Borrowing a sword

Chapter 167 Chu Huai's Preface: Who else but me!

Inside the main hall, Chu Huaixu was overjoyed upon hearing the system notification.

"The Primal Spirit Realm?"

"Is this the name of the secret realm that Li Chunsong mentioned?" he wondered.

At this moment, Li Chunsong continued speaking:

"Of course, if you are willing to sell the [Fragment of the Profound Origin] to the sect, the sect will definitely give you an extremely generous reward."

"Right? Sect Master and Senior Brother." He smiled as he looked at the two eighth-realm cultivators.

For them, this is a necessity for the future!

Li Chunsong turned to look at Chu Huaixu and said in a deep voice, "So, you should now understand the importance of the East-West Continent Grand Competition, right?"

Chu Huaixu nodded and said solemnly, "This disciple understands."

He had been wondering why the prize for the champion of the Eastern Continent Grand Competition was so generous, including both a high-grade spiritual weapon and a seventh-grade spiritual pill.

However, after discussing the jade pendant, the sect leader did not naturally mention the rewards for the competition between the leaders of the Eastern and Western Continents, thus failing to provide any encouragement.

"So the reward from the leader of the Eastern Continent is equipment and resources, and then you go fight the leader of the Western Continent!"

"And this qualification to go to the [Origin Spirit Realm] is the greatest reward!"

In fact, if it's about reducing the experience points required for leveling up, Chu Huaixu could also achieve this by obtaining the [Spirit Embryo Attribute].

However, judging from Li Chunsong's words, it seems that anyone who refines it can obtain this bonus. So, perhaps Han Shuangjiang, a prodigy with [Spirit Embryo 10], is no exception?
"In that case, the so-called primordial power is likely an existence independent of the [spiritual embryo]!"

That would be completely different!

Chu Huaixu was instantly even more tempted.

Moreover, it is also the key to unlocking the Nine Realms Great Dao!

Chu Huaixu immediately declared, "In the East-West Continent Grand Competition, this disciple will do his utmost to fulfill my mission!"

What a load of bull, Prince Rui!

What kind of bullshit protagonist is this Western Continent?

I, Chu Huaixu, am going to beat you!
His urge to torment him reached its peak in an instant.

This hidden story actually indirectly answered Chu Huaixu's question.

In "Borrowing the Sword," Xu Ziqing was the winner of both the East-West Continent Grand Competition of the First Realm and the East-West Continent Grand Competition of the Third Realm.

He had previously thought that the competition for the Third Realm would begin next year.

For some reason, Xiao Xu in "Borrowing the Sword" seems to have always been a pseudo-spiritual fetus. Even if he has a naturally occurring drug-using holy body, it would be difficult for him to reach the third realm in such a short time without any side effects.

The pseudo-spiritual embryo is utterly worthless; it is worlds apart from even the worst low-grade spiritual embryo!

The difference is roughly the same as the difference between a low-grade spiritual embryo and a high-grade spiritual embryo.

The cultivation speed of a pseudo-spiritual embryo can be described as tortoise-paced.

Feeding him a bunch of rare and precious herbs didn't have much effect, unless we first raise the level of his spiritual embryo.

"It seems that he must have cleared the [Origin Spirit Realm] in the first stage, and then refined the Origin Fragment, which significantly improved his cultivation speed."

At this moment, the sect leader Xiang Yan and the others showed satisfied expressions on their faces upon hearing Chu Huaixu's loud statement.

The reason everyone told him this in advance was to instill in him the determination to win.

However, Jiang Zhi ruined the atmosphere at this moment by letting out a cold snort.

"Don't be too happy yet, kid!" he said coldly.

The junior grandmaster, dressed in white robes, glanced coldly at Chu Huaixu and continued:
"I could tell you right now that the secret realm is extremely dangerous, with a nine-out-of-ten chance of death."

"It might be your opportunity, your destiny, but it could also lead to your demise!"

Upon hearing this, Xiang Yan couldn't help but frown and interrupt, saying, "Junior Uncle!"

He felt that Jiang Zhi's words were extremely inappropriate.

The East-West Continental Championship hasn't even started yet, so things are still uncertain.

It's strange that you're saying this so early.

It's like you went to a competition, won first place, and brought glory to your sect, your country, and even the entire Eastern Continent, but the result is that you have to go and die.

According to Xiang Yan and others, "If things had gone according to the past, Chu Huaixu would definitely have returned safely."

"Although it was mentioned in the Dao Ancestor's admonition this time, didn't he even defeat the Bronze Sword?"

