Gu Chengming confirmed he hadn't misread it.
But wasn't this name a bit too long?
"Primal", "Boundless", "Sovereign of Myriad Daos", "Nine Heavens and Ten Earths", "Supreme of the Universe"...
He felt that each part was fine on its own, but combined, they looked increasingly ridiculous.
With doubt in his heart, Gu Chengming shifted his attention to another description.
CG Unlocked: No.
To be honest, Gu Chengming was a bit uncertain. After all, unlocking the CG for the Huiyuan Sword Art last time had cost him a lot of energy.
But with a CG sitting right there, as a galgame master, could he resist unlocking it?
However, compared to the Huiyuan Sword Art incident, the situation with Hundred Bones Resonating should be much better, right?
After all, the unlocked CG was strongly associated with itself; surely it wouldn't undergo a complete personality shift?
And looking at Hundred Bones Resonating's performance in the illusion earlier, its personality hadn't actually changed much.
Just as he was thinking this.
【Hundred Bones Resonating / Status: Primal Boundless Sovereign of Myriad Daos, Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, Supreme of the Universe Emperor Art】
【Hundred Bones Resonating laughs loudly. This Venerable's thoughts were indeed correct! Between life and death, there is great terror, but also great opportunity! Little Gu, you were indifferent to This Venerable before, but now that This Venerable's divine art is complete, do you still dare to question This Venerable?】
Gu Chengming: "?"
This tone felt a bit unreliable.
But he still cautiously tested the waters: "Emperor Bai, when did you finish your seclusion?" This title of Emperor Bai made Hundred Bones Resonating extremely satisfied.
【Hundred Bones Resonating thinks to itself: Emperor Bai, good! Very good! This title is exactly to its liking! Little Gu, you indeed have vision. In the future, This Venerable shall take you to roam the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, sweeping across the eternal ages, and no one will ever dare to bully you again!】
Just then, Flowing Cloud Following Moon, which had been silent, suddenly popped up a window.
【Flowing Cloud Following Moon looks at the two of you with disgust.】
【Flowing Cloud Following Moon thinks: Two idiots.】
The moment this window popped up, Gu Chengming felt the world go quiet for a moment.
After a brief, awkward silence.
【Hundred Bones Resonating is furious upon hearing this!】
【Hundred Bones Resonating roars: Presumptuous! A mere wretch's sword art, how dare you insult This Venerable and Little Gu?! This Venerable has now attained the Supreme Dao. You, a stray dog who only knows how to lament, are fit only to bark incessantly before This Venerable?!】
【Flowing Cloud Following Moon: Heh.】
Flowing Cloud Following Moon seemed to lose interest in arguing with an idiot, disappearing with a single "heh."
"Holy crap."
Seeing this, Gu Chengming really felt uncertain. Old Bai hadn't actually become an Emperor, had he?
Before, when Flowing Cloud Following Moon insulted it, it would just frown and retreat behind Gu Chengming.
Now it was actually confronting Flowing Cloud Following Moon head-on and forcing it to retreat?!
This made Gu Chengming extremely curious about that ridiculously long-named "Primal Emperor Art," and he couldn't wait to look at the newly appeared CG details page.
【Hundred Bones Resonating CG / Primal Emperor Art: Obtained through Hundred Bones Resonating's experiences in the illusion, combined with its own extreme obsession with the concept of "breaking and then establishing."】
【Effect (Active): When activated, the host will receive the blessing of "Primal Emperor Qi." During this period, the host's physical defense is doubled and gains the special status "Emperor."】
【Duration: 30 minutes】
【Cooldown: 3 days (Shortens as CG unlock progress increases)】
【Current Unlock Progress: 0%】
Gu Chengming sucked in a breath of cold air.
Setting aside that impressive-sounding "Emperor" status, the "defense doubled" effect alone was enough to prove its power.
One must know that defensive measures in the cultivation world usually relied on protective Dharma treasures or spiritual energy shields. A technique that directly acted on the physical body or base defensive attributes was extremely rare.
