Chapter 93: Chapter 90: Xu Ziqing’s Recompense

There’s no denying it, Xiaoxu, who took the bronze sword from the mountain, is really something else.

Not only did he win the East Continent competition, but he also pinned down the top competitor from the Western Continent.

Although the sword carries the Dao Ancestor’s seal, which only unlocks partially with each breakthrough Xu Ziqing makes—meaning he can only harness part of the evil sword’s power—it’s still enough for him to sweep through others of the same realm.

Many players think that the invincible one at the same realm isn’t Xu Ziqing but rather the sword!

Some players have observed that there is a vast difference in strength when he uses the bronze sword and when he doesn’t.

Without the sword, he’s indeed still strong but likely not on par with the other three main protagonists of the world.

Besides, as mentioned earlier, Xu Ziqing’s cultivation pace has always been slower than those of the other three main protagonists.

He’s at least one major realm behind.

Like Han Shuangjiang, who advances at lightning speed, he even fell behind by two major realms at one point.

He seems to have been born just for the first two rounds of the East and West Continent competition.

Because in Xuan Calendar 1991, when the Third Realm competition between the East and West Continents began, Han Shuangjiang, who had obtained two Dao Ancestor inheritances, had already leaped to the Fourth Realm and was racing towards becoming a Great Cultivator, making her ineligible to compete.

And at that time, Xu Ziqing was barely at the Third Realm, and still only at the mid-Third Realm, not even reaching Great Perfection in his cultivation!

Yet he managed to fight his way through and claim the top spot in the Profound Yellow Realm at the same level, purely with that sword.

Chu Huaixu didn’t expect that, now holding Xu Ziqing’s script, he too would be placed under such high expectations?

How did it turn into me going to fight?

“But the issue is, I’m not sure if Xiaoxu, upon climbing Hidden Spirit Mountain, still has the chance to take that sword,” he thought to himself.

“If it’s destined for him to have it, then, in my opponents in the East Continent competition, there is Xu Ziqing with the world’s number one sword!” His eyes narrowed slightly at the thought.

The development of the story has inexplicably… become fascinating!

More absurdly, the task system seems to have detected something on its own.

Standing within the Purple Bamboo Forest, Chu Huaixu started hearing the system prompt in his ears.

“[Ding! After detection, you have triggered the main storyline quest: East and West Continent Competition!]”

His heartbeat slightly accelerated as he stealthily checked the task rewards.

It’s evidently a phased task, with phased rewards, requiring players to unlock layer by layer.

The first phase’s requirement is to break into the top five hundred in the East Continent to receive an experience points reward.

Then, he could unlock the next phase.

Chu Huaixu personally speculated that the next phase should be to aim for the top hundred.

“In other words, if I can keep pushing my ranking higher, I can keep unlocking rewards.”

He knew very well that the rewards for main storyline tasks had always been exceptionally generous, often including not just experience points but also some special items and special attribute points.

As for the ultimate reward, it’s likely to be quite astonishing.

In an instant, Chu Huaixu was filled with motivation.

At this moment, several elders around him also shared some encouraging words with eager expectations.

Chu Huaixu nonchalantly cupped his hands, without saying a single modest word. Clearly only at the First Realm Early Stage, yet he somehow regained the momentum he had when he climbed Hidden Spirit Mountain before!

“This disciple will certainly give it my all and will not fail this mission!”

…

…

With everything here settled, it was still Chu Yinyin who volunteered to personally see Chu Huaixu back to the Outer Sect.

On the way flying back, this little rich lady from the Daoist Sect said, “If you can take the first place in the East Continent, or even the East and West Continents, the sect will definitely reward you.”

“I, as your future second mentor, will also give you a reward in private.”

When she thought about her future disciple potentially becoming the top in the same level in the Profound Yellow Realm, the thought alone brought her immense joy.

This mature girl, just from such imaginations, was already feeling prematurely proud.

Upon hearing this, Chu Huaixu quickly responded tactfully, “Then this disciple thanks Second Mentor in advance.”

“Oh, I keep telling you I’m not yet your second mentor, you need to strive to get into the Inner Sect first.” The mature girl waved her hand repeatedly, yet her face bore an uncontrollable smile, almost turning her into an embryo.

The two of them quickly flew back to the bamboo house in the Outer Sect, and when parting, Chu Huaixu respectfully bid her farewell.

Chu Yinyin, feeling secretly elated, stood with her hands behind her back, leaving him with a view of her back as she floated away with her flat chest.

Today was a cloudy day, the sky was overcast, looking like it might rain at any moment.

Han Shuangjiang, living next door, heard the commotion and opened her bamboo door to see Chu Huaixu had returned, couldn’t help but remind him, “Don’t forget, you still need to pick up Junior Brother Xu today.”

“I remember, I remember!” he replied, “I’ve run out of clean outer robes, how could I forget?”

The Big Ice Cube rolled her eyes at him internally.

But then she thought to herself, “If Junior Brother Xu is home, I guess I won’t have to buy groceries and wash dishes.”

With this thought, her mood improved a bit.

Chu Huaixu waved to her, saying, “I’m heading over right now.”

The Little Housekeeper glanced at the gloomy sky, feeling it would rain heavily soon, and asked, “Do you have an umbrella in your Storage Token?”

“No need, no need, it’s just a short distance, I’ll be quick.” He said as he ran off, continuing, “Besides, with cultivation, I can’t get harmed by rain.”

The girl, with a cold expression, watched his retreating silhouette, unable to resist muttering softly:

“You won’t get harmed by the rain, but when you come back soaking wet, won’t it be Junior Brother Xu cleaning your robes and probably making hot water for your bath.”

