Divine Manifestation (Please Bookmark)

Inside the Zhang family ancestral hall

As basket after basket of spirit money turned to blue smoke, it pierced straight through the azure clouds.

At that moment, a vast power of incense offerings lingered within the ancestral hall, spanning heaven and earth.

The immortal sects were boundless. Within a grand, ethereal sacred realm, an incomparably beautiful being had been waiting all along.

This was Qingxin Hall.

She was the Azure Radiance Goddess, the commander of Jade Pool's close guards. In terms of status, she ranked among the foremost of Jade Pool's many female immortals.

The Azure Radiance Goddess's beautiful eyes shimmered as she lifted her gaze toward the Two Realms Pool before her.

The nine-colored pool water was like a mirror.

A moment later, a great mass of intense divine light emerged. Countless golden ingots appeared within it, then fell into her body in an instant.

"Zhang clan descendants, three thousand portions of superior incense offerings!"

The Azure Radiance Goddess's phoenix eyes shifted slightly.

This little faith power was of extremely limited use to a female immortal of her level.

Even though it was flawless in quality—exceptionally rare flawless incense offerings containing the Dao rhythms of heaven and earth.

Still, upon the tedious divine seat, it was a rare diversion.

Just then, the Azure Radiance Goddess's gaze shifted. Great waves suddenly burst forth from the Two Realms Pool, and the nine-colored waters bubbled and boiled.

String music drifted through the air, heavenly melodies coiled around her.

In an instant, a streak of golden light flew out and landed in her hand.

It was a seven-tiered golden pagoda.

Golden light flowed over it, and seven golden bells swayed in the wind. Yet the ringing of those bells carried a peculiar serenity and peace, transforming baleful aura into harmony and dispelling all wild thoughts and distracting notions.

"This is a merit Dharma artifact, born innate and nurtured by the Heavenly Dao?"

The Azure Radiance Goddess immediately rose to her feet and examined the pagoda.

There was no need to say more of the rarity of merit treasures!

Even in the Immortal Realm, merit Dharma artifacts were exceedingly rare.

Especially for certain special immortals and gods—such as immortals entangled in calamity and baleful intent, burdened with profound karmic debt—it could be as a lifeline.

Even if she did not use it herself, selling it would fetch an immense price.

"I never expected such a change to occur?!"

As the Azure Radiance Goddess's Dao heart stirred, a hundred flowers bloomed across the divine realm, and a trace of surprise appeared in her eyes.

Never mind the value of this Soul-Calming Pagoda to her.

To one of her sisters, it was like sending charcoal in the snow.

That sister of hers was suffering amid a demonic tribulation and was about to reenter the mortal world. This treasure could protect a thread of her true spirit, giving her hope of returning after reincarnation.

It truly was a lifeline.

The Azure Radiance Goddess casually put away the golden divine pagoda, a thoughtful look appearing in her phoenix eyes.

Since that was the case, then as their "ancestor," she naturally had to show some gesture. She could not simply take advantage for nothing.

Returning something in kind was only proper courtesy.

Yet as she looked at the narrow passage to the Heavenly Realm before her, the Azure Radiance Goddess reconsidered. With her cultivation, anything even slightly too powerful could not be sent through for the time being.

It would also violate the rules.

Though she was a Jade Pool female immortal and possessed certain privileges, she could not go too far.

Otherwise, her opponents might seize upon her weakness.

At present, she could only transmit small items or formless treasures, such as bestowing a cup of fortune or small treasures like fortune golden pearls.

"Golden pearls? Right, Southern Heaven Fire God gave me several rare ones when he asked me for a favor some time ago. After sending out a few, I seem to still have one left!"

As the goddess pondered, a smile suddenly appeared in her eyes.

With a thought, a small invisible sphere appeared upon her fair jade palm. In an instant, it drifted out and fell into the heavenly pool, after which a bluebird messenger carried it away.

At the same time, she took the Soul-Calming Pagoda and hurried toward another immortal realm!

At Fanglin Residence in the Zhang family estate, Zhang Jian had already fallen asleep after returning to his room.

