Chapter 521: The Senior Disappeared Again!
Chapter 521: The Senior Disappeared Again!
...
The Heart of True Sainthood.
Chen Huaian placed it into his player inventory without receiving many notifications.
The game system's description was very simple.
Just that one line: "To sever the Three Corpses and achieve the Great Dao, only the True Saint's unwavering heart remains."
Since this was something the Monkey Disciple had gone through countless reincarnations to personally deliver to him, it would surely prove invaluable someday in the future.
Chen Huaian scooped up a handful of ashes, stored them in a small vial, adjusted his emotions, and returned to the other side of the stone platform.
"Senior, you were absolutely incredible! Unbelievably awesome! Using your weaknesses to attack their strengths - who else could have such boldness?" Wang Shouyi's flattery reached Chen Huaian's ears before he even got close.
Chen Huaian fell silent for a moment.What nonsense was this?
Using weaknesses to attack strengths?
When had that happened? He had no recollection of such a thing.
He had simply chosen not to use any sword techniques.
"Elder Chen, I originally thought you only excelled in alchemy, but it seems you're also quite skilled with hammers." Hua Jin the True One sighed repeatedly, saying happily: "I don't think swords suit you. When we return, I'll order the crafting of a giant hammer artifact for you using meteorite iron and various rare materials!"
Chen Huaian: "(´⊙ω⊙`)???"
Seeing Chen Huaian's confusion, Hua Jin said seriously: "Elder Chen, while swords may be elegant, the best weapon is one that suits you. As someone who's been through this, you should trust my judgment."
Chen Huaian's mouth twitched.
But he had to accept Hua Jin's well-meaning intentions.
"Then I thank Your Eminence." He cupped his hands and lied through his teeth: "I... ahem, I also think a big hammer would suit me better."
"An apt pupil indeed." Hua Jin nodded approvingly.
She had originally intended those materials for crafting her own artifact.
But Chen Huaian had performed so admirably.
Not only capable but also obedient, without a hint of arrogance. If she didn't already have Little YiYi, she would have shown him special favor. Now that hammer crafted from rare materials would serve as Chen Huaian's reward for his achievements.
"Senior, what about the ape?"
Wang Shouyi glanced behind Chen Huaian.
He hadn't seen Chen Huaian do anything.
Yet the ape seemed to have been defeated already.
"Gone." Chen Huaian paused. "Its mission was complete. There was no need for it to continue guarding this place."
"Indeed, we can now assault the Demon Sealing Pagoda!" Wang Shouyi nodded as the mist on the stone platform gradually dissipated, revealing an increasingly clear mountain path leading to the pagoda on the opposite side.
"Let's go." Chen Huaian looked around and frowned. "By the way, have you seen Muscle Tyrant?"
"No? Wasn't he with you?" Wang Shouyi was confused.
Chen Huaian vaguely remembered Muscle Tyrant being on his shoulder earlier.
But it seemed the creature had run off during his fight with the monkey.
Through their contract, he sensed that Muscle Tyrant wasn't in any danger.
Considering the creature was at the late Golden Core stage anyway - wasn't it practically invincible in Kun Mountain?
So he didn't worry too much about it.
"Probably went off to play somewhere," he thought to himself.
This might actually be for the best.
No matter how dangerous Kun Mountain was, it couldn't compare to the dangers inside the Demon Sealing Pagoda.
He wasn't sure those demons would accept Muscle Tyrant.
"What are you two talking about? Who is Muscle Tyrant?"
Hua Jin looked completely bewildered.
Wang Shouyi scratched his head, glanced at Chen Huaian, and stammered: "Your Eminence, Muscle Tyrant is... a black cat that Elder Chen keeps."
"I see." Hua Jin accepted this without question, her gaze toward Chen Huaian growing even more admiring. "Elder Chen handles countless affairs yet still has the energy and compassion to keep a cat. Such kindness explains your extraordinary talent in alchemy!"
What a perfect case of the wife echoing the husband.
Chen Huaian looked at Hua Jin and Wang Shouyi.
Suddenly realizing they actually looked quite compatible as a couple.
...
After a brief rest, the group continued their assault on the Demon Sealing Pagoda.
Without the ape to stop them, the remaining demons were no match for these Ascenders. They practically bulldozed their way to the pagoda's entrance.
"Your Eminence, will you be joining us inside?" Wang Shouyi looked at the pagoda's dark entrance. If Hua Jin was willing to accompany them, today's mission would be much easier.
Hua Jin hesitated, clearly tempted.
By rights, she shouldn't enter.
The Demon Sealing Pagoda's main purpose was to temper Ascenders, screening for those with true ability and talent while gradually releasing spiritual energy.
How could there be breakthroughs without pressure?
Yet she worried about Wang Shouyi's safety.
Though remembering he could perform Divine Descent put her mind at ease.
"I won't be going." Hua Jin said solemnly. "The area outside the pagoda may be just as dangerous as inside. I'll stand guard outside to ensure you face no threats during your most vulnerable moments upon exiting!"
"So that's why!" Wang Shouyi's eyes welled up with tears as he grasped Hua Jin's small hands. "Your Eminence is so thoughtful! This disciple will lead the team into the pagoda and return shortly!"
The others exchanged glances at the sight of Hua Jin and Wang Shouyi holding hands.
In the end, they could only attribute this bizarre behavior to profound teacher-student affection.
Only Chen Huaian's mouth twitched as he couldn't be bothered to comment.
Showing off their affection, were they?
Once this matter was settled, he'd return to Cangyun Realm and spend an entire evening being lovey-dovey with Li Qingran!
...
This Demon Sealing Pagoda's interior wasn't much different from previous ones.
It too contained strange mist.
But unlike the previous empty pagoda, this one was teeming with demons.
Remembering how Chen Huaian and Li Qingran had gotten separated in the mist last time, Wang Shouyi immediately stepped forward to grab Chen Huaian's hand, saying seriously: "Senior, don't worry. This time I'm holding your hand. I don't care about the others, but you definitely won't get separated from me!"
Chen Huaian: "..."
Was it possible he actually wanted to get separated from the group?
How else was he supposed to make contact with the guardian beast?
But he couldn't think of a good reason to refuse Wang Shouyi, so he allowed himself to be dragged along.
As the group progressed deeper into the pagoda, the demons grew more numerous. These lizard-like creatures had tiger heads and could spit extremely hot flames. Dealing with a few dozen was manageable without Wang Shouyi's help.
But when their numbers reached a hundred, the Ascenders began struggling.
They could only pin their hopes on Wang Shouyi, who appeared to be the strongest among them.
"Senior Wang, please help us!"
"Senior Wang, we can't hold on! People will die if this continues!"
Wang Shouyi remained unmoved, gripping Chen Huaian's hand tightly.
Until suddenly, his hand felt empty. When he turned, Chen Huaian was nowhere to be seen!
The senior had disappeared again!
"How dare they! Who keeps targeting my senior?!"
Wang Shouyi's eyes turned red with rage as he glared around and drew his sword.
"Kill! Kill our way to the pagoda's deepest level! I want to see what's behind this!"
...
Meanwhile, at the pagoda's top level.
Chen Huaian stood facing an unfriendly-looking colossal creature—this demon had a deer-like body covered in multicolored scales, a dragon-like torso, a head resembling a dragon with a fleshy horn at its forehead, a mane on its back, an ox-like tail, horse-like hooves, and emitted an aura of auspicious light.
If he wasn't mistaken.
This should be... a qilin!
...