Episode 22

  Jin Chan'er obtained the secret, not only knowing the location of the Ghost Valley, but also learning about the whereabouts of the Three Realms Coffin. Her mood was greatly improved! Now, Jiao Jiao might be saved! The only concern is the Da Fangzhou family. If they get the upper hand first, it would be very difficult to retrieve this treasure again. So, she quietly hid her tracks and carefully flew towards the Ghost Valley, wanting to see if she could take action first. Otherwise, with a long night ahead, there might be too many variables! Of course, such treasures must be recognized by their owners through blood, and cannot be taken by force! Otherwise, why would the gods not have acted earlier? It must be that someone from the direct lineage of the Ghost Valley Shi family is involved! As she thought this, she had already arrived outside the Ghost Valley.

  The array within the Ghost Valley is profound and its power seems to be stronger than the defensive arrays of the Mystic Door, only slightly inferior in stealth. Jin Chan'er thought for a moment and then chanted an incantation, transforming into a small green snake that burrowed into the ground and entered the Ghost Valley. However, she didn't expect the defensive array to be even stronger than she had imagined. The land around the Ghost Valley was also imbued with restrictive powers, making it as hard as gold or stone, and impossible to enter without forceful means! But using such strong methods would surely trigger the large array and alert all parties concerned! Jin Chan'er could only retreat back to the surface and hide in a thicket. At this point, she was determined to enter the valley as soon as possible and obtain either the Three Realms Coffin or the Nine Spirits Divine Box, lest the so-called Great Ark Family got there first. Otherwise, it would be a waste of time and effort, and she might not even succeed in getting them.

  After several days, the array gate suddenly opened, and a male cultivator flew out in a panic, his speed was not slow. Outside the valley, a golden light flashed, and a large square ark appeared inside. The front and back of the ark were slightly curved, with a drum shape in the middle and two ends that were slightly retracted like a blunt cone. When the young male cultivator saw the ark appear, his panicked expression disappeared. He accelerated again towards the giant ark. At this time, an old man flew out from the valley mouth, shouting loudly:

  "Where are you going, little rascal?"

  His body suddenly swelled, and a huge hand reached out to grab the young man's body. Just as the young man was about to be taken away, several golden lights flew out of the ark, one of which wrapped around the young man and pulled him into the ark, while the others struck the old man who had chased after them. The young man disappeared into the ark, while the old man avoided the golden light's attack but his body was weakened and he could no longer catch up to the escaping young cultivator. The several golden lights were incredibly powerful, blasting a huge crater in the ground before disappearing. The ark slowly rose into the air, hovering briefly in front of the old cultivator before flying away quickly. The old cultivator watched as the ark flew off, his expression stunned at first, then he stopped and took out a protective divine light and a sword-shaped magic tool that revolved around his head. He stared at the ark without saying a word until it disappeared into the distance. Then he turned around and flew into the valley. Just at this moment, Jin Chan'er followed closely behind him into the valley.

  In that ark there was also a middle-aged cultivator who closed his eyes and sat in meditation. Below him stood several elderly cultivators, all of whom were above the level of entering the Tao. One of them asked:

  "Why doesn't the Lord of Heaven order the destruction of that villain? If we were to attack Guigu Valley soon, it would be one less major constraint!"

  "Hmph! That's Shi Ren, I suppose! With his meager magical powers, what kind of restraint is that? But there's another expert hiding in the woods at the valley entrance, we don't know their true intentions, so it's better not to make a move for now!"

  "Ah? Lord God, in that thicket there is only a small green snake!"

  "Hmph! He intentionally didn't conceal the fluctuations in his magical powers, it's a warning to me. Could I be afraid of him? However, I'll still plan carefully before attacking. If that person makes a move, I might have to use the power of the Grand Ark."

  "Is the power of this person's divine master really that high? Even the great Brahma boat needs to be mobilized?"

  "No matter how high or low, all obstacles must be eliminated to get the three realms coffin. If the object is not mistaken, that person must have come for this thing. You listen, in recent days, many masters have been sent to patrol, and even flying birds, beasts, butterflies, mice, and ants are not spared. Anyone who enters or exits the Ghost Valley, whether mortal or cultivator, will be killed without exception. If a historian lets one escape, they must kill one of their own door owners to apologize."

  He spoke slowly and calmly, as if he were talking about something insignificant.

  "Yes!"

  Everyone's heart sank, and they all went down in a flurry to make arrangements. In the boat, a middle-aged cultivator sat alone in a cabin, meditating as before.

  Jin Chan'er followed the old man into the valley, where she saw the disciples addressing him as the Great Clan Leader. She realized that this person was the head of the Shi family, and the Nine Spirits Box and the Three Realms Coffin were likely on his person. In a grand hall, when the leaders of the Shi family gathered together, Jin Chan'er discovered that the Three Realms Coffin had been obtained by someone else! Her heart was filled with anger and regret. She regretted not taking action to intercept the large wooden boat earlier, but now it was lost, where could she find it? However, soon after, she saw Shi Jia Town's calm and composed demeanor, secretly instructing his second brother to stay behind for the Shi family. She also vaguely felt that he had not suffered any losses. Therefore, she closely followed Shi Ren. As Shi Ren arranged his troops and planned the escape of the gatekeepers, Jin Chan'er watched everything unfold before her eyes. A small family, facing great danger, was so calm and composed, and a deep sense of respect arose in her heart.

