Chapter 264: The Reincarnator Appears! |
The Primordial Witch… could it be a man…?
As soon as the box reacted, this absurd thought crossed the minds of both the Holy Son and the Holy Maiden from the World Sea.
How is that possible?
In the center of the World Sea was a massive island, and within that island stood a statue of the Primordial Witch.
And the statue, without a doubt, depicted a woman.
Yet, the contents of this box were reacting to a man…?
This meant he was either the Primordial Witch… or someone closely connected to her.
But the Primordial Witch’s era was tens of thousands of years ago. How could a newly recruited disciple be related to her?
Gu Hua frowned, looking at the young man in the black and gold robe not far away. “This is strange. Why would the Primordial Witch’s box react to a male cultivator?”
After a moment of hesitation, she made up her mind and walked towards Mu Zhi’an, carrying the box.
Meanwhile, Ye Lingxuan was chatting with Mu Zhi’an. Sensing their approach, she looked up and smiled faintly. “Is there something else you need?”
“I’m asking Brother Mu about some cultivation techniques, so…”
She subtly hinted at her intentions.
Mu Zhi’an glanced at the young lady beside him with a smile, seeing through her pretense but not saying anything.
Ye Lingxuan’s cultivation technique was inherited from the Reincarnated Empress. There was no way he could teach her anything.
However, he was still pleased that she was willing to say this. He remembered her cold and aloof demeanor when they first met, her proud and elegant aura like a swan, warning him to stay away from her younger sister.
And now… Although she still maintained her graceful composure, her love for him was evident.
Gu Hua couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment, seeing this scene.
But he quickly collected his thoughts, cupped his fists, and said with a smile, “I apologize for interrupting, but if possible, I would like to ask Young Master Mu to undergo a test.”
Seeing Ye Lingxuan’s confused expression, Tang Sufei immediately explained, “This Black Obsidian Box reacted to Young Master Mu.”
Ye Lingxuan froze, her gaze shifting to the ancient box in Tang Sufei’s hand.
The box, weathered by time, exuded an ancient aura. It hadn’t reacted to either Ye Lingxuan or Ye Siyu when they tested it earlier.
Yet, now, it was vibrating slightly, as if trying to break free from Tang Sufei’s grasp.
Understanding their intentions, Ye Lingxuan looked at them with disbelief. “You suspect he’s the Primordial Witch…?”
Tang Sufei smiled wryly, holding the box before Mu Zhi’an. She looked into his eyes and said, “I wouldn’t believe it myself if I hadn’t seen it, but the box only reacted after Young Master Mu entered the courtyard.”
“Would you mind trying it, Young Master Mu?”
Mu Zhi’an listened to their conversation, gradually understanding the situation.
‘Witch’ was actually a positive term in the Nine Realms.
In the past, the World Sea had been in chaos, with various factions fighting amongst themselves and ominous creatures lurking in the depths. It wasn’t until a powerful cultivator achieved Dao Integration that the situation changed.
She suppressed the ominous creatures in the deep sea and united the various factions. The leaders of those ancient factions were all powerful figures who could shake the Eastern Realm with a single stomp, yet they willingly submitted to the Primordial Witch.
People were curious about her origins, identity, and even her appearance, but she always wore a hooded robe, concealing her face.
Even those who had seen her face would quickly forget it.
One day, the Primordial Witch mysteriously disappeared. Later, people learned that the former master of the World Sea had only been an Earthly Immortal at the Nascent Soul Realm a few years prior. Yet, within just three years, she had broken through the shackles of heaven and earth and reached the Dao Integration Realm.
“You suspect I’m the Primordial Witch?” Mu Zhi’an couldn’t help but ask.
This was too absurd. The former master of the World Sea was the Primordial Witch, not the Primordial “Warlock”. What was the point of testing a man?
And the World Sea was easy to defend but difficult to attack. Cultivators who passed through it would have their powers suppressed… Why were they out here searching for the Primordial Witch?
Could it be that something had happened within the World Sea…?
