Chapter 71
Sheng Ningyu sheathed her sword and casually glanced around, but saw no one.
This is strange in itself.
Cranes soar over a thousand mountains, seeking their way home across ten thousand miles.
In the Trial of a Thousand Mountains, disciples who enter must eliminate all "evil and treacherous creatures" along the way, break through layers of illusions, and finally transform into cranes to step into a past life.
It's nothing but the ups and downs of life, a fleeting dream.
Only the past events that are ultimately experienced are truly those that happened.
According to records, the triggering of this past life illusion is almost always related to the location where the trial begins and the person who enters it.
For example, this time, the place of opening was the Mountain and Sea Never Sleeping City, and she and Jin Xianyao, a disciple who was suspected to be the successor of the Bodhi Xie Clan, entered. Feng Xiaosheng had previously made a bet with her, saying that in this past life, either the Hehuan City incident would appear, or the Xie family would be wiped out.
Sheng Ningyu didn't speculate about these things; more than that, she hoped to restore her memories.
And to find out who's behind it all.
Sheng Ningyu touched the spirit bone in her arms, which was still entwined with demonic energy, and her expression darkened.
However, even though Sheng Ningyu was very familiar with everything, firstly, times had changed, and the secret realm was born from the spiritual power of heaven and earth, so it was naturally different; secondly, Sheng Ningyu... didn't know the way.
She wandered around and around, not even knowing how long she had gone, and almost single-handedly cleared out all the monsters on the mountain, but she still couldn't find the way down.
Sheng Ningyu: "..."
Upon seeing the familiar rocks again, Sheng Ningyu paused for a moment, then couldn't help but curl her lips into a slightly amused smile.
In her earlier years, her second senior brother would style her hair with hairpins and ornaments, patiently coax her, and arrange her every trip.
Now, after being imprisoned for sixty years, he has been released from his coffin and has encountered Xie Qianjing again.
Thinking of Xie Qianjing, Sheng Ningyu's lips curled up again, and her steps became lighter.
Thinking about it that way, she was actually very lucky.
...
Yuan Shuhe felt deeply that this was retribution for not stopping Mingyue Sword Master that day.
The benevolence of a doctor is nothing more than this.
Even knowing that the Thousand Mountains Trial was just an illusion and that all injuries would be healed after they left, Yuan Shuhe still couldn't bear to watch his fellow cultivators fall to the ground at the hands of demons.
However, he was a healer, and his offensive skills were somewhat lacking. The blood all over the ground and the pale faces of his junior brothers and sisters had become Yuan Shu's inner demons at this moment.
He smiled bitterly, withdrew his hand, looked at yet another corpse, silently stood up, and said to the people behind him, "Let's go, let's leave this mountain first."
"Why are there so many demons here?" a disciple asked, his voice trembling as he suppressed his fear. "Such a large number... could it be that we've accidentally wandered into a demonic territory during a trial?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a zither melody rang out, and instantly several gusts of wind rose from the ground, almost snapping the surrounding vegetation!
Yuan Shuhe sensed something was wrong and immediately said, "Fellow Daoist Xin, form the formation!"
A thick black fog swept in like a cloud of smoke, and only when you got close could you see that it was actually formed by countless puppet barriers.
This was clearly not an accident, but rather deliberate!
Someone is deliberately trapping them!
During the Thousand Mountains Trial, everything felt incredibly real. One disciple immediately forgot it was just a trial, and under extreme pressure and fear, nearly collapsed, crying out, "Who is it?!"
"Since this land is like a mountain range, everyone should rely on their own abilities."
A young master, holding a jade flute, arrived through the thick black fog. He bowed to the crowd from his elevated position, a fake smile on his face: "Gentlemen, you flatter me."
During the Thousand Mountains Trial, everyone's appearance will change, but based on this demeanor and the jade flute alone, the identity of the newcomer is already obvious.
Outside the Thousand Mountains Trial, inside the Xuanzhu Palace.
Yu Tanqiu's previous annoyance vanished, and a smile appeared on her face.
Immediately, someone nearby praised, "It seems that Young Master Yu has won the battle."
Originally, Yu Bushu would never pay attention to such things, but strangely enough, Yu Tanqiu also lightly scolded, "Stop talking nonsense."
