Chapter 769: An Old Acquaintance Trapped
Chapter 769: An Old Acquaintance Trapped
The Xuanjing Wall.
If one were to gaze down from high above, they would behold a chaotic-hued crystal wall, enveloping this entire world as completely as an eggshell.
This crystal wall had blocked countless Return to Void cultivators, preventing the core region of this mystic realm from ever truly being entered by cultivators.
Precisely because of this, the cultivators of Trapped Sky Island had gradually forgotten this place.
They had even named this place the "Seven Treasures Secret Realm" instead of the "Xuanjing Mystic Realm."
But at this moment, outside the Xuanjing Wall, three cultivators of different races had arrived.
One of them was a silver-winged, single-horned being, with a layer of silvery-white radiance swirling around its body, while another was a short, plump girl with purple patterns on her face.
The last was a human cultivator, of ordinary appearance, with a melancholic gloom between his brows.
The human cultivator surnamed Xia gazed at the primordial chaos-colored, crystalline wall before him, a hint of admiration appearing on his face.
"Heh heh, Fellow Daoist Xia, if you don't believe it, you may try for yourself. . . It is said that only seven-rank means can leave a mark on this Xuanjing Wall."
The purple-clad girl smiled playfully as she spoke.
As she spoke, a short purple crystal hairpin suddenly appeared in her hand.
With a light stroke of the purple hairpin, purple thunder-fire emerged from the void, instantly leaving a mark approximately a foot deep on the purple wall.
"Seven-rank means."
Seeing this, the silver-winged, single-horned alien's face revealed a hint of apprehension, followed by a cold sneer: "It's useless. Although seven-rank means can leave a mark on it, the thickness of this Xuanjing Wall far exceeds our expectations. . . What's more. . ."
The human cultivator surnamed Xia looked at the foot-deep mark, discovering that the crystal wall was actually regenerating on its own.
Not long after, the foot-deep mark shrank to about an inch in size, and then its surface became pristine once more, as if it had never been struck.
"If persistence alone could break through this layer of crystal wall, this place would have long ago been conquered by us. . ."
The silver-winged, single-horned alien sneered, crossing his arms: "Because this crystal wall can continuously regenerate itself, our predecessors tried various methods—formations, talismans, secret arts. . . all of them were useless! According to many seven-rank existences, a seven-rank existence must personally arrive and continuously bombard the Xuanjing Wall to open a passage, and. . . because they cannot stop, even ordinary low-grade seven-rank existences would struggle to break through. Only mid-grade seven-rank existences have a glimmer of hope. . ."
"But this mystic realm absolutely forbids seven-rank existences from entering. . . This is a dead end."
The purple-clad girl smiled: "Although we can also employ some seven-rank means, they aren't sustainable, let alone continuously blasting open the Xuanjing Wall system. . ."
"However, no matter how flawless this place might seem, after long consideration, a flaw was still found. . ."
The human cultivator surnamed Xia spoke: "This is also Black Heaven Pavilion's purpose in seeking out the three of us, isn't it?"
"Precisely. . . Heh heh, our Divine Consciousness is extremely powerful, almost comparable to a seven-rank existence. . . Although this place forbids seven-rank existences from entering, it places no restrictions on certain seven-rank treasures. I've brought a 'Three Talents Divine Impact Array Diagram' and its accompanying 'Three Divine Cones'. . . Plus a large quantity of 'Spirit Awakening Pills' for restoring Divine Consciousness. . . there should indeed be some hope."
"I wonder what kind of immortal treasure lies within the Xuanjing Wall, to warrant such a tremendous cost. . ."
"Alright, no more idle chatter. If we fail to fulfill the Black Market Lord's wishes, there's no need to ask what our fate will be. . ."
The silver-winged, single-horned alien snorted coldly and said, "Let's begin!"
The purple-clad girl immediately smiled playfully and tossed out an array diagram.
The entire array diagram was purple, covered in incredibly complex array patterns, with three blank spots.
At this moment, the three cultivators each conjured a pitch-black cone.
From between their brows, streams of spiritual sense power overflowed, merging into the pitch-black cones.
On the flying cones, mysterious golden runes lit up.
These three flying cones were actually exotic treasures purely activated by spiritual sense power!
Buzz! Buzz!
As the flying cones were activated by spiritual sense power, they suddenly transformed into streaks of light, filling the last three blank spots on the array diagram.
Suddenly, the entire formation rumbled, enveloping the three cultivators, transforming into a giant pitch-black cone, which fiercely plunged into the Xuanjing Wall!
Pfft!
The originally incredibly tough crystal wall continuously shattered under this flying cone formation.
Whirring! Whirring!
