Mei Qing, Bi Zhen, Zhang Shisan, and Hou Shen stood quietly in the vast open space of Qianjin Ye. As they looked around, they could see the remnants of the fierce battle that had taken place between Zhang Shisan, Master Ku, Bi Zhen, and the hordes of zombies that once roamed this place.
Although the severed limbs and corpses had long been incinerated by the trio using heavenly fire, the scars of the battle—pits, trenches, and burn marks—were still clearly visible, a testament to the intensity of the fight.
Bi Zhen whispered, “When Master saw you being taken away, that Laughing Buddha was still here. Both masters were furious and immediately subdued him. Just as they were about to break the formation to rescue you, those disgusting creatures suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The old Taoist master threw a few fireballs, and the entire area was engulfed in flames. While the zombies were burned to ashes, a few of the leaders managed to escape in the chaos.”
“Oh? Who escaped?” Mei Qing asked.
Bi Zhen shook her head. “We didn’t see them. It was the Laughing Buddha who told us later. According to him, there are still two or three leaders here, along with a few underlings. But he wasn’t entirely sure who they were. He only mentioned two people he had seen—a master and disciple, supposedly from the Ghost Eye Sect, who are in charge of the Hundred Ghost Hall.”
After a brief pause, Bi Zhen added, “The Hundred Ghost Hall is where those zombies were kept. They were people captured by the Incense Sect and turned into puppets to mine here.” Mei Qing nodded, then looked up at the massive black stone inscribed with the words “Qianjin Ye.” Who could have imagined that the so-called “Thousand Jin Master” they had been searching for was actually these three characters? And who could have guessed the secrets hidden behind Qianjin Ye?
Zhang Shisan, however, paid no attention to these thoughts. He sat cross-legged on the ground, happily drinking from his gourd and pulling out a few small fish from his robe, eating with delight. Hou Shen stood quietly behind him, silently polishing his twin daggers.
Mei Qing walked over and sat down beside Zhang Shisan. After a moment of gazing upward, he suddenly said, “Hou Shen, those daggers of yours seem different from before.”
Hou Shen nodded. “Immortal Zhang helped refine them. According to him, anyone below the Nascent Soul stage who gets hit by these will likely fall on the spot.”
“Oh?” Mei Qing asked curiously. “What kind of refining technique is so powerful?”
Hou Shen twirled the daggers in his hands and shook his head. “I’m not sure. Here, take a look.” He handed one of the daggers to Mei Qing.
Mei Qing examined it and found it strange. He had seen these daggers before, and they had always exuded a menacing aura. But now, they seemed ordinary, only faintly emitting a dark, gloomy energy.
After a moment, Mei Qing exclaimed, “This seems… similar to the aura of the Nightmare Spirit. Could it be…?”
“You’re sharp as ever,” Zhang Shisan chuckled. “When that skeleton was shattered by the Stone Drunkard, I thought it was a waste, so I used the remaining materials for this kid. The Nightmare Spirit’s power isn’t something ordinary cultivators can handle. What this kid knows isn’t from the cultivation world either. If you can figure out how to conceal his aura and add some masking formations to that flashy technique of yours, he’ll be a nightmare for anyone below the Qi Refining stage.”
Mei Qing’s eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly. Zhang Shisan’s words aligned perfectly with his own thoughts. If they could indeed conceal Hou Shen’s aura, with his unique abilities and these lethal daggers, he would be an invaluable asset.
Hou Shen’s eyes also gleamed with excitement. Since joining Mei Qing, he had witnessed things far beyond his previous understanding. In the martial world, he had been a top-tier figure, but in the cultivation world, even an ordinary cultivator could easily overpower him with a single spell. The recent battles Mei Qing and the others had fought, though he hadn’t witnessed them firsthand, had left him in awe. He longed to prove himself, but compared to Zhang Shisan and even Bi Zhen, he felt utterly outmatched.
Hearing Zhang Shisan and Mei Qing discuss plans for him, Hou Shen couldn’t help but feel a surge of anticipation. When he saw Mei Qing’s interest, he became even more eager to prove himself.
After asking Hou Shen a few questions about his techniques and watching him demonstrate, Mei Qing nodded, already formulating a plan for the future.
“It’s almost noon. Will the method you mentioned work, Master?” Bi Zhen, unable to sit still, asked Zhang Shisan.
