Chapter 195: Chapter One Hundred Ninety-Six

The faint resonance emanating from beneath the stone platform and the anomalous fluctuation of the Patrol Heaven Token caused the air inside the cave to freeze instantly. Gu Yusheng and Mei Ruoxue immediately looked warily at the token in Shi Ran's hand; that circulating dark-gold luster was faint, yet carried an indescribable majesty and mystery, utterly unlike the ordinary Patrol Light.

Shi Ran herself was startled. She could clearly feel that something seemed to have been added inside the Patrol Heaven Token, like a dormant seed quietly awakened, now resonating with some homologous power in the outside world. She subconsciously clenched the token, and that warmth spread from her palm, unexpectedly calming her taut nerves from the probing by a thread.

"There's something under this stone platform," Gu Yusheng said in a low voice, signaling Mei Ruoxue to guard the surroundings while he carefully stepped forward, gently tapping the edge of the stone platform and the ground with his scabbard. The hollow echo confirmed there was another space below.

The stone platform itself was not heavy; the three of them joined forces and easily moved it aside. Below was revealed a narrow hole just wide enough for one person to pass through. A breath even purer yet also more yin-cold, mixed with a faint bloody smell, surged out. There were obvious excavation marks around the edge of the hole; the time would not be too long.

Gu Yusheng, highly skilled and bold, leaped down first. Mei Ruoxue followed close behind. Shi Ran, gripping the warm Patrol Heaven Token, also entered.

Below was a secret chamber barely ten feet square. Rough excavation marks remained on the walls, clearly opened in haste. In the center of the chamber was a small array drawn with fresh blood. In the center of the array sat an irregular black-red crystal the size of a palm. Inside the crystal, viscous blood seemed to flow, emitting a dense aura of resentment and evil — it was precisely one of the sources of the yin qi of this cave and even part of Youhun Ravine. And that fluctuation resonating with the Patrol Heaven Token emanated from the depths of this crystal!

"Another of these evil things!" Mei Ruoxue frowned, her Xuanbing spiritual qi naturally circulating to resist the erosion of the yin-cold resentful qi.

Gu Yusheng examined the blood array closely, his expression grave: "It's a variant of the Blood-Refining Gathering Evil Array, used to nurture and refine yin-evil crystal cores. It seems 'Earth Eclipse' not only set up Gathering Yin Arrays to converge the environmental yin qi, but also placed this kind of core at key nodes to further refine and store evil power for their use at any time or as an array eye to trigger."

The Patrol Heaven Token in Shi Ran's hand grew a touch brighter at this moment, as if both repelling that black-red crystal and yet faintly harboring an impulse to "absorb" or "purify" it. She forcefully suppressed this strange feeling and asked: "This crystal... the Patrol Heaven Token seems to react to it."

Just then, a sudden change occurred!

That black-red crystal, as if stimulated by the Patrol Heaven Token's fluctuation, violently trembled. The flowing blood inside abruptly accelerated. A brutal, chaotic will accompanied by even more intense resentful evil qi exploded outward, rushing straight at the three's souls! Simultaneously, on the walls of the secret chamber, those seemingly chaotic excavation marks suddenly lit up with several dark-red lines — a hidden trigger-type restriction! Activated by the crystal's anomaly, the restriction instantly formed a blood-colored energy net, descending upon the three, intending to trap them and trigger an even more violent evil qi impact!

"Careful!" Gu Yusheng shouted sharply. His natal flying sword left its scabbard again; sword light like a bolt of moonlight slashed at the blood-colored energy net. Mei Ruoxue raised both hands; dozens of sharp ice crystals shot out, striking at the restriction's pattern nodes on the walls. Shi Ran likewise activated the Patrol Heaven Token; golden light bloomed, protecting her body.

However, this restriction was clearly from a master's hand, and with the yin-evil crystal core as its energy source, it was quite vicious. Gu Yusheng's sword light collided with the energy net, unexpectedly producing the sound of metal striking metal, unable to sever it in one strike, instead entangled by the viscous blood-colored energy. Mei Ruoxue's ice crystals struck the restriction nodes, only making the patterns flash once, not breaking them. The blood-colored net continued to descend. The mental impact erupting from the yin-evil crystal core grew ever more fierce. The three felt splitting headaches, their souls as if pierced by countless fine needles.

Especially Shi Ran. The Patrol Heaven Token in her hand resonated most strongly with the crystal core, and she suffered the most direct impact. It was as if two voices were roaring and colliding in her sea of consciousness. Her face instantly turned deathly pale. She gave a muffled groan, almost unable to stand.

Watching the blood-colored net about to envelop them, the yin-evil erosion intensifying, at this critical juncture —

A clear, majestic sword cry, as if from beyond the nine heavens, instantly pierced through the heavy mountain rock and yin-evil qi, ringing clearly in the secret chamber!

