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墨書 Inktalez
Kongtong Mountain is located twelve kilometers west of Pingliang City in Gansu Province, overlooking Xi'an to the east, connecting with Lanzhou to the west, neighboring Baoji to the south, and reaching Yinchuan to the north. It serves as a fortress on the western end of the Silk Road. The scenic area covers eighty-four square kilometers, with its main peak rising to an elevation of two thousand one hundred twenty-three meters. It combines breathtaking natural landscapes with exquisite cultural sights, earning it the reputation of being the "First Mountain of the West" and "Kongtong Mountain, a beauty unmatched in the world."
Kongtong Mountain is part of the Liupan Mountain range, featuring towering peaks and steep cliffs that seem sculpted by divine hands. The vast forest is shrouded in mist, resembling an ethereal paradise. The high gorges and tranquil lakes reflect a harmonious blend of water and sky, reminiscent of the enchanting scenery of the Li River. It boasts the grandeur typical of northern mountains while also showcasing the elegance found in southern landscapes. The solemn and elegant structures of the Eight Platforms, Nine Palaces, Twelve Courtyards, Forty-Two Buildings, and Seventy-Two Stone Caves are magnificent and rich in history.
Xuanyuan Huangdi personally ascended Kongtong Mountain to seek wisdom from the sage Guang Chengzi regarding governance and health preservation. This historic event is recorded in classics such as "Zhuangzi: On Forgiveness" and "Records of the Grand Historian." As a renowned mountain for the Daoist Sect, while Kongtong may not be as famous as Kunlun, Putuo, or Emei, it holds the title for historical significance as it is considered the origin of Daoism.
Moreover, due to its lesser-known status, Kongtong Mountain has preserved its scenery remarkably well, with over ninety percent of its forest cover intact, avoiding foolish acts like cutting down ancient trees for plastic replacements.
The International Demon Alliance is experiencing internal strife while appearing increasingly aggressive externally, with a significant influx of monsters into the Northeast Region, not to mention coastal cities. In light of this situation, Zhuang Lou has sent letters to both Zhou Qingzhe and Zhang Rongying, as well as to the headquarters of the True Flame God Cult, demanding their immediate withdrawal from Chinese territory.
The result of these letters has been silence; those who can make decisions remain quiet. However, since Zhuang Lou has intervened, the monsters entering China have refrained from making any excessive moves.
Recently, a member of the Tartarus clan named Lagus Ting was killed in China due to reckless behavior. In retaliation, the Tartarus clan dispatched seven skilled members from their ranks, including Omega, who ranks one hundred thirty-two on the leaderboard of the International Demon Alliance. They have all vanished without a trace, leaving no clues behind. This incident has made all monsters wary.
China—ancient and mysterious—has never succumbed to external pressures. Even in a material world where Western civilization leads, there has never been a moment when this temporarily lagging nation was overlooked.
October marks the approach of golden autumn, with pleasant weather beginning to settle in. Coupled with a week-long holiday, many people are traveling for leisure. Today at Kongtong Mountain, several special visitors have arrived.
Leading them is a young man walking alone with a cold demeanor; he has blond hair and blue eyes, dressed in a black trench coat adorned with slightly different shades of black silk thread embroidered into a swirling flame on his back. He exudes an air of arrogance.
Following him is a handsome priest clad in red robes, also of Caucasian descent. He walks with composure, radiating an aura so pure that it is difficult for others to gaze upon him.
In stark contrast are his two companions—two stout middle-aged men with protruding bellies who seem to be sharing crude jokes that elicit lewd laughter. They lag behind their two leading companions. A gentle breeze carries snippets of their vulgar conversation: "You don’t know; that flirty girl isn’t as innocent as she appears in movies—she’s been with countless men; her experience must be extensive. That night..."
The path they took was not one frequented by ordinary tourists. They deliberately chose the most rugged and perilous trails, some of which might not have been traversed by anyone for centuries.
Though these individuals appeared quite different from one another, the treacherous journey that would hinder most people seemed to pose no challenge for them. The two foreign handsome men walked as if on level ground, while the two middle-aged men, who laughed in a rather mischievous manner, continued their discussion about the bedroom skills of various female celebrities without interruption.
These four were Camberto of the True Flame Sect and Allen, the top expert of the Demon Hunting Team; Zhou Qingzhe and Zhang Rongying, the former two leading executives of the International Demon Alliance.
Their presence here was obvious: Kongtong! It was the place of cultivation for Zhuang Lou, the Grand Master.
