【Advancement Mission · Phase Three · Completed】
【Points Acquired: 15,000】
【Remaining Points: 2,150,001,393,100】
...
【Advancement Mission · Phase Four: Identify the background or patrons of a Great Yao. Either seize this opportunity to ascend through their influence, or act as an agent of Heaven to subdue the Yao.】
【Mission Reward: 30,000 Points】
...
【Advancement Mission · Phase Four · Completed】
【Points Acquired: 30,000】
【Remaining Points: 2,150,001,423,100】
...
【Advancement Mission · Phase Five: This Yao is merely a stepping stone. Assume its position appropriately. Declare yourself a Mountain Yao King and survive for a century, or secure an official rank within the Heavenly Court. Achieving either objective will constitute a passing grade for this advancement trial.】
【Mission Reward: 50,000 Points】
......
The requirements for Phase Four did not explicitly demand direct combat. Mei’s strategic maneuvers led to the downfall of the Yellwin Great Immortal, effectively fulfilling the criteria for both Phase Three and Phase Four of the Advancement Mission.
Now came Phase Five.
This represented the final step of the Advancement Mission.
However, since the final of the Innate Five Primes, the Taiyi energy, had not yet manifested, Mei could not conclude Phase Five prematurely.
Fortunately, this was not a unique mission. Even if another Void Wanderer completed their trial first, it would not trigger a forced settlement for the others. There was no cause for concern.
After the Ceteng Mountain incident.
...
Evasion of Unity Sect.
Dao aura ebbed and flowed within the sanctuary. The Spirit Void Celestial Venerable, sensing the brief resonance of the Taichu energy’s power, remained unperturbed. Instead, his expression betrayed a profound interest.
"Of the Innate Five Primes, four have now been gathered. The Great World Tribulation is likely drawing near."
The Taikyoku chose not to interfere with the mortal realm.
Yet, they maintained a clear perception of all affairs beneath the heavens.
As the world drifted closer to its Dharma-Ending Age, the weight of karmic sin accumulated within the mortal sphere grew increasingly heavy. It reached a point where cultivators of immense power and profound divine abilities had no choice but to retreat into total seclusion.
They sought to sever all ties with worldly karma.
They did this to avoid being ensnared by the coming Calamity.
This was the primary reason why the great cultivators who transcended the three realms—those operating outside the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Court—gradually faded from existence. After surviving two successive Calamities, these ancient masters were unwilling to risk their existence again.
The karmic burden of this world grew more oppressive with time, and each Calamity proved more devastating than the last. Eventually, even the Heavenly Court would find itself in an inescapable predicament, where no immortal or god could easily descend to manage mortal affairs. Slowly, the divine presence vanished from the earth.
And then,
Cultivation ceased entirely.
Mei walked among the mortals, witnessing the final withdrawal of the Heavenly Court. The common folk remained oblivious to this shift. From that day forward, the path for mortals to ascend to the Heavenly Court was severed.
On that day,
By the decree of the Jade Emperor,
The Four Supremes, aided by the Stellatrix Matriarch, unleashed vast divine powers. They submerged myriad sentient beings—humanity included—into the spiritual ocean, shifting the stars and reshaping the very foundations of heaven and earth.
The mortal realm was no longer anchored to the great wilderness. Although powerful cultivators could still locate the mortal world within the spiritual ocean, they saw no reason to do so, fearing the entanglements of karma.
With a single step,
Mei traversed the stellar constellations and arrived in the mortal world. She observed a tapestry of human life in all its myriad forms, unchanged by the divine retreat: soldiers rode swift horses to their deaths in battle, scholars achieved sudden fame and honor, and countless victims perished in natural disasters and man-made catastrophes. Elsewhere, families lived in quiet homes by small bridges, with smoke curling peacefully from their chimneys.
"Fresh buns! Get your hot buns here!"
"Welcome, honored guest! Please, come inside!"
"My lady, the rouge in this shop is truly exquisite..."
Gazing upon the mortal world, one might wonder: where were the traces of the immortals and the gods?
"Eight-character divination, plum blossom readings, Feng Shui, and auspicious date selection! Today, this half-immortal will only read for three souls. If the reading is inaccurate, I shall not take a single copper!"
A traveling fortune teller, wielding a cloth banner, made his proclamation. Intrigued, Mei offered him a piece of silver.
