Chapter 12: Mistshadow Mountain
After Li Xuan and Jiang Qingyue left, several figures descended from the sky. At some unknown moment, they had procured an identical raw stone and placed it in the main hall of the Gambling Stone Workshop.
“Master, are you all right?” Liu Bo approached with a grave expression, supporting the masked woman. He placed a hand on her pulse and, after confirming she was unharmed, let out a sigh of relief.
The masked woman was none other than Gong Jinglin, the eldest princess of the Holy Moon Imperial Court.
“Everything has been arranged. There must be no mistakes in this matter!” Gong Jinglin was extremely cautious. She had believed the Gambling Stone Workshop’s Source Realm to be impenetrable, yet spies had still found their way in.
“Liu Bo, tomorrow—or rather, immediately—go and announce the imperial decree. As a top-tier noble family, increase the reward; ensure Li Chenxi truly feels the grace of the Imperial Court. Also, go to the Interior Affairs Department and collect fifty lashes!” Gong Jinglin’s presence was commanding, queenly and imposing.
Liu Bo bowed deeply, not daring to breathe loudly. Gong Jinglin continued, “Fetch the best healing elixirs from the Imperial Court to send to Li Xuan. Be as courteous as possible! The fifty lashes can wait for now.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Bo knelt on one knee, his heart pounding fiercely.
Gong Jinglin finally felt at ease and took the underground passage to return to the palace in her imperial carriage.
“You fool, with your cultivation level, how could you withstand the malevolent energy sealed within the stone? You nearly drove me mad!” Jiang Qingyue held Li Xuan tightly, sensing his body growing heavier and his breathing growing shallow, tears welling in her eyes.
Li Xuan was still conscious, though foggy, and murmured, “Sister, how could I let you—a woman—bear the brunt of the malevolent energy? I cherish and protect beauty… Sister…”
Jiang Qingyue could no longer hold back, her tears streaming like rain as she cried out sorrowfully, “Boy, I’m listening! Don’t you dare fall asleep…” Her voice choked with emotion. The malevolent energy was so overpowering; if he died now, how could she explain it to Chenxi? How would her heart endure it?
“Sister…”
Li Xuan’s throat was dry; he licked his lips and slowly said, “If little brother is fortunate enough to survive, introduce me to that masked lady…”
Jiang Qingyue suddenly flared with anger, pushing Li Xuan to the ground, then immediately cradling him with pain in her voice. “When on earth will you stop thinking about that? I could kill you right now!”
She was desperate, tears pouring down, her fingers darting like lightning as she pressed on Li Xuan’s chest and leapt into the air.
“Xuan’er, wake up fully!”
Jiang Qingyue placed a palm on Li Xuan’s back, channeling a surge of Source Power into him. A fierce wave of malevolent energy violently flung her backward.
Li Xuan slowly awoke and said, “Sister, what are you… doing? This is your bedchamber, right?”
Jiang Qingyue punched him angrily. “Exactly. This is my bedchamber. It’s absolutely safe here!”
Li Xuan swallowed nervously. “Sister, there’s still malevolent energy inside me. No need to heal me; just… keep watch. I have a way to resolve it!”
Jiang Qingyue’s heart was in turmoil, her soul broken. How could she believe such nonsense from Li Xuan? She said, “No way. Split half of the malevolent energy with me. I’m stronger and can help you!”
As she spoke, she wept uncontrollably, instinctively pulling Li Xuan into her embrace.
“Sister, trust me! I have a way, but it’s unique and must remain secret. I promise, a hundred times over!”
Li Xuan was as weak as a dying breath, his face pale and grim. Jiang Qingyue reluctantly agreed to his request and guarded the door outside.
Li Xuan struggled to sit cross-legged, murmuring to himself as Source Power gradually circulated through his limbs and bones, golden strands of energy warming him like the midday sun.
His body felt as if cut by knives; sweat poured like torrents. Old scars broke open anew, pain nearly overwhelming him. Fortunately, his will was unyielding, and his spirit clear, allowing him to endure.
Biting his finger, Li Xuan traced ancient salvation Source Runes midair, drawing them into his body. They merged with the golden light, driving away the malevolent energy.
Time passed by second after second, each moment an agonizing ordeal for Li Xuan—caught between water and fire, light and shadow.
He invoked the ancient and sacred aura of the “Holy Emperor Azure Lotus Classic” to nurture his blood and veins like spring rain nourishing all things. Gradually, the malevolent energy was ground away and dissolved by the sun-like Source Light.
Though still feeble, his chest bore many scars. Under the nurturing of the “Blue Pouch Manuscript,” he slowly recovered.
Suddenly, a surge of Source Power gathered like a tide and flooded into Li Xuan.
Following the flow, he preserved what he could and refined the Source Power, finally storing it within his Qi Sea.
When Li Xuan opened his eyes, the eastern sky was pale, the vibrant dawn pouring forth energy.
Opening his door, he found Jiang Qingyue lying on the ground, temporarily unconscious from extreme nervous tension.
He gently lifted her into a princess’s embrace and placed her on the bed, tenderly brushing the strands of hair around her ears. “What’s the big deal? So tense!”
