Sacred Source Returns

The night sky of the Death Desert was illuminated red by the flames of war. Ning Xiaochuan hovered in mid-air, bathed in golden light. Sacred Source Power surged within him, granting him unprecedented perceptual abilities—he could clearly see the expressions of every warrior miles away, hear the sounds of battle from every corner of the battlefield, and even sense the faint life force of Su Linger and the Sacred Spirit Dragon.

"Hold on, I'm coming..." With a thought, Ning Xiaochuan shot across the night sky like a meteor, heading for the core of the battlefield.

Below, the Fire Tribe army was locked in a fierce battle with the Black Tide forces. King Yan Jin wielded a burning battle-axe, each strike igniting towering infernos; Chi Yan led elite warriors in forming a wall of fire, blocking the endless stream of black-robed figures. But the situation was not optimistic—the blood-red pupils of the Eye of the Deep Sea hovered above the battlefield, continuously emitting corrosive red light, and Fire Tribe warriors fell one after another.

Ning Xiaochuan's gaze locked onto the edge of the battlefield—Su Linger lay beside a giant rock, her chest rising and falling weakly; the Sacred Spirit Dragon curled up beside her, its scales dull and lifeless. Dark Current stood before them, his black blade raised high!

"Stop!" Ning Xiaochuan roared, his voice like thunder, shaking the entire battlefield into silence.

Dark Current looked up in shock, his face changing drastically as he saw Ning Xiaochuan in the golden light. "Impossible! How did you return from the Primal Land?"

Ning Xiaochuan didn't answer. He instantly appeared before Dark Current and unleashed a punch! Dark Current hastily blocked, but was sent flying dozens of feet by the punch, crashing heavily into a sand dune!

"Ning... Xiaochuan?" Su Linger weakly opened her eyes, unable to believe what she was seeing.

Ning Xiaochuan gently caressed her cheek. The Sacred Source Power flowed like a spring breeze, healing her wounds. "I'm sorry, I kept you waiting."

Sensing its master's aura, the Sacred Spirit Dragon struggled to lift its head and let out a "chirp," its small claws gripping his sleeve. Ning Xiaochuan infused a trace of Sacred Source Power into the little creature, and its scales immediately regained their luster.

"Protect her," Ning Xiaochuan whispered, then turned to face the battlefield.

Dark Current had already crawled out of the sand dune, the blood-red eye on his chest spinning wildly. "Kill him! At all costs!"

Hundreds of black-robed figures surged forward simultaneously, unleashing a barrage of dark source skills like a rainstorm. Ning Xiaochuan neither dodged nor evaded, merely raising his hand—a golden barrier unfolded, and all attacks disintegrated upon contact!

"What... what is this power?" King Yan Jin, watching from afar, looked at the scene in shock.

Ning Xiaochuan walked forward slowly. With each step, a golden lotus bloomed beneath his feet. Wherever the lotuses passed, injured Fire Tribe warriors were healed, their exhausted bodies filled with renewed strength.

"Dark Current, or rather, Dark Star," Ning Xiaochuan's voice was not loud, but it echoed across the entire battlefield. "Traitor of the Sacred Origin Tribe, sinner who invited wolves into the house."

Dark Current sneered, "The strong prey on the weak, it's natural law! The Eye of the Deep Sea grants me eternal life, while the Sacred Origin Tribe only stagnates!"

He violently tore open his shirt, revealing his chest and abdomen—four Primal Fragments were embedded there, connected by black veins, forming a broken circle!

"Look!" Dark Current roared with laughter. "The Primal Fragments have already recognized me as their master! The Eye of the Deep Sea will soon descend completely!"

The blood-red eye hovering in the air cooperatively doubled in size, releasing a suffocating pressure. The Fire Tribe warriors retreated one after another, and even King Yan Jin's expression became grave.

Ning Xiaochuan, however, shook his head. "You are mistaken. The Primal Fragments will never recognize a thief as their master."

He extended his hand and called out softly, "Return."

Instantly, the four fragments on Dark Current's body vibrated violently, and the black veins snapped one by one! The fragments broke free from their restraints and flew towards Ning Xiaochuan, spinning above his palm and emitting pure light.

"No!" Dark Current lunged in terror. "Those are mine!"

Ning Xiaochuan simply waved his hand, and Dark Current crashed into an invisible wall, sent flying backward once more.

