After returning to the quiet and secluded hall quarters of the Green Cliff Hall, Chen Yu did not rush to cultivate the three true inheritance techniques.
He first found a flat bluestone under the old locust tree in the center of the courtyard, its leaves mostly withered and yellow, and sat down cross-legged.
Autumn sunlight filtered through the sparse branches and leaves, casting dappled light and shadow. A slightly cool mountain breeze brushed past, stirring up a few dry leaves that spun in circles on the ground.
He closed his eyes and concentrated his spirit, gradually calming his thoughts. Only after the distant roar of the waterfall and the chirping of birds in the forest faded from his ears did he begin to recall, word by word, and ponder the contents recorded in those three true inheritance cultivation methods in his mind.
Just as Hong Changtian had said, even though they were only the Foundation Establishment chapters and had not yet truly touched upon the origin of the Great Dao, the content of these three techniques was already close to being heavenly scriptures.
He clearly recognized every single character in the books, but when they were combined in a specific order, the meaning they expressed became obscure and difficult to understand, filled with profound metaphors and abstract concepts.
It gave him a headache, somewhat akin to facing a pile of extremely complex alchemical formulas.
Even though Foundation Establishment cultivators possessed powerful spiritual sense and deduction abilities far surpassing ordinary people, cultivating for long periods would still cause waves of dizziness and mental fatigue.
Then he would have no choice but to stop, temporarily empty his mind, look up to appreciate the autumn scenery in the courtyard, watch the withered leaves drift down, listen to the murmuring flowing water, and smell the faint remnant fragrance of osmanthus in the air.
However, what gave Chen Yu a little comfort was that the proficiency of these techniques was steadily increasing, which in turn gave him the motivation to continue practicing.
In the following days, during his leisure time, he invited Elder Hong and several other familiar elders to enjoy chrysanthemums and chat leisurely in an autumn pavilion built by the cliff within the Green Cliff Hall.
Around the autumn pavilion, several pots of precious and varied chrysanthemums were placed, either golden like the rising sun, snow-white like congealed fat, or purple-red like the evening glow, proudly blooming in the autumn wind, their delicate fragrance assailing the senses.
Mountain spring water boiled on the stone table, steeping this year's newly harvested Misty Cloud Spirit Tea. The aroma of tea mixed with the fragrance of chrysanthemums was refreshing to the heart and mind.
Speaking of the "Primordial Sword Guidance Art," an Elder surnamed Gong sighed with emotion: "This art requires the cultivator to primarily cultivate the Sword Dao, pursuing the simplest, purest 'speed,' 'sharpness,' and 'directness.' Often, with one sword strike, it is like the thunder of the Nine Heavens exploding. Before the sound arrives, that icy, sharp sword light, seemingly capable of cleaving through all obstacles, has already landed on the enemy."
"Cultivated to the extreme, it is the unity of man and sword, transforming into a pure sword light that is indestructible and fast as lightning."
"And this is also the only sword technique of the Sword Guidance Art. Simple and unadorned, yet unorthodox and extreme. Once the sword is drawn, victory or defeat is decided. It's either your death or mine. Therefore, successive Primordial Sword Masters often do not act lightly. Once they act, there must be casualties. Even the other Sword Immortals of Shengkang renowned for their Sword Dao have to be wary of them."
"Fellow Daoist Hong excels in this path. If you have questions, you can ask him freely."
Another elder laughed: "Truly interesting. In comparison, the Foundation Establishment chapter of Kunyuan seems more like a king's way of cultivation. Those who cultivate this method can integrate into earth and stone as easily as a swimming fish merges with water, moving unimpeded by borrowing the flow of earth vein spiritual energy, pursuing 'stability,' 'concealment,' and 'resilience.' Without special techniques or magical treasures to counter it, one can almost be invincible."
"Simultaneously, relying on this true inheritance's natural affinity and profound understanding of earth and wood elemental spiritual energy, cultivating earth and wood attribute Dao techniques often yields twice the result with half the effort, doubling the effect of spellcasting."
Such cultivators can often make tall buildings rise from the ground with a casual wave. When going out, they like to have companions, for no other reason than pure enjoyment of showing off.
They are the ultimate version of earth-wood cultivators, a one-person construction team, walking wonders creators.
This true inheritance actually won Chen Yu's great favor.
Compared to the above two true inheritances, the "Primordial Chaos Qi Absorption True Explanation" was vastly different, emphasizing more on transformation, balance, and harmony.
This method follows a middle path, impartial and unbiased. It can gradually increase the total amount and operational efficiency of spiritual energy within a cultivator's inner landscape world. Simultaneously, it can greatly enhance a cultivator's control over various Dao techniques, making it easier to reach the realm of using them at will, where words become law, and significantly extending the duration of continuous spellcasting and expanding the area of effect.
