Cao Thief

Chapter 1: Taihuang Sacred Land

Eastern Mystic Domain, Spirit Continent.

Taihuang Sacred Land.

Late at night.

Inside a room, Su Lingyuan awakened from her cultivation and slowly opened her lively, spirited eyes.

[T/N: All names are written with the surname first. For example, in “Su Lingyuan,” ‘Su’ is the surname and ‘Lingyuan’ is the given name.]

She stretched lazily in comfort, letting out a series of soft murmurs. Her graceful figure was fully revealed, tracing out elegant, delicate curves, and the full, ample peaks on her chest gently rose and fell with her movement.

"Hm? What's this?"

Su Lingyuan casually swept her gaze around and only then noticed a black-and-gold notebook lying quietly beside her.

She reached out and picked it up, glancing over the cover.

"Chu Ge's Diary — Su Lingyuan Copy."

"How strange. How did this diary get here? And who is Chu Ge? Why is my name on it?"

Her personal cultivation chamber was protected by extremely profound formations. Without her permission, to enter silently without triggering the formations would require at least a great power-level expert or a grandmaster of formations.

And even for such a person, it would still take considerable effort.

To go through all that trouble just to deliver a diary to her clearly made no sense.

"Hmph! I'd like to see exactly who's behind this."

With a soft snort, Su Lingyuan opened the diary and began reading.

[September 9th. Weather: Clear. Today is the eighteenth year since my transmigration, and also the first day I awakened my cheat.]

Su Lingyuan frowned slightly.

"Transmigration? Cheat? What do these mean?"

As if sensing her confusion, a message instantly entered her mind.

"Thi—this kind of miraculous thing actually exists?"

After understanding what "transmigration" and a "cheat" were, Su Lingyuan was instantly shocked. She continued reading.

[I awakened the Villain Diary Check-In Sign-In System. How should I put it… this system really gives me a stitched-together Frankenstein kind of feeling…]

[But… system, you stitched it really well!]

Su Lingyuan extracted the key words again and was completely dumbfounded this time.

Villain. Diary. Check-in. Sign-in.

She understood each word individually, but when combined together…

Just then, more information again flooded into her mind, and she immediately grasped their meaning.

"What?!!"

"You're telling me that the owner of this diary, this person called Chu Ge, doesn't need to do anything every day? He doesn't need to meditate or cultivate, doesn't need to draw in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth — he only needs to casually write a diary and go to certain special places, and he can obtain rare treasures and increase his cultivation?!"

Her voice completely changed; she could no longer remain calm.

"How can such a thing exist in this world?!"

"Damn it! Why don't I have one?!"

Her small fists clenched tightly, her face filled with indignation.

Born into a great clan, taken into the Sacred Land from a young age, and becoming the personal disciple of the Sacred Lord — she had always been the object of others' envy.

Yet today, for the first time in her life, she felt genuine envy toward someone else.

"Heretical object! Evil, crooked path!"

"Hmph! Cultivation obtained through such wicked means must be unstable. That Chu Ge person must have an extremely weak foundation. Sooner or later he will suffer deviation and fall into demonic backlash. How could he ever compare to my steady, step-by-step cultivation?"

"As if I'd ever envy him!"

After angrily muttering for a while, Su Lingyuan's emotions finally calmed down somewhat, and she continued reading.

[Today's check-in reward: Spirit Body talent.]

"Hmph, just a mere Spirit Body. Though it's considered decent talent, it's nothing special!"

"As for me, Su Lingyuan, my talent is peerless. I possess a Sacred Body — and among all recorded Sacred Bodies since ancient times, mine ranks within the top ten!"

Thinking this way, her mood finally eased a great deal.

[The system says that during the newbie welfare period, if I continuously check in and write my diary for seven days, the Spirit Body will ascend into a King Body. After a full month, it will upgrade into a Sacred Body — something called the Myriad Laws Sacred Body, I think?]

[Sounds pretty awesome. I'm actually looking forward to it!]

Bang!

Su Lingyuan's hand trembled, and the diary fell to the ground — yet she seemed completely unaware of it.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

"Fake… it's all fake!"

Upon seeing the record that after one month of check-ins the Spirit Body would ascend into a Sacred Body, Su Lingyuan finally lost her composure completely.

The Myriad Laws Sacred Body ranked sixth among all Sacred Bodies ever recorded!

The ranking itself wasn't the issue — the problem was that the Sacred Body Su Lingyuan possessed was exactly the seventh-ranked Yuan Spirit Sacred Body.

—

For the moment, Chu Ge still slightly outstripped her.

"Huff… huff… huff… it's fake. I refuse to believe that something this outrageous could exist in the world!"

Su Lingyuan muttered angrily, her heaving chest rising and falling with each breath, swaying as if struggling under its own weight.

"This is unbearable. I'm so angry my chest feels tight! Chu Ge, I'll remember you!"

Only after taking several deep breaths did Su Lingyuan pick up the diary again and continue flipping through it.

She wanted to see just how absurd things could still become.

At the same time, she was even more curious about where this Chu Ge currently was and what kind of background he had.

Not for any other reason—she just wanted to meet Chu Ge. She definitely had no improper intentions.

[September 10th. Check-in reward: a small packet of Dao-Enlightening Tea Leaves. But they don't seem to be of much use to me right now.]

Su Lingyuan's eyelid twitched.

Dao-Enlightening Tea Leaves—true to their name—could aid one in comprehending the Dao, understanding cultivation techniques, and sensing the laws of heaven and earth.

Even within her own Su Clan, such a divine treasure existed in only a handful of leaves.

Her clan head father had gone to great lengths to retrieve a single leaf for her from the family treasury.

Even now, she had never dared to use it, saving it for a critical breakthrough in the future to assist her in enlightenment.

And as for Chu Ge…

A whole small packet.

"Don't be angry, don't be angry… whether it's true or false is still uncertain. Perhaps all of this is just the delusion of that fellow called Chu Ge."

Comforting herself like this, she continued reading.

[Fourth day after obtaining the system. It seems my earlier speculation may have been wrong. My life hasn't changed at all, and no strangers have appeared around me.]

[Perhaps, unlike the diary-flow novels from my previous life, there really isn't such a thing as diary copies being distributed to others?]

[Not sure yet. I'll observe for a few more days before making a judgment.]

Seeing this, Su Lingyuan's expression froze for a moment.

This Chu Ge actually knew about diary copies?

No—he was only guessing and testing the idea.

It must have been learned from the novels he mentioned.

"This guy is quite sharp. Even after obtaining such a heaven-defying opportunity, he can still remain this cautious."

Although she was extremely envious of Chu Ge's extraordinary fortune—and even somewhat resentful—

Su Lingyuan still felt a trace of admiration for his vigilance.

"Heh heh… this guy would never imagine that the diary copies he's guessing about wouldn't appear immediately."

At that thought, Su Lingyuan finally felt her mood brighten.

Her eyes unconsciously narrowed into crescent moons.

On her lovely face, two shallow dimples emerged with her smile—radiant and captivating.

In a better mood, she continued reading.