Tang Sufei shook her head. “Of course, I don’t believe you’re the Primordial Witch, Young Master Mu. However, since the box reacted to you, it means that even if you’re not her, you must be connected to her in some way.”
“If you don’t want to try it, Brother Mu, I’ll ask them to leave,” Ye Lingxuan said through voice transmission.
Mu Zhi’an glanced at the young lady beside him and replied, “I’m happy that you’re looking out for me, Lingxuan, but I’m also curious why this thing is reacting to me.”
It wouldn’t take much time. It wouldn’t hurt to try.
Mu Zhi’an reached out and gently touched the box in Tang Sufei’s hand.
“Infuse a wisp of Spiritual Energy into it, and it will determine if you’re related to the Primordial Witch,” Gu Hua instructed.
Mu Zhi’an nodded slightly and channeled a wisp of his Spiritual Energy into the black box.
The box was a deep black, with a faint glow emanating from within. As he infused his energy, it flowed across the surface, forming intricate patterns like a tiny fish swimming in water.
Mu Zhi’an tried to open the lid.
Tang Sufei immediately said, “It can’t be opened with brute force. The elders in our clan have tried various methods, but they couldn’t open it.”
“The Grand Elder said only the Primordial Witch’s approval can unlock it. However, she was always a solitary figure. The only one who could open it is probably her,” Gu Hua said, a hint of regret in his eyes.
There were rumors that the Primordial Witch had left behind her inheritance within the box. Whoever could open it would inherit her will and become the master of the World Sea.
The World Sea had held several gatherings, allowing their most talented individuals to attempt to open it.
But the result was obvious. No one had succeeded.
Mu Zhi’an wasn’t giving up. He infused another wisp of Spiritual Energy into the box, carefully controlling it, trying to pry open the lid.
However, after a few seconds, the energy he had just infused silently vanished, as if it had never existed.
“Others have tried this before. Spiritual Energy can’t open it,” Tang Sufei explained.
“Young Master Mu, if it were that easy to open, we wouldn’t have brought it to the Eastern Realm and searched for someone who could unlock it,” Gu Hua said, shaking his head with a chuckle.
Although Mu Zhi’an was handsome, he seemed a bit… dense. They must have tried every method imaginable to open this box left behind by the Primordial Witch before resorting to leaving the World Sea and coming to the Eastern Realm to search for its true owner.
Based on their current understanding, only someone with a connection to the Primordial Witch could open the box.
Although they didn’t know why it had reacted to Mu Zhi’an earlier, judging from the current situation, he probably wasn’t the one they were looking for.
Seeing Mu Zhi’an trying to open the box with brute force after failing with Spiritual Energy, Gu Hua frowned slightly, about to take it from him.
Click.
As Mu Zhi’an’s hand touched the surface of the box, without exerting any force, an ancient and heavy sound echoed from within.
A wisp of dark mist silently seeped out.
Gu Hua’s pupils constricted as he stared at the box in Mu Zhi’an’s hand, which was now slightly open.
He opened it so easily…?
Their elders had tried hundreds of methods, including brute force, but nothing had worked.
Yet, Mu Zhi’an had managed to pry it open with his bare hands?
Tang Sufei gasped, her eyes wide with shock.
Then, a brilliant light appeared in her beautiful eyes as she looked at Mu Zhi’an, her heart pounding with excitement.
He’s definitely connected to the Primordial Witch!
Her gaze was drawn to the box in his hand.
This box had existed in the World Sea for a very long time, and many were curious about its contents.
And now, they were finally about to see what was inside!
Ye Lingxuan was also surprised. She tilted her head slightly, looking at Mu Zhi’an’s handsome profile, then at the box in his hand. For some reason, she had a bad feeling.
She possessed the Innate Spiritual Body, and as the box opened, she sensed a dangerous aura emanating from within.
Not only Ye Lingxuan, but even Mu Zhi’an felt it.
As soon as he opened a small gap, a chilling coldness spread through his body, as if he were standing in the depths of winter.
This box was like Pandora’s Box, filled with temptation.
