Chapter Fifty-Four: Half of an Ancient Seal

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The Celestial Relic lay to the north of the Hundred Flowers Immortal Realm, the only desolate place within this paradise. Wild grasses grew rampant here, returning no matter how often they were cleared, impossible to eradicate. The soil was unfit for cultivating flowers, and so this tract had long remained unused.

Who could have imagined that a celestial relic was concealed in such a place? In truth, the array masking the relic had only begun to leak its aura because the passage of time had worn it down; if not for that, no matter how diligently Mengshang investigated, the secret hidden here would have remained undiscovered.

Soon, they arrived. As far as the eye could see, endless wild grass stretched out like a vast prairie. Unlike the patches of wild grass that stubbornly sprouted in the flowerbeds, here a myriad of grasses mingled, some dotted with thin, inconspicuous little yellow wildflowers, utterly lacking in charm or beauty.

Mengshang’s expression grew grave, as did those of the Twelve Flower Goddesses. All were clad in full battle attire, and Liu Ping also drew forth the Azure Solemn Sword, transforming it into a blade six feet in length.

Yet among the Twelve Flower Goddesses, most recognized this sword and were displeased that something from the Palace of Flowers had been given to an outsider so freely. Their attitude toward Liu Ping grew increasingly cold—one could even call it openly rude.

Only the Goddess of the Jade Hairpin was slightly more cordial, but constrained by her sisters’ presence, she dared not show excessive warmth.

This stance left Mengshang at a loss; after all, these twelve were her elder sisters, with whom she had always shared close bonds. That they would tolerate Liu Ping’s presence at all was already a concession; what more could she ask? With a sigh, she gazed apologetically at Liu Ping.

Liu Ping merely shook his head, signaling that he did not mind.

They pressed onward. As they flew, Mengshang suddenly halted, pointing downward. “This is the entrance.”

Below was a great pit, once sealed by a stone door and overgrown with wild grass. Had it not collapsed on its own, it would have been impossible to find.

They all flew over and peered down. The pit was deep and pitch-black, its bottom unfathomable, like the gaping maw of a primordial beast, seemingly capable of devouring all. Instinctively, a sense of dread crept over them.

“There’s an unmistakable aura of misfortune here,” whispered the Camellia Goddess, the most sensitive among them, her brow furrowing.

At her words, the others nodded in agreement.

“The rampant growth of wild grass these past years must have been caused by the leaking aura from the broken array, mixing with grass seeds and spreading across the entire Hundred Flowers Immortal Realm,” mused the Plum Blossom Goddess.

“I think so as well. Let’s go in together,” said Mengshang.

“Alright.”

They descended in silence. Though the pit was large, it still felt cramped for a dozen people descending side by side.

Fortunately, after only a brief descent, the space widened dramatically, as though they had entered another world.

At the same time, they passed through a barrier, like slipping through a shimmering curtain of water, though it seemed to have no effect on them.

Before long, they landed.

The air was tinged with a faint, unpleasant stench of decay, causing everyone to instinctively cover their noses and mouths.

All around was darkness; the light from above seemed utterly sealed away, leaving the space oppressive.

“This smell is truly unbearable,” muttered the Pomegranate Blossom Goddess.

“This smell is truly unbearable.”

“This smell is truly unbearable.”

“This smell is truly...”

“This smell...”

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The words echoed, repeating twice with startling clarity, making everyone jump. But as the echoes faded, they realized it was only their voices resounding.

Yet, the echo sounded a little too distinct.

With a sudden whoosh, the Hibiscus Goddess raised a precious jade in her hand, from which a gentle radiance blossomed, instantly illuminating the surroundings and easing some of the unease.

The place resembled a natural cavern, barren and bleak. Not even grass grew here—only large and small brown rocks, with no sign of human handiwork. It made one wonder if this could truly be a celestial relic.

A closer inspection revealed a massive stone gate at the far end, dispelling any remaining doubts.

“Something’s not right here,” Liu Ping murmured, frowning.

Yet even his quiet voice echoed—“Something’s not right here. Something’s not right here.”—sending a chill through the group.

“That’s not helpful. If you sense something amiss, say what it is,” the Peach Blossom Goddess snapped. “If you don’t know, don’t speak.”

Her harsh tone made Liu Ping frown, but Mengshang could no longer hold her tongue. “He’s here to help us. Can’t my sisters be a bit kinder?”

