Zhenming Pagoda 2

Next, Master and Immortal Langya rode their swords and broke through two floors in succession. The monsters on these two floors were very strange. The first was a giant mountain of meat. It was truly a hill piled up with bright red meat, muscles, internal organs, hair, and bones of unknown origin. Scattered across it were some eyes, and those eyes suddenly stared intently at us as we passed by, seeming to possess consciousness. Looking closely, the mucus-covered muscles were still squirming, although the movement wasn't very large. In short, it was incredibly disgusting; the visual impact was just too great... When I get back, I definitely have to describe it to Danzhu and the others, so they can vomit right along with me. Immortal Langya said this was a Shirou; anyone who touched the Shirou would be absorbed into it and become part of it.

The second monster appeared to be a giant canine with a human face. It had a long snout and a fierce appearance; it was said to be a Heavenly Dog. Although this thing looked fierce, compared to the Shirou we had just seen, it was much better.

Quickly charging to the seventh floor, in that empty, spacious hall, there sat only a doll.

It seemed to be a doll in the shape of a little girl, with a trace of a smile on its carved wooden face. It had two long braids and wore a somewhat worn-out ruqun, sitting right in the middle of the hall facing us. This was the most common girl's doll one could find at a market; how could it appear here in the Zhenming Pagoda?

However, right at this moment, a sudden mutation occurred. The ground beneath our feet abruptly began to shake violently back and forth. More accurately, the entire pagoda was violently trembling and shaking, to the point that Master and Immortal Langya had to use spells to stick their feet to the ground so they wouldn't fall. A wailing noise emitted from the pagoda itself, and at the same time, another explosive roar erupted. That sound was like the agonizing screams of many different men, women, and children all crying out together—piercing, eerie, and causing one's ears to ache. This sound came from far above, making it difficult to pinpoint the source. Except, the moment the screams rang out, the talismans covering the walls suddenly all lit up at once.

Normally, these incantations would only light up when the Yuxu Dragon-Trapping Array was attacked by a powerful force. Logically speaking, the Yuxu Formation would rebound the incoming attack with three times the intensity, so even if the incantations lit up, they would usually extinguish quickly. But this time, the situation was different. The incantations covering the walls grew brighter and brighter, until finally, they became so scorching hot that they reached a brightness capable of igniting the air, stinging our eyes so much we couldn't open them. And the entire massive pagoda was tottering under some rhythmic, crashing-like loud booms; lime dust continuously fell from above like rain.

Immortal Langya's expression drastically changed. "This sound... it's the Guiche!"

Although I, this divine sword, did not know the detailed specifics of the demons imprisoned inside the Zhenming Pagoda, I had still heard of the great name of this Guiche. It was an ancient demonic beast, a strange bird with ten necks and nine heads. It liked to eat infants and could breathe fire. Fifty years ago, this bird ran rampant across the fertile plains of the Central Plains, its wild fire burning away the farmlands and vegetation. For three years, not a drop of water fell from the sky, and it even demanded that the people offer up an infant every three days for it to eat as a snack. In order to subdue it, the previous Elder Siming exhausted his cultivation base, finally severing one of its heads, sealing its power, and imprisoning it on the fiftieth floor of the Zhenming Pagoda. In addition to the pagoda's own Yuxu Dragon-Trapping Array, an additional twelve minor seals were set up. Three years later, Elder Siming passed away early, his life force completely exhausted like a lamp running out of oil. Subsequently, the current Immortal Langya took up the destiny of Siming and swore an oath to enter the pagoda.

This thing was probably the most formidable demon in this pagoda, right? Otherwise, what other monster would have the ability to crash against the Yuxu Formation time and time again without fearing having its head smashed and bleeding from the three-fold backlash?

Master's breathing also became somewhat chaotic. If it was this thing, the two of them probably couldn't easily deal with it. I honestly stopped showing off; after all, running into this kind of demonic beast, I still didn't really want to provoke it...

"Master... how about we retreat first and get reinforcements..."

"It's too late." Immortal Langya's expression, however, was surprisingly calm. "Probably the Sect Master and the others have already noticed the Guiche's abnormality. According to Shushan Sect rules, once a demon forcibly crashes against the Yuxu Formation, the Great Tianxian Array will be activated, completely locking down the entire Zhenming Pagoda."

I let out an "Ah"? The Tianxian Formation? Doesn't that thing drag the entire pagoda into an independent space? Doesn't that mean even we won't be able to get out?!

It can't be like this, right? Good or bad, there are two elders in the pagoda! At the very least, wait for us to go out before activating it?!

But Master and Immortal Langya were both so calm... Could it be that they don't know better than me what the hell the Tianxian Formation is?! I was shaking with anxiety, but was firmly gripped by Master's hand. The warm and soft touch helped me regain a little reason, but it merely treated the symptoms, not the root cause...

Master said, "Our only plan now is to rush to the fiftieth floor as quickly as possible to see what exactly happened. Only when things have settled down will it be possible to get out."

