Xuan Tian Xia Lu

Chapter Two(2): Mysterious Origins

The three of them slowly proceed along the path in the dense forest. Furong clutches her jade pendant, her brow slightly furrowed, as if sensing something. She suddenly stops and turns to Qi Shao and Liu Feng, her tone carrying a hint of surprise. "Ever since I entered the Southern Realm, I've had an indescribable, special sensation, and now, this feeling is getting stronger and stronger."

Furong gazes at the jade pendant in her hand, which emits a faint glow. "I feel a force calling me, nearby."

Upon hearing this, Qi Shao immediately becomes alert, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any possible clues. Liu Feng also draws his sword, cautiously guarding Furong.

Furong closes her eyes, taking a deep breath, and presses the jade pendant against her chest, seemingly establishing a connection with the mysterious force. The pendant's glow gradually intensifies, as if responding to her call.

Suddenly, the jade pendant lifts from Furong's palm and slowly flies forward. The three follow the guidance of the pendant, passing through a dense thicket, and arrive at a clearing covered with vines. In the center of the clearing, a crystal-clear stone is embedded in the ground, emitting a soft blue light that complements the glow of the jade pendant.

"It's a Starstone!" Furong exclaims in delight, quickly stepping forward to touch the Starstone. The stone brightens significantly under her touch, as if awakened.

Qi Shao and Liu Feng follow closely, also captivated by this magical sight. Qi Shao squats down, closely examining the Starstone, noticing that it seems to have nebulae swirling inside, a breathtaking beauty.

"Starstones are said to absorb the power of the stars and are extremely rare spiritual stones," Furong explains, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "They can guide our direction."

Liu Feng curiously reaches out and gently touches the Starstone, feeling a warm force flow into his body, invigorating his spirit.

Furong continues, "Not only does the Starstone absorb the power of the stars, but it also teleports irregularly, which is why it is so hard to find. However, Starstones have a special affinity for the celestial race and can project a map of the surrounding 500 li under the guidance of celestial magic."

With that, she raises the Starstone and begins to chant an ancient spell in a low voice. As her voice echoes, the Starstone starts to emit an even more dazzling light, and gradually, a map is projected onto the ground, detailing the distribution of medicinal herbs and gemstone areas in the Southern Realm's dark forest.

"What is this?" Liu Feng leans down to the ground. Everyone's attention is immediately drawn to a special mark on the map.

"This mark... it resembles the pattern on my jade pendant, so there must be clues to my family's secrets here," Furong whispers, her eyes flickering with doubt and excitement.

Qi Shao nods, "This could be the key to unraveling the mystery of your origins."

Suddenly, an ominous wind blows through, rustling the leaves in the forest, as if something is approaching. The three immediately become alert, knowing that the appearance of the Starstone may have already attracted the attention of the evil faction.

"We must be careful, the evil faction may also be looking for the Starstone," Qi Shao says in a low voice, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword.

As the Starstone's light gradually fades, the three realize they have no time to waste. According to the mark on the map, they immediately set off, delving deeper into the darker, more concealed corners of the dense forest.

After several hours of trekking, they finally find a hidden valley with an entrance to the ruins, shielded by vines and ancient trees. The stone door of the ruins is etched with the marks of time and complex runes, clearly untouched for many years.

Furong steps forward and gently places her hand on the runes of the stone door, her jade pendant suddenly emitting a strong light. The stone door slowly opens with a rumble, revealing a stone passage leading deep inside.

"What is this place?" Liu Feng asks in a hushed voice, his sword already unsheathed, ready for potential danger.

They pass through the passage and arrive at a vast underground hall. In the center of the hall stands an altar, on which an ancient celestial artifact emits a faint glow—a celestial talisman. Furong steps forward and touches the talisman, her celestial magic resonating with it, causing a powerful energy fluctuation to echo through the hall.

Suddenly, the entire hall begins to shake, and a complex array emerges on the ground. Before Furong can react, she is enveloped in a beam of light. As the array activates, her figure disappears.

"Furong!" Qi Shao rushes forward, but the light from the array has already dissipated, and Furong is nowhere to be seen.

"Where has she been teleported to?" Liu Feng anxiously inquires.

Qi Shao's expression is grave, knowing that Furong has been sent to an unknown realm. "We must find her."