Chapter 397: A Stream of Fire at the Bottom of the Abyss
Chapter 395 – Streaming Fire at the Bottom of the Abyss
Although Lanlin Prefecture was located in a remote area, its natural landscape was quite peculiar.
A stone pillar-like mountain peak hung in mid-air, like a forest of a thousand needles.
The deep valley below the floating mountains was a horrifying forbidden zone composed entirely of black ash. Even though he was flying ten thousand feet in the air at the moment, Li Fan could still feel the palpitating aura coming from below from time to time.
Huangfu Song stood on the Dust Crossing Boat and surveyed the scenery below, and he also could not help but change his face slightly, “What a poor and remote place.”
“Compared to this hellish place, the Ten Thousand Mile Yan Burning Beach we saw earlier is not considered sinister.”
Li Fan sniffed and also looked towards the bottom of the deep valley.
Unextinguished dark flames could still be seen among the stars in the ocean made up of pitch-black ashes.
From time to time, a breeze whisked by and swept up a trace of pitch-blackness in the ocean of ashes, which kept flipping and rising upwards, crashing into the Dust Crossing Boat that Li Fan was in.
The ashes, which were as light as nothing, caused a violent shaking the moment they collided with the protective shield of the Dust Boat.
As if it had received a great shock, a small hole appeared in the crimson light layer.
It then stirred up ripples after ripples, spreading out in all directions.
Even though he only had a little bit of his mind manipulating his body, Li Fan was stunned by the scene before him.
He could not help but ask, “What the hell is this black ash?!”
Huangfu Song first maneuvered the Dust Ferry Boat upwards to avoid the ashes raised from the deep valley before explaining, “This is the residue from the burning of the [Ashen Silence Flowing Fire]. All the aura of life has disappeared, leaving only the power of silence remaining but not dispersing.”
“Evil as hell, it’s better to avoid it as much as possible.”
Before the words fell, the Dust Crossing Boat increased its speed and sped towards the central region of Lanlin Prefecture.
Looking down at the dark and silent world below that seemed to have no end, Huangfu Song said with some emotion, “Luckily, the tens of thousands of mountain peaks were used as a formation to control the [Ashen Silent Streaming Flame] within this Lanlin State. Otherwise, the surrounding regions were afraid that they would end up in the same situation.”
“[Ashen Silence Flowing Fire]?” The black ashes filled the air, making the rowdy Li Fan feel more and more uncomfortable as he frowned in dark thought.
This name seemed like he had seen it somewhere.
The light of the Dao Transformation Stone in his sea of consciousness flickered, and a moment later, the only words he had once read suddenly surfaced.
“Cangwu Prefecture, four waters and twenty-eight mountains.
In a certain year and month, it disappeared without a trace overnight, leaving only an abyss with no visible bottom.
The wonders of the earth, the Cangwu landscape map, came out of this.”
……
“In the ninth year after the disappearance of the Cangwu State Landscape, a black water stream-like flame gushed out from the bottom of the abyss.”
“The ferocious flame raged and could not be extinguished. The people of the time called it [Ashen Silence Streaming Flame].”
Li Fan then asked, “Is that the black fire that ran out from that Cangwu Abyss?”
Huangfu Song was slightly stunned, then squinted his eyes as if recalling something.
Only after a long time did he nod his head, “Not bad. The Ashen Silent Streaming Flame has been spreading towards the surroundings since it appeared from the Cangwu Abyss.”
“Several states in a row suffered. It wasn’t until the vicinity of this Lanlin Prefecture that it was brought under control.”
Li Fan was instantly somewhat appalled.
Cangwu Prefecture was in the southwestern corner of the Xuan Huang Realm, while Lanlin Prefecture was almost due south.
The scope of this Ashen Silent Flowing Fire raging was afraid to be a bit large.
“Little friend don’t worry, ever since that time, this Ashen Silent Flowing Fire has never appeared again.”
“This catastrophe that can be called extinguishing is still an open case as to what caused it.”
“At first, the alliance thought it was the handiwork of the Five Elders Association. But after a field trip, it was denied.”