As the flying cone continuously rotated, it began to laboriously integrate into the interior of the Xuanjing Wall, carving out a passage.
But a moment later, the exterior of that passage flashed with light and began to close up.
Evidently, the three cultivators had completely entered the Xuanjing Wall, committed to success or death.
Even if they wanted to retreat, it would take ten or even a hundred times more effort than before.
Buzz! Buzz!
Ahead, the three flying cones continuously alternated, acting as 'probes', traversing the crystal wall with difficulty.
The other two cultivators, relying on the formation's power, hid within it, pale-faced as they refined 'Spirit Awakening Pills'.
"I can't go on. . ."
Suddenly, the purple-clad girl shrieked, her Divine Consciousness filled with a sense of panic.
"I'll take over!"
The human cultivator surnamed Xia immediately steered his flying cone to the front, allowing the formation to continue.
Seeing this, the purple-clad girl cast a grateful glance at the cultivator surnamed Xia, but without time for further words, immediately sat cross-legged to refine the medicinal power of the Spirit Awakening Pills.
Within this Xuanjing Wall, they could not stop.
Once they stopped, the numerous Xuanjing crystals would inevitably envelop them, continuously compressing their space of activity, eventually solidifying the three of them completely, like tiny insects trapped in amber.
"The thickness of this Xuanjing Wall. . . it's somewhat beyond expectation. . ."
A moment later, the cultivator surnamed Xia retreated with a pale face, replaced by the silver-winged, single-horned alien.
The three exchanged glances, their hearts sinking.
"Not only that, but the medicinal efficacy of the 'Spirit Awakening Pills' is gradually decreasing. . . If this continues, the situation will be perilous!"
"Could it be that we are destined to die here?"
Just as the cultivator surnamed Xia was about to despair, the path ahead suddenly changed.
"It's through. . ."
The purple-clad girl let out a joyful cry.
"No. . . it's just that we happened to connect with a previous passage."
The silver-winged, single-horned alien's voice came through: "You'd best come and see. . ."
The purple-clad girl and the cultivator surnamed Xia stepped forward, instantly drawing in a sharp breath!
They saw a passage abruptly appear within the Xuanjing Wall, its surroundings covered in countless sword marks, each seeming to contain the essence of a peerless sword art, waiting to be comprehended!
"Someone. . . no, one person and one sword, directly cleaved open this passage!"
The purple-clad girl murmured.
"Not only that. . ."
The cultivator surnamed Xia looked at the passage, which stretched endlessly before them and recovered very slowly behind them: "That senior's sword intent carries a sense of absolute resolve, even causing the Xuanjing Wall's regeneration to slow down. . . If we hadn't fortuitously entered his passage, we might have been directly trapped and died within the crystal wall."
"Things have come to this, what else can we do? We might as well go and see. . ."
"Even if that Void Amalgamation sword cultivator ahead gets angry at us, it's still better than dying here."
The silver-winged, single-horned alien sneered.
"Speaking of Void Amalgamation sword cultivators, this humble one just thought of someone. . . " the purple-clad girl suddenly spoke.
"Impossible. . . that Sword Child cannot enter this mystic realm at all!"
The silver-winged, single-horned alien directly stated: "Furthermore. . . even if he were to arrive at this Xuanjing Wall, with his early-stage Void Amalgamation cultivation, it would be difficult for him to achieve this!"
As they spoke, the three cultivators transformed into streaks of light and arrived at the end of the passage.
And at the end of the passage, astonishingly, was. . .
...
A flash of light.
Fang Xi had arrived before the Xuanjing Wall, guided by the map.
"This is. . ."
He gazed at this crystal wall, then suddenly clenched his five fingers, his Heavenly Demon True Body erupting fiercely as he unleashed a punch!
Bang!
The crystal wall trembled, and a deep pit, about a zhang in size, appeared!
At the bottom of the deep pit, mysterious purple runes flashed one after another, slowly regenerating. . .
"Indeed, this Xuanjing Wall is extremely difficult to break through; it actually withstood my full-power strike."
Fang Xi murmured.
His Heavenly Demon True Body was now perfected, its immense strength coupled with his physique was simply enough to repel ghosts and gods.
Yet, on the Xuanjing Wall, he could only leave such a mark, which was still rapidly vanishing.
"To enter the interior of the crystal wall, must I punch my way through, one punch at a time?"
"That. . . seems a bit too foolish."
"However, I don't need to worry about exhausting my strength; I can retreat at any time. . . Repeating this many times, no matter how long the passage, I can certainly open it."
Fang Xi stroked his chin, gazing at the Xuanjing Wall, and suddenly let out a soft "Eh? ".