Even a glimpse of its contents revealed danger, yet he couldn’t resist the urge to open it and see what was inside.
Mu Zhi’an hesitated for a moment, then suppressed his impulse and closed the box.
Gu Hua looked up at him. “What’s wrong, Brother Mu?”
He had almost opened it, but then he closed it at the last moment… Gu Hua was filled with frustration, wanting to control Mu Zhi’an’s hand and force him to open the box.
Although Tang Sufei didn’t speak, she also stared at Mu Zhi’an, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion and urgency.
“Are you sure there’s no danger inside?” Mu Zhi’an asked, looking at them.
A dangerous aura emanated from the box. Although he didn’t know what was inside, his intuition told him it was best not to open it.
The two exchanged glances. Tang Sufei said urgently, “Young Master Mu, this box was left behind by the Primordial Witch for a destined individual to open. Since you’re connected to her, why not see what she left for future generations?”
Ye Lingxuan stared at the box and suddenly said, “There’s something dangerous inside.”
Tang Sufei hesitated for a moment. “If only the elder were here… With her protection, we wouldn’t have to worry.”
Gu Hua looked at Mu Zhi’an. “Brother Mu, why don’t you come with us to see our elder? She can protect you.”
Mu Zhi’an pondered for a moment, then looked at Ye Lingxuan.
“Lingxuan…”
Ye Lingxuan, as if understanding his thoughts, nodded slightly and glanced at the woman beside her.
At the same time, a calm and melodious voice echoed softly, responding to Ye Lingxuan’s gaze, “Open it. I’ll protect you.”
Their gazes instinctively shifted towards the mature and beautiful woman standing by the pond.
Her long hair cascaded down her back, and she wore a loose white robe. Her cold and beautiful eyes seemed devoid of emotion.
Gu Hua’s heart skipped a beat as he looked at her with awe.
The aura emanating from this woman was far stronger than that of the elder who had accompanied them.
It was the Reincarnated Empress, or rather, the ‘puppet’ Ye Lingxuan had created.
Since this powerful being had spoken, Mu Zhi’an felt reassured. However, just in case, he still called out mentally, “Yao Meng?”
There was no response. She seemed to be sleeping.
“Empress?” Mu Zhi’an tried again.
Still no response.
It seems she really is sleeping… Mu Zhi’an collected his thoughts, his gaze returning to the box in his hand. He gently pressed his thumb against the lid and slowly opened it.
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the sealed box, Gu Hua’s breathing quickening with anticipation.
A whole ten thousand years!
No one had been able to unlock the Primordial Witch’s box for ten thousand years, and now, the mystery was about to be revealed!
Was it the Primordial Witch’s ancestral artifact, her inheritance, or perhaps a cultivation technique?
The box opened, and its contents were revealed.
Even the usually calm and composed Ye Lingxuan couldn’t help but be captivated. Even the most aloof goddess couldn’t resist the allure of gossip.
Mu Zhi’an’s gaze fell upon the object within the box.
Then, he froze.
It wasn’t an ancestral artifact, a cultivation technique, or an inheritance.
It was a peach blossom.
And a paper crane.
“…A paper crane?” Gu Hua murmured, his eyes filled with confusion.
Was this all the Primordial Witch had left for future generations… a single paper crane…?
Mu Zhi’an remained silent, his gaze fixed on the peach blossom in the box, his hand trembling slightly as he picked it up.
Ye Lingxuan narrowed her eyes, a hint of suspicion in them.
Why does this peach blossom look exactly like the one from the Pilgrimage Palace…?
The peach blossoms in the Pilgrimage Palace were a pale pink, and they contained a special Spiritual Energy.
And this peach blossom also possessed a similar energy.
Ye Lingxuan looked up at Mu Zhi’an, wanting to say something. “Brother Mu…”
However, Mu Zhi’an’s gaze was fixed on the paper crane in the box, his eyes filled with a blank stare.
The way this crane was folded was identical to his own.
A coincidence…?
With a sense of unease, he slowly unfolded the paper crane and flipped it over.
There was only one sentence written on it.
“Long time no see.”