  Waiting for the enemy to attack, Shi Ren finally took out a stone coffin that was not eye-catching from his hair knot and handed it over to his second brother, Shi Yi. The scene of Shi Yi and his elder brother's life-and-death separation resonated with Jin Chan'er again, thinking of herself and Jiao Jiao, also feeling sad and tearful. However, her desire to save Jiao Jiao was very strong, and at this time, she wanted to take action and seize it by force. But on the one hand, she feared that they would destroy the treasure, and on the other hand, even if she seized it, without a direct bloodline of the Shi family to guide her, and without a way to use the treasure, it would still be a useless object for her! So she could only use her great magical powers and the Supreme Immortal Symbol to cover up her tracks, following closely around Shi Yi, waiting for an opportunity.

  That's what they call the Ark family's attack, it's really impressive. Jin Tian'er has been cultivating for millions of years, and she has seen many scenes, but this one attack is not only shocking, but also meticulously arranged to kill and destroy. It's truly a feat that only a few talented individuals can achieve! When Shi Yi's son died, Shi Yi and his pregnant daughter-in-law escaped, and Jin Tian'er followed them in secret, together they traversed the wormhole array and escaped from Guigu Valley. Jin Tian'er personally witnessed the birth of Liu's child, and the three generations of the Shi family escaped to Hu's village in Xiaolengshan. Countless times, Jin Tian'er wanted to take action, but when it came down to it, she couldn't bear to do so! This is the tragedy of the Shi family, from start to finish, it's all clear. The situation is cruel! The emotions are true! The bravery is victorious! The demise is tragic! All of this is right before her eyes, and yet she still can't bring herself to take action. She let out a long sigh and said:

  "Just wait and see, there will be a way to get it without hurting anyone!"

  Months later, Jin Chan'er left a mark on Shi Yigong's grandson and flew away to her own mansion, Wan Shou Mountain's Wan Fa Cave. After years of separation, the cave was still the same. There were no signs of ordinary people or cultivators, nor any traces of birds, beasts, or insects. The "Small World of All Laws" stele still stood upright. Jin Chan'er flew into the cave and arrived at her secret cultivation place. The large Day Pearl above still shone brightly, illuminating the room like daylight. Her delicate protective array was intact. She hastily descended to the ground, held up the Bi Yu Xuan Bing ball with both hands, and softly called out:

  "Jiaojiao, Jiaojiao, sister is back!"

  "Oh no! Sister! I'm so bored being alone, cultivating my yuan Shen! When are you coming back? Missing you to death, little sister!"

  "Jiaojiao! Sister misses you too!"

  Jin Chan'er's eyes were filled with tears as she trembled and said. Bai Jiao Jiao seemed to have sensed Jin Chan'er's emotions, and smiled sweetly, saying:

  "Sister, you've been out for quite some time this time. Have you heard any strange or unusual news? I love hearing about such things!"

  "Oh, there are many!"

  "Sister, come quickly and tell me!"

  Bai Jiao suddenly became excited and said. Then Jin Chan'er told Bai Jiao everything she had encountered and heard over the past few decades. When it came to the part where Bai Jiao learned the array technique under an assumed name, Jiao couldn't help but ask some details, as if she had personally participated in it herself. Upon learning that the great array could not rebuild her physical body, and later fell into the Three Realms Coffin, she let out a long sigh and said:

  "Sister, you're a snake spirit, and this life is the most loving treasure! After collecting various treasures for tens of thousands of years until now, this time you've let out so many heavy treasures, and among them are those that sister risked her life to get!"

  "Jiao Jiao, sister has cultivated for so long, can already see through the barrier of wealth and treasure! What kind of treasure is solitary! Whether it was born from heaven and earth, or obtained from other paths; whether it has spirit or not, as long as it exists, it must be independent between heaven and earth! It does not belong to anyone! Some treasures have exhausted their lifespan and perished, some treasures have gone through countless dynasties, and the so-called masters of today do not know how many times they have changed! Therefore, treasure is just treasure, and I am just me, nothing else!"

  "Sister's cultivation is getting deeper, her state of mind is getting more and more distant. What a wonderful thing to celebrate!"

  "What a wonderful cultivation and state of mind! I only wish that my sister and I can ascend to the heavenly realm together, and achieve our true destiny!"

  "Sister, should we stay in the cave for a few more days this time?"

  "No, Jiao Jiao. I must get that Three Realms Coffin in my hands. And that whatever God Master, has not stopped searching, I cannot let him get it!"

  "That's it, I'm leaving! I don't want to stay alone anymore! This time you have to take me with you. So many wonderful things are happening without me!"

  "However, darling......"

  "Sister, just take your sister and go! Don't nag like a mother-in-law anymore, okay?"

  "Alright. Being close to the Three Realms' coffin like this might be quite beneficial!"

  Jin Chan'er thought for a moment and said.

  "Great! My sister still cares about me!"

  Bai Jiao Jiao said excitedly.

  Jin Chan'er then created a small magical instrument, using an array of methods to nurture Jiao Jiao's soul and spirit.