The place where the Soothing Spirit Pillar is located is watched over by guards.
And upon first glance, their aura is calm and steady, not just ordinary characters.
Monk Quan Heng was stopped, but showed no urgency. He first looked back at Ding Hui behind him, then clasped his hands towards the guards and said.
"Amitabha, the ritual is imminent. I wish to inspect the Soothing Spirit Pillar a few more tis to ensure the smooth conduct of the ceremony. I ask for leniency from you all."
The guards frowned, looked back at the others, a bit hesitant for a mont.
Monk Quan Heng continued, "If Master An finds it inconvenient, I shall ask the Family Head for permission and return later."
Saying this, Monk Quan Heng was ready to leave with Ding Hui.
But Ding Hui only got to look for a few seconds.
Though they previously agreed it was just a glance, if truly just a glance, how could Ding Hui be satisfied!
Imdiately, she fixed her feet like nails on the ground, refusing to leave.
Even from a distance, looking at the Sky-reaching Pillar, Ding Hui could still feel its grandeur and intricacy. Just its exterior was already a marvel!
No wonder there were rumors that this object might be an artifact; it indeed had that sensibility of an artifact.
"Master Ding..."
Monk Quan Heng tugged at Ding Hui again; he had just instructed her monts ago! This was breaching the agreent!
Ding Hui wouldn't move, so Monk Quan Heng stood still too. Even if the guards were slow-witted, they began to feel sothing was amiss, showing suspicion.
"Master Quan Heng, this lady is...?"
As they spoke, the surrounding guards subtly ford a circle around them.
Just as they began to act, a voice sounded from behind.
"Let them in."
Everyone's expression changed; they quickly halted their actions, turned around with respect, and said.
"Yes, Third Elder!"
The An Family's Third Elder, An Haian, an old man among old n, Ding Hui had already heard of this figure while mingling in Thunder City. eting him though, it was the first ti.
That aging appearance, wrinkled skin, failed to arouse much interest in Ding Hui.
Like a greedy mosquito, she only wanted to dive onto the Sky-reaching Pillar to carefully feel every detail, every line, explore the pillar's origins and secrets.
"Lord An, I'm doing a routine inspection..."
Monk Quan Heng was still speaking when the Third Elder interrupted.
"Co check, then."
After speaking, the Third Elder turned, facing the Soothing Spirit Pillar.
Boom!
Another clap of thunder fell, electricity crawling over the pillar's surface.
The Third Elder stood so close to the pillar, as if appreciating a great artwork, observing quietly.
"Your master should have co."
The Third Elder spoke again, and by this ti, both Monk Quan Heng and Ding Hui had reached the Soothing Spirit Pillar.
So close!
So close!
Ding Hui's breath beca rapid, her Spirit excited.
Even the words of the old man beside her went unheard.
Such beauty! Such wonder!
Ding Hui instinctively reached out wanting to touch the pillar...
Snap!
Her hand was directly caught by the Third Elder.
"Lord An!"
Monk Quan Heng's face changed instantly.
"It's rare to see Master Quan Heng so nervous."
The Third Elder smiled, releasing his grip: "Do not touch, it'll be fatal."
Monk Quan Heng paused, as he had touched the Sky-reaching Pillar before, and the Third Elder hadn't stopped him at the ti.
But soon, Monk Quan Heng understood it.
It's a difference in strength.
Although Master Ding's dical skill is extraordinary, her strength... is actually not strong.
The Soothing Spirit Pillar, constantly infused with Thunder, if the constitution is not strong enough, touching it wouldn't just cause numbness, but fatality.
aning, with that instant contact, the Third Elder already gauged Master Ding's strength, no wonder he was so certain.
"Greetings Lord An, I'm just looking, won't touch it."
Ding Hui said with a smile.
The Third Elder then turned his gaze to Monk Quan Heng.
"This young lady is...?"
"An old acquaintance of mine."
"Master Quan Heng, An Mansion, is not a place for sightseeing."
The Third Elder slightly frowned; by Monk Quan Heng's side was already a woman who was unruly, quite disorderly.
