Originally, Xiao Man wanted Huo Lei to teach her battle qi, but Elder Shi personally took on this task in the end, while Huo Lei returned to White Wolf Village to await orders.
The Sun Village truly lived up to its reputation as the most powerful village in the region, and Elder Shi, as the most formidable great shaman, was adept at using battle qi, diligently and meticulously instructing Xiao Man.
Little Stone shuffled over to Jun Ru, "Big brother, how much longer will Sister Xiao Man be in seclusion?"
"She cannot leave this place until she learns to wield battle qi," Jun Ru leaned against a tree trunk, gazing at the sky. "This land is beginning to reawaken."
"Reawaken?" Little Stone looked puzzled. "Grandpa said that the Ruo Shui River isolates us, causing our land to become increasingly weak. If we don't find another way out, we will perish sooner or later."
Jun Ru tilted his head to glance at Little Stone and said softly, "Is the Ruo Shui River very terrifying?"
"Of course, it's terrifying. Birds cannot cross it, nothing floats on it. The water in the Ruo Shui River is undrinkable and no fish can survive in it. It's like a celestial chasm, cutting us off from the outside world."
Jun Ru ruffled Little Stone's hair. "Little Stone, this world is very complex; it's not simply black and white. While you see yourselves as cut off from vitality by the Ruo Shui River, people outside are also envious of you, for your unique specialness."
"Big brother, what do you mean?"
"The Ruo Shui River is a celestial chasm, but it is also your shield," Jun Ru said unhurriedly. "You must know that this land is the true birthplace of the divine race, containing the most primitive chaotic power."
"What does 'birthplace of the divine race' mean?"
"The place where the Heavenly God Xuan Xin was born," Jun Ru said in a low voice. "If she is to be reborn, she must return to this birthplace of the divine race. Only here can her shattered divine essence be completely repaired."
"The Heavenly God is returning?"
"Do you wish for her to return?" Jun Ru asked with a smile. This was Xuan Xin's birthplace, but the people here might not respect Xuan Xin as they once did.
Little Stone nodded vigorously. "Of course! Grandpa said we must do everything we can to survive and wait for the Heavenly God's return. As long as one person lives, the Xuan clan will never perish."
"The Xuan clan, I almost forgot. Your Sun Village is her direct lineage," Jun Ru looked up at the sky, his thoughts drifting afar. Mo'er, where are you now, and what are you doing? Do you still remember me?
"Big brother, what are you thinking about?"
"Thinking about my wife."
Little Stone looked curious. "Wife? Where is your wife?"
"I don't know," Jun Ru said gently. "When Xuan Xin perished, she entered the six paths of reincarnation with her."
"If she entered reincarnation, she won't remember you," Little Stone counted on his fingers. "Perhaps she's already married and had children. Her child might even be as old as me by now."
Jun Ru shot Little Stone a cold glance, flicked his sleeve, and sent the boy tumbling, rolling several times on the ground before stopping. Sudian Novel Network.
Little Stone scrambled up and darted behind a tree. "Big brother, why did you hit me?"
"You speak unpleasantly!"
"I'll tell Sister Xiao Man about this!"
"If it were the old her, I might be wary. The current her cannot even use battle qi; she's a useless wretch, what is there to fear?" Jun Ru sneered. "Besides, how old are you, to be tattling like this?"
"Compared to you, I'm very young. You're old!"
"Old?" Jun Ru touched his face. This face was still as breathtakingly beautiful as before, how could he be old? This child truly had no filter. Just as he was about to scold further, a powerful aura erupted from Xiao Man's secluded room, compelling an involuntary sense of submission.
"She did it!" Jun Ru stood up and looked at Xiao Man's room. So fast!
"What happened?" Little Stone was somewhat bewildered.
"Something good."
As he spoke, Xiao Man opened the door and walked out. Her aura was now unfathomably deep, even Jun Ru could not gauge it. He immediately stepped forward.
"It seems you can now use battle qi," Jun Ru said calmly. "Next, are we going to the underground palace?"
"No rush. I've just finished cultivating and need to stabilize," Xiao Man said unhurriedly. "There is no one here who can fight me. Could I trouble you to be my opponent?"
Jun Ru's expression shifted slightly, and he looked at Xiao Man with disdain. "To cross the river and tear down the bridge, that's you!"
Xiao Man scratched her head innocently. "How did I cross the river and tear down the bridge?"
"Our mermaid race is not skilled in combat. Even during the ancient divine wars, we only handled logistics from the rear. My wife perished because of you, and now you want to silence me?"
Xiao Man chuckled awkwardly. "Sorry, I didn't know you weren't skilled in combat."
"Our mermaid race has always been kind and dislikes conflict; we cannot fight..." Jun Ru's words were cut short as he felt an aura fluctuation. "Your opponent has arrived."
Xiao Man looked at Jun Ru, puzzled. "What opponent?"
"Someone has trespassed," Jun Ru moved swiftly outwards. "We must intercept them before they discover the village. The people inside cannot fight them."
"Little Stone, inform the great shaman there's an enemy attack and tell him to be on guard." Xiao Man swiftly darted out of the village, catching up with Jun Ru. Could it be pursuers? What kind of enemies would they be?
The two quickly arrived at the bank of the Ruo Shui River and indeed saw two people standing there. Both had considerable cultivation, dressed in plain white robes, appearing pure and unstained by the world.
"Xiao Man, you have wickedly released the Demon Lord who was suppressed in the land of impossibility. You are guilty of heinous crimes. Surrender quickly!" the two shouted upon seeing Xiao Man.
Xiao Man sneered. "You false gods, who have murdered your lord, usurped his throne, and harmed cultivators across the land, are guilty of grievous sins. Surrender yourselves and atone to the world!"
"Facing death, you still dare to quibble! Once I capture you and destroy your souls, let's see how you can argue!" The two charged forward simultaneously. One wielded a trident, the other a demon-subduing staff. Their attacks were as ruthless as their appearances were holy.
"Step back." Xiao Man pushed Jun Ru aside and met them with her sword. After several exchanges, she kicked one of them towards the Ruo Shui River. To evade Xiao Man's attack, the man retreated repeatedly, directly stepping onto the Ruo Shui River, and promptly fell straight down into it.
"Xi Yan!" The other man, seeing his companion fall into the Ruo Shui River, conjured a white silk ribbon from his sleeve and grabbed his fallen comrade, attempting to pull him out. Xiao Man surged forward, her sword piercing the man's white silk ribbon. Just as he was about to pull his companion out of the water, she severed the ribbon. The man who had just surfaced fell back into the Ruo Shui River.
"Killing a god is a great crime!"
"Then you should have been struck by divine lightning and scattered your souls long ago!"