Chapter 9 At the Ten Thousand Mountains Banquet, Xu Qingning's face was as cold as frost.
Swords and magical artifacts were placed in the baggage, and a Kunpeng, carrying the carriage, stopped in front of Ice Mirror Peak. Ice Mirror Peak was bustling with preparations, ready to head to Central Continent to attend the Ten Thousand Mountains Banquet.
Xu Qingning did not reappear.
But Zhou Fuling received his message on the jade tablet. He sent a series of reminders, telling her to bring the things she needed for her journey to Zhongzhou, such as protective magical artifacts.
She only saw Xu Qingning once.
Xu Qingning sat in the pavilion, silent and with a face as cold as frost.
After a while, he led his men away, heading towards Zhongzhou Longtan.
...
The Immortal Sect is divided into four continents.
Zhongzhou is located in the center of the Immortal Realm.
In the distance, clouds and mist drifted, and mountains surrounded the city. It was a city enveloped in celestial aura. The celestial palace and the capital city faced each other.
Above the sky, a magnificent cloud palace stands, with golden palaces like towering mountains and jade steps like a long river. Just like an imperial palace, it sits in the heart of the sky and is a sacred place for powerful beings to cultivate.
Below lies Dragon Pool City. Thousands of households and gates are open, streets and alleys connect in all directions, and bright lanterns illuminate the city roads, their light reflecting off the celestial palaces in the sky.
The east and west markets were bustling with activity, with carriages and horses coming and going, creating a lively and prosperous scene.
The reason this place is so prosperous is because the current Immortal Alliance Master Zou Lanci is stationed here.
The Immortal Lord is the current leader of the Immortal Realm. Because the Immortal Alliance governs the mortal realm, he is the master of this realm.
Zou Lanci adopted the reign title "Shouguang". The Longtan region under her rule was bathed in holy light, a truly magnificent sight.
A gentle spring breeze, verdant willows casting long shadows—Zhou Fuling and He Yin strolled through the brightly lit West Market, listening to the storyteller's tale:
"The origin of this Ten Thousand Mountains Banquet dates back to the great famine three thousand years ago... In the era of mortals and sages, in the thirty-third year of the Tang Dynasty, a strange snow disaster struck the world. Good heavens, it lasted for twenty years, and ninety percent of the people in the capital starved or froze to death, not to mention other places. Uprisings were also constant, claiming that the royal family had brought about the natural disaster. But with such a great disaster before us, what's the point of discussing whose fault it was?"
"There is a tree that reaches to the heavens, also known as the Tree of Multiple Hells. Each layer of the tree recreates the hells of the divine religion, but the top seems to reach the heavens. A hundred cultivators from the mortal world gathered lords and generals, as well as people from all walks of life, each displaying their supernatural abilities, and climbed that tree, all in an effort to find a way for the human race to survive. In the end, after the multiple hells, only ten survivors broke through the path to the heavens, encountered the immortal realm, comprehended the way of transforming primordial energy, and overcame the calamity of ice and snow. This is how our immortal sect came to be today."
"However, when the mortals sought refuge from disaster, the eight great mountain sects rose to power and turned their attention to killing the people of the immortal realm and stealing the fruits of victory."
"Many mortal heroes turned to the immortal sects. Thus the 'War of Ten Thousand Mountains' was started. After thirty years of war, the mortal sects surrendered one after another. The descendants of the Li clan, who had failed to seize power and fled to the wasteland to escape disasters, became demonic cultivators. The Ten Thousand Mountains Banquet was held to commemorate this war."
Thick clouds and mist enveloped the city as Zhou Fuling gazed towards its edge. The soil met the clouds, and below lay the mortal realm. She was standing on the celestial realm.
Thanks to trade and exchanges, the differences between the Immortal Realm and the Mortal Realm are becoming smaller and smaller.
Everything she liked in the mortal realm was here. She bought oil hammers, Biro, and crispy mountains. Suddenly, a gust of wind was heard, and everyone looked up.
"The Mortal Realm! People from the eight major sects of the Mortal Realm have arrived!"
Along the long road, one after another magnificent carriages entered the city.
This car is like a long dragon.
Sitting atop the horses were a group of spirited disciples in green robes, their skin darker and their attire poorer than that of the people from the Immortal Realm, riding into the city.
He Yin claimed to have been born in the mortal realm and told Zhou Fuling.
The Kuang family produces butchers and is also the origin of Kuang Yunchu, the leader of the mortal realm; the Miao family is skilled at nurturing wood spirits.
Zhou Fuling recognized this family; she and Xu Qingning had met them when they were wandering the mortal realm. The teacher Xu Qingning found for her also came from here.
