Chapter 7

Chen Xi was immersed in a mysterious feeling.

He forgot everything around him, forgetting where he was, and his eyes were fixed on the countless stars that circled endlessly. These trajectories varied in length and thickness, some winding and entangled, some straight as spears, some curved into arcs, and some spiraling into circles, resembling various strokes of mystical runes.

Chen Xi seemed to see an invisible giant hand, using the sky as the rune paper, the countless stars as the rune pens, and an unimaginable rune-making technique to interpret the unfathomable rune paths, which were indescribably wonderful.

He couldn't help but want to exclaim, but found no words to describe it. He wanted to remember the trajectories but found that although they seemed to have a pattern, he couldn't grasp them. Thus, he no longer dwelled on it, nor did he pay attention to so many things. He simply observed and appreciated, his mind becoming calm and clear.

Buzz!

A strange low hum grew from faint to loud, gradually echoing throughout the heavens and earth.

The clear light from the countless stars condensed together, forming a flowing light scroll. Accompanied by the strange hum, the scroll suddenly released endless light, sweeping across the sky, enveloping the stars and returning them to the scroll!

Whoosh!

The scroll gathered into a bundle and then, at a visible speed, transformed into a streak of clear light, shooting toward the place where Chen Xi stood.

A sudden sense of alarm rose in Chen Xi's heart, instantly snapping him out of his state of complete absorption. However, before he could react, he felt a buzz in his head. In the next moment, a huge, gaunt old man appeared in his mind, barefoot, wearing hemp clothes, with white hair and a long beard, sitting cross-legged in the air, gazing at the sky with eyes as deep and clear as stars.

This huge old man, though plain and unremarkable, exuded a vast and desolate aura, drawing all attention to him.

What happened? Who is this old man?

Chen Xi was startled, quickly thinking about what had just happened. He had been observing the trajectories of the stars, so why did such a change occur in his mind?

"Finally, after so many years, a disciple worthy of inheriting my master's legacy has arrived, hahaha."

A deep, hoarse voice suddenly echoed in his ears, making Chen Xi tremble. He opened his eyes and, upon seeing the surroundings, was once again greatly surprised.

The star-studded night sky was gone, replaced by an endless expanse of tender green grass. A mighty river suddenly appeared, with rolling waves and splashing water, stretching forward without end. In the middle of the river stood a solitary, steep peak, pitch black and barren.

Suddenly, a monster with a single horn on its head emerged from the river. It had a lion's body and a dragon's head, four pillar-like hooves, and was covered in dense, black scales. Its eyes were clear but exuded a sense of ancient wisdom.

A... Qilin?

Seeing this monster and feeling the terrifying aura it emitted, Chen Xi couldn't help but draw a sharp breath, his heart pounding.

He had only seen descriptions of the Qilin in books. It was said to be one of the famous divine beasts from ancient times, capable of manipulating the five elements, wise and spiritual. Even in the era of gods and demons, few dared to provoke the Qilin, indicating its terrifying strength.

Now, a creature resembling a Qilin suddenly appeared before him. Even though his mind was as tough as a rock, Chen Xi still felt an inexplicable tension.

"Don't be afraid. I am the spirit of the cave, named Ji Yu. For over a million years, I have been helping my master guard the cave." The deep, hoarse voice came from the Qilin-like creature.

So its name is Ji Yu. Chen Xi slightly relaxed, then suddenly realized that this creature had lived for over a million years. Does that mean this cave has existed for over a million years?

"Junior Chen Xi, I greet you, Senior. May I ask if this is truly the cultivation place of the ancient god and demon?" Chen Xi asked respectfully. Even if the other party was a monster, he couldn't be impolite.

"Yes, it is indeed my master's cultivation place." Ji Yu stepped forward, examining Chen Xi from head to toe, and said in surprise, "Natal realm? Your strength is so weak, how could you possibly inherit my master's true legacy?"

Chen Xi was puzzled, "What true legacy?"

Ji Yu ignored him, pondering for a long time before suddenly saying, "Little boy, are you a cultivator who entered the path through runes?"

Entering the path through runes? Chen Xi was confused and shook his head, "I only know how to make some basic runes."

Ji Yu looked enlightened and sighed, "Indeed, my master entered the path by deducing the mysteries of the universe. Choosing you as his successor is reasonable."

Chen Xi became even more puzzled and couldn't help but ask, "Senior, what exactly is going on? When did I inherit the legacy?"

Ji Yu stared at Chen Xi with a strange look and said, "In your mind, there is a trace of my master's true self. Didn't you know?"

Chen Xi thought of the old man in his mind, exuding a vast and ancient aura, and said in surprise, "That old man is your master?"

Ji Yu was taken aback, shook his head, and sighed, "It seems you really know nothing."

