The dense spiritual energy filled Lie Zhankuang's entire body, a sensation that thrilled him beyond measure.
Continuously circulating his cultivation techniques, Lie Zhankuang sought to break through to the highest realm—the Emperor level.
Time slipped away unnoticed, and in the blink of an eye, three days had passed.
Throughout these three days, Lie Zhankuang had been absorbing the energy of the Immortal Spirit Fruit, while Chen Chang'an waited patiently, watching silently from the side.
"Senior Da Huang, it's been three days since the young master went down. Why hasn't he returned yet?"
"Could something dangerous have happened?"
With no news of Chen Chang'an for three days, Gu Xian'er's heart was heavy with worry.
"There's nothing I can do. My perception can't reach that far down."
"But you can rest assured—I’ve said it before, there isn’t a soul in this world who can harm Chen Chang'an."
"Let’s just wait a little longer."
Though still uneasy, Gu Xian'er felt somewhat reassured by Da Huang's words.
"Dammit, why is this so difficult?"
After halting his cultivation, Lie Zhankuang couldn’t help but curse aloud.
The energy was abundant, but breaking through the barrier to the Emperor realm was proving far more challenging than he’d anticipated.
"Finished?" Chen Chang'an asked.
"No."
"The energy of the Immortal Spirit Fruit is too immense. There’s no way I can fully absorb it in just three days."
"It’ll take at least a year before I can completely refine this energy."
"This thing truly lives up to its reputation as a supreme treasure—it’s terrifying."
"Even with my cultivation, it’ll take a year."
"If it were anyone else, who knows how long they’d need?"
Though he hadn’t broken through to the Emperor realm, Lie Zhankuang couldn’t help but marvel at the Immortal Spirit Fruit’s extraordinary power.
It was undoubtedly a rare treasure, one in a million.
"Is the energy inside the Immortal Spirit Fruit volatile?" Chen Chang'an asked.
"Surprisingly gentle. Even a child with no cultivation could eat it without any adverse effects."
"Though, for them, it wouldn’t be of much benefit."
"First, they wouldn’t be able to absorb it. Second, over time, the energy would simply go to waste."
"And third… well, I don’t actually know."
If you don’t know, then why even mention it?
"Alright, I’ve been down here for three days. It’s time for me to leave. What about you? Any plans?" Chen Chang'an asked, looking at Lie Zhankuang.
Leaving already?
No matter how one looked at it, this was a reunion of old friends. Lie Zhankuang hadn’t expected Chen Chang'an to depart so soon.
After so many years without seeing anyone, truth be told, Lie Zhankuang was reluctant to let him go.
"You go ahead. I won’t be leaving for now."
"I can’t leave this place anyway, and I don’t particularly want to."
"I’ll use this year to attempt a breakthrough to the Emperor realm."
"Once I succeed, I’ll have the confidence to step out again," Lie Zhankuang said solemnly.
"He’s at the peak of the Emperor realm. Even if you break through, you might not be his match."
"I know. But he wouldn’t dare act recklessly against me either."
"Once I leave, I’ll come find you. We’ll have a proper reunion then."
"Deal."
Chen Chang'an smiled and nodded before leaving the Heavenly Pool under Lie Zhankuang’s reluctant gaze.
When Chen Chang'an emerged from the pool, both Da Huang and Gu Xian'er let out sighs of relief.
Though Da Huang knew Chen Chang'an couldn’t die, he was also aware that the young man’s true strength wasn’t yet sufficient.
If something had happened, his life wouldn’t be in danger, but what if he’d been detained?
"What’s down there?"
"Young master, you’re back!"
Chen Chang'an first gave Gu Xian'er a warm smile before shooting Da Huang a sidelong glance.
"Look at her—she actually cares about me. All you care about is what’s down there."
"Your ancestors are down there."
After saying this, Chen Chang'an paused. Had Lie Zhankuang just gotten the better of Da Huang?
Da Huang, however, was long accustomed to Chen Chang'an’s antics and couldn’t be bothered to retort.
"Just tell me already. What’s down there?"
Chen Chang'an then recounted everything that had happened below.
"That kid Lie Zhankuang actually ended up like this?"
"Serves him right for his youthful arrogance."
"Still, it’s good that he’s alive at least."
"Who would’ve thought there’d be an Immortal Spirit Tree in the Heavenly Pool of Cloud Snow Ridge?"
"This thing… I bet there’s only one in the entire Tai Xuan Realm!"
A treasure like the Immortal Spirit Tree couldn’t possibly be found everywhere. Once one existed, another would never appear.
"Da Huang, want to try an Immortal Spirit Fruit?" Chen Chang'an asked with a grin.
"Something this precious, and you’re giving it to me?"
Da Huang eyed Chen Chang'an suspiciously. Since when was this guy so generous?
