SWDnovel Chapter 29: The Hidden Portal
Chapter 29: The Hidden Portal
The night was as dark as ink, but it was gradually dispelled by the first hint of dawn on the eastern horizon.
After resting for half the night, the troops, under a stern, brief, and powerful command, broke camp again and set off silently and swiftly towards the southwest.
Everyone knows that the crisis is far from over.
The Seven Saints Sect's pursuers were like venomous snakes lurking in the darkness, ready to bare their fangs at any moment.
Therefore, the atmosphere in the team was more tense than before, and apart from necessary orders and warnings, almost no one talked.
Only the hurried but as light as possible footsteps, the sound of wheels rolling over gravel, and heavy breathing echoed in the cool morning air.
Xuan Tianyi walked at the front of the group, with Yan Jun beside him, whose expression was cold and whose eyes were like those of a hawk, constantly scanning the surroundings, and Liu Ruyan, who was dressed in white, whose aura was as cold as the moon, but who was also always on guard.
After a night of rest and breakthrough, Xuan Tianyi was now full of energy, walking lightly, and his senses were sharper than ever before.
As he walked, he silently activated his Qi Observation Technique, observing the overall flow of Qi within the group. At the same time, he also diverted a sliver of his attention to communicate with the "Eight Scenery Mystic Fate Lamp" in his sea of consciousness.
With its enhanced sensitivity, it captured that faint, almost imperceptible spiritual connection that resonated subtly with the Thunder Seed Jade Token.
The direction guided by that inspiration always steadfastly pointed southwest.
As the team trekked through increasingly rugged and difficult mountain passes, their pace was inevitably slowed down.
As the sun rose higher, after traveling for about two hours, a relatively sparse woodland appeared ahead.
The trees are low, the rocks are jagged, and the ground is bare with gray-brown rocks.
"stop!"
Xuan Tianyi, who was walking at the front, suddenly raised his hand and shouted in a low voice.
The sound wasn't loud, but it clearly reached the ears of Yan Jun, Liu Ruyan, and several officers behind him.
The entire team seemed to be put on pause instantly. Everyone stopped in their tracks within a very short time and quickly formed a makeshift defensive formation, taking advantage of the terrain.
The refugees were shielded in the middle, while the soldiers drew their swords and vigilantly watched their surroundings, especially the rear of the column.
"Tianyi, something's up?"
Yan Jun flashed to Xuan Tianyi's side, his hand already on the hilt of his sword. He lowered his voice and asked, his sharp gaze sweeping across the seemingly peaceful woodland ahead.
Liu Ruyan also appeared silently on the other side, her fair hand lightly touching the hilt of her sword, her clear and cold eyes looking at Xuan Tianyi.
Xuan Tianyi frowned slightly, his gaze fixed on a seemingly ordinary clearing about thirty feet away, with only a few withered old trees and waist-high weeds.
A faint golden light flickered in his eyes as he activated his Qi Observation Technique to its fullest extent. At the same time, the flame of the "Eight Scenery Mystic Life Lamp" in his sea of consciousness swayed gently, amplifying his spiritual senses.
"The point of convergence of inspiration indicated by the divination is right here."
Xuan Tianyi's tone carried a hint of uncertainty and confusion.
"But... there seems to be nothing here."
"here?"
Yan Jun followed his gaze, his brows furrowing even more deeply.
With his eyesight and perception at the fifth level of the Star Sea Realm, he could not see anything special about the area in front of him except for its desolation.
There were no abnormal energy fluctuations, no traces of arrays, no hidden caves or fissures, and even the concentration of star energy was no different from the surrounding area.
"Are you sure? Could it be that continuous divination has overexerted you, causing a misperception?"
Liu Ruyan also closed her eyes slightly, sweeping her spiritual energy across the area in front of her like mercury flowing across the ground. After a moment, she opened her eyes and gently shook her head at Xuan Tianyi:
"I have not sensed anything unusual. The stellar energy here is stable, there is no sign of spiritual objects gathering, nor any indication of spatial distortion."