"The Eye of the Deep Sea deceived you," Ning Xiaochuan looked up at the blood-red eye in the sky. "The Primal Fragments are not keys, but part of the seal."

He raised the fragments high, and five-colored light intertwined into a net, enveloping the blood-red eye. The eye let out a piercing shriek, struggling wildly but unable to break free from the net's restraint.

"Impossible!" Dark Current cried out in despair. "The Divine Eye is invincible!"

Ning Xiaochuan ignored him, focusing on guiding the Sacred Source Power. The light net tightened, the blood-red eye's volume continuously shrank, until it was compressed into a small red ball that fell into Ning Xiaochuan's hand.

"This is just the beginning," Ning Xiaochuan said to the terrified Dark Current. "The true body of the Eye of the Deep Sea is still outside the seal. But today, I will deal with you, the traitor."

Dark Current suddenly knelt and begged for mercy. "Wait! I'm your uncle! Your mother's own brother!"

"When you betrayed the Sacred Origin Tribe, you forfeited that title," Ning Xiaochuan's voice was cold. "But I will not kill you. Sacred Source Power is not meant for slaughter."

He reached out and pressed his hand against Dark Current's forehead, pouring Sacred Source Power into him. "I will purify the darkness within you and allow you to face judgment in your true form."

Dark Current let out a shrill scream as the blood-red eye on his chest was forcibly peeled away, dissipating into black smoke. When it was over, he collapsed onto the ground, his face appearing much younger, bearing a slight resemblance to Ning Xiaochuan.

"I... what have I done..." Dark Current—or rather, Dark Star—stared blankly at his hands. "Those memories... those crimes..."

Ning Xiaochuan offered no explanation and turned to walk towards Su Linger. The battle had ended; seeing their leader captured, the Black Tide forces fled in disarray. The Fire Tribe warriors respectfully cleared a path, and even King Yan Jin bowed his head slightly in greeting.

"Is it over?" Su Linger stood up with the help of the Sacred Spirit Dragon.

Ning Xiaochuan shook his head. "No, this is just the beginning. The true body of the Eye of the Deep Sea is still outside the seal. I must return to the Primal Land to reinforce the seal completely."

He briefly explained his experiences in the Sacred Origin Tribe, and Su Linger listened, dumbfounded. "So you are... the heir to the Sacred Source Royal Family?"

"Just someone shouldering a responsibility," Ning Xiaochuan said softly. "But I need your help."

Su Linger didn't hesitate. "Wherever you go, we'll go together."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon also let out a "chirp" and jumped onto Ning Xiaochuan's shoulder, signaling its allegiance.

King Yan Jin stepped forward. "Son of Sacred Source, the Fire Tribe will forever be your ally. If you need anything, the entire Molten Mountain Range is at your command."

After thanking him, Ning Xiaochuan took out the Primal Beacon. "We'll return to the Sacred Origin Tribe first. There is something I need there."

The beacon emitted a dazzling golden light, forming a portal in the air. Ning Xiaochuan, holding Su Linger's hand with one and cradling the Sacred Spirit Dragon with the other, stepped into the light portal amidst the shocked gazes of everyone present.

On the top floor of the Sacred Source Tower, High Priest Star Radiance was praying when he suddenly sensed something and turned around in surprise. "Your Highness has returned!"

A golden light flashed, and Ning Xiaochuan and the other two appeared beside the Sacred Source Spring. Star Radiance was about to bow when he saw Su Linger and the Sacred Spirit Dragon, and froze. "These are..."

"My Primal Covenant," Ning Xiaochuan explained with a smile. "The deepest bond between the Sacred Origin Tribe and all living things."

Star Radiance suddenly understood. "No wonder you could master the Sacred Source Power so quickly! So you've found your destined contractors!"

Su Linger was utterly confused. "What covenant?"

Ning Xiaochuan pulled her towards the spring. "The Sacred Origin Tribe has an ancient ritual to establish a soul link with their closest companions, sharing power and life." He paused. "Will you become my Primal Covenant?"

Su Linger's cheeks flushed, but her eyes were firm. "If it can help you, I will."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon also chirped eagerly, indicating it wanted to participate too.

Star Radiance excitedly prepared the items needed for the ritual. "Perfect! A Son of Sacred Source forging a Primal Covenant with two lives simultaneously, this is extremely rare in history!"

