The Person Who Takes the Blame

Having received Lv Xuan's approval.

Chu Xingchen did not hesitate; he casually tossed the Shattered Spirit Butterfly Jade he was holding into the array.

He hadn't figured out the purpose of this object yet anyway, but since the system claimed it was useful, there was no harm in trying.

Lv Xuan watched as Chu Xingchen threw the Shattered Spirit Butterfly Jade in like he was discarding a broken plate, clearly not treating it as anything precious.

Yet, the moment that "broken plate" entered the ritual apparatus, its appearance transformed instantly.

The Crystal of Principle erupted with light. The originally solid crystal instantly dissolved into a quicksand-like radiance, swirling around the Shattered Spirit Butterfly Jade as energy surged toward it.

The Shattered Spirit Butterfly Jade also began to emit a subtle, obscure glow.

The power of the Crystal of Principle rushed into the fractures within the Jade.

In a mere instant—before Chu Xingchen or Lv Xuan could even react—the Crystal, possessing boundless power, was completely sucked dry by the Shattered Spirit Butterfly Jade.

The plate-like Jade, originally covered in dense cracks, now showed significantly fewer fractures.

Chu Xingchen fell silent, glancing sideways at Lv Xuan beside him.

Lv Xuan, equally silent, turned to meet Chu Xingchen's gaze.

At this moment, neither knew what to say.

Just as Chu Xingchen was about to open his mouth to ask if they could try to extract the "Principle" back out, the System's voice rang in his ears.

[Shattered Spirit Butterfly Jade charged once.]

[The Heavenly Secrets are not yet complete; whence comes the principle of Immortal Ascension?]

[All laws have order; how can one reach perfection without accumulation?]

[Nobility follows an order; what is the purpose of all this striving?]

[Only by returning to order today can there be a glimmer of a method for transcendence.]

[Usage opportunities +1]

The sound of the System's voice made Chu Xingchen swallow the words he was about to speak.

He now roughly understood what this item was for.

Lv Xuan stared silently at Chu Xingchen. Seeing no answer forthcoming for a long time, he finally spoke in a faint tone:

"How are we going to explain this when we go out?"

Chu Xingchen cleared his throat lightly and took the Shattered Spirit Butterfly Jade back into his hand:

"If I say it just returned to the Heavenly Dao—which is technically the truth—do you think that's credible?"

Lv Xuan remained silent, staring at the plate in Chu Xingchen's hand. After a moment, he spoke:

"It sounds even less reliable than you picking up this broken plate on the main road."

Chu Xingchen couldn't help but nod:

"Then what should we say? We can't exactly show them this plate and say it was absorbed by this thing, right?"

Lv Xuan raised his hand slightly:

"Can I take a look at that plate first?"

Chu Xingchen hesitated briefly but handed the Shattered Spirit Butterfly Jade to Lv Xuan.

Lv Xuan reached out and stroked it gently, sweeping it with his divine sense and condensing spiritual energy in his hand.

He quickly discovered that the plate was a flawless whole; his divine sense couldn't penetrate it, and its energy was self-contained, refusing to mingle with spiritual power.

In terms of attributes alone, it was something brand new and worth studying.

Plus, the characteristic of being able to fuse with "Principle"...

Lv Xuan's gaze swept over the areas that had been cracked just moments ago. They were now smooth as new. He touched them gently but could feel none of the massive Daoist Rhyme or power of the Principle.

Were it not for witnessing the scene with his own eyes, even Lv Xuan would not have believed that this plate could contain the Principle without leaking a single trace of Daoist Rhyme.

It was as if this object existed specifically to absorb Principle.

Lv Xuan was naturally aware of Chu Xingchen's file; the Tianyan Sect had even helped conceal much of his intelligence.

There was no doubt this item required immense resources. With Chu Xingchen's current financial standing, he couldn't possibly have forged it.

Furthermore, to contain Principle, the design must be exquisitely intricate.

