txolops Chapter 257 Qing Yi's Instructions
Chapter 257 Qing Yi's Instructions
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"It's only been a little over a hundred years, and Brother Luo has not only cultivated his magic power to the mid-stage of Core Formation, but also his body tempering technique. It seems that Brother Luo has obtained some extraordinary opportunity!"
Seeing the speed of progress Luo Ming was showing, Han Li couldn't help but think of his little green bottle.
Just as Han Li was deep in thought, Xuan Gu's voice rang in his ear: "That interesting fellow, Han kid, you know him..."
Just as Luo Ming was weighing the pros and cons, preparing to feign compliance with the barbarian's wishes and become his disciple, intending to find a way to escape after the Void Heaven Palace closed—
At the entrance of the hall, a figure flashed by, and two elderly men entered side by side.
The newcomers were all dressed in the Star Palace's signature snow-white elder robes, their garments fluttering, their hair and beards as white as silver, and surrounded by a hazy spiritual light. They exuded an air of otherworldly grace and extraordinary bearing. The moment they appeared, the undercurrents and whispers that had been subtly stirring within the hall instantly fell silent. Everyone understood that the opening of the Void Heaven Palace was fast approaching.
The two elders' gazes, calm and deep as still pools, slowly swept across the entire room. Luo Ming's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason. He felt that one of the elders, with a refined face and profound eyes, seemed to have lingered on him for a fleeting moment. Was it his imagination, or...?
He couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself, wondering if he shouldn't have come here at all, completely deviating from the logic of back then! Could it be that his presence had created a butterfly effect?
Now, not only are both the righteous and demonic paths eyeing him, but even the "Star Palace," the ruler of this chaotic star sea, seems to have taken notice. Is this a blessing or a curse?
At this moment, the gaunt elder stepped forward, his voice calm yet clear, echoing throughout the hall: "The rules of the Void Heaven Palace treasure hunt are surely familiar to all of you. My Star Palace is here only to maintain basic order and will not interfere in your search for treasures." His words were gentle, yet carried an undeniable authority. "Since you have obtained the Void Heaven Remnant Map, it is an opportunity for our Chaotic Star Sea human race. Whatever you acquire within, it will ultimately strengthen the power of our human race..."
These words were grand and dignified, seemingly regarding all the cultivators present as subjects of the Star Palace. Some showed excitement and longing, eager to rush into the hall and seize the opportunity; others had a barely perceptible sneer on their lips, clearly disregarding these words.
Just then, the bearded man's rough voice boomed again in Luo Ming's mind, filled with undisguised sarcasm: "Kid, did you hear that? Anyone can talk a good game. Don't actually believe these old men from the Star Palace, or you won't even know how you died!"
The tone shifted abruptly, becoming somewhat demanding and domineering, "Listen, if you can pass all three checkpoints set up in the outer hall on your own merits, I'll allow you to stay by my side and take you to the inner hall to broaden your horizons. If you can't even get past the outer hall... hehe, then you're not worthy of being my disciple, Barbarian Beard's disciple. Whether you live or die, I won't care!"
Luo Ming's mind raced, but his face immediately displayed a mixture of flattery and determination. He nodded slightly in the direction of the bearded man and replied telepathically, "Thank you for giving me this opportunity, senior! I will certainly do my utmost to live up to your expectations!"
At this moment, the Star Palace elder was drawing to a close. His expression suddenly turned solemn, and his voice sharpened: "I reiterate that within the outer palace grounds, bullying the weak and wantonly killing and robbing are strictly prohibited! Anyone who violates this rule, regardless of their sect or faction, will be subject to a pursuit order from my Star Palace, with no end in sight!"
He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over the several Nascent Soul cultivators. His tone softened, yet became even more profound: "However, this prohibition applies only to the outer hall. Due to the agreement made years ago, disciples of my Star Palace never set foot in the inner hall. Any disputes, battles, treasure grabs, or even deaths within are unrelated to the outside world, and my Star Palace will not interfere, much less pursue the matter."
"Whether you choose the safe path and stop at the outer hall, or are willing to seize an extraordinary opportunity and break into the inner hall, fellow Daoists, you shall weigh the options carefully."
After speaking, the two Star Palace elders said no more and sat down cross-legged near the entrance of the hall, closing their eyes to rest, seemingly waiting quietly for some opportunity.
For them, the words have been spoken, and the rules have been made clear. What remains is for these "fate seekers" to observe their own choices.
For Luo Ming, however, the waiting period that followed was exceptionally difficult.
He tried to sit cross-legged and meditate like others, but he could always feel that there were real gazes coming from different directions, which would fall on him from time to time, making him feel like he was being pricked.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that the bearded man, the Yin Ancestor, and the scholar in green robes, Qingyi Jushi, who always wore a warm smile, had gathered together, their lips slightly moving, clearly discussing something in secret. On the other side, Wan Tianming, Tian Wuzi, and the old farmer-looking cultivator, three righteous Nascent Soul cultivators, were also in the same situation, their expressions solemn, as if finalizing the last details.
Luo Ming understood perfectly well. The core of the discussion between the top figures of both the righteous and demonic paths was nothing more than how to seize the legendary "Void Heaven Cauldron" after entering the inner hall. His unexpected incident was probably not even a ripple in the face of their true goal. But it was precisely this insignificant "accident" that had already dragged him to the edge of a vortex, and the slightest carelessness would lead to utter destruction.
