I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 602: The Youth Ji Jiuwu
Previously on I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors?...
Chapter 602: The Youth Ji Jiuwu
“Given that this peak looks like a leaning crescent, we shall name it Slanted Moon Mountain.”
Chu Feng spoke with measured calm, slowly waving his feather fan.
“Slanted Moon Mountain... that has a nice ring to it.”
Cao Youqian whispered the name to himself. “When the time comes for me to descend and travel the world, I'll introduce myself as the Body Ancestor of the Wendao Sect of Slanted Moon Mountain.”
Xiao Chen chimed in after hearing this, “In that case, I shall be known as the Ancestor of Ten Thousand Swords.”
“Those will suffice.”
Chu Feng continued to flutter his fan, nodding slightly. “Both titles are quite impressive.”
Cao Youqian rubbed the back of his head, looking puzzled. “But Master, why didn't the Heavenly Dao acknowledge me when I declared that title?”
With a faint smile, Chu Feng replied, “It is simply because your Cultivation is lacking. Once you attain the rank of a Saint, your every word and deed will resonate with heaven and earth, naturally earning their recognition.”
“I see. Then I must depart for my travels and push myself to reach the Half-Saint Realm as quickly as I can.”
Cao Youqian spoke with a surge of self-assurance.
Chu Feng responded, “Confidence is vital. However, before you go, I will demonstrate the proper way to recruit disciples.”
“Master, are you implying that cultivators will soon arrive at our Wendao Sect seeking to join?” Xiao Chen asked, looking surprised.
“Precisely.”
Chu Feng paused a moment before clarifying, “The mountain-protecting grand formation of our Sect acts as a vacuum for spiritual energy and providence. Destined children of fortune will be instinctively pulled toward this luck, eventually finding their way to the Wendao Sect to seek the Dao.”
“But wouldn't that mean ordinary children of fortune might stumble in by mistake?” Cao Youqian countered.
Smack!
Chu Feng rapped Cao Youqian’s forehead with his feather fan. “You foolish boy, you’ve stayed by my side for years only to grow your muscles while your brain withered. Do you think just anyone can bypass the mountain-protecting formation of our Wendao Sect? I have specifically calibrated it so that only those possessing immense providence can navigate through.”
Cao Youqian went silent, scratching his head in embarrassment.
Waving his fan, Chu Feng dismissed them. “Very well, return to your Cultivation. I shall stay here and quiet my mind for a time.”
“Understood.”
The two disciples bowed and departed together.
As the days turned into a week, nearly nine days passed until the dead of night arrived.
Near the base of Slanted Moon Mountain, a lanky youth was sprinting through the dense woods. Trailing behind him was a saber-toothed tiger demon over a zhang in height, maintaining a leisurely pace.
The beast was playing a game of cat and mouse. It frequently closed the gap only to hold back, clearly enjoying the psychological torment of its prey before the kill.
The youth didn't dare slow down, his ears filled with the heavy, predatory breathing of the beast. Bursting out from the tree line, he found his path obstructed by a looming mountain.
Circumventing the peak was out of the question. He couldn't outrun the demon on level ground, let alone while trying to skirt a mountain. He was trapped.
With no retreat possible, he decided to gamble. He hoped that the mountain might house an even more terrifying beast that would drive his pursuer away.
Driven by desperation, the youth summoned his remaining strength and bolted toward the slopes.
Seeing the sudden burst of speed, the saber-toothed tiger demon wore a look of mockery. It assumed the boy was using the last of his life force; devouring such a desperate human would surely aid its own Cultivation.
The demon followed steadily, keeping the boy within its sights.
As he neared the mountain's edge, a hidden reservoir of strength exploded within the youth, propelling him forward even faster.
Is this human activating a secret technique?
The tiger demon growled, unwilling to let its meal slip away. A human who had triggered a secret technique would be far more nutritious.
The moment the youth crossed into the boundaries of Slanted Moon Mountain, the tiger demon lunged, claws outstretched.
Bang!
The beast slammed into the invisible barrier of the formation and collapsed, knocked out cold. The youth heard the thunderous impact behind him and ran even harder.
After a long sprint, he realized the sound of the tiger’s breath had ceased. He stopped, glancing back cautiously, but the predator was nowhere to be seen.
Hoo…
Exhaling a long breath, the youth collapsed onto the ground. Exhaustion finally claimed him; his throat was parched and his limbs felt like heavy lead weights, refusing to move.
Scanning his surroundings, he saw no fruit or water, only a paved stone trail winding up the peak.
Is this the end? Will I die here after all?
Suddenly, a voice as clear as a bell reached his ears. “Young man, you have quite the luck to have stumbled into my Wendao Sect.”
The youth looked up slowly, coming face-to-face with a young member of the Giant Clan. Shaking with fear, he stammered, “Y-you... you aren't going to eat me, are you?”
“Hahaha!”
Cao Youqian burst into laughter. “If I were hungry, I’d eat that overgrown kitten outside. Why would I bother with you?”
With a casual motion, he reached out and grabbed the unconscious saber-toothed tiger demon by the scruff, hoisting it up. “A Spirit Nurturing Realm tiger. This will make for a decent snack.”
The youth stared in shock. That beast was strong enough to slaughter his squad leader, yet this giant handled it like a toy.
Noticing the youth’s parched lips, Cao Youqian realized he was dying of thirst. He pulled a flask from his storage ring and tossed it over.
“Drink this, then follow me up the mountain.”
“Thank you.”
The youth didn't hesitate, uncapping the flask and drinking greedily.
Curiously, after just two gulps, he felt incredibly full. Looking down, he saw his stomach had bloated as if he had eaten a massive feast.
Cao Youqian took the flask back, smiling. “That is Saint-grade spiritual spring water. A single sip is worth ten of the ordinary kind. The fact that you could handle two mouthfuls proves your constitution is sturdy.”
The youth straightened his back with a hint of pride. “I was the top disciple among the juniors of the Fire God Clan.”
“A seventeen-year-old body cultivator at the True Fate Realm... not bad at all.”
Cao Youqian could see the youth's foundation instantly. However, there was no trace of Qi or spiritual energy, suggesting he focused purely on physical refinement.
The youth looked confused. “What is the True Fate Realm? I am currently in the Muscle Forging Realm.”
Cao Youqian then remembered he wasn't on the Profound Heaven Continent; the ranking systems here were different.
He grinned. “You’ll learn in time. Can you stand?”
“Yes. I can head back down now.”
The youth bowed low to Cao Youqian. “I am grateful for your help, Senior. I will find a way to repay this debt.”
Cao Youqian chuckled. “I never said you were leaving. Since fate brought you here, come up and share this tiger meat with me.”
“N-no, I couldn't...”
The youth shook his head vigorously. “Senior, you’ve already saved my life. I cannot impose further.”
“It is fate,” Cao Youqian insisted. “Besides, it is dark, and the mountain is dangerous at night. Eat your fill and you can leave in the morning.”
The youth finally gave in and nodded. “Thank you, Senior.”
“Don't call me Senior. My name is Cao Youqian, but you can call me Daqian. What’s yours?”
The youth answered, “Senior, my name is Ji Jiuwu.”