Chapter 253 : Small Characters

Chapter 253: Small Characters

Overseas, in a remote sea region.

A streak of light could be seen speeding across the sky, and within the light was a young man with a gloomy expression: “Mother… is she really trying to harm me, just as Father said?”

The young man was none other than Chong Ming.

Since the incident in the 【Kingdom of Qing】, this young man had become much more aged, even though his lifespan had not been shortened, a few strands of white hair had appeared at his temples.

The streak of light flew over the sea for a while before finally landing on an uninhabited island.

However, it seemed to pass through a transparent water curtain.

From outside the island, it looked desolate and lifeless.

But once inside, a young Daoist boy with red lips and white teeth suddenly appeared on the shore.

“Daoist Friend Xu.”

A trace of complexity flashed in Chong Ming's eyes.

He sighed softly, stepped forward, and cupped his hands, saying: “Thank you for your efforts, Daoist Friend. Chong Ming will surely repay your kindness in the future.”

If Lü Yang were here, he would certainly recognize him as well.

This young Daoist boy was none other than Xu Xin, who had been extremely at odds with Chong Ming on the Battlefield of Dao Seizure.

Now, he had also become a Foundation Establishment True Person.

“Save your breath.”

Xu Xin shook his head at these words.

Then his figure suddenly turned blurry.

“I don’t want to get involved with you. Take care of yourself, little young master.”

After speaking, his figure quietly shattered.

Seeing this, Chong Ming could only sigh softly and muttered to himself, “Father said that Mother wants to harm me, but why did he still tell me to follow Mother’s instructions to go out to sea?”

Back in the 【Kingdom of Qing】, when Chong Guang had sent Chong Ming out of the 【Blessed Land of Dongyang】, he had given a few instructions.

Out of trust in his father, Chong Ming had strictly followed them.

Although the heartless actions of his mother, the True Person Miaoyin, had greatly disappointed him, he had still pulled himself together:

“No matter what, I can’t return to the Sacred Sect anymore.”

Chong Ming took out a Bagua Compass from his robe.

This was a supreme treasure that Chong Guang had given him to conceal his presence from the heavens.

With this treasure protecting him, no one should be able to find him.

At this thought, Lü Yang’s figure suddenly flashed through Chong Ming’s mind.

“At worst, I’ll just endure!”

“I’ll outlive Mother!”

As one of the most outstanding disciples of the younger generation in the Sacred Sect, Lü Yang’s deeds had long since spread far and wide.

This included outliving Arhat Fulong and tricking the Peak Master of Mending Heaven Peak to death.

With the advanced experience of a predecessor like Lü Yang, Chong Ming was not particularly confused.

He quickly set his strategy: “Youth is my greatest advantage. Mother is already in her third lifetime. In terms of combat and schemes, I can't match her. Then I’ll compete with her in lifespan. I’ll surely outlive her one day!”

If luck was on his side and True Person Miaoyin perished during her tribulation, it would only take a few years.

If luck was bad and she broke through to the late Foundation Establishment stage, it did not matter either.

At worst, he would just have to wait two more lifetimes.

As long as he could endure, there would always be a chance.

Thinking this, Chong Ming gradually calmed down.

However, just as he turned around, he was horrified to discover that on the shore of the island, above the emerald white waves, a figure had appeared!

“Splash, splash, splash.”

The sound of waves drifted over from a distance, crashing against the rocks on the shore, and also pounding heavily in Chong Ming’s heart, making him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave in an instant.

The visitor rode the waves, stepping lightly on the surf, landing casually on the shore.

He appeared like a scholar out for a spring outing, with a kind smile hanging on his face.

However, although he was smiling, his eyes were icy cold, devoid of any warmth.

“You really made me search for quite a while.”

In an instant, Chong Ming’s expression froze slightly.

He wanted to resist, but an indescribable, overwhelming pressure had already descended upon him.

‘It’s over!’

Although Chong Ming had just reached Foundation Establishment, he was not inexperienced.

Even when facing a mid-Foundation Establishment True Person, he still had the ability to make a move.

But the True Person before him merely stood there, and his mana and divine sense were already sealed.

Forget making a move; the only reason he could still think was because the other party had not sealed his consciousness.

This kind of terrifying suppression, akin to a difference in existential rank, could only be achieved by a late Foundation Establishment Great True Person!

At this moment, Chong Ming was in utter despair.

However, to his surprise, the visitor did not immediately seize him and refine him.

Instead, after examining him for a moment, he actively released the suppression.

Then, the visitor stared straight at him.

“You recognize me.”

These four simple words carried no hint of a question, only complete certainty, as if the facts had already been confirmed.

Chong Ming couldn’t help but lower his head.

“…Father mentioned you a few times.”

“Daoist Friend Chong Guang, huh.”

Suo Huan smiled at these words.

He then clasped his hands behind his back and walked up to Chong Ming, speaking calmly:

“You have a good father.”