After that, there wasn't much of note for a while—mostly just Chu Ge's daily life.

But when she reached the seventh day and saw that Chu Ge's Spirit Body had advanced into a King Body, the slight improvement in her mood vanished at once. Her expression darkened again.

"This guy is truly infuriatingly enviable…"

With that thought, she nearly gritted her teeth as she continued reading.

Afterward, there was nothing particularly special—aside from everyday trivialities, it was mostly the various rewards Chu Ge received from that so-called system.

Fortunately, no more rare divine treasures like the Dao-Enlightening Tea appeared.

Even so, they were still all items difficult for ordinary people to ever obtain.

Su Lingyuan told herself she wasn't envious at all. Her heart was completely unmoved.

Until—

[October 7th. I didn't expect the system's newbie period to have a final ultimate mission: participate in the Taihuang Sacred Land's entrance examination, complete the check-in and the task, and only then can I claim the final reward.]

Upon reading this, Su Lingyuan's body suddenly stiffened.

Today was precisely October 7th.

And the Sacred Land she belonged to was none other than the Taihuang Sacred Land!

"Well then, Chu Ge. I was planning to look for you myself—didn't expect you'd come knocking on my door instead. Just you wait. Tomorrow, I, the Sacred Lord's personal disciple, will properly 'interrogate'—no, test—you."

Su Lingyuan muttered to herself. Her expression shifted from dark to bright, and her sparkling eyes began to spin mischievously, as if she were already thinking of something entertaining.

Just then, a voice abruptly sounded in her mind:

"Ding! Diary reading complete. Do you wish to bind with Chu Ge's diary copy?"

At the same time, this voice echoed across this world—

It also resounded in the minds of the many peerless female cultivators who had read the diary.

Within the Taihuang Sacred Land, besides Su Lingyuan, several other women of extraordinary beauty and bearing stared at the diaries in their hands, falling into deep contemplation.

Chapter 2: Observations During the Test

The next day.

Inside the Testing Hall of the Taihuang Sacred Land.

Chu Ge entered together with a group of young boys and girls.

He stood out quite prominently among the crowd.

This was because most of those around him were not only much shorter in stature, but their faces also appeared far more youthful.

Those coming to test their cultivation aptitude at this time were mostly between twelve to fifteen years old. Sixteen was already considered on the older side—let alone Chu Ge, who was eighteen.

But that wasn't even the main reason he drew so many stares.

The true reason was that Chu Ge's appearance was simply too handsome and otherworldly.

His face was like polished jade, his eyes like bright stars. His long hair fell loosely and unrestrained down his back. His figure was straight as a pine, dressed in snow-white robes that only further accentuated his refined, transcendent aura.

Such an ethereal appearance caused quite a few young girls in the crowd to steal frequent glances, their cheeks flushed with red.

Whenever they accidentally met Chu Ge's gaze, they would shyly lower their heads at once. Yet when his eyes moved away, they couldn't resist sneaking another look.

Chu Ge could only feel helpless about this. After all, his level of handsomeness had already reached reader-tier.

As an eternal Sacred Land with an incomparably long history, the Taihuang Sacred Land's architecture was naturally majestic and magnificent, grand beyond measure.

Yet Chu Ge had no interest in admiring it at the moment.

All of his attention was focused on the system panel inside his mind.

On the light screen within his consciousness, several sections were listed:

Villain Points: 0

Basic Panel:

Diary Entries: 29

Check-Ins: 29

Sign-Ins: 29

Basic Mission:

The newbie period is about to end. Proceed to the Taihuang Sacred Land's entrance testing site to complete the special location sign-in and the final newbie-period check-in.

Advanced Panel:

Not activated. Can be randomly unlocked by consuming Villain Points.

He summoned the diary panel and wrote with his thoughts:

[The entrance test is about to begin. I'll write this down first. When it's my turn to go up later, I can complete the punch-in and check-in mission and receive the reward. A Sacred Body… it's truly something to look forward to.]

The moment Chu Ge finished writing—

Within the Taihuang Sacred Land, Su Lingyuan, who was secretly observing the entrance test, felt something stir in her heart. With a thought, a flash of light appeared, and the diary copy manifested out of thin air in her hand.

She had already bound to the diary copy. With a single thought she could summon it, and any update to the diary would reach her at once.

After reading its contents, Su Lingyuan puffed out her cheeks slightly. The thought of Chu Ge obtaining a Sacred Body so casually still left her a little irritated.

And just as Chu Ge finished recording—

The entrance test at the Taihuang Sacred Land officially began.

Hearing the announcement, Chu Ge finally came back to his senses.

"Ye Wutian. Aptitude: Lower-grade C-class. Unqualified."

A middle-aged man in moon-white robes read out the result with an expressionless face.

The young boy standing on the platform instantly turned pale.

"I… I actually failed? Damn it! I still have ambitions yet unfulfilled—how can I fall here?!"

"I, Ye Wutian, how could I live an ordinary life and become just another mediocre man? I'm unwilling!"

The boy clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles cracking.

"Stop dawdling. Get down at once. If you're unwilling to leave, you may go register with the menial disciples and enter as a servant."

The middle-aged man spoke impatiently as he looked at the boy who was raving on the stage.

Feeling the invisible pressure radiating from the man's body, the boy could only fall silent and leave in dejection.

"Next."

"Zhao Wuji. Aptitude: Mid-grade B-class. May enter the Outer Sect."

"Song Wudi. Spirit Body aptitude?"

"Good, very good. You may enter the Inner Sect. Stand behind me for now. You'll go with me later to the Inner Sect registration."

A faint smile finally appeared on the previously expressionless face of the middle-aged man.

"Tang Shan. Aptitude—hm? Inferior, not ranked? Anyone who reaches this place should at least have ranked aptitude! You bastard—how did you sneak in here? Get the hell out!"

The middle-aged man flew into a rage. His aura burst forth violently, surging toward the youth in luxurious sea-blue robes beside him like a tidal wave.

The boy named Tang Shan turned deathly pale in fright. His legs gave out, and he collapsed straight to the ground.

"I—I am the son of Tang Hao, an Outer Sect deacon! Senior, please spare me!"

Tang Shan hurriedly begged for mercy, one hand fumbling at his body as he secretly took something out and passed it toward the middle-aged man.

—

"Outer Sect Deacon, Tang Hao's son, right? Very well!"

The middle-aged man spoke, a meaningful smile playing across his face.

Tang Shan saw this and thought he had escaped disaster, a smile appearing on his face.

But the next moment, he felt as if his entire body had been hurled into the air, crashing into the crowd below and rolling several times.

"You little bastard! Sneaking through backdoors and trying to pull one over me!"

The middle-aged man roared angrily, his gaze sharp and merciless.

Tang Shan scrambled to his feet, his face pale and furious. "My father is an Outer Sect Deacon! How dare you show such disrespect?!"

"Outer Sect Deacon? Such great authority! I am Xing Feng, Inner Sect Law Enforcement Elder!"

This time, the middle-aged man, Xing Feng, spoke calmly—but to Tang Shan, it was like a thunderclap exploding in his ears, shaking his very mind.

