Chapter 1822: Mirror Surface

The Mortal Realm

Moxingdao's belongings did not contain the key, which showed that Hong Yuzi had completely controlled him. He must have revealed the secret of the acquired spiritual treasure to Hong Yuzi and handed over the key as well.

This was the worst scenario they had anticipated.

With the key in Hong Yuzi's hands, they had two options: either go all out to kill Hong Yuzi and seize the key, or trap him for a period to retrieve the treasure quickly.

The latter option, however, carried risks. Their divine abilities might not be able to trap Hong Yuzi for long, and if he broke free and intervened, it would complicate matters further.

The Azure Fox Saint King remained silent, looking towards the battlefield, awaiting Xiahou's decision.

She could not command Xiahou; she could only observe his willingness to fight Hong Yuzi to the death.

Four Heavenly Stems stood in the lake, supporting the bright moon above.

One was a Rank Four immortal official of the Dao Court, and the other was a follower of the Heavenly Loach King, known as the Heavenly Loach King's second most powerful demonic marquis.

The figures of both top-tier experts were currently invisible.

Between the Heavenly Stems, vital energy permeated the air, with black and white qi constantly circulating, forming a two-colored vortex.

At the center of the vortex, streams of brilliant light flowed, seemingly trying to break free from the black and white qi, clearly the treasure light emanating from the Nine Revolving Pearl.

The Azure Fox Saint King's eyes shimmered with divine light, allowing her to clearly see the situation on the battlefield.

Xiahou was nowhere to be seen on the battlefield; only the Divine Deer was present. It was unclear if he had remained merged with the Divine Deer's illusion or if he had manifested his true form.

The two antlers on the Divine Deer's head, one black and one white, glowed with black and white light respectively. The continuous flow of black and white qi originated precisely from these antlers.

The black and white qi complemented each other perfectly, and when combined, they exerted a peculiar suction force.

The Nine Revolving Pearl floated and sank within the vortex, attempting to break out several times, but each time it was pulled back and tightly entangled by the black and white qi.

At the same time, the Divine Deer's eyes, like its antlers, were pitch black on the left and pure white on the right. Gazing at the gigantic black mountain formed by the Thousand Mountains Illustrated Record, it shot out two beams of substantial light.

Strange patterns emerged within the beams of light, landing above the gigantic black mountain.

It was unclear whether it was the Divine Deer's divine ability or a peculiar treasure, but after those patterns twisted, they outlined eye-like designs, and a giant eye miraculously appeared out of thin air.

The giant eye was half black and half white, like a heavenly eye. It locked onto the gigantic black mountain, emitting an invisible force to resist its repeated impacts.

The Divine Deer's true form stood between Hong Yuzi and Moxingdao, employing a semi-offensive, semi-defensive strategy, not aiming to kill but merely to prevent Hong Yuzi from approaching the other battlefield.

Hong Yuzi stood beneath the Nine Revolving Pearl. Although his forces had suffered losses, he himself was unharmed.

With one hand, he continuously waved his whisk, while his other hand moved like a wheel, his fingers rapidly changing hand seals.

In the blink of an eye, the Nine Revolving Pearl successively emitted seven different colors of light.

The seven powerful treasure lights fiercely assaulted the black and white qi. Eventually, the seven lights merged into a single seven-colored long rainbow, striking hard at the center of the black and white qi vortex.

"Boom!"

The vortex suddenly solidified, and the black and white qi even showed signs of dissipating.

Upon seeing this, Xiahou knew things were not good. He roared furiously, spitting out a mass of fiery red energy. This energy rapidly contracted, then shot out as red lightning, which, with a crackling sound, broke through the air and struck the Nine Revolving Pearl.

Xiahou's true form then reared up on its front hooves, standing upright on its hind legs. Its aura surged dramatically, and it heavily stomped forward!

An astonishing pressure erupted. As space twisted, a black shadow descended from the sky – it was a gigantic deer leg, stomping down furiously as if to crush through the void!

It seemed about to be crushed into pulp by the deer leg.

