Chapter 134: Digging Up a Person

Five thousand years—a span ample enough for an intelligent race to evolve into a highly advanced civilization.

Yet, in the Celestial Profundity World, where the cultivation civilization prevails, five thousand years is but a mere page gently turned. For cultivators, the vicissitudes of time amount to only two or three generations. After millennia have passed, the mortal dynasties remain unchanged; the lives of common folk persist in their simplicity—men tilling the fields, women weaving cloth, self-sufficient yet still struggling.

The evolution of cultivation civilization is so slow that one can glimpse the world ten thousand years hence with a single glance.

In the Celestial Profundity World, the sole addition over five thousand years is a new realm of cultivation. If there is anything else, it is that the number of cultivators has nearly doubled, ushering in an unprecedented era of prosperity within the cultivation realm.

The elder generation breaks through with greater ease, while the new generation emerges one after another, advancing ceaselessly on the path to immortality.

Compared to five thousand years ago, the cultivation world today is more vibrant, and cultivators more spirited.

The supreme sects remain supreme. Pure Yang Temple has left behind Zhenxian City, becoming the foremost sacred place of cultivation in the hearts of righteous cultivators.

Among the outer disciples, a few quietly converse.

“Have you heard? Senior Brother Ling Yun from the inner sect was training in the Western Regions and unearthed a person. It is said he is a Transmission Steward from the Scripture Pavilion who vanished five thousand years ago. Whether it’s true or not, who knows.”

“Transmission Steward? The Scripture Pavilion doesn’t have such a position, does it? Where did you hear that?”

“The elders in the sect are all buzzing about it. Could it be false?”

“Your focus is off. A person missing for five thousand years, probably no more than bones left—how can they confirm he’s from Pure Yang Temple?”

“Heh, such shallow understanding. I heard the Sect Leader personally went to welcome him. He must be alive. Tsk tsk, I wonder who this Transmission Steward really is to warrant the Sect Leader’s personal appearance.”

“I heard it wasn’t just the Sect Leader; many elders from both inner and outer sects came to pay respects. Even the former Sect Leader was there!”

“My master has been restless lately, apparently connected to this Transmission Steward. Anyway, those second-generation elder stewards seem to care deeply about him.”

Their chatter attracted the attention of two foundation establishment-level patrol disciples, who approached.

“What are you doing gathered here? If you want to discuss something, go to the training ground or return to your chambers. Don’t block the way here.”

The patrol disciples’ duty was to maintain order in the outer sect town, and they spoke without courtesy.

At their arrival, the group immediately apologized and dispersed.

After they left, one of the patrol disciples said to his companion, “Brother Li, many outer sect supervisors are absent. We must be extra vigilant.”

The disciple named Li replied, “Exactly. When the masters are away, these kids run wild. If trouble breaks out, we patrol disciples bear the blame. But speaking of which, Brother Zhou, the news about Senior Brother Ling Yun in the Western Regions is all over the place. The elders in the sect don’t seem to care. Do you think the rumors are true?”

Brother Zhou answered, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. The Scripture Pavilion has been closed, hasn’t it? Maybe it’s because of that Transmission Steward.”

“I heard our Grandmaster once mentioned the Transmission Steward of the Scripture Pavilion. It’s said that the spiritual transmission instruments there were crafted by that steward. But for some reason, he suddenly left Pure Yang Temple and disappeared without a trace.”

Li continued, “Over a decade ago, when Senior Brother Ling Yun was still in the outer sect, his grandfather, Elder Ling Xiao, came once and spoke of the Transmission Steward. Back then, I thought he was spinning tales. He said the ‘Thunderous Righteousness Scripture,’ practiced by everyone in the cultivation world, was created by that steward and passed down secretly. The elder said one must know gratitude. Who knows if it’s true.”

“Who can say? Five thousand years ago, my ancestors were still fishing in the Eastern Sea!”

“Enough of this. Let’s check elsewhere. These kids are really troublesome.”

“Heh, give it a few decades. They won’t settle down without a few beatings.”

“That’s true.”

Shortly after they left, a sneaky figure appeared not far behind them.

“Wang Li is still alive? What a surprise!”

The figure vanished in a flash, followed by a squad of fierce patrol disciples in pursuit.

“Fraud, don’t run! Dare to scam Pure Yang Temple, you’re asking for death!”

“Catch him! He can’t afford to lose the bet—if he does, he’ll run off with the money. Take him down!”

More and more joined the chase, turning the outer sect town into chaos.

“Dong... dong... dong!”

Three distant bell chimes echoed throughout Pure Yang Temple.

“What’s happening? Did someone attack the gates?”

“Nonsense. Who dares make trouble at Pure Yang Temple? Can’t you tell that’s the welcoming bell? Surely it’s the Sect Leader of a great sect coming to pay a visit!”

Many disciples gathered at the mountain gate, eager to witness the presence of a senior master.

But when they arrived at the gate, they saw their own Sect Leader, Nirvana True Immortal, accompanied by a group of elder stewards who had gone to the Western Regions.

“What’s going on? Does welcoming the Sect Leader require ringing the welcoming bell? The Sect Leader is one of us!”

Disappointment spread among many disciples.

The Sect Leader rarely appeared, but when they did, it was a common sight—hardly mysterious.

However, it soon became apparent that something was amiss.

The Sect Leader and the elder stewards wore grim expressions. Several female elders had red eyes, as if they had been crying for a long time.

Behind them stood the iconic great door plank of the Western Regions. Floating above it was a jade coffin, upon which stood Ling Xiao, the former Sect Leader Zhou, Zhang Zai, and Zhen Jingzi, all sorrowfully supporting the coffin.

“This...”

The disciples were at a loss for words.

A funeral at the mountain gate.

When had a cultivation sect ever held a funeral? Only mortals cared for such ceremonies.

When cultivators died, after their bodies dissipated, a stone stele was the highest honor.

Their curiosity deepened—what kind of figure could deserve such treatment?

Earth Immortals bore the coffin, True Immortals led the path, and a host of experts at least at the Transformation God Realm stood guard. Such a scene was unheard of across the land.

Nirvana True Immortal stood outside the gate and addressed the arriving disciples: “From today, Pure Yang Temple is sealed. The seal will be lifted only after Steward Wang’s funeral concludes. No disciples of Pure Yang Temple shall leave or move about freely. A memorial hall is set before the gate for others to pay respects.”

“Ah! Sealing the mountain... It hasn’t happened in thousands of years. Could this be...”

“To honor a steward with such respect...”

Despite doubts in many hearts, Nirvana True Immortal seemed to ignore them and waved her hand, saying, “Please bring Steward Wang Li back to the mountain gate!”

With that, she led the way onto the high platform and entered Pure Yang Temple.

Others followed her inside.

Wang Li’s coffin was placed inside a temporarily arranged great hall, and for a time, Pure Yang Temple was draped entirely in mourning white.