He immediately lost all courage, stammering, unable to utter a single word.

An Inner Sect Elder!

That title alone was enough to crush his father's authority. Not to mention, Inner Sect Elders of the Sacred Land were all at least at the Fifth Heaven Realm of cultivation!

And this Law Enforcement Elder was one of the elite among them, holding real power, with cultivation reaching the Sixth Heaven Realm!

His father, by contrast, was only at the Third Heaven Realm—the gap was like a chasm!

Everyone knew that Law Enforcement Elders were extremely upright and strict. And he had actually thought of bribing one!

It was over.

Tang Shan felt as if the sky itself had collapsed.

Not only him—he imagined his father, Tang Hao, would also be finished.

Amid his terror, Tang Shan was also filled with confusion.

As far as he knew, this entrance test of the Sacred Land was supposed to be small in scale. The host should have been just an Outer Sect Deacon.

And his father had already arranged things for him.

Yet unexpectedly, the person presiding over the test turned out to be an Inner Sect Elder, a figure of immense authority!

Filled with doubt and resentment, Tang Shan noticed that the crowd was staring at him like he was a clown.

Especially one familiar face, whose gaze was a mix of pity and mockery, inflaming Tang Shan's rage.

"Ye Chen… this useless brat, mocking me like this! He's already digging his own grave!"

Rage surged in his chest, but he dared not act out, fearing he would provoke Xing Feng even further!

This was a man he could not offend—and neither could his father. Even invoking the Tang family might not earn him much respect here!

On the stage, Xing Feng returned to his original expressionless demeanor.

Yet inwardly, he muttered to himself.

Just like Tang Shan, he too was somewhat puzzled. For an entrance test of this scale, there was no real need for an Inner Sect Elder of such rank to appear.

But there was no choice—the Sacred Lord had personally given the order, so he had to comply.

"Next, Ye Chen."

Xing Feng spoke again. From the crowd, a young boy with delicate features and a determined expression stepped forward.

The boy was around sixteen or seventeen, slightly older than most of the others.

Chu Ge noticed that as Ye Chen stepped forward, it was as if he emitted a magnetic force, instantly drawing all eyes toward him.

Especially the previously humiliated Tang Shan, who now glared at Ye Chen viciously, as if a deep, irreconcilable grudge existed between them.

Whispers rose among the crowd:

"Is this the Ye Chen who once possessed a King Body but later became a cripple?"

"Heh, this useless fellow… still thinking of joining the Taihuang Sacred Land?"

"Ridiculous! Even Outer Sect disciples must have at least mid-grade B-class aptitude to qualify!"

Chu Ge's expression turned strange. Ye Chen seemed to have activated some kind of ridicule-buff, instantly attracting the mockery of many.

'This guy… could it be…'

Chu Ge murmured in his heart, quietly speculating.

Chapter 3: The Graceful Figure Above the Sky

Chu Ge had his suspicions, but he didn't jump to conclusions—he simply observed quietly.

Around him, the ridicule directed at Ye Chen never ceased.

Chu Ge even saw Tang Shan saunter up to Ye Chen, speaking incessantly with a feral grin on his face.

He gave off the unmistakable vibe of a mindless minor villain.

And Ye Chen… his expression remained completely calm, unaffected, as if the words of others had no impact on him whatsoever.

"Silence! All this chatter—what kind of decorum is this?!"

On the stage, Xing Feng frowned, his voice booming like a great bell, striking straight at everyone's heart.

In an instant, the crowd fell silent. Those who had been mocking Ye Chen most fiercely—including Tang Shan—turned pale, their minds shaken.

[Detected a youth suspected to be a child of fate. Immediately upon entering, he was mocked by all.]

[I have a premonition… after this test, Ye Chen will rise, turning the tables and shaming all these people.]

Chu Ge muttered in his mind, casually recording it in his diary.

The group of female cultivators watching the scene, all of whom possessed diary copies, also focused their attention on the Spirit Testing Platform.

Curiosity stirred within them for this so-called child of fate Ye Chen that Chu Ge had mentioned.

Su Lingyuan, at this moment, concealed her presence, keeping her gaze fixed on the unfolding events.

Could it really be that extraordinary? she thought. But… it is indeed strange. Who gets mocked by everyone the moment they step on stage?

She continued observing, wanting to see if, as Chu Ge had recorded in his diary, a reversal would indeed come.

At the same time, she scanned the crowd, hoping to locate Chu Ge in advance.

Her current condition prevented her from using divine sense or spiritual power, so she had to rely on her eyes alone.

But the crowd was dense, and she couldn't spot him at all, leaving her somewhat frustrated.

On the stage, Xing Feng's gaze landed on Ye Chen as he walked forward. A flicker of approval crossed his eyes.

This youth is young, yet he faces ridicule with neither arrogance nor humility. His face is calm as a still lake, his heart deep as a valley… truly remarkable. Even if his aptitude is lacking, he may still achieve something great. Truly rare indeed.

At this thought, his voice softened, shedding the cold rigidity it had carried before.

"Place your hand on the Spirit Testing Stone."

Ye Chen's expression remained serene, but his eyes gleamed with determination.

All the ridicule, the mockery, the humiliation he had endured—starting today, he would erase them all!

Under the watchful eyes below—some mocking, some indifferent, some resentful—Ye Chen slowly placed his hand upon the Spirit Testing Stone.

In the next moment, a dazzling red light erupted from the stone!

The brilliance spread, illuminating everyone's faces. Within the glow, the faint shadow of a dragon seemed to stir!

"Dragon King Body Aptitude!"

Xing Feng couldn't help but exclaim, his expression filled with excitement.

Below, those who had mocked Ye Chen earlier were now squinting, unable to bear the blinding red light.

Especially when Ye Chen turned, looking down at them from the high stage, they felt an overwhelming sense of shame and inferiority.

They couldn't help but lower their heads, unable to meet the gaze of the now radiantly imposing Ye Chen.

A sly, exaggerated curve formed on Ye Chen's lips—utterly mischievous.

"Very good, very good. With such aptitude, you are sure to draw the attention of several elders. Ye Chen, come to my side. Once the test concludes, I will personally recommend you to all the elders seeking disciples!"

Xing Feng's face bore a warm smile, completely abandoning his earlier cold demeanor.

"Thank you, Elder Xing Feng."

Ye Chen cupped his hands respectfully, his smile gentle and his manners flawless.

Seeing that the young boy before him displayed none of the arrogance typical of prodigious youths, Xing Feng's satisfaction deepened, and subtle thoughts began to stir in his mind.

Little did he know, Ye Chen's true thoughts were anything but grateful.

Though Elder Xing Feng regarded him with a certain favor, Ye Chen had already detected the faint traces of ulterior motives.

—

Elder Xing before him likely harbored the intention of taking him as a disciple, which was why he had shown such friendliness.

An Inner Sect elder of the Sacred Land, with real power in hand, and cultivation at the Sixth Heaven Realm… frankly, that was already impressive.

But for Ye Chen, his goal was far beyond this!