As for that "Emperor" status, although Gu Chengming didn't quite understand the specific meaning, looking at the name, it was likely a positive buff, probably increasing intimidation or mental resistance.
And this was just the initial state at 0% unlock progress!
If the unlock progress became higher in the future, the cooldown would shorten, the duration would extend, and perhaps the defense multiplier would increase even further...
Gu Chengming decided to test the effect first.
"Emperor Bai, assist me in my cultivation!"
He muttered in his heart and directly chose to activate 【Primal Emperor Art】.
In an instant, Gu Chengming's body shook slightly.
A warm aura gushed from his dantian, quietly washing over every inch of his meridians.
He lowered his eyes and saw his open palm; the contours between his knuckles inexplicably appeared hardened, and the flesh beneath his skin seemed to possess the quality of gold and stone, settling heavily between his bones without appearing brutish.
At the same time, he suddenly felt a sense of nobility and the aura of a powerhouse sprouting from the depths of his heart.
Sparrows under the eaves fluttered past, and he looked up.
The small courtyard was still the same small courtyard, with yesterday's moss crawling over the mottled blue bricks.
But when the wind brushed past his ears, he clearly heard sounds like warhorses crushing frost and dust at the border, like a vermilion brush hanging poised in a temple hall, like the rustling of clothes as thousands upon thousands of people bowed down.
He opened his mouth, wanting to remark that this state was indeed powerful.
However.
The moment his voice emerged, what he said was:
"This meager power... although not even a ten-thousandth of This Venerable's peak, it is barely usable."
—Holy crap? What am I saying?
Before he could react, Hundred Bones Resonating in his mind immediately took up the conversation.
【Hundred Bones Resonating says with relief: Not bad, Emperor Gu! Have you finally awakened the memories of your past life? I remember back then, when you and I joined forces on that World Sea Dam, we slaughtered until no one dared to call themselves a sovereign. What a delight that was!】
"Indeed. This vast heaven and earth are but toys in This Venerable's palm, and these stars across the sky are but dust in This Venerable's eyes. Emperor Bai, with you and I joined together, why worry that our great cause will not succeed?"
Hearing these words come out of his own mouth, Gu Chengming sighed in his heart.
—Well, at least I can still control my body.
Hundred Bones Resonating's blood boiled as if it had found a soulmate.
【Hundred Bones Resonating: Well said! Our generation should fight heaven and earth, seizing every moment!】
"Excellent. This Venerable has the same intention. Let us see if there are any immortals above the nine heavens who dare to descend for a battle!"
He paced back and forth in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, reciting a line with every step.
Something like, "The Great Dao is like the blue sky, yet only I cannot emerge? A joke! This Venerable is that very sky!"
Something like, "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, do not bully This Venerable... er, This Venerable is already invincible."
Meanwhile, Hundred Bones Resonating was frantically cheering him on in his Sea of Consciousness, the two of "them" playing off each other.
Finally, the long thirty minutes passed.
"Holy crap..."
Gu Chengming gasped for breath, finally uttering a long-awaited human sentence.
【Hundred Bones Resonating was still unsatisfied: Delightful! Truly delightful! Emperor Gu, after this discussion of the Dao with you, This Venerable feels that my realm has loosened again! It seems returning to the peak is just around the corner!】
Gu Chengming was about to complain when several lines of prompts appeared before him.
【CG "Primal Emperor Art" ended.】
【CG Unlock Progress +5%】
【Current Unlock Progress: 5%】
【Unlock Reward: Cooldown reduced to 2 days and 23 hours.】
"Emperor Bai..."
Gu Chengming sighed.
【Hundred Bones Resonating: What are Emperor Gu's orders?】
"Next time, let's talk about something else."
【Hundred Bones Resonating pondered for a moment: Very well. Since Emperor Gu has given the order, next time we shall discuss how to reshape reincarnation and recreate the universe.】
Gu Chengming: "."
Over the next few days, Gu Chengming did some research.
The so-called "Emperor" status, aside from forcibly taking over his speech system, didn't seem to have any other effects.
Well, at least it was acceptable; after all, it still provided a defense multiplier.
