Chapter 29: Immortal Clan's Cave Abode

Yan Buji searched around and suddenly discovered something abnormal under the bed.

Under the bed lay some strange objects: two wooden dolls with eerie patterns drawn in cinnabar, and at the center lay a grayish stone.

This stone.... what is it?

Yan Buji pondered for a while; although he knew of the existence of immortals, he was merely madly pursuing the starting point of that path, and he didn't even know the most basic cultivation knowledge.

To avoid arousing suspicion, Yan Buji didn't touch it; he just searched and found a book on making various aphrodisiacs and love potions, which he quickly slipped into his pocket.

Soon after, Yan Buji slipped out, hid nearby, and followed Li Fengnian, preparing to investigate the key point clearly.

Upon returning to his residence, Li Fengnian immediately shut the door, sat in his chair, and savored the wonderful feeling of youth he had just experienced.

"The Tide Woman Yin Chant Body is the dual‑cultivation furnace cauldron most worth buying for cultivators in the cultivation world; alas, I am not a cultivator, otherwise I could drain Yan Xirou's yin and at least advance a layer of power!"

Such a fine thing, if obtained by ordinary people, they wouldn't know how to use it—but I am different.

There is a crude, damaged formation and a spiritual stone; together they can greatly replenish me.

Although this is no different from the flower‑snatching thieves outside, how could it not be what Li Fengnian wants—to live a few more years?

The older one gets, the more one fears death; the former Li Fengnian dared to speak frankly to the emperor in court, fearing nothing; but as he aged, he grew ever more terrified of death's approach.

This is also why he is willing to share with Zhou Hua, after all, relying on himself alone, he probably couldn't withstand the yin within Yan Xirou's body!

Alas.

Youth, ah, truly captivates people.

Returning to youth further lets one cast aside reputation, not hesitating to engage in furtive deeds, violating the sages' principles.

Myself.... I'm really not even human, not even counting as a thing!

Li Fengping self‑mocked a bit, taking on the air of a sage after the fact.

"Hah, I'm a bit tired, going to sleep...."

Before Li Fengping could react, he suddenly lost consciousness.

Yan Buji stood behind him, looking at him with a blank expression.

"Too bad, if it had been you back then, even letting me offer all my family wealth and Rou Er wouldn't have been so troublesome." Yan Buji said lightly.

In the blink of an eye, Yan Buji began searching the surroundings!

Tide Woman Yin Chant Body?

Cultivators of the cultivation world?

Drain yin to advance power?!

No wonder Rou Er could attract a great scholar like Li Fengnian to be moved, and collude with that Zhou Hua.

Moreover, being able to befriend someone like Zhou Hua suggests he's not exactly an upright person either.

But Yan Buji doesn't care about those; he wonders why Li Fengnian knows so much about cultivation world affairs.

Judging by his appearance, his understanding of the immortals far surpasses mine!

Yet after searching the entire room, Yan Buji found nothing.

He knocked around, and Yan Buji's eyes lit up as he discovered a hidden compartment beneath the floorboards.

"The old thing is hidden really deep—let me see what it is.... huh?"

He looked at this ancient, simple copper key; its surface was covered with mottled rust, yet its unique shape could still be clearly seen—it was like a winding, twisted long snake! This "long snake" was lifelike, scales distinct, even the eyes and tongue carved with exquisite delicacy. Its lively demeanor made one wonder if it might at any moment twist its body and break free. Gripping this strange key, a chill ran from his fingertips through his whole body; Yan Buji didn't know what it was meant to open.

But since Li Fengnian hid it so deep, it must be of great importance!

Although Li Fengnian might have come into contact with immortals in the capital court, he shouldn't know this much, and that formation capable of absorbing yin certainly doesn't look like the work of a mortal....

"Perhaps only Li Fengping encountered these things elsewhere, but even if immortal‑related objects were placed before an ignorant mortal, they'd be useless—how could Li Fengping know?"

Yan Buji turned his head in thought, then suddenly looked toward the mountain peak outside the window.

A thousand years ago, it was said that an immortal opened a cave abode here to seclude and cultivate; could it be...

Yan Buji swallowed, then immediately grabbed the long‑snake key and rushed toward the summit of Huang Songshan!

The key in his hand gradually grew hot, as if guiding Yan Buji to a certain spot on the peak.

As expected, amidst the clouds and mist on the summit, Yan Buji, holding the key, saw a huge boulder!

Is this the place?

Yan Buji didn't quite understand, but he cautiously approached, holding the key.

He reached out to touch the boulder, and his hand suddenly sank into it!

Empty?!

Yan Buji was shocked—could this be the immortals' method?

He withdrew his hand, put down the key and tried again—surely all he felt was a cold, large stone.

Yan Buji took a deep breath, gripped the key, and walked into the boulder.

The scene before him changed instantly; after a short passage, there lay an expansive cave abode!

The cave abode's surroundings were neat and tidy, furniture and chairs arranged completely, looking no different from a mundane living room.

Yan Buji took a deep breath, looked around for a long time, yet still found nothing useful.

No, I came to find records about the cultivation world; without this, I don't even have the most basic knowledge!

Yan Buji went deeper and indeed saw a study.

On the study's bookshelf lay a jade slip; Yan Buji opened it, but there was nothing inside.

But jade slips are rare in themselves; surely they are records the immortals left behind of secret matters. I'm not one of them—I'll take it first and talk later!

Around, there were quite a few ordinary books; at a glance they seemed to be ancient texts from the early days of the Kun Dao Dynasty's founding.

I flipped through a few at random, and there was nothing particularly special.

"The Ming King Sutra? What a coincidence—I didn't expect to see a lost Buddhist scripture here, but this copy.... looks even more like an ancient original."

Yan Buji didn't examine it closely, just snatched a bag and stored it inside.

Among the other ancient books, there wasn't much of importance, and most of them seemed severely decayed, leaving only the Mingwang Scripture and that jade slip.

What a pity!

It turns out there are no records concerning the cultivation world at all.

But if none of this is here, how did Li Fengnian learn the immortal family's methods?

Yan Buji took a deep breath and looked around.

"Search again!"

There are ones in the hall and the study; perhaps there are also in a bedroom or the like, though it's unclear whether these immortals even need to sleep.

As he walked, Yan Buji entered a room beside the study and saw a stone bed placed inside; he walked over and sat down.

A wave of cold surged to the top of his head, and Yan Buji felt his mind become considerably clearer.

This bed... could it perhaps help one enter meditation?

Forget it; if it can't be taken, we'll look at it later.

There was nothing else around; it seemed something had been placed on the nearby table, but it had already been taken.

Hm?

Yan Buji's eyes lit up; suddenly he saw something covering the pillar beneath the table.

If it hadn't looked somewhat out of place, Yan Buji wouldn't have noticed.

He walked over and felt it, and indeed found something amiss.

He tore off a piece of cloth stuck to the pillar, glanced at it curiously, and also put it into the bag.

Then, Yan Buji looked at the object placed on the pillar.