Chapter 313: An Exchange of Energy, Hidden in the Night
The eight clans’ secret realm?
Lin Tianlu and the others were all startled.
They had heard about this secret realm many times during their journey.
Now, the impending storm in Fengtai County was all because of this secret realm, but this Miss Chi claimed to be guarding it?
“Judging by your expressions, you seem to have heard of the secret realm?”
Chi Lingyuan chuckled, not putting on any airs, and explained frankly: “When I awakened from my slumber, by chance, I had some interactions with the so-called eight clans. They gave me this mountain to recuperate and helped me recover my cultivation.
In return for their kindness, I promised to guard their secret realm for four thousand years, protecting it from any loss or disturbance from the outside world, so they could rest peacefully.”
Cheng Yishi couldn’t help but ask, puzzled: “But according to the legends, there was a phoenix sighting here hundreds of years ago. You just mentioned guarding it for four thousand years, Miss Chi, what—”
“I fully recovered my phoenix origin and regained my true form about a few hundred years ago. In my excitement, I was accidentally seen by the villagers who had migrated to the foot of the mountain.”
Chi Lingyuan smiled sweetly and innocently: “Seeing those villagers kowtowing and worshipping me with such sincerity and kindness, I gave them some blessings, protecting them from external harm and natural disasters for the past few hundred years.
After staying in the mountain for so long, those villagers have multiplied over generations, and they’ve probably forgotten about my existence, so I just let them live their lives in peace, no longer interfering.”
Lin Tianlu suddenly understood.
Thinking through the sequence of events, it wasn’t that the Immortal Phoenix had descended upon this mountain hundreds of years ago, but that she had been living here all along.
It was the villagers who had migrated here and settled at the foot of the mountain, multiplying over generations, until they encountered the Immortal Phoenix’s true form, a fateful encounter.
“That makes sense.”
Mao Ruoyu asked, puzzled: “But everyone says that the eight clans’ secret realm isn’t in Fengtai County. You’re here in the mountain, Miss Chi, how can you protect the secret realm?”
Could it be that she would only take action after the secret realm was invaded?
Wouldn’t that be too late?
“I don’t know what rumors are spreading about the secret realm outside, but I control all the entrances and exits of the eight clans’ secret realm.”
Chi Lingyuan smiled playfully and said something shocking: “Or rather, the eight clans’ secret realm is hidden within this very mountain beneath your feet.”
Lin Tianlu and the others were stunned.
The eight clans’ secret realm wasn’t in Fengtai County, but within Immortal Phoenix Mountain?
Then the people of the ancient realm and the various factions fighting and scheming in Fengtai County were—
“Those juniors of later generations, trying to get their hands on the treasures of the eight clans’ secret realm, are truly naive.”
Chi Lingyuan smiled seductively and meaningfully: “With just a small trick, I can easily fool them. After three days, the gate to the secret realm will be completely sealed, and there will be no more eight clans’ secret realm in this world. Even with their heaven-defying abilities, they won’t be able to gain anything.”
These casual words, revealing hidden secrets and information, made their minds race.
Youluo couldn’t help but chuckle: “You seem innocent and straightforward, Miss, but you’re actually quite clever and resourceful.”
“Although I’ve lived in seclusion in this mountain for thousands of years, rarely interacting with the outside world, if I couldn’t even come up with a small trick, it would be truly laughable!” Chi Lingyuan said softly, her smile widening.
Youluo covered her mouth with her fan and murmured: “However, you’ve revealed this secret to us. Aren’t you worried that we might be tempted to enter the eight clans’ secret realm?”
“I’m not worried at all.”
The innocent smile on Chi Lingyuan’s lips faded slightly, a playful glint appearing in her golden eyes: “Everyone here follows Master Lin’s lead. As long as he has no greedy intentions, the eight clans’ secret realm will be safe.”
As she spoke, the ambiguous smile in her eyes and the corners of her lips made Lin Tianlu feel slightly uneasy.
Since they met, this girl had been looking at him with a strange expression from time to time.
At first, he had thought it was just because they were unfamiliar, but now…
Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly and cupped his hands: “Don’t worry, Miss, I have no interest in the eight clans’ secret realm.”
“I can naturally see that.”
Chi Lingyuan glanced sideways at the silent Yu Xuanling: “However, it’s a bit harsh to make you wait here in the mountain for three days.
