Divine Tang Era

Chapter 156 The Ruins of the Toad Palace

Chapter 157 The Ruins of the Toad Palace (Part 1)

The massive warship remained anchored at the foot of Kunlun Mountain, without directly transporting the group to the ruins.

Two more ships flew in from a distance. Compared to the giant warship, they appeared much smaller. One of them looked exactly like the wooden rafts that I had seen when I went to Guilin in the past, except that people called them floating rafts, which was a rather elegant name.

Before long, a group of people disembarked from the boat and gathered at the foot of the mountain, creating a lively and bustling scene.

However, this excitement did not last long.

After a short rest, the group began their ascent up the mountain. Since the Toad Palace ruins were located atop Kunlun Mountain, some distance from the actual site, they needed to hurry to get there and avoid missing the opening of the ruins.

Despite his small stature, Xu Dan possesses abundant vital energy, and coupled with his mastery of the Seven Star Flying Steps, a lightness skill, his speed is in no way inferior to some Qi Refining cultivators. At least, Kuang Kui's speed is not as good as his.

"How come you ran so fast?" Kuang Kui asked incredulously.

"You're too slow, bro," Xu Dan replied.

The cultivation technique given by the Lord of Mingfeng Pavilion could never be bad. Combined with the book on the application of qi and blood given by Master Xue, his speed is now almost as fast as a fighter jet. He moved with lightning speed, but was he arrogant? No, because at that moment, a figure flew past his head with a "whoosh".

As Xu Dan watched the figure flying overhead, he almost blurted out "Mommy".

This person has no sense of merit. Doesn't he know that flying over someone's head is a major taboo in spiritual practice?

"call out"

"call out"

As he was muttering to himself, several more people flew overhead. This time, Xu Dan didn't even dare say "Mommy." These people were clearly powerful figures; how could a nobody like him dare to speak carelessly? It was best to be sensible. Besides, he had no right to stop them from flying; was he supposed to shoot them down with a missile?

Despite his complaints, it didn't stop him from continuing on his way.

As you travel along the winding mountain road, you are surrounded by lush vegetation.

Looking up at Kunlun Mountain from below is far more magnificent than seeing it from a ship.

Its majestic and imposing mountains resemble a giant axe that splits the heavens, with peaks layered upon each other piercing the clouds, as if to cleave the vast sky in two. The undulating mountain range is like a giant dragon that has slumbered for eternity, its winding and stretching exuding a powerful aura, and the ancient aura emanating from it seems to tell of the vicissitudes and mystery of eternal years.

The vegetation on the mountain is so lush it's almost eerie, with ancient trees reaching for the sky.

Those thick tree trunks require several people to encircle, and their lush branches and leaves block out the sky and moon, filtering the vast moonlight into fine spots of light that fall on the mountain path.

This sacred Kunlun Mountain has been steeped in countless mysterious legends since ancient times, serving as a legendary backbone between heaven and earth. An ancient poet once praised it, saying, "How lofty is Kunlun Mountain! The Yellow River flows ten thousand miles from the heavens."

As we continued upwards, nearing the halfway point of the mountain, fog gradually rose in the mountains.

A light mist, like a veil, flows leisurely through the mountains, with the Kunlun Mountains hidden within, appearing and disappearing like a dream.

This cloud and mist is not ordinary water vapor, but is formed by the convergence of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Xu Dan took a deep breath and felt as if he had been enlightened, feeling comfortable all over.

"Um"

Suddenly, he sensed that the Hidden Profound Cauldron was absorbing a large amount of spiritual energy. The space inside was slowly expanding due to the influx of spiritual energy, and the originally barren land gradually came to life, with grass, trees, and spiritual springs appearing. The medicinal herb seeds that were originally hidden underground also slowly sprouted and emerged from the ground, and a faint medicinal fragrance permeated the Hidden Profound Cauldron.

Xu Dan sensed the strange changes inside the cauldron and couldn't resist wanting to stay and absorb more spiritual energy, but the Toad Palace Ruins were about to open, so he had to find another time.

Further up, he saw a waterfall cascading down in the distance, and a mountain stream flowing quietly downstream.

