Food gives me an entry, I will be invincible if I stay alive

Chapter 159 "The Pen and the Chronicle," Distinguishing Truth from Facts
Food-related terms appeared on a person's face?
What a horrifying thing this is!

As Chen Xu listened to Liu Xi's tearful and plaintive narration, he stared intently at the words written on his face:
【The Thousand-Thread Mask is created by a poisonous insect that enters the body, devours the real face, and then spins silk to form a mask.】

This substance, when skinned alive, roasted, and then burned to ashes, will cause living beings to speak insincerely. Learn to lie, become accustomed to lying.

These are truly bizarre and unusual entries.

Chen Xu suddenly had a thought: a lie?

He recalled what Liu Xi had said earlier.

Then Liu Xiyu said with a sob in his voice, "That night there was a heavy rain, and the rain washed away most of the new soil that was burying me."

Driven by resentment and unwillingness, I knocked open the lid of the thin coffin and struggled to climb out.

You asked me why I didn't report it to the local authorities. I'll tell you, I did report it to the authorities!

How could I not report this to the authorities?

However, when the authorities summoned my heartless adopted son and wicked wife to court, they insisted that it was not me!
Yes, I am not myself... but if I am not myself, then who am I?

He started rambling incoherently, like a madman.

While everyone was still confused, and some even exclaimed, "What do you mean you're not yourself? Are you having a fit of hysteria?"

Liu Xi's hand suddenly trembled, and his raised arm dropped down a third of the way.

The strange ancient inkstone, bathed in sunlight, emitted increasingly thick smoke. Liu Xi shook his head, then suddenly shouted angrily:
"Who's having a fit? I'm not! I really am Liu Xi, I just... I just had my face changed!"

He started crying again, saying, "I've just had my face changed. I don't have my original face anymore. Although I crawled out of the coffin, no one in the entire Guangde County recognizes me."

They don't acknowledge me as Liu Xi, and they've even accused me of illegally digging up other people's graves.

That thief now had a legitimate reason to retaliate against me. He took my dye shop and my money and hired a bunch of idlers to chase me around.

They chased me until I fled Guangde County, until I had nowhere to go and nowhere to turn for help.

I truly had no other choice. Hearing of the grand gathering at Qihe Mountain, I mustered all my last strength and came here to ask for your help.

I've heard that you are all highly virtuous and talented; I beg you all to save this lowly person. Waaah…”

He finally collapsed to the ground, sobbing, the inkstone in his hand half-leaning against the grass, reflecting the sunlight and shimmering with a misty haze.

Someone realized what was happening and exclaimed in surprise, "The ancient inkstone! This ancient inkstone has changed again! How could this be? This person was just complaining and asking for an explanation, why would the ancient inkstone change?"

As gasps of surprise arose, all eyes turned to the billowing smoke.

The smoke flowed like ink, gradually forming illusory patterns resembling mountains and rivers under everyone's gaze.

Zhou Zhuo murmured, "The illusory landscape has reappeared, and it is remarkably similar to the one Wei Song activated with his true energy before. Could it be that this person stumbled upon the true direction for solving the mystery of the ancient inkstone?"

As the ripples of the landscape gradually became clearer, the patterns flowed and changed shape a second time.

This time, all the illusory images of mountains and rivers flowed and melted under the sunlight.

Then, it transformed into a rising ring.

The ring, reflecting the sunlight, hovered high above Liu Xi's head, resembling a miniature sun that enveloped him in its light at that very moment.

Liu Xi was stunned. He held the ancient inkstone in his hands, knelt on the ground, and looked up at the circular ring hanging high above.

He stammered, "What...what is this?"

He himself didn't know what it was, and everyone present was completely baffled.

Suddenly, a young man in the crowd exclaimed, "Look again! There are patterns on this ring! I know! The mystery of the ancient inkstone must lie in these patterns!"

"How strange, why are the patterns on the ring so distorted?"

