[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starting-with-the-wasteland-sacred-body":3,"chapter-starting-with-the-wasteland-sacred-body-starting-with-the-wasteland-sacred-body-chapter-17":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Starting with the Wasteland Sacred Body",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2340824,4576,"Chapter 17","starting-with-the-wasteland-sacred-body-chapter-17",17,"\u003Cp>At the entrance of the Heavenly Emperor’s Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yuer remained kneeling on the ground, having not risen in a full year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her red feathered robe was caked with dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her once snow-white, delicate cheeks had lost all color, appearing pale and frail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Bai Yuer was a favored child of heaven, protected by the Vermilion Phoenix Divine Flame, a year of continuous kneeling without a single grain of food had left her extremely weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the past year, Jun Xiaoyao had come and gone from the Heavenly Emperor’s Palace many times, yet he had never once looked at her directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yuer’s heart sank deeper and deeper with the passing time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt Jun Xiaoyao might never forgive her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant she could never obtain the Elixir of Immortality from him, let alone use it to save her father, the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to Jun Linglong’s orders, the Vermilion Ancient Nation had not informed Bai Yuer that the Vermilion Emperor had received the Elixir of Immortality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yuer foolishly believed she had no hope left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt as if she had sunk into an endless, bottomless ocean, suffocating, her crimson eyes filled with despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, faint footsteps sounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yuer instinctively lifted her beautiful eyes—and her breath nearly stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure she had longed for day and night was truly walking toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Xiaoyao wore a pure white robe, spotless as snow, his skin glowing with divine radiance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a year, Jun Xiaoyao, now nine years old, had grown taller, his features exquisitely carved by heaven’s hand, already taking on a breathtakingly handsome appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression was calm as he stepped before Bai Yuer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Linglong followed closely behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I pay homage to the Divine Son!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yuer’s expression was stunned, yet filled with joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a full year, she had finally waited for this day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Xiaoyao studied Bai Yuer—her frame had thinned considerably, clearly showing sincere remorse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Jun Xiaoyao said nothing, merely gazing at her coolly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Bai Yuer bit her silver teeth lightly and bowed deeply three times before Jun Xiaoyao: “Divine Son, Yuer knows her fault. Please forgive me once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Xiaoyao said coolly: “Knowing your fault is enough. Rise. After all, I’m not some demon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Linglong, hearing this, muttered inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re not a demon, yet you made her kneel here for a whole year?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You even gave out the Elixir of Immortality already, yet hid it from Bai Yuer and kept her kneeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re the real old demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Divine Son.” Bai Yuer struggled to rise, her legs numb and trembling with weakness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Jun Xiaoyao flicked his finger—a top-tier Sacred Elixir landed in Bai Yuer’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yuer was even more stunned and honored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A top-tier Sacred Elixir could fetch a heavenly price outside; Jun Xiaoyao handed it to her as if it were nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, Bai Yuer felt no resentment toward Jun Xiaoyao—only gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She swallowed the Sacred Elixir and began to regain her strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Xiaoyao’s lips curled into a faint, cold smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old trick of striking first, then offering candy—he knew it too well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sacred Elixir’s effect was astonishing; Bai Yuer quickly shed her weakness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, thinking of her gravely ill Vermilion Emperor, Bai Yuer clenched her jade hand, hesitant to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To have earned Jun Xiaoyao’s forgiveness was already an unexpected blessing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could she now dare ask him for the Elixir of Immortality?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, Bai Yuer took a deep breath and bowed to Jun Xiaoyao: “Thank you, Divine Son, for your mercy. Yuer takes her leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep inside, Bai Yuer sighed—she had still failed to bring back the Elixir of Immortality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Jun Linglong softly laughed: “Bai Yuer, don’t you want the Elixir of Immortality?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yuer smiled bitterly: “To gain the Divine Son’s forgiveness is fortune enough. How could Yuer dare to ask for more?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why not contact the Vermilion Ancient Nation?” Jun Linglong’s beautiful eyes shimmered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yuer blinked, then pulled out a jade slip to send a message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Vermilion Ancient Nation replied immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Jun Clan delivered the Elixir of Immortality some time ago—it was all thanks to the Divine Son’s grace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Emperor’s injuries have fully healed, and he is now in seclusion, striving for a higher realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All of this is due to the Divine Son’s benevolence!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each message left Bai Yuer’s mind momentarily blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then her face flushed with excitement, disbelief trembling through her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Divine Son… it was you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yuer’s eyes blazed with fervor and emotion as she looked at Jun Xiaoyao, her voice choked with tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I told you—I’m no demon,” Jun Xiaoyao said calmly, smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, Jun Xiaoyao’s figure was deeply engraved into Bai Yuer’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From within to without, she felt as if she had become shaped entirely by him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her heart bore his imprint forever, impossible to erase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like a person drowning in utter despair, suddenly finding every hope fulfilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And every hope had been given to her by Jun Xiaoyao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuer vows to serve the Divine Son for life—as servant, as slave, without hesitation. If I break this oath, may thunder strike me down!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yuer knelt before Jun Xiaoyao, speaking with iron resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, she had knelt to beg forgiveness; now, she bowed with sincere, heartfelt submission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just then, a voice filled with fury rang out from beyond the Jun Clan’s gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is the Jun Clan’s Divine Son? To bully a weak woman—what kind of courage is that? Have the guts to fight me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice exploded like thunder, shaking heaven and earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many Jun Clan members were startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Jun Clan guard approached Jun Xiaoyao to report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Divine Son, a young man outside is causing trouble—he’s likely from the Azure Dragon Ancient Nation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph… looks like this fiancé still lacks self-awareness…” Jun Xiaoyao sneered inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said coolly: “Let him in. I’ll handle this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.” The guard withdrew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yuer, still kneeling, turned pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Xiaoyao had just forgiven her—and now her fiancé had come to provoke him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn’t this ruining everything?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Bai Yuer felt a flicker of resentment toward her fiancé, Xiao Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Divine Son, I—” Bai Yuer, panicked, hurried to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need,” Jun Xiaoyao waved his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, a young man in an Azure Dragon robe, handsome and refined, arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he saw Bai Yuer kneeling before Jun Xiaoyao, his eyes flared with rage, a storm of murderous intent surging forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any man would find it unbearable to see his fiancée kneeling before another man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuer, get up! How dare he force you like this!” Xiao Chen roared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Chen, be silent! How dare you disrespect the Divine Son!” Bai Yuer snapped sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chen froze, staring at Bai Yuer in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuer, I came to save you—why are you defending him?” Xiao Chen asked, bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough. I knelt of my own will. The Divine Son forgave me—I’m grateful. What are you doing here?” Bai Yuer said coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had once held slight affection for Xiao Chen, her childhood companion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Azure Dragon Ancient Nation broke its promise and withheld the Elixir of Immortality from the Vermilion Ancient Nation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had even asked Xiao Chen for help—he promised her, yet not a trace of the Elixir had appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for Jun Xiaoyao providing the Elixir of Immortality, her father might still be dying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Between Jun Xiaoyao and Xiao Chen—who truly owed her a debt?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuer, how can you think this way? Did he force you into this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chen clenched his teeth, his fury burning hotter.\u003C\u002Fp>",1273,"2026-06-20T23:29:44.332Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2b90a3a585c338d28d5aee0300c2dfdb10ee4ac3d5544ee196f59741024b6484","starting-with-the-wasteland-sacred-body-chapter-18","starting-with-the-wasteland-sacred-body-chapter-16",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-with-the-wasteland-sacred-body-cover.jpg"]