Chapter Four: Zhu Yan, Unexpected News

The Superior Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Feng Shui Fan? The Ancestor of Heaven and Earth glanced at the feather fan in Bai Ze’s hand with a hint of surprise. Though he knew that Bai Ze, the great sage of the demon clan, possessed a feather fan magical artifact, he had been unaware of its origins. Now, seeing it, he felt that an upper-grade innate spiritual treasure suited Bai Ze’s status perfectly.

“Heh, Bai Ze, your luck seems quite extraordinary! Since I opened the heavens and split the earth, roaming the vast wilderness for so many years, aside from the treasures I keep at the bottom of my chest, I can only boast a handful of medium-grade innate spiritual treasures,” the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth said with a smile. “But since you have taken me as your master, I shall bestow upon you two treasures to accompany you.”

As he spoke, he turned his hand and produced two spirit beads—one blue, one green. The moment the blue bead appeared, water energy gathered around, making the air moist and heavy. With the emergence of the green bead, invisible whirlwinds began to swirl in the surroundings.

“These Water Spirit Bead and Wind Spirit Bead are both medium-grade innate spiritual treasures, born from the primordial essence of water and wind. They are filled with mysteries, and like your Feng Shui Fan, they can assist you in comprehending the profound ways of water and wind,” the Ancestor said, handing the two beads to Bai Ze with a smile.

Bai Ze’s eyes sparkled with delight; he immediately knelt and respectfully reached out to receive them. “Thank you, Master!”

Do not underestimate these two medium-grade innate spiritual treasures—they are, after all, innate, imbued with primordial Dao resonance, greatly aiding the comprehension and cultivation of the Dao, and their power far surpasses most acquired treasures. Upper-grade innate treasures are exceedingly rare; even the revered Golden Immortals seldom possess more than one or two, usually kept as their most prized possessions. Medium-grade innate treasures are not easily obtained either; otherwise, the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth would have more than just a few.

Though Bai Ze now possessed Golden Immortal cultivation and was considered a formidable figure in the wilderness, before acquiring the Feng Shui Fan, he only had a single lower-grade innate spiritual treasure for protection.

After bestowing the treasures, the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth strode directly toward the mist-shrouded valley.

“Hm, this illusory formation you arranged is quite ingenious. It must be of the water path,” he remarked, observing the surrounding fog.

Following closely behind, Bai Ze explained, “Master, this formation was inspired when I once stumbled upon a fog-laden valley and was trapped within. Observing the innate mist array, I gained insights and managed to escape. That time, not only did I comprehend some of the mysteries of formation and break free, but I was also fortunate enough to obtain a lower-grade innate spiritual treasure—the Ice Mist Cone. This treasure is extremely unique; when activated, it releases chilling air and rising icy mist, confusing enemies and serving as a formidable tool for ambush and assassination. Though it is but a lower-grade item, it is likely more precious than most medium-grade innate treasures. With the Ice Mist Cone at my side, I have survived many dangers and calamities in the wilderness, earning my current cultivation and fortune.”

“Indeed, you are quite favored by fortune,” the Ancestor nodded slightly, guiding Bai Ze through the mist until they finally beheld the red figure trapped within.

The creature, confined in the fog, had been driven entirely into a frenzy, wild and violent. Upon seeing the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth and Bai Ze, it let out a howl and lunged at them.

With a dull thud, it seemed to crash into an invisible barrier some ten feet from the Ancestor, unable to advance further and instead rebounding awkwardly, sprawling to the ground.

Only then did the Ancestor see its form clearly—a beast resembling an ape, with a white-haired head, its entire body covered in white fur, except for its two massive feet, which bore crimson fur. Its eyes glowed red, and it was surrounded by a tangible aura of bloodthirst and ferocity. Though its power and cultivation were impressive, it was unmistakably a vicious beast, exceedingly savage.

“Red head and crimson feet, ape-like form—is this the legendary ferocious beast Zhu Yan? No wonder it is called a beast—such intense bloodthirst and malice! How many atrocities must it have committed!” Watching the ruthless, berserk Zhu Yan, reduced to a mindless engine of slaughter, the Ancestor could not help but furrow his brows in regret. “A pity for such cultivation, wasted in pursuit of brute strength without regard for the Dao. The stronger it grows, the greater the threat to all beings. Such a beast is of no benefit to keep. Since fate brings it before me, I might as well destroy it outright.”

Having made up his mind, the Ancestor reached out toward Zhu Yan, grasping at it through the air. Instantly, the space around them stagnated and twisted, causing Zhu Yan to thrash and howl restlessly, its aura of bloodthirst swelling.

Watching Zhu Yan’s instinctive struggle, the Ancestor shook his head slightly, his gaze turning cold. The surrounding space rippled, and Zhu Yan’s body began to tear apart within the twisted confines, blood streaming.

Faced with the imminent threat of death, Zhu Yan’s crimson eyes suddenly cleared, a trace of lucidity flashing in their depths. A profound aura of the Dao of slaughter descended from the heavens, strengthening its presence sharply. Rays of red light shot from its body, disturbing the twisted space around it.

“Hm? Its comprehension of the Dao of slaughter has suddenly advanced so much?” The Ancestor was startled, his heart softening. He abandoned his intention to kill, releasing the spatial pressure. In a flicker, he appeared before the bloodied, severely wounded Zhu Yan, and pressed a finger to its brow. A golden light flashed at his fingertip, sinking into Zhu Yan’s forehead.

In that instant, Zhu Yan’s body trembled, a hazy golden radiance flickered around him, and the bloodthirsty aura swiftly dissipated.

At the same time, the Ancestor sensed something and closed his eyes, his expression shifting. In a trance, he saw blurred visions—amidst a cataclysmic storm, a black stream of light shot forth, crossing vast distances, plunging into a blood-filled, crimson sea. A Zhu Yan beast saw the black light and chased after it, but before entering the sea, was overwhelmed by the endless bloodthirst at its edge, losing its mind and descending into mindless slaughter.

“So Zhu Yan once experienced this!” The Ancestor swiftly regained clarity, his expression changing with awe and doubt. “What was that black stream of light? It looked like a black flag—could it be the Northern Mysterious Water Control Flag among the five innate elemental banners?”

The Five Innate Elemental Banners are peerless defensive treasures, and the Northern Mysterious Water Control Flag and the Southern Earth Blaze Flag were both once owned by the Ancestor of Yin and Yang. It was through these treasures that the Yin-Yang Ancestor comprehended the mysteries of water, fire, and yin-yang, becoming one of the wilderness's supreme powers. Yet, even with two supreme innate treasures, the Yin-Yang Ancestor could not withstand the demonic might of the Demon Ancestor Luo Hou and was slain. Both banners vanished thereafter.

“Could it truly be the Northern Mysterious Water Control Flag? Regardless, it seems I must make a trip to the Nether Blood Sea,” the Ancestor mused inwardly.

As these thoughts whirled, Zhu Yan’s eyes cleared. First, confusion flickered across his gaze, then realization dawned, and he hurriedly knelt before the Ancestor, expressing his gratitude. “Thank you, great immortal, for your intervention, freeing Zhu Yan from the influence of bloodthirst and malice.”

“Under the Heaven’s Dao, there is always a sliver of hope. You need not thank me,” the Ancestor replied calmly, glancing at Zhu Yan. “Zhu Yan, meeting me today is your good fortune. Henceforth, cultivate your Dao heart well—do not let bloodthirst cloud your mind again. Otherwise, under Heaven’s Dao, you will not escape calamity.”