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4.08% Painting of the Nine Immortals / Chapter 41: The Lake of Ecstasy

Chapter 41: The Lake of Ecstasy

Editor: Rainystars

The auction continued inside the Great Hall of the Qi Zhen Pavilion.

Tension from the latest episode began to subside. Treasures that were subsequently presented brought excitement back amongst the crowd.

The sixth item up for auction was an amulet, an ancient talisman known as the Amulet of Broken Air. It pierces through cosmos in the blink of an eye, an essential instrument for escaping one’s enemies.

A priceless artifact that can save your life! The object was highly sought after and became the property of Ye Xiao Tian, mayor of the City of Qing, for the price of 47,000 spiritual stones.

Items that followed were all unique in their own rights. They were artifacts equally as precious and priceless as the Amulet of Broken Air and all eagerly snatched up by a crowd of enthusiastic buyers. This auction was a tremendous success for its host, the Qi Zhen Pavilion.

However, none of what happened after was of any concern to Ling Xian. Fussing with the porcelain teacup in his hand, Ling Xian said with a hint of curiosity, “Manager Gong is full of surprises. Revitalization Dan, Soul Flower, and Amulet of Broken Air, any one of them could be the star of an auction at the City of Qing, but all appeared in a single auction. Incredible.”

“Not at all. These objects are indeed precious, but Elder only went for the Soul Flower. Clearly, the others are quite ordinary. Gong Suo Xin was new to the Qi Zhen Pavilion and was desperate for an occasion to solidify her status. She chose to display her most treasured artifacts without anticipating this bizarre and unexpected chain of events Ling Xian had inadvertently initiated and escalated.

“If I had gone after every artifact, Qi Zhen Pavilion would have lost its capital investment,” Ling Xian snickered. Evidently, if he had wanted it to end poorly for the mistress in front of him, he could have.

Gong Suo Xin let out a reluctant smile. “If Elder saw something he fancied, I would have offered it to him without reservation.”

“Is that so?” Ling Xian raised an eyebrow. “I fancy this, the Xuan Yuan Flag. Hmm… 20,000 stones to start I believe. Since someone has offered 40,000, my offer is 45,000. Thoughts?”

Xuan Yuan Flag was the item presently under the hammer. The crowd had gone wild for it. 70,000 would not have been impossible. 45,000?

“Not a chance!” Gong Suo Xin clenched her teeth. A flash of annoyance danced across her narrowing eyes. “What a belligerent bully this man is!”

“Only a joke, only a joke.” Ling Xian burst out laughing. “It’s time I left. You may hand me the spiritual stones and the Soul Flower.”

As he spoke, Ling Xian stood and walked away.

Everyone followed his gesture, stood and bowed. “Safe journey, Elder.”

Gong Suo Xin moved gently across the room, accepted the Soul Flower from the middle-aged man and then led Ling Xian into the VIP guestroom. She handed Ling Xian a travel bag, honored him with a cup of tea and bid him farewell. “Elder, come visit the Qi Zhen Pavilion should you wish to trade your treasures. Especially, the Qing Hua Dan.”

“But of course.” Ling Xian accepted her offer of tea. He lowered his lips for a taste, then glanced up and spoke, “I have some business to discuss with you, Manager, something that could be of tremendous value for both of us.”

“Please continue, Elder,” Gong Suo Xin’s eyes sparkled.

“Have you heard of the Lake of Ecstasy?” Ling Xian hesitated for a moment. The Lake of Ecstasy is a magnificent but elusive artifact of mythical proportions. On his own, it would be nearly impossible to locate it. Qi Zhen Pavilion possesses a wealth of resources and trades artifacts known to be lost to the world. Perhaps she can help him track it down.

“Hmm…” Gong Suo Xin pondered for a moment, her eyebrows raised.

Images of pain and suffering shifted through her mind. She tried to speak but held back.

Seeing her reaction, Ling Xian suddenly understood. “You have heard of it, and you know of its whereabouts.”

Gong Suo Xin fell silent; her mind was battling. Then the battle was over, and she lifted her gaze.

“I indeed do know the whereabouts of the lake, what I don’t know is how much the information is worth to you.”

Ling Xian was startled by this revelation. The Lake of Ecstasy is an object of unmatched power. When it awakens the second immortal, his powers will propagate.

However, Ling Xian has observed that the manager was hesitant at first. Then her stance changed and she openly revealed her knowledge. He became suspicious. “What do you want in return?”

“A promise,” Gong Suo Xin beamed.

