The mountain suddenly became quiet again. The Heavenly leader slowly raised one hand without saying a word.The movement was small, but every Heavenly cultivator reacted immediately. They stepped away from one another and surrounded the masked figure in a perfect circle.Their white robes swayed lightly as golden light spread beneath their feet. Thin lines connected each of them, forming an ancient pattern on the ground.
Zhao ming's expression changed the moment he saw it. His eyes narrowed slightly and he took a small step forward."Don't move!" he said quietly.Lin Chen looked at him in confusion. "Why?"Zhao ming kept staring at the formation. "That's a Heavenly Sealing Formation."Yan Luo's face darkened as soon as he heard those words.He recognized it immediately. His grip tightened around his sword and his voice became lower. "They're actually using that."Lin chen looked from Zhao Ming to Yan Luo, unable to understand their reactions. "What is it? Why do both of you look so serious?"
Chen Yu leaned slightly closer and answered in a quiet voice. "I only know what I've read in old records." His eyes stayed on the glowing formation. "It's one of Heaven's strongest sealing formations."Lin Chen frowned. "Sealing... what does it seal?"Chen Yu swallowed before replying. "Everything." He paused briefly. "The body... and the soul."
Lin Chen's eyes widened. He slowly turned back toward the masked figure, who still stood calmly inside the growing circle of light without moving at all. "They're treating him like a criminal."
Zhao Ming slowly shook his head,his expression remaining solemn. "No." His voice was calm but firm. "Not a criminal."Yan Luo finished the sentence without taking his eyes off the formation."Someone Heaven considers extremely dangerous."Xu Yang silently watched the golden pattern continue spreading beneath the masked figure's feet. The stranger didn't struggle. He didn't even seem surprised. He simply stood there as if he had expected this from the beginning.Why isn't he resisting?
(...)
The golden lines continued spreading across the ground until the entire circle was complete. A faint humming sound echoed across the mountain as the light beneath the Heavenly cultivators grew brighter. None of them moved from their positions. Their eyes remained fixed on the masked figure, watching him carefully.Lin Chen glanced around the glowing formation before looking at Yan Luo, confusion and unease clear on his face. "Can... can he get out of that?" he asked quietly.Yan Luo kept his eyes on the masked figure. After a brief silence, he answered in a low voice. "Very few people can."
Chen Yu folded his arms tightly across his chest, recalling what he had read years ago. "If the old records are accurate," he said thoughtfully, "once a Heavenly Sealing Formation is complete, escaping it is almost impossible."Hei Long narrowed his eyes as he observed the masked figure standing calmly inside the circle of light. "Then why isn't he doing anything?" he asked.No one answered.
Xu Yang remained silent, his gaze fixed on the stranger. The silver chains wrapped around the masked figure's arms swayed gently as a light breeze passed through the forest, producing a soft metallic sound that somehow felt louder than everything else.
...He's waiting.Xu Yang frowned slightly.
Waiting for what?
The Heavenly leader slowly lowered his raised hand and looked directly at the masked figure. His expression remained calm, showing neither anger nor satisfaction. "You've interfered enough." he said evenly. "Come back with us."The masked figure didn't respond.The Heavenly leader spoke again, his voice carrying quiet authority. "You know resisting is meaningless."And Mask figure laughed silently but it was loud enough to react.His shoulders relaxed slightly beneath the dark cloak."You've always mistaken warning for interference." he replied.His voice was calm,without anger or fear."Trying to prevent a disaster isn't the same as creating one."
One of the Heavenly cultivators standing behind the leader suddenly stepped forward.His eyes were cold as he looked at the masked figure."History must remain buried!" he said firmly."Some truths should never return."The masked figure slowly turned his head toward the Heavenly cultivator.His gaze remained calm beneath the mask,and when he spoke,his voice carried neither anger nor hatred."History doesn't disappear because you erase it." he said softly."You only erase the people who remember it."
Several Heavenly cultivators stiffened ever so slightly.Although their expressions remained controlled,their eyes betrayed a brief flicker of surprise before returning to their usual calm.Xu Yang's brows slowly drew together....Erase the people who remember?The words echoed inside his mind. Then fragments of his recovered memories....Was someone...taken from my memories?
Before he could think any further, Heavenly leader spoke.His voice remained steady and unwavering."Truth is decided by Heaven."
