Chapter 791 - 273: Golden Skeleton
The figures of the two transformed into streaks of light, heading directly toward the Black Water Pavilion.
On the second floor of the Black Water Pavilion, Shen Yuan listened to the uncle and nephew’s account with a stern face, not uttering a word.
"Xu Zhan shouldn’t die so easily."
After a long silence, Shen Yuan spoke deeply, "When I derived the ’Water Tribulation’ hexagram, I faintly saw a trace of the Life Gate."
"This means that this tribulation is not a certain-death ordeal."
Upon hearing this, the uncle and nephew both showed a hint of joy on their faces.
"Grandfather, what do you think we can do now?"
Since it wasn’t a doomed situation, it meant there was still a glimmer of hope.
Shen Chongming believed they must act now to expand Xu Zhan’s slim chance of survival and help him avert danger.
Hearing this, Shen Yuan pondered for a long time and then sat cross-legged on the mat beside him.
Those who cultivate the Path of Great Derivation must avoid getting involved personally.
This action could not only disrupt the fate of those within the situation, linking unintended karma, but also potentially trap oneself, causing severe backlash.
This is why he did not delve too deeply into the location of the Life Gate when he first saw it in the ’Water Tribulation’.
But now, things had reached this point. Xu Zhan was not just his grandson-in-law but also the foundation of the Shen Family. If he didn’t try, he wouldn’t feel satisfied.
After mobilizing the Power of Great Derivation within him, Shen Yuan chose to use the White Jade Turtle Shell as a medium for safety.
After his Divine Sense Body activated the White Jade Turtle Shell, he took one step and disappeared into a swirling vortex of red and white.
The next moment, his divine sense was transported by the White Jade Turtle Shell to the bottom of the Laishui River.
The dark river water flowed silently.
The vortex below, emitting a dark purple halo, spun slowly.
Above the vortex, through the dim purple Ice Coffin, Shen Yuan vaguely saw Xu Zhan inside the Ice Coffin.
Everything was as Shen Wen’an said, he clearly felt that Xu Zhan inside the Ice Coffin had no breath, like a dead man.
Feeling this, Shen Yuan was perplexed.
"The Life Gate has not disappeared..."
"But the person is already dead, and there’s no even a trace of their spirit."
"What’s the meaning of this Life Gate?"
While musing in his mind, a faint golden figure suddenly rushed down rapidly from the water above!
The faint golden shadow arrived at Shen Yuan’s consciousness without any hesitation and instantly launched a terrifying attack!
The force of this attack was several times stronger than when it tangled with Shen Wen’an!
The surrounding cold river water, under this punch’s force, formed a terrifying water dragon that roared upward!
But this kind of attack had no effect on Shen Yuan at all.
The White Jade Turtle Shell had a peculiar ability, allowing him to witness the situation at the bottom of the Laishui River without letting his divine sense suffer any attack.
This ability had been demonstrated back when Bai Ze passed away at Danzhou Qishan.
The water dragon roared, stirring up the surrounding river water.
After everything settled down, the faint golden skull slightly tilted its head, the hollow black holes where its eyes should be "staring" at a specific position in the dark river water.
If it had flesh and blood, its eyes would surely be filled with perplexity at this moment.
It certainly couldn’t understand, knowing there was someone in that place, but having no way to attack them.
At this moment, Shen Yuan was also curiously observing the golden skeleton not far away.
The two sides stared at each other at the bottom of the river for an unknown length of time.
A faint golden light suddenly surfaced in the dim purple Ice Coffin containing Xu Zhan’s body below!
The moment the golden light appeared, the golden skeleton confronting Shen Yuan suddenly moved!
It flickered and vanished from its original spot!
When it reappeared, it was already in front of the giant Ice Coffin.
Feeling Shen Yuan’s gaze, the faint golden skeleton spun around, a hint of murderous intent slowly emanating from its body!
It seemed to be warning him not to have any designs on the Ice Coffin!
Seeing this, Shen Yuan vaguely understood that this faint golden skeleton seemed to be guarding Xu Zhan’s body.
Could it be that Xu Zhan still had the potential for rebirth within the Ice Coffin?
Staring at the faint light inside the dim purple Ice Coffin, Shen Yuan waited quietly.
The time that passed was unknown.
