Chapter 2, the Heavenly Gate opens, and the Ghost Market appears
On the stall, several burial items were prominently displayed
There are flowers, trees, weapons, and vessels, as well as divine beasts such as dragons and phoenixes, or mountain spirits and water monsters, demons and deities, and so on, creating a dazzling spectacle for the viewer
I know that a prominent figure has just passed away, and he is buried in the Heavenly Market. This visit serves not only to broaden your horizons but also carries another significance.
Another scholar suddenly shivered: "Beyond the Heavenly Gate lies the Ghost Market! When the Heavenly Gate opens, the Ghost Gate opens, and countless spirits appear in the night market..."
They did not know when they had already stepped into the Heavenly Gate, and before them lay the renowned Ghost Market of the Heavenly City
A scholar said: "Master Shui Jing, is the wild fox we encountered in the evening also a transformation of human nature?"
In front of the ghost market's street, a young boy sits upright by the roadside, wearing an innocuous smile on his face, with a small stall set up beside him.
Moreover, some, overestimating their own strength, gathered a crowd to storm the ghost market in an attempt to seize treasures, only to end up with their bodies mutilated, their blood staining the ghost market red, merely adding to its notorious reputation.
The scholars engaged in several rounds of cold war.
The expressions of the other scholars changed slightly as they exchanged silent glances with one another
Countless strange characters spread from the ground to the sky, shimmering in gold, forming a path that leads to the doorway, resembling a staircase
The Ghost Market of Tian Shiyuan has existed for hundreds of years, and the easily fulfilled wishes have long been realized by others, leaving only the unachievable wishes of the spirits.
Qiu Shuijing led them through the streets of the ghost market, with ghostly lights flickering on both sides, likely the eyes of spirits hidden in the shadows. Qiu Shuijing continued, "That great figure had many wishes during his lifetime, and now that he has passed away, those wishes remain unfulfilled. You may perhaps obtain a few of his burial items... Oh!"
A scholar curiously asked, "What if the spirit of nature is attached to a person?"
When a person dies, it is like a lamp being extinguished; where are the ghosts? It is merely a deceptive statement propagated by religion
This is the manifestation transformed by the spiritual and supernatural powers.
Some tombs are adorned with exquisite writings, while others feature a great Buddha seated on a lotus pedestal, exuding a solemn demeanor, radiating light all over, and possessing a majestic presence.
Qiu Shuijing stepped forward, walking up the staircase formed by these words, and slowly said: "Upon reaching the Heavenly Gate and entering the Ghost Market, one must adhere to the rules of the Ghost Market and cannot act recklessly. If the rules of the Ghost Market are violated, even I may not be able to protect you! Do you understand?"
The scholars gazed up, staring blankly at the portal and the city in the sky, unable to regain their composure for a long while
The scholars hurriedly followed his gaze and were also left in a daze
Some are jade palaces and crystal towers, with bricks and tiles stacked, intricately carved beams and painted rafters, bracket sets inherited, corridors winding gracefully, and eaves with high projections
That is the tomb of the great scholar
Of course, this is what the Heavenly Eye sees
Everyone suddenly looked up and saw that the Heavenly Gate was right beside them, hazy and surreal, as if composed of clouds
Qiu Shuijing's expression immediately darkened, and he said solemnly: "That is a demon! Demons are the most wicked and evil, and they are the common enemy of the world. They must be eliminated at all costs!"
Behind that portal lies a city of resplendent beauty, dazzling and magnificent, reminiscent of a celestial city, evoking admiration and reverence
The scholars looked around, only to see that amidst the desolate mountains and wilds of the Heavenly Market, mounds of graves of various colors were radiating light, illuminating the dark night as if it were broad daylight, exceptionally bright.
In front of the spirits and demons in the shadows lies a collection of treasures that shimmer with luster and brilliance
They take out the treasures from their tombs, patiently waiting for a fated person to fulfill the wishes they were unable to complete themselves
From below, they saw a magnificent city of gold and jade, but when they truly ascended to the heights and passed through the Heavenly Gate, this splendid city transformed into a place filled with eerie spirits, devoid of any trace of its former brilliance and beauty
Listen carefully, there are three rules in the ghost market. The first rule is, do not look directly into the eyes of the spirits!
In the midst of their conversation, they had already arrived at the long staircase at the foot of the Heavenly Gate, composed of large characters.
Qiu Shuijing said to himself: "The third rule is, when the rooster crows, you must leave immediately, and you must not linger!"
Although they are said to be the offspring of prominent families in Shuo Fang City, coming from distinguished backgrounds, they are all aware that this gentleman is extraordinary. Even their family heads and clan leaders show utmost respect towards this Master Shui Jing.
A lady exclaimed in a low voice: "It is that little blind person from the school!"
Qiu Shuijing suddenly came to a halt, and the scholars behind him nearly collided with him, quickly coming to a standstill as well
As everyone looked up, they saw each character radiating brilliance, and amidst the faint glow, it seemed as if they could hear the ancient sages reciting their respective texts.
The Tomb of the Great in the Heavenly Market is filled with treasures, yet no one dares to rob the graves, for the spirits are the true masters of those tombs
The youth on the street is precisely the one they encountered in the academy, studying alongside Mr. Wild Fox and a group of little fox spirits!