Camberto suddenly halted, impatience evident in his voice. "Where exactly is the main hall of the Kongtong Sect? I've been walking for so long without sensing even a hint of spiritual energy! Don't tell me we can't find the entrance and have to wait for that old coot Zhuang Lou to come out and throw himself into our net!"
Allen smiled slightly and picked up the conversation. "I can only sense that the earth energy here is dense. There seems to be a spatial rift nearby, but I can't pinpoint it. However, I trust that Mr. Zhou Qingzhe and Mr. Zhang Rongying wouldn't have invited us here without some preparation."
Camberto snorted coldly. "If we can't do it, why should they be able to?"
Though Zhou Qingzhe was far behind, his cultivation level ensured he could hear Camberto's mockery. Yet, as an ancient being with over ten thousand years of experience, his composure was remarkable.
After a hearty laugh, Zhou Qingzhe casually tossed a brilliant green ring into the air.
"Mr. Camberto need not worry," he said. "The Kongtong Sect has been established for a long time; the outer temple is merely a facade. When Guang Chengzi tore through the void to establish Kongtong Cave Heaven, it may not be among the thirty-six celestial caves or seventy-two blessed lands of Taoism, but it is certainly not to be underestimated. My Celestial Ring can forcibly open Kongtong Cave Heaven, but it will take some time."
Although Camberto belonged to Divine Extremity, his years of cultivation paled in comparison to Zhou Qingzhe's. While he possessed the ability to traverse layers of space, his understanding of spatial dimensions did not match that of an ancient being like Zhou Qingzhe. After all, Zhou Qingzhe's accumulated wisdom over millennia could not be compensated for merely by increased power in a short time.
Allen sensed the energy fluctuations from the Celestial Ring and the changes in space, visibly moved as he remarked, "To create a spatial realm with one's own power indicates that this person's strength is at least above mine. Indeed, ancient Chinese cultivators are profoundly mysterious."
Though Camberto felt surprised internally, he retorted, "That person has been gone for thousands of years; no matter how powerful he was, he wouldn't have time to save his disciples!"
Zhang Rongying had remained silent until now when he interjected, "Guang Chengzi may have left this mundane world long ago, but Zhuang Lou is still here. Mr. Camberto should not underestimate him. Zhuang Lou has always kept a low profile; since reaching Divine Extremity, no one has seen him make a move. Last time against Yuan Qian Kun, we barely escaped with our lives; we cannot afford any mistakes this time."
Camberto clearly did not want to mention the shocking battle that had occurred not long ago. Facing Yuan Qian Kun was the most painful nightmare of Camberto's life. The Ancient Demon Ape, as expected, maintained its position as the strongest in the world. Even with Allen and the Holy Order joining forces, and despite Camberto's Black Flame power breaking through physical limits, he still found himself suppressed by Yuan Qian Kun, unable to lift his head. Zhou Qingzhe and Zhang Rongying had severely injured Yuan Qian Kun at the beginning of the battle, without even formally engaging in combat.
As for the final outcome of the battle, Camberto regarded it as a great humiliation and still refused to think back on it.
The Celestial Ring was a treasure borrowed by Zhou Qingzhe, perfectly suited for opening interlayer barriers.
The Celestial Ring expanded to a diameter of ten meters, its center shimmering with colorful lights, as if some force was continuously battling within. Zhou Qingzhe initially appeared quite composed but soon showed signs of great strain. The input of demonic energy had reached its peak, yet no expected changes had occurred within the Celestial Ring.
Allen was about to step in to help but was signaled to refrain by Zhang Rongying. Instead, Zhang Rongying placed one hand on Zhou Qingzhe's back, transferring demonic energy to him. The Celestial Ring was a treasure of the demon clan; although Allen's Holy Power cultivation was high, it was not suitable for activating the Celestial Ring. With Allen's abilities, he could certainly use brute force to make the Celestial Ring work for him, but such a crude method would damage it. The original owners of this treasure were Zhou Qingzhe and Zhang Rongying, whom he absolutely dared not offend.
Together, Zhou and Zhang possessed nearly twenty thousand years of cultivation. While they were still not as powerful as experts from Divine Extremity, their strength was nonetheless astonishing. With their combined efforts, the Celestial Ring began to reveal its inner landscape.
A scene of celestial mountains and pavilions emerged within the Celestial Ring—verdant peaks rose majestically, celestial birds danced gracefully in the air, and clear streams wound through a breathtaking vista.
