Chapter 067: The Emergence of the Divine Artifact

A dense layer of white mist enveloped all corners of the Tianshan Mountains, shrouding everything from the Blue Lake below to the main snowy summit above. Along with the rising mist came a powerful tremor that shook the entire mountain range, sending carrier pigeons flapping in confusion and making it difficult for those in the mountains to steady their minds or act normally.

Witnessing such a strange phenomenon and feeling the tremors, everyone was filled with astonishment. As the thick white mist gathered and rose into the shape of a lotus blossom, ascending to the heavens and dispersing above, the people could not help but marvel.

“What kind of thing could cause such an anomaly? To shake Tianshan and stir the skies above—could it be a blessing or a curse?”

“The tremor is profound, suggesting this thing possesses immense power and could awe the world; the clouds and mist take the form of a lotus, ascending to the heavens—surely this is something of Tianshan!”

Listening to these exclamations, Lan Shui and Ji Lin exchanged glances, momentarily speechless.

Earlier, the two of them had been halfway up the mountain, having just settled a dispute among the people of Tian, when they suddenly felt a wave of discomfort. The sensation resembled an earthly quake, but was even more disorienting, alarming, and soul-stirring. Though it only lasted for a fleeting moment, it left everyone unsettled.

“Senior brother, what’s going on?”

“It seems to be the sign of a divine artifact emerging. Let’s hurry back and see!”

When Lan Shui and Ji Lin returned to the main peak of Tianshan, Qian Gui and Jiu Cang were already standing at Zhengjun Pavilion. Below the pavilion, many disciples had gathered, and kneeling upon the platform was none other than Xue Ze.

“Sister, what mistake has she made?” Qian Gui looked at Lan Shui with a complicated expression before turning to Jiu Cang and saying, “This is a matter of destiny—it cannot be blamed on Xue Ze. Why not let her redeem herself by meritorious deeds?”

“How shall she atone? Your disciple truly gives us no peace—just now she was on the brink of life and death, and now she’s gone and opened the Door of Divine Artifacts. Is she a genius, or simply a mischievous sprite?”

Qian Gui gave an embarrassed smile, about to intercede, when Jian Rong silently knelt down.

Jiu Cang was taken aback in shock. “Jian Rong, what are you doing?”

“Honored Master, the Door of Divine Artifacts opened suddenly, disturbing all of Tianshan. I fear more trouble is yet to come. Though the incident is strange, it was indeed caused by my junior sister, and her guilt cannot be denied. I am ashamed as a senior disciple for failing to instruct her properly. I beg you to punish me as well.”

Jiu Cang helped Jian Rong up, then looked at Xue Ze. “It is in critical moments that composure becomes paramount. Xue Ze, you should learn from your senior sister how to be a disciplined and proper disciple of Tianshan. Now, how did you come to open the Door of Divine Artifacts? Have you reflected on your actions?”

Head bowed, Xue Ze nervously replied, “Honored Master, I only wished to go down the mountain in place of my senior brothers and sisters, so I went there on my own, hoping to find a suitable artifact. But…I do not know how, I somehow triggered the mechanism and opened the Door!”

“That is quite the excuse, but what if something had gone wrong? The Door houses countless treasures that uphold our mountain. Many disciples have yet to receive their own artifact—how dare you act alone? If any artifact were lost, causing a great disturbance, could you bear that responsibility?”

Xue Ze could not answer, and the memory of her previous dreams flickered through her mind—she had indeed touched upon matters relating to the Door of Divine Artifacts. “I admit my mistake!”

“Admitting your fault is the first step—now you must correct it! There must be no next time. Let Jian Rong instruct you well,” Jiu Cang said, glancing meaningfully at the smug-faced Jian Rong. In his heart, he mused: For Xue Ze to open the Door on her own, she is no ordinary disciple! And for Jian Rong to fixate on her so—perhaps…

Xue Ze looked at Jian Rong, and Jian Rong looked back; both were silent, each harboring their own thoughts.

Qian Gui stepped forward to Jian Rong. “Xue Ze has only just recovered. Jian Rong, show some compassion, do not make her kneel as punishment!”

Jian Rong smiled, casting a proud glance at Qian Gui. “I would never make her kneel. I’ll just give her a standard lesson, so she’ll remember the rules!”

“And what do you mean by that?” Qian Gui demanded, his anger unconcealed.

Confident in Jiu Cang’s backing, Jian Rong replied coolly, “Surely you know, Master, that those who break such rules are to receive twenty lashes and three months of menial labor. Strict teachers make outstanding disciples! My own master has said this often, and it is said you yourself once spoke these words. Today—what do you say?”

Qian Gui’s glare burned with fury, ready to retort regardless of propriety, when Lan Shui stepped forward.

