Free Web NovelChapter 1025: Chapter 653: The Truth
By using the Power of Reincarnation to stabilize their Essence and Vitality, one ensures their continuation through this End of Dharma Tribulation; this is the true meaning behind the Ancient Water God’s grand scheme.
Upon hearing Hu Li the Immortal’s words, Zhang Chen appeared thoughtful: "So, does that mean this Ancient Divine Spirit is still alive?"
"It is highly possible that it is still alive! Moreover, it occupies a significant portion." Hu Li the Immortal replied.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen’s expression turned serious, and his eyes gazed at the massive altar inscribed with mysterious runes. If that Ancient Water God is still alive, things could become even more complicated.
Furthermore, he thought of the resurrected princess, who seemed invincible across the world, capable of tearing apart the pathways between the Material Realm and the Spiritual World. Such abilities are not something he could contend with. Even with various Innate Spiritual Treasures, he was certainly not a match for her; the gap between them was just too vast.
If this Ancient Water God truly is alive, the three people’s actions will be greatly hindered.
"What should we do?" Tushan Qing asked nearby, "We can’t just retreat, can we?"
As Tushan Qing spoke, both of them looked towards Zhang Chen, awaiting his response. The place was indeed perilous, and they could only rely on Zhang Chen, waiting for his decision.
Zhang Chen did not respond to Tushan Qing’s words but instead maneuvered the small boat around the area where the Six Paths of Reincarnation fell, collecting the vast amount of experience points, then looked at the Golden Finger Interface, gaining another thirty million experience points.
After Zhang Chen circled around the altar, Hu Li the Immortal asked, "Did you see anything?"
He thought Zhang Chen was observing the altar’s mysteries.
"No matter what, since we’ve come, we can’t just leave without doing anything." Zhang Chen, following the traditional saying ’since we’ve come,’ revealed a serious look in his eyes: "Even against an Ancient Divine Spirit, we might not be without a chance."
If an Ancient Divine Spirit has survived to this day, it mustn’t be in peak condition; as long as it’s not in peak condition, we might still have a chance.
If we continue the exploration, two possibilities may arise: the first is that the opponent’s time has ended, and its lifespan exhausted, in which case I can directly use the Soul Hooking and Soul Stealing skill to subdue it. The second possibility is that it is indeed still alive, and with the Nine Bends Yellow River Array, three of the Six Paths of Reincarnation, and the Ice Domain, we might still be able to hold our own for a while.
"Unfortunately, my Nine Bends Yellow River Array can’t cover the entire altar; if my Nine Bends Yellow River Array could encompass the entire altar, I would be invincible." Zhang Chen lamented silently.
Currently, his Nine Bends Yellow River Array can cover a radius of twelve hundred meters, but this altar is as large as ten kilometers, or ten thousand meters, limiting the coverage distance.
Moreover, the coffin is sealed in the center of the Crystal Stone, making it impossible to enshroud the entire area with an array.
"But where should we begin?" At this moment, Tushan Qing felt a bit lost, unable to find a starting point.
Upon hearing Tushan Qing’s words, Zhang Chen’s Primordial Spirit quickly calculated: ’I still need to find a way to extract an authority related to this Ancient Water God, so even if it revives, I would have the opportunity to understand some of its means and details.’
Looking at the altar beaming with divine light, Zhang Chen pondered briefly, then moved his feet, causing Weak Water to surge, transforming into a path leading towards the altar: "Let’s go!"
The three abandoned the small boat, setting foot on the path. Hu Li the Immortal, stepping on the path, showed a curious expression, "Your Water Dao divine techniques are indeed impressive; Weak Water is like a plaything in your hands."
Zhang Chen did not discuss his Water Control Technique with the others, as its intricacies are part of his trump card, even though it currently remains at level six, allowing him to only control level six Divine Water, which is insufficient against the Innate Water God.
"If I could extract the Authority of Water Element, even if the Innate Water God truly revives, possessing the Authority of Water Element, I could confront it without being at a disadvantage." Various thoughts churned in Zhang Chen’s mind as he looked towards the altar illuminated with divine light, believing that by using the Water Control Technique, he could perceive the terrifying power at play on the altar and might seize the opportunity to acquire some skills.
The group reached the final step in front of the altar, halting in front of the Crystal Stone Altar, not daring to step forward recklessly.
"Elder, since you’re the strongest, how about you lead by example?" Zhang Chen said to Hu Li the Immortal.
"Though my cultivation is the highest, my means are not as refined as yours." Hu Li the Immortal shook his head back and forth like a rattle.
"If I were to die up there, how would you deal with the vast Weak Water? You would find yourselves trapped here." Zhang Chen remarked.
Upon hearing this, Hu Li the Immortal found some truth in Zhang Chen’s words. Zhang Chen must not take risks, as his risk would mean doom for the other two should they plunge into the Weak Water. Thus, Hu Li the Immortal turned to look at Tushan Qing, who had several lives, seemingly the best candidate to take the lead.
"Why are you looking at me? I only have one life. In terms of strength, I’m not as good as the ancestor, and in terms of means, I’m not as good as Zhang. No matter what, I shouldn’t be the first to lead the charge," Tushan Qing said quickly, meeting Hu Li the Immortal’s gaze.
