บท 80: One Step Ahead
The mother of the previous crowned prince stood atop a hill, watching the unfolding events below with a sour look on her face. She knew that this was all a farce, a pretense of peace. She could feel the vengeful anger boiling within her as she watched the delegation from the Grand Echo Continent being welcomed with open arms. Her son was killed by someone from that land, and now they were here, rubbing salt in her wounds.
As she seethed with anger, a figure approached her from behind, swaying like a drunkard. The old man approached the queen with unsteady steps, his tattered clothes swaying with each movement. He appeared like a beggar, with a long beard that had seen better days and eyes that sparkled with an unusual light. Despite his unkempt appearance, there was something about him that commanded attention.
The queen recognized him immediately, this person whom she could trust with her life. He was someone who gave up fame and riches to be her eyes and muscles in the outside world.
As the escort and attendant stepped away, the old man stood before the queen, and she could see the wrinkles on his face deepen as he spoke. His voice was raspy, like he hadn't spoken in years.
"Your Majesty," he said, his words barely audible.
"Mo Xue, I can't say that I am glad to see you under these circumstances," the queen said, her tone wary.
"My queen, it is better this way," Mo Xue replied. "While they are busy attending to these delegations, we are free to talk to our hearts' content."
The queen nodded before asking, "Any news?"
Mo Xue paused for a moment before replying, "Do you want to hear the good news or the bad news?"
"Let's get it over with the bad news first," the queen said, bracing herself.
Mo Xue took a deep breath before continuing, "The Alchemist Union has fallen into the hands of the Grand Echo Continent. It may seem that Alchemist Lai Xiaoli is still under control, but we all know he has a deep connection with the Grand Echo. This will advance their plan further."
The queen sighed, massaging her temples as she spoke. "I am already aware of that. It seems that they have taken advantage of the ruckus created by the Karma Order. Is the situation already hopeless?"
Mo Xue hesitated before answering, "Seems so. They are developing new kinds of potions and poisons and have been spreading them to different territories, especially the Crimson Cherry Summit."
The queen cursed under her breath. "Those Irexerra bastards! Now let's hear the good news."
Mo Xue's expression turned hopeful as he said, "Actually, we still don't know the cause of these events, but it seems to be good news on our part."
"What is it?" the queen asked, her interest piqued.
Mo Xue hesitated again before answering, "The entire 14th and 8th squads are missing."
"Missing?" the queen echoed, her eyes widening in shock.
"If my deductions are right, they have been massacred," Mo Xue said with a hint of delight on his voice.
The queen gasped. Who could have the power to massacre an entire fleet commanded by several generals and master swordsmen?
"That is indeed good news for us," the queen said, trying to hide the horror she felt. "Have you found out anything else?"
"The 14th squad disappeared in the Tiger Quarry," Mo Xue said. "Apparently, there has been a massive battle that happened there between the Karma Order and the 14th Squad. However, the people caught in the battle are saying one thing."
"What is it?" the queen asked, her heart racing.
"They were saved by a young kid," Mo Xue said.
"A kid?" the queen repeated, incredulous.
"Yes," Mo Xue confirmed. "Apparently, after a few days, a large delegation of individuals left the Tiger Quarry heading to a peculiar destination."
"Where?" the queen asked, fearing the worst.
"The Forgotten Valley," Mo Xue replied.
The queen gasped again. Were they out of their minds? That place awaited no one but death.
"What on earth are they thinking? Are they thinking of taking their own lives? Wait. Didn't the deserters of the Alchemy Union also went to that place? What is happening there," the Queen said, her mind racing with questions.
Mo Xue shook his head. "I doubt they are seeking death. Moreover, the disappearance of the 8th squad was also tied to the Forgotten Valley. They were last seen heading toward that direction. And it gets better. Our people from Azure Twilight Hill claimed that Madam Zhang has been doing business with the region selling them miraculous pills that help advance the cultivation of beasts and heal even the beasts' internal injuries. Two weeks ago, Madam Zhang went to that place escorted by the people from the Flying Flute Inn and apparently, Madam Zhang has broken into the ranks of the Master Swordsman. Plus, there were no signs that she was poisoned by the toxins or even miasma from the Valley. I tell you, my Queen, something is happening in that region."
"We should find out at once. Perhaps we will find an oasis in the midst of the desert," the Queen said determinedly, her eyes flashing with resolve.
Mo Xue hesitated. "I understand. But how? The valley is surrounded by poisonous miasma. Sending anyone there is equivalent to death."
The Queen reached into her pouch and took out a token. "Take this. Go to the head merchant of the Golden Alabaster Association. He will lend you a small cloud chaser. Bring a small delegation. It will take you to a height that is safe from the poison."
Mo Xue bowed his head in acknowledgement. "I shall oblige."
As the advisor turned to leave, he disappeared like a gust of wind, his movements as swift and silent as a predator stalking its prey.
The Queen stood atop the hill, gazing out at the horizon. "Let's hope this will be the fortune we have been waiting for. I will make sure to avenge the death of my son."
