Zi Lingling asked in shock, "Is this true?"
Xu Rongwei nodded, "Not a word of falsehood! Of course, as for the specifics, it will still require Miss Zi to go to Zhantian Domain herself to find out."
"Alright! Thank you!"
Zi Lingling said sincerely.
After all, for Ye Lingyuan to awaken, three drops of Tears of True Emotion needed to be collected.
These three drops were a Tear of Filial Affection, a Tear of Love, and a Tear of Friendship.
What troubled Zi Lingling the most was the Tear of Filial Affection, because, as Ye Lingyuan had told her, his father and mother were no longer alive.
Although she couldn't understand why Ye Lingyuan and Ye Zhan, the head of the Ye family, two people with no apparent connection, bore such a strong resemblance, a flicker of joy ignited in her heart.
Perhaps, going to Zhantian Domain was the key to healing Ye Lingyuan.
Xu Rongwei smiled and said, "It's a small matter, Miss Zi, why be so polite? If anyone should be thanked, it is I who should thank Miss Zi for giving me and the Xu family this opportunity."
Zi Lingling smiled gently, "In that case, let's go our separate ways! Patriarch Xu, please return!"
"Yes! Miss Zi, walk slowly!" Xu Rongwei cupped his fists.
Zi Lingling returned the gesture and then set off towards Jiusheng Domain.
Xuanyuan Xun, Rong Guang, Shangguan Yulin, and Shen Liuxing also cupped their fists in return before following Zi Lingling's steps.
Du Zihao's lips moved, appearing as though he had something to say but hesitated.
Xu Rongwei, being a shrewd man, naturally noticed Du Zihao's unspoken words.
He smiled and said, "Brother Du, please speak your mind freely!"
"I..."
Du Zihao hesitated for a moment and then said, "Could I trouble Patriarch Xu to keep an eye out for the whereabouts of Xuan Feng of the Xuan family?"
Xu Rongwei chuckled, "I thought it was something major! Brother Du, rest assured, I will notify Miss Zi as soon as I have any news!"
"Thank you! Then I'll be going too! Farewell!"
After Du Zihao finished speaking, he felt a sense of relief and then caught up with Zi Lingling and the other four.
Jiusheng Domain was named so in commemoration of the nine great guardians who protected Planet Zhanlan: Mother Venerable Feng Liqi, Father Venerable Bao Fengxi, Poison Venerable Yan Wudao, War Venerable Xuanyuan Tian, Pill Venerable Dan Wuji, Formation Venerable Wanyan Lie, Seal Venerable Ji Zihao, Sea Venerable Xuan Xuzi, and Heaven Venerable Xi Zhihe.
Jiusheng Domain was the dwelling place of the descendants of these nine great guardians.
In the Nine Domains of the Gods, there were constant struggles and battles between the various domains, yet Jiusheng Domain remained peaceful. Even when battles occurred between the other eight domains, they would deliberately avoid Jiusheng Domain out of respect.
Jiusheng Domain had ten cities. In addition to the nine cities named after the honorary titles of the nine great guardians, there was Jiunsheng City, named directly after the Nine Saints.
Jiunsheng City was located at the center of Jiusheng Domain, surrounded by Mother Venerable City, Father Venerable City, Poison Venerable City, War Venerable City, Pill Venerable City, Formation Venerable City, Seal Venerable City, Sea Venerable City, and Heaven Venerable City, like stars surrounding the moon.
The first city Zi Lingling, Xuanyuan Xun, Rong Guang, Shangguan Yu, Shen Liuxing, and Du Zihao entered was Heaven Venerable City.
Upon entering Heaven Venerable City, the six felt a sense of heaviness, especially Shangguan Yulin, who had integrated with the remains of Heaven Venerable, found it most difficult.
"Esteemed guests, do you require a guide?"
A grubby little girl suddenly darted out from the side, blocking their path and asking.
Zi Lingling looked at the little girl and smiled gently, "Little girl, do you think we do?"
The little girl smiled sweetly and said, "You are not from Heaven Venerable City, so you should not be familiar with it. Therefore, I believe you do."
"Oh?"
Zi Lingling's interest was piqued, and she chuckled softly, "How do you know we are not from Heaven Venerable City?"
The little girl confidently replied, "Pretty sister, I grew up in Heaven Venerable City. To survive, I've been a guide since I was five years old. I can tell if you are from Heaven Venerable City or not at a glance!"
"Oh!"
Zi Lingling smiled brightly, "Indeed, I wouldn't have thought you were so sharp for your age! It seems we do need a guide like you! We wish to pay respects to Heaven Venerable, can you take us there?"
The little girl puffed out her chest proudly, "Of course, there's nothing in Heaven Venerable City that I don't know! Follow me!"
Saying that, she took the lead.
Zi Lingling smiled and said, "Let's go! Let's follow and see!"
Under the little girl's guidance, the group went through many twists and turns, and soon arrived at a shrine.
On the plaque above the entrance to the shrine, the words "Heaven Venerable Shrine" were written in a vigorous calligraphy.
The Heaven Venerable Shrine was crowded with people, forming several long queues.
The little girl quickly explained, "Esteemed guests, these people are all here to pay respects. Because there are too many, they have to wait in line."
"Is this Heaven Venerable Shrine always this crowded?" Shen Liuxing asked, raising an eyebrow.
The little girl nodded and said, "Yes, Heaven Venerable is our great hero. Everyone deeply admires him, and many locals and visitors come to pay respects every day!"
"Heroes indeed deserve respect and remembrance," Zi Lingling said admiringly.
Rong Guang put on a distressed face, "It should be, and he is indeed worthy! But with so many people, when will we be able to pay our respects?"
Xuanyuan Xun said with a solemn expression, "Indeed! How about I go queue up, and everyone finds a place to rest for a while?"
Zi Lingling was about to nod when she heard the little girl confidently say, "No need to queue, follow me!"
After speaking, the little girl led them around to a side entrance of the shrine.
The side door was closed, forming a stark contrast to the bustling crowd at the main entrance.
"Esteemed guests, please wait a moment, I'll go knock on the door!"
The little girl said, then stepped forward and knocked three times on the door, then respectfully waited aside.
After a moment, the closed side door creaked open, and a young shrine attendant peeked out.
When he saw the little girl, a smile appeared on his face, "Xiao Xiang, is that you!"
The little girl nodded and said, "Brother Xi, I've brought a few guests from afar who wish to pay respects to Lord Heaven Venerable, but the main entrance is too crowded. Please could you make an exception?"
The young man heard this and looked at Zi Lingling and the other five.
Soon, his gaze fell on Shangguan Yulin.
He stood still for a few seconds, then opened the door and said, "You may come in!"
Zi Lingling said, "Thank you," and walked inside.
Xuanyuan Xun, Rong Guang, Shangguan Yulin, Shen Liuxing, and Du Zihao followed closely behind and entered.
The young man took the opportunity to pull out a mid-grade spirit stone and handed it to the little girl named Xiao Xiang, whispering, "Don't say a word about today, understood?"