The voice was ethereal, giving the impression of the heavens speaking.
Though the people of Fuyuan Town did not know what was happening, to them, Zi Linling and Ye Lingyuan ascending into the sky was akin to deities.
Moreover, with the heavens themselves showing their power, how could they dare to hesitate?
Thus, the common folk kneeling on the streets of Fuyuan Town all began to kowtow to the two.
Zi Linling and Ye Lingyuan both frowned.
They were all too familiar with that voice; who else could it be but the Altar Spirit?
But why would the Altar Spirit create such a grand spectacle? Or rather, why would it help them win over the people's hearts?
Could it be...
Zi Linling and Ye Lingyuan had no time to ponder, for they noticed white dots appearing above the heads of those kowtowing.
Those white dots quickly flew towards them, surging into their bodies.
Subsequently, their bodies felt lighter, and the spiritual energy within them began to surge.
In just over a dozen breaths, their cultivation had been restored to its peak.
Furthermore, the restored spiritual energy was even more potent than before.
Zi Linling looked at Ye Lingyuan and transmitted her thoughts, "Do you know what those white light dots are?"
Ye Lingyuan shook his head and replied, "This King is also not entirely sure."
In truth, he had some suspicions, but he did not intend to voice them until they were confirmed.
A hint of disappointment flickered in Zi Linling's eyes. She had initially thought that even if Ye Lingyuan didn't know, he might have had some guesses.
But seeing Ye Lingyuan's straightforward answer now, it seemed he truly did not know.
But what exactly were they?
The moment those white light dots entered her body, she felt a warmth spread throughout her, filling her with strength.
"Little girl, this is... the power of faith!"
Old Du within the Nine Spirits Ring's eyes widened in disbelief.
Zi Linling was taken aback and asked, "The power of faith? What is that?"
Old Du said, "The power of faith is the strength generated by belief. It is a composite of gratitude, worship, trust, and more."
Zi Linling became more confused, but at this moment, she had no time to think, for her and Ye Lingyuan's bodies were slowly fading.
A tremendous repulsive force struck them, pushing them out of Fuyuan Town.
It was likely because the sixth trial had concluded, and they were to return to the altar.
Zi Linling's brow furrowed, and her voice, infused with spiritual energy, echoed above Fuyuan Town.
"Innkeeper of Fuyuan Inn, remember not to be greedy, or the fate of the Four Great Evildoers today will be your consequence tomorrow!"
As her words fell, Fuyuan Town completely lost sight of her and Ye Lingyuan.
Concurrently, on the sixty-ninth step of the Phantom Altar, two figures slowly materialized.
One was as white as snow, the other as black as ink.
The moment Zi Linling and Ye Lingyuan appeared, they felt the altar's suppression on their spiritual power and divine sense completely vanish.
It was unclear whether it was because the altar itself no longer had any suppression, or because they had broken through the restriction.
"Congratulations to both of you for passing the sixth trial. The rewards for this trial have been placed at the tenth trial. Please continue to strive."
The Altar Spirit's voice carried a hint of joy.
Zi Linling inwardly mused, "I wonder what this Altar Spirit is up to. It's best to be cautious."
Ye Lingyuan raised an eyebrow, also contemplating the Altar Spirit's intentions.
Because of this, both of them completely overlooked the Altar Spirit's latter sentence.
"Next, the seventh trial has begun. You have three breaths of time to prepare."
As the Altar Spirit's voice fell, their souls detached from their bodies and were drawn into the seventh trial.
Zi Linling thought, "Why is this Altar Spirit in such a hurry this time? It sent us in directly without even stating the question for the seventh trial."
But the moment she saw the scene before her, her complaints vanished without a trace.
Everything before her was so familiar.
Familiar place, familiar people, familiar environment.
Yes, in her current soul state, she had returned to the ancient martial Zi family of her previous life.
The old residence of the Zi family was a courtyard house structure with purple as its primary color, exuding an ancient aura everywhere.
Zi Linling stood at the entrance of the old residence, gazing at the two seal script characters engraved on the lintel of the purple gate – "Zi Family." A tempest of emotions surged within her.
She never expected to return here in her lifetime. Her heart ached immeasurably, but tears could not fall, for she was in a soul state.
Zi Linling sighed and stepped through the gate.
To the west of the gate was the courtyard. Two large trees stood on either side, like soldiers standing guard.
These two trees were over a thousand years old.
One was an osmanthus tree, the other a magnolia tree. Together with the pomegranate and begonia trees in the main courtyard of the central house, they symbolized abundance and prosperity.
Heading north from the courtyard were the three rooms of the main house. This was where Zi Linling's sweetest memories were made.
It was here that she once fell asleep in her mother's arms and acted spoiled in her father's embrace.
"Tianhe, where do you think our Lin'er is now?"
From the side room on the left, a woman's choked sobs could be heard.
Zi Linling's heart ached violently, and she found herself walking towards the side room uncontrollably.
Entering, she saw a woman in her forties, dressed in an ink-wash patterned qipao, sitting there and wiping away tears fiercely.
Opposite the woman sat a man dressed in a Western suit.
The moment Zi Linling saw the woman and the man, her heart clenched.
This woman was none other than her mother, Liu Ping.
And the man opposite her was none other than her father, Zi Tianhe.
Zi Tianhe lit a cigarette and tremblingly brought it to his lips, saying, "Pingping, Lin'er is my daughter. I also want to know where she is, but..."
Liu Ping wiped her tears, interrupting Zi Tianhe, "Tianhe, did you pressure Lin'er too much usually, so she's hiding?"
Zi Tianhe threw the cigarette in his hand into the ashtray, sat beside Liu Ping, and gently hugged her, saying helplessly, "Pingping, I also wish for Lin'er to be a carefree little princess, but who made her the young mistress of the Zi family? Who made her the heir to the Zi Group?"
"I don't care, what young mistress of the Zi family, what heir to the Zi Group, I don't care. I only want my Lin'er. Tianhe, I beg you, please help me find Lin'er, okay?"
Liu Ping cried out while hitting Zi Tianhe's back.
Zi Tianhe gently patted her back, his voice choked with emotion, "Pingping, don't worry. Even if I have to turn the entire Yan Country upside down, I will find Lin'er."