Chapter Forty-One: The Divine Power of Nuwa

When the heavenly tribulation passed, the wounded left wing of the Great Roc shimmered with dazzling white light, gradually regrowing. Testing its wings, it found itself fully healed.

In that instant, the beastly form of the Great Roc slowly transformed into a human shape. Its appearance was unchanged from before, but now it wore a long white robe, and between its brows there was a new aura of immortality.

The Great Roc had clearly become a Roc Immortal, ascending to the immortal path, its lifespan now equal to heaven itself. This should have been a joyous occasion, yet no one could rejoice; Sansi had risked his life to withstand the tribulation, and now his fate was uncertain.

Taiyi knew that, just moments ago, Sansi had been caught in a net of heavenly thunder. The thunder was ruthless—Sansi's mortal body could not withstand it. He might already have been reduced to ashes, scattered across heaven and earth.

Taiyi crouched on the ground, curling up in overwhelming grief.

How many true friends does one meet in a lifetime? Sansi was not only his friend and elder brother, but also his teacher. He taught Taiyi the seventy-two steps of the Flaming Step and Feather Capture, imbued him with a sense of duty toward all living beings, and showed him the value of life.

But now Sansi was dead, and Taiyi felt bereft of hope, having wished to protect Sansi all his life.

Yet, only days after making such a promise, Sansi had lost his life right under Taiyi’s eyes. Taiyi cried out in anguish, as if railing against the injustice of the world.

“Young hero, look!” The Roc Immortal pointed skyward, shouting.

Taiyi stood up instantly, tears still in his eyes, and looked to where the immortal pointed. There was a figure—his brother Sansi!

Sansi plummeted from the heights, back toward the earth, his clothing ablaze. The Roc Immortal soared to meet him, gently catching Sansi and slowly descending, laying him down and examining him. To their astonishment, Sansi was still breathing—he was alive!

Taiyi wept with joy, shaking Sansi’s shoulders and calling, “Brother Sansi, wake up, don’t scare me!”

The Roc Immortal spoke softly, “Young hero Taiyi, don’t worry. I just cast a spell to check—young Sansi is simply exhausted, worn out to the point of fainting. A few hours of rest and he’ll be well.”

“Senior, so Brother Sansi is safe? Not even injured?”

“Yes. Young Sansi’s constitution is extraordinary. Even the heavenly tribulation, which not even immortals can withstand, couldn’t harm him in the slightest. Truly fortunate. Why don’t I take you both to Lingzhou City, somewhere comfortable so young Sansi can rest and recover?”

Taiyi nodded, then said, “But, senior, Brother Sansi has fainted. How can we bring him along?”

The Roc Immortal smiled, “Now that I’ve ascended, I possess the power to control the heavens. I can lift all things—I won’t trouble you to ride on my back anymore.”

With that, the Roc Immortal raised a hand, and both Sansi and Taiyi were lifted into the air. The immortal flew a thousand feet high, with Taiyi and Sansi following close behind. In less than the time it takes for incense to burn, they reached the outskirts of Lingzhou City.

Not wanting to cause trouble, the Roc Immortal landed outside the city, gently setting the two down. “Let’s stop here. We’ll walk into the city—no need to alarm the people.”

Taiyi bowed. “Senior, I’ll take Brother Sansi inside. You’ve just ascended, and I understand the rules—you must enter the immortal ranks within a day.”

The Roc Immortal laughed, “Who says I want to join the immortal ranks? I’ve waited a hundred years for this day, not for glory, but for the power to protect the Monster Realm. The king has treated us with great kindness—if I became immortal and left, it would be a betrayal.”

“Senior, you are indeed loyal and righteous, willing to remain a terrestrial immortal.”

“Heavenly or terrestrial immortals—it’s all the same. To live freely among mortals, why go to heaven and be ruled by the Heavenly Emperor? But let’s not delay. Let’s get Sansi into the city and find a comfortable place to rest. Oh, didn’t you say you have friends here? Shall we find them?”

Taiyi thought carefully. “Senior, though it’s still early, Brother Sansi is unconscious. If I bring him to see Lingshuang and Nian’er, they might be worried and frightened. Better for me to find an inn first, wait for Sansi to wake, and then seek out Lingshuang and the others. Seeing Sansi safe will put their hearts at ease.”

“That’s fine. I’ll escort you into the city.”

It was strange—the city of Lingzhou, once bustling and vibrant, with honest folk and doors left open at night, now had more guards at the gates than even Jianzhou. Everyone entering or leaving was thoroughly checked, and the Roc Immortal and Taiyi were no exception.

Taiyi, carrying Sansi, drew special attention from the guards.

A guard approached and asked, “What are you doing? Why is that man unconscious?”

Unable to bow properly, Taiyi bent over and replied, “Officer, this is my brother. We were attacked by a monster on the road—he was wounded and is still unconscious. Please let us through.”

The guard asked with concern, “Attacked by a monster? Are you all right?”

“Thank you, officer. We escaped unharmed.”

“Then hurry inside and find a doctor. The clinic in the east of the city has the best physicians. You and the old man should get checked, too—don’t let hidden injuries go untreated and become chronic.”

“Thank you, officer.”

