Becoming an Immortal and Ancestor, Starting from the Clan-protecting Divine Beast

57: Chapter 57 The Mysterious Old Man, Return to the County City”Who?”

Chen Zhuyun reacted quickly, hurriedly shielding Ruan Zhirou behind him, scanning the surroundings with vigilance.

”Do I really like Zhuyun?” Ruan Zhirou, standing behind him, asked herself internally. Watching Chen Zhuyun defending her as if facing a formidable enemy, her heart was gradually touched, and she reached a conclusion.

”Senior, please show yourself.”

After sorting out her chaotic thoughts and clearly seeing her own heart, Ruan Zhirou regained her usual cold and aloof demeanor, cupping her hands and bowing towards the empty Void Realm.

Since the mysterious person spoke up to tease them, it meant they had been observing them, yet they hadn’t attacked, indicating the mysterious person was not someone who indiscriminately killed the innocent.

On the contrary, the mysterious person might even have a favor to ask of them, which was why they spoke up to reveal their presence.

”Miss Zhirou, are you sure this will work?” Chen Zhuyun turned his head and asked weakly.

Ruan Zhirou extended her pale index finger and tapped Chen Zhuyun’s forehead, saying with a tone of disappointment, ”Have all you Martial Artists practiced until your brains are broken? You should be able to figure this out with a little thought.”

”Practicing martial arts? What kind of Dao is this?”

At this moment, the aged voice sounded again, no longer coming from all directions, but from directly above the two of them.

Both of them looked up simultaneously and witnessed a sight they would never forget.

They saw a pair of blood-red eyes, large as lakes, looking down upon them from above. It had two horns on its head, and its entire body was covered in blood-red scales, appearing as if cast from blood-gold. Its body was enormous like a mountain, stretching for an unknown number of zhang.

”T-this... Is this the legendary Dragon?” Chen Zhuyun felt like he was suffocating.

”It shouldn’t be... I don’t sense the majesty of a Dragon, but it certainly has Dragon features. Perhaps it is a Flood Dragon.” Ruan Zhirou, being knowledgeable, quickly processed her thoughts and voiced her guess.

A mountain-like head lowered, only ten zhang away from Chen Zhuyun and Ruan Zhirou. Its blazing breath struck Chen Zhuyun’s face like a hurricane, making his legs feel weak.

But with the beauty behind him, he had to stand firm, and he quickly bowed.

”Chen Zhuyun of the Chen Family stumbled into this place. Greetings, Senior.”

”Ruan Zhirou greets Senior.” Ruan Zhirou followed with a bow.

”This old man is indeed not a True Dragon, but merely a Flood Dragon that obtained some Opportunity.”

After speaking, the Flood Dragon’s head retreated into the darkness above. An old man, hunched over and holding a Blood Jade Coiled Dragon Staff, walked out of the darkness.

A terrifying Aura, like ten thousand mountains and a thousand seas pressing down simultaneously, swept past, causing the bluestone steps below to tremble incessantly, and the entire Void Realm to shake.

Chen Zhuyun and the other felt like a small boat under a violent storm; a single wave could capsize them, destroying the boat and killing the people.

The Crimson Sun Limitless True Qi within Chen Zhuyun circulated to its limit, and the scorching Blood Qi surged like a rushing river. His entire person seemed to transform into a massive furnace, continuously emitting Vital Essence to protect Ruan Zhirou behind him.

The Xiantian Realm does not have divisions from the first to ninth layer, only the four stages: Early Stage, Middle Stage, Late Stage, and Perfection.

These correspond respectively to the four stages of Early Stage, Middle Stage, Late Stage, and Peak Qi Refining.

Chen Zhuyun already had a deep Foundation and outstanding Martial Dao talent. As soon as he achieved a Xiantian Breakthrough, the quality of his Crimson Sun Limitless True Qi could rival a Middle Stage Xiantian Martial Artist.

Subsequently, after a series of events and multiple boosts from Destiny Dao Spells, his Meridians were reshaped several times, increasing both their resilience and breadth by several grades.

The Cultivation Technique he Cultivated was one of the strongest Martial Dao Cultivation Techniques. The Crimson Sun Limitless Dao was a Peerless Martial Dao Skill that combined the efforts of countless people, and the True Qi it produced was comparable to the Spiritual Power of a Solar Path Cultivator.

