I Can Fix My Talent in Hundred Lives-Chapter 393 - 320: Reunion with an Old Friend

The grandeur of Jiuli Mansion far surpasses any city Chen Sheng has seen before.

The thousand-foot-high ink jade city walls stretch like a slumbering Profound Dragon for tens of thousands of miles, with buildings inside lined up like fish scales; the tallest, the "Jiuli Pavilion," pierces the sky.

The presence of Divinity Transformation cultivators is frequent, and occasionally the pressure of Void Refining Great Powers emanates from the depths, making the entire Immortal City both bustling and solemn.

The light from the super long-distance teleportation array gradually dissipated, and as Chen Sheng gathered the spatial spiritual power around him, he saw that familiar blue-gray silhouette among the crowd outside the array.

Chen Xihua had a simple and unadorned long sword hanging at his waist, his aura condensed like a deep pool, yet now carried more of a restrained sharpness than before.

Beside him stood a woman in a red robe, the clothes as bright as fire but not garish, with a subtle warm glow flowing as she moved, precisely indicating an early-stage Divinity Transformation cultivation level.

"Fellow Daoist Life-Annihilating, I have missed you much!"

Chen Xihua quickly stepped forward, a genuine smile on his long-missed face, reaching out to pat Chen Sheng on the shoulder.

Three hundred years of weathered the storm together, from life-and-death escapes to each retreat, this friendship has long surpassed that of ordinary daoist friends, becoming the most trusted reliance on each other.

Chen Sheng also revealed a genuine smile:

"Fellow Daoist’s aura has become more condensed, clearly carrying more of a murderous rhythm. It seems these years you’ve had no shortage of experience and haven’t progressed little."

Chen Xihua shook his head with a smile:

"My cultivation and Dao Principles are stuck at the Third Realm Perfection, what great progress is there."

"It’s just that some years ago, during external training, I accidentally comprehended the killer move ’Void Blade’, causing my aura to seem more condensed."

Having said that, he sidestepped, his gaze turning to the red-robed woman beside him, with more softness in his tone:

"Right, let me introduce you—this is Miao Shan, my Dao partner."

Then he solemnly introduced Miao Shan:

"Miao Shan, this is Fellow Daoist Life-Annihilating, whom I often mentioned to you. We are of the same clan, as well as sworn brothers."

Chen Sheng was slightly stunned at first, his surprised gaze briefly resting on Miao Shan before returning to normal.

He had thought Chen Xihua would remain single his whole life, never expecting that after drifting for years in the Spirit Realm, he’d find a Dao partner—it truly was like old trees blooming anew.

Chen Sheng was genuinely happy for his friend, finally seeing hope for a few descendants, to contribute a few more for the elder.

Therefore, he quickly clasped his hands in greeting, his tone sincere: "I have met Fellow Daoist Miao Shan."

Miao Shan also returned the courtesy with a gentle smile, a suitable closeness between her brows and eyes:

"I have met Fellow Daoist Life-Annihilating. I often hear Xihua talk about you, saying you are a Sword Dao prodigy seldom seen in millennia."

"Meeting you today, Daoist is indeed as outstanding as rumored, dressed in white like snow, with an extraordinary demeanor."

Chen Sheng chuckled at this, waving his hand:

"Fellow Daoist is too generous with your praise, it is Xihua’s Path of Void Destruction Sword that truly is unparalleled and peerless."

Chen Xihua laughed, interrupting their mutual compliments:

"Alright, there are too many eyes and ears here, this isn’t the place to talk. I’ve already set up a banquet in the mansion, let’s chat while we eat, and discuss the experiences of these hundred years, as well as the details of the Three Extremes Dao Assembly."

With that said, he naturally raised his hand, and Miao Shan knowingly took his arm, the two walking side by side, their actions carrying the familiarity of years together.

...

Chen Xihua’s mansion was located at the upper reaches of the spirit vein in the eastern corner of Jiuli Mansion.

The green-tiled white walls were hidden among patches of "Cloud Leaf Trees," their shadows swaying, with each leaf exuding a faint spirit light, making the spiritual energy within the mansion even purer.

Upon entering the mansion gate, past a pond with spirit carp, one reached the guest-welcoming "Sword Observation Pavilion."

