Chapter 610
She held Fu Shaoping's hand and walked through the peach trees together. The scene in front of them suddenly changed -
In the middle of the desolate valley, an ancient well gushed out dark and inky yin energy. Beside the well stood a man in white clothes who looked 70% like Nangong Wan, using his finger as a pen to write golden runes in the air. With each stroke, his face turned paler, and the blood from the corner of his mouth stained the collar of his shirt red.
"Is this the scene from a thousand years ago?" Fu Shaoping asked in shock.
Nangong Wan nodded: "Our ancestor Nangong Yu was already a great master in the Spiritualization Stage at that time." She pointed to the well mouth, "He could have easily destroyed this Yin Vein, but that would have caused an earthquake and affected all mortals within a radius of thousands of miles."
The scene changed. Nangong Yu had already knelt down beside the well, with black air surrounding him. He made a seal with difficulty, and suddenly slapped his head with his palm! A golden light flew out from his seven orifices, turning into nine chains that wrapped around the well mouth.
"Extracting the soul and refining the lock." Fu Shaoping sucked in a breath of cold air. This was the cruelest sealing technique. The caster would refine his own soul into a seal, and he would never be able to reincarnate.
At the last moment, Nangong Yu looked back, his eyes seemed to penetrate through thousands of years, looking straight at Nangong Wan. He opened and closed his lips, uttering a few words:
"When you come with fire to fulfill your oath"
The scene faded, and the two returned to the peach forest. Nangong Wan burst into tears, her body trembling slightly. Fu Shaoping hugged her tightly, feeling the restless leap of the Heavenly Fire in her body.
"I understand." Nangong Wan choked up, "The ancestor is waiting for someone who can take over. A descendant of Nangong with pure skyfire blood."
Fu Shaoping was shocked: "No! There must be other ways to seal the Yin Meridian!"
Nangong Wan gently pushed him away, wiped away her tears, and showed a determined look: "Take me to see the village chief. It's time to know the truth."
In the village chief's house, candlelight flickered.
The old village chief took out a bamboo scroll, which recorded the true origin of Taoyuan Village. It turned out that this was not an ordinary secluded village at all, but a tribe of people who guarded the border specially left by Nangong Yu to suppress the Yin Meridian a thousand years ago.
"We have guarded two secrets for generations." The village chief's old fingers stroked the bamboo slips, "One is the seal of the Yin Meridian, and the other is waiting for the 'descendant who holds the fire.'"
He pointed to the flame mark on Nangong Wan's forehead and said, "When the guardian loses control, only the pure blood of the sky fire can temporarily suppress the yin energy. But the seal must be completely repaired." The old man's voice trembled, "A new container is needed."
Fu Shaoping slammed the table and the wooden table cracked. "You want Wan'er to jump into that ghost well?"
"Shaoping!" Nangong Wan pulled his sleeve and turned to the village chief, "Old man, is the Xuanyin grass recorded in ancient books near the Yinmai Spring?"
The village chief was startled, then nodded slowly: "There are three plants of Xuanyin grass growing beside the spring, which grow by absorbing Yin energy. But," he smiled bitterly, "picking them will destroy the balance of the seal."
The room fell into silence. Fu Shaoping finally understood how cruel the choice they were facing was - if they wanted to take the Xuanyin grass to restore their Purple Palace cultivation, it would accelerate the outbreak of the Yin Meridian; if they wanted to preserve the seal, not only could they not take the grass, but Nangong Wan might also
"There is another way." Nangong Wan suddenly said, "The ancestor's memory mentioned the 'Yin Yang Twin Lotus'. This thing grows at the junction of Yin and Yang, and it can also repair the Purple Palace."
The village chief's eyes lit up: "It is indeed recorded! But..." His expression dimmed again, "This thing is elusive and hard to find, and the seal will only last for three days."
Fu Shaoping held Nangong Wan's hand tightly and said, "Let's go and look for her immediately."
"It's too late." Nangong Wan shook his head, his eyes determined, "I will temporarily reinforce the seal with heavenly fire to buy time. Shao Ping, you go find the lotus alone."
