Chapter 224: A Ray of Hope

Jiangnan's brows were tightly knit; he knew Feng Ying's words were not empty.

He had personally experienced the power of the Black Fog, and it was indeed mighty and terrifying.

If the Black Fog truly erupts, no one would likely escape.

"We must find a way to resolve the Black Fog, or everything will be lost."

Jiangnan said in a deep voice, his tone firm and resolute.

Feng Ying nodded, a glimmer of hope flashing in her eyes.

"There may still be a way to deal with the Black Fog."

"What method?"

Jiangnan asked immediately.

"The Zhengyang Mirror."

Feng Ying spat out the three words, her gaze full of helplessness.

The Zhengyang Mirror is the most renowned treasure of the Zhengyang Sect, said to possess powerful abilities to cleanse evil and suppress demonic forces.

If they could locate the Zhengyang Mirror, perhaps the Black Fog Crisis could truly be solved.

"The Zhengyang Mirror is the supreme treasure of the Zhengyang Sect, holding the power to restrain the Black Fog; if found, it might reseal the Black Fog."

"Unfortunately, the Zhengyang Mirror vanished a hundred years ago when the Zhengyang Sect went into seclusion; finding it is likely as hard as scaling the heavens."

Feng Ying's tone carried a hint of regret.

Upon hearing this, Jiangnan's mouth twitched into a faint, meaningful smile.

"Who says the Zhengyang Mirror has disappeared?"

Feng Ying and Xia Yurou, hearing this, looked at Jiangnan with confusion, not understanding his meaning.

Jiangnan did not tease; instead he slowly raised his right hand, and within his palm a flash of golden light produced an ancient, plain mirror in his hand.

The mirror was entirely golden, its surface smooth as water, emitting a faint golden glow—it was indeed the Zhengyang Sect's sect‑defining treasure, the Zhengyang Mirror!

"This… this is…"

Feng Ying's eyes widened, looking at the Zhengyang Mirror in Jiangnan's hand in disbelief, her voice trembling.

"Zhengyang Mirror! It really is the Zhengyang Mirror!"

She said excitedly, her eyes full of surprise and exhilaration.

Xia Yurou also gasped, covering her mouth, unable to believe her eyes.

She never imagined that the legendary, supposedly vanished Zhengyang Mirror could appear in Jiangnan's hands!

Jiangnan watched Feng Ying's excitement, gave a light smile, and handed the Zhengyang Mirror to her.

"Perhaps this mirror can help us resolve the Black Fog Crisis."

Feng Ying trembled as she took the Zhengyang Mirror, as if cradling a priceless treasure, handling it gingerly, fearing to damage it.

She clutched the Zhengyang Mirror tightly, feeling the immense power contained within, her heart filled with hope.

Perhaps the Zhengyang Sect truly has a salvation.

Perhaps the crisis of Heifeng Mountain can indeed be lifted!

Jiangnan watched Feng Ying carefully cradle the Zhengyang Mirror,

that expression as if she were treating the most precious treasure in the world.

"It really… is the Zhengyang Mirror…"

Feng Ying's voice carried a slight tremor,

she held the mirror tightly, as if placing all hope upon it.

Xia Yurou also stepped closer, curiously examining this legendary treasure mirror.

"Is this the Zhengyang Mirror? It looks so ordinary…"

Jiangnan smiled and explained:

"A treasure's true power lies hidden within, not in its outward splendor."

Feng Ying took a deep breath, her gaze becoming exceedingly solemn.

She slowly closed her eyes, beginning to mutter an obscure, incomprehensible incantation.

A faint stream of true Qi rose from her body, gradually flowing into the Zhengyang Mirror.

"Hum—"

The Zhengyang Mirror quivered slightly, and on its surface,

a faint golden light flickered, but it soon dimmed.

Feng Ying opened her eyes, her brows slightly furrowed,

she increased the output of Qi again, and her chant grew more urgent.

"Hum hum—"

The Zhengyang Mirror's vibration frequency quickened, the golden light brightened a bit,

yet it still appeared very weak, as if it could extinguish at any moment.

Xia Yurou watched the scene tensely, daring not even a breath.

She could feel Feng Ying exerting all her strength, trying to activate the Zhengyang Mirror's power.

Jiangnan also watched silently; he could sense that

inside the Zhengyang Mirror seemed to harbor an extremely powerful force,

but it was sealed by some power, difficult to release.

Time passed second by second, and sweat droplets began to bead on Feng Ying's forehead,

her complexion grew pale, yet she still did not give up, continuing her attempts.

Puff—

Suddenly, Feng Ying's body shivered, and a mouthful of fresh blood spurted out violently,

spraying onto the Zhengyang Mirror.

The golden light of the Zhengyang Mirror vanished instantly, becoming dim and lifeless,

as if it were an ordinary bronze mirror, with no reaction at all.

Feng Ying!

Xia Yurou cried out in alarm and hurriedly steadied the wobbling Feng Ying.

Are you okay?

Feng Ying's complexion was as pale as paper, her breath weak; she shook her head to indicate she was fine, yet her eyes were filled with despair.

Useless… useless…

She muttered to herself, her voice tinged with a hint of sobbing,

"I can't harness the power of the Zhengyang Mirror at all…"

Jiangnan furrowed his brows; he could feel the despair in Feng Ying's heart.

The Zhengyang Mirror is their only hope; if even the Zhengyang Mirror cannot be used,

then they would truly be helpless, watching the Black Fog erupt with open eyes?

"Let me try."

Jiangnan said gravely, taking the Zhengyang Mirror from Feng Ying's hand. Feng Ying was stunned for a moment, looking at Jiangnan with some confusion.

"You… you also want to try?"

Jiangnan nodded, saying nothing more,

He activated the Zhengyang Technique, a stream of pure golden true qi slowly flowing into the Zhengyang Mirror.

Buzz—

The Zhengyang Mirror vibrated again, this time with an even more intense frequency,

On its surface, a layer of gold light brighter than before spread.

Feng Ying and Xia Yurou both widened their eyes,

looking in disbelief at the Zhengyang Mirror in Jiangnan's hand.

"It's reacting! It's really reacting!"

Xia Yurou shouted excitedly. Feng Ying also rekindled her hope, staring tightly at the Zhengyang Mirror, her eyes full of anticipation.

Jiangnan continued to increase the output of true qi, the Zhengyang Technique running at full power, golden true qi surging into the Zhengyang Mirror like a tide.

Buzz buzz buzz—

The Zhengyang Mirror vibrated more and more fiercely, its golden light growing ever stronger, like a golden sun slowly rising in Jiangnan's hand.

Just as Feng Ying and Xia Yurou thought the Zhengyang Mirror was about to be activated,

the Zhengyang Mirror's radiance suddenly stalled, then began to fade rapidly.

"What's happening?"

Xia Yurou gasped, her tone full of worry.

Feng Ying's complexion turned pale again; she seemed to sense something, and the hope in her eyes was once more replaced by despair.

Puff—

Another light sound, and Jiangnan also spurted a mouthful of fresh blood, splashing onto the Zhengyang Mirror.

The Zhengyang Mirror's radiance vanished completely, becoming just as before—dim and lifeless, with no reaction.

Jiangnan, his face pale, stepped back a few steps and returned the Zhengyang Mirror to Feng Ying.

Feng Ying trembled as she took the Zhengyang Mirror, her gaze hollow, as if all hope were lost.