Wu Xutian’s voice was cold. “Lingyue, the person isn’t here. Let’s go.”
Chao Lingyue tugged the corner of her lips into a faint smile. “Alright.”
The two of them walked side by side out of the courtyard. As they stepped past the gate, Wu Xutian said in a low voice, “Tell me, is it true that Wu Bufan’s cultivation is only at the second level of Qi Refinement?”
“Xutian,” Lingyue explained patiently, “Mixed spiritual roots are different. The difficulty lies in how hard it is for them to advance. But once they do, their strength at the same level will often surpass that of ordinary cultivators.”
Wu Xutian’s expression darkened slightly. Was she implying that he was weaker than Wu Bufan?
Sensing the change in his mood, Lingyue quickly softened her tone to comfort him. “Of course, that’s the only advantage they have. With his five element roots, even if he cultivates diligently, the most he’ll reach is the ninth level of Qi Refinement.”
The tension on Wu Xutian’s face eased a little. “Lingyue, you’re different.”
Lingyue was born with dual gold and fire spiritual roots and inside a secret realm she had once eaten a mysterious fruit that stabilized the balance between her elements. Ever since then, her cultivation had soared at an astonishing pace, placing her far above others of mixed lineage.
Lingyue smiled, the corners of her lips softening with just a hint of curiosity. “By the way, where’s Youfeng? I haven’t seen him in quite some time.”
Wu Xutian pressed his lips together with displeasure. “He’s busy refining pills.”
Ever since rumors spread that Wu Youfeng might be an exceptional high grade alchemist, countless people had come to the Wu residence seeking him. His name had eclipsed Wu Xutian’s completely. Even the woman Wu Xutian adored was now asking about Youfeng and the thought made his mood plummet.
Lingyue slipped her arm through his and said gently, “Don’t overthink it. I tested myself yesterday and discovered I actually have the aptitude for alchemy. But as you know, most alchemists are proud and guarded, never willing to teach their craft easily. I thought about it for a long time and then it came to me, why not ask Youfeng? With you beside me, he wouldn’t refuse me so easily.”
Surprise lit Wu Xutian’s face. “You have alchemy talent? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“When I was first tested, Chao Chen was there watching. My father worried he’d tamper with the results, so he had me retake the test,” Lingyue lowered her eyes, her lashes casting delicate shadows. A glint of cunning flickered briefly in her gaze. “And to my surprise, it turned out positive this time.”
Alchemy required not only compatible elemental roots but also strong spiritual power. Lingyue was not the useless girl she once was. With her fire attribute root and her newly honed spiritual sense, it was only natural that her second test would yield far better results.
“The only pity,” she sighed softly, “is that it’s too late to take on a master now. The Dragonfish Sect’s upcoming recruitment will only assess actual strength.”
“I’ll take you to him,” Wu Xutian said immediately, unable to hide his excitement.
If Lingyue truly possessed the talent for alchemy, then as her future Dao partner, his own status would rise as well. The benefits would be endless. In the Northern Continent, alchemists were as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns. Each one was sought after and treated with reverence wherever they went.
Lingyue’s lips curved into a gentle smile, the faint blush on her face carrying just the right amount of shyness. The sight made Wu Xutian’s heart melt completely; for a moment, he forgot everything else.
In a small, quiet courtyard, Wu Bufan entered the house and closed the door behind him. The next second, he saw Chao Chen appear out of thin air.
“You can turn invisible now?” Wu Bufan exhaled helplessly.
Before they had left, Chao Chen had warned him not to let Wu Xutian and the others enter the room. So this was why.
Chao Chen could hide his body but not his spiritual aura. If those cultivators had gotten too close, they would have sensed him instantly. In this world, finding someone relied on more than just eyesight.
“The technique my father left me is kind of useless,” Chao Chen said cheerfully, “but it’s better than nothing. The people from the Dragonfish Sect won’t arrive for another half month. If we head to the secret realm now, we can still make it back before the recruitment tournament begins.”
At first, he had thought this technique could conceal his aura as well. When he realized it couldn’t, he was momentarily disappointed but then again, aura suppressing techniques were exceedingly rare. It wasn’t surprising that his father hadn’t managed to obtain one.
“Alright,” Wu Bufan said, studying him. “But how do you plan to leave the town?”