"Master, please provide me with a reading."
"Certainly!"
In an instant,
Centuries later, a golden-haired, blue-eyed foreigner stepped onto this eastern shore, gazing out at the horizon. Sailing ships set off one after another, their sails unfurled against the wind.
The era was progressing.
Without the intervention of gods or immortals, humanity forged its own destiny.
The foreigner stepped onto the dock. Upon disembarking, he attempted to converse with the locals in a fragmented tongue. The natives understood nothing, nearly mistaking him for a Yao monster, and considered reporting him to the authorities.
Until a young girl approached.
"They do not understand you. You must learn their language."
The foreigner was stunned.
He looked at Mei with immense relief and joy.
"Thank the heavens! Finally, someone I can talk to! Miss, your accent is perfect. Have you traveled to the lands across the sea?"
Mei smiled.
"If you wish, I can arrange an audience for you with the Emperor of this land. You are the first to cross this vast ocean. It is an extraordinary and heroic feat."
"That would be wonderful!"
The foreigner hurriedly offered his gifts, overwhelmed with gratitude.
...
A few days later.
“Greetings, Your Imperial Majesty!”
The golden-haired, blue-eyed foreign envoy, bearing tributes and gifts, knelt within the imperial court. The Emperor was profoundly struck with surprise, realizing for the first time that people of such appearance inhabited lands across the distant sea.
Inside that grand imperial court,
No one could have envisioned that centuries later, it would be these same golden-haired, blue-eyed people who would shatter the nation's borders with their cannons. That foreigner, currently prostrating in the hall, would represent a lineage that would one day ascend those very steps and occupy the throne.
They would eventually bury this thousand-year-old feudal dynasty into the annals of history.
And yet, it was another group of people, awakened from this very soil, who would personally reclaim the land.
They would distill this tumultuous history into the essence of a national culture.
Changes occurred daily.
Mei observed it all.
The sun remained the sun, and the moon remained the moon, but as time marched on, others began to gaze at the sky with a new intent, wishing to reach the lunar surface.
“3, 2, 1, ignition!”
A brilliant flame tore through the firmament. The march of civilization never faltered. From that day forward, humanity realized there was no Chang’e on the moon, nor a Jade Rabbit.
On the moon,
The hatch opened. An astronaut in standard gear emerged, livestreaming this monumental human endeavor to the world. On this day, humanity successfully set foot on the lunar surface.
“I have successfully landed. From what I can see, it is utterly desolate here. Aside from dust and impact craters, there is nothing else.”
“There is no atmosphere on the moon. Without a spacesuit, a human cannot survive this harsh environment. Not just humans, but most living organisms...”
During the global livestream,
The voice of the first man on the moon abruptly cut off. His eyes widened in sheer disbelief. He shook his head, struggling to comprehend what was before him.
He saw a person there—a living, breathing person—wearing no spacesuit, simply standing on the moon’s surface, facing the sun and the onslaught of cosmic rays!
Mei, as if playing a lighthearted prank, raised her hand in greeting.
“Hello.”
However,
The livestream equipment captured no such visual.
No one truly knew what this astronaut, the pioneer of humanity's lunar landing, experienced during those moments. After returning to Earth, he fervently announced that he had encountered a person on the moon.
A living, breathing person.
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And that person had even offered a greeting.
Consequently, the astronaut was subjected to a period of intensive psychological evaluation. Every piece of scientific evidence suggested he had suffered from vivid hallucinations brought on by the lunar environment.
...
“Pay attention, everyone. The artifacts in this ancient tomb are incredibly precious. Every piece holds immense historical value. We must ensure the excavation is as meticulous as possible.”
“Understood.”
“We’re on it, Professor.”
On the excavation site,
Professor Xiu was leading archaeology students in surveying a massive ancient tomb complex. The scale of the site far exceeded their initial projections.
Based on their preliminary research, it was the tomb of a high-ranking noble from the Xyrin Dynasty. However, compared to other noble tombs discovered from that era, this one was significantly more grand.
This was a clear violation of ancient protocol.
In ancient times,
The architecture of a tomb was strictly dictated by one’s social rank. Unless granted a special royal dispensation, even princes and nobles were forbidden from overstepping these boundaries.
To do so was an act of treason that could lead to the execution of an entire clan.
