The succession of the Holy Maiden is the most exciting event in the Northern Di Divine Temple, even more so than the imperial sacrifice of the Northern Di royal family. So the sounds coming from the cliff didn't draw anyone's attention.
It was already late at night when they arrived at the temple. Fortunately, there were bonfires in the temple for illumination, and the moon was bright, reflecting the light from the snow - capped mountains, making the place look extremely holy.
"I should have known it would be this easy to get in. I wouldn't have had to go through so much trouble," Yi Qing whispered.
Xiao Jinghan was wearing a cloak to protect Yi Qing. He gently rubbed her head. Things weren't that simple. He had never even thought he could gather such a group of people together before.
"Follow me," Princess A Zha led them.
It didn't take much persuasion to bring Princess A Zha this time. Maybe she also wanted Bai Chengyi to return to normal, but just didn't want to admit it.
The temple was extremely large. Yi Qing was surprised that such a large temple could be built in this era. How on earth was it built?
The group moved forward silently. They didn't encounter any obstacles along the way, but they ran into trouble outside the Divine Spring.
There were everlasting lamps outside the Divine Spring, and twelve people kept watch there non - stop. A horn would sound as soon as anyone passed through the archway leading to the Divine Spring. It was almost impossible to get in silently.
"Is that the purple glass?" Yi Qing was shocked when she saw the purple glass in the middle of the Divine Spring.
No wonder the Northern Di people cared so much about the temple and regarded the purple glass as redemption.
The purple glass was right in the middle of the Divine Spring. The plant was more than two meters in diameter. Under the night sky, its leaves were blue, its flowers were purple, and it emitted a fluorescent light, looking like a dream.
"Yes. One mustn't touch the purple glass when entering the Divine Spring, or they'll die here," Princess A Zha stared at the purple glass as if lost in memories, her eyes growing deep.
"If the horn sounds from the archway, how long will it take for people to come?" This was the first time Xiao Jinghan had seen such a scene.
"Just a few breaths," Princess A Zha said directly.
"If we can't touch the purple glass, considering the size of the Divine Spring, only four people can get in at a time," Ghost Lord looked at the Divine Spring.
The Divine Spring was right in front of them. Who wouldn't want to take a soak?
"One person has to stay inside for the time it takes to burn an incense stick," Princess A Zha added.
"This is going to be troublesome," Ghost Lord looked around.
Yi Qing wondered if the archway was like an infrared device. The horn would sound as soon as someone passed through it. "Isn't there any way to avoid the horn sounding?"
"To be exact, there's a mechanism under the Divine Spring. As long as the weight above changes, the horn will be triggered," A Zha explained.
As soon as Yi Qing heard this, she knew there was no solution. Then she looked at Ghost Lord. "Tell your men to light this up upwind."
"It's useless. These people have been guarding the purple glass for a long time. Ordinary drugs won't work on them," Princess A Zha said contemptuously.
"How do you know if you don't try?" Yi Qing had already prepared this and of course wouldn't waste it.
Ghost Lord sent his men over. After waiting for the time it took to burn an incense stick, the twelve guards slowly fell asleep.
Princess A Zha looked at Yi Qing in surprise. This woman was really extraordinary.
"I should have known you'd prepare more and knock out everyone in the whole temple. Then we wouldn't have to be so cautious," Ghost Lord looked at Yi Qing.
"Do you think this drug is like Chinese cabbage, available in any quantity you want? It's already good enough to have this effect in this open space. If we were to cover the whole temple, it would turn into a miasma," Yi Qing said angrily.
"Act quickly. You have to last for the time it takes to burn an incense stick," Xiao Jinghan ordered.
As soon as the group entered the archway, the horn sounded immediately. The sound of the horn was extremely loud in the silent night, echoing through the universe.
"Damn it!" Yi Qing covered her ears. "You didn't tell me the sound would be this loud."
"This sound can reach the imperial city," A Zha immediately threw Bai Chengyi into the Divine Spring.
Duke of Di also got into the Divine Spring. Ghost Lord was currently poisoned by a Gu, so of course he wouldn't miss such an opportunity and took the last spot in the Divine Spring.
When Yi Qing got a closer look at the purple glass, she found that it wasn't just one plant but many flowers twining around the vines. There were seven leaves for each flower. From afar, it looked like a single plant.
It turned out to be a parasitic plant. She thought that all life had a lifespan, especially flowers. Even the most miraculous ones would wither one day. It didn't make much sense for the Northern Di people to regard something that would wither as a divine object.
The purple glass wasn't immune to withering. It was just that new flowers replaced the withered ones, so it seemed to be in perpetual bloom.
Before she could think further, the people from the Northern Di Divine Temple had arrived.
"Those who break into the temple and touch the Divine Spring shall die!" the leader roared, and the crowd rushed forward.
"I'd like to see who dares," Yi Qing held a torch and pretended to throw it at the purple glass.
"You're crazy," Princess A Zha didn't expect Yi Qing to do this.
"I'm definitely not as crazy as you," Yi Qing glanced at Princess A Zha.
Actually, she had thought of this as soon as she knew how precious the purple glass was to the Northern Di people. So as long as she got into the temple and got Xiao Jinghan into the Divine Spring, it would be fine.
The high priest didn't dare to let the people move forward when he saw Yi Qing like this. For now, it was just someone breaking into the Divine Spring. If the purple glass was destroyed, everything would be gone.
"If you dare to destroy the purple glass, I'll die with you," Princess A Zha stared at Yi Qing.
"Whose side are you on now?" Yi Qing looked at Princess A Zha.
Princess A Zha's hand on Bai Chengyi trembled slightly. "These are two different things."
Of course Yi Qing knew they were two different things. "So what do you suggest we do now? Let them come at us and we all die here?"
Princess A Zha fell silent.
Now Yi Qing and the others were too close to the purple glass. The high priest and the others had to endure. If there was even a slightest mistake and the purple glass was destroyed, the Northern Di Divine Temple wouldn't need to exist anymore.
Anyway, there was no way to have a good outcome today. Either they'd cure Xiao Jinghan and the others and break out, or they'd leave without a cure.
Xiao Jinghan gave a signal. One of the Iron Shadows on each side took the torch from Yi Qing's hand. Before Yi Qing could grab it back, Xiao Jinghan pulled her directly into the Divine Spring.
"Hey..." Ghost Lord was startled.
The Divine Spring could only accommodate four people. With Yi Qing getting in, there were five people. But Xiao Jinghan clung tightly to Yi Qing, so it didn't affect the situation in the Divine Spring.
At this moment, something strange happened. The fluorescent light from the purple glass in the middle grew brighter, and the fluorescent light danced in the air.
"That's..." Yi Qing was shocked. "Pollen?"
The high priest and the others knelt on the ground devoutly when they saw this strange phenomenon. This was a miracle to them. Why could a few foreigners make the holy flower show such a miracle?
Princess A Zha was also extremely shocked. According to legend, it was such a miracle of the purple glass that made them revere it as a holy flower.
In the Northern Di imperial city, because the horn had sounded, they had already sent troops straight to the temple. Since the succession of the Holy Maiden was imminent, no mistakes could be made. Otherwise, the temple would be questioned, and the authority of the royal family would be threatened.