Jiang Yurou was the first to break into the misty forest. Mo Wenjie, Ding Qingyao, Huang Lingru, Xiao Yawen, Ding Yan, Tuo Yingying, Qin Xiaodie, Cao Chunling and Jin Chanyao followed closely behind.
Upon entering the misty forest, the group discovered a mysterious aura. Jiang Yurou paused and grew vigilant. Mo Wenjie withdrew his treasure and unleashed a beam of divine light to pave the way.
Suddenly, a chilling laugh echoed around them. countless vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around the group. Ding Qingyao brandished her long sword, cutting through the approaching vines with her swordsmanship. Huang Lingru formed hand seals and recited incantations, spewing forth a ball of flame that burned towards the surrounding vines.
But the vines kept multiplying. Upon seeing this, Xiao Yawen activated his Earth attribute magic, raising a wall of earth to block the vines' attacks. However, at this moment, a giant shadow beast emerged slowly. It opened its blood-red maw and roared, shaking everyone with its powerful sound waves.
Jin Chanyao screamed in anger and spit silk to trap the four limbs of the shadow beast. Jiang Yurou seized the opportunity, condensed spiritual energy into an arrow and shot at the eyes of the shadow beast. The shadow beast cried out in pain, thrashing wildly, breaking free from the silk binding. Just as everyone thought danger was imminent, the shadow beast turned around and disappeared into the mist, leaving only astonished expressions on their faces. They were unsure what other unknown dangers lay ahead in this misty forest.
Seeing the situation before him, Mo Wenjie's heart tightened, and he shouted loudly, "Listen to me, everyone. The situation is urgent; we must seize the opportunity and rush forward immediately! This misty forest is truly eerie; it is sure to contain many unknown dangers and conspiracies. But no matter what hardships or difficulties we encounter along the way, or what forms of interference and obstacles we face, all of us must unite our efforts and stand closely together to resist our enemies or deal with sudden emergencies. We must not delay our progress because of a temporary desire for battle!" As he spoke, he swept his resolute gaze over everyone as if to infuse them with a powerful force of determination.
Hearing Mo Wenjie's words, the group regained their spirit and continued to make their way deeper into the misty forest. Not far along, the sky suddenly darkened with thick clouds and thunderous lightning. Following that, torrents of rain poured down from above, each drop seeming like a sharp blade. Mo Wenjie shouted: "Activate your defensive shield!" The group promptly united to cast a spell, enveloping themselves in a translucent blue shield. However, the intensity of the rain made the shield waver precariously. Ding Yan gritted her teeth and summoned an ancestral heirloom artifact which emitted golden light to strengthen their defense.
At this moment, the ground beneath their feet began to wriggle restlessly. It was a massive creature resembling a earthworm that had burst from the soil. They spat out a corrosive slime that was eating away at the defensive shield. Jin Chanyao once again spat out a great amount of silk, sticking to the monsters. While they did this, Jiang Yurou and the others united their efforts to unleash an attack, destroying some of the creatures. Mo Wenjie seized the moment and led everyone towards a spot of light ahead, for once they broke through this cursed area, perhaps they could escape the crisis. With hope in their hearts, they quickened their pace.
Mo Wenjie, Ding Qingyao, Huang Liling, Jiang Yurou, Xiao Aywen, Tuo Yingying, Qin Xiaodie, Cao Chunling and Jin Chanyao had all emerged from the misty forest together. Jin Chanyao looked ahead and muttered to herself: "Mount Sumeru."
Legend has it that this mountain is surrounded by eight mountains and eight seas, stretching for 80,000 yuanas underwater and 80,000 yuanas above the water. Its breadth and length are also equal to 80,000 yuanas. The circumference is 320,000 yuanas. It is made of four treasures - gold to the north, silver to the east, agate glass to the south, and crystal glass to the west. The colors of the empty spaces around Mount Sumeru are also reflected by these treasures. Between Mount Sumeru and Mount Qijin are seven seas (inner seas), filled with eight virtues' waters. Beyond these seas lies Yandan's sea (outer sea) with Iron Wall Mountain at its edge. Within Yandan's sea lie four continents - Yudhanaipura (north), Vibhanga (east), Jambudvipa (south), and Kayavanta (west), known as the "Four Continents of Mount Sumeru."
Among these mountains, Mount Sumeru and the seven golden mountains are square, while Iron City Mountain is circular. The above nine mountains and eight seas are supported by three wheels. The wind wheel is at the bottom, its extent is limitless and its thickness is one hundred and sixty billion digits. Above it is the water wheel. The upper part of the water wheel condenses into a golden wheel. The combined depth of the water and gold wheels reaches one hundred and twelve million digits, with eight billion digits below being the water wheel. The diameter of both wheels together is one billion two hundred thirty-four million five thousand digits. Initially, due to the force of sentient beings' karma, the wind wheel was born, resting in emptiness. And due to sentient beings' karma, a great rainstorm arose, accumulating on the wind wheel to form a water wheel. Again, because of the force of karma-induced wind, it struck against the water, forming a golden wheel above. This is where sentient beings reside, known as the material world or Dharma realm; those residing here have six realms: heavens, humans, asuras, etc., according to their karma.