"This kid is like the reincarnation of the Dao Ancestor, so there shouldn't be any major problems."

Admittedly, no one can guarantee anything about this.

However, cultivation is inherently defying the heavens, and the secret realms outside are not like the secret realms within a sect, which do not take lives.

The secret realms within the Taoist sect are more like a game played by deceased predecessors and successors.

External opportunities and good fortune require taking risks to seize!
Which of us here hasn't faced a life-or-death situation?

This is something that one will inevitably experience in spiritual practice.

"Junior Uncle is really spoiling the mood by saying these things now. Chu Huaixu is still so young, we mustn't let it affect his mindset in the competition for the top spot in the East and West Continents," Xiang Yan and the others muttered to themselves.

But they could understand why he behaved this way.

After all, his experience was different; he was originally going to enter the fifth level of the Origin Spirit Realm.

However, by sheer coincidence, he was seriously injured while fighting demons on the mountain, so he was unable to enter.

"This has always been Junior Uncle's inner demon."

"No one expected that the fifth level would be so dangerous."

"And Junior Uncle proved his Dao through killing. When he reached the eighth realm, his strength was already close to that of the early stage of the ninth realm."

"Perhaps he often wondered if things would have turned out differently if he had gone in too?"

“He is someone who should have entered the Spirit Realm, so his nightmares will be different from ours back then.”

"But in the end, it was he, the one who 'survived,' who obtained the fragment of origin brought out by his mad fifth uncle and broke through to the ninth realm," Xiang Yan thought to himself.

Often, people are unsure whether the dead suffer more or the only survivor suffers more.
"That's why Junior Uncle is living such a contradictory life now," the sect leader sighed inwardly.

"He was a stubborn, obstinate, playful, and even somewhat eccentric person."

“Going down the mountain to vanquish demons is the most suitable thing for him to do.”

"But now he often tries to imitate his fifth uncle before he went mad, but he always ends up with a mess of imitations."

“As long as it concerns the Origin Spirit Realm, he can’t help but get involved. He always wants to do everything himself, and you can’t go against him at all.”

"But he often doesn't consider things as comprehensively as Fifth Uncle, and only learns the superficial aspects."

"People may become more mature after experiencing extreme grief."

"But some abilities that you don't have will not necessarily come to you just because you have encountered hardship and setbacks."

In fact, Xiang Yan and the others knew very well that their junior uncle's penchant for acting mysterious and always appearing to have everything under control would likely be secretly mocked and disliked by many outsiders.

But they were, after all, essentially family to Junior Uncle, having witnessed his tumultuous life firsthand. Often, seeing him like this, they felt pity and sympathy for him.

In Xiang Yan's and the others' view, their junior uncle's trip down the mountain was only to find someone, and he was accompanied by the second-in-command of the Daoist sect.

If it weren't for the sudden emergence of Chu Huaixu as a variable, this series of unexpected events would not have occurred.

Even if Li Chunsong arrived at the foot of Wumeng Mountain early, he would wait a while if he only saw Han Shuangjiang. This would not delay important matters, and he would still be able to smoothly escort the sword attendant up the mountain.

What's even more perplexing is that this very variable has now become the leader of the Eastern Continent!
He even inherited the mantle of the Taoist Ancestor!
Everyone's attention was focused on Chu Huaixu, watching his expression.

As a result, the young man's expression did not change at all after hearing Jiang Zhi's words.

He felt no fear or helplessness.

Just like the unique sword intent he comprehended!

Moreover, Chu Huaixu's idea was incredibly simple: "If Xiao Xu in 'Borrowing the Sword' can do it, why can't I?"

Am I not as good as Xiao Xu?
What are you kidding!
This is something he, as the head of the family, absolutely cannot accept.

But after thinking for a moment, he still asked, trying to get useful information, "Does Junior Grandmaster think that with my current level, going to that secret realm would still be extremely risky?"

Jiang Zhi looked at him and said directly, "I can tell you very clearly that that secret realm is extremely important. It concerns a great calamity of heaven and earth and is closely related to all living beings."

“Originally, it should have been Xu Ziqing who became the sword attendant of that sword, and then he would have entered.”

"Don't think that just because you defeated him in the Eastern Continent Tournament, you're invincible."

"If you hadn't given him the Profound Heaven Breathing Pill and hadn't put him on the path of body refinement, he would have become a perfect sword servant, able to unleash the full power of the Dao Ancestor Sword!"

"Even with the aid of secret techniques, its power is probably only seventy or eighty percent!"

