Chapter 334: Hanging Mountain's Actions, Initial Formation of the Divine Gourd

Chapter 334: Hanging Mountain's Actions, Initial Formation of the Divine Gourd

September 7th, 2024

At the highest peak of Hanging Mountain, there stands a small temple.

Compared to the magnificent and grand temples below, this humble abode is a stark contrast.

Its mud walls and wooden pillars, weathered and worn, bear the marks of time.

Only a few monastic rooms are visible, seemingly accommodating no more than three to five people.

The Great Elder arrived at this place, his face solemn.

With utmost respect, he said, "Abbot, Supreme Elders, Xuan Yi has an important matter to discuss with you."

The small temple was silent.

The Great Elder remained patient, his expression still respectful, as he waited.

After about half a bell, a serene voice finally emerged from within.

"Come in."

The temple door creaked open of its own accord, without a hint of wind.

The Great Elder bowed respectfully before cautiously stepping inside.

He eventually stopped in a courtyard, empty of any presence, and waited quietly.

"What is it?" the voice asked, slowly emerging from an unknown location after a while.

At the same time, the Great Elder felt several invisible gazes fall upon him.

He hurriedly bowed, "Abbot, not long ago, the temple sent Xuan Ming Apprentice and the others to the Central Plains to seize the Veiled Opportunity.

But today, the young monk responsible for cleaning the Soul Tower discovered that the soul lanterns of Xuan Ming Apprentice and the others have all gone out.

I fear they might have perished in the outside world.

This matter is of great importance, and I dare not decide on my own. I have come to seek your guidance, Abbot and Supreme Elders, on what to do."

Upon hearing this, the surroundings fell silent.

However, the Great Elder distinctly felt the gazes upon him grow heavier.

His expression remained unchanged, but the pressure in his heart increased bit by bit.

After a while, the serene voice spoke again.

"Indeed, I just made a calculation, and it seems their karma has been extinguished. They have indeed perished."

"Abbot, can you calculate who killed Xuan Ming Apprentice and the others?" the Great Elder asked eagerly.

"It's not possible," the serene voice replied. "Although the rules in the outside world have just been established, and the heavenly prognostics are somewhat clearer, it's still difficult to calculate.

Even with the assistance of the Heart Temple's power, calculating their karma through the Boundary Wall is already at the limit.

Moreover, the one who killed Xuan Ming and the others is no ordinary person. They also possess an object that conceals heavenly prognostics, making it even harder to calculate."

The serene voice spoke slowly, as if the death of Xuan Ming and the others hadn't stirred any emotion within them.

The Great Elder's heart sank with disappointment, but he still asked, "Abbot, in your opinion, is it the three from the Sacred Mountain who took action, or someone from the other three Secret Realms?"

"I'm afraid it's not easy to say," the serene voice replied. "Xuan Ming and the others carried treasures like the Demonic Subduing Vajra. Logically, few in the outside world should be able to harm them.

However, the three Sacred Sovereigns on the Sacred Mountain are bound by its rules and wouldn't take action lightly."

"Then it's most likely someone from the other three Secret Realms?" the Great Elder asked anxiously.

"With the heavenly prognostics unclear, nothing can be said for certain. You should send someone out to investigate first," the serene voice advised.

"I've already sent Xuan Yi Apprentice to Purgatory Tower to have them dispatch someone for an investigation," the Great Elder replied.

"That's good. It's about time for Purgatory Tower to prove their worth after being sheltered by Hanging Mountain for so long," the serene voice agreed.

"But Abbot, since the changes in the heavens and the revival of spirit qi, Purgatory Tower seems to have been up to something. They aren't very honest," the Great Elder said.

"No matter, they're just a bunch of dark rats who can't show their faces. In time, they'll come to their senses. You may go now," the serene voice dismissed.

"Yes, I take my leave," the Great Elder bowed and slowly retreated from the small temple.

Once the Great Elder had left, the small temple returned to its peaceful state.

After a long while, the serene voice spoke again, "Elders, what do you think of Xuan Yi's matter?"

Over ten breaths later, a hoarse voice sounded, "Let's wait and see. Right now, our most important task is to consolidate our cultivation and wait for the day when the heavenly rules are thoroughly stabilized.

Being the first to overcome the tribulation and condense the Golden Core, returning to the Golden Core Realm, will be crucial.

By then, whether it's a conspiracy or an open plot, it won't be a concern."

"Indeed, no matter how much chaos there is outside, it's ultimately just small-scale disturbances.