What he desired was to become the core of the Sacred Land!

To become the disciple of a core elder, a Peak Lord!

Each of these figures was a core member of the Sacred Land, controlling a peak and reaching the level of a Seventh Heaven powerhouse!

Only a Seventh Heaven powerhouse had the right to become Ye Chen's master. A mere Sixth Heaven cultivation… he would not even consider it!

Moreover, he harbored even grander ambitions: to ascend in one step, becoming a disciple of the Sacred Lord, and in the future, lay claim to the position of the Sacred Land's Sacred Lord!

Of course, relying solely on his King Body aptitude was not enough to become a disciple of the Sacred Land's Sacred Lord—but Ye Chen had an even greater advantage.

His comprehension surpassed even his aptitude!

Once he displayed his talents before the Sacred Lord, he would surely catch his eye!

Then, it would be the time to soar—from a hidden dragon to a true dragon!

Chu Ge watched Ye Chen on the stage, brimming with confidence, lips curling into a sly, almost devilish smile from time to time, and muttered in his mind:

Just as I expected, no surprises here.

Unable to resist, he summoned his diary panel and began recording.

[This Ye Chen is no longer merely suspected; he is extremely likely a child of fate. Tsk tsk, that standard devilish grin (Image·Ye Chen Devilish Smile.jpg)]

[It's said that a few years ago, Ye Chen was detected as possessing the King Body aptitude, but later inexplicably became a "cripple."]

[He then remained silent for years, enduring endless ridicule and mockery from the outside world. If I'm correct, he may have even had a fiancée under an arranged engagement—though she has likely broken it off by now.]

[Hmm… just now I noticed a simple, unassuming ancient ring on his hand. This proves it—there is surely a fragment of a powerful soul contained within!]

After jotting down several paragraphs, Chu Ge withdrew his thoughts.

Other diary holders nearby immediately noticed what he had written.

Su Lingyuan was not far from the testing area, but her concealment skills were superb.

Even Elder Xing Feng, whose cultivation surpassed hers at the Sixth Heaven Realm, did not detect her presence.

That Ye Chen… such a strange smile. How can anyone twist their lips like that and call it a smile!

She naturally saw what Chu Ge had recorded in his diary and glimpsed the picture of Ye Chen's devilish grin.

In an instant, an uneasy feeling spread through her body; that smile… was truly unsettling.

At the same time, she secretly marveled that events were unfolding exactly as Chu Ge had recorded.

She now believed most of Chu Ge's speculation that Ye Chen was a child of fate.

Above the sky, a figure ethereal and godlike also observed everything below.

The woman wore a flowing white gown embroidered with faint golden mystical patterns. The white and gold intertwined, highlighting her noble elegance.

Her three thousand strands of black hair cascaded like a waterfall, fluttering lightly in the breeze. Standing aloft in the sky, she truly looked like a celestial fairy descended to the mortal realm, ethereal and otherworldly.

Paired with her flawless and currently indifferent expression, she exuded an icy elegance, her nobility evident in every detail. Any ordinary mortal seeing her would immediately feel ashamed, unwilling to entertain even the slightest disrespect.

In her hands, this ethereal woman also held a diary copy—Chu Ge's diary—Luo Huangjun's copy.

"Interesting… just as the diary owner said. Within the ring Ye Chen wears, there is indeed a fragment of a soul."

Luo Huangjun parted her red lips, her voice clear and melodious, like pearls dropping onto jade.

A faint smile curved on her lips as she glanced below, her gaze landing on an empty spot near the Spirit Testing Platform.

In that void, an almost imperceptible, familiar spiritual aura lingered.

She then scanned the distant Taihuang Peaks, thick with spiritual energy and veiled in clouds and mist.

There, another divine sense had descended upon the Spirit Testing Platform, clearly observing the events as well.

"So counting me, there are three people holding diary copies? No… perhaps there are even more…"

Luo Huangjun's voice rang again, ethereal and elusive, giving a sense of unreality.

Chapter 4: The Path of Cultivation

Whether it was the concealed Su Lingyuan,

or Luo Huangjun aloft in the sky,

or the remaining observer, Chu Ge had no knowledge of any of them.

At this moment, all his attention was fixed on the test that was about to be his turn.

The Aptitude Test was nearing its conclusion.

After a few more participants completed their tests, Xing Feng's voice rang out.

"The next… Chu Ge."

When Xing Feng spoke his name, hidden eyes focused on the crowd.

Chu Ge, upon hearing his name, did not hesitate and stepped forward from the crowd.

A surge of excitement welled in his heart. To step onto this path symbolized that he had truly entered the world of cultivation.

Having traversed over a dozen years, he had previously lived entirely in the mortal world, free from illness or calamity, never having experienced great upheavals.

Even though he had recently awakened the system, granting him some cultivation, the world of cultivation—and the path of martial refinement—remained entirely unknown to him.

He could not even wield his newfound cultivation freely.

Now, to join a major force and truly encounter cultivation filled his heart with boundless stirring.

Riding the wind, reaching for the stars,

Morning journey to the Northern Sea, evening arrival at Cangwu,

Feasting on the wind and drinking the dew, transcending the mundane,

And even—wandering freely across heaven and earth, living long and seeing far!

For Chu Ge, a man of the Dragon Kingdom in his previous life, this was the ultimate romantic ideal—a dream long desired and pursued by countless people since ancient times.

And now, that dream lay directly before him.

All he had to do was walk this path called cultivation, honing himself step by step, and one day, he could turn this dream into reality.

Stepping steadily, Chu Ge moved forward, each step firm and unwavering.

As the final participant of the test, he naturally became the focus of all eyes.

Finally, it's this guy's turn. Hmph… Chu Ge, let's see what makes you so special.

Hidden in the void, Su Lingyuan's face broke into a faint smile.

She knew Chu Ge was among the crowd; she had tried to find him earlier but failed.

Now, finally seeing his true form, she couldn't help but feel a hint of anticipation rising in her heart.

On the stage, after reading the last name, Xing Feng glanced at the information above and closed the jade slip containing the details of the disciples taking the test.

Eighteen years old… a bit old. Mediocre aptitude is one thing, but if the aptitude were decent, it would be a pity for such a promising youth. To start cultivation at this age, his future achievements would also be limited.

His gaze swept over the crowd and fell upon Chu Ge, slowly walking forward.

Hiss!

This young man… among all the young talents I have seen over the years, none can compare to his appearance! Truly a celestial visage, a transcendent fairy's poise!

Even a brief glance left Xing Feng stunned by Chu Ge's extraordinary appearance, a wave of admiration rising in his heart.

He recalled that, back in his days as a Taihuang disciple, he had been a well-known handsome youth, admired by many senior and junior sisters.

Yet compared to the boy before him today, he felt like a firefly against the moon.

He realized he had to retract his earlier thoughts.

With such looks, even if the aptitude were low, what did it matter?

As long as the boy could muster determination, shed some pride of youth, his future achievements might yet be extraordinary.

—

"He… he… he… he… he… he's Chu Ge?!"

