Chapter 113: Thread of Sky Pass (Two)
Chapter 113: Thread of Sky Pass (Two)
About seventy li, slightly less than a hundred li, west of Chuyun City, within the territories of the Chu Clan in Suzhou, central Divine Wind Continent, lay a gorge named Thread of Sky Pass!
What was meant by Thread of Sky Pass?
Simply put, standing in this mountain valley and looking up at the sky, one would be startled to discover a strange illusion. The usual beliefs about the heavens and the earth no longer applied here, and the sky appeared only as a thread!
It was said this Thread of Sky Pass had existed for a very long time. Countless years ago, there was no Giant Boulder here, only plains. But later, somehow, a huge stone had suddenly plummeted from beyond the heavens, landing here and becoming the forerunner of the current Thread of Sky Pass. As for the sheer canyon walls about a zhang wide, legend held they were formed long ago when mighty predecessors clashed in the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Overflowing sword energy slammed into the land, carving out the deep valley that had gradually become a pass.
Strangely, however, such an important strategic thoroughfare remained unguarded by the Chu Clan. Instead, bandits and outlaws were left to claim it as their stronghold.
Of course, there was also the rumor that traveling west from Thread of Sky Pass led to few cities and fewer people. Further on lay the Hundred Thousand Mountains, making this place simply not worth the heavy investment of establishing a garrison.
Gululu! Gululu!
The ox carts entered the pass, maintaining their original pace. After all, the cargo loaded onto them was too heavy, and the water buffalo couldn’t move any faster.
Whooosh! Whooosh!
At the entrance to the gorge, the wind had been fierce and strong. But once inside, it became much milder.
“Heh, truly a marvelous sight!”
Tang Jinbiao followed at the rear of the caravan. He raised his head to gaze at the sky, unable to suppress his admiration.
Indeed, when he looked upward through the sheer cliffs that stood a zhang apart, the sky seemed reduced to a mere line.
It was a very peculiar sensation. Like how people mocked a frog viewing the sky from the bottom of a well. Yet, what if the positions were reversed one day?
Perhaps the world we see is also only as large as the mouth of the well?
“Haha, Brother Tang, the view at Thread of Sky Pass is indeed unique. It’s a pity the current troubled times mean few are willing to come here to appreciate it anymore. It’s said that at the zenith of noon, when the three suns shine directly into this valley, one can witness a divine miracle!”
Because the earlier scouting had gone smoothly, Captain Wang was no longer as tense as before. Noticing Tang Jinbiao admiring the scene, he spoke up.
“Hmm? Witness a divine miracle? What is that?”
For some reason, upon hearing the words ‘divine miracle’, Tang Jinbiao felt a flicker of interest. He asked about it.
“Yes, a divine miracle. Though I’ve never seen it myself. They say it occurs only once every ten years. I believe it was eight years ago, no, seven years ago… wait, eight years ago! Yes, eight years ago, it manifested once. They say that appearance drew many ancient beings to witness it!”
Captain Wang seemed lost in recollection, furrowing his brow as he recalled.
“Eight years ago? What exactly happened, Brother Wang? Tell me about it!”
Tang Jinbiao paused when he heard ‘eight years’, the number striking him as vaguely familiar. Moreover, he felt this timeframe wasn’t merely a coincidence.
“Well, telling you probably won’t hurt. Brother Tang, though your frame is lean, the blood energy within you roils intensely; you are probably no ordinary man? If I’m not mistaken, Brother Tang should be a Body Refiner!”
Captain Wang studied Tang Jinbiao for a moment, then a knowing smile touched his lips as he made his deduction.
Thump!
Tang Jinbiao’s heart skipped a beat at Captain Wang’s words. He hadn’t expected Captain Wang’s gaze to be so piercingly accurate.
“Haha, Brother Tang, don’t be surprised. Being a Body Refiner is nothing shameful! On the Divine Wind Continent, cultivation is revered. Those with a Spiritual Root pursue Immortal cultivation, those without might turn to Body Refining. Of course, all this is primarily true for the great clans, noble houses, or grand sects. As for ordinary folk like us, even having a Spiritual Root doesn’t guarantee access to Immortal cultivation. Unless we are noticed by a great sect or clan, we get no chance. As for Body Refining? Forget even dreaming about it. They say Body Refining is a dead-end path to power. Since ancient times, no one has achieved the Great Dao through Body Refining. Plus, it consumes vast resources with little to show for it! Of course, despite this, Body Refiners still exist. They are rare, absolutely, but they do appear. I, Wang, have also mixed in these circles for over twenty years; what kind of Cultivators haven’t I seen? I’ve encountered plenty at Qi Condensation Stage, Foundation Establishment Stage, and Core Formation Stage. I’ve even met three or five Nascent Soul Stage experts. As for Body Refiners like yourself, Brother Tang, aren’t they a dime a dozen?”
Fearing Tang Jinbiao might misunderstand, Captain Wang chuckled and elaborated further.
“Oh, I see! I had thought only Cultivators and Body Refiners existed on the Divine Wind Continent!”
After listening to Captain Wang’s detailed explanation, a lingering doubt in Tang Jinbiao’s mind was finally dispelled. He had originally thought this world held only Body Refiners and Immortal cultivators.
“Haha, Brother Tang, it seems like you’re the kind of disciple who grew up entirely within your clan? How could that be possible? Under this vast sky, who knows how many millions of people there are? There’s no such thing as everyone cultivating Cultivation! What? Brother Tang, are you really surnamed Tang?”
Captain Wang couldn’t help but laugh, wanting to say something more, but suddenly he realized a problem—one he hadn’t thought of before, only now becoming aware of it.
Thump!
