Chapter 171 Departure from the Capital Base
She paused for a moment: "However, the teachings left by our ancestors mention that when other holders of the 'covenant' arrive and resonate with it, it means that the moment of 'great change' is approaching. The relic can choose to remain or follow the true 'covenant master' to find the final answer."
Qin Li asked, "What does 'contract master' mean?"
The high priest pointed to the three resonating vessels: "They echo each other, but they need a 'core' to coordinate and guide them. Your 'bonds' are one that guides perception like water, and another that protects like a mountain."
Our 'Qi' is like Mother Earth, nourishing all things.
But the true 'core' is the power that can unite all 'contracts,' pointing towards the ultimate 'source.' The prophecy says that will be the key to ending the 'dark tide.'
“Dark Tide?” Ruan Ning immediately thought of “Black Tide”.
The high priest nodded: "Our ancestors recorded that every long cycle, a destructive tide of dark energy would surge between heaven and earth, engulfing civilizations. The last time was what you called the 'end of the world.' The 'Mountain Spirit Pact' can protect the creatures of a region from the most direct erosion of the tide, but it cannot prevent it from happening."
She pushed the wooden box forward: "The relic has made its choice. It is willing to follow the 'contract' that resonates with it to pursue the mission of ending the 'Dark Tide.' However, the Holy Mountain tribe has protected it for generations, and we need a guarantee."
Ruan Ning said solemnly, "Please speak."
The high priest's gaze swept over the two of them: "First, regardless of whether the truth can be found, we must ensure that the 'Mountain Spirit Pact' is not used for evil purposes and does not disrupt the balance of nature."
Second, if the opportunity arises, bring back the truth about the 'Dark Tide' or a solution to it to the Holy Mountain.
Third, leave a partial imprint of your 'contract' power to establish a connection with the Holy Mountain, so that the tribe can receive your assistance when needed in the future.
Ruan Ning and Qin Li exchanged glances; the conditions were reasonable, even quite generous.
“We agree,” Ruan Ning said on behalf of the two.
The high priest nodded, gesturing for Ruan Ning to step forward.
Ruan Ning walked to the wooden box and gently touched the bone bead. It was warm to the touch, and a rich, vibrant energy flowed into her arm. It was completely different from Ruan Ning's coolness and Qin Li's deep feeling. It was more like the earth's own embrace and nourishment.
She concentrated, attempting to infuse a trace of her spiritual imprint and the necklace's energy into the bone bead. The bone bead flashed slightly, accepting the imprint.
Qin Li stepped forward and did the same thing.
Then, the high priest personally performed a brief ceremony, taking the bone bead out of the wooden box and solemnly handing it to Ruan Ning.
"May the spirits of the mountains guide you, may nature protect you," the high priest blessed.
Ruan Ning took the bone beads and placed them together with the jade pendant.
As the two vessels drew closer, their resonance became even more harmonious. She could sense that the power of the bone bead (vessel 02) was more inclined towards large-scale life maintenance, energy purification, and spiritual soothing, forming a good complement to her water-based spiritual system and Qin Li's defensive system.
"Thank you for your trust." Ruan Ning bowed.
The high priest waved his hand: "Go. Your companions outside the valley may come in. The Holy Mountain Tribe will entertain you for the night. Tomorrow, leave with the sacred objects and our blessings."
That evening, the tribe held a simple feast. Shen Yan and the others were allowed to enter the valley and learn what had happened.
During the gathering, Ruan Ning inquired in detail from the high priest about the legends of his ancestors' contact with the "sages from beyond the heavens," as well as any clues about other vessels or the "final relic."
Unfortunately, due to the passage of time, apart from knowing that those "wise men" came from the north and possessed incredible technology and knowledge, there are no further details.
The following morning, Ruan Ning and his group bid farewell to the Holy Mountain Tribe and embarked on their journey home.
On the way back, Shen Yan kept studying the resonance data of the three carriers.
"The resonance effect is stronger than expected. When the three carriers are close together, they do produce a faint sense of direction. It is very weak, but the direction is roughly northwest and north, possibly pointing towards the Himalayas, which is consistent with the saying 'the backbone of the world'."
“We’re still far from it.” Qin Li looked at the blurry pointer on the probe. “We need more precise positioning. We may really have to wait for the ‘double moon overlap night’ or find more carriers.”
Ruan Ning stroked the warm, smooth bone beads: "At least it confirms what the 'doctor' said. There is indeed a connection between the carriers, and collecting all three is the crucial first step in finding the ruins. We got 02, and next, our target is 01 in the capital."
Lin Yan asked, "Go straight to the capital?"
“Let’s go back to base first,” Ruan Ning said. “Let’s digest the information we’ve gathered and refine our plan to go to the capital. The Xi family is not like the Holy Mountain Tribe; that place is a den of dragons and tigers.”
She looked north, her eyes calm.
Carrier 01 is at Xi's house.
Four months later, the Shen family may forcibly open the ruins. Seven months later is the "double moon overlap".
Time was of the essence, but they had already obtained the crucial third "key".
Next step: penetrate deep into the capital and snatch food from the tiger's mouth.
Fifty kilometers outside the capital base, an abandoned farm.
The helicopter rotors kicked up dust as it slowly descended.
Qin Li jumped down first, cautiously looking around.
“It’s been cleared, it’s safe.” Shen Yan checked the radiation detector in his hand. “There are no signs of large-scale life nearby.”
Ruan Ning stepped off the gangway. On the distant horizon, he could see the towering outline of the city walls and the scattered flashes of energy protection towers.
Da Huo shook his head uncomfortably, but was calmed down by Lin Yan.
"Change vehicles and go in in two batches," Qin Li said, pointing to two off-road vehicles parked in the farm's warehouse.
"Ruan Ning, Shen Yan, and I are in one group, while Zhou Min and Lin Yan are in another group with Da Huo. Our identification documents are all ready. We are the exploration team from the 'Northwest Third Mining Company,' here in the capital to discuss cooperation on ore refining technology."
Shen Yan opened his backpack, revealing ore samples and forged company documents inside: "There are simple exploration tools and samples in the equipment box in the car, enough to pass a general inspection."
Qin Li distributed the new identity chips, saying, "The fire needs to be reduced in size."
The fire let out a low growl, indicating that it understood.
Two hours later, the two vehicles drove one after the other towards the outer city entrance of the capital base.
From a distance, the capital base appears to be much larger than the northwest base.
The city walls were higher and thicker, covered with electric fences and automatic turrets.
There was a long queue at the entrance, where guards in uniform carefully checked every vehicle and every person.
Nearby, staff in white coats were using instruments to scan those entering the city, registering their special abilities and conducting health checks.
After waiting in line for nearly an hour, it was Qin Li's turn to drive.
"Identification, purpose, length of stay." The guard behind the window remained expressionless.
Qin Li handed over the briefcase: "Northwest Third Mining Company, to discuss technical cooperation. Expected stay of two weeks."
The guard flipped through the documents, then glanced at the three people in the car: "Superpowered individuals?"
“I am a third-tier earth elementalist, and these two are my assistants, a third-tier water elementalist and a second-tier metal elementalist.” Qin Li gestured for Ruan Ning and Shen Yan to show their ability badges—they were pre-prepared fakes, but the energy fluctuations were very realistic.
The guard scanned the badge with an instrument, confirmed the corresponding energy response, and nodded. Another staff member used a handheld scanner to scan the inside of the vehicle.
"Open the trunk."
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