Sacred Source Inheritance

The patterns on the bronze door fit perfectly with the Dragon Soul Jade. The instant Ning Xiaochuan touched the door, the mechanism that had lain dormant for a thousand years let out a deep rumble. The heavy doors slowly opened, and a gust carrying ancient dust rushed toward them.

"Be careful." Su Linger grabbed Ning Xiaochuan's arm and stared warily into the darkness beyond the door. "There might be traps."

Little Dragon's source soul poked out from Ning Xiaochuan's collar and gave an excited "Goo Chu," breathing out a puff of milky mist. The mist drifted through the doorway, then was drawn forward by some force, tracing a Luminous Path through the darkness.

"Looks like it's welcoming us." Ning Xiaochuan took a deep breath and stepped inside.

As the two advanced, soft light suddenly lit up all around them—the ancient crystals in the walls awakened one after another, illuminating the entire space. Once their eyes fully adjusted, the sight before them made them both hold their breath.

It was an enormous underground hall, its vaulted ceiling too high to see. The walls were carved with countless lifelike reliefs of giant dragons. The floor was paved with some kind of translucent jade, beneath which milky-white energy seemed to flow. At the center of the hall stood a circular altar, surrounded by twelve stone pillars. Above each pillar floated a crystal emitting light of a different color.

"This is... the Sacred Origin Tribe's holy land?" Ning Xiaochuan unconsciously lowered his voice, as though afraid of disturbing the ancient power slumbering here.

Su Linger nodded gently, her eyes filled with awe. "It's even more magnificent than the oldest records of the Tianyuan Sect."

The two followed the Luminous Path toward the Central Altar. As they drew closer, the Dragon Soul Jade on Ning Xiaochuan's chest grew hotter and hotter, its dragon patterns nearly leaping from its surface. Little Dragon's source soul also became unusually lively, constantly circling Ning Xiaochuan as the icy-blue patterns on his scales shimmered.

The instant they stepped onto the altar stairs, a sudden change occurred!

All twelve stone pillars lit up at once. The colored crystals atop them shot out beams of light that intertwined above the altar, forming a three-dimensional projection. Within it, a woman in white slowly turned around—it was Ning Xiaochuan's mother, Bai Li. Yet she looked more vivid and alive than in any portrait.

"Xiaochuan..." Bai Li smiled faintly in the projection, her eyes full of motherly love. "When you see this image, it means you have grown into an adult and found the Land of Origin."

Ning Xiaochuan's whole body trembled, and he involuntarily took a step forward. "Mother..."

"This is a message I left behind before I departed," Bai Li's image continued. "Time is limited. I must tell you the truth about the Sacred Origin Tribe, as well as the mission you bear."

The image changed, displaying an ancient map of the Open Source Continent. "The Sacred Origin Tribe is descended from the Primal Dragon's bloodline, and for generations, we have guarded the balance of source energy throughout the Open Source Continent. Our people possess a special constitution that resonates with source energy, allowing us to regulate the flow of heaven and earth's energy."

The scene turned dark, and a vague figure appeared. "A thousand years ago, an unparalleled genius emerged from the Sacred Origin Tribe. He discovered a method of devouring source energy to achieve immortality, but the cost was breaking the balance of the entire continent. By the time our people tried to stop him, he had already fallen into darkness and founded the Dark Source Soul Hall."

The image changed again, showing Ning Xiaochuan as an infant. "Twenty years ago, he returned and nearly exterminated the entire Sacred Origin Tribe. I fled with you shortly after you were born and entrusted you to Ning Zhantian to raise, because only an ordinary environment could conceal the aura of your bloodline."

Ning Xiaochuan clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms. So Ning Zhantian was not his biological father, but his adoptive father. Yet he felt no sense of betrayal at that moment, only deeper gratitude—Ning Zhantian had known he was not his own son, yet had still raised him as one.

"Now, the Dark Hall Master is about to complete his final preparations." Bai Li's image turned solemn. "When the Twin Moons in the Sky appear, he plans to use the Sacred Spirit Young Dragon's power to forcibly open the Primal Gate and devour the life force of the entire Open Source Continent to attain immortality."

The image froze on Bai Li's sorrowful face. "You are the last Sacred Source Bloodline, Xiaochuan. Only you can stop him. The Inheritance Ritual on the altar will awaken the Sacred Source Power within you, but the process will be excruciating... Are you willing to accept it?"

Ning Xiaochuan answered without hesitation, "I am."

As though responding to his resolve, the twelve stone pillars began to hum at once. A crystal pedestal slowly rose from the center of the altar. Above it floated a drop of Golden Liquid. Even from several meters away, they could feel the terrifying energy contained within it.

