Chapter 129: Cauldron Transformation and Blood Light

The several Qin family elders behind him were breathing heavily, their bodies leaning forward, staring fixedly at the shadow in midair and the changes on the cauldron's body.

"What is written in the volume passed down from our ancestors... Yin Yang combined refinement, the cauldron reveals its true form... truly... it's really true..." an elder's voice trembled, filled with incredulous ecstasy.

This sight before their eyes exactly matches the few signs written on that tattered secret manual their Qin family has guarded for generations, describing what happens when the bronze cauldron is activated by the right person.

In the corner, the greedy light in Zhou Qian's gloomy eyes almost burst forth!

He stared fixedly at Zhang Jun and Lin Xue, even more fixedly at the mysterious shadow shifting in midair, letting out a "gulping" sound from his throat without even noticing himself.

That shadow, that power... if only it could be his...

Just as everyone harbored their own thoughts, some excited, some greedy——

"Woo——————"

The bronze cauldron suddenly emitted a low, long hum!

This sound was unlike any before—not sharp, not grating, but carrying an indescribable ancient solemnity, like a warning from the source of time!

With that hum, the shifting three-dimensional shadow in midair suddenly froze!

Immediately, a patch on the edge of the shadow, without any warning, was stained with a layer of blood-red!

That red was strikingly vivid, emitting a fierce, dangerous aura that made hearts race!

Almost simultaneously, Zhang Jun and Lin Xue's faces changed dramatically!

A suction force, stronger than before by an unknown multiple and impossible to resist, suddenly erupted from the cauldron!

This suction no longer pulled at their inner strength; it aimed directly at their souls, seeking to drag their consciousness into the cauldron's black vortex!

Accompanying the suction came a cold, chaotic consciousness brimming with destructive thoughts, surging back along the thread of strength linking them to the bronze cauldron, violently slamming into their minds!

It was as if something terrifying sleeping inside the cauldron, or some fearsome impurity sealed within, had been startled awake by their half-baked activation!

"Pfft!"

Zhang Jun felt a sweetness in his throat and forced it back down.

Lin Xue's body swayed, a chill bursting over her whole body, yet she could not block the impact surging from the depths of her soul.

No good! The incantation is incomplete!

That thought exploded simultaneously in both of their minds!

The two, relying almost on instinct, exerted all their strength to sever the inner strength connection to the bronze cauldron!

Their palms snapped away from the cauldron's body!

The humming stopped instantly.

The blood-stained shadow in midair shattered and scattered instantly.

The light circulating on the cauldron quickly dimmed, the vortex settled, and the shocking scenes just witnessed receded like a tide, disappearing completely.

That three-legged bronze cauldron returned to its former cold, lifeless, unremarkable appearance, as if nothing had just happened.

Zhang Jun and Lin Xue staggered back two steps, their faces slightly pale, breathing heavily.

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing apprehension in the other's eyes, along with a weighty thought: they were indeed the key to opening this cauldron, but their technique was incomplete—not only could they not fully master this treasure, they would instead unleash the great trouble hidden within.

As for who the bronze cauldron ultimately belongs to, it seems we're back where we started.

No, it's actually become more troublesome.

The problem is no longer who can make the cauldron move, but who can find the missing other half... that is, the complete Medicine Sect heart method.

Qin Xiaotian's excitement faded, replaced by a heavy solemnity.

Zhou Qian's greed in his eyes lessened, replaced by some shifting calculations.

Lin Hai and the Lin family members behind him wore blank faces, followed by deeper despair.

Qin Yueyao stepped forward, her voice breaking the frozen atmosphere.

"It seems that to truly unlock the secret of this medicine cauldron, we still need to find the complete inheritance."

Her hand lightly pressed against her waist, as if something were hidden there.

Qin Xiaotian's steady voice spread through the hall, suppressing all noise.

"For today, let's leave it at that."

His gaze swept slowly across the hall, lingering an extra beat on Zhou Qian's face, which was so gloomy it seemed about to drip water.

"Please, everyone, return."

No one said anything more.

Lin Hai seemed to have had his soul sucked out, supported by his family as he walked out, his back showing utter collapse and defeat.

Zhou Qian, meanwhile, slipped away like an oily loach, silently blending into the dispersing crowd.

Just before he left, however, a chilling vindictiveness emanated from the direction he vanished, blowing upon Zhang Jun and Lin Xue through the air.

The others, each with their own thoughts, also hurried away.

What just happened was too frightening, especially the cauldron's final muffled roar and the ominous blood-red hue, giving them plenty to ponder on their way back.

Soon the hall emptied of people.

Qin Xiaotian's composure vanished instantly, replaced by a complex expression mixing excitement and apprehension.

"Close the doors!" he barked low.

The heavy hall doors creaked shut, completely sealing off the outside clamor.

Qin Xiaotian strode over to the several close-in elders, with Qin Yueyao following.

"Did you all see that?" Qin Xiaotian's voice was low, yet he couldn't hide the tremor, "The cauldron reveals its true form! Yin Yang combined refinement! The words left by our ancestors have come true!"

"Family Head," an old man with completely white hair and beard stepped forward, his voice also excited but his face full of worry, "But that final jolt of the cauldron... the blood-light, and that force trying to drag people's souls in—it's too eerie! The old classics never recorded anything so perilous!"

Qin Xiaotian flung his sleeve, "The key is that Zhang boy and that Lin girl! Together they are indeed the key to opening the cauldron! But the technique they practice, or rather the Medicine Sect inheritance they received, must be incomplete! Otherwise they wouldn't have caused such a commotion, awakening the malevolent thing hidden inside the cauldron!"

Qin Yueyao spoke from the side, her voice clear and cold: "Father, I feel that this violent consciousness is not inherent to the medicine cauldron; it seems more like... something forced inside, sealed within."

Qin Xiaotian stood with his hands behind his back, turning in place two circles, his fingers rubbing firmly.

The seal... What exactly did the Medicine Sect stir up back then...

He stopped and looked toward Qin Yueyao.

Yueyao, send more people! Spare no expense, capture Zhang Jun and Lin Xue! They are our only hope of unraveling this huge secret! Also, the whereabouts of the Yin Scroll—old sweeper at White Pagoda Temple Alley—must be investigated thoroughly! I have a feeling that place is suspicious; it hides a great secret!

I understand, Father. Qin Yueyao lowered her head in assent.

At the same time, the Lin Family Old Residence.

Smack!

Another fine teacup shattered into pieces.

Lin Hai slumped in the grand master's chair, his complexion ashen and frightening.

The several Lin family stewards standing in the hall also hung their heads, the atmosphere so heavy you could wring water from it.

It's over... Now it's completely over... a shrewd-looking middle-aged man muttered dazedly, "Once the Qin family gets those two, this medicine cauldron... afterwards there'll be nothing left for our Lin family!"

I won't accept it! Lin Feng sprang up from his chair, the bruise on his face not yet faded, his twisted expression making him look especially frightening.