liǎng tiān yǐ hòu 。
两天以后。
Two days later.
lín xuān huǎn huǎn zhēng kāi le shuāng móu 。
林轩缓缓睁开了双眸。
Lin Xuan slowly opened his eyes.
tā de shēn qián ， huǒ hóng sè de liú guāng fēi wǔ ， kàn shàng qù xuàn lì dào jí chù 。
他的身前，火红sè的流光飞舞，看上去绚丽到极处。
Before him, a fiery glow danced in the air, appearing incredibly splendid.
lín xuān tū rán shēn chū shǒu ， yī lǚ liú guāng luò zài le tā de zhǎng xīn zhī zhōng 。
林轩突然伸出手，一缕流光落在了他的掌心之中。
Suddenly, Lin Xuan reached out and a strand of light fell into his palm. The light dispersed to reveal its true form—a simple yet ancient仙剑.
guāng yùn sàn kāi ， xiǎn chū le yuán xíng lái 。
光晕散开，显出了原形来。
The blade was like a pool of autumn water, razor-sharp and thin as if semi-transparent, reflecting even the faintest shadow.
shì yī bǐng zào xíng gǔ piáo de xiān jiàn 。
是一柄造型古朴的仙剑。
"Nine Palaces Momentary Sword, it lives up to its name!"
jiàn shēn rú yī hóng qiū shuǐ ， fēng lì dào jí chù ， ér qiě hěn báo ， fǎng fú bàn tòu míng de ， lián rén yǐng dōu néng yìng chèn qīng chǔ 。
剑身如一泓秋水，锋利到极处，而且很薄，仿佛半透明的，连人影都能映衬清楚。
A hint of joy appeared on Lin Xuan's face. Other swords were still circling around him, numbering over eighty-one in total. This matched the description in the Black Moon Celestial Witch Technique.
“ jiǔ gōng xū yú jiàn ， míng bù xū chuán ！”
“九宫须臾剑，名不虚传！”
With so many flying swords, they could form a large sword lotus. In battle, they could split into smaller lotuses of nine swords each according to need. The core principle was the unity of ninety-nine, which was also the essence of the Nine Palaces Momentary Sword.
lín xuān liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī xǐ sè， qí tā de bǎo jiàn hái zài shēn zhōu pán xuán fēi wǔ ， gòng jiǔ jiǔ bā shí yī bǐng zhī duō 。
林轩脸上lù出一丝喜sè，其他的宝剑还在身周盘旋飞舞，共九九八十一柄之多。
Could it be that his consumption of refined Numinous Fruits had something to do with this?
zhè yǔ mò yuè tiān wū jué zhōng jì zǎi de qíng kuàng xiāng tóng 。
这与墨月天巫诀中记载的情况相同。
Lin Xuan pondered. Perhaps other cultivators from Cloud Concealment Sect would not notice any discrepancies here. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he focused on the mosquito head at the center of the hall.
zhè me duō fēi jiàn ， kě yǐ zǔ chéng yī duǒ dà jiàn lián ， duì dí de shí hòu ， gēn jù xū yào ， hái néng jiāng dà jiàn lián fēn kāi ， měi jiǔ bǐng jiàn ， zǔ chéng yī duǒ xiǎo jiàn lián 。
这么多飞剑，可以组成一朵大剑莲，对敌的时候，根据需要，还能将大剑莲分开，每九柄剑，组成一朵小剑莲。
Raising his right hand, a spell was cast.
qí zhōng yǐn hán jiǔ jiǔ guī yī ， zhè yě shì jiǔ gōng xū yú jiàn zhèn ， suǒ tuī chóng de ào yì 。
其中隐含九九归一，这也是九宫须臾剑阵，所推崇的奥义。
Boom! Purple flames burst forth from the fruit's surface.
gǎn shòu zhe cǐ jiàn zhōng suǒ yùn hán de kě pà wēi lì ， lín xuān shí fēn mǎn zú ， suī rán hái méi yǒu shì guò ， bù guò cǐ bǎo de wēi lì ， jué duì bù xùn yú hòu tiān líng bǎo 。
感受着此剑中所蕴含的可怕威力，林轩十分满足，虽然还没有试过，不过此宝的威力，绝对不逊于后天灵宝。
More intense than before, it was almost time—only half an hour left until the purple heart fire would fade completely. Yet this period was when the intensity of the fire was at its peak.
