Chapter 523 - 514: Success is at Hand

Chapter 523: Chapter 514: Success is at Hand

An unprecedented feeling of bliss spread through Mu Chen’s entire body. He felt as if every last inch of him was moaning in ecstasy, greedily absorbing the Natural Aura emanating from the white light!

He could seemingly see everything inside his body, and all of it had turned a vibrant green, suffused with a Natural Aura. His meridians grew more resilient, his organs tougher, and his bones harder. His entire being seemed to be undergoing a qualitative transformation.

The change in his meridians was the most obvious. They hadn’t been directly widened, but their ever-increasing resilience made Mu Chen absolutely certain they could now withstand a much more powerful surge of Soul Power.

The green light continuously cleansed his entire body, and impurities were rapidly expelled from his pores. Mu Chen had taken countless pills and seized many opportunities for Strengthening the Foundation and Nourishing the Essence, but those had always improved his constitution from the inside out as the Medicinal Power was digested. This time was different. The immense Natural Aura within the white light was like a pool of life-giving water, washing every corner of his body from the outside in.

This cleansing didn’t raise his Martial Arts Cultivation, but it made Mu Chen feel as if his body was as clear and translucent as crystal. It felt as though everything he had painstakingly cultivated over the past few years was being nourished by this dense Natural Aura, integrating and harmonizing until it became a single, unified whole!

Even the many concepts he had struggled to grasp in his cultivation became crystal clear as his mind opened up! This Natural Aura wasn’t just improving his constitution and meridians—it even seemed to have greatly enhanced his Cultivation Talent and Martial Dao aptitude.

"What’s going on?" Mu Chen exclaimed, peering through the white light at his arms, which now brimmed with power.

The Profound Old Ghost, who was beside him, didn’t seem surprised at all. With his eyes closed, he chuckled. "This is the wonderful effect of the Illusion Spirit Contract. Master just told you how powerful the talent and aptitude of a dual-bloodline Magical Beast are. According to the contract’s properties, all of those traits will manifest in you. It seems this ancient Illusion Spirit Contract is about to succeed."

Although Mu Chen heard the Profound Old Ghost, he couldn’t spare a thought for the Illusion Spirit Contract’s progress. His face was filled with joyous surprise. Thanks to his constant cultivation and learning, his perspective had long since broadened. This wasn’t a direct increase in his power, but he knew exactly what this physical improvement meant.

The benefits of improving his body through medicine and Body Forging had long been apparent. He had gone from weak and sickly to strong and robust, and his cultivation speed had increased dramatically. Only a powerful body could contain a more abundant flow of Primordial Power, and only then could one better absorb that power to advance their Martial Arts Realm!

The body is the vessel! The body is the foundation! The body is the root of all power!

However, just as Mu Chen was overcome with ecstasy, the immense Natural Aura suddenly paused. Within seconds, the blissful sensation weakened significantly.

Mu Chen, who had been reveling in the feeling, suddenly felt a sense of emptiness. His exceptionally sharp senses immediately detected a problem. To his astonishment, he felt the Natural Aura circulating within him converge directly on his chest. The Purple Gold Thunder Mark there seemed to be activated by the Natural Aura, and it began to emit a dazzling golden light. Before he could react, the mark seemed to come to life, transforming into a jagged Lightning Blade that emerged from his chest. Its sharp, fierce tip pointed directly at the spot between his eyebrows, poised to act.

Before he could react, the blade plunged down, sinking instantly into his skull. Intense pain made Mu Chen want to scream and struggle, but he found he couldn’t do a thing.

As the blade entered his head, the surging Natural Aura from before rushed in after it. It felt just like being hit by a Spiritual Impact. A giant hammer seemed to smash into his head, and his mind went completely blank.

When the Profound Old Ghost and Xiaobai sensed this, they showed not a single trace of worry. An immense Life Aura surged from Mu Chen’s forehead into his Sea of Souls, cleansing his Soul Origin. Even the Profound Old Ghost’s own Soul Power grew much stronger, and he felt an indescribable sense of comfort.

At this moment, Mu Chen’s Sea of Souls had transformed into a golden ocean. The dense Natural Aura gradually grew viscous, and his Sea of Souls itself began to expand outward at an astonishing rate! This was clearly a sign that his Soul Power was evolving!

’How miraculous,’ the Profound Old Ghost thought. ’I never expected the Illusion Spirit Contract to not only improve the host’s body but also their soul. Even I’ve inexplicably received some benefits.’

The Profound Old Ghost chuckled, but before his joy could fade, an overwhelming pressure descended from the distant heavens, pinning him down completely!

It wasn’t just him. In the Outer Realm, everyone without exception was crushed to the ground, unable to muster even a shred of resistance! Even figures as powerful as Dilaka, Zhu Jiuqian, and Chao Fengming were no different!

"What’s happening?!"

Chao Fengming was slammed from a standing position into the ground, his right hand digging deep into the cliff face. Beads of sweat dripped from his cheeks, his expression one of pure terror!

Zhu Jiuqian was also forced to the ground, but his expression held no panic, only wild excitement. He roared, "What’s happening?! It’s a success!! Old man, watch the sky! You’re about to witness the advent of a god!"

