Novel11 Chapter 363 : The Gaze of the Grotto-Heavens
Chapter 363 : The Gaze of the Grotto-Heavens
Crimson Flame Realm.Watching the departing figure of True Venerable Taoyan, Chen Beiwu’s storage ring flashed faintly as he took out the milk bottle the little fox had once given him. He gently took a sip, replenishing the nearly exhausted Yuanshi True Qi within his dantian’s sea of qi.
“Nah!”
The Five Qi Vine lay sprawled on the ground, its nose twitching as it gazed at Chen Beiwu with eager eyes.
As for Golden Egg and Iron Egg, the two little fellows had already shut their eyes and fallen unconscious.
‘Don’t worry, everyone gets some.’
Chen Beiwu smiled faintly, tilting the milk bottle and personally feeding the three little ones.
Flame, who floated in midair, stared blankly at the scene, the firelight around its body flickering slightly.
So… they had won just like that?
Wasn’t that slap in the face a little too fast?
Yet grumbling aside, Flame felt not the slightest anger. Instead, its gaze toward Chen Beiwu burned with heat and delight.
After so many years in the Crimson Flame Realm, Flame had long grown accustomed to dull days whose end could be seen at a glance.
But Chen Beiwu’s appearance had brought unexpected variables and surprises. The thought of forming a Companion Contract grew ever stronger in its heart.
Yet recalling Chen Beiwu’s earlier refusal, Flame hesitated for a moment and did not speak again.
Appreciation was one thing—but it valued its own principles more and would not lower itself.
“Did we win?”
Half an hour later, Golden Egg opened its hazy eyes and asked instinctively.
“Of course. We’re the champions,” Chen Beiwu replied with a calm smile.
With the Shangqing Immortal Sect eliminated, even if the remaining immortal sects within the Crimson Flame Realm joined forces, they absolutely could not contend with them.
Hearing this, Golden Egg smiled and turned its head toward Iron Egg, who was slowly waking up.
“Tap.”
“Tap.”
“Tap.”
At that moment, footsteps sounded.
Chen Beiwu’s divine sense stirred. Following its direction, he discovered Yu Zhaohua—covered in wounds, her aura withered to the extreme.
Catching Chen Beiwu’s gaze, Yu Zhaohua revealed a smile and slowly raised her right hand, revealing the jade token in her palm.
“Mission accomplished.”
As soon as her words fell, her body swayed.
Chen Beiwu’s figure flashed. Circulating Yuanshi True Qi, he extended his hand and supported Yu Zhaohua from afar.
She instinctively lifted her eyes, meeting his at close range.
“You’ve worked hard,” Chen Beiwu said.
Rain Sky Fairy was no simple opponent—her aptitude and talent rivaled Wang Chan, the Taiqing chief.
Even though Yu Zhaohua and the other three had set up layers upon layers of restrictive formations in advance, facing Rain Sky Fairy still carried the risk of overturning.
“It’s nothing. I’m just a bit exhausted.”
Using his support to steady herself, Yu Zhaohua tilted her head slightly to avoid his gaze. “Senior Brother Mo feared something might happen on your side, so he sent me over to assist.”
Chen Beiwu: “……”
Sending over a teammate who was already drained to help—was that really assistance and not adding chaos?
Moreover, just how bad was the condition of Mo Qingshuang and the others that they sent Yu Zhaohua, who could barely walk without stumbling, as reinforcement?
Seemingly sensing his thoughts, Yu Zhaohua pursed her lips and explained, “The Flintrock Coiled Dragon possesses the Magma-Core Mystic Body and still retained seventy percent of its strength.”
At this point, her gaze swept the surroundings in confusion. “Where’s Zhao Yue?”
“She was too severely injured. True Venerable Taoyan took her away directly,” Chen Beiwu replied.
“!!!”
Yu Zhaohua took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulence in her heart.
Although she had already anticipated this outcome before asking, hearing Chen Beiwu confirm it still felt unbelievable.
