Chapter 121: The Second Statue of the Human Emperor

“Another fragment of the Human Emperor’s sacred statue?!” Lin Fan’s heart trembled. He could sense that the shard embedded in the woman’s chest was connected in essence to the one in his own chest.

“Fate is unpredictable; sometimes treasures come effortlessly,” Lin Fan mused. After the ancient Human Emperor’s sacred statue was shattered into five pieces scattered across the vast lands, he had thought that acquiring even one fragment was an incredible stroke of luck. Yet now, unexpectedly, he had encountered a second.

“Lin Gongzi, what’s wrong?” Yi Xiaoxian noticed the change in Lin Fan and asked.

“Nothing much, just surprised by the shard on this woman’s chest. It might be something extraordinary,” Lin Fan replied calmly, showing no sign of elation, for he was wary.

He knew the Demon-Smiting Pestle’s spirit must understand the shard’s origin, but it would never reveal it.

“Shard?” Yi Xiaoxian glanced at Lin Fan meaningfully but said no more. She had already studied the shard before, albeit to no avail.

“Boom!” Suddenly, a tremendous rumble shook the heavens. In the distance, a small mountain-like object appeared—a semi-ancestor artifact activated by a group of Heavenly Realm overlords, attempting to forcibly breach the Celestial Star Array.

The overwhelming power engulfed the sky; the semi-ancestor artifact was formidable, its unleashed force rivaling that of a true Peerless Rank warrior.

“Though the Celestial Star Array is terrifying, it has existed for so long without replenishment that it’s vulnerable to breach,” Lin Fan’s mind stirred uneasily. This semi-ancestor artifact seemed different—it radiated a force of stars!

“You’re right. The Celestial Star Array is at its weakest now. It might only last two or three months before it’s broken. When that happens, it will truly be the end,” the Demon-Smiting Pestle’s spirit said gravely, its gaze distant and heavy with worry.

“However, rest assured, even if the semi-ancestor artifact breaks the array, it will suffer severe damage itself and pose no lasting threat,” the spirit added.

As if to affirm this, the Celestial Star Array revived and began to operate; a massive star shot forth, blasting the small mountain away. Five Heavenly Realm overlords coughed up blood simultaneously, their energy flagging.

After this strike, the mountain ceased to manifest. The overlords were likely gathering strength for another test.

“You have two months left. Use this time to advance your realms as much as possible. Your talents are extraordinary, and with the aid of the Buddha’s Fat, you should break into the Heavenly Realm soon. Then you can contend with those outsiders,” the spirit advised, showing concern for Lin Fan’s group.

“With the Buddha’s Fat, I’m confident I can reach the Heavenly Realm within two months,” Yi Xiaoxian said confidently. Among them, only she could harness the Buddha’s Fat, making this timeframe realistic.

Compared to her, the Flower Falling Gentleman was more worried, as his talent and opportunities were inferior to Lin Fan and Yi Xiaoxian.

“I will teach you the Buddhist legacy over these two months. Breaking into the Heavenly Realm won’t be a problem,” the Demon-Smiting Pestle’s spirit said, sensing his anxiety. Its original mission was to preserve the Buddhist inheritance, and fate had brought this about now.

“Then you two should begin cultivation at once. Only by advancing yourselves can you survive the coming calamity,” Lin Fan nodded.

Yi Xiaoxian, never one to dawdle, waved her hand and took a jar of Buddha’s Fat before vanishing—presumably to find a place to train.

The Flower Falling Gentleman was guided aside by the spirit. The scene became dazzling, golden lotuses sprouting from the ground, waves of Buddhist chants filling the air. Ancient Buddhist techniques were forcibly imprinted into his mind through a sudden enlightenment method, bypassing countless years of arduous training.

“The Buddhist legacy lives up to its name. The Buddha’s Fat truly is a holy relic, forged only by a Buddha of Peerless Emperor rank—nothing ordinary,” Lin Fan’s eyes gleamed as he observed their states.

“What are your plans? To merge the two fragments of the Human Emperor’s sacred statue?” the spirit suddenly asked, appearing faint and ethereal, evidently drained from bestowing the legacy to the Flower Falling Gentleman.

“Divine gifts are not to be squandered. Normally, collecting all fragments of the Human Emperor’s statue is impossible. Now that I have this chance, I will not let it slip,” Lin Fan said firmly. Though uncertain of what merging the fragments would bring, he was certain it would not be detrimental.

“Indeed. Only you can wield this artifact properly. Then go ahead and merge them,” the spirit said before vanishing, likely to continue its work on the legacy.

At that moment, only Lin Fan and the woman in the crystal coffin remained in the main hall of Little Thunder Sound Temple.

Yet Lin Fan did not move. He stood there silently for ten days.

During these days, the Heavenly Realm overlords outside probed repeatedly, each time more intense than before. Were it not for the terrifying Celestial Star Array, even Little Thunder Sound Temple’s main hall might have been destroyed.

On the tenth day, Lin Fan finally acted. His pupils turned a pale gold—an indication that the Human Emperor’s sacred statue was being activated to its fullest.

Every movement he made carried immense dignity, as if the true Human Emperor had descended to the mortal realm.

He had spent these ten days communicating with the fragment, showing the importance he placed on the statue.

“The legendary holy relics will be united at last. I will lead you to recreate the ancient glory,” Lin Fan said softly, each word precious.

Golden divine light radiated from his body, more sacred than even deities. A shimmering crown appeared faintly above his head.

Simultaneously, the fragment on the woman’s chest rose slowly, streams of radiant light flooding the hall. The shard then surged straight into Lin Fan’s heart, beginning to merge.

“Ah!” Lin Fan groaned deeply, his face flushing red as a tremendous power exploded within him. His bones crackled continuously, breaking and recombining. Unnoticed, golden rays began to appear in his blood.

“What an incredible power,” Lin Fan thought, suppressing the discomfort as he started to harness it.

His realm leapt forward dramatically, breaking through to the seventh level of the Vein-Consolidating Realm and continuing to climb rapidly.

However, he did not notice that at the moment the fragment awakened, the woman in the crystal coffin suddenly opened the eyes hidden beneath her mask—eyes devoid of any life or spirit.