If it weren't for the connection with Master Quan Heng, that ignorant woman would have been driven out long ago.
"This old friend of mine can assist in the ritual."
Upon hearing about the repair of the Soothing Spirit Pillar, the Third Elder said no more and only remarked, "Oh, then keep an eye on her. Ignorance is not frightening, it's fearlessness that is."
After speaking, the Third Elder turned and left.
But after taking a few steps, he suddenly seed to rember sothing and turned back.
"By the way, Master Quan Heng, things outside have been quite chaotic lately. Don't go out before the ritual begins."
Monk Quan Heng clasped his hands together.
"Amitabha, everything is at Lord An's discretion."
The Third Elder nodded and this ti truly departed.
Monk Quan Heng secretly breathed a sigh of relief and looked again at the troublemaker Ding Hui, who was already engrossed in studying the Soothing Spirit Pillar.
He even saw Ding Hui stretch out her hand again to touch the Soothing Spirit Pillar.
"No!"
Monk Quan Heng's expression changed, but before he could speak, Ding Hui's hand had already touched the Soothing Spirit Pillar.
As soon as she touched it, it seed to stimulate the Soothing Spirit Pillar, which instantly emitted streaks of electricity that rapidly flowed and surged through the pillar, channeling into Ding Hui's ice crystal-like arm and into her body!
"Hiss—"
Ding Hui straightened up at once, but before Monk Quan Heng could co to her rescue, she had already withdrawn her hand herself.
"So that's what it feels like..."
Looking at her blackened ice crystal hand, Ding Hui remarked, "A mont later and I could have died here."
She could hear the intense pounding of her heart; if it weren't for her modified body, she might not have been able to withstand such an electric shock.
"Are you alright?"
Monk Quan Heng asked worriedly.
"I'm fine."
Ding Hui stroked the injured blackened right hand and looked at the Soothing Spirit Pillar as if it were a novel toy, filled with curiosity and a desire to explore.
"Not an artifact, but very complex, extrely complex..."
She muttered to herself.
"Master Quan Heng, and... Divine Doctor Ding."
A voice suddenly sounded from behind them.
Before they could turn around...
"Master!"
"Master!"
"Master!"
The An Family, Family Head!
At this mont, both Ding Hui and Monk Quan Heng's expressions changed subtly as they exchanged glances.
"How co you didn't ntion you brought a guest, Master Quan Heng? I've long admired the renowned Divine Doctor Ding."
"..."
"..."
Both Ding Hui and Monk Quan Heng fell into silence.
Finally, Monk Quan Heng braced himself, turned, clasped his hands in a respectful gesture, and said, "Amitabha, Lord, I just..."
"Just what? Master Quan Heng, there's no need to be nervous. Our An Mansion warmly welcos Divine Doctor Ding."
Ding Hui also turned and respectfully said, "Lord An..."
"To see is to believe. Divine Doctor Ding is indeed so young and beautiful, quite an astonishnt. In the past, not inviting Divine Doctor Ding as a Guest Elder to our An Mansion was a true oversight."
Unexpectedly, the Family Head of the An Family appeared rather amicable.
But both Ding Hui and Monk Quan Heng were well aware of the formidable power and influence of the person in front of them in Thunder City.
"Let's talk elsewhere; would you kindly oblige us?"
The two had no room to refuse.
Ding Hui reluctantly looked back several tis, casting more glances at the Soothing Spirit Pillar before following the Family Head of the An Family away.
After the three left, the guards present finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But in the next mont, everyone's nerves tightened again because...
"Lord Duan!"
"Lord Duan."
"Has Lord Duan co for sothing?"
The location of the Soothing Spirit Pillar was forbidden ground in the An Family. However, there was one outsider in the An Family who could freely enter and exit this place.
That person was Lord Duan before them!
Lord Duan's status in the An Mansion was unquestionable!
Lord Duan said nothing, only directed his gaze along the direction Ding Hui and the others had left, the expression beneath his black robe complex.
"Ding Hui... long ti, no see."
...
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