Su Lingyuan's mouth fell open in shock, forming a perfect O. She could never have imagined that the diary owner—who had previously put her in such a foul mood—was so astonishingly handsome.

"Th-this… this guy… how can someone be this good-looking? He's like one of those male demons in storybooks, specially designed to ensnare the hearts of women!"

Her mind raced as she unconsciously raised her hands to her cheeks. Heat flushed her entire body, and her face burned red.

Her emotions destabilized her concealment technique, causing a faint trace of her spiritual energy to leak out uncontrollably.

Su Lingyuan's heart jumped. She tried to suppress it, but it was too late. The energy leak—given Elder Xing Feng's Sixth Heaven cultivation—would surely be detected immediately.

This girl really doesn't make things easy… all from seeing a handsome face, and her emotions fluctuate so much. Clearly, her daily cultivation is still insufficient.

Above the sky, Luo Huangjun let out a faint sigh of helplessness.

With a delicate flick of her jade-like fingers, she concealed the stray trace of Su Lingyuan's energy before Xing Feng could detect it.

This was the authority a high-level cultivator possessed over those whose cultivation was lower.

Even though she was not as close as Xing Feng, she could, with ease, cover everything perfectly, leaving no trace for him to sense.

"Still… this diary owner is truly handsome," she whispered softly, her tone carrying an emotion difficult to discern.

An inexplicable joy suddenly bloomed in her heart.

No one would know that just moments ago, Luo Huangjun—the normally aloof and cold Taihuang Sacred Lord, a cultivator whose strength was virtually unparalleled—had her calm composure rippling like water disturbed by a falling drop upon seeing Chu Ge's face.

She had seen many handsome young talents in the past, yet none had stirred her so deeply.

Chu Ge's features were neither overly masculine nor excessively feminine; yin and yang were balanced perfectly, forming a face that was profoundly pleasing to behold.

This combination of appearance and harmonious beauty struck a nerve with Luo Huangjun.

She didn't know how to describe it; all she knew was that seeing Chu Ge made her feel unusually pleased, and she could not help but steal a few more glances.

If she—an exalted figure—felt this way, the girls below could hardly remain composed.

Earlier, they had been secretly observing from afar. Now, as Chu Ge passed among them, their hearts felt as if a little deer were frantically pounding inside their chests.

Su Lingyuan, after recovering from her initial shock, quickly composed herself and formulated a plan.

Even if she were discovered, she could simply come up with an excuse. Given her status as a Sacred Lord's personal disciple, she was certain Xing Feng would not pry too deeply.

Yet after a few breaths, she noticed that Xing Feng showed no sign of detecting her at all.

Could it be that Elder Xing Feng hasn't fully covered the area with his divine sense? As an Inner Sect elder, such carelessness… what if someone among the crowd had ill intentions? I'll have to discuss this with my master later and give him a proper scolding!

Realizing she had not been discovered, Su Lingyuan felt no relief—only mild criticism for Xing Feng.

Poor Elder Xing Feng—an important Inner Sect elder, called here to supervise Outer Sect duties, only to be scrutinized afterward, potentially sabotaged in small ways.

Had he known the reason, he would certainly have felt wronged.

Fortunately, at this moment, Xing Feng had no idea what had transpired.

He could therefore focus entirely on examining Chu Ge, who had now ascended the Spirit Testing Platform.

Up close, he found Chu Ge's handsome features almost unreal.

At the same time, his curiosity deepened—he wanted to see just what kind of aptitude this boy possessed.

Beside Xing Feng, Ye Chen, however, frowned silently.

Chapter 5: Peerless Sacred Body

For some reason, the moment Ye Chen laid eyes on Chu Ge, an inexplicable irritation arose in his heart.

He just felt that the person before him was unbearably annoying.

And what happened next in the arena only pushed that irritation to its peak.

Earlier, when he had revealed his King Body, he had been the center of everyone's attention.

Some gazes were filled with envy, some with jealousy, some with astonishment—a tangled web of looks.

Among them were even admiring glances from the young girls.

Although Ye Chen held himself in high regard and looked down upon these "mediocre beauties" in his eyes, secretly he had relished being the focus of everyone's attention.

In his mind, today was meant to be his moment to shine.

A King Body was a rare treasure, and his future prospects were limitless. Naturally, he should be receiving this level of attention.

Yet, before he had even enjoyed it for long, Chu Ge appeared.

Merely stepping onto the arena, without even having his aptitude tested, he drew everyone's eyes toward him.

Even the remnant soul in Ye Chen's ring, which had been communicating with him, suddenly fell silent, as if captivated by Chu Ge.

And the girls… each of them stared at Chu Ge without blinking, their admiration so obvious that even a prodigy of a King Body like Ye Chen had never experienced it.

Among them, two girls had particularly caught Ye Chen's attention early on.

They were exceptionally beautiful, the top-tier disciples in this batch.

Not only that, their aptitude was extraordinary—they were pure Spirit Body geniuses!

When Ye Chen had revealed his King Body, the two had merely glanced at him, calm and unshaken, not shocked like the others. It was clear their upbringing and insight were far from ordinary.

Of course, that wasn't what attracted Ye Chen the most. What drew him were their appearances—they were almost identical!

Like twin sisters!

This delighted him greatly, and he even thought of approaching them after the test to "communicate" and slowly make his move.

But at this moment, their eyes were drawn to other men, which left him utterly frustrated.

His irritation toward Chu Ge gradually hardened into outright hostility!

Luckily, though his emotions were stirred, he wasn't reckless. He knew this wasn't the time to act on impulse.

He still needed to maintain the composed, modest, unarrogant image of a young prodigy in front of Xing Feng.

"Senior, can you tell what Chu Ge's background is?" Ye Chen tried to communicate with the remnant soul in his ring.

The next moment, a neutral voice, impossible to discern as male or female, sounded in his mind.

"No… wait, this is—?"

The voice abruptly stopped, full of shock.

Before Ye Chen could even react, his mind was shaken to its core.

A massive force struck him, sending him flying backward!

He crashed to the ground, utterly embarrassed, both angry and humiliated, scrambling to his feet to see who had attacked him.

But when he looked up, he saw a pillar of brilliant light shooting into the sky from the Spirit Testing Platform!

Chu Ge stood there, one hand on the Spirit Stone, his figure upright as a pine, his handsome face flawless, bathed in dazzling golden light from the Spirit Stone, as if a deity had descended to the mortal world!

'What… what is happening?!' A terrible premonition surged in Ye Chen. This display was even more shocking than his own King Body!

"This boy… carries a Sacred Body!" the neutral voice sounded again in his mind, filled with inexplicable emotion.

"What?!" Ye Chen felt his head buzzing, nearly staggering and falling again.

On the stage, Xing Feng was also taken aback by the sudden and astonishing turn of events, barely noticing Ye Chen being flung aside.

"The Spirit Pillar shoots to the heavens… an unparalleled Sacred Body!"

His hoarse voice rang out, his robes flapping violently in the storm of energy swirling around Chu Ge!

This terrifying spectacle shocked everyone present and even stirred unrest throughout the entire Taihuang Sacred Land!

