As soon as The Heavenly Meadow was mentioned, Ji Tianqing and Li Kuangling grew more and more excited, their eyes glistening with greed, unashamed of their desires. Both strangely united in the intent to rob the Soong family. Qian Ye, unable to voice objection, could only smile bitterly.
Travelling forward, the trio carefully gathered resources from the surroundings. Initially, Qian Ye intended to collect at least a sample of every plant, herb, tree, and fruit he’d never seen. Soon, however, his opinion changed. Not long after, Anduya’s spatial pouch became packed to the brink, compelling Qian Ye to retrieve and abandon several large and seemingly less valuable items—such as unique minerals and oversized wilderness fruit.
At this moment, besides potions, emergency nourishment, and bottled water, the majority of Anduya’s space had been occupied by Bai Guo Liquor. Fully aware of the liquor’s various powers, Qian Ye could not bear to part with it. Then and there he vaguely understood his predecessors’ frustration—the taste of witnessing endless treasures without having the capacity to possess them was bitter indeed.
This was even more evident in Ji Tianqing and Li Kuangling’s expressions. Ji had her separate spatial items, but Li Kuangling possessed none at all—hers, having broken earlier—and had to leave her most treasured items in Qian Ye’s care.
The enormousness of Anduya’s mystery space astonished them both—even though Ji’s own collection spanned endless treasures, the most grand of spaces she possessed amounted only to two large trunks, a mere speck compared to Anduya’s realm.
Understanding now why Anduya’s dimension occupied such immense prestige and importance; Qian Ye kept secret how exactly many casks of liquor that dimension contained. If the women grasped that truth they’d undoubtedly shove everything possible his way.
While journeying and beholding countless treasures scattered upon the lands, the two grew restless in their longing for riches they couldn’t take. They did their best trimming their expedition routes and began planning distribution schemes for their return.
Li Kuangling tore from the timber a slab for carving. With a precise hand, she sketched their knowledge of the whirlpools onto it. Then, Ji Tianqing, seized it mid-run, marking more as they dashed across terrains, until pausing where she revealed that she’d inscribed all locations of importance which belonged to her own knowledge onto the wooden tablet.
Marking the tablet’s final notes, ji passed it along. Smirking as she offered the explanation, she began,
“Once we determine our way home, there are other key locations—ones deserving a visit beyond The Heavenly Meadow. Here’s my guide; do give it a glance.”
Laying a finger onto a marker-point Li Kuangling informed, “This place—Starlight Abyss—contains a similar vortex-like current. Down there in the deep, whirlwinds from Void Storms gather like eye centers. Throw the Sky-Cloud-Mist Pearl downwards into one of these winds and it will drink deeply of Aetheric Power before infusing that very same essence into oneself… The result might yield a Primordial Crystal—origin-born.”
With this Li’s eyes lifted toward Ji Tianqing,
“You’ve made this marking very prominent—how many pearls do you carry?”
Ji simply chuckled,
“Giving everything you want won’t be a piece. Guess.”
Li confidently replied,
“Two. At most three!” (Sky-Cloud-Mist originated within her own clan—her estimation of annual production clear knowledge.)
Unexpected, however, came Ji’s laughter loud, proud, boastfully—
“Ah, but were such all there were, then surely Tian Miss’s legend must fall! No hardship though. Nine in all!”
“Nine?!” Even Qian Ye found breath taken. He remembered years past amidst dangerous Forested Fogs serving Li clan, battling for survival and almost driving Ai Deng himself near demon madness’s brink—all earning but a single pearl. Yet, Ji now flaunted the number nine with casual pride!
“NINE! Precisely!” Ji continued with amusement,
Once reaching Starlight Abyss, three per person; just sufficient for competitive fun—who makes the grandest Primordial Crystal, the most mighty?”
Pursing lips, Li pressed a question.
“I’m aware our yields across recent years barely exceeded ten, so how did you secure almost all—Nine?”
With teasing amusement, Ji retorted,
Some were mine. Others mine via family. Some through trade—some taken (you understand what I imply), and others, well—barrowed perhaps?”
Silenced Li offered,
“No comments.”
Unfazed Tianqing added casually.
“Just make certain when your end’s lacking and none produce three Crystals—that you don’t make me wait laughing too long.”
Instant flared response as fury filled Li. “Are you speaking my name?”
In a wink Ji laughed back, “Whichever woman blessed in… bosom.”
“…” Words caught in throat, face flaring crimson with rage, frustration. A helpless glance sideways towards Qian Ye caught him seemingly tranquil, which quieted even heart’s flutter that moment.
Unfazed, Quianye finally questioned,
“Producing Primordial Crystals through use of Sky-Cloud-Mist Pearls—anything specific needed apart from diving the Abyss’ heart?”
Ji Tianqing offered no response, only mirth flickered through smirk.
Li Kuangling rolled eyes toward the teasing girl with a look full of meaning before addressing Qian Yu clearly.
“Primordial Crystal creation starts through plunging the Pearl deep into the Abyss well. Once submersed we’d confront void winds’ very power. Activating aura ourselves simultaneously—urging pearl to dive ever deep. Deeper yet, within its depths, lay the source of vibrant Aether force—the luminous mists, clouding like spirit smokes, it aims to capture this very power—the essence from which the term Sky-Cloud-Mist originated in my family’s records!”
“The deeper the Sky-Cloud-Mist pearl descends, the purer aether it acquires, simultaneously drawing stronger from personal aura reserves. Which kind Crystal emerges will entirely depend—based solely—upon the blending and balance achieved at the very peak descent of two auras entwined.”