"It's already hard to determine if the Guiche is still on the fiftieth floor. Seeing as the seals between floors have all been destroyed along the way, since the intruder was able to go straight to the fiftieth floor, it means even the twelve seals on the Guiche's floor have also been broken."

This intruder was way too godly, right? At any rate, our Shushan Sect's arrays received the true legacy of the Goddess of the Nine Heavens. How could they be broken by him as easily as stir-frying vegetables or cutting tofu? If he wasn't some unknown divine being who had already penetrated the Wuxiang Realm, then he was someone with ties to the Shushan Sect. It's just that even for a Shushan Sect elder, rushing through fifty floors of the Zhenming Pagoda this quickly would be impossible. No matter how you thought about it, this matter was bizarre.

After a while, the pagoda's shaking gradually calmed down, but in an instant, all the lights extinguished, and our surroundings plunged into deathly dark silence.

For a moment, Master and Immortal Langya couldn't see each other either. They only heard the light giggle of a little girl coming from deep within the darkness.

Logically speaking, this giggle should have been very cute and tender, but hearing this sound in the depths of the Zhenming Pagoda didn't feel adorable in the slightest.

There was another bout of giggling, seemingly a bit closer to us.

Master asked, "Senior Brother, what is on this floor?"

However, for a long time, there was no response from Immortal Langya.

Master probed, calling out again, "Senior Brother?"

Still no response.

At a time like this, there were three possibilities for Immortal Langya not speaking:

One, he was dead.

Two, he was deliberately joking.

Three, he had disappeared.

Given Immortal Langya's temperament, the second was highly unlikely. As for the first and the third... neither was particularly ideal...

Master didn't have a night-luminescent pearl on his person like Immortal Langya did. Unable to see at this moment, he was probably a bit nervous too. "Senior Brother? Where are you?"

The only answer to him was still dead silence.

Just then, a tender, childish voice suddenly spoke up, sounding almost as if it was right behind us, "I took him away."

Then there was a string of silvery, bell-like laughter that gradually faded into the distance.

Master stood blankly for a moment before finally realizing that he was the only one left here. Immortal Langya's aura gradually dissipated into the air, and a hollow swirling draft blew past, causing one's hairs to stand on end.

Who knows what kind of demon that little girl was, actually taking advantage of the sudden mutation and everyone's scattered focus to make Immortal Langya disappear? The question is, where did she take Immortal Langya? Another floor? After all, under the power of the Tianxian Formation, this pagoda had already become its own independent space; Immortal Langya must still be inside this pagoda. I was just very curious about how that doll did it. After all, Immortal Langya's cultivation was nothing to scoff at; how could he instantly disappear without a sound or trace?

I sensed the fluctuations in Master's mood. He momentarily didn't know how to proceed in the darkness. So, I manifested my human form and quietly pressed Master's shoulder. He gave a shudder before realizing it was me. "Why did you suddenly come out!"

"I was afraid you'd be scared, Master. Aren't you the most afraid of the dark?" I grinned at him, only then realizing he couldn't see my smile.

"Who told you that I'm afraid of the dark?!" Master snapped back crossly. Even though he was being stubborn, I very considerately ignited the cultivation within my body, causing my sword body to emit a faint radiance that illuminated the small space around Master. He clearly breathed a sigh of relief, his beautiful face looking as gentle as glowing fireflies in the dim light. For some reason, I felt a little secret joy. Wasn't this just a two-person world with Master?

For this, even if keeping my sword body bright all the time would greatly deplete my spiritual energy, it was worth it!

Master restored his usual calm and elegant demeanor, raising my true body to investigate the entire hall. That ghost doll was already gone, and taking Immortal Langya with it, disappeared without a trace. I asked, "What do we do? Do we look for Immortal Langya first or rush straight to the fiftieth floor?"

Master said, "Let's look while we walk. He must still be in this pagoda."

I enlarged my true body and jumped onto it together with Master, continuing to rush up the next few floors. Strange to say, the lamps and candles on every floor were completely extinguished. Sometimes in the dark we could only vaguely see the silhouettes of monsters, but they only flashed by in an instant before we rushed up to a higher floor. After passing about thirteen floors in a row, although we were obstructed by a few attacks, they were all easily broken through by Master and me. However, due to consuming spiritual energy to maintain the light for a prolonged period of time, my sword qi became a little unstable, and my main body gave a couple of shakes. Master noticed and suddenly stopped.

"Ya Jiu, how are you holding up?"

Even though I was running so hard I was out of breath, being asked by Master like this, I still struck a handsome pose of 'it's no big deal' and gave him a thumbs up.

Master quietly looked at me for a moment, then suddenly rode the sword and rushed up to the twentieth floor. I originally thought he would continue upwards, but who knew he would charge into the hall; amidst a surge of sword light, the entire hall was thoroughly illuminated. Master's eyes were sharp and intimidating, and in a few swift moves, he trapped the two white monkey-like creatures of this floor in an array, leaving them shivering. Master's handsome posture made me involuntarily act like a fangirl for a few seconds. Then, I watched as Master walked to the center of the hall, sat down cross-legged on the floor, and laid my true body flat across his lap.