"The Second Young Master was a compassionate doctor who helped his fellow disciples. His clear and resilient character was unparalleled."
The man readily agreed, but the others wouldn't let him off so easily.
Xiang Bieyun put down her teacup and smiled gently as she spoke: "My second brother is still quite naive. He can't compare to Young Master Yu's outstanding charm, which has attracted so many followers."
Her trip was actually to represent half of Zong Yan Wu Rong. No one knew Xiang Bie Yun's true identity and only regarded her as "Madam Xiang of Yunwang Palace".
But this identity is enough.
As soon as Xiang Bieyun spoke, the elders of the Half-Body Sect immediately echoed, "I wonder how this Young Master Yu has made so many disciples? And how he drove away this demonic energy?"
The people in the Nine Heavens Pavilion felt a chill in their hearts. They naturally knew that Yu Wusheng's actions had angered everyone. Immediately, an elder smoothed things over: "Ha, we've watched Wusheng grow up. He's been likable since he was a child, and he's extremely popular in our Nine Heavens Pavilion."
"This young master Yu is so popular, he has the same style as the former Sword Master Mingyue!"
This is pure nonsense.
The elder of the Half-Body Sect cast a sarcastic glance at her, but before she could speak again, a soft laugh came from the head of the table.
The clamor subsided instantly. A demonic cultivator standing behind Xie Qianjing, observing the scene of the trial at the head of the group, exclaimed in admiration, "This young friend has such the ability to control demonic energy; he should join my demonic path!"
Yu Tanqiu's face immediately darkened: "Insolence!"
The spiritual power belonging to the Tianji Realm spread out instantly, but before it could rise, it was suppressed by the dense black mist.
Xie Qianjing raised his eyes, his clear and cold gaze drifting lightly towards Yu Tanqiu.
With just one glance, there was no other deterrent; it was as light as a breeze, yet felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, pressing down on Yu Tanqiu's heart with trepidation.
"I never said I agreed to him becoming my disciple." Xie Qianjing's calm voice rang out in the hall, devoid of any emotion. "Why is Pavilion Master Yu panicking?"
Yan Ruchao glanced at Han Yuyi beside him out of the corner of his eye, and seeing that she really didn't react, he laughed with pleasure.
Well done.
Yan Ruchao found Xie Qianjing pleasing to the eye for the first time.
This kid likes to hang out with his junior sister all the time. He looks like a pretty boy, but he's actually quite good at talking.
Yu Tanqiu gave a forced smile. He stopped responding and continued staring at the Mirror of Heaven and Water, his expression growing increasingly grim.
Yu Wusheng, that idiot!
If his arrogant behavior could actually win him the championship, that would be fine. But Yu Tanqiu knew that he had no ability to do so. Such reckless behavior would only bring trouble, and others would also harbor ill will towards the Nine Heavens Pavilion!
However, at this moment, new changes occurred in the Mirror of Heaven and Water.
"They're from the Phoenix Clan!" someone exclaimed.
She didn't dare to continue.
Feng Xiaosheng wore a noble smile, still maintaining her perfect young lord demeanor. However, Feng Pianpian, having served this young lord for a long time, could naturally sense that Feng Xiaosheng's emotions were far from as calm as they appeared.
Feng Pianpian's mind raced, and she roughly guessed the answer.
But……
Feng Pianpian thought in confusion, "That's the monthly Sword Master!"
What others didn't know was that she was in the main hall that day and heard almost the entire story.
This might sound like something someone would say without understanding the situation, but Feng Pianpian still didn't quite understand.
Does the Moonlit Sword Master, who can single-handedly slay demonic seeds, need to be worried about?
...
need.
The flow of time inside the Mirror of Heaven and Water is different from that outside, but Sheng Ningyu was still somewhat irritable.
She did leave the mountain and encountered some demons along the way, but the strange feeling in Sheng Ningyu's heart did not disappear; on the contrary, it grew stronger.
She was never a suspicious person, but perhaps those sixty years of darkness had changed her. Sheng Ningyu herself knew that although she looked the same as before, many changes had actually taken place inside her.
For example, right now.
For no reason at all, Sheng Ningyu just felt that someone was trapping her.
In the darkness, a faint, almost imperceptible sound of a pipa seemed to drift on the wind, yet it also sounded like birds chirping.
