"Silver, stay here and guard the children!"
"RAUL!"
After giving his demon beast companion the order, Chen Zhenlong shot forward at blinding speed.
With his sword in hand, he descended upon Guān Ning and slashed downward. However, she instinctively dodged, narrowly avoiding the blade by mere inches.
Guān Ning's attention constantly shifted between her opponent and Xue Hui, who remained at the altar.
She couldn't believe that the little thief had actually survived her previous attack.
"SHRIEK!"
Sensing the Glaze Blood taking shape, Guān Ning was consumed by rage. She let out an ear-piercing shriek before thrusting her golden-hued nails toward Chen Zhenlong.
"LORD PATRIARCH, DON'T BLOCK HER CLAWS! THEY CAN PIERCE THROUGH ALMOST ANYTHING! JUST DODGE!"
Upon hearing Xue Hui's warning, Chen Zhenlong immediately abandoned his attempt to block the attack and blurred to the side.
Guān Ning's deadly nails narrowly missed him.
Taking advantage of the opening, Chen Zhenlong leaned forward and swept his sword upward.
WHOOSH!
The blade sliced through Guān Ning's left arm, severing it from her body.
Staggering backward, Guān Ning struggled to keep up with her opponent's sudden increase in speed.
However, she had once been a genuine Legend Rank expert. Although her current body had been greatly weakened, thousands of battles had honed her instincts and combat experience, allowing her to anticipate some of Chen Zhenlong's movements.
She immediately recognized the danger when his sword continued upward after severing her arm, its blade heading straight for her neck.
WHOOSH!
BOOM!
The sword missed its target, leaving a massive gash in the wall behind her as Guān Ning twisted her body to evade the strike.
Chen Zhenlong clicked his tongue in irritation before delivering a devastating kick to her stomach, sending her hurtling toward the wall.
BOOM!
CRACK!
"Father is so strong!"
Not far from the battle, Chen Linlin watched in awe, her eyes wide and her jaw hanging open as she witnessed her father's overwhelming strength.
Only moments earlier, she had been terrified as she watched Chen Zhenlong and Silver struggle against Guān Ning.
Despite their combined strength, the Corpse Servant had continued to overpower them, leaving them struggling to keep her away from the altar.
Then Chen Linlin had watched in horror as Guān Ning's elongated nails pierced Xue Hui's body.
For a moment, she had thought everything was over.
Overwhelmed by fear, she had even considered asking everyone to abandon their mission and leave without the Glaze Blood.
But before she could utter a single word, her father suddenly unleashed an astonishing burst of power.
Her tears stopped flowing.
Chen Linlin's crystal-clear eyes locked onto Chen Zhenlong as lightning danced around his body. He hovered in the air like a war god, his imposing figure radiating an aura of overwhelming strength.
From that moment onward, her father relentlessly pressed Guān Ning, forcing the Corpse Servant onto the defensive and leaving her with little opportunity to retaliate.
"I'm almost done!"
Xue Hui's excited voice jolted Chen Linlin out of her thoughts.
Turning toward him, she widened her teal eyes in surprise.
She had never seen Xue Hui smile so brightly before. His excitement was further illuminated by the golden radiance emanating from the Glaze Blood.
Floating before him was a mass of golden blood that rotated rapidly in the air. As the refining process neared completion, it gradually condensed from a sphere of liquid into a tiny, glass-like orb roughly the size of a grape.
"Glaze Blood…" Chen Linlin whispered.
Her heart pounded as wonder filled her eyes.
Sensing that the Glaze Blood was about to form completely, Guān Ning descended into a berserk rage.
She planted her feet firmly against the wall and used it as leverage to launch herself forward with tremendous force, leaving a massive crack in the stone behind her.
BOOM!
"R~ARRAAAUL!"
Seeing Guān Ning charging toward the altar, Silver planted his hooves firmly on the ground.
With a determined look in his eyes, he opened his muzzle and began gathering spiritual energy inside his mouth. The swirling energy grew increasingly concentrated, radiating a powerful aura as he locked onto his target.
Once the attack reached its peak, Silver unleashed the condensed mass of spiritual energy.
The sheer force of the blast pushed his body backward several inches.
WHOOSH!
SNAP!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Sensing the incoming attack, Guān Ning refused to retreat.
She thrust her remaining arm forward, channeling the power of the Law of Piercing through her elongated nails.
With a single thrust, she pierced straight through the center of the spiritual energy blast, splitting it into two halves that shot off in opposite directions.
Two massive explosions erupted within the treasure chamber, shaking the entire structure.
"RAUL!"
Stunned that his powerful attack had failed to stop Guān Ning, Silver braced himself for what came next.