“You little rascal!” Zhang Shisan scolded. “When have I ever lied? Besides, it was Mei Qing who suggested this method. Why don’t you ask him if it’ll work?”
“Mei Qing isn’t stupid!” Bi Zhen laughed. “You said the portal would open at noon, and all I have to do is chant the spell.”
“Spell?” Zhang Shisan blinked. “What spell? I don’t know anything about a spell.”
Bi Zhen smiled sweetly. “Mei Qing taught me. He said when the time comes, I should chant: ‘Sesame, sesame, open the door, as fast as the law commands!’ And the door will open!”
Hearing Bi Zhen’s chant, Mei Qing nearly burst out laughing. The method they were using to open the portal was inspired by Zhang Liusun’s technique of setting up an altar with Liu Liu. By setting up seven formation points outside the portal and gathering the power of the sun’s essence, they could break the formation.
The advantage of this method was that, with proper preparation, it required minimal effort and was safe and reliable. The downside was that once the sun moved past its zenith, the portal would close again. Therefore, they had to enter quickly and leave within three quarters of an hour.
Mei Qing had proposed the method, and Zhang Shisan had perfected and set up the formation. Bi Zhen, who only had a superficial understanding of formations, could only watch from the sidelines, feeling somewhat frustrated. Mei Qing had told her that when the portal opened, there would be a crucial spell that only she could chant to make it work.
Now, hearing Bi Zhen add “as fast as the law commands” to the chant “Sesame, sesame, open the door,” Mei Qing couldn’t help but laugh at the mix of traditional and modern elements.
Zhang Shisan scratched his head, trying to recall if he had ever heard such a strange spell. Though curious, he was too embarrassed to ask Mei Qing about it. He couldn’t help but marvel at Mei Qing’s ingenuity and broad knowledge, realizing that Mei Qing was already surpassing him in many ways.
“The time has come! Let me chant the spell!” Bi Zhen, excitedly counting the time, chanted, “Sesame, sesame, open the door, as fast as the law commands! Open!”
As Mei Qing struggled to suppress his laughter and Zhang Shisan and Hou Shen watched intently, seven points of starlight gradually appeared above the massive stone of Qianjin Ye.
The starlight grew brighter, illuminating the area so intensely that it was almost blinding. As the light reached its peak, a beam shot out from the direction of the Big Dipper’s handle, forming a shimmering portal that slowly stabilized.
“It’s open! It’s open!” Bi Zhen cheered. “Mei Qing, your spell really worked!”
Standing before the mesmerizing portal, everyone was momentarily stunned.
What lay beyond this portal? The legendary Jieshi Mountain was already a tale from ancient times, and figures like Xu Fu and Zhang Liusun were awe-inspiring beings in the cultivation world.
Taking this step, no one knew what awaited them.
Zhang Shisan glanced at the group, stopping Mei Qing from stepping forward with a gesture. He then took the lead, stepping into the portal and disappearing.
Mei Qing and Bi Zhen exchanged a glance, then joined hands and stepped into the dazzling light together.
Hou Shen’s figure flickered and vanished, and the portal’s light trembled slightly before returning to normal.
“This… this… what’s going on?” Mei Qing stammered.
What they saw was completely unexpected.
None of what they had imagined was there.
Zhang Liusun was gone, Xu Fu was gone, the ancient ship covered in seaweed and shells was gone, and even the towering black Jieshi Mountain was nowhere to be seen.
Before them stretched an endless sea, with waves glistening under the sun. Above, the dome of the sky arched high, with seawater silently flowing overhead. The sunlight filtered through the blue sea, casting shimmering reflections that blended with the light on the water’s surface, creating an otherworldly scene.
The air around them was no longer filled with the dense spiritual energy they were used to. Instead, it was charged with a fierce, cold, and oppressive aura.
The stark contrast between what they had imagined and what they now saw left everyone speechless.
“Master…” Mei Qing began, but Zhang Shisan raised a hand to stop him.
Zhang Shisan extended his sleeve, pulling something from the sea.
It was a small piece of wood, no more than an inch in size.
“Is this…?” Mei Qing looked at Zhang Shisan in surprise. Zhang Shisan nodded slowly.
The two exchanged a glance and simultaneously released their spiritual senses. In an instant, their expressions changed.
