White Jade Tower, a guest room.
Chu Kuangren opened his eyes, awakening from his secluded cultivation.
His cultivation had now advanced considerably, soaring from the Nascent Soul Early Stage to perfection in one go. He was only half a step away from Void Insight.
"This Hongmeng Purple Qi really is extraordinary. Its residual effects alone let my cultivation break through several minor stages. And the insights into the Dao I gained while absorbing the purple qi will also be a great help to my future cultivation."
Chu Kuangren smiled in satisfaction.
Although his cultivation was at Nascent Soul Perfection, his understanding of the Dao now far surpassed his realm, matching even a Battle King's.
No, perhaps it could even rival a Venerable's.
Hongmeng Purple Qi was simply too powerful.
"Little fellow, it looks like you've gained quite a lot."
The Seventh Ancestor's voice came from the void.
Then ripples spread through the void, and the Seventh Ancestor stepped out. Dressed in white robes, with sword-like brows and bright eyes, he was the very picture of a handsome middle-aged man.
"Greetings, Seventh Ancestor." Chu Kuangren rose and cupped his hands in salute. He had only learned the Seventh Ancestor's identity at the city lord's residence: the seventh-generation sect leader of the Mystic Heaven Sect, whose seniority far exceeded even his master's.
Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that this man would become his Dao Protector, much less while suffering the Five Decays of the Celestial Person.
At that thought, respect inevitably rose in his heart.
"No need to stand on ceremony. I should be the one bowing to you. Without you, I wouldn't be who I am now." Gratitude appeared on the Seventh Ancestor's face, and he truly bowed to Chu Kuangren.
A Supreme Supreme bowing to a junior-if word of this spread, who knew how many people would be scared out of their wits?
Chu Kuangren hurriedly stepped aside. "Seventh Ancestor, aren't you making me unworthy of such an honor? Given your standing, how could I dare accept such a bow?"
"You deserve this bow," the Seventh Ancestor said solemnly. Cultivators who had never entered the Five Decays of the Celestial Person would never understand that pain.
The feeling of being able to do nothing but watch oneself descend step by step from the pinnacle into decline and death, unable to stop it, was far too tormenting.
Chu Kuangren's Longevity Pill had not only restored him to his peak and extended his life, but also given him another chance to pursue the supreme Great Dao. It would be no exaggeration to call Chu Kuangren the parent who had given him a second life.
The Seventh Ancestor silently swore that his life would belong to Chu Kuangren from now on. Even if he died, he would keep Chu Kuangren safe.
Chu Kuangren could only resign himself to it. Later, the Seventh Ancestor asked where the Longevity Pill had come from. Chu Kuangren merely said he had found it while taking inventory of the Primordial Spirit Supreme's treasure vault. After all, the Seventh Ancestor could not possibly know everything in the vault like the back of his hand.
Leaving the guest room, Chu Kuangren saw Lan Yu leaning against a tree.
She wore a blue-and-white ruqun, her silver hair falling over her shoulders. She was so beautiful that even the surrounding scenery paled before her.
"This young lady has been standing guard here without leaving her post since her injuries healed two days ago. She's a good girl," the Seventh Ancestor told Chu Kuangren through voice transmission.
Chu Kuangren nodded slightly. "She is a good girl."
"Young Master."
Noticing that Chu Kuangren had emerged from seclusion, Lan Yu went up to him.
"How are your injuries?"
"They're no longer a problem."
"Good. Thank you for your efforts these past two days." Chu Kuangren reached out and plucked a fallen leaf from her head as he spoke gently.
Lan Yu felt her heartbeat quicken with a flutter. A rosy blush swiftly spread across her cool, exquisite face, making her all the more lovely.
"I-it's all right."
"Ahem."
A cough came from beside them. Li Xingchen had arrived.
Lan Yu instantly returned to her cool, sacred, and inviolable demeanor, casting him a glance as sharp as a blade.
For some reason, Li Xingchen shivered.
"Brother Li, it's been a few days. Have you been well?"
Chu Kuangren smiled faintly.
"Brother Chu, you have no idea! While you've been in seclusion these past few days, the outside world has been turned upside down," Li Xingchen said excitedly.
"Oh? In what way?"
