Chapter Sixteen: Ancient Secret Rumors

  Yu Xue left Xuan Feng Gou to see Hei Ri who had not returned yet and consulted with Huang Jin. Huang Jin said:

  "Don't bother about him, I know what he's up to and where he is."

  "How was I supposed to know?"

  "That's because your skills are too shallow. The three of us originally had a spiritual connection, and when we encounter danger, we can call out to each other even if we're thousands of miles apart. It's just that with your current skills, it's only possible within a hundred miles or so. Beyond that, you won't be able to sense anything." He then taught her the method for sensing and calling out. It was very simple, and Yuxue learned it immediately. She tried to sense something, but it was useless - Hei Ri had gone too far away. Then she used the calling method again, and after a while, she heard Hei Ri's voice in her heart: "What's up, little girl? You play for now, I'll bring you back some good stuff when I return." After that, there was no more sound.

  Jade Snow idly sits and chats with Huang Jin:

  "Feng Jin sisters, how did you get trapped in the beast-confining bell? You're not bad people! Who did such a terrible thing to take away your freedom?"

  She gave him a sideways glance:

  "Little girl, don't talk nonsense. That person is someone I respect the most."

  Jade Snow Screams:

  "What! You still respect him after what he did to you?"

  Phoenix Gold Serious:

  "I'm different from Hei Ri, I voluntarily entered the sealed beast bell. If you want to listen, I'll tell you, just don't mention these words in front of Hei Ri." Yu Xue nodded. Huang Jin said:

  "In ancient times, monsters wreaked havoc on the human world, making people's lives unbearable. This moved a powerful immortal to take action. She felt the suffering of the common people and asked another powerful immortal to descend into the mortal realm to subdue the monsters. The immortal who descended spent three years collecting countless heavenly treasures and precious materials, putting in a lot of thought before finally creating the Beast-Sealing Bell. Because she was a bird-bodied deity who had achieved great spiritual powers through her cultivation, she pitied the difficulties faced by other creatures in their own cultivations and was kind-hearted, choosing to seal rather than kill. This is why it was called the Beast-Sealing Bell, not the Monster-Killing Bell. After descending into the mortal realm, she traveled far and wide, subduing monsters one by one and sealing them within the bell."

  Yu Xue exclaimed: "I know who this immortal is who has descended to the mortal world! The one who cultivated great divine powers with a bird's body must be the Ninth Heaven Mystic Lady! She should be considered my ancestor!"

  Ancient legend has it that after Pangu opened up the sky and earth, Nüwa used her great divine power to create humans, exhausting her heart's blood and energy. Later, Gonggong crashed into Mount Buzhou, causing the sky to collapse and the earth to sink. Nüwa was heartbroken at the miserable sight of humanity on the verge of extinction, so she refined the five-colored stones to repair the sky. When the repair was successful, she had exhausted her energy and dissipated between heaven and earth. Only a wisp of spiritual consciousness remained, transforming into a mysterious bird guarding the human world. After many years, the mysterious bird gradually cultivated its powers and flew up to the ninth heaven, refining its great divine power and transforming into a beautiful female immortal known as "The Mysterious Lady of the Ninth Heaven". The phoenix nodded slowly:

  "That's right, she is the Nine Heavens Xuan Nü. Later, she traveled all over the world, subduing monsters and demons. Black Day was captured during that time. Although Black Day had some evil intentions, he wasn't entirely bad, but he accidentally caused a great flood that killed many innocent lives, so she took him in as her main array spirit general to make up for his mistakes. During the Yellow Emperor's reign, she helped the Yellow Emperor defeat Chi You, and her achievements were passed down through generations. Many years after the Yellow Emperor, the great god who ordered her to descend into the mortal world also descended into the mortal world to undergo tribulations. As it turns out, she had already achieved an indestructible body through her cultivation, but she took pity on the suffering of mortals and reincarnated to complete her mission to save and rescue those in need. The Nine Heavens Xuan Nü handed over the Beast-Sealing Bell to her, and with her mission accomplished, she returned to the Nine Heavens. This person who underwent tribulations later became my master. My master, after more than a thousand years, transcended her tribulations and ascended to immortality, which was due to her suppressing her powers in order to save more people. During these thousands of years, I and Qing sister were always by her side. The place where she was born is not far from here, and as a child, she already showed great divine powers, and was revered as a goddess by her tribe, who treated her as their queen. She also saved the ancient Qiang people on this grassland, who are now known as Mongolians, so it can be said that she is your ancestor. She also passed down the Daoist tradition, using her great divine powers to create the Kunlun Caves, which is the origin of the Kunlun Sect. Now, I suppose you already know who she is?"

