Chapter 273: Sacrificing the Immortal Fairy

If the second possibility were true, it would be hard to imagine that the birth and downfall of a dynasty, being major events, wouldn't be extensively documented. Yet now, not only are there no records, but even its name hasn't been preserved.

Who was its founding emperor? How many years did the dynasty exist? How many Tribulation Stage cultivators did it have? What caused its downfall? Why is there no trace of its existence? None of this can be known. The most crucial point is the last question, which might share similarities with the method used to erase the Immortal Maiden's existence.

"Maiden, are there any celestial phenomena when an immortal falls?"

The Immortal Maiden was stunned by the question. She replied, "An immortal falling has never happened in history, so who would know if there are phenomena... Oh, wait, I did die."

"I also don't know what happens after death. Probably nothing, right?" The Immortal Maiden didn't sound very sure.

"No phenomena," Yun Zhi answered for the Immortal Maiden, which surprised Lu Yang.

How did Senior Sister know?

Lu Yang didn't dwell on the question. If an immortal's fall produces no phenomena, then in other words, no one might even know when an immortal falls.

Why didn't the Four Ancient Immortals revive the Immortal Maiden? Did they not want to revive her, were they unable to, or did they simply not know she had fallen? No, that's not right. Even if they didn't know the Maiden had fallen at the time, over 300,000 years, they should have realized something was wrong with her and that she needed to be revived.

"Don't think about this question anymore." Yun Zhi didn't linger in front of the mural. She left directly, and Lu Yang and the Immortal Maiden quickly followed.

"The only texts in the ruins are those on the murals. Since we can't find an answer at this stage, let's wait until we've gathered enough information before thinking about it again," Yun Zhi advised Lu Yang not to get stuck in a rut and trap himself on this problem.

Lu Yang was obedient to Yun Zhi's words. He nodded, no longer pondering the issue.

"This ruin has nineteen floating platforms. Though numerous, their layouts are largely similar, consisting of various buildings."

Senior Sister opened her hand, and a model of the ruin appeared in her palm. Eighteen floating platforms were arranged in an arching, protective formation, surrounding the largest central platform. The regular layout resembled a ritual ceremony.

On the largest floating platform, pavilions stood densely, also in a protective formation, guarding the central altar. The three of them were headed to this altar.

The more the Immortal Maiden looked at the layout, the more familiar it seemed. She said, "This form of sacrifice... why does it resemble how I was worshipped in ancient times?"

"Like worshipping you, Maiden?"

The Immortal Maiden nodded. Then she revealed a secret about immortals: "Yes, after I became an immortal, Immortal Yingtian and the others practically forced a planet on me."

"They said that as an immortal, I needed followers to showcase my power and immortal dignity. I told them it sounded troublesome, but they said it was no bother at all and that they could help me design a set of worship rituals."

"The worship method in these ruins is similar to what Immortal Yingtian and his group designed. They said the number eighteen has special significance in cultivation: nine is the extreme, so eighteen is a double extreme, the ultimate of ultimates. This worship method signifies that I would receive eighteen blessings, allowing me to exist forever, unchanging. It's the highest form of worship; none of the four of them ever had anything like it."

Lu Yang gasped. The Maiden commanded such immense respect! Four immortals personally designed a worship ritual for her and even explained its philosophy? The Four Ancient Immortals were truly open-minded. They completely ignored the Immortal Maiden's constant disruptions. Perhaps only with such a mindset could one achieve immortality.

Lu Yang had a realization, but then he felt something was off.

Senior Sister, who had been quietly listening to the Immortal Maiden's story, had a strange expression. She said, "However, according to the research of old scholars on this worship method, and combined with ancient records, it's believed to be an obscure ancient formation, called the 'Eighteen Hells Demon-Slaying Formation.'"

Lu Yang felt that everything made sense now.

Upon hearing this, the Immortal Maiden gnashed her teeth, wishing she could challenge the Four Ancient Immortals to a duel to show them who the strongest immortal in ancient times truly was. She exclaimed, "Those scoundrels, Immortal Yingtian and his gang! I treated them well, and they dared to do this to me!"

*I think... they were quite restrained with you.*

Of course, these were just thoughts in Lu Yang's mind. He wouldn't dare say them aloud to the Immortal Maiden, fearing a beating.

"That's it! It must be because I beat them up too many times before they became immortals, and they saw me form an Immortal Dao Fruit upon my ascension, envying my talent. They sought an opportunity to retaliate!" The Immortal Maiden quickly found a reason within herself, attributing it to her own overwhelming strength.

The three arrived at the center of the altar. In the very middle of the altar stood a massive hundred-meter-tall immortal statue, the same gender-ambiguous Immortal statue Lu Yang had seen before. It seemed this was the origin of the Immortal statue. The first cult leader must have established the Immortal Cult after seeing this very statue.

At the immortal's feet were various rare delicacies made from heavenly materials and earthly treasures. The lowest quality ingredient among them was a five-thousand-year-old ganoderma lucidum. Perhaps due to the extremely high quality of the ingredients, they hadn't molded or spoiled even after such a long time.

The Immortal Maiden showed a disgusted expression, highly displeased with the Immortal Cult's practice. She said, "How unrefined, putting food by their feet!"

These offerings were left behind when the Immortal Cult performed rituals here, before its downfall. The Immortal Ruins were crucial to the Immortal Cult. Besides the decade-long prayers, a series of significant events, such as appointing and dismissing cult leaders, blessing cult leaders, and even betraying cult leaders, all took place here, under the gaze of the Immortal.

"Let's go. According to the reports, there's a hidden chamber inside the statue."

Yun Zhi led the two around to the back of the statue. Behind it, unexpectedly, was a hidden door. Mysterious symbols floated in front of the door, constantly rising, falling, and swaying, sealing it shut and preventing it from being opened.

Yun Zhi assessed the strength of the mysterious symbols. She believed it could be forced open, but doing so might damage the contents within.

"The first cult leader discovered several immortal treasures behind this door. He accidentally opened it and took a few items. When he wanted to return for the other treasures, the door had already closed."

"He tried several times but still couldn't open the door. Left with no choice, he took the other immortal treasures, left the ruins, and established the Immortal Cult."

"The first cult leader tried his entire life but couldn't open this door. Subsequent cult leaders also tried to open it, retrieve the immortal treasures, and strengthen the Immortal Cult, but all failed."

"Even the old scholars were at a loss. They said it was a seal left by an immortal, and only an immortal could open it."

"Maiden, do you know what this symbol means? Can you open this door?"

The Immortal Maiden's expression turned nostalgic. She murmured, "Why does this look like the door to my kitchen?"

"Look at this symbol; I wrote it myself. It means 'Kitchen: Restricted Area, No Entry for Idlers.'"