Chapter 387 The Forgotten Shi Xuan
“The Nine Secrets each have their strengths. Not knowing which to cultivate for the moment is indeed very normal.”
Chu Feng paused, then smiled. “My advice as your master is that you choose according to what your heart seeks.”
At these words, confusion flickered in Shi Xuan’s eyes. He murmured softly, “What my heart seeks… what is it that I truly seek?”
Seeing this, Chu Feng casually brewed a cup of tea and pushed it toward Shi Xuan.
“First drink a cup of Heart-Clearing Tea. Once you see clearly what your heart desires, the answer will come.”
“Many thanks, Master.”
Without hesitation, Shi Xuan lifted the cup from the table and drank it all in one go, then sat cross-legged to calm his spirit.
Before long, a thought rose in his heart: I, Shi Xuan, shall become a supreme Divine Emperor. I will never be anyone’s stepping stone. Whoever dares block me, I will surely crush beneath my feet!
With that thought flashing by, Shi Xuan felt a sharp clarity in his mind.
He slowly opened his eyes and muttered, “To become a Divine Emperor… is this what I seek for all my life?”
Chu Feng laughed. “It seems your dream is not bold enough. Since you’ve become my disciple, at the very least you should dream of becoming an Immortal Emperor. Now you know which Secret to choose, don’t you?”
Shi Xuan rose and answered respectfully, “Master, I have already decided. I will first cultivate the Qian Secret among the Nine Secrets. Since Heaven would make me the stepping stone for so-called geniuses, then I shall master the Qian Secret, foresee their moves, and sever their fortunes.”
“Good.”
Chu Feng waved his folding fan lightly. “You chose well. But remember—before you fully comprehend one Secret, you must not break through to the True Fate Realm.”
“Why not?”
Shi Xuan showed doubt on his face.
“Cannot be spoken, cannot be spoken.”
Chu Feng shook his fan, deliberately keeping the mystery.
Shi Xuan pressed further. “Then what if I cannot restrain the growth of spirit power within my body?”
Chu Feng smiled. “At that time, come to me. I naturally have a way to dissolve the excess spirit power without pain.”
“Many thanks, Master.”
With that, Shi Xuan turned and departed.
Watching his disciple’s back recede, Chu Feng murmured, “Children of Destiny among the younger generation of the Xuantian Continent… I wonder how you will deal with Shi Xuan, this destined great villain, in the future?”
Not far away, Bing Yan overheard and instinctively asked, “Husband, what you’re doing goes against Heaven itself. Are you not afraid of Heaven’s backlash?”
Chu Feng laughed. “As the saying goes, man can triumph over Heaven. Since Shi Xuan has become my disciple, I will defy Heaven on his behalf, protect him for a lifetime without worry. Besides, I wish to see what it feels like to alter destiny itself. Life has been dull for too long, don’t you agree?”
Bing Yan rolled her eyes. Her husband always seemed like a child who never grew up.
If Chu Feng could have heard her thoughts, he would surely have replied seriously: A man remains a youth until death.
…
After returning to his own courtyard, Shi Xuan began to comprehend the Qian Secret.
The process was tedious, but Shi Xuan felt no frustration.
His current standing was not only due to the great support of the Shi family and his extraordinary talent. Most important of all, he could endure loneliness and devote himself to cultivation.
Time passed, day by day.
The disciples admitted into the Miscellaneous Dao Institute naturally became the focus of Wendao Academy’s new generation.
The outer court disciples did not disappoint either. Though they could not compare to Wendao Academy’s most dazzling geniuses, they still stood out among their peers, whether in duels with fellow disciples or otherwise.
Still, in every training mission, they amazed all who witnessed them.
The disciples of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute’s outer court carried themselves with an added radiance.
Often, Shi Xuan’s name would be brought up in discussion. After all, when he first came to Wendao Academy to seek a master, he was accepted as an exception by Elder Qin.
It was said Elder Qin possessed unmatched heterochromatic eyes. For her to break precedent, Shi Xuan surely had to be extraordinary.
Yet a year passed, and Shi Xuan showed no movement.
Another year passed, and Shi Xuan had not even appeared before the public.
Thus, rumors began to spread throughout Wendao Academy.
Some claimed Shi Xuan lacked talent and was only chosen by the Miscellaneous Dao Institute because of his family’s support.
Others said the Shi family had close ties with Elder Qin and pulled strings to place him in the institute.
Shi Xuan nodded. “Thank you, Master. But… do you think your disciple is dull-witted? It’s been so long, yet I still haven’t managed to enter into the Qian Secret.”
Chu Feng chuckled. “What nonsense are you thinking? Back then, your Senior Sister Chu also cultivated for years before shocking the world. Our Miscellaneous Dao Institute does not follow the rules of other institutes. Even if it takes you thirty years to comprehend a Secret, it won’t matter.”
At these words, the heavy weight in Shi Xuan’s heart finally lifted. He had worried his master might think he was progressing too slowly.
Chu Feng added, “Remember, true power comes from patience. Just cultivate with peace of mind.”
“Yes, Master.”
Shi Xuan silently vowed in his heart—he must comprehend the Qian Secret soon and never disappoint his master.
Time in the mountains passed unnoticed. Another year slipped by.
Within Wendao Academy, all had forgotten Shi Xuan, once hailed as a genius.
Instead, the two new stars of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute were Chen Zun and Qin Yun. The former reached the sixth level of Dao Foundation after three years of cultivation and won the outer sect competition.
The latter returned after following Ye Beixuan on external training for two and a half years. With his mastery of Soaring Dragon Nine Transformations, he dominated the inner sect competition, earning praise as the one who carried Ye Beixuan’s former glory.
Yet the chatter outside did not disturb Shi Xuan’s cultivation.
He felt himself only half a step away from grasping the Qian Secret. A breakthrough was imminent.
Meanwhile, Chu Feng was preparing a feast, awaiting Xiao Chen’s return.
Half a month earlier at dawn, he had received a familiar notification: Xiao Chen had broken through the Nirvana Realm, awakening the Immortal Body—Sky-Piercing Sword Body. Great Dao Truth +1. Reward: one hundred years of cultivation. Sky-Piercing Sword Body perfected. Great Dao Truth +10.
Soon after, a transmission talisman from Xiao Chen arrived, announcing his imminent return to Wendao Academy.
Chu Feng’s heart was brimming with joy. Beyond Xiao Chen, his other disciples had also advanced greatly.
Cao Youqian had broken through to Path Union ninth layer. Qin Qin reached Path Union fifth layer. Wang Baole reached Path Union second layer. Ye Beixuan advanced to Path Union second layer and had perfected comprehension of the Primordial Dao Truth.
In addition, Xu Caichen reached Spirit Nurturing ninth layer. Han Ping reached Spirit Nurturing fifth layer. Chu Caiyi advanced to Heavenly Origin ninth realm. Fang Mu reached Heavenly Origin seventh layer. Nie Xiuyuan broke through to Nirvana Realm second layer.
Even the little girl Chen Qianqian, after her external training, reached Heavenly Origin sixth layer. Bai Qian reached Spirit Nurturing third layer and also comprehended the Thirty-Six Heavenly Transformations’ Call Wind, Call Rain technique, deriving the Dao Truth of Wind and Rain to perfection.
Altogether, his disciples had added several hundred years to Chu Feng’s cultivation while also increasing his Great Dao Truth by thirty-seven points. It was a tremendous harvest.
As Miaomiao Mountain waited eagerly for Xiao Chen’s return—
Shi Xuan finally stepped across that last half-step…
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