Volume One: The Cloudy Immortal Palace Chapter Twenty-Six: The Same Black Stone

Chapter Twenty-Six: The Same Black Stone

“They must be the guardians of the pavilion, right?”

Zhou Hao and Cao Shuang approached the two elderly men, only to discover that they looked exactly alike. Cao Shuang whispered to Zhou Hao that they were twins of unfathomable strength, entrusted with guarding all the immortal martial arts and secret techniques of the Celestial Mist Palace.

“Honored elders, we wish to enter the pavilion to seek a suitable immortal martial art. Would you kindly guide us?” Cao Shuang, accompanied by Zhou Hao, respectfully clasped his hands and bowed to the two old men.

“One token per person,” one of the elders replied coldly.

“We have them here!” Cao Shuang and Zhou Hao promptly produced the square jade-green tokens given to them by the palace master.

The elders’ gazes swept across the tokens, and after a brief nod, the massive closed doors behind them creaked open of their own accord.

“Follow us.”

Suddenly, two figures materialized at the elders’ sides—astonishingly, these figures were identical to the elders themselves. The two entered through the open doors, with Zhou Hao and Cao Shuang hurrying after them.

“See? Those are the guardians’ avatars—they’ll give us a proper introduction,” Cao Shuang said smugly.

“All I see are gates, gates, and more gates!” Zhou Hao grumbled.

Inside the Immortal Martial Pavilion, brilliant lights filled the space. Red jade candles lined the walls, casting a dazzling white glow into every corner.

Now, at last, Zhou Hao beheld true immortal martial arts. On the first floor stood three large ancient display shelves—not lined with antiques, but with books.

“The Immortal Martial Pavilion houses every immortal art of the Celestial Mist Palace, spread across three storerooms—three levels. All disciples may enter the first two floors, but the third is forbidden, and with your current strength, you could not enter even if you tried. Remember, only with your own true power can you unlock these immortal arts. Do not overestimate yourselves and attempt to claim what exceeds your capability, for that would only bring you harm. Additionally, each of you may select but one. Understood?” one of the avatars instructed.

“Yes, understood!”

“Very well, make your choice. If you have questions, we will answer them.”

As soon as the words were spoken, Zhou Hao feigned calm and began searching among the ancient shelves for a martial art that called to him. Cao Shuang, meanwhile, rubbed his hands in anticipation—it had been so long since he’d last been here, he intended to pick well today.

Immortal martial arts, in essence, were the Way’s martial techniques—akin to mortal martial skills, but their cultivation also accelerated one’s immortal cultivation and strengthened combat prowess.

“So many arts! Which should I choose?” Zhou Hao was dazzled by the array before him.

The methods of recording these arts were as varied as the stars—using ancient display racks instead of mere shelves was a wise choice. There were small booklets like the Azure Cloud Codex, as well as jade scrolls, wooden boards, bronze plates, clay jars—even a stone stele inscribed with mottled characters. Big and small, light and heavy, everything imaginable was present.

“Shadowless Hand!”

Zhou Hao noticed a green bronze plate labeled as such and, curious, asked one of the avatars for an explanation.

“Shadowless Hand—formless, intangible, hands as if turned to nothing. Six hundred years ago, a disciple of Celestial Mist used it to slay an Elder of the Wind Desolation. It is said this art was created by an immortal of the highest order,” the avatar replied.

“Is it really that powerful?” Zhou Hao’s heart stirred with longing.

“Are you sure you want it?”

“No, just asking.”

The avatar: “...”

“Ice Blade Slash!” Zhou Hao pointed to a white jade box labeled thus and immediately signaled for an explanation.

“Ice Blade Slash—rumored to be the work of an immortal. It gathers qi into ice, cleaving earth and shearing mountains. Five hundred years ago, a Celestial Mist disciple used it to slay a wicked dragon.”

“Impressive! If I learned it, could I slay dragons too?” Zhou Hao’s eyes sparkled.

“Are you sure this is your choice?”

“I’ll keep looking.”

The avatar: “...”

“Wow, this one sounds incredible—‘Scripture of Dual Salvation.’ The name alone is intriguing!” Zhou Hao exclaimed, pointing at a jade scroll.

“The Scripture of Dual Salvation, created by the great immortal Deng Tu Lang. Legend has it he was a golden immortal from the lower realms, who vowed to deliver all immortal maidens and perfect the dual cultivation path. This art is the culmination of his insights into dual cultivation.”

“What? That’s allowed?” Zhou Hao nearly burst out laughing.

“Hahaha! This Deng Tu Lang must be the trendsetter of the Immortal Realm—a figure worthy of eternal praise!” Zhou Hao felt compelled to worship this immortal.

Not only was the name unique, but his deeds were delightfully grounded.

“Well, then, I’ll choose—” Just as Zhou Hao was about to select the Scripture of Dual Salvation, his gaze was drawn to a stone stele.

“Is that your final choice?” the avatar prodded.

“No, let me look a little more!”

The avatar’s expression darkened.

