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墨書 Inktalez
The clouds hung high as the Shuttle glided through the air, with Nangong Yun swiftly carrying Nangong Lin across Dunhuang, heading towards a desolate valley in the western regions.
An hour later, the Shuttle descended into the Desolate Valley below, resembling a large vessel that had transformed.
Nangong Yun and Nangong Lin stepped off the Shuttle, which floated gracefully back into Nangong Yun's hands. Nangong Lin asked, "Grandfather, are you alright?"
Nangong Yun did not respond to Nangong Lin's question and walked toward the valley entrance. The formations within the Desolate Valley shifted, and Meng Xuanjian quickly emerged from within. He cast a surprised glance at Nangong Lin behind Nangong Yun and asked with confusion, "Master, what brings you here?"
Just as Nangong Yun was about to speak, he coughed up a mouthful of blood that splattered onto Meng Xuanjian, causing white smoke to erupt from his body as Dao Qi dispersed.
"Master, what has happened to you?" Meng Xuanjian exclaimed in shock. Nangong Yun's skin was cracking, and life essence was spilling from his meridians, clearly indicating signs of severe injury.
"Grandfather!" Nangong Lin's face turned anxious as she rushed over. Throughout their journey, Nangong Yun had remained silent despite his immense suffering; now he could no longer withstand the severe wounds. His injuries erupted like a flood, and he collapsed in an instant.
"Help me to the Fulong Formation," Nangong Yun said weakly.
Meng Xuanjian nodded and carried Nangong Yun into the Desolate Valley towards the Fulong Formation. Inside the formation, the Fulong Incantation resonated as it continuously gathered Mountain Spirits to supply energy. At the center of the Fulong Formation was a cauldron floating in mid-air, supported by ritualistic incantations.
"Master, I will treat your wounds right away," Meng Xuanjian said as he set Nangong Yun down.
Nangong Yun grasped Meng Xuanjian's hand tightly and said, "Meng brother, how have I treated you all these years?"
Meng Xuanjian's expression turned sorrowful. "Master, why are you asking this now? We need to heal your wounds first!"
Nangong Yun spoke with intensity, "I ask you again—how have I treated you?!"
Meng Xuanjian cried, "We are like brothers, as close as family."
"Very well, brother. I have something to entrust to you regarding my final arrangements," Nangong Yun said.
"Master, you are a powerful figure in the Tribulation Realm, with a Supreme Dao. How can you be speaking of final arrangements? Who has harmed you so severely?" Meng Xuanjian asked.
"It was the Living Buddha of Xuanfo Temple. His Zen Bodhisattva has awakened, and he possesses at least two hundred years of cultivation. My Qi Sea has been shattered, and my Dao Body is on the verge of collapse. Time is running out; you must listen to me," Nangong Yun replied.
"You," Meng Xuanjian nodded.
Nangong Yun called Nangong Lin to his side and handed the Shuttle to him. He looked at Meng Xuanjian and said, "After I die, pass the Shuttle to Nangong Lin. He is my only grandson, and you must assist him wholeheartedly. Do not let him meet an untimely end. Also, pass the Sun Refining Cauldron to Nangong Lin."
Meng Xuanjian responded, "Master, the Fulong Formation has already broken the seal on the Sun Refining Cauldron. The Sun Refining Technique inside will soon be accessible."
"After I die, when the divine platform collapses, my Dao Body will lend you a hand before it disintegrates. You will completely break the seal on the Sun Refining Cauldron at that time and retrieve the Sun Refining Technique to pass on to Nangong Lin. This matter must not be known to Nangong; although he is my son, he has a cruel heart. If he learns that I am passing my legacy to my grandson instead of him, he will surely harm Child!"
Nangong Lin said, "Grandfather, don't worry. Father won't hurt me."
"You know nothing," Nangong Yun glared at Nangong Lin. "Your two older brothers and younger brother were all secretly killed by him. While it is said that even a tiger does not eat its cubs, he has committed such heinous acts. If he can kill his other sons, he can certainly kill you!"
Nangong Lin was left speechless because it was true that his other brothers had been killed by Nangong.
Meng Xuanjian assured him, "Master, rest assured; I will protect Young Master."
"Nangong Yun said, 'Now I can rest easy. Xuanjian, you have suffered over the years. At your age, still getting involved in the struggles of the Daoist Sect.'"