"No!" Fu Shaoping refused flatly, "How can I leave you here alone to take risks?"
Nangong Wan suddenly leaned in and kissed him lightly on the lips. This sudden action made Fu Shaoping stunned. When she stepped back, tears welled up in her eyes: "Do you remember the Taoist vows we made in Zixiao Sect? 'Not to disappoint the world, not to disappoint you'."
Fu Shaoping's heart was torn. Of course he remembered it - that was the oath they made in front of the statue of the founder when they became Taoist companions.
Just as the situation was at a standstill, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door. A villager rushed in in a panic: "Village Chief! The border guard has woken up again! He...he specifically asked to see these two immortals!"
In front of the ancient bronze coffin, black air was swirling.
The zombie—or rather Nangong Yu—was bound by eight new chains, but those chains had gradually turned black under the erosion of the black air. He opened his dark green eyes, but his gaze was much clearer than last time.
"Nangong, descendant." His hoarse voice went straight into their minds. "Come closer."
Nangong Wan stepped forward without hesitation, and Fu Shaoping followed closely behind, holding the hilt of his sword, ready to strike at any time.
Surprisingly, when Nangong Wan approached, the green fire in the zombie's eyes gradually turned into pale gold. He raised his dry hand tremblingly and pointed at Nangong Wan's forehead.
A golden light shot out from Nangong Wan's seal and connected with the fingertips of the zombie. In an instant, the entire ancestral hall was filled with golden light, and the black air retreated like a tide.
"Heavenly Fire. Inheritance." The zombie's voice suddenly became clear, "Child, you are here."
Nangong Wan burst into tears and knelt in front of the coffin involuntarily: "Ancestor..."
The zombie—perhaps we should call him Nangong Yu now—slowly turned his head and looked at Fu Shaoping: "Sword cultivator, protect her."
Fu Shaoping clasped his fists solemnly: "I swear on my life."
Nangong Yu nodded, and then looked at Nangong Wan: "Listen carefully. The abnormal movement of the Yin Meridian is not natural. There is an external force. Destruction"
It was extremely difficult for him to say each word, and the golden light on his body flickered: "Three hundred miles east. Ancient battlefield. Yin and Yang realm. Twin lotuses."
Suddenly, his body twitched violently, and the golden light in his eyes was swallowed up by the green fire again. Black gas gushed out from the wellhead again, wrapping around his body.
"Hurry up!" Nangong Yu roared with his last breath, "The seal will be broken at midnight in seven days, before then..."
Before he finished speaking, he completely lost control and let out an inhuman howl. The village chief hurriedly struck the Yin-suppressing drum, and the villagers worked together to sink the coffin back into the well.
Nangong Wan was forcibly dragged out of the ancestral hall by Fu Shaoping. She was trembling all over, but in her hand she was tightly holding a golden jade slip that had appeared at some point in time.
"Given by our ancestors," she choked up, "it contains the exact location of the Twin Lotus and the complete formula for the Sealing Technique."
Fu Shaoping's heart sank. He knew his Taoist partner too well - the meaning of the formula was self-evident.
"Let's go to the ancient battlefield together." He said firmly, "After we find the lotus, we will come back to solve the Yin meridian problem."
Nangong Wan looked in the direction of the ancestral hall and whispered, "What if we can't find it?"
"Then we can work together to find a solution." Fu Shaoping held her face and put his forehead against hers. "Remember, nothing is more important than you. I understand the righteousness of the people, but if it comes at the cost of you," he choked, "I would rather bear the infamy for all eternity."
Peach blossoms fluttered down and landed on their shoulders. Nangong Wan closed her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Okay,” she finally nodded, “Let’s go together.”
But Fu Shaoping didn't see that her hands in her sleeves were quietly pinching the magic formula - that was the secret hand seal taught by Nangong Yu to temporarily suppress the Yin meridian. The night was as dark as ink, and Fu Shaoping and Nangong Wan flew on swords, the sword light cut through the sky, and rushed towards the ancient battlefield 300 miles east.
