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Chapter 216: Cangling Debate of Swords (24)
Chapter 216: Cangling Debate of Swords (24)
Ji Bu, who had been listening to Muyong Ying’s detailed explanation of Jianghu affairs, and Xiao Tan and Bei Ling, who were deep within the underground levels, all received the prompt about the updated main quest. Although the fragmented information from the task notification was limited, the keywords “Lingzhong Realm” and “Soul” were enough to confirm that this scenario was far more than just a martial arts world.
“This ‘Lingzhong Realm’…” Xiao Tan mused as they walked, “Could it be similar to the Pot World or Heavenly Book World from the Xuan Yuan Sword series?”
“If so, this scenario shifts from wuxia to a xianxia and supernatural hybrid,” Bei Ling replied. “But considering the Giant Crocodile Monster we encountered earlier was already a supernatural element, this isn’t too surprising.”
“Hmm… At any rate, the main quest finally has some direction. Feng Bu Jue and Senior Sister Yu might even complete it before we escape this place.”
“Don’t dream too big,” Bei Ling shot back, dousing his optimism. “From the initial description, no matter how hidden the scenario’s setting is, the plot ultimately revolves around the duel between those two swordsmen. We just haven’t uncovered the connection yet. As we explore further, there’ll definitely be clues leading us to that duel.”
“Every legendary swordsman’s duel hides a grand conspiracy…” Xiao Tan muttered.
“Exactly,” Bei Ling countered. “If it were a simple duel, they’d just pick a time, find an open field, and settle it. Why go out of their way to come to this Ghost Village, and specifically choose a Full Moon Night? There’s definitely a conspiracy at play.”
As they spoke, the tunnel ahead ended abruptly in a dead-end—a solid rock wall blocking their path.
“Seriously?” Bei Ling groaned. “I thought you had good luck.”
“You thought that was the reason I guessed correctly?” Xiao Tan blinked in surprise.
“Exactly,” Bei Ling replied listlessly, her spirits sinking. The path from the crossroads to this dead-end had been long, taking over half an hour. Now, they’d wasted significant time and energy.
Since falling into the underground lake, swimming ashore, exploring, battling monsters, and retracing their steps, their stamina had already dropped below half. While they could rest anytime to recover, Bei Ling knew lingering here posed risks to their team. If they didn’t return to the inn by sunset as planned, it would disrupt their teammates’ actions, potentially triggering unpredictable consequences.
Their priority was clear: escape this underground labyrinth as quickly and safely as possible.
“Hmm…” Xiao Tan, sensing Bei Ling’s frustration, frowned in thought. “Wait—maybe this wall, like that metal structure earlier, can be unlocked somehow?” He stepped forward, running his hand over the rock wall, hoping a system menu would pop up.
Bei Ling sighed. “Unlockable system constructs are usually obvious. This looks like a scenery prop meant to block the way—” Before she could finish, the rock wall unexpectedly shifted.
It wasn’t a system object offering a player menu, but the moment Xiao Tan touched it, a layer of rock flakes fell away, revealing a circular depression in the center. About fifty centimeters in diameter, the smooth, flat surface bore a taiji symbol etched into it.
[Side Quest Triggered]
Find the Yin and Yang stone tablets to open the stone door.
“Seriously?!” Bei Ling gaped. The quest’s activation clarified everything—the crossroads earlier likely required exploring every path. The left and right routes probably held the stone tablets, while the middle path led here.
“So, if you give things a shot, you might just get lucky,” Xiao Tan grinned.
“Are you some kind of Mr. Nice Guy?” Bei Ling rolled her eyes. “Don’t get smug. We still have to backtrack to find those tablets. Objectively speaking, taking this middle path first wasted an hour of time and stamina.”
Xiao Tan adjusted his miner’s helmet, sidestepped Bei Ling, and headed back. “Objectively speaking, you were the one who made me guess initially… Oh well… Fine, I’m sorry!”
They retraced their steps to the crossroads and chose the left tunnel this time.
