CHAPTER 69: CHAPTER 68 WOW, GOLDEN DRAGON

Outside the loft, the Demonic Cultivators were silent and stunned, gazing at the Sect Master’s residence that had returned to tranquility.

The pond was as smooth as a mirror, and the waterfall seemed to have become a babbling brook.

If not for the thin Spiritual Energy reminding them, they would have almost forgotten the enormous vortex that had covered the entire loft for the past three days.

And then, such an anomaly...

"Enlightenment in Dream?"

An Elder from the Annihilation Sect with white hair murmured, stroking his beard and muttering to himself, "Could the Sect Master have wandered beyond Taixu and enjoyed the creation of heaven and earth?"

"HISS—what kind of aptitude, what kind of talent, what kind of insight must one have."

"I always feel that the Sect Master’s future achievements will certainly far surpass ours!"

"One word, convinced!"

Just then, Elder Miao made a move, scattering a burst of blood light and enveloping the loft completely.

The Grand Elder beside her immediately added several layers of Barriers, his expression slightly grave.

"Dad?"

Miao Cuijiao called out softly, exchanging a glance with her father, both looking quite serious.

"There shouldn’t be many who saw it," the Grand Elder communicated telepathically, his gaze somewhat evasive, "go and test the intentions of a few of the Heavenly Immortal Realm Elders. If they too have discovered it, be sure to urge them to keep it a secret. This matter is of great importance. At last, I understand what the former Sect Master saw that day, which made us protect the current Sect Master at all costs."

Elder Miao nodded slightly, and before she could move, the white-haired Elders had already flown over with complex expressions.

The Elders gathered around the Grand Elder, each setting up Barriers and whispering secretly among themselves.

In various places throughout the Annihilation Sect, the Disciples had regained their wits, and a buzzing noise arose everywhere, with thousands of people clamoring, almost turning the Rift Valley upside down.

"The Sect Master just took a nap?"

"Sovereign ancestors above, I used to think the Sect Master hadn’t even formed his Golden Core. His cultivation was indeed low, not enough to take on the heavy responsibility of Sect Master, but now it seems... I am blind, blind indeed!"

"A Condensation Establishment Realm Cultivator sleeps for three days, and wakes up as a Nascent Soul? Am I dreaming?"

"Is that a simple Nascent Soul Realm? Have you ever seen a Nascent Soul with such phenomena? I couldn’t make such a fuss even when I became an Immortal!"

"It’s strange, could our Sect Master possibly be a reincarnation of some old demon?"

"Sect Master... Sect Master... I’ll kowtow to the Sect Master, that’s settled!"

The whole Annihilation Sect headquarters was in an uproar, and the Demonic Cultivators were at a loss for words, not knowing where the inexplicable excitement came from.

It might be because they saw hope for the Sect to grow stronger; or perhaps because the person who had stepped past the Golden Core and Spiritual Silence realms in one move and directly entered the Nascent Soul Realm was their Sect Master, they felt a sense of pride and arrogance in their hearts.

This group of Demon Path followers teased and spoke nonstop, and the scene was nearly out of control.

「At this moment, inside the loft.」

Wu Wang calmly erected a Mana Barrier, quickly changed his clothes, and tried to keep his complexion calm.

In a corner, Lin Suqing, with her hands covering her eyes and her back turned to Wu Wang, had flushed cheeks. She seemed to have stopped thinking altogether and couldn’t be awakened for the moment.

It wasn’t even my doing, so even if the Heavenly Emperor himself came, that wouldn’t make me a lecher, right?

It was clearly I who was at a loss here!

If I put myself in Brother Ji’s shoes... what would Ji Mo do at this moment?

Ji Mo would probably smile and take a turn, take out a folding fan, salute those around him, and say something to the effect of "Excuse my impropriety," ahem, "my embarrassment."

I certainly couldn’t do that.

