Chapter One: Keep Up with Your Father's Pace
Leizhou, Cloud Beast City.
“Son, your father doesn’t have much to boast about.”
“Your mother came from a prominent family, but she was born out of wedlock and of mediocre talent, so she was overlooked—lucky for me, I suppose.”
“And now you, too, possess the lowest, most ordinary aptitude.”
“In any other household, you’d be considered useless with such a talent!”
“But you’re my son. Don’t be afraid!”
In a meticulously arranged little courtyard, a burly man clad in black battle armor spoke earnestly to Xu Chen, laying out plans for his future.
“Right now, the Ninth Human Emperor is a man of great vision and tireless determination. He intends to wage war against the neighboring races, seeking to elevate our people among the greatest clans.”
“This is the age of grand endeavors—the time to make one’s mark.”
“Son, it doesn’t matter if your talent is poor. As long as you keep up with your father, I guarantee you’ll succeed me!”
A massive hand landed on Xu Chen’s shoulder as Xu Qiangjia became more and more animated.
“First, at all costs, we’ll scrape together enough to raise your cultivation to the Treasure Body Realm. Then, I’ll pull some strings to get you into the Grand Creek Sect of Leizhou.”
“Once you’re in Grand Creek Sect, don’t bother with anything else—not even cultivating. Just seek out the female disciples of the Blossom Spirit Clan and the Tricolored Fox Clan, and find a way to become their Dao partner.”
“The non-human female disciples of the Grand Creek Sect all have at least Spirit-grade aptitude. If you manage to win one over, then muddle through a few years of cultivation there, and when you turn forty, come home together.”
“Once you’re home, I’ll use my connections to get your non-human Dao partner registered as a Renegade, so she’ll enjoy the benefits of humanity.”
“When all this is done—”
Xu Qiangjia’s voice reached its climax, as if he were about to reveal a great secret.
Twelve-year-old Xu Chen looked at his father with wide, bewildered eyes.
Beast! The world’s fate is still undecided, and you already want me to become a stud for the family!
“Then you’ll give me grandchildren! Many, many descendants for our Xu clan!”
“It doesn’t matter if our human bloodline isn’t pure. As long as the children are gifted, once they reach a certain level in cultivation, the non-human blood can be purged, and they’ll become pure humans!”
“If even a few of your children prove talented, our Xu family’s future will be secure!”
“By then, I’ll join the Northwestern Vanguard Army, open new frontiers for the Human Emperor, and earn resources for my grandchildren’s cultivation along the way!”
Listening to his father’s grand plan for his life, Xu Chen gave a helpless smile.
“Father, it’s only poor aptitude. It’s not like I’m hopeless.”
“Even the sixth Human Emperor, Xuan, was born with the same mediocre talent, but in the end, didn’t he...”
Xu Chen tried to argue, but Xu Qiangjia waved him off.
“Son, how many destined to inherit a clan’s fortune are there, really?”
“Besides, you’ve been cultivating since you were six—six years now. Do you think I still can’t tell whether you’ll amount to anything?”
“You can’t even master the most basic Six Forms of the Sacred Ape, and you want to talk like that?”
Recalling the painful memories of teaching his son, Xu Qiangjia’s blood boiled.
His son had been obedient and clever since birth, but his talent had always been a source of heartache.
“Son, accept your fate. If your aptitude is lacking, that doesn’t mean you can’t forge a path to greatness by other means.”
A large hand gently patted Xu Chen’s head.
“I’ve already started arranging to purchase resources for you to advance to the Treasure Body Realm. They should arrive in a few days.”
“In the meantime, don’t bother cultivating. I’ll have your mother take you to the Human Emperor Avenue Tower in Cloud Beast City. Read up on the history and legends of the Blossom Spirit and Tricolored Fox Clans.”
“See how you might win them over once you’re in Grand Creek Sect.”
“In our human society, aptitude is ranked as Ordinary, Spirit, Exceptional, Immortal, and Saint. Set your sights on Spirit or Exceptional-grade non-human female disciples—anything higher is beyond your reach.”
Xu Qiangjia rose slowly, his massive frame blocking the rays of the rising sun, making him appear even more imposing.
He looked at his son, who was lost in thought, then walked toward the door.
“Father, whose idea was all this?” Xu Chen called after him.
His father, so straightforward and rough around the edges, could never have devised such an intricate plan for his future.
Xu Qiangjia paused at the threshold. His silhouette seemed to sigh.
“There’s no harm in telling you.”
“It was your mother—she sought this advice from the Wei family.”
Hearing this, Xu Chen fell silent.
The Wei family was his mother’s kin, but her status there was barely above that of a servant.
To seek a solution for him from her own family—he could only imagine the difficulties she’d endured.
His expression grew somber at the thought.
“Enough, don’t be discouraged. Dignity is earned, not granted.”
“I’m still young and able to fight, and your future children will have boundless potential.”
“Follow this path, and soon you’ll see your father ascend to divinity and your son reach sainthood.”
“Now, I must leave the city—there are two unregistered Wild Spirits evading taxes, and I need to deal with them.”
Xu Qiangjia turned back with a reassuring smile, then strode out the door.
The little courtyard was left in tranquil silence, with only Xu Chen remaining.
“Twelve years in this world—my family is loving, my parents care for me deeply; there’s little to complain about.”
“It’s only this aptitude of mine... ah.”
Xu Chen looked up toward the center of Cloud Beast City, where a thick azure-violet pillar of light shot into the heavens, occasionally flickering with spiritual radiance—a testament to the extraordinary nature of this world.
“Chen, gather your things. I’ll accompany you to the Human Emperor Avenue Tower,” came a gentle voice as a graceful woman approached.
“Mother, let’s go tomorrow. I want some peace today.”
“Alright. Your father and I just don’t want you to lead an ordinary life,” Wei Miaoqiu said softly, her eyes full of pain for her son.
“I understand, Mother.”
Xu Chen nodded, stood, and returned to his room.
Inside, he sat cross-legged, his consciousness entering a mysterious space.
In an endless, sacred white expanse stood a wooden door, above which hung a plaque inscribed with four characters: The Six Forms of the Sacred Ape.
A conscious avatar of Xu Chen appeared before this door.
“Good news: there’s a cheat.”
“Bad news: it’s useless.”
He gently pushed open the door, revealing a world beyond, where a figure identical to Xu Chen awaited at its center.
“Damn it, if it means I don’t have to become a stud for the family, I’ll fight you with everything I have!”
The moment the door closed, the avatar within that world lunged at Xu Chen, radiating a surging power of blood and energy.
“This is your 1,368th time here. Six years, and you’ve only reached proficiency in the most basic Six Forms of the Sacred Ape. How can you possibly defeat me like this?”
The avatar’s tone was full of exasperation.
“Enough with the sarcasm! If you have the guts, bring your mastery of the Six Forms of the Sacred Ape down to my level, and I’ll beat the crap out of you!”
No sooner had he spoken than the avatar was already upon him.
“Bang!!”
With just a simple Sacred Ape Fist, Xu Chen’s consciousness was shattered.
But barely three breaths later, the wooden door opened again, and Xu Chen’s consciousness leaned against the frame, glaring at his avatar.
“You said if I beat you, I’d gain all the insights of the Six Forms of the Sacred Ape.”
“At this rate, how am I supposed to win?”
“Give me a straight answer—can I get those insights by any other means?” Xu Chen demanded through gritted teeth.
“The path of the great Dao has no shortcuts.”
“If you’re weak, practice more!”