Chapter 28: Serendipitous Cave Mansion
As Xiao Chen's cultivation advanced, the power of his sword techniques grew increasingly formidable. Over the past six months, he had never ceased practicing his swordsmanship, gradually grasping its essence. Now, Xiao Chen could proficiently execute the first form of the Ancient Chaos Sword Technique!
"The experts from the Ge family aren't much after all! They can't even withstand a single blow," Xiao Chen said with a proud smile. He didn't pursue further, not wanting to provoke the Ge family from Tian Du.
"Xiao Chen, most cultivators on the Tian Yue Continent focus on refining their true essence and neglect physical strength. They believe that having strong true essence alone makes them powerful, so their physical strength remains weak. However, you cultivate both true essence and physical strength. With your ancient divine blood, your physical power is several times stronger than theirs. Combining true essence with physical strength naturally results in immense power. It's normal to be able to injure someone at the later stage of the Fasting realm," explained the Ancient White Tiger telepathically.
"Hehe, you're right! The ancient divine blood indeed has many wonderful benefits," Xiao Chen smiled, growing more fond of his powerful body.
Retracting his divine sword, Xiao Chen turned to the burly man and asked with a smile, "Big brother, are you alright?"
The burly man was still in shock, staring at Xiao Chen without a word.
"Big brother? What's wrong?" Xiao Chen asked again, puzzled.
"Xiao Chen, he's probably just shocked by the strength you displayed!" The Ancient White Tiger transmitted with a chuckle.
"It seems so," Xiao Chen laughed, patting the man's shoulder. "Big brother, are you okay?"
The burly man finally snapped out of his shock and quickly responded, "Uh, I'm fine, I'm fine. Thank you for saving my life, little brother."
"No need to be so polite, big brother. It was a small effort. Besides, I can't stand bullies. My name is Xiao Chen. What should I call you, big brother?" Xiao Chen replied heartily, appearing very generous.
Seeing Xiao Chen's innocent and pure smile, the burly man felt a wave of comfort, like being refreshed by cool water on a hot summer day.
"My name is Mo Yan. Xiao Chen, how old are you this year?" Mo Yan introduced himself, then asked.
"I'm 13 this year! Here, take this healing pill," Xiao Chen said with a smile, handing a healing pill to Mo Yan. He had bought the pill before coming to the Demonic Beast Mountain Range.
"What? Thir... 13 years old? And you have reached the mid-stage of the Fasting realm? That's impossible!" Mo Yan was dumbfounded as he took the pill, dropping it in shock upon hearing Xiao Chen's age.
"Hehe, this is the result of my hard work in cultivation!" Xiao Chen said happily, picking up the pill and handing it back to Mo Yan.
"Your cultivation speed is terrifying!" Mo Yan exclaimed, his forehead sweating. He had never seen anyone reach the mid-stage of the Fasting realm at just 13 years old.
"Just average, big brother Mo Yan. You're injured, and it's not safe for you to fight. You should leave the Demonic Beast Mountain Range; it's too dangerous here. I have to go!" Xiao Chen said, waving to Mo Yan before turning to leave.
Watching Xiao Chen's departing figure, Mo Yan wiped his sweat and muttered in shock, "Whose child is this? He's a monster! Even the three geniuses of Tian Du can't compare to him!"
The three geniuses of Tian Du referred to the young masters of the Liu, Su, and Ge families, cultivated by the three major powers.
"Xiao Chen, that guy you injured was from the Ge family. Doesn't this mean you've made an enemy of them?" The Ancient White Tiger asked, concerned.
Xiao Chen replied indifferently, "I don't know if I've made an enemy. I just know what I did was right. I don't care what others think. That's what my father taught me. Now that I have powerful techniques and martial skills, the vast world is mine to conquer."
"Xiao Chen, what kind of person is your father?" The Ancient White Tiger asked curiously.
Xiao Chen thought for a moment and smiled, "My mother died of illness when I was young. My father has always doted on me, even though I was once considered a waste. He never abandoned me, always standing up for me when others bullied me. To me, he was invincible. He encouraged me to never give up, but he couldn't help me open my meridians. Because of me, he couldn't hold his head high in the Xiao family. I don't know how he's doing now."
Talking about his father, Xiao Chen's smile couldn't hide his tears. He missed Xiao Changfeng deeply.
