The last rays of the setting sun slipped through the woods, plunging the forest into darkness. A fire blazed to life. Zachary Justice sat quietly, cross-legged beside the flames, while Elder Arthur Young drank in silence across from him.
Elder Arthur Young did not respond to anything Zachary Justice had said before sunset.
"Master, what will you do about what I mentioned at dusk today?"
Elder Arthur Young opened his half-closed eyes.
"The Starshard Radiance is not merely the Taoist sect's greatest treasure—it is a shackle."
With just a few words, Zachary Justice drew the Starshard Radiance from his robe and held it in his hand. A soft, bright white glow emerged. With his other hand, he put away the Blood-Red Specter Web.
"So that's it. The reason they couldn't sense the Starshard Radiance on you today was because of this Specter Web."
"Master, what exactly is the shackle you just mentioned?"
Elder Arthur Young stood up, weighed the wine gourd, let the last few drops fall into his mouth, then tossed the gourd aside.
"Let me tell you a story."
Hearing this, Zachary Justice finally understood why so many Taoists—those he called false Taoists—knew nothing of mystical arts, practicing only the doctrines of the Daoist sect.
From then on, every inheritor of the inner Daoist tradition would, after taking on a disciple, retreat into seclusion to cultivate themselves, no longer concerning themselves with the affairs of the living world. Every nine years, their disciples would descend the mountain to slay demons and exorcise evil, a trial meant to temper each disciple. Those who proved capable could inherit the Ninefold Verity Incantations of the Daoist sect.
"Before I began my training with my master, I already knew Master Boundless. Back then, there were several towns near Mount Immeasurable—I remember this was more than a hundred years ago."
For a moment, Zachary Justice stared at Elder Arthur Young in astonishment. He looked barely over forty, but Zachary quickly realized that those who cultivated mystical arts drew pure energy from heaven and earth. Prolonged absorption truly could extend one's lifespan. Zachary himself was nearly fifty, yet appeared barely over thirty.
It was by chance that Elder Arthur Young got lost in the mountains. After searching for three days, he came upon a Daoist sanctuary. The Master Boundless he saw then was just as he is now—white-haired and ancient. That encounter sparked Elder Arthur Young's deep interest in seeking the Way and pursuing immortality.
During Elder Arthur Young's years at Boundless Sanctuary, Master Boundless taught him many things. Their conversations were lively and respectful, and in just a few months, they became close friends across generations.
Soon after, Elder Arthur Young formally became a disciple and joined the Daoist sect. Within a few years, he was chosen as the inheritor of the Justice Incantation. He returned to Mount Immeasurable several times each year, and his master never stopped him.
Yet one thing puzzled Elder Arthur Young: Master Boundless never once set foot outside Boundless Sanctuary. When asked why, Master Boundless only smiled and said nothing.
In the third year after inheriting the Justice Incantation, Elder Arthur Young visited Boundless Sanctuary again, only to find Master Boundless full of sorrow, troubled by something he could not resolve.
This time, Elder Arthur Young did not leave quickly. He chose to stay with his friend, sensing that Master Boundless was burdened by unresolved matters.
Finally, after a month, Master Boundless spoke to Elder Arthur Young about the Starshard Radiance. Elder Arthur Young was shocked—only the Nine Dao Gate Elders of the Daoist sect should know of this, yet he was unaware. His master had already passed away, and Elder Arthur Young could not understand why such a vital secret had been kept from him.
Master Boundless explained that Elder Arthur Young was indeed qualified to inherit the Starshard Radiance. However, the other eight elders—each leading their own sect—also coveted the right of succession. To avoid conflict, Elder Arthur Young's master kept the secret, hoping he would stay clear of the dispute. This was Master Boundless's speculation; perhaps Elder Arthur Young's master also knew of their relationship and deliberately withheld the truth.
Once the Starshard Radiance is inherited, the bearer can never leave Boundless Sanctuary—they must remain as its guardian, periodically performing the yin-yang transformation ritual. Beneath Mount Immeasurable lies a great secret, guarded since the time of Laozi.
The Starshard Radiance was personally forged by Laozi; it is the key to unlocking what lies beneath Mount Immeasurable.
Zachary Justice stared at Elder Arthur Young in shock, while Elder Arthur Young simply chuckled and shook his head.
"You asked me before—do you know what happens if you possess the Starshard Radiance? I don't want to inherit this heavy burden. If I did, I'd be bound to the fate of the Daoist sect, spending my life atop Mount Immeasurable. I can't bear such loneliness, especially now that our sect's highest cultivators are over three hundred years old and still vigorous. No one wishes to die, so everyone cultivates desperately. I'm the same. In this world, as long as there's wine, that's enough for me."
Elder Arthur Young glanced at the wine jug on the ground, then stood up, ready to leave.
Zachary Justice looked at the Starshard Radiance in his hand, uncertain what to do. If he truly accepted it, he would have to spend his life on Mount Immeasurable. Besides, he was not a formal member of the Daoist sect.
"What you do is up to you, Taoist Zachary Justice. The Way is freedom; it should not be bound by ceremony and trivial restrictions. It's a pity, though—this artifact can enhance the cultivation speed of our sect's members. You should be able to sense the energy flowing within your body."
Zachary Justice swallowed hard. Elder Arthur Young slung the wine jug over his back and left, laughing heartily.
A few days later, back in town, Zachary Justice breathed a sigh of relief—his two disciples were safe. His senior disciple, Zhang Wuju, was moved to tears, kneeling on the ground, while the younger disciple, Zhang Anle, looked annoyed but his eyes betrayed a sense of relief.
"You two, come with me into the mountains. We may have to stay there for a month or two."
"Master, there's nothing in the mountains. Why go there?"
Zhang Anle complained reluctantly, while Zachary Justice smiled and shook his head.
"We're going to cultivate, of course."
With a few bags of grain and some salt, Zachary Justice led his two disciples into the mountains. Within a week, they returned to Mount Immeasurable. By then, the young shoot had grown over a meter tall—a tender green vine, its tip now showing other colors, quite beautiful, shimmering in seven hues.
Days passed. Zachary Justice trained with his disciples daily, observing the growth of the Boundless Vine. This was a perfect place for cultivation—he felt his strength improving rapidly.
A year went by. The two young disciples gradually gained some cultivation. Zachary Justice strapped on the broken Boundless Sword, preparing to descend the mountain. He had only one goal—to investigate the whereabouts of the Immortality Society.
"Finally, we can leave the mountain."
Zhang Anle shouted with excitement, dancing with joy. He'd had enough of the mountains. The biggest change was at the center of Boundless Sanctuary—a small gourd had sprouted, and Boundless Vine now covered the ground, filling the place with vitality.
Months passed as Zachary Justice and his disciples searched everywhere, but found no trace of the Immortality Society. The Ghost Sovereigns were searching too, but only a living person could truly find another. Those masked ones could tell who was human or ghost, making it hard for the Ghost Sovereigns' minions to locate them.
Year after year, day after day, Zachary Justice and his disciples traveled across the land, still unable to find any trace of the Immortality Society.