ér zhè bù guò shì jiǔ jiàn zhī yī ， liàn chéng hòu jiù kě yǐ yǔ hòu tiān líng bǎo xiāng bǐ 。
而这不过是九剑之一，炼成后就可以与后天灵宝相比。
Indeed, as that flame entered his vision, Lin Xuan felt the agitation intensify.
rú guǒ jiāng zhěng zuò jiàn zhèn wán chéng ， jiù suàn duì shàng xiān tiān líng bǎo ， kǒng pà yě bú huì là xià fēng 。
如果将整座剑阵完成，就算对上先天灵宝，恐怕也不会落下风。
What should he do?
xīn zhōng rú cǐ xiǎng zhe ， lín xuān zhèn yī ér qǐ 。
心中如此想着，林轩振衣而起。
Perhaps the secret lay below. However, descending there required great risk. The purple heart fire was no joke; it rivaled the infant fires of a Spirit Formation Realm cultivator.
suǒ yǒu de xiān jiàn rú zhǎng jīng xī shuǐ yì bān ， fēi jìn le tā de yī xiù lǐ miàn 。
所有的仙剑如长鲸吸水一般，飞进了他的衣袖里面。
Searching for treasures in such flames would be perilous, and he might even perish.
lín xuān liǎn shàng de biǎo qíng shí fēn mǎn zú ， hái shèng yī rì ， zì jǐ zhōng yú dé cháng suǒ yuàn ， jiāng xīn de běn mìng fǎ bǎo wán chéng le 。
林轩脸上的表情十分满足，还剩一日，自己终于得偿所愿，将新的本命法宝完成了。
Another option was to give up, but Lin Xuan was unwilling to leave just yet. After all, this secret might have something to do with the Numinous Fruit. Missing out on such an opportunity would be a sin worthy of divine retribution.
bù guò tā què méi yǒu máng zhe zǒu chū dì huǒ zhī wū ， ér shì yán jiū qǐ le sì zhōu de bì huà yǔ shí kè 。
不过他却没有忙着走出地火之屋，而是研究起了四周的壁画与石刻。
Time was short, but Lin Xuan wasn't ordinary. In mere moments, his indecisive gaze vanished, replaced by a resolute expression.
yǎn qián de dà diàn míng xiǎn bú shì yún yǐn zōng xiū zhù ， yǔ qí lín jiū jìng yǒu shén me guān xì ne ？
眼前的大殿明显不是云隐宗修筑，与麒麟究竟有什么关系呢？
He had to take the risk!
suī rán àn zhào cháng lǐ shuō ， zhè lǐ ruò yǒu mì mì zǎo jiù yīng gāi bèi běn pài de qián bèi gāo rén pò chú ， dàn xiū xiān jiè de shì qíng ， shuí yòu shuō dé qīng chǔ ， wàn yī shàng méi yǒu rén fā xiàn ne ？
虽然按照常理说，这里若有秘密早就应该被本派的前辈高人破除，但修仙界的事情，谁又说得清楚，万一尚没有人发现呢？
As they say, one must enter the tiger's den to catch its cub. This secret deserved a try.
lín xuān bú huì wàng jì gāng gāng jìn rù dà diàn shí de gǎn jué ， shì qī dài ， shì pái chì ， jiū jìng wèi hé huì rú cǐ ？
林轩不会忘记刚刚进入大殿时的感觉，似期待，似排斥，究竟为何会如此？
Looking at the mosquito head, he knew it was too small for him to fit inside. But as a cultivator, he could use the technique of an infant spirit stepping out of his body.
