“A Chosen One?” Jiang WuShang asked, feigning confusion.
Chosen Ones…
he mused inwardly.
I read about them in novels.
They always have ridiculous luck, monstrous backgrounds, or cheat-like abilities.
Like those Dragon King dramas where the protagonist hides his true identity…
Do they actually exist in this world?
If so, things are about to get very interesting.
“Chosen Ones are individuals blessed with miraculous, rule-bending abilities,” the Dean explained with a solemn expression.
“For example, a legendary Chosen One from ancient history possessed the unique ability to cultivate simply by reading books.
Not only could he cultivate faster through reading, but if he read two or three separate martial manuals, his mind could automatically fuse them together to create an entirely new, flawless skill.” Jiang WuShang raised an eyebrow.
“That is indeed a formidable ability.
Dean, are there any Chosen Ones active in our Azure Mortal World right now?” “No,” the Dean shook his head.
“They are extremely rare.
That legendary figure ascended to the Upper Realms centuries ago.
We have no confirmed Chosen Ones in our realm at present—if one were to appear, it would ignite chaos across all major factions.” “I see,” Jiang WuShang nodded slightly.
System, he called out mentally, are there any Chosen Ones in this Mortal Realm?
Ding!
[System Notification: We Do Have Chosen Ones Active.] [System Notification: However, They Are Simply System Users.] Jiang WuShang’s heart skipped a beat.
System users just like me?!
System, is there a Chosen One currently located in the Azure Mortal World?
[System Notification: System Detects A Chosen One Within The World, But Cannot Pinpoint Their Exact Coordinates.] [System Notification: Please Upgrade The System To Unlock Location Tracking.] So there IS a Chosen One hidden in the Azure Mortal World…
and no one knows about it, Jiang WuShang thought, his expression growing dark and calculating.
System…
after leveling up, you say you can locate them.
Can other System users use their systems to track my location as well?
[System Notification: Host, Do Not Worry.
Only I Possess Anti-Tracking.] [System Notification: No Other System Can Detect My Presence.] Good.
You really are the best, System, Jiang WuShang praised silently.
Clearing his throat, he looked back at the Dean.
“Now, Dean…
do you believe I am qualified to hear the truth regarding the forces backing Jiang Bai?” The Dean stared at him intently.
“I will tell you, but answer me truthfully first…
Are you a Chosen One?” Jiang WuShang smiled calmly and shook his head.
“No, I am not.
As for my ability to upgrade the Talent Roots of others…
it is a sacred, forbidden technique passed down to me by my father.
It allows one to sacrifice a portion of their own spiritual talent to cleanse another’s meridians.” The Dean sighed, a look of realization washing over his face.
“If it was taught by your father, then it is very likely he originated from the Upper Realms.
I have heard rumors of such ancient, self-sacrificing secret arts, though mortal cultivators can barely comprehend their methods.” “Now…
will you tell me?” Jiang WuShang asked, his patience wearing thin.
“Listen carefully,” the Dean began in a heavy, ominous tone.
“Two years ago, a spatial fissure opened near the boundary of the Azure Realm’s void space.
Two mysterious figures crossed over into our Mortal World.
We refer to them as the Samara Disciples.
Under ancient universal laws, creatures born within the Samara Realm are strictly forbidden from leaving their domain…
yet these two bypassed the seal.” “Two entities from the Samara Realm entered our world?” Jiang WuShang interjected.
“Did the Mortal Emperor not investigate such a severe breach?” “He did,” the Dean replied grimly.
“However, he walked right into their trap.
The Mortal Emperor has been ensnared, and he is currently under the direct puppet control of those Samara Disciples.
If we attempt a direct military rescue, they will execute him instantly.” Jiang WuShang frowned.
“The Mortal Emperor descended from the Upper Realms himself.
How could he fall into a trap so easily?” “They used your father as bait,” the Dean revealed.
“They spread false rumors near the Samara boundary regarding your father’s whereabouts.
