Chapter 126: Can Atavism Let You Overcome a Higher Rank?

Outside the Spirit Void, before the screens.

The live broadcast had finally returned. No one knew why it had been interrupted; the official explanation was an inexplicable electromagnetic pulse of unknown origin. Regardless, the stream was back, though the most spectacular moment had clearly been missed. The primary question on everyone's mind was: had Xiang Nan met his end?

When Xiang Nan appeared on screen, safe and sound, the answer was given. As for the two groups that had come to besiege him, they were either dead or wounded, having suffered a crushing defeat. The narrator explained that the two teams had been struck by a sudden, anomalous phenomenon, which was why they had ended up in such a sorry state.

"Damn! Such a powerful anomaly, it’s a pity we missed it!"

"I’m just curious, everyone else is in such a miserable state, so why is Xiang Nan completely unscathed? Look at how energetic he is—does he look like someone who just survived a life-or-death ordeal?"

"Why wouldn't he? They say those who survive a disaster are destined for great fortune; that’s exactly what a child of destiny like Brother Nan is. If you're jealous, just say so."

"Regardless, it’s great that Xiang Nan stayed behind. Otherwise, what would we even be watching?"

After the interruption, the audience continued to watch the Spirit Void expedition with great interest, though many zoomed in specifically on Xiang Nan, their attention entirely captivated by him.

Inside the Spirit Void, upon hearing the commotion, many of the squads farming monsters on the Third Island gathered on the lawn. Learning of the earlier anomaly, they were all filled with astonishment. Some envied Xiang Nan for his survival, attributing it to sheer luck; others regretted that such a massive anomaly hadn't managed to take out such a monstrous talent. Still others began calculating: if Xiang Nan, a mere mortal, could survive such an event, he must be relying on a magical artifact. It seemed the rumors were true, and they needed to move against him soon.

When the luxury tent was torn apart, many gloated. Now, let’s see what else the Xiang Nan squad has to be smug about; won't they have to sleep under the stars just like us?

However, in the next second, Xiang Nan casually reached out and produced two more tents. While not as luxurious as the previous ones, they were more than enough to shield them from the wind and rain in the wilderness. The group set up the tents, fired up the grill, and before long, the scent of barbecue, beer, and watermelon filled the air. It was a lively scene.

In a corner where no one noticed, a pair of ruthless eyes remained fixed on Xiang Nan. The man wore wide black robes, and his grim, broad face was marked by a prominent, fearsome hooked nose. Standing beside him were the Lu brothers, Lu Yu and Lu Ming.

"This kid is strange. He was so arrogant yesterday I thought he’d choose the middle path; I didn't expect him to run to the Third Island. I think he’s deliberately avoiding us, knowing we hired an expert to deal with him!" Lu Yu said with a disdainful sneer, stroking his chin.

"Brother, don't underestimate him. This Xiang Nan is mysterious. Back when he fought the beast tide, even a Tier 4 monster was subdued by him. Rumors say he knows some sort of sorcery. How a Tier 4 beast could perform like a Tier 2 in front of him—there must be something fishy going on!"

"What’s there to fear? We have the Great Mage here; can’t he handle a country bumpkin?" Lu Yu remained arrogant and insolent, turning to the hook-nosed mage. "Great Mage, we specifically detoured from the middle path just to deal with this Xiang Nan. You can make your move now!"

The Great Mage slowly turned his gaze toward Lu Yu. Lu Yu couldn't help but shiver; the cold, sinister chill seemed to seep straight into his bones.

"When I act and how I act is my business. Do you think you’re in a position to teach me?!" The chilling, authoritative voice made the pampered young master feel deeply uncomfortable.

"I just... I didn't want any long delays. This guy Xiang Nan is actually quite bizarre and hard to deal with."

"Whether he is hard to deal with or not, I don't need anyone getting in my way!"

The Great Mage’s tone grew heavier, cold as ice shards, leaving Lu Yu unable to say another word.

"The Great Mage has such high cultivation; dealing with a piece of Tier 2 trash should be as easy as stepping on an ant. We’ll just wait for your good news!" Lu Ming, being a few years older than Lu Yu, knew that experts like the Great Mage were often eccentric and conceited. After all, with Tier 5 cultivation, dealing with Xiang Nan should be as simple as crushing an insect.

That night, after the lively scene on the grass, things gradually settled into silence. In the Spirit Void, the moon was always exceptionally bright, and the stars were dazzling. Both were embedded in the canopy of the night sky, neither diminishing the other. Whenever Xiang Nan looked up at the moon and stars, he could feel the vast, concentrated power of the celestial bodies. Finding a quiet spot, he began to practice the Heart-Cleansing Mantra. After his successful Tier 4 atavism, when he meditated, his consciousness would transform into a five-colored mysterious bird, soaring through the cosmos and absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Just then, his sea of consciousness rippled. Xiang Nan frowned slightly. Someone was approaching him, and they were filled with hostility! At this moment, it was as if Xiang Nan had grown eyes in every direction.

In the darkness, a stout figure slid forward rapidly, targeting Xiang Nan directly. A Tier 5 cultivator—the intruder was an expert! Yet, Xiang Nan remained calm, maintaining his meditative posture without moving. Inside his body, however, he had already gathered his spiritual power, preparing a perfect defense. If this person dared to attack, his powerful Void Tai Chi would reflect that force right back.

The black shadow glided forward, stopping abruptly about ten meters away. As his robes fluttered, a stream of black energy shot toward Xiang Nan like a meteor.

"Cunning, using a long-range attack!"

Xiang Nan focused his will, and golden light erupted around him, a Void Tai Chi perfectly blocking the black energy. Almost simultaneously, the black energy, wrapped in golden light, was deflected back. The attacker, the Great Mage, was completely caught off guard, never expecting a Tier 2 cultivator to block his cursed black smoke, let alone reflect it. He used a short-range teleport to narrowly avoid the rebounding smoke.

*Boom!*

A dull thud echoed. Twenty meters behind him, an old tree was sliced in half. From the wound, countless black insects crawled out, thick and crawling—a truly gruesome sight.

Xiang Nan stood up slowly and turned to face the now-exposed Great Mage. Seeing the sinister, evil nature of the cursed black smoke, he felt an instinctive wave of nausea.

"Evil arts from the Miao border? Truly disgusting. But to deal with me? You're still not quite good enough!"

Having just absorbed a wave of spiritual energy, Xiang Nan was brimming with vitality, his voice ringing out like a bell. In the quiet of the night, his words carried a chilling, soul-shaking power.