Chapter 66: The Second Stage of Erosion

Divine Skill!

Of course, Brother is a disciple of the Long Xiang Qing Tian Sect—how could he not cultivate the Divine Eye Technique?

That means, when I first walked into the ward, Brother had already noticed my condition.

Xiao Fan's heart tightened, and for a moment he didn't know how to explain.

"I didn't misread it." The purple light in Xiao Ming's eyes dimmed as he scratched his head. "Don't worry—I'll be careful. I won't let it happen again like this."

"..."

Brother actually thought that way—he believed I was worried about him.

Xiao Fan's emotions were complicated.

"If I'm not mistaken, you also took part in that trial and passed the first round, right?"

"... Yes, Brother." Xiao Fan nodded slightly and explained, "Actually, I didn't just pass the first round—I passed the second round too."

I was just startled and didn't react in time.

Now that I think about it, isn't this trial the perfect excuse? After all, the final round takes place in the real world.

That means, if I choose to participate, I'll inevitably run into Brother.

So it's better to just be clear about it now.

"Oh? You passed the second round too?" Xiao Ming was surprised. "You've got some talent! I really underestimated you before."

"I was just lucky." Xiao Fan smiled. "I got some fortune and barely made it through. You should try it too, Brother."

Perhaps because of the images he'd seen in the Ming Wo Zheng Yuan Fa, or perhaps because of the complex emotions rising in his heart, he decided to teach Brother the Tai Xuan Battle Art as well.

There were other reasons too—he wanted Brother to know that there exist methods just as powerful as the Xian Sect's Divine Skills! So he quickly recounted the entire Tai Xuan Battle Art from start to finish, only to hear Brother say:

"That's not luck."

Huh? "Passing the second round means you have a good chance of joining the Xian Sect after your college entrance exam." Xiao Ming encouraged him.

He seemed to have completely missed what Xiao Fan had just said.

How could that be! Didn't Brother hear me?

Xiao Fan suddenly remembered the situation in the library reading room.

Could it be...?

A suspicion arose in his mind.

Yes! It must be this!

Without Cang bloodline, even the finest Dharma lies before you—you cannot awaken it.

Xiao Fan felt a pang of sorrow for his brother, yet still feigned longing and said:

"Really? I can join the Xian Sect too?"

Actually, after witnessing the immense power of the Tai Xuan Battle Art,

his interest in joining the Xian Sect had greatly diminished.

No matter how strong the Xian Sect's techniques and Divine Skills are, how much stronger could they possibly be than the Cang Clan's supreme Dharma?

They might even be weaker.

"Of course it's true. The intensity of the second round—that's beyond what most ordinary Xian Sect disciples can pass." Xiao Ming laughed heartily. "Alright, it's late. Go back and rest. Tomorrow, I'll handle the discharge papers with Mom and Dad, then we'll go home."

"Alright, you get some rest too, Brother."

"I know, I know. I'll just catch some fresh air and head back—lying here all day is driving me crazy."

Seeing him like this, Xiao Fan felt considerably more at ease and turned to leave.

It seemed Brother didn't suspect him much.

Yet as soon as he turned to leave, Xiao Ming watched his younger brother's retreating figure, and his smile faded considerably.

Especially when he saw Xiao Fan pass by the ward door without even greeting Mom and Dad, his expression turned grim.

Xiao Fan is acting strange! From the moment Xiao Fan entered, Xiao Ming sensed his brother's cultivation level was off.

Qi Condensation Ninth Layer!

But according to Mom and Dad, Xiao Fan should be pseudo-Foundation Establishment.

Yet recalling his own miraculous experience during unconsciousness, he guessed Xiao Fan had also taken part in the trial and passed the first round—perhaps his reward for entering the second round was the restoration of his Dao path.

So he'd wanted to talk with him.

But during their conversation, Xiao Fan had been hesitant, evasive—clearly trying to hide something—and that made Xiao Ming realize this wasn't simple.

Moreover, when he said Xiao Fan could join the Xian Sect, though his face showed anticipation, his blood flow and heartbeat remained calm, as if hearing something utterly insignificant.

Xiao Fan never used to be like this. Xiao Ming closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

'Don't tell Mom and Dad—they'll worry.'

Thoughts swirled. Xiao Ming grew restless; the joy of his recovery was completely washed away by what he'd just discovered.

"F***! Whatever the hell you are, stay the hell away from my brother!"

Outside the hospital, Xiao Fan turned back to look at the hospital standing silently under the night sky.

'I never expected Brother also passed the second round.'

That truly caught him off guard.

'This might get complicated...'

If he could, he wouldn't even want to join the third round—he's had so many miracles already.

But he couldn't refuse—it was what Master Huo demanded.

Thinking of this, Xiao Fan's heart stirred, and suddenly he realized a problem.

Everything I have now comes from that drop of blood given by Elder Hu—so what kind of identity does Elder Hu truly have? Is he also from the Cang Clan?

But that isn't quite right.

Xiao Fan internally rejected this speculation.

After all, Elder Hu had once warned him: never forget his true heart, always remember he is a human.

He walked in silence for a long distance, and as if from ancient times, a vast, desolate voice seemed to echo in his ears.

"Heaven gives all things to nourish humanity, yet humanity offers nothing in return—what then should be done?"

What should be done? Xiao Fan's eyes grew hazy, the light of the glazed crystal flickered, and he whispered in an extremely faint voice.

"So… am I not worthy enough?"

Is it because I am not worthy that I cannot consider myself part of the Cang Clan?

Elder Hu's meaning must surely be this.

………

The Secret Realm with the crimson moon hanging high.

Chi Jiuyu sat atop the sword peak, a golden-green longsword resting across his thighs, his long hair fluttering gently, threads of red energy swirling around him.

"This appearance truly has the bearing of the top young genius of this generation."

Xu Xing stood on a chain, watching Chi Jiuyu's focused expression, and nodded slightly.

Because the Secret Realm's rank is high, her life-sword had rapidly reached a critical stage of cultivation, coinciding with the end of the second trial; Xu Xing had come here to make preparations, so he brought her along.

Then, Xu Xing turned his gaze to the side, his eyes seeming to pierce through the barrier between the Secret Realm and reality.

"Already at the second stage, then."

Xiao Fan's corruption was progressing faster than Xu Xing had anticipated—even his perception was beginning to warp.

The other side had increased its investment, to the point that the Ming Wo Zheng Yuan Fa was no longer effective.

This time, it wasn't really Xiao Fan's fault—he was merely a Qi Condensation cultivator, and he didn't understand the Cang Clan at all.

But now, the connection was no longer as faint as last time.

"Of course—he doesn't know I'm here."

Just as his senior sister couldn't perceive his situation, the Cang Clan could certainly not detect his presence; otherwise, they would never act so aggressively.

During the previous Dao Union, He would have assumed it was Hu Dong's doing.

There was no need to rush now—let the young disciple grow further through the Cang Clan's fortune first.

"But… Xiao Fan actually mistook Hu for the Cang Clan."

How interesting.

Xu Xing withdrew his gaze, lowered his eyes, and gazed down at the entire Crimson Moon Secret Realm. The Cang Clan's affairs must be addressed, but the trial could not be neglected.

Please collect, please follow-read!! (Chapter end)