Saying this, Han Shuangjiang couldn’t help but start envying those with higher cultivation.

When Li Chunsong went to the foot of Wumeng Mountain to pick them up, he had shown off a bit.

Not only did the rain not fall on them, but even the raindrops in the air were temporarily suspended!

By the time Chu Huaixu reached the Cold Pool, the sky had turned even darker.

Standing by the Cold Pool, feeling the cold air hitting his face, he murmured, “Good thing I came by, if I had been a few days late and the coldness at the bottom of the pool intensified, not to mention Xiaoxu couldn’t get out, I might not be able to handle going in!”

“By that time, I might have to ask someone with higher cultivation to go in and fetch him.”

Chu Huaixu took out the Water-Repelling Bead and the Jade Token Fragment, and leapt down.

After entering the Cold Pool, he chuckled, “That Big Ice Cube is really forgetful. I have a Water-Repelling Bead, it can also be used to shield from rain.”

Upon entering the Secret Realm, Chu Huaixu skillfully navigated to the seventh cave and, using the Little Sword in his Sea of Consciousness, shattered the Illusion Realm of the second barrier.

After opening the Stone Gate, he saw Xu Ziqing sitting cross-legged by the pool, practicing with his eyes closed.

Beside him were a few sheets of paper weighed down by a brush, along with the Brocade Bag given to him by the youth.

Chu Huaixu did not disturb him nor did he sneak a peek at what was written on the paper, respecting the youth’s privacy. He simply used an Information Detection.

“Connected six acupoints?” He bit his teeth in envy.

He also gained a lot of experience points from this barrier, but these experience points were certainly not enough to level him from Level 0 to Level 6.

“Although so many days have passed, it normally takes a very long time for a Pseudo Spiritual Embryo to refine the body and open six acupoints.”

“And it feels like he’s already trying to break through the seventh acupoint.”

“The protagonist of the world is indeed different.”

Having obtained the Medicine Cauldron·Dao Generating One, Chu Huaixu suddenly thought, “Then I’ll concoct more elixirs for him in the future. With his Innate Medicine-Striking Saint Body, wouldn’t he advance rapidly?”

What the hell, what kind of alchemist’s favorite nurturing type boy is this!

Chu Huaixu couldn’t help but suspect that Xu Ziqing’s cultivation in the game “Borrowed Sword” might have mostly come from popping pills.

If he had to slowly cultivate on his own, who knows how long it would take.

After about the time of one incense stick, the refined youth slowly opened his eyes.

When he saw Chu Huaixu standing in front of him, a look of excitement immediately appeared on his face.

Then, he quickly stood up and respectfully said, “Senior brother.”

Chu Huaixu looked at him, his expression calm, and said in a very light tone, “Not bad, the sixth acupoint.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Ziqing could tell it wasn’t really praise, but he still felt a great sense of joy.

“At the very least, this means I didn’t surprise my senior brother, but I didn’t disappoint him either?”

He knew his own cultivation talent was dull, incomparable to senior brother and Senior Sister Han.

Achieving this much, he was already very content.

“Xiaoxu.”

“Yes! Senior brother!”

“Does the Body Tempering Liquid still work for you?” Chu Huaixu asked.

“Since yesterday, it’s almost lost its effect.” Xu Ziqing replied honestly.

“Then I came just in time,” Chu Huaixu said flatly.

My pile of dirty clothes coincidentally aligns with the heavens.

He was a bit curious and asked, “What have you been doing these days besides cultivating?”

Xu Ziqing honestly answered, “Occasionally practicing the family-inherited swordsmanship.”

He added, “Senior brother may not know, I come from a Swordsmanship Family in the martial world, learning swordsmanship from my parents since I was a child.”

Chu Huaixu heard this and thought to himself, “I know.”

But he just nodded slightly and didn’t say much.

After a while, he looked at the refined youth and said, “Let’s go, this Secret Realm is no longer of use to you. The Cold Pool outside is accumulating cold air; in a few days, you might not be able to get out.”

“Yes, senior brother.” Xu Ziqing immediately responded respectfully, then began to pack his belongings.

In fact, even if Chu Huaixu hadn’t come today, he planned to leave tomorrow.

Because of the dry rations Chu Huaixu had sent him before, even if he were to ration them, tonight they would run out.

“Could senior brother have been counting the days in his mind, knowing that I’d run out of food, so he came to fetch me today?” the youth guessed inwardly, feeling a bit touched.

While gathering his things, Xu Ziqing quickly spotted the sheets of paper held down by the brush and the Brocade Bag.

In the Registered Disciple’s Storage Token, the Daoist Sect had prepared basic living supplies, including brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

The refined youth crouched down, respectfully placing the Brocade Bag inscribed with “The running water does not compete to be first, but to be everlasting,” into the Storage Token.

Then, he picked up those sheets of paper, took a deep breath, and walked toward Chu Huaixu.

“Senior brother, this is for you.” He held the paper with both hands and offered it to him.

“What is this?” Chu Huaixu took it with interest.

Since the paper was facing down, he could only vaguely see the writing.

Chu Huaixu immediately flipped them over and looked at the text.

“Six Out of Seven?” He thought the words at the top were a bit awkward.

But he roughly knew what they meant.

“Six Out is a poetic term for snow.”

“Lie Que is another term for lightning.”

A system notification sound immediately sounded in his ears.

“[Ding! Congratulations, you have acquired the technique—Six Out of Seven.]”

“[Type: Swordsmanship.]”

“[Grade: Earth Level.]”

“[Status: Incomplete, can advance.]”

…

(ps: Second update, seeking monthly votes~)

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