novelraw Chapter 753: As Graceful as a Startled Swan’s Shadow
Chapter 753: As Graceful as a Startled Swan’s Shadow
As the gigantic boat was about to sail into the black hole vortex, Yao Qingyun furrowed her brows and halted the ship.
She firmly ordered Liulan and Yanhong to stay on the Six Desires Star before allowing the boat to enter the black hole.
She ultimately couldn’t rest easy with Liulan and Yanhong.
She wasn’t a fool; she had long seen the peculiarity of this mission.
Now, with Ning Fan’s reminder, she knew there was danger inside the Dongfu Realm and dared not let the two maids accompany her.
She regarded the two maids as close relatives, unwilling to let them risk themselves.
But she herself, to find the Desire-Dissolving Pearl, would press on despite knowing the dangers.
As for Ning Fan...
After ordering the two maids back to Six Desires Star, Yao Qingyun gave Ning Fan a meaningful look.
That look seemed to be asking if Ning Fan feared the danger and wanted to hide on Six Desires Star.
Ning Fan shook his head slightly, discreetly glanced at Fei He.
The meaning was to tell Yao Qingyun that he too was part of Fei He’s plan, unable to avoid entering the Dongfu Realm, or else Fei He and others might act prematurely.
"Rest assured, with me here, you won’t be harmed!" Yao Qingyun coldly transmitted, as if comforting Ning Fan.
After thinking, she once again reminded, "Stay close to me, otherwise..."
"Understood." Without waiting for Yao Qingyun to finish nagging, Ning Fan transmitted back.
After speaking, he stood next to Yao Qingyun, coming quite close.
The fierce winds blowing between them, their sleeves almost touching...
"You’re standing too close!" Yao Qingyun said displeased.
"I’m afraid of death; being close feels safer." Ning Fan joked, sniffing the wild ginger fragrance from Yao Qingyun, calming his spirit.
"I didn’t expect you to be such a coward!" Yao Qingyun mocked with a smile, yet feeling much better.
"I’m just an ordinary person, how could I not fear death?"
"Turns out you’re just like that!"
"Oh? Does Qingyun Elder think highly of Ning Fan?"
"Hmph! What image do you have in my eyes! If there is one, it’s certainly not a good image!"
The gigantic boat entered the black hole vortex, shuttling through the tunnel.
It was Yao Qingyun’s first time being so talkative; although there wasn’t a single pleasant word, she spoke all the way with Ning Fan.
She herself was quite surprised, even when with Liulan and Yanhong she was never this talkative.
Upon reflection, she believed she chatted with Ning Fan because they were standing on the same front, both enemies with Fei He.
With that thought, she felt at ease.
Fei He glanced deeply, Yao Qingyun’s action of sending Liulan and Yanhong away made him a bit uneasy.
"That woman has always been cautious, if not for the Desire-Dissolving Pearl, she wouldn’t have ventured into this trap... I suspect she has discovered our scheme," Fei He said to Jun Linyuan and Weichen Ancestor.
"Hmph! What if she’s discovered! With her cultivation, she can’t escape this trap!" Jun Linyuan and Weichen Ancestor said disdainfully.
"True. Ning Fan is already in our grasp, and Yao Qingyun, with her Seven Yin Physique, afflicted by desire poison, once we act, she cannot escape. Heh, even if she wasn’t poisoned, she wouldn’t be a match for the three of us. I’m overthinking." Fei He coldly laughed, saying no more.
Two hours later, the gigantic boat crossed the lengthy black hole tunnel, entering the Dongfu Realm.
Upon entering, a dull six-colored sky met the eye, with ancient, collapsed ruins below.
Upon entering this realm, Fei He, Jun Linyuan, and Weichen Ancestor all had flashes of light in their eyes, their aura subtly stronger.
As for Yao Qingyun, she suddenly went soft, falling unsteadily towards Ning Fan beside her.
The desire force here is strong!
The desire poison within her almost erupted, nearly causing the Seven Yin Physique to break its seal.
"Be careful, the desire force here is strong."
Ning Fan gently held Yao Qingyun’s slender wrist, offering her mana.
