Shan Hu's voice, carrying a penetrating power, resonated directly in Su Zhentian's ear at the foot of the mountain, causing his heart to tremble.
Su Zhentian immediately realized that the array had concluded. He dared not delay for a moment, leading several martial artists to sprint towards the mountaintop.
When he stepped onto the platform, he was utterly stunned by the scene before him.
The originally lush mountaintop's central area looked as if it had been swept by a hurricane. The ground around the boulders was scorched and cracked, and the air was filled with a burnt smell from highly compressed and released energy.
However, what shocked him more were the two figures at the center of the platform.
Shan Hu stood in the morning sun, his cyan robe immaculate. His face was calm, but his eyes were as deep as the ocean, carrying an oppressive majesty that seemed to pierce through all of existence. A faint layer of cyan light circulated around him, reserved yet a hundred times stronger than his aura seven days ago, like a true deity.
At his feet, Su Waner was slowly waking up.
Her transformation was a complete rebirth. Her naturally cool complexion now held a translucent radiance, and her skin was as delicate as a freshly shelled egg. Most strikingly, a subtle watery shimmer flowed between her brows, making her look like a celestial maiden descending to the mortal world.
Su Zhentian trembled with excitement, dropping to his knees with a thud: "Welcome back, Sir! Congratulations to Waner on receiving a great destiny!"
Shan Hu slightly raised his hand, and a gentle current of spiritual energy lifted Su Zhentian up.
"Dispense with the formalities. Your Su family has contributed greatly to this breakthrough," Shan Hu stated plainly, his tone carrying an unquestionable authority.
He walked to Su Waner, who had just opened her eyes. Her eyes were like clear stream water, carrying a hint of innocence and new life.
"Waner, your constitution is special, it is the Mysterious Yin Constitution. I used the array to cleanse your foundation; now you are reborn and have stepped onto the path of cultivation," Shan Hu said slowly.
Su Waner lightly touched her wrist, feeling the unprecedented fullness of power within her body. Her eyes were filled with awe and gratitude. She knew that the suffering she endured over the past seven days had earned her an opportunity she couldn't have imagined in a lifetime.
"Thank you, Sir, for this grace of rebirth!" Su Waner bowed deeply.
Shan Hu nodded, condensing a cyan jade slip in his hand.
"This is the Pure Spirit Water Art. It is a cultivation technique suited for your Mysterious Yin Constitution. With your exceptional aptitude, you only need to follow this method to establish your Foundation within five years and reach the Dao realm within ten years. But remember, the path of cultivation requires only two words: unwavering perseverance."
He handed the jade slip to Su Waner, who carefully accepted it, as if holding the most precious treasure in the world.
After settling Su Waner's matter, Shan Hu turned to Su Zhentian, his eyes flashing with sharp intelligence.
"Su Zhentian, the world's spiritual energy has recovered, and the world's structure is about to undergo massive change. The golden age of martial arts is ending, and the era of cultivation is approaching," Shan Hu's tone was steady and serious. "Though your Su family has my protection, you must become powerful yourselves if you wish to stand firm in the new era."
"Sir, please give your command! Su Zhentian is ready to give his life for this!" Su Zhentian said respectfully.
Shan Hu pointed towards the foot of the mountain: "Having completed my Divine Soul Condensation, I must now travel to wider lands to find the Core Spiritual Medicine required to restore my cultivation, and the top-grade materials needed to repair my Spiritual Ring."
"Your Su family has two tasks."
"First, assist Waner's cultivation. The array has been activated; the spiritual energy concentration on Dragon-Tiger Mountain far exceeds the outside world. This place is the foundation of your Su family. Before Waner establishes her Foundation, you must not leave her side and ensure her absolute safety."
"Second, collect rare treasures. I need two things: one is Mysterious Ice-type Spiritual Medicine over ten thousand years old, and the other is a rare metal containing the power of thunder (lightning). Mobilize all of the Su family's resources to secretly search for these items globally. Notify me immediately once you have a lead."
"These two items are crucial for my further recovery. The faster you act, the brighter your Su family's future will be."
Su Zhentian felt a surge of emotion. He understood that Shan Hu was planning a future for the Su family that transcended the secular world.
"Yes, Sir! Mysterious Ice-type Spiritual Medicine and thunder metal—my Su family will spare no effort in the search!"
Shan Hu nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Su Waner: "Come with me down the mountain; there are still some matters I need to attend to."
Under Su Zhentian's astonished gaze, Shan Hu and Su Waner disappeared instantly from the peak of Dragon-Tiger Mountain, their figures flashing like shooting stars.