The Return of Stars to the Jianghu

Chapter 164 The Truth About the Great Flood is Revealed in Qingluan Valley

When Senior Qingluan saw them, a warm, spring-like smile immediately bloomed on her face. Her gentle gaze swept over everyone, and finally she asked softly, "You've gone through so many hardships on this journey, have you gained anything special?"

Luo Yifei immediately stepped forward, respectfully holding up a dazzling spiritual pearl with both hands. Inside the pearl, stars seemed to flow, filling it with mystery and profundity. He recounted in detail their experiences along the way, how they fought against difficulties, how they overcame numerous obstacles, and finally obtained this spiritual pearl containing the power of the Heavenly Dao.

Senior Qingluan nodded slightly after hearing this, her eyes sparkling with appreciation. She carefully examined the spirit pearl and said in a gentle voice, "You have indeed done very well. This spirit pearl is called the Illusionary Star Pearl, and it contains the purest power of the Heavenly Dao in the world. If it can be used properly, it can not only change the rules of the world, but also create its own microcosm within a powerful barrier."

Upon hearing this, Luo Yifei's face lit up with joy. He took out an ancient book from his pocket, presented it with both hands, and said to Senior Qingluan, "Senior, in addition to this spirit pearl, we also unexpectedly found an ancient book in the Immortal Spirit Secret Realm of the Giant Clan."

Upon hearing this, Senior Qingluan slightly raised her head, her gaze falling on the ancient book in Luo Yifei's hand. As if sensing Senior Qingluan's presence, the ancient book automatically flew out of Luo Yifei's hand and landed steadily in Senior Qingluan's hand.

Seeing this, Su An stepped forward and said respectfully, "Senior, if I understand correctly, this ancient book records a very powerful method for setting up a barrier."

Senior Qingluan gently opened the ancient book, a look of reminiscence on her face. She smiled and said, "This is no simple ancient book on formations. I once saw this book in the Immortal Spirit Secret Realm of the Giant Clan, but I did not bring it out at the time because I knew that with my cultivation level at that time, it was absolutely impossible for me to master such immortal techniques."

She looked up at the crowd, a smile flashing in her eyes: "However, seeing you all now fills me with deep satisfaction. This ancient book is not merely a formation for setting up barriers, but a celestial technique capable of creating the world. If a destined person can master this technique, they can create a microcosm independent of the larger universe. How wondrous and magnificent that is!"

"So, what you mean is to create a universe of their own for the demon race, in order to avoid endless wars between humans and demons," Shen Lixi guessed.

Senior Qingluan smiled and nodded, looking at Shen Lixi with appreciation: "You're right. This is indeed an excellent solution to the war between humans and demons. However, creating a universe is far more difficult than you can imagine. Even I have never tried it."

"But we're willing to give it a try!" Luo Yifei and the others said in unison, their eyes filled with determination and resolve.

Senior Qingluan looked at them, her eyes gleaming with admiration and expectation. She gently stroked the Illusionary Star Pearl and the ancient book, as if to pass on her will and hope to these young cultivators.

“Alright! Since you’re willing to give it a try, I’ll lend you a hand.” Senior Qingluan said, then stood up and walked into the depths of the cave. A moment later, she came out carrying an ancient jade box.

"This is the treasure of Qingluan Valley—the Qingluan Feather. It contains the bloodline power of the Qingluan clan and can help you better master the power of the Heavenly Dao." Senior Qingluan said, handing the jade box to Luo Yifei.

Luo Yifei carefully took the jade box, opened it, and saw a piece of emerald green feather lying inside. The feather emitted a faint glow, as if it contained endless vitality. He felt a powerful force emanating from the feather, which made his heart surge.

"Thank you very much, senior!" Luo Yifei and the others said gratefully.

Just as everyone was expressing their gratitude, Qingming suddenly burst in.

"Master, something terrible has happened!" Qingming cried out urgently, his voice revealing an undisguised tension and anxiety. "Many cultivators from other sects have suddenly gathered outside the valley, and they all seem to be here for the Illusionary Star Pearl."

As soon as Qingming finished speaking, accompanied by his tense tone, a loud noise suddenly came from outside the valley. Everyone looked out and saw flashes of magical light in the sky outside the valley. Clearly, the cultivators had begun attacking the valley's protective formation.

"Qingming, when you said you defeated the cultivators who were vying for the Illusionary Star Pearl, did you mean you killed them?" Senior Qingluan asked in a deep voice, his gaze fixed on Qingming, hoping to get a definite answer from him.

Qingming shook his head and hurriedly explained, "No, Master, we didn't kill them. Although they all wanted to fight for the Illusionary Star Pearl, they all chose to run away after we fought them. No one died at our hands."

Qingming took a deep breath and continued, “Furthermore, there is another matter I need to report to you. The spacetime tunnel north of Tiandu City in Wuzhong Kingdom connects to the ocean of another world. Under the organization of the two major sects, Illusion Pavilion and Star Palace, cultivators from all sects jointly cast powerful spells to divert the seawater of that world to the Dragon Transformation River, which eventually flowed into the ocean of our world. This process has lasted for seven days and seven nights. Those cultivators with lower strength were arranged to search for the power of the Heavenly Dao in the mountains north of Tiandu City. However, on the eighth day, the sea level clearly appeared on the other side of the tunnel, so some people began to abandon their spells and enter the spacetime tunnel. As more and more people gave up casting spells to divert the flow, the formation quickly became ineffective, and then a great flood engulfed everything.”

Qingming spoke quickly, but every word was clearly audible to everyone. As they listened to Qingming's explanation, solemn expressions appeared on their faces.

"Clearly, these cultivators outside the valley must have received a report from the escaped junior cultivators, learning that the Illusionary Star Pearl had fallen into your hands. Why did they chase you all the way to Azure Phoenix Valley in the first place? Qingming, when they returned, you confirmed that there were no tails. That means the tails you brought are far stronger than you. It seems we're in trouble," Senior Azure Phoenix said.

As soon as Senior Qingluan finished speaking, the attacks outside the valley intensified. Clearly, those cultivators were eager to break into Qingluan Valley and seize the Illusionary Star Pearl.

"Master, what should we do?" Qingming asked anxiously.

A resolute glint flashed in Senior Qingluan's eyes. She said in a deep voice, "Qingming, go and gather all the disciples in the valley immediately to prepare for battle. Luo Yifei, Shen Lixi, Su An, and Qi Yuan, the four of you come with me."

After speaking, Senior Qingluan led Luo Yifei and the others deeper into the cave. Deep within the cave was a hidden chamber filled with various strange magical treasures and secret manuals. Senior Qingluan walked to the center of the chamber, took out four gleaming swords from a hidden compartment, and handed them to Luo Yifei and the others.

"These four swords are one of the treasures of Qingluan Valley—the Qingluan Swords. They represent the four elemental powers of wind, fire, thunder, and lightning, respectively. If each of you wields one, you can unleash tremendous power," Senior Qingluan explained.

Luo Yifei and the others received the sword, and felt a powerful force emanating from its blade, as if it were merging their entire bodies into it. They knew that this was Senior Qingluan's trust and expectations of them.

"Thank you very much, senior!" Luo Yifei and the others said gratefully.