Battle of the Seal

The blood-red pupil of the Eye of the Deep Sea formed above the forbidden ground, and a chilling aura instantly shrouded the entire space. Ning Xiaochuan was only a dozen steps from the altar, yet a red light blocked his path.

"Little One, go activate the altar!" Ning Xiaochuan shoved the Sacred Spirit Dragon toward the altar and faced the blood eye himself.

Understanding at once, the Sacred Spirit Dragon shrank and shot through a gap in the red light like an arrow, racing straight for the altar. The blood eye tried to stop him, but Ning Xiaochuan had already leaped into the air. Sacred Source Power condensed into a golden spear in his palm and stabbed straight toward the center of the pupil!

"Ah!" The blood eye howled in pain and had no choice but to focus on Ning Xiaochuan's attack.

In the distance, Su Linger was locked in a bitter struggle. The frozen dried corpses kept reviving under the influence of Black Qi, their numbers growing ever greater. Her Profound Ice Domain had already expanded to its limit, and her face was pale from excessive depletion of source energy.

"Hold on..." She gritted her teeth and persevered, buying time for Ning Xiaochuan.

Beside the altar, the Sacred Spirit Dragon landed before the crystal and pressed his little claws against its surface, trying to activate the seal. But the crystal did not react at all—it required the power of the Sacred Source Bloodline!

"Goo Chu!" Little One anxiously turned to look at Ning Xiaochuan, who was locked in a fierce clash with the blood eye and unable to break free.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon suddenly thought of something. He spat out a small clump of Golden Liquid—a drop of Sacred Origin Essence Blood that he had secretly preserved when Ning Xiaochuan underwent the Sacred Source Spring's baptism!

The blood drop landed on the crystal, and golden light immediately blazed forth! The runes on the altar lit up one by one as a pillar of light shot into the sky, striking directly at the Primal Gate!

"No!" The blood eye let out an earthshaking shriek. "Stop it!"

All the dried corpses erupted into action at once, lunging toward the altar without regard for anything else. Su Linger did everything she could to stop them, but several dozen still broke through her defenses.

"Little One, watch out!" Ning Xiaochuan shouted.

Seeing the dried corpses surge toward him, the Sacred Spirit Dragon immediately spewed Dragon Breath to hold them back. But he had to keep one claw pressed against the crystal and could not fight at full strength. Black Qi soon wrapped around him, drawing painful cries of "Goo Chu" from his throat.

Ning Xiaochuan was frantic, yet the blood eye held him firmly in check. Just as the Sacred Spirit Dragon was about to be overwhelmed, an ice-blue figure suddenly charged in—Su Linger disregarded her own safety and forcibly broke through the encirclement to support him!

"I'll cover you!" With her sword pointed forward, ice spikes rained down, temporarily driving back the dried corpses.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon was finally able to activate the crystal with all his strength. The pillar of light grew increasingly powerful, and the fissure in the Primal Gate began to close slowly. The blood eye struggled madly, swelling several times in size as it released terrifying Energy Fluctuations.

"You can't stop it!" it roared. "The Dark Devourers' army has already sensed the coordinates and will soon descend!"

Ning Xiaochuan suddenly thought of a risky solution. "Su Linger, the Primal Covenant!"

Su Linger immediately understood. The three of them activated the Soul Link at the same time. Sacred Source Power, Profound Ice Power, and Dragon Breath energy intertwined above the altar, forming a perfect triangular light formation that resonated with the crystal's pillar of light!

"In the name of Sacred Source!" Ning Xiaochuan raised both hands. "Seal, reinforce!"

The light formation merged with the pillar, transforming into a dazzling golden-blue beam that struck the Primal Gate directly! The fissure shrank at a visible rate, while the blood eye let out an unwilling howl and steadily diminished.

"No! The Dark Devourers will descend eventually! It is only a matter of time!" Before vanishing, the blood eye spat out a vicious curse. "The Sacred Source Bloodline will surely be severed!"

As the final trace of the fissure closed, the blood eye vanished completely. All the dried corpses collapsed like Broken String Puppets, and the Black Qi dissipated without a trace. Silence returned to the forbidden ground, with only the crystal atop the altar still radiating a gentle glow.

