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Chapter 220: Cangling Debate of Swords (28)
Chapter 220 Cangling Debate of Swords (28)
The basement levels of the cave—exactly at the intersection’s tunnel end.
After countless twists and turns, Xiao Tan and Bei Ling finally stood before the Stone Door once more. Each retrieved a stone tablet, inserting the red and blue jade-shaped tablets into the circular indentation at the center of the Stone Disc embedded in the Stone Door.
The Bagua symbol was instantly completed, fitting perfectly. The Yin and Yang stone tablets suddenly glowed, spinning rapidly within the Stone Disc. Seconds later, rock debris and dust rained down from above the door, followed by the heavy grinding sound of stone. The Stone Door slowly ascended, revealing the scene beyond.
Beyond the Stone Door lay no longer a cave, but a rectangular Stone Chamber illuminated by an internal light source.
Xiao Tan and Bei Ling paused at the threshold, scanning the interior. No monsters or obvious traps seemed present. They stepped cautiously into the Stone Chamber.
The ceiling of the chamber was roughly five meters high, uneven and riddled with stone crevices. Glowing objects were lodged within the cracks—neither living creatures nor the refined radiance of night-pearls, but resembling Starcraft’s Blue Crystal Ore, albeit brighter.
On the far wall stood another Stone Door, flanked by a rotating dial mechanism—clearly the device to open it.
“Hey… are you still cold?” Xiao Tan asked Bei Ling.
Earlier, during their journey, Bei Ling had walked behind him, relying on miner’s helmets and flashlights for illumination. Now in the brighter chamber, Xiao Tan noticed her pale complexion and trembling shoulders.
“I’m fine…” Ah-choo! Bei Ling sneezed violently, spraying droplets onto Xiao Tan’s face. She tilted her head upward to speak, her gaze catching the light directly.
Xiao Tan wiped his face. “Take care of yourself.”
“Why are you completely fine?” Bei Ling muffled her mouth and nose, sniffing. “You fell into the water too… Is it some ‘immunity to colds’ inherent to idiots?”
“As a doctor, I must first reject your baseless, medically unsound theory,” Xiao Tan retorted.
A second later, he received a slap on the head.
“Secondly…” Xiao Tan leaned closer, locking eyes with her.
“Wh-what are you doing?” Bei Ling instinctively recoiled, a blush spreading across her cheeks.
“Your pupils aren’t dilated,” he observed. “So the condition isn’t severe. Your body temperature should be above 33°C…” He muttered, analyzing, “Though your face is pale and lips slightly purple, walking has warmed you up. Your temperature’s likely rising—probably just the wet clothes.”
“Step back three paces. Keep at least one meter from me,” Bei Ling narrowed her eyes, voice sharp.
“Why?” Xiao Tan asked, puzzled, but complied.
“When I emerged from the water, the menu showed a [Frozen] status, affecting movement speed and stamina consumption. It’s gone now, but the physical discomfort lingers,” Bei Ling sighed. “Doctor, we’re in a game. Any real issue would show in the data. No need for your inspection, listening, inquiry, and palpation.”
“That’s Traditional Chinese Medicine’s method. I’m—”
“Don’t interrupt! Let me finish.”
“…Alright.”
“From now on, under normal circumstances, you’re forbidden from entering one meter of my personal space. No sudden movements at close range, like leaning your face in,” Bei Ling continued. “Understood?”
“Uh… Sure,” Xiao Tan shrugged, bewildered but agreeable.
“Okay, I’m done.”
Xiao Tan said nothing, merely shrugging noncommittally before walking toward a side wall.
The wall bore a spiderweb-like crack, its pattern eerily precise, resembling a target. Suspecting a system-placed trigger, he reached out to touch it.
As he approached, the wall trembled. The cracks rippled like waves, converging toward the center. Seconds later, a white Stone Head burst from the “bullseye.”
The head had a Square Face, Phoenix Eyes, Flaming Eyebrows, a broad nose, thick lips, and a beard—all carved from white stone, complete with a topknot. Its stone pupils moved as it spoke, somehow producing sound without a throat.
“Which manual do you seek?” the Stone Head intoned.
“Manual?” Xiao Tan echoed, glancing at Bei Ling for answers.
Bei Ling stepped beside him, lowering the submachine gun she’d instinctively raised. “How many do you have?”
“Three,” the Stone Head replied.
“Which three?” Bei Ling pressed. Skilled in Npc dialogue, she knew how to extract information efficiently.
“Must you mortals be so ignorant?” the Stone Head scoffed. “Since Pangu split heaven and earth, since Nüwa created humanity… Fourteen divine techniques once existed. But your common mortal constitutions weaken with each generation. Only three remain.”
It declared grandly: “The Heaven-Earth Reversal Mantra, the Three Blossoms Crowning Technique, and the Great Emptiness Formless Arts.”
“…You’re giving these away?” Xiao Tan blinked.
“Don’t want them?” the Stone Head countered.
“Can we take all three?” Bei Ling interjected.
“No,” the Stone Head refused bluntly. “The last visitor took the Great Emptiness Formless Arts. Only two remain.”
“How many came last time?” Bei Ling asked.
“One.”
“We’re two people,” she pointed.
“Long ago, my master said one person may take one. He said nothing of two,” the Stone Head hesitated.
“I don’t know him,” Bei Ling gestured at Xiao Tan.
“Huh?” Xiao Tan blinked.
Bei Ling smirked. “Stone, give me the Three Blossoms Crowning Technique.”
A flash of white light, and a paper-bound Secret Manual materialized in her hands.
“Oh!” Xiao Tan stepped forward. “I don’t know her either. Give me the Heaven-Earth Reversal Mantra.”
(End of Chapter)
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