Divine Beast Creator-Chapter 2166 - 2167: Reunion

"Feng Yuan, are you okay?"

When it was time to gather, Qi Chen couldn’t help but ask as he saw Feng Yuan appearing with Xiao Ji and the others. Shaking his head with a smile, Feng Yuan replied,

"It’s nothing, some things that were previously unclear are now more or less understood."

Without elaborating, Feng Yuan stopped speaking. Qi Chen didn’t press further, though he was somewhat curious about Feng Yuan’s past. He knew that probing such matters forcibly would only make Feng Yuan uncomfortable.

Remembering something, Feng Yuan looked around and asked with some confusion,

"Have you finished investigating this Youquan Temple stronghold?"

Although Feng Yuan did not initially understand the situation here, to the Apostles of the Yellow Springs who have always lived here, these things were no big deal. In casual conversations, Feng Yuan also learned the true nature of this ruin from them.

Due to the unique nature of the man-made Netherworld Spring, although it has the same effects, through special means, one can artificially use part of the energy that overflows from the man-made Netherworld Spring.

Don’t look down on this energy in modern times, it’s not much, and even in those outrageous ancient ruins, it’s not that significant. But it’s important to know that ancient people didn’t have as diverse methods for using and utilizing energy and Spirit Beasts’ abilities as today.

This energy was more than enough for the Youquan Temple’s force to decide to use it to power the defensive facilities of an underground fortress. Moreover, taking advantage of the geographical location, they could quickly support several important nearby locations.

Of course, that’s important from the perspective of the Youquan Temple’s force. After all, things related to Ghost Series Spirit Beasts are not only rare in the real world, but also useless to ordinary people. Sometimes, they can even be a huge hassle.

But because the Apostle of the Yellow Springs had never left the Netherworld Spring, it only knew the rough location and not the exact coordinates of several important places.

However, this was irrelevant to Feng Yuan. He had just come to have a look and relax. Although a lot happened, at least he had got some grasp on the people involved.

Just as Qi Chen was about to speak, the team leader started calling the students. Seeing this, everyone could only temporarily set aside their desire to communicate. Soon, the teachers in charge of each class finished counting the number of people, and after confirming that there were no issues, the team leader began to speak.

Hiding in the crowd, Feng Yuan listened to the words with a yawn. These formal speeches seemed very boring to Feng Yuan. Of course, there was also the requirement from the teacher for each group to submit a discovery report.

No one had any objections to this since they were originally here for a practical relic excavation exercise. Although the Apostle of the Yellow Springs didn’t act because of Feng Yuan, the Ghost Series Spirit Beasts roaming around still caused them a lot of trouble.

Moreover, because of the presence of the man-made Netherworld Spring, there were numerous mechanisms here. Even though they weren’t very lethal for various reasons, they did manage to dampen the overconfidence of the students.

In the last academy action, due to the nature of the ruins, the mechanisms were not complicated, which caused some students to become complacent. Especially when they started cracking the mechanisms in the school’s back mountains, they felt that the much-hyped ancient ruins were nothing extraordinary.

However, this time, just the shallow layers of the station ruins served as a rude awakening. Except for some students, most were left in a disheveled state.

Of course, they also gained a lot. Although it was tormenting and troublesome, the experience and lessons learned were real and tangible.

Soon, it was Qi Chen’s turn to report their findings. Hesitating a bit, Qi Chen looked at Feng Yuan and asked,

"Should we talk about that Spirit Beast?"

"Why not?"

Feng Yuan looked at Qi Chen, somewhat perplexed by what he meant, though he naturally guessed which Spirit Beast Qi Chen was referring to.

Besides the Apostle of the Yellow Springs, who else could it be? On their way, they only encountered the Apostle of the Yellow Springs. As for the Spirit Beasts Qi Chen and the others encountered later, they had nothing to do with him.

The excavation team leader had been particularly interested in Feng Yuan’s group right from the start since they were the only ones who went missing midway. Moreover, Feng Yuan led the charge to break through the blockade initially, making the leader believe that Feng Yuan surely knew important information about the ruins.