Qiu Shuijing reminded everyone, saying: "The great Confucian scholars recited the writings of the sages in their lifetime, governing the world through classical studies. The subtle words and profound meanings of these writings are imprinted in their nature, transforming into the spiritual powers of their essence. After their death, their essence does not dissipate, nor do their spiritual powers. At night, magnificent writings rise from their graves. These writings are the spiritual powers of their essence."
Throughout history, countless individuals have entered the ghost market, obtained treasures from the spirits, yet failed to fulfill the wishes of the spirits, often meeting untimely deaths, resulting in extremely tragic fates
The prominent families of Shuo Fang City are well aware that the Ghost Market in Tian Shi Yuan is extremely perilous, yet upon hearing that it was Mr. Shui Jing who would lead them there, none of them attempted to stop it, which demonstrates the weight of Mr. Shui Jing's reputation among the prominent families.
Qiu Shuijing said: "That is essence. If it is attached to a vessel, then it is a strange phenomenon"
If one is an ordinary person, with mere mortal eyes, one would certainly be unable to perceive this extraordinary phenomenon
That little blind person
However, since ancient times, wealth has moved people's hearts, let alone the treasures of gods and spirits
The scholars were sweating profusely on their foreheads, feeling anxious and nervously following behind Qiu Shuijing
These treasures, also known as mingqi, are items found in tombs
What if the rooster crows and we haven't left yet?" a young scholar couldn't help but ask
Qiu Shuijing raised a finger: "If you gaze directly into the eyes of the spirits, within a breath, gouge out your own eyes, hold them in your palms, and let the spirits take your eyes away!"
Qiu Shuijing said coldly: "Pull out your own tongue. Listen to me, you definitely do not want the spirits of the ghost market to take your tongue out for you"
Qiu Shui Jing, with his flowing sleeves, leaped down from the academy and walked towards the Heavenly Gate, saying: "Their nature is too weak, ignorant and uninformed, unable to manifest themselves, they can only attach to birds and beasts, transforming into fox demons. Due to their ignorance, they often lack humanity and possess only beastly instincts. The ferocity of these instincts necessitates the subjugation of demons and their elimination"
Several scholars were seeing him so serious for the first time, and they felt a sense of awe in their hearts
Qiu Shuijing's eyes twitched at the corners as he stepped forward: "If you haven't left after the rooster crows, you will disappear forever. I have never seen anyone walk out of the ghost market alive after dawn..."
Unknowingly, they have stepped onto the stairway formed by words and arrived in the sky, where the cold wind howls like the wailing of ghosts. The high altitude is chilling, leaving everyone feeling icy all over
He raised his second finger: "The second rule is, no haggling! If you have your eye on the treasures of the spirits, then step forward and bow to inquire. The spirits will require you to fulfill their wishes. If you believe you have the ability to accomplish this, then agree to it. However, if you do not possess such ability yet still covet the treasures of the spirits and attempt to haggle..."
Not only is Mr. Wild Fox a manifestation of the human spirit, but even those little fox spirits are also embodiments of human nature
Another scholar said: "What if it is attached to the grass and trees?"
The little blind boy by the street seemed to have heard their voices, turning his head towards them and smiling sweetly, a smile that was innocent and pure
A lady murmured: "So this is the Heavenly Gate... The powerful beings who perished here, with their spiritual essence and divine abilities, formed this strange portal..."
Although they are well aware that the beliefs in ghosts and deities are false, and that the scholars cultivate their own nature and spirit, upon arriving here, the scholars cannot help but feel a sense of unease and apprehension
The spiritual powers above the myriad tombs unexpectedly formed a magnificent portal, rising from the rural expanse of the Heavenly Market and standing high in the sky
Su Yun! Qiu Shuijing lowered his voice, yet it was difficult to conceal the weightiness of his tone
Then the radiance transformed into countless characters, each as large as a斗, piled up like walls, soaring into the sky from the grave, ethereal and colorful, splendid like brocade, illuminating the heavens, competing with the stars and the moon for brilliance
Qiu Shuijing looked perplexed and stared blankly ahead
Or rather, the spirit of the deceased
With a shake of his sleeve, he exuded an air of righteousness: "The so-called demons and monsters are nothing but the mischief of human nature; even the so-called deities are manifestations of human nature! Some spiritual practitioners cultivate their nature, and after death, their nature does not perish, but attaches itself to the beasts and plants in the mountains and fields, thus becoming the demons and monsters spoken of by people!"
Only the dimly lit streets remain, flanked by the oppressive houses on either side, along with the ghostly flames floating by the roadside, and the spirits hidden in the shadows!
Qiu Shuijing's gaze was sharp as a sword, sweeping over them: "It is one thing for a rustic villager to say such things, but you are all scholars who have studied in official academies for many years, and have cultivated your character and spirit. Why then are you still so superstitious?"
In the desolate wilderness of the Heavenly Market, darkness envelops everything, with only the faint outlines of mountains and the shadows of trees barely visible. Suddenly, from within a forsaken grave, a radiant light bursts forth like a rosy glow, shining through the tomb!