“I’ve spent a long time overseas, making it inconvenient to communicate with the important figures of the Sacred Sect. Therefore, I needed some cover to muddy the waters of causality.”

“Your father secured this position for you, saving your life and pulling you out of the vortex.”

“Such good fortune, truly good fortune.”

“Far better than mine.”

Suo Huan shook his head and sighed, while Chong Ming wore a confused expression.

‘What does he mean?’

But soon, his thoughts came to a halt.

A faint light slowly emerged from his body, weaving into the silhouette of a graceful woman.

Seeing this, Suo Huan quickly stepped back.

“This little one pays respect to True Monarch Qiluo.”

The figure of that graceful woman was none other than 【Zeng Cai Qiluo True Monarch】, who had once refined pills for Lü Yang.

And now, she had appeared overseas!

Suo Huan felt a chill in his hands and feet as he sneered inwardly:

‘That Miaoyin really is foolish and unaware. Did she never consider that as Chong Guang’s Dao Companion, every action she takes is likely observed by the True Monarch in the heavens?’

‘On the surface, this seems like a transaction between me and Miaoyin, with her sending her own son Chong Ming to me for Qi extraction. The causality appears clear and indisputable. In reality, however, this is just the True Monarch using Chong Ming’s causality to secretly meet with me. Miaoyin is nothing more than the True Monarch’s mouthpiece!’

At this moment, 【Zeng Cai Qiluo True Monarch】 finally spoke:

“Speak, why have you come to see me?”

“This little one merely wishes to share in your burdens, my Lord.”

Suo Huan’s tone was calm and his manners were impeccable as he performed a Daoist bow, speaking softly:

“Though I reside overseas, I have still heard of the great upheavals in recent days.”

“Daoist Friend Chong Guang truly lived up to his reputation as the rising star of the Sacred Sect, shaking the world single-handedly.”

“Unfortunately, he failed at the last moment, leaving one sighing in regret.”

“This little one lacks the means of Daoist Friend Chong Guang and is nothing more than a stray dog, a small character.”

“A small character can only drift with the tide.”

As he spoke, a trace of emotion finally appeared in Suo Huan’s voice:

“This little one is willing to bear witness to the【Long Flow of Water】, to share your burdens and break the current impasse.”

He wore a solemn expression and respectfully said:

“My Lord, you should know that this little one is an overseas cultivator. I do not cultivate life essence, nor do I refine innate talents. I have always relied on Qi extraction.”

“The 【Blessed Land of Lingxu】 in my possession is of the water element.”

“In other words, as long as it is a water-elemental position, I actually have a slim chance of attaining it.”

“Even if it is the【Long Flow of Water】!”

As Suo Huan’s words fell, 【Zeng Cai Qiluo True Monarch】 narrowed her eyes:

“You do have some courage. Drifting with the tide does suit you.”

This was indeed a blind spot!

As an overseas cultivator, Suo Huan had no need for 【Earth of Chen】.

His essence lay in Qi extraction, usurping the elemental positions of this world!

Once he usurped the【Long Flow of Water】, it would be equivalent to attaining it.

And if the mysterious True Monarch, suspected to be Ang Xiao, lost the【Long Flow of Water】, they would become incomplete in the Five Elements, instantly falling from the late Golden Core stage!

However, this was not without risks.

Suo Huan’s pursuit of the Golden Core did not require【Earth of Chen】, but this also made it difficult for him to resonate with the elemental positions.

Moreover, as an overseas cultivator, devouring the elemental positions of this world would inevitably bring great trouble and establish a deadly enmity with the mysterious True Monarch!

Under such circumstances, the difficulty of pursuing the Golden Core was several times higher than that of Chong Guang.

Even if he succeeded, it would be hard to stabilize his position as a True Monarch.

Especially with the Millennium Catastrophe approaching, a slight misstep could turn him into the next Daoist Hong Yun.

Yet Suo Huan did not hesitate in the slightest.

He had once been the chosen son of a world, full of youthful vigor.

Now, however, he bent down naturally, like an old man on the brink of death.

“This little one asks for nothing else.”

He lowered his head humbly and said:

“I am willing to let you plant a restriction in me, to serve you with all my might, asking only for a fruit position… even if it is just for a single lifetime.”

Primordial Saint Sect, Sky-reaching Sea of Clouds.

As the three-month period drew near, Lü Yang pushed open the door of his meditation chamber and walked inside.

In the center of the chamber, seated on a meditation cushion, was a handsome young man.

This man’s appearance was exactly the same as his own.

However, there was a sharp aura between his brows.

After all, it had been nurtured with a flying sword as its embryo, and its foundation carried the sharpness of a sword cultivator that could not be erased.

Even the opening and closing of its lips, the heartbeat, and breathing were completely synchronized with Lü Yang’s own body.

Seeing this, Lü Yang immediately showed a satisfied expression:

“The Immortal Fetus is complete!”