The energy within Feng Wuxu surged explosively, drawing from the immense power of Patriarch Feng Tian. Though he was already at the Ancestor Venerable Third Realm, he ascended to the Fourth Realm and continued to climb.
His cultivation did not stop its rapid ascent, only halting when it reached the Ancestor Venerable Sixth Realm.
Outside, tribulation clouds had gathered, heavy with impending doom. In the distance, three individuals, each at the Ancestor Venerable Seventh Realm, observed the spectacle. One remarked, "Remarkable, consecutive breakthroughs! This speaks of abundant origin energy. Brothers, our fortune has arrived."
"Indeed," another chimed in excitedly, "This origin energy, we can divide it amongst ourselves, or trade it with the major powers. We might even have a chance at Ancestor Saintdom!"
They had stumbled upon this phenomenon by chance, witnessing a truly wondrous sight. Their hearts pounded with anticipation. As for the one who had just broken through, he was merely at the Ancestor Venerable Sixth Realm, easily subdued by any one of them.
Feng Wuxu soared into the air, gazing at the darkening clouds with an unyielding heart. He craved strength, the strength to exact his revenge.
As the first bolt of tribulation lightning struck, Feng Wuxu found himself in a sorry state. Having ascended so many realms in rapid succession, he was naturally subject to a more formidable heavenly tribulation.
The three hidden observers watched. Once Feng Wuxu had weathered the tribulation, a beam of sword light slashed through, obliterating his physical body and leaving only his nascent soul to drift.
Feng Wuxu was aghast. What was happening? Were there others? And to attack him so dishonorably!
At this moment, the three figures emerged with swagger, one brandishing a sword with a sneer. Feng Wuxu's heart sank. These were three Ancestor Venerable Seventh Realm cultivators, superior to him, and three of them at that. What's more, they had ambushed him.
"Damn it!" Feng Wuxu seethed, cursing his carelessness and these opportunists. Would his long-awaited revenge never be realized?
"Haha, little one, consider yourself unlucky!" the swordsman declared, another blow descending to extinguish Feng Wuxu's nascent soul.
At that instant, Feng Wuxu's nascent soul pulsed with a verdant light, deflecting the strike. However, this act cost him dearly; his soul escaped, but devoid of all cultivation. His origin energy began to coalesce nearby, his spatial ring hovering in the void. The three men smirked. Even if the brat had evaded the fatal blow, what use was it? A simple follow-up strike would suffice.
"Ah, I hate you all! I curse you!" Feng Wuxu's soul roared.
The three paid him no heed.
Just then, Li Er, strolling through the heavens, happened upon the scene. "Brother Feng?" he exclaimed.
He instantly teleported, seizing Feng Wuxu's soul with one hand. Beneath his feet, the Thirty-Six-Grade Chaos Green Lotus descended, suppressing the three Ancestor Venerable Seventh Realm cultivators.
The three were paralyzed with shock. They had provoked a spatial-element Ancestor Saint! How could this be?
"My lord, spare us!" "My lord, we were wrong!" "My lord, have mercy!"
The three cried out, some even prostrating themselves, pleading for Li Er to let them go.
Releasing Feng Wuxu's nascent soul, Li Er inquired, "Brother Feng, what happened?"
"Brother Li, is that really you?" Feng Wuxu, regaining his composure, wept with joy.
"It is I!" Li Er nodded.
Feng Wuxu continued, "I heard you were forced into the Forbidden Realm by the Sacred Heaven Realm. I thought I would never see you again. To think you've directly achieved Ancestor Saintdom! Congratulations!"
Li Er chuckled, "It's nothing. Speaking of which, your current situation is rather… problematic!"
After all, Feng Wuxu was left with only his soul and would need to reincarnate to cultivate anew.
"Heh, it is fate. To be able to reincarnate and cultivate again, I must rely on you, Brother Li," Feng Wuxu replied with a wry smile.
"That's nothing," Li Er said, waving his hand. The three Ancestor Venerable Seventh Realm cultivators turned to dust, and their spatial rings were tossed into the Heavenly Dao Chat Group, triggering a massive red envelope for all to scramble for.
"Brother Li, I've heard your world is a grand and new one. This Tear of Heavenly Dao will aid its growth. I present it to you!" Feng Wuxu summoned the Tear of Heavenly Dao and offered it.
Li Er was surprised. This item existed?
Feng Wuxu then recounted the events, and Li Er finally understood.
Li Er pondered for a moment, then reached out, capturing Feng Wuxu's origin energy and sealing it within Feng Wuxu's soul. "Brother Feng, this is all I can do for you. I look forward to your return."
After Feng Wuxu offered his thanks, Li Er arranged for him to reincarnate in a newly discovered world.
Li Er then vanished with the Tear of Heavenly Dao.
He had originally planned to travel across the myriad realms, but instead, he encountered Feng Wuxu and obtained the Tear of Heavenly Dao. Now aware of the Twelve Sages' plan, he knew this artifact had two potential uses: one for the Primordial Heavenly Dao, and the other for Taiqing Laozi.
If given to the Primordial Heavenly Dao, all Heavenly Dao Saints would receive a boon, possibly elevating individuals like Zhun Ti to Ancestor Saint.
If given to Taiqing Laozi, his Chaos Bead, after devouring the Tear of Heavenly Dao, could evolve, potentially making Taiqing Laozi's cultivation comparable to that of the Ancestor Demon.
Thus, without hesitation, Li Er sought out Taiqing.
Meanwhile, within the Heavenly Dao Chat Group, many were clamoring to venture into the Forbidden Realm for training.
Figures like Tang San and Ye Fan expressed their eagerness.
Li Er made his way to the group space and produced five pairs of glasses he had acquired from the Sacred Heaven Realm. "There are only five pairs of these glasses, enough for five individuals to enter and become Ancestor Saints. Have you all made your decisions?"
With so many eager, Li Er reluctantly declared, "Then let us draw lots."
Ultimately, Tang San, Ye Fan, Zhun Ti, Hong Yun, and Zhen Yuanzi obtained the glasses and entered the Forbidden Realm.
With these glasses, as long as they were not reckless, they had a strong chance of ascending to Ancestor Saint.
Ignoring the chatter within the group, Li Er proceeded directly to Taiqing's secluded cultivation area. "I'm coming in!"
He entered without waiting for Taiqing's consent.
Taiqing Laozi looked up. "Weren't you traveling? Why have you come to find me?"
"I have obtained the Tear of Heavenly Dao, which can upgrade your Chaos Bead. Here's the situation," Li Er explained the events of the Feng Tian World and how Feng Wuxu had gifted him the Tear of Heavenly Dao.
Taiqing Laozi finally understood. So, the Twelve Sages had sought to destroy their Heavenly Dao realms to obtain the Heavenly Dao artifact.
He then considered their Heavenly Dao Chat Group, which seemed to grow stronger by incorporating new members and integrating rules. This explained much.
"I understand. Thank you for this," Taiqing Laozi said.
After all, upgrading his Chaos Bead would have likely been a lengthy and arduous process, requiring him to seek out origin energy, which was quite troublesome.