I’ll help her condense a physical body directly. As for guarding the eight clans’ secret realm, how about you all help me in return?”
Lin Tianlu’s expression turned serious, and he cupped his hands: “Since you trust us, Miss, we will naturally take on this responsibility.”
“With your word, I’m much more at ease.”
Chi Lingyuan smiled at Yu Xuanling: “How about it? Are you ready?”
“…I’m always ready.”
Yu Xuanling frowned slightly, her voice a bit cold.
After a moment of silence, she seemed to be suppressing a sense of resistance, murmuring softly: “Thank you.”
Seeing her complex expression, Chi Lingyuan smiled gently:
“Although this is our first meeting, looking at your face, Miss Yu, I have a strange feeling, as if I’m seeing another version of myself.”
As she spoke, she quickly formed hand seals, and layers of light enveloped the mountaintop, sealing off the escaping energy and light.
And as Lin Tianlu and the others watched in surprise, Chi Lingyuan’s body suddenly emitted a dazzling red light, her clothes seemingly burning like flames, surrounded by flowing light!
In an instant, her tall and slender figure transformed into a massive red phoenix, about five zhang long, its feathers like gold, its tail like the setting sun. As it spread its wings and raised its head, a gentle spring breeze blew, making it even more beautiful and majestic under the faint glow, transcendent and otherworldly.
“There really is a phoenix!”
Even Lin Tianlu was surprised, let alone Mao Ruoyu and the others, they were all awestruck.
They had originally thought that the so-called phoenix was just an illusion created by some kind of technique, but now, seeing it with their own eyes…
This was undoubtedly its true form, undeniable!
The next moment, Chi Lingyuan, in her golden-red phoenix form, lowered her head and exhaled a golden breath.
Sparkling golden light flickered and swirled, like raindrops or shining stars, surrounding Yu Xuanling.
“Hu—”
As if sensing a familiar aura, Yu Xuanling gradually closed her eyes, spreading her arms, letting the golden light envelop her body. With each breath, she seemed to be dyed in a golden hue, dazzling and brilliant.
Then, her figure began to shimmer, gradually condensing back into the jade pendant form, flying back into Mao Ruoyu’s bosom with a whoosh.
“Eh?”
Mao Ruoyu, who had been watching in surprise, was suddenly struck in the chest by the golden light and couldn’t help but cry out, looking down at her bosom with wide eyes.
“Wh-What happened? Why did Xuanling—”
“The Heart Sea Soul Pendant is damaged far more severely than I imagined, it’s almost completely shattered.”
Chi Lingyuan lowered her head slightly and murmured in a deep voice: “It’s a miracle that she can maintain her consciousness and even be reborn. I’ve transferred half of my cultivated Extreme Profound Energy to her, it should be enough to repair half of the jade pendant’s foundation.
Now she needs to rest and slowly digest the Extreme Profound Energy within her. After about half a month, she should be able to be reborn, no longer needing any external force to exist in the mortal world, just like an ordinary demon or ghost, or even a mortal, living freely.”
“But Xuanling suddenly flew back…”
“Perhaps, it’s warmer and more comfortable inside your bosom, madam.” Chi Lingyuan chuckled, a faint, human-like smile appearing on her phoenix face.
Mao Ruoyu blushed slightly and was about to speak when she felt a faint coolness in her chest. Her heart trembled, and she inexplicably calmed down.
“Now, I’ve helped you once.”
Chi Lingyuan looked back at Lin Tianlu, her eyes gentle and seductive, a moist glimmer in her narrow golden eyes, and she murmured: “Now, it’s your turn to fulfill your promise and help me guard the eight clans’ secret realm for the next three days.”
Lin Tianlu’s expression turned serious, and he bowed respectfully: “Please rest assured, Miss Chi, we will not fail.”
“That’s good.”
With a flicker of golden light, the phoenix’s figure rapidly shrunk, its feathers falling, until it transformed back into her graceful human form, approaching them.
Lin Tianlu was about to smile and thank her when his expression suddenly changed, and he quickly reached out to support the falling woman.
“Miss Chi?!”
Chi Lingyuan, in his arms, had fallen unconscious, her face slightly pale, her breathing weak. If he hadn’t caught her, she would have collapsed to the ground.
“She must have been greatly weakened after transferring the so-called Extreme Profound Energy to Miss Xuanling.”
