A Borrowed Shell and the "Ancient One" in a Mortal Body

The air inside the Library Pavilion seemed to freeze solid in that instant.

Ji Changkong's right hand, which had been clamped firmly on Su Chen's shoulder, jerked back as if shocked.

His fingers trembled beneath his long sleeve, and a fine sheen of cold sweat covered his palm. He had lived three thousand years and once leveled eight hundred miles of the Demon Domain with a single sword strike. A mighty cultivator at the peak of Dao-Slaying, he could no longer remember the last time he had felt such heart-pounding dread.

"What... was I just doing?"

"I actually tried to probe, even question, a forbidden being who might be connected to the ancient Heavenly Court?"

Turmoil surged through Ji Changkong's heart, and a chill ran down his spine.

In the cultivation world, tales of reincarnated masters and old monsters who seized new bodies were commonplace. When ancient beings of extraordinary talent faced calamities they could not withstand, they often sealed away their souls and memories, reincarnated, and quietly gathered strength among mortals until the day they could soar to the heavens.

Before they truly awakened, however, they appeared no different from ordinary mortals with no cultivation whatsoever.

But if anyone dared disrespect them or touched the forbidden seals buried deep within them, the karmic consequences would tower over the entire starry sky!

"No wonder... no wonder this boy spent three years in the Primeval Holy Land, where strange phenomena kept appearing, without a care in the world."

"No wonder he just 'happened' to spot that Charred Residual Page when even we noticed nothing, and it just 'happened' to crumble to ash after he read it."

"How could there be so many coincidences?"

"This was clearly a contingency left by that ancient being. At the appointed time, he spoke the words 'Southern Heaven' through this boy's mouth, reconnecting the Heavenly Court's karmic ties after twelve thousand decades!"

The more Ji Changkong thought about it, the more his Dao heart trembled. Every link in the chain fell perfectly into place.

Beside him, the Heavenly Sword Guest and Perfected One Ten Thousand Laws exchanged a glance. Each saw the shock and awe the other was struggling to hide.

No one who reached the Dao-Slaying realm was a fool.

They looked at Su Chen's handsome, gentle face, so calm it was almost uncanny, and their suspicions swelled.

Faced with the terrifying pressure of one peak Dao-Slaying cultivator and two late-stage Dao-Slaying cultivators, even the sect's most outstanding Holy Son would have been trembling on his knees by now.

Yet although the young man in green looked somewhat "pale" and "frightened," his back remained straight. Deep in his warm, jade-like eyes, there was neither fear of the strong nor any urge to flatter them. They were as still as an ancient mirror capable of reflecting the myriad heavens.

Such detachment was impossible for an ordinary menial disciple!

"Su... young friend Su."

Ji Changkong drew a deep breath and forced down the storm in his heart. Even his form of address had quietly changed.

He bowed slightly. His oppressive aura vanished at once, and he even managed a gentle, almost ingratiating smile.

"With a few words, young friend, you revealed the meaning of 'Southern Heaven.' You helped the Primeval Holy Land unravel the mystery of this immortal relic and brought a divine artifact lost for a hundred and twenty thousand years back into the light. That is a world-changing achievement."

Su Chen found it quietly amusing.

These top figures of the Canglan Realm were talking themselves into his story faster and more thoroughly than he had expected.

His expression, however, remained perfectly measured. He gave a slight start and bowed with anxious respect.

"You flatter me, Holy Lord. I'm humbled. I merely repeated what I once read. I don't deserve to be called your young friend, much less receive credit for any achievement."

Seeing Su Chen act so "anxiously respectful" only made Ji Changkong and the others more certain.

Just as I thought!

According to the tales, truly awakened ancient beings undergoing trials among mortals to comprehend the Heavenly Dao hate revealing heavenly secrets above all. They also resent anyone disturbing their cultivation.

He has only a mortal body now. Perhaps his memories haven't fully awakened, or perhaps he's deliberately concealing his strength to avoid drawing the attention of the "great terror" that destroyed the Heavenly Court.

Ji Changkong believed he had seen through everything.

He decided to play along and never expose Su Chen's secret. But he had to grant this "ancient one" the highest status and protection. And, while he was at it... cling tight to someone who could lead them to the immortal realm!

"You're too modest, young friend."

Ji Changkong laughed, his tone warm but firm.

"Merit must be rewarded. That is a founding principle of the Primeval Holy Land. Su Chen, hear my decree."

Su Chen straightened his expression and bowed slightly. "Yes, Holy Lord."

"By my decree, Su Chen, a menial disciple of the Library Pavilion, is hereby promoted for his contributions to organizing the sect's ancient texts—to Special Guest Elder of the Primeval Holy Land."

"His standing shall equal that of a peak master, and he need not bow to me. He shall have absolute authority to handle and read every ancient text and surviving page in the Library Pavilion. No one in the sect may disturb Elder Su Chen's secluded cultivation without my permission. His monthly cultivation resources shall be issued at the Holy Land's highest level!"

The Grand Elders in the hall were surprised, but not one objected.

Even the Heavenly Sword Guest, usually the most hot-tempered and strictest about rules, nodded in approval.

If Su Chen was the reincarnation of a mighty Heavenly Court figure—or a representative of its will—granting him the mere title of Guest Elder was an incredible bargain for the Primeval Holy Land!

"I... thank you for your kindness, Holy Lord."