Xuan Tianyi was also feeling uneasy.
Since acquiring the system, his divination guidance had never made such a clear error.
He communicated with his mind again, and the ancient lamp flickered slightly, the sensations it transmitted were still crystal clear.
The clue was spot on, exactly where it was in the open space directly in front of us.
"Let me cast another divination to confirm."
Xuan Tianyi no longer hesitated, and disregarding the curious, doubtful, and even scrutinizing gazes of the officers who had gathered around him, he sat down cross-legged and took out the three warm and lustrous beast bone coins.
He held his breath and focused his mind, immersing himself in his consciousness and communicating with the "Eight Scenery Mystic Life Lamp." A faint, almost imperceptible, clear, glassy light quietly blessed the bone coin.
With a slight flick of the wrist, the bone coins are tossed up and fell with a mysterious rhythm.
Ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong.
With three soft clicks, the bone coins bounced and spun on the rough rocky ground before finally coming to a stop.
The hexagram is presented.
Xuan Tianyi stared intently at the divination chart, his fingers unconsciously making calculations, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.
A moment later, he looked up, his eyes filled with even deeper confusion:
"Strange... The divination indicates that the opportunity lies exactly where it is, unchanged, in the empty space directly ahead. But... there is absolutely nothing there. Could it be... that this divination was wrong?"
He said that last sentence with a hint of disbelief, even to himself.
But the facts before him forced him to have doubts.
"Was there a mistake in the calculation?"
A bearded officer couldn't help but mutter under his breath, his tone clearly showing impatience.
"This place stretches as far as the eye can see, with nothing but a few dead trees, rocks, and weeds. There's not even a rabbit hole. Where would any spiritual materials or opportunities come from? Could it be that the stress of running away for days has caused them to make a mistake?"
"That's right, Captain Yan, Doctor Liu, shouldn't we...?"
Another officer echoed, his gaze sweeping over Xuan Tianyi, his doubts clear though he didn't say it outright.
Yan Jun's expression remained calm, and he did not speak immediately, but simply looked at Xuan Tianyi.
Liu Ruyan's cool gaze also fell on Xuan Tianyi, as if she was waiting for his explanation, or as if she was thinking about something.
The atmosphere became somewhat somber for a moment.
The refugees behind, unaware of what was happening, began to stir, and hushed whispers arose.
Xuan Tianyi took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. The divination was never without reason.
The power of the "Eight Scenic Spots Mystic Destiny Lamp" cannot be faked. So, where does the problem lie? Is it a problem with the opportunity itself, or... is there something wrong with our "eyes"?
Just as he was deep in thought, Liu Ruyan seemed to suddenly remember something, a look of realization flashing in her beautiful eyes.
She turned serious, her tone carrying an uncertain speculation, yet also a hint of excitement:
"Captain Yan, if Tianyi's divination is correct, and we really can't find any entrance or anomaly... then perhaps there's only one explanation left."
"You mean...that kind of situation?"
Yan Jun's body jolted suddenly, as if he had also thought of a certain possibility. His face showed a mixture of surprise and doubt, as well as a hint of unbelievable joy.
Liu Ruyan nodded slightly, confirming Yan Jun's guess.
She then turned to Xuan Tianyi, whose brows were still furrowed, and patiently explained, her voice clear and firm:
"Tianyi, since the day the star fell and the Great Cataclysm occurred, the rules of heaven and earth have undergone drastic changes, space has expanded and folded, giving rise to many incomprehensible anomalies. Among them is one such phenomenon—fragments of secret realms or unstable subspaces."
She paused, organizing her thoughts:
"You can think of it as some small, independent spaces that have been separated from the main world or naturally derived due to disordered rules or special reasons."
Some of them may already be fully formed, with stable entrances and exits and internal ecosystems;
However, many more are in a semi-fused or unsealed state.
"The entrance to this state of subspace is not fully manifested in the main world, but is hidden in the gaps of the void and the folds of space, like a locked box or an unhatched egg."
Conventional methods of perception, whether visual, mental scanning, or energy detection, are extremely difficult to detect its existence.