  "Huang Jin continued: 'That's right, she is Queen Mother of the West, my master!'"

  Yu Xue was so astonished by this ancient secret that she couldn't speak. Two female immortals, so divine and powerful that even their backs were beyond her gaze, revered deities who unexpectedly had some minor connection with herself! One could be said to be her ancestral master, the one who passed down the "Nine Heavens Mysterious Girl Classic" which Yu Xue cultivated; another could be said to be her ancestral queen of ancient Mongolia, the founding ancestor of the Kunlun Sect!

  Huang Jin continued:

  "My master was about to ascend when he calculated that the Sealing Bell would have another use, so he didn't plan on bringing it back to Heaven. However, the person with the affinity for it wouldn't appear until two thousand years later. If the Sealing Bell were left alone for two thousand years, who knows what kind of trouble Black Day might stir up? His nature is such that if no one suppresses him, he'll inevitably cause trouble. My master had originally planned on bringing me and Qing Sister back to Heaven together, but this way, one of us would have to stay behind to suppress Black Day. After careful consideration, my master asked me if I was willing to stay behind and enter the Sealing Bell as a vessel spirit. I agreed gladly. Not long after, I was placed inside the Sealing Bell. My master released me one last time on a snowy mountain a thousand miles southwest of Kunlun Mountain's cave dwelling. The place was even more treacherous than Kunlun Mountain, with icy skies and snow-covered land filled with crevices and hidden pitfalls, and frequent blizzards that lasted for days. My master dug out a cave on the mountain slope, set up countless restrictions, and instructed me before letting me enter the Sealing Bell. I felt him place the Sealing Bell in the center of the array and then cut off our connection. From then on, I never saw him again. He must have ascended back to Heaven."

  Huang Jin said this, Yu Xue felt a little sad and depressed. Although she said she was happy to agree, it was also out of respect for the Queen Mother of the West. After a moment of silence, Huang Jin sighed:

  "Next was a long, long two thousand years. Black Day God and I couldn't find anything to do so we could only fight for fun or bully the other eight space's demonic beasts. You know that as instrument spirits, Black Day and I can come and go from other spaces at will or seal off other demonic beasts."

  Jade Snow hurriedly asked:

  "What is the world like inside the Beast's Bell?" She had always wanted to ask this question.

  "According to the Bagua diagram, we arrange eight spaces in a specific direction. Including the central space, there are nine spaces in total. Each space has a slightly different landscape."

  Jade Snow was taken aback: "Scenic view?"

  "There are mountains and water inside, just like in the real world. However, there is no living creature, only flowers, grass, and trees."

  "What kind of monster is this?"

  "Everything has all sorts of varieties and is very diverse."

  "Will they eat each other?"

  "It won't work inside, the space is very large. Each space is further divided into many small spaces, one for each person. Only when you activate the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Array will these small spatial barriers disappear. Hei Ri and I also have the ability to set up small spatial barriers to restrain demonic beasts. Although we often cross the large spatial barrier to find demonic beasts to fight, many demonic beasts are more powerful than us and it's not easy to provoke them."

  "What? Even more powerful than you!" Yuxue began to understand the extent of the ferocity of the demonic beasts in the sealed beast bell. She immediately decided that she would not lightly attempt to explore the world inside the sealed beast bell or release or absorb the demonic beasts against her enemies. In short, it was still one sentence: Don't use this ancient artifact. She muttered to herself:

  "If I'm the destined user, why can't it be used at all?!"

  "Of course it's because your skills are not enough. Little girl should keep working hard."

  Jade Snow thought of the great magical powers of the Ninth Heaven Xuan Nü and the Queen Mother of the West, and suddenly felt a wave of disappointment. When would she be able to cultivate to such an extent? Anyway, she must first work hard to cultivate and strive to reunite with her mother as soon as possible. Suddenly thinking of a question, she asked:

  "You said earlier that Xi Wangmu put the seal beast bell in a treacherous snowy mountain and set up many restrictions, so how did my mother get it?"

  Huang Jin shook her head, this time she really didn't know. Although Yu Xue Nu was obviously a person from the Kunlun Sect and might have seen the sect's classics, knowing that there was such a treasure and also knowing that it was the phoenix, the divine beast of the sect, who had become the instrument spirit, but it was impossible to know the specific location of the mountain cave. Because Xi Wang Mu knew at the time that the destined person was not from the Kunlun Sect, she placed the Sealing Beast Bell in a place far away from Mount Kunlun.

