Preface (Part One)

The woodcutter shook his head: "What others have done, yet I do not dare to take credit for it"

He walked over, took out a medicine basket, and began to apply medicine to Qinglin.

Three days later, Qinglin appeared

In order to restore the glory of the Heavenly Machine Gate, successive leaders have been striving to reclaim the Hall of a Thousand Machines

Having drunk, and after finishing the meat, he tore off a rabbit leg and then left with an air of self-importance

I also wish to understand for a longer time, but alas, it is the will of fate, and the whims of destiny play tricks on us

Ning Ye was astonished; he knew that those who practiced immortality often possessed extraordinary abilities, yet he did not expect that even such matters could be perceived. After a moment of daze, he said: "Disciple had another name in the past, but those matters are now history. The name Bai Yu, although taken later, is the only name I use here, and it is not entirely false."

The Kunlun Mirror is one of the divine artifacts within the Hall of a Thousand Machines

It was the time for the evening class, and the disciples of the Heavenly Mechanism Gate were currently engaged in their evening lessons. Suddenly, they noticed a man in blue flying from the distant horizon, followed by a young boy in white. They stood atop a cloud, but appeared somewhat unsteady, clearly not practitioners of immortality.

A group of senior students congratulated Xin Xiaoye, to which Xin Xiaoye snorted, "How rare!"

Looking at the empty bed, Ning Ye sighed as he sat down

The hand trembles slightly

On the day of recovery, Qinglin disappeared

He was covered in blood, still smiling as he fell to the ground, but upon seeing the ancient mirror, he was clearly taken aback: "Kunlun Mirror?"

The issue lies in the fact that the other party seems to have no intention of concealing this point either

From this day forward, Ning Ye officially enters the Tianji Sect.

The old man indeed appears to possess an air of ethereal grace, and it is said that he is already one hundred and fifty years old, yet he looks to be only around fifty. His face is radiant, and even wrinkles are seldom seen.

Brush

At the moment he saw the Kunlun Mirror, Qing Ling suddenly understood everything

Most of the time, Qinglin regarded these as mere fabrications from the other party. However, Ning Ye's stories were coherent and self-consistent, which was quite rare. Thus, one told interesting tales while the other listened with joy, leading to a harmonious relationship.

Upon hearing him speak in such a manner, Qinglin dismounted from his horse and with a casual gesture, the horse transformed into a small wooden horse, landing in his hand

Xin Ranzi walked through the grand hall and arrived at a quiet room in the back chamber, where she took a seat

The sound of the cloud bell resonates, as if the heavenly music is gradually approaching. Below, the disciples are collectively reciting the Dao scriptures, their voices resounding powerfully, exuding an air of solemnity.

Qinglin rode the wooden horse away, and the woodcutter was not afraid; he simply stared at him with his clear and bright eyes, showing no fear whatsoever.

Before me stood a model-sized ancient palace, imbued with an antique charm. However, it appeared to be damaged in many places, yet it also concealed a radiant beauty, shimmering with an endless mysterious luster, clearly indicating that it was no ordinary object

Although he is a cultivator, he is severely injured, unable to use his spells, and his chances of survival are extremely slim. After discovering such an important secret about the other party, he no longer harbors any extravagant hopes

However, due to the inherent strength of the immortals, which cannot be constrained by any laws or regulations, human nature has gradually declined while arrogance and hubris have increased

Mochou Cloud Forest

Qinglin took a few serious glances at the woodcutter

The distinction between right and wrong is no longer important; what matters is that the mountains remain, the people remain, and the Gate of Heavenly Secrets still exists

It is as if I told a lie, fully aware that this lie has flaws, yet I disdain to cover it up

Xin Ranzi became visibly excited: "The Hall of a Thousand Machines... indeed, it is the Hall of a Thousand Machines..."

Xin Ranzi felt quite satisfied

But you still decided to take the risk

In today's world, life is difficult for people, struggling to make a living, and few read poetry and literature

Under the candlelight, it illuminated Ning Ye's resolute face

Unexpectedly, today, Xin Ranzi finally met it

On that day, Qinglin was riding swiftly, with the cool breeze brushing against his face, which somewhat calmed the boiling blood in his heart

There are also some things that immortals can accomplish, such as ingenious devices for flying and traversing the earth, or remote weapons that can kill invisibly, among others

Qinglin was taken aback and exclaimed: "What a grand spirit! The wine is good, the poetry even better. I have never heard this poem before, did you compose it yourself?"