Furthermore, based on his previous experience unlocking the 《Huiyuan Sword Art》 CG, the technique would remain in its "CG" state until the CG was fully unlocked.
In other words, this "Emperor Bai" would likely stay with him until the CG progress bar was full.
But to be honest, perhaps because the previous Hundred Bones Resonating was already eccentric enough, Gu Chengming felt that the current one, aside from the change in title and a more arrogant tone, didn't have any essential difference.
In fact, because it now had a clear "Emperor Bai" persona, it was actually easier to handle.
As long as he followed its lead and said a few words like "The Great Emperor is mighty" or "Sweeping across the eternal ages," it would be happy for half a day.
As for the CG unlocking method, it was straightforward this time.
He only needed to activate the "Primal Emperor Art" state to unlock five percent of the progress. Moreover, as the number of activations increased, the cooldown would shorten accordingly.
Gu Chengming calculated that at this rate, if he was diligent and found a secluded place to activate it once a day, the CG would be completely unlocked in just over a month.
"One month..."
Gu Chengming looked at the old tree in the courtyard and thought to himself:
"During this month, aside from necessary outings, I absolutely will not take a single step out of this courtyard!"
Meanwhile, in the Qingfeng Gate, atop a mountain shrouded in clouds and mist.
Zhao Wuji was sitting at his desk, holding a scroll of sect briefings.
"These disciples are getting harder to lead every year." He put down the briefing and rubbed his aching temples.
The briefing clearly detailed how the new disciples had exploited rule loopholes a few days ago to frantically fleece the sect.
Could such a thing be done so openly?! Utterly stupid!
A disciple nearby, seeing this, carefully handed over a cup of spiritual tea and whispered:
"Elder Zhao, please calm your anger. The Enforcement Hall has already severely punished the ringleaders, and the disciples involved have all been sentenced to confinement. The atmosphere has been corrected, and the disciples have realized their mistakes."
"Realized their mistakes? Hmph, I see it as admitting the mistake but not changing, and they'll dare to do it again next time!" Zhao Wuji took the teacup, took a sip, and his anger subsided slightly.
His gaze swept over the briefing again, finally stopping on the only name that hadn't participated in the "sharing of the spoils."
This Gu Chengming, however, indeed possessed extraordinary character, truly worthy of being first in the dao heart assessment.
This also made him feel a bit more favorable toward this disciple.
In fact, since the last grand competition, Zhao Wuji had been keeping Gu Chengming's matter in mind.
He was certain that the killing intent he felt from the Spirit Induction Art that day was no illusion.
This child had a resilient character and talent; it would be a great pity if he were to suffer cultivation deviation due to hatred or go astray.
Zhao Wuji sighed.
He remembered a disciple he had taken in a hundred years ago.
That child was also exceptionally gifted and also bore a family vendetta.
To seek revenge, that child practiced day and night, even resorting to forbidden arts, eventually suffering cultivation deviation during a breakthrough, dying with shattered meridians.
Seeing Gu Chengming now, he felt as if he were seeing that child from back then again.
"Forget it, since this old man has encountered him, I cannot just sit by and watch."
Zhao Wuji put down his teacup, stood up, and instructed the deacon disciple:
"Go, prepare a generous gift, and accompany this old man to the Huiyuan Gate."
The deacon disciple was stunned: "Elder Zhao is going to find Elder Ren?"
"Yes." Zhao Wuji nodded. "There are some matters I need to verify with him."
Huiyuan Gate, Ren Wencai's cave dwelling.
When Zhao Wuji explained his purpose, wanting to access Gu Chengming's background files, Ren Wencai's first reaction was—
This old fellow wants to steal my disciple!
"Junior Brother Zhao, isn't this a bit against the rules?" Ren Wencai put on airs and spoke slowly. "Accessing a disciple's background is a private matter. Without a legitimate reason, I'm afraid I cannot comply."
Alarm bells were ringing in his heart.
Gu Chengming was a seedling he favored. Although he hadn't officially taken him as a disciple, he had already labeled him as belonging to the "Huiyuan Gate" in his heart.