"Xiao Chen, keep working hard. Cultivate diligently. Once you're strong, your father will be proud of you. You must live up to his trust," the Ancient White Tiger consoled.
Xiao Chen wiped his tears and smiled, "I know. That's why I'm working so hard. I want my father to hold his head high and control the Xiao family, not those two elders!"
"I believe you can do it!" The Ancient White Tiger encouraged, full of confidence in Xiao Chen.
"Roar!"
As Xiao Chen leisurely walked through the mountains, a furious roar echoed. His face changed instantly.
"Not good! It's that white monkey! It's coming for me!" Xiao Chen said quickly, looking toward the source of the roar.
"That thing is relentless!" The Ancient White Tiger remarked.
"Boom! Boom!"
In the distance, a massive white ape roared and charged at Xiao Chen. Its giant feet hit the ground with thunderous booms, shaking the earth.
A month ago, Xiao Chen had accidentally provoked the giant ape while trying to pick an herb, leading to several chases and near-death encounters. The ape, at the Golden Core stage, was incredibly powerful and the strongest beast in the Demonic Beast Mountain Range.
"Run!" Seeing the ape charging, Xiao Chen's first instinct was to flee. He wasn't a match for it.
"Roar! Roar!"
Seeing Xiao Chen running, the giant ape roared in fury, speeding up. Despite its massive size, its speed was terrifying.
"How did that white monkey find me? I hid my aura!" Xiao Chen exclaimed, now fearful at the sight of the ape.
"It must have smelled your scent. Do you want me to scare it away?" The Ancient White Tiger offered.
"No, if you intervene, all the beasts in the mountain range will hide. That would ruin my training!" Xiao Chen laughed bitterly. The Ancient White Tiger's aura, as a divine beast, would terrify every creature here.
"Xiao Chen, hurry up! The white monkey is catching up!" The Ancient White Tiger urged.
"Hey! Big guy, I didn't provoke you. Why do you keep chasing me?" Xiao Chen shouted as the ape closed in.
"Roar!"
The question only made the ape angrier. It charged, causing chaos and destruction in its wake.
Seeing the ape about to catch up, Xiao Chen pushed his true essence to the limit, fleeing with all his might. He didn't know what lay ahead but had to escape the ape first.
After burning a stick of incense while fleeing, Xiao Chen found himself on a large mountain, not knowing where he was.
"Xiao Chen, be careful! There's a cliff ahead!" The Ancient White Tiger warned.
"A cliff?" Xiao Chen exclaimed, skidding to a halt just in time to avoid falling.
Standing at the cliff's edge, looking at the bottomless drop, Xiao Chen smiled wryly, "This cliff is too high! Jumping off means certain death!"
"Roar!"
The giant ape had caught up, sensing Xiao Chen had nowhere to go. It slowed its pace, approaching step by step.
Seeing the ape closing in, Xiao Chen forced a smile and muttered, "I'm doomed, no way out."
Swallowing nervously, he waved at the ape, "Hi there."
"Little White Tiger, think of something! It's coming!" Xiao Chen whispered, cold sweat dripping.
"You just said if I intervene, your training would be ruined. What can I do?" The Ancient White Tiger retorted.
"Find me a way out!" Xiao Chen whispered urgently, his eyes fixed on the ape. "Hey, big guy, I'll give you a pill. Eat and leave, okay?"
He tossed a healing pill at the ape, who caught and swallowed it in one gulp, feeling nothing.
"Heh, you ate that quickly," Xiao Chen laughed nervously.
"Xiao Chen, there's a cave halfway down the cliff!" The Ancient White Tiger suddenly transmitted, having finally found a hiding spot.
"A cave? Great! I can hide there!" Xiao Chen exclaimed with joy, glancing down to spot the cave.
"Roar!"
The giant ape roared again, its huge hand smashing down. Xiao Chen, without thinking, jumped off the cliff, hoping for survival.
As he descended, he prepared to grab the edge of the cave. Soon, he caught hold of the rocks at the cave entrance.
"Phew, that was close!" Xiao Chen sighed with relief, climbing into the cave.
Sitting at the cave entrance, catching his breath, Xiao Chen noticed something inside. "Huh? Immortal's Cave of Fortunes?"