Three days later, Qinglin arrived again, but this time he appeared directly in the woodcutter's home, a dilapidated little wooden cabin

On the flat-topped peak, the grand hall is magnificent, adorned with countless treasures, radiating splendid light

Because the disciple chooses to trust the character of the master and the senior brother, Ning Ye replied

Although she had long known the outcome, at this moment of seeing the Qianji Hall again, Xin Ranzi could not hide her excitement

With just a swift stroke of the knife, everything can be resolved

Ning Ye was still hesitating, when Qing Ling said: "Master, please take a seat, there is no need to be polite"

Some of these are things that even immortals cannot achieve, such as a network that allows people from different places to communicate and interact with each other

This bloodlust is a lingering echo after he has just eliminated the eighteen fierce bandits of Yunshui Village. While he is feeling a sense of pride in his heart, he notices a woodcutter drinking in a small pavilion by the roadside

As the master departed, the disciples below began to whisper among themselves

"If it weren't for what happened that day, would you mention the Hall of a Thousand Machines?" he asked

Unfortunately, due to the Kunlun Mirror recognizing Ning Ye as its master, even Xin Ranzi is unable to use the Kunlun Mirror for divination. However, Xin Ranzi is already content to have regained the complete Asking Heaven Technique

You ... ... '' Qing Ling was astonished

Her face was radiating an uncontrollable joy, clearly still very happy to have escaped the identity of the youngest in the sect.

Then he swung the knife

Ning Ye lowered his head and said: "This item has already recognized its master, disciple..."

Qinglin became intrigued by him and engaged in discussions about poetry over drinks, suddenly realizing that this person possessed an exceptionally high level of knowledge and talent, rare in the world, truly not an ordinary individual, which sparked a certain interest in him

Qing Lin laughed heartily: "It is said so, but those who encounter immortals without feeling threatened are indeed few. Since you are so inclined, I shall not be polite."

The aroma of wine is pervasive, rich and fragrant

Although this woodcutter did not compose the poem, his words and actions, as well as his demeanor, still reveal that he is an extraordinary individual

Xin Ranzi spoke, pointing towards the Qianji Hall, and a ray of splendid light flashed within the hall, followed by the appearance of an ancient bronze mirror.

I am a practitioner of immortality cultivation

Ning Ye took care of him for seven days

The woodcutter retorted, "What is there to fear?"

Because he is my friend

Suddenly, Qinglin smiled.

Having turned back, he returned to the hall, with Qing Lin leading the young man in white following closely behind

Qing Lin looked at him calmly, as if waiting for the arrival of her own destiny

As he spoke, he walked over, picked up the woodcutter's wine flask, and without minding that it had been used, tilted his head back and drank from it

Tianji Mountain, also known as Inverted Peak, derives its name from its wide top and narrow base, resembling a spinning top standing upright on the ground

He possesses secret skills that enable him to perceive the sincerity in Ning Yeyu's words

Xin Xiaoye stuck out her tongue and sat back down

On that day, he sat in silence for a long time

By the third day, Qinglin was already able to use spells, but he did nothing; he merely fulfilled the responsibilities expected of a patient, cooperating silently.

Although Qinglin prides himself on his character, he does not expect that ordinary people will take the initiative to show warmth towards him, hence this statement

Xin Xiaoye has a small round face, and when she smiles, she resembles a child. Although she is not exceptionally beautiful, she is indeed very charming

Perhaps it is that even the heavens cannot wait too long, or more likely, the heavens also wish to see your choices... said Xin Ranzi with profound meaning

Qinglin knows that Ning Ye is far from an ordinary person, after all, it is quite difficult for an average rural man to possess such insight. Even when it comes to storytelling, one has rarely seen tales crafted with such detail and interest—let alone the fact that he claims to have amnesia.

"Shut up!" Ning Ye said in a low voice, "Do me a favor, hold your breath, and rely on luck. Although I am not an immortal, I do understand a bit about healing people, but it requires your cooperation..."

