Chapter 286: Fire Spirit Clan, Qi Miaoxuan

Yu Shijiu looked at the poison bead in Yu Shier's hand and asked doubtfully, "Why don't you go in and find the patriarch yourself?"

Yu Shier replied, "I can sense that immortal being, and it can sense me too. If I enter the Nether Ruins now, it would be like paving the way for them. Yu Shijiu, you don't need to doubt my identity; I am Yu Shier. Not only do I know that the Nether Ruins are currently in Winter Sand Valley, but I also know that the Fire God is hidden within the volcano in Mirage Sand Valley, outside the Nether Ruins. I also know that one can enter the Nether Ruins through a spatial rift. If I had any ulterior motives, the Fire Spirit Clan would have been annihilated long ago. Besides, go back and tell the patriarch you saw me; he will understand everything."

"The patriarch knows about your existence?" Yu Shijiu asked, puzzled.

Yu Shier explained, "I find opportunities to meet with every generation of Fire Spirit Clan Guardians. However, only past Guardians and the patriarch know. The reason you don't know is that you're too young, and there was concern you couldn't keep such a secret, so it was never revealed to you."

Yu Shijiu looked at Yu Shier, remained silent for a moment, then slowly extended his hand and took the poison bead. He asked, "Are there any requirements for using this?"

Yu Shier replied, "No, you just need to place it in the core of the Void Array."

Yu Shijiu nodded slightly, put the poison bead into a pouch at his waist, and then asked, "By the way, how did you recognize that my sword came from Grandmaster Gu?"

Yu Shier said, "I've interacted with Gu Mo and seen him fight many times. I'm more familiar with his sword than you are."

"I see," Yu Shijiu said, then asked again, "I have another question. Although our Fire Spirit Clan members have long lifespans, they generally only live to be 130 or 140, with the oldest reaching about 180. How have you managed to live for nearly 400 years?"

Yu Shier replied, "Because I am no longer human. Your cultivation isn't high enough; you'll understand when you reach the Ascension Realm. If you wish to live for several hundred more years, there are many ways. My physical body died long ago; what lives now is merely a soul that has found a host!"

Yu Shijiu exclaimed in surprise, "The Ascension Realm truly exists?"

Yu Shier stated, "You are the current Guardian of the Fire Spirit Clan. Your talent and potential are the same as mine were, and in fact, your cultivation talent far surpasses mine. My talent is in the art of healing, and I was able to cultivate to the Ascension Realm, so naturally, you can too."

Yu Shijiu was silent for a moment, then said, "Alright, that's enough. Let me go; I need to return to the patriarch now."

Yu Shier waved his hand, and the domain formed by black mist gradually dispersed.

Yu Shijiu mounted his horse. Suddenly remembering something, he quickly turned his head and asked, "Three years ago, the Sha Tuo Temple in Sha Tuo City was burned, and Master Jingkong was killed. I've investigated for three years with no leads. Was that your doing?"

Yu Shier admitted bluntly, "It was my doing. You did something incredibly foolish. The first rule for a Guardian is to immediately eliminate anyone who knows the Fire Spirit Clan's secrets, yet you befriended the person. You are truly foolish."

Yu Shijiu retorted angrily, "Master Jingkong was different! He was always helping me. You shouldn't have killed him!"

Yu Shier said gravely, "You are still being foolish. Never gamble on human nature, Yu Shijiu. Your actions were staking the entire Fire Spirit Clan's future on one person's humanity. You are truly too selfish!"

Yu Shijiu clenched his fists tightly.

Yu Shier continued, "If you want to avenge your friend, you are most welcome. Of course, the prerequisite is that you must be able to defeat me. You can't outreason me, and your fists aren't hard enough. Why are you still looking at me? Go and do your job!"

Yu Shijiu said nothing more and quickly rode away.

Yu Shier watched Yu Shijiu's retreating figure and chuckled softly, "That foolish boy. Oh, Fire Spirit Clan, it's truly a miracle you've survived until now. I've certainly gone to great lengths for you all!"

In the early morning, the red sun rose, rolling over the sharp ridges of sand dunes. Myriad grains of sand, like a swarm of locusts, wove a shimmering, blade-like net in the morning light.