After all, his opponent had not been an ordinary cultivator—but a Nascent Soul True Monarch.
At the thought of this, a trace of regret rose in her heart.
To witness a Golden Core defeating a Nascent Soul—such a heaven-shaking feat that existed only in legends—yet she had not seen it with her own eyes. What a pity!
…
That evening, when the final cultivator from another sect fell, only one team remained within the Crimson Flame Realm—the Yuqing Immortal Sect.
“Congratulations, little friend Chen, on winning the championship.”
True Venerable Taoyan appeared before Chen Beiwu in an instant to offer his congratulations.
Chen Beiwu’s expression turned solemn. He returned the courtesy humbly, while ripples stirred faintly in his heart.
What was a Divine Transformation True Venerable?
Three Flowers Gathered Atop, Five Qi Facing the Origin!
What was Three Flowers Gathered Atop?
Essence Flower undying, Qi Flower inexhaustible, Spirit Flower communicating with the Origin!
Such beings came and went without a trace, comprehended cause and effect, and their words carried the weight of law. They were no longer measured merely by the strength of cultivation.
Facing a Nascent Soul True Monarch, Chen Beiwu could still bridge the gap through foundation, immortal arts, and Companion Beasts.
But against a Divine Transformation True Venerable—before that level of majestic power—he likely would not even have the chance to struggle, erased in a single thought.
‘The road ahead is long. One day, I too will witness such scenery!’
Suppressing his yearning, Chen Beiwu looked at True Venerable Taoyan and awaited the elder’s words.
‘Good eyes.’
A trace of appreciation flashed in True Venerable Taoyan’s gaze as he announced, “This session of the Immortal Sect Exchange Conference concludes here. The victor is the Yuqing Immortal Sect.”
“In addition, the discussion battles and ranking points have been settled. The team with the highest total points this year is also the Yuqing Immortal Sect.”
Hearing this, excitement flashed in the eyes of Yu Zhaohua and the other three as they all turned to Chen Beiwu.
They had preserved it!
Originally, they had thought this year would be the Yuqing Immortal Sect’s worst performance. Who would have expected Chen Beiwu to be so ferocious, forcibly seizing the championship from a Nascent Soul True Monarch!
Seeing this, True Venerable Taoyan smiled faintly, his voice calm. “The talents of all sects displayed their abilities and competed upon the Dao path. I have observed it all.”
“Yuqing Immortal Sect—Chen Beiwu displayed the most outstanding performance at this session of the Immortal Sect Exchange Conference, overpowering his peers. According to ancient precedent, he shall receive a generous reward.”
“He is granted the qualification to select one item from thirteen Heaven-Reaching Profound Treasures.”
As soon as True Venerable Taoyan’s words fell, pupils shrank in astonishment.
Unlike Fourth-Tier Profound Treasures, Heaven-Reaching Profound Treasures surpassed the category of Profound Treasures entirely. They were rare marvels of unfathomable power—even Nascent Soul True Monarchs of the Immortal Alliance would be tempted by them.
And now, Chen Beiwu could freely choose one from among thirteen Heaven-Reaching Profound Treasures!
Yet though surprised, Yu Zhaohua and the others felt no jealousy—only longing.
After all, unless passed down through generations, such treasures could only be mastered by Nascent Soul True Monarchs. They were far from qualified to wield them.
Sensing the fluctuations in their emotions, True Venerable Taoyan remained indifferent.
Though Heaven-Reaching Profound Treasures were formidable, they were ultimately external objects. Excessive reliance would backfire.
For instance, Moon Sky Fairy Zhao Yue wielded a Heaven-Reaching Profound Treasure and could defeat a late-stage Nascent Soul True Monarch from the Cangyuan Realm by crossing realms—yet she had still fallen to Chen Beiwu.
“Whoosh!”
True Venerable Taoyan flicked his sleeve, and a streak of light floated before Chen Beiwu.
