A Long-Awaited New Chu Yang! Another Hodgepodge World!

Dragon’s expression changed.

Though he did not say it outright.

Over this period of time, he had indeed begun viewing himself from the perspective of a ruler.

The rebuilding of the World Government and the Marines, the selection of King as its representative—he had orchestrated all of it himself, giving Dragon the illusion that he held the world in his grasp.

Chu Yang’s words jolted Dragon awake.

That was right!

They had always been nothing more than the Revolutionary Army.

"Looks like once things here are settled, I should step down as well. If this keeps going, who knows what might happen…"

Dragon gave a bitter, ashamed laugh.

"Retiring at your age? Don’t make me laugh. Your old man hasn’t even retired yet!" Chu Yang rolled his eyes and said irritably, "Instead of overthinking nonsense, hurry up and get to Sky Island to settle things."

After getting scolded, Dragon actually felt better. "I’ll handle Sky Island. But there’s nothing I can do about Elbaf. Odin, the King of the Giants, said that if Elbaf wants to join the new World Government, someone has to defeat him. Otherwise, there’s no chance at all. The Giants only deal with the strong."

Chu Yang smiled. "They’re already being polite. If it were the Celestial Dragons, they probably wouldn’t even bother replying."

Dragon laughed too.

"If Old Man Garp has time, send him over. I need to focus on research. The fewer fights I have to deal with, the better."

Once matters on Sky Island and Elbaf were settled, Chu Yang would no longer have any need to interfere with this world.

Before that, however, there was still one thing he needed the new World Government to accomplish for him.

One month later.

The pirates wreaking havoc across the seas had almost been completely wiped out by the joint efforts of the Revolutionary Army and the Marines. Long-lost peace was once again embracing this world.

More and more people of other races appeared in towns populated by humans, and no one found it strange anymore. They were now lawful citizens recognized by the World Government.

Thus, the slaughter and trafficking of other races became the first capital offense under the new laws. Even if someone fled out to sea, they would face relentless pursuit by the Marines and the Revolutionary Army.

To make certain people clearly understand the situation, Chu Yang deliberately demonstrated Pluton’s terrifying power.

With a single blast, he flattened an organization that had still been secretly trafficking slaves of other races.

As terrifying as a Buster Call was, the deterrence created by Pluton was more than a hundred times greater.

The entire underground world avoided speaking of it, and the related chains of profit rapidly vanished.

Still, this matter had a minor side effect.

Out of fear, some member nations proposed destroying Pluton, and quite a few people supported the idea.

Dragon knew what they were probing for. He said only one sentence, and it completely extinguished their thoughts.

"The person who possesses Pluton is even more terrifying than Pluton itself. Would destroying Pluton do you any good?"

From then on, the World Government never heard another similar proposal.

The Celestial Dragons’ national treasure had already been destroyed by Vegapunk. They had no power capable of resisting Pluton, which was why they were so anxious.

But Dragon’s words struck even deeper.

At the same time, two new laws were announced.

The first was the professionalization of piracy.

The second was a nationwide medical examination. Every citizen of the World Government had to undergo a local examination, including but not limited to procedures such as blood tests.

This was the fastest way to collect the Lineage Factors of every race, including those of a large number of Devil Fruit Users.

Vegapunk had once researched this. The birth of Devil Fruits was irrational and unnatural. They appeared through the intense wishes of life itself, and were therefore rejected by Mother Nature—the sea.

There was no such thing as a natural Devil Fruit tree.

To study this power, they still had to start with Devil Fruit Users.

As the nationwide examinations continued, more and more Lineage Factors were collected in the laboratory. With Vegapunk’s involvement, Lineage Factor technology achieved a substantive breakthrough.

Soul Palace.

After they gained the freedom to enter and leave this place, Magic Chu Yang and Marvel Chu Yang worked together to set up a laboratory. Now Pirate Chu Yang had joined them as well.

Fortunately, the interior of the palace was vast beyond sight. Otherwise, it might not have been able to hold all the experimental materials they had brought in.

The things taking up the most space were the mechas, along with equipment for researching power sources and nuclear reactors.

Next came the storage of Lineage Factors.

By now, there were too many Lineage Factors in the laboratory to count.

The various races from the One Piece world, monsters from the One-Punch World, and magical creatures from the magic world.

Marvel Chu Yang was collecting them as well. He already had Asgardian Lineage Factors in his possession.