He wanted to kiss her fair forehead but dared not—if her husband found out, he’d be hunted down relentlessly. Jiang Qingyue was already formidable; those she favored were either demons or eccentrics.
The thought alone frightened him.
Their mission at the Gambling Stone Workshop was accomplished; next was the journey to Mistshadow Mountain.
Li Xuan looked warmly at Jiang Qingyue’s breathtaking face and smiled knowingly, then went to prepare breakfast for her. After all, he had been unconscious for three years, and she had borne much worry.
The next day, at noon—
Jiang Qingyue awoke from a dream, shouting, “Xuan’er!”
She sprang from bed and saw a sumptuous lunch spread before her, warming her heart. “Ungrateful brat!” she called out, picking up a letter: “To Yue Yue—My dear sister, time is tight. I’m heading to Mistshadow Mountain to accumulate credits. Please don’t worry. Second sister asks you to inform her!”
Smack!
Jiang Qingyue slammed her palm on the table, shouting, “Nonsense! That boy never gives me peace of mind!”
She ate hastily and prepared to leave, only to realize she was still wearing a silver-threaded, revealing nightgown. She roared, “Li Xuan, I swear I’ll kill you!”
Dressed in a tight brocade military outfit and carrying provisions, she set out for Mistshadow Mountain.
“Well done, my little girl is all aflutter!” Gong Jinglin suddenly appeared in Jiang Qingyue’s room. “Liu Bo, you’re coming too! Li Xuan has made too many enemies at the Gambling Stone Workshop; you must act covertly when necessary!”
Liu Bo bowed. “This servant will leave at once!”
Gong Jinglin’s brows were cold and regal. With the turbulent political situation, she could afford no sentimentality. Everything useful must be used.
Mistshadow Mountain.
Clouds steamed and rosy clouds swirled, forever shrouded in mountain mists. At nightfall, the roars and clashes of wild beasts echoed, both terrifying and inviting challenge.
Legend said Mistshadow Mountain was a primeval feng shui treasure site shaped like twin dragons guarding a pearl, formed from the blood of a fallen great power of the Mythic Era. After millions of years of change, it became the Mistshadow Mountain of today.
Its barrier originated in the Mythic Era. Despite the primeval age, humanity and all races had yet to fully unlock its secrets, a testament to the terrifying power of that ancient being.
Thus, the mountain teemed with ferocious beasts, themselves extraordinarily powerful, especially in the inner regions where no one dared tread.
Though perilous, Mistshadow Mountain was the ultimate proving ground for gifted heirs. Many geniuses endured life and death trials here to achieve unparalleled glory.
The Holy Way Academy, Purple Silver Holy Court, and the Dao Palace Imperial Residence each year selected top students to train there.
Li Xuan gazed at the towering Mistshadow Mountain, inhaled sharply to steady himself, then tentatively activated the Source Rune barrier.
As he stepped inside, a chilling wind swept over him, and a voice cried, “Run! The Golden Plume Eagle King is enraged!”
A group of people quickly unleashed their powers, dashing through ancient pines and cypresses, seeking cover behind the iron-hard trees, desperate to escape.
Li Xuan calculated in his mind that the adult Golden Plume Eagle King’s Source Crystal was immensely valuable—enough to offset seventy-five academic credits—a huge gain for him.
Moreover, the Eagle King was exhausted from fighting these people. Why not seize the opportunity to strike and claim victory?
The ideal was beautiful; reality was cruel.
From afar came the Eagle King’s piercing cries. Its enormous wings caused a fierce gale to crash down. Those caught unprepared immediately turned to blood mist, perishing utterly.
Li Xuan was stunned. This Golden Plume Eagle King was no ordinary raptor; it was likely a descendant of the Mythic Era’s fallen great power.
Over centuries, it had absorbed the aura of that power and mastered its techniques. Its strength was unimaginable.
Not one to act rashly, Li Xuan sensed danger and promptly fled.
Suddenly, his foot caught on something. A burly man with a tangled beard pleaded, “Brother, I don’t want to die. Please save me. I have an eighty-year-old mother and an infant child. I beg you!”
The man’s chest bore deep claw marks, blood gushing forth.
His companions had long abandoned him.
Such wounds were fatal to anyone.
Li Xuan frowned. The gale swept down like a hurricane; hesitation would mean death for him as well.
He wanted to kick the man aside and flee, but seeing the desperate look and the instinct to protect family, his heart softened.
He snapped his fingers, temporarily stopping the bleeding, then lifted the man, urgently seeking a solution.
The storm raged on, devastating everything in its path. The ancient pines and cypresses, like spears and halberds, could not withstand it. The Eagle King’s cries shredded the sky, whipping the storm into a frenzy.
Through the dust, the Eagle King’s massive form loomed, blotting out the sun, flying swiftly.
Escape now meant being hunted down more mercilessly.
“Of course—the area beneath the Golden Plume Eagle King’s wings must be the safest place!” Li Xuan muttered, devising a plan as he charged toward the Eagle King’s direction.
“No! We’ll all die if you do that, you madman! Let me go!” the bearded man shouted, suddenly invigorated by the life-or-death moment.
Li Xuan’s brow furrowed deeply, and he roared, “If you want to live, shut up and follow me. Otherwise, run for yourself!”