Chapter 2: Manifest Spirit (Please Collect)

Inside the Zhang Family Ancestral Hall.

As bundles of treasure notes turned into green smoke, shooting straight into the azure clouds.

At this moment, a magnificent incense power wove through the hall, penetrating heaven and earth.

The immortal sect is vast; within a grand, illusory holy realm, a stunningly beautiful presence has always awaited.

This is Qingxin Hall.

She is Qingxia Shenü, the chief guard of Yaochi; in terms of status, she ranks among the foremost female immortals of Yaochi.

Qingxia Shenü's lovely eyes glistened as she lifted her gaze to the Two Realms Pool before her.

The nine‑colored pool water was like a mirror.

Shortly after, a great mass of fierce divine light appeared, revealing countless golden ingots that instantly entered her body.

"Zhang clan members, the supreme incense offering is three thousand!"

Qingxia Shenü's phoenix eyes flickered slightly.

This amount of wish power has limited effect for a female immortal of her level.

Even if it is flawless, it is an extremely rare, unblemished incense that contains the rhythm of heaven and earth's Dao.

Yet on the dull divine throne, it is also a rare regulator.

Just then, Qingxia Shenü's eyes twitched, and she saw huge waves suddenly erupt in the Two Realms Pool, the nine‑colored pool water bubbling with a gurgling sound.

String music drifted away, heavenly tones entwined.

In an instant, a golden streak flew down into her hand.

It was a golden seven‑layer treasure pagoda.

The golden light shimmered, and seven golden bells swayed in the wind; their sound possessed a unique tranquility, harmony, dispelling hostility and clearing all distracting thoughts.

"This is a merit‑based magical implement, born innately, nurtured by the Heavenly Dao?"

Qingxia Shenü immediately rose to her feet, slightly appraising the treasure pagoda.

The rarity of merit‑based treasures needs no further explanation!

Merit‑based magical implements are also extremely rare in the immortal realm.

Especially for certain special immortals—such as those bound by calamities or with deep karmic burdens—it could be a lifeline.

Even if one does not use it oneself, selling it would still fetch an extremely high price.

"I never expected it could produce such a change!"

Under the fluctuation of Qingxia Shenü's Dao heart, myriad flowers bloomed in the divine realm, and a hint of surprise appeared in her eyes.

Let's not mention the value of the Soul‑Suppressing Pagoda to her for now.

This thing is, for her sister, truly a gift of charcoal in the snow.

Her sister is currently enduring the demon tribulation, about to reenter the mortal world; this treasure can safeguard a thread of her true spirit, and after reincarnation it also holds hope for her return.

It can truly be called a lifeline.

Qingxia Shenü casually put away this golden divine pagoda, her phoenix eyes showing some contemplation.

Since that's the case, as her "ancestor," she naturally ought to show something—she can't just take the advantage for free.

Returning a favor or two is also proper etiquette.

But looking at the narrow heavenly passage before her, Qingxia Shenü changed her mind, for with her cultivation some things are too powerful to slip through for now.

It would also be a violation.

Although as a Yaochi immortal she has certain privileges, she cannot go too far.

lest her opponents seize on a weakness.

For now, she can only send small items or intangible treasures over, such as bestowing a cup of qi fortune or a qi‑fortune gold pearl, these minor treasures.

"Gold pearl? Right, earlier the Southern Heaven Fire God asked me for a favor and sent several precious gems; after giving a few away, I still seem to have one left!"

The goddess fell into thought, and a smile flickered in her eyes.

As she focused, an intangible small sphere appeared on her fair jade palm, then drifted out, fell into the Heavenly Pool, after which a azure bird messenger carried it away.

At the same time she hurried off to another immortal realm with the Soul‑Suppressing Pagoda!

……

Zhang Family, Fanglin Residence—Zhang Jian had already fallen asleep after returning to his room.

In his dream, however, he saw a huge azure bird fly out from the direction of the clan shrine, and suddenly a light fell outside his window.

Zhang Jian felt, in the dream, a cluster of blazing fire‑light descend from the sky and land in his heart.

Shortly after, a goddess whose whole body radiated golden light appeared—tall, graceful, and inviolably divine.

Zhang Jian, in a daze, also sat up from the bed.

In a moment, he faintly saw an azure bird enter his embrace.

With a wave of her hand, a thread of fire turned into red light that shot out and instantly landed on Zhang Jian.

"Young Master of the Zhang family, this is the reward from the envoy and your clan shrine's sacrifice—an immortal realm rarity; I hope you can accept it well!"

Her voice was gentle, as if she wanted to say more, but suddenly she sensed a thread of intense divine light about to overflow in the vague void; she furrowed her brows, then instantly mounted the azure bird and soared into the sky.

This great realm is no ordinary place; inside lie countless taboos that even they must not cross, they must follow the heavenly law, otherwise they would also face unforeseen danger.

At that moment in the dream, Zhang Jian vaguely felt a huge azure bird that blotted out the sky come from the horizon; as it passed by his side, an immortal apricot flew and landed in his hand.

Countless unnamed sounds rose in his ears; he only felt dizzy and unable to hear clearly, vaguely catching a few words—roughly that after the clan shrine sacrifice he had received some elder's reward.

He was granted a Southern Fire Immortal Apricot.

At the same time they informed him of the apricot's origin.

Shortly after, Zhang Jian suddenly woke up, naturally sitting up from the mat, and at the same time he noticed an extra object in his hand.

It was a fiery‑red 'pearl'!

The whole body radiates a gorgeous fiery red light!

A strong, fresh fragrance came and went, stirring his taste buds and making his mouth water.

That is a fiery red immortal apricot!

Zhang Jian did not know what this thing was, but he vaguely knew it was not ordinary.

Actually, this Southern Fire Immortal Apricot in his hand is a certain-generation descendant of the Heaven-Earth Divine Object Wind Thunder Immortal Apricot; although it is four or five generations removed from the Heaven-Earth Spiritual Root Wind Thunder Immortal Apricot, it is still a precious item. Eating it can strengthen the foundation and nurture the essence, nourish the spirit and mind, and enhance the soul.

Zhang Jian's eyes showed excitement he could not hide; this was the first time he had obtained a tangible object.

There is still some difference between tangible and intangible things.

Looking at the immortal apricot in his hand, Zhang Jian thought for a moment, then took a few bites and finished it.

This immortal apricot tastes great—crisp, sweet, and juicy. After eating it, a refreshing flavor spreads, as if entering the limbs and bones, making the whole person suddenly feel whole.

A warm current flowed from his stomach to his limbs.

Zhang Jian raised his hand; his eyes blurred slightly, swaying. After a moment, he gradually saw deep into his own flesh and blood, as if a hazy light had arisen, hot and warm. Gradually he became like someone deeply drunk, his face flushed as he slowly collapsed to the ground. Fortunately, the attentive servant outside noticed the movement inside and quickly called people to lift him onto the daybed.

……

On the second day, in the faint morning light,

In the courtyard, many Zhang Clan guards were playing with swords and spears, or practicing fists and feet in morning training; the blood‑licking fighters still valued most their fists, feet, and weapons in hand.

This is a breadwinner.

Especially, many of the Zhang Clan's businesses cannot do without martial escort.

Although the courtyard had no flashing blades, there was occasionally the mournful sound of a blade, bringing a chill that made people uncomfortable.

Under the pavilion corridor, Zhang Jian was tall and slender; today he wore a simple blue outfit, merely binding his hair with a black jade hairpin. Behind him, his attendant Zhang Lu had a strange expression. Zhang Jian had been standing here for a while, and today he seemed especially interested in the skills of those fighters.