Chao Chen’s absorption of the Extreme Flame Immortal Lotus took far longer than Wu Bufan had expected. More than half a month passed yet there was still no sign of movement from him.
Wu Bufan, however, remained calm and unhurried, though the little light orb could no longer sit still.
“The entrance competition is about to start,” it said anxiously. “If you don’t go now, you’ll miss it completely.”
Wu Bufan didn’t even look up. He calmly drew out a stalk of Po Qi Grass and began refining Po Qi Pills. These pills could fully unleash the medicinal power of the herb, allowing a Qi Refining cultivator to advance by two minor realms in one go.
“I’m not going.”
The orb blinked in surprise. “You’re not going? That’s the Dragonfish Sect’s recruitment competition! You’re just going to let that chance go?”
Wu Bufan’s tone was light, his focus still on the cauldron before him. “There’s more than one way to enter the Dragonfish Sect.”
The orb gave two sharp clicks of disbelief. “You really can give up so easily, huh?”
The Dragonfish Sect was one of the most powerful sects in the entire Northern Continent, second to none. Countless people would fight tooth and nail just to earn a single spot there and yet Wu Bufan dismissed it as though it were nothing.
Two more days passed.
Then, Chao Chen’s aura suddenly fluctuated violently and a powerful surge of spiritual energy spread through the cave. His breakthrough had come.
Wu Bufan immediately paused his alchemy, looking over with a faint smile. Chao Chen’s eyes opened slowly, gleaming with joy.
He had broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage.
Not only that, after absorbing the Extreme Flame Immortal Lotus, a new set of cultivation techniques had appeared in his mind.
The title shimmered faintly before his consciousness, “Chaotic Spectral Art.”
He didn’t know what level this technique belonged to but instinct told him it was far beyond even the highest Heaven tier methods. Yet when he tried to explore it further, he could sense that it was incomplete, as though missing crucial chapters.
A dense, enticing fragrance of pills filled the air, pulling him out of his thoughts. He looked up to see several smooth, snow white pills rolling neatly into a small coin pouch. His throat moved involuntarily and he swallowed hard.
Wu Bufan noticed his reaction and smiled faintly. “Do you want one?”
Chao Chen’s self control wavered and he nodded before he could stop himself.
Wu Bufan tossed the entire pouch toward him. “Take them! All yours.”
Chao Chen caught it in both hands, stunned. “You’re giving me all of them?”
Wu Bufan nodded casually. “Yes.”
Chao Chen tightened his grip on the pouch, his voice trembling slightly. “Why are you so good to me?”
Wu Bufan rose and walked closer, his smile soft and warm. “Because I want to court you.”
Chao Chen’s face flushed crimson in an instant.
Wait, did he mean that kind of courting? But… he was a man! And Wu Bufan, hadn’t he always liked women?
Wu Bufan’s expression didn’t waver but his eyes searched Chao Chen’s face intently. “Is that alright?”
He didn’t move any closer. If Chao Chen showed even the slightest hint of disgust or rejection, he would immediately withdraw. He didn’t want his affection to become a burden.
Fortunately, though Chao Chen was clearly shocked, there wasn’t the faintest trace of aversion in his eyes.
Chao Chen avoided his gaze, his voice barely above a whisper. “Why do you like me?”
Wu Bufan’s smile deepened, gentler than before. “I don’t know. I just do.”
Chao Chen turned his head away, ears burning red. “Let me… think about it.”
Wu Bufan didn’t press him. He only said lightly, “Come on. It’s time we left.”
Chao Chen blinked, taken aback by the sudden change of topic. But then he realized something and his expression shifted dramatically. He shot to his feet, panic flashing in his eyes. “Wait, what time is it now?”
“Don’t worry.” Wu Bufan’s tone remained calm. “If we go now, we might still catch the end of it. At least we’ll see who got the two slots for entry into the Dragonfish Sect.”
Chao Chen let out a groan of frustration. “Why didn’t you wake me up sooner?”
He glared at Wu Bufan, anxious. “What now? You won’t be able to join either!”
“The main recruitment competition doesn’t start until next month,” Wu Bufan replied, reaching out naturally to take Chao Chen’s hand. “We can take a teleportation array and still make it in time.”
Chao Chen was too flustered to notice the warmth of that hand around him. “But the requirement for the sect competition is to be under thirty and at least at the seventh level of Qi Refining! There will be even more powerful contestants there!”