Immediately after, a sword intent blazing like the rising sun, vast as the falling Milky Way, descended without warning! This sword intent was supremely yang, supremely upright, grand and vast. Where it passed, yin-evil resentful qi vanished rapidly like snow melting in the spring sun.

Under the shroud of this sword intent, that blood-colored energy net couldn't persist for even a breath before silently annihilating completely. The restriction patterns on the walls broke inch by inch, dissipating into black smoke. Even that central black-red crystal, violently trembling and emitting ferocious might, seemed gripped by an invisible giant hand. It abruptly stalled. "Crack!" — several fissures appeared on its surface. The blood light inside rapidly dimmed. That brutal mental impact came to a screeching halt.

Everything happened too fast. From the sword cry to the crisis resolving, it was but the blink of an eye.

Gu Yusheng and Mei Ruoxue looked in shock toward the cave entrance, their hearts already guessing the comer's identity — both the joy of survival from a desperate situation and deep reverence for that supreme sword intent.

Shi Ran, the moment the sword cry rang out, felt her whole body and mind involuntarily tremble. This sword intent, this aura... she was far too familiar with them! An indescribable complex emotion instantly surged in her heart. Her fingers gripping the Patrol Heaven Token tightened slightly.

The light at the cave entrance dimmed slightly. A tall, straight figure had already quietly appeared in the secret chamber.

The comer wore a cloud-patterned bright-moon sword robe, untainted by a speck of dust. Black hair bound by a simple jade hairpin, a few strands falling on his forehead, making his face appear even more clear and handsome, transcendent. His features seemed meticulously carved by the hand of creation: brows like distant mountains holding ink, eyes like a cold pool reflecting stars, high nose bridge, pale lips.

No oppressive aura radiated from him, but merely standing there, he was like a lone peak standing alone, the bright moon hanging high — naturally becoming the center of heaven and earth. He held no sword in hand, yet his whole person seemed like a peerless divine weapon that had gathered all its sharpness, hidden in its scabbard. Once drawn, it would surely make mountains and rivers pale.

It was precisely the master of Shi Ran and the others — the Lord of Wanshan, Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao's gaze first swept lightly over Gu Yusheng and Mei Ruoxue, nodding slightly, counting as a greeting. Gu Yusheng and Mei Ruoxue hurriedly bowed in salute: "Greetings, Master!"

Immediately, his gaze fell on Shi Ran. In the depths of those deep, starry eyes, a trace of extremely hard-to-detect fluctuation flashed — seeming like relief, yet also like reproach — finally turning into a seemingly calm depth. His gaze lingered on her slightly pale face for an instant, then moved to the Patrol Heaven Token in her hand, its light not yet fully settled, faintly resonating subtly with himself.

"Master..." Shi Ran met his gaze, her voice unconsciously lowering, carrying a hint of grievance and lingering fear she herself hadn't noticed — like a child who encountered danger outside and finally saw a parent.

Ling Xiao didn't say much. He merely raised a hand, pointing remotely in the void. A strand of pure, gentle sword qi — or rather, highly condensed spiritual essence — containing the intent of life-giving creation instantly entered Shi Ran's glabella. Shi Ran only felt a warm current rapidly spread through her four limbs and hundred bones, washing away the chill and discomfort from the yin-evil impact just now. Even the stabbing pain in her soul quickly calmed. Her deathly pale complexion recovered a few shades of color.

He waved a hand again. That black-red crystal, covered in cracks and greatly diminished in spirit light, flew into his palm. A thread of sword qi, pure to the utmost, coiled around his fingertip. The residual resentful evil inside the crystal, as if meeting its nemesis, let out a silent wail, thoroughly purified and stripped away. In the end, only a small pinch of dim powder remained, rustling down through his fingers.

"This object is a 'Resentment Blood Crystal', condensed from settled resentful evil qi on battlefields or places of unjust death, mixed with living souls' blood qi. Extremely vicious, it specializes in eroding soul foundations." Ling Xiao's voice was clear and cold like a jade chime, unhurried, each word distinct in the cramped secret chamber. "You were too careless. The restriction here is linked to this crystal core. Once the crystal core is disturbed, the restriction automatically counterattacks and also transmits a warning to the one who set it up."

Gu Yusheng's face showed shame: "It was Yusheng's lack of foresight, nearly endangering Senior Sister. Many thanks to Master for the timely rescue."

Ling Xiao shook his head slightly: "'Earth Eclipse' uses crafty methods; your experience is still shallow, oversights are unavoidable." His gaze turned to Shi Ran again. His tone was still flat, but held a few threads of barely audible gentleness: "Ranran, what happened with your Patrol Heaven Token? Why did it resonate with such an evil thing?"