"Fellow Daoist, be careful!"
Sheng Ningyu suddenly turned around, only to see a black mist rushing straight towards her face!
Ha! That's interesting!
Sheng Ningyu was not afraid at all. Instead, she leaped up. The wind blew her three thousand strands of hair backward, but she was not afraid at all. As she soared up, her clothes fluttered and overlapped with the thousands of mountains and rivers in the illusion. When she landed gracefully, she was just like a crane under a pear tree.
In the blink of an eye, the black mist that was unbearable for others became like a toy in her hands.
Her appearance was ordinary, almost the kind that you could easily lose in a crowd, but with just this one move, she had already stunned everyone outside the Mirror of Heaven and Water.
The room was completely silent.
The younger ones were confused, but the older ones all stared blankly at the water mirror.
Everyone present was accustomed to rigid rules and rarely saw Chu Jiye and Ning Jiao, two former acquaintances involved in turmoil, appear together. However, to their disappointment, the two were merely nodding acquaintances, their eyes fixed intently on the Mirror of Heaven and Water above them.
Especially now.
"Whose disciple is this?"
Yuan Bushu paused, then looked in the direction of the voice, only to find that the speaker was neither Ning Jiao nor Chu Jiye.
It turned out to be Elder Ruan Shu from the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion.
Yan Ruchao looked to his side, and Han Yuyi gently shook her head.
The world is in turmoil, and she has not yet had the chance to meet Ruan Shu. Moreover, without Sheng Ningyu's permission, she would never reveal her identity to anyone.
Ruan Shu didn't need anyone else's answer.
The highly sought-after elder of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion looked up, his gaze almost obsessively fixed on the Mirror of Heaven and Water above him.
Every move, every smile, every gesture—upon closer inspection, reveals that he is no longer the person he once was.
"She's using a wooden sword!" someone exclaimed in a low voice.
Yes, it's just an ordinary wooden sword.
Even his appearance was extremely ordinary, far inferior to that of the Bright Moon Sword Master of yesteryear.
But inexplicably, Ruan Shu saw her own reflection in this ordinary little disciple.
In every gesture she makes, in every word she says and smiles.
After Sheng Ningyu appeared, the situation on the field changed abruptly.
Of those who were originally bound to Yu Wusheng by his side with mutual benefits, eight or nine out of ten had gone to the side of that mysterious disciple.
"This is really..."
Countless people looked up in fascination.
Many of them had never witnessed the splendor of the Bright Moon Sword Master in his prime, and they were even more unaware of why the heads and elders of the eleven sects at the head of the sects had all fallen silent.
But at this moment, it didn't stop them from being dazzled and captivated by the young disciple's charm reflected in the Mirror of Heaven and Water.
"This is utter nonsense!" The elder of the Weapon Forging Sect slammed his cane down, angrily rebuking, "If this continues, what if the puppet barrier rises and enters the heart and spirit bones?!"
After he finished speaking, there was a long silence around him.
The elder of the Weapon Refining Sect hesitated, turned his head, and heard his old friend sigh beside him.
"Nonsense... utter nonsense," the old friend sighed. "Cangmu, have you ever uttered those two words again?"
The elder of the Weapon Refining Sect was taken aback, his excited expression froze, and he became much calmer.
yes.
Since Ning Guihai's disciple left, he seems to have never uttered those two words to anyone again.
The elder of the Refining Sect did not believe that the young disciple in blue robes in the Heavenly Water Mirror was that person, but this did not contradict his feeling of loss.
It is clear that cultivators do not age, yet at this moment, the elder of the Weapon Refining Sect felt the weight of old age.
"Sigh." He sighed heavily, then became somewhat disheartened.
He did not attend the reopening of Qingyi Academy, but instead chose other elders.
The sect leader had also asked about it, but the elder of the Weapon Forging Sect simply waved his hand and said with disdain, "Back then, those disciples were all young and impetuous, and they were all too troublesome. Now, this old Daoist just wants to calm down, but I can no longer manage them."
The sect leader wouldn't force him, but only the elder of the weapon-refining sect knew what he was really thinking.
No matter how much others mess around, they can't compare to what they were like back then.
However, compared to the sorrow felt by these old friends, the younger ones below all had shining eyes.
