https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-123-Reinforcements-from-Other-Sects/12988932/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-125-Returning-to-the-Sect-Reporting-the-News/12988934/
Chapter 124: Moon Overflow Divine Art, Escaping the Wilderness
Chapter 124: Moon Overflow Divine Art, Escaping the Wilderness
Deep within the wilderness, a narrow cave nestled in a cliff.
Inside the cramped cave, Autumn Frost and Su Chen engaged in a conversation that left them both surprised. The more they talked, the more Autumn Frost, a powerful Transcendent Realm cultivator, found herself seeking Su Chen's opinion, despite being fifteen years his senior and a respected elder in the Great Zhou Dynasty's sects.
Su Chen's insights impressed Autumn Frost, and she couldn't help but wonder about his background. "You must be a highly valued personal disciple in your sect, given how the Heavenly Demons value you," she remarked.
Su Chen couldn't help but laugh at this. "If I were that valued, I wouldn't have been sent out to gather herbs during the winter. But yes, my sect does hold me in high regard, though not because of my cultivation talent."
Autumn Frost was taken aback by Su Chen's response. "With your talent, it's surprising that you're not more appreciated in the Great Zhou. Are there others with far greater comprehension than you?"
"Fu Jianyun, Liu Xingwan, Shang Jia Yao, and Gu Feng. These names should be known to many in the Great Jin Dynasty as well," Su Chen replied.
Autumn Frost furrowed her brows slightly, deep in thought. "I don't think I've heard of any of them."
"These are the top geniuses of the Great Zhou, around twenty-seven years old, yet they've reached the Sixth Stage Intermediate or even the Sixth Stage Perfect," Su Chen explained.
"Sixth Stage Perfect is still just that," Autumn Frost said, not wanting to dwell on the matter. She could accept that these individuals were geniuses, but the term 'top genius' seemed a bit much.
Su Chen could only respond with a look, knowing that Autumn Frost, having reached the Transcendent Realm at such a young age, was qualified to make such an assessment. Their discussion flowed naturally, and both felt a strong connection.
During their free time, Autumn Frost inscribed the Moon Overflow Divine Art on the cave wall, and every late afternoon, after Su Chen returned, she would have him attempt to comprehend this cultivation technique.
"The Moon Overflow Divine Art is a set of techniques I acquired by chance, consisting of ten layers. It has two flaws: each use comes with backlash, and it's extremely challenging to comprehend," Autumn Frost explained. "But once mastered, it significantly aids in combat."
Su Chen now understood the technique's benefits. The Moon Overflow Divine Art could temporarily boost one's cultivation realm, but as Autumn Frost mentioned, there would be backlash. Mild use only resulted in increased fatigue.
Su Chen began practicing whenever he had free time. Occasionally, when Autumn Frost rested, he seized the opportunity to voice his confusions, including his progress with the Profound Heaven Mind Art. He had been stuck at the Seventh Stage Embraced Valley Initial for a while and needed guidance to advance further. Autumn Frost provided precise pointers that helped Su Chen notice tangible improvements.
Su Chen wasn't disparaging Mr. Ouyang; Autumn Frost's advice was indeed concise and effective. Following her instructions, he could sense the progress.
Their conversations often lasted until dawn, and they would realize they had been talking for hours. Their whispered exchanges in the cave, huddled together, might have been misconstrued by any onlookers.
As morning broke, Su Chen tidied up and stepped out of the cave. "I set up some traps last night. I'll go check on them and will likely return in the afternoon."
For the next few days, Su Chen continued to search for food and water. Sometimes, he returned earlier and practiced cultivation briefly. They shared meals, and at night, Autumn Frost continued to guide Su Chen.
On the seventh night, rain poured down in the wilderness. Su Chen gathered large leaves and pieced them together to shield the cave entrance from the rain. The previously open cave now felt more cramped, and the atmosphere between them grew slightly awkward.
The two had always only discussed cultivation matters, but today, with some free time, they began to talk about personal matters.