At Magic Chu Yang’s suggestion, Marvel Chu Yang planned to actively collect the Lineage Factors of some superpowered individuals.

For example… Wolverine and Phoenix from the X-Men.

And little Spider-Man, Peter Parker.

While the three were chatting enthusiastically, a rather clueless-looking young man suddenly appeared in the Soul Palace.

"Damn, people can just show up at our place now without even notifying us?" Marvel Chu Yang shouted toward the empty thrones.

There was no mist, nor did any other Chu Yang appear. In the enormous Soul Palace, there were only the three of them and Chu Yang from the new world.

The newcomer stared at them blankly.

"Quit messing around!" Pirate Chu Yang shot Magic Chu Yang a glance, then walked over to the newcomer. He placed a hand on the other’s shoulder and began synchronizing.

After a while, Pirate Chu Yang removed his hand and said with a vivid expression, "Another hodgepodge world. Yours is even more incredible than the wuxia world. Too bad the main guy isn’t here, or you two could have a good chat. He has experience."

"What kind of world is it for you to make that face?"

Curiosity exploding, Marvel Chu Yang crossed the distance in a few quick strides and grabbed the newcomer’s shoulder. Before long, he began waving his arms and shouting.

"Holy shit! It’s an Immortal Sword hodgepodge! The Shu Mountain Sect is even split into the Sword Sect and Qi Sect? Careful, or The Smiling, Proud Wanderer will sue you for plagiarism!"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Magic Chu Yang frowned, shoved Marvel Chu Yang aside, and began synchronizing with the newcomer as well.

"The Sword Sect Leader is Dugu Sword Saint, while the Qi Sect Leader is Daoist Qingwei?"

"Fine, Immortal Sword 1 and Immortal Sword 3 being mashed together is one thing, but why is there even a Qionghua Sect?"

"Xu Changqing and Murong Ziying are known together as the peerless twin prodigies of the cultivation world?"

"My god, your world is seriously chaotic!"

"Wait, hold on!"

"I even saw the Qingyun Sect?"

After all three synchronized their memories, they watched while repeatedly exclaiming in amazement. The chaos of the xianxia world was even greater than that of the wuxia world.

They had thought Qiao Feng fighting Hong Qigong was already insane enough.

Who would have thought something even crazier was the divide between the Sword Sect and Qi Sect of Shu Mountain? Dugu Sword Saint and Daoist Qingwei, arguably the two most outstanding Sect Leaders in Shu Mountain’s history, actually existed in the same era!

One word!

Amazing!

It was Xianxia Chu Yang’s first time experiencing synchronization. It took him a long while to recover from the chaos, and once he learned the identities of the three before him, he immediately felt close to them.

They were all one of his own!

During this time, two more Chu Yangs entered the Soul Palace.

They were Demon Slayer Chu Yang and Wuxia Chu Yang.

After Wuxia Chu Yang completed the synchronization, he immediately became emotional when he looked at Xianxia Chu Yang. "Only you can understand how I felt!"

Demon Slayer Chu Yang coughed. "Everyone can understand through memory synchronization."

Wuxia Chu Yang glared at him and snapped, "Understand my ass. You guys watched a VCR. You have no idea how scrambled I was back then!"

Demon Slayer Chu Yang curled his lips and ignored the fool.

"Your orphan start is pretty good. You were actually picked up by an elder of the Shu Mountain Sect and taken in as a disciple. You’re even Xu Changqing’s junior brother. You can compete with Chang Yin for the male second lead role."

Wuxia Chu Yang said with a smile.

"Mm. Senior Brother Changqing has indeed taken very good care of me. If it weren’t for him, I probably would have been sent down the mountain long ago. My talent for cultivation really is too poor."

Xianxia Chu Yang felt somewhat embarrassed. But that was already in the past. After synchronization, his talent would make him an unrivaled genius even in the xianxia world.

There was no point discussing cheats like Li Xiaoyao. Like Saitama, he was simply incomparable.

Demon Slayer Chu Yang sighed. "It really is terrible. You’ve cultivated for over ten years and still can’t even use the Sword Control Technique. Go back and learn it already. I’m counting on you to help improve my understanding of swordsmanship."

Xianxia Chu Yang smiled awkwardly.

Magic Chu Yang quickly said, "Take a look at spells and immortal arts when you get the chance too. Don’t play favorites. Even if you can’t understand them, memorize them. I’ll help you learn them when you come back."