tā jiāng shén shí fàng chū ， zài fù jìn xì xì sōu suǒ ， lián yī cùn tǔ dì dōu bù fàng guò ， dàn què bìng méi yǒu shōu huò 。
他将神识放出，在附近细细搜索，连一寸土地都不放过，但却并没有收获。
He stretched out his hand and tapped his forehead. A flash of light revealed a tiny infant, about an inch in size, with features identical to his own.
nán dào zhēn shì zì jǐ duō xīn le ？
难道真是自己多心了？
After a glance at the mosquito head, the little face showed fear but quickly gritted its teeth before grabbing the head with both hands. A surge of magical flames enveloped it.
lín xuān yáo le yáo tóu ， zì jǐ de gǎn jué bú huì yǒu cuò 。
林轩摇了摇头，自己的感觉不会有错。
Using fire to counteract fire, protected by this demonic flame, he should be able to endure in the purple heart fire for some time.
tā jì xù zài dà diàn zhōng xún zhǎo zháo 。
他继续在大殿中寻找着。
Deciding to act, Lin Xuan didn't waste any more time. The little figure darted into the mosquito head.
hěn kuài ， yī tiān de shí jiān guò qù le 。
很快，一天的时间过去了。
The surroundings turned purple as soon as he stepped inside. Pressure increased dramatically. He felt like a hunted prey surrounded by purple flames. However, the illusory heavenly flame was truly magical, blocking the flames with its light, though it drained his power quickly.
lín xuān de liǎn shàng yě lù chū jǐ fēn pí juàn zhī sè， lèi dào bù lèi ， zhè yàng de xún zhǎo ， shēn tǐ yě tán bù shàng duō xīn kǔ ， rán ér jīng shén què tài pí fá le 。
林轩的脸上也lù出几分疲倦之sè，累倒不累，这样的寻找，身体也谈不上多辛苦，然而精神却太疲乏了。
He could only hold on for a short while.
yí yuè yǐ guò ， zì jǐ gāi lí kāi dì huǒ zhī wū ， bù guǎn zhè ér yǒu shén me mì mì ， tóng zì jǐ dōu méi yǒu shén me guān xì 。
一月已过，自己该离开地火之屋，不管这儿有什么秘密，同自己都没有什么关系。
Lin Xuan didn't dare delay any longer and dove deep into the flames.
lín xuān liǎn shàng lù chū jǐ fēn dòng chàng zhī sè， hōng lōng lóng de shēng yīn zé bù tíng chuán rù ěr duǒ ， dà dì yòu kāi shǐ chàn dǒu ， nà shì zǐ xīn dì huǒ jí jiāng xiāo shī de xiān zhào le 。
林轩脸上lù出几分恫怅之sè，轰隆隆的声音则不停传入耳朵，大地又开始颤抖，那是紫心地火即将消失的先兆了。
The pressure grew even more intense.
“ duì le ， zǐ xīn dì huǒ 。”
“对了，紫心地火。”
"Hey, what's that?"
lín xuān nǎo hǎi zhōng líng guāng shǎn guò ， huì bú huì yǔ tā yǒu guān xì ne ？
林轩脑海中灵光闪过，会不会与他有关系呢？
After traveling thousands of feet, time was running out. He had to return soon or risk missing it entirely. Suddenly, something shiny caught his eye.
jǐn guǎn zhè yí yuè yǐ lái ， lín xuān bìng méi yǒu fā xiàn cǐ huǒ yǒu shén me yì cháng ， rán ér piān piān jiù zài cǐ kè ， tǐ mǎo nèi ， què yǒu yī gǔ mò míng de lì liàng jì dòng qǐ lái le 。
尽管这一月以来，林轩并没有发现此火有什么异常，然而偏偏就在此刻，体冇内，却有一股莫名的力量悸动起来了。
Lin Xuan was overjoyed, thinking he might have failed after all his efforts.
