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

On the eve of their departure, everyone sat around the campfire to discuss their itinerary.

"I've heard that the Kunlun region is teeming with rare and exotic creatures, and fraught with danger," Li Si said with concern.

"Indeed. We need to be fully prepared, not only in terms of supplies, but also in terms of mental preparation," Ying Zheng said solemnly.

"Legend has it that there is a Wuji Palace in Kunlun, which contains countless ancient books and treasures. The Kunlun Mirror may very well be among them," Xu Fu interjected.

“Our primary objective is to find the Wuji Palace,” Zhao Gao said.

“That’s right. But be careful. Kunlun is not only naturally treacherous, but you may also encounter other treasure hunters,” Ziya warned.

After a night of heated discussions and strategic planning, each team member understood their responsibilities and the challenges ahead. In the soft light of dawn, they shouldered their packs, filled with anticipation and a touch of unease about the unknown, and embarked on their journey to Kunlun.

After several days and nights of arduous trekking, they finally arrived at the mysterious and treacherous mountain range—the outer edge of Kunlun. Here, clouds and mist swirled, as if forever concealing the secrets deep within the mountains.

As the leader, Ying Zheng looked around and reminded his companions, "We have now entered the Kunlun territory; every step must be taken with extreme caution."

They traversed rugged mountain paths, frequently encountering strange plants and wild animals. Some plants grew so rapidly that they would suddenly extend vines to entangle travelers. The wild animals in the mountains were even more bizarre and varied, and a moment's carelessness could lead to their deaths.

During a battle with a giant beast, Li Si was carelessly wounded by its claws. Blood stained his sleeves, and he forced a bitter smile despite the pain: "The beasts here are more difficult to deal with than I imagined."

Xu Fu, the wise leader of the group, said gravely, "These are merely wild beasts on the edge of Kunlun. The deeper we venture, the greater the danger. Everyone must remain vigilant and not let your guard down for a moment."

Although the atmosphere within the team was somber, a resolute light shone in everyone's eyes. They understood that this expedition was not only an exploration of the unknown, but also a challenge to themselves. After exchanging smiles, the group once again embarked on their journey, determined to uncover the secrets deep within the Kunlun Mountains.

After several days of arduous travel, the expedition finally arrived before a magnificent palace. This palace seemed to have existed since the beginning of time, exuding an ancient and mysterious aura. This was the legendary Wuji Palace, inspiring both awe and longing.

Zhao Gao gazed up at the palace, his eyes gleaming with anticipation: "This is the Wuji Palace; the Kunlun Mirror must be hidden somewhere deep within it."

Ying Zheng took a deep breath and said calmly, "Let's go inside and explore." After saying that, he took the lead and walked towards the palace gate, with the others following closely behind.

The palace gates slowly opened, revealing a dark interior. Upon entering the palace, everyone was immediately drawn to the ancient murals on the walls. These murals, with their vibrant colors and shimmering luster despite the passage of time, vividly depicted various myths and legends.

Carefully walk along the dimly lit corridor, where the walls on both sides are covered with exquisite murals, seemingly telling the ancient legends of Kunlun.

Finally, they arrived at the magnificent hall. In the center stood a tall pedestal, upon which rested an ancient bronze mirror. Though its surface was weathered, it still reflected the astonished faces of the group. The mirror was surrounded by intricate runes and mysterious totems, as if guarding this ancient treasure.

Ziya stepped forward to examine the legendary Kunlun Mirror closely and exclaimed in amazement, "This...this is the Kunlun Mirror? It really exists!"

Ying Zheng stepped closer to examine it carefully: "The runes on the mirror are extremely ancient. It seems we need to find the right method to activate them." Just as everyone was discussing around the mirror, a strange sound suddenly rang out in the hall, as if something was awakening.

"Everyone be careful, there might be traps or guarded objects here," Li Si warned anxiously.

In an instant, several figures leaped out from the shadows. Dressed in ancient attire and wielding weapons, they charged straight at the group.

"Are these the guardians of Kunlun?" Xu Fu asked loudly.

A fierce battle ensued, with Ying Zheng and his companions drawing their weapons to confront these uninvited guests. Within the ancient Wuji Palace, a new adventure officially began.

As the ancient guardians appeared, a chilling atmosphere suddenly filled the dimly lit hall. Though their faces were indistinct, their upright figures exuded an inviolable majesty, as if the heroic spirits of ancient warriors had been resurrected in this mysterious hall, transforming into immortal guardians.

"Who dares to disturb the peace of Kunlun!" The leading guardian questioned in a resounding voice, each word seemingly echoing from a thousand-year-old battlefield, stirring up the dust of history.

Ying Zheng stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with determination and respect. "We have not come here to provoke conflict, but to search for the legendary Kunlun Mirror. Our homeland is under threat from the outside world, and only the power of the Kunlun Mirror can help us defend against the unknown dangers."

The guardians exchanged silent glances, seemingly communicating in some mysterious way. The leader spoke again: "The Kunlun Mirror is a supreme treasure of Kunlun, not to be touched by ordinary people. Your arrival here may truly be destiny. But to obtain the Kunlun Mirror, you must pass our trials."

"Trials?" Ziya asked doubtfully. "To obtain the Kunlun Mirror, we are willing to accept any trial."

The guardian nodded slightly, and with a gentle wave of his hand, the surrounding space seemed to distort, and ancient, shimmering patterns appeared on the ground. "The trial consists of three stages, each requiring both wisdom and courage. The first stage tests wisdom; the second demands fearless courage; and the final stage requires a deep connection of minds to overcome."

Ying Zheng took a deep breath. "We are ready."

The first test of wisdom involved riddles posed by the guardians that touched upon ancient myths and profound philosophical principles. Xu Fu, as a wise man, stepped forward and answered the guardians' questions one by one with his extensive knowledge. With each solution, a look of approval flashed in the guardians' eyes.

"Very well, you have demonstrated sufficient wisdom. Next, the trial of courage." The guardian's voice echoed in the hall.

The next test of courage saw the guardian summon several ferocious divine beasts with a wave of his hand. These beasts roared and charged towards the group, each possessing astonishing strength and speed. To defeat them, one must demonstrate fearless courage and unwavering determination.

"Don't panic, everyone! Let's unite and fight together!" Li Si shouted, leading the charge against the most ferocious divine beast. Under his leadership, everyone united to meet this sudden challenge. After a fierce battle, they finally defeated all the divine beasts.

"The final trial, the test of the soul," the guardian's voice rang out once more. "This trial requires you to confront the deepest fears and doubts within your heart. Only by achieving a state of spiritual unity can you dispel the illusions and pass the trial."

Finally, in the trial of spiritual union, everyone was taken into an illusory space, each isolated in their own independent illusion. Ying Zheng faced the various dilemmas and burdens of being a king; Li Si experienced life-or-death choices on the battlefield and tests of friendship; Xu Fu encountered a conflict between his pursuit of knowledge and his personal desires; Yang Ling and Jiang Ziya also faced their own inner demons.

In this illusory space, everyone is experiencing an unprecedented inner struggle. They are lost, in pain, and on the verge of collapse. But at this moment, they hear each other's voices. The call from the depths of their hearts resonates with them, providing them with support. They begin to encourage and support each other, facing their inner fears together. (End of Chapter)