The thunderstorm had passed overnight, leaving the vegetation surrounding Liangzi Lake washed clean.
With the first light of dawn, distant mountains were edged with a layer of gold.
What should have been an intoxicating beautiful scene was marred by a foul stench emanating from the lake, carrying the scent of charred flesh and blood, lingering in the air.
On the lake, dozens of small boats were roving about, even the Navy’s Jiujiang patrol boats had sailed into the heart of the lake.
Beyond that, large chunks of black material floated in the lake, similar to charcoal, from which the foul sll originated.
"Be careful!"
"We need a few more people over here!"
"Quick, they’ve found sothing over there!"
Upon hearing the shout, the surrounding boats quickly converged.
Plop! Plop!
Many people jumped into the water and, after a short while, reerged pulling on ropes, while nurous soldiers used pulleys to heave strenuously.
Splash!
Soon, muddy water surged with splashes.
A Lu Ban’s Wooden Sparrow was brought to the surface, in much worse condition than the one Li Yan had found, its top even flattened.
Yet, the Navy soldiers still let out an exuberant cheer...
Outside his tent, Li Yan, hearing the commotion, couldn’t help but look up in curiosity.
Yesterday’s "Zhengyi Dharma Thunder" spectacle had truly broadened his horizons, a sight he would likely never forget in his lifeti.
Elder Gao Zhang Zhitong had said that during the thunderstrike, Astral Fire might descend, which he initially didn’t grasp, but after yesterday’s experience, he instantly understood.
The "vision flesh" had consud Gaochang Ghost City, rging with the Land of Great Evil, inherently a malevolent being, which also ensnared countless wronged spirits.
It could be said to be on par with a top-level old demon.
But its only flaw was its lack of intelligence.
As thunder rolled, the being, feeling threatened, instinctively released accumulated Yin Evil Qi and poison fog, enhancing the might of the Heavenly Thunder.
Bolts of lightning struck down, imdiately splattering the creature into chunks of flesh.
What was more terrifying was that the Heavenly Thunder seed to ignite the Thunder Qi in the air, leaving trails of bright orange flas along its path that fell once more.
Such a sight was unseen in a past life.
These Astral Fires ntioned by Zhang Zhitong, upon falling, directly ignited the Yin Evil Qi, rging the two, and almost instantly set alight and scattered the souls of all those yin souls and fierce ghosts.
Afterward, it was the "vision flesh"’s turn.
The scorching of the Astral Fire began from the inside, the huge body of the vision flesh surged up from the lake, showing lines of fire along its body, which, struck by lightning, turned to charred remains.
This scene left everyone staring in awe.
Of course, such power ca with a shocking toll, even with the assistance of the Heavenly Thunder, one needed to refine their own Thunder Qi for casting spells.
After the Thunder Punishnt ended, a group of Daoists from Dragon and Tiger Mountain, too exhausted to stand, returned to the main camp to rest.
Suppressing the "vision flesh" was not the end.
After all, the inscriptions in the tomb ntioned that the two predecessors had crafted a total of ten Lu Ban’s Wooden Sparrows, most of which had been devoured by the "vision flesh."
Hence, soldiers were ordered to search the entire Liangzi Lake area, and Yuan Feng offered lavish rewards, rewarding a thousand taels of silver for each find.
Where there were handso rewards, there would be brave n; those Navy soldiers naturally didn’t need to ntion their water skills. In a short ti, two had been found; it was estimated that all could be salvaged within a few days.
Of course, other items were also being retrieved.
Two monks from the Law Enforcent Hall carried an object from the shore.
Master Tong Huan, Cheng Jue, and even Tian Qianhu of the Captain Bureau all stood by, moving closer when they saw it.
"Brother, we’ve found it."
The two Martial Monks set down their burden and stepped aside.
On the ground lay an object, about the size of a basin, rough and pitch-black on one side, while the other was polished and shiny, emitting a greenish vitreous luster.
The smooth side was carved into the form of a deity, ferocious in appearance, with six arms each holding a Magic Artifact, the very visage of the Ghost-Faced Dakini from the Thangka seen earlier.
However, unlike on the Thangka, the Dakini’s belly was swollen and round, even hollow inside, with a sticky, viscous substance and so black mbrane-like materials inside, resembling a ruptured embryo.
"Glass teorite?"
Upon seeing the material of the object, Li Yan couldn’t help but be a little surprised.
Master Tong Huan asked, "Does Mister Li recognize this item?"
Li Yan nodded, "This object is indeed a teorite. Its exterior is coarse, but once polished inside it resembles glass. To find such a large piece is truly rare."
He had only accidentally co to know of this.
In his past life, teorites were also collectibles. He had learned of this rare find after seeing a report where soone had sold such an item for a handso sum.
With that in mind, Li Yan also asked with a frown, "Master, is this the Divine Embryo?"
Master Tong Huan nodded and said in a grave tone, "Legend has it that the Dakini bridges the divine and the mortal worlds, so it should indeed be the Divine Embryo."
However, Li Yan’s doubts deepened, "Then what’s with the embryonic sac inside, could it be that the Black Sky Mahakala has a physical form?"
That was the truly strange part.
Whether it be Rejuvenators or beings from the Lower Realm, from what information was available, they usually existed as spiritual entities that found physical form in the Human World.
Yet this Divine Embryo was a physical object.
Master Tong Huan fell silent for a mont and shook his head, "I am also unclear about this matter. The teachings of the Kongxing Sect are ancient, and perhaps involve their unique Secret Techniques."
"I will take this object back and consult so elders before making a decision."
"Oh."
Li Yan’s expression remained unchanged, and he didn’t press further.
He had a feeling that the old monk wasn’t telling the whole truth. The elders he ntioned consulting were likely those hidden Earth Immortals, presumably involving so secret matters.
Although curious, he couldn’t well pry if others were unwilling to reveal more.
However, at that mont, Zhang Zhitong from Dragon and Tiger Mountain, having received the news, hastily exited the tent, took one look, and said with a grave expression, "Daoist, this object must not be kept privately."
Master Tong Huan brought his hands together in a gesture of respect and replied, "Daoist Zhang, rest assured, the elders will decide this matter. Simply report back as it happened, and neither you nor I have the authority to decide."
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