The main hall of Fairy Peak, usually a sanctuary of serene tranquility, now pulsed with an almost unbearable concentration of power and authority.
Su Chan, standing respectfully to the side with his martial sisters, felt the weight of countless gazes – ancient, profound eyes of the Hidden Ancestors, the enigmatic appraisal of Holy Lord Lan Xianyi, and the keen, analytical scrutiny of every Peak Master in the Tianshang Holy Land.
Despite his internal resolve and the immense power now thrumming through his Foundation Building Peak cultivation, a natural nervousness began to prickle at his skin. To be the focus of such a congregation of legendary figures was an experience that would unnerve even the most seasoned cultivator, let alone a youth who, just hours ago, was still considered a stagnant Qi Refining disciple.
"The Chaos Divine Body..." one of the Ancestors, whose form shimmered like heat haze over a desert, finally broke the silence, his voice echoing with the resonance of ages. "It has been countless millennia since such a physique has graced the Tiaxu Continent. Its potential is limitless, its path directly aligned with the Primordial Dao. To think it would awaken here, in our Tianshang..."
Another Ancestor, wreathed in what seemed like tangible strands of Dao runes, nodded slowly. "Indeed. The Chaos Vision that just manifested… its scale was unprecedented.
I fear the undercurrents in the Eastern Region, perhaps even across the entire continent, are already beginning to surge. Every major power, every ancient lineage with even a fragment of true knowledge, will have sensed such a profound disturbance. They will be searching, probing, desperate to discover the source."
"Our Holy Land must prepare," stated a third Ancestor, his voice sharp and decisive despite its age. "The emergence of a Chaos Divine Body is a double-edged sword – an unparalleled blessing, but also a beacon that will attract both fortune and calamity."
Holy Lord Lan Xianyi listened with her characteristic serene composure, her beautiful eyes unreadable. "The Ancestors speak wisely," she affirmed, her voice carrying a calm authority that subtly soothed the charged atmosphere. "The Holy Land will take all necessary precautions."
The conversation then naturally shifted to Su Chan's immediate needs.
Elder Gu Tianyu of Mystic Array Peak spoke, "A physique of this caliber requires a cultivation method of equal standing. The standard arts of our Holy Land, even our core Heaven Grade scriptures, might not be sufficient to fully unlock its potential.
We must find a technique befitting the Chaos Divine Body for young disciple Su Chan."
The other Peak Masters murmured in agreement. The search for such a technique would be a monumental task, perhaps even requiring delving into the sect's most ancient, sealed archives.
Su Chan, hearing this, felt his heart give a slight jolt. They were discussing providing him with a cultivation technique.
He already possessed the Grand Primordial Chaos Art (Emperor Grade), a gift from the system perfectly matched to his physique, far surpassing anything the Holy Land could likely offer. If they provided him with another, lesser art, it would be a waste.
More importantly, if he started displaying the profound effects of an Emperor Grade art while supposedly practicing a Heaven Grade or Earth Grade one, it would raise suspicions he couldn't easily explain.
It was better, he decided, to be upfront, albeit with a carefully crafted excuse.
He took a deep breath, steeling his nerves. "Honored Ancestors, Holy Lord, esteemed Peak Masters," Su Chan said, stepping forward slightly and bowing deeply. "This disciple is immeasurably grateful for your concern and consideration regarding a suitable cultivation technique." He paused, then continued, his voice steady,
"However, you need not trouble yourselves on that account. During the… the intensity of the Chaos Divine Body's awakening, as the primordial energies fused with my being,
I seem to have… inherited a cultivation art. It appeared directly within my sea of consciousness, a profound scripture that feels… intrinsically linked to the Chaos Divine Body itself." He hoped the explanation sounded plausible enough, an inherited memory or an innate art awakened with the physique.
A ripple of stunned silence went through the hall. An inherited art, awakened with the physique itself? Such occurrences were rare, usually associated with the most ancient and powerful bloodlines or divine constitutions.
The Ancestor wreathed in Dao runes peered at Su Chan with intensified interest. "Oh? An inherited scripture, you say? Named, is it?"
"Yes, Honored Ancestor," Su Chan replied respectfully. "It calls itself the 'Grand Primordial Chaos Art'." He deliberately kept the grade to himself.
"Grand Primordial Chaos Art…" the Ancestor mused, stroking an ethereal beard. "The name itself resonates with the Dao. It is plausible. Physiques of this magnitude often carry their own unique legacies. This simplifies matters greatly, and speaks further to the heaven-sent nature of this blessing!"
Holy Lord Lan Xianyi's eyes held a flicker of knowing amusement, but her expression remained serene. System-given, more like, she thought, but a clever explanation, Su Chan.
With the matter of his cultivation technique seemingly resolved, one of the more imperious-looking Ancestors spoke again. "A disciple possessing the Chaos Divine Body, already at the Peak of Foundation Building upon its initial awakening from Qi Refining… such talent, such destiny, cannot be allowed to languish in obscurity. It is my proposal that disciple Su Chan be directly instated as the Holy Son of the Tianshang Holy Land!"
This pronouncement sent another shockwave through the Peak Masters. The Holy Son! The designated successor to the Holy Lord, a position of immense prestige and authority!