The masked figure stood silently for a moment then he slowly shook his head. "No!" His voice became quieter,but every word was perfectly clear."Only the record is."No one spoke after that.Chen Yu frowned,his thoughts racing as he tried to understand the meaning behind those words."Only the record..." he murmured softly."What is he trying to say?"Lin Chen looked completely confused.He glanced between the Heavenly leader and the masked figure before whispering,"I don't understand any of this."
Hei Long folded his arms and narrowed his eyes,but remained silent.Yan Luo's expression stayed serious.His sharp gaze moved between the Heavenly leader and the masked figure,carefully watching every reaction.Then,suddenly,the masked figure looked away from the heavenly cultivators. His eyes settled directly on Xu Yang.It felt as though everything else had disappeared.
His voice lost its earlier calm and became unusually serious."Listen carefully."Xu Yang instinctively straightened.His heartbeat quickened as he met the masked figure's gaze without looking away.
The masked figure took one slow step forward inside the glowing formation.The golden light reflected faintly across the silver chains wrapped around his arms."No matter what happens..."He paused for only a heartbeat before finishing in a firm voice."Do not trust the Heaven you know."Everyone froze nobody moved and spoke.Even the Heavenly cultivators' calm expressions changed.The Heavenly leader's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.Another cultivator slowly clenched his fist around the Heavenly token hanging from his waist.
Yan Luo's brows furrowed.Zhao Ming stared at the masked figure,disbelief flashing across his face before he quickly hid it.Lin Chen blinked several times before looking at Yan Luo."What does he mean...the Heaven we know?"Yan Luo remained silent.Chen Yu slowly turned toward Zhao Ming,hoping for an answer,but Zhao Ming only kept staring at the masked figure.His jaw tightened slightly,yet he said nothing. Xu Yang stood frozen where he was....Don't trust Heaven?His fingers slowly curled into a fist.Why would he warn me?Why...does it feel like he's trying to protect me?
Xu Yang suddenly stepped forward before anyone could stop him.His eyes remained locked on the masked figure,ignoring the uneasy silence that had settled over the mountain."Xu Yang!" Yan Luo called out sharply as he reached forward and caught Xu Yang's wrist before he could get any closer. "Don't."Xu Yang glanced at him only briefly. His expression remained firm."I need an answer."Yan Luo frowned."This isn't the time.""It is for me." Xu Yang replied quietly as he gently pulled his wrist free.His gaze returned to the masked figure."Who are you?Why are you protecting me?"
The masked figure didn't answer.He simply stood there,looking at xu yang without moving.Lin chen shifted uneasily and frowned."Why isn't he saying anything?" Chen Yu quietly shook his head."He's thinking."Xu Yang took another slow step forward.His brows slowly drew together."You know my name.You warned me about the shrine."His voice became lower."So tell me...who are you?"
The masked figure remained silent.A faint breeze stirred the silver chains around his arms,producing a soft metallic sound.Then his shoulders lowered ever so slightly.When he finally spoke,his voice sounded strangely tired."Someone who couldn't save him."Xu Yang froze.His pupils shrank."Him?"His heartbeat suddenly quickened."Who are you talking about?" he asked,unable to hide the urgency in his voice."Who couldn't you save?"The masked figure didn't answer.He simply looked at Xu Yang.Xu Yang felt his chest tighten beneath that silent gaze."Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked quietly.Without realizing it,he took another slow step forward."Have we...met before?"
The masked figure's fingers twitched slightly beneath the silver chains,but he remained silent.Xu Yang's voice became even quieter. "...Do I know you?"The masked figure slowly lowered his head before giving the faintest nod."...Yes."His voice was barely louder than a whisper."We have met before."Xu Yang's breath caught.His eyes widened in disbelief."What...?"
Before Xu Yang could ask another question, the Heavenly leader's expression turned cold.He slowly lifted his hand and his voice echoed across the mountain."Seal him completely."Every Heavenly cultivator moved at the same time.They raised the Heavenly tokens hanging from their waists.High above, the tokens released streams of golden light that crossed one another in the sky.Ancient symbols slowly appeared one after another, covering the air above the mountain with glowing characters.
The ground beneath the masked figure trembled and a large golden formation spread rapidly beneath his feet,its intricate lines shining brighter with every passing second.From within the formation,countless chains made entirely of golden light burst from the ground.They twisted through the air before surrounding the masked figure from every direction.
Lin Chen's eyes widened as he stared at the countless golden chains rising from the glowing formation."They're...making chains?" he whispered,his voice filled with disbelief.Chen Yu's gaze remained fixed on the formation.His expression slowly became more serious."Those aren't ordinary chains," he said quietly after a brief pause."They're spiritual seals."Yan Luo's fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword,his eyes never leaving the masked figure."Once those chains close..." he began in a low voice.
