Finally, under Bai Ling’s gaze, it slightly moved its head, seemingly still adapting to this newly reborn body, its scarlet eyes sweeping over the old physician before finally resting on the tearfully excited Bai Ling.
Its pupils once again beca clear.
"It’s Xiu Xiu, my Xiu Xiu!"
"Wuuu..."
Bai Ling could no longer hold back, leaping forward to tightly embrace the Calamity-Devouring Beast, now crying uncontrollably.
....
Lin Chen and Lee Zhen had already left the Emperor Mountain area, but just as they had walked away, the weather changed, causing Lin Chen to look back once more.
"Did it follow us? Don’t scare ..." Lee Zhen quickly said upon seeing Lin Chen’s serious expression.
Lin Chen smiled wryly and said, "Not really, just feels like this rain is unusual."
"It’s just an ordinary thunderstorm." Lee Zhen touched the rainwater and said.
Lin Chen also looked up at the sky. Not being part of the National Preceptor’s faction, he naturally didn’t understand how to observe the lay of the land.
The two quickly left, hearing news along the way that the Divine Race, as rumors had it, would no longer live in seclusion and had begun establishing their territory in the Fallen God Mountains.
"It seems conflicts will be unavoidable in the future."
Lee Zhen frowned deeply.
"The Divine Race took a beating this ti..." Lin Chen said, "The most worriso thing is so opportunists might not be able to control themselves."
"What do you an?" Lee Zhen was puzzled.
"The Divine Race is considered formidable, and so forces might try to ingratiate themselves with them for opportunistic gains. Even if this happens, it would not be surprising." Lin Chen said.
"No way, we just finished fighting..." Lee Zhen said, "That’s a deep-seated enmity."
But soon after saying that, Lee Zhen’s expression turned grim.
In this world, there’s hardly any eternal enmity; many only care about benefits, disregarding everything else.
Lin Chen and Lee Zhen hurriedly traveled and finally arrived at their destination—Celestial Realm City.
However, upon stepping through the city gate, both were stunned.
It wasn’t Lin Chen’s first ti visiting Celestial Realm City. In the past, he had a martial duel with the Demon Race here, feeling almost like it was only yesterday.
Contrary to the vibrant, bustling scenes and crowded streets in mory, Celestial Realm City now seed exceptionally desolate.
The broad main street was sparsely populated, with many shops locked shut, so doors even gathering a thin layer of dust.
Occasionally, a hurried pedestrian passed by, head lowered, face filled with anxiety, lacking the confidence and composure of the past.
The whole city seed drained of its vitality, filled with a sense of oppression and unease.
"What’s going on?" Lee Zhen looked around, astonished, "Why does Celestial Realm City look like it’s been hit by a disaster? Where did everyone go? Wasn’t the war over?"
Lin Chen frowned deeply, equally puzzled.
Celestial Realm Mountain has no major dragon veins, even if the Divine Race attacked, they shouldn’t target this place. After so thought, he said, "Let’s go to the Sun family first."
The two wasted no ti, heading straight to the Sun family’s residence within the city.
Lin Fan was worried that the Sun family might have moved or sothing happened to them, but fortunately, upon arrival, they saw guards at the front, letting him breathe a sigh of relief.
After giving their nas, a servant quickly led them inside.
After a brief wait in the parlor, the patriarch of the Sun family, Sun Ji, hurriedly ca out to greet them.
"Young friend Lin Chen?!" Sun Ji was filled with surprise and even disbelief upon seeing Lin Chen, "What brings you here?"
"Predecessor Sun, long ti no see." Lin Chen saluted courteously.
Lee Zhen did the sa, feeling grateful for Sun Ji’s past assistance, which contributed to his new lease on life.
"I’ve heard about it, the Cyan Ox, the Eight-Tailed Divine Fox... the Phoenix Arm." Sun Ji said excitedly, "Fortunately, you were there, otherwise, the Divine Race would be over our heads by now."
Lin Chen and Lee Zhen shared a wry smile.
Sun Ji quickly invited them to sit down and inquired about the great battle.
Lin Chen and Lee Zhen recounted everything, and upon hearing it all, Sun Ji let out a sigh:
"It’s all mutual destruction... How can the Divine Race not understand?"
"Now that the Divine Race no longer lives in seclusion, what’s to co is even harder to anticipate." Lin Chen said.
"Indeed." Sun Ji said, "The Divine Race has always been petty, you and the Great Elder must watch out for revenge."
