Chapter 1965: Chapter 1962: Qiong Gou Jade
"After all the calculations, this ancient altar is even harder to find than the Yin Jade," Lin Tian said helplessly.
"That’s not entirely true. According to legend, there’s an ancient altar on Taishan that truly communicates with the Netherworld. The oldest Underworld was in Taishan, but with the passage of time, it’s now in Fengdu."
"However, there are too many people at Taishan, so the ritual can’t be performed there. We’ll have to find another place." Zhang Lingyu, knowing many secrets, seemed more open-minded about it.
"Let’s take it one step at a time. First, let’s find the Yin Jade. Once we have it, we can build our own altar. Without the Yin Jade, everything else is pointless." Despite having many tasks, Lin Tian understood what was crucial, so he wasn’t flustered.
"Let’s talk after your final exams," Zhang Lingyu said finally, then hung up.
Putting away the phone, Lin Tian turned to look at Xiao Manxuan: "Do you know how to play ’Summoning’?"
"Summoning" was composed by Qu Yuan, and it’s a kind of witchcraft poem from the Pre-Qin era. Ancient wizards would perform their magical rituals in a state of ceremonial music and dance, chanting incessantly to achieve control over nature. The words they chanted were witchcraft poetry!
Ancient wizards tried to control nature and spirits through chanting witchcraft poetry, commanding water and earth, communicating with the Netherworld. It bears a striking resemblance to the Demon Exorcism Skill.
Therefore, Zhang Lingyu’s asking Xiao Manxuan to play "Summoning" is not as simple as an ordinary musician playing music. Zhang Lingyu must have known the magical properties of the guqin, which is why he asked Xiao Manxuan to play the witchcraft poetry.
The last time during the pursuit of Yasuo, Zhang Zhicheng witnessed the power of the guqin. After returning, he must have reported it, so it was no surprise that Zhang Lingyu knew about the guqin’s uniqueness.
Xiao Manxuan didn’t respond immediately. Clearly aware of the difficulty, she thought quietly for a moment, then looked up and said, "Lingyu doesn’t want a mere piece of music, but a ritual. I’ve seen such an ritual at the Qingshuang Pavilion, where the ceremonial music is played with ancient sounds. I don’t know if I can do it."
"The guqin chose you for a reason. Trust me, you can do it," Lin Tian encouraged.
"Alright." The little girl nodded vigorously, as if as long as Lin Tian was there, she would be full of confidence. As long as she could fight alongside Lin Tian, she’d be genuinely happy.
"Should I perform a piece here to see?" Xiao Manxuan said excitedly, looking eager to try.
Lin Tian hurriedly stopped her: "No, last night’s performance already caused a sensation throughout the school. I don’t want another ’Hundred Birds Gathering,’ letting everyone know we live here."
The little girl cutely stuck out her tongue, quite embarrassed: "I don’t want it either."
Xiao Manxuan put away the guqin and returned to her room. Watching her back, Lin Tian thought calmly and firmly: "Xuanxuan, I will never let anything happen to you."
In the days that followed, Lin Tian and Xiao Manxuan either attended classes to review or went to the library, flipping through books to research Pre-Qin witchcraft poetry and rituals.
The university library was rich in collections, though it definitely didn’t have authentic ancient texts. However, there were many research results by professors and masters that touched on Pre-Qin rituals and witchcraft poetry.
For days, there had been no news of Xu Feibai, not even during the sports final exam. On the day of the sports exam, Lin Tian and Xiao Manxuan walked towards the sports field and saw from afar a teacher in a white sports uniform, with one foot on a soccer ball and a file in hand.
"Thought he’d been detained by his family," Lin Tian remarked with a shake of his head, amused.
"Hey, you there, student, what’s with the silly smile? Gather and get ready for the exam. What are you looking at? Yes, I’m talking to you, Lin Tian." Xu Feibai waved the file in his hand, pointing at Lin Tian as he shouted, perfectly fitting the role of a sports teacher. Well, he was a sports teacher now, albeit with ulterior motives.
Lin Tian parted ways with Xiao Manxuan and headed towards the soccer field. As he passed by Xu Feibai, he said coolly, "Thought you’d been grounded by your family."
"I wasn’t, but it was close enough. How are you planning to thank me?" Xu Feibai replied just as coldly.
"Offer myself to you? How about it?" Lin Tian responded swiftly.
"Give me your Heavenly Tribulation Sword, and I’ll merge it with the Tang Sword. It will definitely reach new heights," Xu Feibai demanded boldly.
Lin Tian’s lips twitched, and he generously gave him a middle finger: "You give me the Tang Sword, and I’ll merge it with the Heavenly Tribulation Sword. The Heavenly Tribulation Sword would surely reach new heights too."
Without waiting for Xu Feibai’s response, Lin Tian then turned to the other students and shouted: "Everyone, Teacher Xu just said to ensure everyone knows the movements, so everyone can pass."
"Thank you, Teacher Xu," all the students shouted in unison. The tense exam atmosphere immediately lightened. Sports was a required subject, so the sports grade was still very important.
Lin Tian glanced back at Xu Feibai and said with a smile: "See, don’t always keep a cold face. You’re actually quite popular with the students."
Xu Feibai didn’t respond and continued reading the list: "First, Ning Wenbin..."
"Hey, I’m here, I’m here..." Ning Wenbin shouted while running out from the ranks, as if afraid no one would recognize him.
The soccer exam only tested three actions: free kick, passing, and dribbling through obstacles. Xu Feibai didn’t make it difficult for the students, and, of course, the students weren’t bad either.
The entire process was light-hearted, but little did they know that this "easygoing" Teacher Xu was a decisive and ruthless zombie. Sometimes, human interaction is just that simple, unrelated to status.
Everyone successfully passed the sports exam and left satisfied. After being sent off by Lin Tian, Ning Wenbin also left the field. Only Lin Tian and Xu Feibai were left on the soccer field.
Lin Tian didn’t say anything and reached out to Xu Feibai, who silently took out a box from his pocket and handed it to Lin Tian.
A black wooden box, without any decorations, very ordinary. Lin Tian opened the lid, and inside was a dark red Hook Jade. One end of the jade had a hole, strung with silk, looking very ordinary, like a common pendant from a street stall.
"Are you sure this is the real thing?" Lin Tian asked with great doubt.
"You can try it to see if it’s the real deal," Xu Feibai replied simply without much explanation.
Their conversation sounded like a secret meeting. Lin Tian naturally didn’t stand on ceremony, taking the Qiong Gou Jade from the box and placing it in his palm.
Quietly, a cluster of purple flames rose, completely engulfing the Qiong Gou Jade. From past experience, Lin Tian knew that nothing ordinary could withstand the purple flame if he willed it.
However, the Qiong Gou Jade did not burn in the purple flames. Instead, it emitted a faint red glow amidst the fire, like flowing blood flames or the rising sun. The silk string turned to ashes upon contact with the purple flame.
"Such a peculiar energy. I wonder if it can be fused into the Heavenly Tribulation Sword," the Sword Spirit couldn’t help but marvel in Lin Tian’s mind.