When the Mortal Emperor rushed to the coordinates, he was dragged into an ancient Illusion Realm.
The corruption twisted his mind, projecting his deepest desires.
He wanted nothing more than to find you and your father…
so when they placed Jiang Bai in front of him, the illusion forced him to believe Jiang Bai was his true son.” Jiang WuShang’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
“Do we know who is pulling the strings behind Jiang Bai?” “Yes,” the Dean nodded.
“It is the Royal Mother—the stepmother of Bai Lu.” “Is she one of the two Samara Disciples who crossed through the spatial rift?” “No,” the Dean shook his head.
“She has resided in the Royal Capital ever since the Mortal Emperor and Lu Bai first arrived in the Azure Realm.” “Then who currently controls the Royal Clan’s forces?” “She does,” the Dean answered plainly.
“The Royal Mother holds absolute authority over the royal court.” “Which means she is directly allied with the Samara Disciples,” Jiang WuShang concluded, his voice cold as ice.
“We cannot be entirely certain of her true identity, but she and Jiang Bai act as mother and son,” the Dean stated.
“Their factions are inseparable.” Jiang WuShang clenched his fists, a sharp, fierce glint flashing in his eyes.
“Count me in.
I will do everything in my power to crush their plans and tear down their faction.” “Good,” the Dean nodded with approval.
“For now, focus entirely on the upcoming Class Assessment at the end of the month.
You and your disciples must win.
If Jiang Bai’s faction takes first place, the Vice-Dean will gain the leverage he needs to seize absolute control over Azure Academy.” Without waiting for a response, the Dean’s form blurred, vanishing into thin air.
Grand Master Bai stepped toward the doorway and called out, “Ru’er, step inside.” Bai Ru entered the chamber, looking nervously between her grandfather and Jiang WuShang.
“Ru’er,” Grand Master Bai asked gently, “are you willing to formally take Intern Jiang as your Master?” Bai Ru looked up at Jiang WuShang.
Images of Class C9’s disciples—their terrifying combat aura and rapid progress—flashed through her mind.
She took a deep breath, dropped to her knees, and bowed her head to the floor.
“Disciple Bai Ru greets Master!” [System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] “Good,” Jiang WuShang smiled.
“Study this technique diligently.
We will meet in one month for the Class Assessment.” He raised a finger, flicking a beam of golden light directly into Bai Ru’s forehead.
A vast wave of martial knowledge unfolded inside her mind.
Bai Ru’s eyes snapped open in bewilderment.
“This…
this is the Fire of the Azure Dragon cultivation technique!
But…
the divine pathways are completely altered!
Some of the core mnemonic rules have been changed!” “Naturally,” Jiang WuShang replied proudly.
“It is different because I personally identified and corrected every single flaw within the original manual.
It is now a perfected, high-rank technique.” Grand Master Bai gasped in absolute shock.
“Corrected all flaws?!
Does that mean…
with this technique, refining Earth Low-Rank pills and controlling the elusive White Pill Flame will become far easier?!” [System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] [Total Emotion Points: 125] “Oh, the White Flame?” Jiang WuShang said casually.
“I actually condensed it yesterday because I was bored.
Here, take a look.” He flipped his hand.
Fuuu!
A brilliant, pure white flame ignited above his palm.
The sudden surge of intense thermal energy caused the air in the room to warp, driving the ambient temperature sky-high!
[System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] [System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] [System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] [Total Emotion Points: 140] Grand Master Bai nearly pulled out his own beard in sheer disbelief.
“You…
you mastered an Elemental Pill Flame just because you were bored?!
Can’t you act like a normal human being for once?!” “You mastered it in a single day?!” Bai Ru shrieked, clutching her head.
“It took me a whole month of intense training just to spark a flame, and Grandpa called me a rare genius!
If I’m a genius, what in the world are you?!
A monster?!” [System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] Jiang WuShang extinguished the flame with a wave of his hand and turned toward the door.
