Chapter 155: Chi Yao’s Setback! Despair!
It took Chen Xuan quite a while to fully comprehend everything that had happened and thoroughly examine his current state.
Only after more than a day had passed did he finally leave the Seven Trials Tower and return to the courtyard in the outside world.
The moment he appeared, his aura instinctively spread outward.
His face changed.
Without the slightest hesitation, he suppressed his momentum while simultaneously circulating the Origin Concealment Technique and activating the concealment treasure on his body.
Only after the overflowing aura was completely restrained did he let out a quiet sigh of relief.
’Fortunately, I reacted in time. Otherwise, my aura would have spread across the entire island and even the surrounding seas.’
’If the beasts behind the recent riot sensed it, things could become troublesome,’ Chen Xuan muttered inwardly.
In truth, this wasn’t because he had become careless.
Rather, he had underestimated the changes brought about by his peculiar "breakthrough."
His strength had already surpassed the limit his concealment treasure was originally capable of hiding. Had he reacted even a little slower, countless experts would likely have noticed the disturbance.
’It seems that improving the Origin Concealment Technique can no longer be delayed.’
’At the very least, I can’t allow others to see through my true cultivation.’
After adjusting his aura several more times and confirming that it once again appeared to be at the Early Stage of Nascent Soul, Chen Xuan finally nodded in satisfaction.
Then, with a wave of his sleeve, a streak of light shot across the courtyard before disappearing into the distance.
--
A few minutes later, Chen Xuan sat cross-legged atop a futon while Chi Yao respectfully stood before him.
Feeling the aura she unconsciously released, he nodded in satisfaction.
She was now only half a step away from the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.
At first glance, it seemed as though Chi Yao had gradually fallen behind Huo Ling’er in terms of cultivation.
However, Chen Xuan knew that wasn’t actually the case.
While Huo Ling’er had devoted almost all of her time to improving her cultivation, Chi Yao had divided her attention between cultivation, body refinement, demonic arts, and upgrading her Physique.
Although that had slightly slowed her cultivation speed, her actual combat strength had not declined in the slightest.
More importantly, her future potential had undergone an astonishing transformation.
...
[Name: Chi Yao]
[Physique: Spirit Body (Low-Grade)]
[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment (Early)]
[Technique: Heaven-Swallowing Scripture (5th Level), Dragon-Phoenix Body (2nd Level)]
[Talent Rating: 9 (8.5) Stars]
[Evaluation: The target’s talent is extraordinary! She is a destined True Immortal and a natural prodigy in demonic arts. The Host is heavily encouraged to accept her as his disciple!]
...
The moment Chen Xuan activated the Heavenly Insight Eye, he immediately understood where the changes in Chi Yao’s aura originated.
Obviously, after devouring the beast corpses he had given her, Chi Yao’s physique had advanced not once, but twice.
She had leaped directly from a High-Grade Mortal Body to a Spirit Body, though an unnamed one.
At the same time, both of her cultivation techniques had improved considerably.
Her proficiency in the Heaven-Swallowing Scripture had reached the 5th Level, while the Dragon-Phoenix Body had been upgraded to the 2nd Level.
The latter was relatively fine, but the former made Chen Xuan raise his eyebrow.
After all, his own mastery of the technique hadn’t reached that level yet.
This all but confirmed the suspicion he had harbored for a long time.
’Only the creator of a cultivation technique could ignore its normal restrictions and continue comprehending it without meeting the required cultivation.’
Chen Xuan silently nodded.
Although he had already learned almost everything about Chi Yao’s recent progress, only a brief moment had actually passed.
Chi Yao naturally had no idea that her Master had just seen through nearly all of her secrets.
She simply lowered her head respectfully, quietly waiting for him to explain why he had summoned her.
Fortunately, Chen Xuan didn’t keep her waiting.
Dispelling the information panel, he smiled faintly.
"It seems you’ve been working hard these past few days."
"Congratulations. I can already sense that you’re extremely close to another breakthrough."
Hearing her Master’s praise, Chi Yao’s lips curved upward ever so slightly.
However, before she could savor the compliment, Chen Xuan softly sighed.
"Your Senior Sister would have been very happy to hear this."
"I’m sure she’ll be delighted to learn that you’re finally beginning to keep up with her."
The smile on Chi Yao’s face immediately froze.
For several seconds, she remained completely motionless.
She even wondered whether she had misheard him.
How was this possible?
Had that mentally unstable—ahem—her Senior Sister already broken through?
This made absolutely no sense.
The two of them had broken through at almost the same time.
With the memories of her previous life and the countless opportunities she had obtained after arriving in the Nine Origins Seas, Chi Yao had been certain she would steadily widen the gap between them.
Yet, not only had she failed to leave Huo Ling’er behind, but she had instead been overtaken.
For a brief moment, Chi Yao even suspected that Chen Xuan was deliberately teasing her.
But after thinking about it carefully, she quickly rejected that possibility. He had no reason to do so.
It was most likely true.
The more Chi Yao thought about it, the more depressed she became.
Meanwhile, watching the subtle changes in her expression, Chen Xuan secretly smiled to himself.
Although Chi Yao concealed her emotions well, how could they escape his observation?
He believed that, with Huo Ling’er constantly applying pressure from behind, Chi Yao would spend far less time thinking about causing trouble and far more time cultivating.
It was practically the perfect motivation.
Even so, although he already knew her answer, Chen Xuan still asked.
"I’m planning to return to the Tianxuan Domain for a while. I need to deal with some matters concerning the sect."
"And while I’m there, I’ll also bring your Senior Sister over."
"Would you like to come with me?"
Before he had even finished speaking, Chi Yao shook her head repeatedly.
"No, Master!"
"I... I’ll be very busy over the next few days."
Her answer came almost too quickly.
It was as though she was afraid Chen Xuan would insist on taking her back before she could improve her cultivation.
After exchanging a few more words, Chen Xuan finally nodded and allowed her to leave.
The instant Chi Yao returned to her room, she shut the door tightly.
Looking at the mountains of treasures piled around her, she suddenly lost all interest in sorting through them.
Instead, she sat down directly on the floor.
Her expression was filled with determination.
She sat on the ground and began circulating her cultivation technique.
This time, she silently swore to herself that she wouldn’t leave seclusion until she had broken through.
If word ever spread that the mighty Heaven-Swallowing Empress couldn’t even keep pace with a mentally unstable girl, her reputation would be truly ruined!
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