劍問蒼天 - 第244章 星盤 - 清風書屋

Beyond that, this mysterious treasure that had once belonged to the Brahma Sound Temple had in fact undergone a subtle change since the day Ming Li had brought it out from the temple: upon those ceaselessly moving tiny jade blocks within the plate, each face had originally borne a strange character, and when Ming Li had first received the plate, those characters had all been dim and lusterless. But now, in the Qiankun Reincarnation Plate held in Mr. Ghost's hands, as the jade blocks slid along, from time to time the mysterious characters on the face of some block would suddenly flash bright, then gradually dim again.

These flashes of the characters seemed to follow no discernible pattern—one face would light up, then another somewhere else would shine; it lent the plate a bit more vitality than before, and also a bit more mystery.

Ming Li had of course long since discovered this change—in fact, it had occurred only after the strange power beneath the earth was first triggered that day when the Qiankun Reincarnation Plate was used. Ming Li had even harbored hope regarding this change, but for ten whole days afterward, no matter what he tried, he remained as before, unable to fathom this profoundly mysterious treasure.

Mr. Ghost's features were hidden behind the black veil, making it impossible to see the changes in his expression, let alone guess his thoughts—only the light in his eyes was indeed growing brighter and brighter.

Ming Li suddenly felt somewhat nervous.

How long passed, he did not know; only after Mr. Ghost had turned the Qiankun Reincarnation Plate over and over countless times did his gaze finally leave the jade plate in his hands and rise to Ming Li.

Ming Li lowered his voice, as if trying to suppress his own feelings, and said in a deep voice, "Well?"

Mr. Ghost closed his eyes and was silent for a moment before slowly saying, "This magic treasure is an ancient ritual artifact, called the Star Plate!"

Ming Li was startled and said in astonishment, "The Star Plate?"

Mr. Ghost nodded firmly.

Ming Li had not expected Mr. Ghost to open with such a remark, and for a moment he was taken aback. That day at the Brahma Sound Temple, Reverend Pucheng and Master Pude had spoken with absolute certainty, describing the treasure in vivid detail and naming it the Universe Samsara Disc. How was it that in Mr. Ghost's mouth it had become some sort of "Star Disc"?

A moment later, however, Ming Li had already cast the question from his mind. To him it made no difference whether the jade disc was called the Universe Samsara Disc or the Star Disc; what mattered was whether Mr. Ghost knew the secret of this treasure and could use it to save Bili. And judging by the certainty in Mr. Ghost's manner toward the object, he seemed to have some measure of confidence after all. Ming Li could not help growing excited, and he asked urgently, "Then... then do you know whether it... whether it can save Bili?"

Mr. Ghost was silent for a moment. Brief as it was, to Ming Li it felt like a torment stretching across a thousand years; his heart had climbed into his throat, and he dreaded that Mr. Ghost's lips would let fall the word "no."

Fortunately, though Mr. Ghost hesitated, he did not come straight out with a refusal. He only said slowly, "This object is an ancient dharma artifact, of great age, and it has never appeared in the world of men. Though I know a thing or two about it, I dare not affirm it wholly. We must still make the attempt."

Only then did Ming Li's heart settle, though he could not help feeling somewhat dispirited. Still, he reflected that at least there was now one more thread of hope, and even now it did not look like a very substantial thread. Yet joy filled his heart all the same.

He had been steeped in despair for far too long; even the faintest glimmer of hope could bewitch him.