He took a slow breath, suppressing the jumble of thoughts in his mind, and focused his attention on the "Three Trials of the Outer Hall" he was about to face. He still needed to cling tightly to the "big tree" that was the Barbarian Beard. However… this tree was probably not a safe haven.
Time slipped away quietly in the silent, tense wait; I don't know how much time had passed.
Suddenly, a deep rumble came from the floor of the entire hall, as if a giant beast was turning over underground, and the walls and dome trembled slightly.
Luo Ming's heart skipped a beat, and his gaze instantly swept over the Nascent Soul cultivators, including Manhuzi and Wan Tianming. He saw that they remained calm, not even lifting their eyelids, clearly having expected this or being used to it.
Luo Ming felt somewhat relieved, thinking that the tremor was a normal sound before the Void Heaven Palace opened. He calmed his mind, secretly regulated his breathing, and vigilantly observed the changes around him.
About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea has passed, and suddenly something unexpected happens!
At the innermost part of the hall, on the gray-white stone wall floor that was originally smooth as a mirror and seemed no different from the surroundings, several huge stone slabs suddenly lit up with a blazing but not dazzling milky white light!
The light flowed and quickly outlined intricate and profound patterns, which interconnected and formed a small teleportation array about ten feet in diameter with ancient patterns in the blink of an eye. The moment the array took shape, a stable and vast spatial fluctuation spread out.
"The time has come," someone whispered.
"Boy," the rough voice of the bearded man rang in Luo Ming's ears. He didn't turn his head, but only transmitted his voice, "Don't disappoint me." After saying that, his eyes flashed like lightning, and he glanced at the Extreme Yin Ancestor not far away, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally. Then, he let out a low laugh, and a golden light flashed around his body. He had already transformed into a dazzling golden rainbow and was the first to plunge into the white light of the teleportation array and disappear.
The Yin Ancestor seemed not to notice the glare from the bearded man, his face grim. With a flick of his black robe, he vanished into the formation like a shadow. However, Wu Chou beside him, before stepping into the teleportation array, turned and glared fiercely at Luo Ming, his eyes filled with resentment and killing intent.
Luo Ming was not afraid of him. He immediately glared back without any politeness, sneering inwardly, "Impatient fool, your thoughts are written all over your face."
Upon seeing this, Wu Chou's facial muscles twitched, revealing a ferocious "you wait" expression, before he was also swallowed by the teleportation white light.
Seeing the cultivators in the hall begin to fly towards the teleportation array in twos and threes, Luo Ming also prepared to set off. Just as he lifted his foot to leave, a gentle voice transmission entered his ears like a breeze:
"Back then, there were rumors outside Qiyuan Island that the legacy of the Azure Nether Immortal had appeared; you must have obtained it, right?"
Luo Ming's body stiffened almost imperceptibly, and his heart skipped a beat. Qing Yizi! He had indeed noticed! Although he had tried his best to hide it, his aura inevitably leaked out under the probing punch of the barbarian bearded man, and he ultimately could not completely hide from the perception of this old monster.
His mind raced, unsure how to respond to this near-confrontational question, when Qing Yizi's gentle voice rang out again, this time carrying a hint of warning:
"These three trials in the outer hall are all difficult to overcome. Although you cultivate both body and spirit, it won't be easy for you. If you feel you're not up to the task, remember not to push yourself. Remember, on the path of cultivation, only by preserving your life can you go further."
His voice was gentle, not at all coercive or interrogative, but rather like an elder giving earnest advice to a promising junior. Without waiting for Luo Ming's response, a faint, ethereal light appeared, and the amiable Qingyi Jushi, dressed in a green scholar's robe, gracefully stepped into the teleportation array. A flash of white light, and he vanished without a trace.
Luo Ming stood there, stunned, pondering Qing Yizi's last few words. The tension in his heart finally eased slightly. It seemed... the other party had no intention of forcibly taking it?
"It seems that this Fellow Daoist Qingyi is quite magnanimous, and has no intention of forcibly seizing that inherited item." Tianjing Sanren's voice rang out in Luo Ming's sea of consciousness at the right time. "In that case, the people you really need to guard against in this hall are still that Extreme Yin Old Demon and Tian Wuzi from the righteous path, who seems to be paying attention to you as well. As for Manhuzi, whether he is truly fond of talent or has other plans, at least in this Void Heaven Hall, with his previous words in mind, others will have to be more cautious when they openly attack you."
After listening, Luo Ming felt enlightened and nodded, replying telepathically, "That's right. Originally, I was most worried that Senior Qing Yi would make a move, but now it seems that he not only has no intention of snatching it, but his words also seem to indicate a willingness to protect and warn. In this case, the biggest threat in the hall is indeed only that the Extreme Yin Ancestor might secretly make a move."
Thinking of this, he perked up. With the old hand, Tianjing Sanren, guiding him, plus the "Eight Gates Golden Light Mirror" and the Escape Wind Shuttle that he had already refined, he should be able to hold out for a while even if he faced the Extreme Yin Ancestor alone. At the very least, he would still have some chance of escaping.