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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 3: [Qiu Prefecture Lantern Festival]
Chapter 110 (254): [The Eight Trigrams Mirror of the Emperor Xi]
(110th of Volume 3)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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Zuoqiu Ling gazed up at the Ninth Heaven above Taoli (Peach and Plum) Mountain.
Even the hardened heart of an Immortal couldn't conceal the emotions and worry in his eyes.
He lowered his gaze and suddenly asked, "Wei Yi, do you think the situation in the world will unfold like it did at the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival? Or perhaps even worse?"
Clearly, Zuoqiu Ling felt that the events of this night mirrored the New Year's Eve at the beginning of the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival.
The Zuoqiu Sect faced an incredibly difficult challenge. If they could endure, they would usher in a new era in the Lingxiao Realm.
If they failed, it could mean the destruction of their clan and the death of their people.
Li Weiyi, facing the Clan Head of one of the Ancient Myriad Sects, dared not speak carelessly.
After careful consideration, he offered his perspective: "This night is similar to New Year's Eve, but there are crucial differences."
"When the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival began, the Far Western Ashlands concealed their true strength, keeping their hidden power secret. They had always been located west of the Lingxiao Realm, and for thousands of years, they had shown no ambition."
"As a result, everyone believed that the Zuoqiu Sect, supported by the Calamity Crossing Temple, was the greatest threat and had to be eliminated first."
"Tonight is different. The Demon Race is advancing aggressively, and Qilin Zhuang is brazenly declaring that they won't stop until the Human Race is annihilated."
"Even if the Imperial Court still intends to use the Demon Race to destroy the Zuoqiu Sect, they must protect it for now. Otherwise, if the Southern Territory falls, Lingxiao City will be next."
"The major powers of the Northern, Eastern, and Western Territories won't stand idly by this time like they did on New Year's Eve. If they lose the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival, they can escape from the city. But if they lose the war for the world, there's nowhere to run. Their descendants will become slaves and livestock."
Yin Ershi Si and Yaoyin were utterly awestruck by Li Weiyi. It wasn't just because of what he said, but because he could speak so calmly and naturally with such a prominent figure as the Lingxiao First Commander, without appearing arrogant or conceited.
Both women were incredibly nervous. It wasn't out of fear, but because of the overwhelming aura emanating from Zuoqiu Ling.
Zuoqiu Ling said, "Qilin Zhuang's cultivation has reached unimaginable heights. The formations of Qiu Prefecture City can only temporarily repel it, not harm it in the slightest. Even the Calamity Crossing Temple Immortal Master can barely hold it at bay. The Transcendents who rushed from the Western Territory were devoured by it in a single gulp. No one in the entire Lingxiao Realm can match its power. It wouldn't dare to launch such a reckless attack without absolute confidence."
Li Weiyi knew Zuoqiu Ling was testing him.
A figure capable of leading a Sect could hardly fail to see the predicament behind Qilin Zhuang's actions.
Li Weiyi said, "I believe Qilin Zhuang isn't entirely confident. It's simply a matter of having already drawn its bow and being forced to release the arrow."
"At the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival, with Luan Sheng Lin You's strength, trump cards, and affiliated forces, victory seemed all but assured. Had Luan Sheng Lin You been crowned Hidden Dragon, Qilin Zhuang could have revealed itself in the wake of the ceremony. The combined might of their forces would have been overwhelming, and countless powers would have flocked to its banner that very night."
"The failure of the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival was clearly the outcome Qilin Zhuang least desired."
"But Heavenly Cliff Ridge, Yin Mountain, Coffin Mountain, Dragon Sect... all these powers have already declared their allegiance. If Qilin Zhuang doesn't strike tonight, if it doesn't display its utmost resolve, how can it justify its actions to these allies?"
"Heavenly Cliff Ridge lies right under the nose of the Zuoqiu Sect."
"Yin Mountain will be uprooted by the Snow Sword Tang Court."
"Dragon Sect will face immediate retribution from the Imperial Court's armies, and the world will cheer its downfall."
"In this battle, Qilin Zhuang's unwavering resolve and air of invincibility are likely more about reassuring his allies and solidifying their loyalty," Zuoqiu Ling observed, his eyes lighting up.
He nodded lightly: "Without the support of the Calamity Crossing Temple, overlords like the Four Extremes Ape King and the Silver Feather Eagle King must be wavering. They might very well switch sides..."
"It's here!"
"The Supreme Artifact has finally absorbed enough Spiritual Qi..."
