124: Immortal Dynasty Patching the Sky

Stepping onto the light bridge, entering the portal.

The moment he walked into the portal, a faint sensation of traversing came from all around him.

Qin Chi had already confirmed that the shan he remnant piece could carry living beings, but this was his first personal experience.

His vision dimmed for a moment, then suddenly brightened.

Looking around, compared to the desolate spaces within the two fragments he controlled, this space was immeasurably wider, and it truly contained signs of life!

On the ground, withered yellow and verdant green plants intertwined, the two colors interspersing like the alternation of life and death. The moment he entered the space, Qin Jin clearly smelled the fragrance of plants.

“So—”

“Before it fell from the sky, the interior of the shan he remnant piece space was capable of nurturing life, not as desolate as it seemed.”

“Looking at it this way, the fallen fragments probably really had their inherent power completely exhausted, leaving only their inherent mystical properties.”

Thoughts flashed through his mind.

In his hand, after entering this space, the tiancang jade pendant became increasingly warm. At this moment, a slight desire to break free emerged. After Qin Chi released his hand, he saw the tiancang jade pendant change its appearance. The jade pendant unfolded, and as light flowed, it reverted to its original form.

White silk paper.

In the initial scene, it was that very piece of white silk paper, recording cultivation information, that transformed into the jade pendant and was left in that secret realm.

This silk paper was clearly no ordinary item; it glowed faintly, with elegant yet grand characters inscribed upon it. After reverting to its original form, its shape swayed, floating forward in the air, seemingly guiding Qin Chi.

Qin Chi followed on air.

The space here was extremely vast. Below, withered and green colors intertwined. In the sky, the bronze chains that were exposed outside were not yet visible, indicating that a considerable amount of power was still contained within.

He followed the silk paper all the way forward.

In the distance, a towering giant tree came into view. This giant tree had existed here for an unknown period, its species unknown, with countless branches. However, most of its leaves and branches were already withered and scorched yellow, with only the innermost area remaining verdant green.

Upon arriving here, the white silk paper descended.

Qin Chi followed closely.

On the ground, fallen scorched yellow leaves were piled up. They had not rotted into the soil but remained intact, stacked upon each other, forming a thick layer that possessed a unique aesthetic. Qin Jin stepped on them, sinking only slightly, which indicated their thickness.

It was at this moment.

The white silk paper landed in front of this towering giant tree, stopping in place, resting on the withered leaves, and emitting a faint glow.

Qin Chi’s gaze fell, and his eyes narrowed.

With a slight thought, the wind-attributed spiritual energy within his Spirit Ruins surged out, transforming into a gentle breeze, suddenly sweeping up the leaves below.

Under the activation of his power, these layers of withered yellow leaves were carried by the wind, lifted into the air, and scattered to the side.

This scene was beautiful to behold.

But Qin Jin had no time to pay attention.

Because, as the withered leaves were swept away, the true form beneath the silk paper was revealed.

It was a stone tablet about the height of a person.

Tombstone!

Above the tombstone, characters were engraved in ancient Tian Cang script. Qin Jin’s expression was serious as he read them word by word.

[Tiancang Imperial Family]

[Ji Lianxing]

Seven characters were carved on the stele, with no superfluous information. Qin Chi scanned them and fell silent.

He looked towards the silk paper.

After the withered leaves were swept away, the silk paper descended, landing in front of the tombstone.

“So.”

Qin Jin’s gaze focused on the silk paper: “Is this the tomb of the Tian Cang Imperial Princess who once wrote the inheritance?”

The white silk paper could not respond to him.

“Ji Lianxing.”

Qin Jin softly repeated the name in his heart, thinking of the woman in the jade pendant’s scene: “Were you buried here, or is this merely a cenotaph?”

“Within this shan he remnant piece, a Tian Cang Imperial Princess is buried. So, in the other shan he remnant pieces in the sky—”

Miscellaneous thoughts flashed through his mind. Qin Jin let out a long breath, suppressing the distracting thoughts.

He thought for a moment, clasped his hands, and bowed respectfully.

“Thank you, Senior, for leaving behind the Immortal Dynasty’s inheritance, which has benefited this junior immensely.”

While bowing, Qin Jin said earnestly.

He was a person who appreciated kindness.

Without the Heavenly Azure Method, his progress would not have been so fast, nor would he have achieved such a great improvement.

The withered leaves were swept to the side, but the area still appeared cluttered.

Qin Chi simply began to clean up, sweeping the withered leaves further away, gradually clearing the entire area.

Countless years ago, that Tian Cang Imperial Princess was an unparalleled and extraordinary figure, revered for both her strength and status.

But countless years had passed.

She, too, seemed to have turned into a handful of yellow earth, a cause for lament.

Just as Qin Jin was cleaning the surroundings.

Silently, the silk paper, which had originally fallen to the ground, seemed to be picked up at this moment, rising above the tombstone and stopping at a certain height. The back of the silk paper seemed to be supported, at an inclined angle. At this moment, strokes appeared one by one, forming new characters.

