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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 14: Nightmare
Ying Fei stood right behind the Great Palace King. The fact that she could enter the secret chamber of the Great Palace King's quarters indicated a close relationship between them. The Great Palace King placed the umbrella back on its stand, and the Exploration Four-Star Umbrella began to unfold and spin on the platform. Ying Fei stared intently at the rotating Exploration Four-Star Umbrella, as if it were alive.
"Great Palace King, is the power of the Formation derived from this umbrella?" Ying Fei asked softly.
As she gazed at the spinning Exploration Four-Star Umbrella, an inexplicable sense of unease washed over her. Nevertheless, she took a few steps forward. Although she was a Four Palace Master, this was her first time seeing the Exploration Four-Star Umbrella. She believed that none of the other palace masters had seen it either. However, she couldn't understand why the Great Palace King was showing her such favor and granting her this honor.
The Exploration Four-Star Umbrella had many legends surrounding it in the Great Palace Kingdom, but witnessing it up close made her feel that it could not possibly save the world; rather, it seemed destined to destroy it.
Yet, Ying Fei dismissed this thought. She reminded herself that she should not speculate about the purpose of this artifact.
After a moment, the Great Palace King extended his hand, creating a distance of three zhang from himself to the Exploration Four-Star Umbrella. With a gesture, he made the four-star umbrella float and spin into his hand. The Exploration Four-Star Umbrella now appeared before Ying Fei at an astonishingly close range. She had never been this near to it before and sensed an indescribable power emanating from it.
The power contained within was something that previous generations had longed for, and future generations would never cease to covet it. It held immense strength—the strongest power in the world.
"It is waiting for you," said the Great Palace King calmly.
Ying Fei's eyes widened as she fixed her gaze on the Exploration Four-Star Umbrella, staring at it without blinking. Her breathing grew increasingly rapid.
"It’s waiting for me?" Ying Fei asked incredulously. How could such an artifact be waiting for her?
In truth, the Great Palace King had already decided to teach Ying Fei how to harness the essence of the Exploration Four-Star Umbrella's power. He had no ulterior motives; it was merely a contingency plan. Believing in Ying Fei's pure heart, he trusted that the Exploration Four-Star Umbrella would accept her. What reason did she have to refuse?
With these thoughts in mind, the Great Palace King finally placed the Exploration Four-Star Umbrella into Ying Fei's hands. Trembling slightly, she grasped the umbrella, which emitted a dazzling light that enveloped her body. Ying Fei felt something enter her being—a sensation she couldn't quite describe; it was intangible and writhing.
Yet, she knew that what entered her body was neither light nor entirely material substance. This feeling was pleasant, and gradually, the sensation of something entering her body faded away.
Ying Fei gasped for breath as the rotating light of the Exploration Four-Star Umbrella slowly dimmed until it finally closed and lay flat in her hands.
Ying Fei could only stare blankly at the Great Palace King, who seemed quite pleased to see the Exploration Four-Star Umbrella merge with her.
"Alright, you and the Exploration Four-Star Umbrella have become one," the Great Palace King announced excitedly. "From now on, you must take good care of this umbrella."
Ying Fei was taken aback. "You want me to protect this umbrella?"
"Yes, the Exploration Four-Star Umbrella has recognized you," the Great Palace King replied calmly.
Ying Fei said, "Recognized? But I heard that this four-star umbrella can only be used by someone of pure royal blood from the Great Palace Kingdom."
The Great Palace King chuckled. "That’s what we tell outsiders. The reason for that is to prevent others from coveting it. In reality, this umbrella is just a magical artifact; anyone can use it as long as it recognizes them. However, you must gain the Exploration Four-Star Umbrella's acknowledgment first."
"The Exploration Four-Star Umbrella is a unique artifact in the world, and you must protect it well," the Great Palace King continued.
A serious expression crossed Ying Fei's face as she nodded. "I will take good care of it. But why me?"
"It’s not that I chose you to protect the Exploration Four-Star Umbrella; it chose you. However, if you want to use it freely, you'll need time to practice. When you wish to train, find a quiet and secluded place. I believe you still have questions in your mind."
Ying Fei nodded, and the Great Palace King added, "Aside from me, you are the only other person who can use it. This is also a precaution. You know that formations can deal with Gravel Demons, but relying solely on Sanjiaozhu isn't enough. If something unexpected happens and Sanjiaozhu needs my help but I can't assist, you'll need to use this umbrella to protect us."
"I understand," Ying Fei replied.
"Hide the umbrella in your clothes and step back for now," the Great Palace King instructed.
Ying Fei asked in surprise, "Hide the umbrella in my clothes?" The Exploration Four-Star Umbrella was as long as a person's arm and larger than an arm itself. She truly had no idea how she could conceal it without being noticed.
Seeing her puzzled expression, the Great Palace King smiled slightly. "Although the Exploration Four-Star Umbrella is a magical artifact, it is not an ordinary one; it is a divine artifact. The Exploration Four-Star Umbrella can change size according to your thoughts."
