Bi Mo Zhi Jian

Chapter 301 Passing Down the Dharma

Gui Jie, the Starfall Grottoes.

Grey mist drifted, an area akin to a cave space, with passages that narrowed and widened, much like the scattered cave spaces throughout this vast domain.

Some were no larger than an underground parking lot, incredibly cramped, where a strong individual could shatter space layers directly.

Yet, some were so vast that a single cave space could be larger than an ordinary world, containing mountains, rivers, forests, and other environments.

However, this was, after all, Gui Jie.

The mountains were bare, with rugged, strange rocks. The rivers flowed with a dead, gray silence that discouraged any from venturing in. The forests consisted only of dead trees, growing strangely, flailing like demons.

Only the faintly glowing crystal stones embedded within the layers of the cave space added a touch of magnificent color to this desolate environment.

"However, these Starfall Crystals can only serve as decorations; they have no intrinsic function."

Inside the carriage, the Third Princess, still in high spirits, spoke as if a tour guide, introducing the unique terrain of the Starfall Grottoes to Xitina.

Starfall Crystals were the most peculiar geographical feature here.

"These crystals are naturally very hard, requiring a master of non-human level to possibly damage them. Extracting these crystals... many have tried before, but after extraction, these crystals lose their mystique, stop glowing, and lose their hardness, becoming like ordinary stones, inferior to even the lowest-grade mysterious materials."

"Legend has it that this is because the Starfall Crystals were originally embedded within the space of the Starfall Grottoes, bestowing them with their mystique. Upon leaving, they revert to their original state."

This legend was common knowledge in the Starfall Grottoes, not a secret at all.

For outsiders, it was likely still quite novel.

Xitina, however, was unenthusiastic.

Legends of the Starfall Grottoes, guides to the Starfall City, or assessments of customs—she had no interest in any of it. She would rather use this time to improve her strength, to the point where she could one day seek revenge against the evil gods!

She had never dared to even consider it, nor had anyone dared to harbor such a thought.

But,

Having experienced the might of her mentor, Xitina harbored a sliver of a wild hope: what if there was a chance? For this slim, perhaps nonexistent, opportunity, she was willing to give her all.

Because the tenet of her organization, Xin Huo, was to perpetuate humanity and...

"Your Highness, Your Excellency, we are about to reach Starfall Fortress."

From outside the curtain, the voice of Captain Zer, the guard captain, was heard.

It interrupted the Third Princess's incessant chatter.

Xitina also finally breathed a sigh of relief.

At the same time,

Far away in Lan Xing's Shuize City, Fang You received a notification from Xiao Huan—the news that Xitina was about to arrive in Starfall City.

He immediately returned to the secret realm base, to his Level Four dormitory.

He brewed a cup of tea, took some sunflower seeds and peanuts, and then switched his viewpoint to Xitina's.

"Starfall Fortress, huh? I heard that it's the trade city of Starfall City, the Pearl of Starfall, and the only city in Starfall City that is open to outsiders."

Yes, Fang You had learned quite a bit about Starfall City from the Third Princess.

It was possible that he was more familiar with Starfall City, theoretically speaking, than high-ranking officials of Yi Yueluxi and other major oases.

Starfall City, despite its name containing 'City,' was in reality a nation.

It was a vast nation formed by the union of multiple ordinary oases, major oases, and super oases.

Among them, Starfall City was the capital, the core and foundation of the entire 'Starfall City.' 'Starfall Fortress' was the second largest and most prosperous city, serving as the gateway for external trade. Commerce here might even be more developed than in the capital, Starfall City, with numerous merchant guilds. Some of these major guilds possessed the ability to travel long distances in Gui Jie, frequently conducting business between Starfall City and other major oases.

As for how many cities and oases Starfall City comprised?

The Third Princess did not mention this, but Fang You had also gathered some information from Yi Yueluxi.

The common rumor was eight, but their exact locations were secrets of Starfall City, and even the Black Stone Alliance, a major oasis, knew very little.

Fang You was also curious about such a prosperous and dominant power.

At this moment,

Perhaps out of curiosity, or perhaps unable to bear being in the same space as the Third Princess, Xitina also exited the carriage and walked with the convoy.

Grey mist still drifted before them, with a hazy expanse in the distance. As the convoy advanced, the candlelight on the carriage quickly dispersed the surrounding grey mist, pushing it back for hundreds of meters. Within this range, vegetation was clearly visible; beyond it, the grey mist was like a wall.

Gazing at the wall-like grey mist,

A faint golden flame ignited in Xitina's eyes, allowing her to effortlessly pierce through the dense grey mist, sharing this vision with her mentor.

However,

The vision was empty, with only faint glimpses of bare mountain peaks or the ruins of grand structures. Not a shadow of a magnificent city or fortress could be seen. It remained desolate, as if uninhabited.

The people from Starfall City were not surprised by this.

They were gradually becoming joyful, excited, and somewhat impatient, eager to return to a safe environment, to eat heartily, sleep soundly, and cleanse themselves.