Hong Yuzi remained composed in the face of danger. A peculiar glint flashed in his eyes; he had finally found his chance. He immediately secretly performed a mental incantation, and his figure flickered, gradually becoming ethereal like a shadow.

The next moment, Hong Yuzi froze in place, looking suddenly at the other battlefield with a surprised expression.

Xiahou was entangled with him and equally restrained, while Moxingdao only needed to face another demonic marquis.

That demon was one minor realm higher than Moxingdao. Even if Moxingdao couldn't win, he should, in theory, be able to resist for a while.

Hong Yuzi had finally stabilized his position and was preparing a consecutive strike secret art. He had sent a message to Moxingdao for them to join forces; once the secret art was unleashed, they hoped to repel the two demons and escape their disadvantageous situation.

He never expected Moxingdao to be so vulnerable, practically instantly killed by that demonic marquis!

This indicated that the ambush was no accident; the opponent must have known Moxingdao and understood his weaknesses.

Moxingdao's death made Hong Yuzi's situation even more unfavorable, and his expression became exceedingly grim.

Xiahou also learned the outcome of the other battlefield, hearing the Azure Fox Saint King's telepathic message.

It stared at Hong Yuzi, its eyes flickering.

If it had brought a few helpers on this trip, it would definitely choose to stay and hunt down Hong Yuzi in one go!

However, it first had to consider the great cost required to slay him and whether it would affect their ability to retrieve the treasure.

Although Hong Yuzi was at a disadvantage, he still had the power to retaliate. Moreover, his forces were only injured; if Hong Yuzi hardened his heart and sacrificed his troops to unleash a desperate technique, its power would be unpredictable.

Xiahou did not hesitate for long. He made a decision and ordered, "Form the array!"

A hint of disappointment flashed in the Azure Fox Saint King's eyes, but she did not object. She obeyed Xiahou completely and leaped towards the bright moon.

Midway, she manifested her demon fox form, appearing like a celestial fox in the moonlight. With a gentle sway of her tail, four fox illusions immediately split off.

Bathed in moonlight, the fox illusions were as agile as real beings. They descended towards the four Heavenly Stems, assuming a moon-worshipping posture, standing atop the Heavenly Stems like sculptures.

After splitting off the fox illusions, the Azure Fox Saint King's complexion immediately appeared somewhat wan. She shouted, "Hurry!"

The Divine Deer was already prepared. With a leap of its four hooves, it retreated rapidly, forcing out a mass of vital essence blood from its body. This too divided into four parts, which then merged into the four Heavenly Stems.

At the center of the Heavenly Stems, four blood-colored deer illusions immediately appeared. Along with the fox figures, they formed a grand sealing array.

Hong Yuzi's expression slightly changed. Feeling a great sense of foreboding, he commanded the Nine Revolving Pearl and the gigantic black mountain to rush outwards, but unfortunately, he was a step too late.

"Splash!"

The lake water surged upward, the bright moon descended, and the grand sealing array completely took shape, sealing Hong Yuzi within it.

The Azure Fox Saint King gracefully descended.

Xiahou also transformed back into human form, his face a little pale. Using vital essence blood to form the array was a significant drain on him, but compared to getting injured, this cost was negligible.

The sealing array jointly deployed by the two demons could hardly harm the enemy within, but its strength lay in its sturdiness. Furthermore, more and more figures were drawn by the demonic blood, rushing into the array and hindering Hong Yuzi's attempts to break it.

Hong Yuzi would definitely not be able to escape in a short time!

"Quick, let's go!"

Time was pressing. Xiahou glanced at the grand array and immediately ordered the Azure Fox Saint King to lead the way.

The two quickly retreated, swiftly moving through the illusions, going deeper and deeper, and soon arrived before another illusion.

This illusion was peculiar; it resembled a mirror with a perfectly round surface, horizontally suspended in the void.

From directly in front, only a thin line could be seen.

Whether above or below the mirror surface, one could see the mirror and the reflection within it.

The mirror surface was extremely calm. They were very close to it, yet felt no sense of danger.

"This is it!"

The Azure Fox Saint King pointed at the mirror surface.

Xiahou scanned his surroundings, frowning as he asked, "Where is the great hall you mentioned?"

