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墨書 Inktalez
After reading this, I felt both astonished and bewildered.
So it was this. Rong Fu had been tirelessly seeking answers, and the reason for coming here was precisely this.
What he desired was not the secrets of the Youqiong Clan, nor their martial arts techniques or treasures; what he truly wanted was this Dark Sacred Artifact, the key to opening the Disaster Gate.
For so many years, Rong Fu seemed to have been trying to open the Disaster Gate for some reason. His heart appeared to harbor a desire to bring about the destruction of the world.
The calamity at Snowfall Villa and the Ghost Fire Five Poisons Curse at Baiyun Mountain were all attempts he had orchestrated over the years to open the Disaster Gate. Although they all failed due to unforeseen circumstances, these attempts clearly demonstrated his ultimate goal of creating chaos.
As long as he could seize the Dark Sacred Artifact before we had the ability to seal the Disaster Gate, opening it would fulfill his purpose.
In fact, Rong Fu's estimation of how to open the Holy Sanctuary was incorrect. He originally believed that Zhuque, as a descendant of the Youqiong Clan, could use its blood to unlock the Holy Sanctuary. Ren Pingsheng thought so too, which is why he set a trap to kill Zhuque first. However, in reality, Zhuque's blood could not open the door of the Holy Sanctuary at all; to unlock it, one must capture Nie Qiuyuan or Luo Dachun.
Before we arrived, we had no idea that Nie Qiuyuan's family was actually a descendant of the Youqiong Clan, and Luo Dachun's arrival was purely a fortuitous encounter. Yet now, we naturally found ourselves with an additional key to open the Holy Sanctuary.
Therefore, what we should do now is hurry to the Holy Sanctuary. We must get there before Rong Fu does, retrieve the Dark Sacred Artifact from within, hide it in a safe place, and remain vigilant until all necessary conditions are met to prevent Rong Fu from obtaining it.
Fortunately, ancient texts also provided us guidance, pointing out the path to the Holy Sanctuary.
In one corner of the stone chamber outside the Buddhist Hall, there was a large blue stone slab that differed in color from its surroundings. The three of us stood on the slab and activated a mechanism hidden in the wall. We heard the sound of iron locks clanking loudly. Suddenly, the blue stone slab began to sink slowly. Like an elevator, it carried us deeper into the earth.
The Holy Sanctuary of the Youqiong Clan lay hidden in the true Extreme Depths of Tengyue Atami.
As the Azure Stone Slab descended, light suddenly filled our vision. We seemed to have entered a true palace—vast and expansive. Looking down, we could see a magnificent golden pathway leading directly to a closed golden door. On either side of this pathway stood two rows of lifelike giant stone statues silently watching over us.
The Azure Stone Slab beneath our feet landed with a thud, merging seamlessly with the ground. We stood squarely in the center of the passage.
At the moment it touched down, an unsettling feeling washed over us, as if our bodies instinctively sensed danger. Just then, a sudden whoosh filled the air, and a barrage of arrows rained down upon us like a tidal wave.
What was happening? Were we not brought to the Holy Sanctuary? Why were there traps set here?
In an instant, the three of us drew our weapons, readying ourselves to fend off the swarm of arrows. Nie Qiuyuan and Luo Dachun positioned themselves back to back, forming a protective barrier around me. I had always been confident in my swordsmanship, believing I could hold my own even if alone. But with them shielding me, I realized I didn’t need to lift a finger; they were already deflecting all the arrows coming from both directions.
I certainly wouldn’t be foolish enough to seek trouble, so I gratefully accepted their protection. Taking advantage of this moment, I began to carefully observe our surroundings.
What I saw startled me.
Not far from where we had arrived via the Elevator stood dozens of people clad in black. They were clearly not members of the Youqiong Clan; these individuals radiated hostility as they drew their crossbows and continued to fire at us.
It was the Mirror Gate; they had arrived!
My gaze quickly fell upon a slender figure in green at the back of the crowd—someone who had caused me endless headaches and left me uncertain about how to confront him.
Ren Pingsheng stood quietly, watching us—specifically, watching me. His eyes held an indescribable emotion, a mix of determination and an underlying sadness.
Beside Ren Pingsheng stood a tall figure cloaked in gray, wearing a headscarf and mask that concealed his identity completely. This was someone I had encountered deep within the mines of Southern Country and had come to despise: Rong Fu, the leader of the Mirror Gate.
At last, we met face to face. The moment that was destined to come had finally arrived.
In that moment, I suddenly understood how they had penetrated deep into the underground palace and arrived at the highly confidential core of the Youqiong Clan, the Holy Sanctuary. They clearly did not take the same path as us.
"Ren Pingsheng," I thought, there were many of them who came, weren't there?
But now, how could there only be a mere handful of them?
Perhaps they had stepped over the corpses of their own people, using their lives to test the traps one step at a time to reach this place.