“ zhè shì …”
“这是…”
To his surprise, the effort paid off. Lin Xuan transformed into a streak of light and flew towards the shiny object.
lín xuān bì shàng shuāng móu ， hěn kuài jiù zhǎo dào le nà jì dòng de lái yuán 。
林轩闭上双眸，很快就找到了那悸动的来源。
It turned out to be a pearl.
qí lín guǒ ！
麒麟果！
His face showed confusion but time was short. He didn't waste any more time. With a flick of his infant spirit's hand, several spells shot out, causing the illusory heavenly flame to surge. It condensed into a flaming hand that grabbed the shiny pearl.
yīn wèi fú shí le dà liàng tí chún hòu de qí lín guǒ ， lín xuān huò dé le shén lì ， tā lì qì zhī dà ， shèn zhì yuǎn yuǎn chāo guò le tóng jiē de yāo zú 。
因为服食了大量提纯后的麒麟果，林轩获得了神力，他力气之大，甚至远远超过了同阶的妖族。
The infant spirit returned along its original path in no time.
cǐ shí cǐ kè ， nà jì dòng jiù lái yuán yú cǐ de 。
此时此刻，那悸动就来源于此的。
After half a cup of tea had passed, the mosquito head opened wide. A flash of light revealed the infant spirit flying out.
nán dào shì zì jǐ fú shí le dà liàng de qí lín guǒ ， suǒ yǐ cái néng zài zhè lǐ yǒu suǒ gǎn yìng me ？
难道是自己服食了大量的麒麟果，所以才能在这里有所感应么？
"Phew."
lín xuān kāi shǐ le cāi cè 。
林轩开始了猜测。
Lin Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. He was lucky to make it back.
yě xǔ yún yǐn zōng qí tā de xiū xiān zhě jìn rù cǐ chù ， gēn běn jiù bú huì chá jué dào rèn hé de bù tuǒ 。
也许云隐宗其他的修仙者进入此处，根本就不会察觉到任何的不妥。
As the infant spirit re-entered his body, Lin Xuan's right hand spread open, revealing a pearl in his palm.
lín xuān yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī sī xīng mǎo fèn zhī sè， zài cì jiāng mù guāng luò zài nà dà diàn zhōng xīn de wén shǒu 。
林轩眼中闪过一丝兴冇奋之sè，再次将目光落在那大殿中心的蚊首。
If he hadn't been mistaken, this must be where the secret lay. However, Lin Xuan didn't waste time studying the treasure. After a brief inspection, he returned it to his waist and left the hall.
yòu shǒu tái qǐ ， yī dào fǎ jué dǎ le chū qù 。
右手抬起，一道法诀打了出去。
Following the same path, he soon arrived at the entrance of the Purple Heart Fire Hall. A familiar figure caught his eye.
hōng ， zǐ sè de huǒ yàn cóng guǒ miàn pēn bó 。
轰，紫sè的火焰从果面喷薄。
It was a graceful woman who wore a veil, making her face invisible. However, from half her face visible, she was undoubtedly beautiful—a初级玄真境 cultivator.
bǐ gāng gāng hái yào qiáng liè dé duō ， suàn suàn shí jiān ， dà yuē hái yǒu bàn gè shí chén ， zǐ xīn dì huǒ jiù huì wán quán tuì qù ， kě piān piān zhè bàn gè shí chén ， què shì dì huǒ qiáng dù zuì dà de 。
比刚刚还要强烈得多，算算时间，大约还有半个时辰，紫心地火就会完全退去，可偏偏这半个时辰，却是地火强度最大的。
"Senior Brother Lin."
guǒ rán ， dāng cǐ huǒ yàn rù yǎn ， lín xuān gǎn jué nà jì dòng yuè fā de qiáng liè le qǐ lái le 。
果然，当此火焰入眼，林轩感觉那悸动越发的强烈了起来了。
Seeing him, the young lady bowed politely.
gāi zěn me bàn ！
该怎么办！
"Why are you here as well? Don't you need to use the purple heart fire to refine your treasures?"
yě xǔ mì mì jiù zài xià miàn 。
也许秘密就在下面。
"No, not at all," Lin Yujiǎo shook her head. "I came specifically for Senior Brother Lin."
