bookbashuk Page 21
Page 21
Like a dragon emerging from the water, he suddenly soared into the sky from the black river and landed steadily on the rocks on the shore.
Although he was soaked to the bone, his aura was much stronger than before!
Eight grottoes surround him, breathing in and out divine light, and between the opening and closing of his eyes, one can vaguely see the rotation of the sun, moon and stars!
His entire being seemed to be enveloped in a mysterious and powerful divine radiance!
"Hao'er!"
"Little brother!"
When Shi Ting and Shi Qingfeng saw him emerge unharmed and with an even stronger aura, their hearts finally settled, and they excitedly rushed to greet him.
"Good boy! You...you've broken through again?!" Shi Ting asked in shock, sensing the even more powerful aura emanating from Shi Hao.
"Hmm!" Shi Hao grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth. "Hehe, lucky me, I opened the eighth cave heaven!"
Shi Ting: "..."
He no longer knew what words to use to describe the extraordinary talent of his grandson.
"Alright, Grandpa, let's keep going! Let's get back to Stone Village as soon as possible!"
Shi Hao called out and jumped onto Qing Tianpeng's back again.
His strength had increased dramatically once again, and he was getting closer and closer to Stone Village. He was in an extremely good mood!
Chapter Twenty-One: Willow God Awakens and Heads to the Realm of the Void Gods!
On the banks of the Taiyin River, Shi Hao successfully opened his eighth cave, further enhancing his strength.
He felt the surging power within his body and the strange sense of balance brought by the Taiyin Cave Heaven.
Afterwards, Shi Hao did not linger for long, and took his great-grandfather Shi Ting and Shi Qingfeng, who were equally excited and shocked for him.
And the fur ball, which had just woken up and was curiously licking the water of the Taiyin River on his shoulder, embarked on its journey back to Shicun once again.
The Azure Roc spread its wings and soared high, its speed several times faster than when it arrived.
Shi Ting kept asking Shi Hao about the situation in the village.
Shi Hao picked up on what he could say and simply described the simplicity and peace of Shi Village, as well as the mystery and power of Master Liu Shen.
He didn't mention the chat group or the system, only saying that he had encountered a great opportunity and was chosen by the Willow God to be his disciple.
Even such a simple description stirred Shi Ting's emotions.
He was filled with awe for the "Willow Goddess" he had never met.
He became increasingly drawn to Stone Village, a mysterious place that could transform a dying grandson and attract the attention of the ancient ferocious beast Zhu Yan and a suspected descendant of the Heavenly Peng (Qing Tian Peng).
A few days later, when the familiar mountain outlines appeared at the edge of his field of vision, Shi Hao's mood became cheerful.
"Grandpa, Qingfeng, we're almost there!" he said, pointing to the distant area surrounded by mountains with wisps of smoke rising from chimneys.
The Azure Roc let out a clear cry and swooped down at increased speed.
Soon, a village built entirely of huge bluestones, appearing ancient yet full of life, came into view before Shi Ting and Shi Qingfeng.
However, when Shi Ting saw the full view of this so-called "First Ancestral Land of the Stone Kingdom", he was completely stunned, as if struck by lightning!
This...this is...the ancestral land?!
There were no sacred temples as imagined, no legendary fairy mountains and blessed lands, no pervasive chaotic energy, and no earth-shattering divine presence to be sensed!
What lies before us is clearly just a small, even somewhat rudimentary, mountain village nestled in a remote corner of the wilderness!
Although the village looked clean and tidy, the villagers also appeared energetic and vigorous.
But... this is far too different from the image in his mind of the "first ancestral land" that is full of endless mystery and legends, where the founder of the Stone Kingdom was born, and where gods may even be sleeping!
His gaze unconsciously fell on the village entrance. There, indeed, was a stone platform that resembled an altar.
But on the altar, there was no statue of a god or sacred object, but a... charred black tree, as if struck by lightning countless times, with only a few tender green branches swaying in the wind?!
This is... the legendary spirit that protects the ancestral land?
Shi Ting felt that his understanding had been shocked like never before, and for a moment he was in a daze.
Are all the legends about the ancestral land passed down in the Stone Kingdom false?
Or is there another hidden story?
Just as Shi Ting was filled with excitement, the Stone Village below had already spotted the returning Qing Tianpeng and Shi Hao.
"It's Brother Hao back!"
"Haowa is back!"
"Look! It's Brother Hao!"
The villagers, especially the children, immediately erupted in enthusiastic and joyful cheers, running out of their stone houses and surrounding the landing Qing Tianpeng.
Shi Hao leaped off Peng's back and landed steadily.
"Brother Hao! You're finally back! We've all missed you!" Pi Hou was the first to rush up and give Shi Hao a bear hug.
"Haowa, did the trip go smoothly? Did you encounter any danger?" Shi Linhu and the other men from the hunting team gathered around and asked with concern.
"Little Shihao, come here quickly, your auntie saved some freshly grilled meat for you," an older woman greeted him with a smile.