He didn’t even need to think about it to know that the Chao family had probably stationed people at Xichuan Town’s north gate. There were two gates, north and south but the north led directly toward the secret realm.
Chao Chen hesitated for a moment, looking a little embarrassed. “You’ll have to take me out.”
Wu Bufan arched an eyebrow. “And how exactly am I supposed to do that?”
Chao Chen glanced around nervously, his face growing red. After a moment, his body shimmered and then, right before Wu Bufan’s eyes, he transformed into a tiny brown sparrow.
Wu Bufan stared in silence.
“That’s also from your father’s technique?” he asked at last.
Chao Chen turned his head aside, clearly embarrassed. “The same one.”
The little sparrow’s claws scratched lightly at the wooden floor. “I can only turn into a sparrow.”
Wu Bufan couldn’t help but let out a quiet sigh. This companion of his truly was full of surprises.
After obtaining that cultivation technique, all Chao Chen had thought about was escaping with his life. Turning into a sparrow was the safest and most convenient way to flee, sparrows were everywhere, small and ordinary, easy to overlook in a crowd.
Wu Bufan couldn’t help but laugh softly. He cupped his hands together, carefully enclosing the tiny sparrow within his palms. “This technique might not be as useless as you said.”
He had never imagined that a sparrow could be this adorable. The little creature fit perfectly in his palms, its tiny claws gently scratching at his skin, tickling his palm with soft, rhythmic motions that seemed to reach straight into his heart.
Chao Chen didn’t say a word. He merely bowed his head, tucking his small bird head deep into the soft feathers at his chest, as if trying to hide.
“Let’s go,” Wu Bufan said quietly.
“Alright.”
Wu Bufan placed the sparrow carefully against his chest. “Does it feel uncomfortable like this?” he asked.
A muffled voice came from beneath his robes. “No, it’s fine.”
He was just a little embarrassed, that was all.
Wu Bufan’s eyes curved with amusement. Through the thin fabric, he could distinctly feel the light pressure of tiny claws gripping at his chest. It was a peculiar sensation, ticklish but warm.
Moving soundlessly, he carried Chao Chen out of the house. As expected, there were men from the Chao family guarding the north gate of Xichuan Town. They saw Wu Bufan from afar and threw him a few disdainful glances but didn’t bother to stop him.
Taking advantage of their indifference, Wu Bufan walked calmly and unhurriedly out of the town.
Once they were safely beyond the walls, the sparrow fluttered from his chest, transforming midair back into a young man.
Wu Bufan felt an odd twinge of regret at the sudden absence of warmth in his arms. Chao Chen’s ears, however, were faintly red and that alone made Wu Bufan’s lips curve faintly without a word.
The object Chao Chen sought was hidden deep within the inner region of the Xichuan Secret Realm. That area was home to powerful beasts of Foundation Establishment level and though they avoided most monsters along the way, luck wasn’t on their side.
They ran headlong into a second grade demonic beast, a Thousand Mile Thundercloud Leopard.
A second grade beast was equal in strength to a Foundation Establishment cultivator and the Thundercloud Leopard was famous for its incredible speed. The moment it caught sight of them, it lunged forward like a streak of lightning.
Wu Bufan had only enough time to grab Chao Chen and dodge aside. The beast’s claws sliced through the earth, leaving a deep, jagged gouge. Wu Bufan’s face darkened slightly. If they had been a second slower, that swipe would have cost them their lives.
The Thundercloud Leopard’s eyes gleamed with violent intent. It wasn’t going to let them go.
Knowing that evasion was useless, Wu Bufan quickly formed a hand seal. “Run first. I’ll hold it off.”
Before he could finish, Chao Chen darted past him, his long whip slashing through the air like a living serpent, striking straight toward the beast’s face.
Wu Bufan’s expression darkened, a flicker of anger flashing through his eyes. Foolish!
The Thundercloud Leopard dodged the attack easily, its gaze flickering with almost human disdain. Yet before it could counter, a chill crept up its spine. It leapt instinctively but too late, the whip curved sharply midair and struck its back with a vicious crack.
The whip’s barbed edge tore through flesh. Blood sprayed across the ground as the beast let out a furious roar. Its claws gouged deep into the earth, its eyes blazing with wrath as it fixed its gaze on Chao Chen.