rán ér xiǎng yào xià qù ， què xū yào mào jù dà de fēng xiǎn 。
然而想要下去，却需要冒巨大的风险。
"For me?"
yào xiǎo de ， zǐ xīn dì huǒ kě bú shì shuō xiào de ， pì měi fēn shén qī xiū shì de yīng huǒ yě bù xùn sè。
要晓得，紫心地火可不是说笑的，媲美分神期修士的婴火也不逊sè。
Lin Xuan's face showed confusion before his eyes narrowed in curiosity: Why?
xiǎng yào zài cǐ huǒ yàn zhōng xún zhǎo bǎo wù ， bú yòng shuō ， nà wēi hā ”，… yí gè bù hǎo ， yě xǔ huì yǔn luò diào 。
想要在此火焰中寻找宝物，不用说，那危哈”，…一个不好，也许会陨落掉。
He and this young lady had only met once during the exchange of sect contributions, a mere acquaintance with no significant connection.
hái yǒu yí gè xuǎn zé shì fàng qì ， kě jiù zhè yàng lí kāi lín xuān yòu bù gān xīn yǐ jí 。
还有一个选择是放弃，可就这样离开林轩又不甘心以极。
"Don't worry about it, I have no ill intentions. I'm here to deliver a message from two Supreme Elders," Lin Yujiǎo quickly explained as she opened her lips.
bì jìng zhè lǐ de mì mì kě néng yǔ qí lín yǒu guān xì 。
毕竟这里的秘密可能与麒麟有关系。
"Oh?"
zhè yàng de jī yuán cuò guò ， nà yīng gāi bèi tiān dǎ léi pī ！
这样的机缘错过，那应该被天打雷劈！
Lin Xuan's expression remained calm. He had expected this after killing the Peak Sword Pavilion master; he was called by the Supreme Elders sooner or later, so it wasn't surprising.
ér qiě gěi lín xuān kǎo lǜ de shí jiān bù duō ， hǎo zài tā yě bú shì yì bān de xiū xiān zhě ， duǎn duǎn jǐ shí xī de gōng fu guò qù ， lín xuān yóu lí de yǎn shén xiāo shī ， qǔ ér dài zhī de biǎo qíng jiān dìng yǐ jí 。
而且给林轩考虑的时间不多，好在他也不是一般的修仙者，短短几十息的功夫过去，林轩游离的眼神消失，取而代之的表情坚定以极。
The only surprise was that a woman would deliver such a message. What was her connection to the Supreme Elders?
pīn ！
拼！
Could she be one of their disciples?
sú huà shuō ， bù rù hǔ xué， yān dé hǔ zi ， zhè yàng de mì mì hái shì yīng gāi shì yī shì 。
俗话说，不入虎xué，焉得虎子，这样的秘密还是应该试一试。
Lin Xuan's curiosity piqued, but his face showed no signs of surprise as he didn't ask any questions. After all, he had lived for over a thousand years and knew how to keep calm.
kàn zhe nà wén shǒu ， zhěng gè rén míng xiǎn zuān bù jìn qù ， hǎo zài lín xuān shì xiū xiān zhě ， hái yǒu yuán yīng chū qiào yī shuō 。
看着那蚊首，整个人明显钻不进去，好在林轩是修仙者，还有元婴出窍一说。
With a burst of green light, Lin Xuan followed the young lady into the sky.
zhǐ jiàn tā shēn chū shǒu lái ， zài tóu dǐng yī pāi ， líng guāng yī shǎn ， yí gè cùn xǔ dà de yīng ér jiù fú xiàn zài miàn qián 。
只见他伸出手来，在头顶一拍，灵光一闪，一个寸许大的婴儿就浮现在面前。
As one of the five major sects in Frosty Cloud County, Cloud Concealment Sect was vast. The two Supreme Elders' residence, Tomorrow Illusion Realm, was about a hundred miles away. But this distance meant nothing to cultivators.