Youluo approached with a serious expression, gently supporting Chi Lingyuan’s cold and flawless back: “No wonder she asked you to help guard the secret realm for three days, Master Lin. In her current state, she’s truly unable to resist any invaders.”
“Such a severe backlash.”
Lin Tianlu frowned.
“We need to find a place for her to rest and recover.”
Cheng Yishi and Mao Ruoyu hurriedly walked over, their faces showing a hint of difficulty: “But there’s nowhere to lie down and rest on this mountain peak.”
Could they really carry her in their arms all night?
Whoosh—
Just then, a cool breeze suddenly blew.
They all turned their heads to see the graceful snow-white woman quietly appear.
Her expression was still calm and indifferent, but she glanced at Chi Lingyuan in Lin Tianlu’s arms and quickly said: “If you’re looking for a place to rest, follow me.”
“Mountain Spirit Miss, do you know this mountain…”
“I occasionally visit, so I’m somewhat familiar with it. She has already given me the access code.”
“Thank you.” Lin Tianlu nodded slightly and carried Chi Lingyuan horizontally.
But unexpectedly, the snow-white woman casually pointed at the stone mountain with her fingers, and the seemingly solid rock slowly opened, revealing a tunnel leading to some unknown place, lit by faint candlelight.
Seeing her walk into the tunnel without a word, Lin Tianlu and the others exchanged glances and followed.
…
A moment later.
Mao Ruoyu and Cheng Yishi were dumbfounded, staring at the scene before them in amazement.
It was a beautiful and elegant palace, with carved stone pillars, murals, and silk curtains hanging from the beams, illuminated by faint red candlelight, elegant and exquisite. They were surprised that such a magnificent structure, seemingly naturally formed, existed within this solitary mountain.
Passing through a narrow stone gate, following the snow-white woman’s directions, Lin Tianlu carefully placed Chi Lingyuan on the stone bed in the bedroom, straightening her slightly disheveled clothes.
Yun Yue, perched on his shoulder, whispered: “She’s quite weak right now, but she’ll recover after some rest, there’s no need to worry too much.”
“It’s good that she’s alright.”
Lin Tianlu looked around the bedroom: “Where is that Mountain Spirit Miss now?”
“She’s gone.”
Youluo leaned against a stone pillar and chuckled: “After bringing us into this palace, she quietly disappeared. It seems she’s quite aloof and doesn’t like interacting with people.”
Lin Tianlu nodded slightly in understanding.
But after a moment of silence, he couldn’t help but ask softly:
“What are your plans now, Miss?”
“Me?”
Youluo raised an eyebrow and smiled seductively: “This trip has allowed me to learn so many interesting ancient secrets, I naturally have to stay by your side a bit longer, Master Lin. I can’t miss out on more interesting things.
However, the eight clans’ secret realm isn’t in Fengtai County but hidden within Immortal Phoenix Mountain. Perhaps the ancient realm or the Luo Xing will notice and come here to attack. You might have to fight them then, Master Lin.”
“Since I made a promise to Miss Chi, I will naturally do my best to help.” Lin Tianlu chuckled softly, his expression unchanged.
Seeing his usual calm demeanor, Youluo just smiled faintly, a meaningful look in her eyes, and turned to leave the bedroom.
After the room became quiet, Yun Yue’s eyes flickered, and she whispered: “Will this woman leak the information?”
“No.”
Lin Tianlu shook his head: “Although Miss Youluo’s origins are a bit strange, she’s not a bad person. Leaking this information would only cause trouble. Although she enjoys novel and interesting things, she wouldn’t do anything dangerous, you can rest assured.
What I’m more curious about now… are the secrets surrounding this Miss Chi.”
He quietly left the bedroom.
Yun Yue leaned closer to his ear and whispered affectionately: “Are you very concerned, Tianlu?”
“Just like with Ruoyu and Yishi, I’ve also seen this peach blossom garden outside the palace in my dreams a few times, almost identical.”
Lin Tianlu scratched his head with a slightly subtle expression: “And the way Miss Chi looks at me… I’m not imagining things, there’s definitely some ambiguous meaning in her gaze, as if she already knows me. But I have no impression of her.”
If his reputation had grown and everyone knew him, it would be understandable, but Chi Lingyuan had been living on this mountain peak for hundreds of years, not even knowing who he was, how could she know anything about him?
“Could it be that, like the elders and the Valley Master of Lunar Valley, she also knows some divination or precognitive techniques?”
