Chapter 5: Genius Battle of the Xuan Domain

This is a kind of worry! It has accompanied his heart ever since he could remember.

But it is precisely because of this that he understands: if one finds oneself in a dark and chaotic world, only by transcending can one have a glimmer of survival.

Therefore, during his daily cultivation, he exerts himself to the utmost, hoping that when the darkness truly arrives, he will have the capital to fight against it and preserve himself and everything he wishes to protect in his heart.

Yet, though he has ambition in his heart, he also deeply feels that the hope is slim.

Because in his memories, even supreme, transcendent existences like the True Dragon and Kunpeng perished under the invasion of dark matter; how could he possibly have the ability to turn the tide?

Therefore, Mengchen believes that in this limited time, it is better to pursue a fairy-like companion and experience the tenderness of the world's romance while still harboring lofty aspirations.

In this way, even if he is powerless to save the situation in the future, he will not die in loneliness, nor will he have lived in this world in vain.

But this idea of his happens to be intolerable to the Western Sect.

Because taking a companion is a supreme taboo within the Western Sect, a bottom line that must not be crossed!

For ordinary disciples, if they commit this taboo, they will have their cultivation crippled and then be expelled and removed from the register, no longer being a member of the Western Sect from that moment on.

For him, Mengchen, if he could really use this to leave this bald-headed sect, that would actually be fine.

But when it comes to him, everything changes.

Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth.

He once snuck out and accidentally wandered into the depths of a peach blossom grove; just as he was about to lose his virginity, he was caught red-handed.

After returning, following a joint trial by the three halls, Mengchen did not receive the punishment of expulsion; instead, the surveillance on him was increased.

Perhaps in a certain sense, this is the so-called "failing to catch the fox, only getting covered in its stench."

Because in the eyes of the leaders of the Western Sect, he is different from other disciples; he is a seed that can achieve a supreme Dao Fruit in the future.

For a seed, they will only choose to cultivate it with all their might, waiting to reap a bountiful harvest in the future, so they absolutely will not allow it to degenerate.

But in Mengchen's heart, he has wanted to break away from the Western Sect from beginning to end, and this thought has never changed.

Therefore, over these ten years, he has tried to escape hundreds of times, but every time it is as if he has been fitted with a tracker; no matter where he hides, he is caught in the act.

However, fortunately, his talent is peerless and he carries infinite hope, so each time, after a round of education and scolding, he is fine.

The only thing he cannot stand is being watched by someone every single moment.

In this way, in the eyes of those old fogeys within the Western Sect, Mengchen is like a wall-climbing apricot blossom that always wants to climb over the wall, and one must guard against him climbing over at all times.

"Little thief monk, why do I always see you hiding alone and sighing like this? What exactly is in your heart? What is weighing you down so much?"

Softly, as Mengchen's thoughts were in turmoil, a familiar voice suddenly sounded in his ear.

Mengchen did not turn his head to look for the source of the voice, because he knew very clearly that it was Jinchanzi, that old bald-headed man, who had come.

Sure enough!

As soon as the voice fell, Jinchanzi, draped in a gorgeous and brilliant Buddhist robe, suddenly appeared in mid-air.

His head was shiny, his white eyebrows and beard hung straight down, and at this moment his child-like face appeared completely peaceful; the aura invisibly radiating from his body gave people a feeling of wanting to prostrate themselves in worship. It was as if a god or Buddha had been resurrected, solemn and approachable.

Regarding the arrival of Jinchanzi, Mengchen not only did not straighten his posture to respectfully greet him, but instead spoke his mind without any scruples.

"I am thinking about how to get out of your clutches and be free in the world from now on."

"Sigh..."

After hearing this, Jinchanzi shook his head secretly with an expression of utter disappointment.

But in an instant, his expression changed completely, and he said softly with a beaming smile:

"That's easy!"

"Oh!" Mengchen turned his childish face, looking over in surprise, very puzzled; could it be that the sun had risen in the west?

"When you have achieved success in your cultivation one day, dismantle these old bones of mine; then, not only will you be free from my clutches, but even in this Lower Realm Eight Domains, you will be able to run wild as you please."

"Pfft!"

Mengchen's surprised face immediately turned into a look of displeasure and disdain.