The Azure Fox Saint King paused for a moment, then said, "I need to see the Nine-tailed Spirit Fox Sacred Blood first!"

"Do you still not trust this marquis, fellow Daoist?"

Xiahou snorted coldly, shook his sleeve, and a jade bottle flew out, which he clasped in his hand.

Inside the jade bottle was a bloody red pill. A closer look revealed it wasn't a pill, but blood that had coalesced into a sphere.

Even through the jade bottle, a faint, peculiar aura emanated. Sensing this aura, the Azure Fox Saint King's bloodline stirred with a subtle yearning.

She looked at the jade bottle, her eyes revealing greed. Taking a deep breath, she said, "The great hall is within the mirror!"

With that, the Azure Fox Saint King took the lead, flying above the mirror surface. Her toes lightly tapped the mirror, stirring up tiny ripples.

The next moment, an astonishing force suddenly burst forth.

The Azure Fox Saint King had anticipated this. She shifted her steps lightly, easily evading the force. After the ripples slightly subsided, she tapped the mirror surface again.

The mirror surface seemed to be filled with chaotic forces, which the Azure Fox Saint King triggered repeatedly.

She patiently dodged, persistently touching the mirror surface, and soon triggered different phenomena.

This time, the center of the ripples, contrary to previous instances, formed a suction force. An unknown space seemed to exist within the mirror.

The Azure Fox Saint King nodded at Xiahou, then stopped dodging, allowing the suction force to draw her into the mirror.

Xiahou's eyes flashed, and he followed the Azure Fox Saint King into the mirror space.

Before their arrival, Qin Sang and Moxingdao had already visited this place.

"The spatial fluctuations caused anomalies in the surrounding illusions. The last thing I saw was an ancient palace appearing in the mirror, simultaneously erupting with an immense suction force that instantly pulled the Five Elements Crown inside..."

Moxingdao said, pointing at the mirror surface beneath them.

"How do we get in?" Qin Sang asked.

Moxingdao hesitated, saying, "When the palace gates were wide open back then, I saw a peculiar rune. I've always remembered it, though I'm not sure if it's the incantation to open this place..."

After he fell unconscious, he ended up in Hong Yuzi's hands. This was his first time returning.

Moxingdao approached the mirror surface, raised his palm, and drew the rune in mid-air.

Qin Sang also observed the mirror surface, and awakened his Heavenly Eye Butterfly, activating his Heavenly Eye divine ability, attempting to discern the patterns within the mirror.

However, he didn't need to trouble himself. Moxingdao completed the rune and projected it into the mirror, immediately stirring up layers of ripples.

Immediately after, the mirror surface flickered with alternating light and darkness, and a chaotic vortex appeared. The vortex was deep and profound, permeated with suction force.

Qin Sang gazed at the chaotic vortex and said, "Fellow Daoist Mo, please transform back into a kingfisher first."

Moxingdao only had the strength of the Nascent Soul stage remaining; he couldn't help much here and would instead require protection.

If it weren't for the need for Moxingdao to guide the way, it would be best to have him wait outside.

Moxingdao complied, transforming into a kingfisher and landing on Qin Sang's shoulder.

Qin Sang summoned his Grey Oriole Sword, and with a shake of his body, stepped into the chaotic vortex.

A sensation of suction came, and the downward pull instantly intensified.

Qin Sang's skin shimmered with a faint golden light, resisting the suction as he slowly descended.

The further he descended, the stronger the suction became, eventually turning into a tearing sensation. Furthermore, chaotic forces were intertwined within the suction.

"Buzzing..."

The sound of swords humming was incessant. Streaks of sword qi slashed around Qin Sang, resisting the impact of those forces.

At times, Qin Sang also had to avoid their sharp edges, advancing and retreating intermittently, but his downward speed remained swift.

He continued to descend along the suction force.

Before long, there was a rapid shift in light and shadow.

With a roar, Qin Sang felt as if he had collided with an invisible door, pushing it open.

The next moment, Qin Sang's vision went black, and he nearly crashed into a tightly shut palace gate.

Forcing himself to stabilize, he swept his gaze around, and an ancient, circular palace came into view.