"Primal Blood..." Su Linger drew in a sharp breath. "The essence blood said to have been left behind by the Primal Dragon!"

Bai Li's image revealed a gratified smile. "My child has grown up. Remember, once the ritual begins, no matter how painful it becomes, you must remain conscious. If you lose consciousness, all your efforts will be wasted. After the ritual is complete, return to the Tianyuan Sect immediately. You must stop the sacrifice before the Twin Moons in the Sky!"

The image began to flicker, as though its energy was about to run out. "I'm proud of you, Xiaochuan. No matter the outcome... Mother will always love you."

Once she finished speaking, the image dissolved into specks of starlight. Ning Xiaochuan stood where he was, his eyes burning. For the first time in twenty years, he had "seen" his mother, only to say goodbye in this way.

"Ning Xiaochuan..." Su Linger softly called his name, but she did not know what words could comfort him.

Ning Xiaochuan took a deep breath and wiped away the moisture at the corner of his eyes. "I'm fine. Now, it's time to fulfill my mission."

He walked toward the crystal pedestal. With every step closer, the source energy inside his body grew more restless. By the time he stood before it, his blood was nearly boiling, and patterns similar to those on the Dragon Soul Jade appeared across his skin.

"What should I do?" Ning Xiaochuan turned and asked Su Linger.

Su Linger examined the ancient inscriptions around the pedestal. "According to the inscriptions, you need to place the Dragon Soul Jade into the groove on the pedestal, then drink that drop of Primal Blood."

Ning Xiaochuan nodded, removed the Dragon Soul Jade from his chest, and carefully placed it into the groove on the pedestal. It fit perfectly.

In an instant, the entire altar shook violently! The twelve stone pillars shot out colored beams that intertwined into a Cocoon of Light around Ning Xiaochuan. The drop of Golden Liquid rose on its own and hovered before him.

"Remember, no matter how much it hurts, stay conscious!" Su Linger shouted from outside the Cocoon of Light.

Ning Xiaochuan drew a deep breath, opened his mouth, and swallowed the Primal Blood.

At first, it was warm, like a cup of hot tea on a winter day, sliding from his throat into his stomach before spreading through every limb and bone. But that warmth quickly turned scorching, as though someone had poured molten lava into his veins!

"Ah—!" Ning Xiaochuan dropped to his knees, every muscle in his body spasming. He could clearly feel the Golden Liquid remaking his body—his bones were crushed and reassembled, his meridians torn apart and reconnected, and his blood nearly evaporated completely!

Outside the Cocoon of Light, Su Linger paced anxiously. She could see Ning Xiaochuan struggling in agony, yet she was powerless to help. Little Dragon's source soul was also shut outside. He frantically rammed the Cocoon of Light, letting out miserable "Goo Chu" cries.

The pain continued for an unknown length of time, and Ning Xiaochuan's consciousness began to blur. Just as he was about to pass out, his mother's voice suddenly rang in his ears. "Hold on, Xiaochuan! Think of the people you love, the people you want to protect!"

Su Linger's face appeared in his mind, followed by Ning Zhantian, Lei Lie, Mu Qing... even the ordinary members of the Ning Clan in Qingyun City. He could not fall. Otherwise, all of them would become sacrifices on the Dark Hall Master's path to immortality!

"I... won't... give up!" Ning Xiaochuan bit through his tongue, using the pain to force himself awake.

At that moment, the Cocoon of Light suddenly shattered! The crystals on the twelve stone pillars dimmed at once, and the light surrounding Ning Xiaochuan surged into his body like a tide. At the final moment, Little Dragon's source soul finally broke through the obstruction and flew into the Cocoon of Light to reunite with his master.

A shocking transformation occurred—when Little Dragon's source soul touched the remade Ning Xiaochuan, his body instantly expanded to more than two meters long! His originally round and adorable form became mighty and imposing. The icy-blue patterns on his scales spread into magnificent designs, and a pair of crystal-clear Ice Crystal Dragon Wings grew from his back!

"Did... did it work?" Ning Xiaochuan weakly raised his head, his voice hoarse.

Su Linger rushed onto the altar and caught his swaying body. "You did it!"

Ning Xiaochuan looked down at his hands. Golden markings faintly flowed across his skin before sinking back into his body. He could feel that the source energy within him was more than ten times fuller than before, his meridians as broad as rivers, and the source energy vortex in his dantian had condensed into liquid form—this was the mark of the Source Master realm!

"I broke through..." he said in disbelief. "I jumped straight from Source Warrior to Source Master!"

