141 - Confession (Ying Cheng)

Chapter 141: The Nine Void Secret Realm (Bonus Deep Dive Update) Qi Xian Qing observed the unusual expression on Yan Jue's face and lightly raised her eyebrow before walking directly over. Immediately, whispers arose from the audience below. "Who would've thought that Senior Sister could only secure second place in the team competition this time." "Yan Jue is truly formidable. Her ranking in the individual competition wasn't very high." "Did anyone bring a Shadow Capturing Box? Don't you think Yan Jue and Senior Sister are both very beautiful? And they make such a striking pair standing together. Hurry, capture this moment!" "You know, these two were like water and fire before. Just a few days ago, I saw them eating together. In the past, I wouldn't have dared to imagine that." Perhaps someone heeded the suggestion, as the sound of clicking cameras started to ring out. An elder, with a smile, announced, "This time, the reward for the winning team is the divine weapon, Chu Xiu." He then slowly raised the pipe from the long table, making sure everyone in the Qing Yun Hall could see the appearance of this divine artifact. Yan Jue initially intended to decline it, but Duan Lu Xi gently pushed her forward to face the elder. Yan Jue had no choice but to smile and extend her hands to receive the pipe. Chu Xiu was indeed a divine weapon, appearing in a faint jade hue, with intricate inscriptions exquisitely carved into it. It was created by Zhen Ren of the Five Dragons Sect Snow Peaks a millennium ago, from the essence of the divine weapon, Wu Bu. Like the ancient divine weapon, Wu Bu, Chu Xiu could also produce white mist to obscure an enemy's vision. White mist. As Yan Jue rubbed the pipe, clarity dawned on her. The elder smiled as he explained, "This pipe is a divine weapon. If wielded by just one person, its power would be overwhelming. Therefore, we've incorporated a team array into Chu Xiu." "It takes five people working together to activate Chu Xiu and release the white mist, thus enhancing your teamwork." Yan Jue: "..." In essence, while this pipe, Chu Xiu, was a divine weapon, five individuals had to stand in the formation to activate it, and missing even one significantly reduced its power. The elder then handed an octagonal array plate to Qi Xian Qing. "This is the reward for second place!" He introduced it as the Mysterious Maze Plate. Like Chu Xiu, it also required five people in formation to activate it. Once activated, it would initiate a high-level ethereal maze, capable of trapping cultivators below the seventh realm without effort. The elder called Yun Rang up next to present the third-place reward. Three thousand high-grade spirit stones. Yan Jue, holding the pipe, glanced enviously at the basin of gleaming spirit stones. It wasn't that she disliked her teammates, but she anticipated being less active within the Five Dragons Mountain soon. It would be impossible to take Duan Lu Xi and her group along on a grade-A mission. "…" After the award ceremony, disciples from various sects started to rise and leave. Yan Jue's gaze followed Qi Xian Qing as she moved away, and she asked her team if she could borrow Chu Xiu. Du Ming readily agreed, "Of course, you could even have it as a gift. Any objections?" Huang Yi and Song Jia awkwardly smiled, "No objection." Duan Lu Xi: "Naturally, no objection." After all, the pipe was peculiar, requiring five people to form a formation to use it—somewhat like the Eighteen Arhats of Buddhism—imagining such a scene was indeed awkward. After this collaboration, everyone trusted Yan Jue's abilities, and even if she wanted to take the pipe on her own, they wouldn't protest. Yan Jue, of course, wouldn't just take the pipe for herself but only borrow it temporarily. Thanking her teammates, Yan Jue swiftly made her way to the Ice Peach Bloom by the cold pool. When Yan Jue arrived at the Ice Peach Bloom, Qi Xian Qing had just returned not long ago. Yan Jue presented the pipe to Qi Xian Qing. "Senior Sister, could you explain in detail the uses of this pipe?" Yan Jue also recounted her experience exploring the secret realm that morning and shared her conjectures. Qi Xian Qing rolled the pipe in her hand and injected a wisp of divine consciousness. The inscriptions on the pipe began to glow a faint golden hue, and something seeped out from within. A wisp of white cloud mist, like clouds emerging from the valleys, gently undulated and merged with the air. Qi Xian Qing pondered, "Chu Xiu's function is to obscure the enemy's vision with mist. Although it's merely a replica of the ancient divine weapon, Wu Bu, it remains a divine artifact. It's difficult for cultivators with low spiritual power to control it, requiring coordination of at least five people in an array to fully unleash its power." In truth, the fact that this divine artifact required five people for activation served as a form of checks and balances for the sect. Given the immense power of a divine artifact, if it fell into the hands of an individual disciple, the destruction from misuse could be catastrophic. Qi Xian Qing confirmed, "You're spot on." "I once heard from our master that Chu Xiu can