The golden pillar soared into the clouds. No one could ignore it; all eyes were immediately drawn to it.

"That place… it seems to be the Spirit Testing Platform?"

—

Someone, gazing from the peaks of Taihuang, murmured under their breath as they looked toward the golden pillar shooting into the sky.

The next moment, a Peak Lord-level expert spread their divine sense, probing toward the source.

"So it really is coming from the Spirit Testing Platform… such a commotion! I remember the records within the Sacred Land mentioning this before!"

"This… this is a Sacred Body manifesting! The Spirit Stone has drawn out the Sacred Body's origin!"

In the next instant, figures shot into the sky, their terrifying spiritual power rampaging outward!

"Old Ghost Li! What are you doing? Trying to steal my disciple?"

"Liu Sandao, you shameless old lecher! What do you mean 'my disciple'? That's the disciple I reserved! Why are you causing trouble here? Get lost!"

Immediately, two Peak Lord-level experts began quarreling.

Words quickly escalated into action; with a flash, the two figures soared into the heavens, their spiritual aura surging violently, crushing the surrounding clouds into pieces!

"Those two stubborn fools… after all these years, their temper hasn't changed a bit."

Someone laughed, shaking their head, showing no intention of intervening—it was clearly nothing new to them.

The appearance of a Sacred Body had shocked everyone, even Chu Ge himself.

He had anticipated some stir after completing the Novice Task and manifesting a Sacred Body, at least something greater than Ye Chen's King Body.

But he had never imagined it would be such an earth-shattering spectacle.

The golden pillar blazed endlessly, and Chu Ge didn't know whether to withdraw his hand from the Spirit Stone or keep it there.

'Awe… incredible! This guy's Sacred Body origin… it's so thick, so terrifying!'

Su Lingyuan gasped, staring blankly at Chu Ge, bathed in golden light, looking like an immortal deity descended from heaven.

She herself was a Sacred Body as well and had once drawn the Spirit Stone's celestial light within her family. Though the commotion had been concealed, she knew the force of a Sacred Body's origin. Compared to Chu Ge, her own was significantly weaker.

"A Sacred Body! A Sacred Body! Where is it? Master is here!"

"Bah! Shameless old geezer! At your age, still so brazen!"

"Don't rush, don't rush. Let me speak with this young friend first."

"Get lost! Do you think I don't know what you're planning? Your abacus beads nearly smashed my face!"

"Everyone, show me some respect."

"Who do you think you are? Respect? Two punches and you'll be obedient! Move aside!"

Before anyone could be seen, a cacophony of arguments erupted in the void.

'Wow… so many old monsters have come.'

Su Lingyuan covered her mouth, her bright eyes spinning with alertness. Her stealth could evade Xing Feng, but not these high-level experts.

The next moment, she quietly revealed herself, pretending to be drawn here by curiosity.

Fortunately, everyone's attention remained on Chu Ge, and no one paid her any mind.

Or perhaps some had noticed her, but aware of her identity, chose not to expose her.

"This guy… really is making quite a scene."

She muttered, entirely unaware that a graceful figure in a white dress had already appeared behind her.

"Lingyuan, could you tell me—why are you not training atop the peak, and coming here instead?"

"I don't recall you completing the training task I set for you. Also… what were you just muttering? Could it be you know this Sacred Body?"

A crisp, melodious voice rang out from behind.

Su Lingyuan's delicate body shivered. She turned around stiffly, forcing a smile far more awkward than tears could express.

"Ma… Master?"

Meeting the faintly smiling, inscrutable eyes of Luo Huangjun, her mind froze completely.

At this moment, only three words remained in her brain:

Damn… I'm doomed!

Chapter 6: Foolish

"Ma… Ma… Ma… Mas… Master???"

Su Lingyuan stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence, her mind a complete blank.

"How… how are you here?"

Her face wore an innocent, coaxing smile, her bright eyes blinking adorably, giving off a sense of pure naivety.

But it was of no use against Luo Huangjun. She simply looked at Su Lingyuan, a faint smile tugging at her lips, and it made Su Lingyuan suddenly fidget nervously.

"I'll let you off this time."

Luo Huangjun lightly patted Su Lingyuan's head, as if scolding a mischievous younger sister.

Her gaze then shifted to Chu Ge, who was still standing atop the platform.

Seeing that she had successfully avoided trouble, Su Lingyuan relaxed, obediently following behind Luo Huangjun.

On the platform, Chu Ge now felt an awkward sense of being trapped.

He had intended to withdraw his hand from the Spirit Stone, but it felt as if it were glued in place. An immense suction prevented him from moving his palm at all.

The high-level experts who had gathered, and even Xing Feng standing beside Chu Ge, initially assumed he simply wanted to linger on the stage a little longer, showing off.

But as time passed, and Chu Ge's expression revealed something unusual, they began to sense something was wrong.

"Young friend Chu Ge? Is something wrong?"

Xing Feng cautiously asked.

"I…" Chu Ge barely had a chance to respond before an even more terrifying aura erupted from the Spirit Stone, spreading in all directions.

Looking toward his hand, Chu Ge was horrified to see fine cracks spreading across the Spirit Stone amidst the golden light, forming a dense, web-like pattern!

'It's… it's going to explode?!!'

Chu Ge shouted in his heart.

The terrifying aura surged outward. Even Xing Feng could no longer stand his ground; his body uncontrollably flew out from the Spirit Testing Platform.

But unlike Ye Chen's earlier mishap, Xing Feng landed firmly on the ground.

The moment he touched down, Xing Feng's eyes darted to Chu Ge's position, horror written all over his face.

The earlier shockwave was as deep and vast as a bottomless abyss—it had tested even him, a Sixth-Heaven Realm cultivator, to his limits.

It was almost impossible to believe that such a force came from someone who hadn't even begun their cultivation journey, a person with only a trace of power in their body.

If even he felt this, then the newly tested disciples, whose aptitude had just been measured, were far more helpless—Ye Chen being the unluckiest of all.

Having been close, he naturally bore the brunt first.

But after his previous experience, he was now more alert.

Yet, strangely, he didn't think of retreating—he decided, for reasons unknown even to himself, to directly resist the wave of power head-on.

"Step back!"

A voice sounded in his mind.

But Ye Chen ignored it, a sly, wicked smile curling on his lips.

'Why retreat? Earlier I wasn't ready, but this time… I won't…'

"Ahhhh!!!" Ye Chen's scream tore through the air.

The thought was bold, but the outcome… far from ideal.

Though he had some cultivation backing him, the aura that even a Sixth-Heaven Realm cultivator struggled to resist was far beyond what a mere Second-Tier Condensed Seed-stage cultivator like him could withstand.

Ye Chen was lifted into the air like a kite caught in a violent storm, completely powerless, tossed left and right, spinning upside down.

His once-handsome face twisted grotesquely in the wind, while his otherwise neat robes were whipped into utter chaos.

He tried to call for help, but a mouthful of dust and sand, swept up by the raging wind, filled his mouth before he could even speak.