With these factors combined, Chen Zhuyun’s fighting power was extremely strong, comparable to Chen Zhuxiao, who followed the Divine Thunder Path and Cultivated the Sword Dao, although Chen Zhuyun’s Realm was much lower.

Chen Zhuyun could be seen as a replica of Yuan Feng in the Qi Refining Realm—both possessing powerful Physical Bodies and exceptional close-combat abilities.

This was only possible because Chen Zhuyun possessed the so-called Pure Yang Body, allowing him to Cultivate the Crimson Sun Limitless Dao. If anyone else attempted it, their Meridians would have been thrown into chaos, and they would have died from surging Blood Qi.

”Interesting.”

The old man glanced at Chen Zhuyun with surprise. The Aura he emitted was never intended to target the two of them.

Otherwise, given his Realm, just a slight leakage of his Spiritual Field would be enough to shock them to death.

As he spoke, the coiled Dragon staff in the old man’s hand lightly tapped the Void Realm, and Chen Zhuyun was drawn closer.

”It’s somewhat similar to the Immortal Dao, yet different. It focuses more on the self, emphasizing the Physical Body and Blood Qi. It is a means of seeking the internal, and he is a good prospect for following the Blood Qi Path.”

With just one glance, the old man examined Chen Zhuyun thoroughly, inside and out.

Ruan Zhirou clenched her pale hands tightly, her knuckles turning white, watching the old man nervously, afraid he might harm Chen Zhuyun.

”Little girl, don’t worry. I’m not some villain,” the old man said with a slight smile, releasing Chen Zhuyun.

He stretched, yawned, and said lazily, ”Alright, this old man is a bit tired. Go into the Great Hall ahead and hunt some prey.”

Chen Zhuyun was full of questions. The area ahead was completely empty; where would the prey come from?

Just as he was puzzled, the bluestone platform began to shake, and a simple bluestone Great Hall rose from the ground, appearing before the two of them.

It was as towering as a mountain, likely tens of thousands of zhang wide and long. Four stone pillars, piercing the sky, stood in front of the Great Hall, carved with the patterns of the Four Spirits of Heaven, lifelike as if they were living creatures.

Ancient, vast, savage, and wild Qi rushed toward them, giving Chen Zhuyun and the other great shock.

Such a creation could rightly be called the work of nature’s uncanny craftsmanship.

The next moment, there was a dizzying sensation. When Chen Zhuyun opened his eyes again, he found himself inside a Savage Jungle, holding Ruan Zhirou’s hand.

He quickly realized what was happening and tried to let go, but Ruan Zhirou actively tightened her grip. The two of them remained hand-in-hand, standing very close.

”Miss Zhirou’s hand is so soft, but her body is very cold. Is it because she Cultivates the Destiny Dao?” This thought echoed in Chen Zhuyun’s mind.

”Idiot, stop spacing out. Let’s do as that Senior instructed,” Ruan Zhirou’s words pulled Chen Zhuyun back to reality.

Roar!

Just then, a beast roar echoed through the forest. A leopard-type Yao Beast, several zhang in size, with hair like steel bristles and blood-colored patterns, appeared not far ahead of the two, looking over with scarlet eyes.

The Blood Leopard’s Aura wasn’t overwhelmingly strong, vaguely approaching the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, but for Chen Zhuyun, it was a difficult opponent to defeat.

”This is probably a test from that Senior,” Ruan Zhirou analyzed calmly, facing the current situation. ”Just like we did before, I will boost you with Destiny Dao Spells, and you will handle the fighting.”

”Alright!”

As his voice fell, Chen Zhuyun summoned his first grade upper rank Battle Armor and Gauntlets. True Qi, shining like blazing sunlight, wrapped around him, and his Blood Qi surged powerfully as he actively charged toward the Blood Leopard.

Boom!

A violent sound erupted in the Savage Jungle. The two figures collided like wind. A crimson fist fell like a small sun, and Crimson Sun True Qi swept past, burning all the surrounding towering ancient trees into charcoal.

The Blood Leopard let out a roar of rage. Its muscular hind legs tore the earth, and using the powerful momentum, it shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, swinging its beast claws straight down.

Clang!

The sound of metal clashing made their eardrums ache. Chen Zhuyun’s tall figure retreated a few steps. He licked his lips, his Blood Qi boiling inside him, and excitement flashed in his eyes: ”Again!”

Subsequently, the two figures fought fiercely, fists against claws, engaging in close-quarters combat.

