The Kunshan Mirror’s Prophecies

Mo Lian nodded, then retrieved an ancient mirror from within her black and white robes. Its design was quite peculiar, and a subtle radiance seemed to flow across its surface.

After handing it to Su Mo, she quietly dispatched a subordinate. Without a sound, the necessary personnel had been arranged.

The fate of whoever acquired this treasure would be entirely at their discretion.

Advancing with the ancient mirror in hand, Su Mo had but one task: to fabricate.

She gazed at the ancient mirror, its golden edges intertwined like dragons, converging into a ring. As her fingers brushed the jade-green surface at its center, a knowing smile touched her lips.

The crowd had long noticed her approaching with the Golden Core’s “treasure.” Since the very beginning, this woman had seemed to be on good terms with the Golden Core expert.

Now, entrusted by the Golden Core with an item and stepping forward, it was clear something significant was about to unfold—something important enough for the Golden Core to deem an auctioneer necessary.

With her extraordinary beauty, Su Mo was indeed a fitting choice.

Their spirits lifted, and their ears perked up, the many cultivators watched intently.

Lifting the ancient mirror, she began recounting a mythical tale:

“Legend has it that within the Kunlun Sacred Realm, there exists a Kunlun Mirror capable of discerning all major events of past and present, and foretelling calamities…”

Everyone knew she was merely warming up, but her claims were far too outlandish.

“Little girl, this old man has traveled for decades and never once heard of an ancient mirror that can predict disasters. Even when fabricating, one should choose a better story.” An old cultivator scoffed, his quick tongue momentarily forgetting the Golden Core’s presence.

Seated below the stage, Mo Lian’s heart clenched with worry, beginning to doubt Su Mo’s abilities.

‘Do not use those you doubt,’ she thought. She had initially trusted Su Mo, but what Su Mo was saying sounded utterly fake!

Amidst the cultivators’ buzzing discussions, Xu Qingzhu also shook his head.

He had never heard of it either. Even before his rebirth, having explored countless secret realms and ancient tombs and witnessed the terrifying sights of the outer seas, the Kunlun Mirror was unknown to him.

Yet, the Kunlun Sacred Realm did exist; it was an extremely perilous land, but one filled with endless opportunities.

‘She actually knows about that place?’ Xu Qingzhu was slightly startled, finding Su Mo’s image suddenly unfamiliar.

The constant chatter did nothing to faze Su Mo.

She had anticipated this reaction, merely offering a faint smile.

“The ancient mirror in my hand is certainly not the Kunlun Mirror itself. Rather, it is an imitation crafted by a great power, a replica that, through countless ages, coincidentally found its way into the hands of the Golden Core Lord. You may call it the Kunshan Mirror.”

After a moment of silence, a cultivator inquired:

“If it’s merely an imitation, how much of its power could possibly remain?”

“Less than ten percent,” Su Mo sighed, her tone filled with deep regret. “It can only randomly perceive minor events, and its limitations are immense. Each use requires a massive infusion of spiritual energy, far more than a Foundation Establishment cultivator could ever bear.”

Naturally, some refused to believe her, jeering:

“If it still possesses a sliver of power, why not let us witness it? That way, we can better judge its value.”

“Exactly!”

“Indeed.”

Feigning a glance back at the Golden Core Lord, Su Mo nodded, a confident smile gracing her features.

That smile, however, made Mo Lian lose her own confidence, nearly causing her to fall from her seat.

“Why are you looking at me?!” Had she not been wearing a bronze mask, anyone would have seen her panic.

Indeed, the image of her reputation being utterly ruined already seemed to materialize before her eyes.

‘I was truly naive, to so casually believe another,’ she thought, a hint of regret stirring within her.

Nevertheless, she steadied her mind, her gaze fixed on Su Mo’s next actions.

