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墨書 Inktalez
Source of the Three Rivers
As summer waned, the southern region was still lush and vibrant, but here it already carried the somber essence of late autumn. The highlands were ancient and sparsely populated, with only the occasional nomadic Qiang tribes passing through, making it difficult to spot a single soul.
The dense green meadows covered the entire plateau in patches, interspersed with large, clear lakes of deep blue and light green. Suddenly, a strange thudding sound echoed ahead, resembling thunder or an earthquake, startling flocks of birds into flight. It turned out to be a large herd of wild yaks galloping swiftly, appearing from a distance like a rushing black cloud. They lowered their heads and charged forward, their massive hooves pounding rhythmically against the earth, seemingly startled by something.
Beside a lake about an acre in size stood a peculiar five-sided stone, and just moments ago, three figures had suddenly appeared next to it.
Ling Xuzi exhaled a breath of turbid air and addressed the two Nascent Soul Stage elders who were acting as his guards: "Thank you, Master Uncles."
The two bowed their hands in respect and replied, "Sect Leader is too kind. We should leave quickly; this place is not safe."
The hearts of Yueyangzi and Yue Zongzi, who were temporarily serving as Ling Xuzi's guards, raced with anxiety. This time Ling Xuzi had brought only the two of them along, and they were acutely aware of the heavy burden on their shoulders. With the Demon Sect currently at war, it was crucial that nothing went wrong.
Ling Xuzi nodded. Three beams of red light shot swiftly toward the north. This was the far western exit of the Heaven and Earth Platform, with Kunlun lying to the north.
Fortunately, they encountered no enemies along the way. Soon, the towering snow-capped mountains appeared like a majestic dragon rolling across the horizon, and the three let out a quiet sigh of relief. Familiar with the route, Ling Xuzi headed directly toward one of the many peaks.
This snow peak was covered in white ice and snow like countless others surrounding it but had a glacier on its southern slope. The glacier resembled a rushing river that had suddenly frozen in time while still maintaining the momentum of cascading water from thousands of feet above. Looking up from below, the broad hundred-foot-wide ice river was breathtakingly magnificent.
Ling Xuzi had no time to admire the scenery; he flew straight to the base of the glacier.
Here, the glacier parted about ten yards apart, forming an icy archway with a towering dome at least twenty yards high above him. Ling Xuzi walked beneath the archway and called into the crystalline depths of the glacier's dark interior: "Lingxu, Sect Leader of Nine Li Sect, has urgent matters to discuss with the Sect Master; please relay this message."
After speaking, he gestured for Yueyangzi and Yue Zongzi to stand beside him.
In the depths of the dark glacier crevice, movement soon stirred as a pair of enormous glowing eyes suddenly emerged from within the darkness.
Yueyangzi and Yue Zongzi, who had never been to Kunlun before, both gasped in astonishment. The eyes they beheld must have been nearly a foot in diameter; the owner of such eyes must be extraordinarily large!
Ling Xuzi stood motionless, blinking those enormous eyes twice. A voice, ancient and clear, suddenly echoed, "Welcome, Sect Master Ling Xuzi of the Nine Li Sect!"
Suddenly, the glacial arch transformed into a true White Jade Arch. As the scenery around them shifted, the three realized they had entered the Kunlun Celestial Abode. The view before them was breathtaking.
Mountains embraced a lake resembling clear emerald waters. Twelve towering Jade Pavilions were scattered across the lake's surface, appearing to reach the heavens. Enchanting Rainbow Light circled each white jade building without dispersing. The clear waves stretched for miles, with countless Celestial Birds dancing gracefully on the lake's surface.
In the distance lay an endless sea of flowers, filled with the fragrance of orchids wafting in the wind, a scent that penetrated deep into one's heart. Countless elegant white jade pavilions were scattered throughout the vast flower fields.
Kunpu, Langyuan, Twelve Jade Towers!
