his hand instantly shot out, “Thunder Duke’s Curse!”

“Taoist Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain? I know it too!”

Unexpectedly, at that moment, the mysterious figure also suddenly produced a yellow sigil from their hand, projecting it in the same manner!

The two yellow sigils collided in mid-air, instantly generating a loud explosion—the resulting shockwave from the spell’s destruction spread, causing debris to rain down from the chamber ceiling at the bottom of the well.

Luo Qiu frowned slightly at this moment.

“Thunder Duke’s Curse… how can you!” Mo Mo exclaimed in shock.

In Daoist Magic, different sects have their unique Thunder Techniques, with specialized mindsets and methods that are not simply replicated through mana simulation.

Regarding the Thunder Technique of the Taoist Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain, Mo Mo was undoubtedly familiar—and at this moment, when the two Thunder Duke’s Curses collided, he could clearly sense that the opposing mana was somehow akin to his own!

“The Thunder Technique of the Taoist Master is not hard to learn,” the mysterious figure clasped their hands, revealing a dozen yellow sigils between their palms!

Electricity crackled in the air, and the mysterious figure’s imposing manner was overwhelming, “The Great Thunder Duke’s Curse… let’s see if you’ve mastered it well!”

Mo Mo gritted his teeth, sweat faintly appearing on his forehead. With most of his talismans depleted during the journey, and his luggage left at Wolong Mountain Villa, countering the Great Thunder Duke’s Curse seemed almost impossible!

But just then, a snapping sound was heard.

Mo Mo was startled, while the mysterious figure’s Great Thunder Duke’s Curse seemed to falter, the yellow sigils were unexpectedly burning themselves.”

The mysterious figure instinctively looked toward Luo Qiu, while Mo Mo stared in astonishment.

“I haven’t seen a Taoist duel before, I’m indeed quite interested… But, could you not do it here?”

Luo Qiu said calmly, “Don’t you think dueling indoors is a very irresponsible thing? Who will compensate for the damaged items?”

“Meddling costs a price,” the mysterious figure said in a deep voice.

“I just said, don’t fight indoors then.” Luo Qiu shook his head, “I didn’t mean to intervene… Hmm, it’s my fault for damaging your things, I’ll compensate you.”

As soon as Luo Qiu’s voice fell, those yellow sigil papers that were automatically burning into ashes, miraculously began to gather in the air.

The time contained within those yellow sigil papers seemed to reverse, transforming them from burned remnants back to a brand new state, finally returning to the mysterious figure’s side.

“There’s plenty of open space outside this mansion.” Luo Qiu casually said, “But if the sound of your duel is quite loud, I still suggest you go a bit further away. After all, disturbing people’s dreams is also an unethical act.”

But at this moment, the mysterious figure suddenly reached out and collected those yellow sigil papers into his hand. Just as Mo Mo was tensed, wondering if the mysterious figure was about to use the Great Thunder Duke’s Curse again, he swiftly retreated without a sound.

In the blink of an eye, Mo Mo couldn’t even feel the slightest mana fluctuation from the mysterious figure… Which means, the mysterious figure just straightforwardly left!

Or perhaps… escaped!

Under the incredible skill of the senior!

“And you, do you intend to continue?” Luo Qiu at this point looked at Mo Mo.

Mo Mo hurriedly calmed his mana and swallowed, “Senior, I don’t like fighting indoors either…”

Luo Qiu said calmly, “I wasn’t helping you either, it’s just that I have some connection to this place, and I don’t like seeing it casually damaged. What happens next depends on your own fate.”

Mo Mo obediently nodded.

Perhaps if this senior could assist him, the troubles of the Penglai Conference might be easily resolved… But for some reason, Mo Mo felt the senior had no such intention.

He had no desire to fight for the Imperial Edict, nor did he plan to assist him, seemingly intending only to observe.

“Senior, once dawn breaks, I’ll leave with Zhan. Please rest assured…” Mo Mo said seriously, “After all, I don’t want what happened with Wang Dashun’s family to occur a second time.”

Luo Qiu nodded.

Mo Mo at this moment glanced at Zhan and then asked, “Senior… What do you think Zhan’s future will be like?”

“I don’t understand cultivation,” Luo Qiu shook his head, “But since your cultivation methods were initially man-made, even if there are some issues, people should be able to find solutions.”

Mo Mo pondered, then deeply bowed to the senior, but when he raised his head, he could no longer see the mysterious senior.

“Damn it… I forgot to ask the senior’s name again this time!”

…

…

The shadow jumped among the trees, quickly passing through a small forest, and finally came to a stream.

This was indeed the mysterious figure that suddenly appeared at the bottom of the ancient well.

Under the moonlight’s glow, the mysterious figure now sat cross-legged on a rock by the stream, carefully examining the stack of yellow sigil papers in his hand.

“Doesn’t seem like an illusion…” The mysterious figure muttered, “But if it’s not an illusion… Can someone actually shatter and restore things in this world?”

It’s not simply piecing together shattered things, but restoring ashes to their original state… The principles involved here cannot even be explained by Daoist Magic.

“Why can’t I predict this person’s existence…” The mysterious figure suddenly spat a mouthful of blood, greatly shocked, “Celestial concealment… Celestial concealment is hiding this person’s existence? How is it possible!”

The cold wind blew, and the mysterious figure felt a chill creeping up his back, an eerie sensation he had never encountered before. Just then, a phone ring suddenly sounded from his body.

“What is it?” The mysterious figure answered the phone, “What? Whose directive is this? The Daoist Association or the Yao Association? Or their joint statement?”

The voice on the other end of the phone hurriedly said, “Neither! The statement was issued by Xuanyuan Palace… It’s said to be Long Xiruo’s instruction and has already received approval from the ‘Special National Land Administration Bureau’.”

“I understand,” the mysterious figure said in a deep voice, “Hold off on any action for now… Because I’ve encountered obstructions here as well.”

The mysterious figure then ended the call, stood up, glanced in the direction of the mansion he intruded into tonight, and resolutely melted into the night.

…

When day broke, Uncle Wu came to Luo Qiu’s room and knocked on the door, informing him that breakfast was ready.

Uncle Wu was indeed a very responsible butler, even though the conditions here were somewhat simple, he still brought some hot water for washing.

“Thank you,” Luo Qiu politely accepted the hot water from Uncle Wu with both hands, “Did Old Master Song sleep well last night?”

“The master slept soundly, didn’t wake up during the night,” Uncle Wu smiled slightly, “He just woke up, washing up now, and looks quite good.”

“That’s good,” Luo Qiu smiled, “Then you go ahead, I’ll come out shortly.”

“Understood, Young Master Qiu,” Uncle Wu nodded, then quickly left.

After closing the door, Luo Qiu walked to the table in the room—the three-dimensional structure map of the Song Ancestral Mansion that emerged last night still remained, but now the place that was at the bottom of the ancient well was vacant.

Mo Mo kept his promise, leaving with Zhan when dawn broke.

Luo Qiu waved to erase the structure model and then began to wash… Hmm, seems like I’ve forgotten something.

…

“Master! Master! Master?”

The shouts from below the house caused Song Haoran to suddenly feel a bit melancholic… How should he go down?

Not that he couldn’t go down, but he didn’t want anyone to know he came up to the roof, nor did he want anyone to know that he not only climbed up the roof but also spent the entire night there.

Yes, during the whole night, Song Haoran stared at the three-dimensional structure map of the Song Ancestral Mansion in his mind, but he found nothing.

As the sun began to rise, the golden sunlight shone directly, making Song Haoran squint his eyes, while he rubbed his somewhat numb legs, raising his third finger to greet the morning sun.