Refining the Mountains and Rivers-Chapter 1823 – Nine Against Nine

To the Sky Spirit Clan, everything was a miracle. All the clan members that walked out from their tents for the first time had heated looks in their eyes. They had never thought they would have a chance to leave the tents in their lives. 

The entire place fell silent. 

The Great Clan Elder, who had fallen unconscious, slowly opened his eyes. After a moment of confusion, his eyes refocused, “I…I am not dead…” He was shocked. Great Clan Elder knew his own condition the best. When he forced out his power, he lost his last chance of survival. He was like the wick of an empty candle and was doomed to die. 

“Great Clan Elder!” Ah Bu was delighted, “You are awake!”

‘Knock knock knock’. He rapidly kowtowed, “Your Honor, thank you for saving Great Clan Elder. From today onwards, my life is yours. I am willing to do anything you say!”

“Your Honor…Your Honor…” Great Clan Elder stood up and kneeled on the ground, “You should not have saved me and sacrificed yourself. I…I have lived for a long time. Having seen you, I am ready to die. However, there are many children in the Sky Spirit Clan. They need your help more to survive this never ending cold.”

Qin Yu looked at everyone and said slowly, “Since I am here, the Sky Spirit Clan’s suffering will end.” He lifted his hand and behind him, the Great Sun Illusion rose. Its light rays lit up the entire area. 

In the cave, the thick snow and ice started to melt rapidly. It exposed the wet ground and small green shoots started to sprout. They swayed in the wind and everyone from the Sky Spirit Clan stared at the ground in a daze.

“Green!” An old member of the Sky Spirit Clan excitedly fell to the ground. He did not care about getting mud on him as he kneeled beside the grass. His eyes were flooded with emotions, “The aura of life, this is the aura of life. I never thought that I would be able to witness the vegetation that was written of in the books!” 

“New life! This is new life!” Another clan member was filled with delight, “With Your Honor’s arrival, our clan has finally survived the troubles and will begin a new life!”

Great Clan Elder took a deep breath and raised both his hands, “All Sky Spirit Clan members, today…the ancient prophecy has become true. The ruler who will save the entire world has arrived. He is our only hope! Now let us all kneel down to pay our respects to the ruler. We ask for his light to melt away the iciness of this world!”

Woosh woosh –

Everyone in the cave got down to their knees. Despite how disheveled they appeared to be, each of their faces was filled with excitement, anticipation, and happiness. At the same time, Qin Yu felt an intense incense power gather and rush towards him. It was extremely pure and void of any impurities. Qin Yu could sense that the incense power from the Sky Spirit Clan entered him and strengthened his Great Dao. He had gotten another step closer to lighting his incense.

Alas, devotion and faith were the most formidable powers. 

“My believers’ suffering will end!” Qin Yu said in a low voice as his voice deepened, “But now, there are other strong people that have arrived in this world. I have to deal with it before I can lead you all to a new life.

“That day is not far off. People of the Sky Spirit Clan, I need your faith to become stronger!”

Great Clan Elder spoke loudly, “Not long ago, His Honor personally killed an immensely powerful intruder. I personally witnessed this. We need to believe in our ruler and wait patiently for this cold suffering to end!”

He kneeled down and kissed the mud. He was extremely respectful, “Your Honor, since the catastrophe back then, this world has been freezing and our clan has been reduced by the disasters. Though we are the only ones left in this north area, there are other tribes of the Sky Spirit Clan in this world. They are like us and survived till today. We will send our strongest people to tell them of your arrival.”

Ah Bu hit his chest hard and took off his hat, “I, Ah Bu, am willing to be Your Honor’s messenger and deliver your will. I will travel this entire world to do so. Even if I die in the cold, it will be my honor!” He kowtowed hard, “Your Honor, please give me this chance!”

Qin Yu lifted a finger and light gathered around the tip, forming a glowing seed. He flicked his finger and the seed flew and entered Ah Bu’s forehead, “This seed will prevent you from feeling the cold. If you meet a powerful intruder and you are in danger, you can summon me through it. I will protect you!”