The crowd suddenly erupted in excitement.
"Kuang Shan Shou! Kuang Shan Shou!"
The calls were frenzied.
High in the sky, a divine deer carries a lantern, which shines brightly.
A woman in white rode in on a deer. Her robes fluttered, and she possessed an extraordinary air, clearly exhibiting characteristics of a cultivator. For example, she wore many first-grade spiritual talismans.
In addition, she also had the air of a martial arts practitioner, carrying two butcher knives on her back, with respectful disciples behind her.
Her face was covered. Zhou Fuling couldn't see her clearly. But for some reason, looking at this person gave her a dull ache in her head.
The mere appearance of this person caused a stir among the crowd.
This was none other than Kuang Yunchu, the leader of the mortal realm.
"Kuang Shanshou!"
"Kuang Shanshou is a man of great talent, proficient in both literature and martial arts. Apart from the Immortal, is there anyone else as perfect as Kuang Shanshou?!"
"No, stop talking... Don't cause trouble for Chief Kuang..."
"Oh, what's there to be afraid of? When the mountain chief encounters danger, he always manages to escape unscathed..."
But the people from Bingjian Peak stared at Kuang Shanshou with somewhat subtle expressions.
Many people even showed signs of disgust.
After a while, one of them said in a low voice with a sullen face, "Young Master... won't you run into Chief Kuang Shan soon?"
"No, Kuang Shanshou is no longer the young sect leader's stepmother. Didn't she swear back then to avoid the young sect leader as much as possible?"
"Don't gossip about Chief Kuang Shan outside," Zhou Fuling said, "so as not to cause trouble for Senior Brother at the Wanshan Banquet."
Everyone fell silent.
Zhou Fuling knew this person was Xu Qingning's enemy. She also disliked him.
Kuang Yunchu...
She had heard of her... This person was once Xu Qingning's senior sister, her mother Xia Yanbai's favorite student, and later became Xu Qingning's stepmother, who was at odds with her. Now she is almost the most powerful person in the mountain.
This was one of the few people Zhou Fuling couldn't understand. She didn't get involved with people she couldn't understand; she waited until she did. This was Zhou Fuling's way of surviving.
She avoided this place and reminded He Yin to take her to meet the mortal disciples.
"Speaking of the person I introduced to Xiaoling today, he also has some connection with this Kuangshan chieftain..."
He Yin said in a low voice, "They were once adopted by Chief Kuang, but they don't see him much these days. However, they still remember Chief Kuang's kindness. Let's not talk about Chief Kuang."
Indeed, due to the conflict and contradictions between Xu Qingning and his senior sister (stepmother) Kuang Yunchu, Tianji Sect and the mortal realm have completely different attitudes towards Kuang Yunchu. In order to maintain friendly relations, the disciples of both sides try their best not to mention this matter.
Afterwards, He Yin introduced Zhou Fuling to a brother and sister named Hua Yuexi and Hua Yuliu, who came from Hualing Mountain.
Zhou Fuling asked if the mountain was for growing flowers. They said no, it was for raising spirit beasts. However, the mountain was covered in flowers.
They were the young masters there. Hua Yuliu was the person He Yin introduced to Zhou Fuling. He was handsome and very proactive towards Zhou Fuling, as if he had a good impression of her.
"Ah, your mother and father are both dead." During casual conversation, Zhou Fuling learned of this and offered a feigned consolation.
"Yes."
Hua Yuliu's eyes, however, seemed to reflect the sunlight.
He took her sightseeing.
He gazed at the thousands of mountains and rivers, seemingly loving everything about them, "But if one closes their eyes because their family members have all died, wouldn't that be very unfortunate?"
Zhou Fuling suddenly discovered a certain charm in him. But she found this charm extremely repulsive.
...
“Father.” Ning Chaoxue, carrying a golden sword on her back, walked into the golden hall of Dragon Pool.
Ahead, a person sat down with his back to her.
Her golden knife was engraved with a vermilion bird, radiating a dazzling, jewel-like brilliance.
And among the man's men, there lay a sharp, gleaming sword.
Ning Chaoxue was nearly knocked against the wall by its oppressive aura as she watched.
"Has the matter of Kang Huangzhai been resolved?" the person in front asked.
Ning Chaoxue gritted her teeth:
“Father, I didn’t have time… I didn’t have time to find the clues as to why the matchmaker ghost was awakened before I ran into Xu Qingning.”
"But I, but I discovered these two things."
Ning Chaoxue opened her hand, revealing two fragments at her fingertips—fragments of spirit pouches used by cultivators to store pills.
One piece is embroidered with lush wild grass, and the other with delicate, beautiful flowers.
The man put the two items in his hands and remained silent.