Though the severed limbs and corpses had long been consumed by the heavenly fire conjured by the three, the craters, trenches, and scorched marks on the ground were still clearly visible, bearing silent testimony to the intensity of that battle.
Bi Zhen whispered softly, “At that time, when Master saw you being taken away, that Laughing Maitreya was still here. When the two Masters flew into a rage and attacked, they subdued that fellow in one move. As they were about to rush to break the formation and rescue you, those disgusting creatures suddenly emerged from somewhere unknown. The Taoist Master hurled a few fireballs, and the entire area was engulfed in flames. Although all the zombies were burned to death, several of the ringleaders managed to escape in the chaos.”
“Oh? Who escaped, and what were they like?” Mei Qing asked curiously.
Bi Zhen shook her head. “We didn’t see them ourselves. It was the Laughing Maitreya who told us later. According to him, there were still two or three main figures left here, along with a few underlings. He couldn’t be certain exactly who they were, but he had seen two of them—a master and apprentice pair, belonging to a sect called the Ghost Eye Gate, who were in charge of the Hundred Ghost Hall.”
Pausing briefly, Bi Zhen continued, “The Hundred Ghost Hall is where those zombies were kept. They were people captured by the Fragrant Sect, turned into puppets, and forced to mine here.”
Mei Qing, Bi Zhen, Zhang Shisan, and Hou Shen stood quietly in the vast open space of Qianjin Ye. As they looked around, traces of the fierce battle that had taken place between Zhang Shisan, Master Ku, Bi Zhen, and the hordes of zombies were still visible everywhere.
Although the severed limbs and bodies had been completely incinerated by the three using heavenly fire, the pits, trenches, and scorch marks on the ground were still clearly visible, indicating the intensity of the battle.
Bi Zhen whispered, “When Master saw you being taken away, that Laughing Maitreya was still here. Both masters were furious and immediately subdued him. Just as they were about to break the formation to rescue you, those disgusting creatures suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The old Taoist master threw a few fireballs, and this entire area was engulfed in flames. Although the zombies were all burned to death, a few of the leaders managed to escape in the chaos.”
“Oh? Who escaped?” Mei Qing asked.
Bi Zhen shook her head, “We didn’t see them. It was Laughing Maitreya who told us later. According to him, there are still two or three leaders here, along with a few underlings. But he wasn’t entirely sure who they were. He only mentioned seeing two people, a master and disciple, who were supposedly from the Ghost Eye Sect, responsible for managing the Hundred Ghost Hall.”
After a brief pause, Bi Zhen added, “The Hundred Ghost Hall is where those zombies are kept. They are people captured by the Incense Sect and turned into puppets to mine here.” Mei Qing nodded, then looked up again, staring at the large black stone inscribed with the words “Qianjin Ye.” Who would have thought that the so-called “Thousand Jin Master” they had been desperately searching for was actually these three characters? And who could have imagined the secrets hidden behind Qianjin Ye?
Zhang Shisan, however, paid no attention to this. He sat cross-legged on the ground by himself, happily drinking from his gourd and pulling out a few small fish from his robe, eating with a smile. Hou Shen stood quietly behind him, silently polishing his twin daggers.
Mei Qing walked over and sat down beside them. After looking up for a while, he suddenly said, “Hou Shen, those daggers of yours seem different from before.”
Hou Shen nodded, “Elder Zhang helped refine them again. According to him, anyone below the Nascent Soul stage who gets hit by these will likely fall on the spot.”
“Oh?” Mei Qing asked curiously, “What kind of refining technique is so powerful?”
Hou Shen twirled the daggers in his hands and shook his head, “I’m not sure. Please take a look, young master.” He handed one of the daggers to Mei Qing.
Mei Qing examined it and felt a strange sensation. He had seen these daggers before, and they had always exuded a fierce, menacing aura. But now, they seemed ordinary, only faintly emitting a gloomy energy.
After a moment, Mei Qing exclaimed, “This seems… similar to the aura of the Nightmare Spirit. Could it be…”
“You’re sharp as ever,” Zhang Shisan grinned. “When that skeleton was smashed by the Stone Drunkard, I thought it was a pity to waste the remaining materials, so I used them to refine these daggers for him. The Nightmare Spirit’s power isn’t something ordinary cultivators can handle. What this kid knows isn’t something the cultivation world can use either. If you can figure out how to conceal his aura and add some stealth formations to your flashy techniques, he’ll be a nightmare for anyone below the Qi Refining stage.”