absorb mist." Yan Jue's eyes lit up with understanding. That day in the Qing Yun Hall, Yan Jue suddenly recalled Qi Xian Qing's illusion artifact. Back in the Xiao Xing Village, Qi Xian Qing had absorbed countless venomous soul spiders into her artifact. Now, if someone accidentally entered Qi Xian Qing's painting, they would be pursued by the lurking spiders. Since Chu Xiu could emit mist, perhaps it could also absorb it. Yan Jue frowned, "But this pipe requires five people to operate. Should we ask Duan Lu Xi and the others to come into the secret realm?" Even if it was her and Qi Xian Qing, they only added up to two. "No worries." Qi Xian Qing ruffled her hair, thinking briefly, "I have an idea." When Qi Xian Qing and Yan Jue entered the secret realm, it was still shrouded in white mist. This mist was dense with moisture, rendering visibility nearly impossible. Qi Xian Qing glanced around, slightly surprised, "Is this the Nine Void Secret Realm that Aunt spoke of?" That day, Lu Yan Shuang informed them that the master of the Nine Void Secret Realm was a powerful Nine-tailed Fox. Yan Jue might find the Nine-tailed Fox's heart and the Fox Clan's sacred texts inside. Yan Jue confirmed, "Indeed." Qi Xian Qing squinted slightly, "No wonder, as soon as I entered, I felt a..." Qi Xian Qing hesitated, "Strong force." Holding Yan Jue's pipe, Qi Xian Qing curiously watched her. With a slight shift in center of gravity, Qi Xian Qing held Chu Xiu in one hand and made a gesture with the other. In an instant, fierce winds rose, ruffling her clothing. Yan Jue was taken aback, her eyes widening slightly. In the blink of an eye, four figures appeared around Qi Xian Qing. The figures encircled Qi Xian Qing, who stood at the center, raising Chu Xiu high. The figures simultaneously made gestures, forming a Bagua position, summoning a ferocious vortex above the pipe. Yan Jue keenly sensed the subtle shifts in the surrounding white mist. Understanding Qi Xian Qing's intent, Yan Jue realized. Since Chu Xiu required five individuals to activate, Qi Xian Qing summoned her own duplicates—four additional figures, plus herself, equaling five. Chu Xiu continued to operate, and about the time it took for two incense sticks to burn, the nearby mist gradually dissipated. As Yan Jue slowly opened her eyes, a secluded path unfurled before her. Surrounded by pine, under a canopy of branches filtering sunlight, the secret realm appeared rather compact. Only one path lay ahead. Yan Jue glanced back at Qi Xian Qing. The two now shared an understanding far deeper than before—they could convey their thoughts with just a look. Qi Xian Qing nodded slightly, taking the first step onto the path. They continued along the mountain trail until they came to an ancient bridge. Unnoticed, the mists had vanished, leaving the air increasingly cold. The secret realm seemed as if it had just rained. As Yan Jue surveyed the bridge, she noted its thick layer of moss, making it treacherous to cross. More significantly, the bridge was long. In the distance, white mist obscured the bridge's end. Qi Xian Qing reminded, "Flight is impossible in this secret realm." Yan Jue anticipated that the Nine-tailed Fox, being a venerable presence, would hardly permit invaders easy access to its domain. Before the old bridge, Yan Jue knelt, "Nine-tailed Fox Senior, I beg your pardon for intruding. I am compelled by circumstance. My apologies for any offense." After speaking, Yan Jue shed her outer coat and began crawling forward. Securing the heart of the Nine-tailed Fox was essential. Only through this could she unravel the Dark Lord's true intentions. Despite all odds, fate led her to gather secret realm fragments, and standing here now, she'd pursue it regardless of the cost. The ancient bridge's moss seemed to have formed a thin ice layer, making it perilously difficult to navigate, with a constant risk of slipping. Peering down, Yan Jue noticed something lurking in the water below. Something surfaced, making Yan Jue shudder—it was a group of fish with pale faces. But what startled her was that these fish bore human-like faces. They were a type of spirit. Yan Jue recalled reading in ancient texts that if a person drowned, they would transform into these creatures. The presence of these monstrous fish beneath the ancient bridge, shrouded in white mist, only added to the eerie atmosphere surrounding her. If one were to fall, their survival odds would be grim. The icy bridge numbed her fingers as Yan Jue crawled for some time, before suddenly realizing her path came to an abrupt end. The planks of the bridge had split open, and the river below surged violently. A splash echoed through the air. It seemed that the fish, having not scented blood in a long time, were particularly agitated by Yan Jue’s appearance. Fish leapt from the water, their pale faces twisted, crimson mouths angling towards the bridge bottom. Caught off guard, Yan Jue heard Qi Xian Qing’s voice suddenly ring in her ear, “Use the handrails.” Instantly understanding, Yan Jue mustered all her strength, hoisting her body to the handrails above—performing what was essentially a single-bar maneuver. Her arm strength rendered