“Master, I made a mistake. I saw the Grand Dao Bell hidden in the void just now, and I secretly sent a wisp of my Divine Sense to probe it. Who knew the damn thing would suddenly go berserk!”
Lu Xuan frowned slightly upon hearing this. This guy, Old Third, is definitely hiding a billion tricks. Even he hadn't managed to perceive where the Grand Dao Bell was hidden! And Chen Changsheng had probed it right under the noses of several Nine-star Great Emperors without them noticing! This disciple is seriously not simple!
With a casual, unperturbed expression, Lu Xuan said, “Changsheng, naturally, I could step in and smooth this over for you. But I believe you are capable of stabilizing the Grand Dao Bell yourself. Why don't you try first?”
Chen Changsheng stared at Lu Xuan, momentarily stunned. His Master wasn't planning to intervene at all! Does Master trust me that much?
Lu Xuan, looking utterly serene and profound, continued, “Changsheng, you can stay permanently on Azure Mystery Peak from now on. You wouldn't want the Grand Dao Bell to expose your hidden flaws, would you?”
Chen Changsheng replied, “Master, I will try.”
Lu Xuan remained completely calm. “Don't worry. If you truly cannot handle it, I will naturally step in then.”
“Understood,” Chen Changsheng agreed. Since his Master was acting as his ultimate safety net, he decided to be bold. His Master was right. This was a perfect opportunity to explore the mysteries of the Grand Dao Bell. And if anything went wrong, he could just let his Master take the blame!
Thinking this, he secretly channeled a profound, esoteric power toward the Grand Dao Bell, suppressing its violent aura. No one present noticed.
After dozens of breaths, the terrifying momentum of the Grand Dao Bell suddenly stalled. The surging, monstrous energy began to recede, eventually allowing the Tianyuan Old Ancestor to regain control. Chen Changsheng let out a silent sigh of relief and transmitted his voice to Lu Xuan: “Master, I did not fail your expectations. I succeeded.”
Lu Xuan replied, “Beautiful.” His own heart finally settled. If Chen Changsheng hadn't managed it, he would have been forced to use the Eight-star Great Emperor Experience Card to forcibly suppress the bell. I can’t believe Old Third handled the Grand Dao Bell so easily.
Lu Xuan wondered inwardly, Just what is this guy hiding? If the question mark on his realm in the System panel ever disappears, what realm will Old Third actually be?
Meanwhile, the Tianyuan Old Ancestor stood in the void, his hand seals shifting. He seemed to shoulder the heavens, surrounded by brilliant Great Emperor Dao Patterns. The power of the Grand Dao Scripture flowed out like a vast ocean, creating an extraordinary phenomenon. Divine light filled the sky. As the Tianyuan Old Ancestor held the Grand Dao Bell, the firmament roared and the void trembled, showcasing his unmatched power.
Seeing this, the Old Ancestors from the other factions breathed a collective sigh of relief. The pressure from the Grand Dao Bell just now had been overwhelming! It truly lived up to its reputation as the Ancient Supreme Artifact of the Grand Dao Sect's founder.
Everyone recalled the ancient secrets of the Southern Wilds: how the founder had once carried the Grand Dao Bell while conquering the Supreme Path, slaughtering all who stood in their way. Unfortunately, the founder eventually abandoned the pursuit of the Supreme Fruit Position...
Not long after, the Grand Dao Bell slowly vanished back into the void, and the sky returned to a clear, azure blue.
The spectacle had naturally alarmed the various spiritual peaks of the Grand Dao Sect. Countless wisps of Divine Sense and spiritual perception probed toward the Talent Stone Tablet, and many Peak Masters transmitted messages to the Sect Master, asking what had just happened. The Sect Master briefly explained the situation.
As for why the Grand Dao Bell had suddenly gone berserk, he still didn't know.
In the courtyard, Yao Quan, the Jiujun Old Ancestor, and the others wiped away cold sweat. The situation had been incredibly perilous. The terrifying momentum of the Grand Dao Bell had been aimed directly at them!
Yao Quan and the Jiujun Old Ancestor exhaled a turbid breath and offered a wry smile to the Tianyuan Old Ancestor. “Thankfully, it was a false alarm.”
Nanchenzi, however, looked displeased. “Tianyuan, shouldn't we get an explanation for this? I refuse to believe the Grand Dao Bell would simply lose control and attack us!”
The Tianyuan Old Ancestor frowned slightly, genuinely unsure of what had happened. At least no battle had broken out!
At this moment, Lu Xuan looked at Nanchenzi and spoke slowly, “Could it be that the Grand Dao Bell sensed the aura of the Supreme Profound Sect on Nanchenzi Daoist Friend, causing it to suddenly lose control?”