The ritual was simple—the three of them placed their hands in the Sacred Source Spring, and Ning Xiaochuan guided the Sacred Source Power to establish a connection on a soul level. But as it truly began, Ning Xiaochuan understood how profound it was.

Su Linger's consciousness was like a clear, icy spring, resilient and pure; the Sacred Spirit Dragon was like a dancing flame, innocent yet powerful. Three vastly different souls merged perfectly under the harmonization of the Sacred Source Power, forming a stable triangular relationship.

"How wonderful..." Su Linger opened her eyes, surprised to find her Mysterious Ice Phoenix Source Soul had become more solidified, with golden patterns appearing on its feathers.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon's change was even more apparent—it grew a size larger, its scales displayed ice crystal patterns, and the dragon horns on its forehead became longer and sharper.

Star Radiance knelt by the spring, tears streaming down his face. "Sacred Source above! This is a perfect covenant unseen for a thousand years!"

Ning Xiaochuan felt the surging power within him. Unlike the pure Sacred Source Power before, this power was now more balanced, containing the characteristics of both ice and fire.

"Now, we must deal with the Eye of the Deep Sea." He looked towards the sky outside the tower. "I can feel the seal weakening."

Star Radiance nodded. "Indeed. Since you left, black spots have begun appearing at the edges of the Sacred Source Land, signs of encroachment by the Dark Devourers."

He led Ning Xiaochuan to the Star Gazing Platform atop the tower and pointed into the distance—on the horizon, several patches of sky appeared unnaturally black, as if corroded by something.

"Where is the Primal Gate?" Ning Xiaochuan asked.

"In the Sacred Source Forbidden Land, guarded by the last Sacred Source Knight," Star Radiance replied. "But it has been sealed by dark forces for many years, inaccessible to ordinary people."

Ning Xiaochuan looked at Su Linger and the Sacred Spirit Dragon. "We are not ordinary people."

Star Radiance hesitated. "Your Highness, there is one more thing you should know... the Sacred Source Forbidden Land seals not only the Primal Gate, but also..."

"The vanguard of the Dark Devourers," Ning Xiaochuan finished, the Sacred Source Power allowing him to perceive much information. "Including those summoned by the Dark Star twenty years ago."

Su Linger clasped his hand. "Whatever we face, we face it together."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon also chirped resolutely, its body expanding to combat form, signaling it was ready.

Ning Xiaochuan took a deep breath and activated the Primal Beacon. A golden light shot out from the tower's peak, pointing towards a location in the distant mountains.

"Let's go, to the Sacred Source Forbidden Land," he said with firm eyes. "It's time to end this."

Star Radiance respectfully handed over a crystal shaped like a key. "The Sacred Source Key, it can open the gate to the Forbidden Land. May the Sacred Source bless you."

Ning Xiaochuan took the key, exchanged a look with his companions, and the three of them stepped into the teleportation portal opened by the beacon. The next moment, they appeared before a sinister mountain valley—the entrance was blocked by black thorns, and the air was filled with a decaying scent.

"Is this the Sacred Source Forbidden Land?" Su Linger frowned. "It feels... very uncomfortable."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon also bristled, letting out a low warning growl.

Ning Xiaochuan raised the Sacred Source Key. Where the golden light passed, the black thorns receded like a tide, revealing a path leading into the valley.

"Stay close to me," he whispered. "Inside the Forbidden Land, besides the Dark Devourers, there may be other dangers."

The three proceeded cautiously. The interior of the valley was more vast than they had imagined. Ancient murals were carved into the rock walls on both sides, recording the thousand-year war between the Sacred Origin Tribe and the Dark Devourers.

"Look there," Su Linger suddenly pointed to a spot. The mural depicted a group of creatures strikingly similar to the Sacred Spirit Dragon. "Are those..."

"Descendants of the Primal Dragon," Ning Xiaochuan interpreted the mural through his Sacred Source Power. "Guardians of the Sacred Origin Tribe. But they were almost all annihilated in a great battle..."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon seemed drawn to the mural, flying closer to examine it. Suddenly, it let out a mournful chirp. Ning Xiaochuan felt its emotional fluctuations—the little one had recognized its ancestors.

Continuing forward, a massive stone gate appeared at the end of the valley, carved with complex celestial patterns. Standing before the gate was a knight in full armor, holding a greatsword, motionless.

