"Right now, we have only one choice." Song Feng took a deep breath, looking deeply at Chong Zhao and Er Yun. "The most urgent matter is to reach the Heavenly Palace and alert the Celestial Court. Only they possess the power to contain such a force."
"However," he continued, his face growing graver, "with the celestial formation shattered and a barrier of monstrous waves cutting us off from the outside, leaving Miao Miao Island has become impossible by ordinary means."
"Then… is there no other way?" Er Yun's voice trembled as she tried to suppress her panic.
Song Feng hesitated, then finally said, "There remains one last hope—the Stardust Mirror."
Chong Zhao and Er Yun looked at each other, puzzled. Chong Zhao asked, "The Stardust Mirror? What is that?"
"It's a treasure passed down from the founding ancestors of our Miao Miao Sect," Song Feng explained. "Though few know of it, it is an ancient device capable of projecting one’s consciousness across great distances. It was initially created to communicate with the celestial realms, to establish a link with the Heavenly Palace if ever our sect faced a calamity too great to handle alone. But it’s only a reflection—our message will reach them as a mere apparition."
"If it’s only an apparition," Chong Zhao said with a slight frown, "will the Heavenly Palace take it seriously?"
"Given the danger, there’s no other option," Song Feng replied. "At least it will alert the Heavenly Court, and if the mirror works as intended, the Heavenly Palace might dispatch a god to investigate. That might be enough to save us from a catastrophe."
Song Feng turned toward the altar at the rear of the main hall, where an ancient mirror lay shrouded in a cloth. It appeared simple and unremarkable, but as Song Feng uncovered it, the mirror shimmered with a faint, starlit glow.
Chong Zhao, Er Yun, and the assembled disciples all stood silent, gazing at it with renewed hope.
Song Feng stepped forward, placing both hands on the mirror's frame, and a faint celestial light emitted from his hands, spreading over the surface of the mirror. In moments, the mirror glowed brighter, reflecting the faint image of Miao Miao Island’s surroundings, including the waves that now trapped them within the eastern sea.
Focusing intently, Song Feng spoke into the mirror, his voice resolute and solemn. "To the Heavenly Palace and Celestial Court, I, Song Feng, acting Sect Leader of Miao Miao Island, issue an urgent plea. An evil force has emerged within the Eastern Sea, threatening all life within this realm. Our celestial formation has been shattered, and we are now isolated, unable to defend against this great evil alone. We implore the Celestial Court to send aid."
As the image faded, Song Feng stepped back, exhausted, yet hopeful.
Chong Zhao clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the moment. He glanced at Song Feng, who gave him a reassuring nod. But as they all stood there, hoping for a response, the mirror suddenly flickered, casting a chilling shadow across their faces.
The darkened mirror reflected a sight none had anticipated. The waves surrounding the island began to churn violently, and within the depths, a pair of crimson eyes opened, piercing through the barrier and staring directly at the disciples gathered in the hall.
An eerie voice reverberated through the hall, chilling each one to the bone. "You think the Celestial Palace will save you? Foolish mortals."
Song Feng’s face went pale. "This power… It’s grown even stronger than we imagined."
The disciples trembled, and even Chong Zhao felt a surge of fear grip him. He exchanged a glance with Er Yun, both of them unsure of what they had unleashed.
"Everyone, prepare yourselves," Song Feng ordered, his voice filled with a newfound urgency. "If aid does not arrive in time, we must stand together to defend Miao Miao Island with all we have."
But as the disciples steeled themselves, Chong Zhao cast a worried look beyond the hall, whispering a silent prayer, "A-Shuo, please stay safe."
"Only one way remains now... if we are to save Miao Miao Island," Song Feng whispered with a final, desperate resolve in his eyes.
Murmuring an ancient celestial chant, he focused his energy, sending a powerful surge of celestial force from his palm towards the altar. Suddenly, dozens of bamboo slips rose from the table, each glowing faintly with a deep, steadfast energy. Song Feng’s forehead beaded with cold sweat as he coughed up a mouthful of blood, spraying it across the slips.
“Master Uncle!” Chong Zhao called out. “Uncle!” Er Yun shouted, rushing forward with him.
Song Feng’s face was deathly pale, and he seemed barely able to stand. As they approached, he quickly commanded, “Stay back!” His voice, weakened but firm, held them in place. Biting his finger, he drew a blood sigil in mid-air, which flared with white light and reined in the floating bamboo slips. When the light dissipated, a single thick bamboo slip hovered alone, glowing jade with a faint tinge of red, and radiating powerful celestial energy.
Finally, Song Feng collapsed to the ground.
“Master Uncle!” Chong Zhao quickly supported him. Weakly, Song Feng motioned, and the jade slip floated to Chong Zhao's hand.
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