In the vast and mystical lands of Shenzhou, amidst the boundless mountains and the fertile heartland, all seemed to be in a state of peace and prosperity. Yet, far to the southwestern frontier, in a remote and desolate mountain range, an unusual event was unfolding, though it was imperceptible from the central lands.
At this moment, two figures were flying towards the ancient Fox Ridge Mountain, once the stronghold of the Ghost King Sect. These travelers were none other than Jin Ping’er and Daoist Cangsong, who had recently infiltrated the Azure Ethereal Conclave and secretly disabled the “Heavenly Mechanism Locks.”
After their covert mission, they had scouted the surrounding area of the Azure Ethereal Conclave as per the Ghost King’s instructions. This delay took several days before they returned. Throughout their journey, Daoist Cangsong remained unusually silent, often not speaking for an entire day. Jin Ping’er, aware of his conflicted emotions, felt no sympathy for him. Instead, she maintained her cheerful demeanor, though inwardly, she harbored a certain disdain for his indecisiveness.
Upon returning within a hundred miles of the Fox Ridge Mountain, after a day’s travel, they descended into a secluded valley to rest. The small valley, nestled among the mountains, had a clear stream flowing through it, providing a refreshing respite. Jin Ping’er, parched from the journey, drank from the stream, finding the water cold to the touch but sweet to taste.
“Master Daoist, this water is quite good. Would you like some?” she asked, smiling.
Daoist Cangsong, sitting on a nearby rock, shook his head, his expression grim. Since their return from the Azure Ethereal Conclave, he had been in this somber mood. Jin Ping’er, noting his demeanor, smiled inwardly but did not press further. She splashed some water on her face, relishing the coolness that washed over her.
In the sunlight, the droplets glistened on her fair skin, sliding down like pearls. A few drops landed on her chest, slightly dampening her clothes and revealing a delicate, alluring beauty.
“Miss Jin,” Daoist Cangsong suddenly spoke, breaking his silence.
Surprised by his initiative, Jin Ping’er turned with a playful smile. “Yes, Master Daoist? What is it?”
With his eyes cast downward, Daoist Cangsong hesitated, the weight of his thoughts clearly visible. “The Ghost King commanded us to destroy the Heavenly Mechanism Locks of the Azure Ethereal Conclave, and I understand the purpose. But why did he also order us to thoroughly investigate every town and village within a hundred miles, and the people living there? They are mere commoners, unarmed and harmless. Even if they revere the Azure Ethereal Vapors, they should not be a concern for the Holy Church.”
Jin Ping’er’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Are you having second thoughts, Master Daoist? Do you perhaps pity them?”
Daoist Cangsong’s expression darkened. “I simply think that while targeting the Azure Ethereal Conclave is one thing, harming innocent civilians is another. It is unnecessary.”
Jin Ping’er chuckled. “There’s no need to get upset. I didn’t say anything. Honestly, I am not fully aware of the Ghost King’s intentions either, but I doubt he would want to harm ordinary people without reason.”
Daoist Cangsong sighed, his expression softening slightly. “It’s precisely because the Ghost King is so enigmatic that I cannot fathom his true motives. While it seems logical, I fear he might have some hidden agenda.”
Jin Ping’er, unimpressed by his concern, turned back to the stream. “Don’t worry too much, Master Daoist. There’s no use in overthinking it—”
Her words were cut short as she noticed a sudden change in the water. The once clear stream was now tainted with a dark red blood, spreading and swirling in the current. Jin Ping’er felt a wave of nausea and a chill run down her spine.
She followed the trail of blood upstream, with Daoist Cangsong following reluctantly. The stream, though small, was deceptively long, and the blood continued to flow, undiluted, raising more questions than answers.
As they approached the source, a low growl echoed through the valley. Jin Ping’er, ever cautious, leapt into the dense forest, only to find herself facing a horrific sight.
Back at the valley, Daoist Cangsong, seeing Jin Ping’er’s absence, grew concerned. “Miss Jin, what’s wrong?”
Jin Ping’er did not respond, her gaze fixed on the bloody stream. Seeing her reaction, Daoist Cangsong joined her, both of them now wary of the unknown danger.
As they reached the Fox Ridge Mountain, they were met with a shocking sight. The once towering mountain had vanished, replaced by a massive abyss. From its depths, a terrifying roar and a searing heat could be heard, and eerie red light pierced the sky, casting a demonic glow.
“What has happened here?” Daoist Cangsong muttered, his voice filled with dread.
Descending to the ground, they saw the destruction: a ten-mile radius of dead trees and a sinister red glow. Suddenly, a group of Ghost King Sect disciples emerged from the red light, their movements stiff and unnatural.
“Master Cangsong, we’ve been waiting for you,” one of them said, his voice halting and mechanical.
Daoist Cangsong, growing increasingly anxious, decided to head directly to the Ghost King. As they approached the abyss, Jin Ping’er, sensing something amiss, collapsed, clutching her chest in pain. Behind her, the disciples, unmoved, revealed their true nature.
In the distance, a scream of agony rang out. It was Daoist Cangsong. Jin Ping’er, now alone, watched in horror as the disciples transformed into something monstrous.
Meanwhile, in the Azure Ethereal Conclave, Lin Jingyu, sweeping the Ancestral Shrine, was startled by the sudden appearance of the missing leader, Daoist Daoyuan. Lin Jingyu, unsure of what to do, watched as Daoyuan, tormented and changed, entered the shrine.
Inside, Daoyuan, consumed by a dark force, knelt before the ancestral tablets, his body convulsing. As the darkness enveloped him, he dropped to his knees, his voice trembling, “Ancestors, forgive me…”
The eerie red light, the strange disciples, and the ominous changes in the Fox Ridge Mountain and the Azure Ethereal Conclave all pointed to a sinister and unstoppable force. The future of the realm hung in the balance, and the fate of all those involved was uncertain.
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