Chapter 319: True Immortal's Leaving Letter

To put it bluntly, the Wei family wasn't particularly surprised; instead, they were somewhat suspicious that Ji Yuan might be deceiving them.

If it truly was a deception, Wei Xuan and Wei Ming couldn't be certain if Yan Fei was involved. Therefore, despite their suspicions, they spoke as gently as possible.

“Uh, Mr. Ji, are you sure the book is a biography titled ‘Wandering in Clouds and Dreams’? My Wei family has passed it down through generations, and the elders all say it's an extraordinary martial arts manual, the famous treasure of our Wei ancestors…”

Ji Yuan smiled and looked at Wei Xuan.

“It seems your family’s oral tradition has been mistaken. This book is neither a martial arts manual, nor was it written by someone named Wei. Its author is Zhong Pingxiu, who appears to have been an overseas practitioner of mystic arts.”

“What? Not named Wei?”

Not only the Wei family members nearby, but even Yan Fei and Niu Batian were taken aback.

Wei Xuan frowned, looking at Ji Yuan, fearing that Ji Yuan would next claim to know about Zhong Pingxiu's descendants.

“Gentlemen, please don't be anxious. Although I am interested in your wordless scripture, I would not fabricate lies to deceive you. If the Wei family permits, I will read it here in the hall.”

After all, they were guests from afar. Although the Wei family members grumbled internally, they showed no outward sign. Wei Xuan laughed heartily.

“What are you saying, sir? For years, no one has been able to discern the characters in the book. Today, learning that you can see them, my Wei family is overjoyed! Please take your time and read it here in the hall. However, my Wei family also has an impertinent request…”

Yan Fei frowned, looking at the Wei family members, especially Wei Xuan and Wei Ming, the family scholars. It was clear that these two did not entirely trust Mr. Ji. Niu Batian merely chuckled derisively, saying nothing, but he was also very interested in 'Wandering in Clouds and Dreams'.

Before Wei Xuan could finish his sentence, Ji Yuan had already guessed his meaning. However, if Wei Xuan stated it, the Wei family might grow suspicious again, so he waited patiently.

“We only hope that after you finish reading, sir, you can recount the contents of the scripture to us, so that we may know what our family's scripture contains.”

“Hmm, that's fine. But recounting it might not be entirely accurate; how about I write it down for you?”

“That would naturally be best!”

The Wei family naturally agreed to Ji Yuan's suggestion wholeheartedly.

“Quickly, fetch the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone for the sir…”

After instructing the servants, Wei Xuan turned and respectfully addressed Ji Yuan.

“Please, sir, sit and read at your leisure. If today you transcribe the precious text left by our ancestors for my Wei family, we will be eternally grateful!”

Wei Xuan's words were impeccable in their politeness, but only he knew the true extent of his respect. Furthermore, Ji Yuan had clearly stated that Zhong Pingxiu was the author, yet Wei Xuan still referred to it as something left by the Wei ancestors, merely avoiding saying it was *written* by them directly.

Ji Yuan did not expose his insincerity. After nodding, he sat down with the book at his place and began to read intently. Yan Fei and the others had nothing to say for a while.

A moment later, a servant arrived with a tray, on which were prepared the "Four Treasures of the Study" (brush, ink, paper, and inkstone), with a thick stack of Xuan paper.

Ji Yuan, without raising his head, tapped on the tea table, indicating that the writing tools should be placed there.

Yan Fei proactively took the tray from the Wei family servant, helped arrange the writing tools, neatly stacked the Xuan paper, and personally ground the ink for Ji Yuan. His demeanor was indeed that of someone attending to an important elder.

Ji Yuan, still without raising his head, placed the Heavenly Scripture he held onto the table. As he continued to read, he reached for a brush, naturally dipped it in the ink on the inkstone, and then began to write directly on the Xuan paper, which was held down by a paperweight.

His handwriting was very small but incredibly exquisite, as if each tiny character held the power of a large one, embodying both spirit and technique. From just the first few characters, the Wei family knew that Mr. Ji, who was writing them, was undoubtedly a master calligrapher.

There is a saying: 'To observe one's writing is to observe the person.' Being able to write such divine characters subconsciously elevated Mr. Ji's standing in the hearts of the Wei family members.

“Riding gentle breezes and wandering clouds, treading countless mountains and rivers, seeing all rivers and streams, traversing towering peaks, carrying the brilliant starlight, and beholding the scenery of the four seasons…”

As Ji Yuan wrote, everyone's attention gradually shifted to the content he was transcribing. These were merely plain characters, without the profound meaning contained within the Heavenly Scripture itself, yet even so, a sense of uninhibited freedom and ease spontaneously arose in everyone's hearts.

“Beholding the wonders above the Celestial River, delving into the mysteries of the netherworld and the profound, this is the realm that we cultivators of immortality yearn for and are drawn to…”

Ji Yuan continued writing, allowing the observers to gradually realize that the protagonist of the content seemed to be an immortal.

Yan Fei and Niu Batian were naturally unsurprised, as this wordless scripture was not an ordinary book. The Wei family members, however, exchanged glances but quickly refocused their attention on the paper.

Ji Yuan paid no mind to the thoughts of others. He had initially thought 'Wandering in Clouds and Dreams' was just an ordinary personal travelogue. Although written by an immortal cultivator, he believed it was essentially no different from a regular biography, aside from being more authentic.

But as he read, Ji Yuan's spiritual consciousness seemed to wander through heaven and earth alongside the accounts in the Heavenly Scripture. That sense of freedom and ease felt as if it were a pull from the book itself, a profound power allowing his mind to roam freely.

