In the heart of Shang Ling, the sun and moon were dimmed, while faint stars began to twinkle intermittently on the mysterious stone plate above, their weak light unable to pierce the layers of gloom.
Before them lay a stone bridge, with part of Qingyuan’s misty expanse below.
Within the mist, it seemed as though intentions were being cast, as if restless spirits were probing those daring enough to tread the stone bridge. Their gazes were colder than when Li Mo and Ying Bing snagged some celestial essence earlier.
One could only assume that these spirits had some serious power during their heyday.
Had it not been for the blazing Southern Li Fire engulfing Shang Wu, illuminating the surroundings, the mist might have turned turbulent by now.
Step—
Footsteps echoed in the eerie silence.
“So those ghosts aren’t all here just because of the Original Phoenix’s inheritance in Qingyuan.”
Ying Bing had found it strange before. How could a vague, ethereal treasure entice so many folks to jump into Qingyuan?
With the current realization, it was likely that the seniors of the Qingyuan Sect would sit and absorb their fates in the Qingyuan when their time was nigh, leaving behind their consciousness souls to continue guarding the tomb.
Shang Ling carried national fortune with the Nine Colors Original Phoenix’s inheritance—the Qingyuan Sect was well-equipped.
Could it also be waiting for the day when Da Yu would tumble, allowing Da Shang to rise again?
Right now, the inheritance was in her hands, and soon, the national fortune would be, too…
After half an hour of uneventful travel thanks to Shang Wu, they finally arrived at the main tomb chamber.
The entrance was aglow with flickering lights—a strange array that created the illusion of proximity and distance, existing in a strange limbo between life and d*ath.
The door to the tomb was wide open.
Not long ago, a national princess had awakened, having been lifted out of the coffin by the elderly supreme elder.
However, there was still a coffin inside.
“The Cycle of Life and d*ath Array conceals the heavenly secrets; this is how one can endure the long ages without succumbing to old age alone—sinking in the dark wood isn’t enough.”
“This array also has the ability to reverse life and d*ath.”
Ying Bing scrutinized the setup, her eyes gleaming.
Xue Jing nodded slowly.
It only made sense he’d be the one to evaluate the array, otherwise, it would look like he’s still hanging around for no reason.
“Shang Wu, I wonder if the elder brought your coffin back?”
The door wide open revealed a coffin made of dark wood that appeared to be a transcendent quality jade-like substance.
“Nope.” Shang Wu replied without missing a beat.
“Ah?” Xue Jing looked confused.
“The Cycle of Life and d*ath means there’s one yin and one yang at the core. I’m the yang, which means there’s got to be a yin! Didn’t you know?”
“…..”
Xue Jing really didn’t know. After a brief hesitation, he probed, “So it’s you inside there….”
“My little brother.”
Shang Wu gazed at the coffin, a flicker of dimness crossing her features.
“Hmm, I feel the same way.” Xue Jing was a bit speechless.
Shang Wu appeared to be a girl, yet she somehow was the yang focal point which was just a tad chaotic.
“Alright, it’s showtime, let’s get started.”
Following Shang Wu’s instructions, Tang Xiaobao placed Li Mo at the yang focal point.
“Little Ice Girl, I’ll connect with the national fortune, you maintain the array.”
“I’ll help you with the national fortune, too.”
A chill beam of moonlight ignited the ancient lamp in the main tomb chamber, which had remained unlit.
Simultaneously, the mist in Qingyuan began to rise, colorful threads illuminating the myriad of shadows.
Rua!
A cry resonated, echoing through the abyss and reaching the skies.
…..
“What’s the fuss about?”
In the great hall, the people had been all tense and ready for action, bracing themselves for any changes, with their nerves all wired up.
Rua!~~ A shrill sound.
Elder Xu sprang up, spilling his tea all over himself without a care.
“Is that the sound of the Original Phoenix?”
Shang Qin Qing suddenly leapt to the door, staring towards Qingyuan’s direction.
