Chapter 373 : The Secret of the Giant Stele
Chapter 373: The Secret of the Giant Stele
“Brother Luo seems to know some inside information.”
Xu Xiu’s eyes lit up slightly, his interest piqued.
“The more you know, the faster you die. Are you sure you want to know?” Luo Zheng let out a mocking laugh.
Xu Xiu’s talent and strength were both mediocre. His cultivation was only at the mid-stage of Golden Core, and his contracted Companion Beast was merely a Green-Glow Insect that did not even qualify as an Earthly-Sha Treasure Beast.
But Xu Xiu had a fair face, good luck, and knew how to sweet-talk women. By chance, he had found a Dao Companion with a powerful background.
Otherwise, with Xu Xiu’s aptitude, he would never have broken through the Golden Core barrier.
“Then forget it. Xu is quite afraid of death.” Xu Xiu shook his head slightly, not minding Luo Zheng’s sarcasm.
If one chose to be a pretty boy, one had to accept the awareness that came with it.
As long as he did not do anything too outrageous, Luo Zheng would never lay a hand on him.
Yet when Xu Xiu retreated a step, Luo Zheng instead took the initiative to transmit with his divine sense:
“I might as well tell you. Chen Beiwu may be able to take the Chief Disciple Position of the Immortal Sect, but he will absolutely be unable to interfere in sect affairs, become the future successor to the Sect Master, or enjoy Divine Transformation resources.”
Hearing this, Xu Xiu’s pupils contracted. He suddenly understood, and a trace of annoyance flashed through his eyes.
He had spoken too much.
All under heaven bustled for profit; all under heaven hurried for gain.
Whether it was cultivation prodigies aspiring toward the Immortal Path, or second-generation cultivators aiming for future sect authority, all would clash over the sect’s resources and interests.
For example, the Chief Disciple Position of the Immortal Sect represented, behind it, the Purple Mansion Nascent-Forming Pill and the Myriad Spirits King-Transformation Pill.
That was a Nascent Soul opportunity coveted by countless prodigies of True Venerable clans.
For example, Chen Beiwu had publicly opened lectures to impart the Dao, gathering hearts and consolidating influence within the Yuqing Immortal Sect, striving for status and voice in the sect, attempting to form a cultivation faction known as the “Chen Faction,” which had already made many second-generation sect cultivators wary.
Perhaps in the eyes of the upper echelon of the Yuqing Immortal Sect, Chen Beiwu was the leading prodigy of this generation. All these actions merely magnified the sect’s prestige and were worthy of encouragement.
But in the eyes of certain prodigies and second-generation cultivators, Chen Beiwu, a rustic prodigy of humble origins, was not only blocking their path but also encroaching upon their core interests.
Seeing Xu Xiu’s expression, Luo Zheng chuckled and added fuel to the fire: “Chen Beiwu was lucky. When he won first place at the Immortal Sect Exchange Conference and his fame surged, several factions had actually prepared to act in secret, planning to elevate him through praise and push him to challenge the chiefs of the Five Great Grotto-Heavens. Who would have thought he would avoid it by entering seclusion?”
“That’s enough, Brother Luo. Today, Xu heard nothing.”
With that thought settled, Xu Xiu turned and left.
Matters were accomplished through secrecy.
Luo Zheng was now revealing secrets without restraint. It was obvious he intended to drag him into the mire.
For no reason at all, he was unwilling to get involved in this muddy affair.
“Senior Brother Xiao is about to come out of seclusion. Are you sure you won’t consider it?” Luo Zheng transmitted again.
Xu Xiu’s steps halted instantly. Beneath his sleeve, his palm began to sweat faintly.
The Senior Brother Xiao Luo Zheng spoke of was no ordinary figure. He was the chief disciple of the Yuqing Immortal Sect three generations ago, a legendary figure whose cultivation had reached Nascent Soul True Monarch.
Indeed, he could not afford to offend Chen Beiwu—but he could afford even less to offend Senior Brother Xiao.
