The Primordial Undying Realm was shaped in a circular formation.
8 Trial Worlds sat in the 4 cardinal and 4 ordinal directions surrounding the main realm where the Primordial Undying Tree stood. Anchoring these 8 small realms to the main realm were extremely thick chains of mana.
If one looked at the order of the trials, one would notice that it followed this pattern. The void in which the Trial of Self was conducted was within that mana anchor, which was also used to transport the geniuses to the main realm.
It was a truly efficient system.
Within all 8 of these Trial Worlds, similar scenes were taking place.
The Nether Spirit Tribe elders that Ruyue and Lunaria had faced previously sat in a circle around an ancient formation that stood in the deepest ruins of the tribal land.
The Flame Tyrant Clan, a clan of giant beings made entirely of molten rock who inhabited another Trial World stood in a strange pattern around an active volcano.
The Dark Elf Clan who inhabited yet another Trial World were performing similar actions as the other two.
In all 8 Trial Worlds, the races who had been corrupted by Nox mana were making their own preparations, following the will of their leaders to enact a certain ritual.
They each had their own unique locations and actions, each having a ritual specific to their clans, but there was a single thing that each and every one of them shared.
""With Heaven and Earth as witness, Our Blood as the foundation, and the Blood of All as tribute, We humbly call upon the Ancestor's presence.""
Those words were shared among them. Not only the words, but also the timing.
As if they had planned it beforehand, the timing of each and every ritual was the exact same, and those words were said in unison across the boundaries of space.
If one stood in the void and watched the events taking place, perhaps they'd be able to hear that unified chant pierce the heavens.
***
Surrounded by an unruly jungle on all sides, Hun Fang opened his eyes.
"Mmngh…finally healed."
Although the pills Qing Tan had fed him had healed him to a certain extent, they were still supplements at the end of the day. He needed to take time and rest before achieving peak condition.
His mana also needed to be regenerated.
But after an entire 3 days of effort, he had finally finished recuperating from his injuries.
"Tch! 3 days, huh. That Damien fellow is really something."
Three days was far more time than it usually took him to heal after a battle, even when he was facing his most fearsome opponents.
His abilities had never been so thoroughly countered before.
'Actually, if it wasn't for the pills that Tan'er fed me, it would've taken far longer. I was on the brink of death this time.'
He wanted to lament his weakness, but he really had no time for idle thoughts. Feeling a weight on his lap, he directed his attention downwards.
There, he saw a peacefully sleeping Qing Tan. He inadvertently smiled before noticing the faint trails of tears that still coated her face. His smile soon turned into a sad one.
'Damn girl…if your big brother wasn't so weak, perhaps you wouldn't have to struggle like this.'
How desperately he wanted to make a world where she could live peacefully, how nice would it be if he could do so? But he was weak. He had been weak from the start, and he was weak now. The only thing he could do was keep her alive.
'That's right. Keep living. Keep living and struggling, and perhaps one day, we'll find our way out of this mess.'
But now wasn't the time for that. Even if that time came, it was far far away.
Hun Fang's eyes hardened. A green fruit and three red fruits appeared in the air in front of him.
"Haa…I just have to say the words and my job here is done, right? Damn, I've gotten used to chanting because of my summons, but it's still embarrassing no matter how many times I do it."
Hun Fang closed his eyes. Murky grey mana emanated from his mana and filled the atmosphere, forming a large incorporeal formation around him.
At the same time, he gently moved Qing Tan's sleeping body out of the formation's range.
"Tan'er, don't pretend to be asleep even now. Do you think you can fool this brother of yours? If I see you peeking, you know what'll happen."
Qing Tan's closed eyes opened. Her face was clearly pouting. "I'm already an adult! Why can't I see the shit those bastards are making you do?!"
"Oh? You're an adult? An adult woman who still needs lap pillows from her big brother to sleep, I've never seen one of those before!"
"You…! Hmph! I'm not talking to you anymore!"
"Hey, hey! How can you be so cruel?! Our Tan'er is truly a big girl now, isn't she? I saw how you were acting during the struggle earlier. So mature!" Hun Fang quipped. A sly smile formed on his face.
"Oya~ I can't believe my little sister has grown up into a woman already! I even saw her gazing at a man with forlorn eyes earlier! As a big brother, how can I not be hurt?"
"Don't tease me!" Qing Tan yelled. A prominent blush crept up her cheeks. However, Hun Fang ignored her words and kept pestering.
In the end, Qing Tan stormed away, annoyed.
Hun Fang smiled lightly. 'Well, no matter how old you get, you're still my baby sister.'
He was glad. Glad that even after all they'd been through, she was still able to act like a spoiled little girl in front of him.
Honestly, seeing how cold and indifferent she could be when she was serious, he had become a little scared that the environment around her was affecting her negatively.
In fact, even her playfulness had been disappearing recently.
Hun Fang's gaze turned towards the Primordial Undying Tree. Although he couldn't see it with his own eyes, he felt like the person he was looking for would be able to feel his gaze.
'Although we are enemies by fate, I thank you for allowing my little Tan'er to regain a part of herself. For that, I am indebted to you.'
After lightly bowing in that direction, his attention turned back to the formation that had been completed during the time he had wasted.
"Haa…let's get to work then."
The 5 fruits around Hun Fang floated into the air, revolving around the core of the formation. The grey mana that permeated the atmosphere began to gather and solidify.
Dark clouds covered the Primordial Undying Realm as greenish-white essence leaked from the fruits. Although the amount was far less than what would come if he used the purple fruit, it was enough to substitute what was needed.
Looking at the formation that was nearing completion, Hun Fang nodded solemnly.
'To all those who will end up feeling the consequences of my actions today, I apologize in advance. My sister's life is worth far more than yours could ever be.'
"With Heaven and Earth as witness, the Fruits of the Primordial Undying Tree as the foundation, and the world itself as tribute, I humbly invite His Eminence to this land."
