Chapter 5 - Snatching the Opportunity, The Failed Plan

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"This technique actually ended up in my hands?"

Xu Yang held the soft and delicate Situ Qingqing close, his brow raising as his gaze turned somewhat amused.

In the original novel, when the protagonist was expelled from the Qingming Sect by Xu Yang, Situ Qingqing, deceived by his feigned innocence, couldn't bear to see such a talented individual left in the cold. Wanting to make up for her master's harshness, she had painfully gifted the protagonist this jade slip containing the incomplete Sun God Immortal Scripture.

The protagonist's Sunflame Battle Physique harmonized perfectly with the Sun God Immortal Scripture, and together, they produced a combat prowess beyond imagination.

This incomplete Sun God Immortal Scripture became the protagonist's main weapon, carrying him through countless battles and granting him immense fame. By Chapter 500, he was practically invincible, using this technique alone, without a single defeat.

In fact, even the original Xu Yang met his end at the hands of this technique.

But now, through a twist of fate, this jade slip had fallen into Xu Yang's possession. Not only that, but the system had also returned him a complete heaven-rank technique, the Undying Immortal Scripture.

This technique had also appeared in the novel, though mentioned only briefly. According to the novel's lore, the Sun God Immortal Scripture was the creation of a man named Firely Elder, who had glimpsed the Undying Immortal Scripture carved faintly on an ancient stone wall. 

Despite pouring his heart into deciphering it, he could only reproduce a small fragment, which became the Sun God Immortal Scripture. Soon after, he passed away in regret, leaving behind the words, "A century of enlightenment, yet I only saw a glimpse. Damn the heavens for their cruelty!"

The difference between the Sun God Immortal Scripture and the Undying Immortal Scripture was as vast as night and day.

"Who's the real protagonist here?"

Xu Yang couldn't help feeling utterly delighted.

Not only had he stolen an important opportunity from the protagonist, but he'd also gained a technique that would vastly improve his own strength. The feeling was euphoric!

Situ Qingqing, resting against his shoulder, suddenly frowned slightly and let out a small grunt, lightly tapping Xu Yang's hand.

Glancing down, Xu Yang noticed her discomfort and sheepishly released his grip.

"Qing'er, I promise you that as long as I live, this jade slip will never—"

"Stop, Master, don't say things like that! It's unlucky!" Situ Qingqing raised her hand and covered his mouth.

"Hahaha, Qing'er, you're so thoughtful. Rest now; I'll visit you again tonight!" Xu Yang said with a hearty laugh.

"Tonight… again?"

Situ Qingqing's face went pale in shock.

"Cough, cough."

"Don't worry, Qing'er. Tonight, I only intend to have a conversation by candlelight. I'll just need a bit of your time," Xu Yang reassured her, lightly patting her shoulder.

Situ Qingqing's cheeks flushed, and she murmured, "Master, you should go… Qing'er needs to rest."

Xu Yang leaned down and placed a quick kiss on her reddened cheek before turning and leaving the pavilion.

After he was gone, Situ Qingqing pulled the blanket over her head, closing her eyes as her thoughts started to race.

'What am I going to do?'

'By the end of tonight, my voice will be completely gone!'

'No, I need to find a solution.'

That's right, I heard that drinking more water is good for the throat.

Determined, she ignored her soreness, wriggled out of the blankets, and stretched out her hand. With a flash of light, the teapot flew into her hand. Without hesitation, she clutched the teapot and began drinking voraciously.

In a Wild Mountain

The sky was covered by a dense forest canopy, creating a silence that was broken only by the soft sounds of insects and animals.

On a narrow mountain path, a plain-looking young man crouched within the thick grass, speaking to the jade pendant hanging around his neck.

"Master, are you sure that my destined person will pass through here?"

The pendant glowed, and an elderly voice emerged, "Of course. When I was alive, my calculations were flawless. Even now, though only a remnant of my soul remains, I can still easily locate your destined person!"

"Disciple, I've calculated that not only is this person your fated connection, but she is also your destined love. You're in for quite the fortune!"

This was Xiao Ye's jade-pendant master, the once-renowned Elder Li Huo of the Central Province.

"Master, please don't tease me. My vendetta remains unfulfilled; I can't afford romantic entanglements!" Xiao Ye replied solemnly.

But seeing the sly glint in Xiao Ye's eyes, Elder Li Huo, familiar with his disciple's personality, knew better than to fall for the act. Still, he didn't expose him, reasoning that as a cultivator, one should aspire to "hold a beauty in one hand and control the world in the other."

