Chapter 001: Lingluo Yu and the Tongxian Order

A gentle breeze passes by, carrying with it a faint and refreshing scent of sandalwood that lingers in the mind, bringing a sense of tranquility and delight

The entire box is carved from a solid piece of sandalwood, adorned with ancient and unique patterns.

Neither metal, nor wood, nor jade, nor stone

Feeling the profound depth within, experiencing the life philosophies it encompasses, each reading of the Lotus Sutra brings a different sensation to Ling Luoyu, allowing him to perceive the beauty of the world and feel that life is filled with hope

Since martial means are not an option, one must resort to literary means! Fortunately, in this regard, Ling Luoyu has demonstrated exceptional talent. No matter how convoluted or difficult the texts may be, after just one reading, Ling Luoyu can clearly understand and remember their contents. The collection of books at the Snowfall Mountain Manor is quite abundant, yet within just a few short years, Ling Luoyu has managed to read every single one of them thoroughly.

Perhaps, in at most two years, this world will no longer belong to me! Perhaps it won't take many years before I too will turn into a handful of yellow earth! Alas! Remembering the Nine Yang Absolute Pulse within me, Ling Luo Yu let out a soft sigh

The Tongxian Order is said to appear once every hundred years. In the initial occurrences, each time it caused a bloody storm, as it is rumored that obtaining the Tongxian Order may grant one the possibility of eternal life and the attainment of immortality.

Perhaps it is precisely because of the companionship of these scriptures that Ling Luoyu has been able to persevere over the years

Stepping out of the door, Ling Luoyu took a deep breath. The sky remained as blue as ever, and a gentle breeze swept through, causing the various flowers, grasses, and trees in the courtyard to dance in the wind, showcasing their graceful postures and exuding vibrant vitality

However, now that this celestial decree has appeared, it is actually directed at my elder brother. Entering the Tomb of Celestial Beings means certain death, a fact recognized by the entire martial arts world. But how could the Snowfall Mountain Manor do without my elder brother? Over the past two years, thanks to my elder brother's assistance, my father has finally had a bit of respite; he has been drinking alone less frequently. If my elder brother were no longer here, what would happen to my father?

Sixteen shimmering golden characters appeared before Ling Luoyu's eyes, and soon after, those sixteen golden characters slowly transformed into countless glowing dots that gathered together

The appearance of each Tongxian Order attracts countless talented youths, as only ten copies of the Tongxian Order are issued each time. Moreover, those who wish to enter the legendary and ethereal Tongxian Tomb must be under the age of 30. Although the Tongxian Order initially appears in the hands of specific individuals, if it is forcibly taken away in the meantime, no one will intervene. The Tongxian Tomb recognizes only the Tongxian Order, not the person.

Even if one is extraordinarily beautiful, they are merely a skeleton of beauty; even if one is a generation's pride, in the end, they merely turn into a cup of dust, an everlasting temptation of immortality. I ask, how many in this world can truly escape from it

Ling Luoyu was just about to open the box in her hands, but after searching for a long time, she found herself at a loss as to where to begin. The entire box seemed to be a complete entity, with not a single gap to be found.

Father, elder brother, and that mother whom I have never seen—can I truly let go of all this? Ling Luoyu often asked herself this question

Ling Luoyu stood up, slowly walked to the spot where the token had fallen, bent down, picked up the token, and began to examine it carefully

At the Grand Hall of the Great Forest Monastery, I announce to all the bhikkhus that in three months I shall attain Nirvana. Venerable Ananda then rose from his seat, adjusted his robes, and joined his palms together... The clear and resonant voice of Ling Luoyu recited these words, and at that moment, Ling Luoyu felt as if his soul were being elevated, forgetting the pain in his body, forgetting his worries, forgetting everything. In that moment, it seemed as though the entire world existed solely for him.

As for oneself? In the eyes of the entire manor, one is essentially a useless person. A wealth of knowledge and a heart full of passion may merely be seen as superfluous in a martial arts family like the Snowfall Manor.

The nineteen-year-old elder brother, Ling Luoyun, has been assisting our father in managing various matters related to the villa over the past couple of years. He often accompanies our father to handle some trivial affairs outside the villa. With the help of my brother, the burden on my father has indeed become much lighter

But what about myself? In terms of the martial world, and the rivers and lakes as described by my father, I am nothing but a useless person, unable to be of any help at all

His elder brother, Ling Luoyun, has mastered the family heirloom technique of the Floating Swordplay to an extraordinary level, making him a rare opponent among the younger generation. He is acclaimed as the Young Master of Floating, the foremost among the Four Young Masters of the martial world

This is the Tongxian Order! The legendary Tongxian Order that appears once every hundred years? Ling Luoyu gasped in shock; she had read numerous accounts of the Tongxian Order in the ancient texts.