Chu Kuangren smiled.
"What do you think? It's all because you killed the White Cloud Sword Venerable." Even as he said it, Li Xingchen could not help feeling awed.
When other people first set out to gain experience, didn't they all start with small matters, like killing bandits or Demon Beasts, or taking part in a few martial contests?
But Chu Kuangren? He had killed a Supreme Supreme right after setting out!
If you're that incredible, what do you even need experience for?
Li Xingchen then told Chu Kuangren what had happened over the past few days.
Chu Kuangren was not particularly surprised. There were only a handful of publicly known Supreme Supremes in the Azure Dragon Domain. The death of even one was an earth-shaking event.
Let alone one dying at the hands of a junior like him. It would have been strange if the outside world had not been turned upside down. What surprised him somewhat was that this affair had sparked a war of words between several Saintly Dao Traditions. That was rather unusual.
And then there was that Tournament to Find a Spouse.
Even a Saintly Dao Tradition resorted to that sort of thing?
"By the way, Brother Chu, are you going to the Tournament to Find a Spouse?"
Li Xingchen asked.
"I'm not interested in that Princess Linglong. Why would I go?" Chu Kuangren shook his head and spoke bluntly.
Li Xingchen clicked his tongue in wonder. "Princess Linglong is one of the greatest beauties in the world. Are you really not interested at all, Brother Chu?"
"Now that you mention it, a little. But however beautiful she is, could she possibly be more beautiful than my Lan Yu?" Chu Kuangren said with a smile.
Beside him, the corners of Lan Yu's lips lifted slightly, and joy filled her heart.
Li Xingchen smiled. "Miss Lan is a heavenly beauty, so naturally, few can compare to her. But Princess Linglong is no less remarkable. And rumor has it that she possesses... the Dark Nether Dao Body."
Chu Kuangren's expression stilled. "The Dark Nether Dao Body that, according to rumor, can greatly increase a cultivator's cultivation and let them enter a state of Dao enlightenment on her first night?"
"Exactly."
A smile that any man would understand appeared on Li Xingchen's face.
There were three thousand physiques in the world, with all manner of strange and unusual varieties. The Dark Nether Dao Body was a top-tier Dao body, second only to the Supreme Dao Body.
Moreover, this physique was somewhat special. When its possessor first had intercourse with someone, they would release a dark nether essence with the miraculous ability to greatly increase a cultivator's cultivation and even allow them to enter a state of Dao enlightenment.
Thus, since ancient times, possessors of this physique, whether male or female, had been pursued-or rather, coveted-by countless cultivators.
"It's fortunate that Princess Linglong is the Qingyun Dynasty's eldest princess and has such powerful backing. Otherwise, someone would have abducted her for that physique long ago."
"Mm." Chu Kuangren nodded.
"This Tournament to Find a Spouse will gather Heavenly Prides from every quarter. I hear even Heavenly Prides from other domains will be coming. It's bound to be incredibly lively. I plan to set out in the next few days. Are you really not going, Brother Chu?"
Li Xingchen asked again.
Chu Kuangren pondered for a moment. "Then, I'll go."
He was not going because of Princess Linglong. Rather, since he had set out to gain experience, he naturally needed to see the world.
And now that Heavenly Prides from all over were heading to the Qingyun Dynasty, was there any better place for him to broaden his horizons?
"Hehe, with your tremendous strength, Brother Chu, you're sure to take first place in the Tournament to Find a Spouse." Li Xingchen waggled his eyebrows at Chu Kuangren, that smile any man would understand appearing on his face again.
Chu Kuangren rolled his eyes. "You're overthinking it. I'm only going because I'm curious about those Heavenly Prides. I don't intend to compete for her hand."
"I understand, I understand." Li Xingchen chuckled.
Chu Kuangren shook his head helplessly, not bothering to explain.
Three days later.
Chu Kuangren and the others set out for the Qingyun Dynasty.
The Qingyun Dynasty was a million li from White Cloud City. However, Firmament Star had a means of transport called an immortal boat. By consuming a certain amount of spirit stones, it could swiftly travel long distances, making it extremely convenient.
The three of them traveled by immortal boat and reached the Qingyun Dynasty's royal capital in only about two days.
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