Jie Tian wanted to say something, but he found that he no longer even had the strength to speak. The backlash was devouring his life, though fortunately the medicinal pill was still fighting against the force of the backlash.
But whether he could actually survive — even he wasn't sure.
Before long, Jie Tian lost consciousness entirely.
Jie Tianran, however, had come prepared. He took out a transparent bowl, which enlarged the moment it left his hands and enveloped Jie Tian within it.
A continuous stream of healing energy flowed from inside the bowl, merging into Jie Tian's body.
After that, Jie Tianran produced eight banners that radiated an ancient aura. He planted them around the bowl, one on each side.
The banners stirred of their own accord without any wind, beginning to absorb the energy of heaven and earth. That energy transformed into visible flames of qi and fused into the bowl.
Having completed all of this, Jie Tianran let out a long, deep breath — and then, with a thud, collapsed onto the ground.
In his current state, he was extremely weakened as well.
"This is troublesome. Chu Feng actually found that kind of backer," Jie Tianran said, his tone tinged with worry.
It wasn't that he wanted to give chase — it was that he had no confidence in defeating their opponent.
"Do you… have any impression of that woman?"
"Her flames were somewhat different — not purely barrier power. She must have merged them with her bloodline force, which is why they were so fierce," Jie Tianran asked.
"That is Long Zhuoyan. She is a demoness of the Dragon Clan and one of the top ten Spirit World Masters of the ancient era."
"She was not boasting. With her abilities, if she were truly at her peak, she could have destroyed your Seven Realms Sacred Palace with a single glance across the Heavenly River."
"Fortunately, the ancient era took a tremendous toll on her as well. Her cultivation has regressed severely, and she is extremely weakened. Otherwise, with her abilities, it would be very difficult to deal with her — unless my true self were fully restored."
Hearing this, the worry on Jie Tianran's face deepened.
Top ten Spirit World Master of the ancient era?
That meant she was among the most supreme figures of that age.
Just the weight of that title was enough to make his scalp tingle.
"But it's no matter. That demoness Long Zhuoyan — my true self has crossed paths with her before and knows a fair bit."
"She cannot possibly be that Chu Feng's backer. It must have been nothing more than a temporary exchange of interests. Since she fled this time, she too has recognized that you are no ordinary opponent."
"As a powerhouse of the ancient era, she understands that the current Martial Cultivation World has changed dramatically and is no longer suitable for cultivation. If she wishes to recover quickly, she will need to enter the Ninth Heavenly River as soon as possible."
At this, Jie Tianran finally asked: "You're certain she will leave and won't continue to shelter Chu Feng?"
The voice within him replied: "The reason she is called a demoness is that she is utterly selfish. Why would she let Chu Feng interfere with her own future? After all, with her talent, if she seizes the initiative, she has a chance to become the most powerful Spirit World Master even in this era."
"Based on what you're saying, this woman is also ambitious — and will most likely be a potential opponent of ours in the future?" Jie Tianran asked.
"She was indeed incredibly powerful in her day, but her cultivation has regressed. While restoring one's cultivation is far easier than cultivating from scratch, your talent, combined with my guidance, makes surpassing her far from an impossible task."
"But that is a matter for later. For now… I hope she leaves soon and does not involve herself in the affairs of the Era of the Gods," the voice within said.
"If she dares to involve herself, she will never recover to her peak. The Era of the Gods — I have already secured every possible advantage. It will help me unite the entire Martial Cultivation World."
"Since her cultivation has regressed to this extent, she is simply seeking death."
Jie Tianran's deep, ancient eyes were filled with confidence.
Though he knew Long Zhuoyan was no simple figure — and her identity as a top-tier ancient Spirit World Master had initially made him wary — according to the one inside him, she was worlds away from her peak, and her escape today was itself proof that she lacked confidence.
Looking at it that way, she did not constitute an absolute threat.
He then popped a few pills into his mouth and sat cross-legged where he was to begin healing his wounds.
…
Long Zhuoyan carried Chu Feng upon a cloud and entered the transmission tunnel.
A layer of barrier enveloped Chu Feng's aunt and the other two.
The barrier radiated a powerful healing force, but precisely because of that, Chu Feng's worry only grew.