“This jade slip records detailed information and methods of use for the thirteen Heaven-Reaching Profound Treasures. You may contemplate it quietly for three days before making your choice.”
“Of course, if you have no interest in Heaven-Reaching Profound Treasures, you may exchange the reward for a Fourth-Tier Profound Pill or the qualification to contract a Heavenly-Gang Mystic Beast.”
Hearing this, Chen Beiwu’s gaze instinctively turned toward Flame not far away.
“Why are you looking at me?” Flame said coldly. “Unless you agree to my condition, don’t even think about it.”
“That’s right. Emperor Flame is not within the reward scope of the Immortal Sect Exchange Conference,” True Venerable Taoyan reminded.
“Thank you for the reminder, Senior.”
Chen Beiwu decisively extinguished the thought in his heart.
It seemed he truly had no fate with Emperor Flame.
True Venerable Taoyan nodded and looked toward Yu Zhaohua and the others. “The championship team shall also receive generous rewards.”
…
Pure Yang Path.
Pure Yang Grotto-Heaven.
Contrary to outside speculation, the heavens of Pure Yang Grotto-Heaven were not scorching with ten suns hanging high. Instead, only a single phantom of a Great Sun Golden Crow circled slowly, casting boundless gentle warmth. Fish leapt from the stream below, attempting to swallow the essence of the Great Sun.
Beside the stream stood an exquisitely luxurious tea table, where two cultivators dressed in Golden Crow Dao robes sat.
Their auras were profound, pure yang Dao rhythm flowing around them. The younger-looking cultivator was Zhu Wu, the current chief of Pure Yang Grotto-Heaven.
“Junior Brother, this Immortal Alliance Exchange Conference was quite lively. I heard a Fortune-Origin Beast appeared. Have you no interest in participating?” the elder cultivator asked after taking a sip of tea.
“Boring.”
Zhu Wu set down his teacup, concise as ever.
The elder raised his eyes curiously. “Are you truly not interested in Emperor Flame?”
Emperor Flame’s bloodline was formidable. So long as its flaw from converting paths was remedied—unifying essence, qi, and spirit—it could leap into becoming a Fortune-Origin Beast.
Even Divine Transformation True Venerables would not overlook such a Companion Beast—much less Junior Brother Zhu.
“I’ve met it once. Its demands were too high. I couldn’t satisfy them,” Zhu Wu replied calmly.
“Oh?” The elder grew interested. “What requirement could stump you?”
“Senior Brother Zeng, it asked me to abandon my contracted Companion Beast,” Zhu Wu said without concealment.
“No wonder.” Zeng Changshou’s pupils contracted.
Though Zhu Wu’s current Companion Beast was not a Fortune-Origin Beast, it ranked among the very best of Fifth-Tier Origin Beasts. There was no need to abandon solid foundations to chase a future possibility that might never perfect its bloodline.
Silence settled briefly before the ring on Zeng Changshou’s finger lit up, projecting a message.
“The Immortal Sect Exchange Conference results are out?” Zhu Wu’s eyes flickered.
“I’m surprised you care about such trivial matters,” Zeng Changshou teased.
“I only care about the strong. Among the Upper Three Immortal Sects, this generation has indeed produced someone worthy of attention. If nothing unexpected occurred, this year’s first place should be the Shangqing Immortal Sect.”
“Indeed. Shangqing’s Moon Sky is extraordinary—breaking into the Nascent Soul True Monarch realm at such a young age.”
Zeng Changshou lowered his gaze to the message. His pupils shrank, and he fell silent.
There were always dark horses in past conferences—but this year’s rising dark horse was terrifying, reminding him of a certain Grotto-Heaven chief.
Sensing the anomaly, Zhu Wu raised his head slightly. “What? Did Zhao Yue lose?”
“…Yes. I suspected fake news—but it seems unlikely. Junior Brother, take a look.”
Zeng Changshou shared the message.
Zhu Wu glanced at it. His expression remained unchanged, though the pure yang Dao rhythm around him grew denser.
