Chapter 163 : The Second Dao Ancestor

Chapter 163: The Second Dao Ancestor

The grand Eastern Continent Grand Competition thus came to a close.

As the Sect Master, Xiang Yan stood up and said a few words, even promising rewards.

This time, the top three were all swept by the Dao Gate. If not for the lingering pressure of the Origin Spirit Realm hanging over him like a dark cloud, he probably would’ve been beaming with pride and delivering a full speech.

Niu Yuanshan, who handled all the internal affairs and logistics, was already dizzy with excitement.

“Chu Huaixu really became the Champion of the Eastern Continent!”

“The Eastern Continent Champion is from our Moon Country, hahaha!”

Old Niu felt a refreshing thrill, like the only sober man in a room full of drunkards.

According to the predetermined rewards, Chu Huaixu could select any one Supreme-grade Spiritual Artifact from the Treasure Pavilion, and one Seventh-grade Top-grade Spiritual Pill.

He could also choose one Second Realm cultivation method from the Scripture Pavilion.

That didn’t require much thought. He would certainly pick the second layer of the Dao Canon.

As for the rest of the rewards, he would head to the Treasure Pavilion tomorrow to make his selections.

The Eastern Continent Grand Competition had officially ended. The top three were brought to the high platform, and a group of major cultivators surrounded them to offer praise—a formality.

However, Xu Ziqing remained unconscious. He was floated up, wrapped in spiritual energy, while Jiang Zhi personally checked his condition.

Some things, however, couldn’t be said openly, so people like Mei Chuxue simply offered platitudes like “Heroes emerge from the youth.”

This alluring and enchanting cultivator of the Eighth Realm was growing more and more intrigued by Chu Huaixu.

This youth truly seemed like a reincarnated Dao Ancestor!

According to unofficial records, the founder of Spring and Autumn Mountain once clashed with the Dao Ancestor. She even wrote in her "diary" of wanting to personally break the Dao Ancestor's Pure Yang Body.

As an elder of Spring and Autumn Mountain, Mei Chuxue knew this wasn’t really apocrypha—just a slightly exaggerated tale.

Moreover, her wager on Chu Huaixu winning had been mostly for fun.

Who would have thought he’d actually win!

Even now, it felt surreal thinking about it.

Despite the praise from many major cultivators, Chu Huaixu showed no arrogance.

Still heavily wounded, he didn’t stay long.

A rare act from Xiang Yan, he personally paid out of pocket and gave Chu Huaixu a premium healing pill.

Looking at the surrounding expressions, Chu Huaixu noted their shock was on par with when he defeated the Bronze Sword.

This gave him a deeper understanding of his Sect Master—this iron rooster wouldn’t pluck a single feather; no wonder he was bald.

As for Little Martial Uncle Ancestor Jiang Zhi, he hadn’t spoken a single word from beginning to end.

...

...

Back in the bamboo hut, Chu Huaixu immediately returned to his room, sat on the meditation cushion, and began channeling his spiritual energy to stimulate the medicine.

He hadn’t even used the Fourth-grade Healing Pill given by Xiang Yan.

“With Dao Canon's self-recovery effects, my own refined spiritual pills will be enough to recover seventy to eighty percent in a short time,” he thought.

Better pills could be saved for more critical moments.

Once the pain lessened, he stopped circulating spiritual energy and let his body naturally absorb the medicine.

“Body Training has its perks for healing. Absorption efficiency is much higher than ordinary cultivators.”

He couldn’t wait any longer to claim his mission rewards.

Because it would give his overall strength a leap forward!

100,000 Experience Points were credited to his account, drawing a smile from Chu Huaixu.

In addition, winning the final match had earned nearly 50,000 Experience Points.

But there was something that puzzled him.

“The Experience Points were rewarded right after I defeated Little Xu, who wielded the sword with his left hand.”

“But after I beat that Evil Sword, the system gave no response.”

At this thought, he couldn’t help but curse: “How damn cheap!”

Why this happened, Chu Huaixu couldn’t figure out.

“Perhaps in the system’s logic, Xu Ziqing was my final opponent, and the sword didn’t fall under the competition’s scope?” He was stumped.

Regardless, his usable Experience Points had now broken through the 400,000 mark, totaling 406,000!

Never mind that he was only in the First Realm; even if he were in the Third Realm, spending all these points in one go would lead to a massive boost in strength.

“Too bad I haven’t picked a new cultivation method yet. The Eastern and Western Continents’ Grand Competition isn’t over for me. Otherwise, I’d level up a few times tonight and bury that Big Ice Block! Hmph!”