"There's no danger on this floor; you don't need to maintain the light anymore," he commanded.

Holy crap?! Could it be that Master stopped just so I could rest for a bit?! When did Master turn into such a warm-hearted guy?!

Hesitantly, I ran over and sat down beside Master, circulating the spiritual energy inside my body so I could recover my strength sooner. Master was also resting with his eyes closed to adjust his breathing. For a time, apart from the two white monkeys occasionally chattering and mimicking a few human words, there were no other sounds around.

But how could I pass up such a good opportunity to be alone with Master?!

"Master, that Bixie Palace Master hasn't come to bother you again recently, right?" This was the question we swords wanted to know the answer to the most at the moment.

Master opened his eyes. "He has already left. Don't worry, I won't lend you to him."

"I'm not really worried about that. We're just worried that you'll be at a disadvantage, Master!"

Master turned his head over. Even though I couldn't see his expression clearly in the dark, I guessed he was probably raising his eyebrows slightly. "What kind of disadvantage could I be at?"

"Think about it! He's that kind of playboy, and he even has a child in tow. If you were to marry him, Master, wouldn't you be at a huge disadvantage?!"

"Nonsense! I am a man, how could I marry another man... immortal? Moreover, I am determined to cultivate immortality; sooner or later, I will sever all mortal ties."

"Even after becoming a deity, you can still get married, right? Otherwise, what's the deal with the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother of the West?"

"...The Yuqing Heavenly Emperor and the Queen Mother of the West were never husband and wife to begin with... How can you lack even this bit of common sense after being in the Shushan Sect for so many years?"

"Ah? Not husband and wife?!" I stared in terror at Master's blurry profile. "Really?! I haven't read much, don't lie to me..."

"What do you mean you haven't read much? Weren't you reading the Golden Plum with great relish?"

Master's voice wasn't loud, but I still heard it loud and clear, so my expression became even more horrified.

"...Master, how did you know..."

Master's clear eyes vaguely flickered with a faint radiance even in the dark. Hearing his voice at this moment, there was probably a shallow smile on his face. "You've been with me for so many years, how could I not know about your little quirks?"

Uh... I really didn't know whether I should be happy or cry right now... My mysterious and handsome image, ah...

"Alright, enough with the glib talk. Ya Jiu, I thought carefully about that doll just now, and suddenly recalled the records about the Ounu in the Baize Diagram. This demon looks like a toy doll and is often mistakenly picked up and brought home by children. At night, when they sleep holding the doll, the mother would just blow out the lamp, only to touch the bed and find that the child had disappeared along with the doll. Some people analyzed that this Ounu can randomly change her own position and the position of the things she touches in the dark; this is the only explanation for the children's disappearances. Such incidents happened more and more frequently and were recorded in many ancient books, but about a hundred years ago, records of the Ounu ceased. She must have been taken into this pagoda."

"Ah? Doesn't that mean Immortal Langya was abducted by that little demon? But Immortal Langya isn't a child, why would she abduct him? Besides, this pagoda is already completely sealed. Even if she wanted to snatch a man, she couldn't snatch him far!" As soon as I finished speaking, I suddenly understood. "She wants to separate us!"

"Doing this brings no benefit to herself. I think someone instructed her to do it." Master's voice was steady and devoid of emotion, yet every word was firm. "Someone saw that Senior Brother and I were getting closer and closer, and became afraid."

"You mean that intruder? But isn't he on the fiftieth floor?"

Master seemed to slowly stand up, saying lightly, "Don't you find it strange? With my and Immortal Langya's speed, after so long we've only reached the twentieth floor. Even if that intruder has immense abilities, he still has to break the seals layer by layer. How could he rush up to the fiftieth floor in just a single hour? But with the Ounu, none of it is strange anymore."

I felt like a string in my brain was suddenly pulled taut and everything made sense thanks to Master. Yeah! If that Ounu could take people and freely travel through space, couldn't she just take the intruder and directly cross over to the fiftieth floor?

But there was still one point that didn't make sense. Even if the Ounu could travel through space, every floor had seals; she should only be able to shuttle between floors where the seals had been broken. However, when the intruder first entered, the seals should have still been there. How did she take him through? Unless... the seals had already been broken before the intruder entered?!

But before I had time to voice my doubts, a cluster of cyan-blue fire suddenly ignited in Master's palm. The bright firelight tore through the darkness, illuminating a pale, smiling face just a hair's breadth away from us.

I was so frightened that I hurriedly jumped up from the ground.

A round, white face, long black hair, and a petite body wearing a red ruqun. It was the exact same girl doll from before!

How did I not sense her aura at all?!

The doll looked at us with a hollow smile on her face, and behind her, in a place the firelight couldn't reach, stood a tall figure.

Master's gaze was sharp. "Since you've come, do you still not dare to show your face?"

The person seemed to chuckle softly, then took a few steps forward. And so, from that darkness, a face emerged.

A face that made both Master and me freeze at the same time.