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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 3: [Qiu Prefecture Lantern Festival]
Chapter 19 (163): [Luan Sheng Lin You]
(19th of Volume 3)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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The Bing Juze Lake was vast and shrouded in countless mysterious legends.
Some said that every morning, a mirage palace would rise from the sea, revealing the ruins of an ancient city. Some who entered this Mirage Scene had reached a real place of ruins, returning with countless scriptures and warriors.
Others claimed that on full moon nights, one could enter an Immortal Realm Space through the moon's reflection on the water's surface - a realm filled with precious medicine, where one could dig up Immortal Soil and Spiritual Soil.
There were too many legends, some true, some false, and none entirely trustworthy.
Yet since ancient times, countless Immortal Realm giants had sailed across the Bing Juze Lake, seeking opportunities to advance further.
Across the boundless marsh, a scarlet spiritual artifact giant warship sliced through the waves at breakneck speed.
The two attendants flanking the ship remained clad in Daoist robes, but their human skin had been replaced.
They were still the twin Ren Dao.
"Plop!"
"Plop!"
Two bloodied corpses were kicked into the water.
They were already dead, having been flayed alive.
The scent of blood attracted Strange Beasts from the depths. The water churned, and the corpses vanished beneath the surface.
The Nightscale Colossus beat its pair of black wings, each over ten meters long, and dove from midair. As it approached the scarlet spiritual artifact giant warship, Yuwen Tuozhen, standing on its back, flashed away and landed lightly on the deck.
The Nightscale Colossus soared back into the sky, circling above the warship with sharp eyes scanning the sea.
Yuwen Tuozhen's purple hair flowed freely, framing his handsome and upright features.
A crescent moon mark on his brow gave him a noble aura, yet his entire being radiated a chilling coldness.
"Tuozhen's here. Come, try the tea I've brewed. It's made with the Blood Dragon Robe from Long Ting."
A graceful and elegant Pure Immortal Physique figure sat at the bow of the ship, facing the bright moon over the sea. He was brewing tea in a clay pot, adding firewood with delicate, precise movements.
His clothes were spotless, unlike those of mortals, exuding an otherworldly charm.
Inside the pot, the water bubbled furiously, and the aroma of tea filled the warship.
Facing this figure, Yuwen Tuozhen, the Young City Lord of Night City, shed his usual arrogance and hawk-like gaze.
As he approached, he smiled: "Young Venerable, you're in high spirits. The Blood Dragon Robe is said to be even more precious than Immortal Soil, with only a few dozen pounds produced every century. Brewing tea with it can enhance Blood Qi, forging a powerful Immortal Physique as resilient as a dragon or phoenix."
"Sit down first. It still needs a bit more heat."
Luan Sheng Lin You's star-studded robes shimmered like a sea of stars draped over his body.
He sighed, "The Mirror Moon Pavilion has been destroyed. That first Inheritor of the Zuoqiu Sect is quite capable. See? He's driven even me out to sea!"
Yuwen Tuozhen asked, "Is he really that strong?"
"Very strong. He exchanged three moves with Yu Zi, and neither gained an advantage," Luan Sheng Lin You replied.
Yuwen Tuozhen was visibly moved.
He knew that Yu Zi ranked first among the four great experts - Qi, Ming, Cang, and Zang - brought by the Young Venerable from the Far Western Ashlands.
Yuwen Tuozhen said, "I thought Cang Li was the strongest in the Southern Territory. Now it seems Zuoqiu Ting is at least his equal. But to say he drove the Young Venerable out to sea is overstating it. The Young Venerable came for Jiang Ning, didn't he?"
"I still want to taste the Feather Immortal from the Immortal Forest. Otherwise, Qi Jin will just peel off her skin, leaving her utterly unappetizing. That would ruin my appetite completely! Have you found her yet?" Luan Sheng Lin You asked.
Yuwen Tuozhen replied, "We've pinpointed a sea region and are narrowing the search."
"The news has already leaked. You should prepare yourselves."
" The tea is ready. Try some first."
Luan Sheng Lin You picked up the earthenware pot and poured Yuwen Tuozhen a full cup.
The tea was a vibrant scarlet, like fresh blood.
The overflowing fragrance transformed into countless scarlet Dragon Shadows, thousands upon thousands of them circling the ship's bow.
"Thank you, Young Venerable."
Yuwen Tuozhen raised his cup with both hands and drank deeply.
"So what if the news leaked? My father will restrain the older generation of officials in Qiu Prefecture. As for the younger generation, is there anyone among them who can even stand on the stage? Prefectural Prefecture may be teeming with experts, but by the time they arrive, they'll only be able to collect Jiang Ning's corpse."