The monster clan members present felt a stir of excitement through their bloodlines, one by one getting up to observe.
The Original Phoenix?
A friendly reminder: the top right of the screen has features like “Switch between Traditional and Simplified,” “Adjust Font Size,” and “Reading Background Color.”
Everyone was mulling over this ancient and glittering name, astonished and understanding this wasn’t some enemy attack; they all gazed up at the sky.
Shang Guanyu let out a long sigh:
“It’s started.”
The old sect master’s emotions were mixed; the meaning of the Qingyuan Sect’s inheritance was to guard the tomb, but what would its meaning be moving forward?
At that moment, the world fell dark.
Not due to fading sunlight, but a dazzling phoenix shadow suddenly emerging in the heavens.
It wasn’t the tangible form of the Nine Colors Original Phoenix.
Rather, it was the national fortune naturally coalescing, transforming into the utmost existence the world had, the one and only in countless hearts.
From thousands of years ago, the True Phoenix shone over today’s realm.
Its eyes seemed to glance at the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths of today, reflecting the cicadas breaking free from the soil and the grand sun above.
Then it dove down, choosing to fly back towards the abyss.
Back the way it came!
The True Phoenix in the sky sank below.
“This…..” Regardless of whether they were martial artists or from the monster clan, everyone present was entranced by the sight, unable to break free from its allure for a long while.
Yet, they didn’t notice that in the forest, the very first cicada had begun to sing!
Singing the summer’s tune!
Buzz—
A sound rang out alongside the cicada’s song, coming from a star in the sky.
That star blazed brilliantly, streaking across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, turning the evening into dawn.
“Inner scene!”
“Someone in the depths of Qingyuan is breaking through!”
Someone shouted, and the crowd fell silent.
Elder Xu was left dumbfounded, muttering to himself:
“Were we just looking for excuses? Is he really breaking through?”
A shooting star from the heavens, heralding the dawn of night, revealed the first layer of the scene!
Yet the mighty force floating within Qingyuan clearly remained unfaltering, bubbling with the essence of heaven and earth, washing over the murky chaos.
“Hmm? What’s wrong with you?”
Shang Qin Qing was startled, hoisting the half-conscious Qin Yuzhi.
“Someone’s watching us.” Qin Yuzhi’s face turned pallid.
Shang Qin Qing furrowed her brows and asked, “Is it the people from the Imperial Capital?”
Once a master of the Huan Shen Sect, Qin Yuzhi had touched the eighth realm; now she was also the head of a formidable sect.
Moreover, she’d once matched wits with a true celestial being from the Nine Heavens, even if that encounter was merely with the thought of him.
How could she not withstand others’ probing intentions?
“I have no clue, but I can sense there’s no malice.”
Qin Yuzhi’s expression was bleak as she shook her head.
“With that look, you’re saying there’s no malice?!”
“Their intentions haven’t even registered me! Otherwise…..”
“Them….?”
Shang Qin Qing’s scalp prickled, glancing skyward.
That celestial fire from above wasn’t any martial arts technique.
What did this strange phenomenon symbolize?
Surely, it wasn’t a falling star!
Boom—
Before Shang Qin Qing could figure it out, the pure world’s blinding fire materialized.
A fiery lotus blossomed in the void, swirling and flowing.
Pure World Fire Lotus, second scene!
“I’ve seen Young Hero Ke’s flame before; he probably practices fire-heart lotus magic, but where does such a scene come from in a top-tier martial skill?”
“No, when Shang Wu condensed her inner scene, it didn’t have this kind of aura.”
Not only were the people from the rivers and lakes dumbfounded, even the Qingyuan Sect members were at a loss.
But the gathering of wonders in the inner world didn’t give anyone time to ponder.
One corner of the twilight sank down.
The myriad stars lit up, seemingly chaotic, yet there were mysterious trajectories in their movements.
They…..
Did not belong to the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths!
