Chapter 8: Crimson Red Orbs
Jiu Xinyi and Fang Guiren left at dawn and continued traveling to the Spiritual Abyss. The whole journey was quiet with Fang Guiren being shy as usual. One time when Jiu Xinyi sped up he almost fell off of the horse due to shock and he has been holding onto her waist since then because she told him to. They traveled the plains with Fang Guiren holding onto her like a child, he even felt awkward but had no choice but to comply because of Jiu Xinyi's endearing demeanor.
It didn't take them long enough to arrive at the entrance of the spiritual abyss. They both dismounted the horse and headed for the stables. Good thing they provide stable amenities for a cheap price and would take care of your horse for the duration of your stay inside the spiritual abyss.
Jiu Xinyi spun her heels to face the young man following behind her, "Will you be going in?" she asked.
Fang Guiren looked sideways and back at her with a questionable look plastered on his face, "Me?" tilting his head on one side as he responded to her question.
She pulled an are-you-serious expression at him, her eyes squinting at his face. "Uh, who else am I addressing to?"
"Oh... Yes, I'll be going in." Fang Guiren answered shyly.
"Alright. I'll go ahead of you, farewell." Jiu Xinyi faced front again and hastened her steps, leaving Fang Guiren behind the track in a matter of seconds.
His eyes widened at the sight of her walking briskly, "W-wait!" He called out but unfortunately, Jiu Xinyi didn't hear him. 'Is this where we go separate ways?' Fang Guiren thought to himself, kinda reluctant on getting left behind by her. He wanted to go in with Jiu Xinyi, but it seems that this would be where they go separately. 'When will I get to see her again?' was his line of thoughts as he watched Jiu Xinyi's back getting lost in the swarm of the crowd.
"When the time is right, and the heaven would let us cross paths. Let us meet again." Fang Guiren muttered to himself as a small smile crept into his lips.
Jiu Xinyi stood before the portal and had her name and cultivation registered on a logbook by the spirit guardian. Her interest was quite taken by the transparent-like entity standing in front of her. The man had a long mustache and was wearing a hood that covered his entire body with a wizard-like hat on his head.
She was sent back to reality when the spirit guardian snapped his fingers on her face. "Stop eyeballing me and carry on." The spirit guardian said impatiently where she nodded in response and stepped inside the portal.
A whole different world greeted Jiu Xinyi once she took a step forward. The entire sky was covered in a northern-lights-like atmosphere, the surroundings screamed nature and were utterly breathtaking.
Jiu Xinyi felt like she was in a dream. Ever since she transmigrated on a new body, everything felt surreal, it was magical. Like it was something that would only exist solely in her dreams. It was still hard for her to fathom the new reality she was put into. Regardless, she had no regrets about coming to a different dimension right after her death in her former life.
The sound of guqin [1] permeated her senses as she followed the melody that leads her deeper into the forest. Jiu Xinyi stood at a crossroad and decided to close her eyes to follow where the soothing sound of the string instrument was.
Her lower limbs moved towards where the melody came from and soon enough, she was right in front of a cave. It was completely dark inside and it looked like a place where one should never venture into, not unless they don't want to keep their lives intact.
Strange enough, she was drawn to the melody playing, seemingly enticing for her own good. And as if on cue, her feet started moving on their own accord, leading her into the depths of the cave.
Her eyes widened in horror when she felt she had no control over her limbs. Jiu Xinyi felt restrained but at the same time, she was walking towards where the sound came from. Each step of the way led her closer while the melody became more clearer and louder.
Not long after, the place started to lit up as more crystals shone on the pathway she was traversing. The crystals were filled with spiritual mana making them shine bright even though there was no access to light. Despite the place getting brighter, the mist got heavier and the atmosphere was getting hard to breathe in.
In an awfully large room at the rear end of the cave. A man wearing a black daopao[2] detailed with gold stone inscriptions imprinted on his clothing and a white sheer pifeng[3] as an overcoat was sitting elegantly on the ground, playing with the guqin that was placed on top of a huge stone slab. He had exquisite long black hair that flowed gently on his back. His fingers dancing skilfully on the string instrument, invoking an alluring melody.
The melody came to an abrupt pause as the black mist started coming off of the man's body, rapidly engulfing him in a black smoke before he entirely vanished out of thin air. In a split second, the man reappeared a step closer to her making her tremble out of fear as his blood-red eyes met hers.
Her breathing quickened as she felt her lungs getting devoid of oxygen. His deep crimson eyes stared right back at her blue orbs as if he was staring at her entire being. For some reason, she felt like she was an open book in front of this stranger.
His strong killing intent exuded in the whole atmosphere. In spite of having an other worldly countenance and sharp features, he looked deadly in her eyes. A thing she didn't know if she should be thankful for or not for grabbing the attention of someone bewitching.
Jiu Xinyi's eyes quivered in fear at the very sight of him. 'I should've gone here!' She thought in panic, her entire body nailed on the spot because of the display of his heavy aura, rendering her helpless. Completely rooted to the ground.
The black smoke turned slowly into red, as his fingertips reached out to her face, lifting her chin up. "Why is someone as lowly as you can come here?" His voice gave her shivers when she felt his warm breath against her skin.
A smirk slowly formed on his exquisite face, "A traveler huh." It wasn't a question but a statement that made her heart skip a beat.
"Going inside the forbidden grounds isn't just a place where ordinary people can wish to enter and leave as they please. Well, I suppose you don't count as one. Still, I don't intend to let anyone off the hook who disrupts my peace."
"You'll have to come with me." The black smoke became visible once again and instantly engulfed the both of them, leaving the place empty and back to its normal state. As if nothing transpired just a moment ago.
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[1] Guqin - is a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument of the zither family. (Credits to Sound of Mountain)
[2] Daopao - is a traditional Chinese attire for men. A full-length robe with side slits beginning below the waist. (Credits to WordFinder)
[3] Pifeng - Pifeng is the shape of a garment, a windbreaker, most of them have straight neckline, long sleeves. (Credits to New Hanfu)
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