Shi Ran steadied her mind and recounted in detail the Patrol Heaven Token's slight warmth at the final moment in the Guiku Forest cave, and the stronger resonance just now. She held the Patrol Heaven Token in both hands and offered it up.

Ling Xiao took the Patrol Heaven Token. His slender fingers lightly brushed the token's surface. The dark-gold runes that had only faintly glowed in Shi Ran's hand seemed to come alive the moment they touched his fingertips. Their circulation speed increased, emitting an even clearer, even more majestic faint halo, even faintly resonating with some ancient rhythm.

A flash of comprehension passed through his deep eyes, followed by deeper contemplation. A moment later, he returned the Patrol Heaven Token to Shi Ran and said: "No harm. Not a bad thing. This token... by some chance coincidence, seems to have absorbed a trace of an extremely ancient, pure 'Will'. Completely different from the filthy resentful evil here, hence the resonance and repulsion. You need to use your own spiritual power and mind to warmly nurture and comprehend it more; there may be gains. As for what exactly it is, it's hard to determine now. No need to worry excessively, and you must not speak lightly of it to outsiders."

Shi Ran took the Patrol Heaven Token with a half-understanding. Feeling that the token, after her master's touch, seemed a bit more "close" to her, the warmth also becoming docile, her heart settled slightly. She respectfully replied: "Master, I understand."

At this time, Mei Ruoxue spoke up, concisely reporting to Ling Xiao their investigation findings at Xiaqi Fang, and the exploration results at "Dragon Burial Valley" and "Youhun Ravine".

Ling Xiao listened quietly. His eyes showed little surprise; clearly he already had some understanding. "Your guesses are correct. 'Earth Eclipse' aims not small. These five nodes in Luoxia River, and possibly more hidden nodes, are indeed constructing a simplified version or preliminary preparation of a grand 'Nine Nether Seizing Evil Inverse Spirit Array'. Once this array fully forms and activates, it can forcibly extract the earth-vein yin-evil, living beings' resentful qi, and even remnant soul fragments within a thousand li, converging them at one point. Its purpose... is none other than to nurture some supreme yin-evil thing, or provide a breakthrough opportunity for some existence cultivating yin-evil arts, or even to open a passage that should not exist."

Nine Nether Seizing Evil Inverse Spirit Array! Just hearing this name made one feel a chill. The three — Gu Yusheng and the others — looked stern.

"Master, did you come to investigate this matter?" Shi Ran couldn't help asking.

Ling Xiao glanced at her but didn't answer directly. Instead he said: "The Seven Sects also received the Patrol Heaven Office's cooperative investigation notice regarding 'Earth Eclipse' and the possible ancient evil array. I happened to be nearby pursuing another lead. I sensed the faint trace of the protective sword qi on you being used (referring to the Guiku Forest battle), and also detected the abnormal convergence of yin-evil here, so I came by on the way to take a look." His tone was flat, as if it really was just "on the way".

But Shi Ran knew. Her master's cultivation reached the heavens; his sensing range was vast. This "nearby" was probably at least a thousand li away. He must have sensed she might be in trouble and specially rushed over. Thinking of this, a warm current surged in her heart, mixed with a trace of sweetness.

"Then Master, how should we proceed next?" Gu Yusheng requested instructions.

"I will personally investigate the Heiyan City lead." Ling Xiao's tone was indifferent yet carried an indisputable decision. "The waters there may be deeper; you are not suitable to involve yourselves for now. As for these Luoxia River nodes," his gaze swept over the spot where the Resentment Blood Crystal had turned to dust, "'Earth Eclipse' has already sensed this place being touched (although the restriction was destroyed, the crystal core's damage means the other side must have sensed it). They will certainly heighten their guard or change plans. You continue following the Patrol Heaven Office's orders, investigating openly to attract attention, but must be even more cautious, avoiding fighting alone deep in enemy territory. I will support from the dark and try to ascertain their overall layout and core location."

With Ling Xiao supporting from the dark, it was undoubtedly like taking a reassurance pill. Gu Yusheng and Mei Ruoxue's hearts settled greatly. They said in unison: "We will strictly obey Master's orders."

Ling Xiao nodded slightly, looking at Shi Ran again, silent for a moment. The secret chamber fell quiet. Gu Yusheng and Mei Ruoxue very tactfully retreated half a step, pretending to study the remaining marks on the walls.

"Sword essence damaged, spirit body exhausted, mind also fatigued." Ling Xiao's gaze seemed able to penetrate everything, seeing the states of Shi Ran and her two companions clearly. He turned his wrist. Three small jade bottles appeared in his palm, flying separately to the three. "Green Jade Soul-Restoring Pills. Can consolidate the foundation and cultivate the origin, nurture sword essence and spirit body. One per day. Within seven days, you should recover fully without hidden injuries."

