Chapter 444 - 385: Xiaoxu: I Must Follow Senior Brother’s Words!

On the altar, the Black Moon Sect Leader, who had been in seclusion for over seven months, isolated from the world, received a new mission.

He is tasked with killing Chu Huaixu and, through the secret technique taught by Snow Venerable, forcefully stripping the Night Venerable Fruit Position from the other party.

Meanwhile, in the Daoist Sect, since his senior brother was still fast asleep, Xu Ziqing, who had to shoulder heavy responsibilities, was making final preparations before heading to the Origin Spirit Realm.

Just last night, he finally crossed the threshold of the Fifth Realm, becoming a Great Cultivator.

"The Second Elder’s elixir is indeed amazing," he marveled in his heart.

However, he still cherished the taste of the elixirs refined by his senior brother more.

During the next two days, he continued his cultivation at the peak of Hidden Spirit Mountain.

Xiaoxu even temporarily took down the Evil Sword and conducted a round of tests.

The result of the tests was... he was uncertain whether he could forcefully breach the Sixth Restriction with his current self.

"I know very well the gap between me and my senior brother, even in the same realm," he reflected.

"Even if I wield the Daoist Ancestor Sword and grasp it with my right hand, I might still not be a match for my senior brother."

"In this situation, if I can’t forcefully breach the Sixth Restriction, relying on the Daoist Ancestor Sword with only five restrictions opened may not be safe," Xu Ziqing felt a weight in his heart.

There’s no other way; the current predicament is quite awkward.

Under normal circumstances, a cultivator at the Fifth Realm Great Perfection would be the strongest of the five realms.

Yet, in reality, as long as Xu Ziqing wields the sword with his right hand, in the Profound Yellow Realm, no cultivator at the Fifth Realm is his rival, even before Chu Huaixu enters the Fifth Realm!

Nevertheless, he is still merely at the initial stage of the Fifth Realm.

Though for this mission, the primary force will likely be this Bronze Sword. Overall, if he were at the Fifth Realm Great Perfection, it would certainly be safer.

"It’s a pity that we are already out of time."

"Even if I descend the mountain and slaughter evil cultivators day and night, there wouldn’t be time to devour so much spiritual power." Xiaoxu sighed.

He stood at the mountain peak, gazing up at the sky.

The eyes of the youth held a trace of perplexity.

Additionally, there was a sense of unease about the unknown outcome.

Over time, Xu Ziqing’s heart had been calm most of the time.

He felt that along his journey, he had walked steadily and surely.

Now he realized it was because he had someone behind him.

"Senior brother, do you think... I am capable of shouldering the responsibilities of the Origin Spirit Realm?" Xiaoxu pondered.

He shook his head and sat down cross-legged to continue cultivating.

After the sun set, he took down the Bronze Sword and returned it to the giant sword box.

Tomorrow, he will descend the mountain with Jiang Zhi, embarking on a journey to the third level of the Origin Spirit Realm.

This night he would no longer continue his retreat here, but planned to return home to visit his senior brother and Senior Sister Han.

Xu Ziqing arrived at Junzi Temple and entered his home.

"Senior Sister Han, is there still no sign of the senior brother awakening?" Xiaoxu asked.

Han Shuangjiang shook her head.

She looked at the youthful and refined face of the teenager and said, "You’ll be setting off tomorrow, won’t you?"

"Yes."

"Be careful."

"Alright."

And with that, they fell into a brief silence.

Han Shuangjiang looked at Xu Ziqing and eventually spoke proactively, "Junior Brother Xu, you seem a bit tense and anxious. Is there something making you uneasy?"

"I won’t lie, Senior Sister Han, I indeed am a bit uneasy." A bitter smile appeared on the young man’s face.

He gazed at Chu Huaixu, who lay fast asleep on the bed, and said:

"I’m not sure if I’m qualified to take over the mantle my senior brother carries."

At times, life is just so wondrous.

If it weren’t for the unexpected emergence of Chu Huaixu, Xu Ziqing would have been the savior ordained by the Dao Ancestor from the beginning.

With his character, he would have shouldered the heavy burden unflinchingly from the start, fearless of sacrifice.

But now that Chu Huaixu has accomplished everything so well, after taking over everything, his endless admiration for his senior brother paradoxically makes him fear he may not reach the same level.

Ultimately, he feels himself far inferior to Chu Huaixu.

Han Shuangjiang looked at him and comforted him:

"Don’t worry about it."

"Just do your best."

"This world belongs to all the people."

"You cannot bear all the burdens and the rise and fall of the realm on your shoulders alone."

Xu Ziqing listened to Han Shuangjiang’s words, nodded slightly, and said:

"I understand, Senior Sister Han."