As the faint light grew stronger, a faint aura also slowly revived from the Ice Coffin.
At this moment, Shen Yuan’s heart, which had been on edge, could finally rest easy.
Because the reviving aura from inside the Ice Coffin was precisely Xu Zhan’s life force.
The presence of life force indicated that Xu Zhan had found the Life Gate and thus escaped danger.
Feeling Xu Zhan’s spiritual fluctuation slowly emerging again, Shen Yuan didn’t want to linger further and raise the golden skeleton’s suspicion. With a thought, he returned his divine sense to his body.
When he opened his eyes, it was already dark outside.
Shen Chongming and Shen Wen’an were still sitting opposite him.
"Father, did you come up with a solution?"
Shen Yuan’s face showed a slight smile of relief, saying, "There is no need to stir any trouble now."
"Xu Zhan should be fine now; he should be back in a few days at most."
After some contemplation, he added, "I estimate that when Xu Zhan returns this time, barring any surprises, he should achieve the Impeccable Golden Body, becoming a true Fifth Realm Body Cultivator."
"As for the skeleton you mentioned, I think it doesn’t intend to harm. It should be related to Xu Zhan’s legacy."
Hearing this, both faces showed delight.
"So Grandfather, does that mean Xu Zhan, in this case, actually benefited from the misfortune?"
Shen Yuan nodded slightly and sighed, "This was indeed his destiny."
"Alright, you both may leave now; I am tired."
This time, using a large amount of Great Derivation Power was a significant expenditure for him.
The uncle and nephew could see the tiredness in his eyes, so they stood up, gave a bow, and left the Black Water Pavilion.
...
Over a month passed in the blink of an eye, and when Shen You and Xu Jingzhe started to doubt whether their family was comforting them by saying Xu Zhan was okay deliberately,
suddenly, the cultivators of Yunshui City’s South City Gate heard a terrifying explosion coming from the Laishui River a few miles away!
Immediately afterward, from the towering water column, a figure rapidly shot towards the sky!
Once that figure reached a certain height, it changed direction in mid-air, stepping forcefully into the void below, creating a visible ripple as it rushed toward Yunshui City!
The Shen Family cultivators guarding the city hadn’t even reacted when that figure landed not far beyond the city gate!
Boom!
The hard ground outside the city shattered, dust filling the air.
As the dust settled, many Shen Family cultivators nervously holding their magical artifacts were taken aback when they saw the figure clearly.
"It’s Lord Xu!"
"Lord Xu has returned!"
"Quick, notify Miss and the Patriarch!"
Seeing that it was Xu Zhan, the cultivators breathed a sigh of relief and all put away their magical artifacts.
Some opened the Grand Array and the city gates to welcome him, while others were already running towards the old Shen Family residence.
Xu Zhan, with a smile, looked at the crowd.
A moment later, Shen Chongming and Shen You both arrived.
Seeing Shen You’s worried face, distinctly weary in appearance, Xu Zhan showed a look of distress and guilt.
"Senior Sister, I’ve made you worry..."
Tears glimmered in Shen You’s eyes, and after scrutinizing him up and down, she rushed up to him, punching his chest.
"You didn’t say a word after coming out of seclusion!"
"You didn’t say a word before going to the river bottom!"
"If you had died at the river bottom this time, Jingzhe and I wouldn’t have been able to find your body!"
Xu Zhan, being scolded, laughed as he pulled her into his embrace.
Feeling overlooked, Shen Chongming lightly coughed and turned away.
Only then did Xu Zhan realize and hurriedly bowed, "Senior Brother."
Shen Chongming turned back, smiling, and lightly asked, "How was it this time, whether or not..."
"Report!"
"Patriarch, news from Dang County, a celestial phenomenon appeared, possibly indicating a spiritual manifestation!"
Before Shen Chongming could finish his sentence, a Shen Family cultivator flew in from the East City Gate direction, using Wind Manipulation, and reported aloud.
Hearing this, Shen Chongming’s expression sharpened, and he immediately turned to Xu Zhan, saying, "We’ll discuss this later, come with me back to the old residence first."
"Someone, go to the Dragon Coiling Mountain estate and invite the predecessors of Cyan Ruo Sword House for a meeting."
After issuing orders, he maneuvered Finger Techniques, flashing away toward the old residence.