Trials of the Abyss

Chapter 60: Ancient City from Three Thousand Years Ago

Su Meng stood to the side as she watched Luo Hongyan dig out the depleted spirit jades that were embedded in the first floor of the Divine Spirit Pagoda. Luo Hongyan carefully sifted through the spirit stones she had placed beside her.

This time, Luo Hongyan did not ask her to do anything and instead took matters into her own hands.

Su Meng felt a pang of heartache.

In her heart, Sister Ning was not only knowledgeable but also incredibly brave. Yet, she continued to endure humiliations at the hands of Pang Jian!

Not long before, it was here that the intoxicated Pang Jian...

Su Meng sighed softly to herself, then whispered, "Sister Ning, is it worth enduring such great humiliation for him?"

Luo Hongyan used a unique method to embed the different quality spirit stones into the array.

She did not raise her head as she replied, "It depends on the person. I can't be bothered to spare a second glance at someone like Zhou Qingchen. However, Pang Jian is worth it. Someone as tough and cold as him needs some extra effort. He's rejecting me now, but he might eventually come around."

Su Meng was surprised. "Is he that good?"

Luo Hongyan chose not to acknowledge her question this time.

Han Duping entered the Divine Spirit Pagoda with Zhou Qingchen's storage bracelet in hand. Overhearing Luo Hongyan's belittlement of Zhou Qingchen and her fixation on Pang Jian, he could not help but harbor a hint of reverence toward Pang Jian.

"Ning Yao, you can use these spirit stones." Han Duping stacked the faintly glowing square spirit stones in front of him. "While they may not match the quality of those from the upper world, they're still considered top-notch in the Fourth World."

"Just leave it over there," Luo Hongyan said without lifting her head. Focusing intently on sorting through the spirit stones in her hands, she continued, "With spirit jades, the Divine Spirit Pagoda could fly us to the Third World. The pure spirit stones from the Third World can carry us through the Fourth World. Meanwhile, spirit stones with impurities can only take us out of the Solitary Mountain Range.

"But we need to be fast. If we delay any longer, we might not be able to escape."

"You're adept at identifying spirit plants and now you've mastered arrays as well. The teachings from the Star River Alliance must have been truly extensive," Han Duping offhandedly remarked.

After toiling for what seemed like ages, Luo Hongyan finally paused. She lifted her head to meet his gaze. With a wry smile, she said, "There are indeed others aside from the Star River Alliance who have imparted their knowledge to me. However, I'm afraid I can't reveal who they are."

Han Duping tried to probe her, brows knitted. "They must be remarkable individuals."

As someone proficient in arrays himself, Han Duping observed her for a moment and quickly concluded that her method of filling the ground with those spirit stones was likely correct.

However, back in the canyon, the Ning Clan had clearly been troubled by the Yin-Energy-Sealing array.

If she's proficient in arrays, why didn't she attempt to destroy it back then?

Han Duping was puzzled.

***

At the top of the small hill, Pang Jian and Zhou Qingchen stood side by side as they watched the bizarre mist's imminent approach.

Pang Jian broke the silence. "Young Master Zhou, when I climbed out from the deep hole, I mentioned that I had acquired the blood essence of the black turtle. Why didn't you ask me about it?"

Taken aback, Zhou Qingchen asked. "Are you trying to test me with the black turtle's blood essence?"

Pang Jian shook his head. "I thought you would offer me something to trade for it."

Zhou Qingchen's expression eased.

After contemplating for a moment, he explained earnestly, "While the blood essence of the black turtle is indeed valuable and something I need, I can use other spiritual materials to cleanse my marrow once I join the Red Mountain Sect. It's only a matter of time. We're not in immediate danger, so it won't hurt me to wait a while longer.

"Pang Jian, do you recall our conversation at the stone pile? I said that cultivation talent wasn't the only factor determining a cultivator's future success."

Pang Jian nodded. "I remember."

"Upon entering the Meridian Opening Realm, you opened four meridians. I'm well aware of the vastness of your spiritual sea, and your talent is one that even I envy." Zhou Qingchen chuckled. "When I comforted you back then, it was because I visited the Third World before and spent some time in the Red Mountain Sect.

"In the Fourth World, I, Zhou Qingchen, am considered a cultivation genius. However, in the Red Mountain Range, I'm nothing special.

"There are many sects similar to the Red Mountain Sect, such as the Radiant Sun Sect, the Star River Alliance, the Blood Moon Sect, and the Sinister Soul Temple. Many of my peers in the Third World far surpassed me.

"Those words I said to you back then, someone once said to me as well. If I were to be narrow-mindedly envious of you because of your talent, then with so many talents above us, I would be completely overcome with envy.

"Rather than competing with others, what I want is to outdo myself, time and time again!"

His words stirred Pang Jian's heart. "No wonder Han Duping has such a good relationship with you."