The old man looked at the scene appearing in mid-air, watching Chen Zhuyun vigorously fight the Blood Leopard, hitting flesh with every punch, blood splashing everywhere, and couldn’t help but exclaim, ”Thrilling!”

He retrieved a Wine Jar from the Void Realm, watching and drinking, thoroughly enjoying himself.

”I’ve waited so long, and finally, someone suited for Blood Qi has arrived. Dao Lord, perhaps the change you spoke of lies within this Martial Dao.”

”However, it’s a bit troublesome that this boy is entangled with a Destiny Dao Cultivator. Is this a scheme or a coincidence?”

”If she were just an ordinary Destiny Dao Cultivator, it would be fine, but this young girl also carries Destiny Dao Luck. I wonder which powerful figures are making moves behind her, yet her Fate is complementary and intertwined with this boy’s. Truly strange.”

A quarter of an hour later, Chen Zhuyun was covered in blood, and a Blood Leopard with a smashed head lay at his feet. The spilled blood was almost gathering into a small pool.

”Zhuyun, are you alright?” Ruan Zhirou walked over, her face a little pale. Using Destiny Dao Spells was a considerable burden for her.

Chen Zhuyun shook his head and offered a reassuring smile: ”I’m fine. With Miss Zhirou’s Destiny Dao Spells supporting me, how could anything happen?”

Hearing this, Ruan Zhirou smiled sweetly. Just as she was about to say something more, the surrounding scenery changed, and they were teleported back.

The coiled Dragon staff in the old man’s hand pointed at the Blood Leopard’s corpse: ”Roast this thing, kid.”

Chen Zhuyun didn’t say much. He walked up to the Blood Leopard’s corpse, used his Crimson Sun Limitless True Qi to separate the meat from the bone, and then slowly roasted it.

Before long, fragrance filled the air. Pieces of roasted Blood Leopard meat dripped golden fat, greatly stimulating the appetite.

”Senior, please.” Chen Zhuyun handed the golden-roasted Blood Leopard hind leg to the old man.

The latter nodded in satisfaction: ”Not bad, kid. You know what you’re doing.”

After saying that, he swallowed the massive Blood Leopard hind leg in one bite.

”Miss Zhirou, here.”

Chen Zhuyun offered a piece of the heart meat to Ruan Zhirou’s mouth. She parted her red lips slightly and tasted it delicately, displaying perfect lady-like grace.

”Hmm? Something’s not right!”

After doing this, Chen Zhuyun picked up a Blood Leopard foreleg and took large bites. The fragrance exploded, melting instantly in his mouth and transforming into a stream of pure Energy that surged throughout his body, alleviating his fatigue.

What surprised him most was that the Energy produced by consuming the Blood Leopard’s flesh not only healed his injuries but also subtly increased his Blood Qi and Physical Body Strength. Even the circulation speed of his Crimson Sun Limitless True Qi accelerated slightly.

”From now on, the two of you will enter that Great Hall every day and hunt one piece of prey.”

After the old man finished speaking, he stepped into the Void Realm, and his figure vanished.

After eating, Chen Zhuyun and the other chatted for a while before going about their own business.

For the time being, they couldn’t leave the Ruins. They could only follow the old man’s instructions, entering the Great Hall every day to be teleported to the Savage Jungle for hunting... Time flew like a white steed passing a gap, and two and a half months quickly passed.

The territory surrounding Liquan Town for twelve hundred li had all fallen under the control of the obsidian statues. They did not continue to expand, seeming to hold some apprehension.

On this day, a streak of Rainbow Light shot up from Luoyun Mountain and flew toward Liyuan Commandery, moving extremely fast, disappearing into the horizon within a few breaths.

In less than half a day, Liyuan Commandery City appeared on the horizon. Yuan Feng, accompanied by Chen Fufeng, descended from the air.

Although he was at Early-stage Foundation Establishment, he was not yet qualified to fly directly into Liyuan Commandery City. Even with Heaven-Defying combat strength, he still had to abide by the rules if his Realm didn’t meet the standard.

Looking at Liyuan Commandery City ahead, Chen Fufeng sighed with emotion: ”Brother Yuan, it seems like every time we come to the Commandery City, something incredible happens.”

”Indeed, the winds and clouds are stirring!” Yuan Feng also remarked with emotion.

After waiting in line for a while, the man and the ape entered Liyuan Commandery City and walked toward the location of the Jieyang Sect.