"What misfortune? What kind of misfortune?"
Qin Zi pondered for a moment before suddenly recalling the time when he had taken on half of Jin Zhi's bad luck!
He remembered it clearly.
When he transferred half of Senior Brother Jin's misfortune onto himself, a wicked black skull appeared in the sky.
That skull, born of misfortune, had spoken menacingly, saying something like, "Whoever steals my essence, will die."
The memory was vivid in his mind!
Later, when he calmed down and thought about it, he realized it was likely that Senior Brother Jin had inadvertently seized a portion of a terrifying entity's essence, which resulted in a curse or a mark of vengeance. Sooner or later, there would be a reckoning.
And that so-called misfortune…
Was likely some kind of locator, guiding that terrifying existence straight to him.
"So, that terrifying being has finally come for Senior Brother Jin?!"
Suddenly, Qin Zi's face paled.
He turned to Qin Chuan and pleaded, "Father, I'm worried about Senior Brother Jin. Let's head to White Crane Palace immediately."
"Alright."
Qin Chuan didn't hesitate.
A good father is always there when his child needs him, without making excuses.
"Whoosh!"
With a wave of his hand, he released a surge of energy, enveloping Qin Zi as they sped off from their secluded mountain, slicing through the air at incredible speed.
Qin Chuan moved quickly.
Wherever they passed, the very space split open, leaving a long, dark rift behind, as if the sky itself had been torn apart.
But even so, they were still in the Human Clan's territory, and White Crane Palace, located deep in the Beast Clan's domain, was still far away.
"Father, isn't there a faster way? I'm afraid that by the time we arrive, it'll already be too late," Qin Zi said, his anxiety growing.
Inwardly, Qin Chuan thought: Don't worry, even if the situation is dire, we're just here to deliver you as the sacrificial lamb.
Indeed, the real reason Qin Chuan had so resolutely agreed to head to White Crane Palace wasn't just to play the role of a good father, but to ensure Qin Zi was there to bear the brunt of the danger.
That misfortune creature, if it wanted to kill Jin Zhi, would surely also want to kill Qin Zi.
After all, by splitting the bad luck between them, the karmic retribution had also been divided equally. Qin Zi and Jin Zhi each held half!
Of course, the real purpose of the trip was unspeakable, and there was no way he could reveal his true intentions.
Instead, in a solemn tone, Qin Chuan said, "Fine, for you two kids, I'll spare no expense this time."
Whoosh!
In the next moment, a white sphere appeared in his hand. The structure of this sphere was very similar to the "Escape Orb" he had used before, and to be honest, it looked suspiciously like a gag ball.
"White Crane Palace!"
He hurled the sphere above his head, shouting loudly. The ball radiated brilliant light, enveloping both him and Qin Zi.
The two of them suddenly felt dizzy and disoriented.
Moments later, everything returned to normal, and when they opened their eyes, they found themselves standing in White Crane Palace.
"Boom!!"
Before they could even get their bearings, a deafening explosion shook the air. A black shadow whizzed past them, crashing deep into the ground.
"Rumble!!"
The earth trembled violently, and the ground within several kilometers collapsed, forming a basin webbed with cracks.
The surrounding mountains and buildings crumbled, sending dust clouds billowing into the sky, obscuring much of the heavens.
In fact…
At this moment, all of White Crane Palace had already been reduced to ruins, with debris and shattered walls scattered across the ground.
"White Crane King?"
Qin Zi's face twitched. He couldn't believe that the usually elegant and powerful White Crane King was now in such a sorry state.
"Brother, you've arrived!"
The White Crane King, who had been buried in the ground, saw Qin Chuan and his eyes lit up with hope.
He soared into the sky, brushing the dust off his clothes as he flew over to Qin Chuan and Qin Zi.
"Where are Jin Zhi and Bai Lu?"
Qin Chuan asked.
"To protect them, I've locked them in White Crane Palace's most secure forbidden area," the White Crane King replied with a smile.