Yun Yue smiled faintly: “Miss Chi doesn’t seem like someone who’s skilled in divination.”
“Indeed.”
Lin Tianlu looked around the magnificent stone palace and walked towards Mao Ruoyu and Cheng Yishi, who were sitting at the stone table in the central hall.
“Ruoyu, how is Xuanling now?”
“Although she’s asleep, she should be fine.”
Mao Ruoyu gently touched her chest and smiled warmly: “I think in a while, Xuanling will be able to enjoy life with her own body.”
“However, it seems we have to stay in the mountain for three or four days.”
Cheng Yishi looked around the stone hall and mused: “We can only stay here temporarily with Miss Chi, in case any outsiders come and disturb us.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled: “If you’re tired from climbing the mountain, there are a few other rooms in this palace where you can rest. Lie down and rest for a bit. Perhaps Miss Chi will wake up from her coma by tomorrow morning.”
“Hu—”
Mao Ruoyu sighed deeply, rubbing her still sore and tired legs, her cheeks slightly flushed: “I hope Miss Chi won’t be angry that we’re making ourselves at home when she wakes up.”
…
As night deepened, the peak of Immortal Phoenix Mountain was still warm and spring-like, the climate pleasant and comfortable.
Mao Ruoyu was exhausted from climbing the mountain today. After choosing a suitable guest room, she fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow.
Cheng Yishi looked at the decorations in the room and turned around, about to speak, but seeing that Mao Ruoyu was already asleep, she couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
“She’s truly tired.”
She yawned slightly and lay down beside Mao Ruoyu, her eyes closing slightly.
“You go to sleep first, Yishi, I’ll wait for Tianlu to return before resting.”
Yun Yue, curled up beside the candlestick on the stone table, turned her head and whispered softly: “If anything happens, I’ll wake you two up.”
“Thank you, Sister… Yun…”
Cheng Yishi mumbled and unknowingly closed her eyes as well.
Yun Yue couldn’t help but cover her mouth with a chuckle.
This girl, even in her sleep, finally called her “sister.”
But Tianlu, who was outside the palace…
Just as this thought arose, Yun Yue shook her head, lowered her eyes, and lay down again, conserving her energy.
She wasn’t going to pry or ask.
…
In the peach blossom garden outside the palace.
Lin Tianlu sat at the stone table, staring intently at the Go board, occasionally frowning, lost in thought.
With Chi Lingyuan unconscious, and all clues cut off, he wasn’t sleepy, so he decided to think alone and see if there was anything else familiar in this peach blossom garden.
“Northern Yu Divine Palace… Chihuang Clan… these names sound so distant.”
Lin Tianlu shook his head and chuckled softly.
The names themselves sounded grand and mysterious.
If he hadn’t come to Immortal Phoenix Mountain, he probably wouldn’t have believed such a thing existed.
But thinking about it, even cultivation sects had existed in the past, so a phoenix bloodline wasn’t too far-fetched.
However…
This was the first time he had seen a living phoenix.
“When Miss Chi wakes up, I’ll have to ask her about these things from thousands of years ago… hmm?”
Lin Tianlu paused slightly and suddenly looked up towards the misty stone mountain behind him.
A strange fluctuation of energy spread out, although it was trying to conceal itself, he still caught a glimpse of it.
“There’s no one else in this mountain, and no demons or ghosts, who would suddenly appear near that pond—”
Lin Tianlu’s expression turned serious as he stood up abruptly and quickly headed towards the pond behind the stone mountain.
Waving his hand to disperse the dense mist, the scene by the pond quickly came into view.
A graceful figure with a curvaceous silhouette stood in the pond, letting the stream flow over her body, soaking her clothes. An invisible wave of energy emanated from her, and her arm was slightly raised, as if she was doing something with her back to the entrance.
Until—
A faint halo suddenly appeared on the surface of the pond.
Lin Tianlu’s mind raced, and his expression turned to shock: “The secret realm!?”
He immediately rushed forward, and before the woman in the pond could react, he grabbed her slender wrist: “You—Youluo?”
“Eh?”
Youluo was stunned, and the halo that had just appeared in front of her dissipated.
Looking sideways at the surprised Lin Tianlu, her eyes flickered, and a seductive smile appeared on her face: “Oh dear, you’ve caught me red-handed, Master Lin, how embarrassing~”
“…”