Ning Chaoxue: "But... Father, why did you kill that matchmaker back then?"
"That's not your concern."
The man clenched his fist.
Ning Chaoxue knelt down, her eyes wide open, cold sweat pouring down her face.
The man said, "Xu Qingning is becoming increasingly difficult to deal with. Go and capture Zhou Fuling."
...
On the other side of the Dragon Pool Immortal Abode, a snow wall ten feet high roams, filled with spiritual energy, creating illusions of dragon roars and phoenix cries.
It was as grand as a lantern festival, but even more solemn than Xiarang.
Inside the high pavilion, Xu Qingning lowered his head to flip through the golden book, his gaze sweeping over "The Disaster of Kanghuangzhai".
“Young Master, the awakening of the matchmaker in the Kanghuangzhai disaster is probably a man-made disaster.” Hao Cheng, the head of the Tianji Sect’s officials, said, “We found the following traces: someone used the Tianji Summoning Talisman and the Recording Talisman at the same time, trying to awaken the matchmaker ghost, as if trying to record something.”
"The person who awakened that great demon is probably from the Tianji Sect and also has access to talismans."
Xu Qingning coldly raised her eyes, her pupils as black as ice, and said in a low voice, "Go investigate."
The official received the order.
However, before Hao Cheng left, he suddenly remembered something and whispered, "Young Master, about Miss Fu Ling... would you like to hear about it?"
Xu Qingning suddenly raised her eyes: "Of course I will listen."
Hao Cheng carefully observed Xu Qingning's expression and then mentioned Zhou Fuling's whereabouts.
"Junior Sister Fuling went to see the lantern festival at the Ten Thousand Mountains Banquet, and then met the Hua siblings from the mortal realm... Junior Sister became very close to one of the young cultivators named Hua Yuliu, and even drew gold and silver lottery tickets..."
"Gold or silver tokens?" Xu Qingning asked, puzzled.
"It is a custom among mortals to find a partner. Young men and women who are not yet in a relationship draw lots, and then travel together for three days. It is also called 'Mandarin Duck Lottery'."
"I heard that they've been inseparable these past few days. Hua Yuliu has been taking Junior Sister Zhou to watch Fan Qi's opera and hang colorful ribbons. Junior Sister Zhou seems to like him a lot, and they stay with him until midnight every day before they go to rest. They even made plans to go boating on the lake at the Fairy Fish Pond today."
"..."
Xu Qingning raised her eyes and frowned.
He knew Zhou Fuling well. She seemed gentle and lovely, but she never liked spending long periods of time with other people. She would get bored easily, and she was very picky about the people around her.
She tried to hide it, but he could tell.
Zhou Fuling is a person who is warm on the outside but cold on the inside.
The fact that they've been able to spend so much time together suggests that this beggar, Hua Yuliu, has probably caught her eye.
The candlelight reflected in Xu Qingning's eyes, but the light was cold.
"Young Master, if you don't go soon, who knows what will happen?" Hao Cheng said cautiously. "After investigating Young Master Hua Yuliu, why don't you go find Junior Sister Zhou?"
Hao Cheng had followed Xu Qingning for many years and knew his temper somewhat, so he quietly offered some advice.
"...What am I supposed to do there?" Xu Qingning lowered her eyes. "It's just for the young people to have fun."
Hao Cheng: “…………”
"Fine." Hao Cheng left without saying another word.
Afterwards, Xu Qingning appeared completely unaffected.
However, after Hao Cheng withdrew, Xu Qingning suddenly slammed the golden book in her hand shut and looked sharply at the candle beside her.
He remained motionless for a long time, as if he had turned into a stone sculpture, his fingertips as if blood had been drained from them.
For some reason, he suddenly remembered something from a long time ago.
Xu Qingning slowly raised her eyes.
Outside the celestial abode, the wind howled and the snow fell, a vast expanse of white.
Xu Qingning stood up silently, her deep eyes gazing down at the myriad lights of the homes below.
The light there seemed to be shut out from him.
[Host, please complete the prerequisite quest "Only Because I'm in the Mountain" (3/4) - "The Battle at the Immortal Fish Pond"!]
A voice suddenly appeared in his mind.
A demonic calamity is about to strike at the Immortal Fish Pond; blood will also be shed there. New clues about the villains have also emerged.
Please stop the bloodshed at the Immortal Fish Pond. The host will receive the third fragment of "Only Because I Am in the Mountain," the "Snake Talisman."
Collecting all four fragments will provide a crucial clue about the villain's identity.
Xu Qingning slightly raised her eyes.
He frowned...
Zhou Fuling was also by the Fairy Fish Pond.
A note from the author:
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