After defeating Gu Changge, Chu Kuangren suddenly asked Venerable Xuanqi for permission to venture out and temper himself. After all, the world was full of magnificent mountains and rivers. He could not stay in the Mystic Heaven Sect forever. How dull would that be?
Besides, he was now at the Nascent Soul cultivation level. With his various trump cards, he had enough strength to protect himself. It was time he went out to see the world.
"A flower that stays in a greenhouse will ultimately struggle to withstand wind and rain. Kuangren, you may venture out to temper yourself, but wait another two days. I will arrange a Dao Protector for you," Venerable Xuanqi said.
When a Dao Tradition's Heavenly Pride ventured out into the world, they were generally assigned Dao Protectors to ensure their safety.
They could be especially careless with no one like Chu Kuangren.
"All right." Chu Kuangren nodded slightly.
He was quite curious about this Dao Protector of his, too.
In the mountains behind the Mystic Heaven Sect.
Several thatched cottages stood in a verdant bamboo grove.
Only a handful of people in the entire Mystic Heaven Sect knew about these cottages, and within them lay the sect's strongest reserves of power!
Creak.
The door of one cottage suddenly opened.
An old man in white robes stepped out, his hair and beard both white.
"Seventh Ancestor, are you sure you want to do this?"
An aged voice came from another cottage.
The white-robed old man smiled faintly. "I am already a guttering candle in the wind, with little time left. While I am still of some use, let me walk the mortal world once more."
"If you rest quietly, you have at least another century to live. But if you walk the mortal world and encounter a powerful opponent, the intense expenditure of spiritual power may leave you with only a few years," the voice in the cottage cautioned.
"Heh, I know. But that young disciple is truly outstanding. I want to protect him and walk this mortal world once more."
The Seventh Ancestor smiled faintly.
The cottages fell silent.
After a while, a voice came from one of them again. "In that case, go. Walk the final stretch of your path."
"Thank you for granting my wish, Second Ancestor."
The Seventh Ancestor cupped his hands slightly, then turned and walked out of the bamboo grove.
A breeze stirred, and the bamboo leaves rustled. That day, an aged Supreme Being reentered the world for the sake of a younger disciple.
At the Mystic Heaven Sect's mountain gate.
A crowd surged as countless disciples gazed at the otherworldly figure in white outside the gate, their eyes filled with reluctance to part.
That was Chu Kuangren, the Senior Brother of the Mystic Heaven Sect.
And today was the day he would leave to temper himself.
"Boo-hoo, Eldest Senior Brother is leaving. I can't bear to see him go!"
"Who can? Just thinking about not seeing Eldest Senior Brother for a long time leaves me with no motivation to cultivate."
"Eldest Senior Brother, take care!"
"The mountains are high and the roads are long. Eldest Senior Brother, please be careful."
"Young Master, you must be careful out there on your own. Don't go hungry or get cold," Xiao Bing said, gazing at Chu Kuangren with tear-filled eyes.
Chu Kuangren patted her head and smiled faintly. "Take good care of Ling Tian Dao Palace, cultivate diligently, and wait for me to return."
"Yes, I'll work hard."
Xiao Bing nodded firmly.
Her young master was so outstanding. How could she not work hard?
Chu Kuangren then looked toward Venerable Xuanqi.
Even this supreme Supreme Being showed a trace of reluctance to part, but he also knew that a young eagle ultimately had to learn to soar on its own.
"Kuangren, the world outside is not like the Mystic Heaven Sect. Though your talent is peerless, human hearts are treacherous. You must be cautious."
"Think three times before you act," Venerable Xuanqi said.
"Master, I understand. You needn't worry."
Chu Kuangren nodded slightly.
"Kuangren, the world is in turmoil now, already showing signs of the Great Age of Strife. Heavenly Prides from all the Dao Traditions are emerging one after another, like a hundred flowers blooming. Be mindful when you venture out."