Even the Third Princess was less talkative now.

The convoy gradually accelerated.

Suddenly,

Xitina's pupils slightly contracted. With the golden flame burning in the depths of her eyes, she saw the outline of a grand city emerge in the distant grey mist.

However, it had not been there a moment before.

It seemed to have appeared abruptly?

No, it wasn't abrupt. The city had always been there, but her vision had been limited before, as if something was blocking it. Just now, it had rounded a turn, bypassing the obstruction, and the city revealed itself.

Even though the convoy had been moving in a straight line.

As they approached, the oppressive aura of the majestic city washed over them.

Fang You had seen the giant walls of Sword Flower City, but compared to the city walls of Starfall Fortress, they were insignificant. These walls were at least a hundred meters high, studded with numerous protruding rhombic crystals that emanated a faint glow, resembling, if anything...

the crystals of the Starfall Grottoes.

Beyond the majestic city walls, one could faintly discern a towering, spired structure within the city, likely the highest point of the fortress, topped with a magnificent star-like jewel radiating a faint starlight.

The grey mist gradually thinned, and sparse greenery began to appear on the desolate land. Threads of sunlight descended, and in an instant, it felt as if one had returned from hell to the human world.

Upon reaching the base of this majestic city wall, a greater sense of worldly life emerged.

Beneath the wide city gate, the drawbridge was partially raised, and a convoy from a merchant guild was slowly entering, registering, queuing, and proceeding.

But the Third Princess's convoy did not need to queue. When the insignia representing the royal family of Starfall City on the side of the carriage caught the eyes of the guards and the merchant teams, there was a stir.

The merchant teams obediently made way.

The guards lined up to welcome them.

This was the weight of the name of Starfall City's royal family, a lineage that had been inherited for thousands of years!

For mythological beings, it was meaningless, but for those below the mythological realm, the Starfall royal family was akin to heaven.

Upon entering the city, Xitina politely declined the Third Princess's invitation to a banquet.

She considered the accommodation arranged by the Third Princess and, after some thought, accepted it.

"Sister, please do not hesitate to ask if you have any requests. We have almost everything here at Starfall Fortress..."

For example, there were not only male and female attendants but also very rare non-human attendants, mostly fantastical creatures living within Gui Jie.

"There are flower fairies, blue sprites, and minotaurs, but fantastical creatures are very rare and uncommon. We don't have many of them in Starfall City. Some fantastical creatures are extremely powerful. When I was young, I read in ancient texts about an epic species called the 'Gluttonous Devourer,' said to possess Five Senses and Six Perceptions upon reaching adulthood."

"However, this seemingly powerful Gluttonous Devourer later seemed to go extinct. Ancient texts only contained fragmented accounts, making it unclear, but it seems... it was hunted down."

The Third Princess shook her head.

How could that be possible?

A high-level fantastical creature like the Gluttonous Devourer might have mythological beings within a single group. Even if they discovered one in Starfall City, they wouldn't dare capture it.

Furthermore, Starfall City captured more common fantastical creatures like flower fairies and blue sprites for their own uses.

Hunting? It seemed strange to even think about it.

Perhaps the ancient texts contained errors or omissions.

"But that ancient text also mentioned a legendary species called the 'Illusory Spirit.' It is said that they traverse between the illusory and the real, and their traces are now untraceable... truly just a legend."

Unknowingly, the Third Princess had spoken a great deal.

Xitina found these details somewhat interesting, so she listened, but...

"I don't need attendants. I prefer peace and quiet."

"Oh, oh, then please wait a moment, sister. I need to return to Starfall City. The round trip will take a few days."

"Mm..."

Xitina had no objections.

She needed some time to accept the transmission of skills from her mentor. A few days... she wasn't sure if it would be enough.

She followed a guiding maid to the highest-end 'inn' within Starfall Fortress. Elegant pavilions stood here, emitting a faint glow from the Starfall Crystals.

Inside the pavilions, special incense burned, possessing calming and centering effects.

The surrounding flowers and trees were also somewhat extraordinary.

All of this demonstrated the luxury of Starfall City, Starfall Fortress, and was on a completely different level from the relatively 'frugal' life in major oases.

Xitina pushed open the door and spread her divine sense, scanning the interior and exterior.

Looking at the magnificent bath, her thoughts stirred for a moment, but she suppressed it. She was already a mythical being, her body almost immaculate. Moreover, now was not the time for rest.

She had important matters to attend to.

Xitina called out her mentor's name in her mind, her eyes filled with anticipation.

After a long while, a long while,

She finally received a response from her mentor.

"Adjust your state. I will impart several inherited skills to you."

"Do not worry. It will be completed soon."

The gentle voice echoed in her heart.

Xitina swallowed, suppressing her restless heart as she waited.

As if on the day of her awakening, her mentor's indistinct face appeared before her, and a finger gently tapped down.

Instantly, the world spun.