Chapter 71: Divine Spirit

Ancient land.

Most people, after confirming they could no longer enter the bubble barrier, gathered together to discuss what to do next.

Lu Fang was not among them; he was constantly entering and exiting the bubble barrier.

“Since none of us can enter the bubble barrier anymore, and nothing here is blessed by fortune, why not leave together? We can look out for each other.”

Tao Yidie said.

Pei Kuang agreed: “I support it!”

Pan Youzhi, He Zixuan, and others also agreed; some were willing, naturally, others were not.

Wang Teng shook his head: “I’ll wait a bit longer before leaving. I’ve only gotten here once in my life—what if some place holds a great opportunity? I’d regret missing it.”

Wei Chaochun nodded: “I’ll stay with Wang Teng. It’s safer here than outside. I’ll leave once my injuries heal.”

Song Ce also said: “I’ll stay too.”

Besides these three, everyone else decided to leave.

“Take care!”

“You too.”

After bidding farewell, they split into two groups.

Wang Teng, seeing everyone had left, said: “Song Ce, you didn’t ride the Clan Fortune Whale—meaning you didn’t gain fortune. Can you even enter the bubble barrier?”

Song Ce shook his head: “I was captured by the barbarians as soon as I entered here. I never tried entering the bubble barrier.”

Wang Teng grinned: “Then find a spot and give it a try.”

Song Ce snapped: “I’ve ingested Barbarian Poison Pills. Even if I absorbed the aura of scholarly qi, I can now only summon a trace of righteous qi. What if I can get in and encounter a monstrous beast? I’m not trying!”

“Tsk!” Wang Teng frowned. “What are you afraid of? You don’t even know if you can get in. If you can, just touch the bubble again and you’ll pop right out.”

Song Ce fell silent, his face showing deep thought. To others, he appeared to be weighing risks and benefits—but in truth, a seductive voice echoed again in his ear.

“He looks down on you. He’s treating your life like a joke. With my help, you already have the power to kill him. Find an opportunity—kill him. No one will ever know…”

Song Ce’s heart trembled in fear: “Who are you! Why are you in my mind? Get out right now!”

This seductive voice had not existed before.

Only after annihilating the barbarians did his arm burn—and a golden vertical eye tattoo appeared, then vanished quickly. After that, he heard it.

“Who am I? Hahaha… I am the Divine Spirit! I can grant you infinite power, supreme authority. Killing these two men is nothing to you.”

“Are you from the Divine Human Clan?”

“Of course not. I am the spirit born from the remnants of the Divine Human Clan. That fool Jinmao Demon Ape was killed, so I chose you as my successor. What is that human, the Marquis of Literary Crown, compared to you? You alone should become the sole sovereign!”

“I am the successor!”

Song Ce swallowed hard, his face taut, lips curled in a half-smile.

Wei Chaochun nudged Song Ce, concerned: “Song brother, don’t mind him. Brother Wang was just joking—you know how he is. Don’t take it to heart.”

Wang Teng looked utterly baffled. “Seriously? Song Ce, are you this timid? I just want you to try—it’s not dangerous at all. Forget it, let’s just wander around.”

…

Year 29 of Tianfeng.

December 2nd.

Today was the day those from Great Zhou who entered the Lesser Upper Realm returned. A dense crowd surrounded the back mountain of Wenyuan Academy, blocking every path.

Such a scene was normally forbidden, but this time was different.

Half a month ago, the Barbarian Plague Zone in the northern border retreated, leading to a great victory for the Zhenbei Army. After investigation by the Celestial Observatory, it was determined that the nation’s fortune had suddenly increased by four chi.

After repeated analysis, the conclusion was reached: those who entered the Lesser Upper Realm had gained vast fortune, causing the nation’s fortune to surge accordingly.

The Son of Heaven was overjoyed and granted a special decree: use the Fortune Treasure to examine the fortune of every returning individual, and permit direct family members to observe.

Rewards must be given!

“Master Xiao has arrived!”

“Congratulations, Master Xiao! Yunru must have returned with abundant fortune!”

“The top seventh-rank cultivator—truly deserving of the title!”

“Thank you, thank you!” Xiao Wanlin’s wrinkled face beamed with joy.

Before entering the Lesser Upper Realm, Xiao Yunru had already been widely favored.

Once news spread that those who entered the Lesser Upper Realm gained great fortune and achieved great merit, Xiao Yunru, as the top seventh-rank cultivator, was thrust to the center of attention.

“Will my brother be alright?”

Lu Ling, standing farther away, looked worried.

Li Yu reassured her: “Don’t worry. Though Master Xiao is only at the eighth-rank realm, he has a Book Spirit and two transcendent forces—he can protect himself easily.”

They did not wait long before a vortex appeared above the cliff on the back mountain.

Wang Teng was the first to be teleported out. As soon as he steadied himself, the sight of the massive crowd startled him.

Before he could understand what was happening,

an ancient, plain mirror engraved with dragon and phoenix patterns shot a beam of light onto Wang Teng, and a golden glow of three chi rose from him.

Zhou Heng, the Celestial Observatory’s Director, white-bearded and ethereal, stroked his beard and said: “A seventh-rank ordinary person typically has half a chi of fortune. Those with better talent reach at most one chi. Three chi of fortune? Excellent!”

Wang Teng walked down, utterly confused.

Wang Wu slapped his shoulder hard, smiling softly: “You little brat—you’ve made your old man proud!”

After learning the full situation, Wang Teng scratched his head. “Didn’t expect I could contribute to the Zhenbei Army.” He then recounted his encounter with the Clan Fortune Whale and the Ancient Land in the Lesser Upper Realm.

As soon as he spoke,

the crowd erupted in gasps.

Clan Fortune Whale!

Ancient Land!

No wonder the Barbarian Plague Zone retreated—it seems everyone who entered the Lesser Upper Realm gained considerable fortune.

The second person teleported back.

He had not ridden the Clan Fortune Whale and possessed only half a chi of fortune, but no one cared. Most were eagerly awaiting the fortune of their own children—or especially Xiao Yunru, the top cultivator.

Teleportation continued.

Lingxiao Daoist, Tao Yidie, Pei Kuang, He Zixuan…

Those who had ridden the Clan Fortune Whale each carried about three chi of fortune and were warmly applauded.

Xiao Wanlin smiled faintly: “These people’s fortune doesn’t seem substantial enough to raise Great Zhou’s national fortune by four chi.”

Xiao Qi’s eyes lit up. “Father means Yunru might have gained far more fortune—possibly more than all of them combined.”

Xiao Wanlin gave a slight nod: “With the Clan Fortune Whale and the Ancient Land, it’s not impossible. You’ve raised a fine son.”

“It’s because Father raised Yunru so well.”

Xiao Qi’s joy could no longer be concealed—if not for the crowd, he would have laughed aloud to the heavens!

At that moment, Lu Fang was teleported out.

Xiao Wanlin, upon seeing Lu Fang, frowned. It was a pity Yunru hadn’t killed this boy.