Chapter Fifty-Two: A Second Bloom—The Desolate Heavenly Emperor Meets a Deadly Fate

Black Jiao Wood, a type of hard and heavy rare wood—just a palm-sized piece could boil two large pots of meat, making it the finest fuel! The strong men of Stone Village swung their massive axes, laboriously chopping for a long time before a pile of Black Jiao Wood was hewn.

To prepare for the villagers’ baptism, Stone Village made every possible preparation: venomous insects, ancient medicines, spring water, and the ancient cauldron... Only the finest items were chosen.

The children of Stone Village stripped off their clothes and washed their bodies with the sweet mountain spring water, intending to seal their pure flesh within the cauldron for the baptism. A group of little ones stood exposed before everyone. On any ordinary day, the adults would surely tease them with a few jokes. But today, everyone was solemn. This gravity even affected the children, who quietly prepared without a word.

The corpse of the old Suanni was brought forth—its entire body golden, radiant and splendid, its fur shimmering like golden silk, glowing even more brilliantly under the sunlight! The black cauldron exuded an ancient aura, carved with images of the sun, moon, mountains, rivers, and scenes of ancient ancestors’ rituals.

This was the ancient cauldron long passed down in Stone Village. The spring water inside boiled fiercely, and only the most intense flames could brew the most potent elixirs!

The old village chief and other elders of Stone Village solemnly added various aged herbs into the cauldron—these were precious treasures of time. As the herbs were added, a fragrance of medicine spread through the air. Then, they tossed in all sorts of insects: centipedes half a meter long, purple scorpions, silver-white spiders... all bizarre and strange.

This was the ancient recipe handed down in Stone Village.

In a short while, the cauldron’s contents turned multicolored, and those unaware might think they were concocting poison. The children’s faces instantly turned pale with fright. This scene was far more terrifying than their usual medicinal baths.

However, this cauldron was mainly prepared for the youngest child. The others used the stone cauldrons nearby.

Shi Jian personally dismembered the old Suanni. Its power was so terrifying that even in death, the people of Stone Village struggled to move its corpse. Only he could manage it. He summoned the Spear of the Nether God and methodically tore the old Suanni’s body apart.

The elders of Stone Village collected the Suanni’s blood in various vessels. Its blood shimmered with golden light, so dazzling it was hard to keep one’s eyes open. This was the precious part of the old Suanni—its blood contained divine power. Ordinary blood could rival the genuine blood refined from other ancient relic species.

Soon, the ground was covered with jars brimming with blood, which other children of Stone Village would use for their baptism.

As for the most precious part of the old Suanni—the heart, as large as a basin and containing the purest divine essence—it was certainly reserved for the youngest child. Only he could absorb its power; others would be overwhelmed.

Shi Jian placed the heart into the great cauldron, adding other essential parts of the old Suanni’s body as well. Under some special force, the cauldron trembled. The ancient mural and runes carved on its surface seemed to awaken.

The old Suanni’s heart radiated dazzling light.

“Prepare to enter the cauldron!” Shi Jian lifted the youngest child with one hand and cast him directly into the great cauldron.

The fierce flames brewed the grand elixir, and its fragrance instantly filled Stone Village. From within the cauldron came the roar of the old Suanni—this was the divine source left behind by the beast.

Other villagers also placed the remaining parts of the old Suanni into stone cauldrons, allowing their own children to bathe within for purification.

In the blink of an eye, the entire old Suanni was thoroughly disassembled, leaving only its bones. The bones bore intricate and mysterious runes that shimmered brightly, flowing and shifting like stars in the sky.

These were the original runes left by the old Suanni.

Ancient relic species like this always tried to erase their original runes before death, to prevent them from falling into others’ hands. But when this old Suanni attempted self-destruction, Shi Jian sensed it in advance and used the Spear of the Nether God to erase its will.

Thus, its original runes were perfectly preserved.

“Village chief, Shi Jian, the runes on this bone flow with mysterious power!” the villagers exclaimed upon discovering the bone.

“What…” The old village chief and others rushed over, unable to remain calm.

Upon seeing the bone runes, they burst into laughter.

This was the bone of the Suanni—the Suanni Treasure Technique! Its value far surpassed the Azure Dragon Treasure Technique Shi Jian had previously acquired.

“Heaven blesses our Stone Village with two great geniuses, and now we have gained an extremely powerful treasure technique!” The old village chief was ecstatic. He quickly instructed the others, “This matter is of utmost importance. None of us are to leak a word. Shi Jian, this bone is yours. You must study the supreme treasure technique inscribed upon it...”

Shi Jian accepted the treasured bone, temporarily keeping it in his hands.

The Suanni Treasure Technique was certainly worth studying when time permitted.

All the children of Stone Village underwent the baptism—a lengthy process.

After a full day and night, many children completed their baptism and exited their stone cauldrons, having reached their limits. The Suanni’s blood contained overwhelming power, too much for ordinary children to endure.

Only the youngest child clenched his teeth and remained motionless inside the great cauldron.

Golden liquid continuously seeped into his pores, entering his body and then expelling impurities. This cycle of cleansing was repeated again and again.

Though painful, the child’s spirit grew increasingly vigorous. His flesh became more crystalline and resplendent.

After a day and night, the youngest child underwent an unimaginable transformation.

The people of Stone Village gathered around him, watching with concern.

Some who saw the pain on his face wanted to urge him to give up, but in the end, no one spoke.

The wilderness was cruel, and the outside world even more so. Those without strength could not survive.

The other children silently cheered him on.

Several days passed—four or five in total—before the youngest child finally emerged from the cauldron!

Like a stone monkey born anew, he leapt out of the great cauldron and landed on the ground.

The villagers immediately surrounded him, touching and examining his changes.

They rinsed him with clear water and noticed a layer of old skin peeling away. His flesh had become even more crystalline and snow-white.

“Child, let us see how you have changed...” The adults of Stone Village, following custom, fondled him from head to toe and even pinched his little private parts.

This time, however, the child blushed with anger and, in a sudden burst, pushed the group of adults to the ground.

Everyone was stunned.

“This little one’s power has become terrifying...” an adult exclaimed in surprise.

After the baptism, the youngest child had undergone a complete metamorphosis.

The adults of Stone Village were no longer his match.

“Let me test the strength of your flesh...” Shi Jian stepped forward and once again pinched the young emperor’s private parts.

The young emperor struggled fiercely but could not escape Shi Jian’s grasp.

“Eighteen thousand jin of divine power...” Shi Jian announced the change in the child’s strength.