They had never witnessed the former Sword Master Mingyue's splendor, nor had they ever had any connection with him, but this brief moment had already deeply etched itself into their hearts.
With effortless grace and natural ease, how could one not be captivated and yearn for such a performance?
There are more than one scene in the Mirror of Heaven and Water, but this is the most captivating.
Someone couldn't help but sigh, "I wish I could visit one of them."
Ning Jiao stared intently, while Chu Jiye's expression grew increasingly pale.
Xie Qianjing, seated at the head of the table, had a clear view of everyone's expressions.
His expression was as indifferent as snow, yet something seemed to be frozen in his eyes, like an abyss, making one dare not look at him a second time.
...
Amidst thousands of mountains.
It's unclear who started it, but after revealing their identities, a Sword Pavilion disciple took out a wooden puppet sculpture of Sword Pavilion Dahuang from the Star River Pouch.
Sheng Ningyu: "?"
Sheng Ningyu hesitated and asked, "What is this?"
No sooner said than done, the Sword Pavilion disciple had just infused his spiritual power when he was pecked hard by the crane.
Everyone present: "..."
Sheng Ningyu smiled awkwardly and retreated subtly, but before she could retreat any further, the ten "Big Yellows" pounced on her all at once!
Sheng Ningyu: "!!!"
Help!
Having finally brought the chaotic situation under control, the Sword Pavilion disciple breathed a sigh of relief, turned around, and looked at Sheng Ningyu with surprise, his tone having changed: "Do you perhaps know Da Huang?"
The disciple was immediately nudged in the elbow by the person next to him, who sneered, "Show some respect!"
The person in front of me is the one who just single-handedly defeated ten cranes!
The disciple was startled and immediately cupped his hands in greeting, asking with an expression that was almost respectful: "Does Your Excellency have any prior connection with my Sword Pavilion?"
Sheng Ningyu hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "I guess so?"
She was, after all, a Sword Master, so we have some history...?
The Sword Pavilion disciple immediately beamed with joy.
With the help of the "Puppet Ball" technique taught to everyone by Da Huang and Sheng Ningyu, the surrounding monsters and puppet barriers were almost completely cleared away.
"Very good!"
The disciples put down their natal magical artifacts, exchanged glances, and then all laughed.
"Maybe we can win the championship together this time!"
Sheng Ningyu chuckled and said decisively and ruthlessly, "No."
Someone asked, "Why not?"
Sheng Ningyu said frankly, "I want the spirit herb that the champion will reward me with."
She so frankly expressed her desires, leaving everyone inside and outside the trial stunned.
However, contrary to what many had imagined, the tense atmosphere did not materialize; instead, there was jubilation.
"Haha, here you go, no, it's not 'give,' this should be yours."
"Absolutely! I really had my fill this time. That puppet ball was amazing. The puppet barrier is always chasing after me. I've never toyed with the puppet barrier so effortlessly before!"
"After you leave, remember to come visit me at Banbi Sect!"
"Go away, go away! If you're going to come, come to my Weapon Refining Sect first!"
"Ha, my Wanxiang Building has been doing well lately!"
"Near? You call me 'near' in front of my Bluebird and the Leaf Flower?"
The disciples laughed and joked, which didn't seem like a trial at all, nor did it reflect the disparity between different sects. On the contrary, they got along extremely well.
Feng Jiutian and Yuan Shuhe exchanged a glance, both inwardly bowing in admiration.
Only the Sword Master could do that.
Despite their current harmonious relationship, their backgrounds and cultivation methods differ, and many sects harbor old grudges. While the disciples aren't necessarily hostile towards each other, they certainly wouldn't be chatting so happily as they are now.
Even if everyone knows that this laughter is nothing but a mirage, that all those words and invitations to visit, which seemed like leisurely strolls, are perhaps lies and none of them will come true.
But who can say that lies are necessarily ugly?
Sheng Ningyu chuckled and patted Yuan Shuhe's shoulder: "At least for now, we are both sincere, and that's enough."
Why are you so bitter and resentful at such a young age?
Yuan Shuhe opened his mouth as if to say something, but suddenly, the ground beneath his feet trembled.
The overwhelming barrier of puppets obscured everyone's vision, almost enveloping the Thousand Mountains. In the blink of an eye, the crimson color entangled the Thousand Mountains and swept across the mountains!