Yu Shijiu rode his horse into a canyon called Winter Sand Valley. He led his horse, walking over piles of rocks, and finally arrived beside a massive boulder.

He formed hand seals, muttering incantations. A shimmering green light emanated from his fingers, rapidly surging towards the boulder. Instantly, the boulder began to undulate, rippling as if it had turned into flowing water.

Yu Shijiu quickly pulled his horse forward and disappeared into it in an instant.

The moment he entered the boulder, its agitated, liquid-like surface solidified back into hard stone.

The next moment, Yu Shijiu appeared in a spacious underground cavern. Leading his horse, he slowly walked out, greeted by the sight of a vast ancient city. On its city gate were two large characters: "Nether Ruins."

The morning light was forging the ancient city's outline into gold and iron. The city walls, over ten zhang high, lay like a colossal python on the ground. Weathered bricks were layered with countless grains of sand, and creeping vines emerging from the cracks were covered in saline frost, as if centuries of time had etched a myriad of cracks and sword marks onto the brick surfaces.

The city gate arch resembled a gaping maw of a beast. The characters "Nether Ruins" on the bluestone lintel were blurred by erosion from wind and sand, and the verdigris-stained plaque swayed in the wind, emitting a muted sound.

The city was filled with an eerie and deathly stillness, so quiet that not even a whisper of wind could be heard.

However, Yu Shijiu was accustomed to this. He rode his horse into the city and advanced rapidly. Cityscapes, pavilions, sand dunes, and withered bones continuously receded behind him. He circled through the city, back and forth, like a headless fly. Yet, if a master of formations had been present, they would have certainly recognized that he was galloping according to a specific, unique pattern.

Until, at one point, as Yu Shijiu rode out of a long street, the scenery before him suddenly transformed. He found himself in a picturesque small mountain village.

The small village, with its black-tiled roofs and white walls, nestled against the mountains. Gurgling streams wound along bluestone paths. In the crisscrossing fields, farmers worked with hoes, laughing, while children chased butterflies across stone arch bridges. Under the eaves, old people fanned themselves and wove bamboo baskets, and a few yellow dogs dozed under the shade of locust trees. Even the white geese in the stream paddled slowly, stirring the sunlight and cloud reflections into shimmering gold, creating a scene of peace and tranquility.

Yu Shijiu held a high position in the village. Along the way, both old and young, upon encountering him, would respectfully bow and call out, "Divine Emissary."

Soon, Yu Shijiu arrived outside a small courtyard in the village and called out, "Patriarch, it's Shijiu! I have something to discuss with you!"

Yu Shijiu pounded heavily on the door.

Soon, an old man's voice came from inside: "I hear you, I hear you! Don't break my door!"

When the door opened, a spirited and very robust old man emerged. His hair was mostly white, but he didn't have many wrinkles on his face, making him appear around sixty years old. In reality, this man was Yu Dong, the current patriarch of the Fire Spirit Clan, already over 110 years old. This was due to the Fire Spirit Clan members generally having very long lifespans and aging slowly.

Yu Dong opened the door and said, "Shijiu, why are you so impulsive? Isn't it too early for you to be back? Why have you returned ahead of schedule?"

Yu Shijiu pushed Yu Dong inside, then closed the door behind him and asked in a low voice, "Patriarch, do you know Yu Shier?"

Yu Dong paused for a moment, then asked, "He came to see you?"

"You really do know!" Yu Shijiu exclaimed in surprise.

Yu Dong pulled Yu Shijiu to sit down and said, "Since he came to see you, it means he has acknowledged you and believes you've become a qualified Guardian."

"What exactly is going on?" Yu Shijiu asked, confused. "Isn't Yu Shier a traitor?"

Yu Dong shook his head and replied, "He is not a traitor; he is a hero of our Fire Spirit Clan. Back then, everyone believed Yu Shier had stolen the clan's treasure and defected, leaving our Fire Spirit Clan without a Guardian for a long time. It wasn't until later, when Guardian Yu Shisan emerged from the Nether Ruins and ventured outside, that he discovered Yu Shier had actually been protecting our clan from the outside all along. There was a very powerful enemy, one that even wounded the Fire God, constantly lurking. Fortunately, that individual was also injured by the Fire God, and Yu Shier, by chance, absorbed the treasure's energy, barely managing to contend with that enemy. For hundreds of years, Yu Shier has been devising ways to deal with that foe, even going so far as to experiment with poisons on himself, turning into a toxic being, neither fully human nor ghost."