This Zhao Wuji usually never visited without a reason; suddenly coming today to check someone's records, he definitely had bad intentions!
Zhao Wuji was also helpless and could only explain patiently:
"Senior Brother Ren misunderstood. This old man simply saw that this child's character is extraordinary and wanted to verify a few things. I assure you, I have no intention of taking him as a disciple."
After Zhao Wuji's repeated assurances, and almost being forced to swear a Dao oath, Ren Wencai finally relented suspiciously and pulled Gu Chengming's files from the sect's secret archives.
However, the results of the investigation left him even more confused.
There were only a few lines in the file:
【Gu Chengming, orphan, drifted in the mortal world since childhood, later brought back by a traveling sect deacon. Clean background, no family history, no records of enemies.】
It was too clean.
So clean it was like a blank sheet of paper.
"This..."
Zhao Wuji's brow furrowed.
The background was too clean, making the status of 'orphan' seem very problematic.
This also deepened his suspicions about Gu Chengming.
Could he be the orphan of some exterminated cultivation clan? Or was he carrying some unspeakable secret?
He returned the file to Ren Wencai and said solemnly:
"Thank you, Senior Brother Ren. This old man now has an idea of the situation."
After leaving the Huiyuan Gate, Zhao Wuji did not return directly to the Qingfeng Gate.
He paused in mid-air, casting his gaze toward the area where the disciples lived.
"Since nothing can be found in the files, I'll go see for myself." Zhao Wuji made up his mind.
He intended to use the excuse of Gu Chengming's excellent performance in the grand competition and his refusal to join the others in their scheme to visit this disciple and subtly test him.
If there truly was some hidden trouble, perhaps he could offer some assistance.
The night was deep, with only a few sparse stars hanging in the ink-like sky.
Outside Gu Chengming's small courtyard, several old trees rustled in the night wind, casting mottled shadows.
Zhao Wuji stopped and was about to raise his hand to knock.
At this moment, a low murmuring came from within the courtyard. The voice wasn't loud, but in the silence of the deep night, it was exceptionally clear.
"In this life, since This Venerable has returned to the world, I shall naturally sweep across the eternal ages..."
Outside the courtyard wall, Zhao Wuji's hand, which had been ready to knock, froze in mid-air.
His brow furrowed slightly, and a flash of bewilderment crossed his eyes.
Returned to the world? Sweeping across the eternal ages? Why did these words sound so strange and arrogant?
Could it be that this boy wasn't sleeping late at night because he was reciting some lost ancient classic?
But in the sect's Scripture Repository, there didn't seem to be any unique copies with such a grand tone.
Zhao Wuji withdrew his hand and stood with his hands behind his back, not rushing to speak.
His instincts as an elder told him that it wasn't wise to alert the target now. He waited patiently, holding his breath and focusing his mind to continue listening.
"Haha, Emperor Bai, you must be joking."
The voice inside became somewhat ethereal, as if imitating the tone of a conversation, sounding extremely discordant.
"A mere Heavenly Dao dares to obstruct me? When This Venerable returns to the peak, I shall surely slaughter my way into the nine heavens and let those immortals fall..."
Zhao Wuji's expression shifted from initial confusion to something increasingly strange.
What was all this? What immortals falling, and who on earth was this "Emperor Bai"?
Zhao Wuji had lived for over a hundred years and traveled the cultivation world for many more. He knew much about the classics and secrets of various major sects, yet he had never heard of such a title.
"This boy... could he have misdirected his Qi during practice and fried his brain?" Zhao Wuji thought to himself.
If it were a delusion caused by cultivation deviation, it would usually be nonsensical babbling, but hearing this tone, the logic seemed quite coherent.
For some reason, although his reason told him this was just a disciple's nonsense, in this empty and lonely night, listening to the certain and arrogant monologue behind the wall, Zhao Wuji actually felt a slight chill down his spine and became inexplicably uneasy.
"If not for that Red-Haired Old Monster's interference, This Venerable would have likely slaughtered until even the Great Dao was obliterated..."
