Chapter 492: Heaven’s Mirror (1/2)
[V6C22 – Sorrow of a Silent Parting]
Qianye was startled to see the unfamiliar expression on Song Zining’s face. He then discovered himself floating in the air with his domain completely unleashed below him. The great ocean waves were surging about like the raging tides and even the earth was undulating. There were layers of sanguineous light upon the ocean surface amidst the rosy clouds and mist, almost like the ebbing tides of the bloody river from his consciousness.
The great sea and sanguineous mist were stuck close together, yet they were as clear as night and day without the slightest intersection—not unlike the difference between Daybreak and Evernight.
Song Zining’s austere expression gradually lost all emotion. His usual smiling demeanor was almost as cold as a mirror. There seemed to be nothing reflected there apart from the world before him.
Qianye saw himself in Song Zining’s eyes. The domain formed of great ocean waves weren’t tangible, but a powerful origin fluctuation that distorted the air caused his line of vision to fluctuate along with it. Qianye was standing atop the waves, enshrouded in a surging mist of blood, and his Wings of Inception were folded in a protective stance.
Thump! Qianye’s blood core suddenly pulsed like the beating of a war drum.
Song Zining started moving and walked over one step at a time. Qianye didn’t sense Song Zining unleash his domain or circulate his origin power, but he could no longer track the latter’s position after a couple of steps.
Qianye didn’t move at all, and very soon, Song Zining had stepped into the range of those great ocean waves. However, Qianye couldn’t feel anything out of the ordinary within his domain. It was as though the person who had walked in didn’t even exist.
But a change occurred as Song Zining continued forward into the bloody mist. A barrier akin to colored glass rose up around him with leaves flying about from within. In the short distance between its point of emergence and where it curled into the ground, the barrier evolved into a realm of thriving and withering, of life and death.
Qianye took a deep breath as he descended to the ground. Along with his movements, the oceanic domain, the Wings of Inception, and the bloody mist all dispersed one after another. The glass barrier grew even more distinct after their disappearance. It was like a treasured banner over ten meters in diameter locking Qianye and Song Zining tightly within.
“Zining.”
Song Zining watched Qianye in silence as the coldness in his eyes gradually faded away. “Qianye.” By the time that spring-water-like warmth had returned to his eyes, the glass barrier around him also disappeared silently.
Qianye looked up to watch the final specks of dispersing light and said, “Your domain seems different from before.”
“This is the true domain of the Three Thousand Flying Leaves Art. After reaching a higher realm, different cultivators will choose one from among the three thousand great daos to walk along and reach three thousand different domains.” Song Zining smiled. “This domain is called the Heaven’s Mirror. My heart is as transparent as glass and unstained by mortal desires.”
Qianye listened to Song Zining’s expert words and felt something wasn’t quite right. He couldn’t help but say, “Free from mortal desires? But you have so many women around you. Why do I feel that you’ve chosen the opposite path?”
Song Zining didn’t seem ashamed at all. On the contrary, he said with great confidence, “Experiencing worldly affairs is the way to be free of myriad laws, and every drop of rouge is akin to sharping one’s dao stone. I told you not to hang out too much with that Wei clan boar. Now, you can’t even understand such a simple profundity.”
Qianye shot him a sidelong glance. “How come you’re here? How’s Blackflow City?”
“The Iron Curtain has been drawn, and the world is undergoing changes. Even a border area like Blackflow has felt the tremors, but only a couple of poorly built buildings crumbled,” Song Zining said with a smile. “I ran out after you and found you here. But you…” He shrugged.
Qianye recalled the scene that had taken place within his world of consciousness and couldn’t help but turn silent. He had never considered himself a vampire because there were also humans who had obtained the power of darkness. This was especially true on Evernight Continent where demon hunters and roteaters with pure darkness origin power were still battling against the dark races. But what was that just now? Why did he sense the calling of the vampire bloodline river?
Song Zining patted his shoulder and said, “Qianye, I’ve always wanted to tell you that strength belongs to no specific faction. As long as we’re strong enough, we will be able to control the power and not become its puppet. I’m very happy that you were still lucid just now.”
Qianye nodded solemnly.
Atop the tallest mountain range on Twilight Continent, within the most ancient of the Perth clan’s castles. All of the clan’s important characters above the level of marquis were presently gathered here. Even the biggest and most historic hall within the castle seemed somewhat crowded at this point. Just from this fact, it went to show just how powerful and rich this ancient clan was.
The superior vampires were conversing in hushed tones. There was no lack of people among them who hadn’t seen each other for centuries. Meanwhile, the coronation of the Sperger clan lord, Habsburg, which shook the entire river of sacred blood, was also a topic of endless discussion.
It was at this moment that an indefensible suppressive might descended quietly upon the people. A projection appeared on the high throne at the end of the hall. Even though no one could see the figure clearly, all the vampires knew she was the bloodline fountainhead of all those present—the Queen of the Night, Lilith.
Everyone became silent as they placed their hands upon their chest and fell on one knee, a ceremony of utmost reverence. No one was talking any longer, and even the sounds of breathing were no longer present. Silence was the greatest form of respect in the queen’s presence.