The moment the words left his mouth, everyone stared at Lu Xuan in shock. That actually makes sense!? Even the Tianyuan Old Ancestor's eyes lit up. It was a perfectly plausible explanation!
After all, in the Ancient Era, the Grand Dao Sect and the Supreme Profound Sect had fought a devastating war for the Supreme Fruit Position. The Grand Dao Sect founder had used the Grand Dao Bell to slaughter the Supreme Profound Sect's forces. The Grand Dao Bell was an Ancient Supreme Artifact that had long developed spirituality. Even after countless ages, the sudden appearance of a Nine-star Great Emperor from the Supreme Profound Sect near the Talent Stone Tablet could have instantly reawakened the bell's ancient animosity! Instantly, all eyes turned to Nanchenzi.
Nanchenzi’s face darkened considerably. He glared at Lu Xuan. “Lu Xuan, if you don't know what you're talking about, then don't spout nonsense here!” He desperately wanted to kick Lu Xuan away. A mere Qi Refining Stage cultivator, running his mouth so carelessly!
The Jiujun Old Ancestor noticed Nanchenzi's predicament and quickly chuckled. “Nanchenzi Daoist Friend, don't be impatient. Once the Tianyuan Old Ancestor investigates the reason for the Grand Dao Bell's loss of control, I’m sure he will provide a satisfactory answer.”
Nanchenzi snorted, flicking his sleeve. “I hope so.”
The Tianyuan Old Ancestor looked at the Sect Master and sighed. “Send Lu Xuan and his disciples back to Azure Mystery Peak. It's time for us to study the Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace together.”
The Sect Master nodded. A divine rainbow surged beneath his feet, lifting Lu Xuan and the three disciples, carrying them toward Azure Mystery Peak.
En route, Chen Changsheng’s heart churned with massive waves. The reason his Master had given was absolutely flawless! If it had been him, he wouldn't have known how to explain it. Truly worthy of being my Master!
Lu Xuan looked utterly calm, as if he had already forgotten the entire incident. Watching Lu Xuan's expression, Chen Changsheng mused, I still have so much to learn from Master. Just a moment ago, his own heart had been in turmoil. That was unacceptable. His Master was completely unperturbed.
Lu Xuan noticed Chen Changsheng's troubled look and smiled faintly. “Profound Aphorism on Composure,” he said. “When facing great matters, maintain composure. Do not doubt that there are still sages in this era. Cultivate the self through tranquility; without peace, one cannot achieve great distances.”
The moment the aphorism was spoken, the Sect Master paused, then chuckled. “Lu Xuan, why does that sound so awkward coming from you?”
Lu Xuan was speechless.
But his three disciples were utterly convinced. Chen Changsheng, in particular, knew his Master was guiding him.
Chen Changsheng transmitted his voice to Lu Xuan: “Master, did you already know I could stabilize the Grand Dao Bell?”
“Of course. I know exactly how much strength you've hidden. On the surface, you appear to be a Two-star Great Emperor, but in reality...” Lu Xuan intentionally drew out his words, his expression suggesting absolute control, “In reality, your true realm is...”
Before he could finish, Chen Changsheng immediately grew anxious. “Master, please don't say it out loud!”
Lu Xuan smiled faintly. Heh heh... I actually managed to bluff Old Third.
Chen Changsheng's reverence and awe for Lu Xuan soared again. As expected, Master knows all my secrets. Always hide my strength! His Indestructible Golden Body technique, which concealed his true realm, seemed to have been utterly nullified by his Master.
Soon, the Sect Master landed the four of them on Azure Mystery Peak. He looked at Lu Xuan, deep in thought. “Lu Xuan, what you said just now actually makes some sense.”
Chen Changsheng: “...”
Lu Xuan: “...”
Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen: “...”
After a moment of silence, the Sect Master gently patted Chen Changsheng's shoulder and spoke earnestly. “Changsheng, even though your talent is mediocre, you must cultivate diligently. Whatever you do, don't follow your Master's example. If you start lying flat, you'll lose the desire to cultivate and eventually become a waste.”
Chen Changsheng nodded heavily. “Sect Master, I understand!” Although he said this, Chen Changsheng had already decided to immediately start lying flat. Having his Master bail him out just now felt incredibly satisfying! From now on, his Causality / Karma could “slide” onto his Master, and then further onto the nonexistent supreme magnate his Master was pretending to be.
At this, the Sect Master offered a knowing smile. “Changsheng, make sure you learn from Fuyao and Ye Chen.”
Chen Changsheng replied, “Yes, sir!”