A question surfaced in Ying Fei's mind: "How can I transform this umbrella?"
Though the Exploration Four-Star Umbrella was closed, Ying Fei could still sense the incredible power contained within it.
Ying Fei imagined in his mind that the Exploration Four-Star Umbrella was palm-sized, and he watched as the umbrella shrank down to that size.
---
Ji Zichen was dreaming, a pleasant dream. In it, Ji Zichen saw himself and Lin Chuyu returning to The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant, living together in Ji Zichen's home. It was a sunny day, with gentle breezes, the best time of the year when everything thrived. Lush vegetation spread like a beautiful carpet across the entire back mountain.
The cool breeze rustled through the thick leaves of the trees, providing them with refreshing air. Various flowers adorned the entrance of their home. Lin Chuyu wore a long dress that shimmered with shades of yellow, green, and orange, looking radiant. Their children—yes, in Ji Zichen's dream they already had children—ran around the trees, a boy and a girl, their laughter ringing like silver bells.
Ji Zichen lay on a lounge chair outside, savoring his contented life. The world was so peaceful; there were no Evil Gods, no Gravel Demons, and no Divine Dawns—only happiness.
Suddenly, the house shook violently. Ji Zichen fell from his chair, terrified as he watched The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant collapse. Other buildings crumbled around him as screams erupted from the congregation within The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant. Fires blazed everywhere.
The children who had been playing under the tree were gone. Ji Zichen frantically searched for them but found nothing. As for Lin Chuyu, she stood beside Ji Zichen with a sinister smile on her face.
Ji Zichen quickly scrambled to his feet and shouted, "Lin Chuyu... Hurry! We need to get out!"
Lin Chuyu ignored him; even in this dire situation, she continued to smile wickedly at Ji Zichen.
A great tree toppled over, and Ji Zichen couldn't prevent its fall. He felt an eerie silence enveloping him; The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant was deathly quiet.
At that moment, a dark figure appeared before Ji Zichen. He saw the Arbitrator approaching slowly while laughing. The Arbitrator's body suddenly grew larger until it resembled that of Gu Diao. With one claw, the Arbitrator crushed Lin Chuyu's head into the ground.
Ji Zichen screamed in anguish, "No!"
"Brother Ji! Brother Ji! What happened to you!"
The voice of Lin Chuyu stirred Ji Zichen from her dreams, bringing her fully back to consciousness. Ji Zichen gazed at Lin Chuyu's concerned face.
Ji Zichen's back was drenched in cold sweat. "I dreamed..." she hesitated, unsure why she had such a dream. She and Lin Chuyu were not yet married, and she couldn't reveal the contents of her dream to him.
"I... had a dream," Ji Zichen awkwardly changed the subject.
Lin Chuyu looked at her with amusement. "I know, I heard you talking in your sleep. Did you dream about me? I think I heard you call my name."
"Yes. It seems like I dreamed about you..." Ji Zichen dared not say more.
Lin Chuyu shot her a teasing glance. "What kind of dream was it? Did you dream that I was shouting and being scary?"
Ji Zichen smiled sheepishly. "No... actually... oh, I forgot what I dreamed as soon as I opened my eyes."
She got out of bed, noticing that it was already bright outside.
"Is it already light?" she asked.
"Yes, it's already noon," Lin Chuyu replied.
"When did you come?" Ji Zichen inquired.
"I came a while ago. The clan leader called for me, but I didn’t wake you since you were still asleep."
"What does she want with me?"
"I don't know."
Ji Zichen said, "Let's go see what she needs."
Yang Guizhi sat in the guest chair of the Stone House, her head drooping. From her expression, it seemed as if she had gone through a fierce struggle. Ji Zichen guessed, "Could it be that she saw some inevitable defeat in that Travel Path again? Although I am curious about the future, if it continues like this, what hope is there for a counterattack?"
Ji Zichen and Lin Chuyu had been standing in front of Yang Guizhi for a while, but she had yet to notice them. Ji Zichen couldn't help but say, "Elder?"
Only then did Yang Guizhi come to her senses. "Ah, you’re here."
Before entering, Ji Zichen noticed that there were no guards outside. She asked, "What happened? Where are your guards?"
"They went out of the village to carry out some Defensive Works," Yang Guizhi replied.
"Defensive Works?" Ji Zichen inquired. "Did the people from the Hall of Malevolence come?"
"Not yet," Yang Guizhi said. "But I feel that this Formation is quite unsafe. There are many Demon Beasts in the Opening of the Zhou Wasteland, and the villagers are scattered outside doing Defensive Works. Although there isn't any major danger, I think it's better to rely on ourselves than on others."
Ji Zichen smiled and said, "That makes sense."
"What are your plans now? After all, you've already learned the Sealing Technique," Yang Guizhi asked.
"I don't know where I should go right now," Ji Zichen replied. "However, before I figure out my destination, I’ll stay here for a while."
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