Chapter 15: Escorting the Unlocking of the Most Important Truth Related to the Villain and the Host...
The ladder of clouds stretches endlessly, connecting heaven and earth.
Zhou Fuling was sitting at the foot of a small rocky hill, playing with the blind old woman from the Immortal Abode.
This blind old woman, dressed in a blue robe, came from who-knows-where, probably someone kept by the Zou family. She always appeared in the fairy palaces and pavilions, spouting ghost stories.
But Zhou Fuling and the blind woman got along very well.
The blind woman dropped a stone.
"One begets two, two begets one."
"Is it possible for four to produce one?" Zhou Fuling asked.
"Aren't you one, girl?"
Zhou Fuling didn't say anything.
Do you know Ning Tingyue?
"Who doesn't know Ning Tingyue, the sect leader of Yun Ning? What deeds of his do you want to ask about?"
Zhou Fuling shook her head.
He twitched his lips slightly, but said nothing.
Beneath this magnificent palace and jade pool, cultivators in white robes and green gowns are preparing to depart.
A short while later, Zhou Fuling ran over and distributed peace talismans to each of the disciples. This was a tradition of the immortal sects: those who were not participating in the trials would bless those who were.
Xu Qingning was organizing his swords; he had received many peace charms from celestial officials and disciples today.
But his gaze kept drifting to the other side.
On the stone steps, she wore a pair of light blue boots.
Zhou Fuling's snow-white skirt fluttered in the wind.
Her black hair was braided into a large plait at her waist, adorned with a few small lily-of-the-valley flowers.
The aroma is wonderful and refreshing.
It's Zhou Fuling.
She's here.
But he kept giving amulets to other people.
Xu Qingning pursed her lips.
"Senior brother."
Xu Qingning drew back the curtain of the phoenix carriage.
Today, Zhou Fuling's eyes shone brightly in the sunlight.
With her bright red lips, she ran over carrying a bag woven from rattan.
Xu Qingning poked her head out and said, "Come up."
...
The candlelight flickered, casting a warm glow over the two of them.
Xu Qingning sat in front of the wooden table in the phoenix carriage, opening Zhou Fuling's mustard seed bag.
It seemed as if they were afraid she hadn't brought enough things.
"Don't eat too much cold food."
"Don't stay up all night."
"Do not go to the demon land."
"Even outside of Ice Mirror Peak, do not be too willful."
Zhou Fuling sat opposite, holding Xu Qingning's mustard seed talisman, and took out a few water talismans from it and stuffed them into her own bag.
They've been doing this for the past decade.
They looked through each other's belongings to see if there was anything they needed to add or take away.
Zhou Fuling took out another talisman and placed it on the table.
Xu Qingning bowed his head.
"..."
The amulet was placed inside a sachet, which was exquisitely crafted in a diamond shape, with a small phoenix embroidered on its soft, green satin surface.
Xu Qingning held the sachet in her hand, and the chill subsided just as it had yesterday.
After a moment, he closed his fingers and said softly, "Exquisite craftsmanship. Thank you."
"Why are you thanking me?" Zhou Fuling seemed dissatisfied.
“I also have something to give you,” Xu Qingning said.
"What?"
After a while, Xu Qingning also took out a jade pendant from his mustard seed bag.
The jade pendant was warm and lustrous, with a shimmering sheen. A protective amulet also hung on it, the characters of which were written by Xu Qingning.
Zhou Fuling was surprised: "Didn't this belong to the former sect leader? Senior brother?"
That is, Xu Qingning's uncle.
“…Okay. Take it.” Xu Qingning put the jade pendant into Zhou Fuling’s mustard seed bag.
After putting away the mustard seed bag, the two looked at each other.
"Be careful," Zhou Fuling said. "And why are you staring at me like that?"
...It seems like this is the last time I'll see her.
"I just wanted to see you," Xu Qingning said. "You also need to be careful."
...
On the phoenix carriage, amidst the rising smoke of incense, Xu Qingning took out the sachet again.
Looking into the distance.
Zhou Fuling left.
A warmth emanated from my fingertips.
A cold voice suddenly ripped it apart—
[Host, please note that the fourth item for the prerequisite quest "Because I am in the midst of the mountain" will soon appear at the Ten Thousand Mountains Banquet.]
Please complete "Only Because I'm in the Mountain" 4/4. Completing this will grant you a crucial item to fully uncover the villain's true identity, officially commencing your strategy and the world-saving mission.
[Friendly Reminder: The villain is extremely dangerous. Please complete the mission with caution and remain calm throughout.]
Xu Qingning frowned. It seemed that everything was finally going to settle down, but he still felt something was off.
[I already know who the villain is. Why bother with the prerequisite quests?]
System: [No, you don't know.]
Xu Qingning raised her eyes suspiciously: […According to the inner demon's instructions last time, isn't the villain the one from the Heavenly Annihilation Valley at midnight?]
The system did not answer the question: [Please complete the prerequisite tasks carefully. Afterwards, you can unlock the most important true identity of the villain related to you, as well as more detailed storylines and world-building details.]
Xu Qingning: [...]
...
The Wanshan Banquet was packed with people.
Banners fluttered, and the mountains resounded.
This trial is divided into two parts: the first and the second.
The upper examination was held at the Heavenly Book Platform, surrounded by celestial mist, with the magnificent Golden Temple floating high in the sky.
The next test was held in Wanyun Forest, where the trees were deep and layered, and strange noises were hidden in the forest and fell on the ground.
Zhou Fuling was pulled forward by He Yin.
"I heard that this time, the experts above will be at the Heavenly Book Platform, 'observing the Dao and protecting life,' comprehending the Dao of Heaven, revealing the secrets of the Immortal Realm, and exploring the future."
"Lower-grade cultivators in the Wanyun Forest need to 'master martial arts to subdue demons.' Great Immortal Masters will also assist lower-grade cultivators."
The stands are filled with blooming flowers.
He Yin pulled Zhou Fuling to the Xiarang Survey Platform.
Illusion mirrors, each about two people tall, stood on all four sides. Their surfaces, like water, reflected the scene at the trial site.
After Zhou Fuling sat down, she asked, "Senior Sister Xiaoyin, is Yuliu feeling better?"
"I'm much better." Hua Yuliu and his sister are still being raised in the Immortal Abode; only He Yin has visited them.
Just as Zhou Fuling was about to say something, she suddenly heard a gust of wind.
"The Ning family, it's the Ning family!"
Against the clear sky, a magnificent Vermilion Bird chariot galloped through the clouds, its fierce aura swallowing the heavens and its divine might traversing ten thousand mountains.
The three leaders stood tall, all with divine bearing, dressed in white robes and gold belts, as voices of admiration rose from all directions.
"Sect Leader Ning!"
"Elder Ning Chenghan!"
"Chao Xue, the fairy Chao Xue!"
A note from the author:
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