Zhao Ming calmly finished the sentence without looking away."It's over."No one spoke after that.They simply watched as more golden chains burst from the ground,twisting through the air before surrounding the masked figure from every direction.The glowing chains crossed over one another until there was almost no space left around him.Their brilliant golden light reflected against the silver chains wrapped around his arms,making the two completely different powers stand out sharply beneath the morning sky.
Xu yang unconsciously took half a step forward.His brows slowly drew together as unease settled heavily inside his chest. "Move!" he muttered quietly.The masked figure didn't react.He remained perfectly still inside the formation,showing no sign of fear or panic. Then he laughed.The unexpected sound made several Heavenly cultivators frown at once.The Heavenly leader's eyes narrowed, sensing something was wrong,but he didn't lower his raised hand.
The masked figure slowly lifted one hand.His movements were slow and relaxed,as though the countless golden chains surrounding him simply didn't exist.He raised his fingers toward the sky before tilting his head ever so slightly.The silver chains around his arms gave a faint metallic sound as they shifted with the movement.Then,with the same calm expression hidden beneath the mask,he quietly said,"You're too late."
The Heavenly leader's expression changed immediately."Stop him!" he commanded sharply.The surrounding Heavenly cultivators reacted without hesitation.They poured more spiritual power into their Heavenly tokens. The golden formation beneath the masked figure shone even brighter as the chains of light rushed toward him from every direction, intending to bind both his body and soul.
Xu Yang's heart tightened....Too late?Too late for what? Before anyone could understand,the silver chains wrapped around the masked figure's arms gave another sharp metallic sound and thin fracture appeared across one of the silver chains.Then cracks spread rapidly across both chains like fragile glass breaking beneath an invisible force.Lin Chen's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at them."They're...breaking."Chen Yu unconsciously stepped forward,his gaze fixed on the spreading fractures.He slowly shook his head."No..." he murmured,his expression growing increasingly serious. "They're not breaking."Lin Chen turned toward him in confusion."Then what are they doing?"
Chen Yu's eyes narrowed as realization struck him.He drew in a slow breath before answering,"They're releasing." Heavenly leader's calm expression to crack and his pupils contracted slightly. "Impossible..."The fractures spread even faster until every inch of the silver chains was covered.Then, without warning,they shattered.There was no violent explosion and no deafening sound.
The silver chains simply burst apart into countless tiny fragments of shimmering silver light that scattered gently through the air.The entire mountain seemed to pause.Every fragment drifted upward instead of falling, floating silently toward the sky like thousands of glowing silver petals.Yan Luo's expression darkened immediately.He stepped back and raised an arm protectively in front of the group."Everyone, get back!" Zhao Ming reacted without hesitation,moving in front of Lin Chen and Chen Yu while keeping his eyes fixed on the rising lights."Don't look directly at them," he warned in a low,serious voice.
Lin Chen instinctively lowered his gaze,his heartbeat quickening."What's happening?" he asked quietly."I don't know."Zhao Ming admitted without looking away,"but this isn't normal."Hei Long remained silent,his eyes narrowing as his grip tightened around his weapon.Xu Yang,however,didn't move at all. He stood frozen,his eyes locked on the countless silver fragments rising higher and higher into the sky.
Then,without the slightest warning,the silver light suddenly changed direction.Countless fragments rushed downward at once and collided directly with the enormous golden formation above the masked figure.For one brief moment,silver and gold met in complete silence.Then the entire mountain erupted with blinding light."Close your eyes!"Yan Luo shouted as he immediately raised his arm to shield his face.Zhao Ming reacted at the same instant."Don't look!" he warned,turning his head away.
Chen Yu covered his eyes with his sleeve while instinctively pulling Lin chen back."Step behind me!"Lin chen squeezed his eyes shut. "I can't see anything!"Hei Long lowered his head and shut his eyes tightly,his expression tense.Even Xu Yang instinctively raised his arm as the brilliant light swallowed everything around him.His vision became completely white.He couldn't see the mountain.He couldn't see the trees.He couldn't even hear the others clearly.The only thing left was the endless light....What just happened?
The brightness faded little by little until the outline of the mountain finally returned.Xu Yang cautiously lowered his arm and blinked several times,trying to clear his vision.His eyes immediately searched the place where the masked figure had been standing.He froze cause there was nothing there.The masked figure had completely disappeared. His gaze quickly swept across the mountain path.The Heavenly cultivators were gone as well.The enormous golden formation that had covered the ground had vanished without leaving even the faintest trace.
