Chapter 384 : Contest of the Beast Kings
Chapter 384: Contest of the Beast Kings
‘Interesting, could Xiao Yu actually have dealings with Ancient Demon Sect cultivators?’ Chen Beiwu thought inwardly.
Although Iron Egg’s Karmic Fire Listening to Sin was powerful and could detect sinful karma that ordinary cultivators found difficult to perceive, his own Cultivation Years and cultivation base limited him from displaying its full might.
And Xiao Yu came from a Dao Venerable Immortal Family and carried who knew how many Mystic Treasures and Mystic Talismans on him, so it was perfectly normal for him to be able to conceal himself from Iron Egg’s Profound Ability.
That made sense. If Xiao Yu could not even deceive Iron Egg’s Innate Profound Ability, how could he possibly deceive the eyes of the Immortal Sect’s upper echelons?
But the power of the Nine-Breath Chaos Divine Ability was far beyond what Karmic Fire Listening to Sin could compare with. No matter how well Xiao Yu concealed himself, he could not hide beneath Chen Beiwu’s eyes.
At this thought, Chen Beiwu’s mood became rather peculiar.
Good heavens, so Xiao Yu’s slander and rumors against him had not been fabricated at random. The inspiration had all come from the evil deeds Xiao Yu himself had committed.
But compared with this, what concerned Chen Beiwu even more was that since sinful karma also counted as a kind of fate and could be glimpsed by the Nine-Breath Chaos Divine Ability, why had he never seen this type of fate in the Southern Wastes?
After all, if one truly compared the number of Demonic Cultivators, the Southern Wastes had far more Demonic Cultivators than the Immortal Alliance.
‘Could it be that the Nine-Breath Chaos Divine Ability can only see great sin and great karma?’ Thoughts raced wildly through Chen Beiwu’s mind.
At the same time, Xiao Yu stepped out, his gaze falling on Yue Chenfeng while completely ignoring Chen Beiwu throughout, as though a mere Golden Core True Person was not even qualified to enter his eyes.
Chen Beiwu was perfectly happy with that.
From the moment they met, his objective had already been achieved.
As for Xiao Yu ignoring him, Chen Beiwu simply went along with it and let the former continue being arrogant. That way, he conveniently did not have to salute according to sect rules.
“Senior Brother Yue.” Xiao Yu revealed a perfectly measured smile: “What important matter brings you here today?”
“Nothing much. I merely wanted Junior Brother Xiao to know one thing.”
At this point, Yue Chenfeng’s gaze sharpened as he said word by word: “Junior Brother Chen belongs to my True Venerable Changqing of Dongming lineage.”
Hearing this, warmth rose in Chen Beiwu’s heart, and he subconsciously looked toward Eldest Senior Brother.
Before coming here, Eldest Senior Brother had repeatedly warned him that he absolutely had to maintain decorum.
Yet the moment Eldest Senior Brother opened his mouth, his words were so fiercely protective that they were little different from tearing away all pretenses to Xiao Yu’s face.
“True Venerable Changqing of Dongming lineage.” Xiao Yu repeated it once. The smile on his face gradually disappeared as he asked in return: “So what?”
Without waiting for Yue Chenfeng to answer, impatience had already entered Xiao Yu’s tone: “If Senior Brother Yue came here today specifically just to emphasize something as trivial as the background of one’s master lineage to Xiao, then there is no need to continue talking. Xiao still has miscellaneous matters to handle in his cave residence, so I will not accompany you.”
With that, Xiao Yu turned and left, treating Chen Beiwu as though he did not exist.
“Let’s go, Little Junior Brother. This time, you could also be considered to have gained fortune from misfortune.” Knowing Xiao Yu’s unruly temperament, Yue Chenfeng deliberately said: “With the Sect Master personally speaking, the procedures for the Chief Disciple Position of the Immortal Sect have already been completed directly. You can now go to Yuqing Hall to receive the Chief Disciple Identity Jade Slip and obtain the treatment and resources due to the sect’s Chief Disciple.”
Xiao Yu’s eyes darkened slightly, but his steps did not change, and he soon disappeared through the gates of Feather Immortal Pavilion.
Chen Beiwu was also somewhat surprised.
The Chief Disciple Position of the Immortal Sect was no small matter.
Even if Shen Lingxing wanted to relinquish the Chief Disciple Position, he still had to wait until his term ended.
Judging by the date Shen Lingxing took office, barring any accidents, Chen Beiwu would still have needed to wait more than twenty years before succeeding him.
Seeing the confusion in Chen Beiwu’s eyes, Yue Chenfeng smiled calmly: “This can also be considered special handling for a special case.”
After speaking, he swept his sleeve and raised an escaping light.