The pavilion’s decor was simple, with a brush-and-ink sword manual hanging on the wall, and an ice-patterned tea set placed on the table.

Miao Shan had already instructed the maid to prepare the tea, the tea soup a light green, its misty fragrance carrying the clear rhythm of Dao Principles.

The three sat down, exchanging pleasantries first.

Then Chen Xihua spoke of how he accidentally met Miao Shan on his travels, how they teamed up and formed bonds, and later developed feelings during mutual enlightenment.

After that, Chen Xihua personally poured a cup of tea for Chen Sheng and got straight to the point:

"Fellow Daoist, having just arrived at Jiuli Mansion, you might not be familiar with the rules of the Three Extremes Dao Assembly, so I will explain them in detail today."

Chen Sheng nodded; in the end, he hadn’t bought the old man’s information. Casual chat was fine, but when it came to spending money, he didn’t trust the old man.

Chen Xihua took a light sip from his teacup, with a touch of solemnity in his eyes:

"The Three Extremes Domain is vast, divided into 36 states and 408 mansions. Each mansion is tens of thousands of times larger than a Small Thousand World. Fortunately, the inter-state transmission arrays gather everyone, and the assembly is divided into three levels accordingly."

"First is the mansion comparison, with each of the 408 mansions selecting the top thousand, totaling four hundred thousand eight thousand people advancing."

"Next is the state comparison, with each of the 36 states selecting the top hundred, totaling three thousand six hundred people advancing. Finally, in the domain comparison, from over three thousand, the top hundred will be selected."

"The top thousand for the mansion comparison? That sounds like quite a number."

Chen Sheng held his teacup, watching the tea leaves floating and gently unfolding, his tone calm.

Chen Xihua put down his teacup, shaking his head with a bit of admiration on his face:

"Fellow Daoist, do not underestimate this thousand-person quota."

"The Spirit Realm’s talents are as numerous as carp crossing the river; in the Three Extremes Domain alone, each mansion has tens of thousands of young Divinity Transformations."

"Not to mention the geniuses from other domains; it’s said that even disciples from some sects in the Central Domain have come to join in the fun."

Chen Sheng raised an eyebrow: "I heard that to enter the Creation Treasure Realm, one must join one of the Three Great Immortal Mansions, right? Can the geniuses from other domains’ sects also enter?"

Chen Xihua shook his head: "The top sects of the other domains will negotiate with the Three Great Immortal Mansions; this is too far from us, so there’s no need to think about it for now."

He paused, his fingertip lightly tapping on the desk, sketching out the rough outline of the Three Extremes Domain:

"I’ve spent over a hundred years training outside, traveling through nearly ten states and meeting many with extraordinary talent."

When discussing his training experiences, Chen Xihua’s expression grew complex, as if recalling some unforgettable encounter:

"I always thought that being stuck at the Third Realm of Dao Principle despite my Divinity Transformation Perfection made me outstanding among Divinity Transformation. My cultivation and Dao Principle comprehension should have few rivals."

"But three years ago in Baisha State, I encountered a Divinity Transformation Cultivator from Antarctic Immortal Mansion, and only then realized how limited my perspective was."

"Oh?"

Chen Sheng raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes.

Chen Xihua’s Path of Void Destruction Sword was a top level Dao Principle, and his Divinity Transformation Perfection cultivation was solid. Judging by his words, he was soundly defeated?

Chen Xihua gave a bitter smile:

"That cultivator was only Late-stage Divinity Transformation. Though he too had a top level Dao Principle, he was just entering the Third Realm, inferior to me. Yet in combat, he completely suppressed me from start to finish."

Recalling the scene, his tone carried a trace of indignation:

"I used ’Void Blade’ seventeen times, each strike targeting his weaknesses, yet he easily blocked them, barely breaking his Treasure Body’s defense."

"Instead, he used a secret technique, transforming into endless Divine Sand that damaged my Dharma Body with just a touch, forcing me to escape using Void Escape."

"Why?"

Chen Sheng inquired further, internally having guessed the answer but wanting to hear Chen Xihua confirm it.

Chen Xihua spoke gravely: "Nothing else but the sect’s foundation."

"He cultivated a profound secret technique, the ’Infinite Divine Sand Body’, deduced by an Integration Dharma Master of the Antarctic Immortal Mansion, perfectly merging his own cultivation with Dao Principle."