Su Linger examined his condition and discovered in shock that it was not merely his realm that had risen. Ning Xiaochuan's entire aura had undergone a subtle change. Golden light flowed deep within his eyes, and his breathing carried an ancient rhythm, as though he had formed a deeper connection with the source energy of heaven and earth.

"This is the state of a fully awakened Sacred Source Bloodline," she said softly.

Little Dragon's source soul—who should now be called a Sacred Spirit Dragon—affectionately rubbed his head against Ning Xiaochuan's cheek. Although he had grown larger, his affection for his master had not diminished in the slightest.

Ning Xiaochuan stroked his scales, then suddenly noticed the altar floor trembling faintly. "What's happening?"

"The holy land is closing!" Su Linger looked around. The crystals on the stone pillars went out one after another. "The inheritance is complete, and the protective mechanism has activated. We have to leave immediately!"

The two hurried down from the altar, with the Sacred Spirit Dragon close behind. Just as they were about to rush through the bronze doors, a dark figure suddenly fell from above and blocked the entrance!

"I've been waiting for you." A familiar voice rang out. Han Li held a pitch-black longsword, and a savage smile stretched across his sinister face. "The Grand Elder was right. You would come to the Land of Origin."

Ning Xiaochuan shielded Su Linger behind him. "Han Li! You really did side with the Grand Elder!"

"A wise man submits to circumstances." Han Li sneered. "The Dark Hall Master is about to rule the world. I merely chose the right side early." He pointed his sword at Ning Xiaochuan. "Hand over the Sacred Spirit Young Dragon, and I'll leave your corpses intact!"

"Dream on!" Su Linger drew her sword and stepped forward. "Ice Phoenix Sword Art!"

At the point of her sword, frigid energy condensed into dozens of ice spikes and shot toward Han Li. He smiled disdainfully and lightly swung his black sword. A streak of dark sword energy swallowed every ice spike whole!

"Source Sect realm?!" Su Linger's face changed drastically. The last time they had fought, Han Li had only been at the peak of the Source Master realm. In just a few days, he had broken through an entire major realm!

Han Li smugly flicked his sword. "The power granted by the Hall Master is far beyond your imagination." He suddenly lunged forward, his black sword stabbing toward Ning Xiaochuan like a venomous snake. "Die!"

In his haste, Ning Xiaochuan activated the power he had just gained and crossed his arms before his chest. "Ice Crystal Dragon Armor!"

A layer of crystal-clear ice instantly covered his entire body, with milky-white patterns flowing through it. Han Li's black sword struck the armor, yet it left only a white mark!

"What?" Han Li staggered back in shock. "You just entered the Source Master realm, yet you can block my attack?"

Ning Xiaochuan was also astonished by the armor's defensive power, but he quickly realized that maintaining it consumed a tremendous amount of energy. With his current reserves, he could sustain it for at most ten breaths.

"Su Linger, together!" he said in a low voice.

The two nodded in perfect understanding. Su Linger turned her sword, and the Mysterious Ice Phoenix Source Soul spread her wings with a cry. Ning Xiaochuan guided the Sacred Spirit Dragon to breathe Dragon Breath. The energy of the ice phoenix and white dragon intertwined in the air, forming a blue-and-white torrent of energy that charged directly at Han Li!

"Shadow Barrier!" Han Li hastily defended himself, but he was still blasted several yards away and slammed heavily into the bronze doors.

He spat out a mouthful of Black Blood, his face twisted with fury. "Not bad. But you've forgotten where you are!"

He suddenly pulled out a black talisman and crushed it. The entire underground space immediately shook violently, and the ceiling began to collapse!

"Oh no! He's going to destroy this place!" Su Linger cried out.

Han Li retreated with a vicious grin. "Let's die together!" With that, he turned and rushed out through the bronze doors.

Giant rocks rained down from above. Ning Xiaochuan grabbed Su Linger. "Run!"

The two humans and one dragon raced for the exit. Just as they were about to reach the bronze doors, a giant rock fell from above, hurtling directly toward Su Linger's head!

"Watch out!" Ning Xiaochuan tried to push her away, but Su Linger instead struck him with her palm and sent him out of danger. The giant rock scraped across her back, and she spat out blood.

"Su Linger!" Ning Xiaochuan's eyes nearly split with rage. The Sacred Spirit Dragon immediately flew over and used his body to block the falling rocks that followed. Ning Xiaochuan rushed back and lifted Su Linger into his arms, only to find that she had fallen unconscious and was barely breathing.