As more burial items were unearthed, Professor Xiu and his students began their analysis. Gold, silver, and jewels were of secondary interest.
The most critical items were the cultural artifacts, specifically the calligraphy and paintings. Through the written script, the identity of the tomb’s occupant could be definitively established.
This would confirm the specific dynastic period and provide invaluable data regarding ancient customs and cultural shifts.
“Professor, the identity has been confirmed. The occupant is Mi’hang of the Xyrin Dynasty—the first Westerner recorded to have crossed the ocean and set foot in the Eastern Land in 1428 AD.”
Numerous manuscripts and personal effects within the tomb confirmed that the owner was indeed Mi’hang. This legendary human explorer had never returned to the Western Continent.
After reaching the East and gaining an audience with the Emperor, he remained in the land to compile the Eastern Travels, a work that profoundly influenced subsequent generations in both the East and the West.
Because of this, his name was immortalized in history.
The Emperor had held this foreign explorer in high regard; thus, upon his death, he was granted a lavish burial. A special imperial decree had permitted the construction of a tomb far grander than his rank would normally allow.
However,
Professor Xiu seemed to have little interest in the famous Western explorer himself. He delegated all research regarding Mi’hang to his students.
Instead, he was searching for a different kind of trace.
This left his students deeply perplexed.
Professor Xiu said, “All of you, help me examine these original manuscripts. If you find any mention of Daoists or related individuals, let me know immediately. My eyesight is failing; I cannot see the fine print clearly.”
“Understood.”
Among the grave goods were a vast number of written texts. The majority were Mi’hang’s personal travelogue manuscripts, containing content that had never been published in his books.
There were also various letters exchanged with different figures of the time.
Furthermore,
There were a significant number of paintings.
All of them were exceptionally well-preserved.
As the students pored over the manuscripts, one asked, “Professor, are you looking for the famous Anonymous Daoist from the Xyrin Dynasty records? From what I’ve read, she was the first person in the East to master a foreign tongue, and she was the one who facilitated Mi’hang’s meeting with the Emperor.”
The Anonymous Daoist.
In the history of the Xyrin Dynasty, she was an indispensable figure. Anyone with even a passing interest in that era would have certainly heard of her, yet no one knew her full name.
Her origin remained a complete mystery. Upon descending from the mountains, she was invited into the imperial palace as a Daoist, tasked with refining elixirs of immortality for the Emperor. Not only was she a master of Alchemy, but she was also a polymath, possessing profound knowledge of astronomy, geography, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. There seemed to be no field beyond her reach.
Though some reviled her as a "demon Daoist," one could not deny her status as a universal genius. She was well-versed in both ancient wisdom and modern knowledge, appearing practically omniscient to those around her.
Even though she never successfully produced an elixir of immortality, the Emperor frequently sought her counsel, treating her almost as his mentor. She came incredibly close to being officially appointed the National Preceptor.
However,
While she failed to grant the Emperor eternal life, her other achievements were remarkably tangible. She overhauled the Xyrin Dynasty’s shipbuilding technology, sparking an era of unprecedented maritime development.
She personally drafted the blueprints for over ten colossal and wondrous architectural marvels. Centuries later, the vast majority of these structures still stand as unyielding testaments to her brilliance.
In essence, she influenced over half of the major affairs of the Xyrin Dynasty.
Professor Xiu addressed his students:
"Have you ever encountered this particular piece of folklore? It is said that when Emperor Xyrin was only five years old, he met a Daoist at a remote temple. Forty-five years later, in the tenth year of his reign, he happened to return to that same temple and found the woman still there. Her appearance had not aged a single day since their first encounter. When he asked her for the secret to such longevity, she simply replied that she had consumed an elixir of immortality."
The student nodded.
"I’ve heard it, Professor, but folklore is rarely more than just that—folklore."
Naturally, no one in the modern world would believe such an outrageous tale.
However,
Any scholar familiar with this legend knew that the story provided a clear explanation for the Anonymous Daoist's origins and the Emperor’s obsession with her alchemical pursuits.
Yet,
Sometimes the stories that seem the most extraordinary turn out to contain a kernel of truth. Professor Xiu’s own ancestor, a contemporary of the Xyrin Dynasty, had actually met the Anonymous Daoist.
According to the private journals left by that ancestor, the strange Daoist maintained a youthful appearance until the Emperor’s final days, never showing any signs of aging.