Chao Chen’s expression grew tense. He knew he wasn’t the beast’s match. That hit had landed only because the Thundercloud Leopard had underestimated him.
He twisted his wrist, summoning a burst of flame in his palm. The fire spread swiftly along the length of his whip until the entire weapon burned bright red, transforming into a blazing whip of fire.
The Thundercloud Leopard lunged again. Chao Chen clenched his jaw and charged forward to meet it head on.
In just a few breaths, man and beast clashed several times. The fiery whip cracked through the air, scorching everything it touched. When the beast evaded, the whip smashed into a nearby tree, slicing the trunk clean in half.
Then, from behind the falling tree, a figure burst forth, Wu Bufan, launching himself at the leopard.
Chao Chen’s eyes widened. “Didn’t I tell you to run?”
Wu Bufan leapt high, glancing sideways at him. His gaze was calm but in that fleeting look, Chao Chen caught a suppressed fury that made his heart skip.
His chest tightened. He didn’t even know why he felt nervous. Then he thought, why should he be?
The Thundercloud Leopard seemed to sense Wu Bufan’s cultivation level. It snarled and slashed out its claws, trying to tear apart this annoying human.
Wu Bufan gathered all his spiritual energy to his feet and spun midair, delivering a powerful back kick that clashed directly against the leopard’s claws.
The beast’s pupils contracted. Some invisible force blocked its strike, preventing its claws from even touching Wu Bufan.
Chao Chen’s eyes widened in astonishment. What tremendous power!
So this was the true strength of a mixed spiritual root? No, that couldn’t be right. He had seen other cultivators with mixed roots before. Their spiritual energy was strong, yes but never like this.
Wu Bufan’s spiritual energy felt tangible, as if it had condensed into solid matter.
The Thundercloud Leopard retreated a few steps but before it could recover, the blazing whip came sweeping down from behind, tearing across its back and hurling it into the air. Before it could even land, a fist wrapped in raw spiritual force slammed into its head.
The impact resounded through the clearing.
Wu Bufan’s punch drove the Thundercloud Leopard’s skull deep into the ground with a deafening thud, shaking the earth beneath their feet.
The beast’s body went limp, it was dead.
Wu Bufan withdrew his fist, his face pale and drawn. He had burned through nearly all his spiritual energy in that final attack. There was no other way, facing a creature that outclassed him, victory could only come through an all or nothing gamble.
Chao Chen hurried forward to catch him before he fell, pulling out a vial of Qi replenishing pills. Wu Bufan tossed one into his mouth, then handed the remaining pills to Chao Chen. “Take one too.”
“Alright.”
Chao Chen swallowed a pill and felt spiritual energy surge through his body, clear and vibrant. His eyes widened slightly. No wonder this was said to be a top grade elixir.
There were three pills left in the vial. He handed them back to Wu Bufan. “They’re yours.”
Wu Bufan didn’t take them. He only bent down, storing the Thundercloud Leopard’s corpse into his spatial necklace before continuing forward in silence.
Chao Chen quickly followed and when the silence stretched too long, he reached out and poked Wu Bufan’s arm. “You’re angry, aren’t you?”
He tilted his head, trying to read his face. “Why are you angry?”
Wu Bufan suddenly stopped walking. He looked down at him and said in a low voice, “Is this how you work with people? By throwing your life away?”
Chao Chen blinked.
He couldn’t believe this man, someone he had barely met, had risked his own safety for him and yet Wu Bufan was the one angry.
“I didn’t!” Chao Chen said quickly, eyes darting away. “Once you ran, I ran too. I’m not that stupid.”
He lifted his chin, stubbornly adding, “I was trying to save you. Why are you mad about that?”
Wu Bufan pressed his lips into a thin line. For a long time, he said nothing. Then he sighed, a sound heavy with helplessness. “Your life is worth more than anything else.”
He didn’t even know why the anger had burned so fiercely inside him. Rationally, he should have been grateful, after all, Chao Chen had only wanted to help him.
But gratitude wasn’t what he felt.
He realized, with an unsettling certainty, that Chao Chen was different from anyone else he had ever met.