To be this shattered and yet still able to contain Principle...

It was not something Chu Xingchen could achieve alone.

Lv Xuan hesitated slightly. He probably really did just pick it up.

With luck like Chu Xingchen's...

It only proved that the coming Great Calamity was truly immeasurable.

If the difficulties weren't so great, why would such massive fortune be bestowed upon him?

Lv Xuan didn't dwell on it further. He returned the Shattered Spirit Butterfly Jade to Chu Xingchen and spoke calmly:

"I don't know what use this thing has, but I assume you do."

"I also know that many personal secrets must remain known only to oneself. I naturally understand the logic of keeping one's talents hidden."

"So, you don't need to explain anything to me. Just do what you need to do."

"I will handle the explanation here. Once you go out, you just need to say that I have a plan to research the Principle."

"After you leave, don't ask too many questions about what happened here. I have my own ways to keep them from suspecting you."

"Of course, there are conditions."

Chu Xingchen paused, then cupped his hands and asked:

"What conditions?"

Lv Xuan smiled freely: "Next time Bai Xuanling says my mouth is like a rag that can't even hold spittle, you have to refute her properly for me."

"Tell her: This Sect Leader peers into heavenly secrets and knows ten thousand mysteries, yet keeps them hidden in his heart without speaking."

"It is Bai Xuanling who does not understand; she is too foolish."

Chu Xingchen nodded heavily: "I will. I'll tell Senior Bai—Sect Leader Lv says you are a moron who doesn't understand profound mysteries."

"Wait! Is that what I meant?"

"That's the simplified version."

"Then won't Bai Xuanling 'simplify' me? You simplified it too much!"

A smile appeared on Chu Xingchen's face:

"I will tell Senior Bai that the Sect Leader kept a huge secret for me and is absolutely reliable. Thank you for your trouble, Sect Leader Lv."

Lv Xuan also smiled and reached out to gently pat Chu Xingchen's shoulder:

"Heaven sends down great responsibilities; you might end up working harder than me in the future. Go on, rest well. We may not have days like this ahead. Go listen to the tunes you want to hear, while I can still hold the fort for a while."

"Many thanks, Sect Leader. I will take my leave."

Chu Xingchen bowed again and turned to leave.

Lv Xuan watched calmly as Chu Xingchen walked away. After a moment, he slowly turned back to face the empty center of the formation.

Only after a long while did he shake his head with a soft chuckle.

There always has to be someone in this world to take the blame—to carry the burden. Only then can those ahead walk without weight on their shoulders and travel further.

Isn't that the same logic behind him, Lv Xuan, accepting the position of Sect Leader? It was just taking on one more burden in passing.

Lv Xuan understood. His talent was considered good, but he was still a hair's breadth away from being a true genius.

Just like Cui Hao among Chu Xingchen's disciples.

Placed among the Eighteen Immortal Sects, one couldn't call him lowly.

But there was a slight gap between him and the true Heaven's Chosen. Yet that tiny gap was a mountain that some could never climb in a lifetime.

Looking back at all the things in life, so many matters fell short by just that tiny bit.

If Lv Xuan hadn't accepted the Sect Leader position, perhaps he could have climbed to the Tribulation Crossing Realm.

But to ascend? That wasn't something achieved by hard work alone.

There are many cultivators in this world, but looking back through history, how many truly become Immortals?

Heaven's Chosen...

Heaven's Chosen!

Everyone wants to be a Heaven's Chosen One, the unique existence in the spotlight.

But in this world, there are only a few.

Lv Xuan once wanted to be one of them, too, and strove with everything he had.

But precisely because he had tried so hard, he knew how wide the gap was.

And that was why he was willing to carry the burden that no one else wanted to carry.

Yanyun didn't know that he had volunteered to be the Sect Leader back then.

A man who wanted to be a Heaven's Chosen One.

Abandoned his dream to become the Sect Leader.

Lv Xuan gently stroked the table in front of him.

It was as if he were recalling those years again.