Zhou Qingchen laughed. "Haha, once we've experienced a few more life-and-death situations together, we'll also become as close as brothers, no longer harboring suspicions or keeping guard against each other.

"Once we leave the Solitary Mountain Range, you can choose whether to join my Zhou Clan or to go elsewhere. Don't worry, I promise to recommend you to the Red Mountain Sect regardless! Of course, with your talent, not to mention the Red Mountain Sect, the other upper world sects will be eager to have you."

Meanwhile, Black Orchid Lake had completely frozen through, transforming the island's surroundings into a world of ice.

Suddenly, a brilliant light shone from the lake next to the deep hole.

Standing atop the small hill, Pang Jian and Zhou Qingchen instantly caught sight of the radiant glow. Exchanging a knowing glance, they swiftly descended to the island's edge and leaned over to peer into the lake.

Black Orchid Lake was now a massive ice crystal, allowing them to see through to the bottom of the lake.

At the bottom of the lake was a person encased in solid ice.

The person was bare-chested and stood frozen by the black turtle's limb. A magnificent Celestial Phoenix Imprint gleamed on his forehead.

The radiant glow of the Celestial Phoenix enveloped his body, allowing him to move his neck with difficulty despite being encased in ice.

"Dong Tianze!" Both of them shouted in unison.

They had not expected that the escaped Dong Tianze had been hiding at the bottom of the lake this whole time. It was only due to the approaching bizarre mist and the freezing of Black Orchid Lake that he was forced to emerge.

Whoosh!

Beneath the ice, a mirage-like scene slowly appeared. Broad streets formed and ancient stone buildings rose from the ground.

Before long, an ancient and majestic city emerged at the bottom of Black Orchid Lake!

The ancient city stood in an Eight Trigrams formation[1]. It was unknown whether it was real or merely an illusion.

The island they were on was the center of this Eight Trigrams formation. Streets extended out from the center, lined with rows of stone buildings on both sides.

Meanwhile, the frozen Dong Tianze had disappeared without a trace. It was as if he had been crushed by the city below.

The entire city was built using white and cyan stone bricks. White bricks paved the streets while cyan bricks were used to construct the building. Everything was meticulously arranged.

However, not a single figure roamed the wide streets of the city.

The cyan-brick buildings were similarly lifeless. The entire city was engulfed in silence.

The city had appeared out of nowhere and manifested before Pang Jian and Zhou Qingchen's eyes. The pair felt like they could no longer distinguish between reality and illusion.

At this moment, Pang Jian noticed the bizarre mist had also ceased its advance.

The appearance of the ancient city seemed to be connected to the halting of the bizarre mist.

Zhou Qingchen was dumbfounded, rubbing his eyes in disbelief as he stared at the city below the icy lake. He said, "I feel like I've heard of this city before, but I can't seem to recall its origins at the moment!"

"It's not real. It can't be. I've come to Black Orchid Lake many times, and apart from this island, I've explored every corner of the lake. There's no city at the bottom of the lake!" Pang Jian said with absolute certainty.

"Pang Jian, don't be so sure. You're unaware of the mysteries of the bizarre mist." Zhou Qingchen took a deep breath and continued, "The bizarre mist can create something out of nothing. It can also make such a city vanish into thin air at any moment!"

Zhou Qingchen paused. He seemed to have recalled something.

"I remember now, it's called Eight Trigrams City! Eight Trigrams City disappeared three thousand years ago!" Zhou Qingchen slapped his forehead as he exclaimed, "Pang Jian, this city is neither from the Fourth World nor the Third World!

"I've been to the archives of the Red Mountain Sect. I've read about Eight Trigrams City from a scroll detailing the mysteries of the bizarre mist! Eight Trigrams City must have vanished from the Second World after being shrouded by the bizarre mist!"

Whoosh!

The white pagoda suddenly lit up as it floated slowly upward.

Su Meng waved excitedly at the entrance of the white pagoda. "We did it! Big Brother Zhou, Big Brother Pang, come here! We can fly off this island now!"

Behind her, Han Duping grinned at Zhou Qingchen and said, "Heaven never cuts off all paths!"

"Old Han! Eight Trigrams City, that had been lost for three thousand years, has appeared at the bottom of Black Orchid Lake!" Zhou Qingchen yelled loudly.

Having stepped in front of Su Meng to jump down from the white pagoda, Han Duping nearly stumbled when he heard Zhou Qingchen's words. He was dumbfounded. "Eight Trigrams City? The one from the Second World?"

"Eight Trigrams City!?" Luo Hongyan's surprised cry rang out from within the white pagoda. The white pagoda immediately floated toward Pang Jian and Zhou Qingchen.

1. Eight Trigrams formation (八卦) is an important concept in traditional Chinese culture, typically describing a symbolic system composed of eight emblematic symbols representing various natural and philosophical concepts such as heaven, earth, yin and yang, the four seasons, and the five elements. It is usually represented by a series of eight trigrams arranged around a central point, forming a circular pattern. ☜