"Young Master Jiang! I challenge you!!!"
Chu Yuan's voice, amplified by spiritual energy, quickly spread across the entire plaza, echoing loudly.
In an instant, nearly all the chosen geniuses of the Cultivator Academy turned their attention toward him—including Jiang Yunhuang and others who had been observing from the shadows.
Jiang Ruoxu, who was still live-streaming, widened his eyes in disbelief.
This guy surnamed Chu really had a death wish!
Sure, Chu Yuan had formidable talent. Among the younger generation of the Cultivator Academy, only Jiang Ruoxu himself could still suppress him.
But the problem was... Chu Yuan could at most challenge someone at the early-stage Shattering Heaven Realm with his half-step Shattering Heaven cultivation.
Even if Jiang Ruoxu suppressed his own cultivation to the early-stage Shattering Heaven Realm, Chu Yuan wouldn’t stand a chance. They were both chosen by fate—fighting above one’s level was basic stuff. What was he even trying to prove?
And as Jiang Che’s cousin, Jiang Ruoxu knew him all too well. Jiang Che was the type who would never fight fair—if he could gang up on someone, he would; if he could bully others with his influence, he’d never bother with reason. Chu Yuan was about to get beaten to a pulp!
A trace of pity flickered in Jiang Ruoxu’s eyes as he looked at Chu Yuan.
...
Jiang Che slowly turned his head, gazing down at Chu Yuan from above.
[Ding! Host has successfully pulled off a mysteriously cool act, rewarded with 500,000 Pretend Points.]
Ah, this little bro system is so damn useful!
Chu Yuan shuddered under Jiang Che’s stare, but he forced himself to stand his ground.
[Hey, hey, hey! Why isn’t the system giving me any Ironhead Points yet? If you drop them now, I can surrender right away!]
[Hurry up! I can already sense killing intent. If you get me killed, you’ll never find another perfect host like me!]
Outwardly, Chu Yuan looked as steady as an old dog, but inside, he was panicking like crazy.
Meanwhile, Jiang Che chuckled inwardly.
This guy was so naive. Had he ever stopped to wonder who gave him that system in the first place?
The final interpretation of the system belonged to Young Master Jiang!
"Oh? You want to challenge me?"
"Fine, I’ll give you that chance. You’re a chosen one too—you must have your own great opportunities. Fighting above your level shouldn’t be hard for you, so I won’t suppress my cultivation!"
Jiang Che’s words left Chu Yuan speechless.
"Young Master Jiang—"
Chu Yuan’s eyes bulged, and alarm bells blared in his mind.
What the hell? Since when did Jiang Che play by the rules? He was a half-step Divine Transformation expert! Fighting a half-step Shattering Heaven cultivator without suppressing his realm?
That’s a whole major realm difference—how the hell was this fair?!
But Jiang Che didn’t give him time to protest. With a single motion, he raised his palm skyward, as if holding up the heavens themselves.
A mysterious Dao rhythm faintly emanated from him, as though the entire world had suddenly been clenched within Jiang Che’s grasp.
Then—he flipped his hand downward.
An overwhelming pressure crashed onto Chu Yuan.
[Oh no!!! I’m done for!!!]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for successfully being iron-headed. Reward: 300,000 Ironhead Points.]
[...]
A massive palm imprint was now clearly visible across the plaza, the ground deeply sunken beneath it.
"Palm Scripture"—the heavens and earth contained within a single palm.
This was a technique created by the Jiang Hong Ancestor of the Nine Heavens Jiang Clan. At Jiang Che’s current half-step Divine Transformation Realm, he could only unleash a minuscule fraction of its true power.
If a Great Emperor were to strike with full force, they could likely shatter a star with a single blow.
At this moment, Jiang Chusheng—who had been sipping tea with Jiang Yunhuang in the background—suddenly stood up.
"Palm Scripture? How does this kid know Ancestor Jiang Hong’s ultimate technique? Wait... unless..."
His mind raced, and after a moment, he let out a dry laugh.
So that was it. The Holy Body had already been secretly accepted as a disciple by Jiang Hong Ancestor. That explained all of Jiang Che’s cultivation resources and privileges.
Jiang Hong Ancestor was a genuine Great Emperor. Even among the complex hierarchy of the Nine Heavens Jiang Clan, his combat prowess ranked near the top. His "Palm Scripture" was so exclusive that even several imperial descendants of the Jiang Clan had been denied the chance to learn it.
...
"Cough, cough... Damn it, I almost died! You stupid system, I swear to god—"
Chu Yuan, being a 9th-level chosen one blessed by the heavens, naturally had plenty of life-saving tricks. Had the Heavenly Dao just bailed him out again?
Seeing Jiang Che about to deliver a second strike, Chu Yuan immediately dropped to his knees.
"Young Master Jiang, I admit defeat! I’m no match for you... I surrender!"
No way was he risking it—he had no more protective talismans left. Another slap would definitely obliterate this avatar of his!
"Holy shit, he’s still alive?" Jiang Ruoxu’s jaw dropped.
If Jiang Che had hit him with that palm, he’d be lucky to escape with just severe injuries. Yet Chu Yuan was still standing?
The live-stream chat exploded.
"Damn, salute to the legendary Slap Survivor!"
"Young Master Jiang, my little butt is feeling itchy too~ Can you give it a slap?"
"Shameless hussy, get lost! Young Master Jiang would slap the crap out of you!"
Jiang Che calmly withdrew his hand, holding back from delivering a fatal blow.
First, Chu Yuan was a chosen one—killing him might provoke the Heavenly Dao into madness.
Second, Chu Yuan was just... too profitable. A single act of recklessness from him could yield 300,000 Ironhead Points—which translated to 3 million points for Jiang Che!
One man was worth six. Where else could he find such an efficient punching bag?
Nearby, Wang Teng—who was bound to the "Hundred Defeats to Immortality" system—lowered his head.
For a moment, he had also considered challenging Jiang Che. Even losing would grant him valuable defeat experience to strengthen himself.
But after witnessing Chu Yuan’s miserable state, he quickly dismissed the idea. That palm strike from Jiang Che would probably annihilate him instantly.
Better not push his luck!
......
"Bro... Are you confident about the Heavenly Tribulation? I’ve heard the Divine Transformation Tribulation is the first and most crucial one on the immortal path. If you can condense a Martial Dao Mark, that would be ideal..."
Jiang Ruoxu spoke hesitantly.
Though he disliked his cousin, family was still family—important matters had to be addressed.
At the same time, Mo Lianxing sent a mental message to Jiang Che.
[Husband, the Divine Transformation Tribulation requires condensing your own Martial Dao Mark. Otherwise, your future path will be limited. There are ordinary Martial Dao Marks, King-level, Emperor-level, and even the legendary Immortal Mark.]
[You possess an Immortal Body—you must at least condense an Emperor-level Martial Dao Mark!]
For once, Mo Lianxing was serious. Despite her usual greed for wealth, she had long been spiritually intertwined with Jiang Che.
He had left an indelible mark on her heart. Even if she obtained the Body-Shaping Pill now, she knew she could never truly leave him.
She had chosen to overlook many of Jiang Che’s secrets.
Not long ago, he had been a Void Immortal Body—a constitution that shouldn’t even attract Heavenly Tribulations. Yet here he was, preparing to face one.
But she was smart. A woman who pried too much would only push a man away.
"Darling, is that concern I hear from you?"
"Tch, spare me the sweet talk. I just don’t want you struck by lightning—who’d repay my priceless Body Sculpting Pill then?"