"Hold on..." Ning Xiaochuan's voice trembled as he carried her toward the exit. The Sacred Spirit Dragon used his huge body to force open a path for them until they safely passed through the bronze doors.

An earth-shaking crash sounded behind them as the entire Land of Origin was completely buried. Han Li had long since vanished, clearly convinced that they had been buried inside.

Ning Xiaochuan had no time to pursue him and immediately examined Su Linger's injuries. A large bruise covered her back, and her spine might have been damaged. Worse still, a strand of Black Qi was moving around the wound—Han Li's sword had been poisoned!

"Hold on..." Ning Xiaochuan frantically tried every method he could think of, but ordinary source energy had no effect on the Black Qi.

In his desperation, he remembered the Dragon Soul Jade's healing effect and immediately pressed the jade pendant against Su Linger's wound. But this time, the Dragon Soul Jade only glowed faintly, and its effect was far weaker than before.

"How could this..." Cold sweat seeped down Ning Xiaochuan's forehead.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon moved closer and touched Ning Xiaochuan's hand with his snout, then pointed at his own forehead. Only then did Ning Xiaochuan notice that a ring of golden markings had appeared around the base of the dragon horn newly grown on the Sacred Spirit Dragon's forehead, the exact same color as the Primal Blood.

"You mean... my blood?" he guessed.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon nodded. Ning Xiaochuan did not hesitate. He bit his finger and let a drop of blood glowing with golden light fall onto the Dragon Soul Jade. The jade pendant immediately blazed brightly, releasing warm white light that enveloped Su Linger.

The Black Qi melted away like snow beneath the blazing sun. Su Linger's breathing gradually steadied, though she still did not wake.

"She needs time to recover..." Ning Xiaochuan breathed a sigh of relief and gently placed her on a relatively flat patch of ground.

Night fell, and the desert temperature plummeted. Ning Xiaochuan used the milky mist breathed out by the Sacred Spirit Dragon to create a warm bubble around the two of them. He did not sleep the entire night, guarding the unconscious Su Linger and occasionally using the Dragon Soul Jade to treat her.

At the darkest hour before dawn, Su Linger suddenly grabbed his hand and murmured unconsciously, "Don't... leave..."

Ning Xiaochuan's heart trembled. He softly said, "I won't leave. Never."

As the sky began to pale at the horizon, Su Linger finally opened her eyes. She weakly looked around, and her gaze finally fell upon Ning Xiaochuan's exhausted face. "How long... was I unconscious?"

"An entire night." Ning Xiaochuan's voice was hoarse. "How do you feel?"

Su Linger tried to sit up, frowning when the movement tugged at her wound. "Much better." She noticed the bloodshot eyes of Ning Xiaochuan. "You haven't slept at all?"

Ning Xiaochuan smiled. "Watching over patients is a doctor's duty."

Su Linger froze for a moment, then suddenly realized that he was still holding her hand. Strangely, she had no urge to pull it away. Instead, she felt an inexplicable sense of reassurance.

"We should get moving." After a brief silence, Su Linger spoke softly. "The Twin Moons in the Sky..."

Only then did Ning Xiaochuan remember to check the time. He took out the timing hourglass Zhou Buhui had given him from his pack, and his expression instantly changed—the hourglass showed that only two days remained until the Twin Moons in the Sky!

"That's impossible! We were in the Land of Origin for half a day at most..." He suddenly understood. "The Time Flow Rate inside and outside the holy land is different!"

Su Linger forced herself to stand. "We must return to the Tianyuan Sect immediately. The Grand Elder may begin the ritual at any time!"

Ning Xiaochuan supported her. "Can you travel?"

"There's no other choice." Su Linger's gaze was firm. "If the Dark Hall Master succeeds, the entire Open Source Continent will fall into darkness."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon lowered his body, signaling for them to climb on. His evolved body was large enough to carry both of them, and his Ice Crystal Dragon Wings could even allow short-distance flight, greatly increasing their speed.

Ning Xiaochuan first helped Su Linger climb onto the dragon's back, then vaulted up behind her. The Sacred Spirit Dragon let out a long cry, spread his wings, and flew toward the Tianyuan Sect at full speed.

In the fierce wind, Ning Xiaochuan unconsciously wrapped an arm around Su Linger's waist to keep his balance. She did not object. Instead, she leaned back slightly, allowing herself to sit more securely.

"We'll stop them," Ning Xiaochuan said firmly beside her ear.

Su Linger nodded lightly and placed her hand over his arm around her waist. "Together."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon streaked across the desert sky, his shadow piercing toward the distance like a sharp sword. There, a final battle that would decide the fate of the entire continent was about to unfold...