méi mù wǔ guān ， yǔ lín xuān bié wú èr zhì ， kàn le kàn wén shǒu ， xiǎo mǎo liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī wèi jù ， dàn hěn kuài hái shì yǎo le yǎo yá ， liǎng shǒu yī wò ， líng guāng dà zuò ， huàn líng tiān huǒ fú xiàn ér chū ， jiāng xiǎo jiā huo bāo guǒ 。
眉目五官，与林轩别无二致，看了看蚊首，小冇脸上lù出一丝畏惧，但很快还是咬了咬牙，两手一握，灵光大做，幻灵天火浮现而出，将小家伙包裹。
Soon, they entered a sea of clouds, revealing peaks hidden within.
yǐ huǒ kè huǒ ， yǒu cǐ mó yán de bǎo hù ， yīng gāi hái shì néng gòu zài zǐ xīn dì huǒ zhōng jiān chí yī duàn shí jiān de 。
以火克火，有此魔炎的保护，应该还是能够在紫心地火中坚持一段时间的。
Lin Xuan took a deep breath; the aura here was more potent than in Spirit Clear Mist Sea.
jì rán jué dìng qù zuò ， lín xuān jiù bú huì zài dān gē ， xiǎo jiā huo shēn xíng yī shǎn ， yǐ jīng cóng wén shǒu zhōng zuān jìn qù le 。
既然决定去做，林轩就不会在耽搁，小家伙身形一闪，已经从蚊首中钻进去了。
Their speed slowed down as Lin Yujiǎo flipped her hand and produced a token. A red light shot through the white mist, parting it to reveal a path wide enough for one person.
āi ”，…
唉”，…
"Senior Brother, please!"
sì zhōu yī piàn zǐ sè， lín xuān cái gāng yī mài rù ， jiù gǎn jué yā lì bèi zēng ， zì jǐ yóu rú chuǎng rù láng qún zhōng de liè wù ， lì kè bèi zǐ sè de huǒ yàn bāo wéi le 。 hǎo zài huàn líng tiān huǒ shí zài shén qí ， guāng yùn liú zhuǎn bù yǐ ， yìng shēng shēng jiāng qí dǎng zhù ， dàn jí biàn rú cǐ ， fǎ lì liú shì dé yě fēi cháng xùn sù 。
四周一片紫sè，林轩才刚一迈入，就感觉压力倍增，自己犹如闯入狼群中的猎物，立刻被紫sè的火焰包围了。好在幻灵天火实在神奇，光晕流转不已，硬生生将其挡住，但即便如此，法力流逝得也非常迅速。
Lin Yujiǎo gestured with her hand, inviting him in.
zì jǐ zuì duō jiān chí yī zhǎn chá de gōng fu 。
自己最多坚持一盏茶的功夫。
"You go first."
lín xuān nǎ lǐ hái gǎn dān gē ， lì kè yóu xiàng le huǒ yàn de shēn chù 。
林轩哪里还敢耽搁，立刻游像了火焰的深处。
She didn't hesitate but led the way, followed by Lin Xuan.
yā lì yuè lái yuè dà le 。
压力越来越大了。
They entered Tomorrow Illusion Realm together.
“ yí ， nà shì shén me ？”
“咦，那是什么？”
After a short while, they arrived at a mountain peak.
gū mō zhe ， yóu le yǒu shù qiān zhàng ， shí jiān yǐ jīng bù duō ， zài bù fǎn huí kǒng pà jiù lái bù jí le ， rán ér piān piān jiù zài cǐ kè ， yī míng huǎng huǎng de dōng xī jìn rù yǎn lián le 。
估mō着，游了有数千丈，时间已经不多，再不返回恐怕就来不及了，然而偏偏就在此刻，一明晃晃的东西进入眼帘了。
This peak was tall and steep.
lín xuān dà xǐ ， hái yǐ wéi fèi le nà me duō de nǔ lì ， zuì hòu què shì kōng shǒu ér guī de jié jú 。
林轩大喜，还以为费了那么多的努力，最后却是空手而归的结局。
Lin Xuan scanned it; this area had the densest aura nearby.