"Though caution comes first, don't diminish the Mystic Heaven Sect's reputation either. Remember, you are the Senior Brother of the Mystic Heaven Sect, and the Mystic Heaven Sect will always be your staunchest support," Elder Ruyan said earnestly.
Hearing this, Chu Kuangren nodded and smiled confidently. "Rest assured, Elder. Before I enter the world, let the garden bloom as it will, its flowers vying in beauty. Once I enter the world, I shall lead them all, a single bloom standing above the rest!"
At these words, Venerable Xuanqi and the others were briefly taken aback. Then they burst into laughter, looking at Chu Kuangren with immense approval.
The other disciples were encouraged as well, casting aside their tearful manner.
"Well said, Eldest Senior Brother!"
"We shouldn't be holding Eldest Senior Brother back. He's going out to bring glory to our Mystic Heaven Sect and make his name known throughout the world!"
"A single bloom standing above the rest! That's our Eldest Senior Brother!"
Countless disciples gazed at Chu Kuangren with even greater admiration.
Chu Kuangren cupped his hands to everyone, then turned and left. Lan Yu followed him down the mountain.
Two Supreme Dao Bodies had officially entered the world.
Three days had passed since Chu Kuangren defeated Gu Changge.
Even before Chu Kuangren entered the world, his name had begun to spread. After all, anyone who could defeat the Qingyun Crown Prince could hardly avoid drawing attention.
Not to mention that he possessed a Supreme Dao Body.
For a time, the news shook every corner of the Azure Dragon Domain.
"Gu Changge lost!"
"Gu Changge finally lost! He lost to Chu Kuangren, the Mystic Heaven Sect's newly appointed chief disciple. And it was a crushing defeat-he was beaten with a single strike!"
"What? This Chu Kuangren is that powerful?"
"When did such a supreme Heavenly Pride emerge from the Mystic Heaven Sect?"
"Gu Changge defeated six great Saintly Dao Traditions, and by the time he reached the Mystic Heaven Sect, he already had the bearing of the invincible. Yet this Chu Kuangren defeated him with one strike? If this is true, then Chu Kuangren may well deserve to be called a Young Emperor!"
"Investigate! Find out this man's background at once!"
"Gu Changge, heh. What an imposing figure he cut, defeating six great Saintly Dao Traditions in succession. But didn't someone defeat him in the end? Presumably, his heart of invincibility has shattered. One fewer obstacle on the Emperor Road."
News of Chu Kuangren's victory over Gu Changge spread in every direction.
Information about Chu Kuangren was also unearthed.
Among it all, his Supreme Dao Body, his Three Supreme Foundations, and his creation of a Sage King Law drew the most attention, frightening many cultivators from the various Dao Traditions.
"Heavens, is he a monster?"
"Is that true? Can he really be that outrageous?"
"Tch, just rumors. I don't believe such a monstrous Heavenly Pride exists in this world. Someone must have made it all up."
"With talent like that, he deserves to be called a Young Emperor!"
Some believed it, while others doubted it.
In short, the name Chu Kuangren became a hot topic among the various Dao Traditions. Some busybodies even ranked him as a Young Emperor!
What was a Young Emperor?
A youthful emperor who had yet to become an Emperor!
It was generally a title for supreme Heavenly Prides. Anyone who bore the title of Young Emperor was among the most dazzling Heavenly Prides on Firmament Star.
Even Gu Changge was not qualified for that title.
Since Chu Kuangren had risen to fame too recently and had too few accomplishments in battle, the title of Young Emperor was merely proposed before the matter soon petered out.
But immediately afterward, another piece of news flew in every direction.
Chu Kuangren had entered the world! Moreover, before doing so, he had issued a challenge to every Heavenly Pride under heaven! He intended to battle the whole world alone!
The news shook all sides.
The countless Heavenly Prides of the various Dao Traditions reacted even more fiercely. Most were furious and wanted to pit themselves against Chu Kuangren, while some scoffed, mocking him for overestimating himself.
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