Mei Qing’s eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly. Zhang Shisan’s words aligned perfectly with his own thoughts. If they could indeed conceal Hou Shen’s aura, with his unique abilities and skills, combined with these deadly daggers, he would be a tremendous asset.
Hou Shen’s eyes also gleamed with excitement. Since joining Mei Qing, he had witnessed things far beyond his previous experiences. In the martial world, he had been considered a top-tier fighter, but in the cultivation world, even an ordinary cultivator could easily overpower him with a single spell.
Especially after hearing about the recent battles Mei Qing and the others had been involved in, Hou Shen could only imagine how intense they must have been. He longed to prove himself, but compared to Zhang Shisan, or even Bi Zhen, he felt utterly outmatched.
Now, hearing Zhang Shisan and Mei Qing discussing plans for him, Hou Shen couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement. Seeing Mei Qing’s interest, he was eager to see what they would come up with.
After asking Hou Shen a few questions about his techniques and watching him demonstrate, Mei Qing nodded, already forming a plan in his mind.
“Is it almost noon? Will the method you mentioned work, Master?” Bi Zhen, unable to sit still, asked Zhang Shisan.
“Young lady!” Zhang Shisan frowned, “When have I ever lied to you? Besides, it was Mei Qing who suggested this method. Why don’t you ask him if it works?”
“Aqing isn’t stupid!” Bi Zhen laughed. “Anyway, you said the portal would open at noon, and all I have to do is chant the incantation.”
“Incantation?” Zhang Shisan blinked, “What incantation? I don’t know about any incantation.”
Bi Zhen smiled sweetly, “Aqing taught me. He said when the time comes, I should chant: ‘Sesame, sesame, open the door, hurry as the law commands!’ And the door will open!”
Mei Qing, hearing Bi Zhen’s rendition of the incantation, almost burst out laughing. The method they were using to open the portal was inspired by Zhang Liusun’s earlier technique of setting up an altar with Liu Liu. By setting up seven formation points outside the portal and gathering the power of the sun’s essence, they could break the formation.
The advantage of this method was that once everything was prepared, they wouldn’t need to exert much effort, and it was safe and reliable. The downside was that once the sun moved past noon, the portal would close again. Therefore, they had to enter quickly and leave within three quarters of an hour.
This method was proposed by Mei Qing and perfected by Zhang Shisan. Bi Zhen, who only had a superficial understanding of formations, could only watch from the sidelines, feeling somewhat frustrated. Mei Qing had told her that when the portal opened, there would be an important incantation that she needed to chant for it to work.
Now, hearing Bi Zhen add “hurry as the law commands” to the incantation he had taught her, Mei Qing couldn’t help but be amused by the mix of traditional and modern elements.
Zhang Shisan scratched his head, trying to recall if he had ever heard of such an incantation. Although he was curious, he didn’t want to ask Mei Qing directly, secretly marveling at Mei Qing’s ingenuity and knowledge, which seemed to be surpassing his own.
“The time has come, let me chant the incantation!” Bi Zhen, having calculated the time, cheered, “Sesame, sesame, open the door, hurry as the law commands! Open!”
As Mei Qing tried to suppress his laughter, and Zhang Shisan and Hou Shen watched intently, seven points of starlight gradually appeared above the Qianjin Ye stone.
The starlight grew brighter, illuminating the surroundings to the point where it was almost blinding. As the light reached its peak, a beam of light shot out from the direction of the Big Dipper’s handle, forming a portal that slowly stabilized.
“Oh, it’s open! It’s open!” Bi Zhen exclaimed joyfully, “Aqing, your incantation really worked!”
Standing before the shimmering portal, everyone was momentarily stunned.
What lay beyond this portal? The legend of Shenyue Jieshi was already ancient, and Xu Fu and Zhang Liusun were figures of awe in the cultivation world.
Taking this step, no one knew what awaited them.
Zhang Shisan glanced at the group, stopping Mei Qing from stepping forward with a gesture, and then took the lead, stepping into the portal and disappearing.
Mei Qing and Bi Zhen exchanged a glance, then joined hands and stepped into the dazzling light together.
Hou Shen’s figure flickered and vanished, and then the light of the portal trembled slightly before returning to normal.
“This… this… what’s going on?” Mei Qing said with difficulty.
