NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 61 - And Your Master Too
Seeing that breathtakingly beautiful face so close, Xiao Lingchen felt his heart skip a beat. An impulse surged within him to lean in and kiss her.
But Jiang Luoxian didn’t give him the chance. Perhaps sensing their proximity, a faint, almost imperceptible blush crept onto her cheeks before she stepped back.
Xiao Lingchen felt a pang of emptiness in his chest.
Then, composing himself, he answered earnestly, “This disciple was just thinking that Master is so stunningly beautiful. I was wondering which man, blessed with heaven’s greatest fortune, might one day become your cultivation partner.”
Hearing Xiao Lingchen’s blunt words, Jiang Luoxian could no longer conceal her emotions. Her cheeks flushed like peach blossoms. In that fleeting moment, it was as if a glacier melted and spring arrived, flowers blooming—her beauty became indescribably captivating.
Just as Xiao Lingchen was utterly entranced by the sight, Jiang Luoxian mercilessly rapped him on the head.
Then she chided, “Always thinking about useless things! Let me ask you—how did the grand competition turn out?”
She deliberately shifted the topic.
Xiao Lingchen replied promptly, “The results were, naturally, excellent.”
The two sat down on the meditation cushions in the wooden hut. Xiao Lingchen recounted the entire process of the grand competition to Jiang Luoxian.
“That’s how it went,” he concluded. “I didn’t let Master down. Not only did I wipe out the Demon Clan’s branch in the Dark Forest and gain plenty of benefits, but I also secured first place in the competition. Three days from now, I’ll be able to enter the True Martial Space. The only hitch is that I didn’t expect my slaughter of the Tianyan Sect disciples to be exposed so quickly. Their true strength is a bit beyond what I imagined, making this matter somewhat tricky.”
Jiang Luoxian said calmly, “Tricky? Hardly. You can go ahead and settle things with the Tianyan Sect without worry. If you can’t handle them, you still have your master.”
Her words instantly filled Xiao Lingchen with immense confidence. He couldn’t help but feel grateful—having a powerful and protective master was truly a stroke of incredible luck.
Jiang Luoxian continued, “That said, I won’t step in for you so easily. Stay on the mountain and cultivate for the next few days. Three days from now, enter the True Martial Space to seek opportunities. Once you’ve obtained a supreme opportunity, then go settle things with the Tianyan Sect.”
Xiao Lingchen nodded. Her words aligned perfectly with his own thoughts. This was a matter of blood vengeance—he wanted to personally strike down his enemies, not rely on others. Not even his master.
And so, Xiao Lingchen remained on the back mountain.
He entered the Void Space within the Qiankun Mirror. The eight shadowy figures inside immediately began practicing divine abilities on their own.
These eight figures were cultivating Godslayer Sword Technique, Thunderous Wrath, Shadow Assault Technique, Great Luo Diamond Fist, Instant Flash Technique, and Heaven-Stealing Technique. There was also the new divine ability evolved from the Golden Body Technique—Heaven and Earth Manifestation—and the earth-grade high-tier divine ability he’d received as the grand competition’s top reward, Starlight Ferry.
This new ability, Starlight Ferry, was arguably the highest-grade divine ability in Xiao Lingchen’s arsenal! Its power was exceptional—it could redirect any divine ability attack aimed at him!
This ability was undoubtedly more practical than other defensive techniques, even capable of turning an enemy’s attack against them. Xiao Lingchen was thoroughly pleased.
At that moment, the eight shadowy figures tirelessly honed these eight divine abilities for him.
But Xiao Lingchen wasn’t idle either. He sat cross-legged, activating the Radiant Jade Sundial to accelerate the flow of time within the Void Space. At the same time, he took out the three Mixed Essence Pills he’d earned from the grand competition.
Mixed Essence Pills were sixth-grade spiritual pills, exceedingly rare even within the entire Taixuan Sect and the Tianxuan Kingdom! Consuming them could vastly increase one’s cultivation and strength.
Without hesitation, Xiao Lingchen swallowed all three pills in one gulp.
In an instant, the overwhelming medicinal power surged through his body, threatening to overwhelm him. But his Pure Yang Sacred Body quickly suppressed it. He immediately circulated the Yin-Yang Creation Technique to refine the energy.
When Xiao Lingchen opened his eyes again, a day and a night had passed. The three Mixed Essence Pills had been fully refined.
Now, his cultivation had successfully reached the ninth level of the Dao Palace Realm!
Over this period, he had slain nearly ten million cultivators and consumed various natural treasures. He could have broken through to the Delusion Breaking Realm long ago. But Xiao Lingchen had deliberately compressed his cultivation and spiritual energy, striving to perfect each realm to its utmost limit.
As a result, his breakthrough to the Delusion Breaking Realm had been delayed. Yet his true strength far surpassed others at his level, granting him the ability to fight across realms!
With the Mixed Essence Pills fully refined, Xiao Lingchen moved on to refining the remaining unprocessed Qi of Creation.
Time slipped by. Two more days passed.
He managed to refine a significant portion of the remaining Qi of Creation, further enhancing his physical body!
Unfortunately, three days was too short for any significant progress in those divine abilities. However, Starlight Ferry had just reached the initial stage of mastery—thanks to the time acceleration from the Radiant Jade Sundial. Without it, he wouldn’t have grasped even the basics in such a short time!
Afterward, Xiao Lingchen exited the Void Space, bid farewell to Jiang Luoxian, and headed to Great Bamboo Peak.
As he did, he suddenly noticed the Transmission Talisman Ning Huanhuan had given him flashing red incessantly. Only then did he realize that, engrossed in cultivation for three days straight, he hadn’t paid it any attention. Ning Huanhuan must have sent him plenty of messages!
He placed the talisman to his ear, and Ning Huanhuan’s recorded voice immediately rang out:
“What are you doing?”
“Want to meet up?”
“I’ll be waiting at the usual spot.”
…
“Where are you?”
“Say something!”
“I snuck out behind Senior Sister’s back!”
“Hurry up and show yourself, or she’ll catch me soon!”
…
“Are we meeting tonight?”
“Fine, fine, ignore my messages!”
“You jerk, if you don’t reply, we’re done for good!”
…
“If you come apologize to me tonight, I’ll forgive you.”
“Yesterday, I found some killer techniques in the library’s records—way better than the ones you taught me!”
Listening to Ning Huanhuan’s barrage of messages, Xiao Lingchen couldn’t help but smile.
He hadn’t expected her to send him messages every day for three days. Unfortunately, he’d been so focused on cultivating that he hadn’t noticed. Now, heading to the True Martial Space, he’d have to make it up to her when he returned.
Soon, Xiao Lingchen arrived at Great Bamboo Peak. Elder Yun Zhu had been waiting for some time.
Upon arrival, Xiao Lingchen bowed respectfully.
Elder Yun Zhu nodded, his eyes gleaming with admiration as he looked at Xiao Lingchen. “In just three days, your cultivation and strength have improved again. Your talent is truly enviable!”
Xiao Lingchen smiled modestly and said, “Grand Elder, shall we set off?”