Although I had never seen the gem before, nor had I ever been here, the moment I laid eyes on it, a guess formed in my mind.
I muttered to myself, "Is that the Soul Stone?"
My voice wasn't loud, and I leaned forward to get a better look. However, my words were still heard by the few people beside me. Wang Qi glanced at me but remained silent. Yun Long, on the other hand, frowned and retorted, "Soul Stone? What is that?"
Old Mo let out a hum, "The first moment I saw that thing, my soul trembled. It must be this."
Besides these few, Elder Qingshi of Longhushan nodded in agreement, "It shakes the soul and stirs the spirit, its light like fresh blood. It truly resembles the Soul Stone!"
Elder Qingshi's voice wasn't loud either, but everyone heard it. They all turned to look at the slightly stout Elder Qingshi.
I also spoke with some surprise, "Senior Qingshi? You recognize the Soul Stone?"
Elder Qingshi didn't answer immediately, just shook his head slightly, "I wouldn't say I recognize it, only that I've seen some records in our sect's ancient texts. The stone is small yet red and bright, like the light of fresh blood. Accompanied by soul energy and soul power, it can stir the soul and spirit. Thus, it is called the Soul Stone. Some say this stone is a type of heavenly spiritual crystal, soaked in the blood of ten thousand people, having absorbed too much soul energy, thus becoming a mutated, special stone. There are also legends that it is a Nether Soul Stone from the River of Three Crossing in the underworld."
Elder Qingshi slowly recounted what he knew. After finishing, he looked at me curiously, "I didn't expect you, at such a young age, to be so well-read to know about the Soul Stone."
The entire group had heard my conversation with Elder Qingshi. Apart from the few who were in the know, everyone else wore a bewildered expression upon hearing the words "Soul Stone." They were clearly clueless about this stone and began to ask Elder Qingshi questions.
At this moment, Wang Qi spoke, "Master, what is the use of this Soul Stone? And what is that giant black sphere in the demonic palace?"
As Wang Qi spoke, he pointed to the black sphere at the foot of the mountain, within the demonic palace, which was pulsating like a heart. It wasn't just him; everyone present had the same question. They hadn't figured out what that black sphere was.
Elder Qingshi shook his head, "As for its use, I truly don't know. I only saw descriptions of the Soul Stone in books. As for the black sphere, do you two fellow Daoists have any insights?"
He said this while looking at my uncle and Yunxia Gu. Yunxia Gu also shook her head, "If Senior Brother Qingshi doesn't know, this junior sister certainly doesn't recognize it either. However, judging by its appearance and the dark, malevolent energy it emits, it is likely nothing good. Perhaps Brother Tang knows something."
She then looked towards my uncle on the other side. My uncle was still gazing into the distance. Hearing Elder Qingshi and Yunxia Gu speak, he finally turned his head, a look of shock on his face, "The Black Demon Sect truly has deep pockets, to be able to create something like a Corpse Ghost Celestial Embryo. What are they trying to do? Flatten the Seven Sects and unify the Daoist world?"
His words made everyone present gasp. Flatten the Seven Sects? Unify the Daoist world? With just that dark, pulsating black sphere below? Elder Qingshi and Yunxia Gu, however, were shocked by the words "Corpse Ghost Celestial Embryo." I noticed Yunxia Gu's breathing quicken, her face filled with alarm. Elder Qingshi's expression turned grave, appearing quite fearful.
He then questioned my uncle with surprise, "Corpse, Corpse Ghost Celestial Embryo? Brother Tang, are you absolutely certain that what's below is a Corpse Ghost Celestial Embryo?"
Yunxia Gu's face changed dramatically, and Elder Qingshi even stammered. Everyone felt a sense of dread. The black sphere below might be far more terrifying than they imagined.
However, my uncle still maintained his nonchalant demeanor. He took a sip of wine to moisten his throat, "I say, Fatty, besides eating, can you do anything else? A mere Corpse Ghost Celestial Embryo scares you like this? Have you become timid from being with that pretty boy for too long? Where has your youthful 'Little Steel Cannon' gone?"
Elder Qingshi, who had been very serious just a moment ago, turned pale and green upon being chided by my uncle like this, especially in front of his own disciples. He almost spat out a mouthful of old blood. The disciples of Longhushan also looked stunned when they heard the words "Little Steel Cannon," managing to hold back their laughter.
"Brother Tang, I'm discussing important matters with you! Don't bring up other things." Elder Qingshi said sternly.
My uncle leisurely set down his gourd and replied, "Didn't I tell you? That thing is called a Corpse Ghost Celestial Embryo. When I was fifteen, I encountered one in the northern territories with my Master, True Master Jiuxuan, and my senior brother, Daoist Longteng. I couldn't possibly mistake it. Back then, it was only the size of a small car. Seeing one like this, nearly the size of a small building, capable of producing tens or even hundreds of Corpse Ghost Celestial Embryos at once, is something I've never witnessed before..."
My uncle spoke with an air of wisdom, but we juniors listened with growing horror. Could this thing grow? Could it reproduce? And with "corpse" and "ghost" in its name, what was born would likely be sinister beings. Otherwise, why would it be called an "embryo"?
"Uncle, are you saying that thing like the black sphere below can give birth to evil spirits and corpse fiends? What kind of creature is that?" I asked in shock. Everyone looked towards my uncle.
My uncle remained calm, "It's not giving birth, it's producing! As for what kind of creature it is, I can't say for sure. But once this thing is released, it will continuously produce evil spirits and corpse fiends..."