Although its manifestation was entirely different, this Xuanjing Wall gave him a feeling remarkably similar to the 'Dragon Pattern Wall' he had once encountered in the Starry Sky Immortal Abode mystic realm, which he later moved into his Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm.
"Or rather. . . Dragon Chapter Script?"
"Is this Xuanjing Wall primarily based on 'Dragon Chapter Script', which is why it possesses the effect of slow regeneration?"
"No. . . besides Dragon Chapter Script, there must also be Phoenix Seal Script. . . Otherwise, if it were merely Dragon Chapter Script, it probably wouldn't achieve such a miraculous level."
The more Fang Xi looked, the brighter his eyes became.
At this moment, he completely ignored the immortal treasures beyond the Xuanjing Wall.
This Xuanjing Wall was actually a wondrous object born from the fusion of the Laws of Time and Laws of Void!
If he could meticulously comprehend it, it would surely greatly aid his current mastery of Dragon Chapter Script and Phoenix Seal Script!
'Perhaps. . . the opportunity for my Dragon Chapter Script breakthrough lies here? ! '
His eyes shone brightly, and a patch of azure clouds appeared beneath his feet.
The Taiyi Azure Wood Divine Light surged forth with incredible smoothness, transforming into a jade platform.
Fang Xi sat cross-legged on the jade platform, gazing at the jade platform before him, and began to comprehend.
'Those capable of plotting for the immortal treasures beyond the Xuanjing Wall are no ordinary Void Amalgamation cultivators. . . I wonder what methods they've prepared? '
'If I were to rashly confront them, there's a possibility of capsizing in a ditch. . . '
'It would be better to calmly meditate and comprehend, then return with the power of the 'All-Heavens Precious Mirror' after the mystic realm closes. . . '
'This way, even if I might miss an opportunity, safety is paramount! '
For him, those immortal treasures were not urgently needed, so he could calmly remain in control.
At this very moment, comprehending Dragon Chapter Script and Phoenix Seal Script was the most crucial task.
Time flowed like water, quietly slipping through the fingers.
It must be said, through the research of generations of explorers, the Xuanjing Wall had now long been reduced to an existence abandoned by the various cultivators of the mystic realm.
Except for those who were absolutely confident, none would come here.
Fang Xi, on the other hand, lived a very leisurely life, with no ignorant aliens coming to court death.
As for the little fox, Su San?
She was directly stuffed into his spirit beast pouch, and a sealing talisman was affixed, rendering her completely unable to perceive the outside world.
"Time. . . void. . ."
"Spacetime power. . . crystal wall. . ."
On the jade platform, Fang Xi, protected by layers of formations, seemed to wander beyond the heavens, his eyes flashing with strange patterns.
Those were all Dragon Chapter Script and Phoenix Seal Script!
Through these two types of script, he had already come into contact with the Laws of Void, and beyond that, the Dao of Time was also gradually revealing its mysterious veil. . .
"Dragon Chapter Script. . . time. . ."
Around Fang Xi, time itself grew hazy.
A long while later, he suddenly opened his eyes, each pupil radiating a different luster.
In his left eye, silvery-white Phoenix Seal Script seemed poised to take flight.
In his right eye, flowing, dragon-like purple Dragon Chapter Script gradually took shape. . .
"Rise!"
Suddenly, Fang Xi let out a soft cry.
Emerald-green radiance flashed, and strange talisman papers appeared, one after another.
These papers appeared a light gold, their surface tough, clearly tanned from demon beast hide, and imbued with an indescribable aura of time and antiquity.
These were special talisman papers made from 'Golden Cicada Exuviae', highly suitable for crafting Dragon Chapter Script talismans!
For Fang Xi, who had wiped out the Hui Gu clan, as long as he paid attention to collecting 'Nine Heavens Pure Water' in the Earthly Immortal World, time-attribute talisman papers would be endlessly available. . .
At this moment, a specially shaped talisman brush appeared in his hand. Dipping it in talisman ink made from the blood of a Golden Cicada, he began to write vigorously on a sheet of talisman paper.
In an instant, three Dragon Chapter Script talismans each erupted with dazzling light.
Subsequently, one talisman spontaneously combusted into ash without wind, while the other two flashed with purple light and solidified completely.
"Three Dragon Chapter Script talismans, two succeeded. . ."
"My comprehension of Dragon Chapter Script has indeed risen to an entirely new level. . ."
Previously, his daily comprehension of the Dragon Pattern Wall had only deepened Fang Xi's accumulation in Dragon Chapter Script.
But today, leveraging the opportunity provided by the Xuanjing Wall, he finally achieved a qualitative change and breakthrough!
