C2598 Stop!
C2598 Stop!
Little Dot's spiritual strength fluctuated wildly, and his form began to enlarge, yet he remained in agony. Jiang Fann approached and infused him with Natural Aura, but it didn't alleviate the pain. Soon after, the Purple Jade Eagle experienced the same symptoms, reverting to its original form and thrashing against the surrounding trees, but the suffering persisted.
Wan Chengfeng asked, "What's going on? Are your two pets losing it?"
Jiang Fann sensed the disturbance in their spiritual strength and quickly used the power of their bond to seal their Qi Sea and meridians, which finally brought them some relief. They struggled to their feet, with Little Dot drenched in sweat.
Jiang Fann asked, "What's happening?"
Little Dot replied gravely, "It's awakening."
The Purple Jade Eagle looked worried, "We're being affected. Damn it..."
Wan Chengfeng stood by, not understanding a word, but Jiang Fann knew exactly what they were talking about. It was the very thing Little Dot and the eagle had feared for years.
Jiang Fann said, "Even after reaching the Mortal Separating Stage, you still can't resist their influence?"
They shook their heads, and the little one looked a bit helpless. "I originally thought that after breaking through the Mortal Separating Stage, we could escape their influence. It seems we were too optimistic. At least for now, it's not possible. However, due to the contract, they can't sense our location, but our existence will definitely affect them, and they must have noticed by now."
Jiang Fann said, "If your powers weren't sealed, would you still be affected by that force?"
"Probably not. They only influence us after their revival. Once some time passes, the reaction shouldn't be as strong. Let's retreat into the space for now."
Jiang Fann nodded and then used his spiritual strength to envelop them. The two large figures vanished soon after.
Wan Chengfeng was full of curiosity because he couldn't understand their conversation at all. "What happened? Maybe I can help find a solution."
Jiang Fann explained, "Those two aren't their true forms. They're spiritual bodies that gained self-awareness and broke away from their original forms. Now that the originals have awakened, they're being affected by the awakened power."
"No wonder this is happening. But those two seem no different from regular cultivators."
Jiang Fann nodded. "Their physical forms and natural aura have long solidified, but they still can't break free. It doesn't seem easy."
Wan Chengfeng said, "Well, it might be easier than it seems. If they continue to break through and reach the Reincarnation Stage, they can be reborn and free themselves from these chains. But with their current level, it might take some time to reach that stage."
"Are you sure?"
Wan Chengfeng chuckled, "I've finally broken through to the Reincarnation Stage, so I can definitely feel the changes in myself. It's completely different from when I was at the Mortal Separating Stage. However, I can't be certain what will happen when they face the real deal. I don't know the true strength of their original form. If they don't pose a threat to you, there's nothing to worry about. If they dare to cause trouble, we'll just deal with it."
On this note, Jiang Fann wanted to have another conversation with Little Dot and the others. Back when his abilities were much weaker, they never revealed the true combat power of their original forms or the overall strength of the Ancient God Clan, and he was quite curious about it.
As he continued on the road behind Wan Chengfeng, Jiang Fann split his focus to communicate with Little Dot and the others.
"Now that the Ancient God Clan is awakening, shouldn't we have a proper discussion? I need to think things over for what's coming next."
Little Dot replied, "We didn't tell you before because you hadn't matured yet, but now it's different. After all, you have a protector at the peak of the Reincarnation Stage, which is the highest combat power of the Ancient God Clan."
Even though he had some suspicions, Jiang Fann was still a bit surprised to hear Little Dot say this. It was simple: the world he knew was much stronger compared to the Nine Desolations.
However, according to what Wushen and the others mentioned, the early Nine Desolations weren't always like this; Jiang Fann just wasn't aware of it.
"How is your original form's strength?" asked Little Dot.
"In my prime, I reached the eighth level of the Reincarnation Stage," replied Purple Jade Eagle. "I was the second strongest in the clan and also the elder. Our clan is small, but each member is highly skilled. You could say there are no weaklings among us."
Hearing this, Jiang Fann said, "That's reassuring, at least we can manage."
Purple Jade Eagle added, "My original form is only at the fourth level of the Reincarnation Stage, but I'm still part of the leadership. However, our numbers are much greater than the God Clan. But there's something you need to consider."
Jiang Fann looked puzzled, "What is it?"
Purple Jade Eagle continued, "Both of us have appeared in the Grand World, and many people are aware of us being by your side. If..."
He didn't finish, but Jiang Fann understood his concern and frowned.
Purple Jade Eagle's worries were valid. Jiang Fann had to consider the situation in the Grand World. Given that the royal family had once opened a portal to the Nine Desolations, there was no reason the Ancient God Clan couldn't do the same. They might just need the royal family to come up with another plan.