Looking at those familiar and sincere smiling faces, and listening to those heartfelt greetings.
Shi Hao felt a warm glow in his heart, and the coldness and determination he had felt in the second ancestral land of Shi Kingdom were gradually melted away by this warmth.
He smiled and responded to everyone: "Uncle Lin Hu, aunties, Pi Hou, I'm fine, everything went smoothly."
He then pulled over Shi Ting and Shi Qingfeng, who were still somewhat reserved and bewildered, and introduced them to everyone: "By the way, let me introduce you. This is my great-grandfather. This is my cousin, Shi Qingfeng. They will be living with us in Shi Village from now on."
Shi Hao regarded Shi Qingfeng as his cousin.
After all, he was suffering for himself.
Moreover, Shi Qingfeng is actually a good person.
Upon hearing this, the villagers all looked at Shi Ting and Shi Qingfeng with curiosity.
When the villagers saw that Shi Ting had recovered his peak health but still had a touch of vicissitude and nobility between his brows, and Shi Qingfeng was obviously malnourished and timid, the simple and honest people of Shi Village did not reject him. Instead, they showed him warm eyes.
"Oh, it's Haowa's great-grandfather and younger brother! Please come in, please come in!"
"Grandpa, little Qingfeng, from now on, treat this place as your own home!"
"That's right! Our Shicun village may not have much else, but it's big enough and has plenty of food!"
With the arrangements made by clan chief Shi Yunfeng and the enthusiastic help of the villagers, Shi Ting and Shi Qingfeng were quickly settled in.
Looking at this simple yet warm and vibrant village, and feeling the genuine enthusiasm of the villagers, Shi Ting's heart, which had grown cold because of what happened to Shi Guo, gradually began to melt.
Perhaps... this place really feels more like home than that so-called "second ancestral home".
Night falls.
To celebrate Shi Hao's safe return and to welcome Shi Ting and Shi Qingfeng, a roaring bonfire was lit once again in Shi Village.
In the square, villagers sat together, enjoying the fragrant roasted meat and drinking their homemade fruit wine, which carried the scent of the mountains.
Children chased and played around the campfire, men talked loudly about their hunting experiences during the day, and women gathered together to chat about everyday life, occasionally bursting into hearty laughter.
The entire village of Shi was immersed in a joyful and peaceful atmosphere.
At this moment, Shi Hao was holding a pottery jar, happily drinking the animal milk that the old clan chief had brewed for him.
Shi Ting and Shi Qingfeng were also infected by the atmosphere, and long-lost relaxed smiles appeared on their faces.
Just as this joyful atmosphere reached its climax—
hum-
An indescribable, sacred, and vast aura, like a spring breeze, silently emanated from the charred willow tree at the village entrance and instantly enveloped the entire Stone Village!
The once bustling square instantly fell silent.
Everyone looked towards the entrance of the village without prior arrangement!
The charred willow tree was now radiating an unprecedentedly brilliant green light!
Those newly sprouted willow branches now seemed to have transformed into a divine chain of order formed from the purest laws of the Great Dao! Profound runes flowed across each branch, radiating a shimmering, sacred light!
Especially Shi Ting, when he saw the change in the willow tree, he was completely stunned, as if he had been frozen in place!
In his perception, what he saw was not a half-cut, charred willow tree at all!
It was like a supreme divine willow rooted in chaos, towering above the heavens, its branches and leaves covering the three thousand worlds, seemingly able to support the entire universe... reaching the heavens and the earth!
That vast and boundless life force.
That ancient and weathered charm seemed to have witnessed countless ages of rise and fall.
The mere wisp of aura that it casually emitted was enough to make the stars tremble.
This... could this be the legendary... World Tree?
Shi Ting's heart pounded wildly, his chest filled with excitement, awe, and disbelief.
So there really are gods here!
A god far older and more terrifying than those in the legends of the Stone Kingdom!
"Welcome, Goddess Willow!"
"Meet Liu Shen!"
After a brief moment of stunned silence, the villagers of Shicun immediately knelt down in utmost reverence, chanting their respects to the Willow God.
Shi Hao sensed it the moment Liu Shen awoke.
A surprised smile appeared on his face. He put down the milk can in his hand and ran towards the willow tree with his short legs!
"Master! You're awake!" Shi Hao ran to the willow tree, looked up at it with his little face, and asked happily, "How are you feeling?"
The willow branches swayed gently, and one of them, radiating a rich glow of life, softly brushed against Shi Hao's head.
"Yes, I'm fine." The will of the Willow God resounded directly in Shi Hao's mind, her voice clearer and gentler than before, "The Spring of Immortality has extraordinary effects and has helped me a lot. This slumber has been very fruitful."
"That's wonderful!" Shi Hao was genuinely happy for Liu Shen.
Then, as if remembering something, he puffed out his chest with a hint of pride and reported, "Goddess Liu, I've also made quite a bit of progress on this trip! I've opened up my eighth grotto-heaven!"