Chapter 314 Many Paths (Part 1) The Past Like Scattered Snowflakes "Looking forward, there is..."
Thick, dark clouds gathered above the golden net, the surrounding air was shrouded in a light mist, and the two cracks in the sky seemed to have undergone subtle changes.
People from both realms looked up together, and for a moment, opinions were divided, some were surprised and some were afraid. In the human realm, five huge spirit-gathering arrays emitted a faint light in the eternal night, which was reflected in the golden net.
With the existence of the Spirit Gathering Array, more and more cultivators began to gather in and around the five major cities, and many people also moved to the location of the array. Here, with the protection of cultivators, they were no longer afraid of attacks by demonic beasts.
Since the beginning of the Eternal Night, the time spent residing within the Spirit Gathering Array has been a rare period of peace.
People are no longer as anxious as they used to be, and without having to worry about life and death, they have the energy to think about survival in the future.
In Tailing City, many people gathered together, looking up at the strange sky, and then at a group of people on the street.
Among the group, Mu Chun'e was the leader, her expression solemn. Her hair was not as smooth as usual, but it showed a kind of solemnity and urgency. Behind her were the Taiji Immortal Sect disciples such as Pao Tang.
Each person carried a long sword, travel-worn and weary, but their eyes showed no signs of fatigue.
"Immortal Master, what on earth is this strange phenomenon?"
Someone finally spoke up, pointing to the gray, lifeless body in the crowd, their face a mixture of strangeness and fear.
It was an old man, whose face was now deathly pale, covered with many tiny ice clusters, and whose eyes and body were covered with a layer of grayish-white stone. He was lying quietly on the street, clearly lifeless.
These are signs of a cold-related illness, but everyone knows that this old man is not a patient with a cold-related illness.
At that time, the air was getting damp and it looked like it was going to rain. People suffering from cold-related illnesses are already afraid of the cold, and many of them had already taken shelter in the medical tent or returned home when the wind picked up.
Just then, the old man went to the clinic to deliver medicine. On the way, it started to rain. There was only one strange drop, but it landed right on his cheek. He raised his hand to wipe it away, muttered a few words about the rain, and then his movements became slow.
Everyone watched as he rubbed his eyes, and almost instantly, that terrifying stone-like substance emerged from his eyes, bursting forth like a flower bud, instantly covering his entire face. His body immediately hunched over, and before he could even react, he collapsed, dizzy and lifeless.
In the blink of an eye, the person had passed away.
Mu Chun'e looked at the old man, then at the golden net in the sky, and didn't know how to speak for a moment.
A quarter of an hour earlier, she received a message from Li Changfeng, who said that a storm was coming and that everyone must go to the main city, set up the magic array, and protect the people for a moment. After a moment, the clouds and fog might dissipate.
Upon receiving the news, the sect leaders immediately set off from the mountains. She also selected many disciples with profound cultivation to travel together to Tailing City. However, the rain came too suddenly, and before everyone arrived, the rain intensified.
They had also witnessed the old man's transformation, and what followed the rain was a sufficiently strong golden net.
Just by looking at this net, without Li Changfeng needing to explain, she could guess who was behind it. Several days ago, Li Changfeng suddenly set off for Luoyang City. With such cultivation, it could only be that person.
Pulling herself back to reality, she looked at the people before her and said, "You should all be familiar with him; isn't his condition exactly the same as that of someone suffering from a cold?"
“But he didn’t have the cold disease,” someone said. “He took care of us sick people for a long time and never caught it, so how could he suddenly fall ill and die?”
Pao Tang couldn't hold back any longer and stepped forward: "Everyone, this is the method of the Secret Sect. Now that everyone is gathered in the city, no one is offering their energy to the Secret Sect anymore. They must be out of options, so they prepared to send down this rain!"
Someone said in a trembling voice, "But... but according to the esoteric teachings, this rain is a cleansing rain, the rain will wash away everything and bring forth a new world where the divine will descend..."