“Honored Master, my sister’s rashness was partly my fault. When she asked me about it, I did not stop her or explain the gravity of the Door, which led her to underestimate the matter. The ignorant are not guilty. If punishment is required, let it fall on me—let me take the twenty lashes in her place. As for the menial labor, it is not suitable for a rank-holder to bear such, I beg you to reconsider.”

Jian Rong was about to protest when Ji Lin also knelt down, entreating, “As the second senior brother, I too am at fault for not heeding our master’s instruction to keep a closer watch on my junior sister. I am willing to share the punishment with my eldest brother. Please, for the sake of her recovery, spare our sister this time!”

“Enough from you two, and you, Xue Ze, get up as well!” Qian Gui stepped to the center and spoke solemnly: “Though Xue Ze opened the Door, there has been no disaster. Besides, the Door only opens for those with true destiny—this is a sign that the time has come. To blame her is to show disrespect to the divine artifact itself!”

Jian Rong sneered coldly. “And how do you explain the strange phenomenon that just occurred? Is it not a dire omen? If a divine artifact has emerged, why does it not bring awe and celebration, but instead unleash such a violent quake and swirling mist?”

Qian Gui looked at Jian Rong and laughed icily. “Your vision is too narrow for me to explain. Jiu Cang, what say you?”

“Such signs do indeed herald the emergence of a divine artifact,” Jiu Cang replied.

Jian Rong’s eyes widened in sudden understanding, her smile ambiguous. “Then it seems junior sister has not only opened the Door, but unleashed a divine artifact?”

Xue Ze was stunned, recalling that when she had, by chance, opened the Door, she did see a small object fly out at great speed. But that silvery thing vanished in an instant, its whereabouts unknown. Was she to be blamed for this as well?

“Such artifacts are rare, and those that appear and vanish are rarer still—they are true treasures. Xue Ze, did you see where it went, or notice its appearance? If you know, you could recover it,” Jiu Cang asked.

Qian Gui looked at Jiu Cang and smiled. “So, if she retrieves the artifact, there will be no further punishment?”

“Of course. That artifact is of vital importance. If it’s the Frost Lotus Ice Needle, this is a grave matter—it must be recovered at all costs. Should Xue Ze find it, not only will she be spared, she’ll be rewarded.”

“Honored Master, why is it so?” Jian Rong asked, puzzled.

“The Frost Lotus Ice Needle is a great artifact of our sect—one third of the Celestial Maiden’s Staff. If lost to the mortal world or the underworld, it could bring chaos and bloodshed. Naturally, we must treat this with the utmost seriousness.”

Jian Rong laughed. “If such an artifact has flown off, I doubt it would return so easily. They say a masterless artifact, once unleashed, becomes untraceable and free-roaming. Then our junior sister—”

Suddenly Jian Rong collapsed to the floor, crying out in terror, “What is this? Master, help me!”

A violent gale swept through, its chill enough to make even the Honored Master shiver, leaving the surrounding disciples unable to stand or see clearly. Jian Rong’s cries rang out, but no one could see where she was; all that could be heard was the wild, chaotic roar of the wind, vast and unstoppable.

Of all the Tianshan artifacts, none surpassed the Celestial Maiden’s Ice Staff—adorned with crystal, lotus, and forged from frosty silver. There was but one in all the world, ranking among the tools of immortals, and the greatest weapon in the mortal realm.

The Celestial Maiden was the goddess of the snowy domain, her attire and mystical arts unrivaled. Yet the Celestial Maiden seldom appeared—only when Tianshan needed protection would the opportunity arise. In her absence, the staff ceased to exist, splitting into three parts, stored in the Snowy Realm, the Ice Palace, and the Door of Divine Artifacts.

One of these was the Frost Lotus Ice Needle, kept within the Door, only to be accessed and wielded by a select few. Though shaped like a silver needle, it possessed boundless power, brimming with spiritual energy, able to change its size and form—a rare and priceless treasure.

The gauzy curtains of Zhengjun Pavilion were whipped about by the strange wind, and the disciples on the ground could not withstand its force, even Jiu Cang and Qian Gui struggled to contain it.

Amid the chaos, a flash of light darted back and forth around the pavilion, its speed impossible to follow.

It avoided everyone, touching neither person nor object, yet hovered persistently above Jian Rong, tormenting her to pitiful sobs and wails.

Jiu Cang, observing, turned to Qian Gui in astonishment. “Could this be the Ice Needle?”

“It must be—nothing else could wield such might. Let us join forces to calm this disturbance, using the Spell of Spirit Suppression.”

Qian Gui and Jiu Cang combined their powers, performing the spell together to quell the phenomenon before moving to rescue the stricken Jian Rong.

As they approached, they saw the Ice Needle circling Jian Rong, stirring up waves of wind and brilliance, causing her great pain and distress.

Qian Gui chanted an incantation and finally managed to bring the Ice Needle to a halt. “It really is you!”

The Ice Needle hovered in midair, yet no one could approach it, much less take hold of it.