What they saw before them was completely unexpected.
None of what they had imagined was there.
Zhang Liusun was gone, Xu Fu was gone, the ancient ship covered in seaweed and shells was gone, and even the towering black stone of Jieshi was nowhere to be seen.
Before them was an endless sea, stretching as far as the eye could see, its surface shimmering with light. Above them, the dome of the sky arched high, with the sea silently churning above, and the sun’s rays filtering through the blue water, casting dancing light spots that blended with the reflections on the sea’s surface, creating a surreal spectacle.
The air around them was no longer filled with the dense spiritual energy they were used to, but instead, a fierce and cold killing intent permeated every inch of space.
Perhaps the stark contrast between what they saw and what Mei Qing had described left everyone speechless, unsure of what to say.
“Master…” Mei Qing started to speak, but Zhang Shisan stopped him with a gesture.
Zhang Shisan extended his hand, and his sleeve swiftly scooped something from the sea.
Everyone looked and saw a small piece of wood, no larger than an inch in diameter.
“Could this be…” Mei Qing looked at Zhang Shisan in surprise, and Zhang Shisan slowly nodded.
The two exchanged a glance and simultaneously released their spiritual senses. In an instant, their expressions changed.
Meanwhile, Zhang Shisan paid no heed to the conversation. Sitting cross-legged on the ground by himself, he happily drank from his gourd, occasionally pulling out some small fish to eat with a delighted grin. Hou Shen stood silently behind him, wiping the twin daggers in his hands.
Mei Qing walked over and sat beside them. After a while, he suddenly remarked, “Hou Shen’s blades seem a bit different from before.”
Hou Shen nodded. “Master Zhang helped me refine them again. According to him, anyone below the Yuan Ying stage who gets hit by these blades will surely fall on the spot.”
“Oh?” Mei Qing asked, puzzled. “What refining technique is so powerful?”
Hou Shen turned the blades in his hands and shook his head. “I’m not sure either. Master, please take a look.” He gently handed one over.
Mei Qing took the blade and examined it, puzzled. He had seen these blades before—they had once exuded a fierce, murderous aura, clearly weapons of great malevolence. But now, they seemed unremarkable, only faintly emanating a sinister chill.
After a few moments, he exclaimed, “Hmm… This seems similar to the aura of the nightmare spirit. Could it be…”
“You can’t fool this kid,” Zhang Shisan grinned. “Back then, when that skeleton was smashed by that stone drunkard, I thought it was a shame to waste the remains. Some of the leftover fragments were still usable, so I incorporated them into this kid’s blades. The nightmare spirit isn’t something from ordinary cultivation techniques, and the skills this kid possesses aren’t from the cultivation world either. If you could figure out a way to add some concealment formations to that flashy thing of yours, it would make an excellent weapon against cultivators below the Qi Condensation stage.”
Mei Qing’s eyes lit up, nodding repeatedly. Zhang Shisan’s suggestion aligned perfectly with his own thoughts. If Hou Shen’s aura could be masked, combined with his unique abilities and those deadly blades, he would become a formidable ally indeed.
Hou Shen’s eyes gleamed with excitement. Ever since he had joined Mei Qing, his experiences had far surpassed anything he had known before. In the martial world, his skills had been formidable, though not quite top-tier. But in the cultivation world, even an ordinary practitioner could easily overwhelm him with a single spell.
Especially during this recent conflict, although Hou Shen had arrived too late to witness the battle firsthand, the aftermath and accounts from others were enough for him to imagine its ferocity. In such battles, his abilities would be practically useless. Since pledging himself to Mei Qing, he had hoped to prove his worth, but now he realized that he was far behind even Bi Zhen, let alone Zhang Shisan.
Thus, upon hearing Zhang Shisan and Mei Qing discussing enhancements for him, Hou Shen couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement and anticipation. Seeing Mei Qing’s interest, his eagerness grew even more.
After asking Hou Shen a few questions about his techniques and watching him demonstrate a few moves, Mei Qing nodded, having already formulated a plan for future implementation.
“Is it almost noon? Will the method you mentioned work?” Bi Zhen, unable to sit still, approached Zhang Shisan with a hint of boredom.
“This girl!” Zhang Shisan frowned. “When have I ever spoken nonsense? Besides, it was Mei Qing’s idea in the first place. If you’re unsure, ask him!”