At that moment, a melodious long song floated through the air, its notes sweet and lingering. The lyrics were extremely ancient, expressing a warm welcome to distant guests. The melody conveyed indescribable joy that warmed the heart.
The three stood entranced by the music. After a long while, they noticed that about ten people had gathered before them, led by the current Sect Master and Kunlun's leader, Xuan Xuzi.
Xuan Xuzi, dressed in white robes and exuding elegance with every gesture, smiled and said, "Emperor Jiang's singing is always gentle and ancient; I have only heard that song three times before. It seems Emperor Jiang holds you in high regard. Please, Sect Master Ling Xuzi..."
Ling Xuzi did not dare to be presumptuous and first paid his respects to the sect leader with a deep bow. Before he could bend down further, Xuan Xuzi had already helped him up and waved his hand. Suddenly, a long rainbow extended from the first white jade pavilion directly to their Welcome Pavilion.
The Rainbow Light rippled continuously as if it were ethereal. Ling Xuzi stepped onto it without hesitation.
The group gracefully walked along the rainbow. While Ling Xuzi was accustomed to this place from previous visits, it was Yueyangzi and Yue Zongzi's first time experiencing such grandeur; they marveled at Kunlun and its status as the foremost Immortal Sect—everything from the cave dwellings to their demeanor was extraordinary.
Ling Xuzi also pondered privately; Xuan Xuzi treated him very well, suggesting that this trip might be highly successful. With this thought in mind, his long-furrowed brow gradually relaxed.
Qionghua Palace. Xuan Xuzi remained silent for a long time after hearing Ling Xuzi's intentions.
Ling Xuzi couldn't help but feel anxious. He sincerely said, "Sect Master, over the past six years, our Nine Li Sect has lost more than fifty elders, nearly one-third of our total number of elders. Last time we came out from Heavenly Grain, we were ambushed by the Demon Sect, and Elder Yue Qingzi was killed on the spot. Various signs indicate that our Nine Li Sect is caught between the two major Dark Halls of the Demon Sect. I implore you to provide assistance; otherwise, our Nine Li Sect may not survive this Spirit Scheme period!"
Xuan Xuzi sighed, appearing less composed for the first time: "To be honest, we have already sent out everyone we can from Kunlun. If it weren't for the incredible mysteries of our Kunlun 'Xuantian Wujizhen', which can withstand attacks from Demon Sect Monsters, I wouldn't dare to be so bold. Just two days ago, Emei Yiyangzi, the sect leader, personally came to seek help, and I sent my last available personnel to him. Alas, you from Nine Li Sect have come too late; what can I do?"
Ling Xuzi was shocked; Yiyang was quick in action! He couldn't help but regret not acting sooner.
Xuan Xuzi continued, "Now all sects are under pressure with their personnel. It’s likely that no one will be willing to assist you. I need to think carefully about a strategy. How about this: since you are here, Ling Xuzi, stay a few more days, and I will see if there are any other people I can send to you."
Ling Xuzi sighed inwardly; there was no other option. He tried hard to suppress his anxiety and settled into the Reception Hall, counting each day as if it were a year.
********
At the Nine Li Sect. All guards at the Heaven and Earth Platform were also counting the days painfully.
The Western Region Exit of the Heaven and Earth Platform had been destroyed, but the Jiangnan exit and the Azure Oil Temple were exposed. The exit at the Azure Oil Temple was manageable since the Restrictions were still in effect, but the Jiangnan exit was completely exposed. No one knew whether the Demon had captured any living prisoners during this time or had found a way in.
It had been three days; for three days, all available elders from the Nine Li Sect had stood vigil around the Heaven and Earth Platform, ready for battle at all times. This was an agonizing test of a Great Opportunity.
Standing at the forefront was Spirit Stone, his gaunt face devoid of any expression, staring unblinkingly at the slightly glowing surface of the Heaven and Earth Platform.
