Chapter 483: The Sound of the Bell

Inside the room, after the two exchanged a few polite pleasantries, seeing that dawn was about to break, Long Xi Xiang still got down to business: "Senior, ten days ago, True Person Yuan Qing sent letters to the various sects, inviting us to gather at a mountain manor to discuss important matters. I wonder if Senior would do us the honor?"

"This gathering between sects — would my participation be somewhat improper?"

Qin Yun was not surprised. With the matter concerning the Eight Directions Temple and the imperial court, it would be strange if the Wudadao Sect could truly sit still and do nothing!

"Senior's renowned prestige, we have always looked up to and respected — what impropriety could there possibly be?"

Long Xi Xiang said in a solemn tone!

Qin Yun glanced at him and shook his head: "I'd like to go, but unfortunately the spirit is willing though the flesh is weak!"

"Has your injury still not healed?"

Long Xi Xiang frowned slightly: "I wonder if our Longhu Temple's Longhu Dadan…"

It's no use!

Qin Yun sighed and politely declined him: "These days, I can barely get down this pagoda. As for going out and about — I'll skip the Yi E Mountain Manor!"

"However, if you all are willing, you could come gather inside the Eight Directions Pagoda instead…"

This… now it was Long Xi Xiang's turn to hesitate!

He naturally held this senior in reverence, but the other sects were far more guarded and wary — they would never come to a gathering here!

"Enough then. After the meeting, if there's anything important, just let me know — that won't be too late!

"

Qin Yun merely smiled, not making things difficult for him: "When it concerns the imperial court, don't say I'm not dead — even if I were dead, I'd still have to crawl back up to help hold the line!"

This junior will keep it in mind!

Seeing this, Long Xi Xiang said nothing more. Cupping his fists in a salute, he had already transformed into a streak of light and departed!

Qin Yun watched calmly, only after the other's aura vanished from his perception did he say: "That little Monk is kind-hearted indeed!"

Not necessarily!

Qin Li Shixian subconsciously touched her head — that day when she was ambushed, she hadn't forgotten!

Qin Yun narrowed his eyes, his expression subtle: "Daoist Yuan Qing inviting the various sects to meet — it seems he's already sensed the changes in the Eight Directions Temple…"

"Changes in the Eight Directions Temple?"

Qin Li Shixian's heart gave a slight jolt!

"The Grand Ritual is not the work of a single day. When the imperial court spread the news of intending to sacrifice at the Eight Directions Temple, half the ritual was already underway. Wan Wan Zhuliu inviting all under heaven to witness the Grand Ritual together — that must mean the Eight Directions Temple has already responded!

"

Qin Yun toyed with the jade pagoda in his palm!

"The Eight Directions Temple has already responded?"

Qin Li Shixian was half-believing, half-doubting, but the old man's tone was utterly certain, as if he had seen it with his own eyes!

Seeing her in such a state, Qin Yun shook his head inwardly, but still patiently answered: "The Great Wasteland Sect's Dao Child Trial — how much do you still lack?"

"Just a little more!"

Speaking of this matter, Qin Li Shixian also had a headache. Many years ago, before breaking through the Heavenly Gang, she had already entered the Great Wasteland Sect's Dao Child Trial!

But after all these years, she still lacked a little — unable to fully wield the Da Huang Jia Hai Purple-Gold Spear!

"Then naturally you can't sense it!"

Qin Yun spread his five fingers, and the jade-colored little pagoda in his palm bloomed with a faint, ghostly light, a thick incense-offering aura diffusing outward!

Hum!

Qin Li Shixian focused her gaze, and through that faint, elusive luminous aura, she dimly perceived an ancient temple floating amid endless ghostly light!

Ancient, mysterious, and indistinct!

"The Eight Directions Temple truly shows unusual movement?"

Qin Li Shixian's wrist flicked — within the Eight Directions Pagoda, a flash of purple-gold light suddenly streaked by. In a blink, an extra purple-gold long spear had appeared in her palm!

The spear was seven chi long, covered in all manner of mysterious patterns, emanating the same ancient aura!

This was precisely the Da Huang Jia Hai Purple-Gold Spear. Normally, this spear was nurtured deep within the Eight Directions Pagoda — this was the contingency she had left behind!

