After the internet was disconnected, I connected to the magic world.

Shi Laogen hurriedly left, leaning on his cane, saying he was going to the village entrance to appease the villagers who had gathered to watch.

Only Zhao Hao, Xuan Qing, Shi Mingyuan, Zhang Lei, and Zhou Ming remained in the main room.

The rough porcelain teacup on the table was still steaming. After a dozen seconds of silence, Zhang Lei was the first to speak.

He ran his fingertips along the token at his waist, his brow furrowed in a frown:

"Don't you guys think this is weird?"

The village chief said that in this world, there are nine heavens and nine provinces, hence the name "Nine Provinces Boundary".

This explanation is almost identical to our ancient Chinese mythology.

I got chills just listening to that. What a coincidence!

Zhou Ming pushed up his black-rimmed glasses, which had slipped down to the tip of his nose, and spoke in a low but clear voice:

"It's not just the names that match."

In the ancient war between immortals and gods, the immortals and gods created the world to protect the ancestors, but afterwards the immortals and gods perished and their lineage was cut off.

This legend's framework also aligns with some of our local ancient myths.

I'd venture a guess: perhaps the immortals and gods recorded in our mythology really existed back then, and maybe they even created this world of Nine Provinces themselves.

"Is there even a need to guess? It's definitely true!"

Zhao Hao slapped his thigh and straightened his back.

"Can all the myths passed down from our ancestors over thousands of years be made up?"

We're standing right here with the evidence!

And this Nine Provinces Unified Order, the village chief said if we bring it, the immortal magic will return to the mortal world.

But the five of us are just ordinary people, we don't know a single bit of magic. We can't possibly hide our destiny in this sign, can we?

As he spoke, he took off his token and rubbed it over and over again.

It has a warm and smooth texture, and the cloud patterns are carved in a simple and delicate style. It can be grasped by him and "communicated" with his mind no matter how he wants to.

The tokens remained completely still, emitting not a glimmer of light, and showing no change in temperature whatsoever.

The other four people also took off the tokens and examined them.

Xuanqing slowly traced the patterns with his fingertips, using the breathing techniques he had practiced for decades to sense the token, but it remained completely still.

Shi Mingyuan held the token and silently recited scriptures, but there was no unusual phenomenon.

Zhang Lei and Zhou Ming searched over and over for a long time, but couldn't find even a small gap.

"It's just an ordinary wooden plaque." Shi Mingyuan clasped his hands together and sighed softly.

"I can't see any mystery in it."

Legend has it that a mysterious being manifested celestial magic in the world, but we have neither the lineage nor the means, and are truly clueless right now.

Xuan Qing nodded, his eyes filled with barely suppressed enthusiasm.

He immersed himself in Taoist scriptures for over thirty years, practicing breathing exercises and meditation daily, all in pursuit of a chance to glimpse the path to immortality.

Now that I'm actually standing in the legendary world of Kyushu, it would be a lie to say I'm not excited.

"I've cultivated Taoism for half my life, and only today have I truly touched the edge of immortality."

We Chinese people, deep down, yearn for immortality and the arts of immortality. Now, the opportunity is right before our eyes; we cannot rush it.

He tapped his fingertips lightly on the table.

"Let's settle down here first and slowly look for clues. Since the prophecy has been passed down from ancient times to the present, it can't be without reason."

The group exchanged glances, their hearts pounding with excitement.

Even though they have no clue what to do right now, the words "cultivating immortality" are right in front of them, and no one can resist their temptation.

The courtyard was already surrounded by villagers.

Men, women, and children stood on tiptoe and peered over the wall into the main room, pointing and whispering, their eyes filled with curiosity and awe. No one dared to enter rashly.

Some of the bolder teenagers would peek through the crack in the door, only to be pulled back by their parents, and then look back longingly.

Before long, women from each household were carrying food into the courtyard.

Soft and fluffy steamed multigrain buns, tender stewed wild pheasant, fragrant mushroom soup, and crisp wild mountain vegetables.

