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Join the ServerThe following morning, as the first rays of sunlight kissed the majestic peak of Mount Fuji, the entire mountain range remained steeped in an aura of tranquil solemnity.
However, this peace was swiftly shattered by a series of roaring engines. A fleet of helicopters streaked across the sky, their powerful blades carving through the air as they slowly descended onto the temporary helipad at the foot of Mount Fuji.
Simultaneously, a procession of luxurious cars snaked down the winding mountain roads, arriving one after another to park beside the aircraft.
From the helicopters, a group of people disembarked with unhurried grace.
Their steps were light yet steady, their gazes imbued with an indescribable majesty.
Among them were noblewomen clad in resplendent kimonos and warriors draped in black samurai attire. Their arrival infused this ancient land with an undeniable sense of antiquity.
Conspicuously, the most striking figure among them was a woman dressed in a pristine white kimono. This was Shenyin Funa, the current matriarch of the Shinobi Clan.
She possessed not only peerless beauty but also an ethereal, otherworldly aura. Though she appeared to be in her early thirties, she was, in fact, over eighty years old.
The Shinobi Clan had historically been ruled by women, for only females within their lineage could inherit the formidable power of their bloodline.
Beside her stood the elderly man in black samurai attire, Kobe Kai, the current patriarch of the Kobe Clan. With his robust build and resolute features, he exuded the heroic and domineering spirit unique to a true warrior.
The Kobe Clan held a prominent position within Japan’s supernatural community, their ancestral samurai cultivation methods having spread throughout the entire nation.
Another elder, dressed in deep blue, stood quietly nearby. This was Jingu Ming, the patriarch of the Jingu Clan. The Jingu Clan specialized in ninjutsu, serving as the very foundation of Japanese ninja arts.
His eyes shone with profound wisdom, as if capable of piercing through all illusions.
Finally, the middle-aged man in deep red was Anshin Yang, the current patriarch of the Anshin Clan. His demeanor was composed, his aura restrained, giving off an impression of unfathomable depth.
The Anshin Clan specialized in Onmyōdō, establishing themselves as its preeminent lineage. They had once been part of the same large clan as the Shinobi Clan, but had branched off long ago due to differing philosophies.
In addition to these four clan patriarchs, various other figures were present. Some were leaders of different supernatural factions across Japan, while others, dressed in suits, represented the Japanese government.
Then there was a particularly conspicuous young man. This was Abe Haruha, Japan’s most renowned supernatural practitioner.
Though he appeared to be merely twenty years old, he had, in reality, lived for over a century. His age surpassed that of all four clan patriarchs present, yet time seemed to have left scant trace upon him.
He maintained a serene composure, a harmless smile gracing his lips.
“Abe-senpai, how have you been lately?” Kobe Kai was the first to break the silence, greeting Abe Haruha with a smile.
With a faint smile, Abe Haruha replied, “Thank you for your concern, Clan Head Kobe. I suppose I’m doing rather well. Though, it seems quite some time has passed since we last gathered like this.”
However, at that very moment, Shenyin Funa suddenly let out a cold snort, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Abe-senpai, haven’t you been busy keeping company with ghosts? Aren’t you afraid you’ll turn into one yourself someday?”
As these words left her lips, the atmosphere instantly grew tense and strange. All eyes converged on Abe Haruha and Shenyin Funa, as if an invisible storm were brewing.
Abe Haruha seemed unfazed by the biting remark. He merely offered a slight smile before responding, “Miss Shenyin, still as sharp-tongued as ever. But speaking of which, is the Shinobi Clan still… around?”
These words caused Shenyin Funa’s eyes to instantly turn frigid. Their gazes clashed, and an invisible force emanated from their bodies.
This power felt as though it could rip space apart, subjecting everyone present, especially those supernatural practitioners below S-rank, to an intense pressure.
Yet, just then, an old monk’s voice suddenly resonated. “Amitābha. Allow this old monk a word. It is better to resolve enmity than to foster it. Why harm goodwill over past grievances? Moreover, our primary objective today is to explore the mysteries of this place.”
This old monk, Grandmaster Lingkong, was the representative of Japanese Buddhism. His intervention undoubtedly brought a note of calm to the tense confrontation.
Upon hearing Grandmaster Lingkong’s words, both Abe Haruha and Shenyin Funa reined in their formidable auras. They understood that they were not here to fight; they could not allow personal grudges to derail such an important matter.
Both nodded in agreement with Grandmaster Lingkong’s sentiment.
The government representative seized the opportunity to add, “Indeed, esteemed seniors, it is crucial to attend to urgent matters first. We have waited far too long; we cannot afford any further delay.”
Thus, under the mediation of Grandmaster Lingkong and the government representative, the tense standoff finally subsided.
