Chapter 29: The Founder's Descendants Are Anything But Human

A group of several hundred figures clad in white Taoist robes emerged from a spatial rift, several of whom possessed cultivation levels nearing the Immortal Realm.

The rift snapped shut instantly, leaving behind a void shimmering with bizarre runes. The white-robed Taoists stepped through the air as if they were immortals descending from the heavens. Their leader held an ancient longsword, its blade glowing with a faint, ethereal light that seemed to contain a supreme sword intent. As they surveyed their surroundings, the vegetation grew wildly and spirit flowers bloomed wherever their gaze fell; even the air itself turned exceptionally pure, saturated with rich spiritual energy. Suddenly, one of the Taoists pointed toward the horizon. As everyone looked up, they saw a multicolored auspicious cloud drifting slowly toward them. Seated atop it was a white-haired elder exuding an aura of peace. He smiled slightly at the group and spoke words of truth: "Since you have arrived, it is by fate. I shall bestow upon you a stroke of fortune."

The multicolored cloud descended slowly. The elder stroked his long beard, his fingers dancing slightly, and ancient scrolls manifested in the void. These scrolls contained boundless mysteries, as if they could discern the fundamental truths of the universe.

The white-robed Taoists held their breath, watching as the scrolls erupted in brilliant light, transforming into motes of flowing radiance that merged into their bodies. In an instant, they felt their spiritual power surging, with their cultivation bases showing faint signs of breakthrough.

Just then, the ground shook violently, and an ancient, majestic voice rumbled from deep beneath the earth: "Outsiders, if you seek fortune, you must first pass my test!" Before the words even faded, a burly giant clad in bronze armor burst from the ground, his presence imposing as he glared at the intruders.

Li Chen and his family, surprised by the sudden disruption, retreated into the defensive barrier of their courtyard, ready to sip tea and watch the spectacle.

Among the white-robed Taoists, an elder with a flowing three-part beard hopped out. Though his appearance was refined, his words were crude and jarring: "Where did you crawl out from, you half-dead, ghost-like beast?"

The bronze-armored giant, known as Baonu, retorted, "Your parents were that very same idiot dog, which is why you don't even know you're a beast yourself!" With that, he leaped into the air, swinging a massive axe downward with the force of a mountain-clearing strike toward the elder's neck.

The elder did not dodge, instead lunging forward with his sword aimed straight at the giant’s heart, seemingly unconcerned whether his blade could pierce the bronze armor. Neither side retreated, and the onlookers watched with bated breath, eager to see who would fall first.

A screeching sound of metal clashing rang out. The elder’s sword failed to penetrate the bronze armor, while the giant’s axe cleaved the elder’s head in two, splattering red and white matter across the ground.

The leader of the white-robed Taoists said irritably, "Their cultivation levels are matched, but this old fool had a head of stone—dying was useless!" He turned to a bald man beside him and commanded, "Kill him."

The bald man looked brutish, but he was craftily shrewd. He stepped lightly toward the bronze-armored giant, holding his long spear pointed diagonally forward. As the giant’s axe descended, the bald man lunged forward, his spear thrusting straight for the giant’s throat. The axe stopped just inches from the bald man’s head, but the spear had already pierced the giant’s neck, pinning him in place. This was the embodiment of the saying: "An inch longer is an inch stronger."

Li Chen had taken a liking to the bronze-armored giant. He rushed forward, delivering a strike that forced the bald man to withdraw his spear. Li Chen pulled the giant back, applying medicine and feeding him a handful of healing pills before returning to the ground, where the bleeding had already ceased.

Li Chen asked about his injuries. The giant replied that the small hole in his neck would heal quickly. Looking at the wound, Li Chen saw it was indeed knitting itself together. The giant's physical body was truly formidable.

Li Chen mentioned that his family had lived here for a long time but had never seen him before. Both communicated via divine sense. The giant explained that he had been guarding the Immortal Mansion in the mountain ahead for a very long time. He had watched Li Chen’s family move into the area.

When the founder of the Immortal Flower Sect ascended to the Immortal Realm, he had tasked the giant with guarding this place, which held a heaven-shaking treasure. He was told that when the time was right, someone would come to receive the inheritance.