this task trivial. Yet the frosty handrails demanded far more strength to grip than usual. With the path stretching endlessly, fatigue crept in. Meanwhile, the human-faced fish relentlessly shadowed her, some smiling grotesquely, revealing their lips split open, leaping dangerously close to her legs. Despite the biting cold, sweat beaded Yan Jue's cheeks and soaked her clothes. After what felt like an eternity, Yan Jue finally reached the riverbank. Her palms were red and swollen, and some parts of her trousers had been torn by the jumping fish. Without a moment’s rest, Yan Jue transmitted a message to Qi Xian Qing, “Senior Sister, I’ve made it.” Channeling her divine sense, Yan Jue focused her energy on a nearby rock, causing golden light to pulse. She recited an incantation, directing her right hand forward. The golden light condensed into a tangible form, creating a crescent-shaped dark portal. This fairy technique, akin to the fox clan’s void breach but more advanced, allowed spatial connection between two points. While it could transfer people or objects, the technique had limited range and required a counterpart at the destination to be effective. Qi Xian Qing soon emerged from the stone portal and immediately inspected Yan Jue’s hands. “It's nothing serious, just minor injuries. Let’s quickly find the Nine-tailed Fox,” Yan Jue urged. Qi Xian Qing held her hand firmly, applying ointment with a gentle touch that was cool and soft, filling the air with a light plum fragrance. Yan Jue lowered her gaze, lips pressed together, and suddenly, despite the strange secret realm, she felt less afraid. They had agreed beforehand to have Yan Jue cross the bridge while Qi Xian Qing waited at the bank. As a spirit body, if Qi Xian Qing had attempted the crossing, the fish would have gone into an even greater frenzy. Merely standing at the bank was enough to drive the fish into a wild frenzy, snapping in Qi Xian Qing’s direction. The fish continued to leap, screeching shrilly towards her, but she paid them no mind, focusing instead on applying ointment before they resumed their walk down the path. The secret realm was far from simple, and Yan Jue stayed vigilant throughout. They ascended the mountain trail surrounded by dense woodland, shrouded in twilight. Ahead, Yan Jue noticed something that made her pupils dilate. At the path's end lay a cave entrance glowing faintly with gold. Lu Yan Shuang had briefly described the treasure location within the Nine Void Secret Realm, noting that following the path to its end would reveal a cave. Should a golden glow emanate, treasure would be nearby. “Senior Sister, over there…” Qi Xian Qing halted, pulling Yan Jue back. Looking ahead, Yan Jue saw monkeys emerging from the pine forest, a threatening aura accompanying them. These monkeys were towering, their bodies a bluish-black with claws as sharp as iron, promising a fierce battle if engaged. They seemed to be gatekeepers of the treasure. Amongst them lay scattered white bones. Yan Jue surmised these to be remains of previous adventurers, some not yet skeletal, still frozen in expressions of agony. Her expression turned grim. Be it centuries or millennia ago, countless individuals had entered the secret realm, only to fall to these guardians. While there weren’t a hundred skeletons, there were certainly dozens. One monkey spotted Yan Jue, screeched, and advanced menacingly. Tension coursed through her as she prepared to draw her sword, but Qi Xian Qing stopped her by grasping her arm. Qi Xian Qing looked at her serenely, shaking her head slightly. “There are too many; don't fight head-on.” Yan Jue was taken aback. Her senior sister indicated with a nod, “The path ends over there; this must be the final barrier.” Yan Jue whispered, “Guardians of the treasure.” “Precisely,” Qi Xian Qing nodded, “This secret realm was left by the Nine-tailed Fox God for their descendants. The monkeys guard its treasures, clearly deterring intruders. If you were a pure-blood Nine-tailed Fox descendant, revealing your lineage would prevent conflict.” Understanding, Yan Jue formed a seal, and in a flash, her body radiated golden light. In an instant, Yan Jue transformed into a colossal red fox. Qi Xian Qing hesitated. Now in the sixth realm, the Realm of Gathering, Yan Jue had an additional tail. Qi Xian Qing, uncertain, counted again. Seven tails. Yan Jue was just two away from becoming a true Nine-tailed Fox. Qi Xian Qing felt a mix of joy and worry. Joy at her little fox nearly becoming the majestic Nine-tailed Fox, concern over the immense responsibilities and dangers it entailed. This thought brushed her mind as she crushed a “Wondrous Transformation” charm in her hand. Qi Xian Qing transformed into a tiny gray mouse. Yan Jue gently picked her up, placing her on her back. Slowly, Yan Jue began to walk. Qi Xian Qing’s guess was correct. The iron monkeys guarding the final barrier made no move against their kin. Walking confidently in their midst, Yan Jue reached the cave at the path’s conclusion. The heart of the Nine Void Secret Realm, Yan Jue entered to find six eternal flames illuminating the chamber. The cave was clean and bright, with a staircase at its