Another exclamation came from the courtyard, the tone seemingly carrying a hint of regret and reminiscence.
It was getting more and more out of hand.
Zhao Wuji's mouth twitched. He had originally wanted to push the door open and check the situation, but the moment his hand touched the door leaf, he hesitated again.
If Gu Chengming really was possessed by some unknown evil spirit, and he barged in recklessly, it might be difficult to handle if it triggered a sudden change.
Moreover, hearing this tone, it was as if he had become a completely different person...
"No, this matter is too bizarre and of great importance. If it's just a simple delusion, that's one thing, but if it involves possession or deep-seated heart demons, I'm afraid I can't determine it alone. I must discuss this with Old Ren!"
Zhao Wuji made a prompt decision. He didn't even dare to knock, turning around and flying toward the Huiyuan Gate.
Atop the main peak of the Huiyuan Gate.
Ren Wencai was just about to enter meditation when his door was slammed open by a brute force. The visitor was the usually steady Zhao Wuji.
Facing Ren Wencai's suspicious gaze, Zhao Wuji didn't exchange pleasantries but instead solemnly recounted everything he had just seen and heard outside Gu Chengming's courtyard.
Something about living through nine lives, ruling over the eternal ages, and slaughtering through the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.
This absurd description left Ren Wencai completely bewildered, his brow tightly knit.
As a fourth realm cultivator, he knew the cultivation world was full of wonders. While tales of possession and reincarnation weren't groundless, the terms Zhao Wuji used, like "Emperor Bai" and "ruling over the eternal ages," were simply too ridiculous.
Rather than believing the absurd premise that his disciple was the reincarnation of some ancient emperor, a more realistic and troublesome speculation quickly surfaced in Ren Wencai's mind—cultivation deviation.
In his view, Gu Chengming might have let his guard down after the grand competition, or perhaps his obsessions were too deep, leading to a lapse in his dao heart, allowing heart demons to take advantage.
After all, typical signs of heart demon possession were mental confusion, arrogance, and even severe hallucinations of being invincible in the world.
Furthermore, the more determined a cultivator's dao heart, the more bizarre their reaction during cultivation deviation.
This speculation was quickly agreed upon by Zhao Wuji. As the two looked at each other, their original emotions quickly transformed into concern for their disciple's safety.
Whether the truth was possession or being trapped in a heart demon delusion, Gu Chengming's current state was already precarious and could not afford any delay.
At this thought, the two elders no longer hesitated and immediately decided to go together to investigate.
If it was the work of heart demons, there was still room for recovery. If it truly involved some unspeakable existence, the two of them working together could handle it.
Under the night sky, two streaks of light cut through the air, heading straight for Gu Chengming's courtyard.
A moment later.
Gu Chengming's small courtyard welcomed visitors once again.
At this time, Gu Chengming had just finished today's "Primal Emperor Art" practice and was lying in a chair, enjoying that rare moment of post-exertion clarity.
"Knock, knock, knock."
The knocking sounded, this time appearing somewhat urgent.
Gu Chengming was startled.
Who would it be in the middle of the night?
He forced himself to stand up, straightened his somewhat messy clothes, and walked over to open the courtyard door.
"Creak—"
The door opened.
Standing outside was not Jiang Lu, but two familiar and majestic faces.
The two elders were currently looking at him with extremely complex expressions.
"Elder Ren? Elder Zhao?"
Gu Chengming was stunned, instinctively cupping his hands in greeting. "It's so late, why are the two elders..."
Ren Wencai didn't speak immediately. Instead, he first used his divine sense to sweep over Gu Chengming. After confirming there was no aura of evil spirits, he breathed a slight sigh of relief.
But he still stared intently into Gu Chengming's eyes and asked tentatively:
"Chengming, it's so late, why aren't you asleep yet?"
"Uh... This disciple was just practicing and was about to rest," Gu Chengming answered honestly.
"Practicing?"
Zhao Wuji, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but interject, "What kind of practice? Could it be a technique that sweeps across the eternal ages?"
Gu Chengming: "..."
Now he knew why the two of them had come to find him.
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