…
On the other side, Golden Egg slightly raised his head and looked toward Chen Beiwu.
‘Shall we teach them a lesson?’
Golden Egg drew a claw across his neck, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.
‘No need. One who is not envied is mediocre.’
Chen Beiwu remained calm and unmoved. ‘I’m not some miraculous elixir. How could I possibly make every sect prodigy admire me?’
After forging the prototype of the Purple Mansion Yang Spirit, although the range of his divine sense had not increased dramatically, it was now sufficient to silently pinpoint the positions of Golden Core True Persons and even eavesdrop on divine-sense transmissions between Golden Core cultivators.
“Woof.”
Iron Egg let out a low growl, suggesting they could strike first and capture those petty schemers for a warning beating.
“Na.”
Five Qi Vine nodded in agreement.
‘Strength is the foundation. These petty tricks are useless.’ Chen Beiwu dismissed it.
He had long passed the age of impulse and would not waste his mind on such jumping clowns.
Compared to such trivial matters, the Senior Brother Xiao mentioned by those two intrigued him more.
Within the Yuqing Immortal Sect, prodigies surnamed Xiao were rare, making it easy to narrow down. If his guess was correct, that so-called Senior Brother Xiao was Xiao Yu.
Xiao Yu bore the title True Monarch Breaking Law. His cultivation was at the mid-stage of Nascent Soul. Born of the Sichuan Xiao Clan, a True Venerable lineage of the Immortal Alliance, he was one of the exceptional direct disciples accepted by the Yuqing Sect Master. He remained in long-term seclusion, yet his authority and status within the sect were not to be underestimated.
Before Chen Beiwu entered seclusion, Xiao Yu’s lineage had indeed extended many olive branches, but he had not accepted.
The reason was simple: the Feather Immortal Society established by Xiao Yu had many rules. Rather than judging by talent or strength, it valued lineage and seniority.
Casting aside his stray thoughts, Chen Beiwu did not forget the purpose of this trip. Ignoring the smaller Scenic Steles around him, he wandered among the fifty-four giant steles in search.
[Supreme Scenic Stele of Chaos Green Lotus Creating the World]
With a slight movement of his divine sense, Chen Beiwu vaguely saw upon the giant stele a green lotus about to bloom, stirring earth, fire, water, and wind into motion to create a world. Yet his heart felt no stirring.
Without hesitation, he shifted his divine sense to the next Supreme Scenic Stele.
[Supreme Scenic Stele of the Clear Cicada Anchoring the Present]
This stele was relatively simple, engraved only with a clear cicada.
The cicada spread its wings in an extraordinarily peculiar posture, emitting a trace of the Dao’s Rhythm of time—“the past cannot be reversed, the future cannot be invaded”—causing a faint stirring within Chen Beiwu.
Unfortunately, perhaps because his understanding of the Dao of Time was shallow, that stirring was minimal and far from true resonance.
‘Have any of you taken a liking to a Scenic Stele?’
Chen Beiwu looked toward Golden Egg, Iron Egg, and Five Qi Vine.
Sensing his gaze, the three little fellows all shook their heads.
Relying on their bloodlines, they could vaguely perceive the terrifying Dao’s Rhythm and true intent contained within the giant steles.
But perceiving something and feeling resonance were entirely different matters.
Golden Egg watched for a while before all three dragon eyes rolled upward, looking drowsy.
Five Qi Vine fared no better. Though his eyes seemed fixed on the Scenic Stele, his pupils were unfocused, and he yawned from time to time.
Only Iron Egg was conscientious, his dog eyes shifting back and forth. Yet he too felt no bloodline resonance, only sensing that these giant steles were imposing and should not be touched lightly lest he be injured.
‘Don’t worry. A lack of bloodline resonance does not mean your comprehension is lacking. It only means these Scenic Diagrams are not sufficiently compatible with you.’
Chen Beiwu glanced at the three cushions before the stele but did not sit down.
