Chapter 126: Half a Bottle of Sand
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As the barrier of light vanished, everyone regained their freedom, delight appearing on their faces as they rose to their feet.
Yet the wariness they held toward one another seemed to have deepened. After all, no one who had made it here was a fool. They all knew that the others must have endured a bitter struggle before emerging alive.
In other words, aside from Liang Yan and Meng Qi’s groups, the remaining five had each prevailed in combat along their respective trial paths. Naturally, none of them could be underestimated.
In particular, the four Foundation Establishment cultivators present were all sizing one another up, openly or otherwise, and none had any intention of making the first move.
After a prolonged silence, the Sickly Scholar, Li Zheng, was the first to break it. After coughing for a while, he said, “Fellow Daoists, since we have all arrived here, we have naturally each survived countless brushes with death. This place is perilous and full of unknown dangers. I suggest that, for now, we set aside our differences and work together to search for treasure.”
“Work together to search for treasure? Heh heh. And what happens after we find it?” Qin Yuan asked with a chuckle.
“After we find it...” Li Zheng narrowed his eyes. “Naturally, everyone will rely on their own abilities.”
“Everyone relying on their own abilities? Very well. I, Qin, agree.”
Upon hearing Qin Yuan’s declaration, Master Yunxu and Meng Qi also nodded slightly. Meng Qi gave a delicate laugh and said, “This young woman’s abilities are meager and cannot compare with those of the esteemed sect masters. When the time comes, I hope you gentlemen will show me some mercy.”
“Hmph! Anyone who has made it here must possess some hidden trump card. Fairy Meng, there is no need to put on such an act. Enough with the courtesies. I say we first look for the way out of this place,” Master Yunxu said with a cold snort.
He leaped down from the stone pillar, and the others followed, landing on the ground one after another.
“The Big Dipper Formation is a fundamental diagram of the Daoist tradition. Although there is no formation here, these seven stone pillars correspond precisely with the positions of the Big Dipper. I believe they may be offering us a clue,” Qin Yuan said calmly in the darkness, his hands clasped behind his back.
“According to Brother Qin, the exit lies directly to the north?” Master Yunxu asked tentatively.
“Exactly!” Qin Yuan nodded. “These seven stone pillars are arranged according to the Big Dipper. In truth, they are indicating our direction. Otherwise, in this boundless darkness, none of us could tell east from west.”
“I agree with Brother Qin,” Li Zheng added. “Everyone knows that the life gate of the Big Dipper Formation lies in the north. Rather than groping about aimlessly, we should head north first. Perhaps we will truly find the exit.”
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“Very well. Since everyone has decided, this young woman naturally has no objection. I shall leave everything to the judgment of you fellow Daoists.” As Meng Qi spoke, she smiled charmingly.
The four Foundation Establishment cultivators had reached an agreement. Naturally, they did not bother asking the Qi Refining cultivators, and they all set off toward the north. Liang Yan and the others followed closely behind them, advancing into the depths of the darkness.
Along the way, several people cast spells, releasing faint spiritual light that illuminated the space within a few yards around them. The ground was paved entirely with blue stone tiles, while the surrounding darkness stretched endlessly in every direction. No matter how long they walked, the scene remained the same—empty and desolate, with no end in sight.
They had no idea how long they had been walking when Liang Yan began to feel a trace of restlessness. Suddenly, a point of golden light appeared ahead.
That mote of golden light shone brilliantly amid the boundless darkness. Everyone felt a surge of excitement and quickened their pace toward it.
After another half hour, they finally reached the source of the golden radiance.
It was a colossal gate of blue stone, seven yards high. The golden light they had seen was shining through the crack between its doors.
Though only a slender gleam, it was dazzlingly bright, no different from a guiding beacon in the darkness.
Qin Yuan, Master Yunxu, and the other two Foundation Establishment cultivators exchanged glances. This time, with remarkable tacit understanding, they attacked simultaneously, each striking the massive stone gate.
As the four of them displayed their abilities, the gate was slowly pushed inward, accompanied by a deep rumble, as though something that had been sealed away for countless years were gradually being awakened.
A vast expanse of dazzling golden light surged out from beyond the gate. The sudden brilliance was so intense that Liang Yan could scarcely keep his eyes open.
Only after he had gradually adjusted to the light did he open his eyes and look inside. Before him stood an enormous palace. From the floor to the walls, its entire interior was paved with an unknown golden material that radiated searing brilliance.
At the very center of the palace stood a golden platform of steps. A statue occupied each of its four corners, while a gigantic golden dragon-head statue hung suspended above the middle of the platform.
The dragon’s body remained attached to the ceiling of the palace, while its head drooped almost to the floor. From a distance, it looked as though a colossal dragon were hanging upside down between heaven and earth.
Liang Yan turned to look at the others and saw that the four Foundation Establishment cultivators were all staring at the golden platform in the center of the palace, excitement rising on their faces.
“Could there be some treasure there?” Liang Yan wondered inwardly.
The palace was simply too vast. They were still standing outside its entrance, and even with Liang Yan’s keen eyesight, he could not yet make out what lay upon the golden platform.
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Yet he could hardly ask about it aloud. He merely followed the others as they advanced toward the center of the palace.
As they drew closer, Liang Yan finally saw clearly that a thin stream of golden grains was slowly flowing downward from the mouth of the golden dragon’s head, resembling dragon saliva.
Directly beneath the dragon’s head stood a small transparent white jade vial. It contained half a vial of golden sand, and the grains flowing from the dragon’s mouth ultimately fell into it.
Strangely, however much sand poured from the dragon’s mouth, the vial always contained only half a vial, as though it could never be filled.
“Dragon Saliva Essence! Galaxy Sand!”
Li Zheng cried out in astonishment, his face lighting up with excitement as he stared at the golden sand.
Liang Yan swept his gaze across the scene and saw that the four Foundation Establishment cultivators wore expressions no different from Li Zheng’s. Their faces were filled with greed, and even their breathing had grown somewhat labored.
But Liang Yan had never heard of either of the two things Li Zheng had named. Just as he was feeling puzzled, a woman’s soft voice came from behind him.
“Dragon Saliva Essence is a trace of spiritual energy left behind by an ancient dragon species. It can temper the bones, cleanse the marrow, and improve one’s innate aptitude. This essence is formless and intangible, and it generally relies on another medium to exist. Here, it should be attached to the Galaxy Sand.”
The speaker was Zhao Xunzhen. Lowering her voice, she continued, “As for the Galaxy Sand, it is likewise an exceedingly rare supreme material for refining weapons. Even among the magical treasures used by cultivators of the Gathering Origin realm, adding just one or two small measures of this golden sand and refining it through special methods would certainly increase their power greatly.”
“So that is how it is!” Liang Yan said, suddenly enlightened. “No wonder even these Foundation Establishment cultivators are so eager to obtain it.”
The woman behind him fell silent for a moment before suddenly saying, “If you have truly resolved to compete for this Galaxy Sand, Xunzhen will naturally assist you.”
Liang Yan’s expression became slightly strange. A flash of pale-blue spiritual light flickered through his eyes and vanished. He merely said淡然, “I’m afraid your help will not be necessary.”
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