"Qian Fan!!!! So you finally remembered to come back!!! Where did you take my precious granddaughter!!!!!"
Xu Fangyuan's eyes widened with fury. He glared fiercely at Qian Fan, cursing nonstop.
As for Xu Yuan'er, she instantly ducked behind Qian Fan like a startled little rabbit, daring only to peek her little head out. She even mischievously stuck her tongue out at her grandfather and made a face, saying,
"Bleh, bleh, bleh! You old geezer, I'm not telling you where Qian Fan and I went! Bleh, bleh, bleh..."
Seeing how adorable and mischievous Xu Yuan'er was, Qian Fan couldn't help laughing.
He gently patted Xu Yuan'er on the head and reassured her,
"All right, don't be scared. I'm here."
Then he turned to face Xu Fangyuan, a hint of apology on his face,
and said, "Your Majesty, Domain Lord, I'm sorry we worried you. We only went out for a stroll. We didn't realize how quickly time had passed."
At Qian Fan's words, Xu Fangyuan's expression softened a little, though he still said somewhat angrily,
"You two are utterly outrageous! You went out without even telling me. What would we have done if something had happened?"
Qian Fan hurriedly nodded in agreement, promising to be more careful in the future.
Just then, Xu Yuan'er emerged from behind Qian Fan, took her grandfather's hand, and coaxed him sweetly,
"Grandpa, don't be angry. We came back safe and sound, didn't we?
Besides, we have lots of interesting things to share with you!"
"Qian Fan, you certainly had your fun. You even dared to disregard my trial."
Chen Dao flashed directly in front of Qian Fan,
blocking Xu Fangyuan.
"You old dog, let me, Chen Dao, make this clear today: he, Qian Fan, is my designated successor, and he's undergoing the Sea Emperor's divine trial. Even the king of heaven himself would have to think twice about how to wrest this successor away from me!!!!"
Chen Dao unleashed his supreme god first tier pressure directly at Xu Fangyuan.
Qian Fan shielded Xu Yuan'er behind him.
Xu Fangyuan smiled disdainfully.
"My old friend, how are you still stuck at supreme god first tier after all this time? Unlike me, the domain lord."
With that,
Xu Fangyuan's terrifying supergod third tier pressure swept forth.
Chen Dao and Xu Fangyuan
flew high into the sky together. They faced off overhead, their powerful auras warping the surrounding space.
"Xu Fangyuan, don't think I'm afraid of you!" Chen Dao said through gritted teeth.
"Hmph, then let's put that to the test!" Xu Fangyuan refused to back down.
"Let's see whether our comrade Chen Dao, once the weakest of the Four Supergods, has improved."
Xu Fangyuan teased him.
"Fine! Let me see how wide the gap between us has become since that great battle!"
Just as the two were about to attack, Qian Fan shouted, "Stop!"
Chen Dao and Xu Fangyuan both turned toward Qian Fan.
"Seniors, please stop arguing," Qian Fan said.
"I came back this time because I have something important to tell you."
"What is it?"
Chen Dao and Xu Fangyuan asked in unison.
"This isn't a suitable place to discuss it. Could we go somewhere else to talk in detail?"
Xu Fangyuan nodded
and said,
"Brother Chen Dao, since you're already here, why not come sit in my God Star Hall?"
Chen Dao nodded.
"Indeed. The last time we spoke was several million years ago, wasn't it?"
The four of them arrived at God Star Hall and took their seats as hosts and guests.
Qian Fan looked at Chen Dao and Xu Fangyuan.
"Your Majesties, could you tell me about the primordial Four Supergods? This is very important. It will determine whether I choose to open the true secret realm..."
Chen Dao and Xu Fangyuan exchanged a glance. After a moment of silence, Xu Fangyuan spoke. "The primordial Four Supergods are the most powerful beings in the universe. They are:
the Star Emperor, Xu Fangyuan; the Sea Emperor, Chen Dao; the Fire Emperor, Feng Xian; and the Heaven Emperor, Li Guixian. However, in the great battle ten million years ago, the Fire Emperor and the Heaven Emperor both disappeared.