"The Master speaks too kindly. If it weren't for your rescue back then, how could I, Meng Xuanjian, have lived to this day?" Meng Xuanjian replied with a sorrowful expression.
Nangong Yun patted Meng Xuanjian on the shoulder, and then his skin began to crack. The Qi Sea collapsed, scattering in all directions, causing Nangong Lin and Meng Xuanjian's robes to flutter.
A Dao Body covered in cracks flew out from Nangong Yun's body. He hovered above the Sun Refining Cauldron, his Dao Body radiating brilliant golden light. Golden inscriptions formed between his hands and were suddenly pressed into the Sun Refining Cauldron.
With a clang, the Sun Refining Cauldron trembled as a layer of seals inside broke. Ancient characters composed entirely of flames floated out, surrounding the Sun Refining Cauldron densely, sticking to its surface.
"The seal of the Sun Refining Cauldron has been broken. Before the Sun Refining Technique is perfected, you must not leave the Desolate Valley," Nangong Yun's Dao Body glanced at Nangong Lin and said.
Nangong Lin knelt on the ground and replied, "Grandson understands."
Nangong Yun nodded as the cracks on his Dao Body grew larger, golden light spilling out and spreading in all directions. Meng Xuanjian knelt on the ground and shouted loudly, "Xuanjian bids farewell to the Master!"
Nangong Yun's Dao Body disintegrated, an overwhelming Dao Qi surging outward, golden light shooting up into the clouds and scattering them apart.
Countless Lightfeathers descended, all tinged with red. The red clouds danced in the air.
At that moment, standing atop a mountain by the Peach Blossom Stream, Sword Elder looked up at the sky and saw the Lightfeathers falling and swaying in the wind. Behind him, Dongfang Yuqing asked, "Grandfather, what is happening?"
Sword Elder replied, "A Supreme has fallen. When a Supreme falls, their Dao Body transforms into Lightfeathers. This Lightfeather carries a hint of fiery intent; it seems that the one who has died is Nangong Yun."
Dongfang Yuqing said, "Throughout history, there have been very few Supreme beings who have fallen. Nangong Yun was injured by an Evil Weapon in the Sword Pavilion, but even so, he shouldn't have died from his injuries, right?"
The Sword Elder replied, "Among the Five Great Supremes, their strengths are closely matched. The Yaochi Supreme has already fallen, and the Old Scholar and Miao Guanyin won't join forces. It would be difficult for just one person to kill the injured Nangong Yun unless there was a catastrophic battle. Otherwise, a new Supreme would have emerged; it’s impossible to kill that old fellow otherwise."
In the Yin Mountain Underground Palace, the Old Scholar suddenly looked up at the Lightfeather floating down from the sky and said, "It seems that Nangong Yun has indeed died."
Yang Xuanzong was shocked and exclaimed, "How could Nangong Yun, as a Supreme, die?"
The Old Scholar replied, "The Living Buddha of Thunder Sound awakened the power of the Zen Bodhisattva after two hundred years. He nearly severed that White Snake that crawled out from the Dragon Vein and also crushed Nangong Yun's Dao Body. His power is extremely unstable and could collapse at any moment. It's unfortunate about the whereabouts of the Sun Refining Cauldron; we still haven't discovered its exact location."
Yang Xuanzong asked, "What is so special about the Sun Refining Cauldron?"
The Old Scholar said, "I don't know the specifics; I only know that there is a forbidden technique within the Sun Refining Cauldron that rivals my Yang Family Book. Have you found the Dragon Fruit I asked you to retrieve?"
Hearing this, Yang Xuanzong quickly took out a crystal-clear fruit from his pocket. The fruit was bright red and striking, emitting a strong fragrance.
The Old Scholar nodded and said, "In that case, you will handle this matter. Right now, Yang Hao is at Leiyin Temple; that demon king is inseparable from him. Set up a beast trap formation in the desert several dozen miles behind Leiyin Temple and place this Dragon Fruit in the center of the formation. It won't be long before the demon king comes; at that time, kill it immediately. The Holy Herb Garden is unclaimed; you can control it and return to Yin Mountain."
Yang Xuanzong questioned, "That demon king is extraordinary; how should I kill it?"
