Chapter 1036
Best Teacher
Yang Ling watched the changes in Dan Yan and couldn't help but nod in admiration. He turned to Yun Feiyang and asked, "Senior Yun, it seems that the fusion of swordsmanship and nature can truly help people break through their original limits."
Yun Feiyang chuckled and said, "Heaven and earth are the best teachers. What we cultivators learn is not only skills, but also a state of mind that follows nature."
Just as the three were engaged in lively conversation, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly sounded in the distance. A disciple of the Black Fiend Sect rushed over, his face filled with anxiety: "Hero Yang, Miss Dan Yan, something terrible has happened! A group of mysterious people have suddenly appeared outside the gate. They are extremely powerful and seem to be here to cause trouble!"
A night wind suddenly rose, causing Dan Yan's white robes to flutter like a flowing snow banner. Her eyes sharpened instantly as she drew her ice sword from her waist, a chilling aura condensing into frost at its tip. "Who are they? Why have they come?" she asked urgently.
Yang Ling also stood up, his brows furrowed, his expression serious. He took a step forward, his palm slightly warm, a sword intent quietly gathering in the air. He said to the disciple, "Quickly report back, who is so bold as to act so presumptuously outside the Black Fiend Sect?"
The disciple hurriedly replied, "We don't know their origins. We only saw a group of people arrive on flying birds, their faces concealed by bamboo hats, making them mysterious and unpredictable. The pressure emanating from them was extremely strong; even the protective array outside the gate was almost unable to withstand it!"
Upon hearing this, Yun Feiyang's face flashed with a hint of alertness. He stood up and looked towards the door, his eyes gleaming with wisdom. "It seems this matter is no small thing; we'd better go and investigate ourselves," he said calmly, his tone carrying an undeniable determination.
The three quickly walked towards the door. Yang Ling and Dan Yan each gathered their fighting spirit, while Yun Feiyang remained calm and walked steadily. As they approached the door, the tense atmosphere in the air grew even stronger. Yang Ling's "Cloud Sea Sword Scripture" quietly activated, and a faint mist formed around him, as if it could transform into an ocean of sword intent at any moment.
Outside the door, a group of men in black stood silently. The birds they rode had emerald green feathers, and when their wings were spread, they whistled through the wind, exuding a sharp and imposing aura. One of the men in black, a tall figure, stepped forward, revealing a pair of sharp eyes from under his hat, staring directly at Yang Ling and the others.
"Black Fiend Sect, we are not here to cause trouble, but to ask you for a favor." The man's voice was deep and carried an undeniable air of authority.
Yang Ling stood with his sword drawn, his gaze sharp as lightning. "Who exactly are you? Why have you come to my Black Fiend Sect?"
The man in black replied in a deep voice, "We come from the Northern Dark Cloud Hidden Sect. Our purpose in coming here is to find a lost treasure—the 'Netherworld Profound Fire Mirror.' We have heard that the Black Fiend Sect recently acquired this item."
Yun Feiyang narrowed his eyes slightly, a realization dawning on him. "I see. But this item is extraordinary. How can you prove it belongs to your sect?"
The man took out a crystal-clear jade pendant from his sleeve. The pendant contained layers of deep luster, clearly indicating that it was no ordinary item. "This is the token of the Cloud Hidden Sect Master, and it is also the proof of being passed down along with the 'Netherworld Profound Fire Mirror' back then."
Dan Yan stared at the jade pendant, sensing the subtle energy flowing within it. He was secretly on guard; the Beiming Yunyin Sect was clearly not simple, as every inherited item contained astonishing power.
Yang Ling and Yun Feiyang exchanged a glance and secretly discussed the matter. Yun Feiyang nodded slightly, indicating that Yang Ling could try to ease the tension first.
“In that case, let’s go inside and discuss this in detail.” Yang Ling’s tone softened a bit, and he gestured for everyone to enter the council hall.