What a group of devils!
The whistling sound of arrows flying through the air gradually ceased; it was evident that their supply of arrows had been exhausted.
Yet, within the empty hall, a hoarse and maniacal laughter echoed.
"Black Tortoise Envoy, my child, it has been a long time since we last met." The voice that rang out was the same old and eerie voice I had heard in the Underground Mine.
Nie Qiuyuan twirled his sword in a flourish, standing sideways with it across his chest, and coldly replied, "Is that so, Dr. Fu? Perhaps our time apart has not been as long as yours."
Rong Fu fell silent for a moment before suddenly bursting into laughter. He then reached up to remove his headscarf and mask.
Behind the mask appeared a face that was unmistakably that of Fu Zhifeng, the divine doctor from the Medicine King Pavilion!
"Nie Qiuyuan, you truly deserve to be the disciple of the Dark King; your sharpness is indeed remarkable. Not a single detail can escape your notice."
"Rong Fu," he said lightly, with a teasing tone, yet it sent chills down my spine.
If he were to remove his mask in front of so many people and reveal his true face, the remaining disciples of the Mirror Gate behind him would surely face dire consequences afterward.
Isn't Rong Fu just that kind of person, as cold-hearted as a snake?
Beside me, Ren Pingsheng squinted his eyes, gazing at Rong Fu's masked face, displaying an expression of surprise. But for some reason, I was certain that Ren Pingsheng's surprise was feigned, merely for Rong Fu's benefit. After all, I had traveled with him long enough to witness his joys and sorrows in various expressions. I knew he understood everything clearly in his heart; he must have been quietly investigating Rong Fu's background during these days.
But would an old fox like Rong Fu not notice? How could he allow such a thing?
"Since we have met here, there is no need for unnecessary words," Rong Fu said, his smile fading into a calm demeanor. "Xuanwu, I already know your background. I am determined to obtain what lies behind this door. Therefore, since you disregarded the bond of our sect and killed Zhuque, you must lend me some blood for my use."
Nie Qiuyuan let out a soft hum but did not elaborate further.
Ren Pingsheng must have returned to Rong Fu's side and pinned the blame for Zhuque's death on Nie Qiuyuan.
This situation was likely what Ren Pingsheng had hoped for the most.
I glared at Ren Pingsheng with resentment, but he remained calm, a faint smirk playing at the corner of his mouth that was difficult for ordinary people to detect.
In the past, I had only heard that the leader of the Mirror Gate, Rong Fu, possessed unfathomable martial skills. I knew how skilled Ren Pingsheng was; compared to Rong Fu, he was absolutely at a disadvantage in terms of martial prowess. Thus, Ren Pingsheng dared not show any signs of defiance around him. The height of Rong Fu's skills could be seen from this alone.
Ren Pingsheng also knew that even if Nie Qiuyuan and Luo Dachun joined forces, they would not be a match for Rong Fu. I believed this statement was not baseless; otherwise, why would Nie Qiuyuan have hidden his identity and gone to great lengths to evade capture all these years?
But now, what choice do we have other than to fight with all our might?
Moreover, we can only win; losing is not an option. If we lose and are captured by Rong Fu, and he uses their blood to open the Holy Sanctuary's gate and obtain the Dark Sacred Artifact, then the Disaster Gate will surely be opened.
This is not just about our lives; it concerns the survival of countless souls and the fate of the Youqiong Clan. Their trust in us could turn to dust.
As I pondered this, Rong Fu suddenly flickered, moving with a speed I could barely comprehend, appearing right before us.
Nie Qiuyuan and Luo Dachun each wielded sharp blades, darting forward to attack Rong Fu from either side.
I held the Caiyou Sword but chose to retreat instead of advancing, quickly distancing myself from the battle and finding a corner where I would be out of reach.
I understood their intention to confront the enemy head-on; they aimed to use offense as defense, employing fierce techniques to entangle Rong Fu and prevent him from targeting me. Therefore, it was best for me to focus on self-preservation to avoid becoming a burden.
However, Rong Fu merely sneered, showing no intention of attacking me. I sensed his overwhelming confidence; he didn't seem to regard his opponents as a threat and felt no need to use me as leverage against them.
Rong Fu did not wield any weapons; his bare hands unleashed a fierce wind as he launched an assault on the two enemies. Although I had retreated far from them, the residual force of his strikes swept past me, carrying an aura of lethal intent that sent chills down my spine.
Yet Nie Qiuyuan and Luo Dachun showed no signs of retreating. One executed steady and precise sword strikes aimed at vital points, while the other displayed dazzlingly swift knife techniques that left one breathless. The two figures, one black and one white, moved with agility and grace like two solitary boats amidst raging waves—fragile yet stable, skillfully navigating through wave after wave of danger. (To be continued...)
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