✦ ✧ ✦
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
(づ｡•́‿•̀｡)づ ☕ — coffee for the hardworking translator
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
← PreviousNext →
ChaptersChapter 1 · Dream to RealityChapter 2 · Those who survive a great calamity are destined for good fortuneChapter 3 · Retrieve the tokenChapter 4 · Top-tier alchemistChapter 5 · A cooperative treasure hunt?Chapter 6 · Thousand mile Thundercloud LeopardChapter 7 · Chaotic Strange EntityChapter 8 · Back to Xichuan TownChapter 9 · How could Wu Bufan be stronger than him!Chapter 10 · Wu Bufan possess so many top-grade pills?Chapter 11 · This time, she will not let anyone take what is hers away againChapter 12 · Seize the luckChapter 13 · Mutant Purple Thunder BeastChapter 14 · I’m afraid he’ll get angryChapter 15 · PumiceChapter 16 · Enemies meet on a narrow roadChapter 17 · Becoming Daoist CouplesChapter 18 · Top-grade Calamity-Breaking PillChapter 19 · The amazing effects of top-grade pillsChapter 20 · Basic Body ForgingChapter 21 · One world cannot contain two chosen ones.Chapter 22 · PuppetChapter 23 · AuctionChapter 24 · Space FoundationChapter 25 · Top-grade Foundation Building PillChapter 26 · Increased space areaChapter 27 · The competition BeginChapter 28 · RobbedChapter 29 · Turn Defeat into Victory!Chapter 30 · The Death of Wu KeyuanChapter 31 · BetChapter 32 · Even the way Chao Chen talks is so cuteChapter 33 · Avenge Wu KeyuanChapter 34 · Finding Bodhi Wood at a BargainChapter 35 · Little PuppetChapter 36 · Explosive PillsChapter 37 · I’ll concedeChapter 38 · You are a genius, so your Daoist partner must also be a genius.Chapter 39 · The Third Elder was refused a disciple.Chapter 40 · Has the floating marrow stone secret been exposed?Chapter 41 · How Could There Be Such a Sinister Human!Chapter 42 · The Mutated Mugwort FoxChapter 43 · Wandering the JianghuChapter 44 · Ancient ElixirChapter 45 · I feel like I’m about to be struck by lightning!Chapter 46 · Earth-level Secret RealmChapter 47 · The spot is practically yours.Chapter 48 · His Daoist partner is truly amazing!Chapter 49 · The legacy in the libraryChapter 50 · Dual cultivation techniquesChapter 51 · First genius Ji Pu RanChapter 52 · Shifting the blame eastwardChapter 53 · The little puppet went to run errandsChapter 54 · The Explosive Pill once again demonstrated its power.Chapter 55 · Chao Lingyue’s cultivation levelChapter 56 · Little Money-GrubberChapter 57 · What a venomous mouth!Chapter 58 · Enter the secret realmChapter 59 · A huge windfall fell from the sky.Chapter 60 · The birth of a rare treasureChapter 61 · This alchemy furnace is quite uniqueChapter 62 · The alchemy furnace that walked right into the trapChapter 63 · Xiao Zi’s Self-Rescue GuideChapter 64 · Spirit Field Micro RealmChapter 65 · Someone Planning to Reap the Benefits?Chapter 66 · Are You Lost?Chapter 67 · Chao Chen, Corrupted by the Big Handsome PotChapter 68 · Is Your phoenix Fish Sect Collecting Trash?Chapter 69 · The Death of Hui SipingChapter 70 · No, Junior Brother Chao, Where’s Your Backbone…Chapter 71 · Has His Identity Been Exposed?Chapter 72 · This Child Is Far Too ShrewdChapter 73 · Young people are wonderful. They fall asleep the moment they lie downChapter 74 · Sparrow Alchemist Chao Lingyue?Chapter 75 · The Silver Tongued Chao ChenChapter 76 · What’s the rush? I have moreChapter 77 · Leave the sectChapter 78 · Showing Off on a Grand ScaleChapter 79 · The Sparrow Alchemist Returns to the Martial WorldChapter 80 · Does Junior Brother Chao know about this?Chapter 81 · The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole BehindChapter 82 · So FierceChapter 83 · They’ve been targeted by the local bulliesChapter 