Jiang Fann had left Old Dragon at Myriad Clouds Mountain, thinking it would be enough to handle the Grand World's situation. After all, the strongest power there was only at the half-step Reincarnation Stage, which was nothing compared to Old Dragon's full Reincarnation Stage. But if they were truly facing someone at the peak of the Reincarnation Stage, as Little Dot suggested, even with the Myriad Clouds Mountain's grand formation, Old Dragon wouldn't be able to cope. Even if they were suppressed by the natural order, they still wouldn't be a match.
"It looks like I need to find an opportunity to head back first," Jiang Fann muttered to himself, catching Wan Chengfeng by surprise.
"What's going on? Where do you need to go back to?" Wan Chengfeng asked.
Jiang Fann replied, "There might be some issues arising over at the Nine Wilds. It could disrupt our plans."
"The Nine Wilds? If you're going back, take me with you. I'd like to see it too!" Wan Chengfeng said eagerly.
Jiang Fann steadied himself, "It'll take some time to get back to the Nine Wilds from here. But first, let's visit your Valley of Immortals. You should talk to your family, and then we'll head out."
Wan Chengfeng nodded, "No problem. We're not far from the Valley of Immortals anyway, and I haven't been back in a while."
---
The Nine Wilds.
Heavenly Star Wilds.
"Sir, there's been a strong surge of spiritual energy in the outer seas of the Endless Ocean."
"Have we found out why?"
"The cause is unknown, but there's a glow rising from the border areas, like something significant is about to happen..."
The emperor-like cultivator glanced at the sky outside the door, muttering to himself, "Could it be that event is about to occur?"
He snapped back to attention and looked at the cultivator in front of him, "Spread the word. Keep a close watch on the Endless Ocean and report any changes immediately."
"Understood!"
Heavenly Radiance Wilds.
Myriad Clouds Mountain.
The aura of the Heaven Supporting Divine Wood suddenly intensified, astonishing the cultivators on Myriad Clouds Mountain. The natural aura there became far more potent than ever before.
Several masters around the Divine Wood opened their eyes in surprise, staring at the tree with shock on their faces, as it was the aura of a breakthrough.
The power of the Divine Wood had already reached the peak of the Mortal Separating Stage, and breaking through further would surely attract the suppression of the natural order.
The voice of the Divine Wood resonated, clearly audible to all the cultivators present. "The shackles of our world's natural order are about to be lifted. The world is on the verge of a breakthrough. As the world advances, so shall I. Spread the word to our allies and prepare to welcome the dawn of a new era..."
Inside the space within the Divine Wood, an old dragon awoke from its slumber, its face brimming with excitement. "Does this mean I won't be trapped here anymore?" Unfortunately, the Divine Wood did not respond.
Meanwhile, in a restricted area in the northern part of the land, by a tranquil lake, an old man in simple clothes was fishing. He glanced at the sky, raising an eyebrow. "The world's advancement? It's not time yet." With that, he retrieved a talisman and began inscribing it on the spot.
In his fishing basket, a golden carp was watching him through the water's surface. Any expert observing would notice that this carp possessed a cultivation level just shy of the Reincarnation Stage—a truly formidable presence.
The old man completed the inscription on the talisman and infused it with spiritual strength. The talisman erupted with a dazzling golden light and soared into the sky, its immense power tearing through the heavens. In an instant, the natural order seemed to manifest as symbols attempting to suppress the talisman, but it broke through effortlessly. The radiant glow it emitted was pierced, and the changes in the natural order's aura abruptly ceased.
The old man sat back down by the lake, as if nothing had happened, and leisurely resumed fishing with his rod. In the fish basket, a golden carp spoke up.
"Sir, why disrupt the world's advancement? This will affect so many practitioners!"
The old man barely reacted, as if he had done something trivial. "I didn't disrupt it, just delayed it. It's not the right time yet..."
Meanwhile, on Myriad Clouds Mountain, the aura of the Heaven Supporting Divine Wood stopped increasing, leaving it puzzled. "Huh? Why did it suddenly stop?"
Elsewhere, the spiritual energy fluctuations that had appeared across the land began to calm, the radiant glow fading, and everything seemed to slowly return to its previous state. No practitioner knew what had truly happened.
By the lake in the restricted area, as a figure appeared, time seemed to halt around them. The wind stopped blowing, and insects froze mid-flight, creating an eerie scene.
The fishing old man didn't even turn his head and said, "This place is truly remarkable. I never noticed before how much vitality a lower-level world could have, even giving birth to a world spirit. It's quite astonishing."
The figure that had just appeared was none other than Old Man Shen Ji, who looked at the fishing elder with a wary expression.
"Though I don't know your identity or background, it's clear that our rise is destined. Why do you choose to intervene?"
The old man simply repeated his earlier words.
"It's not the right time yet..."