All the disciples stood frozen in place, staring blankly.
Within that crimson expanse, a figure stood atop it.
"I have found the remains of the Bright Moon Sword Master's natal sword!"
Amidst the thick crimson blood, Yu Wusheng burst into laughter: "You all would be better off surrendering obediently and gaining some dignity than fleeing here like cowards, trying to survive in vain."
As soon as the words were spoken, the earth shook and a fierce wind raged!
In an instant, the scene that had just been filled with laughter changed completely.
Some disciples were trapped in the crevice of the collapsing earth and fell silent; some disciples cried helplessly; and some disciples bravely stepped forward...
But that's not right.
wrong.
Sheng Ningyu suddenly raised her head.
The wind howled, and the puppet barrier came fiercely, scraping against her body like swords. It would draw blood in just a few hits, but Sheng Ningyu paid no attention to any of them. She even withdrew her spiritual power and let it fall on her body.
She went against the crowd, against the raging wind and demonic energy, against the barrier of puppets, towards one person.
"Yuan Xiao Er".
Sheng Ningyu's eyes darkened, and she slapped the young man in blue standing in front of her.
Her face was more pale than ever before, and she used all her strength in that slap, showing no mercy.
But it didn't work.
Sheng Ningyu quickly realized this.
From the very beginning, some people have used various means to bewitch Yuan Shuhe's mind.
...
Outside the trial, inside the Xuanzhu Palace.
After Yuan Shuhe stood still, Yuan Bushu suddenly stood up.
He stared for a long time until Sheng Ningyu walked to Yuan Shuhe's side, and Yuan Bushu's gaze shifted from the Mirror of Heaven and Water.
He exchanged a glance with Xie Qianjing, and only after receiving a nod from the other did he gently exhale a breath of stale air.
If I'm not mistaken.
Everything in this trial through a thousand mountains is for one purpose.
That's quite a clever plan.
Yuan Bushu, instead of being furious, calmed down.
He realized that someone was deliberately trying to mislead and deceive Yuan Shuhe's mind.
Xie Qianjing could certainly have thought of this as well.
He even thought of it earlier than Yuan Bushu did.
Xie Qianjing flicked his finger, and demonic energy suddenly spread outwards from the hall.
"Demon Lord!"
"Your Excellency, please wait!"
The sect leader and elders in the hall all exclaimed in surprise, but it was too late.
Like a long black ribbon, it surged in all directions, instantly enveloping the entire Shanhai Never Sleeps City in a deep darkness.
The lights, as dazzling as ten thousand stars, paled in comparison to this powerful demonic energy; all their light seemed to be swallowed up by the rolling black mist.
Tianshanhai Never-Sleeping City, at this moment, seemed to have finally ushered in true night. The vendors and pedestrians on the street stopped in their tracks, looked up at the sky, and showed expressions of fear and confusion on their faces.
"What happened?" someone asked, trembling. "Why did it suddenly get dark?"
The woman immediately picked up her child and headed home, while the vendors quickly closed their doors and windows.
An old cultivator among them sighed and whispered, "The world has changed."
But will the bright moon shine again this time?
...
Inside the Xuanzhu Palace.
Everyone was terrified by Xie Qianjing's sudden move. The elder of the Weapon Refining Sect frowned, about to rebuke him, but when he saw the Demon Lord dressed in white, he sighed silently.
This once-renowned Bodhi Immortal Lord has somehow ended up in this state.
"What does Your Majesty mean by this?" The elder of the Weapon Forging Sect stood up and asked coldly, "Does Your Majesty intend to break the alliance and repeat what happened to the Bodhi Xie Clan back then?"
Xie Qianjing said, "The reason for surrounding the hall with demonic energy is to ensure that no one can leave the hall at present."
Qi Baiya frowned: "What does Your Excellency mean?"
Xie Qianjing raised his head and said calmly, "The person who framed the Xie family for harboring a demon seed and wanted to use this technique to create another demon seed in the Thousand Mountains Trial is here. He probably created an avatar and entered the Thousand Mountains Trial."
This move was so clever that even Feng Xiaosheng didn't notice anything amiss.
This is enough to show how profound that person's cultivation was.
Upon hearing this, everyone reacted with varying expressions, but all became wary.