Xianxia Chu Yang hurriedly nodded.

Everyone kept reminding Xianxia Chu Yang of various things. They valued him so much because the xianxia world was on an entirely higher dimensional level than the worlds they had encountered before.

To say nothing else, the worldview of Immortal Sword 3 included the Jade Emperor’s Heavenly Court. It even involved the beginning of heaven and earth, along with supreme divine beings such as Nüwa and Pangu.

Under everyone’s care, Xianxia Chu Yang seemed both flattered and overwhelmed. In the end, he cautiously walked into the nebula and chose to return to his world.

Everyone watched his back with burning eyes, like parents hoping their child would become successful.

"Damn it, this is a real comeback. If we can get the blood of immortals, brothers, we’ll take off straight into the sky!"

After saying that, Marvel Chu Yang wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth.

"There are way too many heavenly treasures in the xianxia world. Think about what he can get his hands on early, make a list later, and help him plan things out. That kid is kind of a doofus…"

Pirate Chu Yang smacked his lips.

He had been observing Xianxia Chu Yang the entire time and noticed that the other man was extremely reserved. Even after completing synchronization, his personality had not changed much, unlike the other Chu Yangs.

"Take it slow. Besides, he isn’t a doofus. He’s just more cautious…"

Magic Chu Yang smiled, unconcerned.

Chu Yangs who grew up in different environments had different personalities.

Some were aggressive, some cautious, some active, some fond of quiet. Though they would influence one another to some extent, their individual personalities would not change.

The key was being able to complement each other.

Xianxia world.

Chu Yang opened his eyes and climbed out of bed. Everything that had just happened felt like a long dream.

"Fengdu…"

He softly called out, and a black ancient sword silently appeared, circling around him.

Chu Yang was overjoyed. He excitedly gripped Fengdu and muttered, "So it was all real. I thought I was dreaming just now!"

"Soul Palace…"

Knock, knock, knock!

The sound of knocking woke Chu Yang from his daze.

"A Yang, are you there? The Sect Leader asked me to bring you over."

Chu Yang immediately rolled out of bed and sprang to his feet. He opened the door, and a handsome young man dressed in white came into view.

The newcomer had sword-like brows and bright eyes, sharply defined features, and a tall, slender frame. Righteousness radiated from between his brows.

"Senior Brother Changqing, why is the Sect Leader looking for me?"

Chu Yang stepped outside and stood beside Xu Changqing.

"The Sect Leader did not tell me, but I suspect it is related to your cultivation…" Xu Changqing wore a troubled expression. "Junior Brother, you have always cultivated diligently since childhood. Both the Sect Leader and I have seen that. But your talent truly leaves much to be desired. You have no affinity with the Dao…"

"If you go down the mountain to subdue demons and eliminate evil in the future, you may very well lose your life in vain. With that in mind, the Sect Leader may perhaps…"

Xu Changqing did not continue. His expression was despondent.

After years as fellow disciples, he was deeply saddened as well. He had pleaded with the Sect Leader and the elders many times, barely managing to keep Chu Yang here until now.

But now… Xu Changqing knew that forcing Chu Yang to remain any longer would only harm him.

"I understand, Senior Brother Changqing."

Chu Yang said no more. He quietly followed behind Xu Changqing toward the sect’s main hall.

Xu Changqing gave him a surprised look. A Yang was far too calm today, as though he had become a completely different person.

The Shu Mountain Sect was not a single mountain. It was composed of dozens of floating peaks, large and small.

The Sword Sect and Qi Sect each occupied one of the two largest peaks.

The disciples’ quarters were far from the sect’s main hall, located on another peak. Travel between them required a teleportation array.

After learning the Sword Control Technique, most disciples rarely used the teleportation arrays. Xu Changqing had flown here on his sword himself, but he had come this way specifically to look after Chu Yang.

Along the way, many disciples respectfully addressed Xu Changqing as "Senior Brother," yet they showed no kindness toward Chu Yang, who had also entered the sect many years ago. Did a useless man with no talent for cultivation deserve to be called "Senior Brother" by them?

That was only because Xu Changqing was present. If he were not, what Chu Yang suffered might have been far more than mere disdain.

The cultivation world and the mortal world were not so different in many ways.

