The sudden commotion from above, which was the sound of the human-shaped vine branches suddenly disbanding and falling to the ground, caused Xiang Lanxuan’s ears to twitch. With a flash, she darted upwards. Although her perception was extremely sharp, she was ultimately a step too slow and did not see the scene when the human-shaped vine branches disbanded. It was also because Du Niang hid in time, but it was already too late to withdraw from the entrance of the cave dwelling.
At this moment, Xiang Lanxuan was also stunned. She stared blankly at the scene in the void before her, looking at the gigantic jade archway in disbelief. Not knowing what she thought of, she subsequently flashed downwards, landing on the vine branches below. Looking up again, the gigantic jade archway had already disappeared. So she slowly rose into the air again. She could not see it, and still could not see it. Suddenly, the vanished jade archway appeared in her line of sight again. She went up and down repeatedly for a while, and then flew left and right before flying back. Ultimately, she confirmed that a specific angle of view was needed to see the archway entrance before her.
The three words “Mirror Flower Garden” on the archway made the corners of Xiang Lanxuan’s mouth twitch. Her heart pounded, and the emotion in her eyes revealed excitement. She had already realised what kind of place this was. The commotion just now seemed to come from this location. She flashed and landed under the archway. The feeling of her feet on the solid ground made her know this was not an illusion. Looking at the other mysterious world inside, she secretly gritted her teeth and muttered to herself, “I finally understand why that guy would sneak here. It turns out he came for this. How on earth did he find it? This is already the second one. It is simply unbelievable.”
At the edge of the abyss at the gap of the Spirit Valley, Great Elder Huan, who had flown over and stopped, looked around. He felt the majestic vitality of the vegetation before him and also saw many flower buds blooming at a visible speed. How could this be? He suddenly turned his head and shouted, “Someone come.” Very quickly, two figures flew over upon hearing the sound. The two nearby disciples of Kunling Mountain saw it was him and cupped their hands to greet him together, “Great Elder.”
Great Elder Huan said in a deep voice, “Quickly ask Yan Yao if the Spirit Gathering Array has been activated.” The two disciples also noticed the abnormality in the environment before them and knew what was going on. They responded with a “Yes” and both accepted the order and left. Great Elder Huan raised his eyes and looked at the vine dragon growing from the abyss into the night sky, murmuring to himself, “Why did this monster rise from the ground?” He suddenly noticed Xiang Lanxuan’s figure flash and disappear, vanishing into thin air. He flicked his wide sleeves and also rose into the air, soaring upwards. Very quickly, he saw the disappearing figure of Xiang Lanxuan and also saw that gigantic jade archway. He flashed and landed beside Xiang Lanxuan, looking up at the three large words “Mirror Flower Garden” on the archway. He felt greatly shocked and similarly realised what the existence before him was related to, his eyes full of shock and uncertainty.
He turned his head to look at the Spirit Valley below. He understood, and finally understood what the secret of the Spirit Valley, which Kunling Mountain had not been able to figure out for so many years, was actually about. It turned out it was right under the nose of the legendary Immortal Mansion, and it turned out it was imbued with the immortal energy of the Immortal Mansion. Suddenly, Xiang Lanxuan flashed away and vanished into the night to search. She could basically be certain that Yu Qing and the others must have entered this place. With her speed and perception, she might still be able to find the whereabouts of those guys now.
Great Elder Huan watched her go. His body wanted to move, wanting to chase after her and take a look, but he controlled his impulse and continued to stay in place and wait. While waiting, he looked up at the three large words on the jade archway again and murmured to himself, “Is this the cave dwelling of the legendary Hundred Flowers Fairy?” At this time, a figure flashed over. It was Qin Fujun, who had also flown up along the vines. She landed under the archway and looked up, her face full of indescribable shock. She was not visiting the Spirit Valley for the first time, so she naturally noticed something.
After a while, the shocked and doubtful Yan Yao and Lu Youming both flew over along the vines. After landing, they were also completely shocked by the scene before them. “Th-th-this is?” Yan Yao pointed at the words on the archway, stuttering. Although Lu Youming was shocked, she still replied, “Great Elder, the Spirit Gathering Array has not been activated.” Now there was no need for him to report. Great Elder Huan also understood what was going on. He stared at Lu Youming and said in a deep voice, “You must quickly go and secretly report this matter to the Sect Master. Tell the Sect Master that the tribulation of Kunling Mountain has arrived. The thousand year foundation of our sect will face a catastrophe. Tell him to prepare quickly!”
His tone revealed helplessness and solemn tragedy. His sleeves and white beard fluttered in the breeze, seeming to carry an indescribable sense of vicissitudes. This was not empty talk. Once this matter broke out and the powerful forces from all sides rushed over, how could the territory of Kunling Mountain still be decided by Kunling Mountain? If they could be allowed to change to another place to base themselves, that would already be a great blessing in misfortune. The problem was that the matter of this Immortal Mansion could not be explained clearly. If you said you did not know the secret of this Immortal Mansion for so many years, would others believe it? Others would definitely try every means to pry open their mouths and would not let them off easily!
