NOVEL NEXT Chapter 20: A Strange Awakening
The insights into achieving a Minor Archaic Saint Body were undeniably valuable. The person who recorded these insights must have possessed a Saint Body themselves. If I were to obtain this, it would undoubtedly smooth my path towards mastering the Archaic Saint Body, preventing countless detours.
The Nine Syllable True Words, also known as the Nine Secrets, were the most powerful secret techniques in existence. Individually, they might not compare to an Emperor’s ultimate techniques, but if all nine were combined, they would surpass most Emperor-level techniques.
The Xing Character Secret: The ultimate speed technique, the fastest in the world. When mastered to its peak, it could allow one to touch the realm of time and traverse most grand formations unimpeded.
Its drawback was its difficulty in comprehension. It demanded exceptional talent and comprehension from the cultivator.
It was said that this secret technique had vanished from the Tianqiong Continent tens of thousands of years ago, no longer practiced by anyone. To think that the Tai Su Divine Pagoda still held a transmission jade slip for this technique…
Perhaps it was left behind by the Tai Su Emperor as a reward for future disciples who broke through the limits of the ancient era.
Chu Xiu’s desire for the Xing Character Secret was insatiable. He desperately needed such an unparalleled movement technique.
As for the difficulty in comprehension? The high requirement for understanding? Tsk, who was he, Chu Xiu? His comprehension was number one in the world! System, give me a breakthrough!
The Frostflame Soul Melting Fruit. A divine-grade treasure, a marvel of heaven and earth. This was also something Chu Xiu craved greatly. Such treasures were immensely helpful for breaking through bottlenecks and cultivating the Saint Body.
Chu Xiu pondered, weighing his options. In the end, he decided on the Xing Character Secret.
He could find other heavenly treasures later.
From ancient times to the present, this world had given birth to many Archaic Saint Bodies. Even if he didn’t obtain the insights now, he would eventually find other cultivation information left behind by Archaic Saint Body cultivators.
Even if he couldn’t find any, so what? He could explore and cultivate on his own. Without even this bit of confidence, how could he talk about immortality? Or invincibility?
The Xing Character Secret was different. The Nine Secrets’ inheritance had almost been severed, extremely difficult to find in the outside world. Perhaps this was the only copy in existence…
No more hesitation.
Chu Xiu reached out and grabbed the Xing Character Secret transmission jade slip.
Crack~
Hum~
Countless profound runes surged into Chu Xiu’s mind. A secret technique, seemingly formed by the heavens themselves, containing the profound principles of the Great Dao, was etched into the depths of his consciousness, never to be erased, as if it had existed since time immemorial.
An unknown amount of time passed.
The transmission jade slip shattered, losing its mystical glow, and turned into dust.
The golden halo enveloping his body began to fade.
A moment later, Chu Xiu’s vision cleared, and he found himself standing in the Tai Su Plaza.
A massive crowd surrounded him—inner disciples, direct disciples, true disciples, and elders from various peaks.
All gazed at him with a mixture of complex emotions and palpable excitement.
Ah, this…
Chu Xiu understood. Conquering the Sea of Qi Tower had undoubtedly caused a commotion.
“Chu Xiu…”
“Chu Xiu…”
Someone started chanting his name, and the tens of thousands of disciples in the plaza joined in, their voices echoing across the vast space. Their excitement was palpable, as if only by shouting his name could they express the awe and admiration they felt.
Outside the crowd, Qi Ming, the girl with facial blemishes, Xiao Yifeng, Ren Hongying, and Chu Xiaoran watched from afar, their expressions varied. Xiao Yifeng’s face was twisted with jealousy and resentment. Qi Ming was surprised and uncertain. The girl with facial blemishes looked unhappy, clearly feeling the sting of being proven wrong. Ren Hongying stood with her head lowered, her thoughts hidden. Chu Xiaoran, however, seemed pleased, a bright smile gracing her face.
“Chu Xiu~”
“Chu Xiu~”
The chants reverberated through the plaza, their echoes reaching the heavens.
Why were they so excited?