Fortunately, this path wasn’t long. After walking five or six minutes, they reached a wider cave.
At the entrance, Bei Ling considered splitting up to save time—each retrieving a tablet—but quickly dismissed the idea. She didn’t trust Xiao Tan’s ability to handle challenges alone, fearing he might not return.
“Stay alert,” she whispered as they entered the cave, her senses sharpening.
“Got it,” Xiao Tan replied. He knew the game’s pattern well—this cave likely held a monster or puzzle.
Sure enough, within ten meters of entering, a fiery silhouette erupted from the depths of the cave.
The creature moved with impossible speed, leaping toward them before vaulting onto the stalactites hanging from the ceiling. Clinging to one, it glared down at the two players, letting out a piercing screech.
“Is this thing a Digimon?” Xiao Tan quipped, drawing his shotgun.
“Fire carefully—don’t let it close in while reloading,” Bei Ling instructed, focusing on the battle.
The monster stood about 1.6 meters tall, resembling a crimson-faced, crystal-skulled ape with golden-red fur perpetually ablaze. Its whip-like tail, tipped with a red gemstone, coiled behind it.
With its dramatic entrance and unique appearance, it was clearly a mini-boss.
Another shriek echoed as the fire ape darted sideways, vanishing behind a rock. The battle had begun.
———
Meanwhile, Feng Bu Jue and Si Yu each held a Bell and leapt into the ground fissure. After an indeterminate time, the velvet-black darkness finally faded.
Regaining their senses, they stood side by side on a breathtaking plain. The Sun hung high, casting light over endless emerald grasslands. In the distant horizon, mist-veiled mountains pierced the sky like a painted scroll.
Turning back, dozens of meters behind them, the landscape abruptly ended. A steep slope plunged into an abyss, shrouded in unending fog.
About ten meters to their side stood a towering stone tablet, inscribed with three massive characters: Lingzhong Realm.
“How intriguing,” Feng Bu Jue remarked, gazing at the tablet. “The handwriting feels familiar.”
“Cangling Town?” Si Yu guessed, though she paid little attention to calligraphy. She could guess what he meant.
"Exactly. It seems ‘Cangling’ wasn’t a random name…" Feng Bu Jue turned to her, then suddenly grinned. "Hey, there’s a beauty over there."
Si Yu casually avoided his gaze. “What? Do you think I’d be pleased by an unexpected compliment mid-conversation?”
“I meant her,” Feng Bu Jue corrected, tilting his head toward Si Yu’s back.
Si Yu turned, spotting a woman approaching calmly from the plains.
Dressed in a simple green robe, she wore a long sword at her waist, her steps graceful yet brisk. Though distant, her beauty was unmistakable.
“Hmph,” Si Yu snorted, facing the newcomer alongside Feng Bu Jue.
“You pretended not to care about my compliment, yet you’re clearly annoyed I didn’t praise you,” Feng Bu Jue teased.
“Do I look that childish?” Si Yu retorted coldly.
“It’s not about childishness…” Feng Bu Jue said. “In Second-Rate Detective and the Cat, there’s a line—” He paused. “Women need food, water, flattery, and a pair of versatile shoes.”
“I’ve read it, but I disagree,” Si Yu replied. “Such gender-biased, subjective statements lack logic.”
“Ah, so in this month’s manuscript, I wrote…” Feng Bu Jue grinned. “Men only need a woman’s approval to survive.”
As they bantered, the woman approached. She studied both of them before bowing respectfully. “I am Plum-blossom Sword Lu Qingning. I’ve wandered here by accident. May I ask where this is, and how I might return to Cangling Town?”
“Plum-blossom Sword…” Si Yu murmured, recalling she was one of the Huaying Six Swords.
Feng Bu Jue asked directly, “Oh? You’re Lin Chang’s junior apprentice?”
Lu Qingning’s expression darkened instantly at the name. She raised her sword, hostility blazing. “Are you sent by Lin Chang?”
(End of Chapter)
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