  Here is the translation:

  When Huáng Jīn saw Yù Xuě Niáng at that time, she had severe internal injuries and was only in the Yuányīng period of her cultivation. She had exerted herself to do many things for Yù Xuě and had reached the edge of dispersing her energy. But it didn't make sense, as Yù Xuě Niáng had obviously obtained the Fēng Shòu Líng not long ago, and she had just given birth to Yù Xuě. How could a pregnant woman with a big belly run to that treacherous snowy mountain, unlock the mechanisms and restrictions, and take such risks to get the Fēng Shòu Líng? That place was not easy to find, and one had to search carefully on the mountain waist. The mountain waist was full of restrictions, ice cracks, and traps, and a single misstep could trigger an avalanche. Yù Xuě Niáng, with only her Yuányīng period cultivation, was still pregnant and took the risk of losing her life to find a legendary treasure. This didn't add up! It seemed that she had a meticulous mind and wouldn't do such a foolish thing. If it were to ask for help from her sect, it also didn't make sense. At that time, Yù Xuě Niáng was alone when she did all these things for Yù Xuě. Later, Yù Xuě Niáng's master came to send Yù Xuě down the mountain. Yù Xuě Niáng didn't mention a word about the Fēng Shòu Líng and only asked her master to help find a good family to adopt Yù Xuě. Her master seemed to sigh but didn't say anything. After sending Yù Xuě down the mountain, she watched as ā Mùěr took Yù Xuě away and then left. It seemed that she didn't know about the Fēng Shòu Líng at all. Such a precious treasure, if she knew about it, she wouldn't possibly hand it over to an infant casually. If the evil demons knew, not only would Yù Xuě be in danger, but it would also cause chaos in the world; releasing a single demonic beast or forcing the Qì Líng Dragon and Phoenix to do evil could trigger a bloodbath. As a prominent figure of the Kūn Lún Sect's Orthodox School, she wouldn't do such a reckless thing. Huáng Jīn thought hard but couldn't understand this matter. The only possibility was that there were other hidden circumstances. She had been aware of the outside world since Yù Xuě's blood recognition ceremony. Before that, something must have happened, but she didn't know what it was.

  Phoenix Golden shook her head and said she really didn't know. Jade Snow looked at her expression, not like pretending, so she had to put this matter aside. She thought about the elegance of the Ninth Heaven Xian Nü and the Queen Mother of the West, and couldn't help but feel a sense of longing. After a while, she suddenly smiled and said:

  "I know who you're talking about, Green Sister! It must be the Green Bird by the side of Queen Mother of the West!"

  It is said that during the Western Zhou period, the Queen Mother of the West once invited King Mu of Zhou to a banquet at Yaochi Pool and sent a blue bird to pay respects to King Mu's journey. The green sister in Huang Quan's mouth must be her.

  Phoenix Golden smiled and said, "Little girl knows quite a lot. At that time, the mother's cave mansion had countless rare birds and beasts. I and Qing sister were in charge of flying birds with the highest cultivation, which was most pleasing to the mother."

  "What about Hei Ri Dage? Is he in charge of the walking beasts?"

  The Phoenix King revealed a disdainful expression:

  "He was just a spirit in the sealed beast bell at that time, it's already good enough for him to come out and play, how could he have such power? It's the Qilin couple who control the beasts."

  Jade snow how tongue with black day god through actually being looked down upon! And asked:

  "Now those old companions of yours might still be in Kunlun Cave Mansion, you should go back and take a look."

  Phoenix Golden shook his head:

  "I won't go. Firstly, when the Empress arranged for the merits to be completed and returned to the Heavenly Realm, she took away most of the remaining ones, leaving only some junior ones behind. I'm still wandering in the mortal world and have become the instrument spirit of the Sealing Beast Bell, so I really don't have the face to see familiar people. Secondly, this Sealing Beast Bell was originally a precious treasure of the Kunlun Sect. Although it's been two thousand years, I'm afraid there are still people who know about the events back then. As soon as I show my face, someone will guess my identity. There aren't many phoenixes in the world, but only I am familiar with the paths and restrictions of the Kunlun Cave Mansion. If the Kunlun Sect asks you for it, will you give it to them or not?"

  Yu Xue smiled and said: "Sister, you're worrying too much! The Kunlun Sect was founded by the Queen Mother herself, and I have a deep connection with it. I'm sure they won't make things difficult for me!"

