Chapter 105: His Arrival Sends the Ten Major Sects into Disarray
"Excellent!"
"Gentlemen and ladies, we proceed!"
Jiang Chen flashed a satisfied grin, acknowledging the collective gaze of those assembled.
He was aware that among the onlookers, some might be hoarding monsters' inner cores, for personal research or to offer to their sect.
Nevertheless, he made no demands for their surrender.
Having declared his intentions, Jiang Chen rocketed skyward, morphing into a vanishing silhouette that pierced through the vortex passage.
"We should follow!"
Duan Ziming, Nie Wei, and their comrades took flight, tracing Jiang Chen's path in a sequential manner, entering the swirling passageway.
In the outskirts, at the nexus of the three continents, nestled within the Forsaken Serenity Mountain Range, the factions from the ten major sects staked their claims near the passage, establishing makeshift encampments in anticipation.
The exploratory period allowed for the Cave Heaven secret realm was set at three months.
At this juncture, barely a day had transpired.
All were braced for the impending marathon of patience.
But, without warning.
Whooosh!
The vortex passage undulated abruptly, ejecting a figure with vehement force it was none other than Jiang Chen.
"Someone has emerged from the passage!?"
"Is it possible? Are there overwhelming perils within that are driving our disciples to retreat?"
"..."
The representatives of the ten major sects were instantly alerted to the vortex passage's irregularity. Their countenances contorted dramatically, betraying a mixture of shock and incredulity.
By their conjecture.
This Cave Heaven secret realm was supposed to remain accessible for three months post activation!
Why would a disciple hasten out so prematurely?
Could it be...
That there was some formidable horror lurking within the Cave Heaven secret realm, so intense that it precluded exploration, compelling disciples to flee?
In this moment.
"It's Jiang Chen!"
"He hails from our Starry Abyss Sect!"
"Something is amiss... could this really be Jiang Chen?"
"Jiang Chen is only in the Spiritual Awakening realm, yet he's exuding the aura of the Heavenly Origin realm! What is transpiring?"
Feng Jun identified Jiang Chen. His initial reaction was one of shock, followed swiftly by a shift into grave concern.
"What's happening?"
"How could a disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect be a powerhouse of the Heavenly Origin realm!"
"There has to be something off about this individual!"
"The Heavenly Origin realm, it would typically take hundreds, if not thousands, of years to cultivate to that stage. How could this disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect possibly ascend to the Heavenly Origin realm in less than a day!"
Expressions of the people from the other sects contorted severely. Instantly, they abandoned their freshly established camps and scattered into the distance.
Even though the sect masters from the ten major sects were all assembled here.
Not a single one among them was capable of confronting a Heavenly Origin realm powerhouse!
Feng Jun and his associates exchanged uneasy glances. Their expressions grave, they congregated before withdrawing, as though confronting a formidable adversary.
"Huh!"
"Could it be... that they're intimidated by me?"
Observing the powerhouses of the ten major sects scatter in all directions, Jiang Chen was momentarily stunned before erupting into laughter.
These individuals, who held dominion over the three expansive continents, were so frightened at this juncture.
This indirect testament vividly showcased the overwhelming power of the Heavenly Origin realm!
Suddenly, the vortex passage contorted once more.
Then, Duan Ziming and others emerged, propelled out from the swirling passage.
Hot on their heels were the disciples from the Ice Heart School and Floating Spirit School.
As soon as they all materialized, they were immediately confronted by the tense visages of the sect masters and elders of the ten major sects.
"They've been terrified by Jiang Chen!"
"Indeed, it's understandable. A practitioner of the Heavenly Origin realm might only emerge once every five hundred years across our three continents!"
"Now, Jiang Chen stands unrivaled here. Anyone who dares challenge him will be utterly outclassed!"
The disciples couldn't help but exhale collective sighs.
In their hearts, envy overshadowed any trace of jealousy.