“That was the true might of heaven and earth, I’m afraid it was beyond the reach of cultivators.”
Huangfu Song shared his insights with Li Fan as he joked.
After that, it was only half a day before they reached the destination of the trip.
“Before accepting the Spirit Locking Formation, you and I will first visit the Lanlin Prefecture principal who resides here.” “This senior was originally a cultivator from our Tianyu Prefecture and has taken care of me in the past. Now that I’m here, I can’t lose my manners.”
Pointing at a needle-like mountain that pierced through the clouds ahead, Huangfu Song said to Li Fan.
With a turn of his thoughts, Li Fan had guessed who the senior in Huangfu Song’s mouth was.
“You mean, the former Tianyu Prefecture Garrison Courtyard Commander, Senior Guan Xingxiu?”
Huangfu Song smiled and nodded, then put away the Dust Crossing Boat and led the crowd as they flew towards a small courtyard at the top of the mountain peak.
“We’re all acquaintances, and you’re still being so outgoing? Come in, I won’t personally greet you brat!”
From afar, a voice reached the ears of the crowd.
“In that case, thank you senior!” A smile surfaced on Huangfu Song’s face as he responded in a loud voice.
Signaling the rest of the cultivators to stand guard at the entrance, the fat man only brought Li Fan and walked into the compound.
The courtyard was quite simple, with only one green pine standing on its own.
Under the pine, a middle-aged cultivator was leisurely lying on a bench, rocking slightly.
Holding a bushel fan in his hand, he fanned it twice from time to time.
“Haven’t seen you in many days, senior’s elegance remains the same!” Huangfu Song bent down and saluted.
Li Fan followed suit, “See Senior Guan!”
“Your name is Li Fan isn’t it, I’ve heard about you.” Guan Xingxiu sized up Li Fan with a playful look on his face. “That hustle of yours is much stronger than mine.”
Li Fan’s heart jumped, and he replied in a muffled voice, “Hehe, senior has praised me too much.”
Huangfu Song also picked up at this time, “Although young friend Li Fan is desperate, he is still a step behind compared to you, senior. Tian Yu State cultivators, who doesn’t know ……”
Before he finished counting his words, he was interrupted by Guan Xingxiu.
“Kid, a good man can’t mention the courage of the past. Now that I’m down and out, you’ve come to my door to preach about my deeds back then, what are your intentions?” Guan Xingxiu’s eyes wandered over Huangfu Song’s body, his face showing displeasure.
Huangfu Song didn’t expect to pat his horse’s ass on the horse’s leg, and snapped, “Senior, you know me.”
“Lend me a gall, I wouldn’t dare to go against you.”
Guan Xingxiu snorted coldly, but his face returned to normal.
Disinterestedly, he said, “You kid is really meaningless.”
“Alright, I arrived here and haven’t seen my deceased for a long time. It’s not bad for you to come to the door to pay your respects.”
“I already know what you mean, don’t worry and go boldly.”
“With me here, this acre of land in Lanlin Prefecture can’t turn over the sky yet.”
After saying that, Guan Xingxiu gently flicked the bushel fan in his hand, a small golden sword suddenly appeared and flew into Huangfu Song’s hand.
“It just so happens that I haven’t shown my face in front of the crowd for a long time, I’d like to see if there’s really someone, who wants to try whether my sword is sharp or not.”
Huangfu Song was overjoyed and hurriedly said, “Many thanks senior!”
“Right ……,” putting away the golden flying sword, Huangfu Song still wanted to say something.
However, he was stopped by Guan Xingxiu.
“I have seriously considered the opinions of fellow Daoist Ji. However, I’m only a Spirit Transformation Cultivator now, so I won’t be able to help much if I go.”
“Plus, the former leader has passed away, and the post of Chief Commanding Envoy is settled.”
“I also have no intention of fighting for anything anymore.”
“You guys and go!”
Saying that, Guan Xingxiu flapped the bushel fan in his hand.
After a gust of wind, Li Fan and Huangfu Song, the two of them, were already sent out beyond the small courtyard.
(End of chapter)