—

In the end, it was Xing Feng who could no longer stand it and stepped in to pull Ye Chen out of his predicament.

When he landed, Ye Chen's black hair was in complete disarray, his entire body covered in dust and dirt. His once-pristine robes were ruined, smeared with mud and debris, and his face was caked with grass and grime.

At some point, one of his shoes had disappeared, likely blown away by the violent gusts.

Looking at him now, Ye Chen resembled nothing so much as a beggar. There was not a trace of the prodigious aura he had displayed as a King Body prodigy.

Xing Feng, after rescuing him, only glanced at Ye Chen and said nothing.

Any thought of taking the boy as a disciple had completely vanished.

With his experience, it was easy to see why Ye Chen had chosen to resist the shockwave generated by Chu Ge.

Clearly, after falling from the high platform earlier and feeling humiliated, he had desperately tried to prove himself in front of everyone—an utterly irrational decision.

From this single action, Xing Feng could already see countless flaws in Ye Chen's character:

arrogance, narrow-mindedness, and overestimating his own ability.

With such a disposition, even possessing a King Body could not guarantee greatness.

He had once thought Ye Chen was a prodigy worth investing in, a talent to cultivate.

Now, it was clear he was merely a reckless brat with good fortune and exceptional talent, but with no understanding of his own limitations.

"Foolish."

Leaving only that cold word behind, Xing Feng turned and walked away.

Many of the other high-level experts who had gathered had noticed this scene, but paid it little attention.

A King Body was indeed an impressive aptitude, and it might allow its possessor to reach their current heights one day—but it was only a possibility, not a certainty.

Every young cultivator who eventually became a great power had once been a prodigy in their own right.

Each one of them possessed talent that could rival—or even surpass—a King Body.

One King Body alone was not enough to command their attention.

'Damn it!'

Ye Chen ground his teeth, his fists creaking with the force of his grip.

Xing Feng's single word, foolish, echoed in his mind, fueling a blaze of uncontrollable anger in his chest.

"Are you angry? You think he's wrong?"

The neutral voice sounded in his mind.

"I think he's entirely correct. Ye Chen, what gave you the illusion that a mere King Body could contend with a Sacred Body?"

"Look around you. The King Body you relied on, the one you boasted of… has already become a laughingstock. In others' eyes, your actions make you no different from a clown."

"Honestly, I now doubt whether choosing you in the first place was the right decision. Your actions, your thoughts… they are utterly foolish."

Hearing this, Ye Chen's face darkened to an almost unnatural shade of green, his expression so grim it seemed as though water might drip from it.

He spun to look around.

The gazes that had once been filled with envy, jealousy, and admiration toward his King Body were now entirely replaced with ridicule and mockery.

Especially one young man in a deep blue ceremonial robe.

He was now gesturing toward Ye Chen, his lips forming words silently, as if repeating something over and over.

Ye Chen leaned closer, and nearly lost his mind.

Tang Shan was silently mouthing the word "clown"—over and over—directly at him!

Seeing this, Ye Chen felt as if his entire body had been set aflame.

An uncontrollable murderous intent surged in his heart, impossible to suppress.

Chapter 7: Not Even Worth Holding His Shoes

Ye Chen's fists clenched so tightly that they creaked, his nails digging into the flesh of his palms.

"Damn you, Tang Shan! Old grudges and new! One day, I will kill you!"

Anger boiled endlessly in his heart, and Ye Chen felt his emotions teetering on the edge of control.

Yet a question gnawed at him, one he could not leave unanswered:

"Senior, is there really such a vast difference between a King Body and a Sacred Body?!"

Gritting his teeth, Ye Chen asked the question in his mind.

The very reason he chose to join the Taihuang Sacred Land was because the chance for his King Body to ascend into a Sacred Body lay within this Sacred Land!

Yet from everything he knew, Sacred Bodies shouldn't be terrifying to this extent!

Chu Ge's Sacred Body was clearly no ordinary Sacred Body!

"Only now thinking about the gap between you and your enemy? Isn't that a bit late?"

The presence in his mind sneered in response.

'I… I didn't…'

"Don't rush to deny it. You want to say you have no intention of opposing that Sacred Body, Chu Ge? Do you really believe that yourself? Or are you planning to become friends with him someday?"

Ye Chen trembled at the words.

Thinking back on today's events, even though none of it was directly Chu Ge's intention, he had still been forced to endure the full brunt of it all!

Putting aside the facts, could Chu Ge really be entirely blameless?

If he hadn't tested his aptitude—and if he didn't possess such a formidable origin power in that Sacred Body—would Ye Chen have ended up in such a pitiful state?

If Chu Ge didn't have that Sacred Body, none of this would have happened, right?

"Damn you, Chu Ge!!!"

He roared in his heart, replaying the events, only to feel his hatred for Chu Ge deepen even further!

And you expect him to just let go of this hatred and become friends with Chu Ge?

Ye Chen's unyielding pride would never allow him to bow his head. The humiliations of the past had not broken him, and Chu Ge would not either!

The presence in his mind showed no interest in his thoughts.

As if still unsatisfied, the voice spoke again:

"So you want to know the gap in talent between you and Chu Ge? Fine, I'll tell you!"

"This era is one that has passed through great calamities; heaven and earth are incomplete. Therefore, all Sacred Bodies in the world are somewhat flawed. Naturally, the gap between a Sacred Body and a King Body is great—but not as vast as you have seen today."

"However, the Sacred Body before your eyes is extraordinary. It is not flawed; it is flawless. Its origin power is as vast as the sea. Even if placed in the era I once existed in—when cultivation paths were still complete—such a Sacred Body would be a rarity beyond compare, nearly impossible to find in the world!"

"Do you understand now? That King Body you pride yourself on—before this flawless, supreme Sacred Body—it is not even worthy of holding his shoes!"

"Not even worthy of holding his shoes…"

"Not worthy of holding his shoes…"

"Not worthy…"

These words echoed endlessly in Ye Chen's mind.

"I… I don't believe it…"

"I don't believe it…"

"I don't believe it…"

He muttered as if his soul had fled, and in the next moment—"I DON'T BELIEVE IT!!!"

Ye Chen let out a maddened roar to the heavens!

Everyone turned to look, only to see Ye Chen, after the scream, spew a mouthful of blood, his body shudder violently, and collapse backward to the ground.

"Could this young man have lost his mind?"

"Such madness… could it be the influence of some evil spirit?"

"What a pity. Such a fine King Body, yet it has been born into a lunatic."

The elders and cultivators all displayed expressions of shock.

Finally, a graceful woman in a pale blue gown, her hair coiled elegantly atop her head, could not remain silent.

She lifted her jade-like fingers, and a medicinal pill floated toward Xing Feng.

"His mind has been damaged. Give him this pill, and he will awaken shortly. Even if a King Body's mind is a bit flawed, it can still bring some benefit to the Sacred Land."

—

"Yes, Elder Shui."

Xing Feng obediently took the pill.

The graceful woman waved her hand casually, her expression indifferent, clearly not taking the matter to heart. She then turned her gaze toward where Chu Ge stood, watching quietly.