Because the chasm between them and Jiang Chen was overwhelmingly vast, they were effectively in disparate realms, nullifying any potential for jealousy.
Suddenly, Jiang Chen pivoted, his gaze fastening onto the gathering behind him.
"Well, everyone."
"I presume your sects are in need of your return. Go forth and relay the events that unfolded here."
Jiang Chen spoke, his voice resonant and distinct. A cryptic smile traced his lips as he added, "In due time, be sure to choose wisely."
His gaze, deep and discerning, swept over the crowd, lingering a moment longer on Mu Tao and Miao Xiaoru.
Having said this, he nodded to Duan Ziming and his group, then pivoted and soared towards the Starry Abyss Sect's flying artifact.
A fog of confusion enveloped the crowd as they grappled to decipher Jiang Chen's cryptic farewell.
Whispers of uncertainty propagated amongst them.
Eventually.
"Does anyone understand what Lord Jiang Chen implied with his final remark?"
Someone summoned the courage to shatter the silence, pivoting to Duan Ziming with a question.
"I'm no more enlightened than you are."
"For now, let's heed his suggestion. Return to your respective sects and be patient. Time will unravel the essence of his statement."
Duan Ziming shook his head, his countenance inscrutable.
Following this, he, along with the other Starry Abyss Sect disciples, hurriedly trailed behind Jiang Chen.
...
"They're approaching!"
"They're headed this way!"
Aboard the Starry Abyss Sect's flying artifact, Sect Master Feng Jun, along with an assembly of elders and deacons, spotted Jiang Chen in flight towards them.
The spectacle induced a chill to ripple through them.
Jiang Chen's cultivation base was indeed flouting the laws of common sense!
There was a significant chance that something was amiss, such as the current Jiang Chen being an imposter.
At that instant.
"Sect Master, we have returned."
Jiang Chen alighted gently onto the flying artifact, smiling as he offered a respectful bow to Feng Jun.
A few moments later.
"Sect Master!"
"Elders! Deacons!"
Duan Ziming and the others trailed in Jiang Chen's wake, each extending their respective salutations.
"Jiang Chen, wha... what... what transpired with your cultivation base?"
Feng Jun inhaled deeply, yet his voice still wavered slightly.
"As is apparent!"
"I've stumbled upon a colossal fortune, enabling me to break through successfully to the Heavenly Origin realm!"
"There's an extensive tale behind it, but I'll give you the abridged version."
"Truth be told, I had already ascended to the Mysterious Platform realm during my last venture for training down the mountain, and this time..."
Under the intent gaze of everyone in the Starry Abyss Sect, Jiang Chen wove his narrative, recounting some of his adventures.
However, Jiang Chen deftly edited his recounting, artfully spinning his experiences and the evolution of his cultivation base!
He blended fact and fiction seamlessly, creating a compelling tale, yet kept his deepest secrets hidden.
First and foremost, he could not divulge anything about the Villain System.
Secondly, concepts such as the Protagonist, Heavenly Fate Value, and the Heaven-Defying Fate Changer remained confidential.
When it came to the incidents within the secret realm.
He included specific details that only he and members of the Starry Abyss Sect would recognize, dissipating any suspicion of impersonation.
Before long, Jiang Chen concluded his story, casting a smile towards Feng Jun and the others.
"I understand!"
"Jiang Chen, you are indeed a chosen child of the heavens, reaching the Heavenly Origin realm at a mere twenty years of age!"
"Jiang Chen, undoubtedly, you're the most prodigious figure in the history of the Mysterious Truth Continent. It's an absolute honor for the Starry Abyss Sect to have a genius of your caliber among us!"
"Jiang Chen, now that you've ascended to the Heavenly Origin realm, it's only fitting that I abdicate the position of Sect Master!"
The elders of the Starry Abyss Sect were bubbling with exhilaration, with Feng Jun even ready to relinquish his Sect Master title then and there!
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