However, before a consensus could form, Liu Cang, the stern Peak Master of Sword Peak, interjected, his voice respectful but firm. "Honored Ancestor, while disciple Su Chan's potential is undeniably unparalleled, the position of Holy Son has always been decided through a rigorous selection process, a competition that tests not only cultivation and talent, but also leadership, temperament, and the ability to win the respect of one's peers. To grant him the position directly, without him proving himself against other worthy candidates, might breed dissatisfaction among the other True Disciples who have toiled for years. It could foster resentment and internal disharmony, which would be a loss for our Holy Land."
Several other Peak Masters nodded in agreement, their expressions thoughtful. While the allure of a Chaos Divine Body as Holy Son was immense, the traditions and stability of the sect also needed to be considered.
Holy Lord Lan Xianyi listened to the exchange, then spoke, her voice carrying the finality of her authority. "Peak Master Liu raises a valid point. The unity and morale of our disciples are paramount. If that is the case," she turned her gaze to Su Chan, a challenging yet encouraging light in her eyes, "then, Su Chan, you will have to participate in the upcoming Holy Son selection competition. You must win the position through your own merit, proving to all that you are not only blessed by talent but also possess the strength and character befitting the future leader of our Tianshang Holy Land."
The Ancestors, after a moment of silent deliberation, nodded in accord. "A fair decision. Let his strength speak for itself. The Chaos Divine Body should fear no challenge."
After discussing a few other matters regarding the increased security around Fairy Peak and the potential need to subtly manage the information spreading about the Chaos Vision, the august assembly began to disperse. The Hidden Ancestors faded back into the ether, their ancient presences retreating to their secluded domains. The Peak Masters offered final congratulations to Bai Lianxin and curious, appraising glances towards Su Chan before taking their leave.
Finally, only Holy Lord Lan Xianyi and the inhabitants of Fairy Peak remained. Lan Xianyi gave Su Chan a long, meaningful look. "Your path will not be easy, Su Chan. But it will undoubtedly be extraordinary. Cultivate well." With a graceful nod to Bai Lianxin, she too vanished in a shimmer of light.
Seeing everyone depart, Bai Lianxin turned to Su Chan, a hint of weariness now touching her beautiful features, but her eyes still shone with pride. "Disciple Su Chan," she said gently, "you have endured much today. Go to your courtyard. Rest, meditate, and begin to truly comprehend the changes within your new physique and the profound art you have inherited. Your sisters and I will handle any immediate fallout from this."
"Yes, Master," Su Chan said, bowing deeply. He was indeed exhausted, both physically and mentally, despite the surge of new power. He offered a nod to his sisters, then turned and left the main hall, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts about his new cultivation, the 'Shadowless Steps,' and the daunting prospect of the Holy Son competition.
As Su Chan's figure disappeared, Fang Xin turned to their master, her expression serious. "Master, your instructions?"
Bai Lianxin waved a hand, and an almost invisible sound barrier, shimmering with faint Saint King energy, enveloped the main hall. "What we have learned today, particularly from Su Chan's diary, changes much," she began, her gaze resting on Ning Youxi. "Ning Youxi, you now know about your Primordial Yin-Yang Body and the dormant bloodline that veils it, information that came to light through Su Chan's… unique insights."
"Yes, Master," Fang Xin, Ning Youxi, and Lin Ruo'er replied in unison, their expressions solemn.
Ning Youxi then asked, her voice a mixture of hope and anxiety, "Master, according to Senior Brother Su Chan's diary, both my physique and my bloodline are in a dormant state, not yet truly awakened. How… how will they awaken? What must I do?"
Bai Lianxin shook her head slowly, a thoughtful frown creasing her brow. "That, child, I do not know with certainty. The diary only revealed its existence, not the method of its awakening. Such profound bloodlines often require specific catalysts, unique treasures, or even a particular cultivation environment to fully bloom. What is certain is that your parents, to have passed on such a lineage, were likely not ordinary people. Their origins might hold the key."
Ning Youxi's eyes welled up slightly. "Master, I… I don't know who my parents are," she confessed, her voice soft with a long-held sorrow. "I only remember growing up in a small, remote village. It was you, Master, who found me there, sensed a flicker of spiritual aptitude, and brought me to Fairy Peak to cultivate. I know nothing of my heritage before that."
Bai Lianxin's gaze softened with compassion. She reached out and gently patted Ning Youxi's shoulder. "Do not despair, little Youxi. The diary system … it has a function, does it not? The 'Theme Selector.' When you are chosen by the system to select a theme for Su Chan to write about, perhaps you can ask about your origins, about your bloodline. His diary seems to tap into a knowledge beyond our own."
Ning Youxi's eyes lit up with a fragile hope. "Yes, Master! I can try!"
"Furthermore," Bai Lianxin continued, "I will speak with the Holy Lord. With the knowledge of your Primordial Yin-Yang Body, we must find a cultivation technique specifically suited to nurture it, even in its current dormant state. The right technique might act as a catalyst, encouraging its awakening. When your physique truly awakens, your cultivation talent, already exceptional, will undoubtedly soar to even greater heights, and the true power of your bloodline may reveal itself."
"Thank you, Master! Thank you for your guidance and care!" Ning Youxi said, her voice thick with emotion, bowing deeply.
Bai Lianxin nodded. "Fang Xin, Lin Ruo'er, you will both continue your cultivation diligently. The emergence of Su Chan's talent will bring both fortune and challenges to Fairy Peak. We must all grow stronger to face whatever comes."
"Yes, Master!"