Chapter Sixty-Six: Breaking the Formation

Chapter Sixty-six: Breaking the Formation
Chapter Ten: The Sword Dances in Empty Mountains, Violet Lightning Startles Evil, Fire Clouds Enshroud the Ancient Crossing of Taihang in a Contest for Relics (Six)

For a brief moment, the group soared through the air until a vast green mountain appeared before them, its ridges twisting like dragons and crouching like tigers, with a river winding its way through. Judging by its shape, it could only be the mountain of Pure Void. They descended and sought out local villagers to inquire, and their suspicions were confirmed. The locals, seeing the visitors were all strikingly handsome youths of extraordinary bearing, felt a deep sense of admiration. Upon learning they were merely seeking directions, one villager explained that a few more miles ahead lay the ancient river crossing. When the villagers turned to look again, those impressive young men who had just been before them had vanished without a trace, leaving them astonished and fearful, suspecting they had witnessed a manifestation of the divine. Terrified, they hurried to bow and give thanks.

Ye Hua and his companions continued along the path, walking four or five miles. When they rounded the mountain slope ahead, their vision opened up to a wide river. At the river’s edge stood a stone ferry. The group approached and gazed at the river; compared to viewing it from above, the sight was even more magnificent—vast, boundless, and mysterious. Ye Hua was moved, feeling keenly that this great river flowed south into the Yellow River, spanning over nine thousand miles, sustaining countless lives whose safety and livelihoods were tied to its fate. Throughout history, how many heroes, travelers, and exiles had crossed here?

Now, the two banks were flat sands, the ancient yellow river crossing still awash in slanting sunlight, illuminating wild waves. The once-bloody battleground, now reduced to a few desolate mounds and a muddy stream—where now was its former glory and might? Not even a trace remained of the petty squabbles and struggles of the past. Life is but morning dew, fleeting as ever. Even if there are no Liu Bang or Xiang Yu today, those who rise to power may gain a fleeting fame and make a legend, but lofty ambitions inevitably fade away, and decayed bones cannot know; at most, they serve as objects of doubt, mockery, and reflection for later generations. What meaning is there in any of this?

Lost in these thoughts, Qing Shi suddenly exclaimed, "Brothers, look over there!" Everyone turned to see a glow of rosy light over a distant shoal, where two young men seemed to be standing. Sensing this must be the ancient site they sought, they hurried closer. As they approached, they saw that both youths wore black robes, dressed as secular men. Upon seeing Qing Kai and his group, the two were at first startled, then delighted, calling out from afar, "Are you all fellow brothers from Green Mountain Temple?"

Qing Kai replied, "Indeed. You two must be disciples of Master Void!" The other two nodded in greeting as the group drew near and exchanged courtesies. Qing Kai introduced his companions, "I am Qing Kai of Green Mountain Temple. Here are Third Brother Qing Shi, Sixth Brother Ouyang Tai, Seventh Brother Li Yulin, and our youngest, Ye Hua. May I ask your Dharma names?"

One of the youths smiled, "You are too polite, Brother. Though we have not met before, I have long felt a spiritual connection. I am Xie Liang, chief disciple of Pure Void Mountain's Bliss Temple; my Dharma name is Ben Zhen." The other stepped forward, "I am Ding Yubin, Dharma name Ben Xing."

Qing Kai addressed Xie Liang and Ding Yubin, "Brothers, we have received a sword message from our uncle and Master Void, and hurried here without delay. What is the situation?"

Xie Liang pointed to the glowing light ahead. "This is a patch of silt where villagers unearthed a stone stele, triggering a restriction. Ding and I investigated and believe there are three layers of barriers. The outermost is not especially formidable, but anyone of lesser cultivation cannot pass. The second layer, however, we could not breach, let alone explore further within."

Qing Kai lowered his head in thought, about to reply when Li Yulin suddenly cried out, "What is that?!"

Everyone turned to look and saw a flying vessel speeding through the air, arriving nearby in an instant. The ship was thirty or forty yards wide, adorned with lofty jade eaves and green railings, with slanted cloud gates and pearl latticework, open to the elements. Its decorations were made of fine gold, precious jade, pearls, and coral, shimmering luxuriously—truly a celestial vessel.

When the ship stopped overhead, hovering above the river, the water below sparkled green and crystal-clear, reflecting the intricate eaves in the waves, the mirrored image as delicate as embroidery. White clouds encircled the hull, lending further beauty and majesty—a scene of spiritual wonder.

Only the sound of tinkling ornaments was heard as, from the ship, pairs of young women in green robes emerged, dressed as attendants, each holding a sword. In the blink of an eye, eighteen women appeared, forming two rows, swords at their waists, angled upward. After they stood ready, another woman stepped forth from within.

The group was secretly startled—what sect could muster such an entourage? Ye Hua, seeing the woman's appearance, could not help but gasp, stunned as if in a dream. She wore a pale yellow silk dress, styled almost identically to Ling Yun'er. The woman, noticing Ye Hua's reaction, frowned slightly.