“Oh? What can I promise?” Ling Xian responded playfully.

“Something very simple. Kill everyone who guards the Lake of Ecstasy.” She never broke her smile, but someone dark lurked beneath that stunning beauty in her smile. Revealing layers of hatred upon layers of sadness. An emotional mix that was impossible to dissect.

Clap! Clap!

“Murder using me as your weapon,” Ling Xian responded coldly, “but seeing that you speak honestly of your intentions, I won’t pursue this further.”

“I placed a bet with myself that you would agree to it.”

Unfortunately for Ling Xian, Gong Suo Xin understood too well of the importance of the Lake to him.

“You bet poorly,” Ling Xian replied. “It is important to me, but I won’t be your weapon.”

“You misunderstood me, Elder. This is just a matter of taking what we each need.” Gong Suo Xin attempted to mask her pain. “The Lake of Ecstasy belongs to THAT Clan. If you want it for yourself, you will have to defeat everyone who guards that Clan. For me, I only want everyone who guards the lake dead. Every one of them.”

“I do not have such an appetite for killing,” Ling Xian insisted.

Calmly, he continued, “what is between you and them stays between you and them. I only want to know of the lake's whereabouts. Ask me for something else in exchange.”

Gong Suo Xin shook her head, “Elder, you can’t do this alone. The Clan is powerful. You will never take the Lake of Ecstasy from them. Unless you trade it for something of equal power and value. However, if you had an item like that, what would you need the Lake for?”

“Seems you won’t divulge any further, I beg you farewell.” Ling Xian turned to leave.

“Wait!” Gong Suo Xin's teeth dug into her lip. She refocused her gaze. “Yun Zhou, Mount Luo Fu, the Wang family.”

“Very well, I shall remember this.”

A white dusty cloud appeared around his body as his voice fell. Ling Xiao disappeared as swiftly as he came.

Gong Guo Xin froze. Tightening her grip, she was overcome by a flood of emotions. “The Wang family, one day, I will destroy you,” she muttered.

……

The Painting of the Nine Immortals depicts a scene taken from heaven on earth – a paradise.

The shroud of cloud that announced the arrival of Ling Xian had barely materialized before a mocking sound broke the silence.

“Ah, the Elder from the completion level has returned. Please rest, I’ll fetch tea immediately.”

“Master Liao, do not mock me,” Ling Xian chuckled.

“Hmm… you are off living the luxury life, relishing the admirations bestowed on you. While I, lending you my power for nothing in return but a weakened soul.”

“Nothing in return? Look, I’ve returned with the Nine-Time Reincarnated Soul Flower.” Ling Xian smiled proudly, waving his hand and suspecting the treasure in midair.

Seeing the bedazzling spectra of light, Liao Cang Qiong nodded in satisfaction. “Not bad, you didn’t lose all conscience. When I’ve absorbed its powers, I’ll come back stronger.”

“Also, Master, I have news on the Lake of Ecstasy.” Ling Xian added.

“Let’s hear it.” Liao Cang Qiong’s spirits suddenly lifted. Awakening the second immortal was a matter of great important for him.

“Yun Zhou, Mount Luo Fu, the Wang family.” Ling Xian repeated what Gong Suo Xin had revealed to him.

Liao Cang Qiong frowned and paused a moment. Suddenly, his face lit up, “I see… ”

Ling Xian was confused by this but did not pursue. He sighed softly and thought to himself, [don’t waste your time, even Master is startled by the sound of this. I have no chance.]

“Time flies, across lands and oceans. After 30,000 years, that Clan still exists!” Liao Cang Qiong exhaled deeply, swung his sleeves, and took leave amidst a flower shaped cloud, leaving behind the echoes of this pensive reflection, “Leave it be, you are not ready to go there yet. Elevate your powers. When the second immortal wakes, I’ll think of something.”

Ling Xian nodded to himself, put his burdens behind, and wandered into a lovely field of green. He settled into a spot next to a lake reflecting magnificent shades of blue and began to meditate.

“Next stop, the Hidden Territory, but my powers are still lacking… I need to overtake the sixth peak over the next few days!” Ling Xian closed his eyes and refocused. His fingers tightened to form an intricate pattern, and swirls of Qi surrounded his body.

Absorbing this Qi, the powers broke through every muscle and stirred every vein.

“Woooooooo…”

With each breath, Qi traveled throughout his body, stronger with each inhale and exhale.

Gentle wind swept across the field, knocking his hat to the ground, and revealed a face as handsome as it was focused. Ling Xian sank deeper into his meditation, surrendering his thoughts and readying himself for the battles to come.