The immortal, with the skill of a ghostly axe and divine craftsmanship, opened mountains and built palaces, acting against the heavens and turning the universe upside down as if it were commonplace. Thus, some said that this was the path of calamity brought by the Heavenly Machine Gate, going against the heavens and ultimately facing divine retribution and falling.

As time goes by, the friendship gradually improves

... ...

What surprised Qinglin was that although Ning Ye was young, he had experienced much, and many of the stories he recounted were things that Qinglin had never heard before

Xin Ranzi smiled: "In your heart, is a friend more important than a thousand machines?"

However, some say that Tianji Mountain has always been this way, and the reason is naturally the Tianji Hall that stands majestically on the flat peak of Tianji Mountain. If it were not intentional, how could such a grand and imposing palace complex be constructed?

The rough blade cut through the blue garment, revealing his body covered in scars

This made Xin Ranzi feel very satisfied: "Very good, full of emotion and righteousness, and not a mindless person. Cautious when necessary, adventurous when the time calls for it, no wonder the Hall of a Thousand Machines has chosen you as its master"

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, three years have passed

With a sheep

Pian Qinglin is also a carefree person; if the other party does not speak, he will not inquire further, and thus the two find themselves in a kind of unspoken understanding.

A rabbit is roasting on the rack, while a jug of wine is held in hand

The path of immortality is devoid of affection; to trust someone casually only reveals your foolishness

The complete art of divination known as the Asking Heaven Technique, combined with the ancient Kunlun Mirror, is said to allow one to know the future and the past—of course, it is impossible to know everything; otherwise, the ancient Heavenly Secrets Gate would not have been destroyed.

He said: "Let's get started"

Suddenly, with a loud bang, an object fell from the sky, creating a large hole in his roof

Ning Ye then sat cross-legged opposite Xin Ranzi. To be honest, this sitting posture was quite unfamiliar to him.

It seems that the Kunlun Mirror emitted a crisp sound, perhaps in response to the summoning of the Heavenly Secret Gate, which brought a sense of pleasure. Moreover, many peculiar golden characters appeared on the mirror, rotating in the void.

So you are saying this is a newly accepted disciple

Following Qinglin and Xin Ranzi, Ning Ye entered the great hall while observing the old man in front of him

Xin Ranzi spoke as she extended her hand, pointing at Ning Ye.

Whenever indulging in drinks, one also engages in casual conversations about the affairs of the world

In the quiet room, Xin Ranzi looked at Ning Ye

Over there, Qingling has gracefully descended beside Xin Ranzi with the young man in white, and bowed, saying: "Master, I have brought the person back."

Fourth Master!

Ning Ye's body trembled, and a sudden surge of brilliance erupted within him, followed by the emergence of an object from his body

Just a glance at the woodcutter made Qinglin feel that this person was extraordinary

Xin Ranzi sighed and lamented: "Kunlun Mirror ... ... "

Therefore, whenever mortals encounter immortals, they all retreat and avoid them, with few, like the woodcutter, taking the initiative to invite them.

Xin Ranzi discerned his concerns: "Are you worried that I might kill you for the treasure?"

While attending her evening class, Xin Xiaoye saw a man in a blue robe and greeted him in the air

Unexpectedly, Xin Ranzi shook her head and said, "What you said is somewhat inaccurate; this is not your real name"

Ning Ye slowly rose and approached him

The stick in his hand must be the Heavenly Secret Staff, right? The staff is perfectly round, approximately 13 feet long, and is covered with intricate runes. Each time it strikes the ground, a golden wheel of light rises from the earth, only to vanish in an instant.

"Asking the Heavens Technique!" Upon seeing the golden characters on the Kunlun ancient mirror, Xin Ranzi trembled with excitement

The two individuals simply gazed at each other.

He is the leader of the Heavenly Secret Sect

One year is still too short

Suddenly disappearing like this, without a word of farewell

Tianji Mountain

The woodcutter did not inquire how he had found himself, but simply took out the wine that had been brewed earlier.