Raising the ancient mirror, Su Mo casually glanced left and right, then spoke with a smile:

“The Golden Core Lord utilized multiple spiritual energy formations, continuously injecting spiritual energy for several days, and vaguely perceived a few fragments. Do you all wish to know what they revealed?”

“Hiss~” Someone drew a sharp breath. By now, a degree of trust had begun to form.

They craned their necks, meticulously scrutinizing the heavy treasure, which, apart from its appearance, emitted no extraordinary aura.

“Truly, divine artifacts conceal their own power,” someone mused with emotion.

Yet, some remained unconvinced, opening their mouths, ready to mock. Most of them harbored dissatisfaction with the Golden Core, finding it utterly boring that she would quarrel with them over mere mortals.

Taking a leisurely stroll, her skirt swaying, Su Mo surveyed the crowd, a smile on her face.

“Within the Kunshan Mirror, a place called Dragon Spring was seen, marked by a stone tablet. Not long ago, a Flood Dragon caused chaos there, and a Nascent Soul cultivator sought to seize its flesh and blood to refine a magical artifact…”

“Excellent! This old man knows of Dragon Spring. It’s incredibly far from here, so if the little girl just makes things up, no one will be able to tell the truth from falsehood! However, by chance, this old man traveled to Dragon Spring in his early years and established a sect there. Though small, it still has followers and offerings.” This declaration from the old Daoist surprised the others.

They had never known that this Foundation Establishment elder, hidden among them, was actually the head of a sect?

To dare speak such words, he must possess a method to contact his sect at Dragon Spring and verify the truth.

“This one’s hit a snag,” someone grinned, eagerly awaiting the show.

If this proved true, the Golden Core Lord would become a laughingstock.

The cultivators waited patiently. After a dazzling display of spellcasting, the old Daoist closed his eyes and focused, listening for a message from afar.

As he listened, his brows furrowed, causing those nearby to widen their eyes.

The old Daoist’s face grew pale, clearly having expended a great deal of energy, yet he still let out a sigh:

“A Flood Dragon truly appeared at Dragon Spring, and a Nascent Soul expert went to capture it… three days ago.”

“It’s actually true?!”

“It’s a trick! That old Daoist is a liar.”

Challenged, the old Daoist’s beard bristled, and he immediately retorted. It was not about the authenticity of the item in Su Mo’s hand, but purely about defending his own abilities.

He had genuinely communicated with Dragon Spring, and would not tolerate any slander!

Raising her voice, Su Mo proposed:

“Why don’t you all consider the next prediction?”

Silence descended once more, and everyone nodded in unison.

Perhaps it was human nature to enjoy witnessing miracles?

Glancing towards the Golden Core again, Su Mo saw her wave a hand grandly, a rather heroic gesture.

Seated in the place of honor, beneath her mask, Mo Lian was overjoyed.

She thought to herself: ‘Sister, I never doubted your abilities from the very beginning!’

“…” Su Mo was speechless. She hadn’t expected the Lord to get so carried away.

‘Surely, you haven’t started believing it too, have you?’

Her beautiful eyes flitted, and another idea came to her. Inadvertently, her gaze met Xu Qingzhu’s.

His dark eyes stared back, carrying a hint of interrogation and surprise.

Looking at Lu Yanling beside him, Su Mo saw that she was already coveting the Kunshan Mirror.

Shifting her gaze, Su Mo smiled once more:

“The Kunshan Mirror’s power is extraordinary, but its consumption is immense, and it’s unstable. Images often appear blurry, or the foretold locations are completely unfamiliar… The Golden Core Lord attempted it many times, barely managing to piece together another prediction.”

Praising it was good, but mentioning its flaws made it even more convincing.

Many people nodded, finding it perfectly reasonable. Although still beyond common sense, it was barely acceptable.

After all, the facts were right before them.

“Today, Mount Myriad Swords will awaken, and a person from the Myriad Swords Sacred Sect will trigger an anomaly, gaining the recognition of countless renowned swords.” Su Mo declared this, even astonishing herself as she spoke.