The mountains and rivers below gradually became barren, the ground cracked, and no grass grew. In the distance, a gray mist enveloped the entire ancient battlefield, and broken weapons, rotten armor, and countless wandering ghosts could be vaguely seen. The wind howled, blowing up the ashes on the ground, and the air was filled with the smell of decay and blood.
"This was the place where the ancient cultivators and the demons fought a decisive battle. It is filled with a heavy death aura." Nangong Wan whispered, the golden jade slip in her hand slightly warmed, guiding the direction. The flame mark on her forehead flickered with a faint light, as if she had sensed something.
Fu Shaoping held her hand tightly and looked around vigilantly. Suddenly, a cold laugh came from all directions.
"A living person? How dare you set foot here?"
The black fog rolled, and dozens of ghosts condensed into shape, with green ghost lights in their eyes, slowly approaching. Their bodies were twisted, some only had half of their heads left, and some had broken swords stuck in their chests, but they still let out shrill roars.
"Get out of here!" Fu Shaoping shouted coldly, and the sword flashed like a rainbow, instantly killing several ghosts. However, more ghosts crawled out from the ground, as if they were endless.
Nangong Wan ignited golden sky fire in his palm and whispered, "They are vengeful spirits attracted by the abnormal movement of the Yin Meridian. We can't fight for long. We have to find the boundary between Yin and Yang as soon as possible!"
The two fought and retreated, sword light and sky fire intertwined, tearing a bloody path through the group of ghosts. Fu Shaoping's sword was sharp, and each sword was as powerful as thunder, killing several ghosts. However, there were too many ghosts, and his arm was scratched by the claws of a ghost, and blood dripped down the hilt.
When Nangong Wan saw this, a trace of heartache flashed in her eyes. She bit her fingertip fiercely, and using the blood as a guide, the sky fire suddenly surged!
"burn!"
The golden flame turned into a fire phoenix, let out a long cry, and swept out. Wherever it passed, the ghosts were reduced to ashes!
The two took the opportunity to break out of the encirclement and ran in the direction indicated by the jade slip. Finally, a strange crack appeared in front of them - the earth split open here, half of it was scorched earth, and the other half was frozen. It was the place where yin and yang met!
Deep in the crack, a strange lotus quietly bloomed - the petals were half black and half white, and the stamens were flowing with chaotic energy. It was the legendary "Yin and Yang Lotus"!
However, just as Nangong Wan stretched out his hand to pick it, a black shadow suddenly rushed out from the crack and turned into a human form——
"Anyone who takes the Yin-Yang treasure without permission will die!"
It was a remnant soul of a demon cultivator wearing tattered armor, and his aura had reached the peak of the Nascent Soul stage! His face was ferocious, his eyes glowed with scarlet light, and he held a pitch-black bone knife in his hand, the blade was entangled with the wails of countless wronged souls.
Fu Shaoping did not hesitate, and swung his sword like a dragon, slashing straight ahead. However, the remaining soul of the demon cultivator sneered, and with a wave of his hand, the black energy turned into thousands of ghost claws, which swallowed up all the sword energy!
"How dare you, a mere Jindan, be so presumptuous?"
Nangong Wan saw this and formed seals with his hands. The Heavenly Fire turned into a fire phoenix, and with a long cry, it pounced on the demon cultivator. However, the other party did not dodge, but let the Heavenly Fire burn him, grinning and saying, "Little girl, your Heavenly Fire is strong, but at this place where Yin and Yang meet, the Yin Qi is endless. How long can you burn?"
The situation of the battle took a turn for the worse!
Fu Shaoping was knocked back by the demon cultivator's palm, and a trace of blood flowed out of his mouth. He gritted his teeth and stood up, a trace of determination flashed in his eyes, and he bit his tongue hard, spurting a mouthful of blood onto the sword!
"Sacrifice the sword with blood, and kill!"
The sword light suddenly increased and turned into a long blood-red rainbow, slashing straight at the demon cultivator's head!
The remaining soul of the demon cultivator finally changed color, and he hastily raised his sword to block, but was hit by the sword and retreated repeatedly, and a crack appeared on the sword!