  Phoenix Golden shakes her head:

  "You're still young and naive, thinking too simply. Two thousand years have passed, things are no longer the same. Who knows what they think! If you reveal your true intentions, you'll be in trouble. Moreover, the origins of your cultivation method and the Sealing Bell are unclear, and it's unknown how your mother obtained them. The Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman Scripture and the Jade Void Scripture are both precious scriptures of the Kunlun School. The Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman Scripture was created by the Mysterious Woman herself and was given to your mother along with the Sealing Bell to find a successor in the mortal world, making it a Kunlun School ultimate skill. Of course, the Jade Void Scripture was created by your mother and is also a secret art of the Kunlun School that cannot be revealed outside. You possess two great treasures of Kunlun, yet you can't explain their origins. If word gets out, it's strange if you won't be hunted down by the Kunlun School! And you're still shouting about sending them over! Although this place is far from the Kunlun Cave Mansion, cultivators can arrive in an instant, which is why I'm warning you and Hei Ri to be careful at all times. One day, you will definitely encounter someone from the Kunlun School, and when that happens, remember to conceal your cultivation method and the Sealing Bell!"

  Yu Xue was stunned. But she knew that Huang Jin's painstaking efforts were all for her consideration, and her heart was moved. From then on, she firmly remembered Huang Jin's words and didn't dare to relax at all, nor did she dare to think about going to Kunlun to ask about her mother again. For a moment, the two fell into silence.

  Phoenix Golden saw her being a bit afraid and comforted her with a smile:

  "You don't have to think too much, sometimes the most dangerous places are actually the safest. The Kunlun Sect people would never think that you're hiding under their noses with the sealed beast bell. Judging from the situation, they must know about your tribe. These cultivators who are high up in the sky for a long time won't take ordinary people seriously, so your tribe is actually the safest place. Don't worry anymore. Hei Ri will be back soon! Hmph! Just thinking about those hidden treasures from before!"

  Yu Xue's heart relaxed when she heard Bao Bei's curious voice:

  "Where did he take the treasure?"

  "Two thousand miles away, Qinghai Lake is also known as the Western Sea, which is what you Mongolians call 'Kukunor'. There was a Water Palace that he had built in his early years. Before he was captured, it was quite majestic! There were several water palaces scattered across the five lakes and four seas, but unfortunately, after tens of thousands of years, they are still remembered. It's really beyond words!"

  "Ten thousand years! He's been in the Sealed Beast Bell for so long! My sister, who has only been here for two thousand years, I already think it's too long. Ten thousand years, how unbearable!" Yu Xue sighed.

  Huang Jinxiang said:

  "For our generation, time is nothing. We have infinite lifespan and I'm even called the 'Undying Bird'! You don't need to pity him. He followed Xiwangmu and Nüwa to capture demons and often came out to fight, which satisfied his belligerent nature and established many merits. It's much better than his previous life of causing trouble without any good outcome! Only the last two thousand years were really boring, but I was with him anyway! His temperament has been slowly restrained by us and gradually improved. You don't need to worry that he'll go wild one day."

  "After all this time, would his former sweetheart still be there?" Yuxue asked again.

  "This is not very clear. However, in the past, his reputation was so great that even if he wasn't at home, no one dared to touch his things. He's also extremely stingy. I heard him say that after being captured, he begged Lady Xuanwu to reveal the location of his hidden treasures and set up many restrictions. Lady Xuanwu pitied him and agreed. People thought he was cultivating with Lady Xuanwu, who would dare to touch his hidden treasures? Later, when he followed Queen Mother of the West, he occasionally went to the mortal world to capture demons and reveal himself, but his reputation remained outside for two thousand years, only his whereabouts were unknown. Perhaps someone thinks he has already ascended and taken his treasures with him, it's not certain. In these two thousand years, listening to him talk about those treasures, my old ears have grown calluses! It's best if they're still there, otherwise, we'll be in trouble!" Huáng Jīn laughed.

  Yu Xue thought for a moment and said:

  "I don't dare guarantee if other treasures of Shui Fu are still there or not, but if it's the one from Xi Hai, it must still be there!"

  "This time Huang Jin was surprised: 'Why?'"

  "In the past, the Western Sea was called 'Sacred Lake' because of the Queen Mother of the West. It's said that this is where she had her 'Jade Pool'. That's why there's a story about King Mu of Zhou meeting the Queen Mother at the Jade Pool. However, only we cultivators know that the real Jade Pool is actually in the Heavenly Realm's Kunlun Caves, and this one is just an imitation. My sister told me this, so it seems they actually met by the Western Sea back then. Mortals don't know these things, but after the Queen Mother returned to Heaven, they started treating the Western Sea as a 'Sacred Lake' and would hold ceremonies every year on July 18th, her birthday. With all these comings and goings, it became real. Those demons must have thought this was the Queen's sacred land too, and wouldn't dare to offend easily. In that case, even after two thousand years, Hei Ri's Water Palace should still be safe!" Yu Xue analyzed."

  Phoenix Golden thought indeed so. Haha laughed and said:

  "You little scamp! Indeed it is! And Black Day has gone for half a day, he must have gotten his treasure. Later, don't forget to share the loot with him and make him feel heartbroken!"