186: Chapter 55: Stepping into the Grotto Heaven 186: Chapter 55: Stepping into the Grotto Heaven Qi Lie had left.
The killing intent in the small courtyard lingered for a long time.
“Preposterous…
He truly dared to kill me?”
Sitting amidst the shattered tiles and rubble, Xie Sheng murmured, “Does he not care about sacrificing his life, nor about the Sword Palace having to seal the mountain again?”
He was the Princely Heir of the Jiangning royal manor.
After the chaotic upheaval in Qing State, the Dachu Dynasty only had two non-royal kings left.
If Qi Lie had drawn his sword and killed him just now, whether it was Jiangning or the Imperial City, neither would turn a blind eye.
In the end, it could have cost Qi Lie his life!
“Your Highness, you must never provoke in such a manner again…
The Sword Dao of Golden Turtle Peak is just so fierce and resolute.”
Daoist Zhu, looking at his own blood-soaked hand and wiping a bead of cold sweat, spoke with lingering fear, “This Qi Lie is just like the former Law Enforcement of the Sword Palace; he’s extremely paranoid and stubborn.
Without a shred of evidence, he dares to deliver a sword challenge to the royal manor.
This guy really dares to attack, probably throwing all thoughts of life or death, all consequences, to the back of his mind.”
Upon hearing this, the Prince Jiangning looked thoughtfully at Daoist Zhu.
“It’s getting late.”
With a sigh, Daoist Zhu spoke to himself, “In another couple of hours, the Xuanshui Cave Heaven will open.
Your Highness should rest…
In fact, given what just happened, I would advise Your Highness to leave immediately.
These young people from the Sword Palace are like desperate madmen; who knows what tomfoolery they might produce tomorrow?”
…
…
At sunrise, a large crowd had already gathered at the foot of Lotus Peak.
Today was the day the Xuanshui Cave Heaven opened once every sixty years…
Over the years, countless people had wished to enter this grotto heaven.
This was the most mysterious grotto heaven of the Dachu Dynasty.
It was said that inside this grotto heaven, every Cultivator could find their own fortune.
The timid would become strong after their enlightenment, the destitute would obtain superior treasures, and as long as one was sincere, everyone could comprehend the Dao in the Xuanshui Cave Heaven.
“Ladies and gentlemen, due to last night’s assassination attempt, I am substituting for Master Huang to preside over this ‘Xuanshui Cave Heaven’ ceremony.”
Si Qi stood before the mountain gate, holding the Sword Qi Decree.
The rear mountain was still sealed by the sword qi array patterns.
Huang Su had made a trip to Xiao Chong Mountain and brought back several arrays for nurturing vital energies, which were set up deep in the dense forest.
“This ‘Xuanshui Cave Heaven’ will be open for five hours,” Si Qi announced with some concern as he glanced toward the rear mountain and then withdrew his gaze.
Speaking softly, he said, “There are two levels inside the Xuanshui Cave Heaven.
Those who only wish to obtain their ‘fortune’ should stop at the first level.
The scenes from the first level of the cave heaven will be projected in front of the main peak halls of the Da Sui Sword Palace.
If one encounters dangers that cannot be overcome, Brother Qi Lie will intervene, taking those who are in peril out of the cave heaven.
Once that happens, it means one’s ‘fortune’ has been exhausted, and they may not enter again.”
“There are dangers inside the Xuanshui Cave Heaven too?”
For a time, the area in front of the mountain gate was buzzing with discussions.
“Misfortune may be an actual blessing, and a blessing may lead to misfortune…”
Si Qi bowed and said calmly, “Those who step into the cave heaven, confront your own hearts, and do not seek unwisely.”
…
…
The rules of Xuanshui Cave Heaven were explained.
Si Qi held the Sword Qi Decree and drew a large, square doorway in front of the mountain gate—
The young Sword Cultivators who had qualified in the sword qi competition, one by one, entered the cave heaven.
Although in last night’s grand banquet, Yue Chenglong and Wan Chuo had positioned themselves on the opposing side of the Sword Palace…
The opening of this Xuanshui Cave Heaven was an event for all under heaven, with established rules set beforehand.
Qi Lie did not stop these two young Sword Cultivators.
Allying with Jiangning, abandoning the Da Sui.
Time would prove their choice was an error, and in a few more years, they would naturally regret their decision from yesterday.
An hour later, only three people had yet to enter the Xuanshui Cave Heaven.
Xu Nianning, Duan Zhao.
And Prince Jiangning, who didn’t even show up.
