Chapter 154: The Wuji Pavilion and the Ancient Immortal (Part 1)

Zhang Yu stared blankly at the scene before him.

The soaring, chain-suspended stone stairs seemed to split the mountain facing him right down the middle. As his gaze followed the steps upward, wisps of ethereal mist appeared to linger near the top.

Zhang Yu did not count how many stone layers there were—in fact, given his mathematical proficiency, he would probably be counting until his next lifetime... At the end of the steps lay a courtyard, and within the courtyard stood a pavilion.

Although Zhang Yu could see nothing except that pavilion, it felt as though he could see everything at the same time.

He could see rare beasts and exotic creatures chasing and frolicking in the courtyard, crystal-clear streams and chattering sparrows, and he could see another version of himself standing atop that pavilion at the very peak of the world, overlooking the entire realm with an unmatched, peerless dominance!

...

Enough of these wild daydreams; he refocused his attention on the pavilion.

In Zhang Yu’s mind, a flurry of architectural masterpieces that he had once known by heart—and which had long since rotted away into spring mud—surfaced: pieces like *Ode to Yueyang Tower*, *Preface to Tengwang Pavilion*, and even the *Ode to the Epang Palace* that he had only just brought into this world a short while ago.

Yet, he could find not a single word among them capable of describing the "Langya Pavilion" before his eyes.

This was a structure that could only be looked up at with awe. Regardless of whether one judged it by its dizzying height or its otherworldly, fairyland-like scenery, ordinary people would likely lack even the courage to raise their heads and face it directly.

The pavilion had three stories, crafted from an unfamiliar stone material that resembled both rock and jade—flawless and sturdy, with its surfaces radiating a faint, luminous glow.

The curved eaves soared upward, and each story was ringed with a circle of windows designed and arranged with such ingenious craftsmanship that the entire structure appeared seamless.

The only slightly peculiar thing was that the main entrance of this pavilion actually opened on the second floor.

After gazing in a daze for a long time, Zhang Yu finally snapped back to his senses and spoke to the headmaster:

"Is this... the Langya Pavilion?"

"It is your own pavilion, young friend; why do you fail to remember its name?"

When this voice reached Zhang Yu’s ears, he felt it carried a sense of vicissitudes and grandeur, intertwined with fantasy and yearning. It possessed the steadfastness of a solid rock, yet was also laden with a lingering bewilderment.

"The sound effects are not bad," Zhang Yu praised. "Keep this up in the future."

"Hehe, this poor Taoist does not take your meaning."

"Alright, alright, and here I thought you'd help me with some serious business." Zhang Yu touched his lips, where a light stubble had just begun to sprout, and said, "We certainly can't call it Langya Pavilion. This valley belongs to Wuji; how about naming it the Wuji Pavilion instead?"

"Agreed."

"Wait, using the place name directly feels a bit too low-tier. Wuji... boundless, infinite!" Zhang Yu’s pupils dilated instantly as if struck by a spark, and he proclaimed aloud, "Then let this pavilion be called the Infinity Pavilion!"

"A most excellent name!
Infinity shares the same sound as Wuji. It originates from Laozi's *Tao Te Ching*, signifying the ultimate essence of the Dao. It speaks of the boundless, the limitless, the infinite, and the unending!" the aged voice praised with admiration.

Chuckling softly, Zhang Yu could not have been more satisfied with the name. It had profound meaning, sufficient dominance, and was exceptionally solid.

In the history of his past life, Wuji was first established in the early Western Han Dynasty, coming under the jurisdiction of Juland County.

As time flowed on and the Eastern Han Dynasty arrived, Wuji had already become part of the territory of the Zhongshan State.

Following that, Wuji underwent centuries of tumultuous changes like mulberry fields turning into the blue sea, until the Tang Dynasty—specifically the year 697 AD during the reign of the Empress Regnant—when Wuji County was finally renamed Infinity County, under the administration of Ding Prefecture.

Compared to Wuji, Zhang Yu undoubtedly preferred the name Infinity.

It was not because of the movie directed by that famous filmmaker, nor was it because of the line, "Does anyone else want to see what I'm wearing beneath this garment?"... It was simply because the name gave him a sense of vastness and boundless space.