"…You don't even have the qualification to enter the final trial — what makes you think you can sense the Eight Directions Temple?"

Seeing Qin Li Shixian intently perceiving the Purple-Gold Spear, Qin Yun was quite caught between laughter and tears!

"If I can't… then on what grounds can those other houses sense it?"

Qin Li Shixian was rather unconvinced. Granted she hadn't broken through the Great Wasteland Sect's Dao Child Trial, but houses like Longhu

Temple and Yi Wu Mountain Manor — for many years now, not a single person had even broken through their true lineage trials!

"No matter how poorly the Wudadao Sect fares, they still have contingencies left by their ancestors that can touch upon the path to that final trial…"

Qin Yun stared intently at the jade-colored little pagoda, gazing at that seemingly-there-yet-not-there shadow of the ancient temple that appeared within reach but was in truth utterly impossible to grasp: "That outsider from beyond the heavens does have some tricks — it's only been how long?"

Murmuring softly, Qin Yun's mind drifted. Many years ago, he had exhausted every means, spent everything he had, and only barely managed to reach this step!

"Poison Dragon Academy!

"

Qin Yun gathered his thoughts, then suddenly beckoned, taking the bronze mirror behind him into his hand!

"This is…"

Qin Li Shixian was startled. Following his gaze, she saw that within the bronze mirror there seemed to be a faint flicker of Jin Guang — looking closer, it appeared to be a great golden bell!

"This is?

"

Qin Yun paid no heed to Qin Li Shixian's shock. He thought for a moment, then still bent a finger and tapped toward the bronze mirror — or rather, toward that great golden bell within the bronze mirror!

Boom.

Shendu City, situated at the far north of the Dayun realm's territory, has four extremely distinct seasons!

Though it was only early autumn, the weather already carried a noticeable chill, and among the peddlers hawking their wares in the streets and alleys, there were now quite a few charcoal-sellers!

Only what they sold was no ordinary charcoal, but spirit-wood charcoal, carved into all manner of beast shapes!

This kind of spirit-wood beast charcoal gave off no smoke, and when burning, it released a faint spirit-wood fragrance that could nourish the spirit and ease fatigue!

Often a single piece would fetch a price of one tael of silver, and was much favored by the great households!

The lords of Shendu City truly know how to enjoy life—even their charcoal has to be carved so exquisitely…

In a streetfront winehouse, by the window on the sixth floor, a tall, broad-shouldered youth stood leaning against the window, looking down over the streets of Shendu!

His name was Liu Jingshan, a native of Henglong Dao. In his youth he met a strange man, spent many years in the mountains learning martial arts, and having only recently left the mountains, on hearing that the imperial court intended to sacrifice at the Temple of Eight Directions, he had come to Jingcheng!

And people like him could be found everywhere in Shendu City at this moment.

"Brother Liu, you're mistaken there. These spirit-wood beast charcoals aren't unique to Shendu City—our Henglong City has no lack of similar things, they just aren't hawked on the streets!"

The speaker was a youth dressed in silk brocade. He gently swirled his wine cup and smiled: "If Brother Liu likes them, this Wang here can gift you a whole cart!"

"No need. I, Liu Jingshan, can't enjoy the good fortune of your Yun Ding Wang family!"

That youth turned around, sat down, and drained his cup in one gulp!

The realm has five dao and nineteen prefectures. Henglong and Wanlong Dao's nine prefectures are not among them—these nine prefectures are lands the imperial court has reserved for itself!

Among them there are certainly some jianghu sects, but few that have grown into real powers. The great families that hold authority over the nine prefectures are clans like the Yun Ding Wang family, the Xiangshan Zhang family, and the Nanling Yun family!

"Brother Liu, you jest!"

Wang Wang Jingyin smiled, then suddenly rose. From outside the door came a timely voice: "Young Master, Young Master Wan wishes to see you!"

"Young Master Wan?"

Wang Wang Jingyin's gaze sharpened slightly. He rose and cupped his hands: "Brother Liu, if you have nothing else, why not come with me to pay a visit to Young Master Wan?"

"Young Master Wan…"

Liu Jingshan's eyes flickered. There were no few people surnamed Wan under heaven, but in Shendu City, a Young Master surnamed Wan could only come from one household!