Chen Beiwu was sharp-minded and quickly realized how highly the Sect Master regarded him.
Being Top of the Yuxu Rankings and being Chief Disciple of the Immortal Sect were two entirely different concepts.
The former meant ranking first on the Yuxu Rankings and could be considered a reserve candidate for the next generation’s Chief Disciple of the Immortal Sect.
The latter was the genuine article, formally recognized by the sect as the head of the Student Department and truly the foremost Immortal Student of Yuqing.
If Chen Beiwu had obtained the identity of Chief Disciple of the Immortal Sect earlier, the Law Enforcement Bureau cultivators probably would not even have been able to enter the Taiyuan Heavenly Realm.
“Many thanks for the Sect Master’s great favor.” Chen Beiwu gave a slight salute in the direction of Yuqing Hall.
No one would fault excessive courtesy.
A cultivation giant like the Sect Master, whose cultivation had reached profound heights of creation, could surely sense the respect and esteem in his heart.
Seeing this, the way Yue Chenfeng looked at Chen Beiwu changed slightly.
No wonder Master was willing to accept Little Junior Brother as his final disciple. Aside from his peerless talent, this temperament of clearly distinguishing gratitude and grudges was truly quite good.
“Eldest Senior Brother, didn’t you just say that being kind to others makes things convenient for oneself?”
Chen Beiwu knew perfectly well that Eldest Senior Brother had deliberately provoked Xiao Yu earlier.
“Face goes both ways. Since Xiao Yu refuses to give me face, taking a step back would accomplish nothing and would only make him push further.” Yue Chenfeng shook his head, his tone somewhat emotional.
Back then, in order to avoid recruitment by those second-generation sect cultivators, he had cultivated bitterly every day and politely declined them using cultivation as an excuse.
Little Junior Brother, on the other hand, had rejected every recruitment offer in one sweep and intended to establish a lineage of his own. It was hardly surprising that someone would scheme against him.
“By the way, Eldest Senior Brother, how much do you know about Xiao Yu’s past?” Chen Beiwu suddenly asked.
“What, after seeing him in person, Little Junior Brother no longer has confidence in killing him?” Yue Chenfeng teased.
“That’s not it.” Chen Beiwu smiled: “Your junior brother is merely curious about what kind of experiences could nurture such a personality?”
“Speaking of which, Xiao Yu’s growth experience is somewhat similar to Junior Brother’s.”
Yue Chenfeng frowned slightly and said with interest: “Before the Immortal Alliance Entrance Exam, Xiao Yu had little reputation. After the Immortal Alliance Entrance Exam, Xiao Yu astonished everyone in a single feat and entered Yuqing Immortal Sect. Only then did the major cultivation factions learn that he was the outstanding scion of the Tianyuan Xiao Clan.”
“Before that, no cultivator in the Immortal Alliance knew where Xiao Yu came from.”
Hearing this, Chen Beiwu became even more certain of the conjecture in his heart.
When one searched for questions while already holding the answer, many details that were otherwise difficult to notice could actually be discovered.
For example, Xiao Yu came from an exalted background and had absolutely no need to become entangled with the Ancient Demon Sect unless he sought something from the Ancient Demon Sect.
Or, making an even bolder conjecture, perhaps it was not only Xiao Yu, but the entire Tianyuan Xiao Clan that had designs involving the Ancient Demon Sect. Perhaps a Dao Venerable Immortal Family like the Tianyuan Xiao Clan itself stood behind the Ancient Demon Sect.
Otherwise, it would have been impossible for the Ancient Demon Sect to survive wave after wave of purges by the Immortal Alliance until today. It would have vanished long ago.
“Little Junior Brother, tell me truthfully, how confident are you?” Yue Chenfeng suddenly asked.
Chen Beiwu pondered for a moment before answering honestly: “If I successfully cultivate the Secret Record of Opening Heaven in the Purple Mansion and Transforming into Nascent Soul, ninety percent. If I fail to cultivate it, fifty percent.”
He never underestimated any opponent, especially a mid-stage Nascent Soul prodigy like Xiao Yu who harbored hidden secrets.
“Junior Brother truly has remarkable courage.” Yue Chenfeng sighed emotionally.
From Chen Beiwu’s answer, it was obvious that Little Junior Brother was practically determined to successfully cultivate 《Secret Record of Opening Heaven in the Purple Mansion and Transforming into Nascent Soul》.
“Little Junior Brother, we’ve arrived.”
The escaping light passed through a rainbow bridge and descended outside Yuqing Hall. Yue Chenfeng turned his head toward Chen Beiwu: “The Sect Master is waiting for you inside.”