Pao Tang said in a deep voice, "Then open your eyes and take a good look at what kind of rain this is! Perhaps, you are the very thing that the Secret Sect intends to sweep away!"
The righteous and evil aspects of Tantric Buddhism had shifted several times during the Eternal Night, sometimes for the sake of the world, sometimes for the destruction of the world. How could mortals distinguish between them? However, all these speculations began to be settled after Lin Feiran set up these spirit-gathering arrays.
In times of crisis, these magic arrays did indeed help many people.
Some people disregarded the distinction between good and evil, focusing only on the sky: "Forget about the esoteric sect for now, what about the rain? Immortal Master, did you set up this net? How long can it last? What should we do when the rain falls?"
The discussion suddenly became noisy, and Paotang didn't know how to answer for a moment. She turned to look at Mu Chun'e.
"Master, should we still set up the protective magic array?"
Mu Chun'e shook her head: "No need."
Currently, the enemy is in the dark while we are in the light, and they are also in a very passive position. In the past few days, the various sects have been too busy to spare any attention, and have almost all of their efforts have been spent controlling the cultivators who are willing to join the Tantric sect. Although it has been effective, it has only reduced the Tantric sect's assistance.
The true Nine Swords and Dao Master remain elusive, with no trace of them found despite the use of various magical treasures. Now, all that remains is to see if Lin Feiran makes any progress.
She said, "Please rest assured, everyone. This golden net can hold for a while longer, and at least it won't rain anymore. Now that this place is safe, we will not delay any longer. You can just keep an eye on the spirit-gathering array, and the rest will be taken care of by the cultivators."
After speaking, she ordered Paotang and the others to continue guarding the area, and then flew towards Luoyang City on her sword.
The sect leader is gone. Even if everyone wanted her to stay, they didn't know what reason to give. Indeed, as she said, they were just mortals. Even if the sky were to fall, what could they do?
The peace didn't last long before people began to complain, blaming those who had joined the Tantric sect and offered up their vital energy, thus becoming accomplices. Meanwhile, the people who had joined the Tantric sect felt that this was a veiled attack and immediately spoke out in rebuttal.
Amidst the constant sarcasm and ridicule, Pao Tang, clutching her sword, felt a headache and exhaustion. Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a figure in black.
Her gaze paused slightly, then she pushed through the crowd and looked ahead: "That is..."
Many people stopped arguing and turned around to look. In a place that no one had noticed, two figures, one in black and one in white, were flying past on their swords. Their speed was not too fast, and they could almost see the red umbrella behind the dark figure.
Black robes, a red umbrella, and the glint of a sword—this has almost become Lin Feiran's symbol.
"That's Lin Feiran!" someone immediately recognized her and called out, "Little Immortal Lin, Little Immortal Lin!"
Lin Feiran's ears twitched slightly, and Ru Xian tapped the back of her head with her finger: "Little Immortal Master, someone is calling you."
She turned her head and saw a huge, bustling crowd in the city, many of them looking up.
She was no longer afraid of being exposed and was eager for Bi Sheng to leave the Heavenly Palace on the Cloud Top to find her. So she stopped, lowered her altitude, and looked at him with some doubt.
"Are you all looking for me?"
Upon seeing that it was indeed her, the people of the city became even more agitated: "Little Immortal Master, did you see the rain just now? This rain is very strange. Look at Old Zhang, he got like this after just one drop... Little Immortal Master, can this Spirit Gathering Formation stop the rain?"
Lin Feiran naturally spoke his mind: "No, but there is already a golden net in the sky. Although we don't know who laid it, it will surely hold out for a few days. During this time, everyone should try to stay in their rooms and not get close to any living creatures."
“This must be a trap set by Venerable Dingyi.”
Someone answered, and Lin Feiran turned his head to look, just in time to see Paotang standing among them with her sword in her arms.