Lin Chen and Lee Zhen nodded, and Sun Ji then said, "Co, the journey is long; let’s sit down and talk over a al first."
The two stood up to salute, and once they entered the hall, Lee Zhen curiously asked:
"We passed through here and found the city’s population drastically reduced; do you know what happened?"
Hearing this, Sun Ji’s expression turned bitter. He invited Lin Chen and Lee Zhen to sit, waved others away, and sighed before slowly explaining:
"You both aren’t aware, but just before the news of the Divine Race’s invasion arrived, two uninvited guests ca to the city..."
He paused, lowered his voice with lingering fear:
"They were from the Ancient Race!"
"Ancient Race ca here?"
Lin Chen and Lee Zhen were shocked yet saw no traces of battle around.
"Not an army of the Ancient Race, but the sa Gu Qing duo that appeared at the Spirit Academy earlier. I wonder if young friend Lin Chen rembers them?"
"Gu Qing and her disciple?" Lin Chen was taken aback.
Judging by the tiline, after leaving the Spirit Academy, they ca straight to Celestial Realm City?
What did they co here for?
Could it be... they were pursuing the whereabouts of the Phoenix Blood?
But wasn’t that Phoenix killed in Celestial Capital?
Why would they co here?
"What were they doing here?" Lin Chen inquired.
Sun Ji shook his head, his face filled with confusion:
"Their movents were very secretive, unknown to anyone at the ti. Based on eyewitnesses, they lingered in Celestial Realm City for several days, seemingly searching for sothing, making contact with several local dominant forces, their attitude... quite aggressive."
"This was only known later when people from Celestial Capital ca to investigate."
He shifted his tone, sounding grave:
"Later, as word of the Divine Race’s impending invasion spread, panic ensued..."
"Rumors said... they were most likely t with misfortune around this Celestial Realm City!"
Lin Chen and Lee Zhen exchanged glances, both seeing the shock in each other’s eyes.
It seed the death of Gu Qing and her disciple was real, not sothing fabricated by the Ancient Race.
But Gu Qing and her disciple were not weak; who could have easily killed them?
"Have Celestial Capital investigations determined who is responsible?" Lin Chen asked seriously.
Sun Ji shook his head again, deeply wary:
"There are no leads at all. Because of this matter and the threat of the Divine Race’s invasion, many families and forces, aware of the Ancient Race’s power, feared the Ancient Race might hold Celestial Realm City accountable for their deaths, leading to catastrophe!"
"So, after the news spread, all those able to move brought their families and left to avoid the trouble."
So that’s it!
Lin Chen and Lee Zhen ca to realize.
If the Ancient Race learned that their people died here, regardless of the reason, the Ancient Race in their rage might indiscriminately purge the city.
The three chatted idly until they were well-fed and drunk, at which point Sun Ji asked, "I presu you two ca for an important matter?"
Lin Chen saluted and said, "To be honest, senior, we have co with a request."
He then released Xiaobai, making Sun Ji initially think it was Xiaobai or Xiao Hong injured, only to find it was in fact Xiaobai.
Sun Ji had a deep impression of Xiaobai, having once helped it unleash the elixir’s power for a leap in level.
"Infected with Phoenix Karmic Fire?"
Sun Ji frowned.
With Xiaobai’s low level and the always domineering Phoenix Karmic Fire...
According to Lin Chen’s description, it was ominous.
Sun Ji extended his hand to examine Xiaobai’s abdon, touching its head a few tis before concluding:
"If it were an ordinary spirit beast, it would have long perished."
"But your Xiaobai is unique."
Upon hearing this, Lin Chen hurriedly asked, "Can it be saved?"
"Your Xiaobai seems to have strong life force. If the Phoenix Karmic Fire can be neutralized, it shouldn’t be a problem," Sun Ji said. "But neutralizing Phoenix Karmic Fire isn’t an easy task."
"What is needed?" Lin Chen asked.
"I’ll think it over tonight; neutralizing Phoenix Karmic Fire is sothing I only know a little about..."
"Alright." Lin Chen nodded.
That night, Lin Chen thought over Sun Ji’s words, feeling sowhat anxious.
Lin Chen had always treated these little creatures equally.
Xiaobai couldn’t afford anything to happen.
The next day, Lin Chen finally t Sun Ji, who said:
"Phoenix Karmic Fire is an extrely fiery elent. I suspect you may have to venture into the sea this ti."
"Are you familiar with the Dragon Palace of the East Sea?"
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