Chapter 239: Searching for Elixirs, Ancient Bronze Palace

Chapter 239: Searching for Elixirs, Ancient Bronze Palace

When they heard Xiao Ling's proposal, everyone's faces showed anticipation.

Then, under the leadership of Xiao Ling, everyone slowly walked up the ancient staircase. The staircase made a slight "creaking" sound, as if telling the story of the years. With every step, everyone's curiosity and expectation increased.

When they arrived at the second floor, Xiao Ling pushed open the heavy door, and a strong aroma of medicinal herbs filled everyone's senses instantly. This aroma was mellow and deep, as if it contained the accumulation of years.

Looking inside, what came into view was a spacious and bright room, with ancient murals hanging on the walls, depicting various scenes of refining medicine, vividly. There were rows of neat shelves in the room, and each layer was carefully designed to accommodate containers of different sizes and shapes.

The shelves are filled with all kinds of bottles and jars. Their colors are colorful, ranging from crystal clear to deep blue, from fiery red to calm dark green. Each one exudes a faint glow. It is obvious that the materials used to make the elixir bottles are not simple.

Some of these containers are filled with powders that sparkle like stars, some are filled with liquids that flow like mercury, and some are sealed, making it impossible to peek into the secrets inside. Each bottle is exquisite to the extreme, and it is obvious that it has been carefully selected and made.

Xiao Ling and his companions were deeply attracted by the scene before them. They involuntarily approached the shelves, their eyes lingering on these exquisite containers. Each bottle was like a work of art, not only carrying the power of the elixir, but also showing the ingenuity of the alchemist.

Zi Yan couldn't hold back her excitement. She walked forward lightly and carefully picked up a jade box, her eyes flashing with curiosity and surprise. She gently opened the lid of the box, and a faint light overflowed from the box, accompanied by a fresh medicinal fragrance.

"Wow! A sixth-grade elixir!" Zi Yan's voice was filled with surprise and excitement. She carefully put down the jade box in her hand, and couldn't wait to pick up another one.

"Sixth grade! There are also sixth grade pills here!"

When she picked up a more exquisite jade bottle, a cunning light flashed in her eyes: "This is the seventh grade, hehe, it can't be hidden even if I want to!" Her laughter was full of pride and joy.

Zi Yan's liveliness was like a spring breeze, blowing away the quaint and quiet atmosphere in the room and making the whole space lively. Her laughter was crisp and pleasant, like the sound of a mountain spring, infecting everyone present.

When Xiao Ling and his companions saw Zi Yan's excitement, they couldn't help but smile, and the atmosphere became more lively.

Zi Yan carefully put the seventh-grade elixir in her hand back into the exquisite jade box, then waved her hand lightly, and the jade box was put into her storage ring.

After putting away the elixir, Zi Yan turned around, her eyes gleaming with anticipation, and looked at Xiao Ling and several other companions. There was a hint of playfulness and teasing in her voice: "Come and look for it too, there are many treasures here, maybe we can find a real eighth-grade elixir!"

Hearing Zi Yan's expectant words, Xiao Ling and his other companions no longer hesitated, and quickly dispersed, each engaging in the action of collecting pills.

After a careful search, Xiao Ling and his companions found a lot of good things.

A total of four eighth-grade pills were found, two of which were of eighth-grade four-color quality, and the other two were of eighth-grade three-color quality, and one of eighth-grade two-color quality. More than thirty seventh-grade pills were also found, and as for sixth-grade pills, there were more than a hundred of them.

Although the names and effects of the pills were not recorded on the pill bottles, Xiao Ling still used the firm function of the system warehouse to find out the effects of the four eighth-grade pills.

The name of the eighth-grade three-color pill is "Ling Yu Tian Dan", and the name of the eighth-grade two-color pill is "Ze Sheng Dan". These two pills are used for healing, but they are not of much help to Xiao Ling. He can trade them with others in the future, or use them as trump cards for his companions.

The other two 8th-grade, four-color pills, one of which is called "Eternal Life Pill", is a pill that can extend life span. It can not only rejuvenate the dying and live hundreds of years longer, but also nourish the body to a certain extent, making it healthier and delaying the decline of body functions, so that the user can be in a better state to comprehend the world and experience life during the extended life span. Such a pill that can extend life span can be considered relatively precious among the 8th-grade pills.

Another eight-grade, four-color pill, named "Huadu Lingji Pill", has the main function of detoxification. It can accurately identify various toxins that invade the body, activate a powerful purification force, and gradually eliminate the poison in a short period of time. Its medicinal power is gentle and powerful. While dissolving the toxins, it also nourishes the injured organs and veins, allowing the poisoned person to quickly get rid of the threat of the poison. As long as the power of the toxin does not exceed that of the Dou Sheng, it can be eliminated by the medicinal power.

With a slight thought, Xiao Ling gently closed the system panel flashing with information about the elixir in front of him. He shook his head slightly, with a helpless look on his face, "It's a pity that there is no elixir here that can directly improve cultivation. If that Turtle Spirit Venerable could get an elixir of the eighth grade, seven colors or higher level and put it here, after a long period of precipitation, maybe when I come here today, I can be lucky enough to encounter a legendary elixir beast."