Sure enough, just as Zhu Jiuqian finished speaking, a massive pillar of golden light accompanied by a sacred hymn descended. It followed the white Ancient Will back to the barrier of Holy Tomb Mountain, crossed through space and dimensions, passed through the golden Mirror Screen of Holy Beast Mountain, and finally rained down upon Xiaohai and Mu Chen!

Two Golden Arrays rose from the bodies of Mu Chen and Xiaohai, expanding high into the boundless sky! They began to spiral around the golden pillar of light, endlessly chasing one another!

This was only the beginning. Suddenly, two enormous illusory figures materialized within the Golden Arrays. One of them was humanoid! The figure wore a long white robe, its build perfectly proportioned. Though its face was shrouded in a mist that obscured its features, its long, ice-blue hair was plain to see!

’It really is Mu Chen...’ Dilaka thought. ’That kid... he can truly create any kind of miracle!’

In the Outer Realm, Dilaka, though pinned to the ground, twisted his head to look at the colossal figure in the sky. A knowing smile touched his lips, and his estimation of Mu Chen soared even higher!

It wasn’t just him. At that moment, anyone who had ever met Mu Chen, anyone who held a place for him in their heart, recognized the illusory figure in the Golden Array at a single glance. The familiar feeling it evoked was something they could never forget for the rest of their lives.

"That kid..."

In the Central State Region, outside the Pavilion Master’s main hall in Tingyu Pavilion, Qin Shang gripped the White Jade Flute in his hand, a look of admiration and surprise in his eyes. He shook his head and said, "His fortuitous encounters are so good that even I’m a little jealous. I wonder if Wu’Er is also watching this timeless spectacle in the sky."

"It’s him... It’s really him..."

At Lake Heart Cottage, a graceful figure in colorful robes leaped into the air. But before she could rise even three meters, she was slammed down by an invisible force. Not only that, but her Primordial Power was temporarily sealed as well.

The woman fell to the ground, heedless of the bloody gash her perfect, porcelain-like fingers scraped across the earth. Her yearning eyes remained fixed on the blue-haired figure in the sky as tears fell, soaking the red veil that concealed her face and the Ni Chang flower pinned to her chest...

"Your arm has recovered... you’ve grown taller, more mature... What Brother said... it was all true. Mu Chen... why won’t you come and see me! Have you forgotten Wu’Er? Have you forgotten the Wu’Er from Frost Cold Town?"

A maidservant inside heard the commotion and rushed out. When she saw the woman lying on the ground, her face a mask of sorrow and lovesickness, her own heart ached in sympathy!

"Sister Xiao Wu! What’s wrong...? SOB... Please don’t scare me..."

The maid had rosy lips and pearly white teeth, but her face was awash with tears and worry. She was none other than Xiaoyu, the impish girl who had accompanied Qin Wu in Frost Cold Town six years ago. She used to be so mischievous, so lively and adorable. But now, she was just as downcast and sorrowful... It all stemmed from Qin Wu on the ground, and Qin Wu’s sorrow stemmed from Mu Chen.

...

Within the Profound Ice Valley, Mu Bingling had just stepped out of Bingli’s palace. The unconcealable fluctuations of Primordial Power emanating from her gave off an invisible force. She was on her way back to her chambers when she noticed the Ancient Will streaking across the sky. At first, she paid it no mind, but when she saw the figure appear within the Golden Array, she froze on the spot.

’That’s... Chen’Er...’

At the thought of Mu Chen, a warm, happy smile suddenly bloomed on Mu Bingling’s frosty, beautiful face. In a voice only she could hear, she murmured, ’Chen’Er, the next time we meet, Bing’Er will stand shoulder to shoulder with you, and I won’t be your burden...’

"Sister Bing’Er!"

Suddenly, a soft call came from beside her. Mu Bingling snapped back to reality, the smile still lingering in her eyes. Glancing over, she saw a handsome man dressed in form-fitting, ice-blue attire. The man’s eyes were cold and his expression was frosty, but upon seeing the smile that had just appeared on Mu Bingling’s face, an intense emotion and a fiery desire flashed in his eyes.

This desire was so naked that even a stranger could have sensed it clearly, to say nothing of Mu Bingling herself. The moment she saw the man, the smile in her eyes vanished, replaced by deep disgust and a biting chill. "Meng Chuhai," she said indifferently, "correct your form of address. You are not to call me Bing’Er. And I am not your sister."

With that said, Mu Bingling’s figure flickered and vanished. She was at a loss as to how to handle Meng Chuhai. She had reported him to Bingli but had not received a satisfactory response. The only answer she got was to simply stay away from him, so long as he didn’t go too far.

Meng Chuhai watched her retreating back, a cruel smile on his face. ’Hmph! A true Ice Beauty, just as her reputation suggests,’ he thought nonchalantly. ’Only a woman like her is worthy of me! Soon, Grandfather will come out of seclusion! When he does, I’ll have him propose to the Valley Master on my behalf. With Grandfather’s prestige and authority, the Valley Master will have to agree! Let’s see how long you can run from me then!’

Meng Chuhai did not yet know that this very scheme, born of a momentary impulse, would push the Profound Ice Valley to the brink of extreme danger in the near future...