Zhou Qingzhe continued to channel demonic energy while straining to say, "The entrance to Kongtong Cave Heaven has been opened; please hurry inside!"
Camberto snorted coldly; his black robe flickered and he vanished into the Celestial Ring. Allen knew that opportunities were fleeting; he smiled slightly and then stepped into the void. His red priestly robe radiated a soft holy light, resembling a sun as he entered the world within the Celestial Ring.
Zhou Qingzhe's face turned pale as he withdrew his demonic energy and retracted the Celestial Ring. He gasped for breath for a moment before beginning to regulate his immense energy consumption. He asked Zhang Rongying, "This time we challenge Zhuang Lou; even with Camberto and Allen joining forces, I still have no confidence. Last time was far too dangerous; if something goes wrong again this time, we won't have a way out."
Zhang Rongying disagreed with her partner's concerns. She said firmly, "Although we can't use our prepared trump cards from last time, I've already sought assistance from that person. I believe that with careful planning, Zhuang Lou will not escape death this time. No matter how powerful he is, he can't possibly be stronger than Old Yuan!"
Battles among those who had entered the Divine Realm were not something low-level beings could interfere with. Their previous experience surrounding Yuan Qian Kun had already taught them that one misstep could lead to disaster.
Wen Zhongda finished teaching his class and packed up his lesson plans, preparing to pick up his girlfriend after work. Unlike many others in the city who lived together without their own homes, Wen Zhongda had his own place.
Although that house was located on the outskirts of the city, transportation was now well-developed. This area was not like massive cities such as Shanghai or Beijing; Wen Zhongda and his girlfriend only needed thirty minutes to traverse the city to reach their respective workplaces.
Stepping out of the middle school where he taught, Wen Zhongda was surprised to see a tall young man waiting for him.
Fang Lin Kong's clothes looked quite dirty and there was a tear that extended from his side to his back. Moreover, compared to their last meeting, Fang Lin Kong appeared to have lost quite a bit of weight, but what caught Wen Zhongda's attention was Fang Lin Kong's bright eyes.
"You've been training hard during this time! I can feel that your aura is completely different now."
Fang Lin Kong grinned, seemingly unfazed by Wen Zhongda's praise. He immediately got to the point: "I need your help to assess the results of my recent training."
Wen Zhongda firmly refused, saying, "I no longer wish to be entangled in anything. If you want to test your abilities, seek someone else."
Fang Lin Kong seemed to have anticipated Wen Zhongda's refusal. He casually tossed out a photograph, and when Wen Zhongda took a look, his expression changed dramatically. The photo showed a striking female police officer, her shoulder bearing the Inspector badge, which highlighted her excellence.
"You should recognize this woman, right? If you don't agree, I'll go write her a love letter and start harassing her. Of course, I would turn into something like this!"
The location and angle chosen by Fang Lin Kong were quite clever. If it weren't for someone passing by at that moment, they wouldn't have been seen. Thus, Fang Lin Kong shamelessly used Giant Spirit Transformation in public, shrinking down to the appearance of a seven or eight-year-old child.
Although Fang Lin Kong's Giant Spirit Transformation only lasted for a few seconds before he returned to his original form, Wen Zhongda's face had already changed drastically. Fang Lin Kong's tactic was undeniably despicable; if a seven or eight-year-old child were to touch or hug an adult woman, or even kiss her, it would only be seen as innocent playfulness and not as something lewd.
If Fang Lin Kong had threatened him seriously, Wen Zhongda wouldn't have cared at all. Although he was a law-abiding citizen, he wouldn't shy away from making someone disappear if necessary. However, Fang Lin Kong's method left Wen Zhongda feeling helpless.
"You are despicable!"
Wen Zhongda squeezed out this evaluation through clenched teeth. Fang Lin Kong seemed quite pleased with it and said with a smug expression, "Thank you for the compliment! It took me quite some time to come up with this non-confrontational method. I'm still far from truly being despicable and shameless; there's much more for me to learn!"
Wen Zhongda angrily asked, "What exactly do you want? To test your strength? What kind of evaluation do you want from me?"
Fang Lin Kong chuckled and produced a small transparent regular hexagonal prism in his hand. As the prism expanded, it enveloped both Fang Lin Kong and Wen Zhongda. It was then that Wen Zhongda exclaimed in shock, "Battle Barrier! How do you have this thing?"
Fang Lin Kong smiled mysteriously, a hint of pride in his voice as he said, "The Battle Barrier is just a simple spatial division spell. I merely made some slight modifications to certain techniques and created this thing. Its effectiveness is definitely not inferior to Duskaya's. When it comes to combat, it's quite solid, so you can fight without worry."