Hu Li the Immortal replied irritably, "In terms of strength, you are indeed not as good as I am, and in terms of means, you’re also not as good as Zhang Chen. But you have more lives! Who can compare to you when it comes to lives?"
On hearing Hu Li the Immortal’s words, Tushan Qing’s expression changed, and he instinctively looked at Zhang Chen. Hu Li the Immortal’s words could not withstand scrutiny; if analyzed carefully, it might reveal Tushan’s true identity.
Looking at Tushan Qing’s nervous expression, Hu Li the Immortal said irritably, "Do you really think your true identity can be hidden from this lad? He probably knew your identity long ago and just didn’t expose it. He controls the Power of Reincarnation and can see through the soul’s origin, so how could he not see through the nature of your soul?"
Tushan Qing was stunned and stared at Zhang Chen blankly, only to see Zhang Chen smile lightly, "It’s not as exaggerated as what Hu Li the Immortal said."
Tushan Qing forced a bitter smile at this moment, "Did you really know?"
"Tushan Qing!" Zhang Chen said.
"It seems I’m the only clown, performing in front of you every day, it must have been extremely amusing," Tushan Qing’s voice was filled with bitterness; he felt his face burning.
"Not at all amusing. We are all family, and I admire Tushan brother’s methods," Zhang Chen glanced at Hu Li the Immortal, saying the word ’family’ smoothly and naturally.
Tushan Qing was startled by the word ’family,’ then turned to glance at Hu Li the Immortal. Given Zhang Chen and Hu Li the Immortal’s relationship, calling each other family indeed wasn’t abrupt.
Looking at Tushan Qing, Zhang Chen knew the difficulty on his face was just pretense. Tushan Qing, a beast, wouldn’t know what difficulty truly was.
"You have multiple lives. Even if you lose two, so what? At most, when we gain the origin of the Innate Water God, we’ll give you more to make up for your loss." Hu Li the Immortal spoke.
He is a cautious person; the incautious would have long died in the river of time, so he wouldn’t take risks.
Hearing Hu Li the Immortal’s words, Tushan Qing knew he had no choice. The two brought him along to conspire for the benefits of the Innate Water God, so of course he had to contribute.
"Fine, I’ll go for the two of you, but if there’s a crisis, remember to save me in time." Tushan Qing reminded them again and was about to step onto the altar when a change suddenly occurred on the altar. In the void above the altar, a blue pattern flickered, then a soul and a mass of blood appeared out of thin air on the altar, the blue light of the altar flickered, directly absorbing the blood and soul into the Crystal Altar. The blood flowed along the altar’s patterns, reaching the coffin and infusing into it, causing mysterious runes to light up on the coffin, absorbing the essence blood and soul.
"What the hell is this?" Tushan Qing quickly retracted the foot he had stepped out, looking at the depths of the altar with a look of fear.
"Where did this essence blood and soul come from, being absorbed by this Innate Water God? The Innate Water God is absorbing others’ blood to prolong his vitality! That Innate Water God must still be alive. If he’s dead, I’ll eat this Crystal Stone Platform!" Hu Li the Immortal’s eyes showed a trace of horror.
"It seems like the essence and blood of the Shen Family. If I haven’t sensed wrongly, that mass of essence blood seems to be Shen Xu’s!" Zhang Chen’s eyes showed a trace of solemnity.
He had spent enough time with the Shen Family to know the fluctuations of their souls, and having reaped the Hungry Ghost Dao, his perception of souls greatly enhanced, he recognized the origin of that mass of soul at a glance.
At this moment, the Great Freedom Celestial Demon transformed into a lotus flower, appearing inside Zhang Chen’s ear:
"Zhang Chen, run! There’s great danger here, if you don’t run, it’ll be too late!"
"What do you mean?" Zhang Chen’s Primordial Spirit fluctuated, asking the Great Freedom Celestial Demon.
"What you mentioned is just the tip of the iceberg. The layout methods of this Ancient Divine Spirit far exceed this. The Shen Family seems to have been raised as a Gu!"
Zhang Chen was stunned by the Great Freedom Celestial Demon’s words, "What do you mean?"
"All Shen Family bloodlines, once dead, their Essence, Qi, and Spirit, and blood will be summoned, purified and refined by the power of the Hungry Ghost Dao, offered at the altar to become supplements for prolonging the Ancient God’s life! The altar is a huge sacrificial array, and once stepped on, one will surely be sacrificed!" The Great Freedom Celestial Demon said, "After entering here, the Shen Family’s ancestors were probably transformed by the Innate Water God, becoming pawns of the Innate Water God."
Zhang Chen was confused by this and said, "I’m not from the Shen Family, how could I be sacrificed? He needs the Shen Family bloodline because it contains the power of the Innate Water God’s Divine Spirit, but I do not! My bloodline is of no use to him?"
"Heh, your bloodline is no use to him for prolonging life, but he could transform your bloodline. Just like the Shen Family’s ancestor was transformed to contain the Innate Water God bloodline, becoming the Innate Water God’s pig farm. Then your descendants and grandchildren will become food for the Innate Water God!" The Great Freedom Celestial Demon said from beside.