“Mei Qing isn’t silly!” Bi Zhen laughed. “Anyway, Master said that at noon the gate would open by itself, and I just need to recite the incantation then.”
“Incantation?” Zhang Shisan blinked. “What incantation? I don’t remember hearing about this!”
Bi Zhen smiled sweetly. “It’s something Mei Qing taught me. When the time comes, I just need to say, ‘Sesame, sesame, open up! As commanded, so it shall be!’ and the door will open.”
Mei Qing, hearing Bi Zhen recite the incantation, nearly burst out laughing. The method they were using to open the Jieshi Gate had been inspired by Zhang Liusun’s earlier technique of summoning Liu Liu to set up an altar. It involved setting up talisman arrays at seven key points outside the formation, channeling the power of solar fire to break through the barrier.
The main advantage of this approach was that, with proper preparation, the group would hardly need to exert any effort, and it was safe and reliable. The only drawback was that once the sun moved westward, the gate would close again due to the lack of solar energy. Therefore, they had to enter and exit within a short time frame—specifically, within three quarters of an hour.
This method had been proposed by Mei Qing and refined and implemented by Zhang Shisan. Bi Zhen, who had little understanding of formations, could only watch helplessly on the sidelines, feeling quite frustrated. To cheer her up, Mei Qing told her that a special incantation would be needed to activate the formation, and only her voice would make it effective.
Now, hearing Bi Zhen add “As commanded, so it shall be!” to the end of “Sesame, sesame, open up,” Mei Qing couldn’t help but be amused by the amusing blend of traditional and modern elements.
Zhang Shisan scratched his head, trying to recall any incantation he had ever learned that resembled this. Although curious, he was too embarrassed to ask Mei Qing directly. Still, he couldn’t help but admire the young man’s extraordinary talent and vast knowledge, sensing that Mei Qing was already surpassing him.
“The time is here! Let me recite the incantation!” Bi Zhen joyfully calculated the timing. “Sesame, sesame, open up! As commanded, so it shall be! Open!”
Mei Qing, Bi Zhen, Zhang Shisan, and Hou Shen stood silently in the vast open space of Qianjin Ye. As they looked around, they could see traces of the fierce battle that had taken place here between Zhang Shisan, Master Ku, Bi Zhen, and the hordes of zombies.
Although the severed limbs and corpses had been completely incinerated by the three using heavenly fire, the pits, trenches, and burn marks on the ground were still clearly visible, indicating the intensity of that battle.
Bi Zhen whispered, “When Master saw you being taken away, that smiling Buddha was still here. Both masters were furious and immediately subdued him. Just as they were about to break the formation to rescue you, those disgusting things suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The old master threw a few fireballs, and this entire area was engulfed in flames. Although the zombies were all burned to death, a few of the overseers managed to escape in the chaos.”
“Oh? Who escaped?” Mei Qing asked.
Bi Zhen shook her head, “We didn’t see them. It was the smiling Buddha who told us later. According to him, there are still two or three overseers here, along with a few laborers. But he wasn’t sure exactly who they were. He only mentioned seeing two people, a master and disciple, from something called the Ghost Eye Sect, who are in charge of the Hundred Ghost Hall.”
After a brief pause, Bi Zhen explained further, “The Hundred Ghost Hall is where those zombies are kept. They are people captured by the Incense Sect and turned into puppets to mine here.” Mei Qing nodded, then looked up at the black boulder inscribed with the words “Qianjin Ye.” Who would have thought that the so-called “Thousand Jin Master” they had been desperately searching for was actually these three characters? And who could have imagined the secrets hidden behind Qianjin Ye?
Zhang Shisan, however, paid no attention to this. He sat cross-legged on the ground, happily drinking from his gourd and occasionally pulling out a few small fish from his robe, eating with great delight. Hou Shen stood quietly behind him, silently polishing his twin daggers.
Mei Qing walked over and sat down beside him. After a moment, he suddenly said, “Hou Shen, those daggers of yours seem different from before.”
Hou Shen nodded, “Immortal Zhang helped refine them further. According to him, anyone below the Nascent Soul stage who gets hit by these will likely fall on the spot.”
“Oh?” Mei Qing asked curiously, “What kind of refining technique is so powerful?”
Hou Shen twirled the daggers in his hands and shook his head, “I’m not sure. Take a look, Young Master.” He gently handed one over.
