NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16: Have I Encountered the Protagonist? Beginning the Climb
“Hahaha… I made it onto the Sea of Qi Ranking! 9578th!”
A fist-sized orb of misty white light flew out from the Tai Su Divine Pagoda and hovered in front of the mid-Sea of Qi realm disciple. He reached out, his hand disappearing into the mist. As the light dissipated, a Mystic-grade Spiritual Awakening Fruit materialized in his palm.
Spiritual Awakening Fruits are rare treasures that significantly increase the chances of a successful breakthrough.
The surrounding Sea of Qi realm disciples watched with envious eyes.
‘Damn… that lucky bastard…’
‘With that fruit, his chances of breaking through to the Divine Bridge realm are practically guaranteed…’
On the vast plaza, scenes like this played out constantly, a tapestry of hopes and disappointments, laughter and tears, the full spectrum of human emotions on display.
Five thousand meters above, amidst swirling clouds and mist, two figures stood, their feet treading on air.
One, a black-robed elder, a horsetail whisk held casually in his hand, his demeanor serene and otherworldly.
The other, a beautiful woman in a crimson feathered dress, a lotus mark between her brows, her expression a mask of indifference that somehow enhanced her allure.
Both were elders of Tai Su Peak, their cultivation at the peak of the Small Saint realm. Their presence exerted a subtle pressure that kept the surrounding clouds at bay.
“Old Huang, who are you watching this time?” Mo Feiyan asked, her voice calm and even.
Elder Huang stroked his beard thoughtfully. “I’m rather interested in Ye Fan. That boy possesses great potential, a remarkably solid foundation. His talent, perseverance, and fate are all exceptional.”
“He might even reach the top ten of the Divine Bridge Monument.”
“Top ten? That’s… ambitious.”
“No one has made it into the top ten of the Seven Monuments in the last five pagoda openings…” Mo Feiyan said, shaking her head.
Just then, a deep chime resonated from the Tai Su Divine Pagoda, shaking the very air around them.
Dong…
Mo Feiyan and Elder Huang exchanged glances, their eyes widening with surprise and excitement.
“Someone’s reached the top ten of the Sea of Qi Monument!”
They focused their divine senses, their gazes sweeping across the plaza below.
A female disciple, dressed in white robes, stood bathed in a purple halo, the center of attention.
Massive, ancient characters materialized on the surface of the pagoda, proclaiming her achievement:
[Dao Cloud Peak – Inner Disciple – Su Ruxue]
[Reached the 78th Floor of the Sea of Qi Monument, Ranked 7th]
[Aptitude: Mid-Immortal Grade]
[Comprehension: High-Immortal Grade]
[Perseverance: Low-Immortal Grade]
[Mentality: Heaven Grade]
[Combat Power: Heaven Grade]
[Qualified to become a Direct Disciple]
The Tai Su Plaza erupted in a cacophony of gasps and whispers. Countless gazes were fixed on Su Ruxue, envy, admiration, and a desire for connection swirling in their depths.
A female elder from Dao Cloud Peak, her face surprisingly youthful, wept with joy.
“My disciple! Well done! I’m so proud of you!”
“Congratulations, Elder Yang!”
“Congratulations!”
Elders from various peaks approached, offering their congratulations.
…
“I will reach the top ten of the Divine Bridge Monument. I’ll make the pagoda chime for me!” a young man in green sword robes declared, clenching his fists, his eyes burning with ambition.
“Who are you?” Chu Xiu asked, glancing at him with an air of casual indifference.
“Uh…” The young man turned, his face flushed with surprise. Recognizing Chu Xiu’s robes, he bowed slightly. “Greetings, Senior Brother from Yúnxiá Peak. I am Ye Fan.”
Chu Xiu’s eye twitched.
‘What a… protagonist-sounding… name…’ (“Ye Fan” is a common name for protagonists in Xianxia novels.)
And then he saw it.
The deep purple, almost black, aura surrounding Ye Fan.
‘That fate… it’s… monstrous…’ (A purple aura signifies exceptional luck or destiny in Chinese culture.)
‘Could this be… the protagonist?’
In his hundred years since transmigrating to this world, he had never encountered anyone with such potent fate.
“Brother Ye, pleased to meet you,” Chu Xiu said with a gentle smile, his eyes gleaming with a predatory light.
“You know me?” Ye Fan asked, surprised.
“Of course. Your exploits at the Tian Xing Peak arena are legendary.”
“Oh… right…”
Chu Xiu engaged Ye Fan in casual conversation, his demeanor warm and friendly.
‘This Senior Brother Chu Xiu seems… pleasant. Perhaps we could be friends…’ Ye Fan thought.
‘This Brother Ye Fan… so naive, so trusting…’ Chu Xiu mused. ‘Perfect for… exploitation…’
After exchanging communication jade slips, they parted ways.
Ye Fan headed towards the pagoda.
So did Chu Xiu.
But before he had gone a hundred meters, Ye Fan stopped, bending down to pick up something he had stepped on.
It was an Earth-grade spatial ring.
Chu Xiu, watching from a distance, felt a chill run down his spine.
‘Trying to siphon his protagonist luck won’t be easy…’
‘Unless I completely and utterly crush him… he’ll always find a way to survive, to bounce back stronger than before…’
Protagonists… he’d dealt with them before. They were notoriously difficult to kill, their plot armor thick and resilient. If you didn’t finish them off in one go, they would only come back stronger, becoming a persistent thorn in your side.
Lost in thought, he arrived at the entrance to the Tai Su Divine Pagoda and stepped inside.
He found himself in a misty white space, utterly alone.
An invisible wave of energy washed over him, and his identity jade slip emerged from his storage pouch.
A grand, yet intimate, female voice echoed through the space.
[Yúnxiá Peak – True Disciple – Chu Xiu]
[Sea of Qi Ninth Layer Peak]
[First Trial Commencing]
Three massive, black desolate wolves, seven meters long and two meters tall, materialized before him, their eyes glowing with feral hunger.
Awooo!
The lead wolf howled and lunged, the other two flanking him, their movements swift and coordinated.
“Sea of Qi realm beasts,” Chu Xiu muttered, his expression unchanged, his eyes cold and calculating.
He drew his Azure Blood Sword.
A seven-meter arc of sword light flashed through the air, cleaving the lead wolf in two. Blood and viscera splattered across the white floor.