"We... succeeded?" Su Linger collapsed to the ground in exhaustion.

Ning Xiaochuan steadied her. "For now. But the Eye of the Deep Sea was right. We've only bought time."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon wearily flew back onto Ning Xiaochuan's shoulder and affectionately rubbed against his cheek. Ning Xiaochuan gently stroked Little One. "It was all thanks to you, Little One."

The three of them supported one another as they left the forbidden ground. Outside the stone gate, the armor fragments had already turned to dust. The Sacred Source Knight had finally found peace.

When they returned to the Sacred Source Tower, High Priest Star Radiance had been waiting for a long time. Seeing the three return safely, tears streamed down his aged face. "Sacred Source above! The seal has truly been reinforced!"

Outside the tower, the residents of the Sacred Source Land had gathered on their own, and cheers rose one after another. The black spots in the sky had vanished, replaced by a clear blue heaven.

"Your Highness, you have saved the Sacred Source Land." Star Radiance spoke respectfully. "Now, you are without question the Sacred Source King!"

Ning Xiaochuan shook his head. "No. My mission isn't finished. The Open Source Continent still faces threats. I must return."

Star Radiance seemed to have expected this. "Then at least rest for one night and recover your strength. Tomorrow, I will prepare the portal."

That night, the Sacred Source Tower held a grand celebration banquet. Ning Xiaochuan and the other two were treated as honored guests and enjoyed a long-lost moment of peace.

After the banquet, Ning Xiaochuan went alone to the observatory atop the tower. The starry sky of the Sacred Source Land was more brilliant than that of the Open Source Continent. Countless stars formed strange patterns, as though recounting ancient secrets.

"Can't sleep?" Su Linger's voice came from behind him. She had changed into the white long robe provided by the Sacred Source Land, her silver hair glimmering beneath the starlight.

"I'm thinking about what comes next." Ning Xiaochuan gazed at the starry sky. "Although the Eye of the Deep Sea has been driven back for now, it still has its lackeys on the Open Source Continent."

Su Linger walked to his side. "At least we now have the strength to fight it."

The two fell silent for a moment before Ning Xiaochuan suddenly asked, "Have you ever thought about what you'll do when all this is over?"

Su Linger paused slightly. "I... haven't thought that far ahead." She looked up at the starry sky. "Maybe I'll return to the Tianyuan Sect for a visit? Master Xuanyu must be very worried about us."

"I want to take you and Little One around the Sacred Source Land." Ning Xiaochuan spoke softly. "My mother's diary mentioned many beautiful places."

The corners of Su Linger's lips lifted slightly. "That sounds nice."

At some point, the Sacred Spirit Dragon had flown up as well. He landed between them, affectionately rubbing against one and then the other, making them both laugh despite themselves.

Under the starlight, the shadows of the three merged into one, as though foretelling their inseparable fate.

Early the next morning, Star Radiance opened a portal back to the Open Source Continent beside the Sacred Source Spring.

"Your Highness, please remember that the Sacred Source Land will always be your home." Star Radiance handed over an exquisite spatial ring. "Inside are spring water from the Sacred Source Spring and other supplies."

After thanking him, Ning Xiaochuan put on the ring and entered the portal with Su Linger and the Sacred Spirit Dragon. Familiar golden light flashed, and the three reappeared above the Death Desert.

"What a huge change..." Su Linger said in surprise as she looked down.

An oasis had appeared at the edge of the once-barren desert. Clear spring water gushed from underground, nourishing the parched earth. Farther away, the Fire Tribe army was clearing the battlefield, while the Black Tide's remaining forces had vanished.

"The effect of Sacred Source Power." Ning Xiaochuan explained, "After the seal was reinforced, the Eye of the Deep Sea's corruption was purified."

The three landed beside the oasis, immediately drawing the sentries' attention. Before long, King Yan Jin personally arrived with his guards.

"Son of Sacred Source!" Yan Jin strode forward in delight. "You succeeded!"