She did not only outlive the dying Emperor,
She also outlived his son and his grandson. This period of history was so baffling that few dared to accept it as factual.
Professor Xiu did not entirely believe it himself, but as a scholar, he had dedicated his life to seeking historical evidence and records to uncover the truth.
Both official histories and unofficial legends were filled with descriptions of the Anonymous Daoist. Her legendary status was immense, yet even the most detailed historical records failed to document her death.
After the passing of Emperor Xyrin’s grandson, she vanished without a trace. Some speculated she had been secretly executed and interred within the Imperial Mausoleum.
The theory was that she would continue her alchemical work in the Underworld, eventually refining the elixir to bring the Emperor back to life.
Another theory suggested she simply walked away without a word of farewell.
However,
Neither theory could be corroborated by any existing historical data. Her ultimate fate and whereabouts remained one of history's greatest enigmas.
Some even whispered:
If she truly had consumed an elixir of immortality, then barring any accidents, she could still be alive today. Perhaps she had long since integrated into the fabric of modern society.
Xiu was a man of science. He neither fully embraced nor completely dismissed these speculations. He believed only in evidence—in the hard facts he could see and verify.
That was precisely why he had spent half his life researching this topic.
The discovery of Mi’hang’s tomb represented his closest encounter with the truth. Squinting and struggling against his failing eyesight, he began to carefully turn the pages of Mi’hang’s unpublished memoirs.
【Memories and Records: One Hundred Seventy-Five】
【Fragment: She was the first individual on this Eastern soil with whom I could communicate without hindrance. It was nearly impossible to believe that someone here possessed such a command of our tongue. From our very first encounter, I sensed an aura about her—mysterious, yet undeniably awe-inspiring.】
"..."
【Memories and Records: One Hundred Eighty-Nine】
【Fragment: She claimed to be assisting the Emperor in refining an Elixir of Immortality, a concept I found utterly preposterous. I voiced my skepticism openly, yet the palace eunuchs swore she had maintained herr youth for decades without change.】
"..."
【Memories and Records: Two Hundred Thirty-Six】
【Fragment: To me, she was a woman who seemed to possess all the knowledge in existence. Her vast intellect commanded my deepest admiration, leaving me humbled in her presence. The more we interacted, the more I understood the Emperor's obsession. A being of such stature was truly what this land calls an Immortal.】
"..."
Professor Xiu turned through page after page of Mi’hang’s memoirs. They were dense with references to the Anonymous Daoist. Although her true identity was never explicitly unmasked, the descriptions left no room for doubt about whom he spoke.
Within those memoirs,
History breathed once more. The passage of time seemed to vibrate through the paper—words born from a single pen centuries ago, traversing the ages to find their way to Xiu.
Between the lines,
The narrative painted an increasingly enigmatic portrait of the Anonymous Daoist. She was no mere "demon Daoist," nor did she rely on overt proselytizing to sway the minds of the masses. Mi’hang had asked her on numerous occasions if the Elixir of Immortality could truly be perfected.
Each time, the Anonymous Daoist simply nodded.
Later in his life,
Mi’hang speculated in his writings that the failure to refine the elixir was not due to a lack of skill or materials. Rather, it was simply because the Anonymous Daoist did not wish for the Emperor to achieve eternal life.
Of course,
This was pure conjecture. Mi’hang carried that theory into his tomb, but he successfully transmitted the possibility to Professor Xiu.
"Professor, I’ve found it!"
Half a month later,
An excited student handed Professor Xiu a previously uncompiled manuscript of the Eastern Travels, exclaiming, "I found the temple! I found the Daoist temple!"
"What?"
Xiu did not react immediately.
The student explained breathlessly, "The temple from the legends! The one where Emperor Xyrin first met the Anonymous Daoist! It’s right here—Mi’hang mentioned its coordinates in his private travelogue!"
"Let me see that!"
That single, brief passage ignited a glimmer of hope in Xiu after half a lifetime of searching. Emperor Xyrin, while traveling with his father, had encountered the Anonymous Daoist after ascending Sylvirid Mount.
"Sylvirid Mount, Sylvirid Mount..."
Xiu’s eyes gleamed with newfound purpose. He immediately cross-referenced the data, and soon, he had pinpointed the exact location.
Finally,
He had a lead!