“We didn’t ask him to come,” the Apricot Blossom Goddess replied coldly. “Besides, he’s only a Human Immortal. How much help can he really be?”

He was still underestimated, Liu Ping thought with a sigh. If he were an Earth Immortal, such contempt would never have arisen. In all worlds, strength commanded respect.

As they argued, their voices echoed uncomfortably around the cavern...

Suddenly, Liu Ping caught something strange—a chill ran down his spine. “Wait. Listen carefully. Within the echoes, aren’t there whispers besides our own?”

His words startled Mengshang and the goddesses; in sudden fear, they strained to listen to his last echoed sentence.

“Wait. Listen! Within the echoes, aren’t there whispers besides our own?”

But there were no unusual sounds.

The Peach Blossom Goddess couldn’t help but sneer, “There’s nothing at all. Must you keep up this pretense? If you’re not helping, at least don’t cause trouble.”

“There’s nothing at all. Must you keep up this pretense? If you’re not helping, at least don’t cause trouble.”

“There’s nothing at all. Must you keep up this pretense? Yes, yes, at least don’t cause trouble, right?”

At the latter words, some clearly changed, and everyone’s eyes widened in horror as a chill surged through their hearts.

“Who’s there?!” the Plum Blossom Goddess cried out, startled, her beautiful eyes wide as she shouted.

“Who’s there?!” The echo sounded normal...

“Who’s there? Why do you care who we are?”

The echo changed!

“There really is something here!” The Lotus Goddess frowned, and her words seemed to set off a powder keg: a chorus of whispering erupted.

Yet the voices were unintelligible, as though in some ancient tongue.

“They’re above us.” As he searched again, Liu Ping finally sensed something. “There’s something above!”

When they descended, it hadn’t been directly downward, but at an angle, so now the area above was a cavern wall.

Upon it, they saw countless monsters growing.

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Their upper bodies were humanoid—fat and bloated, with hideous faces, mouths split back to their ears, crammed with layer upon layer of needle-sharp teeth, and countless green tongues, long and thin like tentacles.

Their lower bodies, however, were plant-like, rooted in the upper cavern walls.

“What are such creatures doing here?” Mengshang’s expression changed slightly as she sensed true trouble. “They weren’t here before.”

“They’re coming! Form up and defend!” As the creatures writhed, struggling to free themselves from the roots, the Peach Blossom Goddess barked the order.

Even as she spoke, the group instantly combined their powers, forming the Twelve Flower Goddesses’ Array, enveloping both Liu Ping and Mengshang. Plainly, for all their displeasure with Liu Ping, they would not abandon him.

“Hiss—hiss!!” The monsters shrieked, dirt and stones raining down as they tore free from the cavern wall and hurled themselves down.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

An invisible shield surrounded the group. The monsters crashed against it, sending ripples through the barrier before being flung away.

Whoosh!

A few slipped through, struggling to their feet and lunging with gnashing teeth, but Liu Ping’s sword flashed, slicing them in two. Frightening as they looked, these monsters were not particularly strong.

After dispatching four or five, his effortless movements drew the attention of the Twelve Flower Goddesses—Liu Ping, it seemed, was not entirely without merit!

But more and more monsters dropped down, chilling the group to the bone.

“How can there be so many? Not a single one made it out?” the Peach Blossom Goddess exclaimed in disbelief.

Mengshang replied, “We passed through a barrier earlier; it must have sealed all these fiends inside.”

“What are they, really?” the Peach Blossom Goddess wondered aloud.

“They’re likely formed from the resentment of ancient predecessors who perished in the great calamity,” the Apricot Blossom Goddess answered. “But that’s not the issue—should we retreat or press on?”

The decision, as always, rested with Mengshang, their leader.

“We go forward,” Mengshang resolved after a moment’s thought. “We must see what lies within. These monsters, for all their horror, are weak. We can’t return empty-handed.”

“Agreed!” Without hesitation, the group rushed toward the stone gate.

Mengshang explained, “That stone gate cannot be opened without an ancient seal. During my last investigation, I determined that if we combine our strength, we can force it open.”

The Plum Blossom Goddess asked, “You couldn’t find the ancient seal?”

Mengshang replied, “I found it, but only half of it.”

“Half?” The Plum Blossom Goddess was taken aback. “Let me see.”

Mengshang nodded, producing the half-seal from her robes and handing it over.

Liu Ping glanced at the ochre relic and started in surprise. Why did it seem so familiar?