The Fire Emperor, Feng Xian, is now serving as the domain lord of the Phoenix Domain.
No one knows where the Heaven Emperor, Li Guixian, went, nor does anyone know the outcome of that battle."
Qian Fan furrowed his brow. "Wasn't there any clue to follow?"
Chen Dao sighed. "Over all these years, countless powerful individuals have tried to find their whereabouts, but all came back empty-handed. However, some ancient ruins are said to hold secrets connected to Ao Fa."
A flash of resolve crossed Qian Fan's eyes. "No matter what, I must find them. Perhaps unraveling this mystery will uncover the truth of the universe."
Xu Fangyuan patted Qian Fan.
"Xiao Fan, give it up!"
Chen Dao nodded as well.
"Xiao Fan, you have a bright future ahead of you. Don't throw it away over something impossible.
Chen Dao's voice was low and trembling, as though weighted with the vicissitudes of time. His gaze crossed time and space, returning to that battlefield ten thousand years ago.
He slowly recounted what had happened, making it seem as though they could witness that harrowing battle with their own eyes.
Smoke and dust filled the air, and blood had stained the ground dark red. Countless figures fought ferociously. The clash of weapons, the cries of warriors, and the groans of the wounded intertwined into a tragic, heroic symphony.
Xu Fangyuan clenched his teeth, his eyes filled with boundless sorrow and resolve.
In that battle, he had lost many comrades as close as brothers, and he himself had been gravely wounded.
Chen Dao's voice grew increasingly impassioned as he described the battle's horrific scenes. Every detail unfolded before them like a vivid painting. Yet neither he nor Xu Fangyuan had retreated. They had fought their enemies to the death, staking their lives to protect the homeland behind them.
The great battle had lasted several days, finally ending with devastating casualties on both sides. Though Chen Dao and Xu Fangyuan had survived, it had left wounds in their hearts that could never be erased.
Behind that great battle
lay something that even Xu Fangyuan, domain lord of the Seven Star Domain, dared not investigate.
Qian Fan quietly listened to Chen Dao's account, admiration welling up in his heart. He understood that the battle's brutality had far exceeded his imagination. Yet he firmly believed that as long as a thread of hope remained, he had to pursue the truth.
"I've made my decision."
Qian Fan stood and looked resolutely at Chen Dao and Xu Fangyuan. "I'm going to search for those ancient ruins and unravel the mystery of Senior Li Guixian's disappearance."
Xu Fangyuan and Chen Dao exchanged a glance. Seeing Qian Fan's determination, they couldn't help being moved.
"Very well, child," Xu Fangyuan said slowly. "Since you've made your decision, we won't stop you. But remember, this road is full of unknowns and dangers."
"I'll be careful," Qian Fan replied with a nod.
Chen Dao patted Qian Fan's shoulder. "If you run into trouble, remember to come back to us. We'll always support you."
Qian Fan gave them a grateful look. "Thank you for your support, Your Majesties. But before that, I should tell you about a clue concerning Senior Li Guixian that I obtained in Atlantis..."
"What clue?" Chen Dao and Xu Fangyuan asked together.
Qian Fan took a deep breath and slowly said,
"In Atlantis, I discovered a mysterious temple. Inside was an ancient stone tablet engraved with strange symbols and writing.
After studying them, I discovered that these symbols and writings had some connection to Li Guixian. Perhaps this temple is the key to finding Ao Fa's whereabouts. Also..."
Qian Fan turned one hand over,
and there appeared in his hand
a copy of the Abyssal Codex.
Chen Dao and Xu Fangyuan exchanged a glance, surprise flashing in both their eyes.
"Where did you obtain this book?" Xu Fangyuan asked eagerly.
