Immortal Dao is dead, I am the mastermind behind it all.

"Finally, there is the demon race, once the main force in the world of Shan Hai. After the ancient Shan Hai War, the human race rose and they gradually faded from the world stage. But even a fallen camel is bigger than a horse. Although the demon race has declined, there are still powerful figures hiding in Shan Hai, making them a force that cannot be ignored."

"These are the three major powers in the Great World of Mountains and Seas," Jiang Zhi Qiu said.

"If you're willing, leave this place of trouble as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Shen Moyan's long-suppressed doubts finally surfaced. He carefully chose his words and said, "My lord, there is something I still can't understand."

"I didn't grow up in this Dongshan City, but in the wilderness, and stumbled into this place by mistake," Shen Moyan said frankly. "But last night, I was reading books in the city at the inn, and even though I had never seen some of the words before, I was able to understand their meaning instantly."

"And yesterday, many of the children in the private school couldn't even recognize all the characters, yet when the old teacher recited the scriptures, they were able to accurately grasp the essence. This is highly unusual."

These words made Jiang Zhiqi pause. He turned to look at Shen Moyan, his eyes now showing more seriousness: "You kid are more perceptive than most people in this city."

"Actually, this is not unusual, but rather a plan for the universal benefit of literature and the Dao established by one of the four great immortal lords of the Holy Court, Mingdao, more than ten thousand years ago."

In ancient times, the world was filled with complex written languages. In the three thousand states, there were many barriers between different races and regions. Even those who cultivated together often had disputes due to ambiguities in the written language. Countless cultivators wasted their lives because they could not decipher the inheritance.

"This vast world of mountains and seas is boundless and has a long and rich history."

"After the great changes in the world, the old laws were abolished, the immortal path perished, and the mortal path was established, which further fueled the obstacles to communication in this world."

"It wasn't until the appearance of the [Nine Songs Immortal Lord of Literature] that the literary meaning enveloped the mountains and seas, that obstacle called ignorance was swept away."

When mentioning this honorific title, Jiang Zhiqi's tone unconsciously carried a sense of awe.

"The Immortal Lord of Nine Songs conveys the Dao through literature; all those with wisdom will be inspired by it."

"That immortal lord devoted his life to the study of literature and Taoism, becoming well-versed in the past and present. After reaching the pinnacle of his cultivation, he inscribed the Tao with true inscriptions."

"Legend has it that on the day that Immortal Lord Jiuge crossed the True Inscription Path, seven-colored light descended from the heavens, piercing through the entire mountain and sea." Jiang Zhi Qiu's voice was filled with longing.

"Since then, any intelligent life that has been enlightened can resonate with words as long as it is in the Great World of Mountains and Seas or within the radiation plane of Mountains and Seas."

"Whether it is an obscure ancient character or a foreign script, as long as it comes into view, its core meaning will be directly imprinted in one's mind. This is the great power of the Nine Songs Immortal Lord's 'carrying the Dao through literature'."

"I see." Shen Moyan suddenly realized why he could easily understand the Biyang Sword Sect's techniques in his previous life, communicate with them, and even understand the scriptures for those illiterate children.

This was actually a blessing bestowed upon all living beings by a celestial being using His Dao.

"It's a pity that such a magnificent feat has now been used by those sects for evil." Jiang Zhi Qiu's tone suddenly turned cold, and the magical power on his shoulders dissipated, turning into rising energy.

"They took advantage of the characteristics of literature and Taoism to spread the Taoist practices that had long been abandoned and were now poisoning the masses, so that children would accept from a young age that cultivating immortality was a matter of course, and they would not even have the thought of resisting."

Everyone yearns for the Tao, everyone desires immortality, and in the end, everyone will become mere provisions in their mouths.

"The Immortal Lord... uses literature to convey the Dao..."

"May I ask, Your Excellency Inspector, what are the levels of attainment in this path of cultivation?"

"Nine Songs Immortal Lord, what realm does He belong to?"

After all this time, Shen Moyan still doesn't know the cultivation realm divisions in this Great World of Mountains and Seas.