Xu Changqing noticed the strange behavior of his junior brothers. Without mercy, he coldly rebuked them, "Those who should be cultivating, cultivate. Those who should be going down the mountain to handle matters, go. Do not linger here!"

Everyone was startled. Seeing their senior brother angry, they immediately bowed and scattered like birds and beasts.

Even as they left, they did not forget to toss out a few spiteful remarks.

"Such a useless man. I don’t know what’s so special about him that Senior Brother protects him like this!"

"He’s lucky. If your parents had died and you were picked up by an elder too, you would have risen straight through the ranks long ago!"

"Heaven is still fair. It won’t let certain people pick up an immortal opportunity for nothing. Those who should get lost still have to get lost!"

Xu Changqing flew into a rage and turned to chase after them beyond the teleportation array.

Chu Yang reached out and pulled him back, his expression calm.

Xu Changqing turned around and met Chu Yang’s tranquil, unreadable eyes. For some reason, a chill rose in his heart.

Junior Brother truly was different from before!

Rather than feeling happy, Xu Changqing felt a faint sense of worry.

The xianxia world was full of strange things.

Chu Yang’s current state could mean that a demon had confused his mind, or that some fiend had taken over his body.

Xu Changqing did not want to see either possibility.

I hope I’m just overthinking it…

Xu Changqing’s brow furrowed deeper and deeper. Without another word, he grabbed Chu Yang and stepped into the teleportation array.

The scenery blurred.

The two of them immediately appeared before the left side of a grand hall.

Sword-shaped statues surrounded them, each with a different design, floating slowly in the air. Only upon close inspection could one tell that this was an exceedingly intricate array.

Chu Yang looked around. Every decoration near the sect’s main hall was actually an Array Eye, linked together in layers upon layers of arrays, all interlocking to form an incomparably massive super-array.

"This is truly eye-opening…"

Chu Yang could not help sighing.

"You’ve been in the sect for so many years, yet you’ve never come to the sect’s main hall, have you, Junior Brother?"

Xu Changqing said with a smile, but his expression suddenly turned awkward. For Chu Yang, this was hardly something worth mentioning.

After so many years in the sect, he had never even entered the main hall. He could not even be considered an official disciple.

"I really haven’t come here much. The scenery’s nice." Chu Yang joked with a smile. "What’s wrong with you today, Senior Brother? Someone might think you were the one being expelled from the sect."

"A Yang, you really are different from before." Xu Changqing looked troubled as he lowered his head and walked toward the main hall.

Chu Yang followed closely behind.

The hall was brightly lit, with offerings to generations of patriarchs and the countless immortals and Buddhas. A great cauldron stood in the center, incense smoke drifting above it.

Two figures stood faintly before the cauldron.

The older man had white hair and beard, a weathered face, and a kindly demeanor. Dressed in Daoist robes, he possessed an immortal air.

The slightly younger man was stout and imposing without showing anger. The whisk in his hand kept swaying, and he looked somewhat hot-tempered.

"Sect Leader! Master!"

Xu Changqing bowed respectfully.

Chu Yang did the same.

Elder Cang Gu was Xu Changqing’s master and also the Shu Mountain Sect elder who had picked Chu Yang up all those years ago.

Yet when Chu Yang looked at him, he turned his face away, unwillingness in his eyes matching Xu Changqing’s reaction.

"Chu Yang."

Daoist Qingwei called softly.

"This disciple is here."

Chu Yang cupped his fists and bowed.

"Have you completed today’s cultivation lessons?"

Daoist Qingwei asked with a smile.

"This disciple has never slacked off."

Chu Yang replied.

Upon hearing the words "never slacked off," even Daoist Qingwei could not help sighing. "What a ‘never slacked off.’ Ever since you were old enough to remember, you have cultivated and sought the Dao for over ten years, never slacking off for even a single day. In terms of diligence, even Changqing cannot compare to you…"

Cang Gu could no longer bear to listen. He turned his back directly.

Chu Yang kept his head lowered and said nothing.

Seeing this, Qing Wei continued, "But after cultivating the Dao for so many years, you should also know that human strength has its limits. Some things are destined to yield no results, no matter how hard you try."

Chu Yang raised his head and replied calmly, "Sect Leader, you know my nature. I do not believe in fate."

"And what if you don’t? After all these years, you haven’t advanced a single step. You simply cannot comprehend the Dao!" Cang Gu finally could not hold back any longer. He flew into a rage, rushed before Chu Yang, and roared, though his eyes were full of heartache.