Because it's not here, or rather, not in the spatial dimension we can normally observe.
Liu Ruyan's gaze fell upon the open space, her eyes filled with inquiry and a hint of eagerness:
"What you divined may not be a specific spiritual object, but rather the faint connection and spiritual energy emanating from this box or egg itself, connecting it to the main world."
Upon hearing this, Xuan Tianyi felt a sudden sense of relief!
That's it!
No wonder the divination was so clear, yet no abnormalities could be seen with the naked eye!
The target was hidden in another dimension!
The hexagrams in the I Ching connect the laws of heaven and earth, allowing us to glimpse the trajectory of fate and the connection of vital energy. It is also possible to perceive the existence of this hidden space.
At the same time, a strong sense of excitement welled up inside me!
Such hidden places that have not yet been fully opened and are in an "unsealed" state often mean that the internal rules are not yet determined, and may contain undiscovered natural treasures, unknown legacy, or extremely special cultivation environments!
It is a truly rare and precious opportunity!
However, new challenges also arose.
"If it really is an unstable subspace, then we're in big trouble."
Yan Jun calmed down from his initial excitement, his rugged face now etched with solemnity and helplessness.
"To forcibly open the entrance to this space, extremely specialized space detectors are needed for precise positioning, followed by the use of high-intensity energy to resonate and break through."
Alternatively, a powerful individual proficient in spatial abilities, at least at the Star Palace Realm, could forcibly tear apart the spatial barrier at a tremendous cost. We currently possess neither of these!
He clenched his fist, his knuckles cracking softly, clearly extremely unwilling to accept defeat.
"Are we really going to watch a treasure trove right in front of us, only to return empty-handed?"
Upon hearing this, the officers exchanged glances, their faces showing regret.
Although they didn't fully understand what an unstable subspace was, they understood that it couldn't be opened or entered.
Xuan Tianyi's eyes flashed, his mind racing.
He thought of his awakened divination technique—"Cause and Effect Determine Fate"!
It is a terrifying ability that can, at the cost of Life Points, "modify" or "leverage" the causal lines of reality to some extent.
Although the cost is enormous and the current level is still low, perhaps we can try to use it to find or loosen that hidden "door"?
Opening an unstable subspace portal involves an immense amount of cause and effect and energy. With my current abilities and life points, it is absolutely impossible for me to force it open "out of thin air".
But... what if we simply follow the existing, weak causal connection between the hexagram and that space, like plucking a string on a musical instrument, giving it the right force and frequency, allowing it to appear naturally and briefly?
It's like using a specially made key to gently turn the key on a complex lock, rather than smashing it with brute force.
The pros and cons were rapidly weighed in my mind.
This would inevitably expose some of the mystique of "cause and effect," at least letting Yan Jun and Liu Ruyan know that they possess some strange methods involving "space" or "laws."
But compared to a secret realm that might hold opportunities, and further solidifying her value as a "mysterious fortune teller" in the hearts of Yan Jun and Liu Ruyan, in exchange for greater influence and trust, this risk is worth taking!
Moreover, having witnessed their ability to summon heavenly lightning and divine good and bad fortune, the addition of the ability to see through illusions or communicate with spiritual forces seems to be within their acceptable range of shock.
Having made up his mind, Xuan Tianyi raised his head, a resolute glint in his eyes, and said to Yan Jun and Liu Ruyan:
"Captain Yan, Doctor Liu, to be honest, the divination techniques I practice are quite unique. In addition to predicting good and bad fortune, I also have some unorthodox research on the attraction of qi, spiritual perception, and even... certain unconventional portals."
His tone was calm, with a hint of trial and error:
"Since the conventional methods are ineffective, why don't I give it a try? Perhaps I can stumble upon a crack or keyhole leading to this space. Even if it doesn't work, there shouldn't be any danger."
"you?"
Yan Jun was stunned, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Forcibly interfering with space goes beyond the scope of ordinary "secret techniques"!
Even some masters who are proficient in formations and runes may not be able to do it.
