Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

The entire space was so vast that it seemed to stretch to the horizon, yet it was completely empty, except for one object suspended about a hundred feet away in the very center of the field of vision.

It was an ancient, blue lotus platform, upon which floated a jade slip about a foot long, pure white, and emitting a soft glow.

Around the jade slip, faint, starlight-like spiritual energy points slowly swirled and faded, emanating an ancient, weathered, yet incomparably pure Daoist aura. Apart from this, the entire hall contained nothing else.

There were no restrictive fluctuations, no traps or mechanisms, and not even a hint of killing intent. There was only an indescribable tranquility and solemnity, and a vastness and profundity that seemed to originate from the beginning of time.

"This...this is the core of the Flowing Cloud Palace?" Shi Tie's eyes widened, and he scratched his head, somewhat incredulous. "How...how come it's so empty? Where are the treasures? Where are the pills? Where are the magic artifacts? Just...just a jade slip?"

Wang Hu swallowed hard, looking around nervously: "Senior Sister Su, could there be an ambush? It feels...too quiet."

Su Xiao's heart also raced slightly. She suppressed her excitement and doubts and carefully scanned the entire space with her divine sense.

Indeed, apart from the jade slip and the lotus platform, no other energy fluctuations could be sensed, nor was there any hidden danger. This extreme "emptiness" only made the jade slip seem more extraordinary.

"All streams flow into the clouds... Perhaps, true inheritance is inherently simple and pure." Su Xiao murmured to himself, his gaze fixed on the jade slip.

She could feel a faint yet clear warmth emanating from the communication jade talisman given to her by Shen Mo in her bosom, as if it were guiding her, or as if it were echoing the jade slip in the hall.

The sect leader's plan, the approval of the Flowing Cloud Illusion, the activation of the Myriad Streams Returning to the Formation... all clues point to this jade slip!

"Let's go take a look first. Be careful and on guard." Su Xiao took the lead and walked towards the central lotus platform. Shi Tie and Wang Hu stood on either side, gripping their weapons tightly, guarding him with full concentration.

Footsteps echoed crisply on the jade surface, resonating exceptionally clearly in the absolute silence of the space. The closer one got to the lotus platform, the more pronounced the vast and pure Daoist aura became, inspiring awe and causing one to even breathe more softly.

Finally, the three arrived before the lotus platform. The platform was not tall, only reaching their waists, and was carved entirely from a warm, lustrous green jade, with layers upon layers of lifelike petals. The jade slip floated quietly three feet above the platform, emitting an alluring halo.

Su Xiao reached out, her fingertips trembling slightly, and slowly extended her hand towards the jade slip. Just as her fingertips were about to touch the jade slip—

A sudden change has occurred!

The entire hall trembled slightly! The lotus platform shone brightly with azure light! The jade slip suddenly burst forth with a dazzling yet not blinding light, within which countless fine, star-like runes flowed and danced!

Immediately afterwards, a blurry phantom formed from pure spiritual light slowly emerged and solidified above the jade slip!

It was the phantom of a middle-aged Taoist priest, dressed in a simple Taoist robe, with a gaunt face and eyes like a vast starry sea! He stood with his hands behind his back, his robes fluttering without wind, exuding an indescribable ethereal and otherworldly aura, as if he were one with the entire world!

Although it was just a phantom, it carried an unparalleled majesty and Daoist charm that transcended all living beings!

It was the afterimage of Master Liuyun!

"Grandmaster!" Shi Tie and Wang Hu were horrified and instinctively wanted to kneel down. This pressure far surpassed that of any cultivator they had ever seen, and was even more real and vast than the illusory cloud outside!

Su Xiao was also deeply shaken. He forced himself to steady himself and bowed respectfully, saying, "Junior disciple Su Xiao, along with senior brother Shi Tie and junior brother Wang Hu, pays respects to Ancestor Liuyun!"

A storm raged in her heart. She never expected that this jade slip containing the inheritance would actually contain a wisp of the ancestor's remnant soul imprint!

The gaze of the lingering figure of the Flowing Cloud Immortal slowly swept over the three, finally settling on Su Xiao, who was in the lead. His gaze was calm and profound, as if he could see through all the illusions of the world.

When his gaze fell upon the faintly flowing aura emanating from Su Xiao, which shared the same origin as the "Basic Breathing Technique Optimization Chapter" and the "Flowing Cloud Dao Body," a barely perceptible ripple seemed to appear in his usually calm eyes.

He did not speak, but a peaceful, ancient, yet supremely majestic voice resounded directly in the three people's minds, like the imperial decree of the Great Dao:

"Through the ages, through countless changes... finally, the destined one has arrived..."

The voice carried a hint of ancient vicissitudes and a faint sense of satisfaction.

Su Xiao's heart stirred, and he quickly bowed again: "We disciples were fortunate enough to obtain only a rudimentary understanding of the Ancestral Master's Daoist teachings. Today, we have presumptuously entered the hall and disturbed the Ancestral Master's peaceful slumber, which is truly a sin. However, the Qingyun Sect upholds the Ancestral Master's legacy and dares not forget it. We are wholeheartedly dedicated to glorifying the Daoist lineage, and we hope that the Ancestral Master will understand!"

Her words were half true and half false. She pointed out the connection between the cultivation techniques she and others practiced and the Liuyun lineage, and placed the Qingyun Sect in the position of "inheriting the lineage". She was bold and meticulous.

The lingering shadow of the flowing clouds listened quietly, its gaze still fixed on Su Xiao, seemingly penetrating her physical body to see a faint yet incredibly pure trace of the "Flowing Clouds" Daoist essence deep within her cultivation foundation. It wasn't a complete inheritance, but it was like a seed, containing infinite possibilities.

After a long while, the voice of that thought rang out again, carrying a complex and indescribable emotion—a mixture of reminiscence,感慨, and a sense of relief.

"Your foundation... though shallow, is... remarkably, it possesses a trace of 'cloud' intent, and has not strayed from the right path... It seems that fate has its own design..."

He didn't inquire about the specific origins of the Qingyun Sect, as if the inheritance itself was more important to him than the identity of the inheritor. Or perhaps, someone of his stature could see something much deeper.

"This document contains the culmination of my life's work: the complete 'Flowing Cloud Dao Body,' as well as... some miscellaneous insights into arrays, alchemy, and artifacts. If you obtain it, I hope you will make good use of it, not betray this path, and not stray from your true heart..."

As his words fell, the afterimage of Master Liuyun began to blur and become transparent, as if it might vanish into nothingness at any moment. In the instant before completely disappearing, his gaze seemed to sweep over Su Xiao once more, his voice carrying a final, lingering message:

"The lineage... is entrusted to you..."

The lingering sound faded away, and the afterimage of Master Liuyun completely transformed into specks of spiritual light, rising and dissipating like fireflies, merging into the spiritual light above the main hall without leaving a trace.

The floating jade slip, its radiance subdued, slowly descended and landed perfectly in Su Xiao's outstretched palm, its surface warm to the touch.

Everything returned to silence.

Shi Tie and Wang Hu remained bowed, barely daring to breathe, until the afterimage completely disappeared. Only then did they dare to straighten up, their faces filled with excitement and disbelief.

"The Ancestor... the Ancestor has acknowledged us?!" Shi Tie's voice trembled as he stared at the jade slip in Su Xiao's hand, his eyes wide like copper bells.

Wang Hu's face flushed with excitement: "Senior Sister Su! We...we've obtained the true inheritance! The inheritance of Ancestor Liuyun!"