In small towns, the entry requirements were lower because the sect didn’t want to miss hidden talents from remote areas. Cultivators from such places often had limited resources, so reaching even the fifth level before thirty was already impressive.
That was why the town level competition was restricted to locals only.
Almost no one from small places went all the way to Dragonfish State to compete, because for the same level of strength, it was far easier to be chosen locally.
Wu Bufan noticed that Chao Chen wasn’t resisting his touch and allowed a faint smile to slip out.
Chao Chen grew even more flustered. “You’re still smiling!”
He had already reached Foundation Establishment and could probably hold his own in the upcoming competition but Wu Bufan was still only at the sixth level of Qi Refining!
Wu Bufan quickly suppressed his smile. “There’s still an entire month left. If all else fails, I’ll enter through the Alchemy Institute.”
That immediately soothed Chao Chen’s nerves. “Right, I almost forgot about that.” He hesitated. “So… are we going back now?”
Wu Bufan tilted his head. “And how do you plan to go back?”
Chao Chen’s lips curved into a bright grin, confidence shining in his eyes. “I’ve reached Foundation Establishment now. Even if Chao Shiyi stands in front of me, he won’t be able to do anything.”
The Dragonfish Sect’s recruitment envoys were still in Xichuan Town. No matter how greedy Chao Shiyi was for his treasures, he wouldn’t dare stir up trouble while they were around.
Everyone wanted rare artifacts but few were foolish enough to test whether the Dragonfish Sect’s representatives could resist temptation.
Wu Bufan’s gaze softened, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. “Can you suppress your aura to the ninth level of Qi Refining?”
Chao Chen puffed his chest proudly. “Of course.”
As soon as he finished speaking, his spiritual pressure shifted, smoothly descending to that of a ninth level Qi Refining cultivator.
Wu Bufan’s lips curved again and he tugged lightly at Chao Chen’s hand. “Then let’s go buy a magic testing stone once we get to town.”
It was only then that Chao Chen realized his hand was still being held. The warmth against his skin made his heartbeat quicken and his cheeks burned again. He mumbled, “Oh.”
Wu Bufan’s eyes glimmered with quiet laughter that quickly disappeared beneath his calm expression.
By the time they returned to Xichuan Town, the recruitment matches were already coming to an end. The streets were almost deserted, everyone had gone to watch the competition.
They entered Ning’s Trading House, where Wu Bufan spent two hundred and fifty gold coins on a magic testing stone.
The young female attendant recognized Chao Chen immediately, her face turning pale.
Chao Chen rolled his eyes. “If I were truly a demonic cultivator, do you think Xichuan Town would’ve stayed peaceful all these years?”
Wu Bufan slipped the stone into his storage space and asked, “Is the martial competition over?”
The girl hesitated, then nodded. “Yes, it ended earlier. A rogue cultivator won. They’re holding the alchemy contest now.” Her eyes shone with excitement and admiration. “Master You Feng is competing! Many people think he might be that mysterious Supreme grade alchemist everyone’s been talking about!”
Most of the shop’s staff had already gone to watch but she couldn’t leave her post. Even so, her eyes were full of longing, she desperately wanted to witness the birth of a Supreme grade pill herself.
Chao Chen gave a small, unimpressed snort.
Wu Bufan’s gaze sharpened slightly. “Where did you hear this news?”
The girl blinked, confused. “I… I don’t know. Everyone’s saying it.”
Wu Bufan did not say anything more. Instead, he took out two gold coins and handed them to the waitress as a tip before walking out of the merchant hall.
“How much money do you have left?” he asked once they were outside.
Chao Chen lifted his chin slightly, his expression calm. “Don’t worry. It’s enough to activate a magic testing stone once.”
Wu Bufan immediately understood what that meant. To activate a testing stone costs five hundred gold coins. That meant Chao Chen’s total savings couldn’t be more than that amount. Once he used the stone, he would be completely penniless.
But Wu Bufan didn’t point it out. He simply walked side by side with Chao Chen toward the competition grounds.
The arena was already crowded, the audience packed tightly beneath the stage. In front of the ring stood a raised platform where dozens of people were seated.
The three seats in the very front were occupied by figures whose auras were overwhelmingly powerful. These three were the recruitment officials from the Longyu Sect.
A sharp and almost burning gaze fell upon them. It belonged to Chao Shiyi.
Chao Shiyi sat upright on the high platform, his eyes blazing with murderous intent, making no effort to hide it.
Wu Bufan knew that the moment they had entered through the northern gate, someone had already gone to report their presence.