It was as if she had heard it countless times, yet still found it incredible.

The cultivators fell silent, exchanging glances, utterly shocked.

The Myriad Swords Sacred Sect—every cultivator knew it as one of the true Three Great Sacred Lands.

Of course, it was also extremely far from here, and the prediction concerning an event happening *today* made it seem all the more mysterious and unfathomable.

Many exchanged glances, hoping for a “master” to step forward and verify the truth of the Myriad Swords Sacred Sect’s event.

Yet, they all shook their heads. Such a realm was too difficult for them to reach; it was beyond their grasp.

But if that were the case, couldn’t Su Mo just say anything she pleased?

“It seems I must intervene,” Mo Lian’s voice boomed like thunder, shattering the silence.

She was the only Golden Core expert present, and coincidentally, the only one capable of verifying the truth.

She would act, not wanting Su Mo to fail, nor wanting to lose face herself.

With a wave of her hand, an arc of electricity flew to the center, forming a ring that revealed the scene behind it.

Within the ring, a young man with sword-like brows and starry eyes looked on in surprise.

It was actually a secret technique for remote communication, likely consuming an immense amount of energy.

“After all this time, you’ve finally contacted me!”

“Senior Brother, are you at Mount Myriad Swords?” She didn’t use her true voice, causing the person on the other side to pause in surprise for a moment.

Understanding the reason, he nodded, and then revealed the terrifying anomaly behind him, displaying it to everyone within the ring.

“That is my childhood playmate from back then, Lu Jianyu,” the Senior Brother said, pointing to the peerless young man who stood with his hands behind his back, surrounded by myriad swords.

He stood amidst the gazes of countless admiring onlookers, completely oblivious to the various wondrous and renowned swords around him, his expression utterly serene.

With a casual lift of his hand, the joyous swarm of swords, gathered like a swimming dragon, moved entirely according to his gesture.

Everyone could see that he wasn’t using any cultivation technique; the famed swords were simply sentient, acting on their own accord.

The cultivators at the Fragrant Cloud Pavilion were dumbfounded, their jaws nearly dropping.

They heard the voice, stirring the heavens and earth, shaking their very souls:

“If the heavens did not give birth to me, Lu Jianyu… *Crack!*”

The ring shattered, and a powerful gust of wind swept through the crowd, knocking over dishes.

After a moment of complete silence, everyone remained motionless, still savoring the terrifying anomaly they had just witnessed.

“This is… the Myriad Swords Sacred Sect?” they murmured, disbelief etched on their faces.

Coming back to their senses, an infinite longing for the Kunshan Mirror suddenly surged within them.

This heavy treasure truly could predict things!

Yet, in the presence of the Golden Core Lord, they dared not make a move.

They remembered, the person from the Myriad Swords Sacred Sect had called Lu Jianyu the Golden Core Lord’s former playmate?

This obscure head of the Demon Suppression Bureau in Dangyang County possessed a truly terrifying background.

It seemed they would have to wait for someone to carry the heavy treasure out of the city before making their next move.

Returning the “Kunshan Mirror” to the Golden Core Lord, Su Mo showed no reluctance, sitting upright.

Seeing the Lord holding the ancient mirror, still with a sense of unreality, Su Mo couldn’t help but smile.

While others might still be guessing the Lord’s identity, Su Mo had understood the entire sequence of events.

From the moment she learned Lu Jianyu was the Lord’s playmate, she had pieced it all together:

‘Mo Lian, I never imagined you were the head of the Demon Suppression Bureau in Dangyang County?’

If that was the case, the scope for manipulation was vast. She could completely arrange for a Golden Core expert to escort her!

And perhaps even gain some benefits along the way.

‘An unexpected boon…’ Su Mo happily accepted this realization.

With this, did she still need Xu Qingzhu?

Hmph, she was the one who willingly ran off; it wasn’t that Xu Qingzhu didn’t want her.

‘Do you understand?’