Chapter 95: Heaven’s Fate, Steal First

“Excuse me, Senior Brother, who is that with such a grand entourage?”

Zhou Chen casually asked a Cultivator beside him.

“You don’t know this?! Such an entourage must be our Tai Chu Holy Son! Are you new here?”

The person looked at Zhou Chen as if he were looking at a monster.

“I did indeed just join the sect today.”

Zhou Chen said indifferently.

“No wonder then. Remember, this is the young foremost Genius of our Taichu Holy Land, Tai Chu Holy Son Chu Cangming, whose Cultivation Realm has reached the Half-Saint Realm!”

After the person finished speaking, his face was filled with pride.

The Saint has returned!

Zhou Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly. From afar, he saw the leisurely figure on the jade carriage.

The young man wore a purple-gold Saint Robe, his features were handsome, and his eyes subtly carried an indifferent gaze, as if looking down on all living beings.

A pressure far exceeding that of an ordinary Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator permeated the air. Although it wasn't intentionally directed at anyone, it caused Zhou Chen’s Dao Foundation Lotus Platform to tremble slightly.

This is the Half-Saint Realm!

He was only a step away from the true Saint Realm.

“System, check Opportunity.”

Zhou Chen silently recited in his heart.

【Name: Chu Cangming】

【Cultivation: Half-Saint Realm (between Nascent Soul and Saint Realm)】

【Fate: Extraordinary Talent (Gold), Heavenly Dao Favor (Gold)】

【Destiny: Favored by the Heavenly Dao, Son of Luck, established an eighth-stage Dao Foundation, ultimately succeeded in proving the Emperor Realm, stopping at Emperor Realm Fifth Level.】

【Recent Opportunity: Five days later, below the Myriad Blades Peak in the northwest of the Holy Land, enter the Holy Land Trial Grounds [Gui Xu Secret Realm]. Within the Secret Realm, obtain the Saint Rank top-grade Divine Sense Cultivation Technique “Nine Firmament Spirit Refining Art.” After three months of Cultivation, his Divine Sense will reach Perfection, and he will Breakthrough to the Quasi-Saint Realm, about to enter the Saint Realm.】

“Bind him!”

Zhou Chen silently recited.

However, the expected System notification for successful binding did not come.

“Warning, current Son of Luck bound 3/3, unable to continue binding!”

Seeing the last line of flashing red warning, Zhou Chen felt a dull pain in his chest, almost spitting out a mouthful of old blood.

This was a Saint of the eighth-stage Dao Foundation. If he could bind him, the returned Opportunity would surely be Heaven-Defying.

“System, is there any way to bind him?”

However, there was no response.

“Cannot bind him for now, I’ll find a way later. First, I’ll get his Opportunity!”

Zhou Chen’s heart was ablaze. As expected of a Holy Land, it gave him a huge surprise as soon as he arrived.

Three days later, below Myriad Blades Peak.

The entrance to the Gui Xu Secret Realm shimmered with a faint light, and the surrounding space was subtly distorted.

Zhou Chen had not been idle these three days. Instead, he first thoroughly understood the situation of the Taichu Holy Land and made full preparations before setting off.

This Gui Xu Secret Realm was a large-scale Trial Grounds, jointly constructed by one hundred and eight Holy Lands in the Central Continent, with shared resource investment.

The Gui Xu Secret Realm was originally a desolate ancient Secret Realm. Every year, various Holy Lands would invest Vicious Beasts, Yao Beasts, Spirit Monsters of different Realms, and also countless Cultivation Techniques, rare treasures, Spiritual Artifacts, and so on, continuously transforming it over countless years.

Disciples from various Holy Lands could freely enter and exit at any time, obtaining resources, completing tasks, or searching for treasures inside.

Many Holy Land Disciples had found Cultivation Techniques within that allowed them to soar to great heights, others found treasures for cleansing meridians and marrow, changing their destiny, and there were even ancient Spirit Medicines that had become extinct.

No wonder Wang Yue of the Holy Land looked down on the Cultivators of the Southern Region so much.

The total gains of an ordinary Cultivator in the Southern Region throughout their entire life might not even be as much as what a Holy Land Disciple gains from a single entry and exit from the Secret Realm.

It showed how unfair the Heavenly Dao was.

However, the risks were also great. Cultivators below the Saint Realm could enter, and many Holy Land Geniuses died there every year.

All entrance and exit nodes of the various transfer points could identify the identities of Disciples from different Holy Lands and transmit them accurately.

Zhou Chen held his identity Jade Slip, successfully passed through the Restriction, and flashed inside.

