Chapter 942: Chapter 3: The Nine Cauldrons Change, Encounter with the Demon Sect
Before nightfall today, the Ancient Red Dragon and the Nine-colored Divine Deer battled. Li Guanyi brandished the Fierce Tiger Sky Shouting Halberd while standing on the dragon’s head, and at that moment, the Nine Cauldrons seemed to absorb the Primordial Qi emanated by the Nine-colored Divine Deer.
However, afterward, when Li Guanyi investigated the Nine Provinces Tripod, he did not notice any changes.
But just before he fell asleep, the Nine Cauldrons started to transform.
Li Guanyi observed with his Primordial Spirit, focusing on the Nine Provinces Tripod. Initially, only a ninth of the tripod shed its heavy and ancient bronze hue, transforming into its original golden appearance, and now, this golden glow began to expand over a larger area.
The once heavy and majestic bronze color dispersed.
It was replaced by a faint gold, faintly revealing magnificent auspicious clouds, corresponding with the mist-laden clouds of Jiangnan, as if a Divine Deer was lurking within. Soon, the bronze tripod’s roars and trembles grew more intense and magnificent—
Then came to an abrupt halt.
Li Guanyi: "..."
He couldn’t help but hold his forehead, feeling a hint of regret despite anticipating it:
"Indeed, it was only a brief residual wave. If it could fully restore the Divine Charm of the Nine Provinces Tripod, the Ancient Red Dragon wouldn’t have sacrificed eight hundred years of its lifespan from the outset."
"However, at least, it can be confirmed."
"The Nine-colored Divine Deer is, indeed, recognized by the Nine Provinces Tripod as the auspicious sign of the Western Regions."
Li Guanyi mused inwardly, carefully scrutinizing the changes in the Nine Provinces Tripod.
Although only part of the immense tripod had transformed, the exquisite patterns on it were faintly visible, and the thick bronze hue turned into fine dust, like dust on the Nine Provinces Tripod that, once blown, vanished into thin air.
The Nine Provinces Tripod quivered, sending waves of Divine Charm towards Li Guanyi.
In a haze before his eyes, Li Guanyi envisioned the vast, endless desert of the Western Regions, seeing the expansive oasis in the central area, the land of Tuyuhun, the current Dangxiang Kingdom, witnessing the vast desert and the scattered water sources.
Then, he saw the kneeling people, beholding the rising wind.
The wind swept in all directions, brewing a sandstorm that enveloped the sky in a murky haze. Suddenly, nine-colored, splendid Divine Light appeared, and a massive, beautiful Divine Deer emerged in the sky. With a few leaps, the sandstorm that seemed to overwhelm the world halted.
The people prostrated in worship.
The Nine-colored Divine Deer leaped away in the sky, the image solidified, finally losing color, dissipating like ancient painted murals in the wind. Li Guanyi’s consciousness faltered momentarily, sensing the Divine Charm of the Nine Cauldrons.
"Red Dragon of Jiangnan, summoning clouds and rain."
"Divine Deer of the Western Regions, calming the dust storm."
"It is a crucial artifact of the state. If one could really forge the second of the Nine Cauldrons, it could subdue the most dangerous sandstorms of the desert... protect the oasis, living beings, and build cities in the unimaginable."
Li Guanyi watched as the flowing light of the Nine Provinces Tripod gradually dimmed.
Once again, he was moved by the capabilities of the Nine Provinces Tripod.
These two divine abilities weren’t of offensive or destructive nature. Li Guanyi could also feel that the abilities of the Nine Cauldrons were essentially the fortune of humanity. If one employed the divine abilities of the Nine Cauldrons to slaughter living beings, it would be akin to attacking one’s own shield with one’s own spear, having little effect.
However, in terms of the state’s stability, the capabilities of the Nine Cauldrons far exceeded those of the Fierce Tiger Sky Shouting Halberd, the Chi Xiao Sword, or even the Wooden Sword Dragon Map as divine weapons.
Thus, the ability of the Nine Cauldrons transforms the divine abilities inherent in the auspicious Divine Beast into powers beneficial to the people and state.
"Subduing the desert sandstorm..."
"With such capabilities, the journey to the Western Regions should become much simpler..."
Li Guanyi sensed the power of the Nine-colored Divine Deer slowly depleting, yet the Nine Provinces Tripod detected traces of Qi Fortune, faint and subtle, like the sparse dew on leaves before sunrise in summer.
Li Guanyi opened his eyes, observing the source of this faint Qi Fortune.
It came from this tribe that could be completely engulfed by the harsh Western Regions at any moment; those grateful, that Qi Fortune was as faint as morning dew and tiny as mayflies, just like the lives in these chaotic times, akin to grass.
So small.
But that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
Yaoguang was breathing steadily, already completely asleep. Li Guanyi leaned his head against the stone, gazing at the brilliant stars in the sky, contemplating the complex situation of the Western Regions, the princes and dukes, noble sects, Dangxiang, Tiele, the Wolf King, and Ying Country.
Thinking about Jiangnan, thinking about the Central Plains, thinking about this vast world, where heroes rise.
Thinking about the fleeting lives like mayflies and morning dew.
As if seeing the vast and magnificent sky full of stars, a person sitting alone here, amidst such turbulent times, eventually feels lonely and small, breeding a sense of vulnerability. Li Guanyi closed his eyes, gently bumping the back of his head against the stone, whispering to himself:
"Sir... what should I do?"
When the next day’s light dawned, Li Guanyi was awakened by a cold fingertip prodding him.
Slowly opening his eyes, he saw a slender, white finger gently poking his cheek. Standing there in his vision was Nangong Wumeng, with her stunning, enchanting face etched with a mischievous, satisfied grin:
"Every time you frighten me, but not this time. It’s rare for Miss Yaoguang to let me guard you until you wake, and as a Martial Artist, I wouldn’t miss the chance for a little revenge..."
"Revenge for what?"
The top scout of the Heavenly Strategy Mansion, Nangong Wumeng, was momentarily dazed.
Nangong Wumeng watched the young lord seated against the stone, his gaze calm and serene.