This scene, even with Qin Chi’s current perceptive abilities, went unnoticed, or rather—under the influence of some peculiar method, Qin Chi’s perception overlooked this scene.

When he finished cleaning one side and looked back, he saw this scene with his own eyes.

No one was visible, no brush or ink, the paper hung above the tombstone. This scene was somewhat eerie, and Qin Jin’s eyes suddenly narrowed.

However—he had already anticipated the extraordinary nature of the Tiancang Immortal Dynasty, so upon seeing this scene, he was not overly shocked. He merely tried to speak: “Senior?”

No one responded.

New characters continued to appear on the silk paper.

Seeing this, Qin Chi simply waited quietly.

Under the tree, the tombstone, the young man, the silk paper.

All fell silent.

Time passed.

After another stroke appeared on the silk paper, the stroke fell, but the “person” writing it did not move again for a long time, not completing the character. The silk paper lay flat, and after about several breaths, it was picked up again, but it did not continue writing after that stroke. Instead, it started a new section,

And wrote other characters.

In the space of this shan he remnant piece, there was no sun or moon, and the sky remained unchanged.

Under Qin Jin’s attention, as time passed, no new characters appeared on the white silk paper. It was now rolled into a cylinder, and as if thrown, it flew towards Qin Chi.

In the process.

The white silk paper changed its appearance, reverting to the form of a jade pendant.

Qin Jin reached out and took it.

The two characters “Tian Cang” glowed faintly. The moment he held it in his hand, Qin Chi clearly perceived that the tiancang jade pendant had become somewhat heavier.

He held the jade pendant, looked above the tombstone, and spoke again.

“Senior, may you appear and meet me?”

As this sound fell.

Above the tombstone, light flowed, and a phantom figure appeared.

It was a woman, dressed in a long skirt, sitting barefoot on the tombstone, with a thin veil over her face, only her eyebrows and eyes exposed.

This face, Qin Chi remembered vividly.

It was precisely the immortal maiden in the jade, the Tian Cang Imperial Princess, the owner of this tomb, Ji Lianxing.

Her eyebrows were like paintings, her eyes like stars. Within her eyes, it was as if a galaxy was truly reflected. At this moment, her gaze was as gentle as water, looking at Qin Jin.

Not long ago.

The new characters on the white silk paper were clearly written by her.

The phantom figure before him, and the lingering image in the past painting, were undoubtedly in completely different states. Qin Chi was carefully choosing his words, preparing to speak, when a pleasant voice sounded from in front.

“Later generation.”

“I misspoke.”

“You truly found me in later generations. Unfortunately, in my current state, I can no longer offer you great opportunities. All I can bestow upon you is this jade pendant.”

Her voice was pleasant, soothing to the heart, making one feel refreshed and at ease.

Qin Jin thought of the scene of the paper writing and said, “Senior is jesting.”

“This junior failed to find the imperial capital, so it cannot be considered as fulfilling the agreement in the jade pendant.”

As he spoke.

A gentle laugh sounded.

Qin Jin hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Senior, what is your current state?”

“Merely a lingering image from a long time ago, without power, re-emerging in the human world today after being triggered.”

“Geese leave their calls, water leaves its traces. Since you have cultivated the Law I left behind, you will understand in the future that leaving some traces in the world is not a difficult task.”

She sat on her own tomb, and at this moment, she lowered her head slightly, looking at the tombstone below: “That you could find this place and trigger this lingering image of me, it seems Tian Cang has ultimately ceased to exist in the world.”

“What a pity.”

She uttered “what a pity,” yet no pity was seen on her face. Qin Jin even saw a faint smile on her face.

Meeting Qin Jin’s gaze.

“Later generation, I can tell you have many questions in your heart.”

“This lingering image of mine was sealed here many years ago. Being triggered today, I have indeed missed many things in the world and have no way of knowing some matters.”

“But some of your doubts, I can help you answer.”

Her tone was calm, and she conversed kindly with Qin Chi.

Perhaps, having reached her realm and status, she cared less about such things.

Qin Jin listened to her words, his heart stirred slightly, and he said, “Senior, my question might be a bit presumptuous.”

“No matter.”

“Senior just said that the lingering image was sealed here.”

Qin Jin’s gaze fell on the tombstone beneath her: “Does Senior mean that you erected this stele before your demise?”

“Of course.”

Ji Lianxing nodded slightly, saying, “To undertake a great endeavor, one must possess the will to die. Only then can one advance fearlessly and achieve success.”

“This lingering image was prepared precisely for later generations like you.”

Her voice was calm: “If I had not died, I would have personally met the person who triggered the secret realm in the future. If I perished, it would also be considered leaving an opportunity for later generations.”

Qin Jin nodded knowingly.

Holding the jade pendant, after approaching this shan he remnant piece, a natural sense of connection arose, guiding him here.

Thoughts whirled, and the information Qin Chi had previously gathered in his mind converged. He said in a deep voice, “I once heard ancient history through some channels.”