She continued to explain, "My master received a letter from Senior Li and immediately led us here to set up the formation. The rain must have been told to us by Senior Li. Senior Li went to Luoyang City not long ago, and the only person in the city who could set up such a net is Ding Yi."
Lin Feiran was somewhat surprised, not expecting it to be Ding Yi.
She nodded to Paotang: "Thank you for informing me, fellow Daoist."
Pao Tang returned the greeting: "Where does Fellow Daoist Lin intend to go? Ah, it was just a casual remark, no need to reply. I will set up a protective array in the city later. Although I don't know if it can stop the rain, it's worth a try."
Master previously mentioned that Fellow Daoist Lin should simply go and not worry too much, as we will take care of things behind us.
This was the first time someone had said these things to her. Lin Feiran was stunned for a moment, then said, "Okay... thank you."
Pao Tang smiled and said, "Please."
Lin Feiran glanced at her, nodded, and then flew away on his sword, but this time his speed was much slower than before.
Ru Xian looked at her and asked, "Why did you suddenly slow down? Aren't you going to find Zhang Siwo and the others?"
Lin Feiran remained noncommittal, but was clearly hesitant. She even crouched down and sat cross-legged on the sword, letting the hem of her robe flutter in the wind.
"...What's wrong?" Ru Xian sat down as well, crossed her long legs, and leaned slightly over to look at her.
Lin Feiran placed his hands on his knees, tilted his head back, and took a deep breath: "I originally planned to go find Zhang Siwo. Just like my master said, we don't have much time. But after seeing those people just now, I'm not sure anymore."
Actually, I don't know what I can do if I go to Zhang Si.
...Like sleet, I don't know what to do next.
She couldn't find a breakthrough and even felt a sense of dead end, which was a first for her.
Lin Feiran had a vague feeling that she and the Dao Master were like two chess players playing a game in the mist. It seemed that from the moment she decided to leave the mountain, she had already picked up a piece of the game. It seemed that she was running away because of love and had nothing to do with it, but in fact, the game had already begun.
She was completely bewildered and unknowingly made her first move, which caused a sudden upheaval on the board, and the situation began to change.
She only caught a glimpse of what the chessboard looked like when the two made their bet.
On the board, there was a black and a white piece. She played black. There weren't many pieces on either side, but the battle was fierce and every move was fraught with danger. However, she hadn't yet cleared away all the fog of war and could only tentatively place her piece little by little.
Having reached this point, everything seemed to be settled; she was in a stalemate, while the other party still had a few openings to maneuver.
"...I originally set up the spirit-gathering array with the intention of using my own spiritual veins as a wager to force Bi Sheng to show herself, and then find the entrance to the Cloud Palace through her."
But now we realize that this tactic has already been blocked.
"So what if I cut off their life force? The life force they need can be taken back in a single rain. At that time, perhaps everyone will be annihilated in that rain, and my spiritual vein will be my for the taking."
Lin Feiran lowered her head and hugged herself.
"The rain is imminent. How long can Ding Yi's trap hold? And what can I do to stop this rain?"
While she was still in Qi Chen's courtyard, her master pressed her shoulder and looked at her quietly.
"Feiran, we don't have much time left. The day this rain stops will be the end of everything."
The pieces are always in your hands, and none of us can interfere. But remember, you also have us, and you have the Valley of Pilgrimage. No matter what, this will be your greatest support. No matter what, we will always be with you.
Because she is the only variable, because she is the mastermind behind this game, everything depends on her moves.
The master's words meant that once a move was made, there was no going back; no matter how she played, they would not regret it.
Lin Feiran thought of the Sacred Valley again. Before she left, the saints stood among the peaks, watching her depart. She had planted the windmill in the valley, waiting for a gust of wind to come.
...
Ru Xian raised her hand to the back of her neck, lowered her head to touch her forehead: "Do you want to go with me to a place where there is no one, to think about this quietly?"
"where?"
“Phoenix Terrace.” He straightened up, his eyes smiling. “Haven’t you always wanted to go see it? Since everything is at a standstill now, and you still have no ideas, why not go there? Maybe you’ll find some new insights?”