“Thank you Your Honor.” Ah Bu got up, “Great Clan Leader, I will make a move to find the other tribes!” He turned to leave. Outside the cave, snow still covered the entire area and his silhouette soon disappeared amidst the snow. 

Qin Yu seemed to consider before stomping his foot. The Great Sun Illusion glowed. Everyone closed their eyes. When they reopened their eyes, the entire cave was covered by a huge enchantment.

“It will take some time to release the entire world. But as long as I am in this world, I can ensure that you will all thrive.” Qin Yu paused before continuing, “From now on, new babies of the Sky Spirit Clan will not have to suffer the freezing cold and they will be able to survive to adulthood.”

There were cries all around!

The women of the Sky Spirit Clan were crying out loud. They all had children and family that died from the cold. A child that was just born would simply freeze and all they could do was to watch their soft and white tiny face turn purple from the cold. No matter how they tried, they could not bring them any warmth. They would just watch their babies die amidst the thick cotton swaddles and become frozen corpses. 

The babies were so tiny and did not weigh much in their hands. However, the pressure of their deaths weighed heavily on their mothers’ chests as they struggled to sleep each night. They woke from nightmares on many nights as the mothers dreamt of their tiny eyes, tiny mouths, as well as their tiny hands that opened before freezing shut. 

The men’s eyes were red but they struggled not to make a sound. However, their sadness was conveyed through their teary red eyes. They felt their heartache for their babies that died as well as their wives. But this was their fate! From when they were born, they had to fight against the freezing cold…if they could not bear it, then they could only die!

Previously, they did not dare to say anything because they had to continue to survive. The clan wanted to survive and the men had to continue working and thinking of all ways to find resources to help them live. Now, as they felt the power of the secured space and the cold that had been completely isolated outside, it was the first time that they did not need to pretend to be strong. 

Great Clan Elder took a deep breath and bowed, “Your Honor, sorry for this.” He looked at the secured space covering the cave and his lips moved but he did not make a sound. Tears rolled down his face. 

He had three sons and two daughters who had frozen to death before they could reach a month of age. In such a difficult environment, where adults face the risk of freezing to death at any moment, why would they still give birth? The reason was simple, they had no choice! The chance of a baby surviving was less than ten percent. If they wanted the Sky Spirit Clan to continue surviving and not die out in the cold, they had no choice but to give birth to more children!

As Qin Yu looked at them, a rare emotion welled up deep in him. He could see the true emotions from them and these raw, heartfelt feelings were extremely impactful. 

To the Sky Spirit Clan, Qin Yu was like a savior that they had been waiting for after suffering for so many years. He was the ruler that would save them and give them a new life. But what was the truth? Who knew what kind of situation he was in now? If Qin Yu met with any accidents and died while trying to cultivate his Great Dao, what kind of outcome would await this group of emotional Sky Spirit Clan members?

“They will be in an even worse state.” The little blue lamp’s voice appeared in his head, “Qin Yu, you have given them hope. Now you have to do your best not to disappoint them. If not, this kind of change would kill them internally. The Sky Spirit Clan would perish in despair.”

Qin Yu breathed in deeply and slowly let it out, “I know.” He was calm and looked very determined. He could see the huge responsibility on his shoulders now. He had to live not only for himself. Now, Qin Yu’s death would impact the survival of a huge number of people…not just the Sky Spirit Clan!

“Great Clan Elder.”

“Your Honor, please speak.”

“I have other things to do and cannot stay for long. In the meantime, don’t let anyone go out unless absolutely necessary. Stay in this secured space and wait for my orders.”

“Yes.”

Qin Yu took one last look at the crying members of the Sky Spirit Clan before turning to leave. 

Woosh – 

The air twisted slightly and when he reappeared, he was in the space where extreme cold lingered all around. 

“Little blue lamp!” Qin Yu growled out. 

Buzz – 

The air shifted and the Great Sun Illusion appeared. In it, he could vaguely make out the little blue lamp’s figure, “What do you want to know?”

Qin Yu said, “Do you have anything to tell me about the Sky Spirit Clan?”