“Legend has it that in ancient times, first the sky cracked, giving rise to unusual phenomena, and then after a great catastrophe, the Tiancang Immortal Dynasty disappeared without a trace.”

“Senior—”

“What exactly did the Tiancang Immortal Dynasty do?”

After speaking, Qin Jin listened intently.

“A great catastrophe, huh.”

Ji Lianxing smiled faintly: “That’s quite fitting.”

“The so-called sky cracking probably refers to the upheaval of heaven and earth.”

As Ji Lianxing waved her sleeve, a water curtain appeared, reflecting a scene.

In the scene, the sky showed unusual phenomena; a crack, piercing through the extreme of the sky and the edge of the sea, appeared. The crack was unfathomably deep, with a bloody aura spreading along its edges, looking like it contained immense terror.

Ji Lianxing’s phantom figure leaped down from the stone tablet, stepping barefoot on the ground, and her gentle voice sounded: “A vast world is also a whole. After the heaven and earth underwent upheaval, a gap appeared, and the inherent mystical properties within began to gradually dissipate. The heaven and earth themselves would no longer be extraordinary, until they completely declined.”

Speaking of this, she paused slightly: “Since you have cultivated the Law I left behind, you should know that the cultivation method of our Tian Cang cultivators is intimately connected with heaven and earth.”

Qin Chi nodded.

The Dao foundation was forged by using the rare treasures born in heaven and earth as fuel, and the Spirit Ruins and Dongtian were originally created by imitating the mystical places in heaven and earth.

In addition, according to the wudao stele, some prodigies could even attract companion treasures born from heaven and earth upon their birth.

It could be said that the relationship between Tian Cang cultivators and heaven and earth was extremely close.

Ji Lianxing’s voice was long: “The cultivation method is intimately connected with heaven and earth. True prodigies, throughout their growth, require an immeasurable amount of resources.”

“However, Tian Cang cultivators still rose. Our Immortal Dynasty dominated the world because, in the early stages of cultivation, cultivators consumed the resources of heaven and earth. But if they ascended to higher realms, the growth of Tian Cang cultivators themselves could also help heaven and earth give birth to more mystical properties!”

“In ancient times, those sages who established the path of cultivation for our human race, allowing our human race to rise in one fell swoop, possessed great wisdom. Cultivators and heaven and earth mutually assisted each other, forming a balance. As heaven and earth became more extraordinary, the Immortal Dynasty also grew more prosperous, thus creating such a glorious era.”

“Until the heaven and earth upheaval.”

She looked at the scene constructed beside her.

“At the time I was recorded here, I did not yet know the cause of this heaven and earth upheaval.”

“Perhaps it was extreme prosperity leading to decline, because it reached its peak, heaven and earth underwent upheaval, or perhaps powerful enemies from beyond the realm used insidious methods. But today, all of that no longer matters.”

“After the heaven and earth upheaval, the balance between human cultivators and heaven and earth was broken.”

Ji Lianxing sighed slightly: “You should know what this means.”

Qin Chi nodded silently.

“After that, came what you call the great catastrophe.”

Ji Lianxing’s tone was calm, without ripples: “If the sky cracks, then mend the sky. If the earth is missing, then fill the earth.”

“We Tian Cang cultivators have never lacked the courage to fight.”

“The Imperial Brother ordered the mobilization of the Immortal Dynasty’s power to forge divine cauldrons, gathering the human race’s top experts, along with the contemporary holy lands, secret sects, and so on, to recreate the azure sky!”

“Since you obtained the jade pendant, you should already know my identity.”

“My Imperial Brother was Ji Longting, the reigning Holy Emperor of the Tiancang Immortal Dynasty at that time.”

“He always possessed great courage. The upheaval of heaven and earth, which seemed like a crisis to ordinary people, was also an opportunity in his eyes.”

“Some things are difficult to change when complete, but when broken and reassembled, they might instead rejuvenate and advance further.”

“Tian Cang forged the divine cauldrons, pouring out the Immortal Dynasty’s strength, not only to mend the sky but also to use this opportunity to further advance this vast and boundless heaven and earth, to help heaven and earth ascend, so that such upheavals would never appear again, once and for all.”

“If heaven and earth successfully ascend, our Tian Cang would naturally benefit immensely, with immeasurable gains.”

Qin Chi listened silently.

The information he heard formed a picture in his mind.

Mending the sky, assisting heaven and earth in their ascension.

This truly could be called great courage.

Then, thinking of the tombstone before him, and that even the Tian Cang Princess had the will to die before the endeavor, it was evident that beneath the great courage also lay great danger. At that time, due to the heaven and earth upheaval and the broken balance, the Tiancang Immortal Dynasty was in a perilous situation, preparing for a final leap.

Thoughts flashed through his mind.

Qin Chi softly said, “Did the Immortal Dynasty ultimately fail?”

Responding to him was Ji Lianxing’s gentle smile.

The Imperial Princess’s smile was extremely infectious; if others saw it, they would also feel joy.

“We succeeded.”