In the heavens, there are distinctions between earth-dwelling deities and sky-dwelling deities. In the six desires heavens, the Trayastrimsha and the Four Kings are earth-dwelling deities. The Trayastrimsha Heaven is situated at the summit of Mount Sumeru. The Four Kings Heaven is located on the fourth level of Mount Sumeru. Below the third level of Mount Sumeru, there are attendants of the Four Kings, known as yakshas, who reside there; those living on the third level are called Hengjiao, those on the second level are called Shihuan, and those on the first level are called JianShou. In the palaces within the Seven Golden Mountains and those of the sun and moon wheels, there are also dwellings for attendants of the Four Kings. Above the six desires heavens (kāma-loka), there is a realm of form (rūpa-loka) with four jhānas and sixteen heavens. Above these is a realm of formlessness with four heavens.
Mo Wenjie's eyes widened, his mouth slightly agape, and his face was filled with astonishment as he stared at Jin Chanyao's graceful and mysterious figure. Standing beside him, Ding Qingyao frowned, her beautiful eyes revealing deep confusion and uncertainty. A short distance away, Huang Liling crossed her arms and mumbled: "What's going on here?" Jiang Yurou bit her lower lip, her fair face filled with confusion. Xiao Aywen furrowed his brow, lost in thought as he gazed at the scene before him. Ding Yan blinked her big, agile eyes as if trying to make sense of the chaotic scene. Tuo Yingying's pretty face also showed a hint of confusion, her cherry lips slightly parted. Qin Xiaodie tilted her head and blinked her sparkling big eyes with an innocent expression.
E' Chunling stood with her hands on her slender waist, her eyes wide and round as she looked back and forth between Jin Chanyao and Mount Sumeru. It seemed as if she were trying to see through both. Her small mouth slightly open, she murmured to herself ceaselessly, "This... This is just too strange! How could it be like this?"
Mo Wenjie and Ding Qingyao, Huang Liling, Jiang Yurou, Xiao Aywen, Ding Yan, Tuo Yingying, Qin Xiaodie and Cao Chunling were all looking puzzled at this moment. They widened their eyes and stared at the Mount Sumeru in front of them with confusion and bafflement filling their hearts. Some scratched their heads with furrowed brows; others whispered to each other in a hushed manner, yet they could not make sense of what was happening. The whole scene appeared incredibly chaotic and mysterious.
Just as everyone was at a loss, Jin Chanyao turned around. "This mountain seems close at hand, but in reality, it is separated by endless space." She said with a serious expression. The group was shocked upon hearing this. Mo Wenjie stepped forward and asked, "Does the immortal have a way out?" Jin Chanyao shook her head, "However, there is a legendary spirit creature called the Star Radiant Stone. If found, it might be able to break through this barrier."
After the group decided to split up to search, Mo Wenjie walked alone to the east. No long after he set off, he felt an unusual pulling force. By the time he realized it, he was already beneath a dazzling starry sky. A stone that shimmered with seven colors of light floated in the air, which was none other than the Star Radiant Stone. However, at the same time, a guardian beast roared and charged towards him. Mo Wenjie gritted his teeth and fought back with all his might and energy.
On the other side, the others also encountered both dangers and opportunities. Huang Liling stumbled upon a spring of elixir water, which seemed to have healing powers. Jiang Yurou was attacked by a group of demon birds, facing life-threatening situations.
After a fierce battle, Mo Wenjie finally managed to defeat the monstrous beast. At this moment, he was panting heavily but couldn't help but show a sense of triumph on his face. With difficulty, he walked towards the Star Radiant Stone, which was emitting a mysterious glow. He tightly gripped it with a trembling hand.
Just as he gripped the Star Radiant Stone, a dazzling beam of light suddenly erupted from within the stone, instantly enveloping Mo Wenjie in its glow. This beam of light shimmered like a radiant cocoon, continuously flashing with strange colors and radiance.
As time went by, the intense light gradually dissipated. When the last ray of light faded away, Mo Wenjie was astonished to find himself at the foot of a towering and majestic mountain. The mountain rose into the clouds, enveloped in mist, creating a dreamlike sensation.
Mo Wenjie was overjoyed. He realized that he had actually come to the legendary Sumeru Mountain thanks to the magical Star Radiant Stone! Calming down, he quickly took out his communication device and contacted his other companions, informing them of his location and what had happened.
Soon after, the others arrived one by one. They gathered together, looking up at the mysterious and grand Sumeru Mountain before them. Each of their eyes was filled with a mix of excitement and slight tension. After all, for this unknown territory full of mysteries, no one knew what challenges and opportunities lay ahead……
As the group looked up in wonder, the Sumeru Mountain's body suddenly started to glow with strange runes. Mo Wenjie felt an invisible force pulling them, and before they could react, they were drawn into the mountain. The group found themselves in a winding passage with walls covered in ancient murals that told of the ancient war between immortals and demons.
As they walked, a fork appeared in front of them. Ding Qingyao proposed dividing into groups to explore, and Mo Wenjie led one group while Jiang Yurou led another. As Mo Wenjie's group stepped into the left passage, they triggered a mechanism, and countless ice spears shot out. Mo Wenjie used his magic to defend against them, and the other team members also came to help.
On the other side, Jiang Yurou's group encountered a fire trap, with rolling hot waves. Huang Liling summoned a water curtain to protect everyone. Suddenly, a fire phoenix burst out from the flames and roared at the crowd, charging towards them. Jiang Yurou threw out a magical artifact, hitting the fire phoenix's single horn and making it retreat temporarily.
The two groups managed to meet up after much difficulty, only to find a huge stone door in front of them. The door was tightly shut, adorned with a complex puzzle lock array. The group worked together to figure out the solution, and just as they were about to crack it open, deep growls echoed from behind the door, as if the unknown entity beyond was waiting for the group to unlock this door of destiny.
