Su Luo and the others stared with wide eyes, never expecting to witness the collapse of an ancient ruin firsthand.
As the group finally crossed the Divine Bridge of the Other Shore and emerged from the entrance, a thunderous roar erupted behind them, followed by a fierce gale that swept them all off their feet. Li Tianjue, utterly exhausted, could no longer maintain control, and they were all sent tumbling to the ground.
Boom… The sound rumbled, echoes reverberating, residual waves spreading like a tsunami. All they could hear was the howling wind.
After an unknown amount of time, the surroundings finally fell silent.
Su Luo lay prostrate on the cool grass, cautiously lifting her head. Feeling no unusual sensation on her body, she realized the area was quiet. It was the same dense forest they had arrived in, now flattened as if by a bulldozer, leaving only scattered wooden stumps. Grass blades were strewn everywhere.
The entrance to the ancient ruin had completely vanished.
Where was the Divine Source?
Su Luo quickly searched and was relieved to find the Divine Source pressed beneath her, like a soft water sphere, still emitting a faint blue glow.
“Ow, my head hurts so much…” Lu Jixing grumbled, rubbing his head as he stood up.
A gust of wind chilled him, and he noticed his clothes were torn like a beggar’s rags, his back exposed, and half of his buttocks visible. He quickly rummaged through his storage ring and pulled out a new set of clothes to change into.
Beside him, Chu Tianshu, Wen Daier, and Li Tianjue were also unharmed, though they looked disheveled, having lost all their former grace and bearing. However, compared to the demon sect disciples who had perished in the ruins, they were incredibly fortunate.
“Is everyone alright?” Su Luo casually tidied her long hair, cradling the Divine Source as she looked at Shang Xie Shaoqing, smiling thankfully, “Old sir, it’s fortunate to have you; otherwise, we wouldn’t have obtained the Divine Source.”
Shang Xie Shaoqing looked bewildered, “It’s me, Luo Luo! What did the Great Emperor just do? He was too exhausted and fell asleep without even saying goodbye. I don’t know what happened before.”
It turned out the Great Emperor had fallen asleep again, and Shang Xie Shaoqing was now controlling the body himself.
Lu Jixing was still a little dazed, clicking his tongue. “Shang Xie, it’s a shame you didn’t witness it. Just now, the Great Emperor fought that golden-armored divine being. The void collapsed, and the entire ruin was destroyed. Tsk tsk tsk, it was too powerful… Fortunately, we escaped in time, or we would have lost our lives.”
Such a scene was a once-in-a-lifetime, rare encounter.
Even with the danger, he had no regrets.
“So powerful? That scene must have been spectacular!”
Shang Xie Shaoqing repeatedly shook his head, deeply regretting it. “I actually didn’t see such an astonishing scene. What a pity, no fortune for my eyes. By the way, are those things in your hands the Divine Source?”
The Divine Source was the biggest gain for Su Luo and the others this time.
They had obtained a total of five orbs; everyone had one except for Shang Xie Shaoqing.
Su Luo handed over her orb, stating seriously, “This is for Great Emperor Old Sir. Shang Xie, please keep it for him. When the Great Emperor wakes up, he can use it.”
Although she knew the preciousness of the Divine Source, if Emperor Haotian hadn’t intervened, none of them could have defeated the golden-armored divine being, let alone obtain the Divine Source.
Shang Xie Shaoqing, unaware of the circumstances, curiously accepted the orb of blueish energy and immediately trembled all over.
“Ah! Divine Source, Divine Source, I’ve finally obtained it!”
The voice of Emperor Haotian suddenly came from his mouth again. It turned out the Great Emperor had rapidly recovered and woken up due to the stimulation of the Divine Source’s energy. He was overjoyed, staring at the Divine Source from every angle, as happy as a child.
Although Chu Tianshu was reluctant, he looked at the Divine Source in his hand and handed it over. “Great Emperor, take mine as well.”
After a pause, Lu Jixing also handed his Divine Source to Emperor Haotian.
“Great Emperor, I hope you recover soon!” Wen Daier said without hesitation, smiling. “I don’t know what’s going on, but since everyone else is giving theirs, I feel awkward keeping mine. I’ll give it to Senior as well.”
She vaguely guessed that a powerful being resided within Shang Xie Shaoqing’s body.
And a Great Emperor at that!
Emperor Haotian was stunned. Just as Li Tianjue walked over and handed him the Divine Source in his hand, he suddenly jumped up, shaking his head like a rattle drum. “No, no, I cannot accept yours. If it weren’t for you, I would have died long ago inside and couldn’t have escaped. How could I have the face to accept your Divine Source?”
Having lived for tens of thousands of years, how could he take advantage of mere juniors?
Li Tianjue looked at everyone and said, “Great Emperor, although the Divine Source is precious to us, we don’t know how long it would take to comprehend and absorb it. If you use it, even if you can’t ascend to godhood, just regaining some of your former strength would be an immeasurable benefit to the righteous path.”
“Yes, at least we won’t have to worry about dealing with Fanmoluo,” Su Luo said with a grin.
“Great Emperor, please use it; we are sincere.”
Wen Daier smiled, “Actually, upon obtaining the Divine Source, I have already comprehended much. My cultivation has even broken through again, yielding great benefits. I believe everyone is the same as me. We have already received the benefits bestowed by the Divine Source, and now you should regain your strength.”
Looking at their sincere faces, Emperor Haotian’s nose suddenly felt a little sore.
“I, an old man, have lived for tens of thousands of years, and I never expected to be indebted to you few youngsters now. It’s truly a great disgrace.” His face wrinkled like a chrysanthemum, but his eyes were filled with relief and emotion. “Alright, alright, I won’t say any more polite words. I will accept the Divine Source, but rest assured, I will absolutely not mistreat you.”
Emperor Haotian finally accepted the Divine Source handed over by everyone. The five glowing blue orbs gradually merged in his palms, finally gathering into one, like a softly luminous large water ball. Blue light emanated from it, and it felt soft to the touch.
He seemed impatient. Despite the surrounding devastation, he sat down on the spot and began to absorb it.
The Divine Source gradually ‘melted’ in Shang Xie Shaoqing’s palm and quickly entered his body, dyeing him entirely with a layer of faint blue. Even his handsome face radiated blue light, making him look mysterious and peculiar.
The others did not disturb Emperor Haotian while he absorbed the Divine Source, moving a distance away.
“I wonder how long it will take the Great Emperor to absorb it. By the way, Senior Brother, what about the others?” Su Luo asked.
Li Tianjue said with a smile, “I was worried that Fanmoluo might have a backup. Before entering the ruins, I asked Fourth Junior Brother and the others to hide far away, just in case. Now that we are safe, I will go…”
Before he finished speaking, he and Su Luo suddenly looked up at the same time.
The previously clear sky was suddenly covered by a patch of gloom. A dark cloud, which had appeared from who knows where, happened to envelop Shang Xie Shaoqing’s head. Silver lightning snaked within the cloud, and a bright flash appeared. With a boom, a streak of brilliant lightning struck down.
“Not good…”
Su Luo’s eyes narrowed. The lightning had struck Emperor Haotian.
Fortunately, Emperor Haotian was prepared. A protective spiritual light shield appeared around Shang Xie Shaoqing’s body, shielding him from the lightning strike. The lightning fell, electric arcs crackling and hissing like twisted snakes, scorching the ground black before gradually dissipating.
The others were also astonished. Absorbing the Divine Source would attract heavenly lightning?
How terrifying!
A moment later, the second bolt of lightning was about to strike.