The stream leaps and bounds among the stones, making a clear and melodious sound, and slowly gathers into a river below, flowing further afield.

Xu Dan admired the beautiful scenery of Kunlun Mountain as he climbed. By the time he reached the summit, it was already noon.

The ruins of the Moon Palace will not open until the moon is high in the sky. Since it was still early, he found a secluded corner to prepare for his meal.

Erchen, who sells elixirs, Lou Xuan, who sells talismans, and Cai Wenjing, who sells seafood, also came over. In this unfamiliar place, these acquaintances from Jingning City naturally huddled together for warmth.

Moreover, Xu Dan had bought things from them before, so he was a regular customer, and everyone knew each other.

"Would you like to try Meng's big steamed buns? They're super delicious," Xu Dan said politely to the three of them, holding a large steamed bun.

"No, thank you."

The three of them had also brought their own food, so they took it out and started eating. There were many other people dining on the mountaintop, some with simple and plain meals, and others with extremely luxurious ones. All kinds of delicacies were available, dazzling the eyes.

Xu Dan ate seven or eight large steamed buns in one go, then gnawed on a few pieces of the long-haired beef steaks he had fried that morning, followed by half a bucket of crispy dried fish, and finally swallowed two beast meat balls before stopping, completely satisfied. Now, what he ate would quickly transform into qi and blood, be absorbed and refined by the Hidden Profound Cauldron, and then return to his body.

In other words, he only needs to eat foods that greatly nourish his qi and blood, and his qi and blood will continue to increase.

Unlike others, they don't have to work hard to cultivate, lest the qi and blood in their bodies become mixed and affect their cultivation.

Kuang Kui and the others frowned as they watched Xu Dan wolf down his food. But since they weren't very familiar with each other, they didn't say anything.

As dusk fell, a huge, full moon slowly rose from the east, its cool light bathing the earth. The ground was covered in snow, and the moonlight and snow reflected each other, illuminating the entire world as if it were daytime.

At this moment, Kunlun Mountain, bathed in moonlight and snow glow, appears even more sacred and mysterious.

The full moon rose higher and higher, getting closer and closer to Kunlun Mountain, and becoming increasingly clear.

Suddenly, a toad's silhouette came into everyone's view. Xu Dan's heart skipped a beat: Could this be the legendary Toad Palace?

"The Toad Palace Ruins are about to open. Be careful when you go in. It's best to avoid places with few people, lest you find treasures and have them stolen. With everyone watching, those people wouldn't dare do anything to a child like you," Kuang Kui warned.

"Don't worry! I'm not someone to be trifled with either." Xu Dan took out the Soul-Devouring Yin-Yang Hammer and shook it.

A huge full moon slowly rose, hanging high above the mountain peak, so close to Kunlun Mountain that it was breathtaking, as if it could be touched.

Bright moonlight shone on the mountaintop, as if daylight had returned, revealing even the textures of the rocks. Suddenly, a dazzling beam of light shone down from the Toad Palace, like a silver ribbon, gracefully draping down the mountaintop, forming a moonlit passage that connected Kunlun Immortal Mountain with the ruins of the Toad Palace.

A row of Northern Court soldiers, clad in black armor and wielding massive shields and spears, emerged from the crowd and lined up neatly before the Moonlight Passage.

Immediately afterward, someone carried forward a beautifully carved box. The box was ancient and heavy, its surface inlaid with intricate runes, faintly exuding a mysterious aura. Among the surrounding crowd, those who had been to the ruins of the Toad Palace knew what to do. They stepped forward, placed the spirit stones in their hands into the box, and then stepped onto the moonlit path, merging into the silvery glow and disappearing at the end of the road leading to the Toad Palace.

"Let's go, let's go over there too," Kuang Kui said, and stepped forward.

Xu Dan deliberately walked at the back, and only took out the token given to him by Ya Zhu after they paid the spirit stones and went inside.

Without saying a word, the armored soldiers guarding the passage let them through.

Stepping onto the Moonlight Passage, Xu Dan arrived at another place in an instant. He had no concept of the Everlasting City that Zhu had mentioned before, but now that he was there in person, he truly understood what "Everlasting City" meant.