"He claimed that once this secret technique was cultivated to Divinity Transformation Perfection and Dao Principle Perfection, it could compete against Void Refining Cultivators like Bai Changqing."

Chen Sheng fell silent. As expected, the gap between sect disciples and loose cultivators in the Spirit Realm extended beyond Dao Principle tiers and cultivation, rooted in generations of secret techniques, cultivation techniques, and resources.

Loose cultivators were like wild grass, relying solely on themselves, whereas sect disciples were like cultivated trees in a greenhouse.

They had Daoist Monarchs and Dharma Masters deducing secret techniques, Void Refining Elders guiding their Dao path, setting them ahead from the start.

Chen Sheng lifted his gaze, staring directly at Chen Xihua:

"So, Fellow Daoist, you specially sent this message to urge me to participate in the Dao Assembly, aiming to use this opportunity to join these major sects and gain foundational inheritance?"

Chen Xihua nodded frankly, eyes filled with genuine hope:

"Exactly, I know Fellow Daoist’s nature disdains the constraints of sect rules, but the Spirit Realm is far from comparable to the Lower Realm."

"In the Lower Realm, we could stand firm on our own, but in the Spirit Realm, without sect protection, no matter how strong the Dao Principle, it’s hard to rival those sect disciples mastering Dharma Master Secret Skills."

"Moreover, in the future, achieving Void Refining or Integration without the resources and opportunities provided by a sect is even harder than reaching the heavens."

Chen Sheng inwardly chuckled, realizing his foolish son truly saw him as an unyielding Sword Cultivator.

He wasn’t one to dislike constraints; he had always been adaptable. However, outwardly, he feigned hesitation, furrowing his brows slightly:

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for your considerate reminder."

"But from what you’ve said, the Dao Assembly is fiercely competitive, the Spirit Realm is filled with talents, and even with our capabilities, standing out seems as difficult as ascending to the heavens."

Chen Xihua quickly waved his hand, speaking with conviction:

"Fellow Daoist, don’t underestimate yourself. Naturally, we shouldn’t expect to reach the top hundred; those are true prodigies." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"I heard that top geniuses from the Three Great Immortal Mansions have already comprehended Dao Domain, ready to advance to Void Refining at any moment."

"But they deliberately suppress their cultivation at Divinity Transformation Perfection to win at the Dao Assembly and gain entry to the Creation Treasure Realm."

"That Treasure Realm is a place left by a Mahayana Venerable, where a hundred years of enlightenment surpasses thousands of years of arduous cultivation outside."

He continued:

"But at least we comprehend top level Dao Principles, so breaking into the top thousand in the State Competition should be no problem."

"By then, entering the State Competition, even if we don’t reach the top hundred, we could still showcase some ability and attract more sect forces."

"Even if we don’t enter top forces like Antarctic Immortal Mansion, joining one of their affiliated academies would grant us resources and secret technique inheritances far beyond loose cultivators."

Speaking thus, a hint of joy crossed Chen Xihua’s eyes as if recalling something crucial:

"By the way, Fellow Daoist’s age is a major advantage!"

"I remember when you broke through to Divinity Transformation in the Lower Realm, you were just over five hundred years old. Now, in the Spirit Realm, it’s been barely three hundred years, so you’re not yet nine hundred, right?"

Chen Sheng nodded slightly, picked up his teacup, and drank the tea: "Almost nine hundred."

Chen Xihua laughed heartily, patting the desk:

"Exactly! The Dao Assembly requires participants to be under three thousand years old. Your age puts you as exceptionally young among Divinity Transformation Cultivators!"

"What sects value most is young talent. Having cultivated top level Dao Principles to Second Realm Perfection by age under nine hundred, your aptitude would definitely intrigue many Integration Sects!"

Chen Sheng added, "Recently, I had some enlightenment, reaching the Third Realm."

Hearing this, Chen Xihua was first taken aback, then sighed deeply:

"To have such enlightenment speed in the Spirit Realm, if you were still in the Celestial Abyss Realm, you might truly achieve Void Refining in one step."

After a pause, he laughed: "Even better this way; perhaps you’ll have a chance to join the Three Great Immortal Mansions."