Mei Qing took it and examined it closely. He found it strange. He had seen these daggers before, and they had always exuded a fierce, menacing aura. But now, they seemed ordinary, with only a faint, gloomy energy emanating from them.
After a few moments, Mei Qing exclaimed, “This seems… similar to the aura of the Nightmare Spirit. Could it be…”
“You can’t hide anything from you, kid,” Zhang Shisan grinned. “When that skeleton was smashed by the stone drunkard, I thought it was a pity to waste the remaining materials, so I used them to refine these daggers for him. The Nightmare Spirit isn’t something ordinary cultivators can handle. What this kid knows isn’t something from the cultivation world either. If you can put some effort into it and add some concealment formations to your flickering technique, it would be a real bane for anyone below the Qi Refining stage.”
Mei Qing’s eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly. Zhang Shisan’s words aligned perfectly with his own thoughts. If they could conceal Hou Shen’s aura, with his unique abilities and skills, combined with these lethal daggers, he would indeed be a great asset.
Hou Shen’s eyes also gleamed with excitement. Since joining Mei Qing, he had witnessed things far beyond his previous experiences. In the martial world, he had been considered top-tier, but in the cultivation world, even an ordinary cultivator could easily overpower him with a single spell.
Especially after hearing about the recent battles Mei Qing and the others had been involved in, Hou Shen could only imagine how intense they must have been. He had hoped to prove himself, but now it seemed that even Bi Zhen, a girl, was far superior to him.
Therefore, when Zhang Shisan and Mei Qing discussed plans for him, Hou Shen couldn’t help but feel excited and eager. Seeing Mei Qing’s interest, Hou Shen was even more motivated and ready to take action.
After asking Hou Shen a few questions about his techniques and having him demonstrate, Mei Qing nodded, already formulating a plan for the future.
“Is it almost noon? Will the method you mentioned work, Master?” Bi Zhen, unable to sit still, asked Zhang Shisan.
“Young lady!” Zhang Shisan said sternly, “When have I ever lied? Besides, it was Mei Qing who first suggested this method. Why don’t you ask him if it works?”
“Aqing isn’t stupid!” Bi Zhen laughed. “Anyway, you said that once noon arrives, the portal will open on its own, and all I have to do is chant the spell.”
“Spell?” Zhang Shisan blinked, “What spell? I don’t know anything about that.”
Bi Zhen smiled brightly, “Aqing taught me. He said when the time comes, I should chant: ‘Sesame, sesame, open quickly, as fast as the law commands!’ And the door will open!”
Mei Qing, hearing Bi Zhen’s rendition of the spell, almost fell over laughing. The method they were using to open the Jieshi portal was inspired by Zhang Liusun’s earlier technique of setting up an altar with Liu Liu. They planned to use the power of the sun’s essence to break the formation by setting up seven talisman arrays at the key points.
The biggest advantage of this method was that once everything was prepared, they wouldn’t need to exert any effort, and it was safe and reliable. The downside was that once the sun moved past noon, the portal would close again. Therefore, they had to enter quickly and leave within three quarters of an hour.
This method was proposed by Mei Qing and perfected by Zhang Shisan. Bi Zhen, who only had a superficial understanding of formations, could only watch from the sidelines, feeling somewhat frustrated. Mei Qing told her that when the time came to open the portal, there would be a crucial spell that only she could chant to make it work.
Now, hearing Bi Zhen add “as fast as the law commands” to the spell he had taught her, Mei Qing couldn’t help but laugh at the mix of traditional and modern elements.
Zhang Shisan scratched his head, trying to recall all the spells he had learned since childhood, but he couldn’t remember anything like this strange incantation. Although he was curious, he was too embarrassed to ask Mei Qing about it. Frustrated, he couldn’t help but marvel at Mei Qing’s extraordinary talent and vast knowledge, realizing that he might already be surpassing him.
“The time has come, let me chant the spell!” Bi Zhen, after calculating the time, exclaimed joyfully, “Sesame, sesame, open quickly, as fast as the law commands! Open!”
As Mei Qing tried to suppress his laughter and Zhang Shisan and Hou Shen watched intently, seven points of starlight gradually appeared above the “Qianjin Ye” boulder.
The starlight grew brighter and brighter, illuminating the surroundings so brightly that it was almost blinding. As the light reached its peak, a beam of light shot out from the direction of the Big Dipper’s handle, forming a shimmering portal that slowly stabilized.
