Chapter 494: Brother and Sister Meet Again

"Brother." The young girl's smile bloomed like a flower and tears shimmered in her bright eyes.

Two conflicting emotions coexisted in perfect harmony.

She stood behind where Dong Tianze sat quietly on the ground.

The vibrant flowers, the mountain stream, and the Spirit Avians flying by all seemed harmonious with the young girl. It was as if she became the goddess of wherever she stood.

Her white teeth glistened like ivory as she beamed.

"Brother, I missed you."

Glistening tears slipped down her cheeks, but she made no move to wipe them away. Her gaze was locked onto Pang Jian as if piercing the barrier between two worlds.

"I've wanted to see you ever since I learned who you were," she said softly. "But the True God of the Pure Land Sect forbade it. She told me to endure—to wait a little longer.

"She said the time wasn't right, that a dragon from the Dragon Lair Sect could try to harm me. I know she was just worried for my safety, but brother, I really wanted to see you again.

"I don't want to just talk to you through this Ghost Altar, I want to stand by your side. I can't stop fantasizing about the day that'll happen."

Since joining the Pure Land Sect, she had tirelessly devoted herself to cultivation, constantly tempering her body and honing her cultivation realm.

With the Pure Land Sect's resources and the Celestial Phoenix's inheritance, she had advanced to the Nirvana Realm at a pace that ordinary cultivators could scarcely imagine, let alone reach.

The driving force behind her relentless effort was simple—she wanted to reunite with her brother as soon as possible.

However, just as she met the Pure Land Sect's requirements for descending to the Fourth World, she received devastating news—Northern Qi had been completely covered in bizarre mist.

She had grieved for a long time.

Soon after, the murky energy had engulfed the entire Fourth World.

Those from the Pure Land Sect, including Sun Bin and the white crane, warned her that her brother would likely never step out of the shrouded Northern Qi and urged her to prepare for the worst.

Despite everything, she found she could not accept it. Rather, she would not accept it—she simply refused.

In her heart, her brother was the most capable and outstanding person in the Abyss.

She believed that the bizarre mist, the surge of murky energy, and the invasion of the foreign races in the lower worlds were not enough to kill her brother. He would surely make it through unscathed through every and any threat that stood in his way!

There was no reason or logic behind her convictions, just blind admiration and unwavering trust.

After all, she had fiercely idolized her brother since childhood.

That obsession fueled her, pushing her to pursue greater power without rest.

It kept her moving forward and ultimately brought her to this very moment!

Through the Ghost Altar, she could finally see the person she had dreamed of meeting for so long.

"Brother, I want to come to you!" Lightning crackled around her tiny clenched fists.

Her surge of emotions caused her power to flare uncontrollably, leaving Dong Tianze instantly charred.

Dong Tianze's face was dark as coal and his hair was a scorched bird's nest, but he did not protest.

Pang Jian did not spare him a glance.

Meanwhile, Dong Tianze kept glaring at Pang Jian, mind racing.

"Stay in the Pure Land Sect. Don't leave for now. I'll come find you when I can." Pang Jian licked his dry lips and forced a smile. With a gentleness Dong Tianze had never seen, he said, "The ancient Thunder Dragon from the Dragon Lair Sect is still missing. It's safer if you stay put."

Pang Jian firmly suppressed the storm of emotions within him, resisting the overwhelming urge to reunite with Pang Lin.

"Pang Lin, I promise I'll come find you soon. Listen to me, don't leave the Pure Land Sect until the ancient Thunder Dragon returns and the Pure Land Sect permits you.

"I know you have questions. I do too. But you have to stay safe in the Pure Land Sect. I'll handle things on my end. So, be patient...okay?" Pang Jian coaxed, an unmistakable undertone of affection and assurance coating his voice.

The Abyss was in turmoil, with the Second World under threat of invasion from the foreign races and the renegade disciples of the Demon Sect.

The Resolute Expanse was still in the Second World, meaning it was far from safe.

Though he longed to see his sister after so many years, he refused to let her risk her life trying to meet him.

Only the Pure Land Sect in the First World could guarantee her safety.

The siblings went on to exchange stories and experiences through the Ghost Altar.

Pang Jian only turned to Dong Tianze after he eventually coaxed her to leave the altar.

With an awkward cough, he said, "You left the Resolute Expanse without even leaving a message."

Dong Tianze's expression remained dark as he glared daggers at Pang Jian. "You knew all along that I'd eventually pledge loyalty to your sister?"

"Yes." Pang Jian nodded.

"So, every time you helped me, every olive branch you offered, was all to shape me into a Divine Guard you could trust? Someone you deemed worthy of protecting your sister?" Dong Tianze asked sharply, resentment and frustration threatening to burst out of his chest.