Suddenly, eight towering Coiling Dragon Pillars around the Heaven and Earth Platform began to spin rapidly around its surface. A chill ran through Spirit Stone, and he shouted, "Prepare for battle! Only engage if you are sure they are not our people! Anyone who acts recklessly will face punishment according to the Rules of the Sect!"
Brilliant flashes of magical artifacts illuminated the transparent White Jade Plaza, making it appear colorful as everyone braced for an impending threat. Those on the outskirts, including Li Hong, soared into the air, ready to strike anyone who was not Ling Xuzi.
A strong flash of red light suddenly revealed an object on the stage, startling everyone.
It was not a person! Instead, it was a round, dark object of unknown origin!
The object spun rapidly on the stage for a while before finally coming to a stop.
Li Hong was the first to see clearly and shouted frantically from the outside, "It's a human head! A demon threw a head in here!"
Spirit Stone was shocked, eyes wide, and rushed onto the Heaven and Earth Platform. Just as he reached out to pick it up, he heard Li Hong shout, "It's poisonous! Master, be careful!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, the head exploded with a bang, releasing a cloud of fiery red toxic smoke that quickly spread.
In that instant, Spirit Stone realized what was happening and retreated like an arrow, colliding with one of his rushing companions. He steadied himself and shouted, "Everyone retreat! No chaos!"
The crowd quickly backed away, managing to stay calm despite the urgency.
After a long time, with their eyes straining from staring, the fiery red smoke was finally blown away and disappeared.
At that moment, the eight Coiling Dragon Pillars began to spin rapidly again. With another flash of red light, several more spinning heads appeared on the stage.
This time no one needed to remind anyone; everyone swiftly retreated ten feet. After a long while, however, those heads remained motionless.
Would they explode? Was this still a trap? The crowd felt a chill run down their spines when suddenly an elder cried out in anguish from within the crowd: "One of them is Yue Xianzi's head! Master Uncle is really dead!"
Yue Xianzi! The Nascent Soul Stage elder who had gone missing five years ago during an incident at the Jiangnan exit while on a rescue mission! The Nine Li Sect had already listed him as deceased since there had been no sign of him alive or dead. Yet deep down, they still held onto a glimmer of hope, thinking that perhaps as a powerful Nascent Soul Stage master, he might have just been injured and temporarily hidden away in seclusion. Now that last shred of hope had been shattered.
Spirit Stone's chest heaved, and his eyes were almost ablaze with fury. This indicated that the Demon had indeed been throwing things from the Jiangnan exit, from severed heads to Yue Xianzi's remains. The remaining severed heads were undoubtedly those of disciples from their sect!
Spirit Stone made a decision that even he found sorrowful and infuriating. He said in a deep voice, “Chu Hongzi, come up and incinerate the heads!”
“No…” someone in the crowd cried out in grief.
“It must be done. This might still be a Demon's trick; who knows what deadly poison they might have hidden in those heads! Yue Xianzi Master Uncle's spirit is not far; she will understand that I had no choice,” Spirit Stone said with deep sorrow.
Li Hongfei stepped forward, raising his finger, and a thin stream of flames shot out. In front of all the astonished elders present, he incinerated the severed heads. Then he knelt on one knee, placing his right hand on his chest, and solemnly said, “I send you all off.”
“I send you all off!” all the elders knelt on one knee, crying out in sorrow.
Just as they stood up, the eight Coiling Dragon Pillars of the Heaven and Earth Platform began to spin rapidly again. Everyone's nerves tightened once more.
A strong red light flashed, and this time the true forms of Ling Xuzi and his two companions appeared on stage. Just as everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief, Spirit Stone shouted, “Shut down the Heaven and Earth Platform! Quickly!”
It was unclear who he was addressing, but it was evident that someone heard him. The Heaven and Earth Platform hummed and trembled, finally falling silent after a long while.
As Ling Xuzi and his two companions descended from the Heaven and Earth Platform, they wore expressions of gloom and indignation like all the other elders present.
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