In his dream, he saw a gigantic bluebird fly out from the direction of the ancestral hall. A ray of light suddenly descended beyond his window.

Within the dream, Zhang Jian felt a blazing flame descend from the heavens and fall into his heart.

A moment later, a goddess radiating golden light manifested before him. She was tall and graceful, sacred and inviolable.

In a daze, Zhang Jian sat up from his bed.

A moment later, he vaguely saw the bluebird enter his embrace!

With a wave of her hand, a streak of flame turned into red light and flew forth, reaching Zhang Jian in an instant.

"Young master of the Zhang family, this is the reward from the envoy for your ancestral hall's sacrifice. It is a rare immortal treasure. I hope you enjoy it well!"

Her voice was gentle, as though she wished to say more. Yet she suddenly sensed an intense divine light in the unseen void, seemingly about to spill forth. Her brows immediately furrowed, and in an instant she mounted the bluebird and soared into the sky.

This great world was far from ordinary and contained countless taboos. Even they could not overstep them and had to act according to heavenly law, or unforeseen danger might befall them.

At that moment in his dream, Zhang Jian vaguely sensed an enormous blue bird blotting out heaven and earth as it came from the horizon. As it passed by him, an immortal apricot flew over and landed in his hand.

Countless incomprehensible voices rose by his ears. His head swelled with dizziness, and he could not hear them clearly. He only vaguely made out a few words—after the ancestral hall's sacrifice, they had received a reward from some old ancestor.

He had been granted a Southern Fire Immortal Apricot.

At the same time, he was told of the apricot's origins.

A moment later, Zhang Jian jolted awake and naturally sat upright on the couch. At the same time, he noticed that an unfamiliar object had appeared in his hand.

It was a fiery red "pearl"!

Its entire body radiated gorgeous crimson light!

A rich, delicate fragrance drifted over faintly, stirring his taste buds and making his mouth water.

It was a fiery red immortal apricot!

Zhang Jian did not know the true origins of this item, but he vaguely understood that it was no ordinary treasure.

In truth, the Southern Fire Immortal Apricot in his hand was a descendant, several generations removed, of the heaven-and-earth divine treasure known as the Wind-Thunder Immortal Apricot. Though it was four or five generations removed from the heaven-and-earth spiritual root, the Wind-Thunder Immortal Apricot, it was still a rare treasure. Eating it could strengthen one's foundation and nourish one's essence, cultivate spiritual wisdom, and bolster the soul.

An excitement Zhang Jian could not conceal appeared in his eyes. This was the first time he had received a tangible object.

Tangible objects and formless things were still somewhat different.

Looking at the immortal apricot in his hand, Zhang Jian thought for a moment, then took several bites and devoured it.

The immortal apricot tasted wonderful—crisp, sweet, and juicy. After he swallowed it, a refreshing sensation seemed to flow directly into his limbs and bones, as though his entire being had suddenly become whole.

A warm current surged from his stomach throughout his limbs.

Zhang Jian raised his hand. His eyes turned hazy and swayed slightly. A moment later, he slowly saw a misty radiance seem to arise from the depths of his own flesh and blood, blazing and warm. Gradually, as if deeply drunk, his face flushed crimson and he slowly toppled to the ground. Fortunately, the personal servant outside noticed the commotion in the room and hurriedly called for someone to carry him back onto the couch.

The next day, in the dim light of dawn

In the courtyard, many Zhang family guards were practicing with blades and swords, or stretching their limbs in morning training. Men who lived by the blade prized the fists, feet, swords, and sabers in their hands above all else.

These were the tools that fed them.

Especially since many of the Zhang family's businesses could not do without the protection of force.

Though there were no flashing blades or clashing swords in the courtyard, the whimpering of blade edges could still be heard from time to time, carrying a chill that made people uncomfortable.

Beneath the covered corridor, Zhang Jian stood tall and slender. Today he wore a plain robe of green, his hair crown held in place only by an ink-jade hairpin. Behind him, his personal servant Zhang Lu wore a somewhat strange expression. Zhang Jian had been standing here for quite some time. Today, he seemed unusually interested in the skills of these men who made their living through slaughter.