Origin Star, Eastern Wasteland.
Supreme Profound Holy Land, Holy Son candidate Peak No. 1.
…
“Forgive me, Chu Ying. For Brother Fan’s sake, I have no choice but to sacrifice you.”
Inside an ancient, majestic cultivation hall filled with elegance and grandeur, a flawless girl whispered with a sigh. Her starlike eyes flickered with a trace of hesitation, but it quickly vanished, replaced by cold detachment.
She appeared to be eighteen or nineteen, still in the bloom of youth. Draped in a flowing moon-white gown, her slender, graceful figure exuded purity.
Her skin was as smooth as fine jade, pale as snow. Her long black hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her presence was as gentle and serene as a hidden orchid—evoking pity and awe.
The curve beneath her chest was barely concealed, subtle yet captivating.
In front of her lay a young man dressed in white, half-reclining on a prayer mat. Black blood stained the corner of his lips, dripping onto his snow-like robe in sharp contrast.
“Ruoxi, you… why would you do this? Do the ten years we spent growing up together as childhood friends mean nothing to you?” Chu Ying clutched his ribs, his voice trembling. His lips had turned dark, his complexion pale, his gaze full of disbelief, his spirit nearly shattered.
At that moment, Chu Ying saw his past self from thirteen years ago.
He had been a transmigrator from Blue Star, born anew in this world. Unfortunately, he arrived only to find himself an abandoned infant, left at the City God Temple. Thankfully, a kind beggar grandfather took him in and raised him.
When the beggar passed away at age seven, he left behind a cultivation technique he had accidentally obtained. From then on, Chu Ying began his path of cultivation.
That old beggar had taken in many orphans, and Yao Ruoxi was one of them. As expected, Chu Ying and Yao Ruoxi grew up together as childhood friends, raised by the beggar.
After Chu Ying acquired the cultivation technique, he ignored the beggar’s warning and passed it on to Yao Ruoxi as well.
They cultivated together, worked as mercenaries, served noble families as guards, joined small sects as disciples. Eventually, their extraordinary talent led them both to Supreme Profound Holy Land.
“So what if we were childhood friends for ten years? Chu Ying, the path of cultivation is ruthless… I’m grateful for your care over the years, but you’ve become an obstacle to Brother Fan’s path to becoming Holy Son.” Yao Ruoxi’s celestial-like appearance remained composed. The guilt on her face had completely vanished, replaced by unfeeling coldness.
“Why?” Chu Ying asked, “Is it just because Ye Junfan possesses the Archaic Sacred Body?!”
“Yes. Brother Fan has already passed the second Archaic Tribulation. His potential is boundless. Only he is worthy of me—and only he can take me further,” Yao Ruoxi replied calmly.
“As for you, your talent is spent. Your cultivation level is far behind mine. You should give up your spot to Brother Fan as soon as possible.”
Looking up at Yao Ruoxi standing above him, her gaze cold and filled with contempt, Chu Ying clenched his fists tightly.
Two and a half years ago, he and Yao Ruoxi had entered the Supreme Profound Holy Land as disciples. Soon after, they became Holy Son candidates and Saintess candidates.
At the time, the sect had many Holy Son candidates and Saintesses, but no one had yet officially taken the titles of Holy Son or Saintess.
In order to help Yao Ruoxi defeat the others and win the title of Saintess, Chu Ying gave her all his monthly cultivation resources.
Yao Ruoxi, indeed a heaven-blessed prodigy, soared in strength with the doubled cultivation resources and eventually surpassed all her competitors to become the sect’s Saintess.
After receiving that title, she was revered like the moon surrounded by stars, basking in endless glory.
Chu Ying wasn’t far behind either. Even with limited resources, he pushed through with sheer effort and climbed to the top among the Holy Son candidates. Though he didn’t dominate completely, he still held a leading position and was considered the strongest contender for Holy Son.
However, just a few months ago, a new disciple named Ye Junfan appeared in the sect.
Ye Junfan was born with the Archaic Sacred Body. He had already passed the second Archaic Tribulation, shattering curses, and was praised for limitless potential. He was named a Holy Son candidate.
But his ranking was far behind, and in terms of strength, he was several levels below Chu Ying.
What Chu Ying never expected was that Yao Ruoxi would abandon their ten-year relationship as childhood friends for Ye Junfan.
Today, Yao Ruoxi had brought him a rare Azure Phoenix Bone, claiming it would help him form the image of his first cave-heaven.
Chu Ying hadn’t suspected anything. His feelings for Yao Ruoxi were pure, completely devoid of impurity.
Although he liked her deeply, he had never laid a hand on her over the past decade. He believed that while his pure love had been mocked back on Blue Star, it would be honored in this fantasy world.
But he had been wrong.
The Azure Phoenix Bone she gave him was a waste bone tainted with Profound Yin Poison!
Waste bones could still be considered treasured bones. The Azure Phoenix Bone was even rarer—a top-tier treasure. But if refined with Profound Yin Poison inside, it would result in severe side effects.
The cultivator’s Qi and blood would deteriorate, their cultivation drop drastically, their combat power crumble, and their future potential be completely drained.
Without a proper evaluation, it was nearly impossible to tell the difference between a real and a poisoned bone.
Yao Ruoxi had counted on his trust. And the rarity of the Azure Phoenix Bone helped her deceive him.
Thirteen years ago, he had brought Yao Ruoxi onto the path of cultivation.
Now, thirteen years later, she had stabbed him straight in the heart with the bullet he forged.
“Heheheh…”
“‘Talent spent,’ huh? Yao Ruoxi! You’re heartless!” Chu Ying raised his hand and pointed at her. Even his lips were trembling. His voice was bitter and filled with sorrow.
“I really thought this world would be different.”
“I truly believed there was real affection in this world. But after ten years—thirteen years of growing up together as childhood friends—I still can’t compare to an Archaic Sacred Body you’ve only known for three months?”
“I brought you onto the path of cultivation. Led you out of that remote corner of the world. Gave you resources. Helped you become Saintess… Heh!”
Yao Ruoxi crossed her arms and quietly watched him.
“If you still have anything left to say, go ahead. In any case, ten days from now, during the Holy Son Selection, Brother Fan will defeat you.”
Chu Ying was so enraged by her words that he found himself inexplicably calm.
“My poetry fed to the dogs!”
…
Yao Ruoxi had already left.
Chu Ying lay numbly and weakly inside the cultivation hall.
After refining that waste bone, his cultivation had fallen to the 7th stage Spirit Sea Realm. His Qi and blood were in constant decline, and his potential drained.
Ten days later, he was required to participate in the Holy Son selection as a Holy Son candidate.
But now, with his strength crippled, he was no match for Ye Junfan.
And Ye Junfan had long wanted him dead…
…
[System Cultivation Ranks]: Blood Refining, Spirit Sea, Cave Heaven, Soul Palace, Nether Void, Divine Ability, Sacred Lord, Great Saint, Heavenly Venerable, Void God, Emperor Realm
[Technique Grades]: Spirit Grade, Profound Grade, Heaven Grade, King Grade, Saint Grade, Emperor Grade
[Alchemy Pills]: Spirit Pill, Profound Pill, Heaven Pill, Innate Treasure Pill, Saint Pill, Emperor Pill
[Weapons]: Spirit Weapon, Profound Weapon, Magical Tool, King’s War Armament, Saint Weapon, Extreme Emperor Armament