The Thousand Machine Hall is a supreme sacred object crafted by the power of the Heavenly Machine Gate, containing boundless mysteries and known as the Thousand Machine, encompassing all the wonders of heaven and earth. Among them are ten divine objects, each possessing unique abilities, with the Kunlun Mirror being one of them

Qinglin will discuss the matter of the chat machine with the other party, and the woodcutter will also recount some of his own experiences

Thus, Qinglin survived

Ning Ye was sitting at home in a daze, and before him floated an object, an ancient bronze mirror. This bronze mirror was both ancient and solemn, containing myriad phenomena within, yet it remained hidden and unexpressed. Various strange images continuously flashed across the mirror, each fleeting and elusive.

If one encounters a benevolent immortal, it is acceptable; however, if one encounters a malevolent immortal, it is not uncommon for disagreements to lead to murder, and there are numerous instances where killing occurs without further ado.

The woodcutter then looked at him and said: "It turns out to be someone who understands wine. It is rare to encounter a fellow wine enthusiast; why not come over and have a drink together"

The man in the sky in green attire saw this and put his finger to his lips to signal for silence to Xin Xiaoye. Realizing something, Xin Xiaoye turned her head to look ahead, only to see Xin Ranzi's face darken: "No noise allowed"

Thus, one provided the wine, and the other provided the meat, and the two of them indulged in a hearty feast

Xin Ranzi places great importance on Ning Ye, considering him to be the future of the Tianji Sect. As a result, Ning Ye receives excellent treatment, and any rare treasures or resources are first thought of for him. Although Ning Ye originally had ordinary talent, under Xin Ranzi's careful cultivation, he has made rapid progress.

The Tianji Gate, a small sect, has a limited number of followers. The headmaster, Xin Ranzi, has a total of nine disciples. Including branch disciples and servants, the entire Tianji Gate comprises no more than one hundred individuals

"Are you Bai Yu?" he asked

Upon meeting Ning Ye, the first thing he said was: "Come with me to the mountain, the master wishes to see you"

Now Xin Ranzi is somewhat convinced of what Qing Lin has said

... ...

And now, what appears on the Kunlun ancient mirror is the complete art of inquiring the heavens

The woodcutter paid no heed, merely sitting alone by the railing, gazing into the distance, murmuring: "I have a pot of wine, enough to soothe the weary traveler, to pour it all into the rivers and seas, gifting it to the people of the world"

Who is that person in white?

Woodcutter said: "You smell the fragrance of wine. If I do not invite you and you wish to drink, would that not give you more reason to kill me? It is better for me to take the initiative to invite you, perhaps I can avoid death."

When he spoke these words, he felt anxious and uneasy, which could be considered the greatest risk of his life

Congratulations, junior apprentice. From now on, you are no longer the youngest.

A tranquil morning

Thus, Qinglin learned that the woodcutter was named Bai Yu, a mortal who had suddenly appeared in Yunlin half a year ago. The reason it is said to be a sudden appearance is that he claimed to have woken up in this place, having forgotten his previous memories

Nevertheless, within the Heavenly Secret Gate, harmony can still be found

Seven days later, Qinglin's injuries healed.

However, after the destruction of the Heavenly Secret Gate, the Nine Heavens Divine Arts were also lost to history

The path of immortals is devoid of sentiment, and immortals are by no means benevolent; both good and evil coexist.

"Sit down."

I do not know. Ning Ye replied with certainty: "The human heart is difficult to gauge; even immortals cannot accomplish such things, and as a mere mortal, I am equally incapable. I do not know others, and I do not even know myself."

However, prosperity leads to decline. In order to consolidate their position, the Heavenly Mechanism Sect resolutely decided to mobilize the strength of the entire realm to construct the Thousand Mechanism Temple, aiming to create an unparalleled brilliance. Yet, just as the Thousand Mechanism Temple was nearing completion, it was besieged by ten thousand immortals, and the temple was shattered and vanished in this battle, never to exist again

The gaze directed at Ning Ye was filled with warmth: "You are excellent. From today onwards, you shall be my ninth disciple. As for the matter of the Thousand Mechanisms Hall, remember to keep it confidential and do not let others know."

