After being jilted by the saintess at the beginning, why is she crying?

With a loud "boom", a white light suddenly exploded - when I opened my eyes again, the heavy stone door was already wide open!

A dense, almost solidified spiritual energy surged in from inside the door!

Yan Nantian turned around, looked at the two of them, and said in a deep voice, "Let's go in. The Soul-Nourishing Wood is deep inside the ancestral hall."

Lin Fengmian and Yan Qingyao exchanged a glance, then stepped into the stone gate hand in hand.

The moment you step through the stone gate, the space suddenly opens up.

The interior space was enormous, with a dome tens of feet high and walls inlaid with countless moonstones, casting a soft, clear light that illuminated the entire hall as if it were daytime.

The hall was filled with spiritual energy, and with every breath, one could feel the spiritual power flowing through one's limbs and bones.

The most eye-catching feature is the enormous white jade statue standing in the very center of the hall.

He was a very young man with striking features, handsome face, and a carefree smile. He held a long sword in his hand.

The person looked so lifelike, as if they would step down from the stone platform at any moment.

Although it is just a statue, it gives people an invisible pressure, as if they are facing a living, peerless powerhouse.

Standing in front of the other party, Lin Fengmian felt as if he couldn't breathe. The vast and boundless aura caused the spiritual power in his body to stagnate involuntarily.

"This is……"

Seeing this, Yan Qingyao, whose little hand was being held by Lin Fengmian, quickly explained:

"Brother Fengmian, this is my Yan family's ancestor, Yan Yunyang, who is also the only one in my Yan family to ascend to immortality."

Legend has it that our ancestor attained enlightenment through swordsmanship, cleaving through nine heavenly tribulations with a single strike to ascend to the upper realm, leaving behind this statue to protect his descendants.

At this moment, Yan Nantian also arrived beside the two, gazing at the white jade statue with eyes full of reverence and emotion:

"That's right. My father told me that our ancestor was worried about the family's future generations, so he placed this statue in the ancestral hall."

The statue contains a divine power that will come to the aid of the Yan family should they face annihilation; it is the Yan family's last trump card.

He paused, his tone tinged with relief:

"I don't know if it's because our ancestors are watching over us from heaven, but although my Yan family has experienced periods of prosperity and decline, we have never encountered a true catastrophe. So this supernatural power has never been used."

As Lin Fengmian gazed at the statue, a strange sense of familiarity welled up within him.

Lin Fengmian nodded upon hearing this, and suddenly realized, "No wonder I could sense a trace of majesty; it turns out it was the divine aura left behind by an ascended being."

Li Cheng, within his sea of ​​consciousness, was also amazed. The aged voice, tinged with emotion, said, "I never imagined the Yan family would have an Ascended cultivator. Young friend, your opportunity this time is far greater than I imagined."

Lin Fengmian felt a slight stirring in his heart, but said nothing more.

Yan Nantian then turned to Yan Qingyao and said in a gentle tone, "Alright, Qingyao, go and take down the Soul-Nourishing Wood."

Yan Qingyao nodded obediently and walked towards the white jade statue.

She walked up to the statue, knelt down respectfully, and performed a full set of three kowtows and nine prostrations.

Their movements were solemn and devout, as if the person standing before them was not a stone statue, but a living ancestor.

"Yan Qingyao, a descendant of the Yan family, pays respects to the ancestor."

She finished reciting it in a low voice, then stood up and walked to the stone platform below the statue. Several jade boxes were neatly arranged on the platform, each with a sealing talisman affixed to it, emitting a faint spiritual light.

Following the directions her father had given her, Yan Qingyao gently opened one of the jade boxes.

The moment the lid was lifted, a cool and refreshing scent wafted out.

A piece of dead wood lay quietly inside.

The withered tree was a dark gold color, about a foot long, and its surface was covered with fine lines, as smooth and warm as jade.

A faint spiritual light flowed within it. Even just lying there quietly, one could feel the immense spiritual power contained within.

It is the first and most precious material in the human realm for nourishing the soul—the Soul-Nourishing Wood!

Yan Qingyao carefully reached out and gently picked up the Soul-Nourishing Wood.

However, the moment her fingertips touched the Soul-Nourishing Wood—

A sudden change has occurred!

Suddenly, the white jade statue above burst forth with a dazzling golden light!

The golden light shot out from between the statue's eyebrows like lightning and pierced straight into Yan Qingyao's mind!

"ah--!"

Yan Qingyao gasped in shock, staggered backward, clutched her head, and turned ashen-faced.

Her body was trembling violently, as if she were enduring immense pain.

"Qingyao!"

Yan Nantian's expression changed drastically, and he instinctively wanted to rush forward.

However, an arm blocked his way.

Lin Fengmian's expression was grave as he stared intently at the changes in Yan Qingyao's body. He said in a deep voice, "Uncle, wait!"

Yan Nantian was stopped by him, and was taken aback at first, then as if he remembered something, his eyes suddenly lit up! His voice trembled with excitement:

"Could it be... that this is the legacy of our ancestor?!"

A burst of golden light shone from Yan Qingyao's body, and countless mysterious runes surged out from within her, swirling and dancing around her like swimming fish.

The runes were ancient and complex, each one exuding a vast and boundless aura, as if they came from an ancient heritage.

Her aura was also rapidly increasing, and her cultivation level was skyrocketing at a visible speed!

She clenched her teeth, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, but she didn't utter a sound.

The time it takes for an incense stick to burn slowly passed.

The golden runes gradually receded and disappeared into Yan Qingyao's body. Her aura stabilized, and she seemed to have undergone a complete transformation.

When she reopened her eyes, they were brighter and clearer, and her features seemed even more refined.

She looked as if she had been bathed in divine light, her body radiating spiritual energy, so beautiful that it was impossible to look away.

"Qingyao!"

"How are you? Are you alright?"

Yan Nantian and Lin Fengmian spoke almost simultaneously.

Yan Qingyao slowly straightened up, a surprised smile appearing on her face, and shook her head, saying:

"Father, husband, I'm alright! It was the Ancestor... the Ancestor bestowed upon me two supernatural powers!"

She stretched out her hands, her voice filled with excitement:

"One technique is called 'Cloud Soaring Immortal Crossing Technique,' which is the supreme cultivation method practiced by our ancestor! The other is called 'Heavenly Gang Sword Finger,' an extremely domineering divine power!"

After saying that, she handed the Soul-Nourishing Wood she was holding in both hands to Lin Fengmian, smiling radiantly: "Brother Fengmian, here is your Soul-Nourishing Wood."

Looking at the stunningly beautiful smiling face before him, Lin Fengmian felt a slight warmth in his heart.

Li Cheng, within his sea of ​​consciousness, was so moved he almost burst into tears on the spot:

"Hahaha! Finally... finally I got it! My remnant soul can finally be saved!"

Lin Fengmian accepted the Soul-Nourishing Wood. It felt warm and smooth to the touch, and he felt a surge of pure spiritual power flowing from his fingertips into his sea of ​​consciousness, making his entire sea of ​​consciousness clear.