Moments later, the Sect Master rose on a divine rainbow and departed Azure Mystery Peak.
Watching the Sect Master leave, Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen immediately rushed to Lu Xuan's side, lowering their voices. “Master, did you secretly summon the Grand Dao Bell just now?”
Lu Xuan paused, then pointed at Chen Changsheng. “It was your Third Junior Brother who caused the trouble.”
Chen Changsheng frowned slightly. Wait... Master sold me out? What happened to taking the blame?
Ji Fuyao tilted her delicate neck, examining Chen Changsheng, and smiled sweetly. “Master, you're teasing us again.”
Ye Chen chimed in, “Master, you must be joking. How could Third Junior Brother have done that?”
Hearing this, Chen Changsheng's lips curled up slightly. At that moment, he truly felt the thrill of having Causality / Karma quietly slide away from him. Awesome! As expected, his Master was taking the blame after all.
Lu Xuan remained unperturbed, wearing a look of profound detachment.
Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen exchanged a knowing glance.
Ye Chen suddenly lowered his voice and asked Chen Changsheng mysteriously, “Third Junior Brother, do you know Master's true strength?”
Chen Changsheng was immediately intrigued. He was also desperate to know how powerful Lu Xuan truly was! “Second Senior Brother, how strong is Master?” Chen Changsheng asked.
Ye Chen wore an expression of deep reverence. “Master is invincible! Absolutely invincible!”
“Can you be more specific?”
Ye Chen's eyes were profound. “If Heaven had not given birth to my Master, the Southern Wilds would be eternal night! At the end of the Dao, who is the peak? One glimpse of Master and the Dao is empty!”
Chen Changsheng was slightly shocked. Does that mean Master already stands at the pinnacle of cultivation?
Lu Xuan's face twitched. What the hell is going on? Why is Ye Chen immediately trying to brainwash Chen Changsheng? This, this, this...
Chen Changsheng whispered, “Master said he has transcended the River of Time, and that the person before us is just a clone!”
Hearing this, Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen were stunned. Ji Fuyao's beautiful eyes shimmered as she looked at Lu Xuan, her delicate lips parting as she murmured, “Master, are you truly just a clone?”
Lu Xuan's face twitched again. He was utterly speechless. One person says it, and the other two instantly believe it!
He truly couldn't bear to tell them the truth.
Sigh... I guess I have to keep up the act.
Ye Chen analyzed this with absolute conviction. “If Master says he has transcended the River of Time, then that is the truth. Third Junior Brother, never question Master's words.”
Chen Changsheng replied solemnly, “I understand.”
At this point, Ji Fuyao's eyes sparkled, as if she had achieved enlightenment. She looked at Chen Changsheng, her beautiful face radiant. “Junior Brother Changsheng, your talent may seem ordinary, but Master choosing you means he must have seen your future self in the River of Time. That is why he took you as a disciple. You must know, there are absolutely no ordinary people on Azure Mystery Peak!”
Chen Changsheng was dumbfounded. So that's why! No wonder Lu Xuan personally traveled to Baiya Prefecture just to recruit me!
Thinking this, Chen Changsheng looked at Lu Xuan. “Master, did I attain Longevity in the future?”
Seeing Chen Changsheng's determined gaze, Lu Xuan forced himself to keep up the act. “You have already Transcended Longevity!”
Transcended Longevity! Chen Changsheng was utterly astonished. Is my future self really that powerful?
The three disciples continued to whisper amongst themselves. In their eyes, Lu Xuan instantly became the Master of Life and Death, the Lord of Reincarnation, the First Sword of the Heavens, a figure Suppressing All Eras, completely immortal and indestructible...
Lu Xuan stood frozen. When did I ever Suppress All Eras? In ancient times, there was the idiom, “Three Men Make a Tiger.” Now, there was the phenomenon of “Three Disciples Make the Master Invincible.” It seems Azure Mystery Peak is cursed. Everyone who comes here instantly becomes an Over-Interpreter. Alas.
A short while later, the three disciples finished their discussion. After a thorough “brainwashing” session from Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen, Chen Changsheng's reverence and awe for Lu Xuan reached new heights. Master is invincible!
Suddenly, Ji Fuyao adopted a serious expression. “Junior Brother Changsheng, alright, it's time for your first lesson on Azure Mystery Peak.”
Chen Changsheng immediately grew interested. “Senior Sister, what is it?”
Ji Fuyao pointed toward the thatched hut. “Cooking!”
Chen Changsheng was dumbfounded. His heart screamed in protest! He wanted to start lying flat. He had seen a recliner right outside the hut, hadn't he? Wasn't that prepared for me?