“Grand Master Bai, I will take my leave now.
I will see you at the Class Assessment in a month’s time.
This month is going to be extremely busy for me.” As Jiang WuShang exited the hall with quick steps, Grand Master Bai looked at his granddaughter in confusion.
“Ru’er, why is he in such a hurry?
Is he rushing to refine a batch of pills?” “No,” Bai Ru shook her head, still trying to process her shock.
“Back in class, he mentioned he is going into closed-door cultivation.
He probably intends to break through to the 9th Level of the Qi Gathering Realm before the assessment begins.
As for pill refining, I don’t think he’ll have time for it.” “Closed-door cultivation for a whole month?!” Grand Master Bai gasped, his eyes widening.
“What is that kid planning now?!
Is he trying to completely overturn the heavens?!” [System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] [Total Emotion Points: 150] “Grandpa, why are you so worked up?” Bai Ru asked, puzzled.
“Master is just entering seclusion to cultivate.” Grand Master Bai smiled wryly, looking at her with pity.
“Ru’er…
you don’t know your master yet, so it’s natural you find this normal.
Have you heard what he accomplished before coming here?” “What did he do?” “Your master cultivated from a mortal with zero Qi straight to the 6th Level of the Qi Gathering Realm in just fifteen days,” Grand Master Bai revealed softly.
“WHAT?!” Bai Ru’s voice echoed through the hall, her jaw hitting the floor.
“Grandpa, you…
you must be joking with me, right?!” [System Notification: Gained +5 Emotion Points!] [Total Emotion Points: 155] “You will see for yourself when he emerges from seclusion,” Grand Master Bai chuckled, shaking his head in awe.
Inside his private room in the intern quarters, Jiang WuShang locked the doors and sat cross-legged on his bed in the lotus position.
“It’s time to claim my system reward and break through to the Qi Foundation Realm,” he muttered.
“First, I must polish my current state to absolute perfection.” He raised his hands, forming complex spirit seals.
The surrounding atmospheric Qi surged toward him, flowing smoothly into his Dantian.
Ten days passed in absolute silence.
Through continuous, precise meditation, Jiang WuShang polished his cultivation base, smoothly reaching the absolute peak of the 9th Level of the Qi Gathering Realm!
Opening his eyes, a brilliant beam of golden light flashed across his pupils.
“Perfect.
My 9th Level foundation is rock solid.
Now…
for the System Reward!” He summoned the Foundation Breaking Pill from his system inventory and swallowed it whole.
BOOM!
The moment the pill entered his stomach, a massive, violent ocean of spiritual energy erupted within his meridians!
The spiritual sea inside his Dantian exploded outward, expanding rapidly!
Ten meters…
twenty meters…
forty meters!
Jiang WuShang’s eyes widened in surprise.
What is happening?!
According to general cultivation records, a standard 1st Level Qi Foundation cultivator’s Dantian sea only expands to twenty meters!
Ancient prodigies can push it to fifty meters…
but mine is still expanding!
The golden spiritual sea roared inside him, shattering every limit until it hit an unprecedented boundary—one hundred meters!
BOOM!
A powerful shockwave radiated from his body as his breakthrough finalized.
He had officially entered the 1st Level of the Qi Foundation Realm!
“A hundred-meter Dantian sea…” Jiang WuShang laughed triumphantly, feeling the vast, ocean-like Qi surging through his body.
“With this level of spiritual capacity, I can easily fight opponents five minor stages above me!
Even if I face elite geniuses, fighting two whole realms higher will be a breeze!” He wiped the sweat from his brow and looked toward the corner of his bed, where the packages of alchemy herbs he had bought from the Su Alchemy Shop were neatly stacked.
“Now that I’ve broken through to the Qi Foundation Realm, my spiritual control is tenfold stronger.
It’s time to focus on refining pills!” With a flick of his wrist, he summoned the bronze Qi Cauldron, ignited the pure white elemental flame on his palm, and began his first official batch of pill refining.