That was the Zhenwu Wang, the Wan family!

"Very well!"

Liu Jingshan did not refuse. The two went out, led by a Retainer, but to their surprise, this Young Master Wan was in none of the guildhalls, winehouses, or mansions!

He was on the main street!

"That one there, is he Young Master Wan?"

Liu Jingshan frowned slightly!

Not far off, on the long street, a great black umbrella was propped up. Beneath the umbrella sat an old man with a face black as iron, a stiff beard, and green eyes!

At this moment, he stroked his long beard and toyed with the jade coins in his hand. Flanking him were quite a few richly dressed young masters and young ladies!

The silver-haired youth seated across from him was precisely the Wan family's young master, Wan Quan!

"That

old man should be the National Preceptor newly enfeoffed by the imperial court, Huang Huang Longzi, yes?"

Wang Wang Jingyin's attention, however, fell on that green-eyed old man. Before coming to Shendu, he had heard some rumors about this man from his clan!

"Insufficient affinity!"

Under everyone's gaze, Huang Huang Longzi lightly shook the coins. After a moment, he shook his head and spoke: "Next!"

"Insufficient affinity again?"

"Someone with Brother Wan's innate talent and bloodline is also without affinity

?"

"If Brother Wan can't do it, and the Ninth Princess can't do it, then who in Shendu City—no, who under heaven can?"

"What a pity that Yan Yan Chunyang died at Mount Hengshan, otherwise with his talent…" Sounds of discussion rose all around!

Wan Quan swept a cold glance at one of the speakers. The latter hurriedly swallowed the name Yan Yan Chunyang, shrank back, and vanished into the crowd!

"Many thanks for your trouble, National Preceptor!"

Wan Quan bowed. He was somewhat disappointed in his heart, but only somewhat—after all, everyone received the same verdict!

After Wan Quan, no one else stepped forward!

Beneath the umbrella, Huang Huang Longzi frowned slightly, secretly wondering if he had been too strict, but then dismissed the thought!

He wasn't recruiting disciples for an academy—the threshold absolutely could not be lowered. Without an innate constitution of the sixth rank or above, there was simply no possibility of entering the Temple of Eight Directions!

Speaking of which, that Zhenwu Wang's constitution, given a few more years of refinement, might perhaps suffice?

As these thoughts turned in Huang Huang Longzi's mind, he seemed to sense something and looked toward the streetfront winehouse, where by the window on the upper floor stood a middle-aged man in black robes, hands clasped behind his back!

"An innate constitution nearly at the sixth rank—if such a figure had been born in Tian Shi Yuan, that would truly be…"

Huang Huang Longzi nodded slightly, did not go to pay his respects, merely picked up those few jade coins, lay back in his rocking chair, and closed his eyes to rest!

The watching crowd, seeing there was no more show to enjoy, dispersed along with Wan Quan!

"Swish!"

After the crowd dispersed, Huang Huang Longzi seemed to sense something. When he opened his eyes, Wan Wan Zhuliu was already seated across from him!

"What instruction does Brother Wan have?"

Huang Huang Longzi sat up!

"Since last night, the disturbances at the Temple of Eight Directions have intensified. Does the National Preceptor know the reason?"

Wan Wan Zhuliu spoke to ask. His voice was neither loud nor soft, yet it did not leak out at all—only the two of them could hear!

"To drain a nation's essence… of incense and offerings—such a sacrifice, how could the one being worshipped show no response? The disturbances at the Temple of Eight Directions intensifying only proves the great sacrifice is about to succeed!

Huang Huang Longzi paused as he spoke: "This great sacrifice—at the soonest, next year's sixth day of the sixth month; at the latest, the year after. The Temple of Eight Directions will surely appear. Brother Wan must not be impatient!"

"Is there danger?"

Wan Wan Zhuliu raised an eyebrow. He had actually been toying with the thought of walking the path of subduing demons once more!

You Jing, a bizarre and strange place—no one knows how many fortunes and dangers it holds. To be safe, it's best not to risk one's life!

Huang Huang Longzi raised his head; he heard the bell!

"Mm?"

Wan Wan Zhuliu frowned and looked over, only to see, within the imperial city, atop the Star Observation Tower, golden light blazed as the Great Sun Golden Qianshan Qilin Bell trembled and hummed!