"A Sacred Source Knight?" Su Linger cautiously drew her longsword.

Ning Xiaochuan, however, shook his head. "No, he... died many years ago."

Indeed, as the three approached, they realized the armor was empty inside, with only a mass of black energy supporting its movement. Two red lights flickered beneath the knight's helmet, and the greatsword blocked the path.

"The living... stop..." the armor emitted a hollow voice. "Forbidden Land... dangerous..."

Ning Xiaochuan stepped forward. "I am Ning Xiaochuan, Son of Sacred Source, here to reinforce the seal."

The armored knight seemed to sense something and knelt on one knee. "Your Highness... finally... returned..." Its voice suddenly became clear. "Be careful... Dark Devourers... control my... remains..."

As the words fell, the armor suddenly trembled violently, and the black energy surged! A cold voice emanated from within. "Sacred Source bloodline! You've come at the perfect time!"

The armored knight abruptly stood up, its greatsword cleaving down! Ning Xiaochuan dodged hastily, the sword's edge carving a deep trench in the ground.

"He's controlled!" Su Linger immediately summoned her Mysterious Ice Phoenix, and ice cones rained down on the armor.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon also unleashed its dragon breath, but the attack passed through the armor's gaps, seemingly having limited effect on the black energy within.

"It's useless... Sacred Source Knight... impervious to blades and spears..." the voice within the armor sneered. "Unless... you find... the core..."

Ning Xiaochuan activated his Sacred Source Vision and discovered a pulsating black light in the armor's chest—that was the control core!

"Aim for the chest!" he shouted. Sacred Source Power condensed into a golden spear in his palm, which he hurled with all his might!

The spear accurately struck the black light, and the armor froze instantly. Su Linger and the Sacred Spirit Dragon seized the opportunity, their combined ice and fire attack hitting the same spot!

"Ah!" A scream erupted, the black light exploded, and the armor clattered to the ground, disintegrating.

Ning Xiaochuan picked up the knight's helmet. A faint white light drifted out from within, forming a blurry human face. "Thank you... Your Highness... Now... I can rest..."

Before the white light dissipated, it pointed to the stone door: "The seal... has... loosened... the Dark Devourers... are about to... break through..."

Ning Xiaochuan solemnly placed his helmet beside his armor: "Rest in peace, Knight. I will inherit your duty."

He took out the Sacred Source Key and inserted it into the keyhole in the center of the stone door. With a heavy roar, the stone door slowly opened, revealing a horrifying sight within—

In the center of a vast underground space, a black rift-like gap floated, which was the Primal Gate! And around the gate, thousands of dried corpses, entwined with black energy, stood densely packed. They were the vanguard of the Dark Devourers summoned by the Dark Star twenty years ago!

Even more terrifying, the rift was slowly expanding, and new black energy seeped out from it from time to time, merging into the bodies of the dried corpses. Dozens of dried corpses had already begun to move, red light flickering in their hollow eye sockets.

"We've arrived just in time," Ning Xiaochuan said gravely. "A few more days, and they'll all be awake."

Su Linger gasped, "So many... How can we deal with them?"

"We don't need to deal with all of them," Ning Xiaochuan pointed to the Primal Gate. "We just need to reinforce the seal and cut off their power source. The rest will be handled by the Sacred Source Land."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon suddenly let out a "gurgle" and pointed behind the group of dried corpses—there was an altar, and on it rested a giant crystal, the core of the seal!

"Understood," Ning Xiaochuan nodded. "The little fellow and I will go to the altar. Linger, you'll keep the reviving dried corpses occupied here."

Su Linger was about to object when Ning Xiaochuan took her hand: "Trust me, this is the most logical division of labor. Your ice abilities are best suited for crowd control."

She finally nodded in agreement: "Be careful."

Ning Xiaochuan and the Sacred Spirit Dragon quietly circled towards the altar, while Su Linger released her Mysterious Ice Domain, freezing the first dozens of revived dried corpses in place.

However, just as Ning Xiaochuan was about to approach the altar, the Primal Gate suddenly vibrated violently, and a familiar red light shot out—it was the Eye of the Deep Sea! It had actually sent some of its power through the rift!

"Son of Sacred Source!" a blood-red eye formed in the air, its voice filled with hatred. "You won't escape this time!"