“Both of you, Xuanshui Cave Heaven is open for only ten hours, and time waits for no one.”
Si Qi said politely, “After ten hours, the cave heaven will close.”
“I’m waiting for someone.”
Xu Nianning’s gaze was fixed on the distant mountain gate, where a loud whooshing noise could be heard.
Soon after, a dragon horse pulling a large carriage descended.
Xie Sheng’s complexion had regained some color, but he still looked very pale.
The news of Qi Lie’s visit last night was known to all.
The news of Prince Jiangning joining the Taoist sect was naturally also released.
The onlookers made way for the dragon carriage.
Only Xu Nianning stood still, not moving an inch.
She approached the dragon carriage and looked at Prince Jiangning.
“Miss Xu, what brings you here?”
Xie Sheng watched the woman before him with an expressionless face.
In the case files of Fangyuan District, he had always scoffed at the thought of comparing himself and her.
In this Sword Qi competition, he hadn’t taken anyone seriously.
Now, at most, he might consider including Xie Zhen.
“Nothing much.
I just wanted to see what the illustriously celebrated Prince looks like nowadays.”
Xu Nianning asked, “The taste of a shattered Taoist heart must be unpleasant, right?”
Prince Jiangning’s expression darkened.
“Aren’t you supposed to ascend directly to Lotus Peak and reside in Xuanshui Cave Heaven?”
Xu Nianning asked with a smile, “Why did you rush to join the Taoist sect overnight?
Was it for fear of losing to Xie Zhen, or because you knew you were just too detestable and chose to give up on your own?”
Xie Sheng rose from the dragon carriage.
He let out a long, turbid breath, “…When we meet in Xuanshui Cave Heaven later, I hope Miss Xu can still smile.”
“You’re welcome anytime.”
Xu Nianning, with her hands clasped behind her back, seemed utterly indifferent.
Inside Xuanshui Cave Heaven, duels were not forbidden.
Just as the previous rules stated.
The sights of the first layer of the cave heaven would be seen by everyone.
If there was a “threat to life,” Qi Lie would take action and remove them from the situation.
Xie Sheng said nothing more and stepped directly into the cave heaven.
And Xu Nianning still did not move.
Duan Zhao took off the Wind and Thunder Bracelet, held it in his palm, and stared blankly in the direction of the back mountain.
“Why haven’t you set out yet?”
Xu Nianning approached the young man and spoke softly.
The youth spoke in a dull tone: “I’m also waiting for someone.”
“You’re waiting for…
Xie Zhen?”
Xu Nianning let out a light sigh.
The back mountain of Lotus Peak was sealed by Sword Qi, and from the looks of it, Xie Zhen’s injuries were probably very severe.
She looked at the somewhat naive youth and said nothing more.
Xu Nianning shook her head and stepped into the cave heaven.
In front of the mountain gate, only Duan Zhao was left.
The little fellow silently sensed the rhythm of the Wind and Thunder Bracelet.
Although everyone outside said that Xie Zhen had been seriously injured, he always had a premonition that Xie Zhen would come.
He waited like this for an hour.
Then two hours.
People had already begun to leave the Xuanshui Cave Heaven…
The first “eliminated” was none other than Yue Chenglong, who had provoked Huang Su the night before.
He was covered in blood, almost unconscious, and was taken out of the cave heaven by Qi Lie, then carried away by law enforcers of Golden Turtle Peak using a flying sword magic artifact.
Up until this moment, Xie Zhen’s figure had still not appeared.
Duan Zhao still wanted to wait with an undying heart, but Qi Lie didn’t give him the chance.
As he led people out of the Xuanshui Cave Heaven, he grabbed the back of the little fellow’s collar and threw him through the cave heaven’s portal.
With that, the mountain gate was tranquil.
…
…
Behind Lotus Peak, countless Sword Qi cascaded down like waterfalls.
Huang Su’s Flowing Cloud Shield enveloped the area above.
Layer upon layer of Sword Intent genuinely became like the clouds atop the sky, repeatedly brushed over, causing the entire back mountain forest to be covered with a layer of snowy whiteness.
The heavy rain had stopped, but the fires had not yet ceased.
This Primordial Fire that should have spread for miles seemed to be cut off by the Flowing Cloud Shield.
But even without Huang Su’s intervention,
The Primordial Fire gradually extinguished on its own.
All the flames were absorbed by the figure of the young man sitting cross-legged at the center.
Xie Xuanyi’s spiritual sea had never been as peaceful as it was at this moment.