Ning Xiaochuan briefly explained what had happened in the Sacred Source Land, naturally leaving out certain details. After listening, Yan Jin's expression turned solemn with respect. "The Open Source Continent owes you its life."

"What about the Black Tide's remaining forces?" Su Linger asked.

"Most have been wiped out, while a few escaped north." Yan Jin looked troubled. "But there are rumors that Dark Current—or rather, Dark Star—has regained his senses and is gathering the remnants."

Ning Xiaochuan was not surprised. "The Eye of the Deep Sea will not give up easily. We must prepare."

Yan Jin nodded. "The Fire Tribe is ready and awaits your command. Also, I have already sent people to contact the Tianyuan Sect and other forces to form an allied army."

This news lifted Ning Xiaochuan's and Su Linger's spirits. The Tianyuan Sect's involvement meant True Man Xuanyu, Lei Lie, and Mu Qing were all safe!

"We'll return to the Tianyuan Sect first." Ning Xiaochuan made his decision. "We'll begin uniting the major forces from there."

Yan Jin personally escorted them to the Teleportation Array. Before they parted, he gave Ning Xiaochuan a fiery red token. "The Fire Tribe's highest token of authority. With it, you may mobilize all Fire Tribe forces."

The Teleportation Array flashed, and in the blink of an eye, the three returned to a familiar sight—the Tianyuan Sect's mountain gate!

"Who goes there?" a mountain-guarding disciple shouted warily. He then recognized the two of them. "Senior Sister Su?! Senior Brother Ning?!"

The news spread through the sect like wildfire. By the time the three reached the main peak, True Man Xuanyu was already waiting with Lei Lie, Mu Qing, and the others.

"Master!" Su Linger's eyes reddened as she stepped forward and bowed.

True Man Xuanyu helped her up, his gaze gentle. "It's good that you're back. Good that you're back."

Lei Lie heavily slapped Ning Xiaochuan on the shoulder. "Good lad! I knew you'd be fine!"

Mu Qing, meanwhile, curiously studied the Sacred Spirit Dragon. "Little One has grown again?"

Everyone went to the council hall, where Ning Xiaochuan recounted everything that had happened in detail. When they heard of the Sacred Source Land and the Primal Gate's secret, everyone was utterly shocked.

"So the enemy we face isn't merely the Dark Source Soul Hall, but these so-called World Devourers?" True Man Xuanyu frowned deeply.

Ning Xiaochuan nodded. "The Eye of the Deep Sea is only their vanguard. If the seal breaks completely, the consequences will be unimaginable."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Lei Lie slammed his palm onto the table and rose. "Gather the allied army at once and wipe out the Black Tide Remnants!"

True Man Xuanyu pondered. "This matter requires careful planning. The Black Tide's forces are deeply entrenched. A rash attack may lead us into an ambush."

"Master is right." Ning Xiaochuan agreed. "We need to gather intelligence first and find Dark Star's hiding place."

Mu Qing volunteered. "Jingshui Peak excels at reconnaissance. Leave it to us."

The meeting continued until late at night, and they finally established a detailed plan: Mu Qing would gather intelligence, Lei Lie would train the combat forces, True Man Xuanyu would contact the other sects, while Ning Xiaochuan and Su Linger would head to Qingyun City to seek the Ning Clan's support.

"Though the Ning Clan is not a major sect, it holds great influence in the secular world." True Man Xuanyu explained. "Fighting the Black Tide requires the support of secular forces."

Ning Xiaochuan's feelings were complicated. Since leaving Qingyun City, he had not seen his father, Ning Zhantian, for a long time. Returning now as the Son of Sacred Source, he did not know what kind of scene awaited him.

After the meeting, Su Linger quietly caught Ning Xiaochuan's hand. "Are you all right?"

"I'm just a little nervous about returning home." Ning Xiaochuan forced a smile. "I don't know how Father is doing."

Su Linger gently held his hand. "I'll face it with you."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon also leaned closer, rubbing his little head against Ning Xiaochuan's hand and offering silent support.

Ning Xiaochuan took a deep breath and looked in the direction of Qingyun City. A new journey was about to begin, and this time, he was not alone.