The breeze stirred the leaves of the phoenix tree in the courtyard. A faint dampness hung in the air. Last night, an autumn rain had battered the red blossoms, leaving scattered petals on the ground. Lu Yuan sat in the Changchun Residence. He had already reached the fifth level of Longevity, and from the news he’d gathered from Uncle-Master Ye, Sima Changbai was likely at the ninth level of Longevity. He was only two cultivation realms away from Sima Changbai; meaning, once he advanced two minor realms, reaching the Great Completion of the Golden Core at the seventh level of Longevity, he could challenge Sima Changbai.

The feud with Sima Changbai was ancient, and perhaps the time for its resolution was near. The mere thought filled him with immense anticipation. Currently, Lu Yuan had three tasks at Mount Hua: one concerning Sima Changbai, one involving Yuan Ling, and the third related to the Three Sword Qi Sects. The latter two matters felt distant; only this one was pressing.

The most crucial step now was to advance his spiritual power by two realms.

Unquestionably, the immediate goal was to advance from the fifth level of Longevity to the sixth.

The fifth level of Longevity allowed him to command dual swords. The sixth level of Longevity entailed the formation of a Nascent Soul, or rather, a 'Void Core.'

This so-called Void Core, or Xudan, actually required an exceptionally strong divine soul, strong enough for a phantom core to coalesce above the nascent Yuanshen. It demanded immense soul power, sufficient to condense this Void Core. Clearly, his current soul was not yet powerful enough. Lu Yuan sat cross-legged, retrieved the soul crystal obtained from the Jiang River—which had nearly depleted its energy—and placed it between his brows. He activated the technique for absorbing soul power, drawing in the essence.

As he did this, he felt his divine soul continuously strengthening, becoming more potent by the moment.

He didn't know when it happened, but a shadow of a half Void Core materialized above his Yuanshen, though it was merely a fraction, incomplete and fragmented, still distant from true condensation.

Lu Yuan felt his soul power cease to increase further and opened his eyes. At that instant, the soul crystal between his brows shattered with a pop, its energy clearly exhausted.

It seemed the sixth level of Longevity would require more time.

Lu Yuan moved his hand, retrieved his wine gourd, and took a sip. Life on Mount Hua was quite comfortable. Just as he thought this, a Daoist acolyte arrived to summon him to the Zhongzheng Pinghe Zhai. What business could there be? Lu Yuan mounted a white sword light and flew directly towards the Zhongzheng Pinghe Zhai.

The very first question posed upon entering the Zhongzheng Pinghe Zhai caught Lu Yuan off guard.

Venerable Yuanyuan stood with his hands behind his back and asked, "Do you know the true strength of the North Peak?"

This question was extremely difficult to answer. The figures Lu Yuan knew existed within the North Peak were Venerable Yuanyuan himself, plus the other five of the Six Sword Immortals of the North Peak; this was essentially the known strength of the North Peak. However, Lu Yuan was certain the North Peak could not possibly be limited to just these individuals; there had to be more hidden masters and powerful figures.

But exactly how powerful these figures were, Lu Yuan did not know. Thus, facing Venerable Yuanyuan’s inquiry, Lu Yuan shook his head.

Venerable Yuanyuan spoke, "The Second Generation Ancestor of the North Peak once created a separate planar space, establishing the Chuyun Immortal Realm within the North Peak. Some of the North Peak’s long-unseen figures reside within the Chuyun Immortal Realm. To note, the North Peak harbors eight figures at the Great Dao Realm. Apart from myself, there are seven others: Qu Qingchen, Cheng Qingyu, Huang Qinghua, Sun Qingchi, Lu Qingtao, Wan Qingwang, and Sima Qinggui. All are of the Eighth Generation. Among them, Sima Qinggui is Sima Changbai's master. As for your own ancestor, Li Qingmie, he passed into immortality two hundred years ago." Lu Yuan was startled upon hearing this. Was this the true strength of the North Peak?

Lu Yuan now understood that figures at the Great Dao Realm held considerably important status within the cultivation world of the Jin State.

Eight Great Dao Realm figures in total for the North Peak—well, this strength wasn't entirely beyond his expectations. Among the names listed in the Eighth Well, many contained the character Qing, but the strongest among those named Qing should be Uncle-Master Zhou Qingxuan, the foremost sword master of Mount Hua.

Venerable Yuanyuan continued, "These seven are figures at the level of your martial uncles. Your current strength is quite commendable. I plan to have you enter the Chuyun Immortal Realm to cultivate with several of your martial uncles for a period."

Only then did Lu Yuan grasp the intent behind Venerable Martial Uncle Yuanyuan sharing all this. This discussion had revealed much to Lu Yuan. Few individuals in the Jin State had reached the Great Dao Realm, and those who surpassed it to higher major realms could be counted on one's fingers.

Venerable Yuanyuan revealed so much because Lu Yuan’s strength was growing rapidly, potentially allowing him to reach the Great Dao Realm within the next few decades—he was indeed qualified to know such things.

"Very well, I have explained what needs explaining. Proceed to the Chuyun Immortal Realm now." Venerable Yuanyuan instructed.

"Immediately?" Lu Yuan inquired.

"Yes." Venerable Yuanyuan nodded. He too took to a sword light and flew outside. The terrain of the Zhongzheng Pinghe Zhai had been described earlier: it was built atop the northern peak of Mount Hua, accessible by a single path, while the other three sides plunged into endless cliffs shrouded in white clouds.