Fang Lin Kong's Battle Barrier was an endless expanse of empty space, devoid of anything else. It was completely different from Duskaya's icy plains. Wen Zhongda stood on what seemed like a substantial yet entirely invisible surface, his originally gentle smile restored.
"Fang Lin Kong, you truly have talent. You only needed to see Duskaya's Battle Barrier once to simulate something similar. Although your technique lacks significantly, your understanding of the essence of the Battle Barrier is quite profound. Impressive!"
"I hope this compliment remains after the battle."
Casually standing opposite Wen Zhongda, Fang Lin Kong suddenly exuded an indescribable aura. It was a state that blended confidence with intense fighting spirit.
For a moment, Wen Zhongda could find no flaw in Fang Lin Kong.
Originally intending to handle the situation lightly, Wen Zhongda felt his dormant competitive spirit stirred. Smiling gently, he said, "Alright! Since you are so eager to know the gap between us, I will teach you a harsh lesson so you understand what 'Dao' truly means. Those who are reckless and combative will never grasp the mysteries of heaven and earth."
Almost simultaneously, a writhing mass of red crystals appeared in Wen Zhongda's palm while an almost colorless transparent shield emerged around Fang Lin Kong.
"Innate Sword Artifact!"
"Oh! The treasure you used last time—can you already refine it?"
Both Fang Lin Kong and Wen Zhongda exclaimed in surprise at nearly the same moment.
This time, Wen Zhongda finally began to take Fang Lin Kong's strength seriously. Although slightly astonished, he spoke with pride, "Do you know what an Innate Sword Artifact is? You have quite an eye! I dare say there are no more than five people in this world who have truly seen one."
Fang Lin Kong scoffed dismissively and replied, "I've seen two people use this thing; what's so precious about it? Just give me time, and I'll refine one myself sooner or later."
Wen Zhongda chuckled in disbelief, amusement dancing in his eyes as he said to Fang Lin Kong, "Currently, aside from Grandmaster Zhuang Lou in the Central Plains Taoist sect, this Innate Sword Artifact in my hand is the only one left. No one else can refine such a thing; where did you see the other two?"
Fang Lin Kong realized he had spoken too freely, but he did not want to hide anything about Liexiezi. With a cold snort, he said, "I have seen two old fellows named Voidbreaker and Liexiezi in battle. It seems that this Innate Sword Artifact is already standard equipment; nothing particularly unusual about it."
Wen Zhongda was so shocked that he nearly bit his tongue in disbelief. He exclaimed, "These two are the second-generation Patriarchs of Kunlun! If you saw them, wouldn't that be like seeing a ghost in broad daylight? No! It would be like seeing immortals for no reason!"
Fang Lin Kong briefly recounted the situation at that time, but Wen Zhongda still found it hard to believe. He asked, "If what you say is true, then isn't the Patriarch Liexiezi still underground in Fengshan Village?" However, he quickly reconsidered. He had observed Fang Lin Kong's recent battles from a distance, noting that the artifacts used were all quite extraordinary. It seemed unlikely that Fang Lin Kong was just boasting. Moreover, even if Fang Lin Kong were exaggerating, how would he know about the secret history of Kunlun? Even Wen Zhongda had only heard vague rumors about Liexiezi from back then, which seemed somewhat dubious. But after a millennium of information suppression, specific details had long since vanished.
To verify whether Fang Lin Kong was telling the truth, Wen Zhongda tentatively asked, "You mentioned obtaining the relics of two seniors. I have heard that the Patriarch Voidbreaker was unparalleled in artifact forging and possessed several particularly unique treasures. If you can produce them, I will believe what you say."
Fang Lin Kong smiled slyly and replied eagerly, "Tell me, which treasures are you referring to and what special effects do they have?"
Wen Zhongda spoke with longing in his eyes. "The first one is the Five Elements Escape Spirit Flag. It is said to be able to fly through the skies and traverse the earth without limits. It is the culmination of all Escape Techniques from our Kunlun Celestial Path. With this flag in hand, I can go anywhere in the world. It is essential for both home travel and avoiding danger."
Fang Lin Kong asked in astonishment, "What does this thing look like and what signs indicate its use?"
Wen Zhongda explained in detail, "It is a brocade flag with five vibrant colors. When used, it envelops the user in a mist; with just a thought, one can instantly soar into the air or move away."
Fang Lin Kong responded with an odd "Hmm!" and fell silent.
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