"As for Zuoqiu Ting, after his battle with Yu Zi, he should have realized he's not on the same level as the Young Venerable. He'll be too terrified to even think about opposing us, let alone actively antagonizing us."
"Still, the leak has put us in a rather awkward position. Now that everything is out in the open, it's no longer fun! How could this have happened?"
Luan Sheng Lin You smiled faintly: "You probably won't believe this, but the one who caused the disruption was an insignificant nobody. Don't worry about it; Chen Wenwu is already investigating. Whoever made the mistake will have to fix it. If they can't, they'll have to pay with their life."
The words were spoken casually, but to Yuwen Tuozhen, they felt as heavy as mountains, nearly causing him to drop his teacup.
.....
Blood Mud Space.
Zen Hai Guanwu explained, "The last Ancient Immortal Giant Beast in the region around the Lingxiao Realm was Yu Jia."
"Ten thousand years ago, Yu Jia gave birth to the Flying Dragon and the Flying Phoenix."
"Let's start with the Flying Dragon. It was a man-eater, emerging every six hundred years to devour at least one province each time. Around twenty-eight hundred years ago, I slew it in the East Sea, extracted its Dragon Soul, divided it into three hundred parts, and forged them into three hundred Official's Robes."
"The Flying Dragon gave birth to a Qilin! I searched for a long time back then, determined to eradicate its lineage, but I never found it."
"It likely escaped to another Realm, just like the Longmen did during that period."
"As for your question about the Far Western Ashlands, it's related to the Flying Phoenix."
"The Flying Dragon gave birth to the Qilin, and the Flying Phoenix gave birth to the Luan Bird. Legend says that the five Luan Birds in the Far Western Ashlands were born from the Flying Phoenix and the ancestor of the Ember Spirits. That happened several thousand years ago!"
Li Weiyi asked, "So, besides Ember Spirits, the Far Western Ashlands also have Luan Birds?"
"That was the situation a thousand years ago! Who knows what it's like now?" Zen Sea Mistwatcher inquired, "Have you encountered them?"
Li Weiyi nodded.
Zen Hai Guanwu, well aware of the Far Western Ashlands' formidable power, asked, "Can you avoid them?"
"No!" Li Weiyi replied firmly.
Zen Sea Mistwatcher pondered for a moment.
"Here, I can intervene to help you in dire circumstances. But once we enter Qiu Prefecture City, I absolutely cannot act. Too many old foxes lurk there, and any move would expose me."
"Actually..." Li Weiyi produced Zhu Qinfeng's Official Robe, a smile playing on his lips.
"How about you help me consecrate it first? Do you have the ability right now?"
Zen Hai Guanwu had already guessed that Li Weiyi had stolen the robe from Zhu Qinfeng's corpse: "It's best not to use this unless you're absolutely certain you won't be exposed."
Half an hour later, Li Weiyi, now wearing the Official's Robe which Zen Hai Guanwu had reactivated, prepared to leave.
He glanced at the massive silver coffin, a thoughtful expression on his face.
After a night of intense activity, sleep was out of the question.
The next morning, just as dawn broke, Yin Shi returned with news: "Jiang Ning has fled into the Bing Juze. Night City and Coffin Mountain have mobilized a large force to search the sea, but this is likely just a public display."
Shortly after, Yin Jiu returned: "I spoke with Yin Er. His information indicates that Yuwen Yan of Night City and Coffin Mountain Xu Fodu have secretly arrived in Qiu Prefecture. Additionally, a transcendent being from the Far Western Ashlands personally visited Taoli (Peach and Plum) Mountain, the ancestral realm of the Zuoqiu Sect. Two days ago, Taoli (Peach and Plum) Mountain was filled with celestial light, and ten thousand birds flocked to greet the arrival."
Yin Shiyi said, "This is good news for the Jiu Li Clan. It means the fighting in Li Province has passed its initial, fiercest phase and entered a stalemate. Otherwise, why would Yuwen Yan and Xu Fodu be here?"
Yin Shi countered, "Good news? Since the high-ranking members have already spoken, it means resolving the Ember Spirits will fall to us, the younger generation of Martial-Mystic Cultivators. They're targeting the Zuoqiu Sect, and since the Jiu Li Clan is deeply intertwined with them now, we can't possibly stay neutral."
"It's not about resolving the Ember Spirits," Li Weiyi corrected, "It's about saving Senior Brother Shi San."
