Silence slowly returned to the spiritual palace.
The terrifying pressure that had filled the sky moments ago had completely vanished, leaving behind only the calm spiritual winds flowing across the vast land of the Forest of Yin and Yang.
Yan Fu stood quietly in the clearing.
For the first time since arriving in this world, he had felt the presence of something far beyond celestial power. Even now, the memory of that crushing aura lingered faintly in his mind.
But the moment passed.
Vorath shook its massive body, its silver-charcoal mane rustling like blades brushing against one another.
"That being has left," the ancient black lion rumbled.
Aetherion also relaxed slightly. The soft glow surrounding its white body dimmed as the celestial energy around it stabilized once again.
"The danger has passed… for now," Aetherion said calmly.
Yan Fu nodded.
"We will deal with such beings when the time comes."
For now, his focus remained on the task before him—rebuilding Ji Xia Sect.
Aetherion turned its head slightly toward the palace behind them.
"There is something you should do first."
Yan Fu looked at it.
"The treasures within this spiritual palace," Aetherion continued.
"They have remained here for centuries without an owner."
Its turquoise eyes met Yan Fu's calmly.
"If you truly intend to rebuild Ji Xia Sect, those resources will be necessary."
Vorath gave a low approving rumble.
"The palace holds many rare items. Spirit stones, divine herbs, and ancient artifacts."
"Leaving them here would be wasteful."
Yan Fu turned and looked toward the open gates of the palace.
He had seen the treasures earlier.
Even with his calm personality, he could not deny their value. Those resources could accelerate the growth of his sect and strengthen future disciples.
Yan Fu nodded slightly.
"Very well."
He raised his hand.
A silver ring resting on his finger flickered with faint spatial energy.
His storage ring.
The three of them walked back inside the palace.
The grand hall was still filled with radiant treasures. Spirit weapons shimmered on weapon racks while floating containers preserved ancient herbs glowing with pure spiritual energy.
Yan Fu slowly walked through the hall.
Then he activated the storage ring.
A powerful spatial vortex formed in the air.
One by one, the treasures began flying into the ring.
Spirit stones.
Divine herbs.
Ancient weapons.
Mystical talismans.
Even entire shelves of rare cultivation resources disappeared into the storage space.
The vast treasure hall slowly became empty.
As the last artifact disappeared into the storage ring—
A blue screen suddenly appeared before Yan Fu.
[System Notification]
Quest Progress Update
Main Mission: Restore Ji Xia Sect
Objective: Recruit Three Divine Guardian Beasts
Current Progress:
Guardian 1 – Vorath ✔
Guardian 2 – Aetherion ✔
Guardian 3 – Not Yet Found
Yan Fu read the message calmly.
Then another message appeared.
[Emergency Quest Notice]
Time Remaining: 4 Hours
Recruit the Final Guardian Beast to Complete the Celestial Sect Renovation Reward.
Failure may result in loss of the mission chain.
Yan Fu's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Four hours…"
The time limit was shorter than expected.
Vorath noticed the change in his expression.
"What happened?"
Yan Fu briefly explained the system message.
"The final guardian must be found within four hours," he said calmly.
Aetherion lowered its head slightly in thought.
"Then we should not waste time."
Yan Fu nodded.
But the question remained.
Which beast should become the third guardian of Ji Xia Sect?
The first guardian was Vorath, a beast of darkness, dominance, and shadow power.
The second was Aetherion, a creature of light, healing, and celestial magic.
Both represented powerful yet balanced aspects of the Dao.
Yan Fu crossed his arms thoughtfully.
"If Ji Xia Sect is to rise again…"
"Then the final guardian must not only be powerful."
"It must also complete the balance of the sect."
Vorath looked toward the distant mountains of the forest.
"There are many powerful beasts within the Forest of Yin and Yang."
"But few are worthy of becoming guardians."
Aetherion nodded in agreement.
"The third guardian must possess both strength and loyalty."
Yan Fu then turned toward them.
"You have both lived in this forest far longer than I have."
"Tell me."
His voice was calm.
"Which beast in this forest would be worthy of standing beside you as the third guardian of Ji Xia Sect?"
For a moment, both divine beasts remained silent.
Vorath's amber eyes slowly scanned the distant forest.
Aetherion's turquoise gaze turned toward the deeper eastern regions of the forest.
Then Vorath spoke first.
"There is… one."
Aetherion glanced toward the black lion.
"You are thinking of the same one as me."
Vorath nodded slowly.
Yan Fu watched them carefully.
"A beast capable of standing beside both of you?" he asked.
Vorath's deep voice rumbled.
"Yes."
Aetherion lifted its head slightly.
"But that creature…"
"…is far more troublesome than either of us."
Yan Fu's eyes narrowed with interest.
For Vorath and Aetherion—two divine guardians—to speak this way about another beast meant only one thing.
The final guardian of Ji Xia Sect would not be easy to obtain.
But Yan Fu smiled faintly.
"Good."
He tightened his grip on his staff.
"Then take me to it."
The final guardian awaited somewhere within the depths of the Forest of Yin and Yang.
And the time to find it was quickly running out.