"At first, yes." Pang Jian lowered his head. Guilt gnawed at him, and he dared not meet Dong Tianze's gaze, but honesty compelled him to continue. "I didn't realize Pang Lin was the master of the white crane until after Cloud Lightning.

"I knew you would eventually stand by her side if you didn't die prematurely. There are many Divine Guards, but you're the only one I trust. I was certain you would become the strongest among them.

"So, I decided to invest in you. As we got to know each other, I gradually came to understand what kind of person you, Dong Tianze, truly are.

"I hoped that if I were to die one day, you, Dong Tianze, would take my place at Pang Lin's side. Not as a Divine Guard, but as another brother."

With that, Pang Jian finally lifted his head.

Whoosh!

Dong Tianze vanished from the Ghost Altar.

***

At the Pure Land Sect, Dong Tianze dove headfirst into the cold stream nearby.

It was as if he was using the frigid waters to soothe the raging storm of emotions within him.

He sat at the bottom of the crystal-clear stream, eyes wide open as if searching for answers.

His face contorted as doubt, confusion, and pain warred within him. He could not shake the feeling that Pang Jian had abused his sincerity.

"Am I nothing more than a bloodthirsty Divine Guard to him? A mere pawn to protect his sister?" Dong Tianze's lips thinned as he sat submerged in the stream.

"Brother Tianze." Pang Lin's soft voice drifted from the brookside. Gently biting her lower lip, she said, "You're not just a Divine Guard to me. You're another brother. My brother...he wants you to be that, too.

"It's not what you think. My brother isn't the kind of person to use others. You two started out as enemies—there were bound to be complications.

"Brother Tianze, I truly believe he would risk everything to save you if you were ever in mortal danger. I mean it," Pang Lin said warmly.

After a long silence, Dong Tianze suddenly burst from the mountain stream, mind still in turmoil.

"Pang Lin, I need to go and find my own answers."

With that, he left.

***

Li Wang led the three True Gods alongside Li Zhaotian and Wu Yan, the new Valley Master of the Black Valley Sect to the main hall of the Demon Sect on the Demon Abyss Continent.

Pacing among the towering stone pillars, Li Wang eyed the murals depicting the chaos created by the Demon Races in the outer worlds as he tried to piece together the grand schemes of the Demon Sect.

"Fatty Li, are you saying some otherworldly demon tried to possess you just as you were about to ascend to the True God Realm?" Li Wang stopped in his tracks to face Li Zhaotian. "And you're certain this malevolent intent came from the Demon Abyss Continent?"

"Yes, within that purple demonic stone lies an extremely sinister will," Li Zhaotian replied solemnly. "Its attempt at possession only failed because I decisively abandoned my ascension to the True God Realm, leaving it severely wounded in the process."

"Has it always been inside that demonic stone?" Li Wang frowned.

Li Zhaotian snorted. "How would I know? While you all were chasing after the Mirror Tunnel, I was busy protecting my disciple, Pang Jian. I was afraid he would unwittingly fall onto the demonic path. I had no time to worry about anything else."

To protect his disciple, Pang Jian, Li Zhaotian tactfully chose not to mention that the Demon Fetus had been taken away in the Abyssal Demon Sword.

"How could Pang Jian not have fallen onto the demonic path when there was so much demonic energy surging into his body?" Li Wang questioned skeptically.

"Because of his Primordial Chaos Spiritual Sea. And because he's this ‘World God' you keep mentioning," Li Zhaotian retorted sharply. Before Li Wang could continue his interrogation, Li Zhaotian added, "Li Wang, seniors, I'm the youngest among you, and I don't fully understand what being a World God entails. Would you enlighten me?

"You all know Pang Jian is this era's World God. I'm his master. How can I guide him if I don't know what a World God is? And let's be honest, I'm sure you'll need his help at some point, won't you?"

After a long pause, Li Wang said seriously, "The World God is someone with the ability to travel in and out of the Abyss."

Li Zhaotian was stunned.

***

In the Rank Nine Rock Bear's territory on the Sacred Soul Continent, a blinding pillar of light shot into the sky, drawing in the continent's fortune and divine favor.

Roar!

The Rock Bear's thunderous roar shook the heavens and the earth.

The Sacred Soul Continent trembled violently, fragile mountains crumbled, and new peaks and ridges emerged from the earth.

"The Rock Bear has ascended to Fey God!"

"The Fey Race has birthed a new Fey God!"

"The revival of our Fey Race is finally within reach!"

Rank Nine Fey Kings and Rank Eight Great Feys cheered in celebration when they saw the radiant pillar of light.

The Rock Bear's breakthrough held immense significance for the Fey Race. His success set a precedent for other powerful Fey Kings to become Fey Gods in the future when more positions opened up.

This realization stirred the entire Fey Race.