Big Ice Cube observed his demeanor and felt that he probably hadn’t truly absorbed it.

...

...

The next day, according to the agreed time, Jiang Zhi would depart with Xu Ziqing at noon.

But he arrived at the small courtyard early to check on Chu Huaixu’s situation.

Speaking of this, with such an unusual occurrence, he is actually the first person responsible.

After all, he brought Chu Huaixu to Spring and Autumn Mountain, he should have protected him well.

But who would have thought, Jiang Zhi messed things up once again.

This little old man sometimes recalls the events and feels that there is always something amiss about them.

Zhong Ming recognized Chu Huaixu inexplicably, knowing his name.

Then, he sent him to Spring and Autumn Mountain.

At Spring and Autumn Mountain, the reactions of that cat demon were all extremely abnormal.

It seemed both afraid of Chu Huaixu and also... bore a grudge against him?

Jiang Zhi always feels that one thing leads to another, each wrapped in enigma.

The strangest thing is, Chu Huaixu’s Heart Sword suddenly lost its effect.

Logically, it shouldn’t be unable to cut through this Nightmare!

Jiang Zhi previously tried to enter Chu Huaixu’s Sea of Consciousness.

Then, he wasn’t sure whether Chu Huaixu’s strength had increased or it was due to that Black Jade Lotus Platform.

His Sea of Consciousness now couldn’t be entered anymore!

Previously, the high-level members of Daoist Sect had taken turns entering it...

"Really quite strange!"

But now it’s a settled matter, the priority is to find a way to wake him from the Nightmare.

He turned his head to look at Xu Ziqing and Han Shuangjiang, saying: "Don’t worry, after the matter with Origin Spirit Realm is resolved, I will descend the mountain again to seek that black cat."

"Once it is found, we will surely be able to wake Chu Huaixu."

"Mm." Xu Ziqing and Han Shuangjiang responded in unison.

It was about time to set off.

Jiang Zhi got up and said to Xiaoxu: "I’ll wait for you outside, after a stick of incense, we will head to Origin Spirit Realm."

"Yes, Ancestor." Xu Ziqing replied.

Inside the house, only the family of three remained again.

Han Shuangjiang first opened her mouth: "Junior Brother Xu, be very careful, don’t let anything happen."

"Otherwise, when Chu Huaixu wakes up, he will likely blame himself."

Upon hearing this, Xu Ziqing straightened his sitting posture a bit.

He immediately said with a serious face: "Senior Sister Han, rest assured."

Big Ice Cube secretly laughed in her heart: "Indeed, this trick still works."

With a great battle at hand, she chatted casually with Xu Ziqing.

As they chatted, Xu Ziqing looked at Chu Huaixu lying on the bed and suddenly said:

"Sometimes when I recall, it feels quite wondrous."

"Back then, by a twist of fate, I couldn’t join Daoist Sect, so I entered the Outer Sect as a servant."

"But my senior brother chose me from a bunch of servants."

"And gave me the opportunity to become an Outer Sect disciple."

Upon hearing this, Han Shuangjiang smiled.

She recalls it now too, and finds it miraculous.

Despite so many servants, the dead fox chose Xiaoxu with just a glance.

At that time, she even had "rotten person sees the basis", wondering if he found Junior Brother Xu handsome.

In fact, if Xu Ziqing were female, she would certainly be exceedingly beautiful.

But she soon noticed that Junior Brother Xu was momentarily dazed.

"Junior Brother Xu, what’s the matter?" Han Shuangjiang asked.

"Nothing, Senior Sister Han, I just suddenly recalled what my senior brother told me the day I officially became an Outer Sect disciple."

Han Shuangjiang hadn’t had time to ask before Xu Ziqing sprang to his feet.

"Senior Sister Han, I’m off now." he said excitedly.

Big Ice Cube was momentarily stunned as she watched him leave.

"What’s going on with him...?"

But she could see that Xiaoxu’s trepidation seemed... lessened?

The young man with a delicate face pushed open the door, greeted by the dazzling midday sunshine.

He strode in the direction of Jiang Zhi, bearing that giant Sword Box.

"Ancestor, ready to depart." he said to Jiang Zhi.

The youth’s eyes were resolute, appearing somewhat different from before.

He kept repeating in his heart the words his senior brother had told him.

"——[Stand straighter, move forward a bit]."

Stand straighter, move forward a bit...

Now, it’s my turn to stand tall, blocking the front!

...

(ps: Second update, a third one coming today after I sleep.

Getting back into the writing groove, starting with three small Chapters!

Beginning of the month, requesting monthly votes!!!)