Xiao Ling shook his head and stopped thinking about it. Being able to get these things was indeed worth the trip.

And judging from the inventory of elixirs here, the Turtle Spirit Venerable probably stored all his elixir savings here before he died, and now they have all belonged to Xiao Ling.

He turned his gaze towards Zi Yan, and saw her gently uncorking a delicate pill bottle, and carefully pouring out a soft, radiant, sixth-grade imperial pill from the bottle. Zi Yan threw the pill into her mouth without hesitation, as if she was enjoying an ordinary candy.

As soon as the pill entered her mouth, the medicinal power quickly spread throughout Zi Yan's body. She showed an extremely satisfied expression on her face, her eyes narrowed into slits in pleasure, and she muttered unconsciously, "Woo woo, this is such a good time~"

Seeing this scene, everyone couldn't help but twitch their lips slightly, and secretly sighed in their hearts: Being able to enjoy precious sixth-grade elixirs as casually as snacks like Zi Yan, I'm afraid only she can do it.

Xiao Ling walked forward, rubbed Zi Yan's hair affectionately, and reminded her with a smile, "I gave you so many sixth-grade pills, don't be greedy, or you will fall asleep halfway through the journey if you eat too much."

Hearing this, Zi Yan showed a playful smile and responded easily, "Don't worry, I know my limits."

After confirming that all the precious elixirs in the alchemy room had been searched, Xiao Ling felt that there was no need to stay here any longer. He immediately led everyone out of the alchemy room filled with the aroma of medicine and prepared to explore other areas.

……

After searching several other places, Xiao Ling did not find any special treasures. Everything was as he expected, and there were no surprises.

After walking out of the last wooden house, he did not gain anything this time. The Little Medical Fairy came forward and said to Xiao Ling with a hint of doubt: "Xiao Ling, is it true that the Turtle Spirit Earth Fire that the Turtle Spirit Venerable controlled during his lifetime was not left here?"

Zi Yan and Qing Lin also cast their concerned eyes. After all, Xiao Ling's biggest goal on this trip was to obtain the Turtle Spirit Earth Fire that the Turtle Spirit Venerable had subdued during his lifetime.

Now, they have turned the place upside down, but have not found any trace of the Turtle Spirit Earth Fire. This makes the three of them wonder, could it be that Xiao Ling will not be able to subdue his fifth strange fire as he wished this time?

Unlike the sorrow on the faces of Xiao Yixian and the other two companions, Yao Chen and Yao Tianhuo followed at the end of the team. Their expressions seemed unusually calm. Even in their eyes, one could catch a hint of subtle changes, as if they had made new discoveries or insights into something. Facing the slightly worried looks of the three women, Xiao Ling smiled lightly and raised his question in a relaxed manner: "Don't you think it's a bit strange? We have been looking here for so long, but we still haven't found the remains of the Guiling Master."

Zi Yan didn't think deeply about it and blurted out: "Could it be that the real remains of the Gui Ling Master are not here? Otherwise, how come we can't even find his remains?"

Little Medical Fairy seemed more cautious. She pondered for a moment and said thoughtfully, "Perhaps there are secrets in this place that we haven't explored yet, and the remains of the Turtle Spirit Venerable and the Turtle Spirit Earth Fire may be hidden there."

Xiao Ling nodded to Xiao Yixian and confirmed her thoughts with a smile: "You guessed right, there is indeed something strange here. According to my observation, there seems to be an area cleverly hidden by the magic array. I only discovered this secret not long ago."

Then, he turned to Yao Chen and Yao Tianhuo, with a hint of amusement in his eyes: "However, I guess Senior Yao and Senior Tianhuo may have noticed this a long time ago."

Yao Chen smiled lightly, his attitude was calm, and there was a hint of pride in his tone: "Indeed, I vaguely felt that this place was unusual when I first started exploring. This illusion array is very cleverly arranged, and it is difficult for people who are not careful to find it. I only noticed it because Brother Tianhuo reminded me before."

Yao Tianhuo also nodded in agreement, his voice full of praise for Xiao Ling: "Xiao Ling, your insight is really admirable. You were able to see through the existence of the illusion array so quickly. We were discussing it before. If you fail to discover this secret, we will take the initiative to tell you later."

Xiao Ling smiled and responded modestly: "Haha, you two seniors are too kind. I just happened to notice some details."

This formation is similar to the refracting formation created by Yao Tianhuo before, but it is obviously more advanced, a double-layer formation. It can not only change the line of sight, but also conceal the breath. It is also because of the previous research on this kind of formation that Xiao Ling was able to see through its secrets so quickly.

Then he looked at the three bewildered women and continued to explain, "While exploring these houses, I carefully observed all directions and found that there was an area that looked unusual. It was obviously tampered with. According to my observation, the illusion array mainly uses a special method to distort light, thereby creating a visual illusion. Moreover, it has a second layer of array, which uses some special means to hide the aura in the area. Even if we use our perception to explore, we can only feel a blank."

After listening to Xiao Ling's explanation, the three people's eyes suddenly brightened. The fog in their hearts seemed to be blown away by a breeze, and they finally understood the mystery.