His mana had the effect of soothing desires, gradually calming the desire within Yao Qingyun.
It seems Yao Qingyun was only vulnerable due to being caught off guard upon entering this realm.
Uneasily withdrawing her wrist, Yao Qingyun activated secret techniques, resisting the desire force, her aura gradually stabilizing.
"Thank you."
"You’re welcome."
Ning Fan glanced at the sky here; the region was vast, with fourteen towering stone pillars standing in fourteen directions within this realm.
The entrance to the black hole was near one of the stone pillars; Ning Fan’s spirit sense scanned, discovering that the stone pillar was covered with mysterious runes.
It was because of these runes that the fourteen stone pillars could uphold a six-colored sky, creating this desire realm.
This was the Dongfu Realm once created by the Six Desires Immortal King!
This realm was merely the domicile of the Six Desires Immortal King!
This realm was a circular interface, resembling a large circle nested within a small circle, developed with this specification into an inner and outer realm.
The outer circle was delineated by black and white light.
The inner circle was outlined by red light.
The outer region had many ancient ruins, but no living beings, though quite a number of mechanical formations.
Even a Fate Immortal cultivator could perish if careless in the outer region.
The inner area was constructed with a red secret underground palace with uncertain levels.
For ordinary Fate Immortals, it was naturally safer to seek opportunities in the outer area.
However, for Ning Fan and the six Shixu Mingxians, they were of significant use, so Fei He naturally wouldn’t let them stay outside.
"If there really are three treasures left by the Six Desires Immortal King, they must be inside the underground palace, so let’s go inside and find out."
With that, Fei He took the lead, heading towards the inner underground palace with the six Shixu Mingxian.
Jun Linyuan and Weichen Ancestor smiled at Qingyun Elder, saying, "Please, Qingyun Elder, lead us; we shall follow."
"Follow?" Yao Qingyun coldly laughed, these two were afraid she’d run away.
Indeed, Ning Fan was right, Jun Linyuan and Weichen Ancestor were not good people, likely accomplices with Fei He.
In other words, she would face three Shedding Void enemies alone.
If given a choice, she wouldn’t take the risk, but for a chance to find the Desire-Dissolving Pearl, she must take this risk!
Without the Desire-Dissolving Pearl, she would eventually succumb to desire poison, the consequences unimaginable...
"Stay close to me!"
Yao Qingyun didn’t hesitate, dominantly grabbing Ning Fan’s arm, transforming into an escape light as she flew towards the inner palace.
Seeing Yao Qingyun obediently enter, Jun Linyuan and Weichen Ancestor coldly laughed, following closely behind her toward the underground palace.
The entire underground palace resembled a gigantic tomb mound, rising from the ground, with a stone door on the mound, opening upon Fei He’s arrival.
This was a formation’s door that would open upon sensing the arrival of a Master.
Outside the gigantic door, an inscription pillar stood, engraved with the words ’Six Desires Palace.’
Ning Fan only saw the inscription briefly, before Yao Qingyun pulled him into the underground palace.
Once everyone entered the underground palace, the gigantic door closed.
The scenery upon entry was that of the first level within the underground palace.
The first level housed one hundred and eight mountainous golden armors, with countless shattered bones on the ground, seemingly slaughtered by sword hills.
"Be careful, this is an ancient True Immortal Formation. Though unfamiliar, I know it’s quite dangerous, once..." Fei He began to caution the others but was interrupted by Yao Qingyun.
"This formation is called the ’Golden Armor Spirit Immortal Formation."
The tone was calm, unsure if directed at Fei He or Ning Fan.
With those words, Yao Qingyun directly grabbed Ning Fan, transforming into escape light, directly challenging the formation.
As she entered the formation, each golden armor suddenly shone brightly.
The metal spiritual energy rapidly infused the armors, the energy manifesting into phantom giants, each clad in the preceding ownerless golden armor.
In an instant, there were one hundred and eight Konjin surrounding Yao Qingyun.
Each Konjin’s cultivation reached the Peak Crossing Truth Realm!