The interior of the Secret Realm was not what Zhou Chen had imagined, where upon entry, it would immediately be various desolate and dangerous places.

The entrance connected to the Taichu Holy Land was a boundless forest.

What met his eyes were ancient trees reaching into the clouds, the continuous roars of beasts, and an ancient, wild aura pervading everywhere.

Zhou Chen’s goal for this trip was very clear.

Soon, he arrived at a vast, dark body of water, with countless strangely shaped stones protruding from the surface, entangled with mysterious black vines.

A decaying scent permeated the air. He could feel his Divine Sense being greatly suppressed here, only able to probe about a mile around him.

“Where is the ‘Nine Firmament Spirit Refining Art’…?”

Zhou Chen moved like a ghost through this body of water.

The “Divine Concealment Art” combined with the “Taiyi Golden Light Step” allowed him to avoid several terrifying poison attacks.

Suddenly, Zhou Chen discovered a peculiar black stone peak, resembling a giant hand.

According to the Opportunity’s hint, the Cultivation Technique was in the crevice between the middle finger and ring finger of the black stone peak!

Zhou Chen immediately stopped hesitating and quickly arrived at the stone peak.

Indeed, there was an inconspicuous black Jade Slip in the crevice!

Zhou Chen was overjoyed.

“Roar!”

At this moment, the dark water below suddenly exploded, and a massive black shadow fiercely lunged at Zhou Chen!

Zhou Chen’s heart sank; he had been careless.

The black shadow was actually a Soul Devouring Mysterious Python several tens of feet long!

The Soul Devouring Mysterious Python had a single eye on its head, and its entire body was covered in thick, jet-black scales.

This giant python had been ambushing for an unknown period. Its Yao power, at the tenth level of Nascent Soul, accompanied by terrifying Evil Qi, instantly enveloped Zhou Chen!

Its single eye even shot out a turbid red light, piercing directly towards Zhou Chen’s glabella!

Zhou Chen’s internal alarm surged wildly. The “Undying Golden Body” circulated to its extreme, and the Blood Soul Burning Flame Sword instantly appeared in his hand.

“Fellow Daoist Zhou, be careful!”

Just as Zhou Chen was preparing to withstand the Yao Python, a figure appeared as if out of thin air, instantly materializing between Zhou Chen and the Soul Devouring Mysterious Python.

“Break!”

The newcomer pointed his right hand like a sword, and slashed through the Void Realm!

Buzz!

A condensed green light, refined to its extreme, actually absorbed all of that Soul Devouring red light!

At the same time, an ancient, simple green small shield expanded against the wind.

It transformed into a massive bronze shield, heavily smashing onto the huge head of the Soul Devouring Mysterious Python!

Boom!

Accompanied by a dull thud, even the powerful Soul Devouring Mysterious Python was sent flying backward.

Although it didn't cause any damage to the giant python, the fierce aura in its eyes greatly diminished.

Sensing that the newcomer was not to be trifled with, it cunningly burrowed into the dark water in the next moment.

The person who made the move was none other than Han Li!

He still maintained his unremarkable appearance, his Cultivation of the tenth level of Core Formation fully displayed.

“Many thanks for your assistance, Brother Han!”

Zhou Chen grabbed with his backhand, pulling the Jade Slip into his grasp!

Although he wasn't afraid of the giant python, startling the Tai Chu Holy Son and making him arrive early would ultimately be troublesome. Han Li had indeed helped him a great deal.

The Jade Slip felt cool in his hand, and countless profound characters instantly flooded Zhou Chen’s mind. It was precisely the “Nine Firmament Spirit Refining Art”!

【Ding! Detected that the host has intercepted the Heavenly Mandate Child Chu Cangming’s Opportunity—Saint Rank top-grade Cultivation Technique “Nine Firmament Spirit Refining Art.” Triggering ten thousand times critical strike return! Obtained Imperial Rank top-grade Divine Sense Cultivation Technique “Nine Firmament Spirit Refining Art.” Do you wish to claim it immediately?】

“Do not claim for now.”

Zhou Chen silently recited in his heart.

“It was merely a small effort, Fellow Daoist Zhou, no need to be polite.”

Han Li retracted his shield, looking at the Jade Slip in Zhou Chen’s hand, a complex and unreadable fluctuation flashing in his eyes.

“To be honest, I just had a feeling that the Jade Slip in Brother Zhou’s hand seems to be of great use to me. I wonder if Brother Zhou would be willing to share it for my comprehension. Han would be willing to exchange it for a heavy treasure and will never go back on his word!”

Han Li paused, his gaze fixed on Zhou Chen with burning intensity.