Lu Yuan also mounted a sword light and flew out. Venerable Yuanyuan stopped in the boundless void, then moved his hands, striking the emptiness with an extremely profound hand seal. With a bang, a massive gateway materialized. The gate was intricately designed, with the Yin-Yang symbol at its center, surrounded by swirling white clouds. After the gate appeared, Venerable Yuanyuan struck the center of the Yin-Yang symbol—the convergence point—with another bang, and the gate swung wide open.

"Go on in," Venerable Yuanyuan said, entering on his sword. Lu Yuan naturally followed closely behind him into this domain.

The most mysterious location of the North Peak—the Chuyun Immortal Realm. A space created by an ancient, powerful cultivator.

This…

Upon first entering, Lu Yuan was profoundly shaken. This space was vast beyond imagination. He hadn't expected a self-created space to be this immense. Before him stretched an incredibly flat expanse of grassland, with a few modest mountain peaks visible in the far distance. There was no sun or moon in the sky, but a blazing artifact orbited above, continuously radiating heat.

Venerable Yuanyuan explained, "The Second Generation Ancestor possessed two artifacts: the Sun Essence Wheel and the Moon Essence Wheel. He suspended them in the sky; the Sun Essence Wheel appeared by day, and the Moon Essence Wheel by night, replacing the sun and moon. This is near the limit of what cultivators in our Jin State can achieve. Legend says those great figures of the Ancient Era could forge their own suns, moons, and stars." This, of course, was just ancient lore.

"Within this Chuyun Immortal Realm, there are seven martial uncles and martial granduncles at the Great Dao Realm. Among them, the disciple of Uncle-Master Wan Qingwang is Junior Brother Yuan Ling. Following the emergence of Yuan Ling, a rare traitor, Uncle-Master Wan Qingwang sealed himself in seclusion and no longer accepts apprentices. And Uncle-Master Sima Qinggui’s disciple is Sima Changbai, so naturally, he cannot instruct you."

"The remaining five: Qu Qingchen is my master. Cheng Qingyu, Huang Qinghua, Sun Qingchi, and Lu Qingtao are all martial uncles of immense skill." Seeing Lu Yuan hesitating, Venerable Yuanyuan elaborated, "Among these, Uncle-Masters Cheng Qingyu and Huang Qinghua specialize in esoteric spells—you likely wouldn't wish to learn from them. My master has been in seclusion for the last hundred years, attempting to break through to a higher realm. Therefore, your real choices are limited to Uncle-Master Sun Qingchi and Uncle-Master Lu Qingtao. Both specialize in Water-element Sword Intent. Which do you choose?"

Lu Yuan considered briefly; there wasn't much of a choice after all. "Then I shall choose Uncle-Master Sun Qingchi." In reality, the difference was minimal, so Lu Yuan selected casually.

Venerable Yuanyuan smiled. "Very well, let us go then." He sped up on his sword, and Lu Yuan followed closely. They flew swiftly until they reached a lower mountain range. At the summit, they saw a sprawling complex of courtyards.

Venerable Yuanyuan halted before the entrance. Four characters were inscribed above it: "Qingjing Fudi" (Realm of Pure Tranquility). The script was ethereal and flowing. Venerable Yuanyuan called out, "Venerable Yuanyuan seeks an audience with Uncle-Master Sun Qingchi!" His voice resonated clearly. Those inside, hearing that the Master of the North Peak had come personally, dared not delay.

Moments later, Sun Qingchi, a Venerable of the Eighth Generation, appeared. He was a thin old man with white hair and beard, exuding an air of detachment. Two spirit swords were strapped to his back, and he held a horsetail whisk in his hand. When Venerable Yuanyuan explained Lu Yuan's situation, Sun Qingchi was naturally pleased.

Even within the Chuyun Immortal Realm, the news of the Tenth Generation's most powerful genius had already spread.

To be able to mentor such a prodigious talent filled him with joy.

"You are that genius, Lu Yuan?" Lu Yuan was temporarily housed in a small courtyard within the Qingjing Fudi. This courtyard contained two rooms, and aside from Lu Yuan, one other person resided there.

That person was a tall, thin middle-aged Daoist. He asked upon seeing Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan cupped his hands in greeting. "I am. May I ask, Martial Uncle, who you are?" In the Chuyun Immortal Realm, everyone was at least at the Martial Uncle level. Lu Yuan’s nature was free and easy, but having spent time in righteous immortal sects had imbued him with certain manners; he instinctively bowed before elders.

The thin, middle-aged Daoist replied, "My name is Ye Xiao, but I am merely an unremarkable and untalented member of the Ninth Generation, nothing to compare with the genius who shook the entire Jin State."

"Oh, you have arrived at a timely moment. In nine months, the Chuyun Trial will commence. The first place winner of the Chuyun Trial receives substantial rewards, and if one can successfully pass the entire trial, they may obtain the legacy treasure of the Second Generation Ancestor," the thin Daoist named Ye Xiao explained.

Through his explanation, Lu Yuan learned that a Chuyun Trial was held once every ten years within the Chuyun Immortal Realm.

This trial was essentially a test left behind by the Second Generation Ancestor. At that time, a Chuyun Sword Formation would appear, and whoever could remain within the formation the longest would take first place, receiving great rewards.

Furthermore, successfully clearing the entire Chuyun Sword Formation promised immense benefits. However, the unfortunate reality was that over four thousand years, no one had ever managed to clear it, and the legacy treasure left by the Second Generation Ancestor remained unclaimed.