"Disciple, as I predicted, meeting this fated person will bring you great benefits. When the time comes, your trivial enemies will be nothing to you, but for now, just stay patient."

"Understood, Master," Xiao Ye said, his resolve strengthened. "As long as I can have my revenge, I'll endure even if it means staying here…"

But before he could finish speaking, he heard a swift, whistling sound approaching from the sky.

"She's here!"

"Little Mink, it's your turn!" Xiao Ye called to a small purple creature beside him.

The small beast, intelligent and quick to understand, let out a roar toward the heavens, trying to capture the attention of his supposed fated person.

The beast's body expanded, growing to a size comparable to a mature demonic ox, its red eyes gleaming as it stalked toward Xiao Ye, drooling foul-smelling saliva. Anyone witnessing this would assume it was a vicious monster hungry for prey.

"Good job on the acting, Little Mink," Xiao Ye praised.

"Stay focused, disciple," Elder Li Huo warned.

The plan was carefully crafted: Little Mink would pose as a ravenous beast, and when the destined person appeared, it would attack Xiao Ye. Xiao Ye would pretend to be overwhelmed and then "accidentally" fall in her direction, appearing as though mortally wounded.

Knowing that this person had a righteous disposition and hated monsters, Elder Li Huo was confident she would step in to save Xiao Ye.

Once saved, Xiao Ye would feign unconsciousness, earning her sympathy and ensuring she'd bring him back to the Qingming Sect, where he could eventually gain access to numerous resources.

It was a thorough plan, and as long as Xiao Ye executed it properly, success was assured.

Heeding his master's warning, Xiao Ye put on a fierce expression, drawing his sword with a desperate shout as Little Mink's blood-red eyes fixed on him.

"Beast, do you think you can eat me so easily?" he cried, brandishing his sword and charging at the beast.

The beast snarled, launching a blast of violet flame at Xiao Ye, the flame cutting through the air like a razor-sharp blade.

Boom!

Xiao Ye's face turned pale, blood dripping from his mouth as he flew backward, hurtling directly toward a figure flying in the sky on a sword.

Everything was going according to plan…

As he got closer, Xiao Ye finally glimpsed the face of his "destined person"—

She was dressed in black, exuding an aura of cold elegance, like a celestial goddess descending to the mortal realm.

Beautiful.

Stunningly beautiful.

Xiao Ye swore that he had never seen a woman more beautiful in his life.

Not even his childhood friend Ye Ling'er, who had mysteriously disappeared, could compare.

No wonder Master said this was my good fortune!

If I could truly win her heart, who cares about revenge?

With these thoughts, Xiao Ye reluctantly closed his eyes, preparing to act unconscious as planned.

Meanwhile, Yuan Kouxuan, her heart fluttering wildly after hearing her master say he missed her, could barely contain her excitement as she rushed back to the Qingming Sect.

If she had already reached the Void Shattering level, she might have been able to manipulate space and return instantly.

For now, she could only rely on her sword to travel as quickly as possible back to the sect.

As she sped along, a fearsome aura of sword energy surrounded her, her killing intent warding off many demons along the way, sparing her from unnecessary confrontations.

However, as she approached a desolate forest, a figure suddenly appeared in her path, hurtling toward her.

Her eyes turned icy, brimming with cold fury.

"Anyone who dares block my path… will die!"

With that, she extended a finger, and a blade of sword energy whistled through the air, tearing through the sky as if splitting it in two.

Boom!

The terrifying surge of sword energy caused the entire mountain range to tremble, opening massive cracks in the earth below.

The waves of sword energy rolled forward, covering Xiao Ye like an unstoppable tide.

"…"

Xiao Ye's face froze as he felt the immense killing intent.

"Master… something's wrong. This sword strike is aimed at me."

Elder Li Huo sighed, his voice filled with a hint of helplessness. "Yes, disciple… this sword is indeed aimed at you."

"Master, you betrayed me!"

Xiao Ye's eyes widened in horror as the sword energy slashed toward him, feeling as though he were nothing more than an insect about to be crushed.

Desperation gripped him, paralyzing him with fear.

If he truly took this strike head-on—

He would die!

"Master, save me!" Xiao Ye mentally screamed as his body remained frozen, unable to move.

"Don't worry. We are master and disciple—I won't abandon you," Elder Li Huo's weary voice sounded from the pendant, a hint of confusion in his tone.

Only then did Xiao Ye close his eyes, trusting in his master as he lost consciousness amidst the torrents of sword energy.

To read 219 chapters of the book I wrote, patreon.com/Guts02