The news struck the Ming Family like a bolt from the blue, hitting them hard.
Ming Long trembled as he knelt and grasped Old Man Ming's hand. Tears nearly burst from his eyes, and even his voice began to shake. "So you've been conscious all this time, Father?"
Uncle Ming Yue drew a deep breath and hurriedly wiped away the tears about to spill from the corners of his eyes. "We were too useless! We let Father suffer this torment all this time!"
Chen Tian was also surprised. When he examined Old Man Ming's body, he found that the old man's mind was astonishingly clear. He could even sense that Chen Tian was scanning his body. Unfortunately, all his spirit and strength were being used to suppress that evil energy, leaving him unable to make any other movements.
"Don't get too excited yet. Over the years, Old Man Ming's declining strength has caused his body to suffer erosion as well. He may not be able to withstand the treatment." Chen Tian gave everyone a precautionary warning.
"Then what should we do?"
Ming Long was frantic. He had finally waited for hope of treatment and absolutely refused to give up, even if it meant paying a heavy price!
Chen Tian frowned, rubbing his chin with his right hand as his mind raced. He came up with a plan: while ensuring that the Deification Alliance's energy did not run wild, he would safely strengthen Old Man Ming's body, then eliminate that energy.
"I've got it!"
"Friend! Have you thought of a method?" Ming Long asked anxiously.
Chen Tian replied, "I'm only going to try it and see whether it works. Please wait outside the door for now."
"This..."
Ming Yue seemed uneasy. To them, Chen Tian was still an outsider. If something happened... Ming Long stared at Chen Tian, and Chen Tian did not avoid his gaze. The two looked at each other.
Then Ming Long waved his hand. "We'll go out. Don't disturb Brother Chen Tian's treatment."
The members of the Ming Family wanted to say something, but their elder brother Ming Long had already spoken. Thus, they fell silent and went out together.
With a snap, the room door shut. Chen Tian turned and walked to the foot of the bed, a faint smile unconsciously appearing at the corner of his mouth. He immediately raised his left hand and flicked his index finger through the air. A streak of blue light shot from his fingertip and flew into the center of Old Man Ming's brows with a whoosh.
"Old Man Ming, I know you can hear me perfectly clearly. You're just unable to speak." Chen Tian spoke to Old Man Ming, but there was no response, as though he were talking to the air.
"Now, I need to draw out your soul. Old Man Ming, relax and follow my guidance!"
After saying this, Chen Tian closed his eyes. Strange blue light blossomed from his body, its shimmering radiance illuminating the entire room. Then he slowly pressed his palms together, and Old Man Ming's body gradually began to change.
Bathed in the light, Chen Tian was like a Buddha manifested in the mortal world, surrounded by radiant Buddhist light! Soon, a white figure wrapped in blue light slowly floated up. It was Old Man Ming's soul!
Chen Tian put Old Man Ming's soul into a deep sleep, because the treatment that followed might injure him.
Once the soul had left his body, it was quickly eroded by that force. The skin that had still possessed some color instantly turned dull and lifeless, resembling the corpse of someone who had been dead for years.
Chen Tian activated the formation. Blue patterns instantly spread across the entire body, and he then urged the energy within him, sending it surging endlessly into Old Man Ming's body.
As soon as it came into contact with that force, a murderous aura followed the energy and attempted to erode its way into Chen Tian's body.
"Energy born from a chaotic fusion. Worthless." Chen Tian smiled disdainfully and allowed it to invade and destroy. "Come on. Enter my body—all of you. I'll refine every last bit of you soon enough!"
At that moment, the force seemed to possess a will of its own. Realizing Chen Tian's intentions, it immediately retreated back into Old Man Ming's body.
In the blink of an eye, Chen Tian's gaze swept over it. A pill appeared in his palm, and he flicked it straight into Old Man Ming's mouth.
"Little thing, you're somewhat interesting."
Stimulated by Chen Tian's energy, the pill soon displayed its effects! Old Man Ming's body rapidly recovered. In barely five breaths, color returned to his face, making him look just like a normal person. "The time has come."
After saying this, he came to Old Man Ming's side and pressed his right hand lightly against the old man's chest. Using his palm as a bridge, Chen Tian transmitted an ocean of energy into him in one great surge!
That force suddenly came under such an attack and immediately erupted, crashing wildly in every direction! Unfortunately for it, Chen Tian had already locked it firmly within his palm.
Chen Tian slowly raised his hand, then suddenly pulled hard. The force was uprooted in an instant and completely torn from Old Man Ming's body! Looking at the force in his hand, Chen Tian curled his lips in disgust. "Ugh—what a pitch-black thing! It's disgusting!"
Although he was thoroughly repulsed, he did not forget to put Old Man Ming's soul back into his body.
With a clang, another burst of light flashed out. Even the members of the Ming Family outside the door dodged the sudden, blinding radiance.
"Work's done! Finished!"
Chen Tian clapped his hands and patted his clothes and trousers as if brushing away dust.
Cough, cough, cough—cough, cough—
When the people outside heard coughing from within, their hearts suddenly tightened! Ming Yue moved to push the door open, but Ming Long stopped him with an outstretched hand.
"Wait!"
He was just as anxious inside and wanted to break straight through the door, but he held himself back. After all, there still had to be rules. Then came a click!
The room door opened, and Chen Tian was startled by the members of the Ming Family crowded right beside it. "Whoa! What are you all doing? It's finished. Go take a look."
Chen Tian stepped aside. The room was not very large, but the members of the Ming Family still hurried over, all crowding around the bed.
"Father?" Ming Long called softly.
No one dared to make a sound, afraid that they might suddenly startle Old Man Ming.
After a short while, Old Man Ming slowly opened his eyes. Several figures appeared in his blurry vision.
In a small, hoarse voice, he said, "Xiao Long."
Old Man Ming had truly awakened! After enduring several years of torment, he had finally found release and no longer had to suffer that inhuman agony!
The instant Ming Long heard Old Man Ming speak, he could hold back no longer. Tears poured down his face as he burst into grief-stricken sobs.
He was a mighty Advanced War God, a towering man among men. Since ancient times, men had only ever lost their heads and shed their blood—when had they ever feared shedding tears? Only family could make him like this; only family could move him so deeply! Chen Tian quietly walked out and closed the door, leaving the Ming Family time to celebrate their reunion.
The scene was just like what had happened to Xiao Ren earlier. After he had been beaten into critical condition, Uncle Xiao, Aunt Xiao, and Ling Ling had all wept bitterly in grief.
In the end, Chen Tian had saved him too. Had it been anyone else, they might already have gone to join their ancestors. "Brother Tian, did you really bring Grandpa back to life?!" Ming He's voice came from behind him.
"You weren't inside?" Chen Tian said. "He's alive. It wasn't difficult. In return, you have to take good care of Ling Ling for me from now on!"
Ming He nodded and bowed. "Brother Tian, rest assured! I promise you, I absolutely won't let Xiao Lingling suffer any bullying at school!"
Seeing Ming He bow again, Chen Tian hurriedly helped him up. "Stop bowing! You're making me feel so awkward. I really don't know how you can stand all these rules."
Chen Tian was helpless. He still preferred a free and unfettered life. Sometimes, having too many rules was a nuisance in itself!
Before you continue