Xie Qianjing glanced at Feng Qingli.
The elder of the Bluebird One-Leaf Flower was terrified.
Seeing Feng Qingli's audacity, they nearly fainted and tugged at his sleeves. Feng Qingli chuckled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, but eventually sat down.
However, his words inevitably reminded everyone present of the Xie family's past harboring of demonic seeds. But before the second person could speak, another voice rang out.
"Feng Jun once told me that there was something fishy about the Xie family's affairs in the past." Feng Xiaosheng stood up, glanced at everyone, his face was gloomy, and his aura was extremely terrifying.
"I just didn't expect that someone would actually extend their reach into our Thousand Mountains Trial."
Of course, with Sheng Ningyu around, Feng Xiaosheng wasn't worried about the safety of those disciples.
Or perhaps, in Feng Xiaosheng's heart, the only person she would worry about is Sheng Ningyu.
With Feng Xiaosheng as a witness, those present were even more convinced.
In the silence, another soft laugh rang out.
Xie Qianjing stood up. He didn't look at Feng Qingli, but stood in front of everyone and calmly said, "If I were to take action, there wouldn't be so much trouble."
The tone of his words was calm, but the meaning behind them was extremely arrogant.
The body of that Nine Heavens Pavilion elder is still warm.
Now everyone was almost completely convinced and wouldn't allow them to waver anymore.
so……
The group looked at each other.
Is there a sinister entity among them, far more terrifying than this Demon Lord?!
Elder Ruan Shu of Tianji Pavilion seemed to realize something, and her expression grew even more grim. She said, "If that person has infiltrated the Thousand Mountains Trial, once the Thousand Mountains Trial begins, it cannot be stopped... The Sword Pavilion's acting leader's natal sword is here, and his cultivation is suppressed at the fifth level of the Jade Balance Realm. I'm afraid he won't be able to protect everyone."
Feng Xiaosheng's expression softened: "Elder Ruan, there's no need to worry."
No.
That's not actually the case.
Xiang Bieyun felt a sinking feeling in her heart. She gripped Yuan Bushu's hand tightly and patted it reassuringly.
No one knows who is behind this. The claim that "Yuan Dao Zhenren is not dead" is just speculation. Even though Chu Jiye is trapped here, and Xie Qianjing has killed several suspicious people with the help of the Chu family steward, there are still some who have escaped.
But this person had cultivated some kind of technique, which seemed to allow him to split himself into pieces, unlike the divided spirits of righteous cultivators. It was as if he had perfectly replicated all of his techniques.
However...it does bear some resemblance to the puppet doppelganger of the Sword Pavilion?
Even Han Yuyi looked at Yan Ruchao.
Could he truly be the acting leader of the Sword Pavilion?
Yan Ruchao shook his head.
impossible.
"He's not that stupid."
Han Yuyi nodded, but the doubts in her heart had not been completely dispelled.
She was also described as "reserved and gentle," so she was particularly clear-headed.
Some people appear dignified and gentle, as if they are above the clouds, but in reality, they are just the tip of the iceberg.
Only he knew the turbulent emotions raging within.
If what A-Chao said is true, he once thought that the former Pavilion Master was in love with Mingyue...
Han Yuyi felt a heaviness in her heart.
However, before she could think about it, a cheerful voice came from the Mirror of Heaven and Water.
The people who had been confronting each other just moments before all looked up.
Within the Mirror of Heaven and Water, the female disciple in green still maintained a carefree and playful demeanor. Although she was clearly trapped within the puppet barrier, with the surrounding gale like swords piercing her body, she seemed to have no sense of it. On her ordinary features, a wild smile that was enough to make anyone's heart flutter was outlined.
Feng Xiaosheng: "?"
The confident smile suddenly changed, and Feng Xiaosheng abruptly raised his head, his face as dark as the deep sea.
-----------------------
Author's Note: Mingyue: My fellow disciples have been bewitched and are about to fall into demonic possession, what should I do!
Mingyue: Hey! If we take his way, he'll have nowhere to go! [Sunglasses]
This chapter is a combined set. Today is Chinese New Year, and on behalf of Mingyue and Xiaoxie, I wish my darling a Happy Chinese New Year 2025!!!
May the new year bring you happiness, good health, peace, and abundant wealth!
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