Chapter 36: Lin Qingyu – "Since You Were Born, Why Was I?"
"Chen'er, congratulations on reaching the True Fate Realm."
Chu Feng walked up to Xiao Chen and patted him on the shoulder.
Xiao Chen respectfully replied, "This disciple thanks Master for your guidance. Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today."
Chu Feng asked, "Chen'er, where do you plan to go for cultivation next?"
Now that Xiao Chen had entered the True Fate Realm, he naturally couldn't remain at the Wendao Academy forever.
After all, the academy had its rules—once a student broke through to the True Fate Realm, they were exempt from missions for six months. After that, they had to take on at least two missions every year.
This not only brought benefits to the academy but also tempered the students through real experience.
Xiao Chen thought for a moment and replied, "Master, I wish to stabilize my cultivation first, then accept a mission and return to Daliang to visit my mother."
It had been nearly two years since he last saw her.
After everything that had happened at the Wendao Academy, his mother had surely been worrying for him day and night.
"You can write her a letter first."
Chu Feng was quite pleased with his disciple's thoughtfulness.
Xiao Chen nodded slightly. "I've written several letters already, but with my mother's temperament, she won't feel at ease unless she sees me with her own eyes. So I've decided to go in person."
Chu Feng said, "Very well. If you encounter any issues in cultivation, feel free to come to me anytime."
"Yes, Master."
Xiao Chen acknowledged with a nod, then suddenly remembered something important.
He patted his own forehead. "Master, I got so excited I completely forgot—Senior Brother Cao is still cultivating!"
Chu Feng chuckled. "No need to worry. That rascal's just fine."
The two of them walked to the fire cave and saw the thoroughly dejected Cao Youqian cultivating inside.
When he saw his master and senior brother, his face was filled with grievance. "Master, Senior Brother, you finally remembered me!"
Chu Feng said, "Stop acting pitiful. Focus on your cultivation. Now that your senior brother has broken through, the spiritual energy in the back mountain is overflowing."
Cao Youqian showed a sudden look of realization. "No wonder I felt my cultivation going so smoothly today!"
Chu Feng and Xiao Chen shared a smile, then sat nearby to sip tea and discuss the Dao.
...
In the Sword Dao Academy.
After breaking through to the True Fate Realm, Lin Qingyu assessed his body.
When he discovered that he had awakened one of the Sacred Physiques—namely the Sharp Metal Sacred Physique—he was brimming with confidence.
From this moment on, the Sword Dao Academy would enter the age of Lin Qingyu.
Thinking this, he strode proudly out of the quiet chamber, fully prepared to bask in cheers and praise.
But what caught him off guard was—when he stepped out of the chamber, the corridor outside was completely empty.
Even the deacon who usually remained stationed outside the chamber was nowhere to be found.
Could they all be waiting outside to surprise me?
Lin Qingyu instinctively quickened his pace. But when he exited the courtyard of his chamber, he found—no one.
What the hell?
I, Lin Qingyu, am the first among the younger generation of the Sword Dao Academy to awaken a Sacred Physique!
Where are the cheers? Where are my followers?
Just a quarter-hour earlier, the place had indeed been packed with people.
But once word spread that Xiao Chen of the Miscellaneous Dao Academy had awakened a Divine Body—
Most of the disciples had dispersed, eager to confirm the news themselves. Even the elders of the Sword Dao Academy had gone with their head to discuss the matter.
There were a few disciples still hanging around at first, but after seeing that even the elders had left, they figured they might as well visit Senior Brother Xiao at the Miscellaneous Dao Academy—
Maybe they could become his followers.
The smarter ones had already gone to find Liu Yuer.
Everyone knew that Liu Yuer was the person closest to Xiao Chen in the entire Wendao Academy. Following her would mean having a chance to get close to Xiao Chen too.
Lin Qingyu's pace quickened. After several hundred steps, he finally saw a familiar face.
"Junior Brother Tang!"
Tang Feng looked like a panicked mess, pacing like a headless fly. When he heard Lin Qingyu's voice, he snapped out of it.
"Senior Brother Lin—bad news!"
"Hmm???"
Lin Qingyu's face immediately darkened upon hearing those words.
I was just about to become the number one among the younger generation of the Sword Dao Academy, and you come throwing bad news like this at me?
Still, he had always maintained a cultured and refined image, so he didn't let the irritation on his face fully show.
"Explain clearly what happened to make you so panicked and incoherent."
Tang Feng reported, "Senior Brother Lin, that guy Xiao Chen broke through to the True Fate Realm—and also awakened a Divine Body."
"You… what did you say?"
Lin Qingyu had originally been ready to scold Tang Feng harshly, but upon hearing the second half, he felt as if struck by lightning.
"That guy Xiao Chen awakened a Divine Body—and he's become the first core disciple of our generation!"
Tang Feng's voice grew more and more disheartened as he finished speaking.
"Is this true?"
Lin Qingyu still couldn't believe his own ears and needed confirmation.
Tang Feng replied, "Of course it's true. Just before you left seclusion, the head of the academy returned and informed all the elders. They then left together to discuss how our Sword Dao Academy should also cultivate a disciple who's awakened a Divine Body."
After hearing this, Lin Qingyu instinctively took a step back, mumbling to himself,
"Since Qingyu was born, why was Chen born…"
As the words fell from his lips, his vision went black—and he fainted on the spot.
Tang Feng panicked and quickly rushed forward to catch him, shouting,
"Senior Brother Lin! Senior Brother Lin, are you alright?!"
…
Tianling Academy.
In the quiet residence of Elder Bing.
The courtyard was silent as ice.
Elder Bing's expression was frosty, her very presence exuding a terrifying chill.
Her gaze fell on the female disciple standing to her left.
"Qingqing, is the news from the Miscellaneous Dao Academy true?"
Qin Qingqing answered, "Reporting to Master—this matter is indeed true. The dean and all the academy heads personally witnessed Xiao Chen break through to the True Fate Realm and awaken the Divine Body."
"Hmph!"
Elder Bing snorted coldly. "To think that brat had such luck. A cripple like him, and he awakened a Divine Body?"
After speaking, her gaze moved to the final disciple on her left.
"Rourou, starting tomorrow, you may come to me at any time to ask questions about cultivation. If you lack any cultivation resources, come to me. Do you understand?"
As soon as these words fell, everyone present looked toward Qin Rou with envy.
Though they were all Elder Bing's disciples, none of them had ever received such favor.
"Disciple thanks Master," Qin Rou said with heartfelt gratitude. She had been deeply shocked when she heard about Xiao Chen's breakthrough and awakening.
But now, with her master's full support, she didn't believe for a second she would lose to Xiao Chen when the three-year deadline came.
"You needn't thank me. This battle isn't just for yourself—it's also for your master and for Tianling Academy."
Elder Bing paused, her gaze sharpening.
"This battle will prove one thing to the world: no matter how great one's talent may be—"
"If they don't have proper resources or a competent teacher, they'll end up as nothing."
====================================================================================
Get access to 20 chapters in advance and enjoy 2 daily updates by supporting the series. Available on Patreon: https://patreon.com/Alex_Cruise or Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/anish_44