With a smile, he approached and said to Feng Yuan,

"Sorry to bother, but could you describe your experience after entering the ruins? After all, your group was untraceable for a while. I am curious to know if there are areas we haven’t yet explored."

"Don’t worry, we’re not looking to steal credits. As per the rules, those who provide useful information during evaluations..."

Seeing the serious yet tense look on the other’s face, Feng Yuan waved his hand with a laugh and said,

"It’s no big deal, plus, I need your help to register it."

"It?"

Qi Chen and Dou Yanlan exchanged glances, feeling inexplicably uneasy.

The sudden appearance of the Apostle of the Yellow Springs from behind Feng Yuan startled everyone present. Its unique aura was enough to make even Qi Chen and Dou Yanlan feel a sense of dread despite facing the Apostle of the Yellow Springs again.

Seeing everyone’s reaction, the Apostle of the Yellow Springs showed an expression of sorrow.

Feng Yuan shook his head at it with a smile and said,

"It’s not your fault, never mind. Let’s first elaborate on what we encountered below. As for it, the situation is somewhat complex and cannot be treated like a regular Wild Spirit Beast."

Once Feng Yuan finished recounting their experiences below, Qi Chen leaned over to Feng Yuan’s ear while the leader was organizing the information and whispered,

"Feng Yuan, what’s going on? Why does the Apostle of the Yellow Springs feel... unusual?"

Turning to glance at the tense Apostle of the Yellow Springs, Feng Yuan spread his hands and said,

"Because after leaving protection, its sins manifested."

"Sins?" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Qi Chen looked at Feng Yuan in confusion, and even the leader who was recording the information couldn’t help but look up. Feng Yuan turned and extended his hand trying to comfort the Apostle of the Yellow Springs with a gentle pat. Unfortunately, since it was in a Spiritual Body state without additional energy attached, Feng Yuan’s hand went right through the smoke that made up its body.

Agunas looked at Feng Yuan with a complex expression. Revealing the truth could bring him trouble. However, it could also clarify the Apostle of the Yellow Springs’ status, as it was merely a victim.

Frowning, Qi Chen said,

"It should have never left there, right?"

"But that sin won’t disappear because, regardless, it was a beneficiary."

Sighing, Feng Yuan closed his eyes and said with his hands on his hips. Before Qi Chen could further inquire, Feng Yuan explained,

"Actually, the Apostle of the Yellow Springs has been here long before this station ruin existed. In other words, from the start, it was guarding the man-made Netherworld Spring."

"Have you ever considered a harsh question: given the lifespan of a Spirit Beast, how did it live so long? After all, that dates back to an era almost touching the Mythical Era."

Shuddering at the sudden thought of a possibility, Qi Chen blanched as Feng Yuan smiled slightly and said,

"In fact, it’s all the handiwork of those people. They mastered a ritual to absorb lifespan and used it to seize their enemies’ lives and souls to prolong their own life."

"Although the Apostle of the Yellow Springs hadn’t personally done this, it surely enjoyed this bloodstained longevity as well."

"Don’t ask me if there are any limitations to this, for I can tell you there are none. But, the ethical order of humans and Divine Beasts themselves provides punishment for abusers."

"Of course, the most important punishment is from one’s conscience. Even if they are just enemies, who can really act so recklessly?"

Feng Yuan wasn’t afraid to reveal this matter potentially causing chaos, since although rare, this approach had always existed.

However, as Feng Yuan mentioned, indiscriminate slaughter of innocents leads to a prolonged life that can’t withstand the Divine Beasts’ retributions and the rejection from human civilization.

With a shrug, Feng Yuan said,

"As for why you feel fear upon seeing it now, it’s because those lives, transformed into its lifespan, entangle it. Originally, confined within the Netherworld Spring range, it could suppress it with the Spring’s power. But since it opted to leave, it has to bear the corresponding consequences."

"Even if this isn’t what it originally intended."

After conveying the message to Feng Yuan, the Apostle of the Yellow Springs was already free. Having been unable to leave the Netherworld Spring since its birth, naturally, it didn’t want to remain there.

Even though staying there would avoid affliction from these sins, how is that different from imprisonment?

Qi Chen sighed softly, looking at the Apostle of the Yellow Springs with sympathy. He never expected such a situation...