Using Chen Yu's own understanding, the "Primordial Chaos Qi Absorption True Explanation" was like a jack-of-all-trades passive skill. It not only increased a cultivator's mana pool limit and mana regeneration efficiency but also reduced skill casting delay, cooldown time, and increased continuous casting duration and spell range.
If cultivated to the extreme, any cultivator would have to respectfully address one as the Myriad Methods Dao Lord.
Even without having touched the Great Dao and based solely on these three true inheritances, Chen Yu couldn't help but agree that the Cloud Cliff Dao Master's evaluation back then, that the Primordial Origin Sword Dao was too extreme, was indeed correct.
Concentrating all power and will into one sword, pursuing extreme attack and speed, while undoubtedly possessing unparalleled might, also lacked completeness and was prone to breaking when too rigid.
He could even imagine himself, after achieving minor success in the Primordial Sword Guidance Art, transforming into a sword light, flashing through a myriad of troops, skewering those demons into a string with one sword.
However, in comparison, the heavy resilience of the Kunyuan Foundation Establishment chapter and the balanced versatility of the Primordial Chaos Qi Absorption True Explanation seemed more in line with the inclusiveness and longevity of the "Dao," and also served as a supplement to the Primordial Origin.
In the subsequent casual conversations with the various elders, Chen Yu intentionally or unintentionally steered the topic from cultivation techniques to the broader "Great Dao" and the "Golden Core" realm.
His attitude was humble, his words filled with yearning and curiosity towards senior experts. Soon, from these well-informed elders, he heard many anecdotes, cultivation secrets, and even some lesser-known legends about Golden Core cultivators.
When the conversation was in full swing, Chen Yu seemingly casually tossed out a question: "I once heard that Golden Core cultivators have long lifespans, reaching several hundred years. Usually, a single session of seclusion to contemplate the Great Dao lasts decades. With such long years, and often cultivating in seclusion within grottos or secret realms... Could it be that no Golden Core senior has ever passed away in their seclusion place, remaining undiscovered by fellow disciples or descendants for a long time?"
His real purpose was simple: he wanted to investigate the true identity in Xu Xuan Heaven of that Golden Core cultivator who mistakenly entered Zeyarila, and whether there were any related records or legends.
The other elders didn't suspect anything. They couldn't even imagine something as bizarre as another world existing besides Xu Xuan Heaven, treating it as ordinary cultivation chit-chat.
An elder stroked his beard and sighed in response: "That naturally exists. Xu Xuan Heaven is vast and boundless, containing many ancient ruins, natural forbidden lands, and even dangerous places formed by great battles or anomalies. Their dangers are unpredictable, with opportunities and crises coexisting. Even Golden Core cultivators setting foot there, if not careful, might encounter mishaps and perish within, their bones lost, naturally unknown to anyone."
"As for those who pass away in seclusion within their own grottos or sect secret lands... that's even more common." Another elder sighed. "The Great Dao is difficult. The Golden Core is not without worries of longevity. When lifespan is about to end, failing in a desperate breakthrough attempt, suffering Qi deviation during cultivation, or encountering some unresolved old injury or hidden ailment... any of these can cause a cultivator to silently perish within their seclusion chamber."
"Once the formation is sealed, it might be decades or even a hundred years without disturbance, until the grotto is opened and descendants learn that their ancestor has passed away."
"Even Golden Cores cannot truly achieve freedom of heart and transcendence of life and death. We, toiling half our lives, haven't even touched the threshold of the Golden Core, so we can't think that far ahead."
Chen Yu's heart stirred slightly. He continued along the topic, seemingly curious and probing further: "Then, have any of you elders heard of any Golden Core seniors proficient in the Hundred Arts of Cultivation who suddenly disappeared or went missing in the past few hundred years? Especially those of extremely high attainment. Could such cultivators also not defy fate?"
He was gradually clarifying his target.
Based on his current understanding of that Golden Core cultivator who mistakenly entered Zeyarila, this person was absolutely a top-tier genius in the fields of artifact refining and formations.
Magical lifeforms like Silver Sparrow, those exquisitely intricate composite magic formations in the castle, and even alchemical items like the "World Tree in a Bottle" that bordered on creation... all demonstrated his pinnacle achievements in artifact refining, formations, and alchemy.
To possess such comprehension and achievements, he would definitely not be an unknown figure in Xu Xuan Heaven either.
Hearing this, Elder Hong chuckled: "Fellow Daoist Guo jokes. Just cultivating the Great Dao already requires most of our cultivators' energy and lifeblood. To be able to research 'external path' arts like artifact refining and formations to such an impressive level while cultivating... to be honest, that's not very common. After all, a person's energy is limited."
He paused, seeming to remember something, and laughed: "However, there really is one person who could be called an all-rounder. But with such astonishing talent and brilliance, how could someone like that pass away silently and unnoticed?"
"Fellow Daoist Hong is referring to...?" Chen Yu timely cupped his hands, showing curiosity.
The several elders in the pavilion glanced at each other, then burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha, Fellow Daoist Guo, who else could it be? Naturally, it's our Three Origins Sect's 'Three Paths Unified' Ancestor Cloud Cliff."