Even taking ten thousand steps back, the so-called ability of “Dead Wood Meeting Spring” of Kunling Mountain, the number one spiritual plant sect in the world, once exposed as a scam, would lead to a collapse of credibility. Restraints from all sides would surely follow in quick succession. That would simply be an overwhelming catastrophic disaster. Let alone a thousand year old major sect, once it was about to collapse, it would just be a matter of a sudden crash. Hearing this, Lu Youming’s expression became solemn. She cupped her hands and said, “Yes!” Taking a slightly longer look at the situation here, she did not dare to stay any longer and turned around and flew away.
Great Elder Huan then said to Yan Yao, “Quickly control the situation in the Spirit Valley. Before the Sect Master comes to make a decision, do not let too many people see the abnormal situation before you. It is strictly forbidden to leak any news.” Yan Yao said, “Yes.” Great Elder Huan added, “Also, tell the Sect Master that when making collective decisions, his decision is my decision. When it is difficult to reconcile public opinions, whether I am present or not, I will stand on the side of the Sect Master.” These words were tantamount to expressing that he was handing over his voting rights to the Sect Master. “Yes.” Yan Yao agreed, but then realised something and asked in shock and doubt, “Master, what are you doing?”
Great Elder Huan looked at the other world before him. “It is impossible to ignore what is inside. We must grasp exactly what the situation is. I want to go and see what that Great Envoy Xiang wants to do after breaking in.” There was unease about this unknown world in his words. It was obvious that he did not know if he could come back alive after entering, which was already equivalent to arranging his affairs after death. Qin Fujun at the side could not help but interject, “Great Elder, the people who went inside are very likely more than just Great Envoy Xiang. Great Envoy Xiang seems to be tracking Zhang Zhichen and his group. She might not have known about the scene before us beforehand.”
“Zhang Zhichen?” Great Elder Huan suddenly turned his head to look at her and asked hesitantly, “That Tanhua scholar?” Qin Fujun said, “Yes, that Tanhua scholar and his group suddenly disappeared from their resting place tonight. Great Envoy Xiang, who went to check, immediately rushed here. Now it seems, Yu Qing and the others have very likely already sneaked in.” Great Elder Huan said in a deep voice, “The core area of our sect has many disciples on duty and is heavily guarded. How could he sneak here without being discovered?”
Speaking of this, something flashed through Qin Fujun’s mind. She could now basically be certain that the chief culprit of the sudden change in the Meteor Hall that night was that Tanhua scholar. With so many people surrounding and intercepting him back then, they still failed to find the trace of the murderer, which was so similar to the present situation. This at least proved one point, that Tanhua scholar absolutely had the ability to do what happened in the Meteor Hall that night. But she could not explain it clearly at this moment and could only reply that she did not know. Great Elder Huan did not delay either. He turned his head and stared at Yan Yao, “What are you dawdling for? Go and do your own business.” Realising that his master had already made preparations for not being able to come back alive, Yan Yao’s face was full of sorrow. He cupped his hands, bowed deeply, and then turned around and flew away.
What needed to be explained had been explained. Great Elder Huan no longer hesitated. With a flash, he darted away, chasing in the direction where Xiang Lanxuan had disappeared. Thus, only Qin Fujun was left hesitating in place, not knowing whether she should leave or go in and take a look. After a moment, her curious eyes probed the world inside again. She muttered to herself, “Great Elder is going in alone without even a helper. How can I just sit by and watch?” Having finished speaking, she nodded, giving herself courage, and then leaped and flew into the inside, also chasing after the whereabouts of Xiang Lanxuan and Great Elder Huan.
The people under the jade archway were finally cleared out. At the bottom of the abyss, Du Niang, who was holding the fluorescent stone motionless in her hand, had the light seeping from her fingers shining on her face. She had just shown a relieved expression when suddenly her expression tensed up again. She stared at the above and said through gritted teeth, “Someone is coming again. Yu Qing, you bastard, you actually attracted so many people. What are you sneaking around for? I actually accompanied you like a fool for so long.”
The vine branches under the jade archway had just wriggled and were about to shrink back, but suddenly they lay flat and did not dare to move. A figure flew through the night sky, obviously having discovered the abnormal phenomenon of the vine dragon rising into the air. After flying around in a circle, the figure landed under the archway. The newcomer was exactly Xiang Zhen, who had flown over on a sword. A flash of sword light appeared under his feet, and at the same time he landed, the sword inserted into the scabbard on his back with a clanging sound.
“Mirror Flower Garden?” Xiang Zhen looked at the large words on the jade archway with shock and doubt, and then turned around to look at the strange phenomenon in the void at the entrance of the cave dwelling. He also thought of a certain legend. The reason he was late was because of his inconvenience in movement. He could not be like Qin Fujun, who could go all the way without hindrance. He was stopped several times on the way. Anxious to know why Yu Qing had suddenly disappeared, he actually ignored everything and adopted the method of flying on a sword towards this place. He also clearly felt in his heart that the abnormality tonight might be related to a place connected to a certain legend, and he hesitated for a moment. He did not know whether he should go in or not, because he could not manage the people who had rushed over in a hurry and were stopped by the guards of the Spirit Valley.