Moreover, compared to the small matter of being exposed, I’m more concerned about whether my secret has been revealed.

Looking inwardly, the changes within me are nothing short of earth-shattering.

But I don’t have time to look further. Once I confirm I’m healthy, normal, and not going to explode for no reason, I must immediately rush to the door.

I now have to confirm one thing!

I have to make sure my transformation hasn’t been exposed!

This is the Human Domain, a place that loathes gods and ferocious beasts. With beings like Wang Lin of the Ten Evils Hall who can hide in the Human Domain, if my form has been exposed... I should be thinking about how to argue my case.

I should also think about buying a ticket back to the Northern Wilderness!

ER... it seems I can already fly back there now.

"Suqing!"

Wu Wang called out with a stern voice through telepathy.

In the corner, Lin Suqing removed her hands from her eyes and turned around, her face aglow and eyes misty. She peeked at Wu Wang through the gaps in her fingers and after hemming and hawing for a while, squeezed out a sentence:

"I, I, I didn’t see anything!"

"Let’s be serious," Wu Wang frowned and pressed his lips together, "I didn’t ask if you saw my body. Seeing is just seeing, it’s not like it’ll lead to losing a couple of ounces of flesh."

Lin Suqing blinked in confusion, "Then... what is it?"

Wu Wang asked via telepathy, "Is there anything unusual about my body? Like something that’s very conspicuous? Something that, after seeing it, would leave a deep impression on you?"

Lin Suqing tilted her head to recall, a blush creeping up her snowy-white neck. Suddenly, she covered her cheeks, turned her head, and ran to the stairway, disappearing in a puff of smoke, leaving only one word behind:

"Shameless!"

Wu Wang shivered all over. What was that old aunt fussing about?

Could it be that I haven’t been exposed after all?

Yet, glancing inward at the traces of the Star Dao within him, they were so obvious. Although his body showed no abnormalities at the moment, Wu Wang ’clearly’ felt that he had transformed in his sleep.

No matter what, I have to face whatever is coming.

If I’ve really been exposed, I hope the groundwork I laid earlier—the rumor of the ’Golden Dragon emerging from the Human Domain’ that the old senior spread—has reached this place by now.

CREAK—

The hinges of a wooden door always make that kind of noise.

Wu Wang walked out with some trepidation, and the normally noisy Rift Valley once again fell silent.

Gazes converged upon him from all directions. The Elders at the forefront maintained their composure, while the distant Disciples had their eyes shining brightly.

"Sect Master, teach us! How do we gain Enlightenment in Dream?"

A young girl shouted loudly, and the surrounding Disciples burst into laughter.

"Congratulations to the Sect Master for entering the Nascent Soul Realm!"

"Magnificent! Truly magnificent! Our Sect Master of the Annihilation Sect—the Dark Desire Wind Great Demon Sect—is indeed a rare genius unseen in ten thousand years!"

"Congratulations, Sect Master! Happy congratulations, Sect Master!"

"Sect Master! Are we having a banquet today?"

Wu Wang: ...

The cheers that hit him took him somewhat by surprise.

Wu Wang’s heart settled quite a bit, and he allowed a small smile to appear, raising his hand to wave at the crowd.

The cheers grew even louder.

This place, full of Cultivators from the Demonic Sect, had the buzzing warmth of the Northern Wilderness clan celebrations.

The Grand Elder’s voice came from above, "Alright, everyone. Don’t disturb the Sect Master. Return to your cultivation. The Sect Master has just broken through and should stabilize his realm."

"Sect Master! Please give us some guidance!"

"To celebrate the Sect Master’s advancement of seven realms in one step, this Elder will host a small banquet. Let’s drink to our heart’s content!"

"Who said the Sect Master’s cultivation was lacking? He went to sleep and woke up with a Nascent Soul; how do you argue with that?"

The crowd dispersed, with most from the Demon Path not forgetting to salute the Sect Master.