If not for the fact that the recruitment competition had yet to end, Chao Shiyi would have personally come to seize Chao Chen by now.
However, even if Chao Shiyi couldn’t act himself, there were others who could.
It took only a brief moment before Wu Bufan sensed that they were surrounded.
From within the crowd, Chao Lingyue and Wu Xutian stepped out, their gazes locked coldly onto Chao Chen.
“Chao Chen,” Wu Xutian said harshly, “You finally decided to show yourself.” Ever since discovering Chao Lingyue’s extraordinary talent in alchemy, he had been eager to prove himself. Now that the opportunity had come, he wasn’t about to let it pass.
Chao Chen sneered. “Your nose for trouble really isn’t that sharp, is it? I had to come out myself before you could sniff me out.”
Wu Xutian’s temper flared and he drew his sword in fury but Chao Lingyue stopped him.
The instructors from Longyu Sect were still seated above, watching everything. The last thing she wanted was to cause a scene.
Her gaze flickered for a moment, landing on Wu Bufan before turning back to Chao Chen. “Father wants you to come back with us,” she said softly. “Don’t make this worse than it already is. We’re still brother and sister. I don’t want to hurt you.”
She spoke earnestly, her tone sincere and pleading. “I know you must have had no choice but to walk the path of demonic cultivation. If you come home and truly repent, we won’t refuse to give you a chance to live.”
Chao Chen’s smile turned cold. “So just because you say I’m a demonic cultivator, that makes it true? Everything in this world is right or wrong depending on whether your lips move, is that it?” His voice dripped with sarcasm.
“Go back with you? What do you take me for, a lamb walking into the tiger’s den? Chao Lingyue, are you really that foolish or do you just think I am?”
Chao Lingyue’s face darkened. “Must you really be this stubborn? I’m trying to give you a way to survive!”
“Lingyue, stop wasting words,” Wu Xutian interrupted harshly. “We’ll capture him together! Even if the instructors notice, we can explain. After all, Chao Chen is a demonic cultivator. We’ll be doing everyone a service by removing a threat to the sect!”
Chao Lingyue pressed her lips tightly together. She knew better than anyone that Chao Chen was not a demonic cultivator. What she feared was that the commotion would draw the instructors’ attention.
Wu Xutian mistook her silence for agreement. With a shout, he drew his sword and charged straight at Chao Chen.
The men they had brought with them followed immediately, rushing forward in a wave. Each one possessed at least fifth stage Qi Refining cultivation and two among them had already reached the ninth stage.
Chao Chen recognized the two at once, they were guest cultivators hired by the Chao family.
A trace of mockery flashed through his eyes. So Chao Shiyi was truly willing to spare no expense just to catch him.
Seeing Wu Xutian attack, Chao Lingyue clenched her teeth and joined in, her whip snapping through the air. At this point, there was no choice but to end it quickly.
Wu Bufan’s gaze grew cold. He was just about to make a move when Chao Chen pushed him lightly behind him.
“Don’t go too far from me,” Chao Chen said quietly.
There was an unmistakable thrill in his eyes. Wu Bufan could only stand silently, choosing not to interfere.
In his mind, the light spirit chuckled mockingly. “Ha, you still think you can chase after him? Look at you, he’s the one chasing you now!”
Wu Bufan’s expression did not change. “I was reminiscing,” he replied calmly.
The light spirit paused. “Reminiscing about what?”
“About the first time I met you,” Wu Bufan said evenly. “You were quiet then, so obedient, almost like a mute.”
The light spirit was speechless for a moment before exploding. “You’re complaining about me!”
Wu Bufan denied it without blinking. “You’re imagining things.”
“Liar!” the light spirit fumed inwardly. He was complaining!
Meanwhile, Chao Lingyue had fully joined the fray. She had thought that with so many powerful fighters at her side, they could easily subdue Chao Chen, even by sheer numbers if necessary. But reality proved otherwise.
Chao Chen moved like a shadow, effortless and precise. No matter how many surrounded him, he remained untouched, his figure gliding through their attacks as if playing a game.
The more they fought, the more chaotic and embarrassed her side became, until even the most experienced of them were left panting and disheveled.
On the platform above, Instructor Ji Yingyi narrowed his eyes, watching the scene unfold with growing interest.
“Who is that boy?” he asked slowly, his gaze fixed on Chao Chen’s calm, fearless figure below.
✦ ✧ ✦
[Translator]
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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