"In this situation, you only narrowly won."

"Therefore, no one can guarantee whether you can emerge unscathed after entering the secret realm. Do you understand?"

Chu Huaixu listened to these words and digested the information within.

"A sword attendant?"

He somewhat disliked those three words.

My little Xu, go and serve that sword?
It feels like the child you raised with care is now being used as a dog by someone you despise.

Who would feel comfortable with this?
"And all of this is because of the great calamity of heaven and earth, because of the Primordial Spirit Realm?" Chu Huaixu wondered.

Everyone looked at him, and saw that his expression was constantly changing, as if he was considering something.

Xiang Yan and the others secretly cried out in their hearts that something was wrong.

As a result, Chu Huaixu suddenly raised his head and said with utmost seriousness, "Junior Grandmaster Uncle, this disciple has a question to ask."

"Speak," Jiang Zhi said calmly.

"If my little Xu is still a pseudo-spiritual embryo and has not embarked on the path of body refinement, but has truly become a sword servant, then will he have to pay a huge price when using that evil sword?" Chu Huaixu asked.

His words were very direct, so direct that he bluntly called the Dao Ancestor Sword an evil sword.

"Yes." Jiang Zhi made no attempt to hide anything.

The next moment, everyone saw a smile appear on the young man's face.

"That's good then," Chu Huaixu said.

His thoughts are very simple now.

He wanted to go to the Primordial Spirit Realm; the temptation was too great, for fortune favors the bold.

Even if he is only 70-80% as good as Xu Ziqing in "Borrowing a Sword", he still has ways to improve himself. It's not like he has no fun left!

Apart from that, it's good that Xiao Xu is alright.

If the cheat system has shrunk, so be it. It's better than dying in the future, right?
As a seasoned gaming companion, he has played so many games. Is it really that strange for a protagonist to die in the finale of a game like "Borrowing Swords," which is set against the backdrop of a great calamity?

He even felt that Xiao Xu, who possessed a childlike heart, was a character designed to be sacrificed!
Although Chu Huaixu's storyline in the game "Borrowing Swords" might not have progressed to the middle or late stages before he transmigrated.

But that was always his guess.

To be precise, many players on game forums are also making similar predictions.

This is also the most important reason why Xu Ziqing is so popular among players.

Is it because he looks short and has such a delicate appearance that he is destined for such an end?
"But why should my little Xu die?" Chu Huaixu was no longer playing games.

"Who the hell is going to wash the dishes in this house from now on? Who the hell is going to do my laundry?! Damn it!"

"We spent the Mid-Autumn Festival together this year!"

Because of all this, when Chu Huaixu learned that Xu Ziqing's fate had truly changed, he smiled and said, "That's good."

However, Jiang Zhi frowned instantly and spoke seriously:

"Chu Huaixu, this matter concerns a great calamity for heaven and earth, and all living beings. Because of you, this variable, the situation has gone off track. Don't you understand the seriousness of this matter?"

Xiang Yan opened his mouth, intending to interrupt the conversation as the sect leader felt that the pressure was a bit too much.

After all, this wasn't just Chu Huaixu's problem; he knew nothing about it beforehand.

It's a bit too much to ask him to say these things now.

In fact, not only the sect leader, but also Li Chunsong and Chu Yinyin couldn't help but want to say something.

Especially the older woman, who is extremely protective of her own, is even planning to engage in close combat again.

"Can't you speak properly?!"

However, the young man standing in the center of the hall spoke first.

"Reporting to Junior Grandmaster, this disciple understands," he replied, looking up.

Chu Huaixu continued in a loud voice: "The Xuanhuang World, the Eastern Continent and the Western Continent, and all living beings. In fact, this disciple is not a person with a very broad vision."

"Although there are some things that I haven't fully figured out, perhaps as my junior grandmaster said, everything is due to me as a variable."

"It was I who influenced the path Xiao Xu was going to take and changed the course of events."

"But now, the matter is settled."

"This disciple defeated Xiao Xu and became the leader of the Eastern Continent."

"If I am fortunate enough to defeat Prince Rui, I will be the only one who can enter the secret realm."

—Now that things have come to this, who else but me?

"But I'm still quite happy that Xiao Xu is alright."

“Then…” Chu Huaixu paused for a moment.

Then, the young man in black robes stood in the center of the hall, bowed to the assembled high-ranking Daoist officials, and said loudly:

"I will bear the consequences of his actions!"

(P.S.: Second update, please vote with monthly tickets~)

(End of this chapter)