Yu Shijiu felt a heaviness in his heart and said, "It's actually true!"

Yu Dong continued, "From its very inception over a thousand years ago, our Fire Spirit Clan has always been plagued by misfortune, coming close to extinction several times, never experiencing peace for more than a hundred years at a stretch. It wasn't until about four hundred years ago, when Yu Shier appeared fortuitously within these Nether Ruins, that our clan finally achieved centuries of stability. Because our Fire Spirit Clan members have lived in seclusion for a long time, we are simple-minded and easily deceived. And with only one Guardian per generation, their strength is limited, often leading to various mistakes that expose clan secrets and invite crises. But for over three hundred years, with Yu Shier's protection from the outside, our Fire Spirit Clan has enjoyed this prolonged peace."

Yu Shijiu fell silent for a moment, unsure what to say.

He was deeply angry about Yu Shier killing Master Jingkong, but he also knew Yu Shier had done it for the Fire Spirit Clan. He didn't know what to do with this anger and hatred.

After a long pause, Yu Shijiu took out the poison bead from his pocket and said, "This is what Yu Shier gave me. He said that immortal being, who has been lurking for centuries, has returned, this time with an army, intending to break through the Void Array. Yu Shier wants you to place this poison bead into the core of the Void Array. Then, he can form a domain, making himself invincible here, capable of repelling that immortal and the army, helping us overcome this ordeal. He also said that he's very close to completing something that will lift the curse on our Fire Spirit Clan, allowing us to live normal lives from now on."

Yu Dong looked at the poison bead and said, "Helping Yu Shier repel the enemy is acceptable, but as for lifting the Fire God's 'blessing,' let's discuss that later!"

"Why?" Yu Shijiu asked in surprise. "Hasn't this curse tortured us enough? For over a thousand years, our clan has lived in hiding. Although we are long-lived, it's not a blessing but a torment! Forever confined to this place with only our own people, forever unable to interact with outsiders—haven't you had enough of this life?"

Yu Dong looked at Yu Shijiu and said, "That's just your opinion!"

"No," Yu Shijiu said excitedly, "This is what all of us think!"

Yu Dong was silent for a moment, then said, "But this is not what the Fire God wants."

Yu Shijiu paused slightly, then asked, "What do you mean?"

Yu Dong led Yu Shijiu into the house. He then took a wooden box from a larger box and handed it to Yu Shijiu, saying, "Open it and see. You were supposed to know the truth when you became a Guardian, but you were too young, so we didn't tell you. Since Yu Shier has acknowledged you, it's time you knew."

Yu Shijiu, full of doubt, opened the wooden box. Inside, he saw a jade stone. As he gently touched it, the jade immediately glowed, and characters only recognizable by members of the Fire Spirit Clan appeared on its surface. It was a contract.

It was a master-servant contract between the Fire God and the Fire Spirit Clan, stipulating that the Fire Spirit Clan would serve as the Fire God's servants, generation after generation, becoming its sustenance.

"What... what is this?" Yu Shijiu asked. After reading the characters, Yu Shijiu said in disbelief, "We... we are not followers of the Fire God, but... the Fire God's food? How... how is this possible? Aren't we supposed to revere and believe in the Fire God? Isn't the Fire God our deity? Why are we slaves, like livestock?"

Yu Dong shook his head slightly and said, "If the Fire God were truly our deity, then why would our Fire Spirit Clan face one extinction crisis after another?"

Yu Dong pondered for a moment, then began, "Many, many years ago—the exact time is no longer traceable—a monstrous beast, the Fire Qilin, appeared in the world. This Fire Qilin was the source of all suffering and calamity. It constantly devoured humans, and each of its appearances brought devastation, accompanied by endless wildfires, causing countless deaths. In this dire situation, our ancestors rallied numerous experts to encircle and slay the Fire Qilin. That battle was incredibly fierce, but ultimately, they were defeated. Just as everyone believed they would perish on the spot, the Fire Qilin, during the fight, discovered our ancestors' unique physique. Thus, it spoke in human tongue, proposing a deal with our ancestors."