Tang Jinbiao’s heart skipped a beat as he looked at Captain Wang with confusion and asked, “Brother Wang, what’s wrong? I am truly surnamed Tang! Tang as in the Tang dynasty!”
Tang Jinbiao felt a jolt of shock inside—he hadn’t expected why Captain Wang hadn’t mentioned this yesterday but was suddenly bringing it up now.
“Brother Tang, I think it’d be best like this: once we pass through this Thread of Sky Pass, we should part ways. Also, since we’ve met, once we reach Chuyun City, don’t tell anyone you’re surnamed Tang. Just make up any name and forget the old one!”
Captain Wang’s eyes showed a complex expression, suddenly seeming unsure how to face Tang Jinbiao.
“Brother Wang, if you have something to say, say it properly. Don’t be so hesitant—it makes me really nervous!”
Tang Jinbiao felt unnerved and spoke out.
“Ahem, it seems Brother Tang really is from outside Suzhu. I have no idea how you managed to come this far. Since that’s the case, I’ll just explain it right to you. I really am careless—I didn’t realize this issue yesterday. Getting old!”
Captain Wang sighed and started explaining to Tang Jinbiao, continuing, “Actually, young brother, since you’re from outside Suzhu, you might not know the current situation here. I’ll put it simply: the place you’re in now is the domain of the Chu Clan north of the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Speaking of the Chu Clan, I’ll start from the beginning of Suzhu’s power divisions for you. Then it’ll be clear. Suzhu has four clans, three sects, two factions, one holy land, and one academy. The four clans are the Feng and Tang families south of the Hundred Thousand Mountains, and the Chu and Wei families north…”
Tang Jinbiao didn’t speak, just quietly listening as his steps followed the rumbling sound of the wheels.
The two walked along with the convoy like this—one speaking, the other listening. Before long, they reached a bend, turned the corner, and passed it.
The valley plunged back into silence again.
…
Rumble rumble!
About a quarter-hour later, a black spot on the cliff wall suddenly changed. Soon after, the black area began to slowly squirm as if something was about to come out. The sound was also eerily similar to the noise of the oxcart wheels turning, which is why Tang Jinbiao and the others hadn’t noticed it when they entered.
Fizz fizz!
Not long after, a black pigeon flew out from the black spot, soared up the cliff face, then flapped its wings and flew east.
“Hehe!”
Whether it was an illusion or not, at that moment, a faint laugh seemed to echo from the black spot, along with something like a grinning face emerging.
…
Rumble rumble!
After turning the corner, the convoy could already see the light at the exit ahead. Because scouting had been done beforehand, the guards were alert but not tense—especially with sentries posted at intervals along both cliffsides, keeping watch all around, adding to everyone’s sense of safety.
“…and that’s pretty much all. So, young brother, if you want to put down roots in Chuyun City, definitely don’t mention being surnamed Tang. Otherwise, you might attract trouble!”
By now, Captain Wang had finished explaining most of it to Tang Jinbiao.
“Yes, I understand. I’ll be careful!”
After hearing Captain Wang’s words, Tang Jinbiao felt somewhat speechless. Only then did he realize that if one was unlucky, even one’s surname could be wrong.
Through Captain Wang’s explanation, Tang Jinbiao had a much clearer grasp of Suzhu’s power divisions in his mind.
Although it was similar to what Tang Yilin had told him once, being local, Captain Wang’s account naturally surpassed Tang Yilin’s hearsay and was more accurate.
He also understood that, in short, Suzhu had four major factions, all centered around the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
To the south were the Feng and Tang families, plus the Maple Leaf Sect as a major faction, forming the Southern Faction. To the north were the Chu and Wei families along with the Sword Flight Sect and Spirit Dao Sect, making up the Northern Faction. The west had the Clear Autumn Holy Land, while the east held the Divine Wind Academy.
On the surface, all factions fell under the authority of the Divine Wind Academy. But in recent years, for unknown reasons, these major forces had started fighting more and more around the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Even worse, with the damage to the Formations outside the Hundred Thousand Mountains, some stray Demon Beasts began emerging to attack Mortals.
However, after Captain Wang’s explanation, a new doubt surfaced in Tang Jinbiao’s mind—the one about whether he had come from the Land of Darkness. Captain Wang’s account suggested that the Land of Darkness wasn’t nearby but deep within the Hundred Thousand Mountains, tens of thousands of miles away. Throughout history, countless powerful Cultivators had wished to probe its secrets, but none dared to enter.
That was because anyone who entered lost all their Spiritual Energy and reverted to like a Mortal, no matter how strong their Cultivation. Strangest of all, Cultivators who returned alive went insane, babbled incoherent words, and eventually exploded to death.
“Haha, young brother, you don’t need to worry too much though. While the Chu Clan opposes the Tang Family, they’re not so ruthless as to slaughter indiscriminately. If things ever got that bad, who knows what chaos would erupt all over north and south mountains?”
Seeing Tang Jinbiao’s pensive look, Captain Wang assumed he was scared by what he’d heard.
“Yes, Brother Wang, thank you. I’ll be sure to take care from now on!”
Captain Wang certainly didn’t know that Tang Jinbiao wasn’t fretting over the northern and southern powers, but rather about the dread Land of Darkness, especially the unsettling memory of his later experience.
If Captain Wang’s words were true, how could he have possibly encountered it? And if they weren’t true, what exactly had he witnessed?
What connection did that man who called himself Zhang Tianyi have with the Divine Wind Academy?
Plus, he couldn’t understand—what was that white figure he saw yesterday?
Although a gut feeling told him it was a real soul, he struggled to believe how he could see such a thing.
For a moment, Tang Jinbiao felt his thoughts growing tangled and chaotic…