Qing Tianhu looked a little dazed. "I don't know either. Língzūn only said… she was an honored guest."
He tried hard to remember that instant when he met Yun Jin. Her face really was far too young.
Cultivators aged much slower than ordinary people, but Yun Jin still looked like a girl. She probably had not lived long in the cultivation world.
So…
Língzūn being that careful had left him confused.
As it turned out…
Língzūn was still Língzūn.
Who would've imagined that this overly young looking woman was actually a top tier powerhouse who commanded Primordial Wood.
"Primordial Wood." A woman's eyes turned red. "She really is an honored guest. Maybe this time, Língzūn can truly be saved."
To avoid causing panic, the fact that Língzūn's lifespan was nearly exhausted had never been revealed. Only their closest group knew the truth.
Língzūn had lived far too long.
Back in the desolate era, all those ancient divine beasts had long fallen. It was Língzūn who led the spirit beasts of this age and built a new order. Every one of them had received kindness from him.
From the moment spirit beasts first formed memories, he had already existed in this world.
Even though lifespan always had an end, none of the living beings here ever imagined that their guardian deity would face the day he had to leave.
To them, Língzūn had already become a faith.
If he fell, they would all collapse.
Through all these years…
They had tried every possible method to keep Língzūn alive.
At first…
They gathered the strongest wood attributed spirit beasts. Not one hesitated. They stayed on Sacred Mountain year after year, regularly sending life energy into Língzūn's body.
Later…
Even so many top tier powerhouses were no longer enough to make up for the emptiness in Língzūn's body. They had no choice but to expand their search and summon even more wood attributed spirit beasts.
Until now…
All spirit beasts who should have come to Sacred Mountain had already come.
That was why, when Qing Tianhu heard Yun Jin claim she came from a hidden world clan, he'd started to doubt.
The spirit beast world did have hidden clans.
But even those clans had immediately sent their strongest wood attributed experts once the Sacred Mountain's disturbance was revealed.
In a situation like this, a sudden appearance of a powerful wood attributed cultivator was definitely suspicious.
Qing Tianhu's reasoning was probably not wrong.
But Yun Jin's existence just happened to be that rare exception.
Qing Tianhu now felt nothing but deep regret. His voice trembled. "I… I think I offended that powerhouse earlier. What should I do to make it right?"
Now, all he felt toward Yun Jin was pure gratitude.
The moment he remembered he almost attacked her, Qing Tianhu's heart turned cold with fear.
If apologizing required sacrificing his life to calm her anger, he felt that was fine too.
"What! Are you insane?"
"What exactly did you do?"
Everyone started questioning him.
Qing Tianhu nervously explained the situation.
The remaining divine beasts all grew tense.
"Right now, the only one who might save Língzūn is the person atop the mountain. We can't allow a powerhouse like that to feel displeased."
"When the phenomenon fades, we'll go beg our benefactor together."
"Don't say anything. We kneel the moment we see her."
"Right. Our attitude must be clear. All nine of us will kneel beside you."
"We must show sincerity."
"Don't you dare refuse. All ten of us were raised by Língzūn. After all these years, we're basically family. The mistake you made is our mistake. We share the burden."
The divine beasts spoke one after another.
Qing Tianhu took a deep breath and nodded heavily. "I understand."
Face and pride were meaningless.
As long as their benefactor could save Língzūn, even losing his life was nothing.
While the ten saint beasts talked, the sky erupted with a massive surge of wood essence. It poured down like a hanging river of stars, rushing into the peak.
Everyone's hearts rose to their throats.
This was a powerhouse who commanded a Primordial Force.
If even she couldn't save Língzūn, then…
No, she definitely could.
On Sacred Mountain, countless spirit beasts saw the breathtaking phenomenon.
They lifted their heads, eyes filled with hope.
In truth…
All of them had guessed some part of Língzūn's condition. They simply did not want to accept it and no one dared spread it.
So many wood attributed powerhouses had come, yet not once had there been a phenomenon like this.
This time…
Could everything really turn for the better?
While the phenomenon continued…
The once dry riverbeds suddenly surged with clear water, flowing again.
Along the cliffs…
Massive waterfalls crashed down, raising clouds of spray.
Even the empty craters bubbled up with new lakes.
The entire Sacred Mountain came back to life in that instant.
"Língzūn is saved." A group of wood attributed spirit beasts gathered and could not hold back their tears.
If life could be exchanged for life, there would be endless spirit beasts lining up for the chance.
Língzūn had protected an entire era and protected every one of them.
If possible, they would willingly give their lives for Língzūn.
But sadly…
There was no such option.
Now…
A powerhouse who commanded Primordial Wood had descended from the heavens. This was surely fate refusing to let Língzūn fall.
The phenomenon lasted a long time.
When the green light finally faded…
The wrinkles on Língzūn's face had noticeably lessened. He felt the life force returning to his body and stared at Yun Jin in shock. "No… this isn't right. This isn't something one can achieve with Primordial Wood alone. You…"
Yun Jin smiled. "Once the Five Elements merge into one, all five Primordial Forces grow together."
Língzūn's pupils shrank violently.
So…
It wasn't only Primordial Wood. It was all Five Element Primordial Forces.
No wonder, no wonder the power had been so overwhelming.
Yun Jin let out a soft sigh. "But Senior's body…"
Língzūn smiled. "It's fine."
He and Yun Jin both knew.
A complete recovery was impossible.
He wasn't injured. His lifespan had simply reached its end.
Yun Jin could only extend it for a while. To fully restore him was something no one could do.
"This time, I should be able to extend Senior's life by one year," Yun Jin said. "After that, I'll regularly infuse you with life force. The effect will weaken each time, but I estimate I can extend Senior's life by ten years."
Ten years.
Enough time to find a suitable successor.
Língzūn laughed freely. "Ten years is more than enough."
Suddenly…
His eyes shifted and he smiled. "My children request to see you. They're probably afraid they offended you earlier and want to apologize. Would you be willing to meet them?"
Offended her?
Yun Jin couldn't help laughing. She wasn't that petty. But if she refused, they'd probably worry even more.
"I can," Yun Jin said with a nod.
Língzūn then summoned the ten saint beasts.
The moment they entered, before Yun Jin could speak, all ten dropped to their knees at the exact same time.