Xiu was overwhelmed with a sense of anticipation.
Even if only the ruins of a temple from centuries ago remained, its connection to the Anonymous Daoist made it priceless. He was desperate to close the distance between himself and the truth.
He needed to know:
Was the Anonymous Daoist still alive?
The question haunted him because of the elixir she had refined for the Emperor. Xiu’s own ancestor had been a minor disciple under her tutelage. His persistence was born not just from academic curiosity, but from his family’s ancestral roots.
Half a month later,
Xiu, now nearing his sixtieth year, trekked across mountains and rivers, traversing half the country. Contrary to his vivid imagination, Sylvirid Mount was not hidden in a remote, primeval forest.
It sat right on the outskirts of a modern city.
At the base of Sylvirid Mount,
Xiu stood alone, gazing up at the winding stone steps that disappeared into the mist. With quiet resolve, he began the ascent, climbing step by step toward the summit.
Dong!
A bell chime echoed from the peak, its resonance seemingly washing away Xiu’s fatigue. His heavy steps faltered for a moment, then resumed with renewed vigor.
Until he reached the top.
A slightly weathered Daoist temple came into view. Xiu felt an unprecedented sense of tranquility wash over him. In the serene, profound quiet, he stepped inside.
Incense smoke curled through the air. There were no statues of the Three Venerables or the Four Supremes; the hall was almost empty. Only a young-looking Daoist sat there in quiet meditation.
"..."
Xiu stood frozen in disbelief. He had only expected to find a historical site, but he had unexpectedly found the ultimate answer.
He recognized that face.
Xiu withdrew a sealed painting and compared it repeatedly. This artwork, unearthed from Mi’hang’s tomb, was the only surviving depiction of the Anonymous Daoist's true countenance.
There was no mistake.
The person before him was the Anonymous Daoist.
Xiu, his voice trembling with incredulity, began, "Excuse me... may I ask, are you...?"
Mei opened her eyes.
She stood up with a graceful smile and offered a polite nod. She brought over a small tea table and poured a cup, offering it to him. "The mountain path is treacherous; it is no small feat to reach this summit."
"Are you the Anonymous Daoist?"
Any ordinary person would have been baffled by such a question. Mei, however, simply posed a question in return: "If I say yes, will you believe me? And if I say no, will you believe that either?"
Xiu was silenced.
Indeed.
He harbored deep skepticism, yet his family heritage and his lifelong obsession forbade him from denying it. He was a man forever caught between belief and doubt.
More than a mere scholar,
One might say Xiu was a seeker of the Dao who lacked true faith.
He asked,
"Have you consumed an Elixir of Immortality?"
"No."
"But the records state that you possessed the power to refine them."
"I do possess that power."
As few visitors ever climbed this high, Mei found herself interested in speaking with him. She answered each of Xiu's inquiries with a calm detachment.
Xiu grew even more perplexed.
"Have you truly walked this earth for hundreds of years?"
"I have."
"I find that impossible to believe."
"Hahahaha."
Mei laughed heartily. "See? I told you that you wouldn't believe it."
That day,
Xiu found the conversation remarkably comfortable. Though he appeared to be the elder, much like the accounts in Mi’hang’s memoirs, anyone in Mei’s presence was quickly captivated by her boundless wisdom.
Xiu was no exception.
He descended the mountain with his world-shaking discovery. He intended to announce to the world that he had found the Anonymous Daoist of the Xyrin Dynasty, and that she lived still.
However,
Life is a fickle thing.
Just as Xiu was preparing his reports and academic papers, a massive social upheaval erupted. A tumultuous tide of anti-feudalism and anti-superstition swept across the nation.
In the wake of that wave,
Vast quantities of religious artifacts and historical sites were decimated, and many figures were persecuted. Witnessing the chaos unfolding,
Xiu silently set down his pen. The unfinished report he had drafted that day was placed into a drawer. Once it was there, it would never be removed again.
He dared not imagine the cost.
If he submitted that report—if he published that paper—what would happen to him, and more importantly, what would become of the Anonymous Daoist?
After long deliberation,
Xiu made his choice.
Three years later,
He ascended Sylvirid Mount once more. Mei remained as youthful as ever, while he had grown visibly more frail. Perhaps this was a silent contest of longevity.
He wanted to see just one more wrinkle on Mei's face.
