Strange light flickered across the surface of the mirror. He softly recited an incantation, and suddenly a swirl of black smoke erupted from within, coiling and gathering in the air until it finally transformed into the soul of the Nestorian Patriarch.
The Nestorian Patriarch gazed at the scene before him. Tall stone pillars supported the dome above, while murals depicted ancient legends and myths. The flickering candlelight danced in the air, mingling with fragrant smoke as the faithful murmured their prayers, creating an atmosphere that was both solemn and mysterious.
As the Nestorian Patriarch surveyed his surroundings, a hint of bewilderment flashed in his eyes. He muttered to himself, "I... I have truly returned to Jingjiao. It feels like a dream." Taking a deep breath, he savored the familiar yet strange aura around him, a wave of indescribable emotion swelling within his heart.
Shao Lanyin gently patted his shoulder, urging him to regain his composure. The two of them, along with a tiger carrying the Nestorian Patriarch's soul, set off along a mountain path. However, the environment around them gradually began to feel unsettling.
A chilling wind swept through, rustling the leaves with an ominous whisper, as if hiding some foreboding omen. The sky darkened, heavy clouds obscured the light of stars and moon, deepening the night’s shadows.
Chen Moxuan furrowed his brow; he sensed that the air around them had thickened, exuding an oppressive atmosphere. He quietly said to Shao Lanyin, "Master, something feels off about this place."
Shao Lanyin nodded, her gaze sharp as an eagle's as she scanned their surroundings. She too sensed the abnormality here, as if an invisible force was watching them.
At that moment, shadowy figures began to materialize in the forest. They flitted between the trees—sometimes visible, sometimes concealed—like ghosts. Their movements were light and silent, yet they emanated a chilling aura.
Chen Moxuan and Shao Lanyin exchanged glances, both recognizing the gravity reflected in each other's eyes. They knew these figures were no benign presence; they could very well be enemy scouts or something even more troublesome.
"We need to quicken our pace," Shao Lanyin whispered.
With urgency, the three of them hastened their steps alongside the Nestorian Patriarch's soul. They navigated through the forest path and leaped over streams, doing their best to avoid any contact with those lurking shadows.
However, those shadows seemed unwilling to let them go, following closely behind like a persistent specter. The night grew darker, and the cold wind howled more fiercely.
After reaching the mountain peak, Shao Lanyin's heart was filled with increasing doubt. Why had the one who had been secretly watching her not made a move yet? She could clearly sense the unfathomable power of that individual; such a strong presence was likely the mastermind behind everything.
Yet, strangely enough, despite her efforts to probe, she could never pinpoint the exact location of that mysterious observer. It was as if the person did not exist in this world at all, or perhaps their concealment skills were simply too advanced.
Just as Shao Lanyin was lost in these complex thoughts, they stepped into the territory of Jing Zong. The sight before them made everyone furrow their brows in disbelief. Jing Zong, once a glorious sect, now appeared exceptionally dilapidated.
Ruined walls and broken structures surrounded them; weeds grew wildly, and dead branches and fallen leaves littered the ground, as if telling tales of past decline and desolation. The wind blew through, stirring up clouds of dust and carrying a sense of sorrow.
The grand hall's doors were in shambles, half-opened, exuding an eerie atmosphere. The murals were blurred and eroded by time, barely recognizable; only a few fragments still hinted at its former splendor. The incense had long since ceased to burn; the altar stood empty, devoid of its former solemnity and sanctity.
This place had been abandoned for quite some time. Chen Moxuan said softly, his gaze sweeping over the ruined hall, a wave of indescribable emotion rising within him. Once, Jing Zong had been so magnificent; how had it fallen to such a state? It truly evoked pity.
The Nestorian Patriarch witnessed this scene of ruin with his eyes wide open in disbelief. He trembled as he pointed toward the dilapidated hall, his voice trembling with uncontrollable grief and anger.
"What happened here? Jing Zong was once so glorious; why has it come to this? Where have my followers gone?" His demeanor was almost frantic as he staggered toward the half-open door, as if seeking a glimmer of hope or an answer from this wasteland. Yet all that greeted him was silence and the mournful sound of the wind sweeping through the ruins.
"Who did this? Who destroyed my Jing Zong?" he roared, his voice echoing through the desolate space but receiving no reply. His eyes were filled with despair and rage, as if he wanted to set this world ablaze.
Chen Moxuan paid no heed to the nearly mad Nestorian Patriarch; his gaze was sharp as he quickly scanned the surrounding environment, trying to capture any clues amidst the rubble.
His keen eyes soon caught sight of some details on the ground—evidence of battle scars that indicated this place had clearly endured a fierce conflict. Following the chaotic footprints and shattered remnants of magical artifacts step by step, he gradually pieced together a vivid picture of a breathtaking battle.
A group of people had narrowly escaped from the battle, while another group relentlessly pursued them. The traces of the fight did not end here; they continued towards the back mountain, where more secrets lay hidden.
Chen Moxuan exchanged a glance with Shao Lanyin. No words were needed between them as they headed towards the back mountain.
As they ventured deeper, a massive cave came into view. The area surrounding the cave was marked by even more intense signs of battle, indicating that this had been the core of the conflict.
What caught their attention even more was that a faint life force seemed to emanate from within the cave, raising questions in their minds. Could it be that someone had survived in this desperate place?
At that moment, the Nestorian Patriarch's eyes suddenly brightened as if he had grasped a glimmer of hope. He explained urgently, "That is our forbidden ground; inside lies an Ancient Beast sealed away. Perhaps someone, driven to desperation, has taken the risk to release the beast in hopes of creating chaos and finding an opportunity to escape."
Upon hearing this, Chen Moxuan furrowed his brow and pondered deeply. If what the Nestorian Patriarch said was true and someone had released the Ancient Beast, then their situation would undoubtedly become more dire.
With a determined gaze, he turned to Shao Lanyin and said, "Master, we need to go in and take a look."
Shao Lanyin nodded; she understood that Chen Moxuan's words were not unfounded. She replied softly, "Alright."
Chen Moxuan cautiously stepped into the cave. It was pitch black inside, with only a faint flicker of firelight barely illuminating their path. They followed the traces of battle deeper into the cave, both filled with vigilance.
Suddenly, a deep growl echoed from within the depths of the cave. The sound was filled with anger and ferocity, as if it could tear everything apart.
Chen Moxuan quickly moved a few steps forward to shield Shao Lanyin behind him. Just then, silence fell over the cave, followed by a voice emerging from within.
"That foul-smelling filthy creature—are you back again?!"
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