"Tianyi, this is no child's play!"
Liu Ruyan frowned slightly, her cool voice carrying a warning.
"The power of space is profound and unpredictable. A slight misstep could trigger spatial turbulence, making it difficult even for someone at the Star Sea Realm to escape unscathed! We must not recklessly take such a risk!"
"I understand the risks involved."
Xuan Tianyi's eyes were clear as he met Liu Ruyan's gaze.
"But the method I practice leans more towards guidance and communication, using the natural spiritual energy of this place and the inherent fluctuations of that space itself to try to make its portal manifest naturally for a moment, rather than forcibly breaking through the spatial barrier. I dare not say that I have a 100% chance of success, but I should be able to protect myself."
Seeing his certainty, and recalling the incredible things he had shown before, such as accurate divination, summoning heavenly lightning, and killing the soul of the old rat weasel;
Yan Jun and Liu Ruyan exchanged a glance, both seeing hesitation, struggle, and a glimmer of hope ignited in each other's eyes.
Finally, Yan Jun gritted his teeth and patted Xuan Tianyi's shoulder heavily:
"Okay! I'll trust you this once! But remember, if things go wrong, stop immediately and back off. Safety first!"
Liu Ruyan nodded slightly, and with a flick of her wrist, several jade talismans radiating a cool aura and engraved with protective runes were already in her palm, clearly ready to lend a helping hand at any time.
"Everyone, listen up! Retreat thirty feet! Form a circular formation and be on guard! No one is to approach or make a sound without my order!"
He turned around sternly and gave a firm order to the officers and soldiers behind him, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
The command was executed swiftly.
The troops retreated like a tide, forming a loose defensive circle around the perimeter of thirty feet. Swords were drawn, bows and crossbows were nocked, and they vigilantly watched all directions.
After the area was cleared, only Xuan Tianyi remained in the center of the open space.
Yan Jun and Liu Ruyan retreated ten feet away, one on the left and one on the right, their auras concealed, yet like cheetahs poised to pounce, ready to deal with any unexpected situation at any moment.
Xuan Tianyi took a deep breath, slowly walked to the center of the open space, and stood still.
He closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into the depths of his mind.
"System, activate the Natal Divination Technique—Cause and Effect Destiny! Objective: To communicate with and guide the temporary manifestation of the portal to the unstable subspace ahead!"
[Command confirmed. Requires Life Points, determined based on the causal strength of the interference target and the strength of the host's will.]
[Under investigation... The target is "Manifestation of an Unstable Subspace Entrance," involving shallow spatial laws, with moderate causal entanglement. Host's current Life Points: 352.]
[Estimated cost: 300-500 Life Points. Confirm?]
"Confirmed!" Xuan Tianyi thought to himself.
[Command confirmed. Life Points consumed: 350.]
[Benming Guashu - Cause and Effect Destiny Determination, Activated!]
hum!
An invisible and intangible yet mysterious and unpredictable fluctuation quietly spread out from Xuan Tianyi's center.
He felt a certain accumulated energy within him, representing the force of causality, being rapidly depleted.
At the same time, the "Eight Scenes Mystic Fate Lamp" in his sea of consciousness suddenly shone brightly, its clear, glassy flame pulsating violently and casting endless radiance, illuminating his spiritual vision.
In his perception, the space in front of him was no longer empty.
It was as if a thick, twisted, and ever-changing veil covered the place, or like a jigsaw puzzle with its pieces scattered, messy and blurry.
Behind the gauze curtain, a faint yet resilient spiritual light, subtly resonating with the "Thunder Seed Jade Token," beats slowly like a heart.
That is the "opportunity" indicated by the hexagram, the "core" of the unstable subspace!
What he needed to do was find the point where the causal connection between this spatial veil and the main world was both the strongest and the weakest.
Then, with the power of cause and effect, gently tug at it, giving it the right push and frequency, so that this "door" will open a crack on its own!
Guided by the divination technique of determining destiny through cause and effect, Xuan Tianyi was inspired and naturally began to tread out mysterious steps.