Boom.

The bell's toll reverberated, like layer upon layer of thunder exploding within the Divine Capital!

In an instant, no one knew how many were shocked and turned to look, and quite a few experts leapt up to high places, following the sound!

"Someone has trespassed onto the Golden Qianshan Qilin Path?"

Wan Wan Zhuliu's gaze darkened; he set down a Yijuanjuan Sect and vanished from the spot!

"In such a hurry?"

Huang Huang Longzi was dumbfounded, but he didn't follow to investigate. Instead, he leisurely lay down and began flipping through the Yijuanjuan Sect Wan Wan Zhuliu had left behind!

"That old turtle can really run!"

Boom!

In his sleep, Li Zhou heard the bell!

The bell toll came violently; caught off guard, Li Zhou felt his heart clench and jolted awake!

"Where is that bell coming from?"

Li Zhou flipped himself up. Outside, it was already broad daylight. He focused to listen, and his heart was instantly filled with suspicion: "This bell, it sounds like…"

His brows furrowed, Li Zhou sat down cross-legged,

and with a slight focus of his spirit, he had already entered the Yu Xuanjing Mi Jing, where he heard the bell toll reverberating!

And the source seemed to be in the great hall?

"This bell… it feels a bit familiar… the Great Sun Golden Qianshan Qilin Bell?"

….

Li Zhou's heart stirred slightly. He swapped out the Liehai Yu Xuanjing Hammer, and before the Yu Xuanjing Spirit could react, he was already in the great hall of the Yu Xuanjing Gate!

Within the great hall, the stone statue had long since opened its eyes, and the bell toll was unmistakably coming from the dark and gloomy gate behind it!

"This…"

Li Zhou calmed himself, and waited until the Yu Xuanjing Spirit hurried over before asking!

【Great Sun Golden Qianshan Qilin Bell】

Amid the reverberating bell toll, the Yu Xuanjing Spirit seemed to recall quite a few things. Li Zhou looked at the stone stele rising from the ground; the text upon it was jumbled: 【The Golden Qianshan Qilin Path, adjacent to the Yu Xuanjing Path…】

【The Shier Sect, each opens a path, seeking the Eight Directions Temple…】

"The Shier Sect, each opens a path?"

Li Zhou read it word by word, summarizing the key points in his heart, while his gaze fell upon what lay beyond that dark and gloomy gate: "This bell toll comes from within You Jing, the final trial of the Jin Lin Sect?

"

The paths beyond the twelve Daoist Tianyun Daoist Tianyun Xuanbing—are they actually connected?

Li Zhou was startled, but upon reflection, he felt it wasn't unexpected. Whether or not the Daoist Tianyun Daoist Tianyun Xuanbing were connected, there was only one You Jing!

"This bell toll… could it be that someone from the imperial court is braving the final trial?"

Carrying the Yu Xuanjing Hammer, Li Zhou carefully walked into the great door behind the stone statue—dark and gloomy, without light or color!

He could hear the bell toll, but couldn't discern the direction, nor know where the sound came from!

Hum!

As he was looking around, he suddenly heard a trembling cry!

Behind him, the stone statue suddenly raised its head, a pair of lights in its eyes flaring brightly— like two searchlights, illuminating the depths of You Jing!

Li Zhou quickly dodged aside and followed the statue's gaze. The first thing illuminated was a broken temple with light leaking in from all four sides!

Next, an ancient pagoda further away!

"So many Ghost Beasts?"

Though the light flashed past in an instant, Li Zhou felt a chill. Up and down that pagoda, Ghost Beasts and Ghost Soldiers swarmed in a dark mass—hundreds, thousands, who knew how many!

Wooo!

Beyond the ancient pagoda, Li Zhou saw the third station of the Yu Xuanjing Path—a wooden hut, ancient and eerie, where two human silhouettes could faintly be seen sitting across from each other inside!

"The third station doesn't seem to have Ghost-ified?"

Li Zhou concentrated fully, committing to memory each place illuminated by the eye-light. But the next instant, his attention was drawn to the ancient temple floating and sinking in the extreme distance, within the gloom!

"The Eight Directions Temple."