Chen Xi felt embarrassed and respectfully said, "I hope Senior can inform me."

Ji Yu was silent for a long time before slowly speaking, "A million years ago, when my master left, he stipulated that only those who could obtain his true self's trace in the Star Secret Realm would be qualified to inherit his legacy. You are the only one to have done so in all these years. In other words, you now have the qualifications to become my master's disciple."

Chen Xi was enlightened. The vast sky he had seen earlier was probably the Star Secret Realm. However, was this also a test? He had merely observed the trajectories of the stars and received the cave master's true self's trace. Wasn't that too simple?

As if reading Chen Xi's thoughts, Ji Yu snorted, "Do you know how many strong people have tried to obtain my master's true self's trace over the past million years?"

"I can tell you exactly, 6,983 people! Among them were Nirvana experts, Immortal Transformation True Men, Earth Immortals who broke through the tribulation, and even a few Celestial Immortals. The weakest were at the Two Instruments Golden Core realm. Do you still think it's simple?"

Before Chen Xi could speak, Ji Yu raised his head proudly and said coldly, "If not for your understanding of the Star Secret Realm through the path of runes and your good insight, you would have been torn apart by the celestial stars!"

Chen Xi was startled and asked in horror, "Torn apart by the celestial stars?"

Ji Yu nodded, "Yes, the Star Secret Realm is profound and all-encompassing. If you cannot leave it within an hour, you will die and your soul will be destroyed."

Ji Yu then said with a touch of emotion, "Those who enter the cave are all extraordinary experts of their time. However, most of them still perished in the Star Secret Realm. Only a few successfully left it. These people, like you, understood some of the Dao principles left by my master. Unfortunately, before you appeared, no one could obtain my master's true self's trace, and thus had no chance to become his disciple."

Chen Xi asked in confusion, "What about those people? Would they leave willingly?"

Ji Yu said coldly, "Of course not. The Dao principles they understood in the Star Secret Realm were enough to benefit them for life. However, some were still obsessed and tried to obtain my master's legacy, thus forcing their way up the Trial Heaven Peak, ultimately meeting their end."

Ji Yu pointed to the solitary peak in the middle of the river and said, "That is the Trial Heaven Peak, divided into eighteen levels of trials. Only by passing all the trials can one obtain my master's complete legacy. Most of those who forced their way up the peak died in the first three levels. The most powerful was a supreme sword immortal from a hundred thousand years ago, who had reached the peak of sword cultivation, but he only made it to the thirteenth level before perishing."

Chen Xi was shaken and asked, "Do I need to pass the eighteen levels of the Trial Heaven Peak to obtain the complete legacy?"

"Of course, but you are different. You have already obtained my master's true self's trace, so you will only be injured, not killed, when passing the trials." Ji Yu answered casually.

Chen Xi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He couldn't help but worry, as even the supreme sword immortal had died at the thirteenth level, and his own strength at the third level of the Natal realm was probably not enough to pass even the first level.

Ji Yu warned, "Although you won't die, I still advise you not to attempt the trials now. Your strength is too weak, even the weakest I have ever seen. I'm not mocking you, but in ancient times, someone like you would be only slightly stronger than a newborn baby."

Only slightly stronger than a baby?

Chen Xi felt不服 (unconvinced), but thinking of the million-year-old monster before him, he had to bury his dissatisfaction deep in his heart and asked, "Senior, when can I pass the first level of the Trial Heaven Peak?"

Ji Yu was taken aback and asked in confusion, "Why are you so eager to attempt the trials?"

Chen Xi answered without hesitation, "I want to become stronger, to avenge my grandfather, to avenge my Chen family, and to become a Celestial Immortal to meet my mother!"

Ji Yu understood and, after a moment of thought, slowly said, "Now that you have obtained my master's true self's trace, as long as nothing goes wrong, you will eventually achieve your goals. However, your body is extremely weak, and your cultivation is pitifully low. It will take a long time to reach the Celestial Immortal realm."

Chen Xi's gaze was firm, and he said calmly, "No matter how difficult it is, I will never give up, never!"

A hint of appreciation flashed in Ji Yu's eyes, which were full of沧桑 (wisdom and experience). He then raised his head, gazing at the peak, and said proudly, "You are the only one in a million years to obtain my master's true self's trace. As long as you practice diligently, not only will you avenge yourself, but achieving the Celestial Immortal realm, or even going further, is also within reason. In the past, my master controlled the great Dao and walked the path of..."

His voice suddenly stopped, as if he realized something and fell silent.

Chen Xi didn't notice this. He was only thinking about the mystery of the true self's trace left by the cave master in his mind and how it could help him become stronger.

Also, where is the copy of the River Chart that my mother mentioned, in the cave?

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