Immortal Divine Tribulation

Chapter 220: Truly Blessed

The ancient trees of the Immortal Island of No Return stood tall, below which stretched a dense, ancient forest. 

Tian Fan stood there in the void, blood soaking his pristine white clothes, half his face stained crimson.

A hundred miles away, everyone was filled with shock. Even the beautiful woman wore an expression of disbelief. A cultivator who had just entered the Realm of Immortal Ascension had actually killed a demon from the Earthly Immortal Realm, the second strongest in the Demon Realm. This was simply unbelievable.

“The strongest bloodline…the strongest bloodline…” the beautiful woman murmured repeatedly, her eyes gazing into the deepest reaches of the starry sky. Suddenly, a faint smile appeared on her face; she saw the hope of victory.

“Father…I haven’t let you down…Mother…Mom…I miss you so much…” Tears mixed with blood streamed down Tian Fan’s face as he trembled violently, plummeting from the heavens.

“Young Master!”

“Brother!”

Seeing him fall, the group was shocked and rushed forward. Zi Ying, her body gleaming with silver light, vanished instantly, appearing beside Tian Fan the next moment to catch him. Seeing his tightly closed left eye, his face covered in blood, even his body stained crimson, several clearly visible bloody holes, she couldn’t help but hug him, weeping with unbearable heartache.

“Young Master…are you alright!” Bai Hu, the white fox was the second to arrive, asking with great concern. Then everyone else rushed over—Long Yuyun, Little Dragon, even the beautiful woman was by his side. Looking at him now, their eyes held worry, shock, and blessings.

“I…”

Tian Fan’s left eye remained tightly closed, his right eye slightly open, as if trying to say something. Finally, a mouthful of blood gushed from his mouth, and he fainted.

*****

The autumn moon cast a frosty glow, eerily beautiful. 

It was a very strange season, a heavy, oppressive atmosphere enveloping the entire world. Even ordinary people in the mortal realm sensed its unusual aura. 

Many powerful figures on the Divine Martial Continent felt it, revealing expressions of surprise. It seemed that some great change was about to occur.

“Aotian, manage the Dragon Soaring Dynasty well. I’m going into seclusion. Also, remember, don’t cause trouble for Tian Fan. Those two deserved it…”

In the Eastern Region of the Divine Martial Continent, the old State Teacher frowned deeply, uttering these words to Long Aotian before vanishing from the hall.

*****

“What is this oppressive aura? Zi Ying, where are you? Why haven’t you returned yet…”

In the Shangguan family, Tian Fan and Zi Ying had been gone for a long time, but hadn’t returned. The Shangguan family knew they were alright, because their eternal lamps were still burning. 

Only Tian Fan’s eternal lamp flickered, sometimes bright, sometimes dim.

“What on earth happened…”

The Eternal Lamp is a common spell. A person’s soul blood is dripped into it, combined with a cultivation technique, to create a soul lamp. This lamp reveals whether the person is still alive. If the person dies, the lamp goes out. 

At this moment, Shangguan Yuntian stood in the sanctuary behind his family’s mountain, staring at the extremely dim Eternal Lamp, a look of utter confusion on his face. Beside him, Zi Ying’s Eternal Lamp had recently become much brighter, shining brilliantly.

*****

“Miss, why haven’t the bad guys returned yet…”

In the small bamboo grove of the Shangguan family, the little phoenix fluttered its colorful wings, uttering a questioning sound, but its eyes were fixed intently on the roasted meat in Murong Qiu’s hands, swallowing hard.

“Don’t worry, little guy, he’ll be fine. My sister’s with him; no one can hurt him!” Shangguan Jingyi said to the little phoenix while eating his delicious meal. 

Murong Qiu raised her head, gazing into the distance, her beautiful eyes gleaming faintly. Finally, she stared at the roasted meat in her hand, which was now burnt.

*****

“The strongest bloodline has returned. Is this battle a new beginning, or the final end…? Perhaps I should go out and visit some old friends…”

Behind the Fist Emperor Sect’s mountain, the mysterious old man stood up. His eyes seemed to pierce through the endless void, looking towards the Immortal Island of No Return, before disappearing into the cave.

*****

“Young Master, you’ve finally returned…” 

Deep within the Northern Region, where darkness reigned and death surged like waves, the demon’s eyes flickered between clarity and bloodlust. 

Inside the Fire Spirit Cave, Tian Fan had been asleep for three days. He had forcibly activated the Heavenly Radiance Divine Technique with his cultivation at the Immortal Ascension Realm, placing an immense burden on his body. Even the beautiful woman felt a lingering fear; if it weren’t for his exceptionally strong bloodline power and the Wood Spirit Orb a sacred artifact within him, even the Immortal Emperor himself wouldn’t have been able to save him.

The Fire Spirit Cave was engulfed in raging flames, making it impossible for ordinary people to approach. This was the sacred ground of the Phoenix Clan from the ancient times. Although it was just a cave, it felt like a world unto itself. 

An incredibly rich fragrance emanated from within, and anyone who entered would be astonished, instantly petrified, for it was filled with treasures: Fire Spirit Fruit, Blood Flame Grass, Hellfire Mushrooms, and other rare and precious items from the Divine Martial Continent.

“Cough cough…”

Three days later, Tian Fan finally awoke, letting out a slight cough. 

Zi Ying, who had been waiting beside him, immediately looked up upon hearing the sound, her face filled with delight.

“Little Tian Tian, you’re finally awake! You’re finally awake! Waaah…” Zi Ying said almost incoherently, then hugged him and burst into tears.

“Zi Ying, don’t cry…” he said weakly, but this only made Zi Ying cry harder, her tears soaking his chest.

Watching Zi Ying’s frail body rise and fall, Tian Fan felt incredibly guilty. This beautiful woman, blessed with the finest qualities of heaven and earth and showered with love, had shed too many tears for him these past few days; he felt he couldn’t bear it.

Tian Fan slowly sat up, looking at Zi Ying sitting beside him. He gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. Recalling the events of a few days ago, it felt like a dream. A sorrowful expression lingered on his face. 

The poignant words of the Nine Heavens Xuan Nu seemed to still echo in his ears: 

“For the world, we can die, we can give everything, but I don’t want it. I don’t want my child to live in painful slaughter, even if he inherits the strongest bloodline of immortals…”

“I just want him to live well, even if he’s just a mortal…”

“If we’re gone, who can protect him? Will he die with us…? No… I don’t want it…”

His body trembled slightly. He gently shook his head, took Zi Ying’s hand, and looked at her beautiful face, now pale. Tears still clung to his face as he whispered, “For twenty years, I thought I was unfortunate, never seeing my mother, never receiving my father’s love…”

Tian Fan’s eyes were filled with tenderness as he gazed at her gently, then looked into the distance, whispering, “I was wrong, so wrong. My mother, so that I could live happily, was willing to send her own child away, enduring the pain of missing her flesh and blood day and night alone. For me, she even sacrificed her life, willing to betray the world.”

“I’ve always been blessed. For a million years, I’ve been surrounded by my parents’ love, but I didn’t know… I’ve always been blessed…”

He smiled at the end. He finally knew his true origins, knew he had such loving parents, and he felt truly happy.

“Yes, you are truly blessed…” Zi Ying smiled, like a peony in bloom. 

They smiled at each other, everything understood without words…