méi xiǎng dào gōng fu bù fù yǒu xīn rén ， lín xuān lì kè huà wèi yī dào jīng hóng xiàng nà míng huǎng huǎng de dōng xī fēi le guò qù 。
没想到功夫不负有心人，林轩立刻化为一道惊虹像那明晃晃的东西飞了过去。
"Most likely, our two senior aunts reside here," Lin Xuan said calmly.
shì yī kē zhū zi 。
是一颗珠子。
"They are indeed waiting on top of the peak. Let's go."
lín xuān de liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī yí huò dàn cǐ shí cǐ kè ， nǎ yǒu shí jiān zài zhè lǐ màn màn fēn biàn shén me ， yuán yīng xiǎo shǒu yī fú ， jǐ dào fǎ jué fēi lüè ér chū ， huàn líng tiān huǒ zhòu rán bào zhǎng ， rán hòu níng jù chéng yī zhī huǒ yàn zhī shǒu ， jiāng nà míng huǎng huǎng de zhū zi zhuā zài zhǎng zhōng 。
林轩的脸上lù出一丝疑huò但此时此刻，哪有时间在这里慢慢分辨什么，元婴小手一拂，几道法诀飞掠而出，幻灵天火骤然暴涨，然后凝聚成一只火焰之手，将那明晃晃的珠子抓在掌中。
"Hmm."
suí hòu yuán yīng yě bù dān gē ， yuán lù fǎn huí le 。
随后元婴也不耽搁，原路返回了。
Lin Xuan nodded as they changed direction to head towards the summit.
Two days later.
Lin Xuan slowly opened his eyes.
Before him, a fiery glow danced in the air, appearing incredibly splendid.
Suddenly, Lin Xuan reached out and a strand of light fell into his palm. The light dispersed to reveal its true form—a simple yet ancient仙剑.
The blade was like a pool of autumn water, razor-sharp and thin as if semi-transparent, reflecting even the faintest shadow.
"Nine Palaces Momentary Sword, it lives up to its name!"
A hint of joy appeared on Lin Xuan's face. Other swords were still circling around him, numbering over eighty-one in total. This matched the description in the Black Moon Celestial Witch Technique.
With so many flying swords, they could form a large sword lotus. In battle, they could split into smaller lotuses of nine swords each according to need. The core principle was the unity of ninety-nine, which was also the essence of the Nine Palaces Momentary Sword.
Could it be that his consumption of refined Numinous Fruits had something to do with this?
Lin Xuan pondered. Perhaps other cultivators from Cloud Concealment Sect would not notice any discrepancies here. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he focused on the mosquito head at the center of the hall.
Raising his right hand, a spell was cast.
Boom! Purple flames burst forth from the fruit's surface.
More intense than before, it was almost time—only half an hour left until the purple heart fire would fade completely. Yet this period was when the intensity of the fire was at its peak.
Indeed, as that flame entered his vision, Lin Xuan felt the agitation intensify.
What should he do?
Perhaps the secret lay below. However, descending there required great risk. The purple heart fire was no joke; it rivaled the infant fires of a Spirit Formation Realm cultivator.
Searching for treasures in such flames would be perilous, and he might even perish.
Another option was to give up, but Lin Xuan was unwilling to leave just yet. After all, this secret might have something to do with the Numinous Fruit. Missing out on such an opportunity would be a sin worthy of divine retribution.
Time was short, but Lin Xuan wasn't ordinary. In mere moments, his indecisive gaze vanished, replaced by a resolute expression.
He had to take the risk!
As they say, one must enter the tiger's den to catch its cub. This secret deserved a try.
Looking at the mosquito head, he knew it was too small for him to fit inside. But as a cultivator, he could use the technique of an infant spirit stepping out of his body.
He stretched out his hand and tapped his forehead. A flash of light revealed a tiny infant, about an inch in size, with features identical to his own.
After a glance at the mosquito head, the little face showed fear but quickly gritted its teeth before grabbing the head with both hands. A surge of magical flames enveloped it.
Using fire to counteract fire, protected by this demonic flame, he should be able to endure in the purple heart fire for some time.
