Beep, beep, beep…
No one knew how much time had passed.
Gu Chengxing’s consciousness gradually returned.
The moment he awoke, he immediately sensed a drastic transformation within himself.
An aura of the Nascent Soul Realm surged from his body.
“Nascent Soul? Middle stage Nascent Soul Realm?”
Gu Chengxing was astonished.
According to his memories, breaking through from the Core Formation Realm to the Nascent Soul Realm required a long period of accumulation and tempering before one’s Nascent Soul could be born.
Yet now, within his dantian, the former golden core had quietly dissolved, transforming into a translucent humanoid figure seated cross-legged.
His connection to heaven and earth had become far more intimate. With only the slightest motion of his hand, he felt he could draw the surrounding spiritual Qi into a small vortex of spiritual power.
[Host: Gu Chengxing]
[Age: 19]
[Realm: Middle stage Nascent Soul Realm]
[Physique: Heavenly Demon Physique]
[Technique: Azure Cloud Transcendent Art (Heaven-tier High Grade), Heavenly Demon Fatal Art (Innate technique of the Heavenly Demon Physique, not yet cultivated)]
[Martial Skills: Azure Cloud Shadow Step (Heaven-tier High Grade, Great Mastery), Azure Cloud Sword Technique (Heaven-tier Low Grade, Peak), Azure Cloud Eight Extremes Burst (Mystic-tier Low Grade, Peak), Sword Drawing Technique (No Rank, Minor Mastery)]
[Secret Art: One Life of Transcendence, I Am Transcendent (Divine-tier Top Secret Art, usable in desperate situations)]
[Sword Intent: Wind Sword Intent (Great Mastery), Chaos Demonic Sword Intent (Minor Mastery, passively comprehended), Thunder Sword Intent (Minor Mastery)]
[Dao: Transcendent Dao (Minor Mastery)]
[Equipment: Azure Spirit Sword (Top-Grade Spiritual Weapon)]
He had… actually broken through to the Nascent Soul Realm just like that?
Gu Chengxing did not feel joy. Instead, he was speechless.
He exhaled deeply, suppressing the turmoil in his heart.
When he opened his eyes, he was still within the Sect Master’s Hall.
“You’re awake?”
Gu Chengxing looked at Sect Master Jian Wushuang, who remained seated at the head position. The moment he saw him, he could not help but ask, “Sect Master, my master—”
Jian Wushuang raised his hand. “What occurred between you and your master, do not ask me.”
“I know nothing of the matter.”
“But Chen Wuxin is indeed no longer in this world.”
Gu Chengxing’s body stiffened slightly. In the end, he bowed.
“It seems that after the transmission, you have entered the middle stage of the Nascent Soul Realm.”
“You were Chen Wuxin’s closest disciple, and also the only True Disciple of the Sect on Transcendent Peak.”
“In terms of strength, you are no weaker than ordinary elders now. With Chen Wuxin’s soul returned to the heavens, the position of Peak Master of Transcendent Peak is vacant. Do you have the intention of inheriting it?” The source of this chapter is novelping . com.
[Ding! Host has returned to the Azure Cloud Sword Sect. Master Chen Wuxin has passed away. The position of Peak Master of Transcendent Peak is vacant. Sect Master Jian Wushuang intends to appoint you as the new Peak Master. Villain Choice triggered.]
[Choice 1: Offer some refusal before… accepting the position of Peak Master of Transcendent Peak. Obtain the title “Hypocrite.” Sect Master Jian Wushuang’s favorability greatly decreases, but realm directly advances by one stage.]
[Choice 2: Refuse the position of Peak Master of Transcendent Peak. Choose to guard the grave at the back mountain for three years, stabilizing the mind and tempering oneself. Reward: Advance to late stage Nascent Soul Realm and comprehend Peak-level Wind Sword Intent and Great Mastery-level Thunder Sword Intent.]
[Choice 3: Directly inherit the position of Peak Master. Reward: Minor Mastery-level Fire Sword Intent.]
Gu Chengxing was momentarily stunned.
“A triggered choice. That’s normal. In the original plotline, Gu Chengxing chose to directly inherit the Peak Master position. As for me now…”
“I choose option two.”
Facing the Sect Master’s proposal, Gu Chengxing shook his head. “Sect Master, I am still young. It would be inappropriate for me to inherit my master’s position as Peak Master.”
“I wish to guard his grave at the back mountain for three years, to calm my mind.”
Jian Wushuang was slightly surprised. He looked deeply at Gu Chengxing and nodded lightly. “Very well. However—”
“The position of Peak Master will ultimately still fall to you. Of course, this was not Chen Wuxin’s request. It is my decision.”
“At present, you are the most suitable to take over Transcendent Peak.”
Gu Chengxing considered briefly, then nodded. “Understood.”
“Then this disciple will take his leave.”
…
After Gu Chengxing departed, the Sect Master’s Hall returned to silence.
Jian Wushuang sat at the head seat and slowly closed his eyes.
After a long time, he spoke softly.
“Senior Chen, may your journey be peaceful…”
“The Transcendent Dao. A lifetime of transcendence. Transcendence of the heart. So that is what it means.”
“No wonder you only taught me sword techniques back then, never guiding me into the Dao. It seems my heart truly could never comprehend transcendence.”
…
Transcendent 001 Cave Residence.
“Soul-Suppressing Stone…”
After crying in confusion for a while, Shen Ruochu gradually steadied herself.
She recalled the three words spoken by the voice in her mind: “Soul-Suppressing Stone.”
She roughly understood that the voice was urging her to find a special stone called the Soul-Suppressing Stone.
After searching carefully, she indeed found a jet-black stone, crystalline like jade, resting upon the bed within the cave.
Shen Ruochu cautiously reached out and touched it.
The moment her fingers made contact, a cool, gentle sensation spread through her. At the same time, her mind felt suddenly clear. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
The exhaustion and sorrow brought by the successive blows of recent days seemed to lessen.
It felt as if a warm, soothing energy was slowly flowing into her soul.
At the same time, that cold female voice sounded again in her mind.
“Keep the Soul-Suppressing Stone by your side during sleep. In three years, I will help you take revenge.”
Shen Ruochu froze. “Who are you?”
The voice in her mind responded urgently.
“I am Ji Liang, from a world you know nothing about. That is not important.”
“You only need to remember this: when I awaken, it will be the moment of your rise. By then, taking revenge will not be difficult.”
“My time is limited. But remember, if you wish for me to awaken sooner, you must cultivate without pause. If possible, obtain heavenly treasures that nourish the soul.”
Shen Ruochu listened quietly, shock stirring within her heart.
As the voice faded, light gradually returned to her eyes.
It was the light of hope.
Within that hope, there was hatred.
She had found hope for revenge.
She smiled.
It was her first smile in days.
It came from the depths of her heart. It was vivid.
And it was slightly abrupt, slightly eerie.
Shen Ruochu placed the Soul-Suppressing Stone back in its original position, staring at it with complex emotions.
Though young, she understood that following Ji Liang’s instructions could bring fatal danger.
She also knew that one should not trust a stranger who appeared out of nowhere, especially one who “lived” inside her body and whose origins were unknown.
But she understood something else even more clearly.
Without external interference, avenging herself against Gu Chengxing was an impossible task.
Opportunity always comes with risk.
Doesn’t it?
Shen Ruochu climbed onto the bed and once more held the Soul-Suppressing Stone tightly in her arms, curling into herself.
With her eyes closed, she slowly drifted into sleep.
In her dreams, she returned once again to that night of thunder and lightning.
She saw once more the terrifying figure beneath dark clouds.
Pain gradually surfaced on her face.