In the central region of the Divine Martial Continent, the Shangguan Family resided. This powerful force maintained peace throughout the region. Any cultivators passing by would show their utmost respect and reverence.
But on this particular day, a gloomy and sorrowful atmosphere shrouded this sacred martial land.
At the heart of the Shangguan estate, atop the divine platform, Zi Ying lay peacefully. Her breath had ceasedâshe had departed from this world.
“Please, senior, save her! Iâll do anything you ask!”
Tian Fan’s voice trembled with emotion as he clutched Shangguan Tianyiâs arm like a drowning man grasping at a floating straw. Everyone else stared at him intently.
âThat aura⌠is on you!â The elderly man with white hair paused, sensing something. Then his eyes lit up with divine brilliance as he fixed his gaze on Tian Fan.
âWhat? Itâs on him!â The ancient elders of the Shangguan family all turned toward Tian Fan, and he instantly felt an overwhelming pressure weighing down on him.
âAncestor, this is Tian Fan. We only managed to find the sacred fruit last time because of him!â At this moment, Shangguan Yunfeng stepped forward and spoke, causing the expressions of the elders to change dramatically.
âSenior, tell meâhow can I save her?â Tian Fan ignored everyone elseâs reactions. He stared anxiously at Shangguan Tianyi and pressed the question.
âThisâŚâ
Looking at Tian Fan, the white-haired old man actually seemed a bit conflicted.
âWhat do you mean âthisâ! Just say it already!â the Shangguan ancestor barked. Clearly ill-tempered, he was irritated by Tianyiâs hesitation.
âAlright then. Since Zi Ying still has a sliver of her aura remaining in the mortal world, itâs still possible to save her. As long as we gather the legendary Five Spirit Orbs and combine the power of the five elements, we can gather her scattered soul from within the Six Paths and return her to the world!â Pressured by the elderâs fury, Shangguan Jingyi no longer held back and finally explained.
âBullsh!t! So youâre basically saying the girl canât be saved!â the elder exploded in rage. His chest heaved with emotion as he tried to contain himself. Shangguan Yuntian and several other elders looked equally grim.
From their words, Tian Fan finally understood why the Shangguan ancestor was so angry. According to legend, before the Primordial Era, the heavens and earth were unstable and constantly on the brink of collapse. Living beings couldnât survive under such chaos, facing death at any moment.
At that time, a saintly woman with godlike cultivation appeared in the mortal realm. She couldnât bear to see countless beings suffer any longer. At the cost of her own life essence, she used her immense power to fuse five great natural forcesâwater, fire, lightning, wind, and earthâinto five colored crystals, patching up the broken heavens. But in doing so, she perished.
These five elemental forces were absorbed by the colored stones she left behind and became the Five Spirit Orbs: the Water Spirit Orb, Fire Spirit Orb, Lightning Spirit Orb, Wind Spirit Orb, and Earth Spirit Orb. They were said to be the most powerful forces in the mortal realm.
These were only legendsâmore distant than tales of immortals and gods. No one knew from which era they originated, but ancient texts did record such things.
âI will definitely find the Five Spirit Orbs. I will save you!â Tian Fan looked at the pale-faced Zi Ying and declared with determination. Deep down, he felt certainâthe Five Spirit Orbs werenât just myths; they truly existed.
âYou bratâŚâ
The members of the Shangguan Family were in disbelief. Even these ancient beings, who had lived for nearly ten thousand years, had no clue where the Five Spirit Orbs might be. They didnât believe such things existed.
âAlso, during this time, you cannot die. If you die, the trace of Zi Yingâs aura within you will vanish. Even if the Five Spirit Orbs are found, it will be too late to bring her back. You must remember this!â Shangguan Tianyi said seriously. He had seen the mention of the Five Spirit Orbs in a rare medical scripture. He believed in this mystical book and was convinced the orbs existedâothers simply didnât believe.
âZi Ying, donât worry. I will save you. I know the Five Spirit Orbs are real. I will find them and bring them to you. Youâll love them, I just know itâŚâ
Tian Fan reached out with a trembling hand and gently stroked Zi Yingâs beautiful face. In the past, she wouldâve slapped his hand away and scolded him furiously with her lips pouted. Remembering this, his heart ached once again.
âWhat! You know where the Five Spirit Orbs are?â Some of the Shangguan elders, including Shangguan Yuntian, were shocked and stared at him intently.
âI have that feeling⌠Nuwa wept blood to mend the heavens, her deeds unmatched, worshipped for eternity. Maybe⌠sheâs still aliveâŚâ Tian Fan murmured, his eyes slightly dazed.
âWhat?! You know those two characters?â
The moment the name âNuwaâ was spoken, the expressions of every elder-level figure changed drastically. Upon reaching the Returning Immortal realm, every one of them had seen those two characters appear in their sea of consciousness. âNuwaââa name that carried divine power, like a sacred mountain pressing on the hearts of all Returning Immortal cultivators.
But all they knew was that it seemed to be the name of a woman. Nothing more. Now, hearing Tian Fan’s words, they suspected that this Nuwa might indeed be the legendary saint. If that were true, the Five Spirit Orbs might truly exist.
âTian Fan, come here!â
Shangguan Yuntian exchanged glances with the other elders. They simultaneously activated their divine power. Tian Fanâs right hand split open, and several drops of blood floated into the air, glowing faintly with golden light. The elders each pointed forward, and one by one, a faint silhouette emerged from their bodies and merged with a drop of his blood.
BoomâŚ
From the deepest part of the Shangguan estate, an unmatched divine might emerged. The droplets of blood were drawn toward it, flying through the air as if being summoned.
âWeâre merging a trace of our incarnations with your essence blood. But each one can only be summoned once, and it will last no more than three hours. This is the Summoning Array. Iâll implant it into your sea of consciousness.â
Shangguan Yuntian whispered as he traced a rune array in the air. A faint purple pattern shimmered into existence and sank into Tian Fanâs brow.
âAlright, now tell meâwho hurt that girl like this? Iâll wipe out their entire clan!â Finally, the ancient elders of the Shangguan Family couldnât hold back anymore.
âNo need,â Tian Fan replied, staring at Zi Yingâs beautiful face. His voice turned cold: âFrom today on, I will scour the heavens above and the underworld below. Even if I must slaughter the world, I will find a way to bring you back.â
A monstrous killing intent surged from him, stunning even the ancient elders. They couldnât imagine how a twenty-year-old boy could possess such terrifying murderous will.
“Roarrrr⌔
The tiger, Xiao Hua, stepped forward and growled softly at Tian Fan. Though the two often didnât get along, aside from Zi Ying, Tian Fan was the one Xiao Hua felt closest to.
âXiao Hua, protect her wellâŚâ Tian Fanâs voice choked slightly. âZi Ying⌠goodbye. Wait for me!â
Without another word, he turned around. After one last glance at the divine platform where Zi Ying lay, he stepped into the teleportation array that led to the Northern RegionâŚ
3 more chapters added to the IDT Pateron Tier, making it 8 advance chapters.
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