21: Chapter 21 The Soul Returns to Its Original Form

Bi Luo glanced at the stone platform: "Do you still remember the line of text in the center of the stone platform? Yin and Yang merge as one, the soul returns to the body."

Qing Luo was lost in thought: "Is it trying to hint at something to us?"

Bi Luo pointed to the stone platform: "The soul bead has already acknowledged you as its master; perhaps you can activate this Yin Yang Platform."

Qing Luo hesitated for a moment, then walked to the center of the stone platform. Suddenly, the runes on the stone platform began to glow, and an invisible force pulled at her. Subconsciously, she placed her hand on the center of the stone platform, and the line of text lit up with golden light.

"Yin and Yang merge as one, the soul returns to the body..." Qing Luo recited softly.

The stone platform shook violently, and a golden pillar of light rose from the center, enveloping the entire battlefield. The movements of the Sorceress, Daoist Wangchuan, and the three Men in Black all froze for an instant.

"What is this power?" the leader of the Men in Black stared at the pillar of light in terror.

Inside the pillar of light, a figure vaguely appeared. It was blurry and difficult to discern, yet it gave people a sense of majesty.

"Chu Yang!" Daoist Wangchuan recognized the phantom.

The Sorceress was incredulous: "Impossible! He clearly..."

"It is his soul consciousness," the Man in Black gritted his teeth, "He really isn't dead!"

The figure in the pillar of light did not speak, but an invisible wave spread out. Qing Luo seemed to understand something and nodded.

"Leave this place," Qing Luo suddenly spoke, her voice carrying a majesty that did not belong to her, "Otherwise, die."

The three Men in Black looked at each other, fear flashing in their eyes. The leader sneered: "Bluffing! Even if it is Chu Yang's soul consciousness, it is nothing more than a spent arrow!"

He swung the soul mirror violently, and a black light shot straight at the pillar of light. However, as soon as the black light touched the edge of the pillar, it melted instantly like a snowflake falling into a furnace.

"Impossible!" The Man in Black stepped back.

Qing Luo—or rather, the soul consciousness of Chu Yang manifesting through Qing Luo—gently raised a hand. An invisible force instantly sent the three Men in Black flying, slamming them heavily against the distant rock wall.

"Go, this is not something we can deal with!" The leader scrambled up and shouted to his companions. The three of them fled in a panic and soon disappeared into the mist.

The pillar of light gradually weakened, and the strange glow in Qing Luo's eyes faded along with it. She stumbled, and the Sorceress stepped forward in time to support her.

"What just happened?" Qing Luo asked in confusion, "I felt like someone was using my body to speak."

The Sorceress looked at Daoist Wangchuan, who was lost in thought: "A part of Chu Yang's soul consciousness was hidden in the soul bead, resonating with you."

"Does this mean Chu Yang is still alive?" the Sorceress asked eagerly.

Daoist Wangchuan shook his head: "Not necessarily. Soul consciousness can remain, but the physical body may not still exist. However..." He looked into the depths of the mist, "Since soul consciousness resonance could occur, it at least indicates that Chu Yang's soul has not completely dissipated."

Qing Luo stroked her chest, feeling the rhythm of the soul bead: "I can feel that he is guiding us to a certain place."

"We must leave here as soon as possible," Bi Luo said weakly, "Those Men in Black from earlier will definitely bring more people back."

Daoist Wangchuan nodded: "Bi Luo is right, we should go back first. Qing Luo's situation also needs to be studied carefully."

The Sorceress was unwilling: "But Chu Yang—"

"We cannot find him right now," Daoist Wangchuan interrupted her, "But at least we know he might still be alive. That is enough."

The four of them hurriedly left the Yin Yang Platform. The mist seemed to have thinned out a lot, making the journey back not as difficult.

However, just as they were about to walk out of the mist area, Qing Luo suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong?" the Sorceress asked.

Qing Luo cast her gaze toward a vaguely visible cave in the distance: "Something there is calling to me."

Everyone followed her gaze and saw a deep, secluded cave hidden on the cliff wall, almost blending in with the surrounding environment.

"That is..." Daoist Wangchuan narrowed his eyes, "Reincarnation Cave!"

"What is the Reincarnation Cave?" Qing Luo asked.

"It is the legendary passage that can lead to the two realms of life and death," Daoist Wangchuan explained, "Chu Yang once said that the Power of Reincarnation originated from this place."

The Sorceress walked toward the cave without hesitation: "Then Chu Yang might be inside!"

Daoist Wangchuan grabbed her: "Don't be rash! The Reincarnation Cave is extremely dangerous; entering rashly without preparation will only lead to death."

The Sorceress pulled her hand away: "If Chu Yang is inside, I must—"

Her words were interrupted by a violent tremor. The earth shook, the cliff began to collapse, and the entrance to the Reincarnation Cave was quickly obscured by falling rocks.

"The people from the Dark Prison are here!" Bi Luo looked behind her nervously, "They are sealing off the exit!"

In the distance, dozens of Men in Black were approaching, and leading them were the three who had escaped earlier.

"We are surrounded," Daoist Wangchuan said with a grave expression, "It seems we have no choice but to fight."

Just at this moment, the soul bead inside Qing Luo suddenly emitted a strong light, illuminating the entire valley.

"What happened?" the Sorceress looked at Qing Luo in surprise.

Qing Luo closed her eyes, seemingly listening to something: "Someone is guiding me..." She opened her eyes abruptly, "Follow me!"

She ran recklessly toward a cliff that appeared to have no way out. Although everyone was puzzled, they had no other choice but to follow.

When they reached the edge of the cliff, Qing Luo jumped down without hesitation.

"Qing Luo!" the Sorceress exclaimed, and then followed her down.

Daoist Wangchuan and Bi Luo exchanged a look and also leaped down.

Surprisingly, they did not fall into the abyss but landed on a hidden platform. The platform led to a narrow cave, and Qing Luo had already crawled inside.

The Men in Black quickly discovered where they had gone and began to pursue them.

"Hurry!" Daoist Wangchuan urged.

The four of them sprinted through the cave. The tunnel became narrower and narrower, eventually turning into a crevice that they could only pass through by turning sideways. When they finally passed through the crevice, the view before them suddenly opened up—

A valley that looked like a fairyland appeared before their eyes. The valley was lush with flowers and plants, a clear stream meandered through it, and most eye-catching of all was a simple wooden house in the center of the valley.

"What is this place?" the Sorceress looked around.

Daoist Wangchuan took a deep breath: "If I am not mistaken, this is Chu Yang's secluded residence."

"Chu Yang is here?" the Sorceress ran toward the wooden house in excitement.

In front of the wooden house door, an elderly man with white hair was holding an ancient book and reading. Hearing footsteps, he raised his head and revealed a calm smile.

"You have finally arrived." The old man closed the book and stood up.

Everyone was stunned because this old man was clearly not Chu Yang.

"Who are you?" Daoist Wangchuan asked vigilantly.

The old man smiled: "My name is Chi Song, and I am a friend of Chu Yang."

The Sorceress asked eagerly: "Where is Chu Yang? Is he still alive?"

Chi Song sighed: "This question is very complicated. In a sense, he is both alive and already dead."

Everyone looked at each other.

"What do you mean?" Daoist Wangchuan pressed.

Chi Song looked at Qing Luo: "The soul bead inside this Little Girl is part of the answer."