As Taiyi and the Roc Immortal were about to enter, another guard stopped them, pulled out a silver ingot, and handed it to Taiyi. “A merchant forced this on me at the gate earlier. As soldiers, we shouldn’t accept things from the people, but if we refuse, they worry. If we accept, we’re just taking wages for nothing, which would wrong the authorities. Please take this silver and do some good.”

Taiyi wasn’t in need of money, but he accepted it, bowed in thanks, and entered the city.

As expected, the streets were empty, silent and devoid of the usual bustle. Though Taiyi had never been to Lingzhou himself, he’d heard tales of its beauty and grandeur from others in the martial world. Seeing it now, he was sorely disappointed.

He found an inn. Though it was mealtime, the front hall was deserted, tables and chairs empty—a somber sight. At the counter, he paid for an upper room, convenient for caring for Ye Sansi.

The innkeeper was taciturn, brow furrowed, clearly troubled. He ordered a servant to prepare the room and returned to his abacus. Taiyi had wanted to ask what had befallen Lingzhou, but seeing the atmosphere, thought it best not to, and took Sansi upstairs.

In the room, Taiyi gently placed Sansi on the bed, then turned to the Roc Immortal and bowed. “Thank you, senior, for your escort. You’ve been out long—your wife must be anxious at home. I can handle things here alone.”

“Very well, I’ll take my leave. You young heroes have shown me great kindness, helping me through this tribulation. If you ever face trouble, come to the Monster Realm and seek me—I’ll certainly help. Farewell, then.”

With that, the Roc Immortal departed, walking out of the city before transforming and vanishing.

Taiyi watched over Sansi. His complexion was excellent, not at all like someone injured or unconscious.

Seeing Sansi unharmed, Taiyi was reassured, pulled a stool to the bedside, and sat quietly. Suddenly he remembered something important, slapped his forehead, and muttered, “Oh no, I forgot—when Sansi wakes, he’ll have my head.”

He stood, pacing anxiously around the room, muttering to himself.

“Oh dear, Sansi always kept Sky Wrath. I didn’t think of it—only brought him to Lingzhou, but Sky Wrath is still in the forest. If it’s lost, Sansi will be anxious. What should I do?”

Though he remembered, the distance now made retrieving it impossible.

The Roc Immortal had left, and even with Taiyi’s Flaming Step and Feather Capture, it would take days to return.

He was anxious, but nothing could be done. The inn seemed odd, so he didn’t dare go downstairs for food. He took out some dry rations, ate a little to stave off hunger, and saved some for Sansi.

Day broke.

Taiyi rested on the desk, waking often through the night, sleeping poorly. He paced the room, and perhaps the noise roused Sansi.

Sansi stretched, sat up. Taiyi, delighted, hugged him, accidentally knocking him flat onto the bed.

Sansi pushed Taiyi away, laughing, “What are you doing? No need for all this.”

“Brother Sansi, I was so worried about you. You insisted on facing the heavenly tribulation alone—it was so dangerous.”

“It wasn’t bravado. Sky Wrath protected me. By the way, where is Sky Wrath?”

“Uh…well…I forgot…”

Sansi laughed, “Look at you! Seems I haven’t treated you well—you’re so afraid of my anger? I’m teasing. I sensed Sky Wrath was far away, so I mentioned it on purpose.”

He opened the window, spread his hands, and after a short while, a dragon’s roar sounded—Sky Wrath returned to Sansi’s hand.

Taiyi exclaimed, “I’ve heard from my father that swords with spiritual power are drawn to their owners, but only within a thousand paces. Sky Wrath’s power must be extraordinary to sense your call from such a distance.”

Ye Sansi sat, placing Sky Wrath on the table, gazed at it, and slowly said, “It’s not because of Sky Wrath.”

“Not Sky Wrath? What do you mean, Brother Sansi?”

Sansi concentrated, and lightning appeared in his hands, making the surroundings dim. Taiyi approached, mouth agape in astonishment, waiting for Sansi to explain.

Sansi smiled, “The heavenly thunder was fierce. At first, it tore my flesh, burning me to ashes. I watched myself vanish bit by bit, then Sky Wrath arrived, aligning with me. The thunder, crazed, poured into my body. My form, once reduced to ashes, miraculously reformed. At first it was excruciating, but then the lightning felt gentle, a power constantly gathering within me. My blood and meridians fused, and then I lost consciousness.”

“Brother Sansi, you mean you absorbed the heavenly tribulation? That’s the power of Nuwa, unbelievably strong, boundless. Are you sure it’s safe?”

“I don’t feel any danger—only that my body feels comfortable, with endless strength.”

Taiyi let out a long breath, laughing, “Brother Sansi, you’re amazing. Every time danger comes, you resolve it. Now you can even absorb heavenly tribulation—truly powerful. From now on, I’m sticking with you!”

“Haha, Taiyi, you’re teasing me. I’m not as formidable as you say—it’s all luck. Actually, if not for Sky Wrath, I wouldn’t have survived. Look at it—the blade is dull, truly exhausted this time.”

Taiyi glanced at Sky Wrath, then said, “Haha, Brother Sansi, let’s not dwell on unhappy things. We’ve reached Lingzhou safely—a blessing. Why don’t we eat first, then go to Liu Family Fortress and find Lingshuang and Nian’er?”

Ye Sansi took a deep breath, stood up with a smile, “Good idea. Let’s go downstairs—I really am hungry.”