The Old Scholar waved his hand and produced several black nails from his sleeve. He said, "These are Soul Piercers; I have refined them for many years. Killing that demon king will not be a problem. Just don't alert anyone from Xuanfo Temple."
"I understand, Father," Yang Xuanzong replied. Just as he was about to turn and leave the Underground Palace, he turned back again.
"What's wrong?" the Old Scholar asked.
Yang Xuanzong replied, "The Yang Family has no soldiers left, only a gatekeeper and a few alchemists managing the medicinal mountain."
The Old Scholar said, "In great conflicts, it is a struggle of the strong. Gathering a crowd of rabble will be of no use. You must not mess this up. With your skills, even if you are discovered by the monks of Xuanfo Temple, you can still escape unscathed."
"Understood," Yang Xuanzong acknowledged before stepping out of the Old Scholar's sight.
Meanwhile, in a nunnery by the South Sea, Zhou Manman was meditating, radiating a gentle light that made her appear like a goddess descended from heaven.
Zhou Manman opened her eyes and saw Miao Guanyin standing there, seemingly having appeared out of nowhere. "Senior, the Daoist Arts of Guanyin Monastery are truly remarkable. In just these few months, my cultivation has reached the Nascent Soul Realm."
Miao Guanyin nodded and asked, "How is your progress with the Cultivation Method I taught you?"
Zhou Manman replied, "I've practiced the Mount Meru Divine Art to the fifth layer. I make progress every day, but the Great Yan Zhou Jing is incredibly difficult to master. I still haven't grasped it."
Miao Guanyin said, "The Mount Meru Divine Art is a fundamental Cultivation Method that all disciples must learn. It’s impressive that you've reached the fifth layer in such a short time. The Great Yan Zhou Jing is an ultimate technique passed down by our ancestor, Mud Buddha. It took me a full century to master it. There is a forbidden technique within it called Fury Realm; you must memorize its incantation clearly. This method possesses tremendous power."
Miao Guanyin paused and suddenly looked up at the approaching Lightfeather with a frown. "Nangong Yun is dead?"
"Senior, who is Nangong Yun?" Zhou Manman asked.
Miao Guanyin replied, "The Supreme of the Serpent Cult, on par with my own strength."
“Daoist Catastrophe, even the Supreme cannot escape?” Zhou Manman asked in confusion.
Miao Guanyin replied, “On that day in the Sword Pavilion, I fought with the Old Scholar in the void and could not perceive the true depth of his power. Later, a surge of evil energy tore through the void, forcing both of us out. It was indeed the power of the Evil Weapon, which has fallen into the hands of Yang Sanqian's son, Yang Hao.”
“Yang Hao?” Zhou Manman’s eyes sparkled with a different light upon hearing his name.
Miao Guanyin nodded. Yang Hao's name was now known to all, having gained notoriety during the battle at Mount Tai. Miao Guanyin continued, “However, this child has been punished and has suffered an Injury of the Dao; his life is not long for this world. After his fall, the Evil Weapon will change hands again, and it may lead to further disputes.”
“What? Injury of the Dao?” Zhou Manman’s face turned pale. “What realm is he in that he would be punished?”
Miao Guanyin shook her head. “Normally, only those in the Mahayana Realm and Tribulation Realm would suffer an Injury of the Dao. His injury is indeed strange. If someone from the Tribulation Realm suffers an Injury of the Dao, they might still attempt Transcending Tribulation or Narrow Escape to ascend as a celestial being in the mortal realm. But he is currently only at the Dao Fruit Realm; an Injury of the Dao will slow down one's cultivation progress. It’s already remarkable if he can maintain his current level, let alone improve.”
“Senior, I wish to go to the Central Plains. Yang Hao is my fiancé,” Zhou Manman said.
Miao Guanyin was surprised to learn about Zhou Manman’s relationship with Yang Hao; otherwise, she wouldn’t have mentioned that Yang Hao’s time was short. After a moment of hesitation, she said, “In that case, I will accompany you to the Central Plains. The Serpent Cult possesses a cauldron that is one of the Eight Sacred Artifacts. If we can find that cauldron, it might be able to destroy the Book of Life and Death.”
Zhou Manman nodded and thanked Miao Guanyin. “Thank you, Senior.”
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