Chapter 120: Ancient Anecdotes

In all fairness, the Immortal Fairy’s discernment was truly formidable; this occasion was merely an anomaly. Had it been any other treasure, it might well have been deemed a miraculous encounter.

Yet the Immortal Fairy did not see it that way. This was her disgrace—that she, an immortal being, should capsize twice before a mere junior.

Did she, Huang Doudou, possess no dignity at all?

"Fairy, if you have nothing else to do, you ought to return to your slumber," Lu Yang advised.

"Lad, do not presume this immortal possesses only such meager skill!" The Immortal Fairy refused to accept her ill fortune, striving to prove herself exceedingly useful.

"During the ancient era, this immortal was a pinnacle powerhouse, possessing countless collections throughout my life. For instance, I buried a vast trove of treasures within the North Star, among which immortal treasures are not lacking. I still recall the exact location to this day. If you could find it, establishing a sect and ruling supreme would be as easy as turning over a hand!"

"But did not the Ancient Anonymous refine the very stars of the heavens? Where am I to look for the North Star?"

The Immortal Fairy fell silent for a brief moment before continuing, "This immortal can also guide your cultivation, allowing you to achieve twice the result with half the effort. Your speed will far surpass those of your peers, and your foundation will be solid, devoid of any flaws!"

"Thank you, but Eldest Senior Sister can guide me."

"Could that little slip of a girl be as well-informed and experienced as I am? My guidance will certainly be more comprehensive. How could she attend to every detail? Her methods are riddled with loopholes. Take your Foundation Establishment as an example; this Foundation Establishment of yours is... is actually quite perfect."

The Immortal Fairy had to admit that, even through her critical eyes, Lu Yang’s Foundation Establishment could be called flawless, entirely free of any issues.

"Furthermore, this immortal is a woman, possessed of delicate thoughts, and can aid you in pursuing the maiden you adore!"

Lu Yang could see that the Immortal Fairy was at her wit's end, directly abandoning her status as an immortal.

"There is no need. Eldest Senior Sister told me that in cultivating immortality, it is best to maintain an abundant store of kidney essence."

"Shallow!" The Immortal Fairy snorted disdainfully at the Eldest Senior Sister's view. "Have you never heard of a man in the ancient era who bedded women night after night, his harem numbering over a hundred? He cultivated the methods of joyous union, and his cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds!"

"Do you desire such techniques? I have a few volumes here, all quite suited for you."

Lu Yang asked calmly, "First, tell me what became of that man who kept the harem."

"He was set upon by his harem in a sudden uprising, dismembered, and died a miserable death... but that is not the point. The most important thing is that his cultivation increased rapidly!"

"And his life was lost just as quickly."

"This immortal has also witnessed many spells and can teach you the methods to counter them. For instance, the great divine ability, Words as Law. Whatever words are spoken shall come true; it can be called the ultimate of causal spells!"

"Back when I was still in the Tribulation Transmutation Stage, I encountered an enemy who commanded Words as Law. He was my arch-rival, truly terrifying, practically a favored child of heaven and earth. Whatever he said would manifest; it would not be an exaggeration to say he was omnipotent."

"Yet, powerful though he was, he was ultimately no match for me!"

Lu Yang was shocked. Words as Law—this sort of spell sounded exceptionally difficult to deal with. That the Immortal Fairy could defeat such an enemy was truly frightening.

On second thought, it made sense. Though the Immortal Fairy was somewhat unreliable, the ancient era was a time of immense chaos, where geniuses vied for passage and great authorities fought to the death. In the end, only five individuals achieved immortality. That the Immortal Fairy could secure the final victory under such circumstances proved what an extraordinary genius she was.

"How did you defeat him?"

"I launched a sneak attack on him at the time. He had probably protected himself too well with his Words as Law and had never suffered much of a beating. He cried out, 'This hurts me to death,' and then he died."

Lu Yang was speechless.

What kind of useless trash was that?

"Regrettably, with that person's death, the inheritance of Words as Law was completely severed."

Seeing Lu Yang sink into shock, the Immortal Fairy’s confidence swelled. "Aside from countering spells, I can also teach you spells. Have you heard of the great divine ability, Shrinking the Earth into Inches? This is a rare spatial spell. In the ancient era, one could barely learn it at the Golden Core Stage, but under this immortal's guidance, you can learn it right now."