84 · The Kid Is Missing?Chapter 85 · A Thing from the Void: SilkChapter 86 · Chao Chen became famousChapter 87 · The Devil MentorChapter 88 · The four little ones went out to gain experienceChapter 89 · The Students Who Were Truly ConvincedChapter 90 · What a Bountiful Harvest!Chapter 91 · No Random KissingChapter 92 · Detoxification PillChapter 93 · Master Wu, your Daoist partner has disappearedChapter 94 · The Demonic ThiefChapter 95 · Fellow Daoist, are you selling this sparrow?Chapter 96 · Unexpected disaster, nothing moreChapter 97 · My Daoist partner was born in the Year of the PigChapter 98 · The Undying Devil ChildChapter 99 · Exotic Treasure! Buddha Flame Glazed Light!Chapter 100 · We stole the Beast Taming Sect’s treasure vaultChapter 101 · Waaaaah… Why is this strange fire so gay?Chapter 102 · The Mysterious Pill – Flower in the MirrorChapter 103 Part 1 · As Expected, You Can’t Produce Different Dreams from the Same Bed…Chapter 103 Part 2 · As Expected, You Can’t Produce Different Dreams from the Same Bed…Chapter 104 Part 1 · Separation and ReunionChapter 104 Part 2 · Separation and ReunionChapter 105 Part 1 · Renowned throughout the continent!Chapter 105 Part 2 · Renowned throughout the continent!Chapter 106 · Chao Chen’s RevengeChapter 107 · The Death of Chao LingyueChapter 108 · A Narcissistic Man or a Great Beauty?Chapter 109 · This Person Has No MannersChapter 110 · The Ancient Spirit Botanical GardenChapter 111 · Thousand-Thread Poison WomanChapter 112 · I am not kindChapter 113 · Are you the most handsome man here?Chapter 114 Part 1 · ReunionChapter 114 Part 2 · ReunionChapter 115 Part 1 · Diandian said that you got it into someone’s stomach yourselfChapter 115 Part 2 · Diandian said that you got it into someone’s stomach yourselfChapter 116 · Central ContinentChapter 116 Part 1 · Central ContinentChapter 117 Part 1 · The Ancient Dao Companion ContractChapter 117 Part 2 · The Ancient Dao Companion ContractChapter 118 · Heaven Above, Dust BelowChapter 118 Part 1 · Heaven Above, Dust BelowChapter 119 · Xiao Chen will also be embarrassedChapter 120 · The moon is so bright tonightChapter 121 Part 1 · Treasure ArrayChapter 121 Part 2 · Treasure ArrayChapter 122 Part 1 · Poisonous MushroomChapter 122 Part 2 · Poisonous MushroomChapter 123 Part 1 · Turmoil at the AuctionChapter 123 Part 2 · Turmoil at the AuctionChapter 124 Part 1 · Advancement! A Nascent Soul Cultivator Reaches the Divine Transformation Realm!…Chapter 124 Part 2 · Advancement! A Nascent Soul Cultivator Reaches the Divine Transformation Realm!…Chapter 125 Part 1 · Xiao Chen Displays His Great Divine Might: Wu Bufan…Chapter 125 Part 2 · Xiao Chen Displays His Great Divine Might: Wu Bufan…Chapter 126 · Ice spirit tower has explodedChapter 127 Part 1 · Meeting an Old Acquaintance AgainChapter 127 Part 2 · Meeting an Old Acquaintance AgainChapter 127 Part 3 · Meeting an Old Acquaintance AgainChapter 128 Part 1 · Being Followed?Chapter 128 Part 2 · Being Followed?Chapter 129 · Magical ArtifactChapter 131 · A Declaration of WarChapter 132 · A chaotic war of words: Friend or foe indistinguishable…Chapter 133 Part 1 · The Royal Grand CompetitionChapter 133 Part 2 · The Royal Grand CompetitionChapter 134 Part 1 · Adults Don’t Make Choices, I’ll Take Them All…Chapter 134 Part 2 · Adults Don’t Make Choices, I’ll Take Them All…Chapter 135 Part 1 · Little Daddy Takes a Bite, Big Daddy’s Form…Chapter 135 Part 2 · Little Daddy Takes a Bite, Big Daddy’s Form…Chapter 136 Part 1 · Where the Wild Geese Fly, Not a Single Feather Left BehindChapter 136 Part 2 · Where the Wild Geese Fly, Not a Single Feather Left BehindChapter 136 Part 3 · Where the Wild Geese Fly, Not a Single Feather Left Behind