Perhaps it was because he had died once, at the moment of the Primordial Fire Explosion, he didn’t feel the slightest bit of pain.
One hundred and eight great acupuncture points ignited with light.
Two clusters of light collided.
The acupuncture point Xie Xuanyi had long been unable to penetrate was finally “penetrated” at this moment.
To be precise,
It was shattered.
The self-detonating Primordial Fire from the black-armored puppet infiltrated his skin, triggering the overflow of his own internal Primordial Fire.
The two merged and collided, threatening to shred his skin to pieces.
But all of this was suppressed by the “Undying Spring.”
After being gifted to Jiang Huang, only a wisp of Undying Spring water vapor remained.
At this moment, it spread out wildly—
Xie Xuanyi’s skin blazed with fiery marks, which then healed on their own in the next moment.
With each breath, the sight of the Primordial Fire scorching his skin recurred.
A dense water vapor burst forth from his body.
Huang Su stood in the airspace above the Sword Qi formation, silently watching this terrifying sight.
She probably understood why Chen Jingxuan from the library had taken an interest in Xie Zhen.
This kind of intense vitality was a great fortuity that could be encountered but not sought after…
Although Huang Su had not investigated carefully,
In her heart, she faintly thought of something that existed only in legends.
No matter what the truth was,
If this scene were seen by outsiders, it would certainly provoke envy.
This was why she used the Flowing Cloud Shield to seal this place inside and out.
Huang Su sat suspended above the small mountain, silently protecting the sea of fire that was about to extinguish.
She didn’t care whether the water vapor enveloping the newly advanced nephew was the so-called “Undying Spring.”
All she knew was that this was a seed left by her elder brother Xuanyi, and it absolutely could not be harmed.
Huang Su’s gaze drifted past Xie Zhen, landing on the silver mountain not far away.
Her expression was somewhat complicated.
The assassination attempt last night occurred just before the master closed the mountain gate…
How brazen was that assassin?
And yet,
It had indeed been a successful attempt.
What an ironic event!
They say the master watches over every blade of grass and tree in Da Sui Sword Palace, so did he just stand by last night and watch as Xuanyi’s disciple was being assassinated?
There was no hint of disturbance from this sealed mountain.
Could it be,
That all the rumors and gossip were true?
This pessimistic thought frequently surfaced in Huang Su’s heart.
Sitting alone on Lotus Peak for ten years, she eagerly awaited for her master to emerge from seclusion, but this mountain was more silent than any other in the world.
After the master closed the mountain, there was no more news.
Huang Su didn’t dare to think of the worst outcome.
She took a deep breath.
Raising her head, she gazed up at the sky where the sun was setting…
The competition in the Xuanshui Cave Heaven, which occurred only once every sixty years, was about to end.
Perhaps,
Xie Zhen really wouldn’t make it for this competition.
So be it.
If he could safely get through this calamity, he should be content.
As she was lost in her thoughts, a familiar voice suddenly came.
“…Thank you for the protection, Aunt Master.”
This address as ‘Aunt Master’ brought Huang Su back to reality.
She looked down in surprise,
The sea of fire had been extinguished.
The young man sitting amidst the ashes, his black hair scattered, his skin coated with a faint golden luster.
Had Xie Zhen formed a Golden Body?
This pace was much faster than she had imagined.
She had thought that even if he could safely survive the ordeal, it would take a whole day to forge a Golden Body!
“Aunt Master…
has the Xuanshui Cave Heaven competition ended?”
Xie Xuanyi looked up, noticing the sun about to dip below the horizon.
“Soon,”
Huang Su breathed a sigh of relief and said with a light sigh, “There’s only half an hour left until the Xuanshui Cave Heaven closes…
You should rest well.”
“Half an hour…”
Xie Xuanyi stood up and took out a new set of black clothes from his waist pouch storage heaven.
He calmly said, “Half an hour is sufficient.”
…
…
(PS:1, Regarding recent plot concerns, I thought about it a lot last night.
Actually, in this volume of the story, there was no intention to make Prince Jiangning the antagonist or even a minor boss.
Perhaps I’m accustomed to elongating the narrative, wanting to lay a good foundation and cover all bases, which led to readers feeling suppressed and caused misunderstandings.
2, I will speed up the pace.
Be it the Sword Qi competition or the Xuanshui Cave Heaven, none are truly the ‘core’ elements of this volume; I hope everyone can provide a bit more patience, as this volume is more about setting the stage for future developments.)