Plates and bowls were placed on the long table in the courtyard, piling up to the brim.

These were the best dishes the villagers could offer. After putting down the food, they didn't linger, but bowed their heads and left, afraid of disturbing their distinguished guests.

The five people looked at the table full of dishes and exchanged glances. The simple yet solemn atmosphere made them a little uncomfortable.

Just as I was about to pick up my chopsticks, I heard footsteps at the courtyard gate.

Shi Laogen led a person in quickly.

The man was around fifty years old, dressed in a dark blue outfit, with a black leather belt around his waist and a sheathed longsword hanging diagonally behind him. He had slightly graying temples and a square face.

He walked with extremely light steps, making almost no sound on the dirt road, and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.

He exuded an aura of someone who had practiced martial arts for many years.

"Five distinguished guests, this is Elder Li Yan from the nearby Qingyun Sect."

Shi Laogen quickly introduced them, his tone respectful.

"The elders, having heard the news of the extraordinary being's birth, have come to pay their respects to you all."

Li Yan stepped forward half a step and clasped his hands in a fist salute:

"I am Li Yan, an elder of the Qingyun Sect. I have just met the five extraordinary individuals."

Master Xuanqing was well-versed in ancient Taoist etiquette, and immediately straightened his posture, cupped his hands in return, and performed the gestures with perfect form.

Master Shi Mingyuan put his hands together in prayer and softly uttered a Buddhist chant.

Zhang Lei and Zhou Ming had not learned traditional etiquette, so they hurriedly tried to imitate it by bowing and saying "Greetings, Elder" repeatedly, their movements somewhat clumsy.

Zhao Hao casually clasped his hands in greeting and said in a strong voice, "Greetings, Elder," which seemed the most natural thing about him.

Li Yan straightened up, his gaze sweeping over the uniform tokens on the waists of the five men, a barely perceptible hint of shock flashing in his eyes.

He traveled to various places after leaving the mountain, and had only seen the pattern of the Nine Provinces Codification Order in the oldest books of the sect.

I thought it was just an ancient legend, but I never expected to actually see the real thing today.

"I often travel down the mountain, and when I passed by this place, I heard that a strange man with a command had appeared in Xiaoshi Village. I thought it was just a rumor in the countryside and didn't take it to heart."

Li Yan said calmly, "Only after seeing the token with my own eyes today do I realize that the ancient prophecy was true."

Shi Laogen quickly invited everyone to sit down: "Elder, you must be tired from your journey. Please sit down and let's eat and talk."

The group took their seats one by one and picked up their bowls and chopsticks.

Zhao Hao took a couple of bites of his steamed bun, but finally couldn't hold back any longer. He put down his bowl and asked loudly:

"Elder Li, I heard from the village chief that there really is martial arts and internal energy in Kyushu? That people can really fly over rooftops and walk on walls?"

Li Yan put down his chopsticks and nodded slightly: "It is indeed true."

The eyes of all five people lit up instantly.

Seeing their surprised expressions, Li Yan frowned and asked in return:

"Judging from your tone, young friend, could it be that your world does not have cultivation techniques such as martial arts or immortal arts?"

Xuan Qing gently shook his head, his tone calm: "In our realm, there are only mortal martial arts for strengthening the body; there are no true internal energy immortal techniques."

Li Yan frowned even more deeply, pondering to himself.

Ancient prophecies have been passed down for thousands of years, all saying, "A strange person will arrive with the command, and immortal magic will be renowned throughout the nine provinces."

The sect's records also state that extraordinary individuals come from beyond the realm, carrying the legacy of immortals and gods to restart the path of immortality.

But if the Extraordinary Ones in this world have no extraordinary inheritance, then what does the prophecy mean?

Could it be... that it wasn't a strange person bringing immortal techniques, but rather that the immortal techniques sealed in this world would be automatically broken upon the arrival of this strange person?

His mind raced with thoughts, but he remained outwardly calm, simply picking up his teacup, taking a sip, and saying nothing more.