Su Chen did not refuse. He accepted the position quite naturally.

He knew that refusing too insistently would seem insincere and clash with Ji Changkong's image of an "ancient one" wandering the mortal world for amusement.

Besides, as a Guest Elder, he would have the greatest possible freedom within the Holy Land. With the Holy Lord's explicit permission to "cultivate in seclusion," whatever he did or whichever phenomena he redeemed from now on would be easier to conceal.

"Good. Cultivate here in peace, young friend. If you need anything, send me a message at any time."

Ji Changkong nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to the Southern Heavenly Gate White Jade Brick Fragment on the table. It had fully stabilized and no longer gave off any dangerous aura.

He carefully put it away, his gaze turning cold and sharp.

"Ten Thousand Laws, issue my highest mobilization order."

Ji Changkong turned to Perfected One Ten Thousand Laws, his voice icy.

"In the name of the Primeval Holy Land, summon the thirty-six ancient kingdoms and seventy-two affiliated sects under our command. Search the entire Canglan Realm—especially its ancient forbidden grounds, abysses, and ruins—for every 'strange fragment' bearing 'Desolate Ancient divine script,' giving off an unusual aura, or showing more than a hundred thousand years of weathering!"

"Anyone who provides a lead shall receive an Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique and a life-extending divine pill!"

"Anyone who finds and brings back an actual fragment shall be admitted directly as an inner disciple of the Holy Land and awarded a Heaven-Connecting Spiritual Treasure!"

"I want the entire Canglan Realm moving!"

"Yes! As you command, Holy Lord!"

Perfected One Ten Thousand Laws bowed and accepted the order, his expression grave.

He knew that from this day forward, the Primeval Holy Land's sudden order would shake the entire Canglan Realm.

Ancient clans hidden in the shadows, the great realms of the demon race, and Devil Dao sects would likely all speculate endlessly about the Holy Land's unusual actions.

And that was exactly what Su Chen wanted.

A short while later.

Ji Changkong and the others hurried out of the Library Pavilion with the Southern Heavenly Gate fragment. They went to discuss how they might use the faint traces of immortal laws remaining in the brick to reach the legendary severed path to immortality.

The vast Library Pavilion fell quiet once more.

Outside it, however, an invisible supreme barrier had appeared. It blocked all spiritual-sense probing and could instantly transport Ji Changkong and the other mighty cultivators over if Su Chen faced danger.

The pavilion had become both the most heavily guarded place in the Primeval Holy Land and its safest refuge.

Su Chen walked back behind the wooden table and sat down, his expression calm.

"System, show me my status."

Hum.

Illusory light appeared before his eyes.

[Myth Editing System] Host: Su Chen Available Karma Points: 10,900 Current myth being spread: [Desolate Ancient Heavenly Court] (Spread: 12%) Manifested item: [Southern Heavenly Gate White Jade Brick Fragment] Unlocked permissions: Tiers One and Two (can manifest spirit-grade objects and interfere with local laws)

Looking at his ten thousand-plus Karma Points, Su Chen smiled faintly.

This Southern Heavenly Gate scheme had paid off handsomely.

But he knew it was nowhere near enough.

"Ji Changkong and the others have mobilized the entire Holy Land to search for 'Heavenly Court fragments.' That means they're completely convinced the Heavenly Court collapsed and the path to immortality was severed."

"But a single Primeval Holy Land—or this starting zone of the Canglan Realm alone—can only generate so many Karma Points."

Su Chen tapped his fingers lightly against the wooden table in a crisp, steady rhythm.

"It's time to set the next stage in motion."

Su Chen closed his eyes and sank his consciousness deep into the system.

Among the Tier Two exchanges was a feature called the Myriad Worlds Projection Mirror.

The Tier Three exchanges, meanwhile, contained a crucial core persona and cultivation technique.

Su Chen's gaze settled on an entry he had chosen long ago.

[Entry: Erlang, the Illustrious Sage and True Lord—Inheritance Fragment] [Description: Contains a wisp of the divine-law will of the ancient Heavenly Court's "foremost war god," the True Lord of Pure Origin and Wondrous Dao, along with an incomplete method for the Nine-Turn Profound Art (Eight-Nine Profound Art). Whoever merges with this fragment can open a heavenly eye, command a divine hound, and gain a body nearly impervious to harm.] * [Note: This inheritance is not for the host to merge with personally. The host may select an "agent" to receive it. Every breakthrough the agent achieves and every public display of divine power will generate karmic ripples that return to the host tenfold.] [Exchange price: 8,000 Karma Points.]

"Eight thousand Karma Points. Worth every one."

Su Chen murmured to himself.

For a true mastermind, personally fighting life-and-death battles was the stupidest approach. Better to play chess, raising his own "pieces" and "front men."

This "agent," inheriting the power of a mythic deity, could wage war across the Canglan Realm in his place, astonish the world, and reap endless karma and faith for him.

Su Chen himself only needed to sit above the clouds and watch coldly, the "angler" who would never be exposed.

"Now... who should I choose as my agent?"

A name immediately surfaced in Su Chen's mind, one he had noticed while organizing the Library Pavilion's disciple rosters over the past three years.

It belonged to a tragic figure who had once dazzled the entire Holy Land, only to fall from grace overnight.

"Lin Qiye."

An unreadable glint flashed in Su Chen's eyes.