"Not good! That Yao Qingyun cannot die within the formation!" Jun Linyuan and Weichen Ancestor both had a drastic change in their expressions, even exhibiting a hint of fear.
Fei He waved his hand, signaling the two not to worry, and subsequently said, "That Yao Qingyun is most skilled in formations; if she dares to enter, she has complete confidence in breaking it."
"Complete confidence? Haha, back in the day, the three of us almost died in this formation; how could she possibly..." Weichen Ancestor retorted dismissively.
"Silence! Don’t speak unnecessary words! Do not let them become alerted!" Fei He immediately reprimanded.
Weichen Ancestor glanced angrily but did not refute Fei He’s words.
His gaze turned toward the formation and involuntarily revealed a bit of surprise.
He saw Yao Qingyun’s figure was light and her steps gentle, like a green butterfly dancing among the flowers.
She stepped across extremely mysterious formation positions, fluttering like a startled swan’s shadow, maneuvering among the attack of 108 Konjin.
No attack from the Konjin could even brush her sleeve.
Within this grand formation, she moved freely, leaving only a faint, delicate scent in her path!
Such peerless elegance was long familiar to Fei He, whose expression remained unmoved like a zombie.
However, Jun Linyuan and Weichen Ancestor were witnessing it for the first time, and the shock in their hearts was indescribable.
Jun Linyuan’s slightly drunken old eyes showed some solemnity, while Weichen Ancestor’s sword-like gaze revealed amazement.
Weichen questioned his spirit sense but found it trembling with a slight yearning—to capture this woman!
Unfortunately, he couldn’t do that.
Not only could he not have her, but he also must personally destroy her.
All for the sake of...
If he angers that person, he, will surely die!
Being led by Yao Qingyun, Ning Fan stepped across extremely mystifying formation positions, easily avoiding all attacks from the Konjin.
These Konjin were formed by the power of the formation; as long as one could see through this formation, naturally one could anticipate enemy moves, know the direction of the Konjin’s attack, and avoid all strikes.
"Unexpectedly, Yao Qingyun’s talent in the Dao of formations is so high!" Ning Fan couldn’t help but praise in his heart.
He was the closest to Yao Qingyun, and it seemed Yao Qingyun wasn’t merely breezing through the formation but was quietly altering the formation’s eye unnoticed!
Ning Fan could envision how Fei He and the others would become trapped within the formation once he and Yao Qingyun passed through.
Yao Qingyun was certainly no fool; she entered the formation first to inconvenience Fei He and the others...
"Hum, how about it? The prowess of my Dao of formations, is presumably unreachable by you in your lifetime!" Yao Qingyun sneered coldly, her expression somewhat proud.
Indeed, she had every reason to be proud.
"Your talent in the Dao of formations is truly remarkable." But one day, I will surpass you, Ning Fan thought.
He didn’t say the latter half, fearing it would dishearten Yao Qingyun.
His innate talent stood there, destined to surpass Yao Qingyun sooner or later.
"Hmph, as long as you understand! So, never provoke me; otherwise, I could easily set up an array to extinguish you hundreds of times!"
Being praised in such a manner by Ning Fan, Yao Qingyun unexpectedly felt that her mood had improved.
Her talent in the Dao of formations was highly praised even by the Slaughter Emperor.
Yet, it seemed the Slaughter Emperor’s praise wasn’t as melodious and pleasing as Ning Fan’s.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Mountains and rivers were pulverized to dust by the Konjin, and the remains of the fallen were shattered.
Ultimately, Yao Qingyun led Ning Fan safely and soundly to the other side of the grand formation.
There, an entrance to the second level of the secret underground palace awaited!
"Elder Fei He, Qingyun steps ahead to seek the Six Desires Three Treasures!"
Yao Qingyun glanced back at Fei He and the others, sneered, grabbed Ning Fan, then transformed into an Escape Rainbow shooting directly into the second level of the secret underground palace.
"Why rush off, Elder Qingyun? Wait for us. Would you not consider joining us?"
Fei He sneered, discreetly taking out an Array Plate capable of controlling the formation.