Lin Chen slowly lowered his hands and stared blankly at the empty mountain. "They're...gone?"Chen Yu frowned deeply as he looked around."All of them..."Yan Luo's brows remained tightly furrowed.His hand never left the hilt of his sword."No trace..." Zhao Ming silently scanned the surroundings before speaking in a low voice."They all disappeared at the same time."Hei Long slowly exhaled,his eyes still searching the quiet forest."As if they were never here."
Everyone was still trying to understand what they had just witnessed.Then...a faint metallic sound broke the silence.It was soft,but in the stillness it sounded unusually clear.Xu yang's gaze shifted downward instinctively and he saw something had landed near his feet. It was a single broken silver chain link.Its dull silver surface caught the morning light, glimmering faintly.Lin Chen noticed it as well.His brows drew together. "What's that?"Chen Yu followed Xu Yang's gaze and frowned."A piece of the chain..."Yan Luo's expression sharpened."Don't touch it."
Zhao Ming took a cautious step forward, his eyes fixed on the small fragment."It shouldn't still be here."he said quietly." Everything else disappeared."Xu Yang didn't answer.His eyes remained locked on the broken chain link.For some reason,he couldn't look away....Why does it feel like it's calling me?Then chain link trembled faintly in his hand as the words echo inside his mind.*You finally found.*
Back to past hidden stone wall continued sliding open until it stopped with a deep rumble that echoed throughout the shrine. Dust floated slowly. They simply stared into the darkness beyond the hidden entrance. A cold breeze drifted out from inside.Qing Li unconsciously rubbed his arms. "It's... cold." Wang Xio narrowed his eyes at the passage. "This place has been sealed for a very long time." Hei Long quietly nodded. "Longer than the shrine itself."
The three carefully stepped inside.The narrow passage twisted downward before opening into another hidden chamber beneath the shrine.The moment they entered they instinctively slowed their footsteps. The room was much older than the shrine above. Cracks spread across the stone walls, while faded paintings covered every surface. Although time had washed away most of the colors, they could still make out people standing beneath enormous trees,countless threads stretching across the sky, and unfamiliar symbols carved into the background.
Broken red threads hung from the ceiling and walls, gently swaying in the cold air as though they had been cut long ago.Old wooden shelves lined both sides of the chamber, filled with weathered bamboo scrolls, cracked books, and broken wooden tablets covered in thick layers of dust. As soon as the three stepped fully inside, several clay lamps along the walls suddenly lit themselves one after another, filling the chamber with a warm golden glow.
Qing Li slowly looked around, unable to hide the surprise on his face. "This place... no one ever told us it existed." Wang Xio gently brushed one of the dusty shelves with his fingertips. A thin layer of dust immediately coated his fingers. "Because I don't think anyone knows about it." Hei Long quietly continued walking farther into the chamber. His calm eyes carefully examined every corner until they finally stopped at the very center of the room.
They saw single sealed jade box on stone. It wasn't large,only about the size of both hands placed together, yet it drew all of their attention.The pale green jade reflected the lamplight with a soft glow. Silver patterns flowed across its surface like living vines, while an ancient golden seal stretched firmly across the lid. Strange runes surrounded the seal, faintly shimmering despite the countless years that had passed.
Qing Li stared without blinking. "That's..." Before he could finish speaking, the jade box suddenly began glowing. Soft white light slowly spread across its surface as every silver pattern lit up one after another. The entire chamber became completely silent. Then a familiar voice echoed from inside the sealed box."The truth..." The voice paused for several long moments before softly continuing. "...begins here."Qing Li stood frozen where he was, his eyes fixed on the glowing jade box. After several seconds, he slowly opened his mouth, his voice barely louder than a whisper. "Did..." He swallowed nervously before looking toward the others. "...did it just speak?" Hei Long never took his eyes off the jade box. His quietly nodded. "I heard it too."
Wang xio stepped closer to the stone pedestal, carefully studying the golden seal stretched across the lid. His fingers hovered just above the surface without touching it. His brows slowly knitted together. "This box..." he murmured thoughtfully. "has been sealed for a very long time." His gaze carefully followed every carved rune surrounding the seal before he quietly added, "The seal has never been broken." Qing Li looked at him in confusion, unable to understand what he was hearing. "Then... how could a voice come from inside?"
