The ancient pagoda was repaired to an extremely majestic and lofty height, each level resembling a mountain range. An aura of ancient simplicity and the vicissitudes of time washed over those facing it.
It was entirely enveloped in cyan radiance, further shrouded by a layer of flowing, chaotic light that made it difficult to clearly discern the scenes within. It seemed to stand within the river of time and years, eternal and immortal.
"There truly is a pagoda here..."
"The records in the Distant Ancestor's handwritten notes were not wrong. Even the appearance and height of this pagoda are exactly as described."
The Patriarch of the Jing Clan and the most senior elders had long since arrived here.
At this moment, they stood on a barren, withered, and bald mountain peak, examining this ancient pagoda with incomparably complex expressions.
They clearly knew something, not sharing the shock and excitement of the other Jing Clan members.
Around this ancient pagoda, figures were gathered. The Jing Clan members who had rushed here stood dispersed nearby, also looking at everything in astonishment.
Within the Land of Eternal Life that the Jing Clan had guarded for generations, there was only this single tall pagoda. It was truly astonishing and unbelievable.
Moreover, as if sensing their auras, the pagoda emitted billions of rays of radiance, suddenly showing an anomaly, producing a light, trembling hum.
"I can feel the auras of the Jing Clan's ancestors within. There truly are ancestors of our clan who came here generation after generation to guard this place..."
"My own grandfather came here back then. It's possible he is inside now."
A Jing Clan elder with Dao Realm cultivation spoke up excitedly.
His seniority was also very ancient. The person he referred to as his grandfather must have existed for an immeasurably long time, that goes without saying.
"I can also sense the connection within our bloodline. The ancestors of our lineage are also within this pagoda."
Another Jing Clan elder said, thrilled, unable to conceal the joy on his face.
The Jing Clan members were now certain that their ancestors were indeed trapped within this ancient pagoda.
But why were they trapped inside?
Weren't they supposed to have been welcomed into the Land of Eternal Life back then?
"Patriarch, do you perhaps know about this pagoda?"
Immediately, some Jing Clan members asked.
The Patriarch of the Jing Clan had an even more complicated expression. Exchanging a glance with the other Jing Clan elders, he shook his head and sighed, "I do know some things."
The Distant Ancestor who established the Jing Clan had left behind a set of handwritten notes, which recorded some of the circumstances within the Land of Eternal Life.
This ancient pagoda, named the Demon-Sealing Tower, was prominently described with extensive detail.
The Distant Ancestor repeatedly instructed that, no matter what happened in later generations, they must not open this pagoda or allow the existence sealed within to leave.
Therefore, the Jing Clan Patriarch also did not know what to do now.
He could clearly sense that within this pagoda were the auras of numerous Jing Clan ancestors.
"What would happen if we opened it?"
"But those are the Distant Ancestor's instructions. He specifically left behind notes, clearly showing immense concern. However, the Distant Ancestor's soul lamp has not extinguished. Perhaps he is also inside this pagoda now..."
The Jing Clan Patriarch's expression was filled with struggle and conflict.
At this moment, some Jing Clan members had already begun trying to approach the ancient pagoda, wanting to enter it.
The surface of the pagoda seemed to have an invisible barrier. The Jing Clan member who walked over seemed to touch a layer of transparent ripples, like flowing water. Their figure was instantly swallowed by it, vanishing in an instant.
This scene immediately startled the other Jing Clan members.
"Did they just enter? There was no obstruction at all?"
"What exactly is inside?"
Seeing this, several other Dao Realm elders felt uneasy. They had originally wanted to try as well, but hesitated and stopped.
They had a feeling that once they entered this pagoda, leaving might not be so easy.
The auras of their past ancestors were clearly inside, yet they were unable to come out.
"Patriarch, should we open this pagoda? Our ancestors must be trapped inside, unable to escape. That's why they need us to rescue them."
A clan member inquired, thinking of the Imperial Immortal Palace's efforts to rescue their trapped Ancestor Master.
Hearing this, the Jing Clan Patriarch showed hesitation, unsure of what to do.
Jing Xiang's parents, who had also arrived, saw this and couldn't help but exchange a glance. They felt the Patriarch must know something.
Judging from what Jing Xiang had said, it was highly likely that the Jing Clan's Distant Ancestor was sealed within this pagoda.
...
"We cannot open this pagoda. Everyone, stay away from it. Do not approach it..."
The Jing Clan Patriarch sighed inwardly, shaking his head as he gave the order.
The other elders also nodded. "This matter is not urgent for now. Let's first see what the Imperial Immortal Palace does. Since the Imperial Immortal Palace's Ancestor Master is also trapped here, they will certainly try to rescue him. Our Jing Clan's current priority is to help the Imperial Immortal Palace rescue their Ancestor Master..."
They also knew the contents recorded in those handwritten notes, which was why they were so cautious, not daring to act rashly.
Moreover, at this time, another matter began to worry them.
Could it be that the existence sealed within this Demon-Sealing Tower was actually the Imperial Immortal Palace's Ancestor Master?
Perhaps the relationship between the Imperial Immortal Palace's Ancestor Master and the Jing Clan's Distant Ancestor was not one of alliance or friendship as they had imagined, but one of enmity?
Otherwise, how to explain why the Distant Ancestor would specifically leave behind notes to admonish about this?
Hearing these words now, many Jing Clan members who were unaware of the truth were extremely shocked and puzzled. They did not understand why, when their ancestors were clearly trapped inside this ancient pagoda, the Patriarch and elders remained unmoved and forbade them from opening it.
"This matter involves some secrets that cannot be revealed to you at present. I will naturally find a suitable opportunity to tell everyone later," the Jing Clan Patriarch explained somewhat helplessly, knowing what everyone was thinking.
"Could it be that everything Xiang'er said is true?"
Jing Xiang's parents exchanged another glance, their expressions growing more serious.
Originally, they had some doubts about Jing Xiang's words, but now it seemed they were about to be validated.
What kind of secret could it be that would make the Patriarch forbid everyone from opening this pagoda? Their ancestors were clearly trapped inside, yet the Patriarch turned a blind eye.
What exactly had the Jing Family been guarding for generations?
Thick doubts filled the hearts of Jing Xiang's parents, and they began to struggle internally.
At this moment, the voice Jing Xiang had heard before once again surfaced in his mind.