He pressed the seals to activate the Array Plate, his expression immediately turned gloomy, extremely displeased!
The Array Plate malfunctioned and couldn’t shut down the formation; none of the 108 Konjin vanished!
Fei He’s gaze shifted; without another word, he leaped into the formation.
Jun Linyuan and Weichen Ancestor also realized the gravity of the situation, swiftly following Fei He into the formation.
The three were familiar with the mysteries of the formation and stepped on the positions Yao Qingyun took to avoid the Konjin’s attacks, attempting to forcibly pass through.
Yet something incredible happened to the three!
The attacks of the 108 Konjin were very different from before, having been modified by someone!
The formation’s eye was secretly moved by someone, which was precisely the cause for the Array Plate’s malfunction!
"It’s Yao Qingyun! That contemptible woman! She dared to alter this formation on her own; does she intend to trap us here?" Jun Linyuan thundered.
"Yao Qingyun!" Weichen Ancestor’s sword-like gaze narrowed with anger and an inexplicable emotion.
Such a formidable woman, able to secretly alter such a high-level formation!
If such an excellent woman could be used by him, what a brilliant outcome it would be; the Weichen Sword Sect would surely flourish!
But alas, alas, such an exceptional woman must be left for Ning Fan to claim.
The thought of Yao Qingyun lying beneath Ning Fan in ecstasy made Weichen Ancestor clench his fists, sparking a hint of murderous intent toward Ning Fan.
Fei He was the first to calm down.
Waving his hand, he arduously fended off the Konjin’s attacks, his expression extremely sinister.
After a moment, he spoke coldly, "It’s alright, even if Yao Qingyun enters the depths of the underground palace first, she wouldn’t find the Desire-Dissolving Pearl to remove the desire poison within. This scheme, she’s doomed not to escape or avoid! The three of us will break this formation again together!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The three Shedding Void stage masters joined forces against the 108 Konjin, generating powerful spell fluctuations capable of sweeping through an entire Lower-Level Star Domain!
Under their combined efforts, Fei He and the others gained the upper hand slightly.
However, to forcibly break and destroy the 108 Konjin would take at least several days.
No, it won’t take days!
Fei He chuckled; that person would probably arrive soon, and once that person arrives... breaking this formation will be effortless!
...
In the second level of the underground palace, Yao Qingyun released Ning Fan’s tight grip, taking out a handkerchief with a cold expression and slowly wiping her hand.
Her demeanor was as repulsed as if Ning Fan were filthy, needing to wash her hands a hundred times after a single touch.
Ning Fan quietly watched Yao Qingyun’s actions and shook his head helplessly.
He always felt that Yao Qingyun’s way of doing things was somewhat... immature...
"I modified the formation. Fei He and the others won’t pass through it within a few days. Will you accompany me to the bottom of the underground palace to search for treasures, or wait here for my return?" Yao Qingyun asked after tidying up the handkerchief.
If Ning Fan was indeed dirty, why didn’t she discard the handkerchief after wiping...
"I’ll go with you; I’m afraid of dying alone here."
Ning Fan chuckled and scanned the second level of the underground palace.
He saw a bloody light soaring skyward, with an abundance of wooden aura emanating from dead spirits floating in the air.
Those dead spirits, male and female, with men handsome and women graceful, shockingly, all had their eyes gouged out, spewing black blood.
Every male dead spirit held a bamboo flute, floating in the air.
Every female dead spirit cradled a jade zither, sitting while clouds drifted.
Music laced with boundless desire emitted from the spirits, each imbued with Truth-Transcending cultivation!
"Hm, still so afraid of death? Very well, I’ll permit you to accompany me! To deal with the music of the second level, I’ll need your help!"
Yao Qingyun sneered; each time Ning Fan expressed his fear of death, her mood brightened.
Ning Fan’s spirit sense scanned the second level of the underground palace, his gaze gradually growing serious.
He always felt that the second level of this underground palace wasn’t as straightforward as it seemed.
The most dangerous aspect of this second level didn’t seem to be the dead spirits...
A highly dangerous aura of desire lay hidden within...
(2/3) (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you’re welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com) with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)