Daqin arrests alchemists, what does it matter to me as a qi refiner?

Xu Fu wandered through the labyrinthine maze, where countless scriptures fluttered in the air. Using his finger as a brush, he sketched divination symbols and laughed aloud, "Heaven and earth are my books, the sun and moon my scrolls; I have understood the true meaning of this place!"

Facing ten mirror-like incarnations, Pangu unleashed his ultimate techniques on each one. As his giant axe cleaved the illusions, he roared, "Only when the mind is free of attachments can one attain true freedom!"

When the three returned to reality, three golden lotuses bloomed from the Guardian's fingertips: "You have passed the final trial. Now I bestow upon you the ultimate truth of heaven and earth—" The altar runes moved like living things, and vast energy flowed into the heroes' bodies.

The three warriors, reborn, embarked on their journey home. Yang Ling suddenly stopped, his gaze burning with fervor as he looked at his companions: "We've weathered storms together all this way; without your companionship, I would have long since turned to dust."

Xu Fu responded with a bow: "Brother Yang's courage and perseverance have always guided us forward."

Pangu raised his arms and laughed heartily: "Good brother, no need for formalities! There's much more excitement ahead!"

As night fell, the campfire illuminated the three figures as they chatted. Yang Ling suggested they share their most unforgettable experiences, and Xu Fu spoke first: "Back then, I stumbled upon the 'Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Book' at the Lingxu Pavilion, and only then did I understand the true meaning of seeking the Dao. After meeting you all, this path of cultivation has become even more brilliant."

Yang Ling stroked his sword, lost in thought: "The most unforgettable moment was our first encounter, fighting the nine-headed serpent together. Only then did I realize that true power stems from mutual trust."

Pangu patted his chest: "The time I ventured into the lava cave alone, I almost became a roasted lamb! But it also taught me that there's always a way out of a desperate situation."

As dawn broke, they stepped into the Netherworld Forest shrouded in black mist. Amidst the howling wind, a child's cry suddenly rang out. A little girl in green was curled up under the Soul-Eating Tree, sobbing. Yang Ling knelt on one knee and gently inquired. The little girl choked back tears, saying she had been separated from her family who were gathering herbs.

Xu Fu calculated with his fingers: "This woman's destiny star is not dim; she should have a chance to live."

Pangu swung his battle axe, cleaving through the thorns: "Don't be afraid, child, I'll take you to find your parents!"

As they traversed the poisonous swamp, Yang Ling erected a wall of light with his sword energy; when encountering the illusionary demon, Xu Fu unleashed the Heart-Cleansing Mantra; and when faced with a giant spider blocking their path, Pangu roared and shook down the countless spiderwebs. Finally, they found the anxious herb gatherer by Moonlight Lake, and the scene of the mother and daughter embracing and weeping brought tears to the eyes of even the toughest men.

After bidding farewell to the grateful villagers, Pangu gazed at the deep forest, rubbing his hands together eagerly: "My axe is itching for a fight!"

Yang Ling's sword cleaved through the thick fog: "The secrets of this forest will eventually be revealed to us."

Xu Fu's compass spun rapidly within his sleeve, pointing to the darkest part of the forest: "There, extraordinary spiritual energy fluctuations surge."

A new legend is being quietly written in the dark forest.

As the three heroes continued deeper into the dark forest, they gradually realized that the darkness in this area was not simply due to a lack of light. A chilling atmosphere permeated the air, as if every inch of soil and every leaf was whispering of past sorrows and resentments. With each step deeper, those initially indistinct whispers became clearer, lingering in the heroes' ears, seemingly trying to convey some kind of message.

“Listen carefully,” Xu Fu suddenly stopped and whispered, “these murmurs are filled with emotion. The whole land seems to be carrying a heavy sorrow.”

Ying Zheng and Pangu simultaneously slowed their pace, concentrating on the sounds around them. After a moment, a thoughtful expression appeared on Ying Zheng's face: "I have experienced this feeling before in the long river of history. It is a deep imprint left by past events, a mark that is not easily erased." "Then," Pangu's deep voice rang out, "how should we deal with it? Is there any way to dispel this darkness and unravel the mystery of the forest?"

Xu Fu closed his eyes and concentrated, as if communicating with nature. When he opened his eyes again, he said to his companions, "I sense that there is a certain power hidden in the core of the forest, and it is this power that fills this place with darkness and sorrow. We must find it, and perhaps we can find the answer."

The three then decided to venture into the heart of the forest. As they ventured deeper, the surrounding scenery began to subtly change: the darkness grew thicker, and the whispers became more frequent, as if countless eyes were watching from the shadows.

“Be careful,” Ying Zheng warned his companions, “the darkness here is extraordinary, so be sure to stay alert.”

Along their journey, they not only had to contend with beasts lurking in the shadows, but also with various strange phenomena: suddenly appearing phantoms, distorted spacetime, and eerie sounds. But no matter what difficulties they encountered, the three never backed down; instead, they united even more closely, using their wisdom and courage to overcome each challenge.

After overcoming numerous trials, the three heroes bravely traversed the labyrinth formed by the dense fog and finally arrived at an open clearing. This secret realm, hidden deep in the heart of the forest, was solemn and tranquil, with an ancient and mysterious aura flowing in the air, as if time itself had slowed down and become heavy.

Looking around, towering ancient trees stood like guards, each one a silent witness to the passage of time, like a protector of this ancient land. In the center of the open space, a simple and solemn stone altar caught their eye.

The altar is meticulously constructed from heavy ancient stones, each stone bearing countless stories and legends. Intricate and mysterious runes are engraved on the stone surfaces, these patterns gleaming faintly, as if communicating with heaven and earth, telling ancient and profound secrets.

The three heroes stood solemnly before the altar, feeling an unprecedented sense of awe and shock. They understood that this altar must bear an important mission, perhaps the very soul of this ancient forest, or perhaps an entrance to other mysterious worlds.

"Is this the heart of the forest?" Pangu looked around and gently stroked the ancient stones.

Xu Fu stepped forward to examine the carvings closely: "These symbols seem to be some kind of ancient script, recording the history and secrets of the forest. I need time to decipher them."

Ying Zheng nodded in support: "We will stay here to protect you. You can try to interpret it. Perhaps you can find a way to dispel the darkness."

So Xu Fu began his research, while Ying Zheng and Pangu vigilantly watched over him. As time passed, Xu Fu gradually uncovered some of the secrets: this forest had once been the home of an ancient civilization, destroyed by a great catastrophe, leaving behind endless sorrow and resentment. These emotions, over time, coalesced into a powerful force, shrouding the forest in darkness.

"Is there any way to lift the curse and allow the forest to be reborn?" Ying Zheng asked.

Xu Fu pondered for a moment and replied, "According to written records, there seems to be a ritual that can dispel the darkness. But this requires immense courage and sacrifice, because we must confront all the sorrow and resentment of the forest."

Pangu said without hesitation, "No matter what sacrifices are required, we are willing to try as long as it can relieve the suffering of the forest. Now that we have come this far, there is no turning back."

Ying Zheng and Xu Fu also agreed. Following the ancient text's guidance, the three began arranging various symbols and totems around the altar before commencing the ceremony. (End of Chapter)