Qian Fan shook his head. "I still can't determine its exact location. But after taking this book there, I was forcibly transported to the Abyss Domain..."
"The Abyss Domain?" Chen Dao frowned. "That's an extremely dangerous place, full of powerful monsters and unknown traps. It's a tremendous stroke of luck that you returned alive."
Qian Fan nodded. "Indeed, my journey through the Abyss Domain showed me many of the universe's perils. But that experience also strengthened my resolve to find Li Guixian."
Of course, Qian Fan absolutely could not reveal anything about the system to anyone.
Xu Fangyuan fell silent for a moment, then said,
"Qian Fan, since you already have a clue, go and try. But before you act, you must prepare thoroughly. After all, finding Li Guixian's whereabouts will be no easy task."
Qian Fan cupped his hands. "Thank you for the reminder, Your Majesty. I'll proceed cautiously."
Xu Fangyuan casually took out the World Map.
Qian Fan accepted the map and examined it carefully. Various star domains and galaxies were marked on it,
with the Seven Star Domain at the center, the Abyss Domain to the south, the Phoenix Domain to the east, the Death Sea to the north-the place where the great battle had begun ten thousand years ago-and Atlantis to the west.
Some of those places shimmered with mysterious light.
"This is the intelligence I've collected over the years. I've marked some locations that might be connected to Li Guixian," Xu Fangyuan said, pointing at the map. "But these places are all extremely dangerous. You must approach them with care."
Qian Fan looked gratefully at Xu Fangyuan. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I'll be careful."
Chen Dao patted Qian Fan's shoulder. "Go, child. But remember, no matter what difficulties you encounter, don't give up easily. We look forward to your good news."
Qian Fan carefully lifted the sleeping Xu Yuan'er into his arms, as though she were an incomparably precious treasure.
His gaze was filled with tenderness and affection as he gently stroked her soft hair. Just as he was about to turn and leave, a voice suddenly rang out, breaking the peaceful atmosphere.
"Wait!" Xu Fangyuan called softly, a hint of urgency in his voice.
Qian Fan stopped and turned around to look at Xu Fangyuan, a flicker of puzzlement in his eyes.
Xu Fangyuan took a Soul Ring and a Soul Bone from his storage ring.
"Xiao Fan, this is from a Seven Star Beast I killed some years ago. I'll give you this hundred-thousand-year attributeless Soul Ring and the hundred-thousand-year left leg bone it dropped as farewell gifts."
Qian Fan gratefully accepted the Soul Ring and Soul Bone, well aware of how precious these gifts were.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will not disappoint you," Qian Fan said solemnly.
Xu Fangyuan smiled and nodded. "May fair winds fill your sails on this journey, and may you find the truth soon."
Carrying the sleeping Xu Yuan'er, Qian Fan bid farewell to Xu Fangyuan and Chen Dao
and entered the room.
Qian Fan put away the Soul Ring and Soul Bone, then gently laid Xu Yuan'er on the bed. Looking at her peaceful sleeping face, he was filled with reluctance to leave.
Qian Fan lightly kissed Xu Yuan'er's forehead, then turned and left the room.
He returned to his own room.
System, help me check the abilities of this Soul Ring and Soul Bone.
The system's voice rang out. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Such wonderful things, and why didn't you get them for me? Giving them to a useless host like you is a wanton waste of heaven's treasures.
Fine, I'll analyze them for you anyway. Analysis indicates that absorbing the hundred thousand year attributeless Soul Ring grants the host the following skills: Void Domain, which nullifies enemy attacks; Soul Impact, which damages souls. The hundred thousand year left leg bone comes with the skill Teleportation, which allows instantaneous movement to a designated location."
Delight appeared on Qian Fan's face. "Just what I'd expect of a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone. They really are powerful. With these, my chances of finding Ao Fa have improved."
Qian Fan began cultivating in seclusion, fusing with the Soul Ring and Soul Bone...
Before you continue