Before entering the Taiyuan Heavenly Realm, he had consulted ample information and knew that comprehending Scenic Diagrams depended primarily on compatibility.
Those with sufficient compatibility needed only to sit upon the cushion directly before the Scenic Stele. With the cushion’s protection, they could enter meditation and truly immerse themselves in the Dao’s Rhythm and true intent within the stele.
Conversely, those lacking compatibility would merely waste time, even if they sat upon the cushion.
To save time, Chen Beiwu abandoned any thought of leaving it to luck and began searching directly for the thirty-third Scenic Stele mentioned by the gatekeeping elder.
…
Elsewhere.
Before the [Supreme Scenic Stele of Bi’an Qiongqi Striving to Cross], a man and a woman stood.
The tall female cultivator in a crimson palace gown had her brows tightly knit.
Her eyebrows were picturesque and her eyes limpid. Even as she suppressed her anger, a pleasing beauty lingered about her.
“Zhang Shaohan, we are not suitable. How many times must I say it?” Ye Xinya said impatiently.
Opposite her, a tall and refined man wore a flawless smile. “Whether we are suitable or not is not for Miss Ye to decide, nor for me.”
“There’s no helping it. Elders in the family always care about the marriages of us juniors.” Zhang Shaohan’s tone was calm, unreadable. “If Miss Ye is confident, she may have the clan elders refuse this arranged alliance.”
Ye Xinya shot him a glance, her disgust deepening.
If she could refuse, she would have done so long ago.
Fortunately, this alliance was still under discussion and not yet finalized. She was ninety percent certain she could sabotage the arrangement.
At that moment, Ye Xinya saw Chen Beiwu in the distance. Her eyes lit up, and her impatience vanished instantly.
Noticing this, Zhang Shaohan raised a brow and followed her gaze.
“What a coincidence, Senior Brother Chen.”
Ye Xinya stepped forward and bowed gracefully.
“And this is?” Chen Beiwu asked after exchanging greetings, sensing a curious gaze.
“Hello, I am Miss Ye’s friend, Zhang Shaohan.”
Zhang Shaohan extended his right hand, speaking amiably. “I have long heard of Fellow Daoist’s peerless bearing and aptitude worthy of Divine Transformation. Seeing you today, you truly resemble an immortal descended to the mortal world. Your reputation is well deserved.”
“Fellow Daoist Zhang flatters me,” Chen Beiwu replied.
Ye Xinya pursed her lips and instinctively stepped closer to Chen Beiwu. “Recently, I have been comprehending the Three Pure Ones Marvelous Method of Companion Landscape Immortal Art but have yet to gain insight. Senior Brother, your talent is extraordinary. Could you offer some guidance?”
Seeing her unusual behavior and glancing at the handsome youth before him, Zhang Shaohan’s lips curved slightly.
So that was it. No wonder Ye Xinya looked down on him—she had her eyes set on Chen Beiwu, the top of the Yuxu Rankings. And she was doing so unilaterally.
That was good. It would save him much trouble and conveniently resolve this arranged alliance.
To him, a Dao Companion was merely a burden on the cultivation path. How could one compare to the convenience of clan maidservants?
Though Ye Xinya was stunning and slender, the jewel of the Ye Clan, she could not compare to the Immortal Path.
“I have recently gained some insight in my cultivation and feel confused about the road ahead. To meet Fellow Daoist today is truly fate. Might you grant me some pointers? We can stop at the appropriate point,” Zhang Shaohan said smoothly.
“This is a place for comprehending Scenic Diagrams. It is somewhat inappropriate to spar here,” Chen Beiwu declined directly.
The other party was only at Golden Core Perfection. There was little need to spar.
“No matter. This spar will focus only on Daoist arts and profound techniques. We stop at three moves to determine victory,” Zhang Shaohan cupped his hands sincerely.
He did not intend to win, nor to lose miserably. He merely sought an excuse to withdraw from this arranged marriage.
