sinovels Chapter 182 Sword Named Tianhu
Chapter 182 Sword Named Tianhu
After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a magnificent palace appeared ahead.
The palace roof was inlaid with golden glazed tiles, which shimmered under the purple sky.
The palace gates were wide open, and a plaque hung above the lintel with the three characters "Tianhu Palace" written in an ancient and vigorous style, radiating a faint golden light.
Zhou Ning entered the palace.
The interior of the hall is even more magnificent than the exterior.
The tall stone pillars are carved with lifelike fox patterns, some running, some crouching, and some howling at the sky, each one exquisite.
The floor was paved with white jade slabs, smooth as a mirror, reflecting the luminous pearls embedded in the dome, illuminating the entire hall as if it were daytime.
In the very center of the main hall, there is a high platform, on which sits a jade box.
The jade box was warm and smooth, emitting a faint blue light. It was engraved with intricate runes, which were exactly the same as those on the stone gate at the entrance to the secret realm.
"The ancient magic treasure is inside the jade box." Zhou Ning's heart stirred.
He walked up to the platform and reached for the jade box.
The moment the finger touched the jade box, the runes on the jade box suddenly lit up with a dazzling blue light.
A phantom figure floated out of the jade box and slowly condensed into a human form.
She was a woman dressed in a white robe, with an exquisitely beautiful face, long hair flowing over her shoulders, and exquisite features, surrounded by a faint aura.
In her hand she held a whisk, giving her a somewhat otherworldly and ethereal appearance.
"A human? Who are you? Why have you trespassed into the Celestial Fox Realm?"
The woman's voice was soft and ethereal, like a mountain stream or a bell in the wind.
Zhou Ning cupped his hands and said, "I am Zhou Ning. I have been entrusted by the elders of the Qingqiu Fox Clan to retrieve an ancient magic treasure in order to fight against the Heavenly Demon."
The woman looked him up and down and nodded slightly.
"With a steadfast Dao heart, profound cultivation, and righteous spirit, you are indeed qualified to inherit the legacy of the Heavenly Fox Clan. However, to take the magic treasure, you still need to pass the final test."
Zhou Ning asked, "What kind of test?"
The woman said, "Fight me. If you can defeat me, the magic weapon is yours. If you lose, stay in the secret realm and stay with me forever."
Zhou Ning was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay."
The woman smiled slightly, and with a flash, rushed towards him.
Her speed was astonishing; Zhou Ning only saw a white shadow flash before his eyes before the whisk was already in front of him.
Zhou Ning was prepared and dodged the whisk with a swift movement.
"Senior, please forgive me."
As he spoke, he drew his Qingfeng sword and slashed out.
A purplish-gold sword aura shot out from the tip of the sword, heading straight for the woman's chest.
The woman snorted coldly, waved her whisk, and a beam of white light rushed forward.
"boom!"
The sword energy collided with the white light, producing a deafening explosion.
Zhou Ning was forced back several steps, his hands and feet going numb.
The woman also took a step back, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
"Your strength is greater than I imagined."
Zhou Ning did not answer, and instead unleashed another sword strike.
This time, he combined the "Demon Slayer Technique" and the "Sky-Splitting Slash," splitting the sword energy in the air into two, then into four, transforming into four sword energies that attacked the woman simultaneously from four directions.
The woman waved her whisk, shattering the three sword energies, but the fourth sword energy grazed her shoulder, leaving a shallow wound from which white blood seeped out.
"You..." A hint of anger flashed in the woman's eyes.
She formed a mudra with her hands and chanted incantations.
The spiritual energy in the palace began to surge violently, converging around her and transforming into a huge white sphere of light.
Within the sphere of light, a white fox could be vaguely seen running, emitting a low growl.
"Heavenly Fox Transformation!" the woman shouted, and a white ball of light hurtled towards Zhou Ning.
Zhou Ning could sense that the ball of light contained extremely powerful energy, a strike from the peak of the Dao Integration stage.
He dared not be negligent, and concentrated all his Daoist power at the tip of his sword, unleashing the ultimate move of the "Demon Slayer Technique".
A dazzling purple-gold light shone on the Qingfeng Sword.
The light grew stronger and brighter, like a small sun, illuminating the entire palace as if it were daytime.
"cut!"
A massive purple-gold sword aura shot out from the sword tip and collided with the white sphere of light.
"boom--!"
The two forces collided, unleashing a deafening roar.
The palace shook violently, and the luminous pearls on the dome fell and shattered into pieces.
The white jade slabs on the ground were blown away, scattering gravel and filling the air with dust.
Zhou Ning was blasted away and crashed into a stone pillar in the hall, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
The woman was also knocked back several steps, her face pale, and a trace of white blood spilled from the corner of her mouth.
The two looked at each other for a moment, then smiled at the same time.
"You win."
The woman put away her whisk and walked up to him.
"Your Dao heart is firm, and your sword intent is sharp; you are indeed qualified to inherit the legacy of the Heavenly Fox Clan."
She took a short sword from the jade box and handed it to Zhou Ning.
The short sword is about a foot long, with a silver-white blade engraved with fine runes that emit a faint blue light.
A blue gemstone is inlaid on the hilt of the sword, and within the gemstone, one can vaguely see a white fox running.
"This sword is called 'Heavenly Fox,' a divine weapon left behind by our Heavenly Fox clan's ancestors. It can not only slay demons and monsters, but also subdue all evil spirits, including extraterrestrial demons beyond the Three Realms. Take it and use it well."
Zhou Ning took the Heavenly Fox Sword; it was cold and heavy in his hand.
He could sense that the sword contained extremely powerful energy, which resonated slightly with his Dao-merging power.
"Thank you, senior." Zhou Ning bowed respectfully.
The woman waved her hand: "No need to thank me. You should go now. The Heavenly Fox Secret Realm is about to close; if you don't leave now, it will be too late."
Her figure gradually faded, turning into specks of white light and dissipating into the air.
Zhou Ning carefully sheathed the Heavenly Fox Sword and turned to leave the palace.
As we exited the secret realm, the massive stone gate slowly closed, emitting a deep rumble.
The elder and Xin Shisi Niang were waiting at the door. When they saw him come out, they both breathed a sigh of relief.
"Young Master Zhou, did you succeed?" Xin Shisi Niang asked.
Zhou Ning nodded, took out the Heavenly Fox Sword from his bag, and showed it to them.
The runes on the sword shimmered with a faint blue light in the sunlight, and the white fox was still running in the blue gem on the hilt.
"The Heavenly Fox Sword is a sacred artifact of our Heavenly Fox Clan."
The elder was overcome with tears.
"I never expected to see it in my lifetime, Young Master Zhou. You must make good use of this sword."
Zhou Ning carefully put away the Heavenly Fox Sword and bowed deeply to the elder.
"Thank you for your trust, Elder. I will certainly live up to your expectations and use the Heavenly Fox Sword to completely destroy the Heavenly Demon."
The elder nodded, took out a jade slip from his sleeve, and handed it to Zhou Ning.
"This is the method of using the Heavenly Fox Sword. Take it back and study it carefully. Although the Heavenly Fox Sword is powerful, it needs to be in harmony with the master's Dao heart to unleash its greatest power."
Zhou Ning accepted the jade slip and solemnly said, "Thank you, Elder."
Under the hospitality of the elders and Xin Shisi Niang, Zhou Ning stayed at the Qingqiu Fox Clan for a few more days, gaining a better understanding of the history of the Heavenly Fox Sword, before leaving Qingqiu Mountain and returning to Lanruo Temple.