After understanding the principle, the three of them looked at the area again and began to notice subtle changes in the light. At first, it seemed ordinary, but when they looked carefully, they could find the abnormal refraction of light. The unnatural bending of light revealed the existence of the illusion array.

Then, Xiao Ling turned his wrist slightly, and a stream of Dou Qi condensed from his fingertips shot out, pointing directly at the seemingly ordinary area. The Dou Qi stream was like a precise arrow, cutting through the air, and with a sound of breaking through the air, it hit the target.

Instantly, there was a slight sound, as if some invisible barrier was broken. A light blue light curtain appeared in the air, and then, like broken glass, it turned into countless tiny blue light spots, slowly dissipating in the surroundings.

As the light curtain disappeared, an ancient bronze palace slowly appeared on the originally empty ground and came into view of everyone.

The exterior design of this bronze hall is simple and magnificent, and its overall shape is simple yet solemn, exuding a calm and dignified atmosphere. The outline of the hall is smooth, without complicated decorations, but with its huge volume and solid texture, it shows a solemnity and power that transcends time.

The years have left mottled marks on its bronze surface, but these marks have not diminished its majesty, but instead given it a sense of historical weight.

Under the sunlight, the luster of bronze is not dazzling, but rather presents a warm and subtle brilliance, as if silently telling of past glory.

Compared with the delicate and gentle ancient buildings around it, the style of this bronze hall is more rugged. It is like a silent guardian, independent of the world, carrying unknown secrets. Although its existence seems lonely, it is particularly eye-catching because of its uniqueness.

When everyone stepped onto the broad stone steps in front of the bronze hall, their eyes were involuntarily attracted by the three large characters on the lintel engraved with the traces of time, "Zunhaitang".

These three characters are written in an ancient font with strong strokes, revealing an inviolable solemnity and sacredness. Obviously, the person who wrote these three characters must have a very profound cultivation.

Standing in front of the door of the hall, everyone felt an inexplicable sense of solemnity. Seeing the three big characters "Zun Hai Tang", everyone knew the purpose of this bronze hall. Just as Xiao Ling had analyzed before, this was the resting place of the Turtle Spirit Venerable, a hall where the Venerable's remains were stored.

Zi Yan raised her question with a hint of doubt: "Xiao Ling, Xiao Ling, why did this Turtle Spirit Master set up such an illusion array outside this bronze hall? Doesn't he want his body to be discovered by others?"

Xiao Ling gently patted Zi Yan's shoulder, with a gentle smile in his eyes, and replied: "The illusion array outside tests the observer's carefulness. If the Gui Ling Master really didn't want his body to be discovered, he could have chosen a more secret place to place it. But he left the body here. I think this may be some kind of test he left for those who come after him."

After hearing Xiao Ling's explanation, everyone pondered for a moment, and then nodded in agreement. Xiao Yixian said softly: "Xiao Ling is right, this illusion array is indeed like a test, not just for hiding."

Qing Lin blinked and revealed an expression of sudden enlightenment: "I see, it seems that our discovery of this place means we have passed the test of that venerable senior."

Zi Yan also put away her doubts and showed an excited smile: "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go in and explore, there must be something unexpected waiting for us inside."

Seeing that everyone was in high spirits, Xiao Ling smiled and said, "Okay, let's go in. However, everyone should remain vigilant. After all, this is the resting place of the Turtle Spirit Master, and no one knows if he has left any tricks behind."

After saying this, Xiao Ling gently pushed open the bronze door of the Zunhai Hall. The door slowly opened, making a heavy and ancient creaking sound, as if history was whispering, welcoming their arrival.

An ancient atmosphere gushed out from the door, with a hint of coolness and mystery. Everyone filed in and stepped into this ancient and solemn hall. Their footsteps echoed in the empty hall, adding a bit of solemnity and expectation.

Following Xiao Ling's lead, the group entered the bronze hall. The door slowly closed behind them, blocking out the light from the outside. The interior of the hall seemed slightly dim, with only a few faint rays of light shining through the gaps above, adding a mysterious atmosphere to the hall.

Everyone's sight penetrated the darkness and gradually adapted to the environment inside the hall. The interior of the hall was extremely spacious, with a dome so high that it seemed to touch the clouds. The four walls tilted inwards, supporting this magnificent space. On the walls, faint light and shadows intertwined, reflecting the outline of the interior of the hall.

In the center of the hall, there is a huge bronze statue, which depicts a burly old man with a solemn face and deep eyes, which seems to contain endless wisdom. The old man has a solemn posture, holding a ball of light in one hand, and there seems to be a flame dancing inside the ball of light. Even though it is just a sculpture, you can feel the hot breath it exudes.

As Xiao Ling expected, the statue should be carefully carved based on the image of Venerable Gui Ling. It is lifelike and fully demonstrates the Venerable's majesty and wisdom.

The ball of light in the statue's hand dances like a flame. It is obviously based on the Turtle Spirit Earth Fire controlled by the Turtle Spirit Venerable, and is a clever replica. Although it does not have the power of the real strange fire, it vividly captures its essence.

(End of this chapter)