Zhou Hao approached the stele and read its inscription—Radiant Sun Palm. The stele itself was black, roughly the size of two palms. What captured Zhou Hao’s attention wasn’t the technique, but the material.

“This stele... could it be related to the black stone? It’s exactly the same material as ‘Celestial Visitor from Beyond the Heavens!’” Zhou Hao was stunned.

Twenty years ago, Zhou Hao had accidentally dropped that black stone, the “Celestial Visitor from Beyond the Heavens,” beside the Heaven Stele of the Immortal Realm. Now, the stele before him was clearly not the same piece—its shape differed, and it bore golden immortal script. Yet the material was identical: ancient and jet-black.

“What’s its origin?” Zhou Hao asked anxiously, pointing at the stele.

This time, the avatar did not respond, only shook his head in bewilderment.

“What? You don’t know? What about the other avatar?”

“The palace master chanced upon this stone stele. Even he does not know its origin, nor has anyone ever mastered the immortal art inscribed upon it,” the avatar explained.

“So mysterious? Even in the Celestial Palace, such stone is unheard of—‘Celestial Visitor from Beyond the Heavens’ must have a truly extraordinary origin!” Zhou Hao muttered.

He realized he had always underestimated that black stone. From birth to ascension, he had never unraveled its secrets. Now, an intense curiosity and unease gripped him.

For that stone had been intertwined with his destiny, as if a great hand in the dark had bound his fate to “Celestial Visitor from Beyond the Heavens.” Step by step, he was compelled to explore, not knowing whether this would lead to fortune or disaster.

“If that’s so, I must see what connection you and I share.” Slowly, Zhou Hao’s gaze grew resolute. He stood before the stele, unmoving.

“This is my choice.”

“I told you—no one has ever mastered it. Choosing it is pointless. Pick another,” the avatar advised.

“No. Nothing is impossible for the determined. I was meant to have this stele, and I will take it,” Zhou Hao declared.

“Very well. You must break the light shield with your own strength. If you fail, you must choose another,” the avatar said.

The stele was not large—about the size of two palms—and shrouded in a halo of blue light. Zhou Hao would need to shatter this barrier to claim it.

A cold gleam flashed as the immortal sword was drawn. Zhou Hao gripped the sword with both hands and struck powerfully. The light shield fractured and burst apart into a shower of light.

“I’ve got it.” Zhou Hao reached for the stele.

Huh? What’s going on—why is it so heavy? Zhou Hao’s face reddened with exertion.

He could not lift the small stele with one hand. This puzzled him greatly. Back at the Heaven Stele, before he was even an immortal, he could carry the basin-sized “Celestial Visitor from Beyond the Heavens.” Now, as a true immortal, he was unable to lift this smaller black stele, made of the same material.

“This is absurd! I don’t believe it!” Zhou Hao sheathed his sword, rubbed his hands, spat on his palms for good measure, stretched, then gripped the stele with both hands.

With a thud, Zhou Hao toppled to the ground—this time, oddly enough, he lifted the stele with ease, its weight no more than that of an ordinary stone of similar size.

He had fallen simply because, using all his strength, he’d expected far greater weight. The stone, surprisingly light, caused him to overbalance and topple over with it.

“I forgot to mention,” the avatar’s voice drifted over, “this stele has another peculiarity—it must be lifted with both hands, or it cannot be moved at all.”

Just as Zhou Hao tried to stand, he collapsed again.

“Are you doing this on purpose?” he complained.

By now, Cao Shuang had made his choice as well. He happily trotted over to Zhou Hao, grinning. “Junior brother, can you guess what immortal art I’ve chosen?”

“How could I possibly guess? Just tell me,” Zhou Hao replied.

“Haha! I’m really lucky today. Who would have thought that such a profound art would be left untouched? Thankfully, that let me snatch it up!” Cao Shuang’s face was full of mischief, as though he’d discovered a priceless treasure.

“What is it? Show me!” Zhou Hao’s curiosity was piqued—Cao Shuang’s excitement made him suspect it truly was a great find.

As Zhou Hao watched expectantly, Cao Shuang produced a jade scroll.

“Wait, this looks familiar...” Zhou Hao examined it.

Could it be... Suddenly, he froze; his gaze drifted to where he’d stood moments before.

Sure enough, the shelf was now empty. The immortal art had been claimed.

“The Scripture of Dual Salvation?”

Before Cao Shuang could speak, Zhou Hao blurted out the name.

“Impressive, junior brother! How did you know? What do you think—quite profound, isn’t it?” Cao Shuang waggled his eyebrows.

“Ah, yes, very... profound,” Zhou Hao replied through gritted teeth.

In truth, he was nearly driven mad. Such a legendary, game-changing immortal art, and it was snatched up by this chubby fellow—when he himself had nearly chosen it!

In the end, the two left the pavilion with their selections—Zhou Hao wearing a look of dismay. He’d hoped to liberate the Scripture of Dual Salvation on his next visit, and now...

“There’s no justice in this world!” Zhou Hao bellowed inwardly.