sinovels Chapter 173 Strange Events in the North
Chapter 173 Strange Events in the North
Half a month later, Zhou Ning finally walked back to Lanruo Temple.
The mountain is still the same mountain, and the pine trees are still the same pine trees.
But Zhou Ning's feelings were completely different.
He used to think that Qingyun Mountain was towering high and difficult to climb.
Now, however, he feels that the mountain is welcoming and warm, like a kind old man opening his arms to welcome him home.
He climbed upwards along the mountain path.
Wildflowers bloom along both sides of the mountain road, and bees and butterflies flutter about.
The air was filled with a faint fragrance of flowers and the fresh scent of pine resin.
After walking for about an hour, he arrived at the mountain gate.
Lanruo Temple still stands atop the mountain, the afterglow of the setting sun casting a golden glow on its roof.
"I'm back, Lanruo Temple." He exhaled a long breath.
He entered the main hall.
Inside the hall, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, and the Buddha statues stood silently.
Yan Chixia was meditating when he heard footsteps and opened his eyes.
His gaze fell on Zhou Ning, and he nodded slightly.
"You're back? Is the matter at Qingqiu Mountain finished?"
Zhou Ning nodded, briefly explained the situation at Qingqiu Mountain, and then handed the incomplete jade slip of the [Heavenly Fox Transformation] to his master.
Yan Chixia took the jade slip, probed it with his divine sense, and nodded slightly after a moment.
"The Celestial Fox Transformation is indeed a closely guarded secret of the Qingqiu Fox Clan. Only foxes can cultivate this technique. Humans who try to practice it will inevitably suffer a qi deviation. And unfortunately, it's a fragmented version. What do you plan to do with it?"
Zhou Ning said, "I heard from Xin Shisi Niang that the real complete version is in the Heavenly Fox Secret Realm, but unfortunately they cannot enter it because it is sealed with strange things. Miss Xin gave me this incomplete version for reference, I suppose she wants my help."
Yan Chixia nodded: "That's right. You're on good terms with the Qingqiu Fox Clan. Her giving you the incomplete text for reference and wishing you well in your cultivation is also a kind gesture. Perhaps you could try to help her."
He returned the jade slip to Zhou Ning and said:
"Your Nascent Soul stage is now stable. With your current cultivation level, the strange things inside won't pose much of a threat to you. However, you shouldn't let your guard down. It's best to be cautious."
Zhou Ning nodded: "This disciple understands."
He left the main hall and returned to his residence.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he took out the jade slip containing the "Heavenly Fox Transformation" and placed it on the table.
The jade slip shimmered faintly in the candlelight, as if telling the story of the thousand-year history of the Qingqiu Fox Clan.
"I might visit Qingqiu Mountain again sometime when I have some free time," Zhou Ning thought to himself.
He closed his eyes and continued his cultivation.
The next morning, Zhou Ning woke up early, and as he opened his eyes, a sharp glint appeared in them.
He touched the jade pendant he was carrying, then carefully put away the jade slip containing the Heavenly Fox Transformation, before getting up and going down the mountain.
Zhou Ning arrived at Manager Zhao's shop, sealed the jade slip containing the Heavenly Fox Transformation in white paper, wrote a letter, and handed it to Manager Zhao along with some loose silver.
"Manager Zhao, please ask someone to deliver a message for me. Here is the reward."
Manager Zhao quickly declined.
"Young Master Zhou, you saved the lives of the people of Qingshan Town. How could I possibly accept your money for such a small matter? Rest assured, I will deliver it personally."
Zhou Ning shook his head: "Manager Zhao, you've had a tough time too. Please accept it."
Manager Zhao then accepted the money, expressed his gratitude profusely, and left.
Standing at the mountain gate, Zhou Ning watched Manager Zhao's departing figure, a faint sense of relief welling up in his heart.
The "Heavenly Fox Transformation" is a closely guarded secret of the Qingqiu Fox Clan. Returning it to its rightful owner is the best outcome, even if it is an incomplete copy. Leaving it with him is ultimately inappropriate.
As for Xin Shisi Niang's arrangements for the Heavenly Fox Transformation, that's her business.
He believed that Xin Shisi Niang's arrangements for the Heavenly Fox Transformation would have a good outcome.
"It's time to go back." Zhou Ning turned around and walked back to Lanruo Temple.
In the days that followed, he continued his cultivation in the back mountains.
The initial stage of the Nascent Soul realm has been completely stabilized, and the bottleneck in the middle stage of the Nascent Soul realm has begun to loosen.
He spent his days meditating, practicing swordsmanship, and studying the jade slips containing the Daoist text, leading a fulfilling and peaceful life.
On this day, he was meditating on the back mountain when he suddenly felt the communication jade talisman in his arms getting slightly warm.
He took out the jade talisman and infused it with a wisp of true essence.
Han Wei's voice echoed in his mind, tinged with anxiety.
"Young Master Zhou, the seal in the North has begun to weaken. In recent days, black mist has been seeping out from the edge of the seal. Although the cracks have not reopened, the dark shadows within the mist have become active again."
"We sent several groups of people to investigate, but they all returned empty-handed. Immortal Master Yan is in Qingfeng City, and he wants you to come here as soon as possible."
Zhou Ning felt a chill run down his spine, put away the jade talisman, and stood up.
The seal in the North is where the true form of the Heavenly Demon is sealed.
If the seal breaks, the Heavenly Demon may break through the seal again and descend upon the mortal realm.
He must get to the north as soon as possible to help Yan Chihan reinforce the seal.
He returned to his lodgings and packed his bags again.
The three flying swords, talismans, pills, and jade slips were all packed away one by one.
With everything prepared, he left Lanruo Temple and sped northwards.
From Qingyun Mountain to Qingfeng City, it's a distance of a thousand miles.
Zhou Ning traveled day and night, pushing his Nascent Soul stage cultivation to its limit. His figure streaked across the sky like a purple-gold rainbow.
When he arrived in Qingfeng City, the desolate scene there was unbelievable to him; it was even more bleak than when he left.
The streets were nearly deserted, and most shops were closed.
A faint stench of decay permeated the air, exactly like the aura of the Heavenly Demon.
The faces of the people were filled with fear and unease, as if they had returned to the days when the Black Mountain Demon wreaked havoc.
Han Wei was waiting at the city gate when he saw Zhou Ning and hurriedly went to greet him.
"Young Master Zhou, you've finally arrived. Immortal Yan is waiting for you at the seal in the north of the city."
Zhou Ning nodded and followed Han Wei toward the north of the city.
In the wasteland north of the city, the huge crack has disappeared, replaced by a scorched black land.
The ground was covered with cracks, from which black mist seeped out continuously.
In the mist, some dark shadows could be vaguely seen writhing and emitting low growls.
At the edge of the seal, there was a golden light shield with several fine cracks on it. The golden light flickered, as if it might shatter at any moment.
Yan Chixia sat cross-legged in front of the seal, his hands forming a hand seal, pouring his true essence into the seal.
His face was pale, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, clearly indicating that he had exhausted himself.
He nodded slightly when he saw Zhou Ning.
"You've arrived. The seal is weakening, and I need your help."
Zhou Ning sat down cross-legged beside him, placed his hands on the seal, and poured his primordial spirit power into it.
The purple-gold light intertwined with the golden light, and the cracks on the seal began to slowly heal.
"Master, why is the seal loosening?" Zhou Ning asked.
Yan Chixia said:
"The true form of the Heavenly Demon is attempting to break free from the seal. Although its power has been weakened, it remains formidable. Unwilling to remain sealed in the void, it has been trying to escape. Recently, its power seems to have recovered somewhat."