He planted himself firmly in front of the altar, determined to use his body to shield the two children if necessary.
WHOOSH!
But before Guān Ning could pierce him with her deadly nails, a figure descended upon her from above.
Chen Zhenlong swung his sword downward, slicing through Guān Ning's waist and splitting her body in two.
THUD!
With his momentum carrying him forward, Chen Zhenlong stomped down on her upper body, pinning it against the floor. The impact cracked the stone beneath them.
Without giving her a chance to retaliate, he swung his sword again, severing her remaining arm.
"I GOT IT!"
At that very moment, Xue Hui's cheerful shout reverberated throughout the treasure chamber.
For a brief moment, everyone paused.
Stepping away from the altar, Xue Hui glanced at Guān Ning, whose two body halves lay sprawled across the floor.
He raised one hand, causing the Corpse Servant's body to tremble.
Resting in his palm was a grape-sized golden sphere. Its smooth, glass-like surface shimmered like a precious marble, captivating everyone's attention.
"Senior Guān Ning, you've fulfilled your duty for long enough. You can finally have the rest you've deserved."
Upon seeing the Glaze Blood in Xue Hui's hand, Guān Ning's body began to convulse violently.
Then, with one final tremor, it fell completely still.
The faint presence of a soul that had lingered within her corpse for thousands of years finally disappeared.
The light in Guān Ning's eyes faded entirely.
A moment later, the faint sound of something shattering echoed from within her body.
Then a gentle female voice rang through the chamber, surprising everyone.
"Use that Glaze Blood to live as freely as you can, little ones. That was all Suo Leiyue ever wanted in her life."
After delivering those final words, Guān Ning's voice faded into silence as her soul finally passed into the afterlife.
With the battle over, Chen Linlin closed her eyes and silently bid farewell to both Guān Ning and Suo Leiyue.
Suddenly, she felt a hand take hers and give it a gentle squeeze.
Startled, she opened her eyes and found Xue Hui smiling at her.
Standing behind him was her father, bruised and battered but still wearing a gentle smile. On her other side, Silver affectionately brushed his mane against her shoulder.
Xue Hui gently lifted her hand and looked at her seriously.
"Linlin, are you ready? As I told you before, the process of absorbing the Glaze Blood will be extremely painful."
Although fear lingered in her heart, Chen Linlin quickly steeled herself and nodded.
"But once it's over…" Xue Hui smiled reassuringly, easing some of her worries. "You'll finally be free from the illness that has held you back. You'll have the chance to pursue all your dreams."
He carefully placed the Glaze Blood into her small hand.
"And this time, nothing will stop you from moving forward."
Xue Hui had already explained the entire process of Glaze Blood Rebirth to them. He had never concealed just how excruciatingly painful it would be.
Even so, Chen Linlin had never wavered.
Compared to the hopeless existence she had endured because of her withered soul realm, the suffering she would experience now was a price she was more than willing to pay.
Slowly raising the Glaze Blood to her lips, Chen Linlin glanced at everyone and offered them a shaky smile.
Then, after gathering her courage, she swallowed the tiny golden sphere.
Before she could even ask how long it would take for the Glaze Blood to take effect, her body suddenly trembled.
A piercing scream escaped her lips.
An unbearable sensation spread throughout her body, as though her flesh were being torn apart and engulfed in flames.
Chen Linlin convulsed violently, struggling against the pain as her limbs twisted at unnatural angles.
Seeing her condition, Chen Zhenlong and Xue Hui immediately rushed forward to hold her steady, preventing her from injuring herself as her body underwent the transformation.
Chen Zhenlong could do nothing to ease his daughter's suffering.
Helpless, he gently placed a hand on her head and stroked her hair.
Then, he began humming a familiar tune.
It was the same melody his wife, Chen Yinying, had always sung to their daughter whenever her illness flared up and caused her unbearable pain.
During those difficult moments, the only things that could bring Chen Linlin comfort were her mother's warm embrace and the soothing sound of her singing.
Chen Zhenlong had never been much of a singer, but for his daughter, he poured every ounce of love and tenderness he possessed into that simple melody, hoping it would ease even a fraction of her suffering.
While Chen Zhenlong comforted his daughter, Xue Hui carefully monitored the transfer of the physique, making sure that nothing went wrong during the merging process.
Silver paced anxiously around them, remaining unusually quiet throughout the ordeal. He didn't want to make a sound that might disturb or jeopardize the delicate process.
The three watched over her in silence as her cries filled the once-quiet treasure chamber.
Time passed.
Gradually, Chen Linlin's cries subsided until they finally faded away.
Once again, a deep, peaceful silence settled over the chamber.
Xue Hui remained beside Chen Linlin as she slept peacefully.