“Better not. Such sparring may lead to injury,” Chen Beiwu refused again.
Excessive courtesy concealed ulterior motives.
Through his divine sense, Chen Beiwu sensed no malice from the man, but he clearly intended to use him as a tool.
“Fellow Daoist Chen worries too much. Injuries are inevitable in sparring. It is a necessary path to temper the Dao heart. If we cultivators halt for fear of injury, how can we speak of pursuing the Immortal Path?”
Zhang Shaohan’s words rang firm as he cupped his hands once more. “I hope Fellow Daoist will not withhold instruction and fulfill my desire to seek the Dao.”
“Very well.”
This time, Chen Beiwu did not refuse.
“Please.”
Joy flickered in Zhang Shaohan’s heart. Mana surged around him, and the contracted Companion Beast on his shoulder—the Voidbright Fox—also swelled in imposing aura.
Yet Chen Beiwu remained standing where he was, unmoving, not even raising a finger.
Interesting. He dares to belittle me so?
Very well, then witness the Zhang Clan’s—
Before the thought could finish, an invisible and formless sense of terrifying crisis crashed upon Zhang Shaohan’s heart.
His expression changed drastically. Cold sweat instantly beaded upon his forehead and trickled down his face.
Chen Beiwu clearly stood before him, yet all aura had been completely withdrawn. Not a trace of mana fluctuation could be sensed.
Worse still, an unprecedented death crisis seized his heart.
His intuition screamed that if he dared take another step, he would die on the spot.
Then, just as suddenly, the death crisis vanished.
Zhang Shaohan exhaled turbid air. His body trembled uncontrollably, and his back was soaked through with cold sweat.
Watching from the side, Ye Xinya’s pupils shrank.
Even Foundation Establishment cultivators could perfectly control bodily reactions, let alone Golden Core cultivators.
Thus, Zhang Shaohan’s loss of control was utterly shocking.
“Shall we continue?” Chen Beiwu asked.
The smile had completely vanished from Zhang Shaohan’s face. His gaze toward Chen Beiwu now carried fear.
Damn it. What was he thinking?
To believe Chen Beiwu’s presence was a convenient excuse.
“I was presumptuous. Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Chen, for showing mercy.”
Zhang Shaohan took a deep breath and bowed again—this time sincerely.
Chen Beiwu nodded slightly, said no more, and turned toward the thirty-third giant stele mentioned by the gatekeeping elder.
Seeing this, pride gleamed in Ye Xinya’s eyes as she hurried to follow Chen Beiwu, not sparing Zhang Shaohan another glance.
Zhang Shaohan remained standing there for a long while, replaying the soul-locking death crisis in his Spirit Platform Sea of Consciousness. Only one thought remained:
“I did not lose unjustly.”
“What profound technique was that?” Ye Xinya asked, unable to conceal her curiosity.
“It wasn’t a profound technique. It was a divine-soul secret art: Grand Firmament Silent Illumination God-Slaying Spike,” Chen Beiwu replied, glancing at her.
After forging the prototype of his Yang Spirit, he could now use Grand Firmament Silent Illumination God-Slaying Spike to instantly slay any being below Nascent Soul True Monarch—exceptions being those with Fourth-Tier divine-soul defensive Mystic Treasures or Golden Core Perfection prodigies comparable to the chiefs of the Upper Three Immortal Sects.
“I see. By the way, are you also here for the Supreme Scenic Stele of Bi’an Qiongqi Striving to Cross?” Ye Xinya changed the subject.
Chen Beiwu paused and looked at her, transmitting with his divine sense: ‘You know the secret of this Supreme Scenic Stele?’
“What secret?” Ye Xinya blinked.
“Never mind.” Chen Beiwu turned away.
“But I heard that every Supreme Scenic Stele within the Taiyuan Heavenly Realm conceals several extremely special strands of Heavenly-Gang Clear Qi. I wonder if that’s the secret you’re looking for.” Ye Xinya’s tone shifted.