Liu Sandao instructed Bai Soxiang to continue chanting the incantations, while he used the Fortune Manual to coordinate. After repeated trials, they finally found a balance point.
After a few more days of practice, Bai Soxiang was able to fly freely with the aid of the Fortune Manual.
With everything prepared, Liu Sandao set off with Bai Soxiang. For Bai Soxiang, this was an incredibly blissful experience.
To think that in less than a month, she would have the chance to visit the immortal realm; it felt like a dream.
Liu Sandao, however, was different. Despite having a sliver of hope for saving Fu Ruhai, he remained preoccupied.
Bai Soxiang had just mastered aerial flight, and her speed was somewhat slow, even with the protection of the Fortune Manual. Fortunately, they could carry Fu Ruhai's soul crystal to the Fortune Hall, and that was enough.
A journey that usually took half a day stretched to a full day for the two of them before they barely managed to reach the dojo of the Ancestor of Fortune Spirits.
This was Bai Soxiang's first time in the Heavenly Court. She saw immense immortal trees everywhere, towering taller than skyscrapers in China.
"Is this the immortal realm? Is this the Heavenly Court?"
Her curiosity was piqued upon arrival, and Bai Soxiang asked excitedly.
"It is the immortal realm, but it is not the Heavenly Court," Liu Sandao replied.
"Do these immortal trees bear fruit? Should we go take a look?"
Bai Soxiang had a sudden idea. Having arrived in the immortal realm, she was naturally filled with curiosity about everything here.
Liu Sandao ignored her, focusing intently on operating the Fortune Manual. Although they were on the outskirts of the dojo, the Fortune Hall was still quite a distance away.
If they didn't continue flying, it might take half a day to reach it.
If it weren't for carrying Fu Ruhai's soul crystal, he shouldn't have brought Bai Soxiang along.
Bai Soxiang paid no mind to what others might think. She was simply curious and kept asking questions incessantly.
After much effort, they finally reached the Fortune Hall.
"Wow! This tree is so tall! I can see all the trees below!"
Bai Soxiang exclaimed joyfully, almost forgetting that their purpose for coming was to save Fu Ruhai.
Although Liu Sandao had repeatedly cautioned her that the immortal realm was not the mortal world and that she must be respectful, lest she offend the Ancestor and endanger Fu Ruhai's chances of salvation.
However, Bai Soxiang was, after all, a mortal. She lacked the bearing of an immortal, and it was her first time in such a wondrous place. Naturally, she could not suppress her excitement. Suletan Novel Network
As they reached the entrance of the Fortune Hall, an old man was already waiting there.
"Grandpa, may I ask what this place is?"
Bai Soxiang, sharp-eyed, spotted the old man immediately. She ran towards him, ahead of Liu Sandao.
"Bai Soxiang, you... how dare you be so rude! Quickly..."
Liu Sandao was caught off guard. Before he could finish his words, Ancestor Fu Ling made a gesture of "it's alright."
"What do you think this place is?" the Ancestor of Fortune Spirits asked with interest, treating her like a grandfather would a child.
It was understandable. After thousands of years in the immortal realm, it was rare to encounter a mortal. Even the oldest mortal seemed like a child, let alone this young girl who was barely sixteen. Her appearance was indeed reminiscent of childhood.
Bai Soxiang's arrival brought no displeasure to the Fortune Hall; instead, it made the Ancestor feel a sense of novelty.
"There's a 'Fu' character here. Is it perhaps some Fu Mountain or Fu Cave?"
Bai Soxiang was not reserved, acting as if she had known the old man before her for a long time.
Ancestor Fu Ling smiled without speaking.
"Bai Soxiang, quickly pay your respects to Ancestor Fu Ling!" Liu Sandao said to Bai Soxiang, bowing towards Ancestor Fu Ling in the process.
Seeing this, Bai Soxiang followed suit, mimicking his bow.
"It's alright, it's alright!" Ancestor Fu Ling continued to say with a smile.
"Ancestor, I have come before you today with an important matter to seek advice on."
"Oh, what important matter? Tell me about it," Ancestor Fu Ling inquired.
Liu Sandao then recounted the matter of Fu Ruhai in detail.
"Alas, so that's how it is. No wonder I haven't seen that young friend; he met with misfortune. By the way, did you bring his soul crystal?" the Ancestor of Fortune Spirits asked, stroking his beard.
"Bai Soxiang, quickly show the Ancestor your Qilin Jade," Liu Sandao said, pulling Bai Soxiang to Ancestor Fu Ling's side.
Bai Soxiang, flustered, approached Ancestor Fu Ling.
She pulled the Qilin Jade from her neck and showed it to Ancestor Fu Ling.
Strangely, as Ancestor Fu Ling took it with his right hand, the necklace holding the Qilin Jade instantly broke.
"Ah! It fell!" Bai Soxiang exclaimed in surprise.
"Hahaha, don't panic, don't panic!" Ancestor Fu Ling comforted her with a smile. "This Qilin Jade belongs to the Wood element, and the soul crystal is the life essence of the God of Fortune. It is extremely close to Wood-natured things, making it the perfect vessel for attachment."
"But it was clearly stuck and couldn't be removed. How did it break as soon as you touched it?" Bai Soxiang asked curiously.
"Me?" Ancestor Fu Ling pointed a finger at himself, then smiled slightly. "I am the Ancestor of Wood!"
"This?..." Bai Soxiang didn't understand what an "Ancestor of Wood" was and felt it impolite to ask too many questions, so she stopped talking.
Liu Sandao, of course, knew that Ancestor Fu Ling was the progenitor of all wood in the world, the origin of all spiritual roots. This explained why, the moment he touched the Qilin Jade, it came off naturally.
"Since you understand the intricacies of this, do you have a way to save Fu Ruhai?" Liu Sandao asked. This was his purpose for coming and should be stated directly.
"This..." Ancestor Fu Ling hesitated, pacing back and forth. After a moment, he said, "I have a method for restoring Fortune Roots here. Do you know where his Fortune Root is now?"
"Fortune Root? We haven't seen it. His Fortune Manual and body were shattered. Besides this soul crystal, there are many golden glowing dots," Liu Sandao replied.
"Then it is difficult."
"You mean to say, Fu Ruhai's Fortune Root is likely among those glowing dots?" Liu Sandao said, staring at Ancestor Fu Ling.
Ancestor Fu Ling nodded. Liu Sandao sighed, "Alas, but now those glowing dots have been taken away by that person. With his current strength, I fear..."
"So that's how it is. Then you should leave. He is likely beyond saving!" Ancestor Fu Ling's words were like a thunderous blow.
Liu Sandao had thought that the all-powerful Ancestor Fu Ling would have a solution, only to find him helpless.
"Ancestor, please think of another way. Is it truly impossible without retrieving the Fortune Root?" Liu Sandao pleaded.
"Without the Fortune Root, it is like water without a source, a tree without roots. How can his essence be restored?" Ancestor Fu Ling tried to explain the logic to Liu Sandao, but Liu Sandao was not listening.
"If that is the only way to save Fu Ruhai, I will go find that Fortune Root right now! Please, you must save him!"