Chapter Sixteen: The Opening

The long-awaited day had finally arrived.

On this day, the deep and resonant sound of bells echoed throughout the entire Daoist Sect. Countless rays of celestial light and sacred treasures wove through the sky.

"The formation, begin."

Along with an ancient, hoary voice, the perpetual sea of clouds shrouding the highest mountain at the sect’s heart gradually dispersed.

The Treasure Division Cliff, silent for decades, finally revealed its true face.

At the mountain’s foot, disciples sitting in meditation all rose to their feet. Not far off, Shang Yingluo, who had been playing with a young marten, hastily scooped up the little creature and hurried over.

By the brook, a drowsy youth rubbed his eyes.

Moments later, more than thirty people had gathered before the stone steps at the base of the Treasure Division Cliff.

"You have only twelve hours. Tomorrow at this time, the formation and restrictions will activate once more, so seize this opportunity."

Yan Qingshu’s face was solemn as he intoned, "Let me repeat: atop the Treasure Division Cliff, you must each release your innate essence. If an ancient treasure acknowledges you, you will obtain its legacy. The cliff is filled with countless spiritual treasures—there is no need to reach the summit."

At this moment, the formation’s restrictions had already been lifted. The mountain path and stone steps were steeped in an ancient and awe-inspiring atmosphere, yet the spiritual treasures’ oppressive might remained undiminished.

For a month the group had prepared, yet not one faltered or shrank back.

Though treasures could be found all along the cliff, it was common knowledge that the higher one climbed, the greater the quality of the spiritual treasures. None were unaware of this fact.

After a month of arduous training, Ye Zhiqiu’s skin had grown noticeably rougher. He held his head high and was the first to step onto the stairs.

All eyes turned to the youth at the very back. In recent days, everyone had learned of Shen Yu’s wager with Chen Jianzhi of the Pure Law Hall, but none held much hope for him.

Obtaining a spiritual treasure and inheriting its spirit were two entirely different matters.

A treasure spirit is born only through rare fate and fortune.

Those treasures that nurture spirits are all primordial items—some once served as the personal treasures of celestial masters.

Shen Yu’s expression was calm as he said to the young girl beside him, "Head straight for the summit."

Shang Yingluo blinked and asked, "What about you?"

"I want to have a look. There are some things I need to be sure of."

Shen Yu lifted his gaze to the mountain peak, now unmasked by clouds, and bathed in a myriad of dazzling rays. He thought to himself, so the restriction over Treasure Division Cliff was controlled by that all along. Waiting two years was rather foolish of me.

...

Within the mountain forests, the moss-covered stone steps grew slick, and as one ascended, the scenery became ever more desolate.

The fierce aura of spiritual treasures pervaded the entire peak. No tree or flower could survive here.

Only bare, hardened stone remained, its surface scarred and battered.

Shen Yu was the last to set out.

He moved slowly. A month ago he had been swift, but now, with the formation’s restrictions lifted, he advanced with unusual deliberation.

This was because Shen Yu was attempting to release his spiritual sense and seek out the aura of that immortal artifact.

Though a path of bluestone steps led directly to the summit, Shen Yu chose not to take it. Instead, he wandered among the side trails, turning left and right as if aimlessly meandering.

After two hours, Shen Yu’s face betrayed a hint of helplessness.

The Treasure Division Cliff was far larger than he had imagined. At this pace, even twelve hours would not suffice to search it thoroughly.

Elsewhere, he could have released his innate essence, and the right treasure would surely respond.

The Heavenly Profound Sword was his life-bound spiritual treasure. If he summoned it here, it would appear at once.

But at this moment, not only were there many entry-level disciples in the mountains, but also the elders of the Four Halls and Seven Peaks watching from outside.

To forcibly summon his treasure would create too much commotion.

"Still too troublesome," Shen Yu muttered.

He stopped, exhaled softly, and seemed to make a decision.

The youth walked to the edge of a precipice, closed his eyes, and intoned in a deep voice, "Let the Way arise!"

Instantly, a mysterious aura rippled from his body. In the forests, a clear, piercing cry rang out.

Shen Yu stepped forward—and beneath his feet yawned a chasm thousands of fathoms deep.

Clouds churned below. A mysterious yellow light appeared beneath him and swept him away in a rush.

...

By now, Ye Zhiqiu had reached the mountainside, with Jiang Shaoqiu close behind. Ahead of them, cradling the young marten, was Shang Yingluo.

Ye Zhiqiu found himself speechless. The little girl with twin braids always kept herself three steps ahead of him, hands folded behind her back in a pose of grave composure. Now and then she glanced back at him, nodded approvingly, and looked altogether like an elder admiring a junior with satisfaction.

He truly wondered whom she had learned this from.

Ye Zhiqiu shook his head and labored up the mountain path, his gaze toward the summit burning ever more brightly.

There, and only there, lay the primordial treasures that had birthed spirits.

"Hurry up," Shang Yingluo called back, "Why are you so slow?"

Ye Zhiqiu rolled his eyes and looked at the lively girl ahead of him, feeling somewhat discouraged.

Among their peers, there were few who could make him feel thoroughly unremarkable, but this young girl was one: her age, her talent, her cultivation—all left him convinced.

Seeing his glum face, the little girl folded her hands behind her back and said with an air of aged wisdom, "Young man, at this rate, how can you be Shen Yu’s junior brother?"

Ye Zhiqiu’s eyes widened. "When did I ever become his junior brother?"

She wagged her finger and replied with perfect certainty, "Of course you did. All of you are to be his juniors."

"Is that even a thing?"

Ye Zhiqiu fumed, about to argue.

Whoosh!

A sharp sound split the air beside them.

Twenty yards above, a streak of blue flashed past and vanished into the higher clouds in the blink of an eye.

A swift gale swept the cliff’s edge, flinging grit and pebbles into their faces so that neither could keep their eyes open.

The young marten, Shaobing, let out a series of howls at the flash of light.

Shang Yingluo shouted Shen Yu’s name, waving frantically at the sky.

"Was that Shen Yu?" Ye Zhiqiu stared in disbelief. The rapidly shrinking figure in the sky was none other than Shen Yu, easily recognized by his fondness for blue robes.

The youth was instantly dispirited.

To soar upon an artifact, crossing a thousand miles in a thought—such utter freedom was the dream of every novice cultivator.

He had imagined for years that he would be the first among them to achieve it, only to find someone else had left him far behind.

Shang Yingluo patted him understandingly on the shoulder and said, "Don’t be discouraged. It’s normal to fall short of Shen Yu; your talent is only average, after all."

Looking at the girl’s youthful face and recalling her age and talent, Ye Zhiqiu’s heart grew all the more aggrieved. "It’s just too much," he muttered in frustration.

...

Shen Yu pierced the air and arrived at the summit.

In the thousand-year history of the Daoist Sect, he might be the fastest entry-level disciple ever to reach the peak.

Mist swirled all around, countless streams of spiritual treasure aura weaving and colliding, merging and separating.

The primordial treasures flashed in and out of sight through the swirling clouds, the entire summit steeped in an atmosphere of ancient solemnity.

Shen Yu stepped onto the summit and with a wave of his hand, the yellow-hued spiritual treasure beneath his feet transformed into a stream of light that dove from the peak.

Standing atop the world, Shen Yu gazed at the billowing seas of cloud and announced, "I am seeking an immortal artifact."

All was silent around him.

"Have any of you seen such an immortal artifact?"

After a pause, he added earnestly, "One even greater than any of you."