"Of course. But you’ll have to do something for me in return—something simple," Chen Chang'an said, still smiling.
"Tch, knew you weren’t that kind. Fine, what do you want me to do?"
"Head to the Northern Domain and deliver an Immortal Spirit Fruit to that kid Chen Yunxuan."
The Northern Domain? Chen Yunxuan?
"You really dote on that boy, don’t you? Even with treasures like this, you still think of him."
"But it’s no trouble. The Northern Domain isn’t too far from here."
"Wait—you’re giving me one first because you’re afraid I’ll eat Chen Yunxuan’s, aren’t you?"
"Chen Chang'an, am I really that much of a dog?"
"You literally are a dog."
"I—"
Da Huang understood Chen Chang'an just as well as Chen Chang'an understood Da Huang.
If Chen Chang'an hadn’t given Da Huang a fruit first and simply sent him off to deliver one, this bastard would’ve eaten it on the way, made up some excuse, and returned to demand another for Chen Yunxuan.
Rather than waste time, Chen Chang'an decided to give him one upfront—it made him look generous too.
"Enough nonsense. Go quickly and come back soon."
"Fine, I’ll be fast."
"Where are you heading next?"
"Once we cross Cloud Snow Ridge, we’ll reach Lanling territory. I might go there first."
"Alright, I’m off then."
"Go."
Since Da Huang was traveling alone this time, his speed would be much faster. The round trip would likely take only a few days.
"Young master, shall we set off for Lanling now?" Gu Xian'er stepped forward and asked.
"Don’t you want an Immortal Spirit Fruit?" Chen Chang'an asked with a smile.
"I’m merely the young master’s servant. Such a precious item should be reserved for someone more important." Gu Xian'er replied calmly, her expression unreadable.
Chen Chang'an stared at Gu Xian'er for a long moment, until her cheeks flushed slightly, before finally looking away.
"What’s wrong with the young master?"
"Could there be something on my face?"
Her face still tinged pink, Gu Xian'er lowered her head, her mind a whirlwind of chaotic thoughts.
"Take it."
"I’d like to see how much your cultivation improves after consuming the Immortal Spirit Fruit."
"This is an order."
Seeing Gu Xian'er about to refuse, Chen Chang'an cut her off with his final words, forcing her to swallow her protest.
"Thank you, young master."
Gu Xian'er hadn’t expected Chen Chang'an to be so generous. As a mere servant, she never imagined she’d be given such a priceless treasure.
"Take it now."
"Yes!"
m back to his original world. In the end, he realized he had overthought things. [Hey, why is Shen Manni, the female lead, acting strange? Shouldn't she be fawning over the male lead at this point?] [Zhou Qiaoqiao, are you sick? Weren't you supposed to break off your engagement today?] [Damn it! An Youyi, please do your job as an undercover agent and sell my information to the protagonist, you idiot!] ... At this moment, Xu Mo himself didn't know that these female leads had already heard his inner thoughts. Then they decided not to play by the rules. Xu Mo: Please respect my profession as the big villain!
close your eyes and open them again, only to find yourself transmigrated into the role of a villainous male supporting character. Readers familiar with urban wish-fulfillment novels know that it is only through the relentless antics of the villainous male supporting character that the plot between the male and female leads can progress. As the villainous male supporting character, Long Aotian not only has to bully the female lead, harass the second female lead, and flirt with the third female lead, but he also has to go all out to antagonize the male lead. In the end, when his body is discovered, he is still clutching half a moldy fried dough stick in his hand. Fully aware of the plot, Long Aotian is determined to change his fate, starting with the female lead! In the beginning, the female lead lacks confidence: "Big brother, I hope I didn't scare you?" In the middle, the female lead treads carefully: "Brother Long, please don't hit me, okay?" Later on, the female lead becomes coquettishly clingy: "Aotian, it's time to pay the 'public grain' tonight." Long Aotian's legs go weak, and he feels like crying: "I taught you to be thick-skinned, not shameless!"
't think I'm that capable, I'm just trying my best to stay alive. I've been kind all my life, never did anything bad, yet worldly suffering spared me not one bit. The human world is a nice place, but I won't come back in my next life. A kind young man, who wanted to just get by singing, but through repeated deceits and betrayals, has gone down an irredeemable path.
iving with nine beautiful women. [Ding! Welcome back to the Joyous Sect, Host…] Lin Yu: ??? I’m clearly in a shared rental, but you’re saying I’m in the Joyous Sect? Watering plants is now [Tending to Spiritual Flora]? Cooking becomes [Researching Elixirs]? Making the bed turns into [Setting Up Formations]? A gentle and innocent auntie, twin classmates, a mysterious hacker girl on leave, a severely socially anxious artist, an elementary school Chinese teacher, a community hospital nurse, a pet shop owner, an antique clock restorer… This system… is kinda interesting.