"Just as the headmaster said a moment ago, infinity means without borders, without end, limitless, and unending! Speaking of which, you—"

Zhang Yu finally realized something was amiss. He whipped around abruptly to find an old man with a child’s face and crane-like hair standing not far behind him, leaning on a goosefoot staff and looking at him with a smiling expression.

"Holy crap!" Zhang Yu was startled at first, then roared inwardly, *“Where’s the headmaster?! Someone’s here and you didn't even give a heads-up, what use am I paying you for!”*

"I am a system, not a guard dog!" the headmaster replied after a long absence. "This person... is unfathomable, though he seemingly bears no malicious intent toward you. Bear with it."

With that, a sound resembling a television shutting off echoed in Zhang Yu’s mind.

"Hehehe..." Zhang Yu forced an awkward smile and bowed to the unfathomable old man, a string of data flashing briefly across his eyes as he raised his head.

"Nanhua: ???
The foremost of the Three Immortals of the late Han; his magical arts and Daoist cultivation are unfathomable;
Master of Zhang Jiao, who propagated the Dao; bestowed three scrolls of the *Peaceful Arts* upon him, bidding him to deliver all living beings from suffering and spread the doctrine.
Additionally, Zhuangzi once authored the *Classic of Nanhua*, and is likewise revered as the True Man of Nanhua. The connection between the two remains unclear. If this is true, the host... had best treat him with utmost respect and obey his every command.
Ability Stats:
Might—???
Command—???
Intelligence—???
Politics—???"

*“Fine... if they’re all question marks from now on, you don’t need to display them, lest readers accuse you of padding the word count,”* Zhang Yu muttered mentally before quickly offering a respectful bow to the old man before him.

"Zhang Yu of Zhongshan pays his respects to the legendary Immortal Nanhua."

"Oh?" A look of curiosity flickered across Nanhua’s uncreased face. "From whence do you know my name?"

Before Zhang Yu could reply, the old man seemed to realize something and continued, "Ah, of course. You and that unfilial disciple of mine share the same origin; it is only natural that you should know."

He must be talking about Zhang Jiao. Come to think of it, the two of us really do both share the surname Zhang... Zhang Yu nodded slightly. Looking at the old man's truly benevolent appearance, he couldn't help blurting out, "Not only that, but this junior has been immersed in your teachings since childhood, and poems concerning you are intimately familiar to me!"

"There are poems about me as well?"

"Immortal Nanhua, boundless in divine power! Possessing vast supernatural skills, his carriage of law descends upon the Central Plains!"

"..."

Time paused for a delicate moment, freezing the smile on Immortal Nanhua's face. Zhang Yu hurriedly laughed it off: "Just a joke, please don't take offense. This poem right here is the one I personally composed for you."

The old man remained silent.

Taking advantage of the fact that this celestial being had not yet unleashed his divine wrath, Zhang Yu rapidly scanned his mind and recited fluently:

"Immortal Nanhua, revealing celestial mysteries at the Painted Garden! Pouring forth towering and lofty arguments, opening vast and wondrous words!
Drawing extraordinary marvels from the *Records of Qi*, speaking of the fish in the Northern Darkness. I know not how many thousands of miles long it is, and its name is Kun. It transforms into the Roc, its substance coalescing from primeval chaos. Shedding fins and barbs upon ocean islands, spreading feathers at the Gates of Heaven...
The Five Sacred Mountains tremble because of it, and a hundred rivers collapse and rush forth."

Silence.

"This ode... what is its title?"

"It is named *The Roc*."

"The *Ode to the Roc*..." Nanhua seemed to be savoring it carefully. "A fine name, a magnificent ode! Yet it is far too brief. Why did you not finish it?"

*Brief your face!*

*Do you think plagiarizing poetry grows on trees?!*

"Even so, young friend, you may be considered brilliantly talented. However... young friend claims I am Zhuangzi. On what grounds do you say this?"

"This—"

The moment Zhang Yu opened his mouth, the headmaster helpfully chimed in: "Zhuangzi was only referred to as the True Man of Nanhua during the Tang Dynasty..."

Damn it!

His mind racing at lightning speed, Zhang Yu ultimately could only laugh shamelessly: "You and I are both intelligent people, old immortal. Why must everything be spelled out explicitly?"