Once our cultivation recovers, we can easily crush them."

"As long as we can recover our cultivation and seize the opportunity before those old geezers from other secret realms, all the favorable opportunities and fortunes will belong to our Hanging Mountain."

Two more voices echoed the same sentiment.

"Indeed, the elders speak wisely. In that case, let's wait and see, and let Xuan Yi and the others take the lead for now."

A gentle voice spoke calmly.

The small temple fell silent once more, and no one spoke for a long time.

As the Great Elder left the temple, at the foot of Hanging Mountain, a figure riding a beam of light descended from the mountain peak towards the ground below.

After a while, the figure landed in front of a village and extended his hand, causing the beam of light beneath his feet to rapidly shrink and land in his palm.

It was a small boat made from a piece of green bamboo leaf.

This was none other than Xuan Yi, who had been sent to Purgatory Tower.

"Xuan Yi Master, what wind has blown you to our humble abode?"

Xuan Yi's arrival in such a flashy manner had already been noticed by the villagers.

As soon as he arrived, someone came out and greeted him with fawning reverence.

"No need for pleasantries. Where is your leader? Take me to see him."

Xuan Yi looked at the greasy, fat man before him with disdain and spoke indifferently.

He had always looked down upon these rats who only knew how to hide in the shadows.

He wondered why the Abbot and the others had chosen to protect these creatures in the first place.

"Our leader is inside. Please follow me, Master."

The greasy fat man seemed oblivious to Xuan Yi's obvious disdain and continued to fawn over him.

"Then lead the way."

Xuan Yi followed the greasy fat man into the village, but after walking for a while, he couldn't help but furrow his brows.

Inside the village, there were skeletons and animal carcasses everywhere, creating a rather eerie and terrifying atmosphere.

In the dark houses surrounding them, many cold and sinister eyes were secretly spying on Xuan Yi, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.

"Xuan Yi Master, is something wrong?"

The greasy fat man noticed Xuan Yi's pause and quickly spoke up.

"Hmph!"

Xuan Yi let out a cold snort, and the Dharmic Robe on his body suddenly emitted a dazzling golden light.

The next moment, suppressed screams came from the dark houses on both sides.

The greasy fat man's face changed dramatically, and he cursed, "You blind fools! Can you even look directly at Xuan Yi Master? When I return, I'll deal with you!"

After saying this, he turned to Xuan Yi and bowed repeatedly, "Xuan Yi Master, please don't mind these blind fools. I'll punish them later, so don't let this delay your important matters."

Xuan Yi said nothing and continued walking forward with an expressionless face.

With his status, a slight punishment was enough; he didn't need to bother with a bunch of rats.

After all, he still needed these rats to run errands for him later.

Following the greasy fat man, Xuan Yi eventually arrived at a tall wooden tower.

"Xuan Yi Master, our leader is inside, awaiting your arrival."

The greasy fat man gestured with both hands but didn't enter the tower himself.

Xuan Yi, unmoved, stepped into the tower.

However, his heart was already filled with displeasure.

The leader of these rats, who barely survived under the protection of Hanging Mountain, actually dared to put on airs before him.

If it weren't for the fact that he needed these rats to do something for him this time, he would have lost his temper right away.

Upon entering the tower, Xuan Yi saw a black figure standing with his back to him, hands clasped behind his back.

The figure's aura was faint and elusive, making it difficult for even Xuan Yi to determine if the person before him was real or an illusion.

Xuan Yi's heart trembled as he realized that the person's cultivation realm was higher than his own.

The black figure was looking at a painting on the wall.

The painting depicted a giant black yaksha holding a double-pronged fork, appearing like a ruler of the netherworld, exuding a mysterious and eerie aura.

"It's rare to have a heavenly guest visit us. Please forgive Wu Xing for not coming out to greet you."

The black figure turned around and revealed a brilliant smile to Xuan Yi.

"Wu Xing, cut the chatter. I've come here with a task for you."

Although Xuan Yi sensed that the black figure's cultivation realm was higher than his own, he still didn't show any respect and spoke coldly.

"I wonder what has happened on the mountain that requires the services of us lowly beings?"

The black figure maintained his smile as if he didn't care about Xuan Yi's attitude.

"Recently, my junior disciple Xuan Ming, senior disciple Xuan Nu, and others led their disciples to the outside world to seize opportunities, along with some people from Purgatory Tower.

However, something unexpected happened, and they've gone missing.