Seven days until the unveiling of the Hidden Territory.


Chapter 42: The Unveiling

Editor: Rainystars

Time is like a river. You cannot touch the same water twice, and if you look away, it disappears.

Seven days were gone in the blink of an eye.

Next to the lake of sparkling cerulean, Ling Xian continued to meditate. He was surrounded by the swirls of magical Qi that became increasingly thicker, cloudier, and gloomier…

"Almost ready to emerge from the other side…"

Suddenly a thought flashed through his mind. Ling Xian turned his palms upside down, and his fingertips formed a unique pattern. Instantaneously, the thick, gloomy cloud that encircled his body morphed into a liquid stream and, through millions of pores, flooded into his body and invaded his muscles, his organs, and his bloodstream. His body was cleansed of impurities. Qi of the purest form now flowed through his veins.

As if the tranquility of the lake was suddenly disturbed by the dribbles of a fallen rock, Ling Xian’s body was on the verge of breaking through. After seven days of fasting, he had surpassed the fifth level. With the last breath of Qi, he would achieve his goal of overtaking the sixth level.

This last drop was essential in igniting the volcanic powers his body has been building until this moment. It was a trigger; releasing a tsunami that would dissolve the gloomy cloud.

Vooooooooon!

The calm surface of the cerulean lake erupted with a force so fierce waves after waves smashed into one another, sweeping up and raining down terrified creatures of the lake.

Ling Xian opened his eyes, and a flash of lightning swept through his field of vision.

A powerful sensation surged throughout his body, a power that was quickly intensifying.

I have reached the sixth level!

During the first phase of a cultivator's training, there is a total of nine levels. The sixth level signifies the point of no return that separates trainees from a true cultivator.

For those who are not particularly gifted, it would take years to reach this stage. Even somewhat gifted cultivators take awhile to achieve this stage.

Ling Jian, the somewhat gifted former Leader of the Ling Clan, reached the sixth level at the age of 16; after six full years of practice.

For Ling Xian, this process took a total of 17 days!

This news, if it were to become public, would send shockwaves throughout the world.

17 days to complete what very few had ever accomplished. How incredibly exceptional must he be?

Natural talent was always the most important.

"But there isn’t enough time left. Even powers of the sixth level fall short of what I need to break into the Hidden Territory," Ling Xian muttered regretfully.

If people knew how unsatisfied he was with his achievement, they’d perhaps kill him.

Swinging his sleeves, Ling Xian fired an angry fireball towards an ancient tree not far ahead.

BAAAAANNNNNNNNNNGGGGG!

A flash of lightning pierced through the tree and sliced it in half.

"Amazing. Much better than before." Ling Xian smiled, satisfied with what he had achieved.

Suddenly, another thought entered his mind. Without hesitation, he disappeared from the Painting of the Nine Immortals, hurrying towards the Forest of Mount Qian.

Due to him gifting the Token of the Hidden Territory, which he had won at the martial arts competition to Ling Hu, Ling Xian could neither enter as a guest from the Ling Clan nor as a guest of honor.

He now has to hide and enter without being detected after everyone else arrived.

...

The Forest of Mount Qian is located near the northern edge of the City of Qing. This labyrinth of mountains, valleys, streams and forecasts is home to countless beasts and hideous creatures. It is also the training and hunting ground for students of various Clans.

On this occasion, the Forest was playing host to the Unveiling of the Hidden Territories, an event that occurred every five years.

As usual, the majority of the visiting crowd were passing cultivators attending the festivities for their own amusement. There are only 50 tokens of the Hidden Territory to be given out. Consequently, only 50 cultivators enjoy having the fortune bestowed upon them.

The hour was drawing near. Cultivators who already possessed their tokens have arrived. Gathered in smaller groups of three and five, each took his turn observing potential rivals scattered around.

Within these bustling groups, three were of particular interest.

They were members of the famed Clans.

Led by their clan leaders, members of the three clans exchanged looks of suspicion, provocation, and spark.

Ling Tian Qing was beginning to worry. He navigated through the crowd, carefully but unsuccessfully seeking the most gifted member to ever come from his clan.

He was searching for Ling Xian.

At first, when all members of the Ling Clan gathered to leave for the Hidden Territory, Ling Tian Qing thought Ling Xian had gone ahead of everyone. However, when the clan arrived at the destination, Ling Tian Qing realized that Ling Xian could not be found.