As disciples of the Tài Sù Holy Land, they were proud, looking down on disciples from smaller sects or factions.
Why was that?
Was it because of their own strength? Perhaps partly.
But the main reason stemmed from the sheer power of the Tài Sù Holy Land. Their sect had produced an Emperor. As long as they stood beneath the banner of the Tài Sù Holy Land, they had nothing to fear.
This sense of belonging, this unwavering confidence, originated from the Holy Land’s strength.
And that strength was built upon the combined efforts of countless powerful cultivators.
Chu Xiu, although only at the Sea of Qi realm, was no ordinary cultivator. He had broken through the ancient limits, and they believed he was destined for greatness, a future pillar of their sect, a towering tree that would shelter them from the storms to come.
That’s why they were so excited.
Of course, some were also jealous.
A flicker of amusement crossed Chu Xiu’s eyes.
Back then, these same Holy Land disciples had also shouted his name.
But their cries had been different then:
“Old Devil Chu…”
“Old Devil Chu is coming! Run!”
“Old Devil Chu, prepare to die!”
How times had changed…
‘Life… it’s full of surprises…’ Chu Xiu mused, a warm, gentle smile spreading across his face, a smile brighter than the sun.
And in that moment…
…he understood.
His previous approach to being a villain had been too simple, too crude.
A true villain should appear righteous on the surface, their wicked deeds concealed beneath a veneer of respectability.
That way… no one would try to kill him.
His past self had been so naive…
“Ah… Senior Brother Chu Xiu smiled… he looks so handsome…” a female inner disciple murmured, her voice dreamy, whether from excitement or from being captivated by his charm, it was hard to say.
Chu Xiu’s smile widened, his amusement growing.
Two streaks of light, one black, one red, descended from the sky, landing before him.
Elder Huang and Mo Feiyan materialized, their presence radiating power and authority.
The surrounding disciples bowed respectfully.
“Greetings, Elders!”
Elder Huang looked Chu Xiu up and down, his smile beaming. “Chu Xiu… you’ve done well. Very well.”
Even Mo Feiyan, her usual demeanor cold and aloof, offered a rare smile.
“The Holy Master wishes to see you. Come with us.”
With a wave of her hand, she summoned a crimson, Heaven-grade flying shuttle.
Chu Xiu nodded, unsurprised by the summons.
Before boarding the shuttle, he turned to the assembled disciples, his smile warm and gentle.
“Thank you, fellow disciples, for your support. I will continue to cultivate diligently and live up to the Holy Land’s expectations.”
He then boarded Mo Feiyan’s flying shuttle.
With a flash of light, the shuttle soared into the sky, heading towards the summit of Tai Su Peak.
…
The disciples below erupted into a flurry of excited chatter.
“Senior Brother Chu Xiu is so kind…”
“Yes, so humble and approachable.”
“I love his smile! So warm and gentle!”
“And he’s so modest! If anyone else had achieved such a feat, they would be strutting around like a peacock!”
“Indeed! Indeed!”
“I hope he becomes our next Holy Son!”
…
Dong…
Another chime echoed from the Tai Su Divine Pagoda.
The disciples looked up, their expressions calm.
It was just someone reaching the top ten of the Divine Bridge Monument.
Ye Fan emerged from the pagoda, his face flushed with excitement.
“Not bad, not bad! Eighth place on the Divine Bridge Monument!”
“A Heaven-grade technique… not too shabby.”
He straightened his robes, a smug look on his face. He wanted to declare his triumph, to bask in the admiration of the crowd.
‘Where are the cheers?’
‘Why isn’t anyone shouting my name?’
He looked around, confused, only to find the other disciples still discussing Chu Xiu, their excitement undiminished.
‘Are they… are they still talking about him?’
He listened in, his heart sinking as he realized the truth.
No one cared about his achievement. Their attention was focused solely on Chu Xiu.
He wanted to cry.
‘I… I reached the top ten! Why isn’t anyone paying attention to me?’
‘Look at me! Acknowledge my greatness!’
[PS: The power went out!! Typing on my phone is slow. Please add this to your collection!!!]