Even after the Glaze Blood had successfully merged with her body, he never left her side, not even to take a look at the enormous mountain of treasures nearby.
Chen Zhenlong did the same, staying beside his daughter with one hand gently stroking her hair.
His concern for her was so great that he had completely forgotten he had just broken through to Legend Rank.
Sensing movement beside him, Chen Zhenlong turned and gave Silver a firm pat on the back.
The white demon donkey had done many remarkable things throughout their journey, from protecting the children to helping him fight Guān Ning.
And to think that he had once considered Silver little more than dead weight.
Chen Zhenlong shook his head at the memory, realizing just how mistaken he had been.
He gave Silver another affectionate pat, silently apologizing for having underestimated his companion.
"Ra…" Silver murmured in his sleep, seemingly sensing his master's thoughts.
Chen Zhenlong couldn't help but smile.
As they continued waiting for Chen Linlin to awaken, the two remained silent for a while.
Eventually, Chen Zhenlong turned toward Xue Hui.
"Xiao Hui, how are your injuries? I failed to protect you back there."
Hearing his name, Xue Hui lifted his head and glanced at the older man.
At first, he looked confused. Then, realizing what Chen Zhenlong was referring to, he let out a soft chuckle and shook his head.
"Lord Patriarch, I'm already healed. Thanks to the Nine Transformation Pill, my wounds have completely recovered. There's nothing for you to apologize for. Everything turned out fine in the end."
Hearing the boy's usual cheerful voice, Chen Zhenlong finally relaxed.
Only after confirming that Xue Hui wasn't suffering from any lingering injuries did he let out a relieved sigh.
"Stop calling me 'Lord Patriarch,'" Chen Zhenlong said, giving the boy a knowing look. "We've been through so many dangers together. Surely that means we're close enough to drop the formalities, don't you think?"
He paused, considering something for a moment before nodding to himself.
"Alright, then. From now on, just call me Uncle."
Xue Hui was momentarily at a loss for words.
He stared at Chen Zhenlong as countless memories flooded his mind: their many adventures together, the dangers they had overcome, and even their very first meeting back at the orphanage.
That encounter had ultimately led him to find a place he could call home.
Thinking about it, a smile gradually spread across Xue Hui's face.
He saw no reason to refuse.
"Uncle it is," he replied.
Chen Zhenlong nodded in satisfaction.
The two continued chatting, mostly discussing their journey home and how much faster the return trip would be now that Chen Zhenlong had broken through to Legend Rank.
Half a day passed before Chen Linlin finally showed signs of waking.
Her small body stirred, her fingers twitched, and the bridge of her nose scrunched up slightly.
Noticing the movement, Chen Zhenlong immediately adjusted his position so he could get a better look at his daughter.
Her eyelids fluttered before slowly opening, allowing her to take in the world around her once more.
Before she could ask anything, however, Chen Linlin suddenly froze.
A strange sensation washed over her body.
It felt foreign, yet somehow familiar.
It was something she had almost forgotten because of her illness.
Slowly, Chen Linlin pushed herself upright, sitting shakily as she looked around the chamber before lowering her gaze to her hands.
Her body began to tremble as she realized that she wasn't imagining things.
She could actually sense the spiritual energy surrounding her.
Even more astonishingly, she could feel it flowing through her body, filling every part of her meridians.
"I-I can!? This is…"
Before she could find the words to express her feelings, Xue Hui's voice sounded beside her.
At the same time, a large hand gently settled on her shoulder, supporting her unsteady body.
"Congratulations, Linlin. Just as I promised, you've finally gotten rid of your withered soul realm and gained a new one."
Chen Linlin slowly turned toward Xue Hui, staring at him with eyes brimming with emotion.
"With this, you can finally continue pursuing your dream of becoming a Legend Rank Demon Spiritualist," Xue Hui continued.
Tears streamed down her delicate cheeks.
But unlike before, these tears came from a joy and relief so overwhelming that she could barely contain them.
"Hui-Hui!"
Unable to hold back any longer, Chen Linlin threw herself into Xue Hui's embrace.
Her small hands clutched his clothes tightly as she pressed herself against him, burying her face in his chest while muffled sobs escaped her lips.
Xue Hui simply let her cry.
He gently placed a hand on her trembling back and patted her in reassurance.
As he held the little girl, Xue Hui gazed upward, his mind filled with countless thoughts.
Yet one thing remained certain.
He had finally accomplished one of his goals since returning from the Creation Origin Ancestral Manual.
Now that Chen Linlin had fully recovered, he could finally turn his attention toward his next objective.
Becoming stronger.
Only then could he protect Glory City from the destruction that awaited it.
End of chapter 28