“Junior Brother, do you think it’s true?” Zeng Changshou asked solemnly.
Zhu Wu fell silent.
Information about the Immortal Sect Exchange Conference was easily verified. Whether it was true or not hardly needed stating.
Thus, Senior Brother Zeng was not truly asking about authenticity—but about how confident Zhu Wu felt facing Chen Beiwu now.
“Most likely true. This generation’s Yuanshi Golden Core is astonishingly strong,” Zhu Wu sighed.
There were always greater heavens beyond the sky. He would not deny reality but acknowledge facts.
Chen Beiwu, at under forty years of age, reaching Golden Core peak and defeating a Nascent Soul True Monarch—his talent far surpassed Zhu Wu’s.
Of course, what he acknowledged was Chen Beiwu’s aptitude—not his strength.
Who would win could only be determined in real combat.
“The foundations of the Upper Three Immortal Sects are indeed formidable,” Zeng Changshou remarked.
“Indeed. Since the Dao Ancestor first transmitted the Dao, the lineages of Yuqing, Shangqing, and Taiqing have stood at the pinnacle of the immortal path on Sky Abyss Star. Their foundations are unfathomable.”
He paused slightly. “But times have changed.”
“Those who now lead the Immortal Alliance, set the rules, and dominate the greater trend are not the Three Purities Immortal Sects—but the Five Great Grotto-Heavens.”
“The Three Purities Immortal Sects have long become the past. No matter how deep their foundation, they can only dominate within the Thirteen Immortal Sects.”
“Junior Brother, speak carefully,” Zeng Changshou’s expression shifted.
“What is there to fear? I’m stating facts.” Zhu Wu glanced at him meaningfully. “Those great existences would not concern themselves with the words of ants.”
The more one saw, the more one sensed one’s own smallness.
Outwardly, Zhu Wu was the revered chief of Pure Yang Grotto-Heaven. Yet as his cultivation deepened, he felt increasingly the terrifying depth of the Immortal Alliance.
Geniuses like him were monstrous—but in the eyes of Void-Refining Dao Venerables, they likely did not even qualify as ants.
To put it bluntly, without becoming a Divine Transformation True Venerable, one did not even qualify to be acknowledged by a Void-Refining Dao Venerable!
Zeng Changshou coughed lightly.
Junior Brother Zhu might not fear death—but he certainly did.
His life’s dream was simple: live twenty thousand years. He would not let reckless words drag him down.
He decisively changed the topic. “Junior Brother, do you wish to meet Chen Beiwu?”
“No need. It’s too early.” Zhu Wu shook his head, his gaze firm. “When he advances to mid-stage Nascent Soul, I will seek him for a battle.”
…
Youying Path, Supreme Yin Grotto-Heaven.
Within a mysterious moonlit palace that none dared disturb.
In the rear courtyard, beneath an osmanthus tree, a peerless beauty with hair cascading like a waterfall and skin like jade sat quietly in cultivation.
Dressed in a flowing snow-white immortal gown, her beauty defied description—untouchable, distant.
She was Gu Qinghan, the famed Supreme Yin Saintess of Supreme Yin Grotto-Heaven, hailed by Immortal Alliance cultivators as possessing unparalleled immortal grace.
Suddenly, Gu Qinghan’s brows furrowed slightly. She opened her clear, moonlike eyes and began calculating with her fingers.
A quarter hour later, her slender jade-like fingers paused abruptly.
She could not calculate it.
The heavenly secrets were a chaotic blur. She could not discern the source of the disturbance in her fate pattern.
Her expression remained calm as she lowered her hand.
At her level, she understood the unpredictability of heavenly secrets. Some variables could not be forced.
“Investigate whether anything noteworthy has occurred recently within the Immortal Alliance—especially concerning the younger generation. No matter how big or small.”
“Yes, Saintess.”
As her words fell, a shadow beneath the osmanthus tree merged into the moonlight and vanished.
Gu Qinghan closed her eyes once more, as if nothing had happened.