Jiang Zhi Qiu looked at Shen Mo Yan, hesitating to speak:

"Everything spoken must have some knowledge. In the practice of Taoism, it is forbidden to transmit knowledge orally or privately, otherwise one will incur karmic consequences."

"When you go to the academy, or go up the pilgrimage steps and see the Origin Preaching Stele, you will naturally know."

"Is that so...?"

Next, Shen Moyan and Jiang Zhiqi discussed many things in the private school, which gave him a rudimentary understanding of this vast world of mountains and seas.

"Alright, I have official business to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

"Since you have no intention of getting involved in the affairs of the City Lord's Mansion, it would be best to leave the city as soon as possible. Dongshan City will soon be in great chaos, and staying here will only increase the risk."

"By the way, if you are going to the academy, you can mention my name." Before parting, Jiang Zhi Qiu reminded Shen Mo Yan again.

With a slight tremor in his heart, he realized that he had already planned to leave this strange city after ascertaining the basic situation. He immediately cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your guidance, sir. Farewell."

The two left the private school and parted ways at the street corner. Jiang Zhi Qiu's figure flashed and disappeared in the direction of the city lord's mansion, while Shen Mo Yan turned and walked towards the west gate of the city. The Heavenly Demon Sword hanging inside his wide robe swayed gently with his steps.

The sky was darkening, and the sun was setting.

"The path of the Dao involves gathering Qi, transcending the mortal realm, and reaching the Purple Palace."

"The path to immortality consists of Qi Refining, Foundation Building, and Golden Core."

Shen Moyan had just subtly inquired and managed to understand the first three realms.

"The Way of Immortality... what exactly is the difference between it and the Way of Immortality?"

Since the great changes in the world, the Immortal Path is no longer called the Immortal Path, but the Path of Immortality.

"The word 'immortal' in this world is quite interesting."

In the world of mountains and seas, regardless of the script, the character for "immortal" is always composed of the character for "person" plus the character for "mountain" or "䙴".

The character '䙴' signifies ascension and lifting, referring to a person who flies in the sky or a person who attains enlightenment in the deep mountains—that is, an immortal.

"When a person ascends to heaven in the mountains, he/she has attained immortality and become a celestial being."

"But the character 【佡】 is a bit intriguing."

Thinking this, Shen Moyan summoned the book I wrote.

[Real name: Shen Moyan]

Race: Human

[Realm: Ninth Level of Qi Gathering (Xian Dao)]

"Even the bookmarks that say 'As I write' are written like this."

The man ran towards the mountain, but there were already people on the mountain.

"Hehe, anyone with eyes can see there's something wrong with this kind of word analysis." Shen Moyan banished his distracting thoughts and stopped thinking about it.

"Never mind, I should focus on my cultivation for now."

Shen Moyan's current cultivation level is low, only at the ninth level of Qi Gathering.

In this dangerous world, you should know when to play it safe. Transform into the mortal realm before venturing out again.

Shen Moyan used the Turtle Breathing Technique to walk on the road out of the city, and the West Gate had already appeared at the end of his field of vision.

"Kid, you seem to be carrying something very interesting."

A deep voice came from behind, and Shen Moyan's heart skipped a beat. He turned around slowly to look at the person who had come.

One was a burly man with a face full of scars, and the other was a teenager.

They were both cultivators of the Daoist path, one at the sixth level of Qi Gathering and the other at the fifth level.

They've come with ill intentions.

"Kid, be smart and show me that sword." The burly man stared at his sleeve with an aggressive look, as if he could sense the sword inside.

Upon hearing this, Shen Moyan raised an eyebrow. He had deliberately concealed the aura of the Heavenly Demon Sword, but he hadn't expected that someone would still see through his secret.

The Heavenly Demon Sword was originally a rare artifact from the Mountain and Sea Great World, used by Shen Moyan to ascend to immortality.

"OK."

Shen Moyan smiled, but his right hand had already quietly gripped the hilt of the sword.

"That's right, you...you!!" The burly man frantically tried to protect himself with his spiritual power, but the barrier crumbled like paper.

Blood splattered everywhere, and the arm shot skyward.

Shen Moyan sheathed his sword and put it in his sleeve, his eyes calm and still.