As time passed, even the assembled masters began to grow restless.

"A whole quarter of an hour has passed. Why hasn't it ended yet? Could something have gone wrong?"

"Liu Sandao, what's your hurry? If you don't want to wait, just leave!"

"Old Ghost Li, I dare you—"

Two of the masters began arguing loudly, the same pair who had previously clashed at the slightest provocation.

Now, their faces were red, their necks bulging with rage. One had patches of blue and white across his face, while the other's robe was torn in several large holes, still marked with a few footprints—the remnants of their earlier fight.

"You two fools, what are you bickering about? Down below, there are juniors watching—don't you feel any shame?"

A white-haired elder stepped forward, his voice sharp and scolding.

He raised his dark green bamboo staff and, with a single swing, struck the heads of the two arguing masters.

Even these two powerful figures, being scolded like children, did not take offense. Instead, they immediately quieted down and obediently shut their mouths.

"Elder Xu's admonishment is well-deserved. These two blockheads needed a proper lesson!"

The others chuckled knowingly; this sort of scene was far from unusual.

The elder glared at the two obedient masters and spoke again.

"I just carefully sensed the flow of energy. This young friend with the Sacred Body is continuously growing stronger. Judging by the current situation, it should be a good sign. Nothing serious has occurred."

"Could it be that this Spirit-Measuring Stone contains some hidden opportunity, and it was triggered today by the Sacred Body's origin power?"

A few voices expressed curiosity.

Elder Xu stroked his beard thoughtfully and slowly explained:

"Perhaps some of you don't know. This Spirit-Measuring Stone was personally brought to the Sacred Land by Patriarch Leixiao himself."

"At the time, many speculated that it might hold some hidden opportunity. After numerous attempts without success, it was eventually forgotten."

"Now it seems, the Spirit Stone indeed contains a mystery. But over all these years, no one in Taihuang has possessed such fortune, which is why the opportunity remained obscured."

At these words, everyone's eyes widened in astonishment.

Who would have thought that such an unassuming Spirit Stone could not only survive the passage of countless years but also be linked to Patriarch Leixiao himself?

"In that case, this young friend, before even entering the sect, has obtained an opportunity personally brought by Patriarch Leixiao. Truly, this is a blessing of profound fortune!"

"Possessing such a Sacred Body, with such deep fortune backing him, and looking this handsome to boot… this young man is truly enviable!"

"Hehe, brother Zhao, I suppose what you envy most is this young friend's appearance?"

"It's true. If back then I had this young friend's extraordinary looks, perhaps I wouldn't have pursued that peerless goddess in vain. At least there would have been a chance to see her once."

"Don't tease brother Zhao too much. That goddess was famous for disdaining the ordinary-looking. Those denied a true glimpse were more than just brother Zhao! Hahaha!"

The one being teased was a middle-aged man, his appearance seemingly plain and unremarkable. Yet beneath this ordinary exterior lay terrifying cultivation—a master of high rank, whose presence alone marked him as exceptional, even by worldly standards.

Despite the jest, he did not grow angry, only offering a faint smile.

He recalled the past—if he had possessed the looks of the Sacred Body before him, perhaps the outcomes would have been very different.

But who could say for sure? Without the hardships of the past driving him forward, he might never have become what he was today.

Now, as a peak lord, he could easily alter his appearance—handsome or ugly—all by a single thought.

But what of it? Such things were never truly his own.

Those who achieved greatness all understood the mind's true nature. If one could not see through such trivialities, one would have long turned to ash and dust, never attaining the heights he now stood upon.

Everything in life—every sip and every bite—follows its destined path.

Chapter 8: Myriad Laws Sacred Body, Heavenly Dao Derivation!

"Look—there's a change!"

"The Spirit‑Measuring Stone is about to shatter! There's a whole world hidden inside it!"

Someone with sharp eyes noticed it first and cried out in alarm.

Cracks had already spread wildly across the surface of the Spirit Stone, as if it would explode in the very next instant.

At the same time, the pillar of light that shot into the heavens began to dissipate, transforming into countless streams of golden qi.

The currents of qi swirled and danced, encircling Chu Ge's body.

And as for Chu Ge himself—no one knew when, but his eyes had already closed. It was as if he had entered a state of deep revelation.

Meanwhile, strands of profound and mysterious aura rose from his body, spreading rapidly outward. In the blink of an eye, they blanketed the entire Taihuang Sacred Land!

"Th-this… this isn't right! This isn't some opportunity hidden inside the Spirit‑Measuring Stone at all!"

"This is the manifestation of Heavenly Dao Derivation!!!"

"This is the Heavenly Dao Derivation that only the Myriad Laws Sacred Body can trigger!"

"This youth possesses a Myriad Laws Sacred Body capable of drawing forth the Heavenly Dao itself! How fortunate we are—to witness with our own eyes this earth‑shaking spectacle that, even in ancient times, existed only in records and legends!"

Elder Xu's hand, which had been stroking his beard, unconsciously clenched tight as exclamations spilled from his mouth one after another.

The people around him all looked stunned.

When had they ever seen this venerable senior of the Taihuang Sacred Land—esteemed and steady beyond compare—lose his composure like this?

"What terrifying origin power! What a flawless, perfect Sacred Body! Such a thing is simply unheard of!"

"Hurry and comprehend this Dao‑manifestation! It will be of immense benefit to us—no less than a great fortuitous opportunity!"

Elder Xu no longer cared about his dignity at all. He craned his neck and nearly roared.

But there was no need for him to remind them. One by one, the assembled mighty figures had already taken seats in the void, sitting cross‑legged.

As they did so, strands of the mysterious aura were immediately drawn toward them and absorbed into their bodies.

Yet compared to the vast ocean of aura that filled heaven and earth, what they managed to refine was but a single drop from the sea.

Seeing that the two blockheads beside him were still standing there absent‑mindedly, Elder Xu instantly flew into a rage. The dark‑green bamboo staff in his hand showed no mercy!

"Pa!"

"Pa!"

Two crisp cracking sounds rang out.

Visible to the naked eye, two large bumps swelled up on their heads.

"Liu Sandao! Li Renhui! You two little bastards! At a moment like this you're still standing around in a daze?! Why aren't you sitting down to comprehend it at once?! Are you trying to anger this old man to death?!"

He blew his beard and glared in fury, his face full of righteous indignation. At the same time, he carefully isolated his voice so as not to disturb the others.

"Uh… Master, you know as well as I do—just with the brains the two of us have, what could we possibly comprehend? We'd be better off guarding you properly instead."

The burly man named Liu Sandao clutched his head with a face full of grievance. His towering, muscular body paired with that wronged, pitiful expression looked absurdly out of place.

"You idiot! Say what you will, but why drag me into it too? Do you think I'm as stupid as you?!"

Li Renhui immediately snapped back, clearly displeased.

"Stupid? You're not any better than me!"

"Then what do you think those Calm‑Mind Pills, Trance Pills, and Enlightenment Pills are for?! If you two miss out on this kind of fortune, I'll break your legs!"