"Last night, I spoke with the Zuoqiu Sect's Inheritor. He's already fought those Ember Spirits, and judging by his expression, the situation is dire. The enemy is far more powerful than we imagined!"
Yin Shiyi exclaimed, "Wow, you actually managed to talk to the Zuoqiu Sect's Inheritor? I don't even have that privilege!"
Yin Shi, having witnessed Zhuang Yue's suffering, felt a surge of anger: "Are you afraid? That Young Venerable dares to back the Three Great Sects. He's an enemy of the Jiu Li Clan. The Hidden Sect fears no foe."
Yin Jiu added, "To be precise, whether we're enemies doesn't depend on us. Even if we want to avoid conflict, others won't let us."
Li Weiyi, fearing they might hesitate, said, "Since you're all so eager to fight, choose a representative. Zuoqiu Ting wants to test his skills against them and meet the Jiu Li Hidden Sect's Hidden One. Who will negotiate with him?"
"I will," Yin Shiyi volunteered.
Yin Jiu and Yin Shi stared at him.
"I'll just serve tea and water. Shouldn't be a problem, right?" Yin Shiyi said softly.
Yin Jiu replied, "No, I should go. The Jiu Li Clan in Li Province desperately needs Zuoqiu Sect's support. The Jiu Li Hidden Sect can't afford to appear weak."
"Alright, Yin Shi and I will handle the negotiations," Li Weiyi said.
Yin Jiu fell silent.
Li Weiyi continued, "Yin Jiu, you're the strongest. You should head to the Bingfeng Juze immediately. We can't afford to waste time here. By the way, will the Dao Seed Realm Hidden Ones intervene to rescue Senior Brother Shi San?"
Yin Jiu replied, "Don't overthink it. This is a battle below the Dao Seed Realm. All sides have likely reached an unspoken agreement. If the conflict escalates step by step, the storm will be far more terrifying than the current situation in Li Province. No one will be able to withstand it. The only ones who will benefit in the end will be the forces that stayed out of the fight."
"Why did Zuoqiu Ting only invite the Jiu Li Clan? Because he knows this battle is directly tied to our interests. We can't avoid it. But if he had invited the Eastern, Western, and Northern Territories to join forces against the Ember Spirit, the price Zuoqiu Sect would have to pay would have been far greater!"
Li Weiyi said, "The Far Western Ashlands are in the west. They can rally forces in the Southern Territory with a single call, and multiple factions obey their commands. Their influence in the Western Territory will only be greater."
Yin Jiu and Yin Shiyi immediately left the city and sailed into the Bing Juze.
Zuoqiu Ting was highly efficient.
He had gathered all the medicines Li Weiyi needed overnight, even including a thousand-year-old herb and a Pill Furnace.
At this moment, the sun had just cleared the eaves, and sunlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Li Weiyi led Zuoqiu Ting into the Immortal Pavilion and to Yin Shi's room.
Zuoqiu Ting first examined Zhuang Yue, who lay in bed. Then, with a scrutinizing and surprised gaze, he turned to Yin Shi.
"Who would have thought that Miss Qin Li of the Immortal Forest was actually the Hidden One of the Jiu Li Hidden Sect? Li Weiyi, you're not just trying to fool me with some random person, are you?"
Before the words had even faded, Zuoqiu Ting vanished from his spot. His folding fan, now like a sword, thrust straight at Yin Shi's forehead.
The speed was lightning-fast, and the attack came without warning.
"Whoosh!"
Yin Shi stood rooted to the spot, her feet unmoving. A formation materialized around her forehead, unfolding like a celestial compass. Countless characters floated within it, rising and falling like stars in the night sky.
Zuoqiu Ting's folding fan and arm immediately plunged into the Formation, his entire body pulled in by its power.
"Whoosh!"
The next moment, he was back in his original position, smiling.
"You're known as the Dual Sword Prodigy, but I didn't expect you to be a Calamity Flame Realm Great Spiritual Master as well. With such strength, you don't seem like someone who was just temporarily hired."
Yin Shi remained composed and elegant, secretly shocked by Zuoqiu Ting's terrifying power.
Fortunately, he had only tested the waters and hadn't used his full strength, or he likely would have been exposed.
"Young Master Zuoqiu, why are you so suspicious? Do you think a woman can't be a Hidden One?" Yin Shi's words were sharp.
"Now, you're the one who came to us for help. I'm very disappointed by your attitude!"
Negotiating with a woman was never Zuoqiu Ting's strong suit.
Li Weiyi relaxed, pulled out a bottle of Golden Spring, took a sip, and resumed hammering his golden bones.
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END OF CHAPTER
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