Lin Feiran's eyes flickered slightly: "Didn't you already burn that place down?"
Ru Xian smiled and said, "Indeed, but I burned people. After so many years, people can no longer live, but the spiritual flowers and herbs inside will regenerate. Putting aside the people, the scenery there is quite beautiful."
Lin Feiran hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help but nod: "Then let's go and stay... for an hour."
She really needs to go somewhere quieter, whether it's to rest for a while or to escape for a bit, she needs somewhere to go.
"Only one hour?" Ru Xian raised an eyebrow. "Whatever you like."
Phoenix Terrace is a very secluded place that requires a magic seal to open. On the way there, just as she had dreamed, there was a giant tree that seemed to reach the sky in a vast field, and the entrance was inside the tree.
Ru Xian seemed to have been away for a long time. He led her into the trees, somewhat awkwardly parting the drooping branches, and led her onto the soft earth.
Before them were twelve upside-down mountains, with a waterfall gushing from the highest peak, flowing down and passing over each of the mountains below before finally landing on the ground and forming a lake. The lake reflected the two figures, serene and silent.
In my dream, this place had been engulfed by flames, the spiritual plants had turned into scorched earth, the ground was filled with blood, and the springs were tinged with red. But now it has been restored to its original state, with spiritual trees growing in abundance, flowers and grasses flourishing, and the houses on the mountain covered with green vines.
As if raising his hand, droplets of water hung on his fingertips: "Life is the most precious thing. Wildfires burn out, but spring brings life back. Compared to that, humans are too fragile."
Lin Feiran stared at the few water droplets, lost in thought.
He looked at the scene before him, pondered for a moment, then seemed to remember something, raised his eyebrows and smiled, stepped forward and uttered a spell.
In an instant, a gust of wind swept by, and all the flowers and plants at my feet raised their heads, as if supported by something, standing upright and swaying slightly.
Lin Feiran reached out his hand, puzzled, only to see Ru Xian pull her up. With a light touch of his toes, the two of them floated up like a feather. However, he did not use any spiritual power, but just like that, he carried her floating in the air.
She looked down with some surprise. This feeling was different from riding a sword or riding the wind. It was a lightness that came from within, as if she had really become part of the wind, floating in the air without falling.
"What is this?" she couldn't help but ask, her brows no longer furrowed as before, her expression much more relaxed. "You used a spell? Aren't you supposed to avoid using them lightly?"
"Yes and no."
Looking ahead like sleet, snowflakes fluttered in the wind.
“Many Skywalkers like me used to live here. We were born weak and unable to cultivate. It was very difficult for us to travel around in this upside-down mountain. So we secretly built a special magic circle with incantations. We only need to say a word that does not harm our foundation to be able to travel by wind.”
Lin Feiran keenly picked up on the wording: "Many Skywalkers? Why was it built secretly?"
Ru Xian turned to look at her, but smiled without saying a word. Her hand, which she was holding, was already on her waist. Lin Feiran sighed helplessly, "Alright, then what is the incantation to activate this place?"
"This statement has no meaning; it is merely our aspiration, so there is no curse involved, nor will it harm us."
He looked at the twelve upside-down mountains, his eyes filled with a rare mix of nostalgia and complexity.
"The day I turned this place into ashes, I descended the mountain using this incantation."
After saying that, before Lin Feiran could react, he had already composed himself and led her to a hillside covered with nameless wildflowers.
The two landed and quickly found themselves in the soft flower field. A faint fragrance brushed past their noses, making them unconsciously feel relaxed.
Lin Feiran lay on Rushan's lap, gazing at the clear blue sky, as if she could finally put down her burden for a short while.
Ru Xian looked down at her and said, "Before, I also thought we had nowhere to go, but nothing in this world is certain. As long as we keep thinking, there will always be a way. As long as we keep going, we will definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel."