Deciding to act, Lin Xuan didn't waste any more time. The little figure darted into the mosquito head.
The surroundings turned purple as soon as he stepped inside. Pressure increased dramatically. He felt like a hunted prey surrounded by purple flames. However, the illusory heavenly flame was truly magical, blocking the flames with its light, though it drained his power quickly.
He could only hold on for a short while.
Lin Xuan didn't dare delay any longer and dove deep into the flames.
The pressure grew even more intense.
"Hey, what's that?"
After traveling thousands of feet, time was running out. He had to return soon or risk missing it entirely. Suddenly, something shiny caught his eye.
Lin Xuan was overjoyed, thinking he might have failed after all his efforts.
To his surprise, the effort paid off. Lin Xuan transformed into a streak of light and flew towards the shiny object.
It turned out to be a pearl.
His face showed confusion but time was short. He didn't waste any more time. With a flick of his infant spirit's hand, several spells shot out, causing the illusory heavenly flame to surge. It condensed into a flaming hand that grabbed the shiny pearl.
The infant spirit returned along its original path in no time.
After half a cup of tea had passed, the mosquito head opened wide. A flash of light revealed the infant spirit flying out.
"Phew."
Lin Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. He was lucky to make it back.
As the infant spirit re-entered his body, Lin Xuan's right hand spread open, revealing a pearl in his palm.
If he hadn't been mistaken, this must be where the secret lay. However, Lin Xuan didn't waste time studying the treasure. After a brief inspection, he returned it to his waist and left the hall.
Following the same path, he soon arrived at the entrance of the Purple Heart Fire Hall. A familiar figure caught his eye.
It was a graceful woman who wore a veil, making her face invisible. However, from half her face visible, she was undoubtedly beautiful—a初级玄真境 cultivator.
"Senior Brother Lin."
Seeing him, the young lady bowed politely.
"Why are you here as well? Don't you need to use the purple heart fire to refine your treasures?"
"No, not at all," Lin Yujiǎo shook her head. "I came specifically for Senior Brother Lin."
"For me?"
Lin Xuan's face showed confusion before his eyes narrowed in curiosity: Why?
He and this young lady had only met once during the exchange of sect contributions, a mere acquaintance with no significant connection.
"Don't worry about it, I have no ill intentions. I'm here to deliver a message from two Supreme Elders," Lin Yujiǎo quickly explained as she opened her lips.
"Oh?"
Lin Xuan's expression remained calm. He had expected this after killing the Peak Sword Pavilion master; he was called by the Supreme Elders sooner or later, so it wasn't surprising.
The only surprise was that a woman would deliver such a message. What was her connection to the Supreme Elders?
Could she be one of their disciples?
Lin Xuan's curiosity piqued, but his face showed no signs of surprise as he didn't ask any questions. After all, he had lived for over a thousand years and knew how to keep calm.
With a burst of green light, Lin Xuan followed the young lady into the sky.
As one of the five major sects in Frosty Cloud County, Cloud Concealment Sect was vast. The two Supreme Elders' residence, Tomorrow Illusion Realm, was about a hundred miles away. But this distance meant nothing to cultivators.
Soon, they entered a sea of clouds, revealing peaks hidden within.
Lin Xuan took a deep breath; the aura here was more potent than in Spirit Clear Mist Sea.
Their speed slowed down as Lin Yujiǎo flipped her hand and produced a token. A red light shot through the white mist, parting it to reveal a path wide enough for one person.
"Senior Brother, please!"
Lin Yujiǎo gestured with her hand, inviting him in.
"You go first."
She didn't hesitate but led the way, followed by Lin Xuan.
They entered Tomorrow Illusion Realm together.
After a short while, they arrived at a mountain peak.
This peak was tall and steep.
Lin Xuan scanned it; this area had the densest aura nearby.
"Most likely, our two senior aunts reside here," Lin Xuan said calmly.
"They are indeed waiting on top of the peak. Let's go."
"Hmm."
Lin Xuan nodded as they changed direction to head towards the summit.