Chen Beiwu understood and walked forward alone, only to see the two Protectors Qinghe and Yuyue standing on either side of the hall entrance like door gods.
Protector Qinghe wore an indifferent expression, while Protector Yuyue had quite the lively personality and winked repeatedly at Chen Beiwu.
“Come in.”
Fortunately, the Sect Master’s voice sounded and the hall doors opened silently by themselves. Otherwise, Chen Beiwu would have needed to ponder some way of dealing with Protector Yuyue, who was very likely a Void-Refining Dao Beast.
“Disciple Chen Beiwu greets the Sect Master.” Chen Beiwu entered the hall and saluted.
“Rise.”
The Yuqing Sect Master turned around and looked directly at Chen Beiwu.
“The path of cultivation lies in struggle.”
“Struggle against Heaven for life, against others for fortune, and against oneself for the heart.”
“Only a heaven-chosen prodigy who attains first place in the current generation and suppresses all peers may leave their name upon the Yuqing Chief Disciple Jade Slip.”
As his voice fell, without the Yuqing Sect Master appearing to move in the slightest, an azure jade slip appeared out of thin air before Chen Beiwu.
The material of this jade slip was neither metal nor jade. Flowing light was contained within it, and two ancient seal characters were engraved upon it. It looked quite extraordinary, like a superior Fourth-Tier Mystic Treasure.
“Leave your name with your natal essence blood. From today onward, you are Yuqing’s Chief Disciple of this generation.”
The Sect Master’s voice brought Chen Beiwu back to his senses, and he subconsciously grasped the Chief Disciple Jade Slip.
“Buzz!”
In an instant, an indescribably refreshing sensation flowed from the Labor Palace Acupoint in Chen Beiwu’s palm into his meridians, then surged upward against the flow and reached directly into his Spirit Platform Sea of Consciousness.
Under the nourishment of this refreshing energy, Chen Beiwu could distinctly feel that his thoughts had become somewhat clearer, and even the speed at which his Divine Sense operated had increased by thirty percent.
“The sect’s Chief Disciple Jade Slip is not merely a symbol of identity, but also a rare Fourth-Tier Mystic Treasure.
“A cultivator who carries it while cultivating can keep their Spirit Platform Sea of Consciousness clear at all times and prevent invasion by external demons. To a certain extent, it can also resist methods used by Demonic Cultivators such as controlling Divine Sense, confusing the heart and bewildering the spirit, or seizing a body through possession.” the Sect Master explained.
Chen Beiwu’s gaze toward the jade slip immediately changed.
The sect truly deserved its reputation as one of the illustrious Upper Three Immortal Sects. The scale of its generosity far exceeded what ordinary cultivators could imagine—even the Chief Disciple Identity Jade Slip was a Fourth-Tier Mystic Treasure.
Although the Sect Master described it lightly, Chen Beiwu knew perfectly well that this jade slip was not merely a precious treasure capable of assisting cultivation, but also a Divine-Soul Defensive Mystic Treasure that could be used to protect one’s Dao.
Before he could fully digest the joy in his heart, two jade bottles suddenly appeared out of thin air before Chen Beiwu.
“According to sect rules, the sect’s Chief Disciple must serve a term of fifty years and receive an excellent performance evaluation before obtaining a Purple Mansion Nascent-Forming Pill and Myriad Spirits King-Transformation Pill.”
At this point, the Yuqing Sect Master’s gaze swept over Chen Beiwu, causing the latter to feel an illusion as though he had been completely seen through.
“But your circumstances are special. Your cultivation has already reached Golden Core Great Perfection, and you are only half a step away from Nascent Soul True Monarch. You could break through at any moment. If we rigidly adhere to sect rules, it could instead easily delay your Dao Path.”
“Today, this Seat will make an exception at his discretion and handle your case specially. I hope you will not disappoint this Seat.”
Hearing this, Chen Beiwu immediately bowed and thanked the sect for its generous treatment. Then he quickly accepted the two jade bottles, almost bursting with joy inwardly.
Did this count as giving him a sweet date after slapping him?
To be fair, Chen Beiwu also understood that the Sect Master’s purpose in doing this was to win the heart of the sect’s unparalleled prodigy and prevent estrangement or disloyalty in the future, but he was still rather moved,
There was no other reason. When the sect had things to give, it genuinely gave them to him, and it genuinely cultivated him rather than merely painting an empty promise.
After all, the Purple Mansion Nascent-Forming Pill and Myriad Spirits King-Transformation Pill were strategic resources strictly controlled by the Immortal Alliance. Unless one had reached Golden Core Great Perfection and was a direct-line cultivator of the Immortal Alliance, they could not obtain them.
