Inside the stone cave.
With a wave of his hand, Elder Taixuan caused five heavenly treasures related to the five elemental attributes to appear out of thin air on the table. “Five heavenly treasures, according to Upper Realm classification standards, should be at the ‘True’ character level.”
“That high?” Jun Changxiao was shocked.
He had learned from Black and White Rakshasa that as long as a heavenly treasure could be graded, even the lowest Mysterious grade was exceptionally precious.
Elder Taixuan said, “This old man rarely cultivates. I muddled through to the Core Rotation Realm in a daze, spending most of my time researching mystical arts and collecting rare curiosities—after all, that’s my only hobby.”
“…”
Jun Changxiao’s mouth twitched.
As a major realm above the Void-Breaking Realm, he actually described it as ‘muddled through in a daze’—this was completely comparable to “Peking University is alright”撒贝宁.
“Senior.”
Jun Changxiao asked weakly, “What rotation are you at now?”
The so-called Core Rotation Realm of the Upper Realm essentially involved converting the attributes and energy within one’s dantian, then condensing a completely new energy source, hence called Core Rotation.
The Core Rotation Realm had nine levels of division, with each rotation representing stronger comprehension of heavenly attributes and substantial power increases.
Rotations one through three were called the Qi Rotation Period, where martial artists could already wield more profound heavenly attributes with ease.
Rotations four through six were called the Spirit Rotation Period, where martial artists began touching Heavenly Dao laws, with every move accompanied by various special effects.
Rotations seven through nine became the Soul Rotation Period, where this level merged the previous two stages, achieving true mastery. The energy source within the body began evolving to a higher level, belonging to extremely formidable experts.
“Alas.”
Elder Taixuan said sheepishly, “This old man has been in the Upper Realm for so many years, yet only just reached the third rotation.”
“Senior doesn’t focus primarily on martial cultivation, yet can reach the third rotation—your martial talent is already very strong.” Jun Changxiao said admiringly.
He wasn’t deliberately flattering, because Black and White Rakshasa were native to the Upper Realm and focused wholeheartedly on martial cultivation, yet barely reached the sixth rotation.
“Back to business.”
Elder Taixuan said, “You can take these heavenly treasures, but…” He rubbed his hands together. “You understand my meaning, right?”
Jun Changxiao took out the resources he had seized again. “Is this enough?”
Elder Taixuan rolled his eyes. “Not even a fraction of the cost of one ingredient.”
“…”
Jun Changxiao said helplessly, “Junior just arrived in the Upper Realm, lacking both strength and assets—I really don’t have much money.”
“No matter.”
Elder Taixuan said, “You can write an IOU.”
“Eh?”
Jun Changxiao was stunned.
“Come.”
Elder Taixuan placed the promissory note on the table and smiled. “Sign and fingerprint it.”
This guy had prepared it in advance!
Jun Changxiao looked down and saw written: On the Mid-Autumn full moon day, I, Jun Changxiao, owe Elder Taixuan ten million immortal stones, to be repaid within ten years, otherwise willing to suffer heavenly lightning strikes!
“Are you kidding me!”
Jun Changxiao broke down. “Your five heavenly treasures are worth ten million immortal stones?”
Just from the literal meaning, immortal stones were definitely more precious and valuable than mysterious stones.
“Absolutely.”
Elder Taixuan said, “If you don’t believe me, you can go out and ask around.”
“…”
Where would I even go to ask!
“Fine!”
Jun Changxiao picked up the pen. “I’ll sign!”
The main quest only had a few dozen days remaining. He had to bring the sect to ascend, so never mind owing ten million—even owing a hundred million was worth gambling on.
“Swish!”
He wrote his name and pressed his fingerprint, then stored the five heavenly treasures whose auras alone were incomparably pure into his spatial ring.
“Senior.”
Jun Changxiao asked seriously, “With a stronger energy source, can we really achieve sect-wide ascension?”