If they had felt somewhat forced to salute before, their bows and hand-folds were now much more natural.

Yang Wudi and others also wanted to approach but were held back by the Grand Elder.

In the air, in the distance, the highest-ranking Elders of the Annihilation Sect gathered and approached.

The smile on Wu Wang’s lips faded as he realized that things were not as simple as they seemed.

On second thought, he understood that he had caused quite a stir and that amidst this chaos, the higher-ranking Elders had noticed some irregularities.

The Grand Elder said quietly, "Sect Master, let’s go inside to talk."

Wu Wang nodded calmly, an open and honest look in his eyes as he turned back into the loft.

Seven or eight Elders followed behind the Grand Elder and Elder Miao, entering the loft together. Then they simultaneously extended their hands, constructing a Mana Barrier that isolated all external probing.

The Grand Elder suddenly sighed, and Wu Wang instantly tensed up.

"Sect Master, you’ve kept us in the dark for quite some time."

Time for a showdown?

Wu Wang’s palms began to sweat; he genuinely wasn’t certain he could come out unscathed in front of several Heavenly Immortals.

"Grand Elder, there’s a reason for all this..."

"Sect Master!"

One of the Elders said quakingly, "Why did you choose to hide among our Annihilation Sect?"

"No, you can’t ask that! How can you ask that!" Another Elder quickly interrupted, changing the wording, "What virtue or capability does our Annihilation Sect have to be favored by you, Sect Master?"

Wu Wang: ...

I didn’t have a choice; it was Mao Aowu who tricked me into coming here.

No, that’s not right—I had wanted to leave all along; it was they who insisted I stay and even put the Sect Master’s hat on my head.

Wu Wang was just about to lose his temper with his eyes wide open when the Grand Elder and Elder Miao, the father and daughter, suddenly felt a bit guilty.

The Grand Elder coughed and quickly said, "Let’s first clarify the situation. At the present moment, only those of us above the Heavenly Immortal Realm have seen the Sect Master’s identity. At that time, the spiritual energy fluctuations around the Sect Master were too strong, and even a True Immortal could not see clearly. Therefore, everyone, for the hope of the Human Domain’s future, for the safety of the Sect Master, and for not causing trouble for the Human Emperor, let us each take an oath based on our own life and Dao rules to strictly keep this secret."

"Good!"

"The Grand Elder is right."

Thereupon, the seven or eight Elders all closed their eyes, summoned their Primordial Spirits, and took turns to make a heavy oath, adding a shackle to their own Primordial Spirits.

Wu Wang kept thinking, his mind half clear and half confused.

He asked, "Grand Elder, Elders, what is this...?"

"Sect Master, we all understand."

The Grand Elder revealed a somewhat gentle smile, then deeply bowed in the traditional Daoist way, and said earnestly, "Previously, we did not know the Sect Master had such a heavy responsibility and forced the Sect Master to stay here for cultivation. We hope the Sect Master will forgive us."

Miao Cuijiao pressed her lips tightly, speaking in a low voice, "It also made the Sect Master laugh at us; if such charm could bewitch the Sect Master, it would truly be an absurd matter. However, since we forcefully retained you, we will also take up this heavy responsibility."

Wu Wang understood they had misunderstood something, so he deliberately asked, "What heavy responsibility?"

Miao Cuijiao answered seriously, "It is naturally the heavy responsibility of supporting the growth of the Sect Master!"

An Elder pondered for a moment and said, "Presently, the ferocious waves of the Ten Evils Hall are rampant. I have heard that they have planted spies within many major Sects. Our Annihilation Sect previously had an inconspicuous reputation and should not have caught the eye of the Ten Evils Hall; hence, it is actually a good thing for the Sect Master to stay here."

"Our ancestors bless the Human race, our ancestors bless our Annihilation Sect."

"Indeed, if the Ten Evils Hall were to learn of the Sect Master’s existence, they would definitely stop at nothing..."

