The two exchanged a few words and soon arrived at the mansion.
Two guards stood at the entrance. After talking with the guide for a mont, they let him in, but stopped Qin An from entering.
About one stick of incense later, the guide ca out.
"Clan Leader said to let Mr. Qin in. If you have anything to discuss, you can talk inside."
Qin An nodded, caressed Cold Star, and walked towards the mansion.
The guide did not proceed further; his task seed to be only to escort Qin An here.
The gatekeepers did not hinder Qin An.
Upon stepping inside, Qin An imdiately realized how extraordinary the interior was.
If the exterior was grand and majestic, then the interior was elegant.
Whether it was a flower, grass, tree, or even a box placed in the corner, everything here fit an aesthetic close to nature.
It made one feel that being here was undoubtedly a place of refined leisure.
Ahead was a spiral staircase winding upwards.
There was no one else here.
Qin An knew that perhaps the other party was waiting for him on the second floor.
Without hesitation, he climbed the spiral staircase, step by step, soon reaching the second floor.
The second floor was as large as the first, but the door to the largest room was slightly ajar.
Qin An looked ahead and saw a desk inside the room.
A middle-aged man in a black robe with golden patterns was there, holding a brush and writing.
Seemingly sensing Qin An’s presence, the man looked up and beckoned Qin An over, indicating for him to co over.
Without any formality, Qin An briskly entered the room.
As soon as he entered, he respectfully addressed the man: "I am Qin An. May I know how to address you?"
The man smiled gently, pointed to the seat opposite, and said: "Have a seat. I am Situyang, the Clan Leader of the human forces in the Celestial Cloud Forbidden Land."
"Since Mr. Qin is here, and at the request of Lord Bai, there’s no need to be formal; treat as one of your own."
"Back then, when we were pushed to the brink by the Demon Pseudo-God forces, it was Lord Bai who tily arrived with his n to help us through, or else we would have beco ashes in that corner by now."
Qin An was straightforward: "It’s a long story, so I’ll keep it brief. My visit to the Celestial Cloud Forbidden Land is at Lord Bai’s behest, and I’m here to find the location of the Celestial Cloud Pool. Does Clan Leader Situyang know where it is?"
Clan Leader Situyang hesitated for a mont, then frowned: "I take it Mr. Qin intends to forge an unparalleled foundation in the Tripod Aspiration Realm? That’s very difficult."
Upon hearing this, Qin An remarked: "Since you ntioned difficulty, it must an you know the whereabouts of the Celestial Cloud Pool. Please clarify, Clan Leader. I’ll try first, and if it proves too hard, I’ll look for another way."
Qin An sensed a hint that Clan Leader Situyang indeed knew the pool’s location.
Clan Leader Situyang nodded: "I indeed discovered the pool’s current location by chance, but to reach it, you’ll first have to face the native guardians; they’re very formidable."
"Why face the natives?" Qin An asked, "Are they guarding the Celestial Cloud Pool?"
Clan Leader Situyang nodded: "Exactly, to these natives of the Celestial Cloud Forbidden Land, the pool is exceedingly sacred, and they hold it in high regard."
"Outsiders wanting to soak in the pool would be seen as desecrating a holy site and thus beco their enemy."
"The Celestial Cloud Forbidden Land is quite expansive, even a Tripod Aspiration Realm expert may struggle to get close to the pool."
Qin An spoke gravely: "If that’s the case, it is difficult. Would you tell where the pool is located?"
Upon hearing this, Clan Leader Situyang frowned: "Mr. Qin, such a daunting task is challenging even for , are you still set on forging an unparalleled foundation in the Celestial Cloud Pool?"
He was trying to make it clear, hoping Qin An would know when to retreat.
After all, Qin An was connected to Bai Lingfeng, and he didn’t want Qin An to sacrifice his life needlessly.
Otherwise, it would be hard to explain to Bai Lingfeng.
If it were soone else, he wouldn’t bother.
Yet Qin An seed adamant about visiting the Celestial Cloud Pool, leaving Clan Leader Situyang a bit helpless.
Qin An solemnly declared: "I’ve faced countless challenges along the way, slaying Demon Pseudo-Gods in heaps and piles."
"All this is to forge an unparalleled foundation; if I give up here, I’d be unwilling. I want to try, and if truly impossible, I won’t risk my life recklessly to forge this foundation."
Upon hearing this, Clan Leader Situyang sighed: "Since you insist, I can’t stop you. Please bring the map over, and I’ll show you where the pool is."
Qin An slightly nodded, took a map from his chest, and handed it to Clan Leader Situyang.
Clan Leader Situyang took it, marked a spot on the map with a brush, and then said: "The Celestial Cloud Pool is here; if Mr. Qin wishes to go, you may do so anyti."
"Although the natives treat the pool as a holy site, they don’t seem hostile to us, but Mr. Qin must be cautious to return within three days."
"Otherwise, the collective will of the beings there will erode your mind, and even if you soak in the pool, your thoughts will be fully erased by their will, turning you into a mindless puppet."
Qin An checked the map; the pool wasn’t far from where he was. He then clasped his fists: "If so, I’ll take my leave."
He didn’t linger, since he only had three days.
He quickly left the room and headed in the direction Clan Leader Situyang indicated.
Clan Leader Situyang watched Qin An leave, not stopping him.
Soon, a rush of footsteps was heard.
Clan Leader Situyang lightly frowned, looking towards the door.
A human cultivator entered, quickly clasping his fists: "Clan Leader, bad news! There’s activity from the Demon Pseudo-Gods. The spies hidden in the shadows told they’re tracking Mr. Qin, intending to kill him."
Upon hearing this, Clan Leader Situyang displayed a shocked expression: "Send people to pursue Mr. Qin and inform him that soone plans to ambush him."
If Qin An dies at the Celestial Cloud Pool, it’s his own choice.
Yet being killed by Demon Pseudo-Gods would leave them sowhat implicated.
The cultivator quickly agreed and silently left the room, heading directly towards Qin An’s direction.
Clan Leader Situyang’s face turned grim, slowly sitting down, sensing a vast net of conspiracy closing in on Qin An.
The Clan Leader paced the room repeatedly.
About an hour later, the human cultivator who left before returned, but this ti with a helpless look.
"Clan Leader, it’s not good, Mr. Qin insisted on going to the Celestial Cloud Pool, and we couldn’t stop him."
Clan Leader Situyang gritted his teeth: "The guy is really stubborn! Send a team to secretly protect him. If the Demon Pseudo-Gods plan to attack him, ensure his safety, but if he dies in the pool, don’t intervene."
The human cultivator quickly agreed, then dispatched a large team heading towards Qin An.
...
At this mont, Qin An was almost at the Celestial Cloud Pool.
When the human cultivators found him, he realized there might be a grand plot targeting him in the Celestial Cloud Forbidden Land.
But the arrow was already on the bowstring, and he had to act, so he didn’t linger, continuing to rush forward.
With the Celestial Cloud Pool within reach, Qin An’s heart surged, yet just then, anomalies suddenly erged.
User Comments
0 comments from readers