Chapter 53

Shen Lian had always wanted to seek immortals and learn the Dao, but when a true master with wondrous Daoist arts stood before him, he felt a hint of fear. Otherwise, why would he have to exert the *True Explanation of the Supreme Clarity Spirit to Lock the Heart and Stabilize the Spirit*, to prevent any thoughts from arising?

Thinking of this, he realized he was like the man who loved dragons but was afraid of them, and couldn't help but smile inwardly.

The peaceful and tranquil state of mind was thus disrupted.

When he looked around, he found himself no longer in the hall.

He was following the master of the Su Family Fortress directly, walking at the back, with Kuhui and Xiaozhu in front of him.

Ordinary people, when walking in a group, would unconsciously follow those in front.

This was even more pronounced in animals.

This was an unintentional thought.

However, whether it was Kuhui, Shen Lian, or Xiaozhu, they were all individuals with strong self-awareness. Yet, the master of the Su Family Fortress could lead them all without them noticing, which truly astonished Shen Lian.

He could enter a state of concentration and calm his mind, but he couldn't stabilize his soul.

The fox spirit Xin Qubing had said that his physical body and spirit were not well integrated, indicating that his soul and spirit were not fully unified.

Therefore, his spirit was more likely to leave his body, but this also had its drawbacks.

Otherwise, ordinary cultivators would need to calm their minds for a long time before they could leave their bodies, not like him, who could do so even while moving and fighting.

While Shen Lian was thinking about these things, his steps did not pause for a moment.

Because his true qi and body had adapted to this rhythm, he could only naturally stop when the master of the Su Family Fortress stopped leading the way.

He could force himself to break free, but that would make his soul and spirit even more conflicted.

Instead, this unique pace made him deeply feel the gap between his 'soul' and 'spirit.'

This was the reason he could regain his clarity.

The surroundings were shrouded in a white mist, and he didn't know where he was.

He couldn't distinguish east from west.

Suddenly, his vision and hearing refreshed, and he heard the sound of flowing water nearby.

The mist dissipated, and he found himself on a winding path leading to a secluded place.

On both sides of the path were streams and shrubs, and beyond them were tall bamboo groves, their leaves rustling in the evening breeze.

A pavilion stood alone in the distance.

Each person took their seat, and Shen Lian finally regained control of his body.

Xiaozhu and Kuhui seemed not to have noticed their previous confusion and only came to their senses after sitting down.

"Where are we?" Xiaozhu asked. After agreeing to stay, she had felt as if she had taken a nap, and when she woke up, she was already seated here.

"This is my garden. Please don't worry," the master said with a smile, bowing and clapping his hands. A group of graceful maidservants appeared.

Eight maidservants carried trays of exquisite dishes, the ingredients of which were indescribable.

Four more maidservants carried silver pots and wine glasses.

The table was square, and the four of them each took a side.

Shen Lian and the master of the Su Family Fortress faced each other.

After the maidservants who brought the wine and dishes left, two more maidservants remained.

One played the zither, and the other played the flute.

One of them asked, "What tune would the master like to hear today?"

Her voice was soft and beautiful, but lacked vitality.

Shen Lian secretly observed each maidservant. They were all exceptionally beautiful, but their eyes were lifeless.

They reminded him of the wax figures he had seen in a celebrity museum in his previous life, which, though lifelike, lacked the spark of life.

However, the wax figures stood still, making it easy to distinguish them from real people.

These maidservants, on the other hand, moved freely, clearly not artificial.

"Many bones lie before the gate of immortality. Let's hear a tune called 'Lament of the Bones' today," the master said with a smile, without asking what Shen Lian and the others wanted to hear.

The presence of music and wine during the meal further demonstrated the master's extraordinary status.

Shen Lian decided to go with the flow.

Kuhui spoke the least, while Xiaozhu spoke the most.

The three of them were not friends, but they had a subtle默契 (mòqì) (understanding).

The master of the Su Family Fortress was mysterious and seemed almost like a celestial being, so they subconsciously banded together for support.

At the same time, Shen Lian sensed that although Kuhui spoke the least, he had a good impression of him and harbored no ill will.

The master, though seemingly amiable, was the hardest to read. Shen Lian's sensitive spirit could not discern his depth at all.

Occasionally, he would try to probe, but his thoughts would be repelled by an invisible barrier, preventing any insight.

The wine was smooth and had a lingering aftertaste, and the dishes were exquisite, even surpassing what Xiaozhu, from a noble family, had ever tasted.

However, in this mysterious place, in front of this mysterious master, even the most exquisite dishes and wine lost their appeal.

So Xiaozhu was not enjoying her meal.

She glanced at the others. Kuhui's expression was not bitter.

He ate and drank as he was told, probably the most obedient monk in the world.

Xiaozhu knew that this monk had been famous for many years before she was born. In the martial world, to be famous and live long meant he must have extraordinary skills and wisdom.

Anyone who could live to a ripe old age had something extraordinary about them.

The monk, though not yet at the end of his life, was already quite old.

Xiaozhu knew that if they wanted to leave safely, they would likely need to rely on this old monk, as he was wise and resourceful.

On the other hand, Shen Lian seemed to be truly enjoying the meal.

Shen Lian ate very elegantly, savoring each bite and chewing carefully without making any noise.

He gave the impression of someone who would never waste food, exuding a natural grace and composure.

His demeanor seemed innate, not cultivated.

He neither overate nor underate any dish, even those he liked.

This restraint in indulging his desires showed a high level of self-cultivation.

Some people believed that indulging in their desires was the true way to freedom and spontaneity.

But true freedom and spontaneity did not come from being controlled by desires, but from being able to control them.

Absolute freedom was not freedom.

The maidservants played the zither and flute, and the tune "Lament of the Bones" truly lived up to its name.

However, it had a "sad but not sorrowful" quality, so it didn't make them feel depressed while eating and drinking.

"What do you think of this tune?" the master asked with a smile.

"Heavenly, not found on earth," Kuhui said sincerely, putting down his chopsticks.

"It's really very beautiful," Xiaozhu said, revealing her lack of literary refinement and noble upbringing. Of course, she knew that no one disliked flattery.

With her beautiful face, she understood the power of flattering words on a man.

"The tune is good, and the skill is excellent, but it's still missing something," Shen Lian said.

The master seemed displeased and said coolly, "It seems you have high standards. You may not know, but even in the imperial palace, there are no better musicians than these."

As he spoke, he coughed slightly, suggesting that this master of Daoist arts was not in the best health.