Master: This Villainous Disciple Is Not The Holy Child

[ Hehe… Host, you now have two choices. One: break through directly to the Divine Bridge realm. Two: find a rare heavenly treasure, undergo Extreme Ascension, and break through to the tenth layer of the Sea of Qi.]

Chu Xiu raised an eyebrow. Was that even a question?

Extreme Ascension, obviously.

He would build an unparalleled foundation, becoming invincible within his realm. No… reborn with the knowledge of his past life, he would transcend the limitations of his realm, slaughtering enemies far stronger than himself.

“What kind of treasure do I need?”

[Hehe… searching for the most suitable treasures for the Host’s current breakthrough… Search complete. The following three heavenly treasures are most suitable for the Host’s Extreme Ascension: Myriad Medicine Spirit Milk, Bodhi Divine Flower, and Soul Infant Demonic Fruit.]

Chu Xiu’s brow furrowed.

All three treasures were Immortal-grade. They were the stuff of legends, rarely seen, almost impossible to obtain.

Forget about finding them for sale; he couldn’t even afford them if he did find them.

And stealing them? He wasn’t strong enough… not yet.

He clenched his fists, frustration and ambition warring within him.

He yearned for immortality, for unrivaled power, for a path that defied the limitations of ordinary cultivators.

But his path… it was destined to be fraught with challenges, filled with obstacles and dangers.

He retrieved a communication talisman, holding it between his fingers, and channeled his true essence into it.

The talisman transformed into a streak of purple light, shooting out of his cave dwelling and soaring towards the heavens.

“Hopefully, Chu Xiaoran brings good news,” he murmured, his gaze fixed on the disappearing talisman.

He retrieved the bronze fragment and began to study it, his mind racing, his Heavenly Slaughter Sword Intent humming with anticipation.

…

Half an hour later…

Every disciple of the Tài Sù Holy Land, both inner and outer, who had reached the Sea of Qi realm or above, was granted a single opportunity to enter the Tai Su Divine Pagoda.

The trial lasted for one month.

The pagoda, towering tens of thousands of meters into the sky, its surface a dull grey, radiated an aura of ancient power, its presence dominating the surrounding landscape.

Celestial music echoed from its walls, the Emperor’s might pressing down on all who dared to approach.

From a distance, intricate formations, resembling golden dragons, could be seen swirling across the pagoda’s surface, a testament to its power and the profound Dao principles it embodied.

Countless flying ships, like a flock of birds converging on a single point, filled the sky above Tai Su Peak, their occupants eager to participate in the trial.

Slap!

On the deck of a black flying ship, an elderly man with white hair smacked the back of a young man’s head.

“Ow! Master, what was that for?!” the young man, his cultivation at the early Sea of Qi realm, cried out, rubbing the back of his head.

“Have you forgotten everything I told you before we arrived?” the old man scolded, his voice laced with concern. “You mustn’t stare at the pagoda for too long!”

“Why?” the young man asked, his face a mask of confusion.

The old man, his gaze fixed on the Tai Su Divine Pagoda in the distance, his expression filled with reverence, explained, “The pagoda is inscribed with Emperor-level formations, remnants of the Tai Su Emperor’s power. If those with weaker cultivations stare at them for too long… they risk grave consequences. In mild cases, their eyes might explode. In severe cases… their entire head might… duang…”

“*Shudders* … the Tai Su Divine Pagoda is *that* terrifying?”

The old man chuckled, stroking his beard. “It is the Tai Su Emperor’s personal artifact. Its power is far beyond our comprehension. Can you feel it? That Emperor’s might permeating the very air we breathe? It’s like a chaotic universe, vast, unyielding, demanding our submission.”

“A wise observation. As cultivators, we must not only seek power… we must also respect it.”

“Master,” the young man asked, pointing towards seven towering stone monuments near the pagoda, “are those the legendary Tai Su Monuments?”

“Indeed, they are. They represent the seven realms: Sea of Qi, Divine Bridge, Other Shore, Dao Palace, Divine Ability, Small Saint, and Great Saint. They test a cultivator’s combat strength, talent, comprehension, willpower, Dao Heart… The higher you climb, the greater the rewards.”

The old man sighed, his voice laced with envy. “Three hundred years ago, my senior brother, Chen Yunzi, climbed to the tenth position on the Divine Bridge Monument. He was rewarded with a Heaven-grade cultivation technique, the Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Sound Art, and his cultivation soared, eventually reaching the peak of the Divine Ability realm. He is now one of the three esteemed deacons of Dao Cloud Peak.”

“Wow… a Heaven-grade technique…” The young man’s eyes lit up with longing. “If only I could reach the top ten on the Sea of Qi Monument. I wonder if I would receive a similar reward.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” the old man chuckled, giving him another smack on the back of the head. “If you even manage to make it onto the monument at all, I’ll be thanking the heavens.”

Just then, a flash of silver light streaked across the sky above them.

“What a fast flying ship…” the young man exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise.

“Indeed,” the old man replied, his voice filled with envy. “It’s an Earth-grade flying ship, its speed is naturally impressive. Its streamlined design suggests it’s a shuttle-type artifact, renowned for their velocity.”

He couldn’t help but drool with envy. If *he* had such a ship… it would double his chances of survival, whether he was exploring secret realms or battling demons and barbarians on the Heavenly Abyss Great Wall.

“Wait… that person… wearing black and gold robes… he’s a direct disciple from Yúnxiá Peak…”

As the silver shuttle slowed its descent, the old man finally got a clear view of the figure standing on its deck.

A handsome young man, his face as smooth as jade, his eyes like stars, a faint smile playing on his lips. His long, dark hair was casually tied back, giving him an air of effortless grace. His black and gold robes billowed in the wind, a white-bone hilt protruding from his waist, marking him as a sword cultivator.

It was Chu Xiu.

The Tài Sù Holy Land was vast, and even with an Earth-grade flying ship, it had taken him two days and two nights to reach Tai Su Peak from Yúnxiá Peak.

The shuttle descended slowly, landing at the foot of Tai Su Peak. With a wave of his hand, Chu Xiu shrunk the shuttle to the size of his thumb, storing it in his spatial ring.

He stepped onto the plaza, his gaze sweeping across the vast crowd that had gathered before the Tai Su Divine Pagoda.

Tens of thousands of cultivators, a sea of faces, buzzing with excitement and anticipation.

…