The snow-white hair reflected the sunlight, weaving together to form a white curtain that shimmered and fell into Lin Feiran's eyes.
He raised his hand and placed it on Lin Feiran's face, stroking it with his fingers, his voice still: "Haven't you always wanted to know how I cultivate?"
Lin Feiran's gaze shifted and fell upon his eyes, looking into those azure eyes.
Ru Xian's voice was somewhat light: "Like other Skywalkers, I am physically weak and my spiritual veins are unusable. I can't even withstand a little bit of spiritual energy washing over me. This is the weakness of all of us Skywalkers."
Later, someone collected the Skywalkers one by one, imprisoned them in Phoenix Terrace, and used them for their own purposes... This is a very long story.
People kept coming in, and kept dying after chanting curses, then being buried on the second peak, until they were almost a small mountain.
Hearing this, Lin Feiran tried to sit up, but he pressed her forehead down and then touched her brow with his cool fingertips.
"Skywalker used spells to trap others, but he was also trapped here by the spells. Finally, one day, everyone could no longer bear it and decided to end this kind of life."
To break the curse, a Skywalker must be able to train, and they chose me.
I was very young then, seven or eight years old. It wasn't until I was seventeen or eighteen, when everything was ready, that my mother told me about the plan, when I knew nothing about it.
He looked at Lin Feiran, surrounded by fluttering petals and a faint fragrance, and asked, "If you were Skywalker, how would you break this curse?"
Lin Feiran stared blankly at him, then shook his head: "The Skywalker's curse is unbreakable, and besides, how can someone born weak cultivate?"
Ru Xian looked into the distance, her voice softening slightly: "They've come up with a way to live by facing death."
He paused, then raised his hand to cover Lin Feiran's eyes: "You haven't examined my spiritual veins yet, have you?"
A glimmer of spiritual light entered Lin Feiran's spiritual platform, and her vision was no longer completely dark. Gradually, the scene of spiritual veins converging appeared before her eyes.
Just as he had seen when he removed the curse from her before, the spiritual vein before him was like a pillar of heaven, running vertically and horizontally, supporting a snow-white world. Unlike others, his spiritual vein had no golden light at all.
Looking at everything before him, Lin Feiran couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity, and was momentarily stunned.
"These are..."
“Incantation,” Ru Xian said. “My mother and the others sacrificed their lives to build spiritual veins for me with incantations. This is the way to break the curse. Every one of my spiritual veins is inscribed with their flesh and blood. I am who I am today because of them.”
Lin Feiran was very surprised. He never expected that his spiritual veins were cultivated in this way. It was truly... better to be a broken jade than a whole tile.
Her eyes were covered by him, so she couldn't see his expression, but she could hear his somewhat distant voice.
Although both are inlaid with incantations, Ru Xian's spiritual veins are quite different from hers.
Between her incantations, golden light unique to her spiritual veins would emanate, while his was pitch black, with densely packed, overlapping incantations that were heavy and cumbersome, yet they truly supported his thin and weak veins.
The curse within her body was deadly, but it paved a path to survival for him.
“Once the spiritual vein was completed, my mother and uncle were left with only one breath left. As agreed, I released the spiritual fire, burning everything here, including them and those who imprisoned us, to ashes in that fire.”
Gradually, the scene of the spiritual veins before his eyes faded, leaving only the darkness covered by his hand.
"The situation is still uncertain, so there is still room for change. If you are a chess player, just focus on the pieces in your hand and don't think about anything else."
"If you move forward, you will find a way out of a desperate situation."
Lin Feiran raised her hand and grasped his wrist, pressing his palm over her eyes. She breathed slowly, and what she saw was no longer darkness, but a flat chessboard.
The person sitting opposite him was shrouded in mist, holding a white chess piece in his hand, idly tapping it as he waited for his turn.
She held a black piece, and the board was still shrouded in mist. But only then did she notice that she wasn't the only one who saw the mist; he saw it too.
Author's Note: [Heart emoji]
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