"Can that forbidden area hold off this creature? Why didn't you hide there too?" Qin Chuan asked, puzzled.
"It can't."
The White Crane King's expression became awkward as he explained, "The forbidden area can only hold for a while, not indefinitely. I locked them in to buy some time while I stayed out here to stall the creature, waiting for your rescue."
"How did you know we would come to rescue you?" Qin Zi asked, perplexed.
After all, the message he received from Senior Brother Jin didn't seem like a cry for help, and since Jin Zhi was already locked in the forbidden area, it didn't seem like they had coordinated this with the White Crane King.
"Well…"
The White Crane King's expression grew even more embarrassed as he sheepishly pulled out a communication jade slip. "Actually… I was the one who sent that message."
He had Jin Zhi's communication jade slip!
Qin Zi's face twitched a few times, and he took a deep breath before silently raising a thumb at the Beast King before him.
Impressive!
Truly impressive!!
"Death… all must die…"
At that moment, an overwhelming aura of malice surged toward them. The three of them turned their heads in unison to look.
In the sky hovered a massive, snow-white skull, its hollow black eye sockets burning with eerie blue flames. Dark energy swirled above its head, like black flames consuming the void.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The skull was ramming into a towering mountain, shattering many of the rocks on its surface, revealing a great bronze gate beneath.
"That's the creature of misfortune. Its power is terrifying, likely surpassing the True Self Realm," said the White Crane King, his expression somber and fearful.
"If it weren't for the fact that it's in a mindless state, relying solely on brute strength and instinct, I would have fallen long ago."
Qin Chuan narrowed his eyes as he observed the creature. A being without consciousness, driven only by instinct…
Wasn't that even better?
This meant the creature would only focus on Jin Zhi and Qin Zi, leaving him safe.
He looked at Qin Zi and spoke seriously, "Zi'er, do you remember why we came here?"
"Huh? To save people, right?"
Qin Zi was slightly stunned but quickly answered.
"Yes, but every action comes with a price. You should know that suppressing this creature will come at a great cost, even for me…"
Qin Zi looked around at the devastation, at the battered White Crane King, and the ruins below. He fell silent.
After a moment of contemplation, he lifted his head and looked resolutely at his father. "Father, what must I sacrifice?"
His voice trembled slightly, but it was firm and resolute, like a boy who was finally ready to take responsibility.
Spiritually, he had stood up.
He no longer relied on others' help without offering anything in return. He had learned to take responsibility for himself—this was self-reliance!
"What must you sacrifice?"
Qin Chuan smiled, shaking his head as he lovingly patted his son's head. "As your father, I ask for nothing in return. The only thing I wish to see is your growth."
"Father, I understand now!"
Qin Zi trembled, his eyes welling up as he gazed at his father, nodding vigorously.
His heart swelled with warmth.
This was his father, always selfless. No matter when, he always put Qin Zi first.
A father's love is like a mountain—expecting nothing in return.
All he hoped for… was to see his child grow!!
And what was growth? Qin Zi knew the answer well. At this moment, there was only one word that could define it.
Courage!
He took a deep breath, and with a firm stomp, his body turned into a radiant streak of light, shooting toward the giant skull.
"I'll smash your bones to dust!"
His right hand clenched into a fist, shining like a brilliant sun as he struck the skull that was ramming the bronze gate.
"Boom!"
A deafening explosion echoed through the heavens. Light illuminated the entire sky, and shockwaves rippled in all directions.
The massive skull, stunned by this sudden "tickle," paused for a moment, then slowly turned its head.
When it saw Qin Zi, the ghostly blue flames in its eye sockets flared up, and an overwhelming wave of killing intent surged forth.
"Those who steal my essence… must die!"
It opened its mouth wide, lunging at Qin Zi. As it did, its form swelled until it seemed to replace the sky itself!
"Do you think I'm afraid of you?!"
Qin Zi's entire body radiated light as he fearlessly charged into the gaping, pitch-black maw.
Brave, resolute, and unwavering!