054 Dream Thousand Years Golden Tomb Immortal Grass

Upon reading the letter from his master, Jian Yumei performed a solemn ceremony in front of the remains of Master Chen Laoxian. He then embarked on a quest to gather timber, scouring both the kitchen behind the house and the nearby woodlands for suitable materials, which he stacked together into a pyre.

With reverence, he cradled Master Chen's body onto the stack of timber and ignited a roaring blaze. Once again, Jian Yumei bowed deeply. "A day as a disciple, a lifetime as a father," he mused, knowing that within him resided Master Chen's accumulated wisdom and power spanning over two centuries.

Reflecting on his commitment, Jian Yumei resolved to delve into Master Chen's past, cherishing his memory. After the flames subsided, he collected Master Chen's ashes, noticing the abundance of crystalline structures within. These, he knew, were relics of enlightenment—testaments to Master Chen's dual cultivation in Buddhism and Taoism.

Using a small porcelain urn he found in the house, Jian Yumei carefully housed the ashes and crystals. Placing the urn on the table, he gazed at it, reminiscing about Master Chen's countenance and wisdom, sighing softly.

As night fell, Jian Yumei discovered some rice in Master Chen's house. In the adjacent kitchen, he rustled up a simple porridge for himself. After finishing his meal, he drifted off to sleep, his mind filled with a tapestry of vivid and chaotic visions.

At times, he found himself transported to ancient battlefields, witnessing the resolute gaze of a man named Li Yuanhao, leading legions into the fray. The scenes unfolded like vivid yet brutal paintings—blood-soaked sunsets, fallen soldiers strewn across the land, and faithful steeds awaiting their masters.

Then, the tapestry shifted to a grand palace nestled within an earthy citadel, its splendor reminiscent of the Jiangnan region. Amidst opulent halls and serene waters, Jian Yumei glimpsed a captivating yet melancholic woman, her eyes brimming with beauty and sorrow.

Her graceful demeanor brought to mind verses from the "Ode to the Goddess of Luo," leaving Jian Yumei transfixed. Soon, Li Yuanhao returned, tenderly supporting the woman, their expressions suffused with love.

But all too soon, Li Yuanhao prepared to depart once more, leaving the woman behind. As she bid him farewell, her eyes betrayed a deep reluctance, mirrored by Li Yuanhao's fleeting tenderness before his resolve hardened, and he marched away with his ironclad troops.

In the blink of an eye, the scene shifted to a lofty chamber with soaring eaves, where the woman lay upon a grand bed, her beauty undiminished even in death. Tears welled in Jian Yumei's eyes as he beheld the poignant tableau.

Li Yuanhao, too, stood there, tears streaming silently down his face, his armored form a testament to battles yet unfinished. He remained motionless, lost in time.

Jian Yumei could only watch as he issued commands, decreeing, "Forge a majestic tomb from the treasury's gold, where she may find eternal rest."

Then, in another decree, he instructed, "Place the life-restoring elixir recently bestowed by the alchemist before Ziyue's coffin! May she one day be reborn!"

Jian Yumei murmured to himself, "The Herb of Everlasting Youth and Immortality?" He distinctly remembered pondering over this in his dreams.

Soon after, a resplendent mausoleum emerged, adorned entirely in gold. Within this chamber of opulence, a golden coffin lay atop a golden platform, where the enchanting beauty named Zi'er rested peacefully, as though awaiting her beloved to awaken her, and together, gallop across verdant plains.

Following this, darkness enveloped everything, as if descending into millennia of oblivion. Jian Yumei felt a tightness in his chest and let out a cry. Then, he awoke from his dream.

Upon waking, bathed in moonlight, Jian Yumei beheld the urn containing Master Chen's ashes on the table. He gazed at everything in a daze, feeling an indescribable emotion. Suddenly, Jian Yumei sensed something on his chest. He reached out and discovered a purple earring!

"Purple Earring?" Jian Yumei muttered to himself. He felt his chest dampened, and upon touching it, realized his clothes were wet. He licked the moisture and found it salty. Could it be tears?

Startled, Jian Yumei wondered if someone had been weeping on his chest. It was all too eerie and unbelievable! Clutching the earring, he hurried outside, where the moon and stars shone brightly. But where was that person?

Recalling his master's words about a woman, Jian Yumei pondered which woman it could be. Could it be the lady from the mausoleum, the one who wandered sorrowfully in the palace?

Confused, Jian Yumei found himself amidst the vibrant life of Mount Hua, where countless beings breathed, grew, and perished—trees, animals, humans, and even higher beings. Yet, whom could he confide in about his experience?

Lost in thought, Jian Yumei remained transfixed until dawn broke. Returning to the old immortal's dwelling, he finished the leftover porridge from the previous night. Then, facing the urn containing his master's ashes, he softly spoke, "Master, let me take you to my other master's place. We'll bury you in our backyard, so we can always keep an eye on you!"

With that, Jian Yumei took the small urn containing the old immortal's ashes and departed from the cottage, setting off on the journey back. At that moment, Jian Yumei remembered the earth-escaping technique. He knew both that technique and the ability to traverse great distances required substantial power, though the former demanded less.

"Let's use the earth-escaping technique for now!" Jian Yumei resolved, focusing his thoughts on his master's abode.