“Someone has trespassed and gone in. If you let them escape, you will not be able to bear the responsibility. Quickly let us pass!” The leader of the pursuers shouted loudly at the guards of the Spirit Valley. The guard disciple loudly retorted, “We have received strict orders. Tonight, no one is allowed to enter or leave the Spirit Valley without authorisation. Otherwise, they will be killed without mercy!” These words immediately aroused the anger of the fellow disciples. “Killed without mercy? Try killing one of us!” The two sides were immediately at daggers drawn. The noise of the quarrel alarmed one person. Yan Yao flashed out, pointed at the crowd, and shouted, “What do you want to do? How dare you force your way in? All of you, step back!”
Seeing it was him, the pursuers looked at each other. The leader cupped his hands and said, “Martial Uncle Yan, we are also just doing our duty. If you insist on making us step back, that is fine, but let us make it clear beforehand. You will have to take responsibility if anything goes wrong!” “I will take responsibility for whatever happens.” A quite majestic voice came from the place where Yan Yao had just come from. Zhao Dengzi, the Sect Master of Kunling Mountain, showed up. He was originally here just now and had rushed here urgently to listen to Yan Yao report the relevant situation. Who knew that this matter would suddenly pop up. Zhan Yunqi and Lu Youming followed beside him.
As soon as they saw it was him, the pursuers cupped their hands and saluted one after another, “Sect Master.” Zhao Dengzi stepped forward and asked, “What is going on?” The leading pursuing disciple quickly said, “That Xiang Zhen would not listen to persuasion. He actually forced his way through the checkpoint and flew over here on a sword. I am currently leading people to chase after him.” Zhao Dengzi frowned, looked at the few disciples who had chased after him, and said in a deep voice, “Alright, I know about this matter. I will make the decision myself. You all stay here and wait for now. No one is allowed to enter this place without permission, nor are you allowed to look around.” The group of people cupped their hands, accepted the order, and obediently waited here.
Zhao Dengzi, on the other hand, led people into the Spirit Valley urgently. Under the guidance of Yan Yao, they rushed to the location where the vine dragon had risen into the air. Seeing people arriving below, Xiang Zhen no longer hesitated. Thinking about it, he felt that Yu Qing and the others had indeed possibly gone inside, so he flashed and broke into the strange world ahead. Very quickly, Zhao Dengzi and the others also flew and landed under the jade archway. Taking a look around the place and then looking at the three large words on the archway, Zhao Dengzi sighed with deep emotion, “Mirror Flower Garden. So the legendary Mirror Flower Immortal Garden has always been within our Kunling Mountain. I never expected it, I really never expected it!” The emotion came quickly and also went quickly. A flash of light appeared in his eyes, as if he had made some decision. He turned his head and looked around, “Where is Qin Fujun?” Yan Yao looked around, “I do not know where she went. She was just here a moment ago. She might have gone in as well.”
“Nonsense!” Zhao Dengzi scolded angrily. He also knew that this was not the time to fuss over details. He stared at Yan Yao and asked, “Are you sure what Qin Fujun said was that Xiang Lanxuan found this place while chasing Zhang Zhichen and the others, and not that Xiang Lanxuan found this place by herself?” Yan Yao did not understand why and felt it was strange in his heart. Was this very important? But he still honestly replied, “That is right. That is what Junior Sister Qin meant, but she probably could not be certain either. Are you sure Xiang Lanxuan came alone, without any companions?” “No, this is certain.”
Zhao Dengzi pondered for a moment and said slowly, “Send someone to Zhang Zhichen’s residence to find a way to confirm the situation and see if those people around him really do not know the situation here. You must quickly fake an order from the Great Envoy of the Great Enterprise Department and gather the people of the Great Enterprise Department to rush inside and provide reinforcements. This matter must be kept strictly confidential, and absolutely no one else is allowed to know.” Zhan Yunqi was quite frightened and said nervously, “Master, faking the order of the Great Envoy of the Great Enterprise Department will cause big trouble.” Zhao Dengzi said, “Just do as I say. Remember, it must also be kept strictly confidential internally.” “Yes.” Zhan Yunqi had to agree.
Zhao Dengzi then said to Yan Yao, “I will secretly organise a group of capable personnel for you. Once Yunqi brings the people from the Great Enterprise Department, you will immediately take this group of capable personnel, along with the group of people ordered to wait outside just now, and lead the two groups of people into the Immortal Mansion together. You must find your master. After seeing the Great Elder, you must relay my words to him. The countless ancestors of our Kunling Mountain risked their lives and shed their blood to build this thousand year foundation. It must never collapse in the hands of our generation. The Great Elder does not need to hide anything inside and can use his full strength. In short, Xiang Lanxuan must never be allowed to leave the Immortal Mansion alive. Not a single person who should not come out alive is allowed to. The current situation is both a crisis and an opportunity for Kunling Mountain. It depends on whether it can be handled properly. If handled well, it will be as if this Immortal Mansion never appeared, and naturally there is no need to hand it over. The future of our Kunling Mountain is promising. The Great Elder can act at his own discretion.”