A maid beside her shouted, "My mistress has arrived! You had best leave now. The relic here is not for the likes of you!"

The group was inwardly indignant at such arrogance. Xie Liang stepped forward, "May I ask who you are? This site is under Pure Void Mountain's jurisdiction, and besides, we discovered this relic. Why should we leave?"

The maid replied with a smile, "Does it matter who you are? Advising you to leave is for your own good—lest you be harmed when the treasure emerges. Besides, all rare things belong to those with virtue. My mistress passed by and encountered this great opportunity! If you do not take the hint and leave, you will meet a miserable end here, your souls scattered, never to reincarnate!"

The group felt a chill. Qing Kai, furious, stepped forward, "Your words are too much. In that case, let deeds speak—let us compete for the relic!"

The maid, hearing this, frowned and her eyes flashed with murderous intent. "Very well, then—let us..." Before she could finish, the central woman waved her hand, her voice softer than a flute, "We do not yet know what relic lies here. Let us break the formation first, and then settle matters."

The maid was taken aback, quickly bowed, "Yes, Miss!" She retreated and said no more, as if the earlier exchange had never occurred.

Qing Kai glanced at Xie Liang, who understood and called out, "Very well, let each party act according to their ability!" The groups exchanged looks and stepped back several dozen paces. Xie Liang whispered, "Though we do not know their origins, they are certainly formidable. Qing Kai and I will observe from outside, Ding and the rest of you should break the barrier. The restriction is strong but not lethal."

Ding Yubin and Qing Shi nodded in agreement; there was no other option. Ye Hua, gazing at the sunset reflected in the river, saw the breeze stir the girls’ robes on the ship, felt the evening chill, and was suddenly filled with melancholy. The excitement and joy from their departure had faded. Looking at the girl before him, so much like Ling Yun’er, he wondered how Senior Sister Ling was faring in Cold City.

Ding Yubin addressed the group, "Brothers, follow me!" With that, he walked toward the glowing haze. As he approached, waves of rosy mist surged at him. Ding Yubin uttered a low cry, and a white radiance formed before him; the mist boiled but could not approach. His face flushed; he stepped forward, and soon his figure was swallowed by the haze.

The others dared not delay, anxious not to lose Ding’s trail. Each summoned their own weapons: Qing Shi brought forth the Cold Moon Hook; Ouyang Tai and Li Yulin their swords; Ye Hua his Red Crow Dagger, casting a protective radiance, and entered the mist.

A wave of pressure pressed upon them, making even breathing difficult, but they persevered. The pressure grew stronger as they advanced. Qing Shi managed well, his face merely flushed; Ouyang Tai and Li Yulin grew increasingly red-faced, sweat dripping in beads.

Ye Hua, meanwhile, felt nothing amiss. Initially, the pressure weighed on him, but once his internal energy circulated, he felt no strain. As he walked behind the others, his composure remained unnoticed.

After about a hundred paces, Ding Yubin stayed ahead, occasionally glancing back in admiration, thinking, "As expected from a renowned sect—disciples of Green Mountain Temple, one of the Five Terraces, truly live up to their reputation! Aside from myself and my senior brother, none from Bliss Temple have passed even the first barrier!"

A few dozen steps further, they saw a sudden brightness as they passed through the haze and found themselves in a clear, open space. The pressure vanished, and they all sighed in relief. Ouyang Tai and Li Yulin were pale and staggered; Ye Hua and Ding Yubin hurried to support them. Ding Yubin glanced at Ye Hua several times, smiled, and said to Ouyang Tai and Li Yulin, "Brothers, sit and rest a moment. The second barrier will require all our strength to pass."

Hearing this, the group did not hesitate, each regulating their internal energy. Ye Hua looked back; it seemed as though an invisible boundary kept the mist at bay, but he felt no surprise. He was well accustomed to the powers of such formations.

Outside, the girls from the ship descended, but did not enter the mist. They watched for a while. The central maiden whispered something to her attendant, who nodded and gave instructions. The group spread out, each holding a small flag, planting them in the sand beside the mist, then stood aside, remaining quiet.

Qing Kai and Xie Liang were puzzled, "What are they planning?" They could only continue watching.

After a short rest, Ding Yubin pointed ahead, "Brothers, the second barrier lies here!" He summoned a flash of white light and shot a single blade forward. Suddenly, thunder roared; a bowl-thick silver bolt of lightning struck the blade, which cried out and spun back.

The group was secretly alarmed. Such formidable lightning—none could withstand it alone. Qing Shi considered briefly, then said, "Brother Ding, do you mean for us all to act together, trigger the formation’s core, and then combine our strength to destroy it?"

Ding Yubin respectfully replied, "Brother Qing Shi, after much deliberation, neither I nor Brother Xie could break this barrier. We are left with no choice; perhaps by joining forces, we can succeed."