Chu Xingchen put the paper away, his gaze calm as he looked at Chen Baiqing.
On the system panel:
[Bewitching Heaven Enchantress] upgrade successful—[Upholder Enchantress].
Chen Baiqing suddenly raised her head as well, her expression one of utter disbelief as she looked at her own master.
At that moment, a surge of true essence circulated within her body, as if pushing her innate divine ability to an even higher level.
Without a doubt, this was her master's doing.
Her own innate divine ability was already of the highest caliber—so how could a single word from her master elevate it another step?
The deeper one's innate divine ability, the harder advancement should be.
Right now, Chen Baiqing could clearly feel that what she possessed was not merely a skill, but an ability that approached the realm of rules.
Chu Xingchen smiled and spoke.
"This is also a gift."
"Baiqing understands." Chen Baiqing answered just as quickly.
This matter, like the candied fruit in her hand, should not be spread.
As for the deeper reasons—when Master was willing to tell her, he would. If he didn't speak, there was surely a reason not to.
Moreover, Master had probably begun preparing for this moment all the way back when he first saved her.
Chu Xingchen smiled and nodded, quietly waiting for Chen Baiqing to finish brewing the tea.
Chu Xingchen held the teacup and took a small sip.
Sure enough… he couldn't taste a thing.
His hand also felt an eerie sense of emptiness, as if holding nothing at all.
Xuanqing Heavenly Sect's Primordial Chaos Twin Spirit Beads were formidable, certainly, but prolonged use still placed enormous strain on divine sense. Even with the most basic method of observing others through qi, it felt like walking a tightrope—one had to maintain balance constantly, which drained mental energy.
Yet he couldn't stop maintaining it. If the Primordial Chaos Twin Spirit Beads reverted to their original form, Chu Xingchen would have no way to activate them with his imprisoned divine sense.
Until this illusion was resolved, he would probably have to behave himself.
But at least taking down Bai Bo, this Celestial Demon, had been a heavy blow to the demon race. This time, the various sects would be able to trace fragments of their movements and begin investigating backward.
According to reports, Xu Linglong and the other Celestial Demons had already chosen to scatter and flee.
For at least a good while, they would have to keep their heads down.
Naturally, Chu Xingchen's side wasn't in much better shape.
Both Bai Xuanling and Chu Xingchen would have to stay put, limited to making arrangements from behind the scenes.
The Western Niu Continent had essentially been half-conceded, sustained only by Daoist Yuyang's stubborn defense.
If this matter just passed without consequence, the Buddhist sect's demonic elements could slip back into hiding once more. An open threat was never frightening—it was always the hidden cards that were.
After all… no one knew the true state of the Buddhist sect today.
A completely deranged Buddhist sect was undoubtedly terrifying.
The sect with the most Tribulation Transcendence cultivators—claiming they weren't troublesome would be a lie.
Chu Xingchen pondered briefly. In the current situation, perhaps relying on his own disciples to make arrangements would be more prudent.
After experiencing all these things, Chu Xingchen had come to understand that this great tribulation of the world would not be so easily weathered by him alone.
These disciples who possessed the potential of True Immortals—perhaps they were the ultimate means to survive the great tributation.
Whether it was Li Yingling's peerless talent or Li Xingtian's ability to gaze upon the River of Time—these were things Chu Xingchen could never possess directly.
In a sense, certain abilities of these disciples far surpassed his own.
When conditions were safe, he should send them out to gain experience.
Especially now, when he could no longer closely control the situation.
After all, if this illusion were truly easy to break, Xu Linglong would never have used it as her trump card.
Western Niu Continent.
Two figures flew at extreme speed, and behind them, a third figure who could barely keep up, being dragged along, appeared utterly miserable.
And that miserable figure was none other than Donggua.
This wasn't because Donggua was refusing to cooperate—she truly couldn't run anymore.
Right now, Donggua's hatred for Cui Hao had reached untold heights.
If they ever met again, Donggua would absolutely mince Cui Hao into meat sauce, piece by piece.
Cui Hao had destroyed her previously stable, on-track life and thrown her back into the state of a prisoner.
That was a crime worth dying for once.
The person Donggua least wanted to meet in her life was Wukong, the monk who preached Buddhism with his fists. Without a second word, Cui Hao had sent her straight to him.
That was a crime worth dying for twice.
Although Donggua had known coming to Wukong's place would be no good thing, she never imagined it could be this bad.
At first, Wukong, upon Donggua's arrival, had been annoyed and confused but paid her little mind. He even considered sending Donggua to meet the Demon Lord with a single strike.
Radiant Buddha was more patient, saying that what Chu Xingchen sent must have a reason—perhaps she would prove useful.
Fortunately, Radiant Buddha was the one who called the shots here.
After completing his tasks, this Tribulation Transcendence Buddha would sometimes chat with Donggua about the future of life.
Donggua could talk back to Wukong because even when he flew into a rage, she could at least endure a few blows and bring him back to his senses.
But before Radiant Buddha, she didn't dare.
A single strike from a Tribulation Transcendence cultivator could truly crush her to death.
So Donggua could only pretend for the time being to be a demon on the verge of reform, while waiting for an opportunity to escape—or to contact Xu Linglong through the flower within her sea of consciousness.
Wukong seemed very busy here and hadn't come to discuss Buddhism with his fists.
He didn't even bother to mock her.
Radiant Buddha, on the other hand, had a friendly demeanor.
Just as Donggua thought the days of captivity would continue in this calm fashion, Wukong brought good news—the Taidao Sect cultivators had withdrawn from the Western Niu Continent, and the Buddhist sect had seized the opportunity to return in force.
This barren land that even Nascent Soul cultivators couldn't be bothered to step into finally blossomed to new heights—over a dozen Tribulation Transcendence cultivators arrived in person.
The Western Niu Continent was on the brink of great chaos, visible at a single glance.
Hearing this news, Donggua's heart surged with excitement, feeling that an escape opportunity was just around the corner.
But Wukong's follow-up bad news truly left her depressed—all over a dozen Tribulation Transcendence cultivators who arrived were here to kill their group.
They were closing in from three directions. The Buddhist Sect Master, Suchness Tathagata, was pressing forward at maximum speed.
If they didn't run now, Wukong and Radiant Buddha would truly have to return to the Buddhist Kingdom—and she would have to go meet the Demon Lord.
Donggua was moved to tears on the spot.
When had she ever enjoyed such treatment—being pursued by over a dozen Tribulation Transcendence cultivators?
Who could survive such an encirclement?
She was only a Spirit Transformation cultivator. A Tribulation Transcendence cultivator could blow her away with a single breath.
And besides, Donggua was a prisoner!
Why was she fleeing together with her captors?!
Why did the world become increasingly bizarre the moment Cui Hao appeared in her life?!
Donggua's current state was roughly like this: she had just jumped off a bungee platform when she heard someone shouting behind her—"You forgot to tie the rope."
Beneath Donggua was not a surging river, nor a safety net.
It was concrete with steel stakes a meter long.
The instant she jumped, she understood—she was dead for sure.
Donggua's present state was midair, one glance and she knew her fate—damn it! She was dead for sure!
Cui Hao had even put on a good-natured act, saying he was giving her a way out.
Turns out this thrilling escape was worse than just killing her on the spot.
This was a crime worthy of Cui Hao dying a hundred times over!!!
Cui Hao!!
Go die!!
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