Each step lands in harmony with a certain rhythm of heaven and earth, with faint shadowy images of the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) flashing by beneath one's feet—the ancient stepping technique inherited from "Yu Bu" (禹步).
At the same time, he raised both hands, his ten fingers moving rapidly like butterflies flitting among flowers, forming a series of complex, ancient, and Taoist-inspired hand seals.
There was no star power or blood energy radiating from his fingertips, but rather faint golden trigram runes composed of pure spiritual power and a trace of the mysterious power of "cause and effect determining fate." As his hand seals changed, these runes slowly condensed and combined in the void in front of him.
The eight trigrams—Qian, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Li, Gen, Dui—flow endlessly, evolving into all things.
The aura became ethereal and profound, as if merging with the surrounding mountains, rocks, vegetation, gentle breeze, and drifting clouds.
It also seems as if it is detached from worldly affairs, observing and manipulating the invisible "threads of cause and effect" from a perspective that transcends common sense.
Yan Jun and Liu Ruyan, standing ten feet away, held their breath, their eyes fixed on Xuan Tianyi.
They could not see the invisible causal fluctuations, nor could they see the pale golden hexagram symbols, but they could clearly feel that the "qi" around Xuan Tianyi had changed!
An indescribable, profound rhythm spread out, as if some kind of "principle" between heaven and earth was being activated and harmonized.
Fine beads of sweat appeared on Xuan Tianyi's forehead, and his face was slightly pale.
Maintaining the activation of "cause and effect determine destiny," taking steps in harmony with heaven and earth, and condensing the hexagram seals that connect with space all take a huge toll on his spirit.
But his eyes remained bright and focused, all his energy and spirit poured into the last complex hand seal he formed.
It's now!
He suddenly opened his eyes, a golden divination symbol flashing across them, and uttered a low but clear command:
"Heaven and Earth unite, the mysterious gate opens wide! Heaven and Earth are positioned, mountains and lakes communicate—by imperial decree!"
With this command, his hands, which were forming a hand seal, pushed forward slowly yet firmly, as if pushing open an invisible door!
The hand seal was not directed at any physical object, but rather at the seemingly empty void!
"Buzz—!!!"
A strange, resounding sound, seemingly from ancient times and originating from the depths of the soul, suddenly rang out!
Like ancient chimes being struck, or like taut strings being plucked!
Immediately afterwards, amidst the tense gazes of all the refugees and soldiers watching from behind, and the extremely shocked eyes of Yan Jun and Liu Ruyan standing close at hand—
The void where Xuan Tianyi's hands were pressed suddenly rippled like water, with clearly visible, pale golden ripples spreading out!
The ripples spread rapidly, and the pale golden patterns, starting from his palm, spread, intertwined, and tangled in all directions, like living vines or the natural traces of the Dao.
In the blink of an eye, it outlined and constructed a complex, magnificent, and ancient three-dimensional light array, which floated a few feet above the open ground and slowly rotated in reverse!
The light array was about three zhang in diameter and was composed of countless tiny golden trigram symbols, star trails, cloud patterns, and thunder seals. The light was not dazzling, but it carried a solemnity and mystery that touched people's hearts.
At the center of the light array, space violently distorted and folded, and the surrounding scenery—withered trees, wild grass, and rocks—began to blur and overlap, as if a reflection in water had been thrown in with pebbles.
Milky white, almost tangible, cloud-like energy surged from the edge of the light array, swirling around it and adding to its celestial grandeur and mysterious unknown nature.
An ancient, vast energy fluctuation, brimming with vitality and distinct from the outside world, emanated from the center of the light array, like a sleeping giant slowly awakening, and was clearly perceived by everyone!
"This...this is..." An officer gaped, nearly dropping his knife.
"The space portal... really... opened?" another officer murmured, his eyes filled with disbelief.
The refugees behind them gasped in disbelief, many kneeling on the ground and bowing to the light array and Xuan Tianyi's back, chanting incantations as if they had witnessed a miracle.
"Click...click..."