"This is it!"

The Azure Fox Saint King lightly swayed her fox tail, a gentle force enveloping her entire body. She turned slightly, stopping precisely in front of the palace gates.

Xiahou followed closely, caught off guard, and almost slammed into them.

A flash of annoyance crossed Xiahou's eyes, but he didn't bother with the Azure Fox Saint King, instead gazing intently at the ancient palace before him.

The interior of the mirror space was exceptionally vast, with only this ancient palace suspended alone in the void.

Before the hall were two black palace gates, tightly shut.

The palace could be described as simple, lacking grand decorations, with only two dragon-shaped patterns carved on its gates.

The brushstrokes of the patterns were also very crude; one might mistake them for flood dragons if not examined closely.

"The acquired spiritual treasure is kept here?"

Xiahou frowned. This palace did not match his expectations; it did not look like a place where treasure would be hidden.

"That's right, but we need to open the palace gates first," the Azure Fox Saint King said, looking at the two dragon images on the gates. The danger originated precisely from them.

She struck out a palm mid-air, the palm wind directly hitting the palace gates. Suddenly, a soul-stirring roar echoed forth.

Intense black light burst from the palace gates, and two black dragons furiously charged out. With black scales, five claws, and dragon horns on their heads, they were remarkably majestic—a completely different form from the dragons depicted in the carving.

The black dragons not only possessed the form of true dragons but also their oppressive might. Under their gaze, both demons momentarily froze.

The Azure Fox Saint King had already activated a halo before making her move.

The halo expanded and immediately encircled one black dragon, but then a rapid vibrating sound ensued.

The Azure Fox Saint King repeatedly retreated.

Xiahou focused on the other black dragon, his eyes, one black and white, manifesting his Heavenly Eye again. An immense pressure immediately locked onto the black dragon.

The black dragon instantly stiffened, its body suddenly sinking. It roared in fury, resisting frantically.

Under normal circumstances, the two demons working together would have a chance to suppress the black dragons, but the suction force here was too strong, interspersed with extraordinarily chaotic forces, which inevitably hampered their movements.

"Go open the door!"

Xiahou bellowed, spitting out red lightning that struck the black dragon attacking the Azure Fox Saint King, drawing both black dragons towards him.

The Azure Fox Saint King, freed from the entanglement, rushed to the gate without looking back, continuously striking the palace gates with her palms.

Yet, the palace gates remained unmoving.

Xiahou fought one against two, doing his utmost to buy time for the Azure Fox Saint King.

"How much longer?"

Finally, Xiahou, growing impatient, let out an angry shout.

The Azure Fox Saint King's eyes flickered as she calmly said, "It's open!"

Before her words had even faded, with a thunderous crash, the palace gates swung open. Simultaneously, a thunderous roar erupted from behind them.

Xiahou's face lit up with joy. Black and white qi suddenly formed a vortex above his head, causing the two black dragons to stumble unexpectedly.

Xiahou seized the opportunity to break free, flashing towards the palace gates. However, just as he was about to enter the palace, he deliberately lagged one step behind the Azure Fox Saint King.

The two black dragons furiously pursued, but seemingly restricted by a prohibition, they dared not enter the palace. They roared outside the gates, eventually flying back to the stone gates and reverting to dragon patterns.

The Azure Fox Saint King stepped into the palace, standing firmly behind the threshold, and pointed to the center of the hall, "This is the treasure!"

At the center of the palace, a faint, five-colored treasure light circulated. At the heart of this light, a noble crown floated.

The Azure Fox Saint King kept her promise; she did not attempt to seize the treasure. She looked at Xiahou and said, "Give me the sacred blood!"

At this moment, a subtle fluctuation permeated her body, unnoticed even by Xiahou.

Only after the Azure Fox Saint King stepped into the palace did Xiahou cross the threshold, staring intently at the Five Elements Crown, his face filled with pleasant surprise.

The instant he stepped into the palace, an abrupt change occurred!

The Five Elements Crown suddenly erupted with a fierce light, reaching Xiahou's face in an instant, moving so fast that he had no time to react!