The leader of the men in black nodded, signaling his entourage to enter. They slowly walked into the Black Fiend Sect's council hall, where the atmosphere was tense yet strangely calm. Dan Yan gripped her ice sword tightly, her heart filled with unease. She sensed that this incident might plunge the Black Fiend Sect into an unprecedented upheaval.
Inside the council chamber, hanging palace lanterns cast a gentle glow, illuminating the faces of everyone present. The tall figure leading the group of men in black sat opposite the head of the table, his eyes, sharp as an eagle's, beneath his bamboo hat as he solemnly gazed at Yang Ling.
Yang Ling placed his hand lightly on the table, his fingertips trembling slightly, clearly gathering sword energy in preparation for any unforeseen circumstances. He calmly spoke, "The 'Netherworld Profound Fire Mirror' you speak of is something my Black Fiend Sect has indeed never heard of. However, we can assist the Cloud Hidden Sect in investigating this matter. May I ask, what are the characteristics of this mirror?"
The envoy from the Northern Dark Cloud Hidden Sect slowly took out an ancient scroll from his sleeve. Unrolling it revealed a mirror image, its surface engraved with obscure ancient seal script, surrounded by swirling cloud-like patterns. "The Netherworld Profound Fire Mirror is entirely black, and its surface can reflect the deepest scenes within the viewer's heart. This mirror is not only a treasure but also a magical artifact, possessing the powerful ability to distinguish truth from falsehood and to uncover secrets."
Yun Feiyang raised an eyebrow, showing considerable interest in this wondrous magical artifact. He quietly observed the illustrations on the scroll and slowly said, "This 'Netherworld Profound Fire Mirror' is indeed a rare item. If it is truly in the Black Fiend Sect as you say, we will certainly return it. But if we cannot find such an item, we hope the Cloud Hidden Sect can understand."
The envoy nodded, his expression softening slightly. "We understand. Without this mirror, the Cloud Hidden Sect would not have made such unreasonable demands. However, this matter is of great importance, and we hope the Black Fiend Sect will provide a response as soon as possible."
Dan Yan kept her eyes fixed on the envoy. She could sense the extraordinary aura emanating from him, one that was far beyond that of an ordinary cultivator. Her fingers lightly touched the table, a chill silently circulating between her fingertips, ready to respond to any possible changes at any moment.
Just then, a loud boom came from outside, followed by hurried footsteps. A disciple rushed into the council hall, his face pale. "Report! A strange phenomenon has appeared outside. A huge cloud is gathering in the sky, with a flashing light at its center, as if a heavy object is about to fall."
Yang Ling and Yun Feiyang exchanged a glance, both seeing seriousness in each other's eyes. Yun Feiyang stood up and said in a deep voice, "It seems this matter is not accidental, and may be related to the 'Netherworld Profound Fire Mirror.' We'd better go and investigate ourselves."
Yang Ling nodded and said to the messenger, "Please wait here while we go and see what has arrived."
The envoy also stood up, a hint of urgency in his expression. "I will go as well. If my prediction is correct, the descending object must be related to the 'Netherworld Mystic Fire Mirror'."
The group quickly left the council hall and headed towards the door. The clouds in the sky grew denser, and the light at their center intensified, almost illuminating the entire valley surrounding the Black Fiend Sect. As they approached, a huge vortex-shaped cloud slowly rotated in the air, its center flashing blinding light intermittently.
Yun Feiyang raised his hand, condensing a gentle breeze. With a light wave, the breeze transformed into an invisible sword aura that streaked across the sky, attempting to sense the mysterious light. However, when the breeze touched the light, it was as if a stone had sunk into the sea, leaving no ripples.
Yang Ling gripped his sword tightly, his brows furrowed. He could sense the immense power contained within the light, far beyond the capabilities of ordinary people. He turned to the Cloud Hidden Sect envoy and asked, "Do you know what kind of strange phenomenon this is?"
The envoy gazed at the vortex in the air and replied in a deep voice, "This is perhaps the protective spiritual power of the 'Netherworld Mystic Fire Mirror.' Legend has it that this mirror is sealed in a mysterious space, and only at specific times will the power of heaven and earth cause it to manifest." (End of Chapter)