If Chen Beiwu had failed to enter Yuqing Immortal Sect and had instead enlisted in the military, even after reaching Golden Core Great Perfection, he would have needed to risk death and stake his life once or twice to earn sufficient merit before he even had an opportunity to exchange for a Purple Mansion Nascent-Forming Pill.
To put it unpleasantly, even if a prestigious Golden Core Great Perfection True Person were willing to serve as a guest elder of a True Venerable Clan or even a Nascent Soul True Clan and risk their life until death, they still might never have the chance to so much as see a Purple Mansion Nascent-Forming Pill and could only obtain a Nascent Soul-Forming Mystic Pill several grades inferior.
From this, the importance of choice was obvious!
If Chen Beiwu had chosen to study in Pure Yang Grotto-Heaven, he would not have had the ability to make the Grotto-Heaven’s upper echelons make an exception for him.
He might even have needed to compete with numerous Grotto-Heaven prodigies over the limited quotas of Purple Mansion Nascent-Forming Pills and Myriad Spirits King-Transformation Pills, slowly accumulating seniority and waiting in line.
“The Purple Mansion Nascent-Forming Pill and Myriad Spirits King-Transformation Pill may not be sold externally and can only be used personally. Otherwise, severe punishment from the Immortal Alliance will follow.”
Understanding that Chen Beiwu came from a humble background and was unaware of many unspoken rules, the Yuqing Sect Master offered this reminder before closing his eyes, clearly indicating that the audience was over.
Chen Beiwu immediately understood and took his leave.
……
Azure Abyss Peak.
After returning to Water Evolution Residence, Chen Beiwu immediately began preparing for the matter of attaining the position of True Monarch.
Of course, it was not Chen Beiwu forming his Nascent Soul, but Golden Egg and the Five Qi Vine choosing one of them to advance to Fourth-Realm Beast King.
The reason Chen Beiwu remained at Golden Core Great Perfection was to successfully cultivate the Secret Record of Opening Heaven in the Purple Mansion and Transforming into Nascent Soul and forge a Pure Yang Nascent Soul capable of dominating the ages.
But Golden Egg and the Five Qi Vine had no need to remain at their current realm. With their present bloodline accumulation, the only thing separating them from breaking through to Fourth-Realm Beast King was a single Myriad Spirits King-Transformation Pill.
“So, how do you plan to divide it?”
Chen Beiwu looked toward Golden Egg and the Five Qi Vine.
As expected, neither little fellow had the slightest intention of yielding.
Golden Egg’s thoughts were easy enough to guess. He simply wanted to become the undisputed number-one Beast King under Chen Beiwu.
As for the usually easygoing Five Qi Vine, its reason was equally simple. After advancing to Fourth-Realm Beast King, the area of the Five Qi Origin Grove behind it could expand countless times over. At that point, even planting Fifth-Tier Fortune-Origin Herbs would pose no problem.
Both were equally precious to him, and Chen Beiwu did not want either little fellow to gain the impression that he was biased.
“Yip!”
“Woof!”
The Seven-Tailed Purple Fox and Iron Egg were perfectly happy to watch the excitement, cheering them on from the side.
The former possessed shallow Cultivation Years and had not yet consumed a Beast King Fruit to advance to Third-Realm Beast General, while the latter was still twenty years of Cultivation Years away from Beast General Great Perfection. Neither had any need to compete.
“Let’s fight. Whoever wins gets the Myriad Spirits King-Transformation Pill.”
Golden Egg lowered his three dragon heads and took the initiative to propose it.
“Nah.”（Fine）
The Five Qi Vine nodded.
Although it disliked fighting, for the sake of its grand farming plans in the future, it was not so indifferent that it would not even compete.
“Whoosh!”
“Whoosh!”
As the words fell, Golden Egg and the Five Qi Vine each moved to one side, intense fighting spirit surging in their eyes.
“This place can’t withstand you two making a mess. Tomorrow, I’ll find you a decent Dueling Platform.” Chen Beiwu reminded them through thought.
To be fair, Chen Beiwu was actually rather curious. Without his intervention, would the Three-Phase Mystic Flood Dragon prove superior in strength, or would the ever-changing Five Qi Vine live up to its reputation and defend the dignity of being fifth on the Heavenly-Gang Rankings?
As for using the Nine-Breath Chaos Divine Ability to impose Calamity Qi upon Xiao Yu, causing his Immortal Dao to decline and suffer the backlash of fate, Chen Beiwu decided to delay it for a while longer.
There was no other reason, they had only met today, so acting immediately would be far too hasty.
Although fate was impossible to fathom, for a second-generation sect cultivator like Xiao Yu, sometimes evidence was unnecessary. Intuition alone was enough to make a rough determination.