It was noon, precisely a quarter past twelve. The door to the room opened, and sunlight poured in, illuminating Ling Luoyu, who was dressed in white. This made her already frail and exhausted appearance seem even more pale, giving her an overall sickly demeanor

As the second young master of the renowned Piaoxue Mountain Manor, Ling Luoyu has access to a considerable number of martial arts classics. Although, given Ling Luoyu's innate talent, he can comprehend these martial arts texts very thoroughly, he is utterly unable to utilize them. No matter how hard Ling Luoyu strives, he simply cannot cultivate the fundamental requirement for employing these martial techniques—internal energy.

A sound entered Ling Luoyu's ears, interrupting his contemplation

Let’s just open it and take a look, just a glance. Even if my brother finds out, he definitely won’t say anything about it! After all, Ling Luoyu is only sixteen years old. Although she is relatively mature compared to most people, she still has some childish traits. After thinking for a long time, curiosity ultimately triumphed over reason.

Over the years, my father has single-handedly raised the two of us brothers while also bearing the burden of the entire Snowfall Villa. His hair has turned gray, and he is aging day by day. How can I bear to see him continue to toil like this!

Lifting the box and facing the sunlight, Lingluo Yu began to observe carefully

As the master of the foremost martial arts manor, my father, Ling Canghai, bears an exceptionally heavy burden. The survival and honor of the entire Snowfall Manor rest upon him alone, and he must frequently confront various challenges that come to his door. My father suffers greatly, profoundly.

What exactly is inside the box? It is worth being contained in a box carved from a century-old sandalwood. One must understand that a century-old sandalwood is far more valuable than gold; merely this box is worth at least several hundred taels of gold. Smelling the faint aroma of sandalwood, Ling Luoyu quickly discerned that this subtle scent is unique to sandalwood that is over a hundred years old, yet this realization also made her hesitate.

Ling Luoyu did not notice that as the brilliance of the blazing sun approached the box, it transformed into countless points of light that swiftly seeped into the box, soon disappearing without a trace

Ling Luoyu slowly walked to the center of the courtyard, sitting down on the stone bench surrounded by flowers and grass. She placed the book in her hand on the stone table and gently wiped away the dust that had recently settled on it.

"Uncle Ling San, it's no trouble at all. After resting for half a day, I feel much better! Where is the box? Let me see it first and find out what gift my elder brother received?" Ling Luoyu smiled slightly, also curious about what was inside that box.

No joy, no sorrow, no love, no hatred

Just by looking at this box, one can tell that the items inside must be extremely valuable, and the other party specifically requested that it be delivered to the elder brother. Is this really a good idea? Ling Luoyu was in a state of indecision

"It's you! Uncle Ling San, since my elder brother is not here, I will take his place to receive it! Is that person still around? I'll go take a look!" Ling Luoyu raised her head and saw that the butler, Ling San, was looking at her anxiously, his face full of concern. Ling Luoyu slowly stood up and smiled at Ling San.

Perhaps due to the existence of the Nine Suns' Absolute Vein, apart from martial arts, Ling Luoyu learns anything at a much faster pace than ordinary people. As for Sanskrit, she had already mastered it thoroughly by the age of eight.

Because of this, in recent millennia, the entire martial arts world has been said to change countenance at the mention of it; the words 'Tongxian Ling' have become a legend, a taboo.

If it were an ordinary item, Ling Luoyu would undoubtedly have no hesitation and would immediately open the box to take a look.

Snowy Mountain Villa, the Celestial Order appears, on the eighth day of the eighth month, by the shores of the Canglang Sea

After numerous attempts, Ling Luoyu was completely disheartened with the cultivation of martial skills. Although it was somewhat embarrassing for the young master of the number one martial arts clan to be unable to master even the slightest martial technique, what could Ling Luoyu do? This was simply beyond his control

No, elder brother absolutely cannot have any mishap, he must not enter the Tomb of the Immortals. This Snowy Mountain Manor can do without me, but it absolutely cannot do without elder brother! There are still more than two months until August 8th, and father and elder brother may take about half a year to return to the manor this time. These two months are enough for me to arrange everything!" Ling Luoyu furrowed his brows, finally making up his mind to keep the matter of the appearance of the Immortal Order a secret from father and the others, and to personally take the Immortal Order to the Tomb of the Immortals.

However, ever since several individuals who entered the Tomb of the Immortals have gone missing without a trace, no one has dared to casually accept the Order of the Immortals. The phrase 'Order of the Immortals' has come to signify death within the martial world. There have been instances where individuals received the Order and either carelessly discarded the token or outright refused to acknowledge it. However, the consequence for those who acted in such a manner has always been the same: their entire clan, down to the last dog and chicken, was completely annihilated.

After observing for half a day, Ling Luoyu found nothing at all and was just about to put the box away in disappointment

Many times, Ling Luoyu discovered that her father often drank alone in the back garden, frequently sighing to himself.