Listening to the explanation, understanding dawned in Yu Quian’s mind:
“So consuming aura power is a critical element of creating a Crystals’ success or failure—without adequate force sustaining it, the process fails?”
Acquainted Li responded:
“Given our levels—creating a second Crystal poses reasonable success probability provided one maintains caution during initial stages. The third though—will certainly require going all out—risk of life.”
Now this explanation suddenly helped him grasp Ji Tianqing’s teasing tone. Three Primordial crystals was truly pushing it—testing limits at a level their might could even consider.
Among them—undoubtedly—Qian possessed aura reserves beyond common sense boundaries. Ji’s advantages included abundant arcane methods, rare items in uncounted number—who truly can estimate the depths hidden? But with Li Kuangling: previously grievous wounds, shattered space items, lost sacred swords—not forgetting the obvious advantage of… generous curves… but nothing else of merit came to the surface?
Yet strangely—Quianye pondered further: when gifted beauty in its purest, did many virtues matter at all?
Caught mid-think—a rare stirring within—suddenly alert that this drift felt foreign. Glancing toward daylight, its noon glare could explain this strange heart flit?
Shifting attention Li now pointed,
“This next location hides The World’s Primal Tree, a giant—fruit capable enhancing the essence of life itself! A means—according to records and stories, one which helps transcend breakthroughs in cultivation. BUT! Always surrounded by dangerous creatures year after year, and swift moves must carry our actions—grabs quickly what can be taken… If surrounded by Beast Swarms—not even High Ascended can escape total obliteration!”
As she paused another moment Ji received tablet, chucking, as the next spot awaited explanation.
“What is it here…” and she flung tablet toward Ji,
“Explaining is YOUR domain now!”
Ji, having caught it mid-air teased,
“No place left there unknown to me. No terrain left unmapped—how could a simple drawing make me shy at what’s familiar already?!”
Scandalized Li responded,
“When have YOU ever touched me!?”
“You’ve been touched!—By me!”
“Not THAT sort of feel!”
“Are you certain?”
For several breaths Li floundered,
“…Maybe, but no—not truly!”
Ji saw the hesitation soften and backed off,
“Alright alright! Seeing we work together and rely on each other in life now, I’ll leave you be. Remember that in future.”
Humiliated fury danced beneath thin smiles,
The moment passed.
Ji gestured to the map once again,
“This spot’s nickname—”Pandemonium Pool.” It sounds heavenly but really… Well… its properties mimic the earlier daylight curse. Approach, and all living creatures feel desire overwhelm natural restraint—they do those… things you understand… acts born instinctual from the soul’s longing.”
“And here is the peculiar twist—”
“Can one restraint oneself? This hinges completely on willpower and spirit, matters of might and aura skill are nearly irrelevant. Hence countless famed masters found downfall in these pools—a loss no one truly dies here, but many their honor lost beyond recovery’s edge, their glory shattered when reaching imperial homeland!”
She glanced subtly Li’s direction, as if to make this clear:
“These temptations are mostly irrelevant to will-trained people. Qian Ye—unworried. But as for certain… *ample-wommen*… lately… hmm—troubled mind, I heard—so should her limits falter, Qian, remember—save her if needed.”
Qian Ye stood there flabbergasted: How does one go about that rescue?
Livid with crimson face and inner fury, Kuangling could not respond. After biting down anger:
“Recent cycles yes… I might experience irregularities—but don’t trouble—we pass its banks and my condition restores!”
“Hmph… pity. Hope not.”
Her expression shifted insinuation into dangerous zone, but catching a glance at Kuangling’s eyes—like sword blades at point, Ji relented slightly to caution:
“Don’t think I forgot its actual dangers! Toxic life within—certain predatory fish species dwell in Pandemonium’s waters, highly venomous creatures. Many a master, caught in its effects—might retain consciousness without surrender—yet unable to stay focused—they are then bitten. Their fate? Fatality via unmitigated poison flow!”
Upon this news, Qian Ye relaxed slightly. Regarding poison, his very blood held the legendary Dun-Gold’s potency. A single drop rendered the deadliest known elixirs ineffective; his very existence countered over 70% of all toxic properties in nature.
To humans, and especially other Nightkin races aside maybe Spidery恶魔 and certain rare魔descended, such conditions were dire. But for Quian, survivability increased significantly here.
“But why would this place draw generations of seekers into such life-threatening risks?”
“A fair question,” Li Kuangling responded. “The pool spans vast distance—oceanic dimensions. Its true depths remain unmapped—but just near-shore, close to its edges, hides a rare flower—one whose power drives all races of Empire and Eclipsed Realm across ages toward the water.
What treasure?
Lotus Sea Blossom.
Upon hearing it, a memory rose in Qian Yu—a memory tied to scrolls in that Neutral Ground—yes; that Lotus blossom held potent soul-healing attributes that had worked miraculous wonders with Night Glare long ago. Still—he wondered today’s effectiveness now that changed circumstance might have altered her need of it once again…
The trio, resting momentarily, readied to depart. Rising swiftly from seating was how Qian signaled:
Time to move.
Though hesitation shadowed Li Kuangling briefly, she then hardened expression; stood—following silently beside two ahead as they pressed on toward uncharted horizons.
Meanwhile, backtracking their trail, unseen, An Wen and Bai Kngzhao perched above upon thin treetop twigs; silently facing the great stone keep in distant horizon line.
An surveyed side to side endlessly without moving to strike,
“Magnificent morsel—fat as glutton’s dream—we are incapable though. What an absolute pity…”
Thus concluded their current journey—hidden within fate’s weaving winds.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage