Gate of God

…..

Everyone from Yin Yang Hall and Nine Pinnacles Mountain hurried over to the red glow over the mountain. Naturally, Heaven Dao Pavilion followed suit. Afterall, the mountain was situated in between Heaven Dao Pavilion and Yin Yang Hall.

However, Mu Qingfeng’s thought process was more concise than that of Nine Pinnacles Mountain and Yin Yang Hall, as there were many unusual happenings during this period at the Heaven Dao Pavilion.

Many gigantic beasts started appearing consecutively in the initially peaceful Heaven Dao Pavilion, and this seemed to have kickstarted a chain reaction, resulting in the proliferation of the beasts. More importantly, the beasts’ territories have gradually expanded outwards.

“What is happening exactly?” Mu Qingfeng stood over the Sword Peak as he looked afar.

A few Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples and Elders were standing behind him silently. They were equally as bewildered as him.

Recent developments in the region were indeed too incomprehensible.

The mutation of the beasts, the proliferation of their numbers, and the growth of their strengths. They were also unable to understand the reason for the smell emitting from the clear lake beneath the Heaven Dao Pavilion.

In the beginning, they were excited about such happenings, as they had thought that they had discovered a “hidden treasure”.

However, the excitement changed soon after.

Even after the disciples started guarding the lake, the presence of the mutated beasts increased. Furthermore, in the forest, there were a few trees which suddenly grew at an alarming rate.

The presence of the hidden treasure was indeed a fortunate phenomenon.

However, the over-proliferation of such presence led them to contemplate about other issues.

“Sixth Elder.” Mu Qingfeng finally opened his mouth after being silent for a while.

“Pavilion Leader, please instruct.” Sixth Elder stepped out from the crowd quickly.

“Bring 12 people to have a look over there, I guess Yin Yang Hall must have sent their people already, and they may have formed an alliance with Nine Pinnacles Mountain. Remember that we cannot have any conflict with them.” Mu Qingfeng said.

“Yes, but is 12 people a little less? If any treasure were to appear, do we not…..”

“Give up.” Mu Qingfeng gestured his hands and interrupted Sixth Elder.

“This….. Understood, I will go and arrange now!” Sixth Elder was shocked for a while, before nodding his head after. He did not continue to question further.

The other Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples looked at each other in the eye, and they felt a little unjust.

Afterall, the mountain’s red glow happened at a position closer to the Heaven Dao Pavilion. Logically, even if some treasures were to appear, they should be under the control of Heaven Dao Pavilion.

However, while the disciples were indeed unhappy, they remained silent. They had a slight feeling that this phenomenon was not as simple as it had seemed.

And at this moment, a pink figure arrived from afar. While she did not walk too quickly, the disciples’ attentions turned towards her.

“Master.” She gave Mu Qingfeng a slight bow, before greeting him.

“Chi Guyan you’re here, I need you to help me do some things.” Mu Qingfeng turned his head slightly, and he seemed naturally doting towards her.

“Master please instruct.” Chi Guyan nodded her head.

“Actually it’s nothing big. There’s a black dilapidated palace at the bottom of the mountain. I have entered it a few times, but I can’t see some things clearly, I need you to help me take a look.” Mu Qingfeng sounded relaxed.

“Okay.” Chi Guyan nodded her head again, but there was a tinge of doubt in her eyes. While Mu Qingfeng had said it very casually, she understood that it was not a simple task.

The dilapidated black palace?

Chi Guyan’s eyes turned towards the bottom of the Sword Peak. The black palace was where Fang Zhengzhi had landed on while he was fighting with the Three Sages from Nine Pinnacles Mountain.

It was already more than a month ago.

During this time, many things had happened, such as the appearance of the beasts, the lake becoming clearer and emitting a unique smell, as well as her going to Yin Yang Hall.

However, Mu Qingfeng did not seemed to concerned about such things. He had placed much attention on the palace since the beginning, and Mu Qingfeng did not ask much about the events at Yin Yang Hall even after Chi Guyan had returned.

But now…..

Mu Qingfeng wanted Chi Guyan to accompany him into the palace. This showed that the dilapidated black palace contained some deep meaning which required Mu Qingfeng to investigate further.

…..

Seven days after.

Due to the constant squabble within the Heaven Dao Pavilion, it was unexpected that the red glow over the mountain did not cause a huge commotion. While the disciples from Yin Yang Hall and Nine Pinnacles mountain occupied the peak of the mountain, the disciples from Heaven Dao Pavilion only found a spot at the middle of the mountain.

The two occupying camps did not have much interaction with one another, and the red glow was still in the sky.

As the days passed by, no treasure appeared, unlike what they had expected. As such, no commotion occurred, and everything seemed peaceful.

However, the peace was only contained within the mountain. Many unique phenomenons started appearing in various parts of the Holy Region.

As Fu Xi Valley was close to the Heaven Dao Pavillion, many powerful beasts started appearing, and the valleys and mountains looked different from usual. There was even a golden-coloured waterfall with shimmering rays of light.

Such an occurrence was indeed shocking to Fu Xi Valley. Various parts of the Holy Region started turning frantic, and disciples from the FIve Sects wandered around the Holy Region, after news of the phenomenon started spreading around.

For example, an old tree suddenly started bearing green fruits, and the smell emitted from the fruits attracted the attention of various beasts. They scrambled with one another for the fruits, leaving a pile of corpses at the bottom of the tree.

In another example, an ordinary valley started turning foggy, and there were even sounds of laughter coming from within. However, after entering the valley, they realised that they valley was empty.

As time passed by, there were even more changes. Even the four Dynasties started seeing more unique phenomenons.

If the occurrences were to only happen within the Holy Region, most people would have kept their calm. However, it was impossible to do so since even the four Dynasties had seen such similar occurrences.

Countless citizens rushed towards the occurrences, before worshipping them. If it was not for the armies for the four Dynasties, it would have been impossible to stop the spreading of such news.

However, almost the entire world had experienced such drastic changes. The initially tall mountain was suddenly suppressed, and taller mountain ridges started appearing out of nowhere. The lakes and rivers turned clearer, and mutated fruits started appearing on trees.

…..

…..

In the Nine Pinnacles Mountain, within the Middle Stream Cauldron.

Fang Zhengzhi’s eyes almost turned golden completely. If one were to look closely, one was able to see countless golden symbols circulating around within his eyes.

Similarly, on his body, there were tiny golden symbols floating around him, and the symbols seemed to be integrating to within his blood stream.

The silver and purple flames continued burning around him, and interacting with the golden symbols around him.

Furthermore, amidst the two flames, the 23 frames of paintings continued fluctuating, sometimes turning into lucious mountains, while turning into oceans shortly after…..

It was very peaceful, if not for the stubborn heats from the two flames. It had almost seemed like he was in a utopia, and not inside the Middle Stream Cauldron.

Fang Zhengzhi did not know that the outside world was evolving, and he did not know how much time has passed by. He only knew that he was in a clear state of mind, and he was constantly absorbing the “Dao” from the Heaven Dao Sage Tablets, before integrating them into his body.

Outside the Middle Stream Cauldron. Sunrise, sunset, the stars shone brightly, and the radiant moon hang in the sky.

Finally, the sun rose again, and the golden light lit up the dark horizon.

Sixth Elder, who had been sitting by the Middle Stream Cauldron for the whole duration, opened his eyes wide, as he gave out a long sigh.

It could be seen from Sixth Elder’s face that he was tired. In fact, if another person were to encounter what he has experienced, he would not be energetic too.

The Middle Stream Cauldron in front of him seemed to turn into a black hole, absorbing the flame from the burning fire. This led to Sixth Elder having needed to constantly reinforce the fire.

Eventually, he had to increase the frequency, from adding one time per day to adding three times per day.

They needed to come every morning, afternoon and midnight. While it was not physically tiring, who would enjoy climbing out of bed in the middle of the night?

However, there was something to celebrate about…..

Today, the torture would finally end, because it had already been 49 days since Fang Zhengzhi entered the Middle Stream Cauldron.

“Quickly invite Great Elder Ying over!”

“Yes!” A disciple guarding beside Sixth Elder immediately ran to a black stone house. Afterall, he was already accustomed to running after that period.

Not long after, Great Elder Ying Yu came over, preparing to add fire to the almost-black cauldron.

“Eh, Great Elder Ying please wait a moment!” Sixth Elder knew that he must have misunderstood his intention this time round.

“Eh? Does Sixth Elder still have anything else?” Great Elder Ying Yu tried his best to retain his composure, although it was indeed tiring for him during this period.

It could be seen from his expression that Great Elder was anguished, as many weird occurrences had started appearing around the surroundings of the Nine Pinnacles Mountain, resulting in much worry for him.

He had to arrange for many issues within the Sect, and due to various ambassadors visiting from the Dynasties, he had very little time to rest during the day.

Of course for a warrior in the Sage State, it was possible to have a few sleepless nights. However, he had to calm his heart too.

Great Eler Ying Yu did not even have the time to close his eyes, much less the time to meditate and train for him to have a peaceful state of mind. As such, he was very affected, almost forgetting that today was the day of harvesting the herb.

“Great Elder Ying, today is the day. There is no need to add onto it.” Sixth Elder naturally understood Great Elder’s situation.

“It’s done?” Great Elder was slightly surprised, but he recovered his reaction shortly after. “Send an order for every disciple and Elder to come over!”

“Yes!” The disciple immediately left swiftly to pass down the information.

Great Elder Ying Yu gave Sixth Elder a bow after the disciple had left. “There are many matters to settle recently.”

“Hehe, Great Elder Ying, there is no need to be so polite.” Sixth Elder smiled slightly, as he gestured his hands. Next, he moved his legs, before appearing by Great Elder’s side. He said softly, “Our leader’s meaning is that we Yin Yang Hall will provide any disciples and help, as long anybody requests for any. We will support everyone fully!”

Great Elder Ying Yu had a slight change in his expression, but he did not reply immediately. However, he remained standing rooted on the ground, as if he was contemplating about something.

After seeing such a scenario, a smile appeared on Sixth Elder’s face, as he seemed to understood Great Elder’s thoughts.