Almost involuntarily, his consciousness began to conjure within his inner spiritual realm the beautiful landscapes of 'Wandering in Clouds and Dreams', riding pure breezes and stepping on white clouds, drifting through heaven and earth as if in a dream.

At this moment, his body and consciousness seemed to divide into two separate entities: one carefully turning pages and writing with divine inspiration, the other entranced, as if in a dream, exploring profound mysteries within the spiritual realm.

“Yan, Brother Yan… look around you…”

Niu Batian suddenly nudged Yan Fei's arm and spoke in a low voice, causing the latter to lift his gaze from the paper. Upon looking around, his body stiffened.

The Wei family members also heard Niu Batian's words, looked up, and in the next moment, everyone's mouths fell open, unable to speak.

They were clearly still in the main hall, but faintly, a thin layer of mist seemed to have risen.

Through the mist, they could see that their surroundings had transformed into another vast realm. There were no walls or ornate railings, and no tiles overhead. The spiritual beauty of heaven and earth was completely unobstructed.

“Rumble…”

Faintly, thunder could be heard from the sky. Even Yan Fei and Niu Batian instinctively raised their hands and bowed, let alone the Wei family members.

“Splash, splash, splash…”

Azure seas surged, and spray splashed as waves rolled.

It was as if they were all sailing in a tiny boat, with the scenery around them swiftly moving. Time itself was unpredictable, with vast snowy landscapes giving way to green leaves and red flowers, and glimmering stars replaced by lightning and thunder.

“Alas, to rise and look around, only to find empty joy—it was but a dream of leisure!”

As Ji Yuan finished his last stroke, all the surrounding phenomena vanished instantly. He, along with Yan Fei and the others, "woke up."

“Excellent book, excellent book! Though this book is not a profound immortal art, it is certainly a treasure! Among all the Heavenly Scriptures I have seen in my life, this one is the greatest!”

Ji Yuan was now both excited and deeply moved. He couldn't help but stand up and pace a few steps, his gaze intermittently falling upon 'Wandering in Clouds and Dreams'.

Ji Yuan's praise was involuntary, and naturally, everyone heard it clearly. Yan Fei and Niu Batian were astonished by Mr. Ji's extremely high appraisal, especially the latter.

Old Niu knew very well who Mr. Ji was—an unparalleled immortal cultivator capable of sharing wine with true dragons and guiding all living beings under heaven.

How extraordinary must a Heavenly Scripture be to receive such an evaluation from Ji Yuan?

Ji Yuan felt excellent now. The unconstrained freedom in 'Wandering in Clouds and Dreams' was like another version of 'Free and Easy Wandering'. However, when Ji Yuan explained 'Free and Easy Wandering', he demonstrated its principles through his own methods. This Heavenly Scripture, on the other hand, allowed Ji Yuan to truly experience the spirit and intent of its author, profoundly impacting his state of mind and understanding.

‘The one who composed this book must be at least a True Immortal master!’

Ji Yuan was now extremely certain that Zhong Pingxiu was absolutely a master of the True Immortal rank, perhaps even higher, otherwise, he could never have imbued the book with such profound essence.

A subtle rumble of thunder sounded, not from outside, but from within Ji Yuan himself.

“Rumble… rumble…”

As everyone stared in astonishment, Ji Yuan gently waved his hand, pressing it inward, temporarily suppressing the thunderous sound. With the thunder beginning, he could no longer afford to delay much else, and turned to look at the Wei family.

“Would you consider letting me have this 'Wandering in Clouds and Dreams'? Alternatively, could I borrow it for a period? I promise a substantial reward upon its return!”

“This…”

The Wei family members hesitated slightly. This book, left by their ancestor, was clearly extraordinary. Just now, as Mr. Ji read it, strange phenomena emerged from it. It must be an immortal book. How could the Wei family feel at ease lending such a book to someone else?

Although Mr. Ji, being able to see the characters in the book, was certainly no ordinary person, wasn't it precisely such an extraordinary person who cared so much about this book?

“Sir, this is a treasured heirloom of our Wei family. Although we have always generously allowed fellow martial artists to view it, we have never lent it out. Outsiders have never made such a request. Your help in transcribing the book's contents for our Wei family naturally fills us with immense gratitude, but please do not put us in a difficult position…”

Ji Yuan felt uncharacteristically annoyed. Although he had been immersed in the book, it didn't mean he was unaware of what was happening around him. Despite everything, the Wei family still didn't trust him, clearly indicating their narrow-mindedness.

Though Ji Yuan's expression was stern, he said nothing, merely looking at the Wei family members for a moment.

“Indeed, it is a family heirloom of the Wei clan. In that case, I shall not trouble you further.”

Before his words fully faded, Ji Yuan's feet were already wreathed in clouds and mist. A gust of clear wind swept through, and in an instant, he stepped on clouds and flew into the sky.

He had indeed wanted to borrow 'Wandering in Clouds and Dreams' to read it multiple times, but the most crucial part was this first spiritual journey. While adding embellishments would be nice, it wasn't essential.

Only then did Niu Batian and Yan Fei realize what was happening. They hastily chased him out the door, shouting up at the sky.

“Mr. Ji, where are you going?”

“My heart has attained insight, and the earth reveals its profound secrets. Our journey together concludes here. We shall meet again if fate permits!”

Ji Yuan's voice drifted back as his figure, treading on clouds, vanished into the horizon. Niu Batian wished to pursue him, but upon hearing Ji Yuan's words, he halted, only able to glare angrily at the Wei family.

“Alas—!”