Although they are connected, they always seem to deviate from each other. Looking at them for too long actually makes me dizzy..."

Zhou Zhuo also felt dizzy. He opened his eyes wide, gathered his breath from his dantian, and tried to use his eyesight to see the direction of the connection between the patterns.

He always felt that if he could figure out the connection principle of these patterns, he might be able to solve the mystery of this ancient inkstone.

Zhou Zhuo was ultimately a genius of his time and place, even though he humbly claimed that he was not good at solving puzzles. When his peers compared him to Chen Xu, he also took the initiative to be modest and yield.

But having achieved fame at a young age and always been outstanding, how could Zhou Zhuo not have his own pride?

Does he really not want to surpass Chen Xu?

No, he thought!

“Mountains and rivers…” Zhou Zhuo murmured, “This picture seems to be very similar to some patterns in the Lu Ban book, and it uses mountains and rivers to interpret the shape.”

When I cultivate my mind and become calm, I sometimes seem to have seen similar patterns in my dreams while meditating on the universe.

I initially thought it was just my mind wandering due to excessive cultivation, but it turns out it wasn't...

What secrets do these patterns hold?

He stood up involuntarily, his heart surging with emotion and his emotions running high.

Zhou Zhuo had a premonition that as long as he could unravel the secret of the circular pattern, his cultivation of Qi would advance by leaps and bounds.

Reading can open up a vast ocean of knowledge, while cultivating one's inner energy can prolong life and even allow one to touch upon the principles of heaven and earth from another level.

The chivalrous knight in Chen Xu's "Ode to a Knight" is described as "killing one man in ten steps, leaving no trace for a thousand miles".

If Zhou Zhuo could comprehend the secret of the strange patterns in the ancient inkstone at this moment, wouldn't he be able to "travel a thousand miles without leaving a trace" in the future?
As Zhou Zhuo's internal energy circulated faster and faster in his dantian, his brain was also racing. Steam rose from his face, his cheeks began to turn red, and large beads of sweat dripped from his forehead.

He was completely absorbed in analyzing the ancient inkstone inscriptions and did not notice that there were more than a dozen other people in a similar situation.

These dozen or so people were all outstanding individuals, among the best in Yunjiang Prefecture.

For example, when the smoke rose above the ancient inkstone and condensed into a ring and inscriptions, Cui Yunqi's reaction was actually more excited than Zhou Zhuo's.

Cui Yunqi never imagined that the ancient inkstone, which had been gathering dust in his home for ten years, contained secrets hidden within it—these were actually these coded messages.

These coded messages are remarkably similar to the problem he once encountered amidst a vast array of interconnected formations!
It was that question that shattered Cui Yunqi's Dao heart.

And Chen Xu...right, where is Chen Xu?
Will he be able to unravel this secret once again?

Cui Yunqi couldn't help but glance at Chen Xu, who was sitting on the ground by the winding stream. He hadn't even gotten up, but was just looking up at the ring and halo in the sky in a daze.

Cui Yunqi then looked at the others.

Most fools have a bewildered look in their eyes; they understand nothing and just watch the spectacle in a daze.

They were completely unaware of the extraordinary opportunity contained within the cryptic text of the ancient inkstone; they were even discussing and urging each other on.

From the other side of the mountain path, there was a commotion: "What's going on? Why is everyone so quiet?"

"Oh dear, wasn't Liu Xi crying out for justice and begging for help? Why did she stop crying halfway through? Are they going to help her or not? They're not giving us an answer, it's driving me crazy!"

"His face has been changed, and his identity is no longer his own. This man is truly pitiful. I wonder how he can prove that he is who he is?"

"How do you know he wasn't lying? Is he really Liu Xi?"

“Oh, yeah…”

"For some reason, I dare not think about this matter too much; the more I think about it, the more terrifying it becomes."

On the Qushui side, some people also commented: "Mr. Shuyun's ancient inkstone is really strange and wonderful. In my opinion, this riddle is not actually testing talent and learning, but rather luck."

