"Maybe it’s because I have a good connection with that old guy."

Wang Zhan laughed with arms crossed and said, "Of course, I’m not really interested in this kind of technique, after all, I have the Fire Deity Armor, so I don’t need any body refining techniques."

"But if that old guy insisted on passing on such a technique to me, I have to give him some face."

The White Tiger Venerable glanced at Wang Zhan and said grumpily, "Do you know how many people want to get the Indestructible Azure Dragon Spell?"

"You kid, you got the treasure and still act like you don’t care?"

Wang Zhan shrugged indifferently with a smile, "Let’s be clear, I didn’t force that old guy, it was he who insisted on passing the Indestructible Azure Dragon Spell to me. Didn’t you see at critical moments, I didn’t even use such a technique?"

"Don’t you know how difficult it is to harmonize with a technique?"

The White Tiger Venerable shook his head, not saying more. After all, he knew Wang Zhan was just joking with her. Now that Wang Zhan had mastered the Indestructible Azure Dragon Spell, it proved he already understood its terrifying power.

So, it wasn’t as simple as Wang Zhan said. If this technique fell into someone else’s hands, they would surely try to harmonize with it as soon as possible and enhance their strength. But Wang Zhan deliberately described it as a burden, if the Azure Dragon Venerable knew about this, he would surely be furious even if he didn’t go crazy.

As they talked, the three of them moved towards the top of the ravine.

Wang Zhan narrowed his eyes, suddenly remembering a question. He glanced at the White Tiger Venerable beside him and asked, "I’ve met the Azure Dragon Venerable and the Black Tortoise Venerable before, both of them are strong, but it seems their strength is sealed to some extent. It seems like you have something similar going on, but I’m curious to know what divine power could suppress you here?"

He could sense that the White Tiger Venerable seemed to have a hidden illness. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to repel the White Tiger Venerable in front of them.

The White Tiger Venerable slightly frowned, seemingly reluctant to mention old matters. But after hesitating, he spoke, "I’m sure you can see that sometimes I can’t control my body, it’s all because I’m suppressing an inner demon within me. Over the years, I hid underground to dissipate with it, but as my age and strength declined, its power grew, trying to take over my body."

"If I hadn’t met you, I might have burst from underground by now and entered the Star War Battlefield, dragging it into difficult times again."

"If I brought such a calamity to the Star War Battlefield, I would become an eternal sinner."

Wang Zhan looked at him quizzically and quickly asked, "At your strength, can you still have an inner demon?"

The White Tiger Venerable sighed, "My inner demon isn’t a bottleneck from my strength improvement, it began from injuries fighting a strong enemy, where I used a secret technique to boost my power. But that technique had severe side effects, an inner demon."

"I’ve tried many ways to banish the inner demon but it wasn’t simple. Over time, it’s fused with me, making it extremely difficult to rid of."

"Once we’re out, the inner demon will likely resurge, and I’m no longer strong enough to suppress it. If that happens, don’t hesitate, strike me down at once, freeing me and saving the Star War Battlefield."

Wang Zhan and Luo Xue exchanged glances, both feeling heavy-hearted.

They could see the White Tiger was serious, but how could they turn on him?

Thinking this, Wang Zhan sighed, "It hasn’t come to that yet. I can refine elixirs, so once we leave here, perhaps I can find a way to suppress your inner demon, finding a win-win solution."

"I and Luo Xue are fated with the Azure Dragon Venerable and the Black Tortoise Venerable. Meeting you was meant to be, and we won’t let you die in front of us."

The White Tiger Venerable gazed gratefully at Wang Zhan, his eyes glistening. He squinted and patted Wang Zhan’s shoulder, saying, "I knew after all these years, the Azure Dragon Venerable’s eye remained sharp, choosing someone with such breadth of mind. No wonder you received his inheritance, if my technique didn’t conflict with his, I might want you as my successor too, teaching you everything I know." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Unfortunately, things don’t always go as we wish."

Wang Zhan didn’t feel regret. Getting the Azure Dragon Venerable’s inheritance showed Heaven’s favor enough, so he didn’t wish for more. It’s better to steadily strengthen oneself with the system and gradually enhance one’s power.

As they talked, they reached the rift’s top.

When they emerged, a figure stood in the distance.

Xiang Tian rushed to Wang Zhan and company, tears welling as he hugged Wang Zhan and Luo Xue, biting his lip, "Do you know how worried I was?"

"But my strength was lacking, and my body was affected as well. I wanted to help, but could only wait for news. It was agony."

Luo Xue said nothing, she understood the feeling as once she stood behind the pair like a protected little sister.

So she understood Xiang Tian’s feelings now.

Wang Zhan walked to Xiang Tian, patting his shoulder, smiling, "I’ve said it before, we’re a team, no need to worry who advances, who’s at the back, we’re steadfast comrades."

Xiang Tian looked at Wang Zhan, touched, remaining silent.

Nearby, the White Tiger Venerable observed Xiang Tian, curiously asking, "Who is this young one?"

He sensed the trio’s strong bond, reminding him of the camaraderie with Azure Dragon Venerable centuries ago.

Yet, time changed things, they grew older, contacted less, not from fading ties, but personal missions and duties.

Wang Zhan explained, "He’s my best brother, we three entered the Star War Battlefield together."

"But he seems to have used some life-draining elixirs?"

The White Tiger Venerable’s keen eyes noticed Xiang Tian’s issue.

Shock hit Wang Zhan, then worry, "Do you have a way to remove the side effects, restoring him?"

Wang Zhan could heal Xiang Tian short-term but not his elixir’s incurable side effect, meaning Xiang Tian had little life left unless he broke through to a Tribal Patriarch’s realm, balancing his body and strength anew.

Yet, that was no easy feat.

Wang Zhan had the system’s aid, struggled long, still a step from Patriarch level, and Xiang Tian was yet further, even with elixirs. So achieving such was nearly impossible for Xiang Tian.

"Resolving such elixir side effects isn’t too tough."

The White Tiger Venerable’s words drew everyone’s gaze.

"His power surge from life-draining spreads the bloodline, this isn’t good for him but suits me."

Wang Zhan was startled, "What’s your solution?"

The White Tiger Venerable squinted, "Not exactly a solution, just let him inherit my cultivation. My technique’s akin to his elixir, using bloodline power to quickly increase strength."