As Li Weiyi was still pondering this, a terrifying aura erupted from the unknown space above the Ninth Heaven of Taoli (Peach and Plum) Mountain. Countless Martial-Mystic Cultivators within the city were struck with terror, collapsing to the ground in a heap.
"Whoosh!"
A blinding radiance, like a scorching sun, pierced the darkness, transforming the entire Qiu Prefecture into daylight.
The Emperor Xi's Eight Trigrams Mirror, the Supreme Artifact of the Zuoqiu Sect, having absorbed sufficient Spiritual Qi from the Heaven-Law Earth Spring, soared out of Taoli (Peach and Plum) Mountain, its supreme power surging forth.
The clouds in the sky roiled and churned.
The Eight Trigrams Mirror manifested as a blazing sun and a radiant moon, creating the extraordinary spectacle of both celestial bodies hanging in the sky simultaneously.
Sensing the aura of destruction, the Silver Feather Eagle King abandoned his earlier arrogance and fled with all his might, soaring over a hundred miles with a single flap of his wings.
But the Emperor Xi's Eight Trigrams Mirror caught up, and after a brief struggle, his demonic body exploded into a cloud of blood mist, turning the southern sky completely crimson.
"Boom!"
The shattered corpse of the Demon King crashed to the ground, transforming a hundred-mile radius into a blood-red Demon Soil plain.
It was truly a night of blood, with another Transcendents falling. The Lingxiao Realm's landscape was destined to undergo a massive upheaval this night.
Taoli (Peach and Plum) Mountain, a peak of the Ancestral Realm, boasted one of the Southern Territory's most potent Heaven-Law Earth Springs, capable of unleashing the full power of Supreme Artifacts.
Thus, within their own headquarters, the Ancient Myriad Sects could achieve near invincibility simply by activating their Supreme Artifacts.
From the unknown space atop the mountain emerged the Zuoqiu Sect's second Transcendent, his physique even more robust than Zuoqiu Ling's. Each step he took caused the void to tremble, sending ripples of energy radiating outward.
He was the one wielding the Emperor Xi's Eight Trigrams Mirror.
"The Zuoqiu Sect actually has a second Transcendent!"
"No wonder the Calamity Crossing Temple chose them. Who is this person? His aura is terrifyingly powerful, seemingly on par with the Second Palace Master."
The second Transcendent of the Zuoqiu Sect, wielding the Emperor Xi's Eight Trigrams Mirror, charged out of Qiu Prefecture City and directly attacked Qilin Zhuang.
"Boom!"
With a single strike, several hundred-meter-wide fissures appeared across the land, stretching to the horizon.
Qilin Zhuang had come prepared. He had already activated his Supreme Artifact, which transformed into a silver moon that rose to meet the Emperor Xi's Eight Trigrams Mirror.
In an instant, countless scriptures erupted, causing the vast plains to collapse into a basin.
The Transcendent duel escalated further.
The very landscape of Qiu Prefecture was violently altered by the battle.
Human Transcendent figures rushed to the scene, while Transcendent figures from the Far Western Ashlands also emerged.
Spiritual artifacts clashed in the sky, and Dao Techniques either burned the heavens or boiled the seas.
The battle raged for an entire night.
As dawn approached, the tremors of the fight gradually faded.
Fighting near Qiu Prefecture City, the Emperor Xi's Eight Trigrams Mirror could continuously absorb Spiritual Qi from the Heaven-Law Earth Spring, unleashing its full power.
Simultaneously, the city's protective Formation unleashed a constant barrage of attacks, completely suppressing the Demon Race.
Only by retreating could the Human Race's transcendent advantage be dismantled and the upper hand regained.
The Martial-Mystic Cultivators in the city endured a night of trembling agony, finally breathing a sigh of relief. The apocalyptic aura had been too terrifying.
In the Third Heaven, Zuoqiu Ling showed no joy at repelling the Demon Race.
Instead, his expression was grave, and he let out a long sigh. The devastation this battle had wrought on Qiu Prefecture was unimaginable. Countless civilians outside the city had perished, and the city itself had suffered severe damage.
As the morning sun rose, Zuoqiu Ling received an urgent message from the Western Territory.
His face changed dramatically: "Feint South, Strike West! Could it be that the pre-enactment at the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival was truly unavoidable?"
The message reported that the Zhu Sect had been attacked by the Demon Race last night.