"Ignorant!" someone retorted. "Look at those people in the arena, their expressions are strange and they are particularly engrossed. Aren't they all outstanding talents from our Yunjiang Prefecture?"

To claim this riddle doesn't test one's knowledge? That's laughably ignorant.

"You...you really are something. Since your judgment is so outstanding, why don't we guess who will come out on top in this contest?"

"What, want to make a bet with me?" Pengxuan laughed. "I guess it's either Chen Xu or Zhou Zhuo."

"Why don't you guess Brother Cui? Aren't you and Cui Yunqi always very close friends?"

“Brother Cui was the top scorer in the previous provincial examination. He has always been known for his elegance and magnanimity. Why would he compete with someone who came later?”

"Chen Xu's attitude was too casual. I heard that he came from an ordinary farming family and was not even a poor scholar."

The riddles here are probably as incomprehensible to ordinary people like us, so how can we possibly solve them?
Pengxuan, there are indeed differences between the top scholars in academic circles; don't be overly superstitious about the term "top scholar"!

……

The commotion was so intense that Cui Yunqi felt dizzy and his ears were ringing.

He forcibly pulled back his scattered senses, compelling himself to focus all his attention on the halo in the sky.

Yes, Cui Yunqi was once the top scholar in his class, a distinguished scholar from Yunjiang.

How can we completely lose our spirit?
In that time, amidst the vast array of stars, he got lost in that strange geometric puzzle. Later, after returning home, he searched for similar problems countless times.

He also spent countless hours studying diligently in the dark.

Why not take this opportunity to avenge our previous humiliation?
Within the halo of light, the flowing lines twisted and turned, connecting and overlapping.

They seem to exist in this world, yet also in the boundless universe, instantly elevating one's thoughts to new heights.

What Cui Yunqi saw was lightning and thunder, and all things beginning to sprout;
What Zhou Zhuo saw was the autumn harvest and winter storage, the dormancy of heaven and earth;
What Ning Yuzhai saw was a myriad of threads, a torrential downpour;
As for Wei Song, he saw it too. What he saw was a dark flame buried deep underground, struggling and surging, trying to seep out from every crack in the earth!

Chen Xu sat in place, tilting his head slightly upward.

But what he saw was a vast sea of ​​stars, with the sun and moon revolving, the Milky Way rising and falling, and the ever-changing world.

One seed also traveled over mountains and valleys, landing on a sheer cliff with the free wind.

It did not lose heart, but instead worked hard to take root.

It stores water when it rains, stores energy when it shines, lies dormant and waits when the wind blows, and grows silently in the darkness...

Until one day, it broke through the pressure of layers of rocks, stretched its branches on the cliff, and bore fruit!
So, what exactly is it?
It was an infinite possibility, but at this moment, it condensed into a rune in Chen Xu's eyes:
Born!
The Symbol of the Creation of All Things

This is actually a rune that can help plants develop spirituality and grow into spiritual materials!
No, there's more than just this one rune; there's a second one.

Within the circular halo, curves twisted and turned, which Chen Xu had once interpreted as topology. Topology was a high-level discipline in Chen Xu's previous life's world, dedicated to pursuing the truth of the universe.

But now that I think about it, isn't science also a kind of wonder?
Upon arriving in the mythical world before them, the mysterious topology, after being traced back to its origins and undergoing transformations, was named "Symbol"!
Chen Xu memorized the first "All Things Transformation Talisman".

He quickly memorized the second one: the Spirit-Gathering Affinity Talisman.

There is also a third one that is rapidly jumping and twisting: the True Token.

So the mystery of the ancient inkstone was actually a hidden talisman within it?
Chen Xu engraved this talisman in his heart and soul, and felt as if his chest was filled with a storm, an endless surge of emotion.

He didn't say anything, but finally put down the wine glass in his hand.

Then, a sudden inspiration struck him, and he beckoned.

