117: Chapter 117 Xuan Shaozu Awakens

The nation-guarding seal rested deep within the spiritual vein. As golden light flowed, an ancient and weak immortal charm slowly dissipated, the aura ancient and carrying the desolation of impending death.

The expressions of all the Xuan Kingdom immortals present changed drastically.

"It's the Young Ancestor! It really is Young Ancestor Xuan's aura!"

Perfected Shouyin spoke with a trembling voice, pointing at the nation-guarding seal that was constantly breathing in the spiritual vein's essence.

"How is the Young Ancestor here?"

After so many years, there was finally a trace of Young Ancestor Xuan. This should have been a good thing, but the joy in the eyes of the immortals present was far outweighed by sorrow.

Back then, Young Ancestor Xuan and Emperor Xuan Shi ascended to bring back a method to save the world. For many years, there had been no news, and they had vanished without a trace.

These juniors were also looking forward to the return of their ascended ancestors, but certainly not a return like this. With his aura so weak, what had happened to the Young Ancestor?

Emperor Xuan stepped forward and landed beside the nation-guarding seal. He bowed respectfully and then performed a hand seal. The nation-guarding seal actually split open from the middle, revealing infinitely complex power of national fortune. One by one, the souls of Xuan Kingdom immortals appeared, who had eternally guarded the fortune after their lifespans were exhausted.

Emperor Xuan disregarded etiquette and pushed aside these ancestors who had already fallen but still sacrificed their souls for the Xuan Kingdom.

His eyes were as wide as copper bells as he searched for something within the complex and majestic fortune and the infinitely changing laws.

Finally, he decisively pointed in one direction, and a weak, nearly transparent immortal soul manifested.

That soul was tattered and broken, like a candle in the wind that could be extinguished at any moment. It barely survived by relying on the power of the nation-guarding seal, lacking even the strength to awaken.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Xuan's face instantly turned deathly pale. He fell to his knees with a thud. "Young Ancestor! It is my incompetence. I have been with the nation-guarding seal for many years yet never discovered you were inside. You have suffered!"

"Young Ancestor!"

...

The other immortals also knelt one after another, filled with self-reproach.

However, this only lasted for a few breaths before everyone stood up.

The event had already happened; no matter how guilty they felt, it would not help the Young Ancestor awaken.

What they needed to do now was figure out how to wake him.

"Increase the national fortune!"

"Immortal medicine."

...

It was only because the fortune had transformed into a dragon that Young Ancestor Xuan's existence was discovered.

It was certain that increasing the fortune would benefit the Young Ancestor.

Then, they would try their best to refine some grand elixirs that nourished the soul.

"There is one more thing."

The immortals looked toward Lu Hu.

Back when the war with the Qian Kingdom broke out.

The Qian Kingdom had a sword called the netherworld sword.

During the great war, that sword had awakened the souls of the deceased immortals of the Qian Kingdom.

The netherworld sword wielded the power of life and death reincarnation, having a clear effect on nourishing souls.

Although the netherworld sword was now destroyed, they had all seen that its essence had been taken by Lu Hu after he forced it out of the demon-slaying sword's body.

"We ask Fellow Daoist Lu Hu to lend a hand. As long as the Young Ancestor can be saved, the Xuan Kingdom is willing to pay any price!"

"I will do my best."

Lu Hu nodded slightly without saying much.

Even if they didn't ask, he would help.

He had always been curious about the mystery of Young Ancestor Xuan's ascension.

Moreover, as a figure from the ancient era, he must know many secrets. Lu Hu would not sit idly by while such a person was dying.

Lu Hu raised his hand, and a pitch-black longsword wrapped in netherworld aura appeared out of thin air—it was the netherworld sword that Lu Hu had reforged.

Lu Hu poured his dharma power into the sword's body. The netherworld sword emitted a low hum, and a wisp of eerie yet pure netherworld energy surged out, slowly landing on Young Ancestor Xuan's soul.

"The netherworld sword can stabilize his soul and prevent it from dissipating. With the nourishment of the national fortune, he should awaken within two months."

As Lu Hu spoke, he reached out toward the sky above the Xuan Kingdom. The gathered fortune of the Xuan Kingdom once again became a golden dragon, intertwining with the netherworld power to form a light shield of circulating Yin and Yang, covering Young Ancestor Xuan.

The nearly transparent soul within the nation-guarding seal began to solidify at a slow pace.

Two months later, the soul had solidified. The nation-guarding seal vibrated gently, and a weak but clear ripple of divine sense spread out from the seal.

Young Ancestor Xuan had awakened.

"Cough... cough cough..."

Weak coughing sounds came from the nation-guarding seal. That soul slowly floated out, hovering in mid-air. His clouded gaze swept over everyone present before finally landing on Lu Hu.

"Thank you all for saving me..." Young Ancestor Xuan's voice was raspy and dry, every word an immense struggle.

"You're welcome," Lu Hu said, cupping his hands. "I am Lu Hu. I wish to ask the Young Ancestor about one thing—"

"Back then, you and three other Heavenly Immortals joined forces to build the pillar of heaven and opened the ascension path to ascend.

What exactly happened afterward? Why is only your soul left, residing within the nation-guarding seal?"

After Lu Hu finished, the other immortals couldn't bother letting the newly awakened and weak Young Ancestor rest; they pricked up their ears, waiting for his answer.

This question had troubled them for too many years, and they had never found a single clue. Now that Young Ancestor Xuan had awakened, they were finally going to get an answer.

Upon hearing this, endless sorrow instantly surged in Young Ancestor Xuan's clouded eyes, and his soul couldn't help but tremble violently. After a long time, he let out a long sigh.

"This matter... is a long story. It is the greatest catastrophe and secret of our Continent of Desolation since ancient times."

...