Gu Yusheng and Mei Ruoxue received the jade bottles, overjoyed. These Green Jade Soul-Restoring Pills were a supreme healing holy product; Master would not easily take them out.

Shi Ran also received her own bottle. Fingertips touching the cool jade bottle, she seemed able to sense a trace of her master's lingering warmth. She lowered her eyes and said softly: "Thank you, Master, for bestowing the medicine."

"Mm." Ling Xiao acknowledged. He seemed to want to say something more, but in the end only said: "Act cautiously. Preserving yourselves is the top priority. If there is mortal danger, crush this talisman."

He flicked out another small sword talisman — neither metal nor jade, engraved with simple cloud patterns — which fell into Shi Ran's hand. This sword talisman differed from the protective sword qi he had bestowed before; it focused more on positioning and emergency distress. Clearly, he considered she could now stand on her own, yet still couldn't rest easy.

Shi Ran tightly gripped the small sword talisman and nodded heavily: "I'll remember."

Ling Xiao spoke no more. His figure moved slightly and vanished from the secret chamber like light smoke, as if he had never appeared. Only that lingering thread of stern, upright sword intent in the air proved that the Lord of Wanshan had indeed descended here.

Only then did Gu Yusheng and Mei Ruoxue breathe a sigh of relief. Facing their master, even when he deliberately restrained himself, that formless pressure still inspired awe.

The two looked at Shi Ran, their eyes holding a few more threads of understanding and kindly amusement.

Master's partiality and protection toward Shi Ran, though subtle, could not be more obvious. And Shi Ran's attachment and admiration for Master — how could that escape them, who fought shoulder to shoulder and observed keenly?

Shi Ran felt a bit uncomfortable under their gaze. Her face warmed slightly. She hurriedly changed the subject: "Let's quickly clean up here, then follow Master's... instructions, continue the open investigation, but be even more careful."

The three quickly cleaned up the traces in the secret chamber, disposed of the Resentment Blood Crystal residue, and then quietly left Youhun Ravine.

With Ling Xiao's intervention and bestowed medicine, in the following days the three's action strategy didn't change, but their mindset became more steady. They still operated in and around Xiaqi Fang, gathering intelligence, occasionally "unintentionally" revealing some "concern" about the yin qi changes at "Dragon Burial Valley" and "Youhun Ravine", playing well the role of diligent Patrol Heaven Office cultivators investigating "Earth Eclipse" leads. In secret, they took the Green Jade Soul-Restoring Pills. Their injuries and exhaustion recovered at an astonishing speed.

Shi Ran, even more so, used her own spiritual power and mind to nurture the Xuntian Token daily. She gradually discovered that the connection with the token seemed to have grown even tighter; those dark golden runes would occasionally surface in her sea of consciousness during meditation, emitting a warm, vast, and reassuring power that faintly dispelled the occasional inner demons and stray thoughts arising during cultivation. She recalled her Master's words about an "ancient, pure 'Nian'," and her heart was filled with curiosity, but remembering her Master's admonition, she never spoke of it to others, merely comprehending it silently on her own.

As for Ling Xiao, though he did not appear directly again, Shi Ran could vaguely sense that her Master seemed not to have gone far. Sometimes amidst the crowds of the market town, she would inexplicably feel a familiar gaze brush past, fleeting and gone in an instant; sometimes while regulating her breath, she seemed able to sense, from an extreme distance, a wisp of clear, cold Sword Intent that shared the same source as her own and resonated with her from afar. This silent protection made her heart feel both steadfast and often stirred with ripples.

Several days later, the Xuntian Division transmitted new encrypted intelligence, the contents of which mutually corroborated Ling Xiao's judgment: on Blackrock City's side, Sword Venerable Ling Xiao personally took action and indeed ferreted out a deeply hidden small material transfer nest, seizing a batch of materials used for evil arrays and some correspondence letters. Though the letters used coded language and key information may have been destroyed, combining discoveries from nodes across the Luoxia River, the Division's array masters basically confirmed this was the preliminary arrangement of the "Nine Nether Seize Sha Reverse Spirit Array"; its core array eye might not be in the Luoxia River, but rather deep within some ancient battlefield ruins further south. The Division had already dispatched more forces to secretly gather and investigate southward.

Simultaneously, the intelligence also warned that the "Earth Erosion" members in the Luoxia River might become vigilant or even frenzied due to the Blackrock City nest being uprooted and the Youhun Ravine node being triggered, telling Gu Yusheng's team to heighten vigilance, and if necessary, they could abandon surveillance and withdraw to a safe zone.

However, just as the three discussed whether to temporarily withdraw from Xiaqi Market and await the next order, an unexpected "invitation" was delivered before them.