The six most powerful figures of Japan’s supernatural world—Abe Haruha, Shenyin Funa, Kobe Kai, Jingu Ming, Anshin Yang, along with Grandmaster Lingkong and the government representative—were all present. Together, they ascended, flying towards the summit of Mount Fuji.
Each possessed unique methods of flight, clearly indicating their diverse supernatural abilities. Japan boasted six S-rank individuals despite its modest land area, owing to its substantial population of over one hundred million.
A significant proportion of its populace were supernatural practitioners, some adept in ninjutsu, others in Onmyōdō, and still others in the way of the samurai.
The S-rank was, moreover, the most ambiguous of all cultivation realms. Any individual surpassing A-rank could be designated S-rank.
However, the disparity in strength among S-rank practitioners was vast, discernible only through direct combat, not through instruments. Consequently, while all six individuals present were S-rank, their individual strengths undoubtedly varied.
From their current interactions, Abe Haruha appeared to be the strongest, though the seemingly benevolent Grandmaster Lingkong might also harbor immense power.
Soon, the group arrived at the cave entrance. Led by government personnel, they stepped into this enigmatic cavern that concealed profound secrets.
Before long, they reached the exterior of the pavilion. However, the moment they arrived, their brows furrowed in concern.
Kobe Kai’s gaze darkened considerably upon seeing the dismantled formation. This place, left by their ancestors and unbreached for a millennium, had now been effortlessly broken in a single day.
How could such a discovery not ignite his fury? “Someone actually managed to break the ancestral formation barrier! This individual is no ordinary person—at least an S-rank practitioner! When did such a young powerhouse emerge in the Summer Kingdom?”
His tone was a mix of astonishment and bewilderment. Beside him, Shenyin Funa gently closed her eyes, seemingly engaging in a silent communion with the surrounding air.
Moments later, she slowly opened her eyes, a flicker of disbelief passing through them. “This is the fluctuation of spiritual energy, but… it seems even purer than spiritual energy. Could it be the legendary dharma power?”
Her voice, though soft, was like a pebble dropped into a calm lake, sending ripples across its surface. Among those present, Shenyin Funa possessed the keenest perception of power.
Her words immediately drew the attention of the others. “Dharma power? How is that possible! In this era of dwindling spiritual energy, how could anyone cultivate dharma power?” Anshin Yang exclaimed, his face etched with disbelief.
Shenyin Funa gently shook her head, her expression complex as she stated, “It’s hard to say. I merely sense an astonishing similarity between this power and the power of the ancestral artifacts.”
After a period of discussion, everyone finally suppressed their shock and curiosity, stepping into the pavilion deep within the cave. The interior of the pavilion was dim and mysterious, filled with an ancient and weathered aura.
When they beheld the spatial rift, tightly sealed by intricate runes, every one of them was struck with profound awe. The outer formation had been laid by Xu Fu before his death, leaving behind only fragmented texts as clues.
He had hoped that one day, someone would surpass him, open this place, and unveil its secrets. However, a millennium had passed, and those texts had long become obscure. Though the four great clans had investigated multiple times, they had never been able to break the formation, always returning empty-handed.
Over time, this place had gradually faded from public memory. “So, this was the secret our ancestors sought to preserve! Unbelievable. What kind of powerhouse could tear such a massive rift in space?”
The S-rank supernatural practitioners present gazed at the rift, their hearts filled with reverence and wonder. They began their individual investigations, attempting to glean any clues about the seal from the rift.
However, as they were fully engrossed in their probing, they failed to notice that with Bai Mengqi’s arrival, and especially the Great Immortaless’s forceful intrusion into the seal, the already fragile seal had become even more precarious.
In just one day, the cracks on the seal had rapidly expanded, appearing as if it could completely collapse at any moment. Meanwhile, Bai Mengqi and Zi Yanran had long since cast their important mission aside.
They were driving, freely exploring various parts of Japan. From bustling cities to tranquil villages, from ancient temples to modern shopping centers, they reveled in this rare freedom and joy.
During this time, the domestic authorities had naturally contacted Zi Yanran, inquiring about Bai Mengqi’s whereabouts. But Zi Yanran would certainly not tell them the truth.
In this complex and ever-changing world, she knew it was unwise to be too honest. The domestic authorities lacked concrete evidence, so they could only inquire, as they did not wish to antagonize Bai Mengqi over this matter.
However, with the seal within Mount Fuji showing signs of disintegration and collapse, what would happen if it vanished, connecting that mysterious world with this one? No one could predict the outcome.
You think this chapter was thrilling? Wait until you read The Phantom of the Library! Click here to discover the next big twist!
Read : The Phantom of the Library
