Eternal Life Starts from Tai Chi

Chapter 363: Immortal Spirit, Everlasting Soul Body

Yang Chan had noticed the mural on the top floor of the high tower as soon as he arrived, but just like on the lower floors, it was just a collection of pictures, all depicting the Black Dragon in various poses.

There were patterns of it soaring through clouds and mist or coiling and winding, but he couldn’t glean much useful information from them. He turned his attention to the bookshelf, but unfortunately, it was all miscellaneous knowledge—a far cry from what he had expected.

At the very least, he had hoped for some advanced Cultivation Techniques. Secrets to breaking through to the Martial Saint realm, or even beyond, would have been a great help.

They would have been far more beneficial than studying miscellaneous arts.

When his Cultivation was insufficient, things like these were just a waste of time.

Although the top floor of the tower was more spacious, there wasn’t much that could help Yang Chan. Aside from the bookshelf and its contents, it was pretty much the same as the other floors.

Resigned, Yang Chan’s gaze fell upon the Black Dragon in the center of the room. It gave him an immense sense of danger. After some thought, Yang Chan decided to test it with a Flying Needle.

As usual, he used a poisoned one.

He circled around to the Black Dragon’s back—or more precisely, he positioned himself to avoid its pair of piercing, vivid eyes. He had a nagging feeling that those eyes were watching him.

He trusted his intuition. If he was going to make a move, a sneak attack from the rear was naturally the better option.

The Flying Needle shot out, but the result was completely unexpected.

It wasn’t that his aim was off; the needle passed straight through it. There was no sound of it piercing the Black Dragon, only the sense of it passing through thin air, meeting no resistance at all.

He had used considerable force. If the Black Dragon’s body wasn’t very tough, the needle could have pierced it, but this was a completely different situation.

Seeing this, Yang Chan’s brows furrowed. ’Just as I thought. There’s something wrong with this Black Dragon.’

"A projection? An illusion?"

Yang Chan muttered to himself, but he couldn’t be sure.

Still, he didn’t go any closer to inspect it. ’Sensing something is wrong and approaching anyway? That would be just plain stupid.’

After a moment of thought, another Flying Needle appeared in Yang Chan’s hand. This time, his target wasn’t the Black Dragon, but the Black Mala hanging on its body.

Whether there was a problem with the Black Dragon wasn’t important for now. The Black Mala was the key. He needed to get it, combine it with the mala in his possession, and let the Incomplete Seal in his hand absorb its power. Then, he would be able to leave this strange place.

Yang Chan wanted to keep a healthy distance from places like this; he had no desire to ever return.

TING!

The Flying Needle shot out and struck the Black Mala, letting out a crisp sound before falling to the ground.

This was good news for Yang Chan.

If the mala had also been an illusion, he would have no idea how to leave this special space.

If the high tower periodically captured living beings to suppress something, he would likely have to face those dangers as well, an extremely dire situation for him.

But now that he knew the Black Mala wasn’t a projection, all he had to do was figure out a way to get it, and his goal would be achieved.

Just like the mala he had obtained before, this one was also hanging from a cord.

A Flying Knife appeared in Yang Chan’s hand. He didn’t need to get close. As long as the Flying Knife could cut the cord and bring the Black Mala over to the wall, away from the Black Dragon, he wouldn’t have to approach it at all.

With a Flying Knife in hand, this wasn’t a difficult task for Yang Chan. His Hidden Weapon Skills were getting better and better; he could basically hit his mark every time.

The Flying Knife in Yang Chan’s hand moved, then vanished. When it reappeared, it was already at the Black Dragon, right where the Black Mala was hanging.

However, the outcome wasn’t what Yang Chan had hoped for. It wasn’t that his aim was off; the knife had been blocked.

The previously motionless Black Dragon moved. A dragon claw appeared right in the path of the Flying Knife and caught it.

The former projection had now solidified. This confirmed an idea that had popped into Yang Chan’s mind the moment he first saw the Black Dragon.

It could switch between being ethereal and solid, similar to an account Yang Chan had read about a Martial Arts Expert.

Martial Arts Experts possessed immense Spiritual Power. Even if their physical bodies died, their Spirit would not disappear and could be maintained, retaining formidable Combat Power. However, over time, this Spiritual Power would slowly dissipate.

But in certain special regions, Spiritual Power could gather and gradually take form. This was what people often called a "ghost," or more accurately, a Soul Body.

The Spirit is Immortal, the Soul Body is eternal.

A physical body is limited by its Lifespan, but a Soul Body is not; it can exist forever.

This was a theory Yang Chan had read about in a book. If such a special region couldn’t be found, one could use certain special Treasure Weapons to attach to, thereby using the Weapon to exist in the world for a long time.

In order to achieve longevity, many people, in addition to pursuing Martial Arts Cultivation, also researched various methods for an alternative form of long life.

This was especially true for those with poor Martial Arts Talent but high status, who desired long life even more to enjoy their power.

And this Black Dragon before him, suppressed by chains, was very likely one such case.

The high tower he was in was quite possibly a place that could give birth to Soul Bodies.

The Life Essence of those Exotic Beasts had been extracted, but their Soul Bodies were likely still within the tower.

The Soul Bodies within the stone carvings on the lower floors had probably been worn away by time, but the Black Dragon before him was clearly an exception. The fact that it moved was proof enough.

"I was starting to think you’d play dead forever!"

Yang Chan said, looking directly at the Black Dragon before him.

’A Soul Body can exist eternally because of a special region, but it’s also restricted by that same region, making it difficult to break free.’

’Just like this Black Dragon. It still has those special chains on it, a power that binds its Black Dragon Soul Body. So, I don’t need to worry. As long as I keep my distance, I won’t be in danger.’

"You are quite cautious. It has been a long time since I have seen someone as cautious and young as you."

"Your arrival in Taiyin Heaven is a great opportunity. You have now passed my test."

"I can bestow upon you the Profound Celestial Divine Pill, teach you the Profound Celestial Divine Monarch’s *Profound Celestial Divine Scripture*, and help you forge a Divine Body to become a Divine Being who walks the earth."

"My Soul Body cannot last much longer; it is about to dissipate. Come here, and I will give all of these opportunities to you."

The Black Dragon’s enormous body moved, and a powerful draconic might was revealed, only to be suppressed by the chains. Not much of it reached Yang Chan, but it was enough to make him even more vigilant.

The Black Dragon raised its massive head to look at Yang Chan, its eyes filled with sorrow and sincerity, as if it truly intended to pass on its legacy.

"Lord Black Dragon, I never imagined you possessed such a powerful legacy. I’m afraid I’m not worthy of the inheritance you offer."

"How about this, Lord Black Dragon: you give me the Black Mala hanging on you, and I will help you find someone with even greater talent."

"For example, there’s Liu Shengyu from my Sect, who has the potential to become a Martial Saint. And Cai Kun, who has the potential to be invincible. Not to mention the prodigies from the Holy Lands and the Imperial Dynasty. There are far too many people with limitless potential like them."

"Just give me the mala, Lord Black Dragon, and I will find these prodigies for you."

Yang Chan said with a completely serious expression.