At this point, Yu Dong pointed to the jade stone and continued, "The terms of the deal were exactly this: the Fire God would use our ancestors' unique physique to cultivate a Spirit Clan, because Spirit Clan members, both physically and spiritually, are purer than ordinary people outside. The Fire God had grown tired of consuming humans and beasts from the outside. Although it is a deity and doesn't need food for energy or power, it possesses an appetite. To the Fire God, these transformed Spirit beings are simply more delicious ingredients. As long as our ancestors agreed to the terms, the Fire Qilin would no longer plague the human world, as most of its appearances were merely to find tasty food. Once the Spirit Clan offered regular sacrifices, it could reduce its outings, or even remain unseen altogether, thus lifting calamities from the human realm. Subsequently, to save the people of the world and rescue their companions, our ancestors agreed to the deal without hesitation and signed the contract with the Fire God. From then on, the Spirit Clan was born. We inherently possess the gifts of being free from illness, disaster, and injury, and our blood contains pure spiritual power—but this is solely to make us more palatable to the Fire God. This is why when our clan members die, they are cast into the Divine Mountain. It's not, as the village legends claim, to return to the embrace of the gods; in reality, it's to be offered as food to the Fire God. It's only for these past three hundred years that the Fire God has been in a deep slumber and rarely emerged, so it hasn't required live sacrifices. Before this, whenever the Fire God awakened, live sacrifices were always necessary."

After listening, Yu Shijiu asked, perplexed, "Then shouldn't we be even more determined to break this curse? Why are you still hesitating?"

Yu Dong replied, "Because if we break the contract, the Fire God will reappear in the human world again, driven by its appetite, bringing endless suffering. This would go against the will of our ancestors."

Yu Shijiu said in a low, firm voice, "But we should have the right to choose! Why are we born destined to be food for the so-called common people? What's most crucial is that no one has ever thanked us; instead, our Fire Spirit Clan has been persecuted again and again by the very people we protect!"

Yu Dong sighed and said, "Yes, that's why I said 'later,' rather than outright refusing. If it were truly possible, I would let our clan members choose freely—those who wish to break free could, and those who wish to remain could stay. Furthermore, beyond the greater good of humanity, there's another reason: I don't believe Yu Shier can truly lift the Fire God's 'blessing.' If the attempt fails and enrages the Fire God, our Fire Spirit Clan will face utter annihilation. The Fire God can control the life and death of any Spirit Clan member with a single thought. There have been others in our clan's history who tried, but they all failed."

Yu Shijiu said, "But Yu Shier says he can lift it?"

Yu Dong replied, "I also can't be certain if Yu Shier can truly do it. However, when Yu Shier became a Guardian, his inherent talent was in the art of healing, so perhaps it is indeed possible."

Yu Shijiu waved his hand and said, "Never mind that for now. Let's place this poison bead in the core of the array first!"

Yu Dong nodded slightly and led Yu Shijiu to a tall mountain outside the village, one that reached straight into the clouds. Upon reaching the summit, they looked down and found themselves exactly in the center of an ancient city.

Yu Dong said, "Look closely. This Nether Ruins City is a grand formation, the Void Array. And our Mirage Sand Valley, where the Fire Spirit Clan lives, appears to be within the city, but in reality, we are outside. It's just that this Void Array exists between truth and illusion, allowing us to be both hidden within the Nether Ruins and present in the outside world."

As he spoke, Yu Dong began to form hand seals. Unique streams of power emanated from his palms, gently lifting the poison bead to float slowly towards the void. At a certain moment, the phantom image of a grand array appeared in the void, enveloping the entire Nether Ruins ancient city.

The poison bead flew into the center of the grand array, emitting tendrils of black mist that continuously surged and spread until they finally covered the entire array before gradually disappearing.

"Let's go. Time to descend the mountain!"

Yu Dong's face was slightly pale, and he was breathing heavily.

Yu Shijiu quickly went to support Yu Dong as they walked down the mountain, asking, "By the way, Patriarch, do we have any way to awaken the Fire God? This whole situation began because that immortal being wants to kill the Fire God. We should wake the Fire God so we can resist that immortal together!"