Su Chen shared why he came to this wilderness and why he ventured to that area.
"With your looks, you must be quite the handsome young master. In the sect, haven't any noble ladies taken a liking to you? Are they helping you out?" In the wilderness, espionage missions can be quite dangerous."
The more they talked, the more comfortable they became with each other.
Autumn Frost's words carried a hint of playful teasing.
"There are quite a few who look down on me." Su Chen replied with a helpless smile.
Hearing this, Autumn Frost unconsciously leaned forward, her expression turning serious. "Look down on you? That's unlikely. Even if we don't consider your appearance, your talent and potential are exceptional. Your character is also decent. Can't the female disciples in your sect see the value in an outstanding man?"
Confronted with such persistent questioning, Su Chen could only smile wryly.
"Anyway, I haven't met the right person yet. You've asked me so much, and you, Senior Autumn, are so talented and beautiful. I'm sure there are plenty of suitors around you."
Hearing this, Autumn Frost shook her head. "In Jin State, there's a divine fortune teller who once did a divination for me. He said that in this life, I would struggle to find a suitable partner. Even if I do find one, I'll face countless obstacles and hardships."
Su Chen didn't believe these words. "As long as two people are determined, what obstacles can't they overcome? These fortune tellers are just charlatans."
Mentioning divination, Autumn Frost sat up and picked up a few stones. With a smile, she wanted to divine for Su Chen as well.
Autumn Frost wasn't particularly skilled in divination, but she knew the basics. Following the fortune teller's example, she asked Su Chen some questions while manipulating the stones.
Soon, the stones formed a divination pattern.
Seeing the stones before her, Autumn Frost's smile widened. "It seems like you'll also struggle to find a suitable partner in this life. The divination result I got is almost the same as yours."
With this result, both of them laughed it off.
The rain continued until dawn.
After the rain stopped, Su Chen went out again to find some food.
By now, Autumn Frost no longer had any doubts about Su Chen. In the most dangerous and desperate moments, Su Chen never took advantage of her vulnerability, so there was no need for further words.
This was their ninth day together, and soon, Autumn Frost would recover her cultivation realm.
Although they hadn't spent much time together, they had grown closer.
As they prepared to leave the wilderness, Autumn Frost felt a mix of emotions.
On the tenth day, at noon, Autumn Frost's aura erupted, and her strength in the Transformation Realm returned.
Su Chen was still outside setting up traps.
In a daze, he realized that Autumn Frost was standing behind him.
Leaving the small cave in the cliff, the two of them seemed to have developed a subtle distance between them.
The gap in their cultivation and status was too vast.
Autumn Frost, despite her youth, possessed the strength of a powerful sect elder.
The backing of her sect was undoubtedly formidable.
Autumn Frost had wanted to show Su Chen the heavenly treasure she obtained, but he declined.
He had been away for quite some time, and it had been almost half a month since he first left.
Firstly, Mr. Ouyang and the others were worried, and secondly, he needed to return and report the news.
Autumn Frost didn't insist, and together with Su Chen, they headed towards the Great Borderland.
The earthly demons seemed determined, still guarding the area.
In the past, these demons would have fled upon sensing a powerful cultivator's approach.
But this time, Su Chen first exposed their hiding spot.
Autumn Frost unleashed her movement techniques and combat skills, directly slaying the group of demons.
After dealing with these demons, the two of them continued westward without encountering any further trouble. No demons approached them.
Escaping the wilderness should have been a joyous occasion, but there wasn't much happiness on their faces.
Previously, they had talked a lot inside the cave, but now, their conversations became scarce.
Moreover, both of them seemed to carry a hint of unease.
They didn't waste much time, and in just over a day, they reached the Great Borderland.
Before parting, Autumn Frost once again took out the jade pendant and handed it to Su Chen.
"If you encounter any trouble, you can come to the Autumn Family in Great Jin."
(End of Chapter)
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