"What is he thinking? He’s going to miss this!" Ling Tian Qing was growing increasingly anxious. He caught a man’s shadow in the corner of his eye. However, just as he was about to let out a sigh of relief, he recognized that the man was not whom he was seeking.

Ling Hu scratched his head, embarrassed. "Leader Ling, my brother, Ling Xian, he gave me his Token."

"What?!" Ling Tian Qing bellowed. "You mean to say he’s leaving this chance to you?"

"He…" Ling Hu stuttered, frightened by the most powerful man of his Clan. "My brother told me he had another one."

"Oh, then you can go in. Remember, stay together, and don’t stray. You’re not ready to do this on your own." Ling Tian Qing did not pursue this matter.

Ling Xian was the most gifted and most valued member of the clan at this moment. There was no reason to embarrass his brother so publically.

"Thank you, Leader."

Ling Hu’s face lit up with relief and excitement. Getting permission from the Clan Leader to enter the Hidden Territory was his biggest concern. He fully understood why he was granted permission. "He, my brother soared to fame overnight. If it weren't for him, the Clan Leader would have confiscated my Token at once," Ling Hu celebrated quietly under his breath.

The unveiling was due to begin shortly. The Clan Leader from the Fang Clan arrived to greet Ling Tian Qing. Eyeing the line of students behind him, Leader Fang ridiculed, "the Ling Clan is in decline I see. Look at your students, sixth level at best. Aren’t you afraid they’ll die in there?"

"This is not of your concern," Ling Tian Qing responded with a smile. "How does Revitalization Dan taste? 60,000 spiritual stones. Your wealth is truly commendable!"

The salt had hit the wound, and Leader Fang’s face darkened at once.

Throwing a deathly glare towards Ling Tian Qing, he replied, "That is not your concern. The Fang Clan doesn’t have much, only many stones to spare. I like spending. Perhaps you could outbid me next time."

"Oh, I dare not compete," Ling Tian Qing sneered. "Leader Fang, let’s be blunt. You have ordered your students to ambush mine inside the Hidden Territory. Why don’t you try a new strategy this time around?"

"I’ll tell you something else then." Leader Fang let out a mysterious grin. Putting his lips close to Ling Tian Qing’s ear, he whispered, "This time, we have a genius of the seventh level."

Ling Tian Qing had turned ghost white. A seventh Qi level cultivator… he could kill every member of the Ling Clan if he so desired.

Frowning, Ling Tian Qing felt a hint of panic.

"What do you think of that?" Leader Fang laughed out loud. Nothing gave me more satisfaction than watching his longtime rival taken over by fear.

"Seventh level, so what? You must have heard of the genius of the Ling Clan. I cannot wait for him to chop the head off of your so-called genius." Ling Tian Qing fought back.

"Hmm… we shall see." However, he had heard of the genius. The entire community had been discussing nonstop for days.

[This is bad. Ling Xian has only reached Qi level of five and my little sister has only overtaken the sixth, are they good enough to stop the Fang kid?] Ling Tian Qing was becoming increasingly agitated, and unsure of how to proceed. [These cultivators are the best of the Ling Clan. They are the future. If they died here, what will become of the Clan? Though if we turned back now, we would become the laughing stock of the entire community.]

Ling Tian Qing went back and forth for awhile but failed to arrive at a decision. All he could hope for now was for Ling Xian to appear and somehow work another miracle.

The moment arrived at the stroke of noon.

Along the parameters of the Forest of Mount Qian, a faint glow appeared on the horizon. The glow thickened and morphed into a splendid rainbow surrounded by a dazzling spectrum of lights. It floated quietly towards a mesmerized crowd, covering it under a magnificent veil.

A magical aura, a serene sign from heaven and earth, signaling the vicissitude of life.

Streaks of blinding flashes rained down near where the crowd gathered and twirled in the air to form a black hole. The hole continued to expand until a door appeared.

"The Hidden Territory has been unveiled. Anyone with a Token must enter at once. Remember, you may only stay inside for one month. Any longer, you will be killed by the forces inside. You will lie inside for all eternity, and never to come back to this world."

An icy voice rang through the crowd.

The soul of the Hidden Territory is calling!

Every competitor’s gaze fell fixated on the door of the Hidden Territory. Without waiting for a signal from their Clan Leaders, the students dashed for the opening and disappeared behind the darkness.

In there, they will face their fate!

Perhaps worldly riches, perhaps priceless artifacts, or perhaps powerful spells.

Everything they had hoped for was waiting for them inside the Hidden Territory.


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