The inkstone that Liu Xi had been holding tightly in his arms seemed to have grown wings, and with a light and graceful leap, it landed in Chen Xu's palm.

He opened his right hand, and a calligraphy brush appeared in his palm.

Chen Xu's leisurely voice was like a gentle breeze, brushing across the mountainside at that moment.

He said, "When I looked at this ancient inkstone, I suddenly had a feeling."

It is unknown when this inkstone was first passed down through generations, but it must have been used by sages and virtuous men in the past to summon spirits, command the wind, and wield decrees.

I am unworthy, but I have only recently had the good fortune to comprehend one of the runes, the True Authenticity Rune.

This Liu Xifang owner, you call yourself Liu Xi, yet you cannot prove that you are Liu Xi. Since all the events you have experienced are absurd and cannot be explained by ordinary means, why not use the gods to interpret the mystery?

Would you be willing to try this talisman for discerning truth?

Liu Xi remained kneeling on the ground in shock, the inkstone flying from his hand before he could even react.

When Chen Xu asked this question, he shuddered and suddenly woke up.

"I...I..." For some reason, while kneeling, he leaned back as if he wanted to back down in fear.

Faintly, from somewhere near or far, a murmur of conversation seemed to rise: "Could he really be a fake Liu Xi? He doesn't even dare to agree to try the authenticity test."

Liu Xi kept shaking his head, his dry, straw-like hair trembling wildly as if in a gale.

The sallow-faced middle-aged man finally shouted, "I am Liu Xi, how could I not be? What 'True Detection Talisman'? Just use it! I dare, how could I not dare?"

Chen Xu spoke calmly and deliberately, yet confirmed: "The True Detection Talisman must be cast with the genuine consent of the recipient; otherwise, it will be ineffective."

Furthermore, my cultivation is limited, and if you resist fiercely, I may also suffer a backlash.

Do you really agree?

What caused the backlash? This is naturally Chen Xu's "writing history".

It's possible, but it's also impossible. Liu Xi is just an ordinary mortal. Even if there were ten or a hundred more Chen Xus, they wouldn't be able to suffer the backlash.

It was only because the "True Detection Talisman" was somewhat special that Chen Xu concealed it to avoid arousing strong suspicion from others.

Liu Xi's bloodshot eyes widened, and he shouted, "Come here, I agree!"

Chen Xu stood up, the mountain wind filling his sleeves, holding an ancient inkstone in his left hand and an autumn brush in his right.

With a flick of the pen tip, a wisp of wine, like a white thread, flies upwards from the flowing water and leaps into the air.

Splash! The wine dripped onto the inkstone.

Chen Xu used the tip of his pen to touch the wine and drew a strange symbol in the air. The wine seemed to condense into a dazzling crystal in the sunlight.

With a flick of the pen, the glistening liquid flowed in a stream and poured into Liu Xi's wide-open mouth in surprise.

"Cough cough!" He choked in a panic and looked at Chen Xu in a flustered manner.

The person stood in the wind, their expression somewhat blurred, but their voice was very clear:
"I will now use fine wine to draw a talisman to question you: Do you claim to be Liu Xi, the owner of the Cuiqing Dyehouse in Guangde County? Is this a lie? Are you truly Liu Xi?"

Liu Xi shouted with all his might, "I am Liu Xi! I am indeed Liu Xi, the owner of the Cuiqing Dyehouse in Guangde County!"

Are all the grievances you previously claimed true?

Recalling his own grievances, Liu Xi's eyes were bloodshot. He roared, "It's all true! My adopted son insulted and harmed me. That little beast not only stole my family's property, but he also deliberately buried me alive."

He wanted me to crawl out of the coffin alive, only to watch helplessly as I lost everything!
That ungrateful beast, he's taking revenge, he's taking revenge on me, waaaaah…

Chen Xu sighed and asked, "Why does he want revenge on you? What's the background?"

(End of this chapter)