"I knew you old bald-headed man weren't brewing anything good; so you wanted to frame me with the infamy of killing my master, no way!"

Although he very much wanted to get rid of Jinchanzi's control, he had never thought of achieving his goal by harming him.

After all, it was he who raised him and took him as a disciple; there was the grace of upbringing, and this favor was boundless.

He asked himself, his rebellious heart already made him feel deeply guilty toward him, so how could he dare to imagine such a beastly act? "How dare you be so disrespectful to this sect leader, you deserve a beating!"

Seeing this expression from Mengchen, after hearing his words, Jinchanzi looked displeased and waved his palm in the air, slapping him on the forehead from a distance.

This slap was very light, and Mengchen felt no pain at all.

At this moment, although Jinchanzi looked very displeased, he was actually very happy and delighted in his heart.

"It seems that in the heart of this rebellious kid, I still carry some weight."

Mengchen's words and actions, although very unbridled, made Jinchanzi feel very warm.

"I have already participated in the sect competition you wanted me to join, and as you wished, I have already won the championship. Now that there is nothing else, hurry up and leave! Don't disturb my leisure anymore, let me have some peace."

After receiving the painless slap, Mengchen became a bit impatient.

"Who said there's nothing else?"

Jinchanzi blurted out righteously.

"What do you want me to do now? I really can't get a moment of peace in your hands."

Mengchen rolled his eyes and turned his head to look, his tone very dissatisfied.

Jinchanzi's expression became slightly solemn, and he said seriously: "Less nonsense, listen to me carefully!"

"Ten days from now, it will be the once-every-ten-years Genius Battle of our Xuanyu. At that time, geniuses from all sects in Xuanyu will gather at the Xuan Gate."

"This battle will feature all the geniuses of the younger generation; it will be a gathering of stars and a very good opportunity for training."

"If you are a dragon, you will soar above the Nine Heavens and be unbound in the future, but if you are just a ground snake, then your future range of activity will only be this little patch of land at my Lingshan."

"For the next ten days, prepare yourself well! My requirement is not very high; just go and bring me back a first place."

"You call the first one not high?" Mengchen glanced over with a look of disdain.

Speaking until the end, Jinchanzi gazed intently, asking with a playful tone: "How about it, do you dare to go and test whether you are a dragon or a ground snake?"

"Why wouldn't I dare!"

Mengchen scrambled to his feet, instantly full of energy, a flash of brilliance crossing his eyes.

Mengchen would naturally not let the opportunity to leave the Western Sect slip away easily.

Perhaps this time, he could successfully escape.

From then on, he would break ties with this bald-headed sect and go his separate ways.

"You lazy coward, you agreed so readily this time; could it be you want to take the chance to betray the sect and flee?"

Jinchanzi could guess Mengchen's thoughts with his toes, but knowing it clearly, he still chose to point it out right then, wanting to give him a warning and make him retreat in the face of difficulty.

Although he knew the effect of the warning would be poor, or even have no effect at all, what needed to be said still had to be said.

At the same time, it was also to tell him that his little schemes could not deceive anyone at all.

Wanting to betray the sect and flee would be absolutely impossible.

"How could that be! Only a fool would do something they know cannot be done, right?"

Mengchen rolled his eyes, retorting with extreme disdain for such behavior.

Jinchanzi spoke with hidden meaning, bringing up Mengchen's unbearable past from recent years.

"Indeed! Knowing it cannot be done, yet there really was a fool who did it no less than a hundred times."

"If you're done talking, then hurry up and leave!"

Mengchen's cute, fair little face instantly flushed red, and he began to push and shoo Jinchanzi away.

Looking across the entire Western Sect, only Mengchen would dare to act like this.

If it were anyone else, who would dare to be so presumptuous?

Judging from this level of tolerance, one could tell just what kind of important position Mengchen held in Jinchanzi's heart.

Otherwise, how would he allow a disciple to rub the face of a dignified sect leader on the ground so wantonly?

"Alright! I'm leaving; for the next ten days, you should prepare yourself well."

As the words fell, Jinchanzi vanished in an instant.

Mengchen quietly gazed into the distance, his heart already calculating the plan for how to betray the sect and flee this time...

(End of this chapter)