Nangong Wan seized the opportunity, and the sky fire rose again, turning into chains that wrapped around the demon cultivator's limbs. The demon cultivator roared and struggled, and the black gas and the sky fire collided violently, bursting out with a dazzling light.
At this moment, the golden jade slip in Nangong Wan's hand suddenly burst out with dazzling light!
An illusory figure slowly emerged - it was Nangong Yu's regret!
“Ancestors?!” Nangong Wan exclaimed.
Nangong Yu's shadow raised his hand and pointed, and the remaining soul of the demon cultivator was struck by lightning, screaming miserably: "God-transforming cultivator?! No——!"
In an instant, the remaining soul of the demon cultivator turned into ashes!
Nangong Yu's shadow looked at Nangong Wan, his eyes kind and resolute: "Child, time is running out... The source of the abnormal movement of the Yin Meridian is not natural, but someone is secretly controlling it."
He raised his hand and a picture appeared -
A man in a black robe stood deep in the Yin Vein, holding a pitch-black ancient seal in his hand, which was constantly eroding the seal!
“The Seven Evil Sect… they want to use the power of the Yin Meridian to refine the Ten Thousand Souls Banner!” Nangong Yu’s voice gradually weakened, “The Twin Lotuses can repair your Purple Palace, but if you want to completely resolve the danger of the Yin Meridian…”
His eyes fell on Nangong Wan, and both of them knew what was left unsaid.
Before the phantom disappeared, Nangong Yu said at last: "Remember... the fire of heaven will never go out, and hope will last forever..."
After leaving the ancient battlefield, Nangong Wan took the Twin Lotus, and his purple palace injuries recovered quickly, and his cultivation even improved to a higher level!
However, her face became paler. Fu Shaoping noticed something was wrong and hurriedly supported her: "Wan'er, what's wrong with you?"
Nangong Wan forced a smile: "It's okay... just over-consumption."
Before she finished her words, she suddenly spurted out a mouthful of blood and fell limply!
Fu Shaoping was shocked and hurriedly checked her meridians, and found that there was a sinister energy raging in her body!
"It's the evil of that demon cultivator!" His face suddenly changed, "It must be driven away as soon as possible!"
Nangong Wan held his hand weakly: "Shaoping... go back first... seal it... can't wait..."
Fu Shaoping gritted his teeth, carried her on his back, and soared into the sky on his sword!
On the way back, the ghost attacked again. Fu Shaoping held Nangong Wan tightly with one hand and held the sword with the other, cutting a bloody path! His clothes were soaked with blood, and he couldn't tell whether it was his own or the enemy's.
Taoyuan Village, Yinmai Wellhead.
The black energy was almost out of control, and all the guards went crazy. Fu Shaoping rushed into the village holding the unconscious Nangong Wan. Seeing this, the village chief hurriedly came forward and said, "Quick! Put her into the spirit purification array in the ancestral hall!"
In the Pure Spirit Formation, Nangong Wan sat cross-legged, with golden light and black energy intertwined around him, frowning in pain. Fu Shaoping stood outside the formation, his fists clenched so hard that they made a creaking sound.
Suddenly, black gas surged out of the wellhead, and a black shadow slowly emerged - it was the man in black robe!
“Hahaha… you’re finally here!” the black-robed man laughed sinisterly, “Since you guys came to my door, why don’t you all become the nourishment for the Ten Thousand Souls Banner!”
Fu Shaoping's eyes were filled with murderous intent: "It's you who caused Wan'er to be like this... I want you to pay with your life!"
The man in black robe looked at him with disdain. With a wave of his hand, the black energy turned into a giant python and pounced straight at Fu Shaoping!
At this moment, golden light shone brightly in the Jingling Formation!
Nangong Wan opened his eyes, and the flame pattern between his eyebrows shone as brightly as the sun!
"Shaoping, come together!"
She flew out, and the heavenly fire turned into a long whip, which slashed towards the man in black robe at the same time as Fu Shaoping's sword!
The black-robed man finally changed color, and hastily used the dark ancient seal to block, but it was shattered by the heavenly fire and sword light!
"Do not--!"
The black-robed man screamed and was burned to ashes by the skyfire! (End of this chapter)