Too many female prisoners, a special forces soldier transmigrates and marries wildly.

She put down her prayer beads, her gaze falling on the swaying bamboo shadows outside the window, her voice distant, as if lost in memories.

"The bronze statue enshrined in Ciyun Temple is indeed not orthodox in Buddhism or Taoism. Its form is a 'three-eyed ghost chariot,' a ferocious bird and strange creature from ancient legends that no longer exists. However, deep in the north, some extremely ancient tribes, even those not recorded in historical records, have regarded it as a totem for generations, believing that it has the ability to communicate with the underworld and control the earth's fire."

"Fellow Daoist Jingchen... She is not originally surnamed Jing, nor is she from the Central Plains. Her ancestors were descendants of a lineage of 'shamanic healers' from the North. They migrated south to avoid disaster and entered the Daoist sect. The medical skills she has learned, especially some methods for detoxification, exorcism, and treatment of strange diseases, actually involve many shamanic healer techniques, which are quite different from ordinary Daoist doctors."

"A witch doctor? Related to 'Red Abyss'?" Lin Feng pressed.

"According to what Fellow Daoist Jingchen casually mentioned years ago, 'Crimson Abyss' is not a single tribe, but a loose alliance formed by several of the oldest northern tribes to jointly protect a forbidden secret. The 'Witch Doctor' lineage is said to have been one of them, but due to ideological differences, it split off during an internal strife a hundred years ago and scattered in all directions. Fellow Daoist Jingchen's branch is one of the remnants of that lineage. That bronze statue of the 'Three-Eyed Ghost Chariot' is the token and sacred artifact passed down through their lineage. It is said to hide some secrets of their inheritance, and also records their ancient covenant with 'Crimson Abyss,' and even... the reason for their betrayal."

So that's how it is! Ciyun Temple is the secluded retreat of the shamanic healers who betrayed "Chiyuan"! That bronze statue is the key token! Lin Feng suddenly understood. No wonder "Chiyuan" wanted to kill Jingchen to silence him and retrieve the bronze statue! It was both a purge of their own sect and a way to reclaim the "key" that might have exposed their secrets!

"It seems that the nun and Daoist Jingchen have a close relationship?" Bai Xiaohe asked.

A hint of reminiscence and sorrow appeared on Abbess Jing'an's face: "Forty years ago, I traveled with my late master to the edge of the northern lands, where we encountered bandits. I was severely injured and nearly died. It was Fellow Daoist Jingchen, who was then a young girl, who was passing by with her grandmother on a medical mission. She saved my life with her miraculous skills. Many years have passed since then, though we have been separated by great distances, we have occasionally exchanged letters. Knowing that her lineage was in danger, she lived a secluded life, focusing on studying medicine and helping the people, only wanting to escape the fate of her ancestors. But unexpectedly... she was eventually found."

She looked at Lin Feng earnestly, "Benefactor Lin, Fellow Daoist Jingchen did good deeds throughout his life, yet he did not have a good end. The 'Crimson Abyss' acts are secretive and insidious, and they will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Their reclaiming of the bronze statue is probably not just to cleanse their sect or retrieve the sacred artifact, but more likely to be preparation for some ancient ritual or action. Since you have already opposed them, you must be extremely careful. Especially..."

She paused, then lowered her voice: "Fellow Daoist Jingchen once said that her ancestors passed down a fragmented prophecy, mentioning that when 'the earth's fire reignites and the ghost chariot opens its eyes,' it will be the time for the 'Land of Dragon's Fall' to reopen. What the 'Crimson Abyss' has sought for generations is to restart that 'gate.' And to open the gate, besides a specific location and time, it seems that several key tokens are also needed, including their lineage's 'Ghost Chariot Bronze Statue,' as well as... the 'Crimson Feather Staff' that the Crimson Feather Clan has guarded for generations, and... a certain 'fallen object' that is said to have ended up in the Central Plains."

The subterranean fire reignites? The ghostly carriage opens its eyes? The gates to the Land of Dragon's Fall reopen? A meteorite artifact?

"Master, do you know when 'the earth's fire reignites and the ghost chariot opens its eyes' refers to? And what is that 'fallen object'?" Lin Feng asked anxiously.

Master Jing'an shook her head: "Fellow Daoist Jingchen also doesn't know the specifics. The prophecy is incomplete and vague. As for the 'fallen object'... it's only said that a hundred years ago, a strange phenomenon occurred in the sky, and a meteorite fell somewhere on the border between the Northern Territory and the Central Plains. Its core fragments were obtained by someone, and they were peculiar in shape, neither gold nor jade, and contained strange light. This thing has been circulating for many years, and its whereabouts have long been a mystery. But 'Crimson Abyss' seems to have been searching for it in secret."

Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat as he recalled the tattered sheepskin map he had obtained from a secondhand bookstore. Could the blurry terrain on it, pointing to the valley, be the "Land of Dragon's Fall"? As for the "object of the fallen star"... he had no clue for the time being.

"Thank you for your frankness, Abbess." Lin Feng rose and bowed solemnly. "I am aware of the danger involved. I will never forget the grudge against Daoist Jingchen if I have the chance. Please also be careful, Abbess, and strengthen security inside and outside the temple in the coming days."

Abbess Jing'an nodded: "You are too kind, benefactor. As a Buddhist nun, they may have some reservations. But you, benefactor, face a perilous road ahead. Tonight..." She seemed to want to say something, but stopped herself, only saying, "Be careful in all things. If you need anything, you may come here to find me again. I will also inform Her Highness of today's events as appropriate."

As we left Ci'en Temple, the sun was already setting in the west.

"Guardian, it seems that 'Crimson Abyss' reclaiming the bronze statue is preparation for opening that 'gateway.' But what lies beyond that 'gateway'? Why have they been so persistent for generations?" Bai Xiaohe's brows were filled with worry.

"Whatever it is, if such a mysterious and powerful force is so fixated on it that they would even go so far as to collude with a border general and a prince, it must be something terrible."

Lin Feng mounted his horse. "Opening the portal requires tokens. The bronze statue is one, the Crimson Feather Tribe has the 'Divine Staff,' and there's also the 'Starfall Object' whose whereabouts are unknown. We must stop them from gathering these things! At the very least, we need to find out the exact situation of that 'portal' and the 'Dragonfall Land'!"

"At tonight's Ghost Market appointment, 'Ghost Hand' might know more about the 'Starfall Object' and the 'Crimson Abyss' plan," Bai Xiaohe said.

"Excellent. So tonight, no matter what, we must meet that 'Ghost Hand'." Lin Feng spurred his horse, and the steed neighed as it galloped towards the capital. "Master Jing'an hesitated at the last minute, perhaps indicating that the Ghost Market tonight won't be peaceful. But the more this is the case, the more we must go. Only by jumping into their trap can we disrupt it and find a way to break it!"

"Send a message to Zhao Qi, instructing him to use all available resources to ascertain the terrain around the 'Nameless Pawnshop,' potential ambush points, and any unusual personnel movements at the Ghost Market tonight before nightfall. At the same time, have our men secretly infiltrate the outskirts of the Ghost Market in batches, awaiting my orders."

"yes!"

The setting sun cast long shadows of the two people onto the winding mountain road.