Next came the 3 points of random special attributes.

Chu Huaixu sat properly on his meditation cushion. Once the familiar Attribute Wheel appeared, he began praying.

“Comprehension, Comprehension, Comprehension...”

“Physique, Physique, Physique...”

The first draw landed directly on 【Spirit Gathering】.

His brain exploded—he couldn’t help but shout,

“What?! What the hell is Spirit Gathering?!”

But in the next moment, his total spiritual energy surged slightly, becoming more abundant!

Dao Canon cultivated both internally and externally. Combining both streams of spiritual energy, it far surpassed ordinary Heaven-rank cultivation methods.

Now, it had risen slightly again, making that superiority even clearer.

In addition, his spiritual energy recovery rate was also modestly improved.

His stamina had unquestionably improved.

“This just makes my strengths even stronger.”

“Alright then, I can accept a little icing on the cake.”

Special attribute points were precious because no matter where they were added, they improved overall strength.

Even the much-maligned 【Physique】 was linked to his HP bar, making it very important.

Besides, Chu Huaixu had always suspected that this lottery wheel was just for show.

“Setting aside Spirit Embryo attributes, once an attribute lags too far behind, the odds of drawing it increase.”

With that thought, he spun again—and got 【Spirit Gathering】 again.

“Damn you, dog system! If you’ve got the guts, give me Spirit Gathering three times in a row!” Chu Huaixu cursed and spun once more.

This time, the pointer landed on 【Physique】.

“Nice, feels good.” Chu Huaixu smiled in satisfaction as he felt his physical body grow stronger.

And at that moment, he sensed a call from the Medicinal Cauldron.

It was... actually asking to be fed.

A highly unusual event.

In the past, although this was Chu Huaixu’s life-bound item, their relationship hadn’t been all that close...

By contrast, the Heart Sword felt more like his life-bound artifact spirit.

【Dao Birth One】 never actively conveyed emotions or messages. It simply kept refining pills silently, like a mute giant.

But if Chu Huaixu initiated contact, it would constantly cry "hungry."

Today, however, it had come seeking food on its own—a first.

“Is it because of the heavy consumption during the Eastern Continent Grand Competition?”

“Or is there another reason?”

Chu Huaixu poured his spiritual sense into the black bead, and immediately noticed something unusual.

“It’s still refining those dark bluish-black streams of energy?”

“Could it actually produce something in the end?” he was shocked.

Initially, Chu Huaixu thought the Medicinal Cauldron would just burn away those eerie, corrupted auras.

But now, that didn’t seem to be the case.

He didn’t dare mess around and immediately gave the Cauldron a hefty dose of energy.

“I just pulled 2 points of Spirit Gathering, and the first to use it is you, huh.”

He poured it in full force!

Chu Huaixu still had no clue what those dark bluish-black currents were. He tossed an 【Information Probe】 at it, and all that came back were question marks.

But the thing was too bizarre, possessing a strange devouring ability—he felt it must be handled with utmost caution.

After being infused with spiritual energy, the Medicinal Cauldron immediately quieted down.

It resumed refining those currents.

“Judging by the situation, this thing is probably going to interfere with my pill refining,” muttered a certain black-hearted capitalist in frustration.

“Let’s see what it ends up producing.”

......

......

Overnight, Chu Huaixu's name spread widely throughout the Eastern Continent.

Though it was only a First Realm competition, once the title "Champion of the Eastern Continent" was attached to someone, the perception changed drastically.

What’s more, in just a few days, he would face off against the Heir of Prince Rui from the Western Continent—representing the entire Eastern Continent.

The open and covert struggles between East and West had existed for ages.

Great hopes were now pinned on him.

Early in the morning, after breakfast, Chu Huaixu headed to the Treasure Pavilion with Han Shuangjiang.

As the third-place winner in the Eastern Continent Grand Competition, she was entitled to one Mid-grade Spiritual Artifact, one Fifth-grade Mid-grade Spiritual Pill, and her choice of a Second Realm cultivation method from the Scripture Pavilion.

Along the way, the two agreed not to redeem their spiritual pills immediately.

At their current low cultivation stage, many pills would be a waste.

It was better to wait until they needed something specific.

Today, their focus was on selecting magical treasures.

Due to their high-profile performance in the competition, many people greeted them warmly along the way.

Several also expressed concern over Chu Huaixu’s injuries.

As they neared the Treasure Pavilion, Chu Huaixu said, “You seem to have something to say to me. I keep seeing you hesitating.”