Elder Taixuan carefully stored away the promissory note. “Whether it will succeed or not, I dare not guarantee, but since you’ve already taken the items, you must repay me ten million immortal stones within ten years.”
“…”
Jun Changxiao was speechless.
Elder Taixuan said meaningfully, “Child, in this world there are many difficult matters that may not necessarily succeed. All we can do is dare to try.”
Years ago, a tremendous idea suddenly emerged, so he went to try. Though he experienced failures, ultimately he still created the Heaven-Seizing Creation Array.
However, the old man didn’t know that Jun Changxiao’s difficult matter could not tolerate even the slightest failure, because it concerned his very soul’s annihilation.
“Understood.”
“Senior, I take my leave!”
Jun Changxiao left the stone chamber and departed Fengqi Immortal Mountain.
With the Moonlight Box to return to the Lower Realm, and five elemental powers thousands of times stronger than the mortal world, he could attempt to modify the array—but whether it would succeed, he had no confidence at all.
“Alas.”
He sighed. “If only there was more time, I could go to the places Senior Taixuan mentioned to search for even stronger five elemental attributes.”
“Don’t be discouraged.”
The System said, “There’s still the Mall. If worst comes to worst, spend all your contribution points.”
Jun Changxiao rallied his spirits and said resolutely, “That’s the only option!”
…
On the mountain peak.
Elder Taixuan stood with hands behind his back, watching the gradually departing figure, thinking, “Young man, don’t let this old man down.”
Some might think the legendary figure of Xingyun Continent who exchanged five heavenly treasures for an empty promissory note must have had his brain kicked by a donkey.
Actually not.
Elder Taixuan could see that this youth was no ordinary person. Just coming to the Upper Realm to find him in such a short time already proved it, so he was willing to offend the major sects for him, willing to provide the help of heavenly treasures.
Jun Changxiao obtained the stronger five elemental attributes and decided to return to the Lower Realm to try—this was a gamble.
And he too was gambling, betting that a supernova would rise in the Upper Realm before long, though… without sacrificing an arm to feed sea beasts.
Elder Taixuan raised his head, looking at the celestial body in the firmament that was originally hidden in darkness but now shone brilliantly like light, muttering, “A dark star’s brilliance is not necessarily ominous—extraordinary people may emerge!”
Silently shouldering his pack, he left Fengqi Immortal Mountain without looking back, clearly truly planning to flee this time.
No help for it.
Originally wanting to quietly research mystical arts, now that he’d beaten people up, he definitely needed to stay far from troublesome places.
However, the arrays existing at this location hadn’t been removed. If the major sects rashly rushed in, they would definitely find it extraordinarily sour.
…
Deep night arrived.
Moonlight illuminated the earth.
Jun Changxiao sat cross-legged outside a mountain cave, then took out the Moonlight Box.
He ultimately decided to use the five heavenly treasures Elder Taixuan gave him to return to Xingyun Continent and give it a try.
“Hesitation isn’t the host’s character.” The System said, “Go ahead and try boldly, I’ll always support you!”
Jun Changxiao said, “Can you give me a milk?”
“…”
The System roared, “Then on this Mid-Autumn Festival day, I wish the host unable to return to the Lower Realm to reunite, unable to bring the entire sect to ascend!”
Taking advantage of this mouthful of refreshingly fragrant milk energy, Jun Changxiao stood up, raised one hand to the sky and shouted loudly, “Prajna Paramita!”
“Whoosh—”
Light flashed, shooting straight into the clouds.
“Hm?”
Elder Taixuan, who had already left Fengqi Immortal Mountain, stopped and looked back at the light that seemed to merge with heaven and earth, exclaiming, “Could I have really guessed correctly—an extraordinary person is about to emerge?”
…
Upper Realm calendar, year unknown.
Jun Changxiao, who had just arrived, vanished into thin air under the enveloping light, leaving behind one sentence before departing:
“I’ll be back!”
—