"Today, the Sect Master has consecutively broken through the realms of Golden Core, Spiritual Silence, and Nascent Soul. This news, if spread, is bound to cause an uproar in the Human Domain, and may also attract the attention of the Ten Evils Hall. They are ruthless towards the talented young generation and do not hesitate to kill mercilessly."

"Later, we will warn each Disciple, instructing them to strictly guard the secret of the Sect Master’s breakthrough and forbid spreading it."

The Grand Elder said somberly, "As of now, most people within our Sect can still be trusted; they are either Disciples of our own Sect or offspring of the old members. Fortunately, we have not yet aggressively recruited outsiders."

Wu Wang wondered, "What exactly did you all see? Could you explain clearly before discussing how to cover for me?"

The Elders looked at each other, each revealing a knowing smile.

"It’s very convincing, Sect Master, the way you played the part."

"There’s no help for it, given that the Sect Master, at the tender age of just over twenty, has taken on such a responsibility."

"We all understand; let’s not expose it."

However, Miao Cuijiao gave a captivating laugh, with seductive eyes like silk and her tongue lightly brushing her lips, and said, "Sect Master, there’s no need to worry. Whether it should be seen or not, I have seen it all. The Sect Master indeed has a fine appearance."

This old lady is flirting with me, but I have no substantial evidence.

The Grand Elder said in a low voice, "Earlier, you revealed a magical body, isn’t that the... Golden Dragon mentioned in the proclamations issued by the Human Emperor across the lands?"

As expected.

Wu Wang sighed faintly, calmly stepped back half a step, picked up the hem of his long robe to sit in a chair and crossed his legs, revealing two sections of bare calves.

He said, "You are indeed aware... It’s also my fault. I had a breakthrough while sleeping, and it came so unexpectedly that I couldn’t properly conceal it. Yes, I am the Golden Dragon as rumored."

All the Elders’ faces changed at once; although they had already seen it and had sworn to keep the Sect Master’s secret, they still couldn’t help feeling a little excited to hear Wu Wang’s own admission. A few even discussed in whispers whether they should kneel and pay their respects.

The Grand Elder sighed deeply with his hands behind his back, his eyes full of gratification and a touch of a sense of responsibility as if he had made a certain decision.

Wu Wang felt somewhat guilty inside.

The message was spread by my senior, and the Golden Dragon and other fabrications were concocted by me and my senior. This Golden Dragon doesn’t have much to do with the Human Domain itself; it’s because of the Star God’s Essence Blood.

Now, I have to use such a lie to cover up my own uniqueness.

He took out a jug of fruit wine from his sleeve, poured himself a cup to suppress the unease in his heart.

Suddenly, he heard the Grand Elder intone:

"The Human Domain shall see a Golden Dragon emerge, upheavals abound, and gods find no peace.

The momentum to break the heavens starts with him, henceforth, the fate of the Great Wilderness and its Hundred Races is set."

PFFT—

Wu Wang sprayed out a mouthful of fruit wine, creating a large curtain of liquid, and asked tremulously, "What in the world is this?"

Miao Cuijiao laughed and said, "This is an order spread throughout the Human Domain by the Human Emperor, and just a few days later, it was proclaimed again [hahahaha, I have returned, Little Golden Dragon]. Because of you, Sect Master, for the first time ever, the Human Emperor’s command was heard twice within a short period. Before, it was only once every few hundred years."

Two edicts?

Wu Wang felt a tremor in his heart and suddenly thought of something.

On the small island of Jingwei, Shen Nong consulted with me about using the Human Domain’s ancient texts to search for a method to revive a shattered soul. At that time, Shen Nong was in contact with the upper echelons of the Human Domain, and I asked Shen Nong to spread the rumor about a Golden Dragon.

My exact words were ’A Golden Dragon will appear in the Human Domain,’ without those sentences that followed!