Chu Yang looked steadily at Qing Wei. "Sect Leader, please give me one more chance."

Qing Wei sighed helplessly. He had watched Chu Yang grow up in the Shu Mountain Sect.

He felt no less distressed than Cang Gu.

But immortals and mortals were different. Those unable to cultivate immortality simply could not cultivate immortality. If Chu Yang remained in Shu Mountain, endless suffering awaited him in the future.

"Very well. One final chance."

As though he had made up his mind, Qing Wei said, "The Ten Year Tournament of the Sword Qi Competition is approaching. If you can place among the top three, you may stay."

"What?!"

"You might as well just make him smash his head to death in the Ancestral Hall!"

Cang Gu rushed before Qing Wei, furious and anxious. "Senior Brother Sect Leader, listen to what you’re saying! Fight for the top three? That would be fine if you were saying it to Changqing, but you want Chu Yang to take one of the top three spots? You might as well drive him down the mountain right now!"

"At least if something happens later, he’ll leave behind an intact corpse!"

Xu Changqing hurried forward to pull his master back.

Cang Gu’s spit had sprayed onto Qing Wei’s robes, but a flash of radiant light passed over them, and they became spotless once more.

Qing Wei’s eyelid twitched. Wasn’t I trying to make him retreat in the face of difficulty?

Why are you getting so worked up?

If the two disciples had not been present, Qing Wei would have started cursing already.

Qing Wei knew Chu Yang’s temperament well after all his years in Shu Mountain. He was cautious and prudent, never taking risks.

Put bluntly, he was a coward.

How could someone like that risk his life to participate in the Sword Qi Competition?

The so-called Sword Qi Competition was an agreement between the Sword Sect and the Qi Sect. Whichever side won would have the right to use the name Shu Mountain for the next ten years.

Shu Mountain Xianjian Sect.

The winner was the Shu Mountain Sect; the loser was the Xianjian Sect.

The Sword Qi Competition, held once every ten years, had an extremely high casualty rate, especially during the ranking matches for the final ten contestants.

The top three were practically the last three survivors. As a result, the two sects, originally from the same source, had grown increasingly hostile toward one another.

In Qing Wei’s view, Chu Yang would never participate, so he intended to use this to force him down the mountain.

"Alright!"

Chu Yang answered.

Qing Wei nodded and smiled. "Your choice is very wise. In that case, then…"

His words came to an abrupt halt. Qing Wei stared at Chu Yang with an incredulous expression.

Cang Gu and Xu Changqing were stunned as well.

Cang Gu shouted angrily in a low voice, "You want to participate in the Ten Year Tournament? Are you insane?"

"Mas—" Since he had not become an official disciple, Chu Yang quickly changed his words. "Elder, I’m not insane. Please give me one more chance."

Cang Gu stomped his feet in fury. "I know how determined you are to pursue the Dao, but you must understand that only the living can cultivate it. The dead cannot cultivate the Dao."

Qing Wei looked at Chu Yang in confusion. Why was this child’s disposition so different from before? Could the shock have been too great?

Xu Changqing quietly moved beside Qing Wei and whispered a few words into his ear.

Qing Wei’s expression changed upon hearing them. He said coldly, "A Yang, come forward."

Chu Yang walked over.

Qing Wei grabbed Chu Yang’s hand. Terrifying magic power restrained Chu Yang’s body as Qing Wei began chanting under his breath.

Cang Gu was greatly alarmed. "Senior Brother Sect Leader, what are you doing? Why are you reciting the Demon Subduing Incantation?"

A moment later, the Demon Subduing Incantation was complete.

Chu Yang looked at Qing Wei blankly.

Qing Wei was somewhat embarrassed. He inspected Chu Yang’s body and primordial spirit again but found nothing wrong.

"Fortunately, there is no problem."

Qing Wei released Chu Yang’s arm, then turned and shot Xu Changqing a fierce glare.

Xu Changqing looked utterly innocent. He had merely told Qing Wei that it was a possibility.

Qing Wei himself had recited the Demon Subduing Incantation without the slightest hesitation.

It took Cang Gu a while to realize what had happened. His blood surged with rage as he roared at the two of them.

"Just because he said he wanted to participate in the Ten Year Tournament, you thought he’d been possessed?"

"Is he really that bad?!"

"You’ve gone too far!!"