Communication with the Nine Immortality Bell

Communication with the Nine Immortality Bell . . .

The Driftsnow City was steeped in an aura of mystery, its origins dating back to the depths of antiquity.

Legend had it that the city was the creation of a supreme being, a master of such unparalleled prowess that he could transform an entire city into a formidable divine weapon of unparalleled might. Whispers even spoke of an immortal weapon spirit residing within the city's very essence.

Over time, the master's presence waned, and the Driftsnow City slipped into obscurity. However, at irregular intervals, the immortalized weapon spirit would stir, signaling a search for a new master. During these moments of awakening, the city would be far from tranquil.

The Nine Immortal Bells stood as guardians of the city, relics that had witnessed countless centuries. With each manifestation of the weapon spirit, these bells would toll, announcing its return.

The Nine Immortality Bells were no ordinary artifacts; some believed they were fragments of a complete weapon, scattered for reasons known only to the city. They represented a test of sorts—if one could communicate with the Nine Immortality Bells, they might unlock the city's deepest secrets.

Thus, experts from the Cloud Prefecture and beyond flocked to the city during these rare events, particularly weaponsmiths and divine inscriptionists. Legend held that those with a natural talent for weapon forging had the potential to establish a connection with the Nine Immortality Bells, gaining their coveted approval.

Throughout countless generations, however, no one had successfully unraveled the city's mysteries. Yet, the people of the Cloud Prefecture remained undaunted, striving relentlessly. Occasionally, a lucky few would receive profound insights from the Nine Immortal Bells, eventually emerging as celebrated grandmasters of their craft.

The Nine Immortality Bells: Question not the immortals.

These bells would not resonate with immortal-foundation ranked experts or higher; their call was meant solely for those below the immortal level. The ancient texts spoke of the bells revealing the path to immortality, offering a single step towards eternal life—a riddle that had baffled seekers for centuries.

As the gathering of experts swelled, major powers from the Jiang Clan, Purple Flame Sect, Nine Coldpeak Sect, and other Jiangling Country factions converged. The Driftsnow City's residents, however, held an even deeper fascination for the Nine Immortality Bell, with throngs of people flocking to witness the event. It was said that during the manifestation of the weapon spirit, a select few geniuses would make a profound connection, gaining unparalleled insight and experiencing a transformative awakening. The question lingered: who among the present assembly would emerge as the latest remarkable figure to rise through this rare encounter?

Amidst the murmurs of the crowd, a name reverberated through the air—Jiang Yan of the Jiang Clan. The spectators spoke of him with a hushed reverence, describing him as a genius weaponsmith from the younger generation, and adding that his combat prowess was nothing short of extraordinary. At just over fifty years old, he had already attained the eighth level of Celestial Phenomenon, solidifying his position as an elite among the Jiang Clan's rising stars.

The memory of the ill-fated first group dispatched by the Jiang Clan, led by Jiang Kuang, still lingered in the minds of those present. Jiang Kuang, another brilliant weaponsmith, had tragically vanished during a banquet at Worryfree City. His fate remained shrouded in uncertainty.

Jiang Yan's arrival had not gone unnoticed; as he approached the ancient bell, ethereal runic light seemed to dance around him. He effortlessly formed an innate connection with several runic inscriptions, a crucial step toward communicating with the Nine Immortality Bell. Observers marveled at his innate talent and anticipation simmered in the air.

Beside Jiang Yan, disciples from the Nine Coldpeak Sect and Purple Flame Sect, including the acerbic young woman and the disdainful man who had mocked Qin Wentian earlier, also made their attempts.

Qin Wentian paid little heed to the judgmental gazes cast in his direction. Instead, he stood beneath the ancient bell, enveloped in its radiant aura, silently immersing himself in contemplation.

To him, deciphering runic inscriptions was not a daunting challenge; his struggle lay in the art of communicating with the Nine Immortality Bell. Understanding the runes alone was insufficient for success.

"Runic inscriptions form the bedrock of all energy, a key to unlocking the laws of heaven and earth. If I can uncover the fundamental laws within these runes, I'll establish a connection with the Nine Immortality Bell," Qin Wentian pondered. Settling beside the bell, he closed his eyes, deep in quiet contemplation.

Hours turned into days, and the assembly of experts swelled as more and more sought to connect with the ancient bell. Even amidst a sea of onlookers, the towering artifact seemed to dwarf them all.

Qin Wentian's solitude persisted, a solitary figure unfazed by the growing throng of hopefuls. The Nine Immortality Bells, guardians of the Driftsnow City, had concealed their secrets for untold centuries, guarding them with a silent, unyielding resolve.

Amidst the eager seekers, a familiar face emerged. It was the young woman from the tea inn, the one who had captured Qin Wentian's attention earlier. She stood to the side, her gaze occasionally drifting toward a slightly older young man.

"The crown prince's mastery of divine inscriptions is remarkable; he stands a good chance of connecting with the Nine Immortality Bell," remarked a group of immortal-foundation experts nearby, their attention also drawn to the young man.