With a determined look on her face, she made her way down the hill and back to the palace. She would need to prepare herself for what was to come. The fate of her kingdom depended on it.
…...
Juanxiu and the other students from Hongpuhui University moved swiftly through the rugged terrain. Their legs moved with speed, almost blurring as they ran through the bushes and rocky pathways. The urgency in their movements was palpable, with each step bringing them closer to their destination.
Meanwhile, Yan Shenqing observed their movements, his keen eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger. He noticed that the pathway they were taking had already been disturbed, indicating that someone had already passed through this way.
"It seems that we are not the only ones moving toward the north." Yan Shenqing said
"Seems not. We have to hurry." Juanxiu was worried. They have rested for quite a long time.
"What could've been in that direction?" asked Liu Xie
"I don't know. But we have to hurry. Let's double time." answered Juanxiu
The group picked up their pace, running faster than before as they pushed their bodies to their limits. With each step, they drew closer to their destination, their hearts beating fast with anticipation. They knew that time was of the essence and that they had to get there before the Xuanwu realm closed.
…...
Fang Huang stood before the group, his eyes focused on the twisted door made of vines and shrubs. The other students from Irexerra University watched him closely, their faces filled with curiosity and anticipation. Jiang Fu, one of Fang Huang's fellow students, spoke up, breaking the silence. "What are we supposed to do with this door?" he asked.
Fang Huang turned to him, a small smile on his face. "Be patient," he said. "We have to wait for the sun to reach its highest point."
The others nodded in agreement, understanding the importance of timing in this delicate operation. They settled themselves on the grassy field, taking the opportunity to rest and conserve their energy.
As they waited, Yan Qian, another student from Irexerra, pulled out a small notebook and began scribbling down some notes. Fang Huang watched her with interest, but said nothing.
Finally, as the sun reached its apex in the sky, the vines on the door began to move, slowly and gracefully, reaching towards the light. Fang Huang signaled to the others, and they all jumped up, ready to make their move.
With a sudden burst of energy, they ran towards the door, leaping through the opening just as the vines began to retract. As they passed through the threshold, they felt a strange sensation wash over them, as if they were being transported to another world.
Fang Huang looked around at his companions, a smile on his face. They had made it through the door, and now the real adventure could begin.
After the group from Irexerra University entered the door made of twisted shrubs and vine, the vines suddenly began to move again. The twisted vines coiled around one another, their movements fluid and almost serpentine as they slowly closed the door behind the group. The vines seemed to have a life of their own, as if they were aware of the group's presence and were guarding the entrance.
As the vines moved, they emitted a faint, eerie humming sound that echoed throughout the field. It was as if the vines were communicating with each other, conveying some sort of message that only they could understand.
Once the vines had finished closing the door, the humming sound gradually faded away, and the field was once again silent. The group from Irexerra University was now on the other side of the door, in a place that was unknown to them.
As Fang Huang and the group of students entered the field, they were amazed by the sight before them. A vast expanse of land was filled with spiritual plants, all of them at least on the earth rank. The air was thick with the sweet fragrance of the plants, and it was clear that this was a place of great importance.
Fang Huang stepped forward and addressed the group. "We have been given a great gift, my friends," she said. "These plants will aid us greatly in our studies and our future endeavors. But we must be careful not to destroy them. We will harvest only what we need, and we will leave the roots intact so that the future students of Irexerra may also benefit from this place."
The other students salivated in greed as they saw rows and rows of spiritual plants before them. They could barely contain their excitement as they eagerly began to harvest the plants. The students started plucking the plants eagerly, their faces twisted with malice as they imagined the riches they could amass with their newfound harvest. Some of them even started arguing over who would get the biggest share, their greed getting the best of them.
…...
As night fell, Juanxiu and the rest of the group arrived at the mysterious door made of twisting vines. The other students were at a loss as to how to open it, but Juanxiu's eyes were drawn to an ancient alchemical formula etched into the vines. He recognized the language as one he had seen before in the Primordial Alchemy book, authored by none other than Liang Li, the second person to attain the rank of Alchemy God.
With a seemingly endless supply of Eternal Star Spring, Juanxiu carefully dripped a drop of the miraculous liquid onto the vines, and to everyone's amazement, they began to grow and bloom a single flower. Juanxiu plucked the flower and it transformed into a shimmering key.
As he inserted the flower key into the vines, they continued to grow, eventually forming a keyhole. Juanxiu turned the key, and with a creak, the vines began to move, parting to reveal a pathway leading into the unknown.
Juanxiu gestured for the others to follow him, and they made their way through the tunnel, which seemed to be made of some sort of crystalline material that shimmered and glowed in the dim light. Every step they took seemed to echo through the tunnel, and the air was filled with a faint scent of ancient herbs and spices.
As they emerged from the tunnel, they found themselves in a vast chamber, surrounded by walls of gleaming crystal that sparkled and glinted in the flickering torchlight. In the center of the chamber was a raised platform, upon which stood a massive stone pillar, carved with intricate runes and symbols that seemed to pulse and glow with an otherworldly energy.
Juanxiu approached the pillar, his eyes scanning the runes and symbols with intense focus.
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