The little blue lamp said, “I guessed that you would ask this. The reason is simple…the Sky Spirit Clan can help you become much stronger.”

Qin Yu frowned and remained silent. 

After a moment of silence, the little blue lamp said, “Of course, there are other reasons. However, I am not clear about this yet and I am not sure whether to tell you now.

“Don’t be anxious. Although I am not entirely sure about this, I can tell you the secret behind White Jade Capital now.”

Qin Yu snarled, “Speak!”

The little blue lamp said, “You should know that there are nine blazing suns that shine over thousands of worlds.”

That’s all?

Just that?

Qin Yu frowned harder. At this point, his expression changed and his pupils shrunk. 

There were also nine White Jade Capitals!

Though Qin Yu had thought of this before, to hear it from the little blue lamp in this manner confirmed one thing. 

The ambitions of the human cultivators…were this big?!

“Nine White Jade Capitals matching with nine Blazing Suns. If I had not personally entered, I would also find it hard to believe.”

“But…this is the truth!” The little blue lamp said slowly. He seemed to hesitate, not knowing where to begin.

Qin Yu said, “Is there anything else you need to hide from me? Or is it that at this point, everything seems to be within our control but danger could appear at any moment and kill both of us.”

The little blue lamp said, “You are right…” At the boundaries of the Great Sun Illusion, there was a movement and an invisible power spread out, forming a small secured world around the both of them. 

After a moment of silence, the little blue lamp said slowly, “Qin Yu, have you thought that not only are there nine White Jade Capitals, the Saint Son Token that you hold…also matches with nine different worlds.”

Boom –

With a single sentence, it was like a rock dropped in still water, causing waves to flood through Qin Yu!

His first thought was that it was impossible. But very soon, Qin Yu recalled the first question that he had asked.

Sky Spirit Clan!

Why would the little blue lamp have taken the initiative to help them when it was something he would never normally do? This was already an indication.

The silence dragged on in the secured world. 

After a long moment, Qin Yu said slowly, “How sure are you?”

The little blue lamp said, “Not at all. Hence, I hesitated on whether to tell you. But maybe we can find a  way to confirm this.”

“Tell me.”

“If the Ninerealm Holy Land is like the nine White Jade Capitals and reflects the nine Blazing Suns, then there must be some sort of connection between them. We just need to find the connection and maybe it will show us the truth.”

Qin Yu thought about it, “You are right.” he lifted his hand and his palm started to glow. The Saint Son Token appeared and the two words, ‘Nine Worlds’ appeared on its surface.

“If we are to find the connection between this world and the others, this must be the key.”

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In the Great Sun Illusion, a hand reached out and took the token. A few moments later, the token was returned, “I have no way to sense anything in it. It looks like you have to do this yourself.”

Qin Yu nodded, “Okay!”

Buzz – 

The Great Sun Illusion disappeared and the secured space around them disappeared as well. 

Qin Yu let out a breath and lifted his hand to rub his face. Things had progressed beyond his expectations. His identity as the successor of the Ninerealm Holy Land seemed to be related to something very impressive. If the Ninerealm Holy Land was created with the same reason as the nine White Jade Capitals, things were going to get massive. 

Woosh – 

Taking a step out, Qin Yu disappeared. He held tightly onto the Saint Son Token and focused his attention on it. 

No change. 

No change. 

No change. 

In the endless cold, Qin Yu’s figure appeared and disappeared. He began what seemed like a long and neverending journey. More importantly, and also somewhat funnily, was that Qin Yu did not know what he was searching for. 

Woosh –

Qin Yu teleported again and his face changed as he looked down at the Saint Son Token. On the surface, it did not appear to change, but the glow from it seemed to strengthen. 

Closing his eyes, he focused on it for a long time. 

Qin Yu suddenly looked happy. Alas, there was something!

Woosh –

He took another step. But this time, he did not teleport far. He did it a few times and finally confirmed the spot. 

Woosh – 

He stepped out again and his eyes lit up. The token was shining brightly. 

Very soon, he frowned slightly…there was someone!