Qian Xunji stepped forward and gently touched Qian San between the brows.
"Qian San, open your Sea of Consciousness. Don't resist."
Qian San closed his eyes as instructed and dropped his guard.
The instant Qian Xunji's fingertip touched his skin, a wisp of Divine Power entered his Sea of Awareness through his brow. The long-dormant Mark of the Heart of Goodness on Qian San's forehead suddenly trembled.
Hum—
White and brilliant gold light burst from Qian San's brow, illuminating the entire Lake of Life as brightly as day.
Qian San squeezed his eyes shut against the glare. Warmth spread through him, and the Soul Power Barrier that had held him at a bottleneck loosened considerably.
By the time the light on his forehead faded and he opened his eyes again, no one stood before him.
Qian Xunji had vanished without leaving even a trace of spatial disturbance.
"Father?" Qian San called instinctively.
Xiao Qing hurried over from the lakeshore and looked around.
"Uncle Qian has gone."
Qian San touched his still-warm brow. Before he could examine the changes brought by the Mark of the Heart of Goodness, two narrow rifts opened in the space above a clearing to the left of the lake.
Two powerful presences descended immediately afterward.
One wore an emerald-green dress. She had a gentle face and a rich aura of life surrounding her. The other wore a fitted deep-purple outfit, her coldly beautiful features sharpened by a fierce air.
They were Bi Ji, the Emerald Swan, and Zi JI, the Hell Demon Dragon King—two Star Dou Ferocious Beasts who had already taken up residence in Spirit City.
The moment they landed, both women fixed their eyes on Qian San.
Xiao Qing's pupils contracted. She instinctively stepped half a pace in front of Qian San, quietly gathering