noveltune Chapter 1897 - 450: The Ancient Divine Beast, Helian Zisheng (2)
Chapter 1897 - 450: The Ancient Divine Beast, Helian Zisheng (2)
Elder Yun furrowed his brows, exchanged a glance with Elder Feng, and simultaneously said, "Zisheng."
"What Zisheng? What are you talking about?" Lin Shishi asked, confused.
Elder Xing said, "The Helian Family has two great protectors, passed down through generations, one named Qinglan, the other Zisheng. Qinglan enforces the law, as the confidant of the Family Head, while the protector Zisheng has always been quite mysterious, because his duty is to safeguard the descendants of the Bai Family."
Perhaps due to Bai Qi having killed too many people, his only son passed away young, leaving a child born from a brothel woman he had spent a night with by chance, allowing the Bai Family bloodline to continue. However, the child was born frail and sickly, and to continue the bloodline, they had to select women to serve him, always finding pregnancy after death, which was extremely perilous. The protector Zisheng’s only responsibility was to safeguard the Bai Family descendants, allowing the bloodline to continue.
Over thousands of years, countless hardships were endured, and the Bai Family descendants, like weeds growing in stone cracks, survived despite harsh environments. Yet each cycle of life was filled with countless bitter struggles.
"Indeed, once we find the protector Zisheng, all will become clear." Elder Xing stroked his white beard and sighed.
"Then where is the protector Zisheng?" Lin Shishi asked.
Just then, a purple shadow flickered in the sky, and a white-robed Taoist swiftly emerged. The wind gently lifted his robe’s hem; his elegance was unmatched, with an ethereal demeanor.
"Are you looking for me?" The voice was truly alluring... melting one’s bones, yet it contradicted the cold and otherworldly aura.
Dust moved with the wind, and as that face gradually revealed before them, Lin Shishi heard her own exaggerated scream, "So handsome..."
Standing at a height of over 1.9 meters, though slim, he filled his clothes well. His long hair flowed, his face was like sculpted jade, with exquisite features. A purple entwined flower totem adorned his eye, sweeping to his temples, adding an aura both mysterious and seductive. As those purple eyes gazed upon her, Lin Shishi felt struck by lightning, her mouth agape, immobile, with transparent liquid trickling down.
The man winked at Lin Shishi, a flirtatious smile at his lips, "Young lady, could you wipe the drool from your mouth?"
Startled, Lin Shishi quickly reacted, hurriedly raising her sleeve to wipe her mouth, inwardly annoyed, thinking, "How embarrassing..."
"Flirtatious old ghost, stop enticing young girls here, explain what’s going on right now!" Elder Feng demanded, hands on hips.
"You ask me what’s happening? I’d like to ask you! I was sleeping soundly when I was awakened by this commotion. Qinglan handles Kunlun Mountain’s security. Where is she? Get her here."
"Protector Qinglan was dispatched on a mission by the Family Head. Now that the Fire Cloud Dragon has emerged, it’s tied to the Bai Family descendants. It’s your negligence." Elder Yun sternly said.
"Oh, so you’re trying to shift the blame onto me? I refuse to accept that burden." Zisheng leisurely laughed; the smile was enchanting, at least Lin Shishi was captivated.
"Well then, tell us what to do now?" Protector Yun pointed to the airborne giant dragon.
"What if it flies out and causes havoc? The Family Head isn’t here. Can the few of us seal it?"
"Dream on; it’s an ancient beast. After being trapped for millennia, upon release, isn’t it natural for it to be excited? Besides, even if all of us confront it, a single swipe of its claw and we’re done for."
"Don’t boost others’ morale while sapping ours. With the Family Head absent, we must be responsible for the Helian Family’s people. If you’re afraid of dying, you may leave. The Helian Family would not miss someone like you."
"Elder Yun, you’re quite malicious. If you don’t like me, just say so. Don’t find such underhanded ways to drive me away. I, Helian Zisheng, am not the type to fear death."
"Hmph, everyone can talk big."
"I believe in you." Lin Shishi giggled, raising her little hand. "Idol, I believe in you. Go for it."
Helian Zisheng smiled at her with such gentle grace that Lin Shishi nearly knelt to worship him.
"Enough, now is not the time for this. Look, the Fire Cloud Dragon is heading towards us." As Elder Xing’s voice fell, they saw the Fire Cloud Dragon spew flames, indeed diving straight towards them.
People swiftly retreated, all scorched by the fire’s blaze, looking quite disheveled. Lin Shishi noticed her clothes had caught fire. Screaming, she rolled on the ground to extinguish the fire but found it burning increasingly. Her screams were piercing.
Could it be she would perish here today?
Suddenly, she felt a cool sensation; the burning pain faded, and she saw Helian Zisheng standing not far away, his palm emitting purple light, enveloping her. She abruptly flew towards him, clumsily landing on the ground.
"Thank you for saving me." She stood and said, only to sense something wrong, looked down, and let out an exaggerated scream.
Her clothes were mostly burnt, leaving only a few thin scraps, luckily the main areas were covered.
"Tch, that figure isn’t worth seeing." Helian Zisheng said dismissively.
Lin Shishi blushed deeply, noticing the other three elders had various degrees of burn marks on their clothes, looking quite ragged. Only Helian Zisheng retained a white robe, still as elegant as an ethereal being.
As a loud dragon roar resounded, the earth shook, and the dragon landed, grounding its claws. Fire surged forth, a hot stream so intense they could barely open their eyes.
The dragon roared to the heavens. Lin Shishi nearly flew back from the roar’s impact; her features distorted in the massive air current.
"Oh no, it’s about to go berserk." Elder Yun shouted, preparing to rush towards the dragon.
A deep voice rose steadily, its sound like a bell, its force like thunder, leaving everyone suddenly clear-headed and stunned.
"Do not harm people, stop."
The wind subsided.
Lin Shishi struggled to open her eyes, witnessing the dragon transform into a burst of golden light, within which a tall figure descended like a Heavenly God, majestic and invincible.
He seemed like a lofty emperor, casting stern eyes toward all life, compelling submission over vast distances.
Lin Shishi’s legs weakened, "Is this... is this man or monster?"
Golden light penetrated him, merging with him, slowly shrinking until it became a mark on his brow, disappearing...
He stood alone in the realm, his figure gradually clear, the sky and earth, the clouds, and moon shadows could no longer conceal his indomitable spirit. From then on, he roamed the mountains and seas, fearing nothing.
Lin Shishi swallowed hard, once thinking Helian Zisheng was the most handsome man in the world, ashamed of her naivety.
It wasn’t mere handsomeness, but a natural, compelling charisma.
"Oh heavens... he’s still alive...?" Elder Yun’s incredulous voice rang out.
He was not only alive but had released the Fire Cloud Dragon’s seal.