“In a moment, pick a Mid-grade Spiritual Artifact you like—think of it as my way of paying off my debt,” Han Shuangjiang replied seriously.

“I don’t want it,” Chu Huaixu refused outright, quickening his steps toward the pavilion.

“Why not?” asked the Big Ice Block, confused.

“So dumb. Figure it out yourself,” replied the Dead Fox.

Han Shuangjiang frowned slightly and pressed her lips together. She couldn't understand his intentions.

“Did he just call me dumb?”

Once inside the Treasure Pavilion, they received VIP treatment.

The Inner Sect Senior Sister in charge handed them two booklets. They could choose any item listed inside.

As Chu Huaixu flipped through it, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.

“There are actually items from Hidden Spirit Mountain here!”

“Though not many—just a few.”

A specific item quickly surfaced in his mind, and he flipped pages rapidly.

Sure enough, he soon found it.

It was the jade pendant both he and Xu Ziqing had hesitated over when they climbed the mountain.

A refining artifact for body cultivators!

A Supreme-grade Spiritual Artifact specifically crafted for Body Training cultivators, it was extremely rare and precious.

Chu Huaixu finished scanning the entire booklet and still felt this was the best fit.

“This one,” he decided.

Han Shuangjiang chose a Cloud Robe.

Seeing Chu Huaixu and Xu Ziqing both wearing robe-level magical treasures had stirred her envy for quite some time.

She was a young girl after all—how could she not love beautiful clothes?

The Inner Sect Senior Sister, seeing they had both chosen, spoke up: “Junior Brother Chu, Junior Sister Han, I will register your selections and submit them for approval.”

“These two Spiritual Artifacts will be delivered to you shortly.”

“Alright. Thank you, Senior Sister,” the two replied.

.......

.......

As night fell, Chu Huaixu sent his spiritual sense into the black bead and found it was still refining those streams of dark bluish-black energy.

So he actively infused more spiritual energy into it.

Just after he finished, he received a voice transmission.

“Chu Huaixu, come out for a moment,” said Li Chunsong, standing outside the bamboo hut.

Chu Huaixu immediately got up and walked outside. “Disciple greets the Sixth Elder,” he said with a bow.

“When it’s just us, there’s no need for all that formality,” said the Dead Gambler, who had been on a winning streak and was uncharacteristically kind.

Besides, this kid had defeated both Xu Ziqing and the Dao Ancestor’s Sword. Who could say now that he had picked the wrong person at the foot of the mountain?

“Hmm? Did I pick the wrong one?”

“I don’t think I did!”

The recently timid Li Chunsong suddenly stood tall!

He felt that going to the Enforcement Hall with Little Martial Uncle to receive punishment had been totally unjust.

Maybe Little Martial Uncle did deserve a few lashes, but why him, Li Chunsong?

Damn it, he should’ve been given a reward!

The Dao Gate’s Sixth Elder had recently grown nearly as conceited as Chu Yinyin.

“May I ask why the Sixth Elder sought me out this evening?” asked Chu Huaixu.

“Come with me to Ask-Dao Peak. Everyone is waiting for you there,” said the Dead Gambler.

“Alright.”

And so, the two flew toward the main hall of Ask-Dao Peak.

Chu Huaixu had long suspected that there might be hidden matters behind the Eastern and Western Continents’ Grand Competition.

After all, the system had clearly marked it as a 【Main Quest】.

He felt that tonight, he might finally learn something.

As he entered the hall, he was surprised to see nearly everyone present.

All the Dao Gate high-ranking members were there, except Shen Man—even Little Martial Uncle Ancestor Jiang Zhi was in attendance.

They had likely already held a small meeting earlier.

“Disciple greets the Sect Master, greets Little Martial Uncle Ancestor, greets the Elders,” Chu Huaixu said, bowing to each.

“You may rise,” Xiang Yan said as gently as possible, doing his best.

Looking at the young man before him, he asked a question to satisfy everyone’s curiosity and lay some groundwork for what was to come:

“Chu Huaixu, after witnessing the power of the Bronze Sword, did you ever think you could win?”

The young disciple in black robes stood at the center of the hall and answered earnestly, “I did.”

“That sword was suppressed by the Dao Ancestor for a thousand years.”

“I have learned the Dao Ancestor’s cultivation method, and on Hidden Spirit Mountain, I chanced upon the Dao Ancestor’s Sword Scabbard.”

“I dared to think... maybe...”

Chu Huaixu paused briefly, then continued:

“If the Dao Ancestor could do it, so can I.”

......