A subtle, crisp sound, like shattering glass, emanated from the center of the light array.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the space at the center of the light array, which was twisted and folded to the extreme, suddenly shrank inward as if collapsing, and then expanded outward again!
A phantom portal, about three zhang high and one zhang wide, with its edges swirling with seven-colored light and its interior a chaotic and hazy expanse, suddenly appeared before everyone's eyes!
Through the hazy halo, one could vaguely see that behind the gate was not the original desolate mountain scenery, but a blurry, swaying, lush valley phantom like a reflection in water or a flower in a mirror, and one could even see the misty drizzle!
It worked!
Xuan Tianyi slowly withdrew his hands, his body swaying almost imperceptibly. His face was as pale as paper, and cold sweat poured down his forehead, clearly indicating that he had exhausted himself.
But his eyes gleamed with excitement and relief.
"I have successfully completed my mission."
He turned around and forced a smile at Yan Jun and Liu Ruyan, who were still in shock.
"Good lad! You've got real talent!"
Yan Jun was the first to react. He rushed forward, grabbed Xuan Tianyi's shoulder tightly, his voice trembling with excitement, his eyes filled with disbelief and ecstasy.
"This is truly... an incredible surprise! No, a miracle!"
Liu Ruyan also quickly approached, her usually cool and beautiful face showing such obvious emotion for the first time. She stared intently at the illusory portal with its dazzling light, and then took a deep look at Xuan Tianyi, who was weak but stood tall like a pine tree, her eyes filled with surprise.
This method involves a deeper application of spatial rules!
Even in the central city of Tianxia Shelter City, those high-ranking figures would probably be moved by this!
Just how many secrets is this kid hiding?
"How long can this barrier last?"
Liu Ruyan quickly composed herself and asked the most crucial question in a serious tone.
Xuan Tianyi closed his eyes and briefly sensed the faint connection between himself and the portal, as well as the rate at which the residual power of "Cause and Effect Determines Fate" was fading. He pondered and said:
"The portal is relatively stable, but it is only a temporary manifestation of its own 'momentum' and not a truly stable passage. It is estimated that... it can only last for half an hour at most. When the time is up, the portal will close on its own, and this spatial fold will disappear again."
"Half an hour..."
A sharp glint flashed in Yan Jun's eyes as he made a decision in an instant, his booming voice echoing throughout the entire venue:
"All personnel, listen up! Set up camp and increase vigilance! First and second squads are responsible for guarding the camp and this entrance. No one is allowed to approach or enter without permission! Anyone who disobeys will be subject to military law!"
"Ruyan, Tianyi, and Lieutenant Wang, Li Mo, Zhao Feng... you guys, come with me to investigate!"
He quickly named seven people, making a total of ten including himself, Xuan Tianyi, and Liu Ruyan.
Those who were called upon were the officers with the highest cultivation and the most experience in the team.
"yes!",
The officers who were called upon responded with a resounding roar. Although there was still a lingering shock in their eyes, their military duty made them quickly suppress their emotions and follow the grim reality.
Soon, the group of ten arrived before the illusory portal, which was dazzling with light and exuded an alluring yet dangerous aura.
Inside the doorway, the light and shadows were hazy, making it impossible to see the specific scene clearly. Only the vague outline of the valley and the sound of pattering rain could be heard.
Yan Jun turned around, took one last look at the tense yet expectant team behind him, took a deep breath, and his eyes flashed with a sharp, knife-like light.
"Walk!"
He let out a low shout, and without the slightest hesitation, his burly body took the lead, stepping into the chaotic light curtain, his figure instantly swallowed up.
Liu Ruyan nodded slightly to Xuan Tianyi, signaling him to follow closely. Then, dressed in flowing white robes, she stepped lightly into the room, like a fairy descending from the waves.
Xuan Tianyi took a deep breath, suppressing his physical weakness and mental exhaustion. A look of determination and curiosity flashed in his eyes as he followed and stepped inside.
The other seven elite officers who were named also gritted their teeth and followed suit.
Light and shadow shift, the world spins.