Chapter Sixty: Observing the Sacred Sun's Divine Form

Led by Zong Changshou, the two of them began their thousand-mile journey at full speed.

“Junior Brother, how did you find me?”

“Of course, if you feel my question is intrusive, you needn’t answer.”

Zong Changshou sidled up next to Xu Chen, unable to contain his curiosity.

“Senior Brother Zong, your concealment was flawless, but I happened to catch your heartbeat once.”

Having cultivated the unique force of “Earthly Listening, Thousand Echoes,” Xu Chen could hear Zong Changshou’s heartbeat as if drums were pounding right beside his ear even during meditation—impossible to ignore.

“So that’s how it is. I didn’t think you’d practice such an unorthodox method of blood and qi foundation building.” Zong Changshou’s face lit up with sudden understanding.

“You think I wanted to?” Xu Chen grumbled inwardly.

A thousand miles of travel lay before them, crossing rivers, scaling mountains, delving into forests and valleys. Along the way, they encountered battles with other alien tribes. Only after two hours did they finally reach their destination.

Hidden within the stretches of these mountains lay a small, secluded valley, filled with spiritual energy, like a paradise untouched by the world.

The three of them lay flat atop a peak, gazing down at the valley below.

Within it was the settlement of the Wildheart Tribe.

“How did you discover this place?” Xu Chen couldn’t help but ask.

These mountains stretched for thousands of miles, the terrain complex and barren. Most cultivators at the blood and qi stage would lose all desire to explore after a single glance.

“Who am I? The moment I saw these mountains I knew there’d be treasures hidden here.” Zong Changshou acted as if nothing could stump him.

“So all those blood and qi foundation methods you picked are for this?” Li Chengfu interjected with a mocking tone.

“Heh, your short-sightedness could never grasp my vision.”

“So, what’s our plan, Junior Brother Xu?” Zong Changshou turned to Xu Chen, his enthusiasm reignited.

“First, we need to find a way to kill the strongest Wildheart in the tribe. The rest won’t be a problem.” Xu Chen’s words were bold and decisive.

“Every morning, the tribe’s mightiest Wildheart leads a hunting party out of the valley. It shouldn’t be hard to catch them.”

“Look, they’re returning now.” Zong Changshou pointed to a spot on the mountainside, where a dozen Wildhearts were carrying their quarry home.

“Wait for me.”

Xu Chen drew the treasured blade from his back and, moving with the agility of a wildcat, leapt through the mountains toward the group of Wildhearts.

“This Junior Brother Xu, he seems marked by fate,” Zong Changshou murmured as he watched Xu Chen’s retreating figure.

“How did you two meet?” Li Chengfu pulled out his farseeing mirror and tracked Xu Chen’s movements.

“In the sect’s dream-realm trial. Back then, Junior Brother Xu only had the strength of four tigers, yet he could calmly face disciples with several times his blood and qi power.”

“I knew even then that Junior Brother Xu was extraordinary.”

“Never imagined we’d meet here—must be destiny.”

As Li Chengfu watched through the farseeing mirror, he saw Xu Chen kill the chieftain with just three strokes, unable to conceal the shock on his face.

In a flash, the mirror was snatched from his hand by Zong Changshou.

“Damn! Junior Brother Xu is a monster,” Zong Changshou muttered, deeply moved.

“He sparred twice with Senior Sister Bai. Just think about that,” Li Chengfu replied with a cryptic smile.

Zong Changshou stood, clapping Li Chengfu on the shoulder.

“Let’s go. Now that Junior Brother Xu is finished, it’s my turn to lead you to the treasures.”

On the battlefield, the last Wildheart clutched his throat, terror and unwillingness in his eyes as he collapsed.

Xu Chen flicked the blood from his treasured blade and sheathed it across his back.

“Junior Brother Xu, you’ve slain all the tribe’s strongest. The rest can’t threaten you.”

“Come, I'll show you the treasures!”

But as the three entered the small settlement, they found it deserted.

“There are clever ones among them,” Zong Changshou chuckled, his expression light.

“And fools too.”

Xu Chen stamped the ground hard.

A Wildheart hiding behind a wall spewed blood from his orifices and collapsed, clutching his chest.

Li Chengfu burst out laughing, walked over to Zong Changshou, and patted his cheek.

“Heard that? Junior Brother Xu says there are fools too,” he taunted.

“Come with me, Junior Brother Xu.”

They arrived at the center of the tribe—a stone house, five zhang square.

Inside, a faintly glowing formation shimmered on the ground.

A message surfaced in their minds: The formation concealed a blood and qi foundation technique, to be retrieved with human blood.

“Your turn, Junior Brother Xu,” said Zong Changshou.

“Alright.”

With a swift motion, Xu Chen sliced his finger, letting a drop of blood fall into the array.

The formation blazed with dazzling light. Six beams, inscribed with intricate runes, cradled a jade slip as it spiraled upward.

“Saint Sun’s Manifest Form”—the Human Sovereign Grand Dao Palace’s earth-grade blood and qi foundation technique, bestowing it to a single person.

As the jade slip floated, words formed above it in spiritual light.

“I know this technique—it’s the hardest blood and qi foundation method in the Human Sovereign Grand Dao Palace,” Li Chengfu mused, stroking his chin. “No one has reached the unity of form and intent with it for a long time.”

“If you reach that level, how many dragon-strengths could you wield?” Xu Chen’s curiosity was piqued—if it was so formidable, its perfection must be even more so.

“In terms of blood and qi, about eight dragon-strengths, but that’s only part of it.”

“It can shape Immortal Bones. At the Treasure Body stage, you can cultivate the Sun Crow Divine Fire, burning all things.”

“Most importantly, if you reach unity of form and intent before the Void Return stage, you might ignite the Lamp of Bone and Flesh.”

“But nearly ten thousand years have passed without anyone reaching that level,” Li Chengfu explained.

“This technique is useless to Li Chengfu and me—Junior Brother Xu, it’s yours,” Zong Changshou declared.

“Trying to play the good man? Without Junior Brother Xu, you wouldn’t have even glimpsed it.”

“This foundation technique belongs to Junior Brother Xu!” Li Chengfu gave Zong Changshou a disdainful look, seeing through his intentions at once.

“I’ll take this ‘Saint Sun’s Manifest Form’—I owe you both a favor,” Xu Chen said, accepting the jade slip and storing it in his pouch.

“No need for courtesy—we’re friends,” Li Chengfu and Zong Changshou replied in unison, exchanging a smile.

To them, this foundation technique was little more than a chicken rib—better to give it away as a favor.

Xu Chen laughed, clapping both men on the shoulder. He understood their thinking at a glance, but what did it matter?

“If you find any other opportunities, let me know and I’ll help you,” Xu Chen offered.

“Nothing else for now, but if we discover anything new, we’ll get rich together,” Zong Changshou replied, all camaraderie.

“Alright, I still need to hunt a few more aliens—better hurry back once I’m done.”

“You can stay here and keep pilfering,” Li Chengfu said, preparing to leave with Xu Chen.

“Wait.”

Zong Changshou took out his disciple token. Xu Chen instantly understood and quickly took out his own, pressing them together.