“Oh, it’s open! It’s open!” Bi Zhen exclaimed with joy, “Aqing, your spell really worked!”
Standing before the mesmerizing portal, everyone was momentarily stunned.
What lay beyond this portal? The legendary Jieshi Mountain was already an ancient tale, and Xu Fu and Zhang Liusun were figures of awe in the cultivation world.
Taking this step, no one knew what awaited them.
Zhang Shisan glanced at the others, stopped Mei Qing from stepping forward, gestured, and then took the first step into the portal, disappearing instantly.
Mei Qing and Bi Zhen exchanged a glance, held hands, and stepped into the dazzling light together.
Hou Shen’s figure flickered and disappeared, and then the light in the portal trembled slightly before returning to normal.
“This… this… what’s going on?” Mei Qing said with difficulty.
What they saw before them was completely unexpected.
None of what they had imagined had come to pass.
Zhang Liusun was gone, Xu Fu was gone, the ancient ship covered in seaweed and shells was gone, and even the towering black Jieshi Mountain was nowhere to be seen.
Before them stretched an endless sea, with waves shimmering under the sunlight. Looking up, they saw a high, arched dome with seawater silently flowing above. The sunlight filtered through the blue sea, casting shimmering light spots that blended with the reflections on the water’s surface, creating a surreal, colorful scene.
The atmosphere around them was no longer filled with the dense spiritual energy they were used to. Instead, there was a fierce, cold, and oppressive aura permeating every inch of space.
Perhaps the stark contrast between what they saw and Mei Qing’s description was too great, leaving everyone silent, unsure of what to say.
“Master…” Mei Qing opened his mouth to speak, but Zhang Shisan stopped him with a gesture.
Zhang Shisan extended his sleeve, scooping something up from the sea.
When they looked, it was a small piece of wood, no larger than an inch in diameter.
“Is this…?” Mei Qing looked at Zhang Shisan in surprise, and Zhang Shisan slowly nodded.
The two exchanged a glance and simultaneously released their spiritual senses. In an instant, their expressions changed.
The seven stars grew brighter and brighter, illuminating the entire area until it was almost blinding. At the peak of their brilliance, a beam of light extended from the handle of the Big Dipper, pointing directly ahead and forming a shimmering portal that slowly stabilized.
“Oh, it opened! It opened!” Bi Zhen clapped joyfully. “Mei Qing, your incantation really worked!”
Standing before the dazzling portal, the group was momentarily stunned.
No one could predict what lay beyond this mysterious gate. The legendary Mount Jieshi had long been a myth, and Xu Fu and Zhang Liusun were figures of awe in the cultivation world.
Taking this step forward, none could foresee what awaited them.
Zhang Shisan glanced at the others, then blocked Mei Qing’s advance with a hand gesture. With a nod, he stepped forward first, crossing the threshold and vanishing into the light.
Mei Qing and Bi Zhen exchanged a glance, then joined hands and stepped into the radiant beam together.
Hou Shen’s figure flickered and disappeared. The light from the portal shimmered briefly, then returned to normal.
“This… this… what’s going on?” Mei Qing asked with difficulty.
The scene before them was completely unexpected.
Nothing they had imagined appeared.
Zhang Liusun was gone. Xu Fu was gone. The ancient ship covered in seaweed and shells was gone. Even the towering black Jieshi stone was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, an endless sea stretched out in all directions, shimmering under the light. Looking up, they saw a vast dome overhead, with silent waves of seawater flowing above. Sunlight filtered through the ocean, casting shifting patches of light that blended with the reflections on the water’s surface, creating a surreal, colorful spectacle.
The air no longer brimmed with dense spiritual energy, but instead exuded a violent and chilling aura, permeating every inch of space.
The stark contrast between their expectations and the reality left everyone speechless.
“Master…” Mei Qing opened his mouth to speak, but Zhang Shisan raised a hand to stop him.
Zhang Shisan extended his sleeve and swept it across the water’s surface, retrieving something.
It was a small wooden fragment, no larger than an inch in diameter.
“Could this be…” Mei Qing looked at Zhang Shisan in astonishment. Zhang Shisan slowly nodded.
The two exchanged a glance and simultaneously extended their spiritual senses. In an instant, their expressions changed dramatically.
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