"Using Phoenix Seal Script as a bridge to comprehend the Dragon Chapter Script within the Xuanjing Wall is indeed feasible!"
He murmured, a faint smile appearing on his face.
Although the Xuanjing Wall was based on the power of spacetime, comprehending even a bit of it was no simple matter.
However, Fang Xi found a different path. Leveraging his profound mastery of the Laws of Void, he started from the Laws of Void, first comprehending the Phoenix Seal Script within the Xuanjing Wall, and then comprehending the Dragon Chapter Script that complemented the Phoenix Seal Script. He had found the trick, and his progress was rapid.
"With my current mastery of Dragon Chapter Script, after I break through to Void Amalgamation, I should be able to attempt to elevate the 'Supreme Pole Star Life-Ending Divine Light' to another level. . ."
Just as he intended to press on and continue comprehending Dragon Chapter Script and the power of time, the Seven Treasures Secret Realm suddenly rumbled, and darkness descended, covering everything!
"This is. . ."
Fang Xi was startled and alarmed: "The mystic realm's opening has ended, and it's about to forcibly expel the cultivators within. . ."
He clasped his hands together, and an ancient bronze mirror appeared in his palm.
One after another, Phoenix Seal Scripts emerged, transforming into a silver phoenix that guarded him.
This was clearly the power of void from the 'All-Heavens Precious Mirror' being utilized to resist the suppression of the Seven Treasures Secret Realm.
The realm power of such mystic realms was already enough to slay Void Amalgamation cultivators!
But for the All-Heavens Precious Mirror, it was as light as a feather.
"Finally. . ."
A long while later, the silver phoenix let out a long cry and completely dissipated.
Fang Xi stood up, a faint smile playing on his lips: "Is it my turn to act?"
Now that it was confirmed there were no other cultivators in the mystic realm, he could be a bit more unrestrained.
Rumble!
A trembling sound reverberated.
He stood up, his entire body's muscles radiating a jade-like luster as he clenched his five fingers.
On his arm, a small silver phoenix and a purple flood dragon suddenly appeared, coiling around his fist, transforming into a single punch!
Bang!
The Xuanjing Wall directly exploded, revealing a passage several hundred zhang long!
Not only that, but on the walls of the passage, the patterns of Dragon Chapter Script and Phoenix Seal Script continuously flickered, offsetting the Xuanjing Wall.
This caused the Xuanjing Wall's self-regeneration to become extremely slow.
Only then did Fang Xi stand up and leisurely walk into the crystal wall.
For him, if he were to reach exhaustion, he could naturally use the All-Heavens Precious Mirror to first go to another world for a rest, recover his magical power, and then return to the place he left from to continue moving forward!
Thus, no matter how thick this Xuanjing Wall was, it could not impede his progress!
Rumble!
Rumble!
The Xuanjing Wall continuously trembled, emitting enormous roars.
To Fang Xi's slight disappointment, this section of the crystal wall was actually not long.
He had only thrown a few dozen punches, barely warmed up, when he saw the end of the passage!
"Somewhat disappointing. . ."
Fang Xi murmured, taking a step out.
What met his eyes was a palace.
Red bricks and green tiles, azure walls stretched on, and an arched bridge made of white jade stood quietly over a flowing stream.
'It seems to be a courtyard. . . '
His heart was vigilant, and his nostrils caught faint whiffs of blood.
On the ground, there were a few corpses.
One of the corpses was a silver-winged, single-horned being, its physique appearing quite astonishing.
"Silver-Winged race. . . the escape art of this alien race is simply incredible. . . yet they died here."
Fang Xi then saw a short cultivator resembling a young girl, cleaved in two by a single sword.
And a human cultivator, half-lying on the ground, half of his body devoid of flesh and blood.
It was precisely the treasure-seeking trio from before!
Unfortunately, Fang Xi didn't recognize these people at all, nor did he know the resentment in the heart of the cultivator surnamed Xia.
If it weren't for the Wang Family Ancestor having fled, why would he have been forced to undertake such a dangerous mission? !
"The Nascent Souls did not successfully escape; their bodies and souls were utterly destroyed. . ."
Making this judgment in his heart, Fang Xi turned past a small hill and suddenly froze.
Ahead, there was a small pavilion.
Inside the pavilion, a few items were faintly arranged.
A bonsai, a guqin, a painting brush, a tea set. . .
Each item exuded an extraordinary aura, seemingly immortal treasures.
But at this moment, Fang Xi had no intention of moving forward.
Because on the path leading to the small pavilion, there was also an 'ice mountain'!
This ice mountain was entirely crystal clear, its surface entwined with five-colored chains.