Yu Dong shook his head and said, "Our clan has no way to contact the Fire God. And the Divine Mountain is underground; you know what the conditions are like in there—it's utterly impossible for anyone to enter."

Yu Shijiu's expression was grim.

Yu Dong patted Yu Shijiu's shoulder and said, "We are inherently the Fire God's slaves. If it lives, we live; if it dies, we die. Protecting it is our very mission; there's no need for complaints. The moment our ancestors chose to make a deal with the Fire God for the sake of all people, our fate was sealed. Furthermore, wasn't that transaction also a chance for our ancestors to survive? If not for that deal, would we even exist today?"

Mo Bei, military camp.

In the distance, a swirl of yellow sand rose, accompanied by the sound of hooves. Several messengers galloped swiftly forward, clutching urgent dispatches. Immediately, the soldiers at the camp's checkpoints let them pass, allowing the messengers to ride directly to the outside of the central command tent.

"Reporting to General Ye, the target has been found!"

Ye Jinglan, Gu Mo, and Qi Miaoxuan, who were drinking tea in the camp, all looked up.

Immediately, Ye Jinglan quickly stood up and walked out. Qi Miaoxuan, still lounging in his chair, remarked, "After all this time, it's finally been found! If they hadn't found it soon, it would have been New Year's already!"

Gu Mo smiled faintly. It had already been seven or eight days since he arrived in Mo Bei, and it was now late December, just a few days before the New Year. He had already made plans: if the target still wasn't found by then, he would fly back to Linjiang on New Year's Eve to spend the holiday with his sister, and then return afterward.

"But, do you also celebrate the New Year?" Gu Mo asked, puzzled.

Qi Miaoxuan rolled his eyes and said, "I'm not a New Year's pig; why wouldn't I celebrate the New Year?" Then, Qi Miaoxuan suddenly asked, "Gu Mo, are you really not interested in the Qilin's power? I'm serious; if you want it, I can genuinely help you acquire it. I guarantee I won't interfere or play tricks, ensuring you truly gain the Qilin's power."

Gu Mo waved his hand and said, "The more you say that, the less I'd dare to take it."

Qi Miaoxuan asked, confused, "Then what exactly are you after?"

"I've already said it," Gu Mo replied, "The Fire Qilin is a wanted criminal, and Ye Jinglan is my friend. It's that simple."

Qi Miaoxuan said nothing more, but his face showed an expression that clearly said, "See if I believe you."

Gu Mo didn't offer any further explanation.

A short while later, Ye Jinglan walked in and said, "We've found clues to the Nether Ruins in Winter Sand Valley. I've already ordered the geomancers to set up their formations, and the army here is also preparing to depart. Once we arrive, we'll establish a 'dead array,' which will surely reveal the Nether Ruins."

Qi Miaoxuan immediately stood up and said, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

Gu Mo suddenly spoke, "Actually, there's something I haven't quite figured out."

"What is it?" Ye Jinglan asked.

Gu Mo said, "According to what you said, Old Qi, that Guardian of the Fire Spirit Clan is a plague god, guarding the Nether Ruins for so many years. With its abilities, wouldn't it be easy to stop this by simply releasing poison? If the army gets infected with a plague, it would be impossible to find the Nether Ruins again."

Qi Miaoxuan waved his hand and said, "Do you really think my medical skills are for show? If it can release poison, I can cure it. Moreover, the moment it releases poison, I'll be able to sense its location. Without the assistance of the grand array inside the Nether Ruins, it's no match for me. Don't think that I've been mostly hiding from it all these years because I'm afraid; it's simply because I have special reasons for not wanting to confront it head-on. Besides, now that there's a large army here, if it dares to make a move outside, it would truly be seeking its own death!"

Gu Mo chuckled lightly and said, "I'm genuinely curious, just how strong are you, old man?"

"My old arms and legs can't beat you youngsters!" Qi Miaoxuan said with a chuckle, waving his hand, then strode directly out.

Subsequently, Gu Mo and Ye Jinglan followed closely behind.

Ye Jinglan transmitted a message, "What's wrong? Did you find something unusual about Old Qi?"

Gu Mo transmitted back, "I didn't notice anything wrong; he seems perfectly normal. But that's precisely what I find abnormal. Someone who has lived for hundreds, even thousands of years—can they still possess the mindset of an ordinary person?"