From beginning to end, the two did not speak again

It is said that this is because during the ancient war, the Heavenly Machine Mountain, which originally hovered beyond the nine heavens, was struck down by a powerful being with an immeasurable divine force, causing it to fall headlong and embed itself into the ground

The entire Hall of Heavenly Secrets is constructed from various rare stones that Ning Ye has never seen or heard of, adorned with runes and secret incantations, radiating brilliance and further enhancing its mysterious grandeur

The Heavenly Machine Gate possesses nine divine arts, each corresponding to one of the nine treasures in the Thousand Machine Hall, with only one divine object lacking a technique

I do not know

The art of divination known as the Heavenly Spirit Technique is said to enable practitioners to know the past and the future when cultivated to its utmost. The temporal and spatial abilities of the Kunlun Ancient Mirror do not involve time travel, but rather the power of foresight

It seems to be a newcomer brought back by the Fourth Senior Brother

The wine enters the liver and intestines, filling the chest with intense feelings. Qinglin could only feel an endless aftertaste and laughed, saying: "I have never tasted this wine before; it must be your own brewing, right? It is indeed a fine skill."

Qing Lin Bian Dao: "Are you not afraid of me?"

Today, the Heavenly Gate has retained only three fragments of divine arts, and the Art of Inquiring Heaven is one of them

"Yes, I, disciple Bai Yu, have met the esteemed master." Ning Ye said

He looked calmly at Ning Ye and said: "Could you do me a favor? After you kill me, send my body to the Heavenly Machine Sect. Considering that you sent me back, my master will accept you as his disciple. The Thousand Machine Hall within you is equivalent to returning to the Heavenly Machine Sect."

The Heavenly Secret Gate of that year was once an ancient immortal sect, and at its peak, it shook the universe, with countless immortals submitting to it

Qinglin did not inquire further and decided to go after drinking

Relying on the remnants of the Asking Heaven Technique, the Heavenly Machine Sect gradually transformed from the first immortal sect of ancient times into a small sect primarily focused on divination and fortune-telling, with clever devices serving as a secondary support.

This treasure, according to ancient legends, possesses the ability to traverse time and space. While there may be some exaggeration, as the paradox of time exists even in this realm, the fact remains that it can indeed traverse the vastness of the universe.

Xin Ranzi nodded: "This is the truth. Your background indeed has its mysteries, which I cannot see through, but it is not surprising. After all, you are brought here by it..."

I do not know

Beside him is a machete

One year later

Ning Ye was taken aback, only to realize that it was Qing Ling.

He no longer hopes that Ning Ye will let him go

After each outing or return, Qinglin would go to the woodcutter to exchange meat for wine

... ...

Ning Ye slowly picked up the axe and pointed it at Qing Ling

The aroma wafted into his nose, and Qinglin couldn't help but exclaim, "What a fine wine"

Xin Ranzi looked at Ning Ye. The young man before her was not very old, yet he displayed a demeanor that was neither servile nor arrogant. He did not exhibit the panic typical of ordinary people when they first ascend the mountain, nor did he possess the unique pride of youth. Instead, he exhibited a rare composure, radiating a calmness that was not characteristic of his age.

Xin Ranzi responded with a sound of acknowledgment, then stood up and said: "You all continue with your studies, and do not make any noise"

It was this object that brought Ning Ye from his original world to this place. However, that one instance of traversal also exhausted all the energy accumulated by the Kunlun Ancient Mirror over ten thousand years, making it impossible to replicate the ability of time and space traversal in the short term

Ning Ye gritted his teeth and directly replied: "Yes"

It is! Ning Ye answered seriously

He is even smiling, a smile that is both joyful and reassuring

The floor is made of an unknown type of stone, similarly adorned with runic spells, producing a clanging sound when struck, yet remaining silent when stepped upon

Therefore, the disciple does not trust casually, but takes a year to understand

I do not know

Xin Ranzi attempted to bring the Thousand Machine Pavilion under her control, but the Thousand Machine Pavilion remained unmoved, merely floating beside Ning Ye

Although he was dressed in coarse linen garments, his clothes were impeccably clean. Strangely, he had a short haircut, resembling a monk, yet he did not abstain from wine and meat.

The first meeting between Qinglin and Ningye was a year ago

Xin Ranzi smiled and asked, "If that is the case, why did you make such a choice in the first place?"

He coughed up blood and said: "Now I understand... why you want to be friends with me..."