The Shanjun Huihuo (Mountain Monarch of Calamity), leader of the Four Great Demon Kings, Ancestor Que Rong, and the Zi Luan (Purple Phoenix), one of the Five Luans from the Far Western Ashlands, had all appeared, wielding Supreme Artifacts.
The outcome of the battle was still unknown.
.....
....
In the current situation, as a junior, all Li Weiyi could do was leave it to fate.
Taoli (Peach and Plum) Mountain was already the safest place; outside the city, Transcendents clashed in battle, and countless civilians died under mysterious circumstances.
Zuoqiu Ling, in the Third Heaven, arranged a secluded Cave Dwelling for Li Weiyi to cultivate in. He also ordered the delivery of a medicinal broth brewed from Millennium Essence Herbs to aid in his recovery.
The Cave Dwelling was built on a cliffside, with an ancient peach tree guarding its entrance.
"Patriarch Zuoqiu is so approachable," Li Weiyi remarked, "He lacks the aloof arrogance one might expect from the undefeated Martial-Mystic Cultivator of his generation. As an Immortal Realm cultivator, he treats even a junior like me with such courtesy. Master Spirit Tablet, the Zuoqiu Sect's cultivation and moral teachings truly deserve praise."
After activating the Cave Dwelling's Formation, Li Weiyi finally dared to communicate with the others in the Blood Mud Space.
He then used his Spiritual Light Flame to activate the Dao Ancestor's Tai Chi Fish and entered it.
The moment he stepped into the Blood Mud Space, he saw the seven little ones sprawled across his medicinal field, wreaking havoc on his Immortal Soil.
He felt a mix of anger and amusement.
"Eat all you want," he muttered, "You'll finish it all eventually."
Li Weiyi quickly gathered ten catties of Immortal Soil, intending to use it to shape his Immortal Body. Then, he noticed the Yellow Dragon Sword and Jing Yu Sword planted in the ground. His lost warriors had been recovered, and the gloom in his heart vanished instantly.
Zen Hai Guanwu sat on the edge of the Jade Boat, her red robes vibrant against her skin, which was as white as mutton-fat jade. She hadn't cultivated, and her expression was heavy with worry.
Li Weiyi didn't need to guess to know that it was she who had intervened at the Bing Juze Lake, pulling the Yellow Dragon Sword and the Seven Little Ones into the Buddha's Relic.
This also implied that her cultivation had recovered significantly.
Sensing Li Weiyi's gaze, Zen Hai Guanwu said, "Our relationship is quite special. I can also activate the Buddha's Relic to a certain extent."
Li Weiyi asked, "Will anyone notice?"
"The Blood Mist of the Blood Handprint Demonic Armor and the Scripture will conceal it. In their condition at that time, they wouldn't have detected anything."
Zen Hai Guanwu leaped off the Jade Boat, her expression turning solemn. She paced back and forth, saying, "The sudden shift in the situation has exceeded my expectations. I had planned to remain hidden, slowly accumulating power until I could reclaim my status as the Martial Dao Emperor, at which point I could act boldly. But now, there's no safe place left in the world. If Qilin Zhuang truly wins, we'll all be doomed."
Li Weiyi asked, "Do you believe that even the combined forces of the Major Powers wouldn't be a match for Qilin Zhuang?"
Zen Hai Guanwu said, "The cultivation Qilin Zhuang has displayed has already left all the Transcendents far behind. Zhuang Shiyan of the Calamity Crossing Temple is actually quite skilled, but he can only barely hold him back. What do you think of the Strategist from the School of Diplomacy and Strategy of the Zuoqiu Sect?"
This question was clearly not directed at Li Weiyi.
The Spirit Tablet Master replied, "He's reached this level in the thousand years since we left already exceeds my expectations. However, he still falls short of Qilin Zhuang."
Master Guan gave Qilin Zhuang an extremely high evaluation: "He's already on par with where I was in my prime."
"His strength surpasses yours," Master Coffin countered.
The two immediately began arguing.
Ignoring them, Li Weiyi turned to Zen Hai Guanwu and asked curiously, "I've always wondered about the Calamity Crossing Temple's true motives. Rumor has it that they supported you when you defeated the Thundercloud Sect and established the Lingxiao Palace. Some even claim the Calamity Crossing Temple is your sect."
"My sect? They don't deserve that title."
Zen Hai Guanwu's mind flooded with childhood memories.
After a long pause, she said, "Think of the Calamity Crossing Temple as a group of investors. They choose the most promising power or individual at the right time, provide them with certain resources, and reap substantial rewards in return."
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END OF CHAPTER
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