Chapter Nineteen: The One Who Sees Through All

At this moment, Chu Tiange opened his eyes. In his pupils, the Milky Way and stars appeared, as if he could see through heaven and earth. The surge of vital energy and mental fluctuations within him were enough to overwhelm any cultivator at the Spirit Gathering Realm.

This was the Devouring Heaven Creation Divine Art! The Immortal Bone of Creation!

Radiance still coursed through Chu Tiange’s body, his vitality growing ever more majestic, his lifespan at least tripled, reaching three hundred years.

One must know, an ordinary Spirit Gathering cultivator only gained a mere sixty years more than a mortal.

With a thought, Chu Tiange summoned a full moon to hang in the starry river overhead, its pure light casting down in all directions.

That was the Pearl of Creation!

A wisp of spiritual consciousness drifted over, merging with the radiant moon.

A thunderous sound echoed, like a great door being flung open. Chu Tiange had unlocked the gateway to the Realm of Creation.

It was a world apart.

The figures upon Morning Cloud Peak and the blessed cave vanished without a trace.

Chu Tiange’s true form descended into this world.

Here, an ancient tree rooted deep into the earth, its gnarled, powerful branches coiling like a slumbering dragon, emanating an ancient, wild aura.

“So this is the Realm of Creation!”

Within a ten-mile radius, the breeze stirred, causing stalks of rice to sway and filling the air with their fragrance. Yet, what grew upon these stalks was not ordinary rice but a handful of fruits the size of fists.

Beyond the ten-mile field, a forest of fiery red replaced the gold. Chu Tiange attempted to fly here, and was greeted by a fragrance different from the rice fruits. The trees were laden with unripe, green fruits, and behind the flaming grove, a clear pool received a waterfall cascading from tens of thousands of feet above. Mist shrouded the water, transforming into a dreamy rain, the scene ethereal as a vision.

When Chu Tiange reached the waterfall, countless mysterious glyphs surfaced before his eyes in an instant.

But he could not comprehend them. The intricate symbols contained unfathomable meaning and arcane mysteries.

Chu Tiange gazed silently, contemplating, until at last he closed his eyes.

The Devouring Heaven Creation Divine Art originated from the Pearl of Creation. Perhaps, the two were linked.

Time ticked by as misty rain soaked Chu Tiange unceasingly.

A day, then two. One month, then two…

Chu Tiange continued to circulate the Devouring Heaven Creation Divine Art. Gradually, visions unfolded in his mind, becoming clearer with the passage of time. Each image brimmed with a particular power, drawing Chu Tiange deeper and deeper, until he was utterly entranced.

In the blink of an eye, six months had passed.

After this half-year, Chu Tiange finally grasped a fragment of the waterfall’s secret!

“The Eyes of Creation and Truth!”

As the name implied, this divine ability pierced all illusion.

His eyes assumed a faint golden hue, carrying an eerie rhythm. The world seemed to slow before his gaze.

It was a strange sensation, as if nothing could escape his sight.

When his gaze fell upon the waterfall, however, only ripples formed and were quickly erased.

Clearly, the waterfall’s mystery was too profound. Even with the Eyes of Creation and Truth, Chu Tiange could not unravel it.

Chu Tiange exercised his power, reaching out gently. A golden fruit appeared in his palm.

Its aroma was intoxicating. One bite brought clarity and refreshment, and he felt the spiritual energy in his dantian surge.

“Is this the fruit planted by that predecessor?” Chu Tiange took a large bite.

The fruit’s value was immense. Eating just one consolidated his cultivation; soon, he could attempt to advance to the Divine Core Realm.

For Chu Tiange, breaking into the Divine Core Realm was not a breakthrough, but a gradual restoration of his former strength.

“One hundred eighty days here is thirty-six days outside. That leaves nine days until the Immortal Gate Examinations.” Chu Tiange dusted off his hands, summoned his will, and departed from that world, returning to the blessed cave of the Morning Cloud Hall.

“It’s time to leave,” he said, rising from his meditation mat and departing the cave.

The Morning Cloud Hall was empty, not a soul in sight. After searching for a while, he realized Xiao Shijing had gone off somewhere.

Chu Tiange glanced at the three statues clad in new attire, shook his head, and left the hall.

A month ago, he had paid the deposit for a custom storage pouch at the Treasure Vault. It was time to collect it.

The Azure Profound Secret Realm, while fraught with danger, was also rich in spiritual herbs and opportunities—particularly at its core. To break into the Divine Core Realm, resources were crucial.

What Chu Tiange lacked most was resources. To obtain the bounty of the Azure Profound Secret Realm, a single pouch would never suffice.

With the sun rising, clouds billowing, a mountain shaped like a longevity tortoise stood tall upon the land.

The Treasure Peak and the Morning Sun Hall each occupied separate mountains, connected by bridges so the two peaks stood close together.

On Treasure Peak, magnificent palaces and celestial towers rose: the Library, the Alchemy Chamber, the Treasure Vault, the Martial Arena, the Hall of Merit, and more.

Here, too, were the workshops of the sect’s master smiths, alchemists, and talisman makers.

In every era, these three professions were highly coveted, but their threshold was high. Out of a hundred, perhaps only one would show talent in any of them.

Before the doors of the Treasure Vault, Chu Tiange halted.

The hall was empty inside, a stark contrast to the usual bustle. Not a soul was present.

“Anyone here?” Chu Tiange called as he entered.

“Who is it?” An aged voice answered, and a shadow tumbled from the counter.

Chu Tiange recognized it—the Vault’s millennia-old tortoise, who had cultivated for ages and gained intelligence and speech.

“I’m here for the storage pouch I ordered,” Chu Tiange said, handing over a wooden token.

“Oh, I know. Wait a moment.” The old tortoise stretched out a claw, took the token, and rolled away.

Soon, the tortoise returned, handing Chu Tiange a brown, gold-trimmed storage pouch.

“Now for the pills: those to restore spiritual energy, heal wounds, and the Coagulation Elixirs needed for the Divine Core breakthrough.” With that, Chu Tiange left the Vault and headed for the Alchemy Chamber.

He could not enter the Azure Profound Secret Realm without being ready for battle—against men, against ghosts. Pills were indispensable.

He still had three high-grade spirit stones, enough to buy these supplies and a suitable sword.

He entered the Alchemy Chamber—again, only the ancient tortoise was present. Not a single disciple in sight, which was rather strange.

A collective strike?

With two and a half high-grade spirit stones, Chu Tiange bought a bottle of Qi Recovery Pills, two bottles of Blood Restoration Pills—each bottle containing twelve pills—and one Coagulation Elixir.

He then proceeded to the Armory, intending to buy a decent lower-grade spiritual weapon for fifty medium-grade spirit stones.

Once again, the shopkeeper was the old tortoise. This time, however, a plump little boy rode atop the tortoise’s shell. After some haggling, Chu Tiange purchased a substandard weapon, even inferior to the lower-grade spiritual tools, and finally learned why all the disciples of Treasure Peak were on strike.

At that very moment, in the Morning Sun Hall, a ceremony was underway—the investiture of the new master of Maiden Peak, one of the Four Principal Peaks.

It was said that the sect leader’s junior brother, a wanderer who had roamed all four seas, had finally returned.