I need Purgatory Tower to send out more people to investigate the whereabouts of Xuan Ming and the others.

Additionally, I want to know what major events have occurred in the outside world during these days."

"Xuan Ming and the others have gone missing?"

The black-robed figure was startled, seemingly unaware that Xuan Yi had come regarding such a matter.

Could there really be a force in this world daring enough to oppose Hanging Mountain?

"Indeed, it's not just Senior Apprentice Xuan Ming and his group, even the disciples from Purgatory Tower who followed them outside have gone silent.

So, for this trip, there's no need to do too much. Just find out where Senior Apprentice Xuan Ming and the others are."

The black-robed figure's heart trembled.

From Xuan Yi's tone, it seemed that Xuan Ming and the others were in grave danger.

He suddenly realized the severity of the situation.

"Xuan Yi Master, rest assured. I'll arrange for people right away."

Xuan Yi nodded slightly, "After selecting the right person, have them wait at the Realm Gate. Someone will send them out later.

Remember, this trip's priority is to find out about Senior Apprentice Xuan Ming and the others.

Don't do anything unnecessary, or you'll bear the consequences!"

With that, Xuan Yi turned and walked out of the tower, led by the greasy fat man, heading outside the village.

It seemed that staying here any longer would be a desecration to him.

Standing in front of the tower, watching Xuan Yi's departing figure, the black-robed figure's eyes revealed an enigmatic expression.

Suddenly, a mysterious figure appeared beside him.

"Lord, Hanging Mountain is becoming more and more dismissive of us.

A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator dares to act arrogantly in our Purgatory Tower, showing disrespect to you, the Lord."

"We're under their roof, what can we do?" The black-robed figure sighed.

"That person is a top disciple of Hanging Mountain. Any one of those old monsters on the mountain could crush us with just a finger.

Not to mention, the method of entering and exiting this realm is also in their hands.

If it were you, you'd be arrogant too."

The mysterious figure fell silent.

He knew that the Lord was speaking the truth.

After a while, he said, "Lord, what do you think about what Xuan Yi Master said earlier?

Could it be that someone in this world dares to target Hanging Mountain's people? Could it be someone from the other three major secret realms?"

"Who knows, but it's clear that the changes in the outside world are far beyond our expectations.

Even Hanging Mountain can't fully control the situation, which is an opportunity for us."

The mysterious figure's spirit lifted, "Lord, do you mean..."

"This time, you lead the team. Remember, there's no need to rush back.

This is a rare chance to gather information from the outside world, so we must seize it.

Come back after thoroughly investigating the external situation."

The black-robed figure gave his instructions.

"Yes, I understand." The mysterious figure replied respectfully.

"Go, choose your team members wisely.

This might be our only chance to break free from Hanging Mountain's control."

...

Lu Qing knew nothing about what was happening in Hanging Mountain's secret realm.

At this moment, he was wholeheartedly focusing on harnessing the power of the Flamefire Cauldron, refining a unique Seal within the gray gourd.

And he had reached the final stage.

As the last Seal was cast, the gourd suddenly emitted a dim gray light.

This gray light was different from the Plague Elder's deathly Plague Gray Light.

It was filled with enigmatic aura, carrying the essence of all things and the potential to evolve them.

As the gray light gradually dimmed, the Flamefire Cauldron spat out the gourd, which landed in Lu Qing's hand.

"This person has truly mastered the Flamefire Sect's secret Artificing techniques."

Having observed Lu Qing's refinement of the gray gourd from start to finish, "Flame" was now certain that Lu Qing had indeed obtained the Flamefire Sect's Artificing heritage.

And he had reached an extremely proficient level.

Just in terms of refinement techniques, he was no less than some of the Flamefire Sect's true disciples from the past.

"Congratulations, Young Master, on successfully refining the Magic Treasure."

Seeing the gourd in Lu Qing's hand, "Flame" immediately congratulated him.

"It's just a preliminary refinement, still far from complete," Lu Qing shook his head, showing no sign of pride.

His current cultivation was still too weak.

Even with the Flamefire Cauldron's assistance, he could only barely refine a few layers of Seals within the gourd.

So, for now, this gourd Magic Treasure was only in its initial form.

It was still far from being fully refined.

To continue the refinement process, he needed to further advance his cultivation.

However, even in its initial form, Lu Qing could sense the extraordinary nature of the gourd in his hand.

He activated his Extraordinary Ability and examined the gourd.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end