Ling Luoyu even had an illusion akin to that of a book, feeling as if she could merge with the entire world. The tranquility of the clouds, the elegance of the wind, the sorrow of the flowers, grass, and trees—Ling Luoyu seemed to be able to sense all of it

To live is enough! As long as one lives, there is hope

Clang ... ...

Although the person delivering the box specified that it should be received personally by Brother Ling Luoyun, given the relationship between myself and Brother, I believe it would not matter if I took a look at it first. Brother would certainly not blame me for it

"Second Young Master, your old ailment has flared up again. Are you feeling any better? You should sit down; it will be more comfortable for you! The person who delivered the box has already left, and I have brought the box for you!" Upon seeing Ling Luoyu rise, the butler, Ling San, hurried over to support him and asked with concern.

Ling Luoyu had attempted many times; although each time, after a day of diligent meditation and cultivation, she could feel some surges of warmth, it was regrettable that each time she was completely dissolved under the pain that struck at noon, leaving no trace behind.

Ling Luoyu is already sixteen years old, and that kind of pain has accompanied him for a full six years. Moreover, as the days go by and he grows older, the duration of the unbearable torment that occurs once a day is becoming increasingly longer. He has no idea when it will come to an end; perhaps it is truly only when his life reaches its conclusion that he will find relief.

Ling Luoyu, dragging her exhausted body, slowly sat up from the bed

This is the name of the book in Ling Luoyu's hand. The large characters inscribed in Sanskrit on the cover of the book emit a faint golden light under the blazing sun, appearing sacred and solemn

Due to the Nine Yang's severed meridians, Ling Luoyu has been frail and sickly since childhood, and his physical condition has also prevented him from learning any martial arts techniques

However, at this moment, the legendary Tongxian Ling is actually in the hands of Ling Luoyu, who can truly feel its existence.

This was Ling Luoyu's first impression upon touching the token. Gently caressing the uneven patterns on the token, she slowly brought it closer to her eyes. On the front of the token, the three ancient characters "Tong Xian Ling" were inscribed, radiating a faint glow, exuding an air of mystery and solemnity. The front of the token was carved with images of the sun, moon, mountains, and rivers, and even though they were etched on this small token, they evoked a sense of grandeur and majesty.

Since records began, those possessing the Nine Yang Absolute Veins have exhibited a talent far superior to that of ordinary individuals. However, what does this matter? No owner of the Nine Yang Absolute Veins has ever lived to see their eighteenth birthday. Furthermore, starting from the age of ten, every day at noon, under the blazing sun, one feels as if they are in a furnace. Every meridian, every muscle, every bone, every inch of the body becomes unbearably hot, as if one is being roasted alive. This sensation is beyond description and becomes increasingly intolerable.

Although this is the case, my father and brother have never expressed any grievances towards me; they continue to shower me with affection. Whatever I desire, my father and brother will unhesitatingly procure it for me. Even when I do not make any requests, each time I return home, they always bring me back some novel gifts. Can I truly forget all of this? Ling Luoyu does not want to forget, nor is she willing to forget. If even familial bonds can be discarded, then what am I? Can I still be considered human? Perhaps I am merely a walking corpse.

Although Ling Luoyu still appears to be in a sickly state, her mental condition is evidently quite good, showing no signs of discomfort whatsoever

"It can't be! Why is there still not a single gap? How am I supposed to open this box?" Ling Luoyu muttered to herself.

A beam of light coalesced into a golden token, landing on the bluestone ground and emitting a crisp sound

At that moment, an unexpected change occurred; the box in Ling Luoyu's hand suddenly transformed into countless specks of light, swiftly dispersing from her grasp. Following this, the scattered light began to gradually reassemble in the air.

Seeing Ling Luoyu like this, Butler Ling San felt relieved. He slightly nodded to Ling and slowly took out an ancient-style box from his pocket.

Since three years ago, Ling Luoyu occasionally discovered this Lotus Sutra, and upon realizing that immersing oneself in the essence of the text could alleviate the daily pain experienced once a day, Ling Luoyu has devoted most of their time each day to this Lotus Sutra

Second Young Master, Second Young Master! Someone just delivered a box, claiming it is to be handed over to the Eldest Young Master! However, the Master and the Eldest Young Master have gone to Cangzhou on business, and when they left, the Master mentioned that they might not return for about six months. What do you think we should do about this?

This body, alas! Recently, the duration of the episodes has been increasing every day, and the pain during these episodes has become more intense. I do not know when it will come to an end! Ling Luoyu sighed, got out of bed, and slowly walked to the bookshelf not far from the bed, picked up a book, and walked out of the room

Lotus Sutra

Ling Luoyu picked up the box and examined it carefully. At this moment, the butler, Ling San, wisely greeted Ling Luoyu and took his leave.