After several moments, Hei Long slowly took a careful step toward the stone pedestal. The instant his foot touched the floor beside it, something unexpected happened. Tiny white flowers suddenly bloomed beneath his feet. One delicate blossom after another quietly pushed through the cracks in the old stone without soil, without water, as though answering his presence alone. Their soft white petals slowly unfolded beneath the lamplight and fresh fragrance that filled the chamber. More flowers continued appearing wherever Hei Long stepped, spreading gently across the floor until they surrounded the stone pedestal like a peaceful field hidden beneath the earth for countless years.
Qing Li stared in complete astonishment, his eyes widening little by little. "The flowers..." he whispered in disbelief. Hei long lowered his head to look at the blossoms surrounding his feet. Confusion appeared in his usually calm eyes. He slowly shook his head. "I didn't..." His voice became softer as he looked from one flower to another. "I didn't do anything." The flowers continued blooming silently around him.
Qing li instinctively grabbed his head with both hands. "Ah..." he gasped, stumbling back a step. His breathing became uneven as countless tiny fragments flashed across his mind like shattered pieces of glass. Familiar voices...a dimly lit chamber...the scent of old incense...Ling Yuan standing quietly before a stone pedestal. The memories appeared for only an instant before breaking apart again. Qing li squeezed his eyes shut, his fingers tightening against his temples as the pain grew stronger. "Why...why now...?" he whispered to himself. I know this place...I've been here before...haven't I? (...)
Hei Long walked toward him, his expression filled with concern. "Qing Li." He reached out but stopped just before touching his shoulder. "What's wrong?" Wang xio also turned away from the jade box and hurried over. His brows furrowed as he carefully observed Qing Li's pale face. "Is your head hurting again?" Qing li slowly nodded without lifting his head. He struggled to steady his breathing before forcing himself to look around the chamber once more. His eyes moved across the faded paintings, the broken red threads hanging from the ceiling, and finally settled on the stone pedestal supporting the glowing jade box. His breathing suddenly caught. "This room..." he murmured almost absentmindedly. "...I've been here before." Hei Long's eyes widened slightly. "You remember?"
Qing Li nodded slowly, still trying to gather the scattered fragments before they disappeared again. "Only...a little." He swallowed hard as another memory came. This time it was clearer. He saw Ling Yuan standing exactly where the stone pedestal now stood. His expression was gentle, yet unusually serious. The lantern light illuminated his pale face as he quietly looked at all of them. Qing Li instinctively took another step toward the pedestal, unable to tear his eyes away. "Ling Yuan..." he whispered."Ling Yuan brought us here once."
Wang Xio's expression changed as he looked from Qing li to the jade box."Are you certain?" he asked quietly. Qing li closed his eyes again, trying desperately to remember. "I...I can't remember everything." His voice trembled slightly. "Only pieces." He pressed one hand harder against his forehead as the familiar voice echoed once more inside his mind. Slowly, he repeated the forgotten words aloud. "He said..." Qing Li paused as emotion tightened his throat. "...this place should never be opened..." Another fragment flashed before his eyes.Ling yuan had smiled sadly as he spoke those words. Then Qing Li quietly finished the sentence. "...unless everything had already fallen apart."
Hei Long slowly turned toward the glowing jade box once more. The countless white flowers blooming around his feet continued swaying gently without a single breeze touching them. Wang Xio stared silently at the seal, his thoughts growing heavier with every passing moment. If Ling Yuan sealed this place himself...then he already knew what was going to happen.He knew everything would eventually fall apart.
Qing li still stood where he was,his breathing gradually calming, but his heart refused to settle. His eyes remained fixed on the glowing jade box atop the stone pedestal. The words he had just remembered continued echoing inside his mind. *...Unless everything had already fallen apart.* The more he thought about them, the heavier his chest became. Ling Yuan...what did you already know? What were you trying so desperately to protect?Beside him,Hei Long quietly watched the small flowers blooming around his feet.He frowned slightly. Why are they reacting to this place? Why only now?
Then a faint clicking sound echoed through the chamber.All three of them instinctively looked toward the jade box at the same time. The seal wrapped around it suddenly shimmered with a soft golden glow. One after another, the faded runes carved across the seal slowly lit up, filling the chamber with warm light. Thin cracks of light spread gently across the seal before it quietly broke apart into countless tiny golden fragments. They floated upward like glowing fireflies before disappearing into the darkness above.
Qing Li unconsciously took a step back, his eyes widening. "The...the seal..." His voice trembled with disbelief.Hei Long stared without blinking. "No one touched it."Wang Xio slowly nodded, unable to hide the surprise in his eyes. "It opened by itself."