"Shrinking the Earth into Inches?" Lu Yang rejoiced inwardly. The Eldest Senior Sister’s teaching process had omitted far too many things; this time, with an immortal instructing him, there would surely be no problem.

Seeing that Lu Yang was interested in this divine ability, the Immortal Fairy taught him patiently, explaining every step of the spell with absolute precision. Lu Yang produced a small notebook, nodding along while taking notes, cut from the very cloth of a model student.

After a long while, the Immortal Fairy’s eyes grew vacant as she watched Lu Yang drilling in and out of the dirt, shrinking and expanding in size, falling into a deep state of self-doubt regarding her own teaching abilities.

What manner of spectacle had she, the Immortal Fairy, not witnessed?

She truly had never witnessed a spectacle such as this.

The good news was that Lu Yang’s attainments in the twin spells of shrinking earth and forming inches grew increasingly profound. He could already reduce himself from his original three inches down to one inch, and the speed of his casting had also increased significantly.

"I am capable of more than just this single spatial spell!" The Immortal Fairy fully displayed the repertoire of spells an immortal ought to possess.

"What is it?"

"The Close Yet Worlds Apart spell, which stands on equal footing with Shrinking the Earth into Inches!"

"Once you master Close Yet Worlds Apart, no matter how distant the journey, it will appear right before your eyes; a single step will bring you to your destination!" Close Yet Worlds Apart was a spell far more difficult to master than Shrinking the Earth into Inches. Initially, the Immortal Fairy had worried Lu Yang would fail to learn it and lose confidence, so she had not intended to teach it.

Now, she only worried that Lu Yang would learn it crookedly!

"Close Yet Worlds Apart is a spell that demands a very high comprehension of space. Without having learned other spatial spells to lay a foundation, it is exceedingly difficult to master. Do you have the confidence to learn it?"

Lu Yang reflected for a moment. He had mastered the Clothes-Cleansing Curse, which could summon clean garments—a classic spatial spell.

Thus, Lu Yang nodded, and the Immortal Fairy began her instruction.

"Learning Close Yet Worlds Apart follows a process largely identical to Shrinking the Earth into Inches. First, you must memorize the incantation. Listen well..." The Immortal Fairy recited a passage of obscure and difficult ancient language, exceptionally arduous to memorize.

But by this time, Lu Yang had already opened his spiritual space, and his divine sense was powerful; it took him only a short while to commit the ancient language to memory.

The Immortal Fairy could see that Lu Yang possessed an extraordinary talent for learning spells.

"Next, you must hold a map within your mind, imagining yourself at a specific location on that map. Hold that thought while reciting the ancient incantation."

"When your essence, energy, and spirit achieve a high state of unity, you will be able to transport yourself to your destination with a single thought."

The Immortal Fairy cautioned, "However, you must be careful. The distance of transportation is linked to your cultivation. For your first attempt, it is wise not to choose a destination too far away."

Lu Yang followed the Immortal Fairy’s guidance, attempting it with care. In his heart, he silently chanted the ancient incantation while visualizing Heaven Gate Peak, crying out aloud, "Close Yet Worlds Apart!"

Nothing happened.

The Immortal Fairy continued, "Step out. The meaning of Close Yet Worlds Apart is that the destination is right before you, a mere step away. Therefore, you must take a step!"

Only by stepping out could one know if success had been achieved.

Lu Yang took a step. The scenery beneath his feet shifted, and a sudden joy bloomed simultaneously in his heart and the Immortal Fairy's. It had succeeded!

"No, look beneath your feet!" the Immortal Fairy shrieked.

Lu Yang looked down, a cold sweat breaking out instantly. Beneath him lay a bottomless abyss, plunging into absolute darkness!

He turned his head to look behind him, discovering a sheer cliff face at his back.

So the function of Close Yet Worlds Apart was to leave him standing at the very edge of the world!

Lu Yang had no heart to mock the situation; there was nothing beneath his feet, leaving him suspended in mid-air.

His legs pedaled twice in vain, and he fell into the abyss.