"Such a genius is rare in the world!"
"Legend has it that Ancestor Cloud Cliff not only cultivated three paths simultaneously, but also had a comprehensive understanding of the external Hundred Arts, excelling in all. This ancestor also once said, 'The Dao of Formations is merely the tracing of heaven and earth's patterns.' Afterwards, he spent only a year to master most of the known formation principles at the time. His alchemy skills were such that in less than a year, he could refine spirit pills that amazed the alchemy masters of that era."
Chen Yu's heart shook, and his mind suddenly had an epiphany.
If he remembered correctly, Hong Changtian had said this ancestor had disappeared for a period of time, and when he reappeared, he already possessed three paths.
But what if, during those decades of Ancestor Cloud Cliff's disappearance, he wasn't cultivating in seclusion somewhere in Xu Xuan Heaven, but... had mistakenly entered Zeyerra?
To avoid arousing suspicion, Chen Yu did not continue to probe deeply into the details of Ancestor Cloud Cliff's disappearance, but steered the conversation towards other interesting anecdotes.
Only when the lights in the autumn pavilion grew dim, the tea turned cold, and people dispersed, leaving only the cold moonlight and mountain wind, did Chen Yu sit alone in the pavilion, beginning to secretly ponder and recall bits of rumors about Ancestor Cloud Cliff.
Although there were many rumors about Ancestor Cloud Cliff, most were later fabrications or dramatizations, perhaps distorted through retelling and not to be taken seriously.
Only one rumor that seemed relatively reliable caught Chen Yu's attention.
It was said that during his forty-three years of disappearance, Ancestor Cloud Cliff had once gone to the Guixu Depths of the Southern Sea.
Legend said it was the end of the Four Seas of Xu Xuan Heaven, also referred to in some ancient texts as the place where the ocean began.
That place was filled with destructive Guixu astral winds and various hard-to-understand strange phenomena. At the same time, all sorts of rumors circulated about ancient secret treasures, lost divine abilities, and even mysterious tales of passages to other realms.
But this place was occupied by great demons, with a harsh environment. Only Golden Cores could go there. Even if he wanted to investigate now, he was powerless.
Moreover, he couldn't yet confirm that the Golden Core who mistakenly entered Zeyarila and Ancestor Cloud Cliff were the same person.
First, the timeline didn't match.
The influence and creations left by the Golden Core who mistakenly entered Zeyarila had clearly existed for much longer, possibly thousands of years or even more, while Ancestor Cloud Cliff's disappearance was only forty-three years.
The Golden Core who entered Zeyarila left behind many rumors, so it couldn't have been a stay of only a few decades.
Secondly, Ancestor Cloud Cliff ultimately emerged from seclusion and ascended. That Golden Core, however, seemed not to have returned, or if he did, left no clear records. It seemed more like he spent a long time in Zeyerra, perhaps even perished there.
So this Golden Core might be someone else, or a cultivator from a more ancient era. For now, he didn't know.
However, the Southern Sea Guixu was indeed a clue worth investigating.
To further verify his viewpoint, over the next few days, Chen Yu used the convenience of his elder status to send out gel clones to secretly collect recorded lists of Golden Core cultivators in Xu Xuan Heaven over the past few hundred years, screening them one by one.
However, the results were not satisfactory.
The Hundred Arts of Cultivation—alchemy, artifact refining, talisman-making, formation setting... each was a broad and profound great path.
To master them while cultivating, even for long-lived Golden Core cultivators, was extremely difficult to accomplish.
Most Golden Cores specialized in one or two, or had a superficial understanding. All-rounders like the legendary Ancestor Cloud Cliff were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns, with no clear records for thousands of years.
Thus, Chen Yu's gaze returned to that Ancestor Cloud Cliff.
He was currently still an outer sect elder, after all, having just joined the sect and unable to access the core affairs of the sect. His ability to investigate the details of Ancestor Cloud Cliff's disappearance in depth was limited.
Finding a definite answer in Xu Xuan Heaven in the short term wasn't easy. He could only temporarily suppress this question in his heart and refocus his attention on Zeyerra, hoping to find the clues he wanted.
Nevertheless, the authority of an outer sect elder was not small.
Using this identity, Chen Yu still collected a large number of Hundred Arts books helpful for the development of the main kingdom—higher-level "Alchemy Diagrams," "Formation Diagram Explanations," "Complete Annotations of Talisman Restrictions," and most importantly, dozens of artifact refining-related books ranging from basic to profound, such as "Artifact Refining True Explanations," "Records of Metals and Stones," "Spiritual Fire Control Methods," etc.
This knowledge was undoubtedly an immeasurably precious treasure for the rapidly developing Slime Kingdom.
After quietly sending these materials back to Slime City via the Gel Network, before he could continue studying the true inheritances, a sage claiming to be from the Forest Sage Council diverted his attention.