The Grand Elder said, "The first Human Emperor’s edict actually has four more lines."

"Four more lines? Which, which four lines?" Wu Wang felt his mouth dry up, "Can you recite it in full?"

Several Elders began to shake their heads, swaying back and forth, and chanted in unison:

"A Golden Dragon shall emerge in the Human Domain, heaven and earth overturn, even Gods cannot rest.

The breaking of the heavens shall start with him, from then on, the Great Wilderness and its Hundred Races shall be set.

The torch of the Fire Emperor’s aspirations rekindled, all laws converge into the majesty of the Heavenly Emperor.

The Nine Wildernesses return to the origin, the Heaven Palace cracks, tomorrow we shall see, the Little Golden Dragon!"

"Good!"

The Grand Elder shouted loudly, his face glowing with vigour and youth.

Wu Wang’s vision darkened; he closed his eyes, leaned back, and through clenched teeth squeezed out a sentence, "Old... Senior... you... con artist!"

The other Elders instantly fell silent, each of them as quiet as cicadas in winter.

Miao Cuijiao asked softly, "Sect Master, have you perhaps met the Human Emperor?"

"Oh, I’ve met him alright!"

Wu Wang took a deep breath and jumped up, cursing, "I have not met him! I don’t know him! Whoever wants to know him can go ahead! The Sect Master knows him? He tricked me into chopping trees and building houses, then tricked me to help with creating a God, told me he would show me the world but actually used me as a shield, and now he’s pulled this stunt on me! I would have been better off not knowing him! No, that’s not right..."

Without meeting Shen Nong, I wouldn’t have seen Little Jingwei.

"Forget it," Wu Wang was too angry, "Please, I ask all Elders to keep this matter strictly confidential. I must meditate now to consolidate my realm."

The Grand Elder gestured with his hand and quickly said, "Sect Master, please rest. We will go and make detailed arrangements within the Sect, and warn everyone personally not to spread the news of your breakthrough."

"Thank you, Grand Elder."

The Grand Elder hurriedly responded, "You are too polite, too polite."

The other Elders also said, "This is what we should do!"

"Sect Master, do you have any other requests? Should Elder Miao stay and serve you as a maiden?"

"That should not be, that should not be."

Wu Wang said gravely, "Don’t think I have any special status. What status could I possibly have? I am just an ordinary Cultivator who has been trusted by you all to become your Sect Master. Elder Miao, treat me as you did before. I still need to hear some harsh words to remind me not to stray from the path."

Elder Miao rolled her eyes and snorted, not saying much else.

As the Heavenly Immortal Realm Elders were leaving, they all were saying ’The Sect Master is truly humble,’ and ’able to heed contrary advice.’

Once the wooden door of the loft closed and the surrounding Barriers were activated again, Wu Wang finally sighed with relief, collapsing into his chair, unable to regain his composure for a long time.

There was an element of playacting just now. Having exposed the Golden Dragon, I seized the chance to hint at my connection with Shen Nong, the Human Emperor, at least enough to convince the Elders.

Should I go and hide in the Northern Wilderness?

Wu Wang had just made a breakthrough and was still unstable. As he slapped the arm of his chair, the chair collapsed into dust with a bang.

Wu Wang floated in the air, maintaining his seated posture, then stood up calmly.

What is there to fear?

If the news spreads, I’ll head straight for the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion and brazenly freeload off their food and drink, training every day beside some crafty old predecessor.

It’s safer than anywhere else!

"That settles it! Suqing, make me some heat-clearing tea!"

"Yes!"

Lin Suqing responded from the second floor. Having been cut off by the Mana Barrier, she hadn’t understood what had just happened.

It was just that her own realm felt like it was inexplicably on the verge of a breakthrough.

By the time she floated over with the tea, Wu Wang was already meditating on his cushion, frowning in concentration, introspecting, grappling with the various peculiarities within his body.

All this is... what on earth is it...