Unbeknownst to Qin Wentian, the individual they referred to was none other than Pei Xiao, the crown prince of the Jiangling King Manor, his abilities in divine inscriptions held in high regard.

In the heart of this unfolding spectacle, two figures stood side by side, engaged in hushed conversation. They were Pei Yu, a noblewoman of the esteemed Jiangling King Manor, and her cousin, Pei Xiao, who held the position of crown prince.

Pei Yu, her gaze fixed on the proceedings, voiced her thoughts in a subdued tone, "I suppose so, but we can't be certain to what extent he'll manage to connect with the bell."

As they exchanged hushed words, a sudden surge of energy rippled through the air. Runic inscriptions converged, weaving a tapestry of ethereal light that surged toward the colossal ancient bell. Within moments, a soft, melodic chime resonated from the Nine Immortality Bell, though the response appeared somewhat subdued.

"It's Jiang Yan," someone in the crowd proclaimed. "As expected of a scion of the Jiang Clan. In such a short time, he managed to coax a response from the Nine Immortality Bell. This means he has a chance to communicate with it and form an innate connection."

"Direct assault, is it?" Qin Wentian muttered to himself. With a mere thought, several runic inscriptions illuminated, their pulsating light conveying a potent, albeit unformed, energy. Yet, as this radiant wave approached the ancient bell, all progress came to a halt. In the next moment, a different thought dispersed the glowing patterns into nothingness.

"Perhaps direct assault isn't the way," Qin Wentian contemplated silently. "If it were that simple, anyone could trigger a reaction. To truly connect, one must find insight beyond mere aggression. Could it be that the bell must chime first, signaling the beginning of a profound revelation?"

His closed eyes absorbed the radiant light, his consciousness keenly aware of these runes—a part of the Nine Immortality Bell itself.

"There must be a specific trigger rune," Qin Wentian mumbled. "A key that harmonizes human and artifact, unlocking the resonance of the bell. I need to search for those precise runes."

However, he knew the quest would not be simple.

In the ensuing days, a continuous stream of experts arrived at the site, their initial attempts ending in failure. Still, they persevered, refusing to depart. The weapon spirit remained elusive, a shimmering enigma that tantalizingly teased the edges of their perception.

"The crown prince has achieved it," voices buzzed through the crowd. "Although he hasn't fully connected with the ancient bell, by eliciting its chime, the immortal weapon spirit has acknowledged him. Should the crown prince craft an exceptionally potent divine weapon, there's a chance the Nine Immortality Bell will favor him."

Many experts from the King Manor had congregated, discussing the unfolding events among themselves. In that very moment, an eruption of potent energy unfurled, a frenzied surge akin to torrents and formidable beasts, crashing into the ancient bell. Rumbling echoes reverberated through the air, imbued with a hint of majestic authority.

"Astonishing! As expected of a Jiang Clan prodigy," an expert from the King Manor applauded, his gaze drifting toward the Jiang Clan's delegation. Jiang Yan's prowess had set him apart from the others. If anyone were to establish a connection with the Nine Immortality Bell, it would surely be him.

As the saga of the Nine Immortality Bells continued to unfold, a thunderous "BOOM!" echoed through the air. While the resounding chime was less intense than Jiang Yan's earlier success, it was sufficient to bring a smug smile to the face of the young man from the Purple Flame Sect who had previously sneered at Qin Wentian. He could feel the presence of unseen eyes fixated upon him—a gaze he knew must belong to the immortal spirit within the Nine Immortality Bell.

Nevertheless, the young man remained determined. Clenching his fists, he felt a growing agitation. He needed to persevere.

His wandering gaze then settled on Qin Wentian, who sat nearby. To him, Qin Wentian appeared almost carefree, as though he had nothing better to do than sit idly by. It was a waste of time, in his opinion.

But just at that moment, the heavens themselves seemed to respond to the unfolding drama. A resounding "BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!" echoed with unparalleled might, sending shockwaves through the gathering. The sound carried far and wide, reverberating in the hearts of all who heard it.

In this very moment, there were nine Immortality Bells in total, each located at a different spot. Experts across the region attempted to communicate with these ancient relics, hoping to unlock their secrets.

Yet, it was the repeated thunderous chimes that stirred everyone's attention. It resonated so powerfully that it was accompanied by laughter—a hearty, triumphant laugh that mingled with the bell's chimes.

"HAHAHA, Jiang Yan, it seems you're lagging behind! Even after all this time, I've yet to hear a peep from your direction."

The voice carried an unmistakable note of provocation, and Jiang Yan's sharp eyes narrowed in response.

"Who is that audacious individual? To taunt the Jiang Clan's genius, Jiang Yan?" murmured a puzzled bystander.

"Cheron," Jiang Yan muttered, his words carrying a weight that sent shivers down the spines of those from the King Manor. Cheron hailed from a background of immense wealth and belonged to the Wondergate Immortal Manor, a prestigious institution that nurtured many formidable divine inscriptionist grandmasters. With every step they took, they threatened to erode the Jiang Clan's influence, slowly but surely.