center leading to a platform. Atop the platform lay a skeleton. Yan Jue frowned; the passage of time and possible intentional damage made it hard to discern the figure’s former appearance. Yet, the bones had a faint golden sheen. The rich golden hue flowed through them, lighting the cavern in radiance. Perhaps the Nine-tailed Fox had achieved high cultivation, giving its bones a golden hue even in death. These were the bones of a consummate, powerful demon. The sight struck Yan Jue profoundly, her heart pounding as her gaze shifted to the skeleton’s left. There rested a fiery heart. The Nine-tailed Fox’s heart. Suppressing her quickening pulse, Yan Jue stood below the platform, hands clasped in reverence, “Nine-tailed Fox Senior, when my mission is complete, I promise to honor your grave with offerings.” Qi Xian Qing, seeing her, couldn’t help but smile. Yan Jue ascended carefully, taking the crimson heart. The dazzling light was blinding. She steadied her trembling hand, freezing the heart in ice before sealing it in her bag of holding. Her gaze then fell upon the walls of the cave. Amidst the golden glow and the eternal flames, Yan Jue realized the walls were inscribed with dense writing. The script seemed ancient, some parts broken beyond recognition, others fragmented and incomplete. San Niang had mentioned that the Nine Void Secret Realm held the Fox Clan’s sacred text. Indeed, the sacred text was inscribed on the walls. In this world, each race had its own cultivation techniques. Like the Phoenix Clan had its own methods, as did the Dragon Clan. The Fox Clan’s sacred text, however, was unique to them. While universal methods existed, Fox Clan techniques were tailored to their traits, promising faster and stronger progress. Yan Jue stared at the inscriptions on the cave walls, feeling a sudden inexplicable intuition rising within her. However... The words on the walls were so fragmented, and in some areas, they clearly weren't words. She shouldn't have been able to understand them. This... This was an intuition unique to the fox clan. The inscriptions on the rock walls were incredibly complex and difficult to decipher, yet they suddenly resonated within Yan Jue’s heart. Something inside her was fluttering chaotically, ready to surface. While she was lost in thought, Qi Xian Qing's voice broke in, "Can you understand any of it?" Yan Jue rubbed her forehead, frowning, "I understand parts, but some parts I don't." Qi Xian Qing gazed up at the cave wall, shaking her head, "If I'm not mistaken, this could be some kind of inheritance." Yan Jue puzzledly echoed, "Inheritance?" Propping her chin with a hand, Qi Xian Qing studied the inscriptions with great interest. What appeared partially comprehensible to Yan Jue seemed utterly cryptic to her. "If, as Aunt said, the secret realm's master was a Nine-tailed Fox, then these inscriptions on the wall must have been meant for descendants to come here and receive its legacy," Qi Xian Qing mused. She continued, "You said you understand some parts and not others." Yan Jue nodded, listening attentively. "If it is truly an inheritance and the senior wishes to pass it to you, then even the most esoteric writings will become understandable," Qi Xian Qing assured. "You are of the fox clan. If you hope for acknowledgment from the senior, perhaps a few offerings of incense are in order." Beneath the platform where the golden bones lay was a simple incense burner. In the otherwise empty cave, its presence was stark and conspicuous. Realization dawned on Yan Jue. Qi Xian Qing happened to have some premium incense sticks in her storage pouch, meant for venerable offerings, making them the perfect tribute in this moment. Taking the three incense sticks from Qi Xian Qing, Yan Jue formed a seal and lit them. She stood before the platform, performed a simple ritual with sincerity, and then placed the incense sticks into the burner. The wisps of smoke rose and dispersed into the air. In an instant, the golden bones on the platform radiated an intense light. Yan Jue's pupils contracted sharply as the visage of an enormous red fox appeared, though indistinct except for its dazzling nine tails, aflame like burning flames. The regal Nine-tailed Fox stepped down from where the golden bones lay. Its beauty was unrivaled, with delicate golden markings on its forehead. The Nine-tailed Fox approached, sniffing Yan Jue’s forehead softly with its nose. In the next heartbeat, an immense surge of information burst into Yan Jue’s mind. For a moment, she felt disoriented. The ancient and complex script on the wall became crystal clear to her. The ancient text morphed and embedded itself into her mind, interweaving with strange and twisted patterns. They resembled runes, evidence of the divine path. The shock left Yan Jue's scalp tingling, instinctively reaching for Qi Xian Qing’s hand for support. The impact was swift, and Yan Jue stood stunned, struggling to process the overwhelming influx of information in her mind. Observing her daze, Qi Xian Qing furrowed her brow and gave Yan Jue a light slap on the back. Startled, Yan Jue looked down at her hand, discovering a new dark red mark appearing across the back.