Chapter Thirty-Four: Yuanmu's Return

The war between the Celestial Realm and the Angel Realm unfolded in the crimson expanse of the Red Rock Plateau, a relentless battle of life and death. After three arduous months, the numerical advantage held by the angels was gradually eroded, yet the angelic legions, fearless and resolute, launched desperate charges again and again, only to be cut down by the overwhelming numbers of cultivators on the blood-soaked plateau.

The angels, to those who witnessed them, were like sharks drawn to blood, determined to claim their prize at any cost.

War is cruel, yet it tempers both will and strength.

Boss Li grew swiftly through this conflict. The body, transformed by the guiding celestial light, was not wholly impervious to blade or spear, but its resilience surpassed even that of cultivators in the Grandmaster stage—a discovery that filled Boss Li with delight.

Ordinary two-winged angels could not penetrate the protective shield of the Jade Blood Ring. When Boss Li plunged into the enemy ranks, he was like Death itself wielding a long scythe, swiftly harvesting lives.

The near-constant use of spiritual energy and celestial essence propelled Li Chengzhu’s physical cultivation from the middle to the late stage of Soul Departure, with his Nascent Soul on the verge of a breakthrough.

While victory in the defense of the Celestial Realm brought joy, what truly delighted Gu Linglong and the others was Yuan Mu’s miraculous return.

The reunion of the two brothers was inevitably moving. What astonished everyone was that Yuan Mu’s cultivation had soared to the mid-stage Immortal in a single leap!

The Ascension Token once again demonstrated its formidable power and allure in the eyes of celestial beings.

From Yuan Mu’s account, the group learned that he had endured both the heavenly and celestial tribulations together—a perilous ordeal. Yet, with angels serving as unwitting shields, Yuan Mu managed to ascend. In the final critical moment, as four six-winged white angels arrived on the battlefield, the guiding celestial light whisked Yuan Mu away to the shores of the Birth Immortal Lake, sparing him from disaster.

After hearing this, Boss Li grumbled a few choice curses before calming his mind—such luck was enviable to the point of jealousy.

“Did you see my master?” Boss Li asked urgently.

“Your master?” Yuan Mu was puzzled.

“This friend’s master is the current Guiding Immortal Envoy,” Yuan Sen explained from the side.

Yuan Mu, a little surprised, replied, “The process of becoming an immortal differs between the Celestial Realm and the Mortal Realm. Those from the Celestial Realm ascend to another place by the Birth Immortal Lake, not by the reverse channel.”

Li Chengzhu let out a disappointed sigh, but upon reflection, it made sense. Otherwise, in the two years spent with his master, it would not have been possible for only one immortal to ascend through the reverse channel.

“Brother, you should thank this friend,” Yuan Sen said, recalling Yuan Lin’s tragic fate, his aged eyes misting over. “He avenged our second brother.”

“What?” Yuan Sen’s mouth dropped open.

“He killed that six-winged angel,” Yuan Sen said, tears streaming down his face.

Eldest brother Yuan Mu was shocked—could this little fellow have slain a six-winged angel? Others might not know, but Yuan Mu certainly did. When the six-winged angel’s spiritual pressure vanished, it was accompanied by a powerful, domineering energy—even with his current cultivation, Yuan Mu wouldn’t dare face it head-on.

How could this little one have destroyed such a foe?

After a moment’s thought, Yuan Mu asked, “Do you have any proof?”

Boss Li sneered, “Believe it or not! I have no time for your doubts.”

Yuan Sen smoothed things over, “Brother, he truly killed the angel—the divine crystal is still in his possession.”

Seeing his brother’s earnest expression, Yuan Mu softened, nodding and smiling, “Forgive my earlier rudeness, friend. Still, this matter isn’t as simple as it seems. I’d like to confirm—would you allow me?”

As the saying goes, one doesn’t strike a smiling face—especially one as radiant as a spring blossom.

Boss Li, embarrassed to remain stern, pulled out the treasured divine crystal of the six-winged angel.

Sensing the familiar spiritual pressure and gazing at its gray yet potent glow, everyone fell silent, as they had when they first witnessed it.

Boss Li scrutinized it, then turned to Shadow, asking uncertainly, “Doesn’t it seem… much smaller?”

Shadow, the authority, picked up the six-layered crystal, examined it closely, and nodded, “It does feel that way. Look—the edges aren’t as sharp as before, almost as if they’re being worn down.”

Boss Li trusted Shadow’s judgment; she had played with the crystal for a whole day, and her impression was deeper than anyone else’s.

After confirming, Boss Li’s eyes widened as he grabbed the creature perched on his shoulder and held it before him, scolding, “You little beast, how dare you steal a bite!”

“Squeak squeak!” The creature raised its paws in protest.

“Hm? If you didn’t eat it, why has it shrunk so much?”

“Squeak squeak!” The creature ignored Boss Li’s fierce glare, leapt into Shadow’s arms, and clung tightly, burying its head between her ample bosom as if wounded.

“Enough, it’s just a crystal! Go kill another, problem solved!” Shadow swatted Boss Li’s hand away, fuming, “So stingy—must you take it out on the little one?”

Boss Li’s burly frame shuddered. Kill another? It wasn’t so simple; a six-winged angel was hardly a roast duck with wings.

“Ahem…” Boss Li tried to steady his breath. “It’s not about the crystal—it’s about teaching! Do you understand? If the little one is stealing, then all the high-grade stones and Celestial Stones in my Jade Blood Ring are at risk—who knows when they’ll disappear?”

“Hmph!” Shadow snorted, then gently coaxed the little creature, “Don’t mind him, dear!” She turned her back on Boss Li and strode out.

“Ahem!” Yuan Mu cleared his throat and bowed slightly to Li Chengzhu, “Forgive my earlier offense. Thank you for avenging my brother. If you ever need anything, just say the word.”

“Forget it!” Boss Li waved his hand irritably and walked out.

Watching that not-so-tall figure, Yuan Mu’s lips curled with a faint smile. This one… is remarkable!

But how did he kill the six-winged angel? Or was it slain by another? How to explain the crystal?

Yuan Mu sighed softly, unable to unravel the mystery.