And within the ice mountain, there was a faint human figure!
'A trap! '
He vigilantly scanned his surroundings, finally confirming: "Is it greed? As long as one doesn't enter the small pavilion, it seems this immortal restriction won't be triggered?"
Fang Xi took a step back, intending to leave.
For some reason, he always felt that the figure within the ice mountain looked somewhat familiar.
"Young friend, wait!"
Just then, a voice resounded.
Golden bagua symbols appeared one after another on the surface of the ice mountain. On the ground, scattered counting rods suddenly flew up, emitting faint wisps of light.
A large amount of light converged, forming the figure of an old Daoist holding a long banner.
"Hmm? You are. . . Senior Shen Suanzi? !"
Fang Xi's tone was filled with shock, perfectly mimicking the expression of a human junior meeting Shen Suanzi.
Moreover, the Wang Family Ancestor and Shen Suanzi were not acquaintances, but they had met during the battle between Sword Child and the Yan Yu Sect's Dao Child.
At that time, Shen Suanzi was the focus of all eyes, while the Wang Family Ancestor was merely one among the crowd.
Now, the other party had become a prisoner.
One must say, fate plays tricks on people, to such an extent.
"Indeed. . ."
Shen Suanzi's light-figure stroked his beard, thought for a moment, and then bowed deeply to the ground: "Please, young friend, save this old man!"
"Of course, Senior Shen Suanzi is a pillar of our human race, and this old man is honor-bound. . . but I fear I may be willing but powerless."
Fang Xi cupped his hands: "I wonder, Senior Shen Suanzi, why have you fallen to such a state?"
Shen Suanzi's mouth moved, but for a long time, no words came out.
He had previously calculated that a complete Immortal Abode Rare Treasure would emerge on Trapped Sky Island, and he believed that with his late-stage Void Amalgamation realm, his chances of seizing the treasure and returning were very high.
Even if it meant wasting hundreds or thousands of years, gaining an Immortal Abode Rare Treasure in return would naturally be a huge profit.
However, he never expected that after a careful investigation, Shen Suanzi was dumbfounded!
Trapped Sky Island had no complete Immortal Abode Rare Treasure!
But he deeply believed in his divination, and unwilling to give up, he continued to gather clues for intelligence divination. . .
If divination was performed without any basis, with not a single clue, the backlash would be the most severe.
If there were abundant clues, it would naturally greatly reduce the difficulty of divination.
Subsequently, Shen Suanzi divined that an Immortal Abode Rare Treasure would appear within the Seven Treasures Secret Realm!
Overjoyed, he immediately began making arrangements.
As a late-stage Void Amalgamation grand cultivator and an unparalleled grandmaster of array dao, capable of forming formations from the void with a single thought, Shen Suanzi allied with Sword Child. Sword Child sent people into the Seven Treasures Secret Realm to make preliminary arrangements, and with coordination from inside and out, Shen Suanzi, a Void Amalgamation cultivator himself, was actually able to directly enter the mystic realm!
Shen Suanzi, disdaining other things, rushed directly into the interior of the Xuanjing Wall, seeking the Immortal Abode Rare Treasure!
After all, within the Seven Treasures Secret Realm, the only place where an Immortal Abode Rare Treasure could possibly exist was here.
He could not have calculated wrongly!
With his late-stage Void Amalgamation cultivation, supplemented by a puppet body controlled by Sword Child, the Xuanjing Wall was directly breached!
However, he never expected that although the items in the small pavilion looked good, attempting to acquire them triggered the immortal abode's restriction!
At that time, a 'sword puppet' manipulated by a fragment of Sword Child's soul directly betrayed Shen Suanzi, seizing a benefit and successfully escaping.
Leaving the outmaneuvered Shen Suanzi trapped within the Five Elements Ice Mountain, taking the blame for Sword Child.
Fortunately, his array dao cultivation was not low, and this mystic realm had long been in disrepair, with more than half of its immortal abode restrictions damaged. Thus, he did not instantly perish, but was merely sealed.
He could even project part of his magical power through the sealing restriction, forming a light-figure outside.
Of course, Shen Suanzi would not explicitly detail all of this to Fang Xi.
"For the sake of the human race, this old man came here to retrieve an important treasure, but was unexpectedly trapped. Little friend, after you leave Trapped Sky Island, if you can go to the 'Divine Reckoner Pavilion' and send a message, this old man would be eternally grateful. . ."
Shen Suanzi, seeing the wary expression on Fang Xi's face, a corner of his mouth twitched: "If little friend agrees, this old man has benefits for you. . ."
For cultivators, everything else is ephemeral; only their own benefit is truly real!
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